November, 2004

Fred R. Coulter, Minister

November 23, 2004

Dear Brethren,

On November 9 I traveled to Ventura, California, where I conducted the funeral service for Vera Olsen who died at 87. She was a member in WCG when I pastored the churches of Torrance and Santa Monica in 1972-75. Later, she was one of the founding members of the CBCG in 1983 and had been with us until her passing on November 1, 2004. We had a wonderful service with all her family and friends present.

Many of us in the churches of God are getting on in years. Ministers and brethren have died and will be dying. Their deaths reflect the passing of a generation. In fact, while I was writing this letter, I received word that Dr. Herman Hoeh unexpectedly died the morning of November 21, 2004. The older generation in the world is also passing from the scene. Recently, it was reported that WWII veterans are now dying at the rate of 1,100 a day, which is only reflective of their entire generation.

The senior citizen brethren of today were young when God the Father called them. They have been faithfully serving God for thirty, forty and fifty years. As we get older, we need to remember that God loves us and watches over us in spite of our weaknesses and frailties. When David was old, he wrote: "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come" (Psa. 71:14-18).

God’s View of Death: Because death under any circumstances is a difficult situation, how are we to understand it when confronted with the death of a loved one or our very own mortality? Only the Scriptures give us the true answer. Solomon wrote: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die" (Ecc. 3:1-2).

As Christians, we need to realize that it is God the Father and Jesus Christ’s purpose for us to die in the faith: "The one who endures to the end, that one shall be saved" (Matt. 24:13). That is the final goal for each of us. As Paul wrote, all the ancient patriarchs and prophets died in the faith: "All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, and having been persuaded of them, and having embraced them, and having confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth" (Heb. 11:13). In fact, they will not receive eternal life and their rewards until the it is God’s time for the first resurrection when we will all be perfected together: "But these all, though they had received a good report through faith, did not obtain the promise because God had determined in advance to provide something superior for us so that without us they would not be made perfect" (verses 39-40).

The Scriptures reveal that God’s perspective of death is far different than man’s fearful view of death. The Lord reveals that, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." And again, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life." And again, "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest…" (Psa. 116:15, Rev. 2:10 and Isa. 57:1-2).

Funeral services and memorials are unique to mankind. Of all the creatures that God has created, only human beings assemble together to honor their dead and to give a remembrance of a loved one who has died. We all know that death is a reality of life. Because death is so final, grief fills our hearts over the loss of a loved one, regardless of the circumstances of its occurrence. Death brings us face to face with the reality that human life is only temporary. Death confronts us with the ultimate weakness of human beings, the helplessness in acknowledging that a life has come to an end, and no human being has the power to escape death or to overcome death, except through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Our Creator, the Lord God has revealed in His Scriptures that this physical life we now posses in the flesh is temporary as Moses wrote: "The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore (Psa. 90:10). However, it has been given to all human beings to die once. "It is appointed unto men once to die….For as in Adam we all die" (Heb. 9:27 and I Cor. 15:22).

After Adam and Eve sinned, thereby bringing death to all their progeny—to all mankind in all ages—God said to Adam, "For dust you are, and unto dust shall you return" (Gen. 3:19). Thus we are all physical—we are all made of the dust of the earth. Moreover, at the time of death, one’s "…breath goes forth, he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish" (Psa. 146:4).

In the face of death and with a fear of death, mankind has wondered and asked the question, "Is there life after death?" In the Scriptures we find that Job asked this same question: "If a man die, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14). No one except Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead to eternal life. That is why death is such a mystery!

Furthermore, the Scriptures teach us that death is an enemy—yes, the last enemy that will be destroyed through the power of the resurrection as revealed in God’s great plan. So then the Scriptures reveal that there is life after death. And this life is in Jesus Christ—in Him and Him alone! Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life….I am the resurrection and the life" (John 14:6, 11:25).

Job understood this profound truth of God because he answered his own question, "All the days of my appointed time [in the grave] will I wait, till my change come. You shall call and I will answer You: You will have the desire of the work of your hand" (Job 14:14-15).

Just as we all die in Adam, "…so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruit; then, those who are Christ’s at His coming" (I Cor. 15:22-23).

God the Father has given the power and the authority of the resurrection to Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "Truly, truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live. For even as the Father has life in Himself, so also has He given to the Son to have life in Himself; And has also given Him authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of man. Do not wonder at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth: those who have practiced good unto a resurrection of life, and those who have practiced evil unto a resurrection of judgment" (John 5:25-29).

However, those who have been called during their lifetimes and who have died in the faith—in Jesus Christ—will be raised to eternal life with eternal glory at His Second Coming!

