App
August 15, 2024
Dear Brethren,
The United States is now in a historically critical time as we prepare for the most important presidential election ever! On July 13, at an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, an assassin nearly killed former President Donald J. Trump. However, it appears that at the last second an angel must have turned Trump’s head away from the oncoming bullet—and it only hit the top of his right ear, sparing his life. Tragically, one man in the audience behind Trump was killed and two others were wounded. The well-planned attack was apparently carried out by a lone gunman. But numerous errors and bad judgment by the Secret Service and local law enforcement actually made the failed attempt possible.
Our current president, Joe Biden, publicly and repeatedly said that Donald Trump must be eliminated. Just a few days before the attempted assassination, he said on television that “Trump has a target on his back.” I heard him say it as I watched the news. After the shooting, I wondered about what Biden had said and thought to myself, “Was that statement actually a signal to the Deep State planners to proceed with the assassination?” That idea may or may not be correct. Nevertheless, that is what Biden said—and that is what occurred shortly afterwards! Only God knows!
There is no doubt that Trump’s near-death experience has made him a changed man. He knows that he was saved by the hand of God! Six days later, at the Republican National Convention when Trump accepted the nomination for president, the first words he spoke were: “BY THE GRACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, I STAND HERE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT!” Without a doubt, he will never forget that close brush with death—especially if he is elected as the 47th president of the United States of America.
The very next week, the leaders of the Democratic party forced Joe Biden to drop his bid for reelection to a second term as president. This was the first “coup” against a sitting president in the history of United States! They then selected Kamala Harris as their replacement nominee.
By November fifth, we will know who wins—Donald Trump or Kamala Harris!
War continues between Ukraine and Russia. At the same time, the war in the Middle East between the Jews and Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran is veering closer and closer to a possible WWIII. In Asia, the Chinese continue to threaten Taiwan, looking to expand their power.
Jesus prophesied of such events nearly 2,000 years ago: “And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you do not let these things disturb you. For it is necessary that all these things take place, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places. Now all these things are the beginning of sorrows” (Matt. 24:6-8).
In Luke’s account, Jesus adds that several more events will take place: “ ‘And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified; for it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end will not come immediately.’ Then He said to them, ‘Nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall also be great earthquakes in different places, and famines and pestilences; and there shall be fearful sights and great signs from heaven’ ” (Luke 21:9-11).
The World’s Problems Are Not Physical—They Are Spiritual: In addition to facing massive destruction through wars and natural disasters, the nations of the world are confronted with economic and social problems unparalleled in human history. They are using every means at their disposal in their attempts to solve these problems—but nothing seems to be working. The harder they try—the more trillions they spend attempting to rescue their economies—the problems only grow worse and more entangled. Why? Because when humans reject God and refuse to obey His laws and commandments, they are left to their own devices under the influence of Satan the devil. Thus, all their solutions fail. It all centers around this proverb: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12).
Therefore, the real problems are not economic and social—THEY ARE SPIRITUAL! The nations of the world have forsaken God, rejected His rule in their governments and individual lives. They hate God. They mock Him. They abhor and reject God’s laws and commandments.
God inspired Isaiah to prophesy of mankind’s insoluble crises during these end times: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor is His ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have come between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear; for your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perverseness. None calls for justice, nor does anyone plead for truth; they trust in vanity and speak lies” (Isa. 59:1-4).
God is not far away, but sin and iniquity have cut mankind off from God! The nations want to go their own way, make and follow their own plans—which are laden with iniquity and will never work. Isaiah continues to lay bare the spiritual problems of our times: “They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; he who eats their eggs dies, and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper. Their webs shall not become clothing, nor shall they cover themselves with their works; their works are works of iniquity, and the acts of violence are in their hands.
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. They have not known the way of peace, and there is no justice in their ways. They have made crooked paths for themselves; whoever goes therein them shall not know peace. Therefore justice is far from us; nor does righteousness overtake us. We wait for light, but behold, darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. We grope along the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes. We stumble at noonday as in the night; among those who are strong, we are like dead men” (Isa. 59:4-10).
Such is the state of the nations of the world today. Their problems are spiritual, not physical or economic. Little do they realize that God is actively judging every nation on earth at all times.
