Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:
Greetings from Grover Beach, California.
My family and I are looking at having Sabbath services in the Brea, California, which is in northern Orange County on February 12, 2022.
Those who wish to attend can send me an email to cogwriter@aol.com
Youth Bible LessonsWe finally have more sets of Youth Bible Lessons available.
Each of the above has a dozen or so individual lessons.
I actually finished my part on them two years ago, but because of staffing issues (a pregnant staff member in early 2020 who went on extended leave, followed by the inability to get temporary staff because of COVID, etc.) this was greatly delayed.
What we have are all available online at the following link: Youth Bible Lessons.
The Bible admonishes parents:
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:3-8)
The Youth Bible Lessons are a tool that parents can use to help teach their children about the ways and love of God.
This is yet another way to “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6).
Floods in Malawi and Brazil
As the following from a news tweet shows, Malawi has been impacted by flooding:
We received reports from deacon Radson Mulozowa of how the massive flooding has affect our brethren in Malawi:
Greetings from Malawi and Mozambique.
We are all fine by the grace of GodLetter me report that floods have affected the churches, brethren house and the cropsChurches fallen1. Njenjete congregation2. Chileka congregation3 Maulo congregationAll these congratulations they need assistance so that they can put a temporary structure so that in future when the rain stop they can mould bricks and put a permanent building About sunuzi the church building is full of cracks in the way that it’s not good for the brethren to be meeting inside the building ,the wall is very wet any time if the rain don’t stop it will fallBeside the church building , a church office for the zone was built and again it has collapsedThe brethren has contributed some funds but it’s not sufficient to purchase timber and plastic sheet so that a temporary shelter can be put.HOUSES FALLEN1. Chileka. 102. Migowi. 23. Sunuzi. 104. Njenjete. 65. Mozambique 25Most of these brethren are staying in school camp and they are lacking food and plastic sheet so that they can put temporary structure to stay in.I have visited the brethren except Mwanza due to fuel challenge.To speak the truth the brethren staying in school are really suffering.If possible our support is greatly needed. If some churches comes to the camp they are just assisting their members only
Best regards
Radson
Radson also sent so photographs:
We sent some financial assistance for those in Malawi and Mozambique this week.
We also received reports about flooding in northern Brazil from some who have expressed interest in affiliating with the CCOG. However, as my Portuguese is almost non-existent, we have our translator in Portugal to communicate with them to better understand the situation there.
Please pray for our brethren around the world as many are experiencing numerous hardships.
Blacklisted
There is a popular television program called The Blacklist. The premise is that the star of the show supplies the US Federal Bureau of Investigation a name and details about some criminal (or group of criminals) on his list, known as the blacklist. Those on that particular blacklist are generally considered to be quite heinous criminals.
Wikipedia defines blacklisting as follows:
Blacklisting is the action of a group or authority, compiling a blacklist (or black list) of people, countries or other entities to be avoided or distrusted as being deemed unacceptable to those making the list. If someone is on a blacklist, they are seen by a government or other organization as being one of a number of people who cannot be trusted or who have done something wrong. As a verb, blacklist can mean to put an individual or entity on such a list. … In computing, a blacklist is an access control system that denies entry to a specific list (or a defined range) of users, programs, or network addresses. (Blacklisting. Wikipedia, accessed 01/31/22)
Being on a computerized “blacklist” can eliminate access to information, including biblical truth. Opposers of Jesus used the Satanic tactic of ‘guilt by association,’ which Jesus denounced and added something:
34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children. (Luke 7:34-35)
Being put on a real ‘blacklist’ or even being lumped in with those who are disreputable highly impacts those who do not possess godly wisdom.
Why mention that here?
Because of an incident this week.
Let’s begin with some background.
In July 2020, the Continuing Church of God announced that we had another URL and website: https://cg7.org
The purpose of the site was to have free information that keepers of the seventh-day Sabbath might be interested in.
Until a few days ago, all seemed fine.
Yet, on Sunday, January 30, 2022, we received an urgent email from the legal department from our web hosting company that a web monitoring site placed that URL on its “blacklist” and we had to agree to make various ‘corrections.’ We were told that if those were not made to the web monitoring site’s satisfaction, the cg7.org site would be removed from our hosting company. But, the hosting company stated that instead of immediately removing the cg7.org website, since we had been reliable long-term customers they could give us 72 hours to try to get off the blacklist.
So, I prayed about it and then contacted the web monitoring site to try to find out what was happening and to ask for details.
The web monitoring site responded by stating there was an allegation about something to do with spamming. Yet, it was a false allegation as that was not anything that we ever did.
There were about a dozen communications to try to resolve this.
After I informed the web monitoring site that we had nothing to do with the allegation and hence should not be placed on the “blacklist,” they finally reviewed the details of the complaint.