This is why Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth and the life ... and the resurrection!" (John 14:6.) While we have our sins forgiven through the death and the blood of Jesus Christ, the faithful in Christ who die "…shall be saved by His life"—because He Himself was raised from the dead by the power of God the Father: "But now Christ has been raised from the dead; He has become the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep [in Christ Jesus]. For since by man came death, by man also camethe resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

"But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruit; then, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Afterwards the end comes, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to Him Who is God and Father, when He shall have put an end to all rule and all authority and power. For it is ordained that He reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (I Cor. 15:20-26).

The very reason for the resurrection of the dead is to destroy death—the last enemy. As Paul wrote, "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body; accordingly, it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living soul; the last Adam became an ever-living Spirit.’ However, the spiritual was not first, but the natural—then the spiritual. The first man is of the earth—made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the one made of dust, so also areall those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly one, so also are all those who are heavenly. 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" (I Cor. 15:42-52).

The Saints Will Be Raised with Eternal Glory to Shine As the Stars of Heaven: The apostle John wrote that because of the love of God the Father, all those who are Christ’s and die in the faith will be raised with a glorious spirit body! "Behold! What glorious love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God! For this very reason, the world does not know us because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be; but 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 apostle Paul also wrote that when Jesus returns, He 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. 3:21).

Thereby, God will fulfill His purpose for His saints as He promised to Abraham: "And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven" (Gen. 26:4). Again as Daniel wrote: "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life … And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Dan. 12:2-3).

Jesus Himself confirmed these promises of God given through His prophets when He spoke of the glory that those in the resurrection to eternal life will have, shining as the stars of heaven: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:43).

Therefore, God wants us to rejoice in His revealed hope for the dead. We are not to be sorrowful and grieve. Paul wrote: "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. Therefore, encourage one another with these words" (I Thes. 4:13-18).

As the Scriptures reveal to us, death and the corruption of the flesh will be overcome! "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.’ O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?" (I Cor. 15:53-55).

Death will be destroyed! Death is the last enemy, and it will be conquered. The ultimate love of God will be clearly manifested. God the Father will give eternal life to all those who are in Jesus Christ His Son. He will accomplish it through the power of the resurrection and by His profound love and grace for each one He calls. As the apostle Paul wrote: "For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; and that being rooted and grounded in love, you may be fully able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which surpasses human knowledge; so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all generations, even into the ages of eternity. Amen" (Eph. 3:14-21).

Whoever endures to the end and dies in the faith will have fought the good fight and finished the course—having kept the faith. Death is the final exam. From that time forward, a crown of righteousness is laid up for each one, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give in the day of the resurrection to all who love His appearing.

The apostle John was given the vision of this coming new heaven and earth where the children of God will live forever with the Lord: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from heaven say, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men; and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people; and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, or sorrow, or crying; neither shall there be any more pain, because the former things have passed away.’ And He Who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ Then He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts, I will give freely of the fountain of the water of life. The one who overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son’ " (Rev. 21:1-7).

This is the great hope that God the Father and Jesus Christ have revealed as the ultimate destiny of those who are called now. In the coming years we will be seeing many of God’s saints being harvested—that is, they will die and be put in the grave to await the resurrection to eternal life when Jesus Christ returns. God will be taking away the righteous from the evil times and the tribulation that will be coming upon this world. When Jesus Christ returns, all the saints will be resurrected, and man’s rule under Satan the Devil will come to an end. Then we will live with God the Father and Jesus Christ in the New Jerusalem into the ages of eternity.

What a fantastic blessing it is that God has called us and all the saints, wherever they are in the world, and has revealed His plan and purpose to us through His Word and Holy Spirit. These are things that the world cannot know, because God has not opened their minds to understand His secret plan: "What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant" (Psa. 25:12-14).

Again as the apostle Paul wrote: "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" (I Cor. 2:9-13).

So then as revealed in God’s Holy Word, as we witness this generational change within the Church, we need to rejoice that God is personally fulfilling His promises to them.

Correction on Prophecy Tape 11-13-04: On Sabbath, November 13, I went to Monrovia, California, where we had morning and afternoon services with a meal in between. In the morning I gave the sermon on Hebrews #34. Then in the afternoon I gave the sermon on prophecy, the two witnesses, the Beast, and the Mark of the Beast. We discussed the difference between 1260 days and 42 months. The question came up concerning the 42 months and why it was different than the 1260 days and how many days were actually in 42 months as determined by the Hebrew Calendar. During the study I mentioned that 42 months was 240 days. I meant to say 1240 days. Forty-two months on the calculated Hebrew calendar is 1240 days, not 240 days. This is why the 1260 days of the two witnesses’ ministry is different than the 42 months of the Beast and Jerusalem being given to the Gentiles for 42 months. I will try to correct this on the master tape, so that error will not be duplicated in the future.

Thanksgiving in the USA: On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln set the final date for Thanksgiving for the nation. Americans had observed it for many years before that time but on differing dates. Lincoln was a man who studied the Bible all during his life and understood that God was the Author of our blessings as a nation, while at the same time He corrected us for our sins.

While this letter will undoubtedly reach you after Thanksgiving Day, Lincoln’s proclamation to establish the last Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving is most revealing; indeed, it was written while the Civil War was still being fought. General Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865, and all land forces surrendered by June, while the naval forces finally surrendered in November. Here is Lincoln’s proclamation for Thanksgiving:

"A PROCLAMATION

THE YEAR that is drawing toward its close has been filled with blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart of the habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

"In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

"Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

"No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

"It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelt in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such a singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners and suffers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

"In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the United States to be affixed.

"Done in the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

"By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN

WILLIAM H. STEWARD, Secretary of State"

Today, God has likewise blessed the nations of modern Israel—United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. And as there was a civil war during Lincoln’s presidency, we are collectively faced with a family war between the sons of Abraham and Isaac—modern Israel— and the sons of Ishmael and Esau.

After Israel’s wanderings in the desert for forty years, God gave a warning to them just before they entered the Promised Land. His warning to ancient Israel is also a warning to modern Israel today. As Lincoln warned the Union that they had forgotten God, today our nations are not only forgetting God, they are turning their backs to Him. Furthermore, the churches of God are rich and increased with goods and are lukewarm toward God the Father and Jesus Christ.

So God’s warning through Moses to Israel is also a warning to the Church: "Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. [That is what the day of Thanksgiving in the USA should be for.]

"Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; and thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

"But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish" (Deut. 8:5-19).

Many of the Psalms show how we are to praise God with thanksgiving for His goodness in all things and in all circumstances. This is clearly shown in Psalm 107: "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (verses 1-2). Four times in this Psalm it reads: "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (verses 8, 15, 21 and 31).

Psalm 136 is devoted entirely to extolling God. All twenty-six verses end with "…for His mercy endureth for ever." The first three verses begin with giving thanks to God: "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever" (verses 1-3).

In the same manner, we need to be thankful for all things and most importantly for the spiritual blessing that God the Father and Jesus Christ have poured out upon us. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians, as well as to the Laodiceans: "Now I want you to understand what great concern I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

"Now I say this so that no one may deceive you by persuasive speech. For though I am indeed absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, be walking in Him; being rooted and built up in Him, and being confirmed in the faith, exactly as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving" (Col. 2:1-7).

We need to be devoted always to loving God the Father and Jesus Christ in all things, rejoicing with thanksgiving for the great hope that God has given us: "And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called into one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And in everything—whatever you do in word or in deed—do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Col. 3:14-17).

While it is good that this nation has set aside a day of thanksgiving to God for all His bountiful blessings, we always need to be thankful to God the Father and Jesus Christ.

We are all thankful for the blessing of being able to produce the New Testament book. It is such a tremendous help to all the brethren. Many of the brethren have been giving it to brethren in other churches of God. Likewise, it has been a great help to them as well. Now that we have the second printing available, we will send you any number of copies you need, which you may give to others. However, please give copies only to those who are truly interested so that they will be used as a tool to preach the gospel and to help lead seekers to God and His truth.

The book The Day Jesus the Christ Died is designed to be given to anyone who has an interest because of Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ. This book is important to new people, because it explains the entire Gospel of Jesus Christ through His crucifixion, death and resurrection. In fact, it is the only book that explains the Scriptural truth—the whole truth and nothing but the truth!

At the time of the writing of this letter, we are down to less than three hundred copies of the first printing of 9,000. Over 6,000 were sent to new people through our advertisement on our Websites. That has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of people returning to the Websites for more information, sermons and study guides.

In three weeks, we will receive another shipment of 7,000 copies of The Day Jesus the Christ Died. We are ready. We are reaching out to new people as well as to brethren in other churches of God. God tells us to preach the Gospel (Matt. 28:19-20) and "Cast your bread upon the waters; for you will find it after many days" (Ecc. 11:1). God also promises that He will prosper His Word as we send it out: "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isa. 55:10-11).

Brethren, thank you for your continued support with your tithes and offerings. Together we can serve the brethren and preach the Gospel with the tools that God inspires us to use. May God the Father and Jesus continue to bless you with love, grace and thanksgiving in all things.

With love in Christ Jesus,

Fred R. Coulter

FRC