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July 15, 2021
Dear Brethren,
On July 4, 1776, the United States of America was born with these words: “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America”—which set in motion the separation of the American colonies from the British Empire. They further declared, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (The Declaration of Independence, Action of the Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776).
In addition to the above declaration, central to the development of the nation was the “Bill of Rights”—the first ten amendments to the Constitution. The First Amendment is of paramount importance. No other nation has such a fundamental decree: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
This first amendment was not just conceived with the framing of the Constitution (September 17, 1787) or the Bill of Rights (September 25, 1789); rather, its roots extend back to the basic reason the Pilgrims left Britain to come to America in the 1600s. They fled because of persecution by the Crown of England and the state religion—the Church of England. Those who left loved the Bible and desired to live by the Word of God, which was impossible because of the lack of freedom of speech and assembly in Britain—especially for Sabbath-keepers, called Seventh-Day Baptists. They were probably remnants of the Church of God. They first fled to Holland, then to America.
Indeed, the First Amendment makes it possible to preach the Gospel in powerful ways from the United States unto this day. But now, the First Amendment is being assaulted as never before—as well as the rest of the Constitution!
The Gospel could not be preached from Britain because of the Crown and the Church of England. So the Gospel is powerfully preached from the USA! Yet different churches, including some of the churches of God, preach varying degrees of the truth. It has become clear over time that such preaching could not be done from any other nation on earth. Indeed, preaching the true Gospel to the world is not being done in meaningful ways from any other nation!
As you will see in our book America and Britain—Their Biblical Origin and Prophetic Destiny, the founding of the United States via its separation from the British Empire was not accomplished merely by the actions of men; rather, it was brought about by the hand of God in order to fulfill promises He had made first to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and then to the sons of Joseph—Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:11-20; 49:22-26; Deut. 33:13-17).
From the wording of the Constitution, it is evident that the framers were well grounded in the Bible and astute students of history. They unambiguously did not want to establish a state religion, yet they gave substantial honor and acknowledgment to the Creator, the “Providence” of God, and incorporated sound biblical principles in writing the founding documents for the nation. Likewise, nearly every state constitution of the Union makes direct reference to “Almighty God” as the One granting the blessings of this land and the right of self-government. God said to Moses, “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty” (Ex. 6:3). So it is no coincidence that their modern-day descendants, having the Bible, use this term for God in acknowledging Him in their constitutions.
Throughout their discussions on the founding documents, the founders opened every session with prayer to God. They felt the hand of God. Notice the following statements of several of the signatories of the Constitution—statements that acknowledge the hand of God, the finger of Providence, divine interposition, the beneficent Ruler, and the gift of heaven:
To the Constitutional delegates, George Washington gave this foundation statement: “If to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.
“[The adoption of the Constitution] will demonstrate as visibly the finger of Providence as any possible event in the course of human affairs can ever designate it.”—George Washington
“I regard it [the Constitution] as the work of the purest patriots and wisest statesman that ever existed, aided by the smiles of a benignant [gracious] Providence…. [I]t almost appears a Divine interposition in our behalf.”—Daniel Webster
“I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence that I can hardly conceive a transaction of such momentous importance [as the framing of the Constitution] … should be suffered [allowed] to pass without being in some degree influenced, guided, and governed by that … beneficent Ruler in whom all inferior spirits live and move and have their being.”—Benjamin Franklin
While the founders understood that it was truly God’s hand in the founding of this nation, they also realized, as the Bible shows, that when the people themselves become corrupt they will eventually abandon the Constitution—exactly as is happening today. Thus, they warned:
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”—Benjamin Franklin
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”—John Adams
“The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it. While on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be most abject slaves.”—Samuel Adams
These quotes reflect the founders’ knowledge of the biblical “blessings and curses” that God gave to ancient Israel in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26. When we understand the Word of God, we realize that God’s covenant promises, beginning with the Ten Commandments, were actually what we call a Constitution. However, this was not between men. Rather, it was between God and the children of Israel. Notice God’s proposal to the people at Mount Sinai: “ ‘Now therefore, 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.’ And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. And all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do.’ And Moses returned the words of the people to the Lord” (Ex. 19:5-8)
After Israel accepted God’s condition to obey His voice, He then personally spoke the Ten Commandments—the foundation for His special Covenant with the nation. Next, He gave Moses the laws, statutes, ordinances, and judgments that made up the details of the complete Covenant (Ex. 21-23). Moses then gave the complete proposal to all the children of Israel: “And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words which the Lord has said, we will do.’ And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar at the base of the mountain and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel who offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of bullocks to the Lord. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins, and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read [it] in the ears of the people. And they said, ‘All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.’ And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord has made with you concerning all these words’ ” (Ex. 24:3-8). Thus, the Covenant was ratified.
We find in the book of Deuteronomy another vital requirement to complete Israel’s covenant with God: “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God commanded to teach you so that you might do them in the land where you go to possess it, that you might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you, and your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life, and so that your days may be prolonged.
“Hear therefore, O Israel, and be diligent to observe it, so that it may be well with you, and that you may greatly multiply, as the Lord God of our fathers has promised you, in the land that flows with milk and honey.
“Hear, O Israel. Our one God is the Lord, the Lord. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be in your heart” (Deut. 6:1-6).
Thus, the foundation for the Covenant/constitution for the nation of Israel was the love of God and the Law of God. It contained laws of worship (religion) and civil laws—including the execution of penalties. Yet the history of Israel, and later Judah, shows that the people repeatedly failed to obey God and adhere to their Covenant/constitution with God.
Today, we see the same thing in America: we do not keep the covenant/Constitution of the United States. In spite of having more Bibles than any country in the world, the government and the majority of people have turned their backs to God and disobey Him with impunity!
While we are rejecting the true God of Israel, His law, and His commandments, atheism is growing and becoming more and more militant against Christians of any persuasion. We are repeating the same sins as our ancient forefathers. Notice: “And the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all the prophets, by all the seers, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.’
“Nevertheless, they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like the neck of their fathers who did not believe in the Lord their God. And they rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers, and His warnings that He testified against them. And they went after vanity, and became vain, and went after the nations around them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them not to do like them” (II Kings 17:13-15).
Hosea also warned Israel of God’s impending judgments for rejecting Him: “Hear the Word of the Lord, children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land: ‘There is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and the committing of adultery they break out; and blood touches blood. Therefore, shall the land mourn, and everyone who dwells in it shall languish, with the beasts of the field and with the birds of the heavens. Yes, the fish of the sea shall also be taken away…. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being as a priest to Me. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children’ ” (Hosea 4:1-3, 6).
Indeed, our enormous sins are rising up before God. And just as ancient Israel suffered the judgments of God for failing to love and obey Him, we as their descendants are likewise suffering the judgments of God. God said that the blessings and curses He gave to Israel would follow them in every generation from the time of the giving of the Law until the end.
A Summary of the Blessings: “And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord your God to observe and to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you will obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deut. 28:1-2). Then all the blessings are listed in verses 3-14.
A Summary of the Curses: “And all these curses shall come on you, and shall pursue you and overtake you, until you are destroyed because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. And they shall be on you for a sign and for a wonder, and on your seed forever [the blessings and the curses]. Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things” (Deut. 28:45-47). All the curses are listed in verses 15-68.
However, the New Covenant/Christian Constitution based on the promise of eternal life is so much greater—even supremely superior to the one God gave to Israel. Of this Paul writes in Hebrews: “He [Jesus Christ as our High Priest] has obtained a supremely more excellent ministry, as much greater as the superior covenant of which He is also Mediator, which was established upon superior promises” (Heb. 8:6). (There is not enough room in this letter to write a summary of the New Covenant, so we will save that for the future.)
There is no question that we are facing very difficult times. All of us need to stay close to God in prayer and study, claiming the promises of His protection (see Psalm 91). Meanwhile, we must continue to feed the flock of God, the brethren of Jesus Christ, with the truth of the Word of God—so that we may all be strengthened through God’s Holy Spirit.
We must continue preaching the Gospel to the world. This we are doing with an ever-increasing presence—through the Bible, our books and publications, and especially through our websites. God is continuing to give substantial increases in the number of people who use our sites—now almost four million visits each year. We have included a six-month activity report on our websites, as well as a number of comments from brethren and website visitors.
Brethren, all of this is made possible as God opens the doors and calls new people. In addition, we are reaching many brethren who are wanting to return to God! We thank you for your tithes and offerings that you faithfully give. As always, we use all of God’s tithes and offerings for feeding the flock of God and preaching the Gospel to the world. May God’s blessings be upon you as you Stand in grace, Walk in faith, Believe in hope, and Live in love.
With love in Christ Jesus,
Fred R. Coulter
FRC
Comments from Brethren and Website Visitors
Dear Fred and all: Thank you for the Bible. My friend was so happy to receive it. It did arrive in 3 days—so that was good. We are waiting for spring and for the holy days to begin once again. Thank you for the website and all that is there to glean from. Just look how God has filled it since it was started back in 1998. Peace and blessings.—CS & JS, Ohio
Dear Fred: I apologize for not donating for years. We are on Social Security and have hosted two daughters every Sabbath for years. This takes what little extra we have. Thank you for keeping us on your mailing list, and thank you for giving relevant messages; not many do.—JW
Dear Fred: Thank you for keeping true to the Word of God and for helping all of us “keep on track.” Thank you for the very helpful Passover book, the Faithful Version, and all of the other helpful literature and messages. It is an interesting age we live in, with so much valuable, helpful information—but also the constant tidal wave of misinformation and deception. Thank you for your part in preserving the truth. Sincerely.—R & M
Dear Fred: I hope you are doing well. It’s just unbelievable—the crazy, sick things that are going on in the world. I appreciate your ministry so much and the Spirit of God that keeps me balanced. It’s hard not to get caught up in this mess and speak out against it as you do. May God continue to bless you, protect you, uplift you, and comfort you. With love.—LJ
Dear Fred: I do believe we are now a world under God’s judgment. And I do believe they want to crash the world’s economy to do the great reset, create global communism, steal our wealth—and micro-chipping is around the corner. I really appreciate your sermons. I am on the 4th month now of reading your transcripts from Daniel and Revelation. Powerful! To think decades of teaching materials are in this. I am speechless! Thank you! Blessings.—AF, Vermont
Dear Fred: Dr. Hoeh’s sermon “The Thinker and the Thought” is the most ridiculous sermon I have ever heard! Thanks so much for exposing the absolute insanity of it all! I noticed that he failed to quote Scripture to support his false assumptions—because his assumptions are based on reason and logic and not on the Word of God!... This proves unequivocally that we must put our trust in sola scriptura as our only authority! Thanks so much for all you do in Christ’s service, as it is much needed and appreciated!—DS
Fred: You talking about Covid-19 is free speech, and I want to say I can’t believe your video was taken down. But anything against their agenda and what they stand for, all they know to do is block or take it down. Keep preaching the Gospel!—JW
Fred: Re: “How to Develop the Mind of Christ”: very powerful; really says it all in a nutshell. Thank you!—YG
Dear Fred: Thank you, Mr. Coulter; you always have excellent points and explanations from the Scriptures. And your humorous delivery is always on time. Really like the white on black scriptural references.—EW
Dear Fred: Such an inspirational message to encourage my friend or your friend when they don’t see any hope, but the Word is sent—and “the Word shall not come back void”—for the Lord is good, faithful, and full of love for His children.—CC
Dear Fred: Re: “Why Trials, Tribulation, Afflictions, and Distress?” One of the best sermons you have done to date. Truly God does provide and protect us in the midst of this life! Wonderful encouragement Pastor Coulter!—YG
Dear Fred: Thank you for the meat in due season that you provide on a daily, weekly, and seasonal basis through the terrific study materials you provide. Thank you for being so well prepared on the holy days, as well as on the Sabbath. Thank you for all the printed materials that are so helpful. Thank you for being careful with and true to the precious Word of God. Thank you for being diligent in your study of God’s Word and for sharing with all of us. Thank you, Fred, for allowing God to use you to help us so much! Respectfully.—PM
Dear Fred: Thank you for the Faithful Version and all the other resources you so carefully make available. Satan has been sowing doubt, confusion, and deception since the Garden of Eden, so I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised to find ourselves constantly bombarded with the same today. Thankfully, you have been careful and consistent in protecting, preserving, and publishing the truth and making it readily available. Thank you for all you do!—R & M
Dear Fred: Thank you so much! I’ve been following you on the Day-49 and Pentecost videos; going through each, and building up a Pentecost folder for future reference. There is so much information contained in these two messages and I’m processing every bit of it—documenting every scripture you mentioned (insights along with my notes) and cross-referencing them. I admire your thoroughness and I realize that I’ll never qualify to be called unless I am also thorough, from this point forward. Thank you for all of your good works.—JT, Florida
Hello CBCG: I attend church with a group of about 20 people in Katy, Texas. Just finished reading your messages on the Grace of God. I was so impressed that I suggested we order some copies for our group. The elder I talked to was George Crow and he agreed. You may know him. We would appreciate about 12 copies. Here is a little something to offset the expenses for mailing. I love your messages. May God continue to bless you, Fred, and your co-workers. Thanks for the great work you do for our God and His son, Jesus Christ. This nation and this world need the Good News. Thank you so much.—SD, Texas
Dear Fred: Wow! My eyes, my ears, my mind, my spirit, my whole being is opened wide like never before. How great God is! The most wonderfully complete sermon ever to enter into my whole being. Thanks be to God, the Almighty. Unbelievable.—RG
Dear CBCG: Our love and continued prayers are that you may have guidance and blessings from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you for all the CDs, DVDs, books, Bibles, etc. that you provide. With Christian love.—M & D, Oklahoma
Dear brother Fred Coulter: Happy Sabbath. Our Sabbath went well, though we spent an hour after services to plan how we will be able to bury Ruth Stephen without much delay, as mortuary fees are expensive. Elder Anthony Michael and I will be traveling to Ruth’s home town to meet the children and the handful of brethren there to plan how we will lay her to rest.
Ruth was 51 and had two children: Rejoice, age 16 (female), and Peter, age 12 (male). She was the one who handled translations of your sermons and writings. She studied linguistics and local languages while in the University and understood many of the local dialects in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
We will miss her a lot. However, I will take up the responsibility of interpreting and translating all the sermons and teachings that we receive from you. People love your teachings; they have seen that you have not added opinions to it.
Elder Anthony told me that the teachings from the Church of God International differ from what he has been receiving from the CBCG since he joined our Sabbath fellowship 4 years ago. He said you are teaching pure biblical truth and that every teaching of yours he can defend from the Bible. Our brethren need to keep the truth despite our struggles.
Please pray for us, as there is opposition from Ruth’s family and they will not bring a dime to help bury her. The responsibility is ours. We can never forsake her. Some of the brethren have agreed to help pay for the casket. When we return next week, I will let you know the final arrangements. God bless and keep you alive for His work. Your sister in Christ.—EB, Nigeria
Dear Mr. Coulter: You will never know until I can quantify it, which I can’t, how much God has used you to help my spiritual life. I have been so inspired by your teachings and your general style/example. Is there a word for being “over inspired”? LOL. Thank you.—SM
Dear Fred: Thank you for your last e-mail. Yes, we understand your point and will not make any more requests, but will be using your sermons as we can. Bill Goff is planning a visit. When he is ready, we will send an invitation letter to him—but at the moment, Nigeria is not safe for anyone to visit. Too much killing and destruction, kidnapping and ritual killings.
Just to let you know, we buried our beloved sister, Ruth, on Wednesday of this week.
Thank you for the sermon for Pentecost. You did a great job. We have downloaded and printed copies. God bless your work. We will continue to walk on the path of truth with you. Have a great Pentecost! Love in Christ.—EB, Nigeria
Dear Fred: It is astounding how many churches of God still believe that Pentecost is on a Monday. I thank God for leading me to the Christian Biblical Church of God. I had no idea why God led me to you, but I am extremely pleased. I agree with you. The CBCG has tons more information than all the churches of God. I’ve been telling people that the letters that spell Santa are the same letters that spell Satan. However, in hearing they cannot hear. Blessings of peace and tranquility.—RG
