Monthly letter archive

June 14, 2023

Dear Brethren,

Now that we have observed Pentecost, what will this summer be like leading up to the fall feasts? Will we see more prophecy being fulfilled? Will our nation’s deadly obsession with drugs continue to escalate? Will rampant crime of all kinds continue to escalate? Will business and political corruption—even at the highest levels—be exposed and corrected? Will criminals be prosecuted—beginning with the Biden Gang? Will the war in Ukraine come to an end? Will there be another war elsewhere—perhaps Taiwan? Will famine, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions cause major disasters and more human death?

Will the nations of the world move closer to the Mark of the Beast and the coming world government? Will the collapse of the dollar occur anytime soon? For twenty years we have been warned that it will happen. But it has not yet taken place, in spite of the nation’s debt—which is now a staggering $32 trillion! That means every person in America, regardless of age, has an unrealized debt of $280,000. That is only the debt of the USA—and it is still going up and up!

In addition to our nation’s financial woes, the entire world banking system is loaded with nearly $300 trillion in financial derivatives—the biggest gambling scheme in the history of the world. If that house of cards fails, which it will, the entire world banking system will be 100% broke! This is probably what the Satan-led Super Elite are working towards, so they can implement a new world banking system based on a digital currency—which will lead to the Mark of the Beast—exactly as the prophecy in Revelation tells us: “And he [the Beast] 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. Here is wisdom. Let the one who has understanding count the number of the beast; for it is a man’s number, and his number is 666” (Rev. 13:16-18).

Because of all these gigantic problems, each one of us needs to have a sufficient storage of food and other items. If the entire world banking system fails, there will be a time when no one can buy much of anything. There will be shortages of everything, especially food. We must be prepared, because it will be coming!

Key Prophecies to Watch For: It is truly amazing: If Protestants actually believe in Jesus Christ, as they profess, why don’t they believe what He said? Why do they follow men and their mixed up predictions of the end times without proving whether they are preaching the truth or not? A simple reading of the Gospels would give them much needed guidance. Concerning His return, Jesus warned, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or, ‘He is there,’ do not believe it. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and they shall present great signs and wonders, in order to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have foretold it to you. Therefore, if they say to you, ‘Come and see! He is in the wilderness’; do not go forth. ‘Come and see! He is in the secret chambers’; DO NOT BELIEVE IT. For as the light of day, which comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also shall the coming of the Son of man be…. The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My words shall never pass away. But concerning that day, and the hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matt. 24:23-27, 35-36).

The truth is that the Bible does not teach a rapture, nor a specific calendar date for such an event. Yet the whole Protestant world believes these mixed up prophecies. Such doctrines are based on a complete misinterpretation of Scripture, rooted in the false belief that upon death a person’s immortal soul goes to heaven. Think about it: If immortal souls go to heaven, then there is no need for the resurrection of the dead, as the Bible teaches.

Today, as it was in the days of Jeremiah, the world is filled with false ministers and false teachers who claim to represent God—but they do not. Jeremiah prophesied of God’s judgment against them: “ ‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture,’ says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, God of Israel, against the shepherds who feed My people, ‘You have scattered My flock, and have driven them away, and have not taken care of them. Behold, I will bring upon you the evil of your doings,’ says the Lord…. ‘For both prophet and priest are ungodly; yea, in My house I have found their evil,’ says the Lord. ‘So their way shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness; they shall be driven on, and fall in their way; for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their judgment,’ says the Lord…. Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you vain; they speak a vision from their own heart, not out of the mouth of the Lord” (Jer. 23:1-2, 11-12, 16).

The Two WitnessesFalse Alarm: Several years ago, there was a supposed “minister” of a church of God who announced that he and his wife were the Two Witnesses. As foolish as that was, some people believed his claims and followed him—sending a lot of money to him. As time went on, his claims did not transpire. Think about it: They were never in Jerusalem, they were never clothed in sackcloth, and they never called down plagues from heaven as often as they willed, as described in Revelation 11. Furthermore, the length of the Two Witnesses’ ministry is to be “1260 days”—a fact they failed to remember and which, for them, has long expired. The monies brethren sent to him were not used for the preaching of the Gospel; rather, most of the funds were forwarded to a bank in Switzerland. The bank reported it to the IRS, and their agents came knocking on his door with an arrest warrant. He was sent to prison for five years. Obviously, he and his wife are not the Two Witnesses—and never will be. So much for self-appointed prophets.

Other “ministers” are constantly making outlandish claims. They do this to control people and rake in the money—saying “Prophecy is speeding up!” while misapplying certain biblical passages. For example, Matthew 24:22 reads: “And except those days should be shortened, there should be no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (KJV). Using this verse in conjunction with Romans 9:28—“For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth” (KJV)—they claim that God is going to “cut short” the time frame of end time prophecy.

