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