Dear Friends:
Greetings again from Owensboro, Kentucky.
We continue to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God around the world, as well as to ‘feed’ the Body of Christ!
Feast of Trumpets
Friends, the next holy days are the Feast of Trumpets (from sunset September 29th through sunset September 30th this year), also the Day of Atonement (from sunset October 8th through sunset October 9th of this year), and the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day (from sunset October 13th through sunset October 21st this year).
Deacon Trevor Koonce may be giving a sermonette this Feast of Tabernacles. We greatly look forward to this! If you are in the United States and are able and wish to attend with us, please email Mr. Michael C. Garrett. His email address remains garrett158@roadrunner.com.
The New Testament indeed mentions the ‘blowing of trumpets’ when prophetic matters of judgment are involved.
Our Lord and Savior taught:
“’ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven [the sky], and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31) And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other [in other words, from all around the world].’”– Matthew 24:30-31; NKJV and hereafter.
The Apostle Paul taught similarly:
“For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven [the sky] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet [the SEVENTH TRUMPET] of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
So both our Lord and Paul taught that the saints of God would be gathered together when the SEVENTH TRUMPET sound goes forth! And that Jesus would return with a trumpet blast! The last trumpet – THE SEVENTH TRUMPET!
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [not all die], but we shall all be changed – 52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.
So, because this is indeed referring to THE LAST TRUMPET, the Bible does not support the concept of a “rapture,” as many evangelicals teach and believe in.
Now, although his writings are not a part of God’s inspired Words – the Bible – Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John, indeed looked forward to the fulfillment of this prophesied trumpet blast when he wrote:
“Therefore, prepare yourselves for the race and serve the Lord in fear and truth like people who have forsaken the useless, empty talk and the errors of the multitude and believed in the One who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and gave him glory and a throne at his right hand.
All things in heaven and on earth are subject to him. Every spirit serves Him. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. God will require justice for His blood from those who do not believe in Him.
But the One who raised Christ from the dead will raise us also, if we do His will, walk in His commandments, love what He loved, and keep ourselves from all unrighteousness, greed, love of money, evil speaking, and lies.”
(Polycarp. The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians. Vol. II. The Ante-Nicene Fathers).
This ‘last trumpet’ in 1st Corinthians is the SEVENTH TRUMPET of Revelation 11:15:
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven [the sky], saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” – Revelation 11:15.
Will the sounds of God’s trumpets sound like the sounds which have been heard all around the world since 2012!?
The Book of Revelation reveals a whole series of events which will accompany the blowing of trumpets –called the ‘seven angels who had the seven trumpets.’ Now, these angels blowing these seven trumpets are in order, however, the Book of Revelation is not in chronological order.
Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:
What I’m about to say to you has never been taught – was never – in the Churches of God, be it Worldwide, United, Philadelphia, or Intercontinental, or International, or Global, or Living, this concept which I am about to tell you. Most likely if you have a background and history with the remnants of the Worldwide Church of God you have NEVER heard this before. The Day of Atonement is prophetically linked with an event which the Bible calls the Day of the Lord. You were taught as doctrine, and many of you still believe, … but the official teaching of the Worldwide Church of God was that there were the SEVEN SEALS, and then the SEVEN TRUMPETS, and then the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES, and THEN JESUS CHRIST would return. … Not an accurate rendition according to the Word of God! … Remember – SEVEN SEALS, SEVEN TRUMPETS – THE SEVENTH TRUMP IS THE RESURRECTION TRUMPET! …
The WRATH OF GOD (the Day of the Lord) is prophetically linked with the Day of Atonement. The single most prophesied event in the Bible – bar none. Not even the Return of Jesus Christ is prophesied as much as the Day of the Lord is prophesied. The Fall Holy Days picture, in a prophetic sense, some of the major events, major stages, major progressions of the end-times. The SEVEN SEALS of the Book of Revelation are the symbolic, prophetically, of the early ‘troubles’ which will befall this world, and in particular, the House of Judah and the House of Israel. And the FIRST SIX of the SEVEN TRUMPETS are a progression of those ‘troubles.’ And the SEVENTH TRUMP of the seven trump’s is indeed, directly related to the concept of the resurrection of the saint’s. The blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMP! And following that, in the Book of Revelation – Chapters 15 & 16 – you read about the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES.”
Let us read of that progression of ‘troubles’:
“So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7) The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. 8) Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea [the Mediterranean Sea], and a third of the sea became blood. 9) And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10) Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven [from the sky or rather space], burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11) The name of the star is Wormwood [meaning bitter]. A third of the waters became [bitter], and many men dies from the water, because it was made bitter. 12) The fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. … 9:1 - Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven [the sky] to the earth [Satan and his demons are about to be thrown into the bottomless pit just before the return of Jesus Christ! cf. Rev. 20:1-2]. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit, 2) And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. … 13) Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, 14) saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’” – Revelation 8:6-12; 9:1-2, 13-14.
And, of course, the SEVENTH TRUMP of the seven trump’s is indeed, directly related to the concept of the resurrection of the saint’s.
Flipboard
The Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ is determined to go through whatever doors Almighty God and Jesus Christ continue to open (Revelation 3:7-13), and indeed, Flipboard is another one of those doors.
Friends, we utilize Flipboard to assemble the OCOJC sermons and articles onto a single platform, where readers can keep up to date with the latest content and browse through various biblical subjects. The web-based Flipboard presents a very clean and uncluttered very attractive design and easy to read, a selective screen with wide images. Mobile apps display a magazine-style layout, with easy flip page feature akin to an eBook.
We currently have 7 magazines on specific topics. Sermons and articles in relation to Biblical prophecy are in one magazine, and Letter’s to our Friends in another.
Cambodia
Thank you so very much, dear friends, in Cambodia! We’ve had over 241 visits since May 12th from Cambodia to our blog site - https://www.owensborocojc.com. In a country where over 97% of the population practices Theravada Buddhism, this indeed is the great and awesome Work of Almighty God and Jesus Christ!
Friends, we ask that you pray for God’s people in Cambodia, that He protects them there as a mother eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, spreading His mighty wings to keeping them safe – especially His begotten daughters!
World News Items
There has been even more rhetoric related to matters between the United States of America and Iran (See: ‘Trump Imposes New Iran Sanctions, Targeting its Supreme Leader’). US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been in the Middle East trying to put together an economic plan that the Trump Administration hopes will lead to a peace plan between the Israelites, the Palestinians, the Jordanians, and Egyptians (See: ‘Kushner faces battle to sell economic plan for Palestinians at peace conference’). While the Palestinians are in opposition to the Trump Administration, will they eventually accept a peace plan in that region which is consistent with Daniel 9:27. Yet, do not expect this to happen anytime soon.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel is seen shaking again as she met Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier (See: ‘Germany’s Angela Merkel is seen shaking for second time in month’). As CNN’s Matthew Qvortrup noted, “Such incidents would be newsworthy on any day. What makes the matter even more alarming is that Merkel suffered a similar episode of the shakes when she met the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month. … That the most powerful female politician in democratic history is unwell at a time of crisis is a cause for concern. And her ailment could not come at a worse time. If she is indeed ill, Germany, and hence the rest of Europe, is facing a crisis at a very inopportune moment. … Merkel's potential illness might lead to a more stable government” (See: ‘Angela Merkel's shaking could be start of a new beginning for Germany’). Recall in the last ‘Letter to our Friends’ I had stated, “according to Bible prophecy, Europe will once again reorganize.” Will her illness (whatever it may be) quicken the rise of the final “beast” power!?
Also in Europe, there are grave concerns concerning Italy’s financial situation which poses an ‘existential crisis’ for the Eurozone (See: ‘Europe Won’t Admit the Mini-BOTs Are Coming’). Will some type of financial crisis trigger the rise of the final ‘beast’ power – a reorganized Europe – which is spoken of in Revelation 17:12-13!?
In the United Kingdom, the leading candidate for Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had some type of domestic incident which has blown up in the news (See: ‘Unruly' Private Life Disrupts Boris Johnson’s Bid to Lead Britain’). Now, IF Boris Johnson does indeed become the next PM of the UK, AND he is able to keep his word – the UK will be out of the EU by November 1, 2019! Now, the EU does not care for Boris Johnson, and if he becomes prime minister, that will just be another thing in a long list of things which Europe will negatively remember after BREXIT.
In the Vatican City State, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (aka Pope Francis), spoke about the “Church” being leaven in every age (See: ‘General Audience: Pope: In Every Age, the Church Is Called to Be Leaven’). Now, he indeed contradicts the Apostle Paul when he says, ‘the Church is called to be leaven.’ Recall what our Eldest Brother and Savior WARNED – Luke 12:1-2! True Christians have kept UNLEAVENED BREAD for Passover, and they have kept the Days of Unleavened Bread. So, in every age, the true Church of God is not called to be leaven. Christians are to strive to be spiritually unleavened (1 Corinthians 5:7), and Jesus Christ is the unleavened Bread of sincerity and truth! (1 Corinthians 5:8). Now, since the Church of Rome uses an unleavened eucharistic host and the Eastern Orthodox along with with many Protestants use leavened bread in their eucharistic ceremonies, his statement could be but another indicator that he is preparing the Mother church along with her protesting daughters in evermore ecumenical compromises. What is to happen, ultimately, to the Church of Rome with a decade or so, is not what the leader of that Mother organization wants – cf. Revelation 17:16-18.
Suggested Sabbath Service
Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week.
● 2-3 hymns. (another free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is The Unleavened Bread Of Sincerity And Truth.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Christ In You (Unleavened Bread – Day 5) – 2017 by Michael C.
Garrett. (Many more sermons are available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/.
● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.
IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, there are audio sermons on our Soundcloud Radio channel.
Concluding Comments
Again, Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:
“2nd Timothy chapter 2, verse 7 – “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.” – here’s Paul wanting us to have understanding on this. Verse 8 – “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to [as we have spoken], 9) for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained. 10) Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Verse 11 – “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12) If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.” – but sadly enough, “if we deny Him, He also will deny us.”
2nd Timothy chapter 1, verse 6 – Paul said, ‘Timothy, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, …”– remember, Paul’s comment about most people spend their entire lives in the bondage of the fear of death!? That is not to be our fear! But He has given us instead a spirit “of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – and a part of that soundness comes from the fact that we know that when our eyes close for the last time, our heart stops beating, and our lungs stop – we know that we will live again! Because the power of Jesus Christ will make it so!
Verse 8 – “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, …” – the calling He has given us is to be eternal members of His eternal Family! “not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before [the world] began.”
But it will soon be obvious – Verse 10 – “…by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through [this Message] …” We are not an immortal soul, but someday, through the gift of God, we will be immortal!"
In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,
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