Letter to our Friends - November 26, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Central Florida.

As always there is much going on all around the world.

Going to New York to See Dimash

Filled with great excitement, we are pleased to announce that both Minister Michael C. Garrett and I will be traveling to the Barclays Center in New York on the 10th of December to witness “the phenomenon” of the century! Dimash Kudaibergen’s first-ever solo concert in the United States – the ARNAU TOUR! He’s Asia’s biggest and brightest star with a heavenly six-octave singing range and the ability to sing in multiple languages!

And, before we witness this great wonder of the world, we will be doing some incredible touristy stuff – like visiting The Dakota where John Lennon once lived. Also, of course, paying our respects at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum which commemorates the tragic events which occurred September 11, 2001. Then, we might stop off for a bite to eat at the infamous Patsy’s Italian Restaurant where “Ol’ Blue Eyes” himself hung out! Or, we may adventure over to the Skyline for a “Sully” burger! Or even, possibly, Jack Dempsey’s for some fish & chips! Also, if we have time, our plans include taking in Central Park in urban Manhattan, along with Trump International Hotel & Tower!

We are greatly looking forward to enjoying Dimash with all his other devoted fans (who call themselves “Dears”) - we can only imagine the atmosphere will be buzzing with excitement in New York!

We will be ‘documenting’ this momentous event for all our friends – we are looking forward to sharing this with you!

Proving the Truth!

November 13th, I posted our free online pdf booklet: Proving the Truth! which covers such important topics as the Sabbath, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and the concept of the immortal soul.

This free online pdf booklet is in draft form, and while this version can be read and or downloaded online, it is likely that this will not be the finalized version down the line. This booklet helps you to learn ever greater the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God!

The Great Work of the Eternal

Friends, this great WORK OF GOD ALMIGHTY AND JESUS CHRIST, July 13, 2019, in combination with August 10, 2019, entered a new—and possibly its last—phase. The great WORK OF GOD has moved into a “short-work” – Romans 9:28; KJV. This final time includes the time which our Lord Jesus called “the beginnings of sorrows,” a time of great “troubles” – Matthew 24:4-8; Mark 13:5-8. This final end-time trauma will include what our Lord and Savior called ‘great tribulation’ – a reference to Prophet Daniel’s prophecy of Daniel 11:40-12:3; as well as Matthew 24:21-22. A terrible time – the Day of the LORD. Our mission is to teach the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God to the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ and to testify of Jesus Christ, of His forgiveness, of His atoning sacrifice, of the opportunity for all of us to have Jesus Christ as our great High Priest and to live under the promises of the New Covenant, and to someday be a part of the glorious Kingdom of God!

Let us notice something which Mr. Herbert Armstrong wrote concerning this grave time of ‘troubles’ just before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Our Work in the hands of Christ is NOT YET FINISHED, and He will not allow the Work to stop until it is finished! ... And the abomination that maketh desolate setup. What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15 ... From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ's coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, 'Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days." Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290, and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us—GOD'S CHURCH—who wait and endure until the 1335 days—approximately 1335 days prior to Christ's coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins. But apparently, that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END”

(Armstrong, H. W., Personal, Good News, Jan. 1980, pg. 23).

Some great revelations were given to Mr. Herbert Armstrong. Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ did use him mightily at various points in his life to restore and recapture certain major truths of God's Word - however, since 1980, with the enormous growth of God’s grace and knowledge we do indeed understand – as we get closer to the end-time, that we will begin to realize just how close we are. We don’t know when Jesus Christ is going to return. The only advice we have is ‘watch and pray.’ Keep an eye on world news, keep an eye on world events, keep an eye on things that are happening.

Mr. Armstrong was not given the revelation that God is not and will not be relying on the often half-hearted efforts of humans to fulfill the prophecy of Matthew 24:14. But that Almighty God and Jesus Christ will soon rise upon the scene possibly twelve ‘end-time prophets’ – who will indeed proclaim the gospel Message of the soon-coming Kingdom throughout the world as a WITNESS TO ALL NATIONS – a final WARNING – and they will be ‘delivered before synagogues and prisons, before kings and rulers for Christ’s namesake’ – (cf. Luke 21:12) – and shall be martyred!

Here are a few other things Mr. Armstrong wrote:

“It now appears likely that GOD'S present Work through us will come to an end 1,335 days before the approximate date of Christ's return in supreme POWER and GLORY! It appears the Roman European armies will surround and take half of the city of Jerusalem 45 days later, and the GREAT TRIBULATION will begin 30 days after that. And the GREAT TRIBULATION, running parallel to the worldwide telecast of the TWO WITNESSES (Rev. 11), will last approximately 3½ years”

(Armstrong, H.W. The Time Has Come for Fasting and Prayer! Jan. 1980, pg. 2).

“...the work will continue right on to the Second Coming of Christ”

 (Armstrong, H.W., Letter to the Brethren, Dec. 23, 1985).

Though his order of events are slightly skewed, I truly feel that Mr. Armstrong believed that the Worldwide Church of God would be doing the Work of God right up to the time of Jesus Christ’s return. Yet, that was not in the cards. We believe that Worldwide had its lampstand yanked and thrown away! I’ve heard several people over the years say, “Well, Satan destroyed the Worldwide Church of God!” No, Satan couldn’t have touched the Worldwide Church of God IF God didn’t allow it! But I think God was up to here with the Worldwide Church of God! He was up to here with the hubris, the arrogance, the haughtier, the self-promotion, the self-lining of pockets, the positions and sense of power. The leadership was indeed of the Nicolaitans – which Jesus Christ also hates! They became like the proverbial Humpty Dumpty - the Worldwide Church of God, in this instance, is Humpty Dumpty.

