Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word

By COGwriter

The Bible refers to a 'short word' or a 'short work' that will be cut short in the Book of Romans. The Book of Amos discusses something commonly referred to as the famine of the word. Could they be conected in any way?

Have Church of God writers discused these matter? What could they mean?

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.

Is there any group trying to work on the preparation for this now short work now? If so, who? And if so, what are they doing? Could this be part of the final phase of the work?

Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.

Here is one in the Spanish language: La obra corta y el Hambre de la Palabra de Dios. 

The Passage in the Book of Romans

When the term 'short work' is mentioned by Christians, it is generally some type of a reference to a passage in the Book of Romans. The Apostle Paul wrote (three translations are being shown):

25 As He says also in Hosea:

"I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved."
26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
' You are not My people,'
There they shall be called sons of the living God."

27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

"Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
The remnant will be saved.
28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth."

29 And as Isaiah said before:

"Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,
We would have become like Sodom,
And we would have been made like Gomorrah." (Romans 9:25-29, NKJV)

27 And Isaiah doth cry concerning Israel, 'If the number of the sons of Israel may be as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved;

28 for a matter He is finishing, and is cutting short in righteousness, because a matter cut short will the Lord do upon the land.

29 and according as Isaiah saith before, 'Except the Lord of Sabaoth did leave to us a seed, as Sodom we had become, and as Gomorrah we had been made like.' (Romans 9:27-29, YLT)

27 And Isaias crieth out concerning Israel: If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.

28 For he shall finish his word, and cut it short in justice; because a short word shall the Lord make upon the earth.

29 And as Isaias foretold: Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been made as Sodom, and we had been like unto Gomorrha. (Romans 9:27-29, Douay-Rheims Challoner)

(Note: Lord of Saboath means "Lord of Hosts' or 'Lord of Armies.)

We in the CCOG have been preparing for that short work, which is why we have our gospel booklet in so many languages online (see also Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages). We prepare for it and God will finish it.

Notice that a short work/word/matter (matter is also in the LSV) will be cut off and proceed a time of destruction. The message of God's word will go forth, and this will happen--Gentiles and Israelites are to be reached.

An important part of the short work relates to the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14, which, in a sense, is cut short as it triggers the end coming:

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)

So, there are connections between Romans 9:28 and Matthew 24:14.

There are various views of this "short work." Here are some comments from a Protestant source called Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible:

For he will finish the work, .... This passage has some difficulty in it: some, instead of "work", read "account", and suppose it is an allusion to the balancing of accounts, when the remainder is cut off, which commonly is but little; and so regards the small number of the Jews that shall be called and saved, as before: others read it "the word", ... others of the Gospel, bringing in and revealing a perfect righteousness, for the justification of sinners, which the law could not do; all foreign to the apostle's purpose. Those who think God's work, his strange work is meant, his work of punitive justice he will finish, and cut it short in righteousness, because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth, when he cut off and destroyed the greater part of the people of the Jews, and saved a remnant, seem to come nearer the mind of the prophet and the apostle's design, in citing this passage.

Roman Catholic sources do not tend to view it that way. Here is part of one commentary from their saint Thomas Aquinas:

803. Secondly, he cites the cause of salvation: first, the efficacy of the word of the gospel, saying: A fulfilling and brief word. Note here a twofold efficacy of the evangelical word. The first is that the word is fulfilling, i.e., perfective: "The law made nothing perfect" (Heb 7:19); but the Lord says, "I have come not to abolish the law but to fulfill" (Mt 5:17), because He applied the truth to the figures of the Law, explained the moral precepts of the Law properly, removed occasions for transgressing them and even added counsels of perfection. Thus He said to the young man who had kept all the precepts of the Law: "One thing is lacking to you. If you would be perfect, go and sell what you possess and give to the poor" (Mt 19:21). For this reason He said to His disciples: "you must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48). The second efficacy is that the word is shortening. This is suitably joined to the first efficacy, because the more perfect a word is the more profound it is and, as a consequence, simpler and briefer. Now the word of the Gospel shortens the words of the Law, because it included all the figurative sacrifices of the Law in one true sacrifice, in which Christ offered himself as a victim for us (Eph 5:2). ...

805. Or, in another way: For the Lord, i.e., God the Father, will execute his brief word, i.e., incarnate, because the Son of God emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave. He is called brief, not because anything was subtracted from the fullness or greatness of His divinity, but because He underwent our exile and smallness. (Aquinas T. Aquinas Bible Study, Romans Chapter 9. https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/romans/st-thomas-aquinas-on-romans/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9 viewed 01/17/15)

Roman Catholics seem to understand that something is brief or short, but I have not run across anything that indicates they consider this to be a short work at the end times.

As far as a short word or short work or short matter, remember:

14 The sower sows the word. (Mark 4:14)

The short work has to do with sowing the word--God's "word is truth" (John 17:17). It is a work of spreading truth that God has planned but will cut short.

While Isaiah wrote some of what is cited in Romans 9:27-29 (Isaiah 10:22-23), the New Testament seems to more closely follow the Septuagint on this as opposed the the original Hebrew (the Septuagint was a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures). Here are comments from some Protestant commentaries:

28. for he will finish, &c.] These words agree closely with the letter of the LXX., but not with that of the Heb. They convey the point of the Heb., however, quite enough for the purpose of the quotation; and St Paul thus adopts them.—In some important documents the quotation ends with “cut it short;” but the evidence is not conclusive. (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges)

St. Paul follows the LXX., with but slight deviation. The sense of the Hebrew appears to be somewhat different. (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers)

This verse is also found in that forecited place, Isaiah 10:22,23. The apostle in this, and in the other citations, follows the Seventy, which was a received translation, and had been in request about three hundred years, though in this, and in other places, it is very different from the Hebrew text. That which God is said to finish, and cut short, is his work; the Greek is logov, which signifies his word, or the account, as some read it. (Matthew Poole's Commentary)

Apparently, the New Testament wanted to convey a concept differently than it was originally written in the Old Testament.

Comments from Church of God writers (who are NOT Protestant) are later in this article.

Matthew 24:14

Is there any shortness connected with a work in anywhere else in the New Testament?

Notice what Jesus said would happen:

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 

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.

15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 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 24:14-21, NKJV)

Notice that the LOVE OF MANY WILL GROW COLD. They will not care enough about sacrificing and going through the open door (Acts 14:27; Revelation 3:7-8).

Most will not realize that the end cannot come--and Matthew 24:14 fulfilled--until more of the fullness of the Gentiles have come in:

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25)

The Gentiles who God will call in this age MUST come in, hence planting the seeds for that is part of the short work! More on the Gentile component of Matthew 24:14 can be found in the article: The Final Phase of the Work.

The Apostle Paul also wrote:

14 ... Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16)

Many today, instead of forbidding it like the Jews, downplay and/or ridicule reaching Gentiles in places like Africa. But, they do not seem to understand that the Bible teaches that WE MUST INSTRUCT MANY INCLUDING GENTILES!

Most Christians will NOT be Philadelphians in the end before the start of the Great Tribulation. Most Christians still not have the same zeal or love of the truth and proclaiming it that they should--although the Book of Hebrews teaches:

1 Let brotherly love (Philadelphia) continue (Hebrews 13:1).

Jesus noted that there were Laodiceans after the Philadelphians who could not see their problems and had the wrong work (Revelation 3:14-18).

Notice also that Matthew 24:14 ties the successful proclamation with the coming of the end. There is a certain shortness in passages of Matthew 24:14-21.

Currently, while many COGs, including the Continuing Church of God, have records to indicate that they have reached millions, there are none I am currently aware of that have reached billions in any major way. Billions, however, will be reached, directly and/or indirectly, and this will happen during the final phase of the work, but more specifically, likely particularly during the time of the short work.

Church of God Writers on the Short Work

Some with a Church of God background, as well as others, may be interested in seeing what the late Herbert W. Armstrong taught about this. Here is something he wrote about the 'short work' of Romans 9:28:

Just as Jesus said God will cut short the days of the Great Tribulation, so He tells us through the Apostle Paul He will CUT SHORT THIS WORK! Listen! Read it carefully! "For He will finish the Work, and CUT IT SHORT in righteousness: because a SHORT WORK will the Lord make upon the earth." (Romans 9:28.) ...

There is precious little time left! We need to be stirred — to be frightened just enough to realize the SERIOUSNESS of the TIME — and the SERIOUSNESS of THIS WORK! This is GOD'S DOING! — not mine! YOU are privileged, as well as I, to have A PART in it! We need to dedicate ourselves to it, as the MOST IMPORTANT THING IN OUR LIVES, by far! (Armstrong HW. Co-worker letter, July 29, 1968)

Here is something that he wrote in letters in 1979:

In Revelation 7 is the prophecy of God HOLDING UP -- DELAYING -- world events until the sealing of the 144,000 and the other innumerable multitude out of all nations. But God says also: "For He will FINISH THE WORK, and CUT IT SHORT in righteousness, because A SHORT WORK will the Lord make upon the earth" (Rom. 9:28). From now on, things may happen SUDDENLY, RAPIDLY, to finish the Work God has called us to do. (Armstrong HW. Co-worker Letter, August 20, 1979)

God was HOLDING UP world events in Satan's world, to give His Church more time to FINISH THE WORK, and be PREPARED ourselves for His coming. But now many evidences are appearing that prophesied world events are readying to move swiftly, bringing on the DAY OF THE LORD, and Christ's divine interference preparing for His coming. Jesus has said "... He will finish the Work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short Work will the Lord make upon the earth" Rom. 9:28). (Armstrong HW. Co-worker Letter, October 26, 1979)

Almighty God has been HOLDING BACK the progress of prophesied world events. There is a time, foretold in Revelation 7, when He will do this again.

But then, again, "He will finish the Work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a SHORT WORK will the Lord make upon the earth"! (Armstrong HW. Co-worker Letter, November 9, 1979)

So, he felt then that a short and important work would later happen, but felt in 1979 that it was being held up. But he also said people needed to be PREPARED!

He seemed to have a similar view about being delayed in 1983 as the following transcription from one of his sermon's states:

God has delayed certain events, but He says that He will make a short work and cut it short suddenly. Jesus gave us the expression of how it will come when it is least expected. And like a rat getting caught in a trap that snaps, when it didn't even know it, until it is caught. And that's how suddenly things are going to happen very, very soon. How much longer God will delay before He does that, I don't know. (Armstrong HW. Success Based On God's Law Sermon Date: July 30, 1983 http://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getsermon&InfoID=1330874371&SearchWhat=KeyWord&SearchFor=god%27s%20true%20church&page=97&return=search#.Ug-Q6T_NvXA)

Yes, there was a delay, and that delay continued for decades after he died. Jesus warned that many, including Christians, would not expect what is happening and warned that we need to pray to be counted worthy (Luke 21:34-36). Could that not also include preparation?

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 (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).

Here is something Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in a letter dated September 17, 1982:

It is written in Romans 9, concerning this very END TIME, "For he (Christ) will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth" (verse 28).

While we were not in the very end time then, we are much closer to it now. In a letter dated October 18, 1983 he wrote that he realized that the 'short work' was for the future:

I feel God will move swiftly soon to make a short work preparatory to Christ's coming.

The short work most definitely involves preparation now. This is part of why more materials, literature, articles, books, booklets, and websites are being developed and/or added to.

Here is what was in Herbert W. Armstrong's last letter:

The greatest work lies ahead ... Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television ... Each of you must commit yourself to support God's Work...God's work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television (Letter, 1/10/86).

Presuming he was correct that the greatest work lies ahead, that is consistent that more needed to happen to fulfill Matthew 24:14. New doors, like internet television have been opened during the 21st century. And we in CCOG do use various forms of radio (see Does the CCOG go through the ‘door’ of radio to reach the world?).

Dale Schurter, a former WCG minister, reported that Herbert W. Armstrong stated the following in 1984/1985 (shortly before he died in January 1986). Here are two accounts of this:

"A few months before Mr. Armstrong's death, my wife and I had the opportunity to spend several hours with Mr. Armstrong in his home in Pasadena. He spoke freely of the mighty work God had commissioned him to accomplish, and related certain heartfelt comments: 'I can say that I have finished the work God has given me to do, and am at peace about it. I have preached and taken the Gospel of the Kingdom of God into all the world as a witness to all nations.

"Mr. Armstrong went on to say, 'I have come to realize there will be an even greater work to follow--to go again, to "prophesy again" to all nations tongues and peoples (Rev. 10:11) before the work of the two witnesses--but with more power and with a stronger warning message. But that will be for others to do.' He continued, 'It will be a short work (Rom. 9:27-29), compared with the longer time to complete the work I was given, and it will be cut short. That's when the Great Tribulation will begin, as will the work of the two witnesses. These will last for three and one-half years, at the end of which Christ will return in glory. '" ("The Greatest Work Lies JUST Ahead . . ." as stated in RCG letter of May 31, 2013)

When Mr. Armstrong was age 91 --- about 1984 --- Mona and I had opportunity to spend several hours with him in his home in Pasadena to visit and further report on work he had commissioned us to do. We were to report directly back to him. He talked freely of the mighty work God had given him to accomplish. He went on to tell us there was yet a bigger work still to be done, to go again and repeat what has been done, but with more power and with a stronger warning, just before the work of the two witnesses would begin. He said it would be a "short work" (Rom. 9:27-29) compared with the longer time to complete the work he had been given, and that it would be "cut short." That's when the great tribulation would begin, as would the work of the two witnesses. These would last for three and one-half years. (January 7, 2012 Dale Schurter Speaks Out: UCG Resignation Letter http://www.rcgtruth.com/2012/01/dale-l-schurter-resignation-letter_06.html)

Herbert Armstrong's part of the work lasted over 50 years, and he seemingly felt that the "short work" would be much shorter than his work. And that is correct.

Herbert Armstrong's wife Loma had a dream, which had two parts pertaining to the proclamation of the gospel. Herbert Armstrong believed that it was a dream from God and that he fulfilled the first part of that dream (see Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God). But that left the second part to be fulfilled after his death--and that is related to the short work.

Notice something else that Herbert Armstrong wrote in 1985:

In these last days, according to biblical prophecy, knowledge, spiritual as well as material, was to be increased. The true Church of God was to be set back on the track, restoring the glorious knowledge of the faith once delivered to the saints in the days of the original apostles. (Armstrong HW. Mystery of the Ages, 1985)

The above is precisely what the Continuing Church of God has done. Furthermore, we are unique in that not only have we restored more information about the history of the true Christian church and other doctrines, we are unique in our emphasis of how Satan plans to use signs and lying wonders and private Catholic prophecies to deceive (see Satan's Plan and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?). This last point was once well known in the old Radio Church of God (see Will You Be Deceived by Antichrist?), but seems to have been lost or de-emphasized by other groups.

Joseph Tkach, Sr. was appointed by Herbert Armstrong to be his successor. Less than a month after Herbert Armstrong's death Joe Tkach made some statements indicating that as well:

God has laid a solid foundation through Mr. Herbert Armstrong. Our responsibility now is to begin building superstructure. And let's realize, ministers, the superstructure is what becomes most visible. When the superstructure begins to go up on its foundation, people then begin to take notice that a building is being built. (Tkach J. PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, FEBRUARY 14, 1986, p 2)

"Mr. [Herbert] Armstrong has laid a very solid foundation ... The thing that remains to be done and completed is that superstructure. We are now in the process of building that [spiri-tual] building," Pastor General Joseph W . Tkach told more than 55 Festival coordinators. department, heads, Church officials and wives Feb. 12. (Snyder M. Worldwide News, February 24, 1986)

It appears that Joe Tkach considered that Herbert W. Armstrong tasked him with building up the superstructure from the foundation that the Philadelphia era already had laid.

But, sadly, Joe Tkach not only failed to that, he also turned against, and attempted to destroy, the foundation.

Now, while many of the groups that formed after the Tkach apostacy did not turn strongly against the foundation like the two Tkach Administrations did (his son took over after his death in 1995), they failed to build the spiritual superstructure.

Meaning?

They did not make substantial growth in restoring the details of the truths that the Philadelphian portion had on matters such as church history, doctrine, and prophecy. They have failed in those aspects of training, hence preventing most of their membership to properly be able to instruct many on those issues before Jesus returns.

Even though the Living Church of God taught about restoration--it never restored what its founding leader said should be done. Here is something published and written by its Dr. Meredith:

RESTORE TRUE CHRISTIANITY!

What would it mean to restore the original Christianity of Christ and the apostles? What differences would we find if the "original Christianity" of the New Testament was genuinely taught and practiced once again?

Wow! This restoration would involve far more than most of you probably realize! (Meredith RC. Do You Live by What Christ Taught? Tomorrow's World magazine, May-June 2006)

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TRUTH?

This magazine can give you the genuine answers to these questions because we in this Work of the living God are earnestly trying to restore Apostolic Christianity—the original Christianity of those who lived in the time of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles. We feel that although most modern churchgoers are sincere and well-meaning, they are absolutely deceived regarding the major issues of life, death and the hereafter. They are certainly deceived if they think for one minute that they are practicing true "biblical Christianity!" Meredith RC. What Happened to the Truth? Tomorrows World magazine, November-December 2003)

RESTORING ORIGINAL CHRISTIANITY...

Through this very Work, we are beginning to restore original Christianity. This is a major reason for this Work of the living God at the end of this age. All who respond to His teachings will certainly have a "head start" in preparing to be those kings and priests Christ is now training to assist Him in ruling all the world in the coming Kingdom of God. (Meredith RC. Restoring ORIGINAL Christianity! Tomorrow's World magazine, July-August 2011)

The truth about early and apostolic Christians is PROVABLY NOT IN LCG AND IS FAR MORE than Dr. Meredith realized despite him being repeatedly told (for one example of details, check out October 2012 Emails Related to GCA Booklet). LCG evangelists Dr. Winnail and Dr. Meredith both told me that knowingly publishing and distributing wrong information was acceptable as long as most who received the information would not realize it was wrong.

Yet, the Bible teaches:

10 Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully, (Jeremiah 48:10)

When I was in LCG in 2011, I was trying to help them restore much of the truth about church history; Dr. Meredith agreed on several occasions, but then failed to keep his word. Dr. Meredith's failure to keep his word on that and other matters was a major reason that the Continuing Church of God had to form.

Where has the historical knowledge of early Church of God been most fully restored?

In the Continuing Church of God! One of several booklets which has proof of that would be: Continuing History of the Church of God.

Does this mean that nothing else is left to be restored?

No. But it does mean that based upon the criteria published by the LCG that CCOG is the group that has done this restoration the best. CCOG has also restored aspects of biblical prophecy better than LCG and many other groups (for a few example, see Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? and Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? and The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27 and The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings).

We in the Continuing Church of God are regularly restoring much truth about church history, doctrine, and prophecy. And we have done this more, by far, than any other group in the 21st century (COG or otherwise for that matter)-- details are in the article: ContinuingChurch of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things.

Herbert W. Armstrong believed the church with the Philadelphian mantle would fulfill Matthew 24:14 (see also The Philadelphia Church Era).

The late evangelist John Ogwyn wrote about the end time work (bolding in original):

The Final Phase of Church History...

The Church of Philadelphia is characterized by a zeal to do the Work ... Satan has sown confusion and discouragement ... the Gospel will be preached to the world in this end-time (Matthew 24:14), and there is a growing assembly of believers that is both zealous for the full Truth and zealous to finish God's Work. Just as God’s people have had to do from the first century onward, so His people today must "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). God states clearly: "He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness" (Romans 9:28). Who will He use to do it? According to Daniel 11:32 it is "the people who know their God [that] shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." (Ogwyn J. God's Church through the Ages. pp. 55,57-58).

The faithful of the Philadelphia remnant are the ones that John Ogwyn was referring to in the end. Satan does have a plan to confuse (see Satan's Plan). And of course since Philadelphian Christians are to contend for the faith once for all delivered, having more knowledge about what that original faith was makes such contending more effective. This is part of why knowledge of early church history will help finish the final phase of the work. 

Here is some of what I wrote years ago (I am including this here to show that I did NOT get the idea from RCG as I had written about it years before the Dale Schurter letters):

I strongly believe that God will more powerfully use the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God to proclaim the good news of the The Gospel of the Kingdom of God and that the “short work” of Romans 9:28 will still happen–(Thiel B. The Great Tribulation Cannot Begin in 2009. December 27, 2008)

In the next decade, the small Nazarene “secret sect” will rise up more and more in effectiveness to fulfill the prophecy Jesus gave, as recorded in Matthew 24:14. Ultimately, the world will hear the message of the good news of the coming Kingdom of God on earth, under the rule of Jesus Christ and His saints (which is the ultimate rising up of “the secret sect”). (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009, pp. 254-255)

By this time {Daniel 11:28}, the short work Paul mentioned in Romans 9:28 probably will have begun or be almost finished, as will the gospel preaching of Matthew 24:14 that Jesus spoke of.  This is the rising up of the “secret sect” that various prophets have foretold and hence seems to be consistent with various end-time prophetic scriptures. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009, p. 291; also cited in a post on August 19, 2012 titled Who is the Secret Sect and What is its Rise?)

And notice something that was posted within weeks of the formation of Continuing Church of God.

Warning the world that the King of the North is fulfilling Bible prophecy when he does this is likely to be part of the “short work” of Romans 9:28 that God will accomplish through His most faithful. (Thiel B. The King of the North will arise. January 12, 2013).

We in the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) have been preparing for the 'short work' by establishing multiple websites in multiple languages, while researching and making available information on church history, doctrine, and prophecy, while also proclaiming Christ's Gospel of the Kingdom to the world as a witness.

We have put our beliefs online in many languages. Here is a link to the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God in the English language. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Declaración de las Doctrinas de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. Here is a related link in Tagalog: Paglalahad ng Mga Paniniwala ng Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. Here is a related link in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明. Here is a related link in Kiswahili: KATIKA LUGHA YA KISWAHILI. Here is a related link in Dutch: Verklaring van geloofspunten van de Continuing Church of God. Here is a related link in Deutsche (German): Glaubenserklärung der Continuing Church of God. Here is a related link in Italiano: Dichiarazione del Credo della Continuing Church of God.

We have had the English edition of our Bible News Prophecy magazine translated in fourteen languages so far and the magazine editions have basically come out in the following order:

1. English
2. Spanish
3. Tagalog
4. Mandarin Chinese
5. Kiswahili
6. German
7. Dholuo
8. Russian
9. Hebrew
10. Hindi
11. Greek
12. Arabic
13. French
14. Chichewa
15. Ekeguissi
    

We also have other languages expected in the future. We must reach people all around the world (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20) and the vast majority do not understand English. But the majority do understand at least one of the 15 languages our magazine has thus far been made available in. We also have materials translated in over 1000 languages (see Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages).

Let me add that when I gave a sermon in New Zealand in May of 2015 titled The Short Work, where I mentioned the need to build up a database of materials online in multiple languages, I had no idea that God would greatly start to open that 'door' (Revelation 3:7-8) in the Fall of that year and that by 2016 we would have had translations into over 100 languages. In 2023, we hit over 1000 languages/dialects. It appears that that the Continuing Church of God has literature in more languages than any known Church of God in history--and this seems to be necessary in order to fulfill Jesus' statements in Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20, as well as to assist with prophecies such as in Romans 11:25 (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).

Building up and improving our online materials in multiple languages is part of how we are not preparing for the final phase of the work, including the short work.

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?
CCOGAFRICA.ORG This website is targeted towards Africa and contains materials in English and various African languages.
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.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards Canada.
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 is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted towards Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, German, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
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.
CCOG Animations channel. The Continuing Church of God has some animations to teach aspects of Christian beliefs.
BibleNewsProphecy Podcast. This has audio-visual podcasts of the Bible News Prophecy channgel. It plays on i-Phones, i-Pads, and Windows devices that can play i-Tunes.
Bible News Prophecy channel. These are sermonette YouTube videos for the BibleNewsProphecy channel.
ContinuingCOG channel. YouTube video sermons.
CCOGAfrica channel. This has messages from African pastors in African languages such as Kalenjin, Kiswahili, and Dholuo.

We are unique in our focus on the truth and willingness to stand up for it. People who have the most love for the truth will end up supporting us.

It is possible that this short work will temporarily swell the ranks of the Church of God (including some Philadelphians, but perhaps with many Laodiceans and many others not truly faithful--many may well fall away--though some of the first will be last and the last first, cf. Mark 10:31). Some will be faithful and bear fruit, while many others may leave (cf. Matthew 13:18 -23; 2 Thessalonians 2:3) once the persecuting tribulation that seems prophesied to occur prior to the Great Tribulation hits (cf. Matthew 24:9-10;21). Then the end will come.

Consider also some of Jesus' words:

9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. (Matthew 24:9).

35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. (Mark 8:35)

29 ... Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life (Mark 10:29-30).

Partially because the message of the CCOG, the people of the holy covenant, will enrage the upcoming prince/king of the North (Daniel 11:28-30). One or more associated with the Continuing Church of God will be identifying that the European “prince” (Daniel 9:26-27) who is rising up to become a king, as not being able to truly bring peace, but instead will bring war and will be in league with the final Antichrist. 

We will also be warning that the idea of a human-led utopia is false and that it is only through Jesus' return and the gospel of the kingdom that such a utopian condition will happen (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

This will likely trigger major media coverage. Scrutiny of real, as well as claimed, COG literature will likely happen and various aspects of real and incorrect COG doctrines will likely be ridiculed. Media coverage would then be expected to cover more of the COG message (cf. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God) and this may be associated with the “short work” of Romans 9:28.

Since the true Church of God is so small, it is highly likely that it getting significant media coverage will help fulfill Matthew 24:14. Some of the Philadelphia remnant will be explaining that it is Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God and not the rise of a militaristic leader that the world needs. According to Daniel 11:32 it is "the people who know their God [that] shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." Hundreds of millions, if not billions, will receive at least a partial witness. All of that will likely trigger the King of the North to take actions that lead to the end--this includes the persecutions, pre- (Daniel 7:25a, 11:29-36) and post-tribulation (Daniel 7:25b).

As far as media coverage goes, we actually got a lot of Chinese media attention in 2014 and 2015. Plus, between myself and two others in CCOG, we have done about 140 radio interviews that have been broadcast on secular stations. Also, from time to time, mainstream media sources have accessed and published our information.

The UK Express ran three articles where I was mentioned by name in early 2018: World War 3 WARNING: US told ‘consequences of bombing Syria’ set the stage for WAR and World War 3 PROPHECY: Did ‘Balkan Nostradamus’ Baba Vanga predict Putin’s rise to power? and End of the world: Will the world end on April 23? Will World War 3 break out?

Then on December 24, 2018 the UK Express put something out that was positive/respectful towards our views, see: Christmas Eve asteroid: Is this the biblical Star of Bethlehem? Is it a sign from Jesus?

It also put out other positive items towards our views in 2019: Eclipse 2019 prophecy: Why did the world NOT end on the January Blood Moon? and End of the world prophecy: Why Jerusalem Third Temple is NOT a sign of Great Tribulation.

Furthermore, we put out a Bible News Prophecy video in November 2018 titled PESCO and a Great European Army. It has had a bit over 800 views by 2021--which is less than we expected. But, someone else promoted has it and that promotion has received over 330,800 views as of 05/12/21--Something is Biblical About This!).

Also, someone ask to use much of our December 10, 2018 Bible News Prophecy video Sanhedrin makes burnt offering to dedicate altar!

As of 05/12/21, that source had over 23,400 views (https://youtu.be/MZXtZ9ONnDE), and our YouTube channel showed over 3,000 views, hence over 26,000 have now seen that video.

I expect more media attention.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that we have had over 73,000 views of the animations we began to load in 2018 by 2019 (see Letter to the Brethren: March 28, 2019). It looks to be over 100,000 now.

Philadelphia Christians Will Instruct Many

Much of the persecution in Daniel 11:30-35 (see Persecutions by Church and State) will be directed against Philadelphian Christians.

One of the reasons for this is that the Philadelphians are leading the final phase of the work and will identify the King of the North and reveal some of his plans.

This will result in much of the world temporarily shifting attention towards the church that is doing that.

Many people will wonder and Philadelphian Christians are to answer questions.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:6)

Not only should be always speak with grace, we also need to have the knowledge of how to talk and answer questions.

The Apostle Peter wrote:

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15, KJV)

And while that ability is needed in all ages, notice the following end time prophecy:

32 ... the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. (Daniel 11:32, ESV)

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

The old Radio Church of God taught:

Daniel prophesied: "The people that do KNOW their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (Dan. 11:32). Such a statement could refer only to God's people. Now notice what follows: "And they THAT UNDERSTAND among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days" (verse 33). Here is a very brief summary of how God's Church has been persecuted down through the centuries.

Some commentators has incorrectly applied this to the Jews. But it could not refer to the Jewish people of our day! The Jews do not KNOW their God, nor do they UNDERSTAND, nor do they instruct many in the ways of God.

This prophecy concerns GOD'S CHURCH. (Neff L. Beware of False Brethren! Good News, January 1960)

Others have also taught it:

Dan. 11:32-33

"Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. [God grant that we will be such faithful people of God.] And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering."

God's people will be persecuted but will warn the world. They will do a mighty work at the time of the end, just at the time when this great false leader will come in and place the abomination of desolation

(Meredith RC. Gospel of Matthew--Program 27, Bible Study https://members.lcg.org/bible-studies/gospel-matthew-program-27).

Sadly, many have forgotten this prophecy--or at least what to do about it--even though it is to be fulfilled within the next decade or so.

Isaiah teaches that God's people are to be His witnesses:

10 "You are My witnesses," says the Lord, (Isaiah 43:10a)

29. But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We are obligated to obey God rather than men. 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. 31. Him has God exalted by His right hand to be a Prince and Savior, to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel. 32. And we are His witnesses of these things, as is also the Holy Spirit, which God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:29-32, A Faithful Version)

How can Philadelphian Christians be witnesses, take action, and instruct many if they are not prepared?

First, notice that Jesus also says that the Holy Spirit will assist:

18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Matthew 10:18-20)

9 "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mark 13:9-13)

So does that mean you have no part to play?

No.

The Holy Spirit will bring to mind things you have studied, but will assist you with your wording as Jesus also said:

25. I have spoken these things to you while I am yet present with you. 26. But when the Comforter comes, even the Holy Spirit, which the Father will send in My name, that one shall teach you all things, and shall bring to your remembrance everything that I have told you. (John 14:25-26 AFV)

You need to be prepared as the Apostle Peter wrote to be able to give answers to those who ask.

The Apostle Paul wrote the following:

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV)

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV)

The Bible is the word of truth. Christians need to study diligently, which includes not only reading the Bible and paying attention to sermons, but also to read church literature.

One of the reasons is that parts of the Bible are not always easy to understand, as the Apostle Peter pointed out:

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:14-16, NKJV)

Notice again one is to be 'diligent' so one will not be moved by untaught and unstable people.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, (1 Corinthians 1:4-5)

Christians need to be enriched with knowledge.

This also means that God's people need to be taught.

And learn as Peter also wrote:

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18)

One does not grow in grace and knowledge without gaining knowledge. Growing in grace and knowledge not only helps us spiritually, but helps us be able to better help others and give love to make things better. Which is actually why God put humans on the earth (see also The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?).

Peter also wrote:

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-11)

Christians are to add knowledge, at least partially so we will NOT be unfruitful.

The Apostle Paul taught that as well:

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:9-10)

The knowledge is to be used to be fruitful--not just for your own sake. That is, being fruitful, for you assist in reaching many--via the church--but also possibly yourself.

As Jesus taught:

20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. (Mark 4:20)

Are you one who has been sown in good ground?

In addition to Christians studying the word of God on their own, this is part of why God has a ministry:

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." 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?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:26-31)

Philip then assisted and taught the man.

Notice also:

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Yes, the true ministry helps people be able to speak the truth in love.

Now that books are more widely available than in New Testament times, books from ministers can also assist in teaching end time Christians.

While we have many, the following look to be particularly applicable to the 'instruct many' prophecy related to predominantly Philadelphian Christians:

• The Gospel of the Kingdom of God The Beast power will be promising a humanitarian utopia that he will not truly be able to deliver. Philadelphian Christians who understand the gospel of the kingdom will be able to better explain why God's kingdom is the answer.
• The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? This book answers some of the basic questions about the human life and what God's purpose is.
• Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God's plan of salvation Most in the world do not understand the plan a loving God truly has for humanity.
• Continuing History of the Church of God This is a short overview of church history and shows that it was the Church of God in Asia Minor and Antioch that stood up against many of the early heretics and that the beliefs of the early Christians are best held by the Continuing Church of God.
• Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete? The end time Beast power will feign support of a religion that will be considered as 'catholic.' Since the Church of Rome claims it gave the world the Bible, it says it alone has the right to interpret it. This book helps explain where the Bible came from, what the correct books are, what the best manuscripts are, and the fact that it was the Church of God who maintained the chain of custody of the books--not the Vatican or the other Greco-Roman faiths.
• Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters.
• Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The true Church of God is NOT Protestant. This book gives extensive details as to why that is so. Plus goes in depth to explain to Protestant and others that it is the Continuing Church of God, and not the Greco-Roman faiths, that best practices sola Scriptura.
• Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church While the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholic churches believe they have the original faith and that is backed up by the writings of those they call the "early fathers," the reality is that they have deviated from the Bible and early Christian leaders--most of which they call 'saints' on many serious and core doctrines. The information in this book is well expected to "instruct many" in the time of the end.

Now that does not mean our other books and booklets are not important to know--and they can also be referred to--and all are found at the following link: CCOG Free Books and Booklets.

Non-Philadelphians will not know enough to instruct many in this age. Oh yes, they will teach people during the millennium. But, the lack of knowledge of church history, development of heresies, and proper prophetic understanding will prevent most non-Philadelphians from fulfilling the "instruct many" prophecy in Daniel 11:33.

Because some of what people in the world will be interested in will be a bit historical, and to them unique, the listed books were written. These books are part of the CCOG preparation for the short work.

Notice also the following which has multiple applicabilities:

8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

In the end times, the end of the short work will be better than its beginning, and we in the CCOG are still preparing for that end now.

The Apostle John was inspired to record, "the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7). It is the Philadelphian portion of the Church that best represents the wife (cf. Revelation 3:7-13, 12:14-17), and we are working to help its members--and not JUST its ministry--to be made ready.

If YOU are willing to be used by God and will support the true Philadelphian remnant leader, God may well have YOU instruct many. Either directly, or at least, indirectly.

Here is a link to a related sermon: Preparing to Instruct Many.

Reaching Those of Various Beliefs

In addition to languages and regions, we are also producing materials to reach to people of different belief systems.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. 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 9:19-23)

32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32)

As far as Jews (and other descendants of Israel), we are proclaiming the Ezekiel warning (see What is the Ezekiel Warning?). To reach that Greeks and other Gentiles, we are reaching them and realize that the fulness of the Gentiles will be fulfilled (What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?). Reaching Gentiles is part of the preparation for part of the short work.

As far as the Church of God goes, we have dozens of articles explaining how various groups differ from the original faith--it is not giving offense to encourage them "to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3; cf. Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22).

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, the Apostle Paul showed that he was willing to tailor his message in order to reach more people. I would suggest that this is what we in the Continuing Church of God are doing as well. We are reaching people of all types of background with COGwriter.com, ccog.org, radio interviews, our magazine (CCOG announces Bible News Prophecy magazine), our daily e-newsletter, our BibleNewsProphecy YouTube channel, our ContinuingCOG YouTube channel, and various books. These, sometimes bold, approaches have been effective and will be helpful in completing the "final phase of the work."  Some details of results thus far are also in the news posts CCOG met COG proclamation goal and More on CCOG’s proclamation statistics.

To reach people interested in prophecy, Church of God matters, and news, there is the www.cogwriter.com website, as well as certain commerical books.

To reach those with a Sabbath keeping background, we acquired the URL cg7.org in 2020. That website is named Church of God Seventh Day Sabbatarian Christians. This website is intended to reach people who wonder about the Sabbath as well as those who want to know about different churches that keep the Sabbath. In addition to history and doctrinal materials, it also has dozens of articles on COG and non-COG groups that keep the seventh day Sabbath.

To those with a Protestant background, a book was developed along with fourteen video messages:

Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences. These sermons also cover materials not in the book. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!

Should You Keep God's Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God's Holy Days and popular holidays. A related sermon is Which Spring Days should Christians observe?

The following is intended to potentially reach atheists and agnostics and deal with their objectives:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: Big Bang: Nothing or Creator? and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?

Does it Make Physical Sense to believe in God? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?

Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists' Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but ... These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book.

The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.

The following are intended potentially reach Jews:

Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists' Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but ... These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book.

The following following are intended potentially reach Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics:

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.

Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.

Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete? Are there lost gospels? What about the Apocrypha? Is the Septuagint better than the Masoretic text? What about the Textus Receptus vs. Nestle Alland? Was the New Testament written in Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew? Which translations are based upon the best ancient text? Did the true Church of God have the canon from the beginning?

Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.

Do Certain Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final "Anti-Christ" be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Certain Catholic writings indicate this, while others take a different view, but what does the Bible show? A related sermon is Will Jesus Christ be called the Antichrist?

Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are? Here is a link to a related sermon: Eastern Orthodox 40+ Similar Beliefs to the CCOG.

The following following are intended potentially reach Muslims:

Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century This is a free online book which helps show where biblical and Islamic prophecies converge and diverge.

Seeing Christianity Through Islamic Eyes This article has information from the book, Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century, as well as from the old WCG and other sources.

Differences Between Islam and the Continuing Church of God What are some of the main differences? Are there any similarities? A video of related interest is titled: Islam: Any Christian Concerns or Similarities?

Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists' Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but ... These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book.

The following following are intended potentially reach Buddhists and Hindus:

The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.

India and the Beast of Revelation 13 Do biblical, Catholic, and even Hindu prophecies suggest that many in India will follow, for a while, the Beast and False Prophet/Antichrist? Here is link to a related YouTube video Will People in India Worship the Beast of Revelation 13?

The following were intended to reach those of certain other faiths:

Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith.  Do you know much about them? Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like Christian answers for Jehovah's Witnesses to give information on how to deal with Jehovah's Witnesses? A related sermon is also available: Jehovah's Witnesses: Right and Wrong Teachings?

Messianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the Continuing Church of God Both groups keep the seventh-day Sabbath, but have important differences in doctrines and practices. Here is a link to a related sermon: Messianic Jewish Beliefs.

SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666. Here are two sermons in the English language: Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?and CCOG and SDA differences and similarities. Here is a link to an article in the Spanish language: Diferencias: SDA/CCOG: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666.

Teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Continuing Church of God The genuine Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities. Also, might certain LDS prophecies apply to Mitt Romney? A sermon of related interest is available: Mormon vs. Church of God Teachings.

The following is intended to reach North Americans, Europeans, New Zealanders, Australians, and also has information for Asians, South Americans, Latin Americans, and islanders:

Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

Books to better explain the message to the Chinese, Hindus, Muslims, Afrcians, etc. are being considered for the future.

Kelly McDonald, Jr., the President of the Bible Sabbath Association, published the following:

And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it (Habakkuk 2:2).

Merriam Webster dictionary defines the word intelligentsia as: intellectuals who form an artistic, social, or political vanguard or elite. As it relates to this article, an intelligentsia is simply a group individu- als that promote ideas to the larger society and guard them from outside. I propose that the Sabbath Community must begin to form a new intelligentsia. Many of the great his- torians and thinkers of the Sabbath community have either passed away or are older (no offense intended).

Some of our passed away leaders would in-clude, but not be limited to, Dr. Samuel Bacchiocchi and Dr. Herman Hoeh. Those that are still with us include, but are not limited to, Calvin Burrell and Dr. Bob Thiel. (The President’s Corner "Developing the Next Intelligentsia." Sabbath Sentinel, July-August 2017, p. 5)

Yes, there is a need for scholarly work as part of the short work. FWIW, I have worked with Calvin Burrell, Samuel Bacchiocchi, and Dr. Hoeh in the past, but they are now all deceased.

That being said, some of our materials have been put up online at academia.edu This is a way to reach scholars and potential scholars as a witness. It also may influence their writings and can provide support or criticism which will encourage others to "blow the dust off their Bibles" as the old WCG used to teach and consider the truth of the original Christian faith.

So, there is a range of people we continue to produces materials for to teach. We are also working on more materials at this time.

Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Against the Church of God

Many Roman and Eastern Orthodox prophecies are directed against the Church of God in the end times (some are in the article Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? and others in the article Who Are The Two Witnesses?).

Which Church of God group?

While many would cover most COG groups (see Persecutions by Church and State), some are more specific to a group like the Continuing Church of God.

Specifically, because of our depth and focus on church history and booklets related to that, we more than any other group are the one most specifically warned against. Here are a few that seem directed that way:

Anne Catherine Emmerich: May 13, 1820: "Again I saw in vision St. Peter's undermined according to a plan devised by the secret sect whilst, at the same time, it was damaged by storms; but it was delivered at the moment of greatest distress." (Schmoger, pp. 277,279-281).

Anne Catherine Emmerich: October, 1820: "I see new martyrs, not of the present but of the future, though even now they are oppressed. I saw the secret society undermining the great church (St. Peter's) and near them a horrible beast that arose out of the sea." (Schmoger, pp. 290-291)

Elizabeth Canori-Mora (died 1825): God will employ the powers of {Hades} for the extermination of these impious and heretical persons who desire to overthrow the Church and destroy it to its very foundation ... God will allow the demons to strike with death those impious men because they gave themselves up to the infernal powers and had formed with them a compact against the Catholic Church. (Connor, pp.22-23)

Jane Le Royer, Sister of the Nativity, (died 1798): "When the time of the reign of Antichrist is near, a false religion will appear which be opposed to the unity of God and His Church. This will cause the greatest schism the world has ever known. The nearer the time of the end, the more darkness of Satan will spread on Earth, the greater will be the number of children of corruption, and the number of Just will correspondingly diminish. (Culligan, pp.127,128)

Nursing Nun of Bellay (died 1820): "All these things shall come to pass once the wicked have succeeded in circulating large numbers of bad books." (Dupont, p.51)

Trappistine Nun of Notre Dame des Gardes. "Chastisement will come when a very large number of bad books have been spread" (Dupont, p 114).

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (died 1658): ..."When everything has been ruined by war; when Catholics are hard pressed by traitorous co-religionists and heretics; when the Church and her servants are denied their rights, the monarchies have been abolished and their rulers murdered ... then the hand of Almighty God will work a marvelous change, something apparently impossible according to human understanding. There will rise a valiant monarch anointed by God. He will be a Catholic, a descendant of Louis IX, (yet) a descendant of an ancient imperial German family, born in exile. He will rule supreme in temporal matters. The Pope will rule supreme in spiritual matters at the same time. Persecution will cease and justice shall reign. Religion seems to be oppressed, but by the changes of entire kingdoms it will be made more firm ... The Great Monarch will have the special help of God and be unconquerable. (Connor, pp. 35-36)

St. Francis of Paola (Born in Italy, 15th century). "By the grace of the Almighty, the Great Monarch will annihilate heretics and unbelievers. He will have a great army, and angels will fight at his side. He will be like the sun among the stars. His influence will spread over the whole earth. All in all, there will be on earth twelve Kings, one Emperor, one Pope and a few Princes. They will all lead holy lives." (Dupont, p.38)

Elizabeth Canori-Mora (died 1825): God will use the powers of darkness in order to root out the followers of the Sects and godless who want to shake and destroy the foundation of the Church . . . They will be punished by the cruelty of demons and die a tragic death. Hereupon the grand triumph of the Catholic Church will follow (Culleton, Reign of Antichrist, p. 160).

St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ (4th century): ... the remaining ones will be annihilated, they will be burned to death and they will die a cruel death. (Tzima Otto, p. 113)

Anne Catherine Emmerich (Purification day 1822) "I saw during the last few days marvelous things connected with the Church. St. Peter's was almost entirely destroyed by the sect, but their labors were, in turn, rendered fruitless and all that belonged to them, their aprons and tools, burned by the executioners on the public place of infamy. They were made of horse-leather, and the stench from them was so offensive that it made me quite sick..." (Schmöger Carl E. The Life and Revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich, Volume 2. Approbation: Bishop of Limbourgh Peter Joseph. TAN Books, reprint 1976, p.292)

The first couple of Roman Catholic prophecies seem to be directed against us in the Continuing Church of God leading the final phase of the work, specifically the 'short work' of Romans 9:28 and the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.

Why?

We in the Continuing Church of God do have a plan to undermine false teachings about church history, doctrine, signs & wonders, and prophecy. We have been actively working on this since our formation, and I personally since prior to our official formation. The Bible warns that persecution will hit for doing this work, including being burnt (Daniel 11:30-35; see also Persecutions by Church and State).

What kind of group claiming Christianity denies the "unity of God"?

Well, presumably none.

But one that comes to mind as far as the Roman Catholic faith is concerned would be one that denies the 381 A.D. Greco-Roman definition of the unity of God--one like the Continuing Church of God.

That was actually one of the complaints against the ancient binitarian Paulicians (Gibbon E. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 4. BF French, 1830, p. 28).

As far as a large number of 'bad books' that could attack the Church of Rome at its very foundations, it would seem to include books and booklets like:

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church, Fatima Shock!

The Last Pope, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect

Where is the True Christian Church Today?

The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God

Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. 

Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete?

Continuing History of the Church of God

Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?

The prophet Daniel was told:

4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Daniel 12:4)

The production of books with additional knowledge is in line with that prophecy. But, too, so is the coming 'famine of the word' (Amos 8:11-12).

Notice that the Greco-Roman Catholic 'Chastisement' is claimed to come after the bad books have spread. The 'Chastisement' is a time of turmoil Greco-Roman Catholic prophecy teaches will affect Europe, before the rise of the Great Monarch. Biblically, a leader who fits some of that description arises a little prior to the Great Tribulation, and is biblically known as the Beast of the sea and the final King of the North. As stated before, we in the Continuing Church of God expect to publicly identify this leader and expose some of his horrible plans--he will not like this.

This leader, according to Greco-Roman Catholic and biblical prophecy will start a period of persecution.

First, mainly involving the Philadelphian Christians who are leading what I have termed final phase of the work (Daniel 7:25a; 11:29-35) and then the rest of the Christians (Daniel 7:25b; Revelation 12:17). The Book of Daniel teaches:

33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. (Daniel 11:33)

This is consistent with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox prophecies that their opponents will be burned. The persecution in Daniel 11:30-35 mainly affects Philadelphians like those in the Continuing Church of God. In order to instruct many, these Christians will have grown in knowledge (cf. 2 Peter 3 :18).

As far as other ties to Sabbath-keeping Christian, notice also the following Greek Orthodoxo private prophecy:

Bl. Hieronymus Agathaghelos (1279 A.D.): ... man ... now it is not the end; I see you are being duped ... you are hoping in vain; Sabbatism is against the Divine Law ... you promote the Hebrew Sabbath at the expense of Christian Sunday, and yet, you will not succeed ... before you become an apostate on behalf of the Sabbath ... And lo and behold, an evil assembly of the crafty evening leader, dressed in black mourning apparel, was measuring its strength ... taking in a hypocritical manner the most holy name of Christ, by means of their flowering and dissembling speech; these were the men who were concealing their impiety under a mask of virtue; those were the most filthy citizens of Pentapolis ... these are semi-godless men, they despise the Divine Law, they are rapacious wolves in sheep's clothing...they will have to pay the due price before the Public Executioner of the Sabbatians...you, the inventors of the distorted heresies ... (Tzima Otto H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. The Verenika Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, pp. 127, 132-135, with a partial translation from page 240)

Pentapolis means "five cities." The Continuing Church of God is currently based out of the Five Cities region of California, and its top leader (me) was a former Roman Catholic (see Who is COGwriter?), who that faith would define as an apostate--only those baptized Roman Catholic or their direct children can reportedly be designated as an apostate (see Appendix B of the article Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?). Notice that "citizen of the Pentapolis" are called "inventors of distored heresies" which is consistent with them producing writings, posts, etc. that Greco-Roman Catholics will consider to be bad.

Some of these Greco-Roman 'private prophecies' give further pause to consider how Satan will attempt to use them in the future to attempt to discredit those of us in the Continuing Church of God who expose and stand against his plans.

The Famine of the Word

The Bible teaches:

10 ... Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)

People who discount prophecy are not understanding the Bible. Prophecy is also a key in understanding why Jesus is the Messiah (see also the free online book: Proof Jesus is the Messiah).

Sadly, many do not want to hear the prophetic messages from the Bible, but that was expected:

8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet, And note it on a scroll, That it may be for time to come, Forever and ever:

9 That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the Lord; 10 Who say to the seers, "Do not see,"

And to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. 11 Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path,Cause the Holy One of IsraelTo cease from before us." (Isaiah 30:8-11)

6 “Don’t say such things,” the people respond. “Don’t prophesy like that. Such disasters will never come our way!” (Micah 2:6, New Living Translation)

16 ... You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, And do not spout against the house of Isaac.' (Amos 7:16)

Many people do not want to hear. Notice that is an end time prophecy.

Steps will be taken!

Jesus said:

4 ... the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4, NKJV)

4... the night cometh, when no man can work (John 9:4 KJV)

In a October 23, 1980 co-worker letter, Herbert Armstrong wrote:

The Bible warns us the time is just ahead when NO MAN CAN WORK--in the Lord's Work. We must sacrifice now as never before for this Work that we may FINISH the Work that Christ has called us to do. Pray as never before, for this Work.

The Prophet Amos was inspired to record the following:

11 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord God,
"That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

The old Worldwide Church of God reported the following:

THE MOST important work in the world cannot be done without freedom of the press!

What is that work?

It is the work of announcing that God will restore His Government to the whole earth! But before the Government of God is restored, it must first be announced! The good news of that announcement — the Gospel of the Kingdom of God — must be preached (Matthew 24:14) to all nations (Matthew 28:19). And the nations must choose whether they will want it or resist it.

In this day, God has made the MASS media available to accomplish His work. But reaching a mass audience with the good news of God's soon-coming Government requires the freedom to PUBLISH. Notice Mark 13:10: "And the gospel must first be published among all nations."

Further, God lays a special duty on his messenger and Church to publicly disseminate certain warnings to certain nations. Ezekiel 33:1-7 describes God's charge upon the watchman. When the watchman sees "the sword" come upon the land — a prophetic symbol of military devastation — he must "blow the trumpet" or God will hold him personally responsible.

This duty requires that a message warning about some very unpleasant events be published as far and as wide as possible to the latter-day descendants of ancient nations.

Similarly, when God charged the prophet Jeremiah with a message, he also had an affirmative duty from God to spread it to as wide an audience as possible. Jeremiah was given a message so important he could hardly contain himself: "But his [God's] word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones..." (Jeremiah 20:9).

So God's servants really have no choice as to exercising the right to publish their message freely. Their message is not for their personal benefit — but to the whole world!

Governmental Reaction

And yet while the Bible places a duty on God's servants, it also warns that this world — even now and in the future — will not always allow the freedom to publish.
In the past a government's excuse for persecution was that God's message IS TOO DISTURBING to be allowed to circulate freely.
In the Old Testament, Elijah, for example, was hauled before King Ahab for the ancient equivalent of the crime of disturbing the peace: "Ahab said unto him [Elijah], Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" (I Kings 18:17).
Elijah's defense was that he wasn't troubling Israel, only bringing some very distressing news from God to Ahab's government (verse 18).
Likewise, the religious and political authorities of Amos' day tried to subject him to "prior restraint" — from speaking his message at all — because the message he brought from God was TO CONTROVERSIAL! "Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.... Also Amaziah said unto Amos... prophesy not again any more at Bethel" (Amos 7:10, 12-13). Amaziah tried to deny Amos a forum for God's message in ancient Israel. Amos' message was too upsetting to the political and religious establishments!
The prophet Jeremiah was even subjected to an ancient form of book burning. God commanded Jeremiah to write down "all the words that I [God] have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations..." (Jeremiah 36:2).

Jeremiah put the words on a roll. Eventually, however, possession of the roll came to one of the king's top aides, who read it to the king (verse 21). After reading "three or four leaves" of the scroll, the aide, ever eager to please a now distraught king, threw the roll into the fireplace (verse 23). Afterwards, the king attempted, unsuccessfully, to seize Jeremiah for putting God's word to writing.
Earlier, Jeremiah had already endured actual imprisonment for the content of his spoken message (Jeremiah 20:2).
In the New Testament, the authorities tried to prevent the apostles from preaching the Gospel. The apostles were forcibly brought before the council. The high priest asked them: "Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine..." (Acts 5:28).
In other words, the civil and religious authorities were seeking to regulate the content of their message!
In response, the apostle Peter declared the firm rule that "we ought to obey God rather than men" (verse 29). Since Peter and company had a God-ordained duty to say what they were saying, the commands of the civil government of Jerusalem were in direct conflict with God's.

For the future, the Bible prophecy reveals that the time will come when most of this world's nations will be led by Satan to abolish freedom of the press — and all related freedoms. Why? To prevent any publishing of God's message from reaching any substantial number of people!

`Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it" (Amos 8:11-12).

Elsewhere the Bible reveals how this prophesied press clampdown will take place. Revelation 13 describes a great religious-civil power that will arise in the place of the old Roman Empire. This prophesied power will not allow free speech, a free press or the free exercise of any religion — except the official religion of the state.

Why Free Press Important

The Gospel is the good news of a government that will REPLACE the governments of this world. Yet replace is a mild word! The prophet Daniel flatly declares that the Government of God will "break in pieces and consume" the nations of this world that resist Him (Daniel 2:44).

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God proclaims that there is a higher power than human government, another and divine government to whom men, whether they know it or not, ultimately owe allegiance. For this reason early Christians were accused of doing "contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus" (Acts 17:7).

No wonder the governments of this world have historically sought to suppress the publishing of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God — for it is ultimately the news of their overthrow by Christ at His return!
Some have tried to justify the suppression of press freedom on the grounds that the free circulation of false ideas would create havoc for human government."Lying opinions, than which no mental plague is greater," wrote Pope Leo XIII, "and vices which corrupt the heart and moral life, should be diligently repressed by public authority, lest they insidiously work the ruin of the state."
The key error is the failure to see the difference between the government of man and the government of God. God does not reveal the whole of His spiritual truth to society at large — only to those He calls (see Romans 8:30).

Man, cut off from God, cannot be trusted to pass judgment on whether God's truth is, in fact, "true." The Bible reveals that Satan has deceived "the whole world" (Revelation 12:9).
Christ said his true church would be a little flock, not a majority of the political community (Luke 12:32). Thus, no human government can ever be really certain that it can tell a "lying opinion" from a true one. Because men's minds are limited, men must have the truth revealed to them by God. When God doesn't reveal it, as He doesn't to most of society, the safest course open to humans is the greatest possible circulation of ideas. The Bible supports this idea when it declares: "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the MULTITUDE of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14).
Even if false ideas circulate under freedom of the press, at least God's Word will also be able to go out unhindered.

Free societies pay a very high price for freedom of the press -- pornography circulates freely because human courts say they can't really tell the difference between pornography and other kinds of writing or expression. This is a very high price -- but at least it does insure the free circulation of God's truth, as well as other religious ideas.

If you grant human government the authority to censor what is printed or spoken, you allow the government to stop any message it doesn't approve of.
Government tried to suppress Elijah, Amos and Jeremiah; it is prophesied to suppress God's true Gospel again in the future. The power to censor bad writing easily becomes the power to suppress good writing.
There is a reason why God began, and based, his end-time work in the country on earth where freedom of the press is greatest — and why God's Church has grown the most, as a rule, in countries where press freedom is substantial. Since the spreading of God's Word is the most important activity on earth — the preservation of freedom of the press is one of the most awesome responsibilities God lays on human government. (Calkins J. FREE PRESS IN THE BIBLE? Was It Prophesied? Plain Truth. May 1981)

In modern times, shadow-banning with the use of 'artificial intelligence is being used to censor those that various humanistic globalists do not want people to hear--and it will get worse.

Related to Amos 8:11-12, in a sermon on November 27, 1982 titled “U.S. of Europe is Coming,” Herbert Armstrong stated:

“Anyway this whole United States of Europe, when it goes together, is going to trigger nuclear World War III. Now let me tell you what else it's going to do. It's going to END OUR WORK! OUR WORK WILL BE THROUGH of getting the gospel to the world. That is, very shortly after it goes into force and effect; because they will move in such a way that it will end it. And then I'll tell you what will happen. As you read here in Amos, the 8th chapter and verse 11 of Amos. Amos 8:11 ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread ... but of hearing the word of the LORD.’ ” (http://cog-ff.com/html/pcomments_07_04_08.html, viewed 10/03/13)

In a November 22, 1982 co-worker letter, Herbert Armstrong wrote:

... brethren and co-workers, the prophesied Great Tribulation (nuclear World War III) will start soon after the European unification. That means OUR WORK OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL BE FINISHED! We have not now much more time. Soon shall come a FAMINE of hearing the Word of the Lord (Amos 8:11). God says, work while it is day, for the night is coming when no man can work – in the Work of God! Nothing else is important in our lives, now, but this all-important Work of God. (http://cog-ff.com/html/pcomments_07_04_08.html, viewed 10/03/13)

So, the Bible tells of a time that will come when the word of God will not be found. And that would seem to be because it will be taken off the internet. In the 21st century, the internet is accessed by people in every country, and thus some type of internet restriction/suspension/site removal is coming.

We have also seen Europe make inroads into internet censorship.

January 31, 2018

Europe wants to conquer the world all over again.

Only this time, its killer app isn't steel or gunpowder. It's an EU legal juggernaut aimed at imposing ever tougher privacy rules on governments and companies from San Francisco to Seoul. ...

For years, Europe has served as the world's privacy police officer.

Since the mid-1990s, EU policymakers have rolled out a series of data protection rules that quickly became the de facto global standards for most countries except for a few holdouts like China, Russia and the United States.

But, as companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon vacuumed up more of people’s private information, European lawmakers upped the ante, intent on setting a new bar for data protection worldwide.

"We want to set the global standard," Věra Jourová, the European commissioner for justice, told POLITICO last year. "Privacy is a high priority for us."

Most multinational companies from Google to General Electric must comply with the new standards because of their existing activities in Europe. And smaller firms, even those currently with no operations in the EU, face a tough decision to either comply with the region’s stance on privacy or risk potential sanctions if European customers eventually sign up to their services. https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-data-protection-privacy-standards-gdpr-general-protection-data-regulation/ accessed 06/21/19

Since the Beast of Revelation 13 is European, Europe's steps to control and censor the internet have been expected. And we are seeing steps towards that already.

Canada, UK, and USA Government Officials Favor Biblical Censorship

Government officials in the USA, UK, and Canada have backed various types of biblical censorship.

In 2017, a Canadian tipped me off to the following:

Fight back against the anti-Christian bigotry in the Battle River School board

The Cornerstone Christian Academy in Alberta is exactly what it says it is — a Christian school. Just like Alberta has Jewish schools and Muslim schools too.

But the head of the government school board that oversees Cornerstone, a woman named Lauri Skori, has literally ordered the school to stop teaching passages in the Bible that she personally disagrees with.

I know this sounds crazy. But it’s true. Skori, basically went through the Bible with a black pen and emailed the school telling them what words were now banned.

In particular, Skori has decided that she doesn’t like 1st Corinthians, which states:

Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Now, you can agree with or disagree with that. You can agree with or disagree with the ten commandments. But freedom of religion and freedom of expression are an essential freedom in Canada.

In fact, the concept of the separation of church and state — it actually doesn’t exist in Canada.

Our Constitution has religion hard-wired into it — the word Catholic is in our Constitution four times, specifically to protect religious education. That’s part of the grand bargain of Canada, uniting French Canada and English Canada.

It’s shocking, but it’s not surprising. Christianity has been driven out of the public square everywhere in Canada. But surely this is a new low — Christianity is actually being banned in a Christian school.

Government bureaucrats would never dream of telling Muslim schools they couldn’t teach passages from the Koran — even ones that call for the murder of infidels and apostates. But banning the Bible is now official school board policy.

And, not surprisingly, the media and the political class are silent. Even supposedly Christian or conservative politicians are keeping their heads down — they don’t want to be attacked by the leftist mob at the CBC.

The school board is digging in. They’re closing ranks around Laurie Skori the chair. They’re bullying the school. David Eggen, the NDP education minister, he hates Christian schools, wants to shut them down, has taken steps to shut others down. He’s an anti-Christian bigot who doesn’t seem upset about this censorship in the slightest. 06/19/17 https://news.google.com/news/section?hl=en&ned=us&q=%22Battle+River+School+board%22

So, a school set up to promote its version of Christianity is being told to not quote/teach certain passages of the Bible.

Canada has long been going the wrong way regarding freedom of biblical expression–but it is not the only place. About four years ago, an American preacher was arrested in the UK for calling homosexuality a sin (see American street preacher arrested in the UK for declaring homosexuality ‘sin’).

It appears that the Battle River School board is attempting to change theology and controlling thoughts.

Why should the Battle River School board care if some consider behaviors ‘unrighteous’ and that those who do such will not ‘inherit the kingdom of God’?

I mean, the Battle River School board does not truly believe in the Kingdom of God.

Yet, more and more we are seeing governmental opposition to teaching the Bible.

Prohibiting the reading/teaching of scripture is wrong, but is consistent with the following end time prophecy:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1-6)

Governmental and 'Big Tech' officials claim they are doing what is good for their areas (essentially claiming a form of godliness), but they often deny the power of God and the word of God!

They are slandering the Bible and freedom of religion. They are headstrong, and haughty, thinking that they know better than the God of the Bible. They are despising those who are hoping to do good.

It is not just a school board in Canada with a censorship agenda. Notice a court decision from 2002 and legislative action in 2017:

OWENS V. SASKATCHEWAN (HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION)

QB02511
Date of Judgment: December 11, 2002 …

[6] On June 30, 1997, the Star-Phoenix published an advertisement for certain bumper stickers. The appellant admitted that he placed the advertisement and that, in fact, he had available for sale the bumper stickers that were advertised. The advertisement was simply a copy of one of the bumper stickers with the following words displayed on the bottom of the sticker: “This message can be purchased in bumper sticker form. Please call 306-584-2611.” In fact, this sticker and three similar stickers were offered for sale by the appellant.

[7] The bumper sticker in the advertisement displayed references to four Bible passages: Romans 1, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, on the left side of the sticker. An equal sign (=) was situated in the middle of the sticker, with a symbol on the right side of the sticker. The symbol on the right side was comprised of two males holding hands with the universal symbol of a red circle with a diagonal bar superimposed over top. The Board noted, citing the Court of Appeal in Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission v. Bell (1994), 120 Sask. R. 122, that the red slash and circle is “the universal symbol for forbidden, not allowed or not wanted.” The Bible passages read as follows:

Romans 1:26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to  do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Leviticus 18:22 “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

Leviticus 20:13 “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders ….

[8] The complainants and a number of experts in human sexuality, various religions and religious fundamentalism testified as to the message of the sticker and the impact of that message. The Board referred to Canadian (Human Rights Commission) v. Taylor, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 892 and the Bell case, supra, and decided that it had to determine on an objective basis whether the advertisement violated s. 14 of the Code. The Board defined the issue as being “whether or not the effect of the publication of the advertisement exposed or tended to expose to hatred, or otherwise affronted the dignity of gay men and caused or tended to cause others to engage in discriminatory practices against gay men in contravention of Part 2 of the Code.”

[9] In the Bell case, supra, the court dealt with similar stickers. But the Board observed that the representation of gay men was more neutral than the demeaning caricatures used on the stickers considered in the Bell case. It commented that the universal symbol “may itself not communicate hatred.” However, viewing the sticker in its totality, the Board concluded:

The use of the circle and the slash combined with the passages of the Bible herein make the meaning of the advertisement unmistakable. It is clear that the advertisement is intended to make the group depicted appear to be inferior or not wanted at best. When combined with the Biblical quotations, the advertisement may result in a much stronger meaning. It is obvious that certain of the Biblical quotations suggest more dire consequences and there can be no question that the advertisement can objectively be seen as exposing homosexuals to hatred or ridicule.

[10] Having found that the advertisement violated s. 14(1) by exposing homosexuals to hatred or ridicule, the Board cited the Bell case in concluding that the communication was not protected by either of ss. 5 or 14(2) of the Code, which deal with freedom of expression and speech. Nor did s. 14(1) violate s. 2(b) of the Charter, in that the restriction placed on freedom of expression constituted a reasonable limit under s. 1 of the Charter.

[11] The finding of the Board that the advertisement did expose homosexuals to hatred and ridicule accords with the appellant’s own opinion as to the impact of the message contained in the advertisement and the bumper sticker. http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/bible-ruled-hate-speech.htm

June 21, 2017

In the latest episode of the completely psychotic breakdown of Western values, Canada’s government has just passed a law that champions sexual identity over science…

It’s called C-16, “An Act to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code”.

But as usual there are some problems with the law. Not just the new law, in fact, but with Canada’s entire Human Rights Act.

I found a number of articles online stating that this new law “criminalizes the incorrect use of gender pronouns,” i.e. if someone born a “he” chooses to be “she”, and you say “Mr.” instead of “Ms.,” you’re going to jail.

To be clear, that’s NOT what this new law says. But the danger lies in the incredible ambiguity of the entire Human Rights code.

Section (14)(1), for example, states that “it is a discriminatory practice . . . to harass an individual on a prohibited ground of discrimination. . .” which includes race, religion, etc. and now sexual identity.

This is where things start to become unglued.

Because if your brain is wired anything like mine, you’re probably thinking, “OK, fine, but what constitutes ‘harassment’ ?”

I’m glad you asked. Because Canada’s Human Rights Commission gives us a rather ominous definition:

 “[Harassment] involves any unwanted physical or verbal behaviour that offends or humiliates you.”

So in theory, yes, using incorrect gender pronouns could constitute harassment if it offends somebody, and this is a violation of Canada’s Human Rights and Criminal codes.

I’m unclear when ‘not being offended’ became an inalienable human right.

I’m a prolific student of history, but I’m afraid I must have missed that chapter in the development of Western Civilization.

The Canadian government has long had issues ignoring biblical morality–this law is another step in that direction.

While the USA likes to act lack it is the bastion of free speech and freedom of religion, more and more restrictions keep getting proposed. Notice the following about AB 2943 and comments from a California State Congressman:

April 23, 2018

Assembly Bill 2943 would make it an “unlawful business practice” to engage in a “transaction intended to result or that results in the sale or lease of goods or services to any consumer” that either advertises or engages in “sexual orientation change efforts with an individual.” In the bill, the phrase “sexual orientations change efforts” is defined as “any practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation. This includes efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.”

It would appear that this definition would include the Bible, since the Bible explicitly condemns homosexual behavior and defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. That means that if Assembly Bill 2943 is officially signed into law, it could ban the sale of the Bible in the state of California, which, for obvious reasons, would be an assault on not just the Constitution but on the very fabric of America.

First and foremost, the First Amendment guarantees that each citizen is endowed with the inalienable right to freely practice their religion without interference from the government. This includes not only the reading of the Bible, but also the private sale of the Bible from individuals or companies looking to spread the Christian faith. Banning the Bible, which Assembly Bill 2943 would likely do, is a clear violation of the freedom of religion as outlined in the Constitution.

Second, as a matter of free-market economics, since when does the government have the authority to control which products are sold by businesses and which are not? If California can legally declare that the sale of the Bible is prohibited, does this mean that they can ban any book that doesn’t subscribe to the progressive ideology? https://www.naturalnews.com/2018-04-23-new-california-law-would-criminalize-book-stores-for-selling-the-bible.html

The controversy is over a bill that critics have charged effectively would ban the sale of Bibles, because it regards as “consumer fraud” any commercial transaction that affirms Christian beliefs about the nature of the two genders and homosexual behavior.

Now, a video has been revealed of California state Assembly member Al Muratsuchi admitting that he wants to target people of faith.

The lawmaker argued the First Amendment “does not prohibit banning fraudulent conduct.”

“The faith community, like anyone else, needs to evolve with the times,” he charged. …

Liberty Counsel noted the Bible specifically refers to homosexuality in 1 Corinthians 6:9 then states in verse 11: “And such were some of you.”

Publishing such a passage — which indicates that “through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, people with same-sex attractions or who engaged in same-sex behavior can change” — would “be considered fraudulent business practices under this bill,” Liberty Counsel argues.

Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel’s founder and chief counsel, said his organization is prepared to sue “to stop this outrageous attack on the First Amendment.”

He explained the Bible specifically counsels against same-sex relationships, and citing that verse in any number of ways could be interpreted by California as fraudulent activity.

Staver called it a “dangerous bill that would punish people for their biblical beliefs about marriage, gender and human sexuality.”

“This law is stunning in its breadth. The mask of those supporting this oppressive bill has been removed,” he said. “Their goal is to crush Christianity and any viewpoint that does not align with the state. We stand ready to file suit to stop this assault on freedom if this bill is signed into law.”

Robert A.J. Gagnon, the author of “The Bible and Homosexual Practice.”

His column at The Federalist was titled “Snopes is a Sneaky Liar about California’s Bill to Ban Christian LGBT Talk.”

“If you haven’t already lost significant respect for Snopes as an impartial fact-checker, its analysis of a bill that bans all transactions involved in stating Christian beliefs about homosexual behavior should,” he said. …

Gagnon explained the bill poses legal jeopardy for a “Bible study or house church leader, member of a parachurch organization working to help people afflicted by same-sex attractions, or indeed anybody who attempts change if goods or services involve an exchange of funds.”

“Read the bill. There is no religious exemption. There is no restriction to mental health professionals. There is not even a restriction to claims about changing a person’s sexual orientation or transgender feelings in whole or part. The bill is quite clear that any ‘efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions’ are included in the ban on attempts to change a person’s ‘sexual orientation,’” he said.

He continued: “So you would be violating the law if you advertise that Christ can empower people not to engage in homosexual practice or not to identify as ‘gay’ or ‘transgender’ because such behaviors and self-identities are morally wrong, or if you offer to engage or actually engage in efforts to persuade people of Christ’s power to transform in this area, you will be in violation of California AB 2943, at least so long as your advertising or efforts involved in any way an exchange of money for goods or services.”

Violations of A.B. 2943 could, he said, include “selling religious or secular books (pamphlets, videos, audios, etc.), holding conferences, teaching courses in a college or seminary where tuition is paid, giving a speech at a paid venue, counseling people for a fee, or perhaps even posting online articles in a site that requires a paid subscription, in which it is asserted (in whole or part) that it is morally wrong for people to engage in homosexual practice or identify as ‘gay’ or ‘transgender.’”

He quoted religious liberties lawyer David French, who agreed, stating it is “a bill that would actually – among other things – ban the sale of books expressing orthodox Christian beliefs about sexual morality.” …

The state previously banned therapies for children, defining “conversion therapy” as employing “prayer, religious conversion, individual and group counseling.” http://www.wnd.com/2018/04/activists-confess-bible-ban-does-target-faith-community/#OOqGatFXhYm3hDHa.99

The State of California already has a law against praying that minors should not be homosexuals.

California State Assembly passed “AB-2943 Unlawful business practices: sexual orientation change efforts” on April 19, 2018. While it does not directly ban the sale of Bibles, it is certainly a step in that direction.

Notice also the following:

Late last week, I wrote an article that caused a bit of a furious reaction in social-justice Twitter. Activists claimed I was lying, arguing in bad faith, and/or exaggerating the effect of California’s AB 2943, a bill that purports to declare “sexual orientation change efforts” to be an “unlawful business practice.” I claimed the bill was so broad that it could even ban books.

And I’m right. It can and would. Here’s a step-by-step guide how:

First, the bill by its own terms applies to very broad categories of services and goods. Here’s the key enabling language:

1770. (a) The following unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices undertaken by any person in a transaction intended to result or that results in the sale or lease of goods or services to any consumer are unlawful:

Second, a book (along with other written materials, like pamphlets or workbooks) fits within the very, very broad definition of a goods:

tangible chattels bought or leased for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, including certificates or coupons exchangeable for these goods, and including goods that, at the time of the sale or subsequently, are to be so affixed to real property as to become a part of real property, whether or not they are severable from the real property.

Basically, if you can buy it and move it (in other words, it’s not real estate), then it’s a good. Moreover, under the statute, “services” can include “services furnished in connection with the sale or repair of goods.” Booksellers provide “services.” …

Scroll down through the list of dozens of prohibited acts, and you’ll come to paragraph 28, which bans: “Advertising, offering to engage in, or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual.”

Wait. What? “Sexual orientation change efforts” are in the same category as consumer fraud? So, what is a sexual-orientation-change effort? According to the bill, it means “any practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation. This includes efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.” 04/23/18 https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/california-bill-threatens-christian-books-and-booksellers/

Do not think that this anti-religion attitude is limited to the State of California.

About a week after she announced her intention to seek the Democratic nomination for the US Presidency, Hillary Clinton  spoke and promoted changing religion to her image:

Hillary Clinton: Religious Beliefs Must Be Changed to Achieve Social Justice

April 24, 2015

In a fiery speech Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton argues that deep seated religious beliefs must be changed so that everyone can enjoy full participation in every aspect of society.

Clinton, speaking in Manhattan on Thursday at the sixth annual Women in The World Summit, declared that “deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases” must be changed both in the U.S. and around the world in order to achieve social justice.

Clinton, after discussing the pressing social justice issues of domestic violence and women’s reproductive health, said:

Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will. And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed.

As I have said and as I believe, the advancement of the full participation of women and girls in every aspect of their societies is the great unfinished business of the 21st century and not just for women but for everyone — and not just in far away countries but right here in the United States.

Hillary Clinton wants religious views changed so that people will embrace abortion, homosexuality, and other immoral positions that Christians should condemn.

People like her want the Bible banned, or at least edited. They do not believe Christians should “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

They don’t really believe in a real God (but they should: check out the free online book: Is God’s Existence Logical?). They want religion to EVOLVE. They do not properly believe in it anyway. Though they often see it as a movement to use or push out of the way, depending upon the politics of the moment.

Understand that other LGBTQ agenda supporters have published statements like ” the truth about religion in America. It also reveals an ugly narrow-mindedness.”

Notice the following from the UK:

November 25, 2022

The Corwn Prosecution Service (CPS) argued that parts of the Bible are "abusive" and "no longer approproriate for modern society" in ... a prsecution against a street preacher.

John Dunn, 55, was preaching in swindon, southwest England ... when two women walked past holding hands ... The twow omen reported Sunn to the police, describing his comments as "biblical speak."https://www.theepochtimes.com/crown-prosecution-service-claimed-some-of-the-bible-is-no-longer-appropriate-to-modern-society-in-lawsuit_4883967.html

The Bible warns against the rise of despisers of good in the last days:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Those of us who hold to the idea that sexual relationships are only to be between a man married to a woman are considered to have “ugly narrow-mindedness” by supporters of the LGBTQ movement.

Furthermore, they LGBTQ supporting crowd do not want people to believe the following:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

California Assembly Bill 2943 is another step towards censorship in the USA.

The Bible not only warns that homosexuality, lesbianism, and cross-dressing are wrong, it also condemns those who condone all forms of sexual immorality:

5 A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 22:5)

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:24-32)

In Canada, quoting parts of Romans 1 in certain ways is essentially banned (watch Canadian censoring of the Bible).

As many realize, in order to protect the rights of the citizens of the USA nation to speak even against the government, the Bill of Rights came into effect as Constitutional Amendments on December 15, 1791. Here is the first amendment:

• First amendment — 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.

But now we see laws that do respect secular religion as well as those against freedom of speech (e.g. Barack Obama signed the ‘Countering Disinformation And Propaganda Act’) and even religious speech.

The Bible is not a fraudulent book.

Perhaps it should be added that the US Department of Homeland Security wants to collect data on bloggers and news sites and categorized their source’s “sentiment,” as well as geographical spread (see DHS is monitoring all journalists, bloggers, and media influencers: Will this affect press freedom and lead to the fulfillment of prophecies?).

The State of California has proposed to have journalists, bloggers, and any one who has influence to register and to get their ‘news’ approved before putting it online (Doug Casey Warns ‘It’s Going To Get Very Disagreeable In The US At Some Level Quickly.’ California SB1424 risks. Brandon Smith claims ‘World War III Will Be An Economic War.’ Then there is the Bible). The bill, sponsored by California Senator Richard Pan is called the “Internet: social media: false information: strategic plan,” or SB1424. If carried to its logical limit, this would cover anyone who ever posts anything on the internet, and perhaps even those whose emails get spread around. Many in the government want to restrict what people tell others.

In 2018, we put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

12:15

Banning the Bible?

Could we see a ban of the Holy Bible in North America? Have there been partial bans proposed and enforced by government officials in Canada? Do any USA politicians consider any biblical teachings as fraudulent and hence NOT a violation of the 1st amendment to the Constitution of the USA? Are there risks associated with AB 2943? Have politicians like Hillary Clinton and California Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi called for long-held religious beliefs to change and "evolve with the times"? What about Jude 1:3 and 2 Timothy 3:14? Are there biblical prophecies about not being able to hear the word of God? Might be see more restrictions on explaining teachings of the Bible on the Internet and other forms of media? What are some of the verses that various government people do not want made public? Dr. Thiel provides facts on these issues and more.

Here is a link to our video: Banning the Bible?

Even though that California bill did not become law, understand that the Beast will do even more what California Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi tried to do.

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, & 2020 'Famines of words'

The censorship climate has changed in the Western nations over the past several years.

For example, in 2014, I was prohibited from videoing in St. Peter's Basilica or Vatican City even though I had done so many times before. Basically, the Vatican implemented a policy that they would not allow videoing with narration without its express permission. This basically meant that it would be more difficult to reach some people with the truth about certain matters there.

I did not tie it in with the 'famine of the word' until 2015. That year (2015), I ran into attempts to cause famines of hearing the words of the Lord.

A source that I once used to promote my old 2009 book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, on the radio, returned by money and cancelled the contract to promote my 2015 book, Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States as the following email shows:

After reviewing full content of your subject, RTIR has decided to apply our "right to qualify all ads." An editorial decision was made that you wouldn't be a good fit for RTIR and wouldn't get a good response with your ad. We will refund you inmmediately (sic). (RTIR, April 15, 2015)

While commercial firms have certain rights, this was a shock and showed that this firm (RTIR) was no longer willing to promote certain ideas it did not embrace. This was a change in its past practices and is consistent with an idea that is growing that certain biblical ideas need to be suppressed.

Furthermore, when I sent out a press release related to that same book Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States, after agreeing to post it, I got the following response in an email:

Our editors have determined that some changes will need to be made to your press release in order to effectively distribute it on PRWeb. Your press release has been placed on editorial hold status in order to allow you to make the required reviews and edits.

Our editors have made the following notes regarding your editorial hold:...

The body of the release will need to focus on the announcement of the new book. All statements will need to be attributed back to the book, however, as per our legal guidelines, you cannot talk about how or suggest that Hillary Clinton is the antichrist or a sign of the apocalypse. Additionally, PRWeb does not publish releases that might incite fear or panic, which includes those that predict the end of the world or mass destruction of a country. (PRWeb Editorial Advisory 1265335, 4/15/15)

Why also mention this here?

Because a couple of years previous to this, I had submitted virtually the same release for my book: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States. The main difference was that I changed the names. That release was ran as I submitted it, with no type of hold, whatsoever.

Anyway, after submitting a couple of edited re-writes and responses, the following was received (bolding mine):

Despite the fact that you provide "The book does not incite fear about the imminent end of the earth, but explains prophetic writings that point to coming change," your claims are still too strong. Essentially, inciting fear that events surrounding the upcoming presidential election may result in the US's destruction is in violation of our intent to harm guideline. Since this book seems to be centered on these prophesies, it would be wise to either request a refund or choose a new topic. (PRWeb Editorial Advisory 1265335, 4/16/15)

Anyway, with persistence and reducing statements, the press release was finally published the next day.

We are seeing censorship known as 'political correctness' hitting even more of the media. This is leading to famines of the words of the Lord. How so?

First, I should add that in my book, I explained why Hillary Clinton was not the final antichrist. But if she could have been, it should be something one can freely state.

Second, it is appropriate to explain how the actions/policies/statements of someone may pertain to the apocalyse. Apocalyse means revealing, and to have a policy that does not allow tying people to biblical events is atrocious. This has been repeatedly allowed throughout modern history, but is now being blocked by at least this one media outlet.

Third, the fact that this book twice had problems with firms I have already worked with in the past indicates that there are even bigger problems looming ahead.

Did you know that the Bible warns about this?

Notice:

8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet, And note it on a scroll, That it may be for time to come, Forever and ever: 9 That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the Lord; 10 Who say to the seers, "Do not see,"And to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. 11 Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy One of Israel To cease from before us."

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:

"Because you despise this word,And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall ,Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. 14 And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter's vessel, Which is broken in pieces; He shall not spare. So there shall not be found among its fragments A shard to take fire from the hearth, Or to take water from the cistern." (Isaiah 30:8-14)

So, while what happened is not yet the famine of the word, it is consistent with what is prophesied to happen. They want 'smooth things.'

Consider also something that happened later.

In 2016, I received the following in a ‘do not respond’ email from YouTube:

Hi ContinuingCoG,

The YouTube community flagged one or more of your videos as inappropriate. After reviewing the content, we’ve determined that the videos violate our Community Guidelines. As a result, we removed the following videos from YouTube:

Are we saved by faith? Or are we saved by works?

Please note that this removal has not resulted in a strike.

- The YouTube Team

This email and the related removal were outrageous. Because YouTube did not count this censorship as a ‘strike,’ we were not able to find a way to appeal this. Nor did they tell us what they considered wrong–all we got was the above.

The sermon that YouTube censored was by Steve Dupuie and was given at the Feast of Tabernacles in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada in in 2015. He sent me his notes before and after the sermon, and I see nothing in it that warranted it being pulled by YouTube.

It appears to have been pulled because someone (likely from a Protestant faith) claimed that doctrinal differences were offensive.

Anyway, through something other than its formal appeals process, finally I persuaded YouTube to lift its suspension.

Yet, by the criteria that we suspect that YouTube used, it should have to pull not only a CCOG sermon, but most messages by Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, and Muslims as someone is bound to be offended by some of the theology of those of other faiths.

I have been warning for some time that since the Bible tells of a coming ‘famine of the word’ (Amos 8:11-12), that we should expect YouTube censorship to be part of this.

Because of that, before this censorship, I asked Bill Wedekind to back-up every sermon and sermonette we had on YouTube, and he has. So, we have copies of everything, including the video sermon that YouTube censored. In 2018, we also started to look for platforms other than YouTube.

In the Summer of 2017, I noticed that we were having less views than expected for our Bible News Prophecy channel which is uploaded to YouTube. Then a reader sent me the following:

August 1, 2017

Today, YouTube clarified how it plans to handle videos that don’t violate any of its policies but still contain offensive religious and supremacist content: …

In a blog post today, YouTube provided a better sense of what that stance entails. Now, when YouTube decides that a flagged video doesn’t break policy but still contains “controversial religious or supremacist content,” the video will be put in a “limited state.” Here, the video will exist in a sort of limbo where it won’t be recommended or monetized … It also won’t include suggested videos or allow comments or likes. …

alternative media figures and conspiracy theorists have been complaining for weeks that YouTube is already manipulating the algorithms to limit their reach … And this announcement will likely only add to their resentment of a platform that they rely upon to reach their audiences. …

YouTube also announced today that it has added to the list of NGOs it is working with to help determine what content should be hidden. …

YouTube did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The update also touted the success of the machine-learning-driven removal of content, claiming that over the last month, YouTube algorithms have found 75 percent of policy-violating extremist content before a human was able to flag the videos. http://gizmodo.com/youtube-has-a-new-naughty-corner-for-controversial-reli-1797429910

So, YouTube is also using some type of machine to look for what it calls “extremist content.”

As far as religious extremism, please understand that some in the USA believe that ALL who believe in the millennial reign of Jesus are religious extremists and potential terrorists. Also, believing in biblical morality and marriage is considered an extremist view by many. Furthermore, consider that the message of the good news of the Kingdom of God is also considered to be religious extremism by many. Freedom of religious speech is threatened on many fronts.

I have spoken to Bill Wedekind, Steve Dupuie, and two of our sons about how to proceed because of this. At this moment, because YouTube is free, YouTube is available in multiple formats, and YouTube sometimes helps us get viewers, we plan to remain on YouTube. However, we are continuing to look into alternatives in case YouTube ultimately pulls us completely off.

YouTube has NOT threatened to remove us. But since we have what they would consider to be more ‘controversial’ videos up than the one that Steve Dupuie was in, it remains a concern that some day we may be forced to abandon YouTube.

As far as the prophesied 'famine of the word,' I expect to see government agencies pressuring private companies to assist them in that. Policies of various internet firms have allowed this in the past.

In 2016, US President Barack Obama indicated that which meet his definition of 'conspiracy theories' should not be protected speech (see ‘Obama Enters Media Wars: Why His Recent Attack On Free Speech Is So Dangerous & Radical’). The Bible teaches that a leader, called the Beast of Revelation and the King of the North will arise and mislead people:

23 "And in the latter time of their kingdom,
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise,
Having fierce features,
Who understands sinister schemes.
24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;
He shall destroy fearfully,
And shall prosper and thrive;
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.

25 "Through his cunning
He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule;
And he shall exalt himself in his heart.
He shall destroy many in their prosperity.
He shall even rise against the Prince of princes;
But he shall be broken without human means. (Daniel 8:23-25).

Teaching what the Bible says about this Beast of Revelation and the King of the North leader will likely be considered as a 'conspiracy theory.' Teaching the truths about what will be happening would seem to trigger the prophesied famine of the word.

Censorship is becoming more obvious to many:

18 March 2018

When Google launched almost 20 years ago, its corporate motto was "Don't be Evil". And until last year, Facebook's official mission was to "make the world more open and connected".

Things have changed since the two tech giants first came online. Both companies have been accused of working behind the scenes to silence or de-emphasise certain kinds of voices.

"Censorship has changed completely and dramatically because of the internet and because of particularly these big tech companies which are basically monopolies. They can end your existence online," says Robert Epstein, research psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioural Research & Technology. ...

Google, Facebook and Twitter are all under pressure from governments ... "We're giving this kind of power to a group that is not responsible to the general public. We're not talking about a government agency which is required to do things in a transparent way, we're talking about a private company that does everything secretly," says Epstein. https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/listeningpost/2018/03/deleted-suspended-demoted-censorship-silicon-valley-style-180317111051502.html

June 6, 2018

The internet “cabal” of giants such as YouTube, Google and Facebook has adopted algorithms that suppress conservative sources. ...

WND CEO Joseph Farah, who previously collaborated with Limbaugh on a best-selling book, wrote recently about the agenda driven by progressives in web giants. ...

"... Facebook – along with Google, YouTube, Twitter and Amazon – represent a new ‘Censorship Cartel’ seemingly determined to limit, restrict, define, regulate, inhibit, reduce and restrain the free flow of political speech despite its constitutional protection in the First Amendment.” ...

Farah also noted Google has censored a Christian site because it references “Jesus” and “the Bible.” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has called the tech giants a “clear and present danger to our democratic system.” http://www.wnd.com/2018/06/limbaugh-site-hit-with-deceptive-warning/#0QfSX1BJIKh392e2.99

In light of that, consider the following from the Bible:

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation;
Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity,
3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
And bend their bows to shoot their arrows — bitter words,
4 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear.

5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter;
They talk of laying snares secretly;
They say, "Who will see them?"
6 They devise iniquities:
"We have perfected a shrewd scheme."
Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep. (Psalm 64:1-6)

Because of 'secret plots' by internet companies, in 2018 we decided we needed another YouTube channel to separate some of our materials in order to reduce descrimination from YouTube. We now are on multiple platforms as YouTube has pulled our content a few times.

In 2018, it was essentially leaked that the US government was looking to closely monitor all journalists, bloggers, and media influencers (see DHS is monitoring all journalists, bloggers, and media influencers: Will this affect press freedom and lead to the fulfillment of prophecies?). The USA is being set up for more censorship.

Consider also the following:

April 7, 2018

U.S. Homeland Security to compile database of journalists, bloggers and ‘media influencers’

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is looking to create a searchable database of hundreds of thousands of news sources, journalists, bloggers and “media influencers” for the federal government, a move a DHS spokesman called “standard practice.”https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/04/07/world/u-s-homeland-security-compile-database-journalists-bloggers-media-influencers/#.Wsj0OJch0uU

The Department of Homeland Security sparked concerns among media circles after news spread that the agency was creating an online database to monitor journalists, bloggers, social media influencers and others.

Word got out after Bloomberg Law surfaced a job posting from DHS seeking a contractor for a “media monitoring services” project. The job entails creating a searchable database that has the ability to track about 290,000 news sources, both foreign and domestic, according to the DHS’s statement of work.

The contractor will help DHS monitor “traditional news sources as well as social media, identify any and all media coverage related to the Department of Homeland Security or a particular event,” the job description reads.

“Services shall provide media comparison tools, design and rebranding tools, communication tools, and the ability to identify top media influencers.”

The online platform should also be able to instantly translate media from 100 languages, including Chinese and Russian, into English. It should also be able to analyze the coverage’s “sentiment” and “momentum.” 04/06/18 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/homeland-security-searchable-database_us_5ac7f41de4b07a3485e4bb1d

Of course, the FBI has a long history of tracking journalists, but many questions remain: Will the journalists on the list be notified they’ve been added? Do they have any control over what data is added about them? The bid’s language, “present contact details and any other information that could be relevant,” seems to imply journalists will have profiles with a variety of information. Does that open the door to connect this info with any other data DHS can get its hands on: job histories, criminal histories, a list of phobias, etc?

President Trump has used his Twitter account to lash out at individual journalists before. The implication of a stridently anti-press administration with a database of journalists is troubling, yet, given the surveillance power of the American government, feels almost inevitable.

A famine of the word is coming!

Censorship and plans to monitor those who post information on the internet are steps in that direction.

2022 Threat of a Famine of the Word

2023 Famines of the Word

In 2023, we signed a one year contract for the The Bible News Prophecy program to air once per week, beginning March 18, 2023, on twelve AM/FM stations on the Wilkins Radio Network. In late July 2023, Wilkins sent us a notice that it stopped airing us and would no longer broadcast our program. This was NOT because of anything we said on air. It was because they learned that we held to the original (and biblical) Christian view of the Godhead. So, they decided to try to silence us, despite having a signed contract. We, of course, know that God's work cannot be stopped at this time, and then proceeded to go through other open doors with other radio stations and networks which we began in early August 2023 (a list of our radio and other media platforms in at the Continuing Church of God Multimedia page.

Wilkins tried to cause "a famine of the word," but instead helped us to reach a different audience than we otherwise would have reached in 2023.

In August 2023, we noticed another way that YouTube is trying to discredit us. Related to a video we made in late 2020 titled, Interfaith movement pushing LGBTQ+ agenda, YouTube put up the following:

Context

Conversion therapy

Conversion therapy, sometimes referred to as “reparative therapy,” is any of several dangerous and discredited practices aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

It is dangerous NOT to allow “conversion therapy,” yet YouTube is pushing a lie that the opposite is true.

Conversion therapy is NOT scientifically discredited. It is only “discredited” by those who oppose what scripture teaches.

Now, YouTube has throughout the years put up false "context" or other "warnings," which, to me at least, look like preludes for more censoring.

And yes, they censored us further in 2023. Late on September 2, 2023, I learned that YouTube censored and removed another one of our videos, plus gave us another one of its "strikes."

The reason from YouTube?

Terms and policies

This video has been removed because of inappropriate content.

Inappropriate content?

The video pointed out facts from a University of Florida connected study along with some scriptures. Yet, that is so “inappropriate” that YouTube removed it.

Anyway, since we do not rely fully on YouTube for online videos, here is the same video that we also had up on our BitChute channel:

14:34

Jul 31, 2023

New Transgender Study

A new study on the side effects of transgender sex change surgeries was conducted by researchers at the University of Florida and the health non-profit Brooks Rehabilitation. The study found that 81% of those who had undergone sex change surgeries in the past five years reported experiencing pain simply from normal movement in the weeks and months that followed — and that many other side effects are manifesting themselves as well. How do Russia and the USA handle the transgender issue? What does the Bible say? What does science show? Does the Bible warn about children being oppressors and leaders causing people to err? Are God’s people supposed to, “Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1)? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie go over these topics.

Here is a link on BitChute to that video: New Transgender Study.

Now, this time when we submitted an appeal to YouTube, they accepted it and restored, without comment, that video.

Anyway while we prevailed in that battle, we continue to see more and more censorship from what can be called the Censorship Industrial Complex.

The Apostle Paul warned “against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

YouTube has once again done that.

World Events Leading to This

The Bible warns that various ones want to suppress the truth:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (Romans 1:18)

We are seeing this.

Amos 8:12, itself, will apparently happen after Daniel 11:33 and Matthew 24:14 are fulfilled, but portions may begin as early as Daniel 11:28. With FCC "net neutrality" rules (they were approved in late 2010), we are getting close to that time when governments will be too offended by the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom so that some will take steps to stop it from being proclaimed. Perhaps under the guise of "neutrality," perhaps under the guise of "The Patriot Act," perhaps under the guise of "public welfare" or national security, something will be done to stop perhaps all of the organized media efforts to proclaim biblical truths.

Furthermore, on August 11, 2011, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom stated that he wanted Scotland Yard to consider stopping suspected rioters from having the ability to utilize "social media" that involved the internet (see UK’s Cameron May Call Out the Troops and Restrict Social Media)--thus the idea of interference with the ability to proclaim the gospel that way may fulfill what the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong understood, just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.

Since then, the amount of governmental surveillance seems to have increased and this will assist the rising Beast power (see also Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?).

Even Pope Francis seems to be on the side of limiting speech of those who disagree with other's religions. Notice something from 2015:

January 15, 2015

The pope, speaking to reporters as he flew from Sri Lanka to the Philippines, made the comments in relation to an attack by Islamists on the offices of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, known for its satirical attacks on Islam and other religions, that killed 12 people.

Francis has defended freedom of expression, but he said it was wrong to provoke others by insulting their religion and that one could “expect” a reaction to such abuse.

“You can’t provoke, you can’t insult the faith of others, you can’t make fun of faith,” he told reporters Thursday.

‘You cannot provoke’

By way of example, he referred to Alberto Gasparri, who organizes papal trips and was standing by his side. Francis said: “If my good friend Dr. Gasparri says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch. It’s normal. … You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. … In freedom of expression there are limits.” …

“Everyone has not only the freedom and the right, but the obligation to say what he thinks for the common good. … We have the right to have this freedom openly without offending,” he said, according to Reuters. http://www.voanews.com/content/pope-francis-speaks-against-insulting-others-religions/2599338.html

The Pope's words go against the Bible. Limits on freedom of expression should NOT be limits on truth. People who are believing lies may well be offended at the truth, but the truth still needs to be told.

The Bible teaches:

1 Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

Many are offended to be told that they are sinning, but the Bible says to tell them anyway.

Is Pope Francis also trying to say that one cannot give one’s opinion about religions that one feels is false?

Whether he is or not, his comments are helping to set the stage for censorship.

Notice what Jesus taught:

31… If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32)

43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.  44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.  45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.  46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?  47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. (John 8:43-47)

Many were offended by Jesus’ words.  Notice:

56 … Where then did this Man get all these things?” 57 So they were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” (Matthew 13:56-57)

Does Pope Francis not grasp that Jesus offended people who would not accept the true religion He was teaching?

The Apostles offended others when they preached as well:

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. …

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. (Acts 5:17-21)

Notice that the high priest and the Sadducees were so offended that they became indignant and imprisoned the apostles for teaching the truth. Surely, Pope Francis should not consider this imprisonment a proper reaction to becoming offended, yet his words suggest that he is supportive.

Notice also the following from former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton:

Hillary Clinton: Religious Beliefs Must Be Changed to Achieve Social Justice

April 24, 2015

In a fiery speech Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton argues that deep seated religious beliefs must be changed so that everyone can enjoy full participation in every aspect of society.

Clinton, speaking in Manhattan on Thursday at the sixth annual Women in The World Summit, declared that “deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases” must be changed both in the U.S. and around the world in order to achieve social justice.

Clinton, after discussing the pressing social justice issues of domestic violence and women’s reproductive health, said:

Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will. And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed.

As I have said and as I believe, the advancement of the full participation of women and girls in every aspect of their societies is the great unfinished business of the 21st century and not just for women but for everyone — and not just in far away countries but right here in the United States.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2015/04/hillary-clinton-religious-beliefs-must-be-changed-to-achieve-social-justice/#sthash.u8Q6OrVv.dpuf

She wants religious views changed so that people will embrace abortion, homosexuality, and other immoral positions that Christians should condemn. Since she wants religous beliefs changed, essentially in violation of the first amendment to the US Constitution, it is not a far stretch to stifle religious speech.

What about Europe?

And under Herbert Armstrong's direction, his church taught that the King of the North would unite the people of Europe and various numbers of days:

The indication is the armies of the "beast" of Revelation 17, entering Jerusalem (...Zech. 14:2), will stop this "daily sacrifice"...And the abomination that maketh desolate set up." What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15...From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ's coming will be 1290 days (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General's Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

The Hitler-Mussolini kingdom was the sixth head of the beast. The next leader to unite the peoples of Europe will constitute the "beast" mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. He will also be the "king of the north" mentioned in Daniel 11...The king of the north is going to move to Mount Zion, and he will be joined there by a false prophet who will work great miracles (McNair, Raymond. Watch the Middle East. The Good News, August, 1974, pp. 10-15).

And the abomination that maketh desolate set up." What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15...From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ's coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days." Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us--GOD"S CHURCH--who wait and endure until the 1335 days--approximately 1335 days prior to Christ's coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins... That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear--the revival of the medieval "Holy Roman Empire." (Armstrong HW. Personal, The Time We are In, Now. Good News magazine January 1980).

While I tend to believe that the persecution will probably begin at/near the 1335 days, I am less certain which day we stop proclaiming the gospel—though this may precisely be when it is stopped in an organized matter--like being kicked off the internet. As the above shows, Herbert W. Armstrong clearly wrote that there would be a future fulfillment of Daniel 11:31 (in the King of the North article there is also a quote where he shows verse 21 as future fulfillment) and other verses in Daniel. And as the above shows, Herbert Armstrong taught that something would afflict the Church/work forty-five days prior to Daniel 11:31. And that around when the revival of the "Holy Roman Empire"--which scripture shows will be led by the King of the North--will occur and the 1335 days will begin (which is apparently 75 days prior to the start of the Great Tribulation). Hence those writings support the idea looking at the few verses prior to Daniel 11:31 to see what might stop the work is consistent with the intent of what he wrote. In addition, Matthew 24:14, which comes just before Matthew 24:15, states that the gospel will be preached and then the end will come, thus this is another reason why confirmation for the organized work ending should be found prior to Daniel 11:31 or perhaps Daniel 11:33 as many will be reached then.

Because the 1290 days starts with Daniel 11:31, the 1335 days must begin prior to that, such as in Daniel 11:28 or 11:30--a time of persecution for the Philadelphians. The basic understanding that the old WCG had was that the Philadelphian Christians may have up to 75 days notice that the Great Tribulation would start, and that they would need to flee per Revelation 12:14-16. The idea is/was that one would wait 1335 days, as Daniel 12 state, that being 1260 in a place of safety plus the 75 days prior (1260 + 75 = 1335). And essentially a famine of the word would occur.

Remember that the Bible warns a time will come when people will not be able to find the truth:

12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:12, KJV)

The above will apparently happen after Daniel 11:33 is fulfilled, but portions may begin as early as Daniel 11:28. This is NOT a time without any Bibles as they are in many places, but most likely a loss of broadcast ability on places like the internet.

The work (in the Amos 8:12 sense) may very well be stopped by government officials (like on the internet, radio, etc.) and persecutions began because people of the holy covenant (Daniel 11:28-30) are warning the world of the results of their sins (which they will not want pointed out), falsehoods about other religions, preaching the millennial gospel of the kingdom, and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling these prophecies in Daniel 11.

Teaching Certain Biblical Truths Will Be Condemned so CCOG is Not a 501(c)(3)

Notce the following:

WHY ALL CHURCHES SHOULD BE A 508(c)(1)(a)

Cleveland Futch & Dan Peterson*

I . Free Expression of Religion and Freedom o f Speech o r Not, That is t he Question There is considerable confusion today on what pastors can and cannot say from the pulpit. 1 Most of this confusion rests squarely on the structural foundation of the church. If the church is founded as a 501 (c)(3), the church has free speech restrictions. 2 All 501 (c)(3) organizations are prohibited from influencing legislation and political campaigns. 3 As social issues have become political issues, churches and church leaders are increasingly avoiding issues, avoiding taking positions, and selectively addressing Biblical principles and training Godly leaders out of fear of what might happen if they do. Now more than ever churches need to lead in the call of training and developing leaders in our communities and nation consistent with Biblical beliefs. Our hope is that professionals who advise religious leaders will remain open to learning a better way to structure churches and church ministries to affect that call . The purpose of this analysis is to show the dangers and restrictions of the church foundation a s a 501 (c)(3) compared to the benefits and rights of the church being a 508 (c)(1)(a). 4

In 1954 our U.S. Congress amended Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code to include language that these organizations could no longer “participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.” The bill was introduced by then Senator Lynden Johnson to silence two private foundations that supported his political opponent. Be fore this amendment there were no speech restrictions on churches. Since the amendment passed , the IRS has maintained that church’ s speech and pastor ’ s sermons , in the IRS’ sole judgement, could be interpreted as supporting or opposing candidates or attempting to influence legislation and can result in the church losing its tax exempt status. Many churches and church leaders accept this interpretation of the Code and avoid speech that could be construed as political. We believe that the speech restrictions of the Johnson Amendment in Section 501(c)(3) are unconstitutional in restricting speech of pastors and churches.

Explaining that the Bible teaches that a Babylonian religion with daughters who oppose biblical doctrine should be warned against (Revelation 17-18) is something that the most faithful should be doing now (cf. Isaiah 58:1; Matthew 24:14)–this is not the time to hold back out of fear of offense or being called names. Pope Francis has called it the "devil's work" to oppose his interfaith plans, whereas the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew has stated that those who oppose ecumenical dialogue are “unacceptably fanatical” (see Pope Francis misunderstands the devil’s unity).

The faithful will be saying things that are not “politically correct” to the point that one or more governments will take action. This is especially the case, if we are saying, and I expect to help do this, that a certain individual is the King of the North and that he will invade and destroy the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, etc., and then the Middle East/North Africa. Many will hear that message.

This would have to affect media such as the internet. Currently people from hundreds of countries and territories routinely visit CCOG-related websites, such as this one. In case any of this sounds far-fetched, notice something that happened in Turkey:

January 26, 2015

ANKARA (Reuters) - A Turkish court has ordered Facebook to block a number of pages deemed insulting to the Prophet Mohammad, threatening to stop access to the whole social networking site if it does not comply, local media reported. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/26/facebook-block-turkey_n_6544760.html

Governments will take action against us for going against the King of the North.

Now, as it turns out, Herbert W. Armstrong taught something about how the timing of the work being finished, that although I must have read years ago, did not remember, or tie it in with this until 12/29/21. Anyway, Herbert Armstrong wrote:

When this European empire is perfected, the great Work God is doing through this Church will be quickly completed--finished .(Armstrong HW. Great Significance of Summit Conference. Pastor General's Report, Vol. 2, No. 26, June 27, 1980)

The above is, whether he realized it or not, essentially a reference to the short work.

The King of the North will talk of peace and safety, but will bring destruction. This is prophesied:

3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:3-4)

21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. ...

29 "At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage.

"So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. ...

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.

40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. (Daniel 11:20-24; 29-35; 39-40)

Consider that ships from the West as Daniel 11:30 is translated in other versions (GWT, NLT, NIV) come against the King of the North--these would seem to have to be USA ships. And instead of being furious against the USA, the King of the North is upset with the "holy covenant--Philadelphian remnant Christians. This suggests that, although the USA is NOT the Beast of Sea nor the Beast of the Earth in Revelation 13, some in the USA may well stop the internet or other aspects of endtime proclamation to help the Beast get Amos 8:11-12 fulfilled.

Yet, God’s work still will be accomplished and the final phase of the work completed. Even lay Christians will be involved in this short work. Notice again, verse 33:

33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.

This is most definitely a reference to a SHORT WORK. The word "many" is not in the original Hebrew, but was improperly added by the NKJV translators. Notice it is "the people who understand shall instruct many" for days. These people are doing part of the short work--many of them are simply members of the true Church that volunteeer to do what Jesus would have them do--they are Philadelphians who will not deny Him:

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)

32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33).

The work will get done--though many who claim to be Christian, including the Laodiceans, will not support it as they should (cf. Revelation 3:14-22).

Who Will Be Doing This Work?

The Bible teaches:

40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 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 13:40-41)

5 Look among the nations and watch —
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you. (Habakkuk 1:5)

How will it be done:

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)

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

God's Spirit has been involved in this work--yet many despise God's use of dreams which come from His Holy Spirit (see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

Never before have so few people with such relatively few financial resources reached so many with so much around the world. Never has a Church of God made The Gospel of the Kingdom of God available in so many languages. We have also have the broadest radio presence of any Church of God group this decade (see also Continuing Church of God Multimedia page). Unpaid volunteers with guidance by the Holy Spirit are doing a work many despise, but Jesus is opening the doors for His Philadelphian remnant.

Understand that much of the work is being done by unpaid volunteers around the world who do the translations, editing, Bible News Prophecy online radio, Bible News Prophecy Flipboard page, and conduct services. Furthermore, although I write most of the articles and booklets, I too am a volunteer. This does not mean that ministers and workers should not be paid (they are entitled to be), but notice also the following warning:

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them."

7 'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 "As I live," says the Lord God, "surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock" — 9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! 10 Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them." (Ezekiel 34:1-10)

The Continuing Church of God is the only USA-headquartered COG in the top ten groups, in terms of global attendees, who somewhat came from the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God that does not have a paid USA ministry.

Was that because I had a plan to do that to fulfill Ezekiel 34:1-10?

No, but that is how it has worked out. Even if we do later have a paid USA ministry, I believe our formation and practices since 2012 demonstrate that we are NOT amongst those that Ezekiel 34 condemned (a significant amount of our income goes to support the poor in Africa physically, and to feed people around the world spiritually.

Why is the CCOG leading the final phase of the work? Well other than the fact that volunteers like me have not compromised for money, notice the following:

4 For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. (Psalm 33:4)

We are accumulating truths about Christian doctrine, church history, and prophecy. The work is being done in truth. The church is organized for that purpose (cf. Ephesians 4:11-16).

The Philadelphian members of God's Church believe, and when needed verify, the truth, which they love.

We differ from those who do not have the same love for the truth.

3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me. (Psalm 101:3)

18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered. (Proverbs 11:18-21)

10 Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully, (Jeremiah 48:10)

There is a time to do the 'short work':

17 I said in my heart,

"God shall judge the righteous and the wicked,
For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work." (Ecclesiastes 3:17)

13 Therefore the Lord said:

"Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
14 Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work
Among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder;
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden." (Isaiah 29:13-14)

6 But you shall be named the priests of the Lord,
They shall call you the servants of our God.
You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,
And in their glory you shall boast.
7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

8 "For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
And their offspring among the people.
All who see them shall acknowledge them,
That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed." (Isaiah 61:6-9)

10 The Lord has revealed our righteousness.
Come and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God. (Jeremiah 51:10)

4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the Lord; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the Lord, 'and work; for I am with you,' says the Lord of hosts. 5 'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!'

6 "For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:4-7)

28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." (John 6:28-29)

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. (John 17:17)

The truth is not simply 'technical details' that the non-Christians and Laodiceans wish to ignore or discount.

The Bible prophesies that God would pour out His Spirit in the last days to include dreams and prophecies (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18) and one COG, thee CCOG, has them. For details, check out the article Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

If you are not part of CCOG and God is not supernaturally intervening this way in your group, what makes you think He must do so later? People in CCOG have learned about this and can confidently instruct many.

The Apostle John wrote:

10 Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings." (Revelation 10:10-11)

There are a variety of views of what this may mean. Some suggest it means that John gave messages in Ephesus or elsewhere later that were not recorded in the Bible. Here are some Protestant comments about part of that:

Moreover, this may not so much design John's prophesying in person, as the prophesying: of the witnesses or ministers of the word in the several periods of time, whom John personated and represented; (Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible viewed 01/18/15)

The direct address is to John himself; but it is evidently not to be understood of him personally. ...

Again - πάλιν palin. This had been done before. That is, supposing this to refer to the time of the Reformation, it could be said:

(a) that this had been done before - that the gospel had been in former times proclaimed in its purity before "many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings"; and,

(b) that it would be done "again"; that is, though the Word of God had been hidden, and a mass of corrupt traditions had taken its place, yet the time would come when those pure truths would be made known again to all lands. This will explain the word "again" in this place - not meaning that John would do this personally, but that this would be in fact the result of the restoration of the Bible to the church. (Barnes' Notes on the Bible viewed 01/18/15)

The late Herbert W. Armstrong seemed to share the view that it was not a message for the Apostle John to fulfill personally. Perhaps, someone is to come in the spirit and power of John, like John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (cf. Luke 1:17).

Many rejected Jesus:

42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:

'The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord's doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes'?

43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." (Matthew 21:42-44)

Many reject true Philadelphians and their leadership today. This is why the Continuing Church of God had to form.

Furthermore, will the short work be supported by the elite? Well, not many of them. Notice:

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

Consider, also, that God can raise up stones to cry out--that indicates that He can use regular people as well. Notice what John the Baptist and Jesus taught:

8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. (Luke 3:8)

39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples."

40 But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:39-40)

Although Jesus was not lifeless, stones are lifeless. Many with us were essentially lifeless. Some left the Church of God for years. Others followed heretical leaders. Relatively few had much involvement in truly being part of the work of Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20 for years. Some seem 'odd' or otherwise do not fit in. Anyway, if you support the 'short work' do not be offended by the stone analogy as Jesus even used it about Himself.

15 Minutes of Fame?

We are preparing for something like the “fifteen minutes of fame” that late Andy Warhol indicated individuals or phenomena would be able to experience, as having a short-period of more influence is consistent with scripture.

At risk of repeat, notice the following from the Book of Daniel:

25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. 27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time. 28 While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land. (Daniel 11:25-28, NKJV)

28 Then the king of the north will return to his country with great treasures. But on the way, he will attack the religion of God’s people and do whatever else he pleases. (Daniel 11:28, CEV)

Partially because of the warning message we (the people of the holy covenant) are preaching,  this will upset the upcoming prince/King of the North (Daniel 11:28). One or more associated with the Continuing Church of God will already have been identifying that the European “prince” (Daniel 9:26-27) who is rising up to become a king, is not able to truly bring peace, but instead teach that he will bring war and will be in league with the final Antichrist.

Consider the following:

29 At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant (Daniel 11:29-30).

30 For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant. (Daniel 11:30 New Living Translation 1996 Greg Laurie).

Note: the Hebrew term translated as “Cyprus” in the NKJV is a mistranslation. The KJV uses the term Chittim which means “Western lands.” Hence the King of the North will be stopped by a western naval power (likely the USA and/or its British-descended allies) and the not nation of Cyprus. More details are in the article Who is the King of the North?

Yet, instead consider also that the King of the North is more enraged by the people of the “holy covenant” than the naval power who stopped him!

Why?

Because he wants to try to stop the supporters of “the holy covenant” from proclaiming the truth about his intentions and truth about the gospel of the kingdom (c.f. Matthew 24:14). The King of the North will attempt to learn more about how to eliminate us and any who follow us by trying to be nice to various apostates (those who “forsake the holy covenant”)–he tries to get some of them to betray true Christians (Matthew 24:10).

Why would this be?

Most likely this occurs because the people of the holy covenant are proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14, as that immediately precedes “the end”) and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling prophecies in Daniel 11 and he wants them stopped.

It is my belief that after the peace deal in Daniel 9:27/11:23 has been made and/or confirmed by “the prince to come,” that the group that best represents the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the church per Revelation 3:7–11, the Continuing Church of God), will be publicly identifying the person who confirmed the deal (“the prince”) as the one who fulfilled Daniel 9:27/11:23-24. This enrages the King of the North so much that he initially tries to eliminate these people through political pressure and selected persecution (cf. Daniel 7:25a).

Once we clearly identify him, we plan to specifically teach that he is about to destroy the USA (Daniel 11:39) and its British-descended allies (cf. Daniel 8:24-25), and that later he will conquer a confederation of nations in North Africa and the Middle East which will be under the control of someone that the Bible refers to as the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43).

We will also be warning that the idea of a human-led utopia is false and that it is only through Jesus’ return and the gospel of the kingdom that such a utopian condition will happen (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

This would be expected to trigger major media coverage. Scrutiny of real, as well as claimed, Church of God literature will likely happen and various aspects of real and incorrect COG doctrines will likely be ridiculed. Media coverage would then be expected to cover more of the message we are proclaiming (cf. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God) and this would be associated with the “short work” of Romans 9:28. Media coverage will also encourage people around the globe to check out more of our teachings, which is one of the reasons that we have multiple websites, video platforms, and materials in over 160 languages.

Back to the Book of Daniel:

33 Those with insight will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by sword or flame, or be captured or plundered. 34 Now when they fall, they will be granted a little help, but many will join them insincerely. 35 Some of the wise will fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

36 Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished. (Daniel 11:33-36, BSB)

“Those with insight” are Philadelphian Christians (and likely some other supporters) who will be instructing many. This is during the time of the short work–and this will lead to the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 and then the ‘famine of the word’ (Amos 8:11-12).

Some of the Philadelphia remnant will be explaining that it is Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God and not the rise of a militaristic leader that the world needs. According to Daniel 11:32 it is “the people who know their God [that] shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Hundreds of millions, if not billions, will receive at least a partial witness. All of that will likely trigger the King of the North to take actions that lead to the end–this includes the persecutions, pre- (Daniel 7:25a, 11:29-36) and post-tribulation (Daniel 7:25b; Revelation 13:5-7).

Much of what the volunteers of the Continuing Church of God are now doing is involved with preparing and/or translating materials in multiple languages for multiple websites to provide a witness to those who will later look.

Short Work Takes Preparation

God warned Noah of the great flood and told him to prepare (Genesis 6:13-21) and Noah did (Genesis 6:22). It took many years (some think nearly 100) as he acquired materials, made plans, and constructed the Ark. But the rain itself only last 40 days (Genesis 7:4,12). The total time he and his family were in the Ark was just under 11 months (cf. Genesis 7:11; 8:13). But if Noah and his family had not prepared for the short work of surviving the flood, humanity would have died (unless God devised another way).

As part of that preparation, we in the CCOG also read the entire ‘book of the law’ every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles as instructed in Deuteronomy 31:10-13 (see also The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law). We also have fulfilled Jesus' instructions to teach all things He commanded (Matthew 28:19-20) via a series of sermons covering all the verses of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts, and then also Jesus' words in Revelation and elsewhere in the New Testament.

Not many Christians are in churches that do that--despite it being a biblical command. Many have also discounted other matters of doctrine, instruction, preparation, and prophecy.

The Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God states as part of the church's mission is for its members:

To be examples (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 1:7) and educated witnesses (Matthew 24:14; Daniel 11:33) to the world in general, as well as other Christians (Daniel 11:32-33).

We are working on that.

For thousands of years, God has been waiting for the world to get the witness of the gospel of the kingdom. It will happen, and then the end will come.

What does God's word teach about who will reach many? Who will instruct many?

The most faithful.

Recall what the Bible teaches:

32... the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; (Daniel 11:32-33)

This is part of why you need Bible study, you need to learn from sermons and sermonettes, you need to know more about doctrine, prophecy, and church history, and why you should try to attend the Feast of Tabernacles. We in the Continuing Church of God are leading what I have termed the final phase of the work--and the most faithful need to have their part in supporting it--which includes preparing for the short work.

We Christians are to preach “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matthew 24:14) and “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). See also the Continuing Church of God Multimedia page.

This involves being able to reach people in multiple languages (see also Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages).

The Bible shows that this ultimately results in followers from all over and in all languages:

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)

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). 

Thus, it makes sense to get materials into whatever languages God will open up to us (cf. Revelation 3:7-8; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12).

Translators and editors are helping us prepare for the short work.

God will have Philadelphians instruct many.

That is why we have the literature we now have.

We are also getting our websites ready in preparation, not only to reach those we can now (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20), but also to reach out to all that we can in the short work. We will reach billions, directly and/or indirectly.

Will you support the short work?

Will you be among those that will instruct many?

Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.

Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:

Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
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?
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 is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
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.
The Temple and the Work This article discusses the two temples of the Old Testament and gives insight as to their possible relevance to the situation which has impacted the Church during this past decade or so.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.

Thiel B. The Short Work. COGwriter (c) https://www.cogwriter.com/short-work.htm 2015/2016/2017/2018/2019/2020/2021 / 2022 / 2023 2024 1029

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