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Letter to the Brethren: May 10, 2023

Letter to the Brethren: May 10, 2023

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Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings.

We hope and pray that you have had a spiritually uplifting week.

Making the Gospel of the Kingdom Accessible in More Languages

The Book of Revelation prophesies the following:

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, … These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, (Revelation 7:9,14)

Those scriptures point to the use of multiple languages being used to reach people before Jesus returns.

While we had the English version of The Gospel of the Kingdom of God booklet translated into hundreds of languages, such as Kiswahili (shown below–and here is is a link to the online version in that language: Injili ya Ufalme wa), we still want to reach more people in as many languages as we can.

We have just received formatted files for 27 additional languages. We now plan to upload them and make them available shortly. We also believe we will receive many more translations this Spring and Summer as that is also something we are working on.

Having materials in as many languages as we can helps set the stage for the fulfillment of that prophecy (see also Luke 13:29; Matthew 24:14). Never before in history has a booklet on the good news of the coming kingdom of God been translated into as many languages as we have done in the CCOG–and more are expected!

Chilani & Bomet Trips

Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following report as well as photo related to visiting those in Chilani, Kenya:


Chilani congregation last Sabbath

Pastor Dr Bob,Greetings from Kenya.Our evangelical Trip was very good even though it was a long trip. We kept Sabbath in Chilani. The meeting was wonderful. I met 145 people.They were very happy and since I’ve stayed for long not to visit them. They were very happy.I program how I want to put some rooms for them for the Feast of Tabernacles.We discussed a lot about it with the brethren. Even though the trip was long but it was successful. I’m back now home and planning to go Nairobi.Evans.

Pastor Tiongik Sawek sent the following photograph and report:


Merigi Tach-Aruet congregation

Receive greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. Last week we were privileged to have Evangelist Ochieng Here in Rift Valley South Rift and especially the brethren from Merigi Tach-Aruet after they have been provided with Iron roof mend for finishing their church construction.

Thereafter we proceeded to Bomet Town Church, where brethrens were glad as their Hall rending period was increased, Evangelist managed to hold a meeting with them accompanied with a lengthy discussion as it was his first time to meet with a congregation from this church. The Evangelist had only met before with Elder Limo.

We stayed for one day and proceeded to the Chilani area on Friday accompanied by Pst. Joel from Migori, Elder Cheruiyot and Evangelist Ochieng where we met with brethrens welcomed warmly. The gospel was held till evening 6:00pm.

The following day on sabbath, we proceeded to Church service. where we held a huge and blessed sabbath, the meeting was full of brethrens and some did not manage to get in and were forced to stay outside and especially youths.

(Mark 2:2;) The brethren’s thanks God for the good number of people who had attended the service. The sermon was led by Pst Joel from Migori at morning hours and later took by Evangelist Ochieng.

Finally Evangelist suggested for the construction of more rooms for both Men and Women for the purpose of accommodating the brethren’s during the Feast Terbancles.

Attached are few photos .

May God bless you.

Regards,

Pastor Sawek.

We continue to reach many with the gospel of the kingdom as well as having growth in Africa.

Sabbath Sentinel

The Sabbath Sentinel published my article about the Waldesians and the Sabbath. Here is the article as shown at COGwriter.com: Sabbath Sentinel: Peter Waldo, Waldensians, and the Sabbath.

The Sabbath Sentinel reaches people around the world. My articles in it have led to various ones around the world to want to learn more about the Continuing Church of God.

Suggested Sabbath Day Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and other interested people:

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. There are also messages in the Spanish language at the CDLIDDSermones channel.

World News Items

King Charles III was coronated last Sabbath with many world leaders in attendance (see also ‘World leaders gather in London for King Charles’ coronation’ & ‘From King Charles’ Coronation to the Birth of Europe’s Fourth Reich’). Although the ceremony had various pagan elements, it also had parts with biblical overtones (see Charles crowned king with biblical overtures). Because Charles sits on the “throne of David,” some biblical connections were expected.

Economic matters remain in the news–more and more are wondering is if stagflation–inflation without significant economic growth (see ‘Stagflation is much more likely than Deflation – prepare accordingly..’) is at hand. The economies of the USA and UK, among others, are at risk.

For apparently multiple reasons, Canada has publicly expressed interest in joining the AUKUS alliance with the Australia, the UK , and the USA (see Canada wants to join AUKUS alliance, but …). However, military alliances will NOT save those nations (e.g. Daniel 11:39). Without national repentance they will come under Assyrian (Germanic) control (cf. Hosea 11:3a, 5b-7; see also Christian Repentance).

The USA itself is concerned that Israel may soon attack Iran (see ‘US watchful for Israeli surprise attack on Iran as nuclear crisis intensifies’). Such an attack may trigger events in Isaiah 22 as well as lead to the prophesied, and temporary, “peace deal” of Daniel 9:27.

Concluding Comments

Jesus said:

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (John 5:24-29)

Brethren, have faith in God.

Notice that Jesus promised that we will win in the end.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer