Letter to the Brethren: February 1, 2018

World News Items

US President Trump was in Davos, Switzerland to speak at the World Economic Forum (see Davos, Trump, Trade, and Brexit). Although he was reasonably well received there, many are concerned about his future trade policies. He alluded to some of them in his State of the Union address last night (see Trump’s ‘State of the Union’ raised trade war concerns). Various US trading partners are not pleased. This will not end well for the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39)–but there still is more time.

Speaking of times, they seem to be changing a bit in Europe. And this is more than distaste for US President Trump. Bjoern Hoecke, a senior leader in the German AfD party, vowed to ban Islam across Europe (see Senior AfD member vows to ban Islam across Europe). Notice the following:

Speaking to his AfD supporters on Saturday in Eisleben, Germany, Bjoern Hoecke said: “Once we come into power, we will enforce what is necessary for us to live our lives freely. We will issue the directive that after crossing the Bosporus, the three great M’s: Mohammed, Muezzin and minaret are over, dear friends!”

Let me add here that after the European Beast comes to power, he (and the final Antichrist) will end up taking steps to essentially eliminate Islam.

Europe is also trying to take steps to try to prevent China from ending up with all its technology (see EU wants to restrict China’s access to its technology; China wants to improve relations with Japan). Technology is going to be a key in the ‘marvelous’ future military success of the Beast (cf. Revelation 13:3-4; Daniel 11:39-43).

In Europe, we are also seeing more and more laws related to surveillance and speech limitations (see, for example Germany and Spain speech laws: A second ‘Spanish Inquisition’? Pope Francis on ‘Fake News’?). Western societies are not as ‘open’ as they want people to believe (see also George Soros, Facebook, Google, and governmental control). A ‘famine of the word of God’ is coming (Amos 8:11-12) and we continue to see more movements by governments that will make it easier for the Beast to come to implement.

In the Middle East, troubles remain in Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for a murderous terrorist attack there (see Taliban terrorist kills close to 100 in Afghanistan). Afghanistan, like the rest of the world, needs the Kingdom of God. So, we are striving to proclaim it (cf. Matthew 24:14).

A new survey found that the Palestinians and Israelis seem less hopeful for a peace deal, and many believe that war is a better way (see Why Israelis and Palestinians Increasingly Think War, Not Two States, Will Solve Their Conflict). The Europeans are also pressuring Israel to not allow Donald Trump’s influence to prevent them from  giving up territory for peace. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that a power other than the USA needs to be involved in negotiating peace in the region and that once it happens, Germany would move its embassy to Jerusalem (see Why Israelis and Palestinians Increasingly Think War, Not Two States, Will Solve Their Conflict). The Bible shows that there WILL BE EUROPEAN INVOLVEMENT of a regional deal (Daniel 9:26-27) and that a militaristic Germanic-European power will end up in Jerusalem (cf. Daniel 11:31).

China is proposing an Arctic road as part of its increasingly ambitious One Belt, One Road initiative (see Asia: China proposes ‘Polar Silk Road’ across Arctic to streamline trade (with Europe)). Such a road would be expected to reduce transport times for trade with Europe. The Bible shows that the merchants of the world will become wealthy trading with the coming Babylonian European power (cf. Revelation 18:3). China wants more trade with Europe and hopes to produce roads, etc. to facilitate it.

Some believe that the future for the post-Brexit UK needs to better be linked to Eurasia (see ‘Never mind Brexit, or even Europe. The future is Eurasian’). Such links will NOT stop the coming ‘time of Jacob’s troubles (Jeremiah 30:7) which will be a time of devastation for the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. But those who ignore biblical prophecy tend to walk by sight and not faith, which is the opposite of how Christians are to walk (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week:

• 2-3 hymns (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, contains the materials from the 1974 Bible Hymnal from the old WCG with new covers, plus ten additional hymns; there is also some Choral Accompaniment online).
• Opening prayer.
• Sermonette, which for most who receive this letter via email will be a recorded one: Beware of the ‘Ecumenical Cross.’ Other sermonettes are available at the Bible News Prophecy channel.
• Announcements (if any; though for many it will be this letter) and one hymn.
• Sermon, which for most who receive this letter via email will be a recorded one. The one suggested for this week is: Truth about the Holy Spirit: What THEY do not want you to know! Other sermons are also available at the ContinuingCOG channel.
• Final hymn.
• Closing prayer.

Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear–if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often–you can select a quality as low as 144p. If your internet connection is still too slow (as my home one is) and/or you prefer audio messages to audio-visuals ones, go to the YouTube link for the message, click on SHOW MORE related to the description. You will then see something that says, “Download MP3.” Below that is a link to an MP3 file. Most computers (and even some cellular telephones) will allow MP3 files to be downloaded and played. This is an option we have made available (but we are also looking into ways to improve that as well)–and, of course, we have written article options. Some people have found that if their internet connections are not fast enough, that they can simply listen to the messages that are found at the new Bible News Prophecy online radio channel. IN CASE YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A ‘LETTER TO THE BRETHREN’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE ContinuingCOG channel AND MANY SERMONETTE MESSAGES ON THE BibleNewsProphecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel.

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul wrote:

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

Many scholars boast of their standing in the world and in various of the world’s churches–but they teach falsehoods, even if they claim Jesus as Lord.

Furthermore, notice that Jesus taught:

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Intentionally mistranslating scriptures, teaching false doctrines, and teaching inaccurate versions of church history is related to the lawlessness we see in the world.

Brethren, the reason I closed like that is so you will realize the importance of what we teach, despite the false accusations against us.

Most in the world will not care for the recommended sermonette and sermon for this week.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer