CCOG now has had ‘The Gospel of the Kingdom of God’ translated into over 1000 languages/dialects! Should you rejoice or be a critic?
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The Continuing Church of God has been receiving more and more translations of its English language booklet titled The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Here is a report that is in the CCOG’s Letter to the Brethren: November 23, 2023:
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God Translated into 1000+ Languages
On Monday, we received another 25 translations of our English language booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
We now have had that booklet translated into over 1,000 languages!
Based on what we have been told we expect to continue to receive about two dozen more languages/dialects per week for the next few months, and likely more thereafter.
Consider that along with the following:
2 Paul and Barnabas … 3 … passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. (Acts 15:2-3)
Yes, the fact that we are able to reach more Gentiles (and Israelites), because we have information on the gospel of the kingdom of God in more languages should cause great joy to all the Philadelphian brethren.
However, there are critics who are not pleased with this.
Now the Letter to the Brethren: November 16, 2023 included an email from one involved with the translations. After it came out, various online critics claimed that:
- Proper translations should cost about 200 times more than we are spending.
- We are wasting money by spending so little.
- We are being financially scammed.
- Tithes are being wasted getting translations.
- It would be more efficient to use Google translate than using an outside source.
The fact is that yes, we are spending MUCH less to do this than others think we should. But, that shows that we are being cost-efficient and properly spending tithes and offerings related to the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.
The reality is that we are not wasting funds with this. Only those who do not want to accept the Jesus’ commissions to reach the world (Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20) or are not joyful that others can be reached (cf. Acts 15:3; Romans 11:25) would want to come to that conclusion.
Even if the translators do use Artificial Intelligence (which the translation manager has denied), we have not been financially scammed. We have used the same translation entity off and on for many years, and we do not pay for the translations until after they are received and in a format that makes our uploading of them easiest. They have always charged what we agreed to and we have always paid them for what they delivered.
The Bible teaches that Christians are to be “prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21), and Philadelphian Christians are the ones whose work Jesus praises in the third chapter of the Book of Revelation–He does not praise those of Sardis or Laodicea.
In order to lead what I have referred to as final phase of the work, and prepare for the short-work of Romans 9:28, we need information on good news of the kingdom of God in as many languages as possible.
We are going through the “door” that is open to us to reach people–that is what Philadelphian Christians are supposed to do per Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:7-13.
Furthermore, it is NOT more efficient for us to use Google translate for at least two reasons. One reason is that Google translate does not have enough languages available–so in order to reach enough, that was not an actual option.
Another reason to not rely on Google translate is that we are also getting the translated booklets in a pdf format which is much more efficient than if we tried to do that ourselves. This is particularly true for languages do not use our Latin characters (which is what the English language and many other languages use) as well as for those that read from right to left, as opposed our English way of reading from left to right.
We know that because nearly a decade ago, we attempted to format about 70 other languages on our own and that was costlier than having our translation firm do so.
Now, what about the quality of the translations?
Because most of the translations we are receiving have not been translated by people who have a Church of God background, there are misunderstandings on certain points.
Yet, they are still readable. Years back, I asked a Ukrainian man who received some of our literature in the Russian language if the translation (from the same source we are still using) was good, and he said that it was.
A couple of years later, while there were differences between how a Chinese CCOG member and a translator thought a few words should have been translated, the translation itself was still fine.
I also had someone in India verify that one of the languages from there that we had was understandable.
A year or so ago, a man I knew who was once part of the Worldwide, Global, and Living COGs (and is now not with any of them nor with the CCOG, but with a smaller COG group) went over our Armenian translation. He basically edited a few words because the literal translation from English into Armenian did not have quite the meaning as English-speakers understood. So, some edits were made. But, even without the edits, the basic concepts of the coming Kingdom of God were conveyed.
So, yes, I have made several attempts to validate the translations (though there have been issues in a couple, like Serbian, that we had completely redone by someone we knew).
That said, even among native speakers in CCOG, there are differences of opinions about how certain works in the Spanish language, for example, should be translated.
So, “perfect” translations are very subjective and may not even be possible in many (or even all) cases.
Some of you may recall that I have never claimed that the translations were perfect. Instead, I have said that the following prophecy applies:
9 “Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:9-12)
Notice that even having some language difficulties seems to have been prophesied. And, I have been saying that about our translations for many years (e.g. watch Behind the Work 2016: All Nations, Tribes, People, and Tongues).
We are to reach people in multiple languages as a witness before the end comes (Matthew 24:14), despite the fact that most will not respond in this age. And we know that there may be difficulties caused by translations.
Now, please notice the version of Isaiah’s language statements in the New Testament:
21 In the law it is written:
“With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14:21)
So the New Testament is clearly also prophesying that other languages would be used–and we in the Continuing Church of God have been doing so in more languages than any other COG has ever done.
Now, during the millennium many will understand:
1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. 2 A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As rivers of water in a dry place, As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. 3 The eyes of those who see will not be dim, And the ears of those who hear will listen. 4 Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, And the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly. (Isaiah 32:1-4)
Yet, also notice something that the Bible says will happen BEFORE the millennium:
33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many . . . (Daniel 11:33)
We in the Continuing Church of God have been preparing for that as that is part of the short-work of Romans 9:28.
Jesus gave the following commission:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
This involves working to reach people in multiple languages. Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20 are the major commissions of the faithful church. The “phil,” as in Philadelphian Christians, means fraternal love/affection, which in the biblical context includes supporting the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom of God to all that we can.
Satan does not want people reached in other languages.
But as the Apostle Paul wrote of him, “Satan … we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Trying to cast doubt on God, His word, His ministry, His people, and His faithful church is something that Satan and his associates do. That is one of the reason that Satan is referred to in the Bible as “the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10).
Sadly, many throughout church history have succumbed to his ways.
As far as reaching people of different ethnicities goes, ALL are important to God. Notice some of what the Apostle Paul wrote:
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:12-15)
Well, how can they hear if they do not understand the language?
What about ‘minor’ languages? Are they unimportant?
The Apostle Paul somewhat addressed that as he wrote:
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. (1 Corinthians 14:10-11)
Since there are languages people do not understand (cf. Psalm 81:5), but all languages are significant, then obviously more languages than one needs to be used by the CCOG to teach.
Consider also Jesus’ words:
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ (Luke 15:4-6)
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:40)
We try to reach all that we can.
Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
We are to sow bountifully! We are sowing by having as many languages as we can available as we prepare for the fulfillment of prophecies including Matthew 24:14.
This may also help us find the lost sheep, or more accurately, make it easier for the sheep to see the fact that we are witnessing to them and perhaps that the Father is also now looking for them (cf. John 4:23-24), in order to call them (John 6:44; Jude 1).
Notice something else the Apostle Paul wrote:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)
Having materials in many languages helps serve ALL as well as those who are in the household of faith.
Initially, God did a language miracle when the New Testament church began:
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:1-11)
While God could cause a hearing miracle again like He did in Acts 2, scripture does not record that God continued to do the type of miracle where people heard the message came out in one language and then was heard in the language of the hearer’s birth. Nor do we see major evidence of this occurring again throughout Church history.
Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Bible (NKJV) version uses the term “translated” thirteen times with numerous translations. God, thus, concluded having translations in His word were needed for understanding.
Now, since relatively few modern people know ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, AND Koine Greek, which are the languages that the Bible was written in, we need translations to understand the Bible.
But as people also need help understanding the Bible from the ministry (Acts 8:31-35; Romans 10:12-15; Ephesians 4:11-16), having booklets and other literature in multiple languages helps answer the question Philip asked someone reading the Bible:
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me? ” (Acts 8:30-31)
Literature in various languages help guide those to better understanding.
The Bible shows that this ultimately results in followers from all over and in all languages:
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:8-10)
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-11)
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.
The Apostle Paul communicated in at least two different languages, based upon his audience:
37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?”
He replied, “Can you speak Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language (Acts 21:37-40)
Since Paul was the “apostle to the uncircumcision,” he had to communicate in languages other than Hebrew, such as Greek in the above account.
Consider also the following:
7. “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (Revelation 3:7-8)
What is the “open door”?
Let us look at this concept within the New Testament and let the Bible interpret itself.
Paul wrote:
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord (2 Corinthians 2:12).
8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me (1 Corinthians 16:8-9).
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak (Colossians 4:2-4).
Luke wrote:
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27).
Thus, the Bible is quite clear that the open door is the door to proclaim the Gospel. And I believe that God has opened up the door to develop literature in over 1000 languages to us, so we are also going through “the door of faith to the Gentiles.”
Herbert W. Armstrong understood that the door was opened to proclaim the gospel:
Also a door was to be opened for this leader and/or the Philadelphia era of the Church to fulfill Matthew 24:14: ‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come’ (Mystery of the Ages, pp. 290-291).
And he and his church did reach people with the message in many languages.
Yet, it was not until after he died that there was widespread access to the internet so that this door was open as wide to be able to reach as many people in as many lands. And we have been loading gospel materials dozens of times more languages than the old Worldwide Church of God was able to put literature out in.
Perhaps it should be pointed out that the old Radio Church of God taught that, “Blindness is happened to Israel, not forever, but until the full number of Gentiles who are to be converted in this age comes into the Kingdom. (Hoeh H. The Coming UTOPIA… Wonderful World of Tomorrow. Plain Truth, March 1957, p. 6; see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).
Having materials in multiple languages are needed for the full number of Gentiles can be converted in this age!
Yes, this age.
We are closer to the end of this age and some church needs to be working on having numerous languages–and we in the CCOG are.
John the Baptist prepared for the first coming of Jesus (Mark 1:1-7), and the Philadelphian faithful in the Church of God are preparing for His second coming–and the full number of Gentiles must come in before Jesus returns per Romans 11:25-27–Herbert W. Armstrong understood that as well (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).
Notice that the Apostle Paul wrote:
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Ephesians 6:14-17)
Yes, those properly dedicated to God’s work will support the preparation for the gospel to reach others, as well as to not be turned aside by those who spew forth “the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
Remember also, that Jesus said:
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. … 33 seek first the kingdom of God Matthew 6:21,33)
Yes, we spend tithes and offering ‘treasures’ to reach and support people around the entire world.
If you are reading this, hopefully you have the right heart, the right priorities, the right focus to provide support related to the preparation of fulfilling Matthew 24:14.
Never before in the history of the Church of God has any group made so many languages/dialects of the good news of the coming kingdom of God available in anything close to the 1000+ languages we have and plan to increase.
Also, as we have reported before, we recently have added Bible News Prophecy International online radio. You can find this station at: https://www.bnpi.net. We started on that station with the Spanish language, but expect to add more languages for radio. More on our approaches to reach people in as many ways and languages as possible can be found on the Continuing Church of God Multimedia page.
If you want God’s kingdom to come–which is something that Jesus said you should pray for (Matthew 6:10)–you would want to support the most cost-effective ways to reach as many as possible in the world as a witness.
Satan and other critics do not want you to do so. They want you to turn aside, or at least delay, your support.
Remember Jesus warned Philadelphian Christians to let “no one … take your crown” (Revelation 3:11)–and that include critics.
Now, by posting about this, yes, I expect insults from critics who do not share the focus, vision, or the biblical priorities of the CCOG.
And while I am not perfect, and can be deceived–which can happen to God’s leaders (e.g. Genesis 27, Joshua 9, 1 John 2)–we in the CCOG have the broadest radio presence of any COG I am aware of (see Continuing Church of God Multimedia page), have been the fastest growing x-WCG group in the 21st century, have restored the most truth in this century (see Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things), have the signs that the Apostle Peter said the end time faithful would have in Acts 2:17-18 (see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?), and have made available the good news of the kingdom of God in more languages than has ever been done since the start of the Christian church in Acts 2.
While all of those statements are true, there should be no denying that the last item is an absolute and indisputable fact.
Yet, the following apply to many critics who are not interested in checking out the facts:
16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)Hopefully, you can see the biblical sense in what we are doing. Or at least you will be like the Bereans of old who, “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Notice something that the prophet Isaiah was inspired to record:
7 Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
You people in whose heart is My law:
Do not fear the reproach of men,
Nor be afraid of their insults. (Isaiah 51:7)Yes, the truth is blasphemed and subject to insults from many.
However to the pure, all things are pure.
As Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God” Matthew 6:33), be one who “endures to the end” (Matthew 10:22), and support the Philadelphian work (cf. Revelation 3:7-13).
Having materials in as many languages as we can get is something that is part of the end-time work that Jesus will have completed.
Rejoice and please continue to pray for the language aspect of fulfilling Matthew 24:14 and Romans 11:25.
Hopefully, like the Christians in the Book of Acts, you too will rejoice that these steps in proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.
UPDATE 11/26/23: We just uploaded the following related video:
Proclaiming the Gospel in 1000+ Languages
The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) has now received over 1000 translations of its English language booklet, ‘The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.’ Should people rejoice (cf. Acts 15:3) or criticize this milestone? Has the CCOG done this in a cost-effective and efficient manner? Does the Bible prophesy the use of multiple languages? Are multiple languages implied by Jesus’ commissions to the church in Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20? What is the “open door’ for the Philadelphian Christians? Does the full number of Gentiles (cf. Romans 11:25) need to come in during this age? Are minor languages significant according to the Apostle Paul? Is the CCOG preparing for the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Does the Book of Revelation tell of people of all languages and tongues being saved? Has any Church of God since the formation of the true church in Acts 2 ever get information on the good news of the gospel of the kingdom translated into this many languages? What about the old Worldwide Church of God and the open door? Are there additional ways, like radio, that the CCOG is using to reach people around the world in different languages? Relating to translations, does the CCOG expect to have at least “hundreds more in 2024”? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.
Here is a link to our video: Proclaiming the Gospel in 1000+ Languages.
We expect to have at least hundreds more languages available in 2024!
Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:
What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles? Some in the West discount God’s calling of Gentiles, but the Apostle Paul wrote about the need for them to come to the truth before Jesus returns. Two somewhat related videos are available Gentiles and When Will Jesus Return? and Puerto Rico, Trials, and Triumphs.
Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages Which languages are being used to fulfill Matthew 24:14? Are all languages significant?
What is the Ezekiel Warning? Should the end-time descendants of Israel and Joseph be warned? What should the watchman warn about? Regarding a watchman, you can watch the following video: Go, Set a Watchman.
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? Two related sermons are available The Work per HWA and the Bible and Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Will Philadelphian Christians instruct many in the end times? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. Here is a link to another: Preparing to Instruct Many.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach? Here is a link to a related sermon titled Race and Grace; Do you view race as God does? Watch also Mystery of Race.
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, Mystery of Race, and The Mystery of YOU.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
CCOG Multimedia 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?
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 four related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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