Michael C. Garrett
Pastor and Overseer
Dear Friends:
Greetings from Owensboro, Kentucky.
We had a fine Feast of Trumpets here! The Day of Atonement is coming up very soon beginning with sunset October 8th. So if you need to you should arrange to be off from work or school from sunset October 8th to sunset October 9th.
Day of Atonement
The next holy day this autumn is the Day of Atonement.
Here is some information concerning it:
“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 27) ‘Also the tenth day of the seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. 28) And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God. 29) For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. 30) And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. 31) You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32) It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath’” – Leviticus 23:26-32; NKJV throughout, unless otherwise noted.
“’ On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall afflict your souls; you shall not do any work’” – Numbers 29:7.
Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:
“You know, the church that was out in Pasadena, from which I was associated with at one time and other groups, they totally DISTORT the meaning of this day (the Day of Atonement) – in my opinion.
They’re all hung up on the words WAY BACK in the Book of Leviticus – ‘Afflict your soul!’ There’s a guy who’s an area coordinator, associated with Tyler, and I’ve heard him say with my own ears use the phrase, “God wants you to hurt!” I’ve never read that! I think they totally and completely distort the meaning of this day by their implementation of ‘voluntary’ humility - and Oh my, so many religious leaders are puffed up.
Another thing, they obsessed with what’s called the Azazel goat. A word in the Hebrew, which is translated into English, meaning, “Scape goat.” I thought it was boring 49-years ago, and it’s infinitely more boring than I’ve ever considered before! It was a very historic item, long, long ago in the priesthood of Aaron, a priesthood which is two-thousand years ago, almost, and was DONE AWAY. And I really don’t understand why people keep obsessing on this idea!? It was a valid event, way, way, thousands of years ago! It was an event which really has not a lot of relevance in the 21st century. I hope you can understand that. They spoke of things that were so distant and so irrelevant to our modern world. It just simply amazed me why are they obsessing on information that has very little practical meaning TODAY!? Especially in this day and age! Jesus Christ talked about the ‘end of the world,’ or the ‘end of the age’ in Matthew 24. …
Now, back in the Worldwide days, and I’ve even heard it by leading minister’s here in the last decade, they will actually say, “Well, look at the word atonement, it’s a-t-o-n-e-m-e-n-t, what does that spell!? At-one-ment.” Now, today, they have been many minister’s and congregations across America and around the globe which have talked about, “The at-one-ment with God!” There is simply NO correlation between the word atonement and the phrase at-one-ment. They have nothing to do with each other! It’s just a freak ‘accident’ of the language that you can divide at, one, and ment. Now, different ministers have attempted to describe this vague, hard to understand ceremony, from millennia ago – thousands of years ago, in an institution which NO LONGER EXISTS – the Aaronic priesthood does not exist anymore! It was replaced by the Priesthood of Jesus Christ! The Priesthood of Jesus Christ NOW supersedes the Levitical priesthood. We don’t live in the Old Covenant anymore! We live in the New Covenant! …
“…you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, …” Now, have minister’s made hay out of that! I want to point out right from the get-go, THAT is a very poor translation. The phrase in Hebrew, the root of it, and the meaning of it is “you will HUMBLE yourself before the Lord.” Now, does this mean a fast!? Many people say, “Yes, it does!” Jewish tradition says it does. Jewish tradition, if you’re going to be a ‘Jewish follower,’ and follow their TRADITIONS, on the Day of Atonement, you’re not supposed to eat or drink, not supposed to wear shoes made out of leather, not supposed to bathe, no cologne or perfume, or lotion, no sex – a whole list of things you cannot do! IF you follow ‘Jewish tradition.’ …
What’s MOST IMPORTANT is that you will HUMBLE yourself before the Lord on the Day of Atonement! … the teaching point: It’s the SEVENTH DAY OF THE TENTH MONTH, IT IS A HOLY DAY, AND, A COMMANDED CHURCH SERVICE, AND YOU ARE TO HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE THE LORD.”
(Notes Regarding The Day of Atonement – Prophetically The Day of the Lord!).Friends, the writer of Hebrews – attributed to the Apostle Paul – compared images of the Old Covenant Day of Atonement to stress the superiority of Jesus Christ’s priesthood – (Hebrews 8:6; 9:7, 11-26). The defunct Old Covenant Mosaic system of the atonement is perhaps most clearly explained by the Apostle Paul. For Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice, which permanently deals with sin and this ENDS the sacrificial system! And he also spoke of the substitutionary nature of the atonement as being at the HEART of Christ’s Message (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
So, since the Apostle Paul – through the inspiration of the Spirit of God – indeed calls Satan the devil the “god of this age” who has “blinded” this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), the greater majority of people have indeed been blinded and have yet to be covered by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ – our very Creator. Yet, this will happen for nearly all who will be called in an age to come – as God’s Master Plan of redemption and salvation to all, and not just today’s elect.
Our great High Priest took the death penalty for all human beings! Yet, as the Apostle Paul says, “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” – 1 Corinthians 15:23. And then all who have ever lived or will live (cf. Revelation 20:5, 11-13). Now, this atoning sacrifice doesn’t apply to humans UNTIL God the Father calls them, repent, baptized and been gifted God’s Holy Spirit (cf. John 6:44; Mark 4:10-12; Acts 2:38) and truly try (with help from Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ) to live as THEY would have us live (cf. 1 John 2:6).
Prayers for Tumpa Sarker and her Work in Christ
“I'm starting to work with some poor boy girls. Sunday school, various games, Jesus teaches music and helps them get to school. General Chat Chat Loung. sooo pray for me dear.”World News Items
In the United States of America, the US House of Representatives’ Speaker Nancy Pelosi again called for an impeachment inquiry for the POTUS Donald Trump, because allegedly he called the president of Ukraine in July (See: ‘House Speaker Pelosi Opens Trump Impeachment Inquiry’). The unabated hypocrisy of the USA will soon catch up to her and it will not end well for her (cf. Isaiah 10:5-6; Daniel 11:39).
The American multinational investment bank and financial company Goldman Sachs has WARNED that the financial markets could see great chaos this month (See: ‘Goldman Sachs Has Just Issued An Ominous Warning About Stock Market Chaos In October’). Sometimes, we do see financial markets become disrupted and coinciding with the LORD God’s Fall Holy Day season.
And Iran has once again made threats that she will take steps if any action is taken against her for the destruction of the Saudi Arabian oil facilities (See: ‘Iran warns foreign forces to stay out of Gulf, amid new US deployment’ and ‘Iran's Rouhani calls for Muslims to unite against United States’). It is prophesied in the Bible that one day Jerusalem will sustain grave damage. It could be a combined Iran/Syria attack which will cause this (cf. Isaiah 22:6-9). Yet, they are not immune to attack and destruction (cf. Jeremiah 49:34-38).
It was announced that work will begin on a three-building religious complex with a shared foundation beginning in 2020. Called the Abrahamic Family House, it is to have a synagogue, a mosque, and a church – and this is something that the Vatican has been promoting as part of her interfaith agenda (See: ‘Meet the architect for the Abrahamic Family House’). While many will like this, it will not end well (cf. Revelation chapter 18).
Suggested Sabbath Service
Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week:
● 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 “Proving the Truth” by Michael C. Garrett. An accompanying online Spanish language booklet entitled ¡Demostrando la Verdad! is available.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Murmuring 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, friends, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast sermons so that you won't miss our latest podcast distributed via RSS (Rich Site Summary) format!
Day of Atonement Service
The Fall Holy Days have begun, the Day of Atonement is sunset October 8th to sunset October 9th.
Here is a suggested Holy Day Service for the Day of Atonement:
● 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 Day of Atonement Offertory by Minister Leonard V. Johnson. (Audio: https://soundcloud.com/leonard-johnson-199529372/day-of-atonement-offertory).
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Day of Atonement = End-Time Trauma by Minister Michael C. Garrett. (Many more sermons are available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/).
● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.
Concluding Comments
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14) For IF we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15) For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven [the atmosphere] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with THE 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. 18) Therefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.Friends, we know that the Bible talks about the resurrection from the dead. We know in 2 Timothy we hear the phrase, ‘at His appearing.’ Not this immediately ‘off to Heaven.’ We notice in Titus 2 – “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” 1 John 2:28 – “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” Over and over and over, nothing happens until Jesus Christ Returns! That’s what the Bible says! And if that be true, then what is all of this immortality of the soul and going off to Heaven!? It just doesn’t agree with the Bible. The resurrected saints of God are not going off to Heaven, but rather Heaven – the throne of God, the Kingdom of God – is coming to the Earth!
With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,
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