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Letter to the Brethren: July 11, 2024

Letter to the Brethren: July 11, 2024

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Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings from Grover Beach, California.

We continue to receive additional translations to our English language booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Hebrews 13:1 can literally be translated as, “Let Philadelphia continue.” We in the Continuing Church of God are doing so as we keep increasing the number of languages and dialects that we make the gospel available in order to support the commission Jesus gave in Matthew 24:14.

Related to some of that, I worked on videoing part of the Behind the Works 2024 video last Sabbath–this is intended to be played around the world at our Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2024.

Anyway, while Steve Dupuie and I did record a sermonette video for this Sabbath, I did not also record a sermon video, so we are recommending a sermon by James Martenet for this Sabbath titled What is Your Work?

A German Perspective on US Election

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
(photo by Michael Lucan)

Former German Economics, and later Defense Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is one I reported about since 2009 as someone to watch.

In December 2015, former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg called Donald Trump “that blonde lunatic named Donald” (Guttenberg KT. Wish List or Reality? Digital Trends in 2016 | Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg | hub conference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgdZUA96UBU. Posted December 11, 2015).

On 26 June 2024, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg made a podcast, in the German language about the US election. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkGIltvuZwY

Below are some comments made by him and another in that podcast basically machine translated into the English language. Here is part of the introduction:

Negative campaigning is a long American story but it has now been taken to such an extreme that it simply takes your breath away, that is the methods used to work and fight and by the way you have already said that even on the democratic side nothing is left out of the dirty tricks, a big difference. by the way compared to previous election campaigns is that this time Trump is only gathering people around him who follow him unconditionally, who are constantly telling him he is right, boss, or who see it even more nationalist, conservative, extreme than he himself sees it against.  …

And for a country like this that we are talking about, which has so much power so much imagination, so much, so much passion on so many levels, I also find it really shocking, yes, the that these two candidates have been chosen has been set for or has been set for months, it was announced by both parties so early on that we don’t really know it anymore from the United States that the Republicans  have allowed a little more competition than the Democrats is part of the truth. There were other candidates. Nicki Haley held out for a relatively long time, but in reality it was clear what the party wanted and that is Donald Trump’s party and he could not be stopped. The Democrats did not even allow competition.  There were no primaries that could have been called that, so Joe Biden was on the ballot but that was it. It was clear who would be elected and that is somewhat bleak because the two are very old. Because this is already an election campaign in which it is about telling the other side you are even worse than us, you are even less electable. It is a thoroughly negative election campaign. Yes each side says the other is so catastrophic that it should not be elected under any circumstances. And everything takes place on this level.

Herr Guttenberg then mentioned Donald Trump was convicted as a criminal despite it not making much legal sense and that Hunter Biden was convicted because he lied and that the Biden family had tax troubles (that section of the podcast did not machine translate well, but that was basically what was said on that). Then the podcast stated related to Donald Trump and Joe Biden:

The two families are corrupt.

After discussing immigration issues, the podcast went to the following:

In the past, one had the feeling that one was fighting for certain groups, camp cultures within America. But now that division is increasingly turning into these hard-line camps … I also add a little bit of an assessment that this country will probably slide completely after the elections.  Whoever is elected there will probably slide into a veritable constitutional crisis, driven by the respective and the respective losers. Some say that could even lead to the fact that if both of them were re-elected. And we remember what I said on January 6th in the Capitol that that was only a first sign. And that it could even lead to a civil war, I’m not quite ready to say yet Civil war. But you also see the concern that there could be violence, yes, and similar to how you just formulated it, KT Civil war. That’s too apocalyptic for me … it could become violent, there are signs of that …

I am very cautious with doomsday scenarios. The USA will somehow survive. They will not disappear from the face of the earth with a second term for Donald Trump. But if it really happens, it will have a devastating effect. I am also really sad about the fact that so many people in American society have forgotten what the first term was like. That every day at 5 a.m., 6 a.m. there were these tweets that rocked the stock markets, that shook the whole country and always always always talked about what did he say now what did he now. …

Yes, there could be a contested election, legally or otherwise. Violence and civil unrest is possible. Many Americans are concerned about that as well as potential for some type of civil war (e.g. Could civil unrest, riots, and other violence hit the USA after the November election? Are some hoping for that or even a civil war? and WND: Stunning poll reveals more than 100 million Americans expect civil war within 5 years).

The podcast then basically blasted the media in the USA for being too biased as for and against various ones, and then stated that the German press was better.

