December, 2008

Fred R. Coulter

Minister

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December 17, 2008

Dear Brethren,

The Roman year 2009 is about to begin in the midst of great turmoil. Most of us have never witnessed such a mountain of problems, troubles and crises confronting the entire world--financial, political and religious! It seems troubles are on every side--affecting nearly everyone in different ways. Look around the world and you will find affliction, calamity and sorrow sweeping from nation to nation like an uncontrollable brush fire.

Wars, revolts and riots

Terrorists attacks and bombings

Famine and plagues

Pirates and thieves stealing and looting

Extreme weather--heat, drought, cold, rain and flooding

Murder, shootings, killing, mass genocide and death

Accidents, sickness and disease

Sexual depravity and perversion

Political corruption and incompetence

Financial upheaval and insecurity

The daily avalanche of such news is almost overwhelming--too much to handle. Those who cannot cope hide their eyes or turn off the TV and radio. Some indulge in various diversions and pleasures hoping that the miseries and calamities will somehow go away--but they don't. It is reminiscent of the song, "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off!"--or the Psalm about flying away like a bird to avoid the troubles and wickedness on every side. As David wrote, "Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am distraught in my trouble and moan in my complaint, because of the voice of the enemy; because of the oppression of the wicked--for they cast mischief upon me, and in wrath they hate me. My heart is pained within me; and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. And I said, `Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Lo, then I would wander far off; I would lodge in the desert. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest'" (Psa. 55:1-8).

Without a doubt, it would be nice to "get away from it all"--to avoid the stress, tension and frustration such difficulties cause. In reality, we can seldom do so. However, we can face these times with the strength and faith of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Notice this vital counsel of God: "Do not fret yourself because of evildoers, and do not be envious against the workers of iniquity, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass; and wither as the green herb.

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and cherish faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth your righteousness like the light, and your judgment like the noonday.

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret yourself because of him who prospers in his way; because of him who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret yourself, it leads only to evil, for evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. It is but a little while, and the wicked shall be no more; yea, you shall diligently consider his place, but he shall not be there" (Psa. 37:1-10).

Jesus put it in another simple way: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation. But be courageous! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

We can fully trust in Jesus' words and promises because God is watching over us: "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope in His loving kindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield, for our heart shall rejoice in Him because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in You" (Psa. 33:18-22).

Yes, in the midst of all these difficulties we can have peace of mind. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can control our thoughts and emotions and not allow the problems and troubles of this world to dominate our minds. Remember, the end times are going to be filled with perils and distress, as clearly prophesied by God in the Bible. But we must live through it, enduring to the end. And we can only do so with full faith and confidence in God! Understanding from God's Word why these things are happening will give us peace of mind, while realizing that God the Father and Jesus Christ are in complete control. Just because end-time events are unpleasant, disturbing and distressing does not mean that we have to let them control our thoughts and emotions.

Simply put: We need to realize that all the troubles in the world are the result of Satan, sin and human nature. Therefore, what we are witnessing are in reality the active judgments of God against those sins--so people may have an opportunity to repent. But they must choose. If they choose to continue in sin, then the judgments of God will become more and more severe--and God is no respecter of persons or of nations. But He always warns and allows time for repentance. If and when people repent, He will honor such repentance by lifting and easing His judgments.

Imagine you could fly over the USA (or the whole world for that matter) and that you had the ability of God to know everything that goes on in every government, institution and religion--and in the lives of every person--whether good or evil. What

No doubt you would see almost exactly what God saw in Jerusalem and Judah as he talked to the prophet Jeremiah. As we read this passage, we can liken the city of Jerusalem to Washington, DC or London, and Judah to the USA and the UK. "Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem [Washington, DC], and see now, and know, and seek in her open places, if you can find a man, if there is one who does justice, who seeks the truth; and I will pardon her [God is ready to pardon upon repentance and righteous conduct]. And though they say, `As the LORD lives [in God we trust];' surely they swear falsely"

Jeremiah answers God, "O LORD, are not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; You have destroyed them, but they have refused to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to return. Therefore I said, `Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they do not know the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God. I will go up for myself to the great men, and will speak to them; for they have known the way of the LORD and the judgment of their God.' But these had altogether broken the yoke and had torn off the bonds! Therefore a lion out of the forest shall kill them, and a wolf of the deserts shall rob them; a leopard shall watch over their cities. Everyone who goes out from them shall be torn in pieces because their sins are many and "(verses 4-6).

God answers Jeremiah, "How shall I pardon you [Jerusalem and Judah] for this? Your children have forsaken Me, and have sworn by them that are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, then they committed adultery, and gathered themselves by troops in a harlot's house They were like lusty, well-fed stallions in the morning; every one neighing after his neighbor's wife. Shall I not punish for these things?... And shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" (verses 7-9)

God continues: "For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very deceitfully against Me.... They have lied against the LORD and said, `It is not He; neither shall evil come on us; nor shall we see sword nor famine.' And the prophets [the ministers and teachers of today] shall become as wind, for the word is not in them; thus it shall be done to them"

Though God pleaded with them to repent--the people, their leaders, their prophets and priests--and warned them to turn from their wicked ways, they refused: "But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they have revolted and are departed from Me. And they do not say in their heart, `Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives both the former and the latter rain in its season; He reserves to us the appointed weeks of the harvest.'

"Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good things from you. For among My people are found wicked ones; they lie in wait, as one who sets snares; they set a trap, they catch men. Like a cage full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit; therefore they have become great and grown rich. They have become fat, they have become sleek. Yea, they excel in evil deeds; they do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and they do not defend the right of the needy. Shall I not punish for these things?... Shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

"An astounding and horrible thing has happened in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so, and what will you do at the end of it?" (verses 23-31).

God's judgments are not coming because of the sins of the few--but for the gross sins of the majority. It is coming because of all the lying, cheating and stealing; the scheming treachery and deceit; the covetousness, gambling and financial fraud; the adultery, fornication and homosexuality; the corruption and rejection of God in individual lives, the schools, the governments and courts. From the common man and woman to the rich and famous--they are all satiated in selfish narcissistic covetousness: "For everyone from the least of them even to the greatest of them is greedy for gain; and from the prophet even unto the priest everyone deals falsely [Who can tell the truth anymore?]. They have also healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, `Peace, peace,' when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, nor could they blush; therefore they shall fall among those who fall. At the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down..." (Jer. 6:13-15).

Again, God pleads with the people to repent, but they would not listen. "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where the good way is and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, `We will not walk in it.' Also I set watchmen over you, saying, `Hearken to the sound of the ram's horn.' But they said, `We will not hearken.' Therefore hear, you nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them. Hear, O earth; behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts because they have not hearkened to My words, nor to My law, but have rejected it"

Will the Bailouts Work? In the worldwide financial crisis, governments and bankers are plunging countries deeper into unimaginable debt by borrowing or creating money out of thin air--via the printing presses. They are throwing trillions in "bailout" money--dollars, Euros, pounds, yen and yuan--in a coordinated effort by the G-20 nations to keep the financial markets liquid with cash. They are hoping to re-stimulate borrowing and keep the credit bubble alive--so far with very limited success. They are hoping to avoid a worldwide depression, which could last for years to come. But the question remains: Will all of this debt financing really work? Is it possible to borrow ourselves out of debt? Whether these measures work or not, how will the money ever be paid back, and by whom? Or will the whole world go into bankruptcy--or exhaust itself with deflation, or hyperinflation?

Remember, national currency is a symbol of national power and sovereignty. When a nation goes bankrupt, it can lose its sovereignty. Some few financial advisors in America think that the dollar will collapse in the next year or two. Then, the "establishment elite"--the Federal Reserve and International Bankers--will usher in a new currency. The only question is this: Will it be the Amero, including Canada and Mexico as a new regional union of nations--MexAmeriCana. If so, some experts speculate the redemption rate will be one new Amero in exchange for fifty dollars. If so, that means every one hundred dollars you have today in cash, in banks, in retirement accounts will be worth only two Ameros. Or, on the other hand, will it be a new, single world currency, to be followed by a world government? Only time will tell.

Trouble in Chicago and Washington:As the inauguration of Barack Obama nears, we suddenly find out that the Democratic president-elect's closest advisors and political allies are embroiled in what is perhaps the worst and most sweeping case of political corruption in American history to beset an incoming president. A personal friend of Obama, Democrat governor of Illinois Blangojevich was arrested by the FBI for corruption and trying to sell Obama's vacant senatorial seat. Others are apparently under investigation and may be indicted as well--particularly for what is called "pay to play." So much for the pretense of honesty, transparency and openness--hypocrisy indeed! And Obama hasn't even been sworn in.

Where is the "change we can believe in"? One thing is for sure--change is coming! But it will not be what most people had hoped for. During this financial crisis, the US government--led by the Reserve Bank under Bernanke, Secretary of Treasury Paulson and President Bush--started a gigantic two trillion dollar government intervention to take over banks, financial institutions, insurance companies and large corporations. The most massive in the history of the USA. There appears to be no end in sight. To make matters worse, Obama plans to massively expand the intervention. Experts already predict a federal deficit of over one trillion dollars for 2009-2010. One way or another, it looks like the USSA--the United States of Socialist America--is coming whether we like it or not.