How God Judges the Nations: Few understand why this world is in such a mess—because they view things from a human perspective. They are seeking an answer that supports their own political/personal agenda or justifies their unwillingness to take responsibility. As a result, their conclusions are all wrong. They should be trying to understand how God views and judges the nations of the world.
In the Bible, God makes it clear that He is actively judging the nations by His laws and commandments. And He rewards them accordingly with blessings or curses. Notice what He told Jeremiah: “If at any time I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck it up and to pull it down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have spoken, will turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do to them. And if at any time I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build it and to plant it; if it does evil in My sight, that it not obey My voice, then I will repent of the good with which I said I would do them good” (Jer. 18:7-10).
Since God is Sovereign Ruler of the world, it is His judgments that result in blessings or curses upon the nations—all according to the degree of their obedience (or disobedience) to his laws and commandments (see Deut. 28 and Lev. 26).
There are two outstanding biblical examples of national leaders (along with their people) repenting of their evil when warned by God. In both cases, God accepted their repentance and relented of the evil He had pronounced against them. The first was during the days of King Josiah of Judah, as recorded in II Chronicles 34. The second example is found in the book of Jonah, who God sent as a prophet to warn the Assyrian king at Nineveh. In both cases, the kings repented and called upon all the people to repent of their wickedness and obey God.
An important key in understanding how God judges the nations is that He expects them to keep His laws and commandments in the letter of the law. The more commandments they keep as a people or nation, the more blessings they receive from God. The more they transgress against God’s laws, the greater the degree of curses they receive from God.
Thus, in order to understand the events we are witnessing in today’s world, we need to view things from God’s perspective—through the lens of Scripture.
This is why we must always stay close to God the Father and Jesus Christ through prayer and Bible study—so that we can understand prophetic events as they unfold. As Jesus said, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branches have already become tender, and it puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. In like manner also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Truly I say to you, this generation shall in no wise pass away until all these things have taken place. The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My words shall never pass away…. Watch, therefore, because you do not know in what hour your Lord is coming” (Matt. 24:32-35, 42).
Brethren, we truly thank you for all your love, prayers, and continued support. We realize that all of us are facing trying times, so we appreciate your continued diligence in growing and overcoming through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We love you and pray for you daily, as we know that you pray for us. May God continue to bless you with His grace, love, and blessings in all things.
With love in Christ Jesus,
Fred R. Coulter
PS: Our ongoing program of distributing Bibles and Interlinears continues to be a great success! Thank you so much! We still have a lot of Bibles left—so feel free to request additional copies if you can place them into the hands of those who have a sincere desire to study the Scriptures. You can order copies individually or by the box—calfskin, 8 in a box; paperback, 8 in a box; vinyl, 6 in a box; and Interlinears, 4 in a box. We will continue this program until the inventory has been greatly reduced. So keep up the good work!
Letters and Emails from Website Visitors
Dear Fred: We have learned a lot about God since we received the cassettes, tapes, and DVDs plus MP3s. I talked to a member of another organization and she has been attending Sabbath services for many years. She confessed to me that there is something still missing, and she wants to know what she should be learning. I felt the same. Comes down to the question, “What is really salvation?” What did Jesus and the apostles preach? God bless you as you stay close to the Scriptures.—KH
Dear Fred: I would like to know if you have any articles, books, booklets, etc. that cover Bible quotes suggested for use to memorize and learn, similar to your “Rules for Bible Study” and “Proofs that God Exists.” In a recent Sabbath message, one of the elders referred to the time when many of the members in WWCG were taught to memorize key verses. I keep a list of some of my favorite key verses and have added to that list over the years—especially when you reference them in sermons and in some of your printed material. It seems I remember somewhere either from WWCG or from CBCG that a list of key scripture verses to learn was printed that covers a wide range of subjects from faith, love, punishment, child rearing, etc. The Internet has websites where they suggest certain scriptures to memorize. Many of those scriptures I already have, but I would prefer to have some to memorize from the CBCG and my own minister, you, and some of the elders.
Over the many years that my late husband and I have been following you and the CBCG, we have collected and read most of your publications, almost all of the tapes, CDs, DVDs, etc. And we have gained so much valuable truth from God’s Word. I am so glad to have these printed materials and have read and reread many of the books and booklets.