But they fail to realize that both of these verses are mistranslated in the KJV. The meaning, however, is clear in the Faithful Version, which correctly translates the passages as follows: “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. And if those days were not LIMITED, there would no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be LIMITED…. For He is accomplishing and LIMITING the matter in righteousness; because the Lord will LIMIT the matter He is doing upon the earth” (Matt. 24:21-22; Rom. 9:28). This accurately conveys the true meaning, which agrees with other passages pertaining to the end times—namely that God has predetermined and limited the time of the Great Tribulation to three and one-half years. These scriptures in no way convey the meaning of the KJV that God would intervene and cut short His own prophecies concerning the three and one-half years.

Thus, prophecies are not speeding up. Nor are prophecies slowing down. They are right on timeGod’s timetable, not man’s erroneous timetable. Remember, while God has His timetable, we can only interpret its fulfillment by events as they unfold—not by specific dates. As Jesus told His apostles: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has placed in His own authority” (Acts 1:7).

God’s feasts and holy days create a framework for biblical prophecy—thus giving us considerable knowledge of His plan. Paul wrote: “Now then, concerning the times and the seasons [the return of Christ and the resurrection], brethren, there is no need that I write to you; for you yourselves understand perfectly that the day of the Lord will come exactly as a thief comes by night. For when they say, ‘Peace and security’ [most likely at the beginning of the final 7 years], then sudden destruction will come upon them [after 3½ years when the Great Tribulation begins], as travail comes upon a woman who is with child; and they shall by no means escape” (I Thess. 5:1-3).

As we get closer to the time of the end, the righteous will understand more—just as Daniel writes: “[F]or the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and refined. But the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the WISE [those who believe, love, and obey God the Father and Jesus Christ] SHALL UNDERSTAND” (Dan. 12:9-10). This is a promise from God. However, our understanding will only be by events as they occur, and not by specific dates.

For example: God gave Daniel the 70-week prophecy in chapter 9. We know by the events of the rebuilding of Jerusalem (after the 70-year Babylonian exile of the Jews) that the first seven weeks, equaling 49 years, has been completed. We also know that the next segment of 62 weeks (equaling 434 years) to the coming of the Messiah has been fulfilled. However, there remains the 70th week, equating to 7 years, that has yet to be fulfilled: “And the people of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall make firm a covenant with many for one week [7 years]. And in the midst of the week [after 3½ years] he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations shall come one who makes desolate even until the consummation. And that which is decreed shall be poured out upon the desolator” (Dan. 9:26-27). We know that this event has not yet been fulfilled, because the final Beast of Revelation 13 has not yet appeared on the scene, neither has the end-time Jewish Temple been built.

When the prince of the people, the final Beast, stands in the holy place and causes the sacrifices to cease, then and only then will the Great Tribulation begin. Jesus warns: “Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation [this is an event, not a set date], 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. And if those days were not limited [prophecy shows it is limited to 3½ years], there would no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be limited” (Matt. 24:15, 21-22).

These prophecies are telling us that we are to watch for specific events to occur—without giving us a specific date. We are to watch for these three coming events:

• The coming of the final Beast (Dan. 9:26; Rev. 13:1-10).

• The rebuilding of the Temple (Dan. 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; II Thess. 2:1-12).

• The stopping of the sacrifices (Dan. 9:27).

When these events occur in this order, we will know the Great Tribulation has begun. Meanwhile, we are not to allow any teachings of men to the contrary to mislead us. We are to follow the Scriptures and watch events. While there are other prophetic events to occur, these are the three linchpin prophecies we are to watch for. And while we will see many profound troubles arise, the Great Tribulation cannot begin until these three events have transpired.

Brethren, once again we thank God for the blessing of serving you so that you can continue to love God and to grow in grace and knowledge every day. Thank you for reaching out to other brethren and to new people as well, directing them to Church at Home. Once again, thank you for your prayers for us and all the brethren. We pray for you daily—for your healing, for your protection and comfort, for you to grow in the love and grace of God, for you to love one another, and for God to be with you in every circumstance and bless you in every way. Especially in these difficult economic times, we thank you for your tithes and offerings—so that together we can continue to provide the Gospel without cost to everyone who asks. God’s method is perfect. We all give so we can serve others, who in turn can reciprocate with their tithes and offerings. This is God’s way. Remember, every day we are to stand in grace, walk in faith, believe in hope, and live in love.

With love in Christ Jesus,

Fred R. Coulter

FRC

 

Foreword to New Book: What follows is the Foreword from our new book The Holy Spirit—the Power of God: A Scriptural Perspective. It will be ready to send to you in about 6 to 8 weeks. This book demonstrates that the Bible does not teach that the Holy Spirit is a person in a triune godhead—but is the very power of God.

Foreword

This book will be one of the most important books you can read. The Holy Spirit—the Power of God will address common erroneous assumptions on this subject and answer the question, “What is the Holy Spirit of God?”

And it will be a scriptural perspective. That means it will be based on the true teachings of the Bible—the inspired the Word of God—not on the broadly accepted teachings and doctrines of Orthodox Christendom. Today, the Holy Scriptures are faithfully preserved as the Old Testament Masoretic Hebrew Text and the New Testament Received (Greek) Text (Textus Receptus).

Jesus declared that the Word of God “is the truth” from “the only true God” (John 17:17, 3). Furthermore, Jesus emphatically said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill [to complete]. For truly I say to you, until the heaven and the earth shall pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no way pass from the Law until everything has been fulfilled” (Matt. 5:17-18).

During Jesus’ temptation, Satan the devil told Him to command that stones become bread. Jesus emphatically answered by quoting Scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4, Luke 4:4; Deut. 8:3).

Concerning the Word of God, the apostle Paul writes, “All Scripture [Old and New Testaments] is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Tim. 3:16). Likewise, the apostle Peter wrote: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture originated as anyone’s own private interpretation; because prophecy was not brought at any time by human will, but the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Pet. 1:20-21).

Today, Christendom accepts a host of man-made traditions that reflect pagan religious practices and replace the inspired Word of God. But just because such traditions have been ratified by supposedly Christian authorities and councils does not mean that God has accepted them. He most assuredly has not!

The Word of God tells us: “Be careful to observe and obey all these words which I command you, so that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever when you do that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God” (Deut. 12:28). Then God gives a warning to not worship heathen gods: “Take heed to yourself that you do not become ensnared by following them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not ask about their gods, saying,How did these nations serve their gods that I may also do likewise?’ You shall not do so to the Lord your God, for every abomination to the Lord, which He hates, they have done to their gods; even their sons and their daughters they have burned in the fire to their gods. Whatsoever thing that I command you, be careful to do it. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it” (verses 30-32).

From the Proverbs of Solomon, God declares this to anyone would change the Word of God: “Who has gone up to heaven and has come down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His garments? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know? Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He correct you and you be found a liar” (Prov. 30:4-6).

In the New Testament we find that Jesus said, “The one who has My commandments and is keeping them, that is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him…. If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. The one who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word that you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s, Who sent Me” (John 14:21, 23-24).

In the final warning at the end of the Bible, Jesus proclaimed, “For I jointly testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [the whole Bible], that if anyone adds to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the book of life, and from the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19).

When confronted by the religious authorities of His day, Jesus denounced the myriad of traditions of Judaism: “Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.’ For leaving the commandment of God, you hold fast the tradition of men, such as the washing of pots and cups; and you practice many other things like this…. Full well do you reject the commandment of God, so that you may observe your own tradition…. [Thus, you are] nullifying the authority of the Word of God by your tradition which you have passed down; and you practice many traditions such as this” (Mark 7:6-9, 13).

These words of Jesus Christ can be applied to the traditions and teachings of Orthodox Christianity—particularly concerning the traditional view that the Holy Spirit is part of a triune godhead. But as this book will show, such teachings were formulated on the pagan religious philosophies of men.

The Apostle Paul’s Warning: As God’s apostle to the Gentiles, Paul was continually confronted with Greek pagan religious philosophies—in addition to the confrontations he had with the Jews over their traditions. In his epistle to the Colossians, Paul warned the brethren to be on guard against such philosophies, as they add nothing to the true teachings of the Scriptures. In fact, embracing such falsehoods leads one away from the truth of God and into paganism, idolatry, and the acceptance of human traditions. Notice what Paul wrote:

“Now I want you to understand what great concern I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Now this I say so that no one may deceive you by persuasive speech. For though I am indeed absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ; therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, be walking in Him. Being rooted and built up in Him, and being confirmed in the faith, exactly as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Be on guard so that no one takes you captive through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, Who is the Head of all principality and power. In Whom you have also been circumcised with the circumcision not made by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, by which you have also been raised with Him through the inner working of God, Who raised Him from the dead.

“For you, who were once dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has now made alive with Him, having forgiven all your trespasses. He has blotted out the note of debt against us with the decrees of our sins, which was contrary to us; and He has taken it away, having nailed it to the cross. After stripping the principalities and the powers, He made a public spectacle of them, and has triumphed over them in it” (Col. 2:1-15). (In the phrase “has triumphed over them in it,” the it refers to His death and resurrection—through which Jesus triumphed over Satan and all powers of evil.)

Paul continues: “Do not allow anyone to defraud you of the prize [eternal life at the resurrection] by doing his will in self-abasement and the worship of fallen angels, intruding into things that he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his own carnal mind; and not holding fast to the Head, from Whom all the body, being supplied and knit together by the joints and bands, is increasing with the increase of God.

“Therefore, if you have died together with Christ [through baptism] from the elements of the world, why are you subjecting yourselves to the decrees of men as if you were living in the world? They say, ‘You may not handle! You may not taste! You may not touch!’ The use of all such things leads to corruption, according to the commandments and doctrines of men, which indeed have an outward appearance of wisdom in voluntary worship of angels, and self-abasement, and unsparing treatment of the body, not in any respect to the satisfying of the needs of the flesh” (verses 18-23).

Paul admonishes us to “prove all things”—and to “hold fast” to what is good and right (I Thess. 5:21). And you can prove through Scripture that the Holy Spirit is not a third person of some kind of trinity—as taught by the philosophies and traditions of men. Rather, as this book will demonstrate through Scripture, the Holy Spirit is actually the very power of God!

Books