Preaching the Gospel in Over 1500 Languages

By COGwriter

Jesus said:

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Do you want God's kingdom to come?

Do you want it to come soon?

When will it come?

Notice something else that Jesus said

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
(Matthew 24:14).

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)

God's kingdom will come 3 1/2 years after the start of the Great Tribulation that Jesus referrs to in Matthew 24:21.

The Pastor General of the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, taught that but added something:

Jesus' prophecy of Matthew 24 shows ... verse 14, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; AND THEN SHALL THE END [of this age] COME." After the beginning of the proclamation worldwide of the gospel of the Kingdom shall come the "great tribulation"— more terrible than any time of trouble ever. The supernatural intervention of CHRIST will cut short that tribulation (verses 21-22).

...  when there is a reason, God will HOLD PROPHESIED EVENTS UP for a while. I have wondered if He were not holding up world events TILL we have completed THE GREAT COMMISSION! (Armstrong HW. Supernatural Forces on a Collision Course! WHAT NOW? Plain Truth, January 1979)

Well, the end cannot come until Matthew 24:14 has been completed to God's satisfaction.

Are you a factor in this commission being held up or being done?

James wrote:

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)

Is you faith alive or dead? Are you committed to support the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14?

Well, the Continuing Church of God is committed to this. To support that, we have had our English language booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, translated to as many languages as we can. In 2023, we reached a total exceeding different 1000 languages/dialects! In 2024 we have exceeded 1500!

The old Radio Church of God reported:

Now a most important mission of AMBASSADOR COLLEGE is to teach foreign languages. (Armstrong HW. Co-worker letter, January 28, 1947)

Today we do reach every inhabited Continent on earth. But we do not yet reach every nation. We are now publishing literature not only in English, but also in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Portuguese. We are preparing to publish the Gospel in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Japanese and other languages. We are teaching many of these languages in our two colleges. Consecrated students, native born in many of these countries and speaking their languages from infancy, are enrolling in our colleges and being trained for GOING INTO ALL THE WORLD, and PREACHING TO ALL NATIONS! (Armstrong HW. Co-worker letter, July 31, 1962)

The old Worldwide Church of God reported in ran article titled Open Doors for Christ's Gospel!:

In addition to the spoken word, Christ's Gospel and God's way of life is authoritatively expounded monthly in seven languages, through the pages of The Plain Truth ... Billions of people can read at least one language. (Snyder M. Open Doors for Christ's Gospel! Good News, 1983)

Yes, billions can read at least one language, and for most of them, English is not the language that they can read. Attaining multiple translations is part of the open doors in the 21 century.

While many others make claims about reaching the world, the Continuing Church of God has has taken steps to reach, not only English speakers in all nations, but to reach people in as many languages as God opens the door for us to utilize.

Here, for example, are languages that the Continuing Church of God had literature in back in 2016 included.

And we have added over 1000 more languages since 2016. And expect to add more in 2024. We hope to have over 2,000 languages/dialects by the end of 2025.

How did we do it? Well, by taking Jesus' words in Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20, and Revelation 3:7-9 seriously.

Opportunities presented themselves, sometimes we pursued them, but mostly they pursued us.

The first translation we received was from someone in South America who, on his own, decided to translate an article I wrote into the Spanish language in early 2013. Shortly thereafter, he translated our magazine into Spanish without being asked. Later, I did ask someone to translate the magazine into Mandarin Chinese. And later, sometimes when I ran across someone with translation abilities, I asked. But other times, we were approached.

One deal, I initially turned down because of costs in late 2013, was presented again with more favorable terms. An offer I did not want to refuse, and that led to many more magazine translations. I then inquired about how many languages were possible and was told 50. After getting the 50, I was then approached with the possibility of about 4 dozen more. And that combined with languages we already had put us over the 100 language mark. Now, we have over 1500.

We heeded the Apostle Paul's statement to "walk by faith, not be sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Many, who hope that they are Philadelphian Christians, have not yet supported CCOG, for various improper reasons.

One is that they have seen small groups make claims and come and go. But CCOG is different and has repeatedly and consistently met its claims.

Jesus said:

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

Perhaps it should be mentioned that many liars and accusers of the brethren have lied and called me a 'false prophet.' For making false predictions--NO! But because of their own prejudices and there unwillingness to accept the New Testament's criteria for prophets (to see more of those, please study the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).

In CCOG, we have reached people in over 220 countries and territories with the messages of the Bible, etc. And we have done so without the heresies that other groups have decided to cling to (some are listed in the article The Laodicean Church Era).

The proclamation fruits that CCOG has had meet Jesus' criteria, and certainly any real remnant of the Philadelphian era of the Church of God has got to consider putting out materials in over 1500 languages, is the type of 'sowing' that the group leading what I have called the Final Phase of the Work would do. Getting these multi-language materials in place is in preparation for the 'short work' that the Apostle Paul referred to in Romans 9:28 (see also Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word).

Consider the fact that we have the gospel booklet translated in over 1500 languages in the light of with the following:

2 Paul and Barnabas … 3 … passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. (Acts 15:2-3)

Yes, the fact that we are able to reach more Gentiles (and Israelites), because we have information on the gospel of the kingdom of God in more languages should cause great joy to all the Philadelphian brethren.

Multiple languages are also needed to reach "the whole house of Israel" (Jeremiah 13:11)--see also What is the Ezekiel Warning? 

The Bible teaches that Christians are to be “prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21), and Philadelphian Christians are the ones whose work Jesus praises in the third chapter of the Book of Revelation–He does not praise those of Sardis or Laodicea.

In order to lead what I have referred to as final phase of the work, and prepare for the short-work of Romans 9:28, we need information on good news of the kingdom of God in as many languages as possible.

We are going through the “door” that is open to us to reach people–that is what Philadelphian Christians are supposed to do per Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:7-13.

But when dealing with translations there are issues.

What about the quality of the translations?

Because most of the translations we are receiving have not been translated by people who have a Church of God background, there are misunderstandings on certain points.

Yet, they are still readable. Years back, I asked a Ukrainian man who received some of our literature in the Russian language if the translation (from the same source we are still using) was good, and he said that it was.

A couple of years later, while there were differences between how a Chinese CCOG member and a translator thought a few words should have been translated, the translation itself was still fine.

I also had someone in India verify that one of the languages from there that we had was understandable.

In 2022, a man I knew who was once part of the Worldwide, Global, and Living COGs (and is now not with any of them nor with the CCOG, but with a smaller COG group) went over our Armenian translation. He basically edited a few words because the literal translation from English into Armenian did not have quite the meaning as English-speakers understood. So, some edits were made. But, even without the edits, the basic concepts of the coming Kingdom of God were conveyed.

So, yes, I have made several attempts to validate the translations (though there have been issues in a couple, like Serbian, that we had completely redone by someone we knew).

That said, even among native speakers in CCOG, there are differences of opinions about how certain works in the Spanish language, for example, should be translated.

So, “perfect” translations are very subjective and may not even be possible in many (or even all) cases.

Some of you may recall that I have never claimed that the translations were perfect. Instead, I have said that the following prophecy applies:

9 “Whom will he teach knowledge?  And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?  10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,  12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:9-12)

Notice that even having some language difficulties seems to have been prophesied. And, I have been saying that about our translations for many years (e.g. watch Behind the Work 2016: All Nations, Tribes, People, and Tongues).

We are to reach people in multiple languages as a witness before the end comes (Matthew 24:14), despite the fact that most will not respond in this age. And we know that there may be difficulties caused by translations.

Now, please notice the version of Isaiah’s language statements in the New Testament:

21 In the law it is written:

“With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”  says the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14:21)

So the New Testament is clearly also prophesying that other languages would be used–and we in the Continuing Church of God have been doing so in more languages than any other COG has ever done.

Now, during the millennium many will understand:

1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice.  2 A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As rivers of water in a dry place, As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.  3 The eyes of those who see will not be dim, And the ears of those who hear will listen. 4 Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, And the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly. (Isaiah 32:1-4)

Yet, also notice something that the Bible says will happen BEFORE the millennium:

33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many . . . (Daniel 11:33)

We in the Continuing Church of God have been preparing for that as that is part of the short-work of Romans 9:28.

In addition to the gospel booklet and some other literature translated into numerous languages, we are also planning on getting our English language book, Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century, translated into: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, French, Huasa, Indonesian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.

Perhaps it should be noted that we have had our English song book, The Bible Hymnal, translated into Spanish-Himario Biblico, French- LE LIVRE DES CANTIQUES BIBLIQUES, Kiswahili- Nakala ya Nyimbo za Biblia, and Serbian-библијска песмарица, as well as partially into the language of Chichewa. And we are looking at other languages as well.

Jesus gave the following commission:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

This involves working to reach people in multiple languages. Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20 are the major commissions of the faithful church. The “phil,” as in Philadelphian Christians, means fraternal love/affection, which in the biblical context includes supporting the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom of God to all that we can.

Satan does not want people reached in other languages.

But as the Apostle Paul wrote of him, “Satan … we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Trying to cast doubt on God, His word, His ministry, His people, and His faithful church is something that Satan and his associates do. That is one of the reason that Satan is referred to in the Bible as “the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10).

Sadly, many throughout church history have succumbed to his ways.

The Book of Proverbs teaches:

1 My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5)

How can people have understanding of the gospel if they do not understand the language?

We need to assist them in being able to have understanding.

As far as reaching people of different ethnicities goes, ALL are important to God. Notice some of what the Apostle Paul wrote:

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:12-15)

Well, how can they hear if they do not understand the language?

Consider also from the Apostle Paul:

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:13-14)

It is unfruitful to think that preaching the gospel in English alone is enough of a witness to those who do not understand it.

What about ‘minor’ languages? Are they unimportant?

The Apostle Paul somewhat addressed that as he wrote:

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. (1 Corinthians 14:10-11)

Since there are languages people do not understand (cf. Psalm 81:5), but all languages are significant, then obviously more languages than one needs to be used by the CCOG to teach.

Consider also Jesus’ words:

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ (Luke 15:4-6)

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

We try to reach all that we can.

Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

We are to sow bountifully! We are sowing by having as many languages as we can available as we prepare for the fulfillment of prophecies including Matthew 24:14.

This may also help us find the lost sheep, or more accurately, make it easier for the sheep to see the fact that we are witnessing to them and perhaps that the Father is also now looking for them (cf. John 4:23-24), in order to call them (John 6:44; Jude 1).

Notice something else the Apostle Paul wrote:

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

Having materials in many languages helps serve ALL as well as those who are in the household of faith.

Initially, God did a language miracle when the New Testament church began:

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:1-11)

While God could cause a hearing miracle again like He did in Acts 2, scripture does not record that God continued to do the type of miracle where people heard the message came out in one language and then was heard in the language of the hearer’s birth. Nor do we see major evidence of this occurring again throughout Church history.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Bible (NKJV) version uses the term “translated” thirteen times with numerous translations. God, thus, concluded having translations in His word were needed for understanding.

Now, since relatively few modern people know ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, AND Koine Greek, which are the languages that the Bible was written in, we need translations to understand the Bible.

But as people also need help understanding the Bible from the ministry (Acts 8:31-35; Romans 10:12-15; Ephesians 4:11-16), having booklets and other literature in multiple languages helps answer the question Philip asked someone reading the Bible:

 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me? ”  (Acts 8:30-31)

Literature in various languages help guide those to better understanding.

Last century, over the radio, Herbert Armstrong declared, starting at the 20 minute portion:

   Now we come to the seventh chapter of the book of Revelation.

... And now continuing on to verse 9:
   "After this I beheld and, lo, a GREAT MULTITUDE which no man could number of ALL nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb [which is Christ — the Christ who is coming at His second coming to rule the whole world] clothed with white robes which designates the righteousness of saints, and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9-10)
   You see in this scene — this vision of John that he is recording in the whole book of Revelation — he sees the throne of God in heaven. That's just in vision. He himself was on the Isle of Patmos here on the earth. But in the vision, like a dream, or a very intense dream, he could see God the Father and Christ taking this book and opening the seals.
   And all the angels stood around and they asked him if he knew who this other innumerable multitude from all nations were. And he just simply didn't know.
   "I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These [this great, innumerable multitude] these are they which came out of The Great Tribulation. (Revelation 7:14)
   In other words through this great tribulation that is coming, many are going to turn to God and to Jesus Christ who never have. And it's going to be a tremendous number of people. ...

The Philadelphia church is speaking to you just now. (Armstrong HW. Revelation: Things That Are Going to Come to Pass. Radio broadcast; https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1371913599)

Yes, the Philadelphian portion of the Church of God teaches that. Furthermore, the Bible shows that the proclamations will ultimate results in massive numbers of followers from all over and in all languages:

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:8-10)

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-11)

11 For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:11)

Thus, it makes sense to get materials into whatever languages God will open up to us. We see the importance of reaching people in different languages in both the Old and New Testaments.

Notice also the following:

14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:14).

This is a reference that people of all languages will serve Jesus--it is to Jesus all dominion was later given to in Matthew 28:19-20; see also 1 Peter 4:11, 5:11.

The Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul communicated in at least two different languages, based upon his audience:

37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?”

He replied, “Can you speak Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”

39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”

40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language (Acts 21:37-40)

Since Paul was the “apostle to the uncircumcision,” he had to communicate in languages other than Hebrew, such as Greek in the above account.

He also wrote:

22 I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)

The Apostle Paul taught:

1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Will you imitate him as he imitated Jesus?

Jesus finished the work He was given by the Father to do (John 17:4).

It was of necessity for Paul to preach:

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16)

IT IS A PHILADELPHIAN NECESSITY TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO THE WORLD AS A WITNESS.

Jesus and the Philadelphian Door

Fulfilling Jesus' commission in Matthew 24:14 is part of the work of the most faithful church at the end of the age. While NOT all Philadelphians are called to personally preach, ALL are supposed to support the work of most faithful church now.

Jesus also taught, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).

Jesus also taught, "You will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16).

Consider also the following:

7. “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:

8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (Revelation 3:7-8)

What is the “open door”?

Let us look at this concept within the New Testament and let the Bible interpret itself.

Paul wrote:

12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord (2 Corinthians 2:12).

8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me (1 Corinthians 16:8-9).

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak (Colossians 4:2-4).

Luke wrote:

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27).

Thus, the Bible is quite clear that the open door is the door to proclaim the Gospel. And I believe that God has opened up the door to develop literature in over 1000 languages to us, so we are also going through “the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

Herbert W. Armstrong understood that the door was opened to proclaim the gospel:

Also a door was to be opened for this leader and/or the Philadelphia era of the Church to fulfill Matthew 24:14: ‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come’ (Mystery of the Ages, pp. 290-291).

And he and his church did reach people with the message in many languages.

Yet, it was not until after he died that there was widespread access to the internet so that this door was open as wide to be able to reach as many people in as many lands. And we have been loading gospel materials dozens of times more languages than the old Worldwide Church of God was able to put literature out in.

The Philadelphia work must continue to the end. Note that a literal translation of the Greek into English in Hebrws 13:1 would be, "Let Philadelphia continue." The death of Herbert W. Armstrong did not stop Philadelphia and we go through the doors that Jesus opens.

The Continuing Church of God has but a "little strength." We have only small fraction of the income, number of ministers, and congregants that the old WCG had, so how can we fulfill Matthew 24:14?

Jesus said:

7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Jesus also said:

32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:32-34)

Critics do not believe that we can lead the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14, but the Bible states:

41 'Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.' (Acts 13:41)

Critics despise the confirmed dreams and fulfilled predictions we have had in the CCOG --but they could believe if they would look and believe as documented in the article Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Critics do not want to believe that Gaylyn Bonjour's prayer that I would be given a "double-portion" of God's Spirit was answered--but he said that it was.

So, how will the commission to proclaim the gospel to the world be fulfilled?

The Bible teaches:

6 This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

The Bible also tells of a time of a short work.

28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth. (Romans 9:28)

We in the CCOG have been preparing for that, which is why we have the gospel in so many languages online (see also Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word). We prepare for it and God will finish it.

How so?

In various ways.

But one them looks to be that when we are identifying when the coming European King of the North is fulfilling various prophecies, this will result in temporal scrutiny by many in the media. We will get a lot of attention for a short while. This, in turn, will spark many to read about what we teach. And the item we have available online in the most languages is the one on the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

No other church has ever prepared for this that way.

I believe God led us to do so. Especially since it was we who were approached by translators at a price we could afford. We were not looking.

God's plan will be accomplished.

The Full Number of Gentiles

Perhaps it should be pointed out that the old Radio Church of God taught that, “Blindness is happened to Israel, not forever, but until the full number of Gentiles who are to be converted in this age comes into the Kingdom. (Hoeh H. The Coming UTOPIA… Wonderful World of Tomorrow. Plain Truth, March 1957, p. 6; see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).

Having materials in multiple languages are needed for the full number of Gentiles can be converted in this age!

Yes, this age.

Herbert W. Armstrong taught:

 Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, taught the following about Romans 11:25:

Now I want you to study carefully one of the most wonderful, important chapters in all the Bible — the 11th of Romans. … Verse 23 says those who abide not still in unbelief shall YET receive salvation. … Now study carefully beginning verse 25: “Blindness in part is happened to Israel [HOW LONG? Forever? No — note it], UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” — the end of this age during which God is calling a people from among the gentiles to bear His name (Acts 15:14). And so, says Romans 11:26, “all Israel SHALL BE SAVED [how?]: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” The Deliverer, Jesus Christ, is coming again!

When He comes, the gentile times will be over — the BLINDNESS will be removed from the Israelites — and their opportunity — their FIRST chance — of salvation will then come to those whom God had blinded! This is at the time when He comes to REIGN on HIS THRONE — the throne of David, with the saints made immortal reigning and ruling with Him — and the time is DURING THE THOUSAND YEARS!

Notice verse 31. These blinded Israelites have not now, in this age, received mercy, that through the mercy of the gentiles saved in this age, they MAY, THEN, obtain mercy and salvation. How? Because these saved gentiles will then be kings and priests, assisting in this wonderful Work! (Armstrong HW. Where Will The MILLENNIUM Be Spent? Tomorrow’s Word magazine, September 1971, p. 5)

25: “Blindness in part is happened until Israel”-HOW LONG? Forever? No-note it-“UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” -the end of this age during which God is calling a people from among the Gentiles to bear His name (Acts 15: 14). … These blinded Israelites have not now, in this age, received mercy, that thru the mercy of the Gentiles saved in this age, they MAY, THEN, obtain mercy and salvation. How? Because these saved Gentiles will then be kings and priests, assisting in this wonderful work! (Armstrong HW. Where Will The MILLENNIUM Be Spent? Plain Truth, February-March 1954 , pp. 4-5)

(25) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel [or that part of Israel, meaning the great part, the big part — all but a few, have been blinded. It’s the big part actually] until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [Or the number of Gentiles to be converted becomes complete — as other translations have it] (Armstrong HW. Romans 11-13. Bible Study, June 27, 1980)

Clearly, we are much closer to the time when all the Gentiles are to come in to later be kings and priests than when those articles were published (see also: Christians are to Rule).

More of the Gentiles had to be called and converted– and that is happening now!

The Commission is Completed When God Determines that It Is

We are closer to the end of this age and some church needs to be working on having numerous languages–and we in the CCOG are.

John the Baptist prepared for the first coming of Jesus (Mark 1:1-7), and the Philadelphian faithful in the Church of God are preparing for His second coming–and the full number of Gentiles must come in before Jesus returns per Romans 11:25-27–Herbert W. Armstrong understood that as well (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?). Here is one thing he said about it in a Bible Study on chapter 11 of the Book of Romans in a Bible study:

Well now, we've been going through the book of Romans and we're up now to one of the favorite chapters of mine, the eleventh chapter. ... 

How do Gentiles get in? If you are converted, you simply are a converted Israelite. That's all there is to it. ALL the promises pertain to Israel. You've got to become an Israelite to get into the promise of eternal life. The promises and the covenants, if you are going to make the New Covenant with God is going to be made with ISRAEL AND JUDAH, NOT WITH GENTILES. You read that in Jeremiah 31 beginning with verse 31. You'll read it also in the eighth chapter of Hebrews. Romans 11:24-26 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much moreshall these, which [are] the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? [God is going to bring them back into conversion yet.] (25) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel [or that part of Israel, meaning the great part, the big part — all but a few, have been blinded. It's the big part actually] until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [Or the number of Gentiles to be converted becomes complete — as other translations have it]

(Armstrong HW. Romans 11-13. Bible Study, June 27, 1980; https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin//get/hwa.cgi?action=getbstudyav&InfoID=1340634896&byGraphicList=byGraphic&page=4&return=bstudyav)

Yet, despite what the Bible teaches, many despise us because we have reached so many Gentiles. But that needed to happen according to the Bible.

Getting back to Herbert W. Armstrong, on a radio broadcast titled 'Why Were You Born?,' said:

Jesus gave them the commission "Go [ye] into all the world, and preach the gospel..." (Mark 16:15) And Jesus said of our time now — when that true gospel had been submerged here for centuries — He has said "...this gospel of the kingdom [the same gospel He preached] shall go into all the world [be preached and published in all the world] as a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14)

My friends, that is the job of all of us collectively. EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS A PART IN THAT GREAT COMMISSION and God gave us that commission to keep us busy in His work; to keep our minds on His work, our hearts, our interest continually so that we can put His work and the Kingdom of God first in our life. What is the gospel? Getting the knowledge of the Kingdom of God out to other people and, my friends, you are hearing this only because there are a few thousand that are putting their prayers in the Kingdom of God. Their tithes and their offerings; free will and it has all started and it has all come without request from us. And please do not construe this as any request, because it isn't. It's an explanation. Once in a great while I explain that fact and only once in a great while. We don't mention money on the air in the sense that it is any request whatsoever. And neither is this such to be construed as such, because it isn't. You know this is God's work and God's work must go His way, but God's people, my friends, must have their whole heart and their pocket book as well as their mind and their heart in the work of God.

And Jesus said "...where your treasure is there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). And because there are some who have their hearts in this work, I am enabled to send this gospel to you free, and to send you the literature that we promise and everything. Now without them, I could only speak to a very small group and so the body of Christ is the collective body of individuals in whom the power of God is working; the Spirit of God. And He has given us His work. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.." (Mark 16:15). "This gospel of the kingdom shall [and is now] going into all the world as a witness. " (Matthew 24:14) My friends, I have noticed that those who have their hearts in the work of God remain Christians. And they grow spiritually and they do manage to overcome. And those who neglect it and just have their minds on themselves — of course, you must overcome you must grow spiritually — but if you try to do that alone without this collective, this co-operative work of God, I've never known anyone yet that could do that and succeed.

(Armstrong HW. Why Were You Born? Radio broadcast. https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1342871098)

Yes, faithful Christians support the work of fulfilling Matthew 24:14!

Notice, now, something that the Apostle Paul wrote:

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Ephesians 6:14-17)

Yes, those properly dedicated to God’s work will support the preparation for the gospel to reach others, as well as to not be turned aside by those who spew forth “the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Remember also, that Jesus said:

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. … 33 seek first the kingdom of God Matthew 6:21,33)

Yes, we spend tithes and offering ‘treasures’ to reach and support people around the entire world.

If you are reading this, hopefully you have the right heart, the right priorities, the right focus to provide support related to the preparation of fulfilling Matthew 24:14.

Notice what Herbert Armstrong taught about how determines the commission is fulfilled:

Next, when our Great Commission is in God's sight completed, we are to be taken--symbolically flown on the two wings of a great eagle--we shall be taken to a place of protection from the Great Tribulation (Armstrong HW. Looking...PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT - VOL.3, NO.4 January 23, 1981).

It is God, not the opinion of various ones, who will determine when Matthew 24:14 is fulfilled. Perhaps one reason is was not fulfilled in the last century was because of limited access to printed materials, whereas in this century we have the internet, as well as computer software that can translate many languages.

Never before in the history of the Church of God has any group made so many languages/dialects of the good news of the coming kingdom of God available in anything close to the 1000+ languages we have and plan to increase.

In late 2023, we added Bible News Prophecy International online radio. You can find this station at: https://www.bnpi.net. We started that we the Spanish language, added Cebuana and Luo, and expect to add more languages for radio. We also are on shortwave and commercial radio stations around the world. More on our approaches to reach people in as many ways and languages as possible can be found on the  Continuing Church of God Multimedia page.

If you want God’s kingdom to come–which is something that Jesus said you should pray for (Matthew 6:10)–you would want to support the most cost-effective ways to reach as many as possible in the world as a witness.

Satan and other critics do not want you to do so. But as Jesus warned to let “no one … take your crown” (Revelation 3:11)–and that include critics.

Philadelphians support the work to reach the world--and that requires multiple languages.

As Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God” Matthew 6:33), be one who “endures to the end” (Matthew 10:22), and support the Philadelphian work (cf. Revelation 3:7-13).

Having materials in as many languages as we can get is something that is part of the end-time work that Jesus will have completed.

Rejoice and pray for the language aspect of fulfilling Matthew 24:14 and Romans 9:28 & 11:25.

Are you one who is holding up the work or one working for God's kingdom to come?

Pray for it and be a doer.

Be one who supports the work and give thanks to God for the number of languages we have prepared for the short work and the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.

More on the work being done through the Continuing Church of God can be found in the following:

Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word What is the 'short work' of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Will Philadelphian Christians instruct many in the end times? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. Here is a link to another: Preparing to Instruct Many.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here are two related YouTube videos titled Final Phase of the Work: Need and Background and The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra. And here is a link to a related Spanish language sermon: La obra corta y el Hambre de la Palabra de Dios.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come " will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing?  This is a sermonette length video.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here are links to two sermons Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? and The Continuing Church of God: Two Years of Proclamation. Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and has other Indian language translations of certain CCOG literature.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted towards Europe. It has materials in multiple European languages.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God and has articles in español/castellano.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
Paglalahad ng Mga Paniniwala ng Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos This is the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God in Tagalog, the primary language of the Philippines. Here is a link to the first Tagalog edition of the Bible News Prophecy magazine: MGA BALITA NG PROPESIYA NG BIBLIYA January-March 2013 edition.
Bibel Nachrichten Prophezeiung, Januar – März 2015. This is a link to the first Deutsch (German) edition of the Bible News Prophecy magazine.
Bible News Prophecy radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos on one of our internet stations as well as our radio broadcasts in English. The BibleNewsProphecy.net website also has information about our international radio presence for Europe, Asia, and North America. That page is also available as a mobile app.
Bible News Prophecy International radio. This has links to our non-English language online radio station as well as materials in multple languages.
Continuing Church of God Multimedia page. What are many of the ways the Continuing Church of God is reaching people around the world to fulfill the commissions from Jesus in Matthew 24:14 and 28:19-20? What about literature, personal visits, the internet, radio, and television?

Thiel B. Preaching the Gospel in Over 1500 Languages. http://www.cogwriter.com/languages.htm COGwriter (c) 2016 2023 2024 0727

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