May 2012

May 16, 2012

Dear Brethren,

By the time you receive this letter, you should have already received the new book, The Appointed Times of Jesus the Messiah. This book combines seven keys that unlock difficult-to-understand prophecies of the “deep things” of God—hidden in ages past. It brings added insight and complete, verifiable proof of the “appointed times” of the Messiah, which directly involve the Passover and the holy days. The prophetic meaning of these “appointed times” is contained in the Holy Scriptures. But to the world, the truth of these “times” is closed—because they refuse to love and obey God according to Scripture.

The first key to understanding is that God set these times as His “appointed seasons” or “feasts” on the fourth day of creation (Gen. 1:14-19). The second key is the weekly Sabbath and the seven-day week, combined with the “appointed times” of the Passover and the annual holy days (Lev. 23). The third key is that the “appointed times” apply directly to the Abrahamic Covenants; the nations of Israel and Judah; the first coming of Jesus the Messiah; the New Covenant and the New Testament Church; the nations of the world; and Jesus’ return. The fourth key is that prophecies pertaining to the end time are only to be understood at the time of the end.

The fifth key is the understanding of how the 70-week prophecy of Daniel 9 unlocks the“appointed times” of the Messiah. Thanks to the extensive research of Carl D. Franklin—which details the chronologies of the ancient kings of Assyria, Babylon, and Medo-Persia—it can be determined exactly when the “decree to build Jerusalem” was given, and by which king. Indeed, Carl has sorted out the interlaced chronologies of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah and the kings of Persia. When all these key factors are correctly combined, the exact dates of the fulfillment of the 70-week prophecy leading to the Messiah can be accurately determined. The sixth key is that the 70-week prophecy must also be combined with the Calculated Hebrew Calendar, the seven-year land Sabbath, and the 50th-year Jubilee.

The seventh key is thatwe must be led by God’s Holy Spirit in order to understand these “deep things” of God, as the apostle Paul writes:“But according as it is written, ‘The eye has not seen, nor the ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things—eventhe deep things of God. For who among men understands the things of man except by the spirit of man which is in him? In the same way also, the things of God no one understands except by the Spirit of God.

“Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is of God, so that we might know the things graciously given to us by God; which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Holy Spirit in order to communicate spiritual things by spiritual means. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:9-14).

Virtually all aspects of the prophetic plan of God are connected by the framework of God’s Sabbath and holy days—His “appointed times.” With these seven keys, the “appointed times” surrounding Jesus’ first coming can be determined: the very year and day of His birth; the beginning of His ministry; His death by crucifixion; and His resurrection and ascension to God in heaven to be accepted as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world—the Lamb of God “slain from the foundation of the world.”

Jesus’ Second Coming: Concerning the “appointed times” of the Messiah’s second coming, we cannot pinpoint the exact “day or hour,” as Jesus said (Matt. 24:36). However, when we combine the prophecies of 1) the book of Revelation, 2) the last week of the 70-week prophecy, 3) the fall holy days, and 4) other prophecies of the Old Testament, we can arrive at an accurate understanding of the sequence of events as they are projected to unfold. Two chapters in the book—“The Appointed Time of Jesus’ Return” (Parts I & II)—deal with this subject. Moreover, the book’s appendices contain detailed information and additional proofs verifying the accuracy of the “appointed times” God has used to fulfill His Word. This book will greatly add to your understanding of the Bible, particularly concerning the first and second coming of Jesus the Messiah. It will prove to be an excellent and exciting read. (As an adjunct, you may order the prophecy series Daniel and Revelation, which contains the coordinated flow of all end time prophecies.)

Feast of Unleavened Bread Trip: During the spring feast I traveled about 8,000 miles by plane to Orlando, Florida, Manchester, New Hampshire, and Atlanta, Georgia. In spite of high gas prices, we had a good turnout in each location. It was great to meet and fellowship with all the brethren. At each study I spoke on the meaning of Unleavened Bread and the “appointed times” of Jesus the Messiah. God’s Spirit was evident in the love and joy of the brethren and in the inspiration of the messages. We have already sent you the recorded sermons of my trip. It was a great trip and most rewarding—but exhausting as well.

