Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:
Greetings again from the West Coast of the USA.
Today is observed in the USA to mark its official Declaration of Independence 243 years ago.
When our older sons lived with us, for a couple of years, I read through parts of what was in the Declaration of Independence and explained how 21st century America treated its citizens worse than some of what was complained about in the Declaration of Independence.
Since then, although the economy of the USA has held up, many things have worsened.
The USA now has less freedom of speech and less freedom of religion. But instead of the government doing most the direct censoring, much of the news media and the big tech internet companies do that. And much more than would have been imagined in 1776.
The fact that the government cannot seem to define a male vs. female is also a development that would not have been imagined in 1776.
That being said, the CCOG has still been able to function with its USA office, despite us taking steps related to censorship (like not making live certain videos on Vimeo–but that we do still make live on the YouTube and Brighteon platforms). But the time will come when the ‘famine of the word’ (Amos 8:11-12) will hit.
Even in what has been called “the land of the free.”
Speaking of ‘independence,’ Canada celebrated its 152 anniversary this week–but, it too, has censorship issues, some worse than the USA (see also Canada observes its 152 ‘birthday,’ but has moved far from some of its foundational principles).
Bibles to Mozambique and Food to Malawi
Malawi-based deacon Radson Mulozowa visited Mozambique and provided some Chichewa-language Bibles. He was able to distribute some in Malawi before, but finally got to do so in Mozambique. Most of our members in Malawi and Mozambique speak Chichewa.
He also wrote:
The attached is the picture of brother MATIYA receiving the Bible on behalf of the the brethren:
Wedson Matiya is our host in Mozambique.
After that visit, we also needed to send Radson Mulozowa some funds so that he can get maize since thieves harvested all the maize and sunflower in his garden and that took away his family’s food.
Animation
We now have another animation available:
Is God Calling You?
Is God calling you? Christians have always been a minority on this earth. Is there a great battle between God and Satan that God is losing? Is the calling a great treasure or ‘pearl of great price’? What did Jesus teach? If God is calling you, what is your purpose? Are Christians to reign with Christ? Should you support the proclamation of the gospel of the Kingdom of God? Will you have a role to make eternity better? This animation provides scriptures and other information to answer these and other questions.
It is the recommended sermonette for this coming Sabbath.
Consistent with biblical admonitions, we need to “Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, CEV) as well as “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6).
In the 21st century, animations are one way to do that.
But let it be understood that while the use of animations is mainly focused on people from age 13 to 30, animations are watchable by people of almost all ages.
We are pleased to have another one available.
World News Items
The US presidential campaign is basically in full swing with the two Democratic party debates last week (see ‘Winners and losers from the 1st 2020 Democratic debate’ and Trump declares 2020 election is over, whereas the Democrats see it differently). Whoever wins, Republican or Democrat or ? in 2020 will be apocalyptic. We are getting closer to the end of the 6,000 years God has given humanity to rule itself and whoever is the US President will take steps that will lead to the Great Tribulation (Daniel 11:39; Matthew 24:21). As Jesus taught, pray for God’s Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10).
The group calling itself the Islamic State issued various threats against the UK and USA–with some thinking that they may try to hit the USA today (see ‘YOU WILL BURN’ Sick ISIS supporters threaten to bomb London and New York: 4th of July?). Whether or not from people claiming to be supporters of ISIS, more terrorism will hit the USA and its Anglo-Saxon-Celtic descended allies (Leviticus 26:14-17; Deuteronomy 32:25; Ezekiel 21:12).
Back in 2008, I wrote that the Europeans would move closer to Latin America and further away from the USA on trade, plus someday strike significant deals with at least most of Latin America. Last Friday, a major deal with parts of Latin America was announced (see EU’s Juncker essentially verified accuracy of 2008 COGwriter prediction on trade).
Then on Monday of this week, the Trump Administration proposed more tariffs and against Europe, and yesterday UK members of the European Parliament turned their backs when the EU Anthem was played at the parliament building (see Brexit MEPs turn back on EU anthem, EU stymied on leadership, and more tariffs from the Trump Administration). The Europeans are getting more upset with the UK and USA. (see EU announces a modified Instex: The Swift end of US dollar dominance). Consistent with biblical prophecies, what we have been warning related to trade and the UK’s and USA’s relationships to Europe are coming to pass.
Furthermore, yesterday the EU Parliament announced its nominees for several top positions. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen was proposed to be the next European Commission President to replace Jean-Claude Juncker (see 2 men and 2 women tapped for top EU roles: COGwriter expects EU Commission President nominee Ursula von der Leyen to push for EU Army). CNN reported, “One of Leyen’s only publicly-known European policies is her support of a European army” (https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/03/europe/eu-leyen-lagarde-deal-intl/index.html). She is also known for advocating a military that can function independent of the USA. Europe is prophesied to have “a great army” (Daniel 11:25) and one day defeat the USA militarily (cf. Daniel 11:39). This will happen whether of not Ursula von der Leyen becomes the next European Commission President (some oppose her nomination in Europe). But her nomination helps show that many in the EU leadership really do want a European army that can function independently of the USA, despite denials that we sometimes read about.
Over in the Far East, Indonesia and China are trying to get more of China’s ‘Silk Road’ project in place (see ‘Indonesia asks China for special fund under Belt and Road,’ another step towards Armageddon?). This is consistent with something I wrote back in 2011, as well as consistent with the prophesied confederation of a 200 million man army (Revelation 9:13-18) as well as Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).
Many world events continue to align with properly understood biblical prophecies.
Suggested Sabbath Service
Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week for our scattered brethren:
- 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: Is God Calling You? Other sermonettes are also available at the BibleNewsProphecy 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: Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (Universal Offer of Salvation part 3). Other sermons are also available at the ContinuingCOGchannel.
- 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 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 ContinuingCOGchannel AND MANY SERMONETTE MESSAGES ON THE Bible News Prophecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel.
Concluding Comments
Jesus taught the following:
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Brethren, while what we see on the earth affects us greatly, let’s not forget to keep our eyes on the higher calling. Matthew 24:14 and 28:19-20 are being worked on and will be fulfilled to God’s satisfaction and then, shortly thereafter, Jesus will return.
Sincerely,
Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer