Letter to the Brethren: November 19, 2015

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings from the Five Cities region of California.

Another full week of handling national and international matters to try to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20.

Dream Sermon

Received the following last Sabbath by a member in the eastern USA, after he watched last week’s recommended sermon Dreams, COGs, and One Man Rule:

Dr. Thiel,

   Thank you for a needed sermon to inform those who have doubts about the use of dreams by God and to make it clear who God is using now to finish the final phase of His work. I know many are skeptical of one who claims they are the one God is using to lead His Work/Church. This is understandable since there are those who make such claims and are in it for themselves. Clearly you are doing what God has commissioned/called you to do. I can see no reason why you would dedicate so much time and energy in starting and leading the CCof G (what material benefit do you receive?). Materially you would be better off putting that time and energy into your business. However, the only wise option you really have is to allow God to use you as He wants since ones reward is in heaven. Therefore one should store up treasure in heaven.  I do not believe you sought/seek power and prestige as some do in other so called Church of God groups.

   I believe God has lead me to CCofG. He heard and answered my prayer. I finally became so disgusted with GCI and where it had lead God’s people. I had so many issues with their doctrine, and tearing down of everything God built through HWA. But I did not know where to go. I believed God called and chose me and that His church would never die out. For many years I thought the mantel passed from HWA to Mr. Tkach senior, since Mr. HWA chose him as his successor, and then Joe Jr. Of course I was wrong. I looked to the example of unfaithful kings in Israel and Judah and waited for God to appoint a faithful leader. The example of David waiting for God to remove Saul was misunderstood by me.

   The last straw was a message DXX RXXXXX gave on church history about 4 years ago. He traced church history through the Catholic Church and he marginalized Mr. Armstrong’s work. I finally woke up. I asked God to lead me where His most faithful leader and body of believers was.  In time and after much study of church history and those who were most faithful to the faith once delivered God lead me your website. He answered my prayer. Interestingly it was not until I had re-studied early church leaders such as Polycarp and Polycrates plus the Passover/Easter issue on other web sites, etc. that I discover Cogwriter by “accident”.

   I recalled what HWA taught about church history and realized there still must be a Church of God group still faithful to biblical teachings and contending for the faith once delivered. But where and who?

   The main reason I never considered a break off group from WCG in the 1990′s was because I first came in contact with Jerry Flurry’s group. I reject his teaching on the man of sin and other doctrines and his leadership style. Also, when Global started and other break off groups there was such confusion and governance issue it seemed to me it was better to stay where I was in WCG. Of course being in Connecticut we were far from Pasadena and had little first hand information.

    However, I knew from scripture God did not want Christians to go it alone. He formed His church and it was ones duty to support His work as well as develop a personal  relationship with God. Many of my friends just left WCG or became members in churches of this world. Some stayed with WCG. But I believed God raised up HWA to start the 6th church era and to proclaim the second coming of Jesus Christ. Therefore, how could I just be content to go it alone, (outside of His Church)? Thankfully in time God answered my prayer and I believe has led me to CCofG.

   Hopefully others will wake up. Thank you for your faithful service.

It is good this member found the sermon helpful.  As far as his observation that I was not seeking power and prestige, I would add that he has met with me and seen me both in the USA and Canada, and realizes that my profession, etc. could give me more of that.  And yes, I would concur with his position that I would be better off financially (as well as the related stresses of ‘the burden’ associated with the work, cf. Malachi 1:1; Numbers 11:11) if I did not lead the CCOG, as I do not take a salary from the Continuing Church of God (CCOG).

While the Bible says that ministers are entitled to be compensated per the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 5:17-18), it also warns against worthless shepherds:

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.” (Ezekiel 34:1-6)

While there is nothing wrong with wearing wool clothing, many in the ministry ended up with better clothes than perhaps they otherwise would have.  Often their focus has been wrong.

Why do I not take a salary?

Two basic reasons.

1) The work would be affected too much negatively–the Apostle Paul, himself, worked in his profession at times (Acts 18:3).  We must feed the flock spiritually, and that does take funds to reach people.  Costs are incurred for literature, the internet, video production, graphics, printing, postage, and travel–including sending Pastor Evans, Pastor Owak, myself, and/or others to differing locations to minister.

2) If I took a salary a lot more people would go hungry, especially in Africa (cf. Galatians 2:10).  The salary amount that would be appropriate for me by historic Worldwide Church of God standards would be more than all the money we currently send to Africa each year.  That being said, while I wish we had more money to send to Africa (and sometimes Asia), as we cannot satisfy all the hungry and other needs there, we are sending what we can.  We try to feed the flock physically where we can (yet, even the Apostle Peter could not always give to the needy per Acts 3:6), and that takes funds.

My not taking a salary, car, housing allowance, etc. does not mean I would never consider taking a salary, but with the ‘present distress’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:26) I have chosen not to do it and God has blessed our business enough that our family has our needs, etc. met.

We also received an email from a member who, after seeing the Dreams, COGs, and One Man Rule sermon, now wants to translate the CCOG sermons into the Spanish language. That is of interest, so we are working on ways to try to do that.  I have long wanted to have sermons in Spanish and we will see if we can do this with him.

The work (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20; Galatians 2:10) is being done, and CCOG is a work that God has blessed with at least 3 dreams prior to its start and at least once since.  But many do not believe that God will work using dreams in the 21st century, despite the reality that most once part of the old WCG supposedly believed that God did in the 20th century (see also Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God).

CCOGAfrica channel

Finally, the DVDs that Pastor Evans Ochieng sent to our office have arrived.  Within minutes of seeing the DVDs on Monday, I began the process of uploading them.

For the first time ever, as far as I know of, at least part of the gospel of the kingdom message is online on YouTube in the Kalenjin language by Pastor William.  Kalenjin basically means “I told you” and is spoken in parts of the Rift Valley in Western Kenya.

Also, for the first time ever, as far as I know of, the gospel of the kingdom message is online on YouTube in the Dholuo language by Pastor Evans Ochieng.  Dholuo is spoken in western Kenya and parts of Uganda.  Pastor Ochieng was born in Uganda and lives in Kenya.

Perhaps for the first time ever, the gospel of the kingdom message is online on YouTube in the Kiswahili language by Pastor John Owak.  Kiswahili is spoken mainly by the people of eastern and central Africa, so there may already be some of the message online. Specifically, people who live in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, eastern Zaire, northern Zaire, northern Malawi, northern Mozambique, northern Zambia, and the Somali Republic often speak Kiswahili.

We also received other videos which we plan to upload.

Now, these videos (including those on the Kingdom of God) do not seem to be complete in single files as all the DVDs had multiple files on them.  So, I sent the DVDs to Bill Wedekind in Maryland for him to see how they can be expanded.  Thus, while we do have some limited files currently up, the ‘final’ versions will not be up for a week or so.  We will provide links to them once they are available.

It is my hope and prayer that not only will we be able to now give a better witness to more in Africa, we now may have the ability to also have more ‘video’ Feast of Tabernacles’ sites.

Somalia

Received emails from two CCOG supporters (one from the USA and one from Canada) related to contacts they received from someone claiming to be a female in Somalia.  In one email, someone asked she should try to supply some food support to the Somalian woman.

I wrote both emailers and told them that we do not currently know of anyone in Somalia (perhaps with our YouTube videos, etc. this will change).

Also, I would ask all of you to NOT directly send anything to Africa without first discussing it with me. You can, however, always refer people to our websites for information about the CCOG.

While I appreciate the fact that our members in the West want to help the poor in Africa, it is better to send the support to our offices in California and New Brunswick so that we can coordinate and prioritize aid over there.

Perhaps some day, God will open a door to us in Somalia, but this has not happened yet as  far as we can tell, though maybe there is a small opening from this woman.  We will see.

Nigeria and Malawi Registration

As mentioned last week, many governments in Africa require registration of churches as they want to monitor potential terrorist and other groups.

We are working on Malawi as well as Nigeria.

We had an incident Monday where Nigerian Pastor James Dzermine had to go before a judge because CCOG is not registered in Nigeria.

Here is his report:

Dear Bob,

I appeared before the court today at 9: am. I admitted  all the
mistakes quoted on me about  running a non registered organization in
the country, which is contrary to the law.

I was charged a fine of 20,000 naira or six months imprisonment.

I requested for a period of an appeal because I could not afford the
amount by then. God intervened and miraculously I was given four days
for an appeal. I explained that there are some co- ordinations I am
making with the general pastor for the church.

The judge concluded that within the four days, we should pay the fine
and get the church registered. Failure to do do, I will be in jail and
all the operations of the church will be closed. No other opportunity
will be given for the operations of CCOG in any region in Nigeria.

Please try to offer a supporting hand. Help us get the church registered.

Best regards,

James

After numerous emails, plus three trips to the bank about this, I was able to get the funds to Nigeria which we hope will prevent James’ incarceration and the proper registration of the CCOG in Nigeria. Then the banking system there took more than half of what I sent.

The good news is that we are registered:

Dear pastor Bob,

We managed to complete the registration process.

The registration details included: The continuing church of God, Nigeria.

Elder pastor : Robert Bob Thiel
Assistant pastor : Jameson Dzermine
Treasure : Sharon Recho
Secretary: Peter Nouh
Our lawyer was Moses Nwaekala

Best regards,

Rachael (Sharon Recho)

The bad news is that it is considered to be a conflict if you hold a government job in Nigeria (or at least in that region) and are an officer in another organization:

Dear Bob,

We finished the registration.

But the problem was that they wanted us to resign out government jobs
since we shall be running other organization. This appeared to be very
hard since it is there where we get our daily bread. Though we serve
many groups and we have to visit, we should also have time to attend
our duties. Congregations in Nigeria grow at a faster rate. If we drop
our jobs only to do God’s work, more will turn to Christ.

It is surprising that we have even converted some Muslims to
Christianity. This shows the mighty work of God.

Though resigning will give us more time to travel to visit various, We
shall have nothing to eat at the end of the day.

We shall hear from them their final decision.

Regards

James  (Jameson Dzermine)

I have suggested that they see if there are non-government employee members who they can list on the registration so they will not have to give up their jobs–jobs tend to be very difficult to get in most parts of Africa.

There are many obstacles that we face.

Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ghana

Kenya-based based Pastor Evans Ochieng sent me the following:

We shall travel to Ethiopia on 25th Nov. 2015. I want meet the Elders
tomorrow and organize everything before I leave to Ethiopia
I got email from Samuel from  Ghana.  I will reply him tomorrow. I
have a lot things to discuss with him concerning the work in Ghana.
And if possible he may accompany me when I will be going to Nigeria.

Pastor Ochieng and Pastor Owak are planning to go to Ethiopia next week. According to our contact there, some of the Ethiopians are interested in becoming part of the Continuing Church of God.   We hope to answer questions, provide information, determine their sincerity and interest, and counsel on various matters.

Pastor Ochieng also is intending to go to Nigeria once we have the funds and he would like Ghanaian Pastor Samuel Fosu Gyeabour.

Unlike the Ghanaians, those in Nigeria have declared themselves part of the Continuing Church of God, but did not have a prior Church of God background.  This future trip should help us see what they know and what they need to know.  We also hopefully will be able to confirm their expressed affiliation.

As far as Ghana goes, the communications I have had with Pastor Samuel Fosu Gyeabour have been positive.  The group in Ghana has long called itself the Church of God 7th Day Ghana, which is how it is likely registered.  As mentioned before, they ARE NOT affiliated with the group in Denver, Colorado with a similar name.

If we and/or they can afford to send Pastor Samuel Fosu Gyeabour to Nigeria, this would give Pastor Ochieng more time with Pastor Fosu Gyeabour, so hopefully he will find that his group should attempt to formally be part of the Continuing Church of God.

Ekegusii Booklet Bearing Fruit

From Kenya, Japhter Onwonga sent me the following:

Dear Elder Bob; Greeting precious Christ Jesus, trusting fine of you.
Much involved to ensure brethren catch message. However travelling fare to a far distant place in Kisii like the direction of Magenche where newly 50 members that i have visited, are eager and willing to join us. They require 6 windows to get inserted and visitation of Evans. I told of him.
Thanks for 5 books of Ekegusii CCOG HISTORY translation that i got from br. Ezekiel that enable reading those not able understand English.
Welcome of reaching new group that varies from 50 members minimal up. I hope more to get books and meet them as opportunity allow. I wish blessing, Japhter

He is referring to the following booklet:

It is great that our literature in various languages is bearing fruit.

World News Items

The news has been abuzz about terrorism since last Friday’s terrorist attacks in France (see France’s Hollande: Terrorists commit ‘an act of war’ in Paris–will Paris be destroyed? andRussia states terrorist bomb downed plane: Vladimir Putin vows action against perpetrators; Ezekiel 38?).  Interestingly, thus far, the French have turned to the European Union and not NATO formally related to the attacks (see Jordan’s King: Now facing WWIII; France invokes EU, not NATO, defense). The terrorism in Paris triggered a related sermonette, which is the one recommended for this week: Terror: Will Paris be Destroyed?

I have been warning for years that civil unrest/civil war will come to Europe.  Others are starting to also realize this (see WND: Civil war may come to Europe; LCG: EU to get smaller, ‘possibly 10′ nations).  The Bible shows that Europe will strengthen its military (cf. Revelation 13:4; Daniel 11:39-43).

The USA is also under threat from the Islamic State, with videos making claims about destruction coming to Washington, D.C. (see Islamic State threatens Washington, D.C. after Paris; WND wonders if WWIII is beginning) and New York City (see Islamic State threatens New York City and claims ‘soda can’ bomb brought down Russian plane).

In the USA, it was reported that obesity is increasing (see Obesity up– a sign of the times?).  The USA is getting ‘soft’ in many ways, and since it will not rely on God, it will come to regret many of its decisions.

Another report came out warning about the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  The excessive use of antibiotics in livestock by countries like the USA and China seem to be a significant factor in increasing antibiotic resistance, as has overuse by humans (see BBC: ‘Antibiotic Apocalyse’).  Several months ago, we put out a related BNP video, which is still pertinent, as the USA remains at greater risk for pestilence and famines because of its agricultural practices than Europe does (watch Are Americans & Asians setting themselves up for destruction from antibiotic use?).

Last Friday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that it has approved Chinese currency to be part of the ‘Special Drawing Rights’ basket of currencies it uses (see IMF expecting to add China’s currency–another step in the replacement of the US dollar?).  The IMF wants to replace the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency and this is a step towards that.  The time will come when the USA dollar will only worth the scrap value of the cotton-paper it is printed on.

Suggested Sabbath Service