The apostle Paul wrote about the full spiritual meaning of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread—overcoming sin, self and Satan, so that we may grow up in Christ Jesus. This fits into God’s commands and purpose to put out the old leaven and put in the “unleavened bread” of Jesus Christ. This is how God is creating His spiritual character in us: “But holding the truth in love, may [we] in all things grow up into Him Who is the Head, even Christ from Whom all the body, fitly framed and compacted together by that which every joint supplies, according to its inner working in the measure of each individual part, is making the increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

“So then, I declare and testify this in the Lord that you are no longer to walk even as the rest of the Gentiles are walking, in the vanity of their minds, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their hearts. They have cast off all feelings, and have given themselves up to licentiousness, to work every uncleanness with insatiable desire. But you have not so learned Christ; if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, according to the truth in Jesus: that concerning your former conduct, you put off the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man, which according to God is created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

“Therefore, let each one put away lies and speak the truth with his neighbor because we are members of one another. When you become angry, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger; neither give place to the devil. Let the one who stole, steal no more; rather, let him labor with his hands, working at what is good, so that he may impart something to the one who has need. Do not let any corrupt communication come out of your mouth, but that which is good and needful for edification that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not vex [grieve] the Holy Spirit of God by which you have been sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and indignation, and wrath, and clamor, and evil speaking be removed from you, together with all malice.

“And be kind and tenderhearted toward one another, forgiving one another, even as God has also in Christ forgiven you. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved us, and gave Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor” (Eph. 4:15-32; 5:1-2).

This is the model of how we are to “grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18) in preparation for the first resurrection, as pictured by the Feast of Pentecost. Because there has been so much confusion concerning how to count to Pentecost, we have a booklet called Count to Pentecost—From Which Sabbath? We also have audio and video sermons explaining how to correctly count the seven complete weeks (49 days), plus one day, for a total of 50 days. For 2012, the Feast of Pentecost falls on May 27.

The Feast of Firstfruits—Pentecost for the Nation of Israel: After Israel crossed the Red Sea, they journeyed six more weeks into the wilderness until they came to Mount Sinai—three days before God spoke the Ten Commandments. It was there that God revealed to Moses His awesome purpose for the nation of Israel—they were to represent Him to all the nations of the world. “And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the children of Israel…. “[If] you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel’ ” (Ex. 19:3-6).

Of His people, God said: “Israel was holiness to the Lord, and the firstfruits of His increase…” (Jer. 2:3). As the firstfruits of the nations of the world, it was fitting that they received the Ten Commandments, spoken by God Himself, on the Feast of Firstfruits—the Day of Pentecost. In Deuteronomy, Moses reiterated Israel’s purpose as the firstfruit nation, chosen by God to represent Him to the nations of the world: “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you should do so in the land where you go to possess it. And you shall keep and do them, for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what nation is so great whose God is so near to them, as the Lord our God is, whenever we call upon Him? And what great nation has statutes and judgments that are so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?” (Deut. 4:5-8). After the children of Israel settled in the Promised Land, Pentecost commemorated the completion of the barley and wheat harvests after seven full weeks of harvesting.

Unfortunately, the only time Israel even partially fulfilled its purpose as God’s representative firstfruit nation was during the first half of Solomon’s reign. “And King Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom that God had put in his heart ” (II Chron. 9:22-23). After Solomon and the people apostatized and began serving false gods, Israel ceased to represent God as a kingdom of priests to the world.

Pentecost in the New Testament: Typically, God uses His feasts and holy days as benchmarks as He fulfills His will and purpose, often involving powerful historical—as well as spiritual—events. As we have seen, God personally spoke the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel in an awesome display of power and glory on the day of Pentecost (Ex. 20:1-17). To begin the New Testament era, God again used the day of Pentecost with an awesome demonstration of power as He granted the Holy Spirit to His Church.

