Letters – Page 14 – Church of the Eternal God

Letter to the Brethren – March 18, 2015

March 17, 2015March 17, 2015

Dear Members,

When you receive this letter, we will be conducting our Church conference in San Diego, and following that, Michael Link and I will be traveling to Germany for the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, while Brian Gale will be conducting Passover services in San Diego, Rene Messier in Oregon and Dave Harris, Eric Rank and Robb Harris in Colorado. As in previous years, we will give our scattered brethren opportunity to participate live in Passover services, which we will broadcast from Colorado over the Internet.

When we partake of the Passover symbols of bread and wine, we think of Christ’s death (1 Corinthians 11:26). We reflect on Christ’s supreme Sacrifice—that He was willing to die for us so that we can live. And since we are justified by His death, but saved by His life in us (Romans 5:9-10), we continue with celebrating the Festival of the Days of Unleavened Bread for seven days, symbolizing our complete willingness to live a sinless life (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)—seven representing “completion” and “perfection,” and leaven representing sin during this time period.

Letter to the Brethren – February 20, 2015

February 19, 2015March 17, 2015

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Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends:

In all things, including Christianity, growth may be good or bad. Just as a garden may grow fresh vegetables or weeds, a Christian may grow fruit of the Spirit leading to eternal life or sinful behavior bearing the fruit of death (compare Romans 7:5). It should be clear and obvious that the work of a Christian is to grow in the right way, increasing in Spiritual development. It is the work of the Church to provide the raw materials so that this good growth may occur in the lives of individuals.

The Church of the Eternal God and its international affiliates take a very active approach regarding the commission to preach the Gospel to the world as a witness. We know that the good kind of growth requires that the Truth must be preached (Romans 10:14-15). However, we also realize that the increase that may occur in the lives of those hearing the Gospel message must be subject to the Will of God. Paul had this same mind when he reflected on his and Apollos’ work as ministers, stating that it was their job to figuratively plant and water the seed of truth so that God might provide the increase (compare 1 Corinthians 3:5-8). Knowing that Jesus Christ has not yet returned to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, we recognize that there is still a Work to be done so that those who have a calling to answer may be led to grow in righteousness. For this reason we continually strive to find better ways to communicate the seed of Truth to those who will receive it in fertile ground (compare Luke 8:15).

Letter to the Brethren – January 15, 2015

January 15, 2015March 17, 2015

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Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends:

We have just gone through another year, as man counts it, and we are now in 2015. For some in 2014 it has been a bad year, especially in the Middle East—some have been butchered, tortured or abused. We have also lost some faithful members whom we shall not see until the resurrection to eternal life.

This world has not become a better place; if anything, it’s gotten worse. Even in our free Western societies, a lot of our individual freedoms have been eroded and our efforts to bring the truth to the world are being stifled by the governments of this world. Our radio broadcasts were discontinued due to the nature of our message. Many do not seem to like the fact that we are proclaiming the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and that we are unwilling to water down, compromise or speak the truth with a “forked tongue,” only in order to become accepted or tolerated by this world. You cannot go on TV or radio and really tell it like it is, and speak out against abortion, homosexuality, same-sex marriages, fornication, war, smoking, the Trinity, the immortal soul, Christmas, Easter and Halloween, the cross, heaven and hell, true parenting, interracial or interfaith marriages, voting in governmental elections, jury duty, unclean meat, the secret rapture or a host of other unbiblical issues, without offending some influential group.

Letter to the Brethren – December 5, 2014

December 5, 2014December 20, 2014

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

For decades, the Church of God has warned of ten nations or groups of nations emerging in Europe. In our 85 page booklet authored by Norbert Link, entitled “The Ten European Revivals of the Ancient Roman Empire”, the Foreword has this to say:

“Dramatic events are occurring in Europe that will have tremendous consequences for the entire world! In spite of this, many are blind to the significance of what is happening before their very eyes! They fail to see how to connect the dots and make sense of it all.

“The key to correctly understanding the impact of current events lies in viewing the present and the future through the lens of the past. Only when we open the pages of history can we truly grasp the dimensions of the prophesied end-time scenario as it crescendos globally out of proportion and out of mankind’s control.”

On page 48 of this same booklet, we read: “There is strong historical and biblical indication that Britain will not be part of the final unification of Europe.” Why has the Church been so dogmatic about such a stance? In our latest booklet “When and How Will Christ Return?” on page 15, under the heading “Europe’s War With the USA and UK”, we read: “Around the same time, the military-religious European power bloc will start World War III. This terrible war will be mainly directed against the modern house of Israel—the United Kingdom (which by that time will have left the EU) and the USA—as well as the people of Judah. All of these nations will be defeated by the Europeans. When this happens, Christ’s return is imminent.”

Letter to the Brethren – November 14, 2014

November 14, 2014

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

God’s laws work—blessings for obedience and punishment for disobedience!

First of all, they can help EACH ONE OF US, individually. When we make the law of God the ultimate standard for ALL that we do—even to the point of HOW we think—then we are becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Furthermore, based on our new relationship as begotten children of God (2 Corinthians 5:17), Christ lives in us, to help us (Galatians 2:20). And of us, the Word of God reveals that “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Only if these things are true can we bear godly fruit in the manner that Jesus did—who obeyed the Father faithfully and who committed no sin (compare Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5).

Letter to the Brethren – September 9, 2014

October 9, 2014

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Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends:

Some of you might remember the following famous words of Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), saying that this is a world of awesome progress and appalling evil. And how true this is! We can send humans to the moon and back; we can create highly sophisticated spaceships, satellites, airplanes, cars, robots and other magnificent accomplishments; but at the same time, we are not able to solve the mounting problems which are plaguing mankind, such as sickness, disease, famine, war and poverty—just to name a few.

Many suffer under oppressive and restrictive governments which all seem to have a hostile attitude towards the true God and His laws, while they are motivated and driven by a desire to control their “subjects” and influence or brainwash them through their propaganda and political ideologies.

Letter to the Brethren – August 14, 2014

August 14, 2014

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Dear Members, Co-Workers and Friends,

When a patient goes to a doctor with unidentified injuries or physical problems, the approach for determining what is wrong with him is to check his pulse, his body temperature, the mobility of his limbs, his blood pressure and any swelling or bruising. These are all prime indicators to assess any physical problems the patient may be having. The first thing the doctor or nurse will do is to ask the patient where it hurts or where the problem is located.

If we look at the current state of the world, what do we find? A war is raging between Hamas and the nation of Israel, while ISIS or IS, a radical jihadist terrorist group, attempts to take over Iraq, Syria and other countries, while brutally murdering everyone not in agreement with them.

Letter to the Brethren – July 21, 2014

July 21, 2014

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

Now that we are in the midst of summertime in the northern hemisphere, many of us experience impressive lightning shows when thunderstorms roll through. Even though they can be dangerous, the display is fascinating to watch. It is amazing to think that mere clouds in the sky, consisting of droplets of water so tiny that they float in air, can build up an electric charge so great that hundreds of millions of volts of electricity are released in a moment. The potential energy of something so simple as a cloud is impressive.

While looking at a cloud, it is fascinating to reflect on all of the things it can do. A cloud can shade the sun, and bring down enough rain to flood streams. A cloud may let down hail large enough to destroy anything in its earthward path. In the right season, a cloud may precipitate a blizzard of snow, deep enough to bring entire cities to a standstill. All of these powerful events are the potential of a cloud, an innocent puffy thing that hangs in the sky.

Letter to the Brethren – June 2, 2014

June 2, 2014

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

In our weekly Update No. 639 dated 16th May 2014 we included a report from The Examiner which wrote on 2nd May the following: “A spokesperson for the Vatican officially announced that the coming of the Lord may not happen. They stated from the looks of it, Yashua, the only begotten Son of God will not return per John 14:1-3. Cardinal Giorgio Salvadore told WWN [Waterford Whispers News] reporters that Jesus may have been drinking (perhaps from the last Supper with his disciples) when he uttered the statements of his return. He rationalized that people make promises they can’t keep when they’re drunk…”

Both Mr Link in his StandingWatch programme, “Does the Vatican Question the Return of Christ?” and our Update point out that “there is much discussion as to whether the above-quoted comments were actually made, due to the fact that apparently no mainstream paper or news agency reported them. However, so far, there does not appear to be any repudiation of this report by the Vatican.”

Letter to the Brethren – May 15, 2014

May 15, 2014

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

What lies ahead for US in the Work of God?

Through prophecy given by God, we know that events taking place RIGHT NOW are “signs” of the end of this age and Satan’s deceptive rule over mankind. We also know the Bible reveals many detailed occurrences which have NOT YET taken place—but that they are at hand and on the way!

Beyond the key prophecies about end-time world events, the Word of God also addresses the Church during the tumultuous future that is coming.

When Jesus was asked about His return and when that would occur, His response was directed to His disciples—“‘the elect’” (Matthew 24:22). He gave specific instructions for Christians:

“‘Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is’” (Mark 13:33); “‘And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!’” (Mark 13:37); and, from Matthew’s account, we are told, “‘Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect’” (Matthew 24:44).