Letter to the Brethren: December 19, 2019

World News Items

Former US President Barack Obama proposed having men step aside and have women rule as a way to make the world a better place (see Barack Obama says having women rule over the nations is the solution; COGwriter: The Bible teaches the good news of the Kingdom of God). The Bible essentially warns against that (cf. Isaiah 3:12), but instead teaches that the Kingdom of God is the solution.

Speaking of US Presidents, last evening, on a mainly partisan vote, Donald Trump was impeached by the US House of Representatives (see House of Representatives votes to impeach US President Donald Trump: A house divided?). There is more and more division in the USA (cf. Matthew 12:25).

There have been protests in the Arab world against various governments (see ‘Protesters in Arab world’s newest uprisings’ will ultimately lead to the King of the South). Ultimately, we will see a reorganization in the Middle East and North Africa which will become a confederation to be ruled by one the Bible calls “the King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43). But that will not end well (see also Ezekiel 30:1-8).

While biblically, we can be certain that the King of the South will be defeated (Daniel 11:40-43), something else that will seemingly not end well is the genetic experimentation that many scientists are engaged in. Currently, some California scientists are excited that they may be able to edit genetics to make bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics (see ‘New CRISPR-based system targets amplified antibiotic-resistant genes’). Although they may well have some successes this way, the reality is that scientists cannot possibly do sufficient tests to prove there is no risk from such experimentation. Last Summer, for example, we learned that a plan to genetically-alter mosquitoes to make them easier to kill resulted in mosquitoes that were actually a bit harder to kill (see Scientists confirm COGwriter GMO mosquito warning). Jesus warned of famines and pestilences (Luke 21:11), and genetic engineering may well lead to some of that.

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: Americans are depressed and suicidal. What’s the hope for happiness? 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: 25 Reasons to Not Keep Christmas. 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 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.

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul wrote:

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 ‘I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

Brethren, this time of year many wish us to draw in with them in their non-biblical Christmas observance.

While we should try to live as peaceably as we can with others (Romans 12:18), we also are not to compromise with the world and its religions.