On the day of Pentecost, in the morning, when the apostles and disciples were assembled together in a meeting room on the Temple grounds, God sent the Holy Spirit upon them in a unique display of spiritual power. “And when the day of Pentecost, the fiftieth day, was being fulfilled, they were all with one accord in the same place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rushing of a powerful wind, and filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire, and sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit; and they began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the words to proclaim

“Now there were many Jews who were sojourning in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when word of this went out, the multitude came together and were confounded, because each one heard them speaking in his own language…. And they were all amazed and greatly perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ ” (Acts 2:1-6, 12). 

By the power of His Holy Spirit, God miraculously caused the apostles to speak simultaneously in a multitude of languages. Thousands of Jews and proselytes from all over the world heard the apostles powerfully preach the message of God about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ—each in their own language!

Because God had placed His name and presence in the Temple in Jerusalem, He likewise began the Church there. This was the reason He sent the Holy Spirit in the way that He did on this particular holy day. Had it been done in any other location, no one would have believed that this was an act of God. However, the manner in which God poured out His Spirit—in the presence of multiple thousands of Jews and proselytes assembled at the Temple observing Pentecost—left no doubt that this was a powerful act of God. It was clearly His personal, divine intervention—not the work of men. This amazing display of God’s power also provided the spiritual seal of authority confirming the apostles as His called and chosen witnesses. 

After silencing the few detractors, Peter stood up to preach a dynamic message about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. After convicting his audience in conscience, he called on them to repent toward God for their sins that led to the death of the Messiah: “ ‘Therefore, let all the house of Israel know with full assurance that God has made this same Jesus, Whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ Now after hearing this, they were cut to the heart; and they said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you yourselves shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ ” (Acts 2:36-38). As a result, three thousand were baptized and added to the Church on that momentous day of Pentecost in 30 AD—the day the true Church of God began.

The Meaning of Pentecost: God’s unique use of the day of Pentecost in the past has magnified and added to its meaning in both the Old and New Testaments:

1) God gave the Ten Commandments to Israel (Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:7-21).

2) Israel celebrated the completed wheat and barley harvest of the firstfruits (Ex. 23:16).

3) God sent the Holy Spirit to begin His Church.

4) After our repentance and conversion, with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, God begins to write His laws and commandments in our hearts and minds (Heb. 10:16).

5) The apostles’ miraculous preaching in many languages fulfilled, in part, Jesus’ command that the Gospel be preached to all nations (Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:44-47).

6) By sending the Holy Spirit, God signaled that He was going to reject and ultimately destroy the Temple and its system of worship (Isa. 66:1-5; Matt. 22:1-7; Acts 7:44-50).

7) All who desire to worship God the Father could now do so in spirit and in truth—from any location, not just at the Temple in Jerusalem (John 4:20-24; Heb. 10:16-22).

Pentecost and the First Resurrection: There is also a tremendous prophetic aspect to the Feast of Pentecost. God will again use this feast to fulfill His will and purpose at Jesus’ second coming. Christians are called spiritual “firstfruits” (James 1:18), and the harvest of the spiritual firstfruits is at the end of this age (Matt. 13:18-43; Rev. 14:14-16). This spiritual harvest, as pictured by Pentecost, will be a resurrection to eternal life for all who are called and chosen. This is the first resurrection at Jesus’ return (I Cor. 15:20-23; Rev. 20:6).

Paul draws a special comparison between the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai and the assembling of the resurrected saints as they meet Jesus Christ. He emphasizes how much greater this event will be when compared to what the children of Israel had experienced: “For you [the Church] have not come to the mount [Sinai] that could be touched and that burned with fire, nor to gloominess, and fearful darkness, and the whirlwind; and to the sound of the trumpet, and to the voice of the words, which those who heard begged that the word not be spoken directly to them. (For they could not endure what was being commanded: ‘And if even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned, or shot through with an arrow’; and so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I am greatly afraid and trembling.’)

“But you [the Church] have come to [spiritual] Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem; and to an innumerable company of angels; to the joyous festival gathering [Pentecost resurrection]; and to the church of the firstborn [the firstfruits of God], registered in the book of life in heaven; and to God, the Judge of all; and to the spirits of the just who have been perfected; and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant; and to sprinkling of the blood of ratification, proclaiming superior things than that of Abel” (Heb. 12:18-24).

The prophetic significance of the trumpet blown on Pentecost is that it pictures the “last trumpet”—blown at the time of the resurrection of the saints. Jesus Himself foretold this: “But immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet; and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matt. 24:29-31).

Paul also declared that the first resurrection to eternal life would occur at the last trump: “And as we have borne the image of the one made of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed, in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruptibility, and this mortal must put on immortality. Now when this corruptible shall have put on incorruptibility, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’ ” (I Cor. 15:49-54).

In Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians, he wrote that the first resurrection takes place at the last trumpet: “But I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in exactly the same way also, those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall in no wise precede those who have fallen asleep because the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds for the meeting with the Lord in the air; and so shall we always be with the Lord” (I Thess. 4:13-17).

The book of Revelation confirms that the last trump is the seventh trumpet—when the first resurrection takes place: “Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign into the ages of eternity.’ And the twenty-four elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, ‘We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come; for You have taken to Yourself Your great power, and have reigned. For the nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time for the dead to be judged, and to give reward to Your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to all those who fear Your name, the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth’ ” (Rev. 11:15-18).

At the first resurrection, angels will carry the saints to a gigantic sea of glass in the clouds over Jerusalem to meet Christ. “And I saw a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and awesome are Your works, Lord God Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the saints. Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You only are holy; and all the nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been revealed’ ” (Rev. 15:2-4).

Seven things will take place on this sea of glass before Christ and the saints return to the earth to establish the Kingdom of God:

1) The saints will receive their new names (Rev. 2:17).

2) The saints are given their rewards (I Cor. 3:8; Rev. 11:18; 22:12; II John 8).

3) The saints will receive their assignments as kings or priests (Rev. 20:6).

4) The marriage of the Lamb and His bride will take place (Rev. 19:6-8).

5) The marriage supper will take place (Rev. 19:9; Matt. 22:1-13).

6) The saints will witness the seven last plagues poured out—the vengeance of God (Rev.

  15:5-8; 16:1-21; Psa. 149:4-9). The seventh plague is the Battle of Armageddon.

7) The saints will be gathered into God’s army to fight with Christ and return to establish

the Kingdom of God on the earth (Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14:1-9).

It will take time for all these prophesied events to transpire, undoubtedly extending from the day of Pentecost unto the Feast of Trumpets, about four and one-half months.

Thus, the Word of God reveals that just as God began the Church on Pentecost by sending the Holy Spirit, He will complete the harvest of His Church—the spiritual firstfruits—on Pentecost. On that day, God will resurrect from the dead all the righteous saints—from Abel, the first martyr, to the Two Witnesses, the final martyrs. In the resurrection they will all be changed in the twinkling of an eye and given glorious, immortal bodies as the spiritual sons and daughters of God the Father. “[W]e are waiting for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who will transform our vile bodies, that they may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the inner working of His own power, wherebyHe is able to subdue all things to Himself” (Phil. 3:20-21). As glorified spirit beings, they will shine as the stars of heaven (Dan. 12:1-3; Matt. 13:43).

The saints will share the same eternal existence and glory as Jesus Christ: “The Spirit itself bears witness conjointly with our own spirit, testifying that we are the children of God. Now if we are children, we are also heirs—truly, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer together with Him, so that we may also be glorified together with Him” (Rom. 8:16-17). This is why Paul calls the first resurrection a superior resurrection (Heb. 11:35). Finally, John writes: “Behold! What glorious love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God…. [And] we know that when He is manifested, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him exactly as He is” (I John 3:1-2).