I would like not only to memorize the scriptures but to really focus on knowing them and using them. I do have a very good memory, but I know I cannot memorize the entire Bible. I have been able to share key verses that pertain to certain situations or problems with friends who have never read the Bible—and they are amazed that the Bible has such relevant answers from God about how to live everyday life. I use a concordance and the cross references in one of my older Bibles to search and locate exact scriptures when I know the message but not the exact scripture. Here a little, there a little.
Thank you Fred for being a true and faithful teacher. You were the answer to the prayers of many of us who were in the various splinter groups. In Christian love.—PM, Kansas
Hello, Mr. Coulter: I do appreciate you responding to people that ask you questions, especially me. I assure you that most ministers in the COGs are not so accessible as you. I hope to not burden you with questions, but sometimes I just cannot help it. Also, I do try to give some input to you since you are very astute at getting to the crux of the matter and can share that information if it has some value.
I have a question about 2 Peter 1:2 in the Faithful Version. I remember this verse from General Epistles at AC with Richard Ames. I was told that the word knowledge here is epignosis. I was told this meant “complete or full knowledge.” I often point this scripture out to people to show that there is more to the Bible than what the English language may represent. My humble question is, if this is epignosis, why did you not translate it as “full knowledge or complete knowledge” in the Faithful Version? I am certainly not versed in Greek. My English ain’t no good either (trying to be funny with colloquial English). I am not fault finding, just trying to understand your translation—because I cite that verse to remind people there is much more than just “some knowledge.”
I do appreciate you, Mr. Coulter. I listen to many COG sermons. I agree with some people who have told me that they have learned more in the year or two that they have listened to you than they did in their entire church history. Abraham will be amazed in the resurrection at how many people have been associated with him. I have heard sermons from these other COGs and I can tell they are repeating things you taught and certainly do cite your literature. They cannot cover their paraphrasing of your material very well. I am sure you are accepting of that paraphrasing for the greater cause of the Gospel. Strange how they cannot bring themselves to say your name. When the kingdom comes, you will be surprised at how many people will recognize you though you have never met them or spoke to them. You have helped more people than you can realize.
Thank you for sending Bibles to be distributed. I have, on my own, bought Bibles for people and have collected used Bibles for brethren in other countries. I was disappointed that it was not a priority to get new Bibles to these poor brethren. A Bible is worth more than a million booklets. I know of a teenage boy in Africa that fled his village, being pursued by terrorists. He had to put everything he could of value in a backpack. He had to squeeze as many bottles of water as he could into that backpack. But he found precious space to put his Bible in that backpack. We have so many Bibles that we have a feast of spiritual food available. Yet we are spiritually famished.
I have met “castaways” from other COGs. Many of them find refuge listening to you. You tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. But you do not berate people. So, Mr. Coulter, thank you for giving many people more than you are aware of—hope. Your friend.—MZ, Wisconsin
Dear Fred: Thanks for the Bibles. They are a blessing to the Churches of God. A retired police officer friend and I had been chatting online about the Bible. He told me he spent an evening just studying the preface of the Faithful Version and had been discussing it with another retired policeman. They both have been directed to the Church at Home and Truth of God websites. They are both impressed.—CR, Tennessee
Dear Fred: Thank you for providing the most valuable book in the world—available for the asking. We thank God and we thank you for your years of dedication and service that have put you in the position to make such an offer. The apostle Paul puts it so succinctly in Romans 1:21: “Because when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but they became vain in their own reasonings, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Unfortunately, that describes most of the world, including so many “Christian” churches that should know better.
Thank you for making access to the truth of God’s Word easy through the Faithful Version and the other publications you provide. We pray that God will continue to open the doors necessary so that those He is calling will utilize the valuable study materials you provide. Thank you, Fred, for your loving help to so many of us!—RM, Washington
Dear Fred: I think your sermons where you do a little news or insert short videos are really eye- and ear-catching. This is sorely missed with modern day charlatans and “bloviators” selling their wares after 18 minutes of “why this latest series is a must-have for a love gift of X dollars.” Unlike them, your sermons cut to the heart of the matter.—Mike
Dear Fred Coulter: We are close to Passover 2024 and I thank you for the sermons on Passover with the DVDs and The Christian Passover book. You have made Passover much more understandable—whereas before, some things were vague. Thanks again.—LC
Dear Mr. Coulter: Thank you for the box of Bibles, which we sent to people. Everyone was not only appreciative, but were amazed at the quality and couldn’t believe you were giving them free! My daughter and I were honored to help spread this Bible. We sent them to believers, many of whom had stopped reading the Bible years ago. This Bible, besides being a gift, has sparked a renewal of hope in them and they have started reading it! Thank you for all the work you have done in this beautiful Word of God!—Name Withheld
Dear Fred: Thank you for all the precious teachings I have received from you over the years in book form and sermons. You have manifested so much love for God’s people. This Passover, my focus is especially on the awesome grace of God, in which we stand. As God has forgiven us, so we ought to forgive one another. I believe that on the back of this comes the desire to love God through action. We each must look into our hearts to see how we, with the help of God, are implementing grace and love in our lives. It is a daily task. It is a beautiful motivation for our lives and a purpose for living. To become like the Father and Jesus Christ means growing in love. We have the most awesome and precious example of love in the sacrifice of Christ. And that not once a year, but day by day. God bless you greatly Fred.—AP, New Zealand
Mr. Coulter and staff: I am very glad for your inspiring letter of March 2024. Spiritually, the letter was uplifting and very encouraging—thank you ever so much! I hope your health is good and you keep on giving the messages. Our prayers are with you and your staff. Thank you again; in Christian love.—KD, Missouri
Dear CBCG: We just wanted to thank you for your efforts to preach the Gospel. We love you Fred and listen to most of your sermons online. We would like to request a case of the lambskin Bibles, and if available a case of the New Testament Greek-English Interlinear, as well as The Two Babylons and the Daniel-Revelation series. God bless you.—DH, Minnesota
Dear Fred: What a pleasure it is to send our tithe and support the Christian Biblical Church of God. We have learned so much through Church at Home and the main website’s live-stream. We look forward to each Sabbath. Thank you so much for all your knowledge and work towards keeping the church vibrant and full of truth. Thanks so much.—SH, Alabama
Dear Fred and staff: Thank you all for working very hard for God’s truth, the Kingdom, and its righteousness. Thank you so much for the Bibles; they are needed more than ever before because of the evil times we are living in. Not just in the U.S., but also very much in Germany and Britain. I have relatives living there and they tell me!
Thank you, Fred, for all the sermons. I would also like to thank the elders and all who give sermons for the inspiring messages. The recent sermon on “how to keep the Sabbath” was very inspiring—simple but awesome. I’ve been doing this for a while and still look forward to Friday night every week!
And thank you for the new bookmark. I put it on my refrigerator to have a quick look at the dates for the holy days. Thank you for all the prayers; we do the same for all the brethren and those who love God! God has blessed us with a contentment the world just does not have. I thank God and Christ for that blessing; may God bless all who follow Him.—HL, Texas
Greetings Fred & Staff: I pray that God keeps you in good health and extends your time to help teach us more—as you have done throughout your ministry! Thank you for the many acts of love you do for others! I do Church at Home and I am going through the Love Series with a friend who was re-baptized—so thank you for bringing us the truth, meat in due season! Love, from a brother in Christ.—Name Withheld
Dear Fred: Thank you, to all of you, for your hard work in getting all of the books and Bibles mailed out to all the brethren. I am so happy with my new Greek-English Interlinear. I thank God I have one in my hands; my cup runneth over. I can’t thank you enough. Please let this donation help other people have Bibles also. May God bless you and keep you safe in times of trouble. I love all of you. In Christian love.—BB
Dear Fred: It is a joy to listen to and apply ourselves to the truth, and nothing but the truth. One thing about putting sin out of our lives, that is putting leavening out by Passover. It was never emphasized before in Worldwide, or I did not get the message. As for the Night to be Much Remembered, we go with a group here and meet in a restaurant that has a room. Not at sunset, but around 6 PM. The waitress brings in rolls. They gobble the rolls down. We sit there shocked. Like Mr. Armstrong said, read your Bible. It’s all there. I want to thank you ever so much for expounding to us the truth. In Christian love.—BKD, Missouri
Greetings: I would just like to express my big and heartfelt thanks to the CBCG ministry and brethren. I encountered a Faithful Version Bible in 2022, and through that I also became aware of the CBCG’s ministry with its wide array of sermons, audios, videos, Church at Home, Kidz Korner, etc. Since then I have been enormously supplied with God’s truth and message. I started sending emails last year, requesting books. And then I was transferred to the guidance and care of Sir Andrew Moses and eventually to CBCG (Naga) Philippines. They sent me a lambskin version of the Bible and several books. I’ve also met Sir Andrew and the CBCG Naga brethren, who personally provided me with books. They were very nice people admonishing me to continue to be faithful to God. I was baptized recently.
Despite the challenges of overcoming, [I am developing] patience and endurance and ongoing repentance in my spiritual journey of conversion. Nothing can compare to the inner joy and hope that we have in the forgiveness and salvation of our holy and righteous God, the Father, and our Lord, Jesus Christ. I feel glad and at peace from stress now that I have finally committed myself to a covenant with God and have received the begettal of the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ. My big appreciation to the CBCG’s hard work. I pray that Fred will remain healthy. He is an amazing servant of God. Thank you, with love in Christ.—KMR, Philippines
Dear Fred Coulter: This year, since the Passover and Unleavened Bread come late on God’s Hebrew calendar, my birthday falls during the days of Unleavened Bread. I checked your online calendar, and this has been happening every 19 years.
My hearing loss issue is really handicapping me. I can’t hear much of anything without using my powerful hearing aid and even that is not good enough to catch all that is said; music is garbled/distorted too. I have an ear, nose, and throat doctor visit coming up. Thankfully, I found an extension for Chrome browser that allows Closed Captioning on all videos, even live ones. Now I can open an audio or video file and this CC extension will display text of the audio. I need to find voice-to-text software for Windows 7. I know smart phones have apps for voice-to-text. I will have to look into getting a smart phone soon. In God we trust.—JW, Pennsylvania
Fred Coulter: Thanks for the Greek Interlinear. I had not read it until I sent for the package of Bibles and Interlinears to spread among the brethren. I was stunned at how well done it was. Job very well done! Thank you very much; others thank you also.—Name Withheld
Dear Fred: Thank you for the vitally important and helpful book The Christian Passover (plus all the others and the Bible) and for the meaningful (and life-changing) messages you prepare for us each Sabbath and for each holy day. And thank you for the truly remarkable example you have established of always giving more than you get (at least on the physical level). We all certainly receive more than we could ever begin to repay on a spiritual level—from God the Father and Jesus Christ. Thank you, Fred, for the love you have displayed by laying your life down to the benefit of so many others. Our sincere love and thanks.—RM, Texas
Dear Mr. Coulter: I’m very blessed to have you as my teacher of God’s Word—to grow in knowledge. I just turned a year older. I never expected to still be here at age 88. I pray for others to learn from the things you offer—for understanding of the Scriptures, to learn of the love of God, and how to love others. Thank you again.—EN, California
Mr. Coulter & Staff: Thank you for your inspiration and commitment to people all over the world. It brings great joy and peace of mind. I look forward every week to your Sabbath message. Your monthly letter is also greatly appreciated. People who just “sit in church” don’t get it…. I like to hear when the storm is coming. Thank you.—KD, Missouri
Dear Fred: As I showed you during a recent Feast, a Japanese photographer was able to magnify “perfect” water drops versus “distorted” drops. And just as you’ve been pointing out concerning the James Webb telescope, no other generation has ever seen the awesomeness of the universe. There are documentaries showing sea creatures in the depths of the ocean that we were completely unaware of. I don’t think we can conceive of the magnitude of what God meant when He said that what He had made was “good”—even by adding the italicized word “exceedingly” as in the Faithful Version. What God has created is truly awesome! Yours truly.—BW
Dear Fred: Thank you for being consistently vigilant in voicing the truth of God and being careful to verify the truth—versus the constant evil being pumped into society. Thank you for the holy day messages that help explain God’s astounding calling for His little flock and His love for all of mankind. His visible creation is a wonder to behold, and so is His spiritual creation. Thank you, Fred, for helping us get a glimpse of the creation big picture.—RH