The web monitoring site representative then reported that he was “mystified” that we had the problem in the first place. They then took us off the blacklist.
When I rechecked, the web monitoring site had the following up:
cg7.org has no issues
So, that was good news.
I then informed the hosting company’s legal department yesterday, which responded with:
Hello,
As per our check, the domain name in question has been successfully removed from the blacklist. Therefore, the case is considered to be closed.
Thank you for looking into the matter. We will let you know in case of any further issues.
————————
Regards, …Legal & Abuse Department
In my view, the whole matter had Satanic overtones.
We had done nothing wrong, but were facing removal because of falsehoods. The fact that the web monitoring company representative stated he was “mystified” this matter got this far suggested Satanic involvement.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
When facing the powers of darkness, the Apostle Paul wrote for Christians to do the following:
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Ephesians 6:13-17)
So, I strove to do the above and we won– this time.
The timing of all of this was very interesting as we had began to embark on a potentially large expansion for the https://cg7.org URL, which is our Church of God 7th Day Sabbath Observing Christians website.
Even this past Friday, I had someone else working with me on that project. Then, Sunday, the cg7.org site was facing elimination–a limited type of “famine of the word’ (cf. Amos 8:11-12).
Now that immediate threat has part.
This was another censatorial type of persecution we have faced. To learn more about others we have dealt with in the past few years, check out the article: Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word.
Remember that the Bible points to the devil as “the accuser of” the “brethren” (Revelation 12:10) and that Satan will also enlist those that some think look good in order to accomplish his goals (2 Corinthians 11:15). Satan will probably enlist some to criticize this post.
That being said, as far as our Church of God 7th Day Sabbath Observing Christians website goes, it starts out as follows:
Church of God 7th Day Sabbath Observing Christians
“… contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3
This site is intended to help people who wonder about the seventh-day Sabbath as well as those interested in learning about the different groups that claim Christ, but who also keep the seventh-day Sabbath.
Articles from the www.cogwriter.com website on various Sabbath keeping groups have been included.
Anyway, the project we have been working on was to add more historical items and literature. Here is what we added in the past 24 hours:
Historical Writings
There has been a continuous keeping of the Seventh day Sabbath from the time of the original apostles to present (see Laying on of Hands Succession and List; here is a link to a related sermon: Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession).
The following are books and articles written by Sabbath-keepers in the 1600s through the early 1900s. While we in the Continuing Church of God would not agree with everything in these writings, they are provided here for historical reference as well as to demonstrate that there have been English-speaking Seventh day Sabbath keepers for centuries:
A briefe refutation of Iohn Traskes iudaical and nouel fancyes Stiling himselfe Minister of Gods Word, imprisoned for the lawes eternall perfection, or God’s lawes perfect eternity This is an attack, published in 1618, by a Roman Catholic priest against a Sabbath keeper named John Traske. The priest objects to Traske quoting scriptures and early Sabbath keepers like Polycarp of Smyrna and Polycrates of Ephesus. This old English document provide proof that Sabbath keepers with certain “Church of God” doctrines were in the British Isles in the 1600s.
Letters from Peter Chamberlen, reports from the Seventh Day Baptists, Adventist matters, Church of God leaders, and writings during the Sardis Church Era. This has materials about the Sabbath keepers from the 1600s to the 1900s,
An Examination of a late book published by Doctor Owen … A Sacred Day of Rest. Now this book was published in 1671 and uses old English, meaning that the letter “f” is often used where we would not use the letter “s.” Also note that some of the first pages of the link are blank on purpose. It was written by a Sabbatarian Church of God leader named William Saller.
A Pious Young Man’s Guide. This was written by John Mauldin who penned a some books in 1708 under the pen name of Philotheos. But this book shows he lost some of the truth consistent with warnings to Sardis (Revelation 3:1-3.
A Threefold Dialogue. This was also by John Mauldin who penned it under the name Philotheos. On pages 26 and 27 he used the expression “Church of God”and on page 32 “Church of Chift” (old English spelling). On pages 30-32 he teaches against the false Calvinistic notion that God will condemn babies. On page 61, he teaches that the resurrection was not on Sunday, but on the day we now call Saturday.