Now, indeed, I found something intriguing. On March 20th, 2013 Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church forged closer ties with the Eastern Orthodox Church embracing ecumenical unity. Is this the ‘white horse’ of Revelation 6:1-2 – which is consistent with the first sorrow (the birth pain) which Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24:4-5? And, while I suspect this could be the case, Minister Michael C. Garrett gave us something to ponder concerning this “white horse of the apocalypse”:

“I guess there could be different interpretations. You could possibly say that this is false religion in the guise of the Mother Church of Europe plunging the world into a world war! That’s a possible explanation. Remember, Paul told us, ‘now we see in a mirror, dimly.’ Now, others might say, that’s Jesus Christ, who’s setting forth the events in which He will return to the earth! Conquering humankind – the rebellious humankind.”

(Day of Atonement – End-Time Trauma, Garrett, M.C., 2019, pg. 18).

Friends, we strive to be careful and teach what God wants (cf. Romans 12:6) and understand that even Prophet Jeremiah hesitated to believe something that he felt God may have told him until a later time – Jeremiah 32:6-8; KJV.

However, even as early as 2009 we have been seeing the Vatican, mainline Protestants, as well as the Eastern Orthodox, as well as the United Nations and other political leaders, embracing and working toward an ecumenical unity – which is NOT actually prophesied in the Bible to happen before the return of Jesus Christ.

“I’ve always been astounded by this concept that they put forth of “one-world religion,” and “one-world government”! And that seems to bring great joy to people of that ilk to talk about it. And if it were true it would be something to be upset about, but THE BIBLE DOES NOT describe that!”

(Mark of the Beast, Garrett, M.C., 2019, page 11).

World News Items

The massive protests in Hong Kong against the government have continued, as well as in France (See: ‘Chinese Troops Join Hong Kong Cleanup as Protesters Retreat’ and ‘Scuffles mar anniversary of birth of yellow vest movement’). Iran’s leader Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei condemns the protests in Iran (See: ‘Mass Protests Erupt Throughout Iran, Central Bank Burned Down (Watch)’ and ‘Iran TV: Supreme Leader Supports Gas Price Increases’). There have also been anti-government protests in Haiti and the Czech Republic. Also, also, there has been a drastic increase in military action involving Israel (known in the Bible in this end-time as Judah) (See: ‘Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria after rocket attack’ as well as ‘Israel carries out ‘wide-scale strikes’ on Iranian forces in Syria’). We are getting ever closer to the time of the rider of the ‘red horse’ in Revelation 6:3-4.

Also, in other prophetic related world news, we are seeing what looks to be the setting off of the ride of the ‘pale horse of the apocalypse’ - Revelation 6:7-8. We are seeing a grave increase of people resisting antibiotics as well as vaccines – causing illnesses and unclean meat-related DEATHS (See: ‘Major Report Says Drug-Resistant Superbugs Are Already Killing More People Than Feared’ and ‘Biggest Threats and Data 2019 AR Threats Report’). And, governments are actually considering the use of man-made infections to use in warfare (See: ‘DARPA espouses benefits of new program to quickly detect pathogens’). Friends, even greater deaths from pestilences are prophesied in the Bible.

“The US dollar may soon collapse,” so says Russian President Vladimir Putin! (See: ‘Vladimir Putin Sums Up The New World Order In 5 Words’). Russia, Europe (See: ‘Russia Continues De-Dollarisation as Brussels Considers Creating Pan-EU Payment System’), as well as other nations (e.g. ‘BRICS vow to fight for multipolar international order’ and ‘Have the BRICS hit a wall?’), are working hard towards a world without American influence and domination. And, such a world is soon coming (cf. Revelation 13; Daniel 11:39). A time of great ‘trouble’ for the descendants of the house of Israel – the United States of America, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom respectively (cf. Jeremiah 30:7).

Friends, let us, therefore ‘watch, and pray always that we may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man’ – to be a part of the glorious Kingdom of God!

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s 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 Your Belief Biblical? (An accompanying free online pdf booklet entitled Is Your Belief Biblical? …and can you prove it? is available).
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Lady Godiva by Minister 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!

Concluding Comments

Last Monday, I read the ICG’s “unofficial” leader’s “Weekly Update” of October 25th, 2019 to my wife – who is currently unconverted. After reading it, I asked her what she thought of it. She stated that it was something – whether your religious or not – one could read and understand.

I pondered on that statement for a while.

Then I was reminded of something which Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote concerning ICG’s “unofficial” leader and his “Weekly Report’s”:

“It is a total and complete secular exposition of his thoughts and ideas. And I will say, in conversations I’ve had with different people, it is a fact that an ever-growing number of people – and many of these people at one time were associated with the ICG – are coming to the realization that the leader does not and will not mention Jesus Christ in any of his writings or his speaking. He doesn’t even mention Biblical Scriptures, and now there’s a growing tendency that he will not even mention the name, God. And all that he is preoccupied with is his very radical version of ultra-conservative political thought.”

(Mark of the Beast, Garrett, M.C., 2019, page 5).

Indeed, what he writes seems to be lifted straight from WorldNetDaily or Fox News and can be very relatable to any conservative. Friends, the truth is sometimes painful to hear and it is not always accepted with open arms – however, according to Scripture, the truth will set us free (Titus 1:9). May I suggest you read a very enlightening article by Inspired Walk – 12 Characteristics of a Cult Leader. When we look closely at the fruits of his life, with honesty and a willingness to face the facts, we begin to see clearly that he does not show the fruit of God’s Spirit.

Friends, there is an amazing prophecy in the Book of Zachariah. There are some who wonder if this is a prophecy of Garner Ted Armstrong and Mark Armstrong. We read that God told His prophet:

“And the LORD said to me, ‘Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. 16) For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces.

17) ‘Woe to the worthless shepherd, Who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his ARM And against his right eye; HIS ARM SHALL COMPLETELY WITHER, And his right eye shall be totally blinded.’” – Zechariah 11:15-17.

Now, could this be a reference to the fact that Ted Armstrong himself would “wither” away spiritually – and that his son is blind to God’s revealed truth? The arm that ought to have defended the flock shall be withered up; the eye that should have watched for their safety shall be blinded. Again, let us recall the words of Minister Michael C. Garrett:

“Well, in the late Summer of 2003, Mr. Ted Armstrong made a public appearance - the last one he would ever make – of which I later viewed on a video. I was shocked to hear him say during this presentation, something to the effect, “You do not have to worry about what the Bible says, all you have to worry about is what I say.” And the moment I heard those words come out of his mouth, I bolted to the front of my chair, and I exclaimed, “O’ no!” “O’ no, Mr. Ted you have just cursed yourself!” Because once again, ‘God is not mocked!’ For what you sow that shall you also reap.”

(What’s In A Name? Garrett, M.C., February 19, 2019).

God’s living Word WARNS us to not place our hope and our trust in mortal men. In fact, God warns, “It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. 9) It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes” – Psalm 118:8-9. God commands us, “Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help” – Psalm 146:3.

There is no man who can save us or give us salvation. Only God Almighty and Jesus Christ can do that! Peter says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” – Acts 4:12. And that name is Jesus Christ!

Apostle Paul also wrote, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2) LOOKING UNTO JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH; …” – Hebrews 12:1-2.

Let us friends keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ! We should keep our eyes and mind on Him!

Are your eyes on Jesus Christ!? Or are you looking to men – to ‘princes,’ to ‘a son of man’!? (ref. Psalm 146:3). King David prayed to God, “Show me YOUR ways, O LORD: Teach me in YOUR paths, For You are the God of my salvation; On YOU I wait all the day” – Psalm 25:4-5.

Where are your eyes centered!? “But my eyes are upon YOU, O GOD the Lord; In YOU I take refuge; …” – Psalm 141:8. Isn’t it about time we start putting our trust in God Almighty and Jesus Christ – and not in mortal, sinful man!?

Our LORD God – the very One who became Jesus Christ – inspired Jeremiah to write:

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. 6) For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. 8) For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit” – Jeremiah 17:5-8.

God raised up a servant to proclaim this truth in this end-time – enabling him to reach multiple thousands through the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website and now a blog site. Through Jesus Christ he has also revealed incredible, amazing, and enlightening new prophetic truths – never before revealed by any other man, woman or child on this earth – to my knowledge.

Why has God chosen to do this WARNING through him – a man who in the eyes of the world is insignificant – but one whom He has used and trained – even under the feet of Herbert Armstrong from 1969 to 1978? Why indeed!? It’s because he has faith and obeyed. It’s not for himself, at all – but for the glory of God!

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

Leonard V. Johnson

Letter to our Friends - November 19, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Central Florida.

Another full week of serving our friends and reaching the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ with the glorious good news of the soon-coming Kingdom of God!

So far our last ‘Letter to our Friends’ has reached 1.1k people with 163 engagements and 127 people either loving or liking it on Facebook! It did well in Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, South Africa. Thank you so very much!

Prophecy Is Moving Forward

As I myself had mentioned back in 2016 – if Donald Trump were to win the US presidential election (which he did), he would be “apocalyptic.” Indeed, many prophecies are being fulfilled already! There were two which began early in his presidency.

1) The Europeans had called for rising up and appear to believe that they have the obligation to lead the West (Here were some early articles concerning this: ‘An Inside Look at the EU's Raging Power Struggle’ along with ‘EU development aid to finance armies in Africa’).

2) The United States of America has had a lot of protests and civil unrest (Here were some early articles concerning this: ‘Today’s racial violence has long roots in the past’ and ‘Police Assassinations ‘An Attack on Nation,’ SBA President Says’).

And, as it was January 20th, 2017 – there is the ever-growing DEADLY nuclear deal with Iran! A true terrorist leader of the Islamic State!

Now, there are other grave matters that we have been posting about also for the past year-and-a-half as well. Properly understood BIBLICAL prophecies are coming to pass!

Though we do not wish to make certain physical aspects of this final 11:58 hour – this end-time – our primary focus. Our utmost focus is on the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God – along with indeed, God’s love, our testimony of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, the building of righteous character and seeking first and foremost the Kingdom of God!

God’s Word does teach:

“… ‘For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’”

World News Items – again checking my news teletype

In the United States of America – the nation has basically been credited for the motivation of the Gentile BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in getting together to work on their agenda to lay aside the US dollar as the world’s dominant currency. BRICS again had a meeting last week concerning this and other aspects of their ultimate plan to increase their influence (See: ‘Have the BRICS hit a wall?’).

In the Vatican City State, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (a.k.a. Pope Francis) continues to make his ecumenical and interfaith agenda changes that have been concerning to Catholics (See: ‘Theology in 'dialogue with cultures' renews humanity, Pope Francis says’). Now, Europe is rather nonreligious in many ways, yet, look for a ‘united Europe’ to begin arming herself as well as falling for a changed version of Catholicism! (See: ‘Third round of PESCO projects approved, with pause in 2020 to assess process’ as well as ‘EU unveils new cooperation projects in training, cyber operations, naval warfare’).

In the Middle East, an Islamic group has threatened to attack Jerusalem (See: ‘After Bombarding Tel Aviv, Islamic Jihad Now Threatens to Attack Jerusalem’). Friends, I noticed that when I had posted an article entitled ‘Nothing Will Be Left of Israel’: Iran Says It Now Has the Power to Wipe Israel ‘Off the Map’ on our Facebook Page there was laughter heard. The Bible indeed shows that God will soon remove His protection from the tiny nation of Israel (which is called Judah) and that the damage will be great:

“He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9) You also saw the damage to the City of David [which is Jerusalem], That it was great; …” – Isaiah 22:8-9.

This prophecy in Isaiah 22 indicates the involvement of Iran and Syria. It may also be those in Gaza, which will align themselves with them against the nation of Israel. So, is this Islamic Jihad making more than just an idle threat!? Friends, let us pray for the peace of our brethren – Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), even though true peace won’t come until the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Again speaking of Europe – military development has been in the news (See: ‘Macron marks Armistice Day in homage to dead soldiers,’ as well as ‘The End of NATO? Macron Laments ‘Brain Death’ and Pushes for a European Military’). Brexit as well as the US President Donald Trump has been credited for this (See: ‘EU army threat: New chief Von der Leyen wants bloc to ‘flex its muscles’ and ‘Von der Leyen: 'Europe must learn the language of power’).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s 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 What’s It All About?
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Get Wisdom 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!

Concluding Comments

Prophet Micah was inspired by God to write:

“Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At mornings light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They cover fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a fellowman of his inheritance.

Therefore, the LORD says, 'I AM planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity. In that day men will ridicule you; they will taunt you with this mournful song: 'We are utterly ruined; my people's possession is divided up. He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to traitors’” —Micah 2:1-4; NIV.

Friends, often it looks as if Satan the devil’s liars and his workers of iniquity are ‘getting away’ with their behavior. But that will soon change. And, so will the pride of the nations. Do not believe that all will continue as it is – for God’s Word is true and sure!

As always, you can contact us at garrett158@roadrunner.com or write to the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ 2800 Aldersgate Drive Owensboro, KY 42303.

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

Leonard V. Johnson

Letter to our Friends - November 12, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Spring Hill, Florida.

For this letter, I would like to check up on the GRIEVOUS STATE OF WORLD CONDITIONS AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME – especially since in January 2018, the Doomsday Clock was adjusted to 2 minutes before midnight – meaning that the Doomsday Clock’s status TODAY is the closest it’s been since it began in 1947! So, what is prophesied in your Bible is SURE to come in the very near future. And, let us not forget the STATE OF AND DIVINE PLANS OF JESUS CHRIST AND GOD ALMIGHTY!

Friends, just where are we in the panoramic view of biblical PROPHECY? Let’s look first at what has happened in my lifetime alone – the past 10, 20, and even 30 years. Look at how freedom of speech and freedom of action has so radically changed our whole life. And, the known fact that radical Islam has been infiltrating our schools and colleges in the US for centuries!

Our new “freedoms” in speech were getting started even as far back as 1917!

As Bill Lind of Accuracy in Academia writes:

“If we look at it analytically, if we look at it historically, we quickly find out exactly what it is. Political Correctness is cultural Marxism. It is Marxism translated from economic into cultural terms. It is an effort that goes back not to the 1960s and the hippies and the peace movement, but back to World War I. …

First of all, both are totalitarian ideologies. The totalitarian nature of Political Correctness is revealed nowhere more clearly than on college campuses, … where the student or faculty member who dares to cross any of the lines set up by the gender feminist or the homosexual-rights activists, or the local black or Hispanic group, or any of the other sainted “victims” groups that PC revolves around, quickly find themselves in judicial trouble. …

Second, the cultural Marxism of Political Correctness, like economic Marxism, has a single factor explanation of history. Economic Marxism says that all of history is determined by ownership of means of production. …

For the cultural Marxist, it’s deconstruction. Deconstruction essentially takes any text, removes all meaning from it and re-inserts any meaning desired. So we find, for example, that all of Shakespeare is about the suppression of women, or the Bible is really about race and gender. All of these texts simply become grist for the mill, which proves that “all history is about which groups have power over which other groups.” So the parallels are very evident between the classical Marxism that we’re familiar with in the old Soviet Union and the cultural Marxism that we see today as Political Correctness.”

(Read More: https://www.academia.org/the-origins-of-political-correctness/).

Just today, I believe I was watching a “Marxist” YouTube channel called Grunge – in which the show blatantly changes history concerning the Missile Cuban Crisis! The host unapologetically stated:

“For decades Americans have received the Cuban Missile Crisis … as a ‘game of apocalyptic chicken’ that started when an unprovoked Soviet Union placed nuclear weapons in Cuba. … But it turns out that that entire narrative is rather misleading.”

He goes on to state – as if all that he says is factual:

“The truth is that JFK inflamed the Cold War by placing missiles in Turkey and Italy …”

After this, I turned the channel off.

Now, I’ve lived some. And, I’m closing in on five decades. I can clearly remember learning about the Cuban Missile Crisis in school and learning all about the communist tactics of the Soviet Union. I – like Minister Michael Garrett – believe that the then President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, had received some guidance from God.

The Marxists, Communists – or Socialists – whatever you wish to call this Leftist agenda is indeed trying to rewrite American history!

Walter E. Williams, professor of economics at George Mason University wrote:

“George Orwell said, “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” …

Today there are efforts to rewrite history in the U.S., albeit the punishment is not so draconian as that in the Soviet Union. …

These history rewriters have enjoyed nearly total success in getting the Confederate flag removed from state capitol grounds and other public places. …

The job of tyrants and busybodies is never done. When they accomplish one goal, they move their agenda to something else.

If we Americans give them an inch, they’ll take a yard. So I say, don’t give them an inch in the first place.

The hate-America types use every tool at their disposal to achieve their agenda of discrediting and demeaning our history.”

Read More: https://www.dailysignal.com/2017/06/14/left-trying-rewrite-american-history-must-stop/).

The Atlantic – a Left-leaning magazine (and if you’re wondering their political thought – in 2016, the editorial board endorsed a presidential candidate, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton) wrote recently:

“The Real Cuban Missile Crisis - Everything you think you know about those 13 days is wrong.

Scholars, however, have long known a very different story: since 1997, they have had access to recordings that Kennedy secretly made of meetings with his top advisers, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (the “ExComm”). Sheldon M. Stern—who was the historian at the John F. Kennedy Library for 23 years and the first scholar to evaluate the ExComm tapes— …

His new book marshals irrefutable evidence to succinctly demolish the mythic version of the crisis.

(Read More: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/01/the-real-cuban-missile-crisis/309190/).

Sadly, the Left has made it so that our history books are now being rewritten and sanitized so that people will forget what real history is. If you change your history and you do not remember it the way it was, you will be doomed to repeat it!

But what of the STATE OF THIS WORLD TODAY!?

Friends, we need to understand that biblical pre-history reveals that once a universal-ruling GOVERNMENT was placed upon this planet. There was an ‘anointed cherub which covered’ commanded by God to administer His GOVERNMENT (Isaiah 14:13) until iniquity (lawlessness) was found in him (Ezekiel 28:14-15). Then God – the very One we now know of as Jesus Christ – renewed the face of the earth (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30) and created mankind (Genesis 1:2-31).

Yet, sadly, our very first parents rejected the very GOVERNMENT OF GOD and rejected God’s Spirit (Genesis 3:6). And, GOD – the great Elohim – adopted a “hands-off” policy for six-thousand earth-years – to be followed by a one-thousand-year period (recall God’s commandment, ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy’) when the glorified returning SAVIOR will establish the GOVERNMENT OF GOD, ruling in the KINGDOM OF GOD over all nations. It will be the beginning of lasting PEACE, of HAPPINESS, and of TRUE JOY (Revelation 11:15; 20:4).

GOD has allowed mankind to rule themselves. And human leaders – from the time of Nimrod the mighty hunter (against) the LORD (Genesis 10:8-11-12) – have set up every kind of government that they have been able to devise – Communism, Confederacy, Democracy, Ecclesiastical, Theocracy, Marxism, Oligarchy, Socialism, Republic, Totalitarian, etc. None has brought true lasting peace, happiness, or joy.

And now, friends, as we are approaching the very END of this six-thousand-year age, socialism is indeed taking a foot-hold in the consciousness of our Generation Z!

So what is the STATE OF THIS WORLD today?

Well, as an example, we read in World News Daily:

November 10th, 2019: “A Chinese government publication has Jesus spouting human maxims that come straight from the playbook of the Chinese Communist Party.

Bitter Winter, a magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China, reports the government's Tian Feng publication is comparing the Bible to "The Maxims of Master Zhu."

"For example, the Confucian saying, 'There is nothing more shameful than being jealous of the wealth and power of others; there is nothing lowlier than looking down on poor people' corresponds to 'He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor.' (Proverbs 14:21)," the report says.”

(Read More: https://www.wnd.com/2019/11/truly-sinister-jesus-words-twisted-promote-communism/).

Indeed, Satan the devil is ramping up his hatred! Twisting our own Savior’s words for their communist agenda! Perhaps you missed this fringe headline.

As we ‘watch and pray’ – as Jesus told us to – we witness the beginning of sorrows in this end-time! Sadly, most people do not grasp HOW FAST THINGS ARE CHANGING!

But what about the world in this 11:58 Hour!?

Turkey is going to free ISIS fighters and send them to Europe – so says Erdoğan. This – alone - may trigger a seventh-resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire in the form of a UNITED STATES OF EUROPE (or a FEDERATION OF EUROPE). A new, stronger, leader of a ‘united’ Europe will indeed want a political-military UNION. The grave influx of radicalized Islamic immigrants into Europe is gravely adding to this biblical prophecy.

The religion of Islam is the dominant religion in the Maldives, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. And, India has the largest Muslim population outside any other Muslim-majority country with over 200 million people! And as we proclaim and WARN – the coming final ‘king of the South,’ the end-time federation of Islamic countries – will indeed counterattack with an estimated 200 million man army! So says, biblical prophecy (Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16).

Violence in the small nation of Israel continues – daily! Rockets from Gaza continue to rain down after Israel killed an Islamic Jihad commander. It is indeed prophesied in your Bible that Israel – the city of Jerusalem – will be viciously attacked! Possibly by a combined effort of Iran and Syria!? (cf. Isaiah 22:6-9).

Yes, in one way or another, I personally for some thirty-eight-years have been very aware of the troubled state of this world! And the state of this world is rapidly becoming more and more troubled! You will do well to notice – and heed – some of the numerous biblical prophecies which foretell this very end of the age.

When this world’s Savior walked on this earth, His disciples – soon to be apostles – asked Him privately when the end of this present age would end and what would be the true sign of His coming. And in answer, He first warned them - as well as all of us - of false gospels and false prophets, ministers, and teachers proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the Christ and deceiving many. Even during the end of the first century A.D., the true Gospel Message – which is Heaven – the throne of God, the Kingdom of God – is coming to the Earth! The Kingdom of God will be established, and Jesus Christ is your Savior and is your great High Priest! was highjacked – and the world at large turned to another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 11:4). But, Jesus continued, ‘you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.’ But then, the final end-time begins … ‘nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.’ – a direct reference to the final holy-war between the end-time ‘king of the South’ and the ‘king of the North’ (cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16). ‘there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.’ And even all this is but ‘the beginning of sorrows.’ EVEN MORE, IS TO COME!

It is at or around this time period that the end-time prophets appear on the scene. As Jesus says, ‘And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’ And they – possibly twelve end-time prophets – will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the captured elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years! Having the power from GOD to heal, to ‘shut up the atmosphere from rain, to turn waters to blood, and to strike the earth will all plagues as often as they desire (see: Revelation 8:7-12).

And this ‘gospel’ is the announcement of the coming Kingdom of God! The Kingdom of God is the GOVERNMENT OF GOD – of which Christ was born to be the KING (Luke 1:30-33; Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 11:15).

So in all of this, it’s a step by step progress – over here something happens, over there something happens. And as you read the Bible you sort-of get the feeling that it grows in intensity!

And, as these end-time prophets – under the direct inspiration of God’s Spirit - are proclaiming this soon-coming WORLDWIDE GOVERNMENT, ‘the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet,’ will be set up ‘standing in the holy place’ – talking about the temple – Jerusalem. And this will come about when European forces invade the Middle East to put down Islamic resistance – to crush it militarily.

’For then …’ – when you see this great military force enter Jerusalem from the North – Europe – and take over the temple, and a great holy man claims that he is now God – and that is the ‘abomination that makes desolate’ – Jesus says, ’there will be great tribulation, …’ – many, many horrible globe-girdling problems! …’ such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.’

’And unless those days were shortened, …’ – except this end-time trauma be shortened, …‘no flesh would be saved; …’ – and as some translations say, ‘saved alive; but for the elect’s sake …’ – a certain group of people who are very near and dear the hearts of God the Father and Jesus Christ – referring to the physical people of the House of Israel. Once named Jacob.

The Book of Daniel talks about the “king of the North,” being EUROPE, and the “king of the South,” the Islamic Middle East, including North Africa. And there will be a World War III – and it will plunge the world into a day that the Bible calls ‘great tribulation.’ GREAT TROUBLES! The worst period of time in the history of mankind!

We are rapidly heading into this time of ‘great tribulation’!

The prophet Jeremiah also foretold of this coming great trouble (Jeremiah 30). The apostle John foretold it coming as the ‘sixth angel sounded’ his trumpet – cf. Revelation 9:13-16. The prophet Daniel foretold this grave time happening BEFORE the SEVENTH TRUMP OF GOD – “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people [the spiritual saints of God] shall be delivered, Everyone who is found written in the Book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some [those who have committed the ‘unpardonable sin’] to shame and everlasting contempt” – Daniel 12:1-2.

Friends, GOD WARNED – that if the nations of Israel obeyed not His commandments and breaks His covenant, He would ‘appoint terror’ over the nations! And TERROR WE DO HAVE! Speaking of our people, the Eternal living God says:

“’ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: ‘I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; 3) The ox knows its owner And the [ass] it's master’s crib; But ISRAEL [the House of Israel] does not know, My people do not consider.’

4) Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward.” – Isaiah 1:2-4.

“Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’” – Ezekiel 33:11.

There is an old adage, first accredited to Thomas Fuller, “It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn.”

And, in many parts of this world, it is very DARK.

Let us dear friends pray for our brothers and sisters WORLDWIDE – with whatever end-time mission they are doing to help fulfill God’s will – and to PRAY earnestly that Jesus Christ and God Almighty will continue to bless the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ with increased membership and income for His Work!

To give what I have written here a much wider circulation, I will be boosting this letter with Facebook for seven days to the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ Let us also pray that it reaches as many people as possible!

World News Items

The Europeans, as well as some in Asia, are displeased with aspects of the US trade policy and are hoping to work with China to essentially bypass the United States (See: ‘US, China spar at Southeast Asian regional summit’). There is coming a time, very soon, when the world at large will look towards Europe as the dominator in world trade instead of the US (cf. Revelation 17-18).

On the 1st of November, the Vatican announced yet another of their holidays – or rather ‘holy-days’ – for its version of Mary - the mother of our Savior (See: ‘Pope Francis Adds New Marian Feast to Roman Calendar’). Will it be that some of the ‘signs and lying wonders’ prophesied by the Apostle Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) will be associated with their version of Mary!?

In India’s air pollution crisis, a million gas masks were given out (See: ‘Millions of masks distributed to students in 'gas chamber' Delhi’). On the 4th, the United States officially informed the United Nations that she is pulling out of the climate accords agreed to in Paris by then US President Barack Hussein Obama II. The Europeans are not pleased – to say the least (See: ‘US Notifies UN It Will Withdraw From Paris Climate Deal’).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s 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 Salvation OFFERED To All.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Fake Food vs. Real Food 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!

Concluding Comments

Prophet Micah was inspired to record the following:

In the last days the mountain of the LORD'S temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.

Many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the GOD of Jacob. He will teach us His Ways, so that we may walk in His paths.'

The Law will go out from Zion, the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore"—Micah 4:1-3.

O' praise the great and merciful GOD, the GOD of gods—physical people are going to flow into His AWESOME Kingdom! You see, all this terrible bad news will lead right into THIS! "In the last days." See!? "In that day," "In those days," all of this terrible disgusting vile—like Kayla Mueller defending her faith and testimony of our living Christ! —and being MURDERED for it!—all of this vile is going to lead right into this-most inspiring Good News you could ever hear! PRAISE ALMIGHTY GOD AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!

Now... that's what it's all about!

And who will these physical nations learn from?

GOD Himself! He will decide for strong nations, "and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." So, this is a symbol of peace. A time of peace and plenty.

Now... remember... these are physical nations. Verse 4: "But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree: and none shall make them afraid:" nobody is going to make anyone afraid anymore. "for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it." GOD cannot lie. It HAS to come to pass! It MUST happen! It MUST happen! There's no other way that things can develop and conclude. There's no other way.

Friends, I went to Father God and Jesus Christ in prayer and spent much time in a study over this following Scripture. And in prayer, Their Spirit reminded me of what our living Christ had said to the Jews in John 10:29-36! Micah 4:5: "For all other nations shall walk every one in his own way, but we will walk in the Name of the Lord our GOD forever and ever"—Greek Septuagint.

Let's continue growing in the grace and knowledge of our GOD (2 Peter 3:18), and overcoming, so we can have the right to sit with our King of kings and Lord of lords on His throne (Revelation 3:21).

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

Leonard V. Johnson

Letter to our Friends - November 5, 2019

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Dear Friends:

Greetings again from Owensboro, Kentucky.

Might I suggest you read this week - along with watching the suggested sermon - Day of Atonement = End-Time Trauma, which teaches on the white horse and its rider of Revelation 6. While many – especially those of the tradition of the Worldwide Church of God – may disagree, we strive to teach the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God which only comes from the Bible (cf. Romans 12:6), and understand that even the prophet Jeremiah was hesitant to believe straightway something he felt God may have told him until a later time (Jeremiah 32:6-8).

And indeed, you could possibly say that this white horse and its rider is a mighty false religion in the guise of the “Mother Church of Europe” plunging this world into all-out chaos and world war! But, could it not possibly be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ beginning – in this end-time – setting forth events preparing for His return as a Conquering Warrior!?

YouTube

We thank you immensely for your continued support and subscription to our YouTube channel! We currently have 1,342 views since July 16th, 2018!

Even though YouTube has changed their algorithms – which are not in our favor – we have continued to have success on YouTube, despite what appears to be biased against those who hold to biblically-approved positions. And, this seems mainly to have affected those who might be searching to find our Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ YouTube channel, though it affects our other two channel’s as well.

Now, we originally chose YouTube ‘television’ because it was convenient and basically free. It also has a wide viewership all over the world. As of this morning, we have 11 subscribers to the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ channel. Our other two channels are:

The Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwFd99BM0EXyAdM7MWtKcjw.

Trevor Koonce - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZtjCCj7CArb_-6i09tV2Ng.

YouTube says that “Subscribers watch more,” meaning that they typically watch even more of what is on the channels of which they have subscribed to than non-subscribers. So, if you haven’t subscribed be sure to subscribe to one of our channels and ring the bell to get notified of our latest sermons. You have the option to be notified of occasional sermons or all of them. And, if you’re on your cell phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notification. We have never promoted getting ‘subscribers’ to our YouTube channels.

And, as far as our blog site – Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ – we have reached over 50 countries and territories since July 16th, 2018 – with a current daily average view of 10, with over 80 return viewers!

Facebook Commentary on “Conversion” – Minister Guy C. LaMar

Recently - a debate came up at church where the host minister and I had a moment of disagreement.

I am no stranger to debates.

I’ll never debate anything unless I’m totally assured of myself over the subject. There are opinions and then there are facts. When I see the facts being right before me without any room for doubt then for me it becomes a matter to share with the proper individuals.

This debate we had in church was over the meaning and word “convert” or “conversion”. Certainly, the subject must look at the context of the situation also.

I’d stated that the first possible conversion that Jesus made was to the woman at the well. Because she went into the town to proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah showing that she believed. Who’s to say the woman didn’t repent once she saw her life’s errors through living contrary to God’s ways?

The host preacher at the church said that conversion happened at Pentecost with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. He said they had to repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit in order for conversion.

Was Samson baptized? Yet, he had God’s Spirit. Was the man on the cross next to Jesus baptized? Yet he was promised by Jesus to be in ‘Paradise’ with Him that very day.

Did the host minister at church study properly point out what ‘conversion’ means? I do not believe that he did.

The word “Worship” in the Greek Is .... proskynéō. Meaning: “Giving a token of reverence.”

The word “Convert” in the Greek is ... epistréphō. And just some of its meanings are: “To turn back. To turn to the worship of the true God - to the love and obedience of God. Turn to His love wisdom and righteousness. Turn and believe in God. To proclaim the true God. To obey the true God.”

The point is: To be converted is to believe! To turn back to the faith once delivered from the start given by God to all called to the understanding of it.

The woman at the well was obviously called to understand due to her proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.

Conversion is a process and the starting point is to believe.

The lady at the well started her process of belief by proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah after communication with Him at the well. She was converted!

It’s as simple as it gets.

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church on the Day of Pentecost it was by where the order of the salvation process, by way of dedication, was formed. You gotta start by believing. Which is converting - turning away from a former way of thinking to this new way of thinking.

Although I greatly respect the host minister at the church I attended, I do NOT see eye to eye with him on this topic of conversion.

To convert is to fix something by change and in this context, it means to believe and to hold on to that belief.

The lady at the well proved she was a changed person because she believed, or was converted, by Jesus so much that she went to proclaim Him to be the Messiah.

World News Items – I checked my teletype machine

In the US – the media is focused on chasing the holy grail of impeachment for US President Donald Trump – while Russia, China, and India just made a deal to bypass more use of the US-dominated international financial system (See: ‘Russia, China & India to set up alternative to SWIFT payment system to connect 3 billion people’). Friends, others are also taking steps to bypass the US dollar and US-dominated financial system – like the Europeans. As Minister Michael C. Garrett has been WARNING through the living Word of Jesus Christ: “I know there are people out there – church groups – that in the past would talk about forces from Europe coming across the Atlantic and drive their mechanized vehicles up onto the shores of America and would overtake America. Well folks, I always thought that was a foolish idea. I didn’t know just exactly why it just didn’t … it just never rang true to me. Just something flawed in that reasoning. But, hey, why do you need a bunch of militant Europeans when you flood our country with maybe a hundred million strangers – a hundred and fifty million illegal strangers!? Two hundred million strangers!? And we cease to be the nation that God Almighty intended us to be.” The US dollar is quickly losing its status as the world’s primary reserve currency which will result in severe economic problems for the United States of America, as well as other nations of the House of Israel. Many nations are working hard to topple the great United States – without firing a single military weapon.

Also in the US – President Trump has stated that the so-called leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed (See: ‘IS Leader Dead, Trump Announces’). No worries, another will take his place - if he is dead. And, according to biblical prophecy, such a leader shall rise (Daniel 11:40-43) known as the final ‘king of the South’ – a leader of an end-time Islamic confederation. As Minister Michael C. Garrett has stated: “Well, I’m gonna offer today an idea maybe you’ve never thought of. And this is just a thought – just a possibility. And with time, we’ll know. But I’m asking you to sort-of consider the possibility. What if this ‘pushing’ of this Islamic confederation at the king of the North – what if it were indeed attacked by Islamic terrorists upon Israel and Britain, and the United States!? You know we really don’t appreciate the fact that Europe really is our ally! And we have close ties with them! And I know in the old days, there was always this idea that Europe and the United States would come to hate each other! But I don’t know that that is necessarily true. I’m just offering this as an idea – what if this ‘pushing’ were a series of Islamic terrorist nuclear explosions, electromagnetic pulse weapons, explosions which would wipe out our infrastructure!? And what if then, the Islamists said, “Europe, now we’re coming after you!” Maybe that is the pushing, maybe that is the threat!? But we do know for sure – it says the king of the North will come at him (the ‘king of the South’) with powerful military forces!”

Turkey’s Erdoğan has upset a great many in Europe, along with US relations, with its incursions into Northern Syria. A new poll now shows that the majority of Germans want Turkey out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (See: ‘Turkey's Syria Operation Sees Crackdown on Kurdish Party’ along with ‘Majority of Germans want Turkey kicked out of NATO: survey’). The US administration imposed sanctions against Turkey for this, as well as condemning what the Turks atrociously did to the Armenians over a century ago (See: ‘US House Lawmakers Rebuke Turkey for Syria Invasion’ as well as ‘US lawmakers recognize killing of Armenians as genocide’). Bible prophecy shows us that Turkey will soon turn against the US as well as Israel, and align with a resurrected United States of Europe (cf. Psalm 83:4-8) despite what the polls might say. Be sure to read our online booklet Turkey is going to Betray His Brothers!

Another delay for the Brexit. The European Union has agreed to a delay to the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU (See: ‘EU Grants New Brexit Delay to Jan. 31’). Be sure to read our online article’s – God’s Promises To Abraham – a seven-part series. The United Kingdom will exit the EU – this will have great economic ramifications that will not turn out favorable for the UK (cf. Daniel 8:24-25).

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s 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 The Last Crusade.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is The Rest of the Dead by Michael C. Garrett. An accompanying online booklet – The Confusion About Death! (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!

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness” – Titus 1:1.

That means people who have GOD’S Spirit and whose names are written in the Book of Life. It’s not determined by where your rear-end sits in a church service. “Well, I belong to this church, or I belong to that church. My rear-end sits in this church on the weekend.” Whatever it is, that’s not what’s IMPORTANT. It’s how GOD views you, it’s whether or not you truly have GOD’S Spirit and it’s whether or not your name is or is not written in the Book of Life.

He also wrote, under the inspiration of God’s Spirit:

“not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth” – Titus 1:14.

‘Not giving heed to Jewish fables’ – because indeed, there are church groups which are deep into this – somehow trying to merge Christianity with Judaism. Some calling themselves Messianic Jews! I just say, ‘They’re messed up!” Theologically speaking. Because they don’t know what they’re talking about. You CAN’T merge the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. IF you live under the guise of the Old Covenant, you are destined to die. There are people, in churches, of which I am familiar, who keep the Old Covenant, who keep the Day of Atonement as an Old Covenant celebration. They miss the mark. The true meaning, two significant meanings:

1.  Humble yourself before God Almighty and Jesus Christ.
2.  Has a powerful significance in prophecy.

Friends and fellow brethren – Messianic Judaism rejects Jesus Christ as the Messiah – the Christos. Messianic Judaism also rejects the God-given truth that a begotten child of God can become a God – of which this glorious revealed truth can be found in the Bible – the ultimate Plan of God!

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

                                                               24:34

Why do you keep the feasts of the LORD!? And, if you don't keep them - why!?

God says, 'these are My feasts,' and they are to be kept throughout the generations of the children (or rather the nations of Israel, as well as the Gentile nations) forever.

Here, Minister Leonard V. Johnson - in Owensboro, Kentucky - covers some of the basics (the FOUNDATION) of the feasts of the LORD, and asks - Why do you keep the Feast of Tabernacles!?

Is God a TRINITY? (Booklet)

You can now listen to this booklet. Just click on the play button below.

COJCOM · Is God a TRINITY? - Audio Booklet

Greetings dear Brethren and Friends - Hello. The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are pleased to present our latest free online PDF booklet "Is God a TRINITY?"

Is God a Trinity of a family? Is the Holy Spirit a being or the creative power of the Godhead? These questions about the very nature of God are answered in this booklet.

Here is a direct LINK to this amazing booklet - "Is God a TRINITY?"

Additional Items of Interest

Should Christians Celebrate St. Patrick's Day? - Does it make any difference if true Christians observe St. Patrick's Day? Does God's living word - the Holy Bible - establish whether we, as Christians, are to keep certain God-ordained holy days? Were these holy days ONLY given to the Jews!? Does Leviticus 23:1 say, "'The feasts of the children of Israel'"!? Hence, the feasts of the Jews!? Are these God-ordained holy days binding TODAY on true Christians? WHICH DAYS SHOULD TRUE CHRISTIANS KEEP!?

God's Children Are Of The Light! - Well it’s good to be with all of you again … everything which we are doing, everything which we are producing, is based upon the concept that it will follow the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God. 

Are We To Listen To Others? Sermon - Is it wrong to listen to others that diss or disagree with one of God's ministers!? Is it wrong to attend other churches!? Or, to listen to the many religious broadcasts on radio and television!? Or, inviting one into your home to discuss religion or Scripture with a different gospel or doctrine!?