Monthly letter archive

Christian Biblical Church of God

Post Office Box 1442

Hollister, California 95024-1442

(831)-637-1875
Fred R. Coulter
Minister

November 2, 2005

Dear Brethren,

This year, it was not possible to travel to Goshen as planned.  Hurricane Rita’s massive damage to oil production and refining facilities in the Gulf areas created such a spike in the price of jet fuel several airlines, including Delta, announced they would cancel selected flights on two days notice and combine them with other flights. Therefore, I had to cancel going to Goshen for the first day of the feast.  It was a big disappointment for me as well as the brethren.  Instead, I went to Waco, Texas for the first half of the feast and then to Monterey, California for the second half.

Despite all these difficulties, God again blessed us with a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles. While we have not yet received reports or comments from all the festival locations, those few we have received are very encouraging.  We will try to have these for you later this month.

Revelation Series: In this mailing, we are enclosing the completed chart for the Revelation Series along with the first three tapes of the series.  It is important to remember that the Book of Revelation cannot be read in isolation from the rest of the Bible because nearly every verse is jam packed with meaning from many other scriptures throughout the Old and New Testaments.  In order to understand this last and perhaps most important book of the Bible, one needs a basic understanding of the entire Bible as well as a fundamental knowledge of God’s feasts and holy days.

Key prophecies in this enigmatic book could not be completely comprehended by theologians and bible students until our time.  God told Daniel that even the prophecies He had given him to write were not to be understood until the time of the end: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased … And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Dan. 12:4, 9-10).

A perfect example is Revelation 13.  It is evident the Mark of the Beast prophecy was not meant to be understood until the time of the end.  In the past, the most common interpretation of the Mark of the Beast was that the Roman Catholic Church changed the weekly day of worship from the Sabbath to Sunday. It was believed that in the end times Rome would be able to enforce Sunday keeping upon the entire world. Today, the Seventh Day Adventists and some churches of God still believe that interpretation.   However, that scenario has not happened, nor is it likely to occur.  Consider for a moment “Sunday blue laws.”  If it were possible to enforce absolutely no buying or selling on Sunday, it would still be possible to buy and sell on the other days of the week.  Therefore, the Mark of the Beast cannot be Sunday keeping.

Before our knowledge of advanced electronic, computer and technological wonders of our time, people could not imagine a system where it would be possible to insert a numbered digital chip into the right hand or in the forehead of a person to be used as a means of buying and selling: “And he [the coming worldwide government] causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, to receive a mark in their right hands, or in their foreheads; so that no one may have the ability to buy and sell unless he has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Rev. 13:16-17).

Now we can realize that such a system is not only plausible, but has actually been implemented on a voluntary basis for the past 4-5 years. However, the time is coming when the Mark will be forced upon the entire world as the only method of buying and selling.  Consequently, when it happens, if a person does not have the official universal world’s standard of electonic/digital currency—the Mark—no one will be able to buy or sell.  At that time, businesses will no longer take money or credit cards.  Everyone will be required to have the Mark of the Beast.  We do not know how long it will take before this system is fully implemented, but it is coming.  When it is completely in place, it will affect all buying and selling on a worldwide basis.

Furthermore, as we have covered in the past, and will do again in the future, buying, selling and personal identification are only minor aspects of this coming new system.  The reason God is so against the Mark of the Beast is those who receive it will give up their free will and choice to the control of the Beast.  Mankind will be subject to constant 24 hours a day surveillance and authorities will be able to control minds, moods and feelings by remote satellite electronic control.

In Revelation Tape # 1, you will learn that without basic knowledge of the rest of the Bible it is impossible to comprehend or properly interpret the meaning Revelation 12 because there are so many complicated factors symbolized in it.  It likewise is an amazing chapter.

Because the book of Revelation is jam-packed with meaning from so many other scriptures in the Bible, I will follow up Revelation # 1-3 with a short series surveying the Keys to Understanding Revelation.  We will examine many verses in detail and others in an overview.  In each case, you will be amazed at how each verse, and in many cases each word in the book of Revelation relates to the rest of the Bible.

Revelation Series List: We are enclosing a list of all the tapes in the Revelation Series.  Please check your supply of past tapes and use these for the complete series.  As we go along we will add more messages to it as events unfold because it is a continual watching of events and studying Scriptures.

New Book: Since the Feast I have not had much time to concentrate on writing for the new book: Occult Holidays or God’s Holy Days—Which?  But this week I should be able to devote full time to writing.  At the present time, I am writing about the Last Great Day.  Because there is so much concerning its meaning in God’s plan, I have devoted an entire chapter to it.  The following is the final rough draft of its introduction.     

God’s Greatest Mystery of the Ages

Revealed in the Last Great Day

“As with the other fall festivals and holy days, the meaning of the Last Great Day could not be fully understood until the book of Revelation was written.  We have seen how Revelation 20 discloses that the Feast of Tabernacles portrays the establishing of the kingdom of God on earth.  It is a special one thousand-year period with an offer of universal salvation for all nations with Christ as King and those of the first resurrection serving as kings and priests.  Since the Last Great Day follows the Feast of Tabernacles, Revelation 20 also provides the final key to unlock God’s hidden secret meaning as revealed in this unique holy day.

In the Old Testament, the last holy day, after the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, is simply called “the eighth day … a holy convocation—a Sabbath” (Lev. 23:36, 39). In the Scriptures, it is the least mentioned and consequently the least understood of all the feasts or holy days of God.  Yet, with God that “which is least of all shall become great” (Luke 9:48; Matt. 13:32; I Cor. 15:9; Eph. 3:2).  Likewise, this seemingly obscure “eighth day” has perhaps the greatest meaning for all mankind than any other holy day.  From the Scriptures we will come to understand the meaning of this “least” holy day.  These Scriptures answer the most profound and seemingly unanswerable, unknown questions that men of all ages have pondered—the greatest mysteries of human existence.

When one views the panorama of human history from a single person to great civilizations, from the forgotten, unwanted and rejected, to famous, idolized, celebrated men and women, why is there life and death, good and evil?  If there is a God, what is His purpose?  Why does God allow and/or cause disasters, floods, tidal waves, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, destruction, wars, famines, pestilences, sickness, diseases, pain and suffering, violence and death to befall all mankind throughout every generation and civilization from the dawn of history? 

If God is a God of love, why does He not stop or prevent the wretchedness and misery of human suffering, and accidental death—especially of innocent children, babies and abortion of the unborn?  Why does God allow rape, murder, sadistic torture and cruelties of man against man—the strong against the weak, the wicked against the righteous?  If God hears the cries and mournings of desperate humans suffering these horrific tragedies, disasters, sicknesses and death, why does He not intervene and stop it? 

Throughout the ages of time these most profound questions of life and death have haunted mankind, religionists and philosophers. Attempting to find answers to these enigmatic, mysterious and inexplicable realities of human life and death, men separated from the true knowledge of God have cultivated countless theories and religious philosophies about the nature of God, the origin and purpose of life, the immortal soul, heaven, hell, purgatory and reincarnation.  However, in the final analysis they all admit that ultimately they do not understand or know the answers to these great mysteries of life and death and the ultimate mystery of allis there life after death?

Clues of a Resurrection From the Old Testament: The Old Testament divulges some clues about this mystery.  The ancient patriarch Job, in the misery, pain and agony of his afflictions and sufferings, thought he was facing certain death.  During his many arguments with his friends, he ponders the questions of life and death and the after life: “But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost [spirit], and where is he? … So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep [by any man]” (Job 14:10, 12). 

Job knew full well that no human being has any power over death. He also knew that God would resurrect the dead at His appointed time, however far into the future that would be: “O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!  If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands” (verses 13-15).

Job understood that God, his Redeemer, would resurrect him from the dead at the appointed time—the return of Jesus Christ: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: after I shall awake, though this body be destroyed, yet out of my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins within me are consumed with earnest desire for that day” (Job 19:25-27, verses 26-27 alternate translation from reference column). These verses indicate that Job perceived that at the resurrection he would receive a new body composed of spirit and not of flesh.

King David also knew this, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” (Psa. 17:15).

Likewise, the prophet Daniel realized that there would be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked at the time of the end: “And at that time [the end time] shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Dan. 12:1-3).

Although Daniel wrote many prophecies about “the latter days” and “the time of the end,” these prophecies were incomplete and he did not grasp them. In fact, God deliberately sealed them, declaring that He was withholding their meaning from him: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased … And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?   And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand … But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days” (verses 4, 8-10, 13).

Progressive Revelation of God’s Mystery in the New Testament: The New Testament gives a step by step progressive revelation of God’s greatest mystery of the ages. It begins with Jesus Christ revealing God the Father to His chosen apostles and disciples: “ ‘I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things [the mystery of God] from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to babes.  Yes, Father, for it was well pleasing in Your sight to do this.  All things were delivered to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son personally chooses to reveal Him’ ” (Matt. 11:25-27).  This is the first step in coming to know the mystery of God.

Since Jesus did not reveal the Father to the multitudes who heard Him speak in parables, they did not fathom what He was saying.  On the other hand, Jesus told His disciples that they would be given knowledge to understand the “mysteries” of God: “And His disciples came to Him and asked, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’  And He answered and said to them, ‘Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given … But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.  For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous men have desired to see what you see, and have not seen; and to hear what you hear, and have not heard” (Matt. 13:10-11, 16-17).

Moreover, Jesus said that those who refused to hear or believe Him and His teachings would be blinded and kept from understanding.  And what little discernment they may have had would be taken from them. But Jesus told His disciples that they would be given an abundance of understanding: “ ‘For whoever has understanding, to him more shall be given, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have understanding, even what he has shall be taken away from him.  For this reason I speak to them in parables, because seeing, they see not; and hearing, they hear not; neither do they understand.  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, ‘In hearing you shall hear, and in no way understand; and in seeing you shall see, and in no way perceive; for the heart of this people has grown fat, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and should hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them” ’ ” (verses 12-15).

What Jesus declared was an astounding baffling statement—a mystery! If God desires to have all men and women to come to the knowledge of the truth, repent and be saved (II Pet. 3:9; I Tim 2:4), why does He deliberately blind them so they cannot understand and be converted?  Have all those from the dawn of history been lost and damned as some religionist claim?  If not, since they are long dead, when will they be saved?

The revelation of the mysteries of God does not come by human will, rationale or intellect but from Jesus Christ and God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit as revealed in the Holy Scriptures (I Cor. 2:9-11).”

 Finally, Occult Holidays or God’s Holy Days—Which? will be 7” x 10,” over 230 pages and will be a major tool in exposing the occult holidays of this world and teaching the truth about the holy days of God.  We expect that this book will be something that you can use to help other brethren and people.  While there have been books which have separately covered pagan holidays and other books outlining the holy days this will be a unique book because it thoroughly covers both.

Brethren, we need to stay close to God in our daily lives through prayer and study and living our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God.  He will give us the strength, the encouragement in times of trouble, and blessing in our lives in every thing.  Once again, we truly appreciate your love, prayers and support and your participation in reaching out to other brethren and new people.  God is blessing our combined efforts as we move forward in serving Him with all our hearts, minds and strength.

With love in Christ Jesus,

Fred R. Coulter

FRC


Revelation Series - Audio

Revelation Series & Calculated Hebrew Calendar Chart

  1. Revelation Chart - The Last Seven Years - 8½" x 11" size Adobe Acrobat PDF
  2. Revelation Chart - The Last Seven Years - 11" x 17" size Adobe Acrobat PDF

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Revelation Sheet - Last Seven Years (Right-click on file to save to your computer & print.)

Calculated Hebrew Calendar - (Right-click on file to save to your computer & print.)

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