The book of Revelation proclaims: “Blessed and holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power” (Rev. 20:6). As pictured by the Feast of Pentecost, Christians look forward to receiving eternal life and glory in the first resurrection (Rom. 8:14-18; I John 3:1-3).

Emails and Letters

 Love your site. I found it on a YouTube video someone made a couple years back. It’s a good thing I watched that video! I have been watching ever since. (D.S., NJ)

Hi there: I wanted to tell you what a good idea this Web site is. My husband and I have 2 grown daughters and 2 sons still at home. We have “church at home” with another couple and a larger family. We were so tickled when we found your site because we have similar beliefs of the Sabbath and the festivals, instead of man-made holidays. We’ve visited many COG and SDA Web sites and really felt like yours filled a need. (M.K., VA)

Hello: I grew up in the Worldwide Church of God as a child. My father is still a local minister. It seems over the years there has been a bundle of changes in the church, back then and now. I recently found your Web sites and I am so grateful to know the truth is being preached! I would love to have as many sermons and booklets as I can receive to be brought the true gospel. Thank you. God Bless. (J.J., FL)

Hello: I have been searching for the truth for a while now and would like to know if there is a congregation around my area. It seems every church so far that I have visited has, in one form or another, only picked and chose what they want to believe from the Bible. However, you seem to know the truth; I am interested in finding out more information. Thanks. (R.D., N Y)

Thanks so much for all the work you do in getting God’s Word out to the world! I’m so thankful that I was told about your Web sites! My non-member husband and I were put out of a church of God because they insisted we were conspiracy theorists and were poisoning the Church—although I never asked any questions unless I was speaking to my own minister. (I was baptized in the WCG in December of 1986.) Hence, my husband and I are now listening to and watching the wonderful programs and sermons on your Web sites!! I feel very blessed that God has answered my prayer and fervent plea for help! When something is true and right, it all makes sense—and IT DOES!! LOVE YOUR WORKS!! (D.&J.M., MO)

I was a baptized member of a church of God for about five years with a great deal of dissatisfaction. I have been listening to sermons from the CBCG site and meeting individuals involved with CBCG since the 2011 FOT. I am interested in becoming a member of CBCG and furthering my understanding of God’s Word and way of life. I am also inquiring about a FOT site for 2012, as I will be moving back to my home country. (T.S., British Columbia)

I just wanted to write to say Thank You!! Thank you for all the hard work, time, effort and dedication to preaching God’s Word. Plus, let me say that my husband and I deeply appreciate the monthly CDs and letters. There are truly no words that I can convey that would do justice in thanking God for such a wonderful blessing and for showing you the need for CDs, booklets, and instructions for those who are no longer able to attend church, are shut-ins, or have given up on “organized religion.” I thank God for all of you; please continue to remember so many who are sick and afflicted. May our Father in heaven bless and reward each one of you for your continual service. With heartfelt thanks. (C.E., KY)

I was navigating the Internet to look for people of God to help me solve a problem I have had for two years. I am Muslim, but I felt that I must accept Jesus as my Savior. So far, no one has helped me clear this issue. This site comes as the long-awaited answer. (Africa)

Greetings: I would like to order the following two books: The Day Jesus the Christ Died, and Judaism—Revelation of Moses or Religion of Men? Thank you so much for your Web sites, Church at Home and cbcg.org. Yours in Christ. (E.M, CA)

Thank you for your wonderful Web sites; they are blessings to us and our ministry. May the Lord bless you and all the good work you are doing to help others come to the knowledge of the truth. Dear brothers, we would be excited to fellowship with you if you come and teach us this wonderful message. (Pastor N., Kenya)

Hi, Fred: I always enjoy listening to your sermons. I have learned so much in the last one and 1/2 years since listening to you, as compared to reading [materials] and watching DVDs from another church of God for the past 18 years. I thank God every day that I found your Web site. Thanks for the help, you are in my prayers daily. (G.M., IN)

I’d like to thank you first of all for the wonderful and TRUTHFUL lessons! They are really enlightening and it’s refreshing to get to the “meat” of the message all the time. (J.G.)

Please send me the baptism booklet. I’d love to read it. I am very grateful that your Web site is here for those who seek God, Jesus, and the Word. Thank you so much. I will share your site with everyone I know. (A.S., FL)

I would like to request a copy of “The Rise of a Ministerial Hierarchy” by Carl D. Franklin. I recently came across your Web site while trying to better understand how there can be so much confusion and disagreement among the COGs. (C.M., TX)

Good afternoon: I am a single parent with three children. Currently, I am teaching my children about the Bible. While doing so online, I came across your Web site and the “Original Order Bible.” If you have any publications for children, it would be helpful. (A.H., FL)

Dear Mr. Coulter: I have a 14-year-old daughter and we had her blessed in a “blessing of the children” ceremony in one of the churches of God. Can you direct me to one of your sermons or videos on the topic of the Holy Spirit in/with children? PS: I am thoroughly enjoying your trans-humanism series and all the material you’ve made available. (J.D., British Columbia)

Dear Fred: I am writing this letter to say “thank you.” I am a little more than half way through Occult Holidays or God’s Holy Days—Which? This is by far the most informative and authentic book I’ve read in some time. The way you present Scripture beside current events is both thorough and profound. I thank God for your work and for making it freely available for the world in a time when people don’t give freely. The fact that you choose to serve God means so much.

Thanks, Fred: I just received my Bible—and wow! It yells out to be read! I thank God for you, Fred. It really is a great blessing to have a true servant of the Most High. I will continue to study. I am looking for a job where I get the Sabbath off; for now, I am switching days with a fellow employee so I can celebrate God’s holy day—what a privilege! Thanks, Fred—and please know that this life is for service to God. I know you know that. (A.M., Alberta)

Dear Minister Coulter: I have been receiving mail from the CBCG for quite a long time, and I must say your ministry has been quite a blessing to my family and me. We have learned so much from the books, tapes, DVDs and CDs you send us. I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to you and to all those who make this possible. Thank you for allowing God to use you to share the Gospel with us. Recently, I was contacted by a man who is a Sunday-keeper to explain the Sabbath to him. He received the Word of God with a joyful heart. I also shared with him the book The Day Jesus the Christ Died. Your books are plainly written and easy to understand; even those with little education can learn from them. Could you please send me another copy of that book? Could you also please send me the book on Judaism and the booklet “A Sabbath-Sunday Controversy You Have Never Read.” Yours faithfully. (Jamaica)

Elders’ Conference: This year, the Elders’ Conference will again be held in Florence, Kentucky, at the Airport Hilton, May 16-19. We will have special Sabbath services 10:30 AM and 2 PM. Elders, leading men, and brethren from many states will be attending.

In This Mailing: On the enclosed CD are the messages “After Baptism What Do I Do?” (parts 1 and 2); “Solving Personal Conflicts”; and the sermons for “Day 49” and “Pentecost.” From Church at Home we are sending you nine new half-hour video segments: Prophecy—Why People Don’t Understand; Prophecy—How to Understand (Parts 1-2); Prophecies of Matthew 24 (Parts 1-4); The End Time False Prophet; and Prophecies Rapidly Unfolding Now.

In spite of living in trying and troubling times, we must always stay close to God the Father and Jesus Christ through prayer and Bible Study—and be led by the Holy Spirit. This is the only way we can continue to overcome our own human nature and resist the pulls of the world and Satan the devil. Regardless of circumstances, always remember: GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST LOVE YOU! You have Jesus’ personal promise to always be with you, even in times of trouble: “For He has said, ‘In no way will I ever leave you; no—I will never forsake you in any way.’ So then, let us boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ ” (Heb. 13:5-6).

Brethren, we appreciate you and thank you for your continued prayers. Without them we could not accomplish what God wants us to do. We pray for you every day, beseeching God the Father and Jesus Christ to be with you, to heal you, and to bless you in everything. We greatly appreciate your steadfast support through your tithes and offerings.

With love in Christ Jesus,

Fred R. Coulter