Potential Impending Constitutional Crisis: The USA is on the threshold its greatest constitutional crisis since its founding! IS BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA--also known as Barry Soetoro, Barry Obama, Barack Dunham and Barry Dunham--A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN AS THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES? If he was born in Hawaii as he claims, and not in Kenya as his paternal grandmother has sworn, why has Obama refused to provide a certified copy of his Hawaiian birth certificate, signed and dated by the attending doctor? Why have his Hawaiian records of a live birth, which is not an actual birth certificate, been sealed?

Nearly all news media sources have repeatedly ridiculed and dismissed these vital questions. However, this is not a matter of race, discrimination or politics--it is a matter of constitution law! If the Supreme Court issued a judgment on the issue without a certified copy of Obama's birth certificate clearly showing that he is natural born citizen indeed, such a judgment would be unconstitutional in and of itself. The truth is that the matter can only be settled by nothing less an actual certified birth certificate! That is all he needs to produce; it is that simple--end of problem. If he cannot prove that he is a natural born citizen, then--if he is sworn in and assumes the office of President of the United States--we would have a completely unconstitutional, illegal government. Any actions by such a government would be null and void. For verification of these facts see WeThePeopleFoundation.org and Philip J. Berg, Esq. at ObamaCrimes.com.

Why is this nation--and, in fact, so many other nations of the world--besieged with so many calamities? Most people do not have a clue. However, the very few who read and study their Bibles know why these problems keep slamming the nations like giant waves of the ocean--coming one after the other. There is no question about it, we are living in perilous times. But the end is not yet.

The world does not grasp this fundamental biblical truth: No one, whether a person or a nation, can continue to live in sin and expect to receive the blessings of God. Yet, most people in the world, and even some in the Church, do not comprehend this basic truth of God. Satan the devil has deceived them. As the god of this world, he has blinded their minds (II Cor. 4:4). The apostle John further verifies this. He writes, "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one" (I John 5:21). There is no question that a covering of deception has been cast over the people of the world (Isa. 25:7), as masterminded by "the ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, who is deceiving the whole world" (Rev. 12:9).

This deception is so pervasive that most professing Christians of the world, while giving lip service to God, actually embrace numerous pagan practices--and some even unknowingly agree with atheists. They love their Sunday-keeping and their occult holidays, which is in reality a form of Satan worship. Yet, they have been led to believe that they are doing the will of God. However, their actions testify that they are wicked: "The fool has said in his heart, `There is no God.' They are corrupt, and have worked out abominable wickedness; there is no one who does good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understand, who are seeking after God. Every one has turned away; they have altogether become filthy; no one is doing good, no, not even one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge?... [They] have not called upon God." (Psa. 53:1-4).

Isaiah prophesied perfectly of these times: "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor is His ear heavy that it cannot hear [God has not gone away]. 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. 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"

This is true to the old proverb, "Oh, the webs that we have weaved, since we first decided to deceive." Those who deceive always get caught in their own traps. Isaiah continues: "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. We all roar like bears, and mourn grievously like doves; we look for justice, but there is none, we look for salvation, yet it is far off from us. For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; in rebellion and denial of the LORD, and turning away from our God, talking perversity and revolt, conceiving and speaking from the heart words of falsehood.

"And justice is driven backward, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth has fallen in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. Yea, truth fails; and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. And the LORD saw, and it was evil in His eyes that there was no justice" (verses 6-15).

Because of the evil of human nature, and Satan the Devil deceiving the world, all the futile efforts of sinful men--their governments and religions, whether individually or collectively--cannot solve the problems facing mankind today. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST TO THIS EARTH AND THE IMPOSITION OF THE GOVERNEMENT OF GOD. JESUS CHRIST

He shall rule from Jerusalem: "And it shall come to pass, in the last days the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it. And many people shall go and say, `Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. And He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isa. 2:2-4).

All the saints will be resurrected at His return and will rule over the world under Jesus Christ: "And I saw thrones; and they that sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and those who did not worship the beast, or his image, and did not receive the mark in their foreheads or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years…. Blessed and holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:4, 6). This is our ultimate spiritual goal.

Brethren, in these critical times we need to truly draw close to God the Father and Jesus Christ with this precious goal in the forefront of our minds. We need to continue to build and maintain our spiritual relationship with them through constant prayer and daily Bible study. There is no doubt we can endure whatever the future may bring--as long as we have the faith, hope and love of God, and are developing godly character and true righteousness.

Thank you for your love and prayers and for reaching out to other brethren--and for reaching out to new people by giving them CDs and literature and directing them to our Web sites. Thank you for your continued support through your tithes and offerings--even though these are difficult financial times. God will surely bless you with sufficiency in all things as He has promised. May God bless you

With love in Christ Jesus,

Fred R. Coulter

FRC

P.S.: We have just finished the Sabbath Coloring Book for children. You can order copies by phone, e-mail or letter.