Letter to our Friends - August 6, 2019

Dear Friends:

Greetings again from Owensboro, Kentucky.

As always, we are working on many aspects of John 21:17; Matthew 28:19-20, as well as Romans 9:28; 11:25.

BitChute

So, we are going to try something – an alternative video platform – that is in direct competition with YouTube.

Friends, we have noticed that a great many professing Christians are having problems with YouTube shutting down their channels or making it extremely difficult for potential viewers to see their content.

There are search algorithms that places like Google and YouTube use. Instead of allowing searches to initially find what best matches the search criteria (which is how places like Google started out doing with their algorithms), instead other material comes up first that the algorithm has been programmed to be biased towards (or not biased against).

This process is known as shadow-banning. And this is why sometimes you have to go to the fifth or even the twelfth page on Google to find more relevant content on many subjects. Since most people only go to the very first page towards the top, essentially this is a form of indirect (or direct), and highly effective, censorship.

But anyhow, in order to have a backup alternative to our YouTube channels for our ministry, we have established a presence on both Godtube and Flipboard.

And while we do have a platform on Vimeo, at this time we do not think it is a cost-effective option. Plus, Vimeo has shown a willingness to shut channels down even easier than YouTube has.

So, for a backup channel to YouTube for sermons, we have started to upload them to BitChute. Supposedly (according to how it advertises itself) BitChute is less likely to censor or shut us down. It is also free.

Please be patient, I have just started uploading sermons. BitChute also has the ability to transfer automatically sermons uploaded to YouTube via your YouTube ID and to upload onto BitChute. I expect to be able to eventually put nearly all of our older sermons up from our website - http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/.

Anyway, our BitChute sermon channel is called OwensboroChurchofJC. Here is the URL: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/owensborochurchofjc/.

We are not convinced that BitChute will be our final alternative to YouTube, however, for the time being, we will use it as a backup, as well as other platforms previously mentioned for the on-line ministry sermons.

World News Items

Palestinians are upset over the demolishing of apartments by Israel (See: ‘Abbas: Palestinians to halt agreements with Israel’ as well as ‘Palestinian leader Abbas says agreements with Israelis to stop’). Now, neither the Palestinians nor certain Israelis (See: ‘Pro-Third Temple Politician: Prepare for War’) have any confidence in a peace plan being worked out by the Trump Administration. However, in the event of devastating violence in the region, both sides will be more amenable to a future type of peace plan. The Bible shows us that a temporary ‘peace deal’ – with a United States of Europe – will indeed come – cf. Daniel 9:27.

In Hong Kong protesting has continued (See: ‘Hong Kong Protests Escalate as Police Use Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets’). Hong Kong’s protests are beginning to disturb mainland China and may trigger a direct response. Many believe and teach – especially the organizations from the traditions of the WCG – that Revelation 16:12-14, the ‘kings from the east’ are a united Asian military horde in the end-times “before Jesus returns.” And though this might be so – could this not be a reference to a federation of Muslim nations of the east!? –of ISLAMIC countries? Islamic soldiers, Islamic militants trying to get to the European forces to exact revenge and “justice” for having invaded and took control of the Middle East? (Be sure to read Minister Garrett's second part of God’s Promises To Abraham – a seven-part series).

In the United Kingdom, the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reached out with the United States of America on matters of trade (See: ‘Trump: US and UK working on 'very substantial' trade deal’). He has greatly upset European Union leaders related to his position on Brexit and, in particular, what will happen on the isle of Ireland (See: ‘Pound falls lower on no-deal Brexit prospect’). As far as Brexit goes, the Associated Press reported: “The European Union has told Britain’s new Europe advisor that it isn’t prepared to renegotiate the Brexit agreement, three months before the country is due to leave the 28-nation bloc.” Europeans do not look favorably at the UK leaving the EU – this will not work out well for the UK -cf. Daniel 8:24-25.

Gravely, in the United States of America, two national tragedies occurred! A mass shooting took place at a Walmart store in El Paso. A single gunman killed 20 people and injured 26 more. The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a possible hate crime. This makes two deadly shootings within the past 24 hours, with a shooting taking place just hours after in Dayton, Ohio! U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso in Congress, urged fellow politicians to "come together, and once and for all address the gun violence epidemic that plagues our nation." Will the next president of the United States try to repeal the 2nd amendment to the Constitution!? David Kopel, adjunct professor of Advanced Constitutional Law at the Sturm College of Law at Denver University, told Sputnik News, “Tyranny and mass murder by government are made possible when the people are deprived of their right to arms!” We grieve for the loss of innocent lives and the families and friends which are now suddenly thrust into great mourning and grief. Indeed, the problem is not guns. It’s hearts without Almighty God the Father and Jesus Christ! The United States of America needs national repentance and the glorious Kingdom of God!

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service:

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).

● Opening prayer.

● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is Repent For Salvation.

● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.

● Sermon. The one suggested is The Song of Moses 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. We also – as a reminder – have a BitChute channel.

Concluding Comments

There are a great many who mistakenly – such as the Seventh-day Adventists – believe that the archangel Michael and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are one and the same.

This particular church contends that Michael, who is called “your prince” (Daniel 10:21) – was Jesus Christ. Is that true!? No!

Our Master and Savior was, and is, indeed a Prince – cf. Daniel 9:25. However, this Scripture does not make Him “your prince” – who is named Michael.

God’s great angelic being who gave Prophet Daniel this vision which is recorded in chapter 10 told Daniel, “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia [a reference to most likely Satan the devil] withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, …” – verse 13. So, notice that there was one called ‘the prince of the kingdom of Persia.’ That ‘prince’ is another spirit being of equal rank to Michael.

But also notice, in this verse, that Michael is called ‘one of the chief princes.’ This plainly indicates that among God’s great spiritual beings there is more than one ‘chief prince.’ The combined strength of Prince Michael and the prince who delivered the vision to Prophet Daniel (Gabriel) was enough that they were able to subdue the ‘prince of the kingdom of Persia’ – an evil and rebellious spirit.

Friends, Jesus Christ is far superior to any created spirit princes. No spiritual princes are equal in rank or power to our Master and our dear Elder Brother! There are others of Michael’s rank! Christ is not Michael. Friends, Michael is “your prince” – the great archangel set to serve the House of Israel. Michael and the other princes over the nations are all subject to Christ – who is ‘Commander in Chief’ of the hosts of Heaven under God the Father – the great Ancient of Days!

Yet, what is the limit of the angels' great power and authority over the nations!? How far do their authority and power extend!? Well, notice the inspired words of Jude – “Likewise also these dreamers [evil vile men] defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries [those who are given authority]. Yet Michael the archangel [a chief prince], in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord [Jesus Christ – who is Michael’s superior] rebuke you!’”

So you see! As is this present evil age (Galatians 1:4), evil men have no respect for those in authority, however, Michael, who is an archangel under the authority of Jesus Christ, showed great respect for his ‘Commander in Chief’ – in stating basically, ‘You, O Lord, are exalted as Head over all. You reign over all!’ – 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Psalm 22:28. We are told in 2 Peter 2:11 that angels, “who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against” those in authority. And Michael completely understands that Satan the devil is the ‘god of this age’ and is of the same rank– 2 Corinthians 4:4.

If Michael did have a greater rank, he would have given Satan the devil a direct command – he would have rebuked him himself, instead of saying, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’

In Matthew 4:10 we find Jesus Christ commanding Satan the devil, “’ Away with you, Satan!’” His Master gave him a sharp command! Christ is the very Master and Creator of the universe – including the Creator of the evil spiritual being known as Satan the devil! Christ is the very One – through Father God – who created all things – Colossians 1:15-16; John 1:3. Lucifer – who became Satan – is but a created being – cf. Ezekiel 28:14-15.

The Word (who became known as Jesus the Messiah] has been in authority over Satan the devil since he was created. And after Lucifer ascended into the heavens to exalt his throne above the stars [angels] and Jesus Christ Himself – Our Lord and Savior showed him who is truly in charge – he was thrown back to the earth! cf. Isaiah 14:12-15; Luke 10:18.

Michael is an angelic being who is in authority over lesser angelic beings in GOD’S KINGDOM.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,