The Hope of Israel was published in the 1800s by Sabbatarians. They were not necessarily in the Church of God and contain some statements the CCOG would not support. Here are links to some that are online:
“Hope of Israel 01.01 (10 AUG 1863).pdf” at: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:188abd6c-c543-4e90-91e3-3cfee13095eb
“Hope of Israel 01.02 (24 AUG 1863).pdf” at: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:2b97e33e-376e-451c-ad40-0f8f00bd55d7
“Hope of Israel 01.03 14 SEP 1863).pdf” at: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:dd04961a-16c6-4461-801e-881a9e2189e2
“Hope of Israel 01.04 (10 OCT 1863).pdf” at: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:3287a62e-1ef4-4b87-a349-e29453b0ea44
“Hope of Israel 01.05 (15 NOV 1863).pdf” at: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:12e466e6-df5c-4565-bf19-c2ca45693c98
“Hope of Israel 01.06 (10 DEC 1863).pdf” at: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:c7a6d6fe-9349-4cdf-bb81-d396a5c3d1d3
“Hope of Israel 01.07 (10 FEB 1864).pdf” at: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:7a7b3cab-6b7d-4efb-bf08-7fde42d8b4a5
“Hope of Israel” quotes on ‘Born Again are in the article: Born Again: A Question of Semantics
Here are a couple snippets from the Sabbath Advocate and Herald of the Coming Kingdom in the 1890s from the Friends of the Sabbath site:
| Born Again extract A..> | 2020-01-20 03:05 | 12K | |
| The “Shut-Door’ in 1..> | 2019-02-24 17:01 | 17K |
Here are links to some articles published in 1937 by the Church of God-Seventh-Day:
Speak Evil of No Man by T.J. Allen
The Scripture and Good Works by J.T. Williamson
True Observance of the Lord’s Supper by Darrell A. Davis
When King Jesus Reigns on the Earth by C.O. Stadsklev
Here is a link to articles and magazines published in the 1900s by many writers in the old Radio and Worldwide Church of God from two sources which have a lot: HWA Library and Herbert W. Armstrong Searchable Library.
Here are links to some historical articles published in the 21st century in the Sabbath Sentinel of the Bible Sabbath Association:
The Sabbath Sentinel: The Didache and the Sabbath
The Sabbath Sentinel: Ignatius and the Sabbath
Christians kept the Sabbath after the New Testament
Sabbath Sentinel: Sabbatarian/Waldensian Apostolic Succession List?
Here is a link to articles mainly written in the 21st century by people once in the Radio, Worldwide, Global, Living, and/or Continuing Church of God COGwriter “… contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered for the saints” (Jude 3).
Our hope is to add more literature, hopefully be able to index materials from the 1800s so interested people will be able to better access it. To do what I would like to do, could take years if it is feasible–but what we should be able to accomplish would be a small part of the final phase of the work.
Now, there was a ‘silver lining’ to this false attack. And that is, both our hosting company and the web monitoring company realize that we are reliable and have demonstrated more credibility should one or more falsely attack us again in the future.
As the Apostle Paul wrote:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
As Jesus said:
33 … In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
So, we know we should move forward, despite trials and difficulties. Jesus cannot lose, nor can we if we have the faith in Him we should have.
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. The one suggested for this week is: How Does the CCOG Spend Tithes & Offerings? Other sermonettes are available at the BitChute Prophecy channel https://www.bitchute.com/channel/prophecy/ and other CCOG used platforms.
- 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: God’s Temple in Prophecy. Other sermons are also available at the ContinuingCOG YouTube channel and other CCOG used platforms.
- 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 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 Bible News Prophecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel.
World News Items
Some believe European nations will not unite as they have been disappointed that the European Union has not handled certain matters well, etc. (see MishTalk: The Battle for Europe Integration Has Failed and Russia Provides Proof; COGwriter: The Bible Differs). I expect more problems in Europe. However, since the Bible shows that Europe will reorganize (Revelation 17:12) and give power to the Beast (Revelation 17:13), we know Europe will ultimately unite for a time. Those who do not believe and understand those biblical prophecies do not realize that.
There have been protests by truck drivers in in Canada (see ‘After a Year Under Lockdown, Will Our Freedoms Survive the Tyranny of COVID-19?) and elsewhere related to COVID restrictions (see ‘Canadian military will not break up the truckers’ Freedom Convoy in Ottawa: report’). We may see a rise in various protests and then civil unrest.
The official US government debt past $30 trillion for the first time ever on Monday (see US National Debt Tops $30 Trillion). This is nearly triple the official debt when the Obama-Biden Administration took office in 2009. And this debt does NOT include additional Federal Reserve shenanigans, state and local government debt, corporate debt, or consumer debt. And even this $30 trillion amount is not repayable in terms of worth. The USA has been subsidized by outside nations for some time and the time will come when that will end. The rising debt levels of the USA has pushed other nations to prepare for the time when the USA dollar will no long be the world’s primary reserve currency. That will greatly damage the position of nearly all in the USA when that happens. Additionally, debt will be a factor in the coming complete downfall of the USA per Habakkuk 2:6-8.
Concluding Comments
The Book of Deuteronomy has the following:
6 “Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.
11 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 lest — when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end — 17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ (Deuteronomy 8:5-17)
Brethren, God is preparing a place for is in His coming kingdom.
Let us not forget His commandments, which are for our good both now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer