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Letter to the Brethren: October 31, 2024

Letter to the Brethren: October 31, 2024

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Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings from the Five Cities Region of California.

We are back from the Feast of Tabernacles which, in the US, was held in Galveston, Texas.

As it turns out, we met in what is called the “Training Room” for services at Moody Gardens. Of course, all Christians are being trained in this life and especially also at the Feast of Tabernacles.

Here is a photograph from that site:

So far, the most online viewed video message given at that festival site was by James Martenet titled Islam and Prophecy. The most online viewed sermon was by me titled CCOG Q&A: Prophetic Questions in Galveston. Of all the sermons I gave at the Feast this year, this is the one that was unplanned–and not something I had intended to do. And, the sermon I had intended to do that day, instead, is likely one to be given at a future time.

That said, although many in the world are celebrating the pagan Halloween today (watch also 5 Ways Christians Can Biblically Celebrate Halloween?), our focus should be on following the practices of Jesus and His early followers to observe the biblical Holy Days which helps show God’s plan of salvation. See also our free online book: Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?

Are you thankful for God’s plan?

You should be.

The sermon recommended for this Sabbath is: Thankful or Complainer?

Ghana Report

We received some photographs from pastor Samuel Ofosu of Ghana.

Here is a photograph of some women at the Feast of Tabernacles in Ghana:

Here is a photograph of pastors and elders at the Feast of Tabernacles in Ghana:

Here is a photograph of some of the pastors and elders at the Feast of Tabernacles in Ghana along with pastor Samuel’s wife and another female leader:

Congo Update

Last week, I mentioned that there were troubles at the festival site in the Congo.

Evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following related to that and some other festival sites:

Pastor Dr Bob,Greetings from kenya.I’ve received very good reports from all over Kenya and Tanzania that the feast went very well. I was at Got kachola feast site. The feast was very good and people were really enjoyed the feast of this year. We also got one Man from Islam who joined the church. People were so many at the camp.I also received good news from Congo that all of them were released from custody and Aaron from Uganda and Norbert from Burundi and the Rwandans are now in Rwanda. I talked with all of them through WhatsApp video call and told me that they are safe now. But Aaron from Uganda told me that next year he will attend the feast in Kenya. Not Rwanda or Congo.

Evans

Here is a picture from Got kachola

Here is a report and photo from Moise Nshimiyimana of Rwanda (note that Rwanika Sebulikoko Martin is the CCOG leader in the Congo):

Dear Pastor Dr Bob ,
Greetings .

We’re now in Rwanda and we’re safe all here in Rwanda.

Dear Pastor , when we arrived at Congo , we started the Feast of tabernacles properly, but on the seventh day Satan fought us again. The bad things that happened to us in Congo surprised us all because before we went there, Rwanika informed the leaders of a place where there was a house of prayer. Even when we were on the Feast , these leaders came to visit us. But then we were surprised to see 4 other leaders in the car they told us to go to the office to lock us up, others leaders went to take our sisters and ones is my wife where they were staying, they put us in the car but then they left brother Aaron Joel from Uganda and the rest of us took us to the government office and told us that an unknown person called them and told them that we have mistakes so they burned all our documents except for Aaron from Uganda.

When we arrived there at their office , they check our documents and Church documents after seeing that they are complete , they start to accusing us for fabricated crimes that Rwanika and his assistant in the Church called Mapendo that informed some leaders and left others them and that we are also many foreigners and every foreigner don’t have a document of to go to the mission in the Congo so we should all be imprisoned. Immediately they locked our documents and Church documents in the office they ordered us to leave at the temple and some for us to go to Rwanika home where you are imprisoned, then who called Mapendo was locked up in the local government prison then Rwanika and I were taken to the main office where the police were to pay the money they asked us . when we finished paying the money, they started threatening us and asking us about politics between the countries and about our races and trying to burn and check our telephones and saying that we have many crimes . Immediately they arrested Rwanika so that time I was the only one who was not arrested. Then they told me to go to get other money for the second payment. When I had seen all that and all the money had been spent, and it was evening that’s when I asked them to go to searching network and to get more money. For that I appreciate Pastor Evans who sent the money required quickly. However, when I had already paid the money again they only opened Rwanika {to let him out} and the another one stayed in the prison until morning  and they refused to give us our documents and Church documents. What we found out is that there is someone unknown did a cruel thing to us. We don’t know if is XXXXXX because we know that XXXXXX is with that group he joined they go to government in another territory to register their Church but in the name of Continuing Church of God and they had sent to me the picture of that group and XXXXXX is in that picture. For that I told Rwanika and brother Mapendo to go to that territory to ask and stopped about that.

So , for that all because the Congo is the country of corruption and injustice , we all decided that we will not go to Congo again like many people because Congo is bad country and we decided that while it not be possible to meet in Rwanda we will stay home or if it will possible next we will go to Kenya in the Feast of the Lord.

Attached there is a picture we took after from prison.

Thanks,

Moise.

Anyway, yes, we are subject to persecution and betrayal. But we still need to obey God. We can all be thankful that our people were able to leave the Congo.

Malawi, Mozambique, and Kenya Reports

We received the following report from pastor Radson Mulozowa:

Greetings from Malawi and Mozambique churchWe are all fine by the grace of GodFirst of all let me thank you for the help you sent to us to assist the feast of Tabernacle both Malawi and Mozambique.Many brethren attend the feast this year compared to last year and it was a wonderful gathering with powerful teachingsAt first we planned to have four feast sites , two in Malawi and two in MozambiqueBut because the site in zomba was small after I see the registration of brethren,I suggested to create another site in migowi whereby brethren from chiringa and migowi congregation held their feastSo everything went well and smooth that why am saying thank youLet me report that one of our leader in njenjete has died and burial will take place tomorrowAgain thanks for your prayers and support towards the work in MalawiBest regardsRadson Mulozowa

We received the following from pastor Tiongik Sawek of the Rift Valley of Kenya:

Receive greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. The Brethrens in Rift valley pass greetings. The celebrations of the feast of Tabernacles went on successfully and the brethrens learnt alot with the teachings. The non-members were converted to our church after the end of the teachings. The members at mau, segemian Ngaroni, Bomet Kiromwok, taach Arwet and Takitech also continue well with the celebrations. We thank you for the support we received for food. We also received a feast of tabernacle books for the Continuing church of God from Evangelist Ochieng. We have really learnt alot through them. My only challenge here is the computer and it is hard because I am forced to travel to a cyber cafe. I am requesting a mini laptop for easy access. God bless you. let me share the photos for the feast of tabernacle.
regards,

PASTOR SAWEK

We are glad that our literature is helping people around the world.

Ezekiel Oanda sent the following from Kenya during and then after the Feast of Tabernacles:

Hello and hope everything is going on well with you and yours. We are on the seventh day of the feast and we are having baptism today. What a joy is when one sinner repents and baptized in the name of our lord Jesus!!!. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. God bless. …

We were able to baptize 11. …

Hello 👋 again and hope are at home now after the FOT. Wishing you happy moments in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. Kisii is fine and we are working and serving our lord Jesus Christ. The Kisii congregation is growing rapidly and I thank God. God is calling more into his kingdom. Pray for me to overcome challenges which are beyond my strength.

Yes, as Jesus said, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). At Galveston, we had one such baptism, and Ezekiel Oanda reported 11. So, there has been much joy in heaven.

Yes, as Jesus said, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). At Galveston, we had one such baptism, and Ezekiel Oanda reported 11. So, there has been much joy in heaven.

Holy Day Calendar and Daylight Saving Time

Related to the Holy Days, Jaison Curtis sent an update to our Holy Day Calendar. This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2033, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂

Here is a link to a version in the Spanish/Español/Castellano language: Calendario de los Días Santos.

This coming Sunday, November 3, at two a.m., the USA and several other nations (Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, and Haiti) change their clocks to go back to Standard Time and off of Daylight Saving Time.

Because of the clock change, sunset will be over an hour earlier next Friday in the USA, Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, and Haiti.

Those of us who observe the weekly Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday should try to remember this time change.

This will affect not only those in the Churches of God, but others who keep the seventh-day Sabbath such as observant Jews, Messianic Jews, and Seventh-day Adventists.

Daylight Saving Time for Europeans ended last Sunday.

Suggested Sabbath Services

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

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

There was an election in the nation of Georgia where the more pro-Russian party won. There have been disputes about the results (see Georgian Dream party declared winner–will the nation of Georgia align closer with Russia? and EU, Georgian Opposition, and USA object to Georgia election results). Yet, yesterday, Voice of America posted, “The EU and the United States said there was not a level playing field but stopped short of saying the result was stolen by Georgian Dream. Russia accused the West of meddling” (https://www.voanews.com/a/in-georgia-some-voters-balanced-eu-hopes-with-the-fear-of-war-with-russia/7844417.html). With the US presidential election coming up next week, expect some charges of voter irregularities as well as meddling of the results. We may also see protests and violence related to that election. Some have speculated about a possible civil war.

As far as how the US election is viewed overseas, some in Iran want Donald Trump, and not Kamala Harris, to win as they hope he will help overthrow the ruling government there (see Iran’s government wants to triple military spending, whereas many in Iran want Donald Trump to win election against Kamala Harris). Interestingly, although the bulk of European leaders do not like Donald Trump, many privately want him to win as they feel this will get the public to be more supportive of European military objectives (see Landmark report states EU urgently needs to act on defense; With the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency, remember PESCO?). Now, irrespective of who is declared the winner of the US election, Bible prophecy shows that Europe will end up with a “great army” (Daniel 11:25) and “many ships” (Daniel 11:40).

As far as Europe and its military goes, the nations of Germany and the United Kingdom just agreed to a new defense pact (see There is a new UK-Germany defense pack–a possible prelude to Hosea 5?). However, biblical prophecies do not support that it will work out as well for the UK as it hopes. A German-dominated Europe will takeover the UK as well as the US, consistent with Isaiah 10:5-11; Daniel 8:24-25; Daniel 11:39; etc. See also the free online book: Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?

Concluding Comments

While we had thousands attend at our couple of dozen Feast of Tabernacles’ sites around the world this month, not all who should have attended, did attend.

There were some that mainly watched Skype services. Nadjia Fontaine, who hosted such a place in Canada, sent the following email comments to me:

The Feast went well for the faithful who attended/participated. Being able to use Skype to bring scattered brethren together was a joy.  But having been at Feast sites, it was not the same.  While the Holy Spirit that joins us is not hindered by time and space, our physical ability to sense and channel it can be hindered by distance.  The physical proximity of gathering for the Feast, and for eight days or more in succession and sometimes for extended periods on those days (sometimes all day), I believe amplifies and strengthens our connectedness and ability to tap into the Holy Spirit.  Sort of like exercising our spiritual antennae.  God knew what He was doing commanding us to gather for the weekly and annual sabbaths.

Whether or not you attended in 2024, you should plan and resolve to attend in 2025 if at all possible. The Apostle Paul wrote:

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

21 I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing (Acts 18:21).

Will YOU try to insure that BY ALL MEANS you will keep the coming Feast of Tabernacles next year as we see the day approaching?

It is good for you to do so.

The Feast of Tabernacles begins at sunset on October 6th and runs through (including the Last Great Day) sunset October 14th in 2025.

Plan to attend! You should not wait until next Fall to plan to do so.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer