June 2010

June 15, 2010

Dear Brethren,

As we head into summer, the entire world is being confronted with enormous problems. First, there are these: Iceland’s continuing volcanic eruptions, the nearly unstoppable oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, war in Afghanistan and revolution in Thailand. Second, there is the financial meltdown of Europe threatening to collapse the European Monetary System and the Euro, as well as the entire world’s banking, trading and financial systems. Third, in addition to the USA, there are massive unemployment problems in many nations, with government deficit spending hitting astronomical proportions—in the trillions of dollars. Moreover, there are no apparent answers to these vast problems.

Why? Because the world has rejected the true God and His Son Jesus Christ. As a result, one global crisis leads to another—and, inevitably, the nations move from one war to another. Clearly, the world is in rebellion against God, setting the stage for the return of Jesus Christ as prophesied in Psalm two: “Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lordand against His Christ, saying, ‘Let us break Their bands asunder and cast away Their cords from us [let’s get rid of God].’ He Who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and in His fury He terrifies them [at Jesus’ return]. ‘Yea, I have set My king upon My holy mountain of Zion.’ ‘I will declare the decree of the Lord. He has said to Me, “You are My Son; this day I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” ’ ” (verses 1-9).

At the same time, lawlessness spreads around the world like a plague, just as Jesus prophesied to his disciples: “And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him alone, saying, ‘Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the completion of the age?’

“Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Be on guard, so that no one deceives you. For many shall come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ”; and they shall deceive many. And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you do not let these things disturb you. For it is necessary that all these things take place, but the end is not yet.

“ ‘For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places. Now all these things are the beginning of sorrows [we are now in the grips of these sorrows].

“ ‘Then shall they deliver you up to affliction, and shall kill you; and you shall be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be led into sin, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another; and many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many; and because lawlessness shall be multiplied, the love of many shall grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, that one shall be saved’ ” (Matt. 24:3-13).

While we can clearly see all these events taking place, the end is not yet! Luke’s account sheds additional light on end-time events: “And He said, ‘Beware that you be not deceived; for many shall come in My name, saying, “I am Christ”; and, “The time has drawn near.” Therefore, do not go after them.

“ ‘And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified; for it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end will not come immediately.’ Then He said to them, ‘Nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall also be great earthquakes in different places, and famines and pestilences; and there shall be fearful sights and great signs from heaven’ ” (Luke 21:8-11).

In the world’s churches and religions—and even within the churches of God—we will see men who will rise up and claim that the Great Tribulation is at hand. But it is not! Therefore, as Jesus instructed, we are not to follow them.

Remember, the Great Tribulation cannot begin until Jerusalem is surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20) and the “abomination that makes desolate” stands in the holy place, in the coming temple yet to be built in Jerusalem. Only when that happens, then the Tribulation will begin, as Jesus clearly said: “Therefore, WHEN you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one who reads, let him understand)…. For THEN shall there be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be again” (Matt. 24:15, 21). Thus, until that time, we are still in the period of “sorrows” and lawlessness. Moreover, we do not know how long these conditions will continue into the future, as Jesus did not give us an exact time frame.

The apostle Paul also prophesied of these days, showing us the root cause of all these problems: human nature run amuck. “Know this also, that in the last days perilous times shall come; for men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, braggarts, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, despisers of those who are good, betrayers, reckless, egotistical, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; having an outward appearance of godliness, but denying the power of true godliness. But as for you, turn away from all these.

“For from men such as these come those who are worming their way into houses, and are gaining control over empty-headed gullible women given over to various sins, being driven by all kinds of lust. They are always learning but are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now just as Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, in the same manner also these are brazenly standing against the truth; they are men of depraved minds, reprobate in respect to the faith” (II Tim. 3:1-8).

In spite of the fact that we are living in perilous times, facing dangers and uncertainties, we need to constantly be trusting in God for His protection. “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul trusts in You; yea, in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge until these great troubles pass by. I will cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. He shall send from heaven and save me from the scorn of him who would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth” (Psa. 57:1-3).

God will deliver us out of all such troubles. We will go through them, but He will deliver us out of them. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall always be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant; and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lordheard, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lordencamps around those who fear Him and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. O fear the Lord, all you saints, for there is nothing lacking to those who fear Him” (Psa. 34:1-9).

This is why we need to keep our minds fixed on God the Father and Jesus Christ every day—and never loose sight of that! We need to pray to God as David did: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise. Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I myself will awake the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the people; I will sing to You among the nations, for Your steadfast mercy is great even unto the heavens and Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be above all the earth” (Psa. 57:7-11).

Brethren, stay close to God in prayer and study, for He is with you in everything! Love Him and cleave to Him with all your heart, mind and strength. For only through Jesus Christ is there salvation.

The Judaism Book

We have just completed the new book, Judaism—Revelation of Moses or Religion of Men? This information is most essential. In fact, it is impossible to understand key portions of the New Testament without a proper understanding of the influence of Jewish religion on the apostolic church.

Our editor, Philip Neal, who has been working on this book for nearly two years, finished the final touches this past week. We immediately sent all the files for printing to Thomson-Shore, in Dexter, Michigan. They should finish printing the book in approximately four to five weeks. When it is completed, we will automatically mail a copy to everyone on our mailing list.YOU WILL NOT NEED TO ORDER YOUR COPY.

The relationship between Judaism and Christianity is universally misunderstood, even by many in the churches of God. Today, most people erroneously believe that the Jewish religion is very much like Christianity—except that Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah and they reject the authority of the New Testament. (They also observe the seventh-day Sabbath instead of Sunday.) But this perception is incorrect; as this book will show, Judaism and true Christianity are completely incompatible.

There are numerous hate-filled books that attack the Jews and their religion. However, Philip did not write his book in this manner. Rather, he quotes directly from the rabbis and Jewish religious authorities—using their own writings and their own words to reveal the truth about Judaism. The following is the foreword I wrote for the book.

Foreword

The Jewish community openly promotes Rabbinical Judaism as “the Old Testament religion of Moses.” Overwhelmingly, Christians believe this premise to be accurate. Jews, it is assumed, are for the most part just like Christians—except they don’t accept Jesus as the Messiah. As well, biblical scholars and theologians have taken for granted that Christianity itself is a direct, first-century outgrowth of Judaism. The popular view is that Jesus was a revolutionary Jewish rabbi who practiced the laws and traditions of Judaism, yet managed to sharply challenge the status quo.

In terms of religious practice, Judaism is centered on its collection of “oral traditions” known as the Talmud. The typical Christian understanding of the Talmud is that its precepts are detailed expositions on the Scriptures, and that its numerous highly-specific traditions are designed to protect the Jew from violating the written Torah or Law of God.

But are these and similar assumptions accurate? Is Judaism really the embodiment of the religion God gave to ancient Israel through Moses and the prophets? Is Christianity really an offshoot of Judaism? Did Jesus observe the traditions and customs of first-century Jewish religion? Does the Talmud really reflect the spirit and intent of the Scriptures?

Most Christians know little or nothing about Judaism, and appear quite oblivious of the centuries-old antagonism that still festers between the two religions. The constant conflict that took place between the first-century progenitors of Judaism (the Pharisees) and Jesus and His followers is found throughout the New Testament. But how could Jesus have found such fault with the very religion that was supposedly representative of the Old Testament? Noting this paradox, many Christians have wrongly concluded that Jesus must have been against Moses and the Old Testament.

Indeed, Judaism’s bold claim to be the “natural descendant” of the religion of Moses has had a profound impact on how Christianity has interpreted the New Testament. But what if the Jews’ claim is false? Would not such a faulty premise cause Christians to terribly misunderstand the New Testament? Is it possible that a flawed understanding of Rabbinical Judaism—one that fails to comprehend how the religion really developed and what it really teaches—will lead to a flawed understanding of Christianity and its message of salvation?

While most authors neglect to ask (let alone answer) such questions concerning the Jewish religion, Philip Neal’s book, Judaism—Revelation of Moses or Religion of Men?, challenges Christians to explore the possibility that Judaism is not at all what it purports to be. This book broaches a key subject Christians everywhere need to understand: Is Judaism legitimately the religion of Moses as set forth in the Old Testament, or is it merely a religion of men?

In answering this question—to demonstrate exactly what Judaism entails—Philip Neal has drawn from a variety of scholarly works, including Judaism’s own cherished writings: the Mishnah, the Talmud, the “Code of Jewish Law,” and sundry classic rabbinic works. Yet, while similar books are more of a diatribe against Jews, Neal’s book is straightforward, fair and balanced—and only seeks to reveal what Judaism actually teaches. As the reader will see, Neal has uniquely accomplished this by allowing the Jewish rabbis themselves—using their words—to express the facts about their own religion: its pagan origin; how it has openly denied the Scriptures; its bias against non-Jews; how it has vilified Christianity.

As Neal demonstrates, Judaism is based on secret laws, traditions and scriptural interpretations that God allegedly “whispered into Moses’ ear” at Mt. Sinai. The rabbis maintain that Moses was forbidden to make a written record of these esoteric instructions. Rather, the teachings were to be passed on orally, generation by generation, to only the most scholarly and pious Jewish leaders. However, centuries later, these “revelations” were written down, and exist today in the form of the Talmud. Importantly, these “oral traditions” form the very core, the foundation of Judaism—even to the exclusion of the Scriptures! As Neal brings out, rabbis consider these secret, oral laws and traditions to be superior to the written Law that God originally gave to the nation of Israel by the hand of Moses. Most do not realize that when rabbis speak of the “Torah of Moses” they are including their “oral traditions” along with the written Law (the Pentateuch) of Moses. But in actual practice, observant Jews revere and exalt the Talmud, and all but ignore the Scriptures.

How, then, can Judaism possibly be the true “religion of Moses”?

In researching the thousands of Talmudic laws and regulations, Neal has come to realize that Judaism is a religious system designed to legislate morality for its adherents. The daily life of the observant Jew is burdened with an exhaustive code of legal minutia that covers virtually every thought, situation or activity. As Neal brings out, such authoritarian oppression not only makes a mockery of true religion, it actually destroys the Jew’s ability to “think for himself” in the development of genuine moral character.

As alluded to above, Christianity’s poor understanding of Judaism has caused considerable confusion—especially when studying the apostle Paul’s complex writings concerning law-keeping and grace. In certain key passages dealing with “law” and “works of law,” it is widely assumed that Paul’s intention is to condemn or abolish the laws and commandments of God. Rather, as Neal’s book shows, Paul was, in those instances, explicitly rejecting the Jews’ traditional “laws” and condemning the idea of attaining “righteousness” through Pharisaic “works of law.” In fact, many of Paul’s teachings on grace, works and law-keeping deal with Judaic traditions rather than God’s Law as found in the Old Testament. This insufficiency in understanding Judaism—coupled with inaccurate translations of critical sections of Paul’s epistles—has especially affected the Protestant view of “law and grace.” Consequently, many Christians are mistakenly taught that Jesus and Paul abolished the laws and commandments of God through grace—yet nothing could be further from the truth!

As this book shows, Jesus upheld the written Law of God as found in the Old Testament—fully emphasizing its spiritual intent—while at the same time rejecting the traditional laws and practices of first century Jewish religion.

Without question, Neal’s eye-opening book, Judaism—Revelation of Moses or Religion of Men?, is a must-read for every Christian who desires to fully understand the message of the New Testament, as well as the entire Bible.

Fred R. Coulter

Everyone who reads the Bible, or is a Christian, or attends one of the churches of God, needs to read this book. Without this knowledge, it is nearly impossible to understand original, biblical Christianity. The extended study series Scripturalism vs. Judaism (available online at cbcg.org) is highly recommended in conjunction with this new book. This series is an in-depth study of the Gospel of Matthew, showing that the teachings and traditions of Judaism and the teachings of Jesus Christ have nothing in common other than the framework of the Law, Sabbath and holy days.

Church at Home

Although the concept of Church at Home was first formulated in 2002, we were very busy at that time producing the New Testament, as well as a number of other books. Later, we were highly focused on producing the complete Bible (the second edition was finished in October 2009). However, as we look back at it now, it is absolutely clear that these vital projects were needed before we could develop Church at Home.

Our first video program, Why Church at Home?, was recorded in November 2009. Since then we have recorded over fifty programs, with thirty-five fully edited programs now online for viewing around the world, 24/7.

Producing half-hour videos is much more expensive and time consuming than making audio messages and CDs. For each half-hour video, it takes about thirteen and a half hours or more of editing before the video is ready to go online. Every month we continue to add more half-hour video programs. Our goal is to have literally hundreds of programs available.

With the rapid decline of Protestantism—which is plagued by humanistic doctrines, corruption at all levels, and a lack of meaningful teachings—people are leaving churches in droves. At the same time, would-be church-goers are faced with a plethora of problems: political corruption and turmoil; war and unrest; massive personal and national debt and financial difficulties; recession and inflation; unemployment and foreclosures; the invasion of illegal aliens; crime and drug trafficking; “natural” disasters; the threat of terrorist attacks; and more. People are worried and have a nagging, foreboding sense that something is deeply and spiritually wrong. And there seems to be no end in sight! Many feel that God has abandoned them; others sense that God is using these traumatic problems and circumstances to correctthis nation for its sins—and they are absolutely correct!

Interestingly, one result of these ongoing conditions and circumstances is that more and more people are quitting church. According to numerous surveys and studies, people are staying home, studying their Bibles, and searching the Internet for spiritual and biblical answers to national and personal problems.

This is why God has opened the door for Church at Home at this time. Although we have not yet widely advertised Church at Home on the Internet, we have had an excellent response, as you will see from the following letters and e-mails.

Letters and E-mails about Church at Home

Dear Fred Coulter,

We have been listening to your audio/video sermons on Chuyrch at Home and on the CBCG website. We are currently reading the book Occult Holidays or God’s Holy Days—Which? and our eyes have been opened to the REAL truth of God’s word—not a watered-down and “warm and fuzzy” phony truth that we’ve been told when we attended our “Sunday-keeping” church.

It is amazing how so many people truly believe that these holidays—Christmas, Easter, etc. are from God. They don’t actually know the TRUE origins of them and yet they blindly celebrate them all in God’s name when God has NOTHING to do with these holidays and it’s all pagan/occult practices. Yet, in the churches—even our church we once attended continues to “believe” that it’s all been sanctified by God and has His approval.

The main reason I’m writing today is to ask: How can we be baptized in the Name of Jesus? We were baptized as Baptists. But, we have since ended all ties with that church after dissatisfaction with continually hearing sermons which seemed to not make any sense. Many sermons were being used to embarrass fellow church members who’s problems were known to the church pastor. Most of all we just got the feeling that God NOT present in that church at all. Your book and Church at Home , as well as the CBCG website, has taught us MORE in the past several months and actually had us studying our Bibles, which we did not do when we went to the Sunday-keeping church. If you can help in any way or point us in the direction on how we can become baptized into the truth, it would be greatly and sincerely appreciated. Thank you. C.T., Tennessee

Dear Fred,

I have to say that the messages on Church at Home are so meaningful and moving and captivating. You make every word count and don’t miss a beat. God is truly inspiring you and the delivery is such as I’ve never heard from anyone before. I listen to them over and over. My prayers are with you.

Indiana

Dear Fred,

First off, let me say the Church at Home videos are simply fantastic. I have DSL and it takes me about 20 minutes to download one, but the wait is well worth it. Thanks very much for having them available. I can readily understand why you are getting good results. Keep up the good work.

R.E.R., Georgia

Dear CBCG,

Several weeks ago, I wrote to Mr. Coulter regarding your church. I received the most marvelous book. I want to thank him for The Life of Jesus Christ—A Harmony of the Gospels in Modern English. Although I have not finished it, it is a marvelous book, and I am learning a lot from it. I really needed this book, and you delivered it. I am taking my time with it, and I am studying and thinking of God’s Holy Word.

I have been a Christian a lot of years, but needed a firm foundation because I did not understand it all. I have yearned for a good “Christ-teaching” church. In past years I have found J. Vernon McGee, and have been using his books. But this book really puts the emphasis of the Gospels on Christ, where it certainly belongs. I plan on using your resources, and I want your organization and Mr. Coulter to know how much I appreciate the book. Again, thanks and may God continue to bless you all.

Dear Mr. Coulter,

We have just shared with our daughter your Church at Home video “Quitting Church.” We are going to take a break and then listen to some other videos of yours. They tell more truth than anyone we have ever heard. We have studied and know so many things about most churches, including the WCG and their splinter groups, but too many seem to be stuck in the same old rut.

I sometimes tell people that the Bible is like an onion with many layers and depths. At the center, when we finally get there, is the spiciest and sweetest part. My husband and I will be viewing more of the videos. We are praying for you and thanks for Church at Home.

J.D., Washington

E-mail #1:

Dear Mr. Coulter,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff for the Work you are doing, spreading the Truth of the Bible and God’s Plan for all of us who are called. I may have been in God’s Church for a while, but I was not taught some of the basics that YOU taught me through Church at Home.

You have no idea how inspirational your sermons are and how much I have hungered to learn what the Bible says. As I am stationed in Kosovo with the US Army, off-duty activities are scarce. For some, this is a problem; but for me, it’s been a wonderful opportunity to study God’s Word and LEARN much about the Bible. What free time I do have, I like to study the Word.

The more I learn about God’s Plan and what is REALLY in the Bible, opposed to what some Protestant minister says is in the Bible, the more comfortable I am with my life and what will become of myself when my time is up on this earth and I sleep.

Florida

E-mail #2:

I’ve just started watching your Church at Home videos; it’s nice to finally put a face to the audio sermons I’ve been listening to!

Cyprus

E-mail #3:

Good morning,

I am so very glad to have this new Church at Home site. Thank you for the hard work it takes to keep the site going for so many of us to enjoy. I truly am enjoying the Church at Home site as I am alone and not close enough to attend regular Sabbaths with fellow brethren. I really miss fellowship. I also enjoy getting to see Mr. Coulter during his messages. In a way, SEEING him is kind of like being there.

Mississippi

E-mail #4:

Dear Church at Home Group,

I am happy reading your teachings; they are blessings to me and to my congregation. May God bless you and your entire work you are doing; you are a true church of God.

Kenya

E-mail #5: —Refreshing!

Dear Church at Home,

I was on Facebook yesterday when an Internet friend posted your link. I looked at it and watched the video, “Quitting Church.” In 1980, as a young woman in my thirties, I began questioning the doctrines of the church I then attended (the Worldwide Church of God).

We left the WCG in 1993, before their big split. I saw the rumblings. I saw them [back] in 1980 [as well]. But we did not know where to go. I even quit going [anywhere] for nearly a year. But my husband wanted me to attend with him, so I did, though nothing had changed (and in fact was worse).

My husband and I will be viewing more of the videos and listening. Praying for you and “thanks” for Church at Home.

Washington

E-mail #6:

Dear Mr. Coulter,

I will make this brief, but I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this site. I am a visual learner and I love all that you are teaching. My parents have followed you for many years and I have always enjoyed your sermons. This site brings the best of both. Thank you again!

Wyoming

E-mail #7:

Dear Fred,

What a marvelous job you did on Church at Home. A friend made me aware of the new Website. Thank you so much for all that you do for the children of God. I pray that God will keep you filled to the full with His Holy Spirit—to guide, to nourish, to stimulate our brains for better understanding and a closer relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Pennsylvania

E-mail #8:

Dear Fred,

A lot of wonderful material; I was amazed. I copied several articles to read and add to what I already know. Thank you for all that you allow God to do through you. Virginia

E-mail #9:

Congratulations to you and your staff for producing a very high quality program. I find it easy to understand and full of vital scriptural topics.

California

E-mail #10:

The videos begin playing immediately; excellent vision and sound.

United Kingdom

E-mail #11:

I watched the first video, Why Church at Home?, and just wanted to thank you. My wife and I dropped out of a Sunday Pentecostal church a little over five months ago. I felt like we were being forced to speak in tongues, which did not happen. To me, it was like they were trying to control us rather than teach the Word of God. We have been holding our own worship service at home, and have been striving to keep God’s commandments. Keeping the Fourth Commandant is the main reason we left the church. The hard part is not having the fellowship we had, although last Saturday (Sabbath) we had a guest at our Home Service [who] said she wanted to come back next Sabbath. Praise God! She told a friend and my wife invited her, so maybe God is working in our small community. My question is, Can I download any of your videos and use them in our service? Thank you.

Texas

E-mail #12:

I absolutely love your program. I have watched many of your videos and listened to your audios, some more than once. I would like to make my tithes out to your organization as I have been fed much by you all. What is your address so I can get this in the mail? Thank you so much again for your honest and wonderful messages.

Respectfully Submitted, Texas

Brethren, we deeply thank you for your steadfast love and prayers for us and all the brethren. Your dedicated and continued support through your tithes and offerings for the work of the ministry is greatly appreciated. All of us together are serving the brethren and preaching the Gospel to the world. We are praying for you daily. We continually beseech God for your healing and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—that you will continue to grow spiritually day by day. Please, keep your hearts fixed to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and being. May God’s love, grace and blessings be with you every day.

With love in Christ Jesus,

Fred R. Coulter

FRC