Then there were comments related to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:

They say there could be a scenario where it won’t be the two of them but where it will be someone who nobody here has on their radar namely Robert Kennedy. He is a third candidate who is currently floating around around 2-3%, but it could still be interesting and it is also quite it is really quite significant how both candidates are still dancing around this third candidate Kennedy. You should rightly say and they also know why they are not really going head-on yet, because the winner of the election has to get 270 electoral votes in the so-called Electoral College in this strange American system.  Now let’s take the many votes from Pennsylvania for example a classic swing state if for whatever reason they were to suddenly go to Kennedy or that he would manage in another way that the other candidates do not get the 270 votes. He might only get maybe 30 or whatever but the two do not get the 270. Then the decision is made according to the Constitution in the House of Representatives so that is then, it is not the Electoral College, it is the House of Representatives where each state delegation then also has a vote. Yes so and then and that is what a few augurs over there are saying now who say that is a constellation that could lead to something that has been extremely rare in the USA in history in this form, but the Constitution still provides for it. That suddenly there could be coalition formation with Kennedy and in a coalition formation the claim could even be made dear friends. Yes Kennedy, but only if Kennedy is president. But the Republicans last would occupy the majority whatever, so these thought experiments exist. the probability is of course relatively low …

Joe Biden was protected by the Democrats so that any primary campaign was prevented …

The USA is deeply divided. It has politicized more and more.

Jesus warned:

25 … Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)
24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  (Mark 3:24-25)
17 … Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. (Luke 11:17)

Notice that God inspired this to be written three times in the Gospels.

God normally seems to repeat something in scripture for emphasis.

The division is a BIG DEAL.

Despite the comment in the podcast that the USA would continue, the Bible shows that the end of the USA is coming (cf. Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

Troubles are prophesied (Mark 13:8).

Here is part of number 15 from my article 24 items to prophetically watch in 2024:

15. Unrest, Terror, and the Dividing of the USA
There have been many protests in the USA.
Some protested racial, economic, and policing matters. Some have called for a “civil war.”
The Bible prophesies, “There shall be terror within” (Deuteronomy 32:25).
Will that happen to the USA?
Yes.
Jesus taught:
25 Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)
We are seeing more divide in the USA and parts of it certainly appear to be intentional. Much of it is ideological. The USA is becoming less and less united and more polarized.
Notice the following from 2022:
WND: Ex-Army generals fear insurrection or ‘civil war’ in 2024
Expect more divide in a nation where half of its people cannot tell the different between males and females and the other half still sticks to some facts about that. And of course, there is the abortion divide and other issues.
More terror is prophesied to hit the USA. The same is true for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), also known as the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), is coming and the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies (including Canada) will be affected.

National repentance is the only way to prevent it, and that does not look likely. Though for the nation, the Kingdom of God is the solution, but first there will be a horrific 3 1/2 years.

Personal repentance, however, is still possible. Your personal future can still be much brighter than that of your country. Jesus, in addition to being the source of salvation, also offered physical protection to the most faithful (see Philadelphian Christian Great Tribulation Protection and/or watch Great Tribulation Protection).

The End is Not Yet!

Jesus’ disciples wondered when the end of the age we occur.

Let’s look at the account, along with responses from Jesus in the Book of Matthew:

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:3-22)

Notice that the beginning of sorrows, which correlates with the beginning of the rides of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6:1-8) is NOT the end.

Persecutions are also coming, beyond what we have seen.

Notice that Jesus said that the end does not come until right after Matthew 24:14 has been fulfilled. Related to that fulfillment, the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong taught:

Jesus gave them the commission “Go [ye] into all the world, and preach the gospel…” (Mark 16:15) And Jesus said of our time now — when that true gospel had been submerged here for centuries — He has said “…this gospel of the kingdom [the same gospel He preached] shall go into all the world [be preached and published in all the world] as a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)

My friends, that is the job of all of us collectively. EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS A PART IN THAT GREAT COMMISSION and God gave us that commission to keep us busy in His work; to keep our minds on His work, our hearts, our interest continually so that we can put His work and the Kingdom of God first in our life. (Armstrong HW. Why were you born? Radio broadcast)

Jesus’ prophecy of Matthew 24 shows … verse 14, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; AND THEN SHALL THE END [of this age] COME.” After the beginning of the proclamation worldwide of the gospel of the Kingdom shall come the “great tribulation”— more terrible than any time of trouble ever. The supernatural intervention of CHRIST will cut short that tribulation (verses 21-22).

…  when there is a reason, God will HOLD PROPHESIED EVENTS UP for a while. I have wondered if He were not holding up world events TILL we have completed THE GREAT COMMISSION! (Armstrong HW. Supernatural Forces on a Collision Course! WHAT NOW? Plain Truth, January 1979)

Next, when our Great Commission is in God’s sight completed, we are to be taken–symbolically flown on the two wings of a great eagle–we shall be taken to a place of protection from the Great Tribulation (Armstrong HW. Looking…PASTOR GENERAL’S REPORT – VOL.3, NO.4 January 23, 1981).

Yes, the Philadelphian faithful will be supporting the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14. And yes, when Matthew 24:14 is completed in God’s sight, it will be time to flee.

How will we know?

Jesus said to look for the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel.

The prophet Zephaniah warns that God’s people need to be gathered together so that they may be protected:

1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,
O undesirable nation,
2 Before the decree is issued,
Or the day passes like chaff,
Before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you,
Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you!
3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth,
Who have upheld His justice.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
It may be that you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger.  (Zephaniah 2:1-3)

Those not gathered together are not likely to accept the decree that will be issued that it is time to flee and that the great tribulation is about to begin.

Now, is the end of this world’s age near?

Yes!

When is the earliest year that the Great Tribulation can begin?

Various ones seem to feel that it can begin in 2024 or 2025 or that it already started some time ago.

Calendar year 2024 is now more than 1/2 over.

Those who believe and understand what the Bible actually teaches realize that the Great Tribulation cannot begin before 2028.

Jesus gave a variety of signs/events that had to happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24. Not only have many not happened, a preceding event in Daniel 9:27 involving the confirmation of a seven-year deal–which it ties to the abomination of desolation–still has not happened. Since it did not happen as of yet, this means that it is not possible for the Great Tribulation to begin for at least 3 1/2 years (half of a biblically-prophetic week).

Additional reasons are in the article When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? and The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 (here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation).

Should we see a military escalation in the Middle East this Summer to the point that “a prince” will agree to the biblical peace deal of Daniel 9:27, then we would expect Jesus to return in 2031 and the Great Tribulation to begin in early 2028. If not, we will wait and watch for the signs that Jesus pointed to.

That said, remember that Zephaniah implores the faithful to gather together BEFORE it is time to flee for protection.

Most who think that they will know outside the Continuing Church of God are deceiving themselves.

Suggested Sabbath Day Services

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 mobile 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.

In case one or more of our video channels are unavailable, down, restricted, or ?, understand that we are on multiple platforms.

For sermons in English:

ContinuingCOG YouTube channel. Dr. Thiel has produced video sermons for this channel.

Also available at BitChute COGTube https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogtube/

For sermonettes in English:

Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel BibleNewsProphecy https://www.youtube.com/user/BibleNewsProphecy.

Bitchute Prophecy https://www.bitchute.com/channel/prophecy/,

Vimeo at Bible News Prophecy https://vimeo.com/channels/biblenewsprophecy

Brighteon Bible News Prophecy https://www.brighteon.com/channel/ccogbnp.

Rumble https://rumble.com/c/biblenewsprophecy.

DailyMotion https://www.dailymotion.com/dm_e24c8ac0050c5e7445cd5573711869c6/videos

For animations in English:

CCOG Animations YouTube channel.

Also available at BitChute COGAnimations https://www.bitchute.com/channel/coganimations/

Sermons and sermonettes in Spanish:

CDLIDDSermones channel.

African videos:

CCOGAfricaYouTube channel.

Also available at BitChute COGAfrica https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogafrica/

Audio messages:

Bible News Prophecy radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos on one of our internet stations as well as our radio broadcasts in English. The BibleNewsProphecy.net website also has information about our international radio presence for Europe, Asia, and North America. That page is also available as a mobile app.

Bible News Prophecy International radio. This has links to our non-English language online radio station as well as materials in multiple languages.

There is also additional information at the Continuing Church of God Multimedia page.

World News Items

Last month, a “white buffalo” (technically a white bison) was spotted at the Yellowstone Park in the USA. Some native tribes believe that this means that peace and abundance will come (see White Buffalo: Hopeful sign or lying wonder?). But a white buffalo was not a sign Jesus said to look for, plus He told of a time of sorrows (which we seem to be in) to be followed by the great tribulation (which is relatively soon) –it is not until after that that Jesus will return and usher in the millennial kingdom of God. Do not fall for a white buffalo or more dramatic signs which some will say point to the contrary.

Elections have dominated the news (see also Newsweek: Brace for Election Violence. Karl Guttenberg also looks for post election troubles in the USA). In France, a move towards the left happened in its election this week (see French vote gives leftists most seats over right, but leaves hung parliament and deadlock).

In the USA, the talks about replacing Joe Biden with someone else continue to grow, despite Joe Biden stating he plans to stay in the race for re-election (see Kamala Harris getting consideration and criticism as a potential replacement for Joe Biden).

The recommended sermonette for this week is related to voting and is titled: Should Christians Vote in 2024?

Concluding Comments

The Book of Judges ends with the following:

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)

In Judges 17:6, that same statement is repeated after referring to how someone viewed religion.

Remember that the term Laodicea means “people decide” or can be rendered “the people are judgmental.”

Do not be swayed by arguments from those that do not wish to heed true Philadelphian governance or support the Philadelphian work related to Matthew 24:14.

Have a blessed week.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer