Monday, February 17, 2020

Letter to our Friends - February 11, 2020


Michael C. Garrett
Pastor and Overseer

Greetings from West Central Florida:

This morning as I shared many world news reports @AfjcMinistries, I couldn’t help but notice the overwhelming number of Wuhan Coronavirus reports which the internet is inundated with! From the 15th case in the US to the first known confirmed death related to the virus in Japan, to the belief that North Korea is lying about any deaths caused by the coronavirus (not that it should surprise any of us – am I right!?), to the country of Vietnam quarantining thousands, and even a report on how a global city helped spread this possible future pandemic!

Wuhan Coronavirus – ‘pestilences’

Friends, this world, surely, has yet to see the last of WIDESPREAD diseases and viruses! That was what Jesus Christ told His disciples within the “Olivet prophecy” which has been recorded for us in Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

Along with wars and famine came pestilences. His grave WARNING of the prophecy recorded for us in Daniel, He says, ’ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. …’ – a direct reference to Daniel 11:40 – “ … the king of the South [an end-time final Islamic confederation of nations] shall attack him; and the king of the North [an end-time final Catholicentric European confederation of nations] shall come against him like a whirlwind, …” “ … ‘And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places’” – Matthew 24:7; NKJV throughout. 

Now, these are indeed some grave prophetic signs that the Messiah listed in answering their questions, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming [His Second Coming], and of the end of the age?” – verse 3.

Now, pestilences, famine, war, earthquakes (surely the massive earthquake which destroyed 13 cities in Asia Minor AD 17, recorded for us by Tacitus and Pliny the Elder, was “apocalyptic” at that time) have been ongoing since the world began. But the main thrust of Jesus Christ’s Message from Father is meant for this end-time – this generation. How do we know that it’s for this generation? Because Jesus said, “’ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation [meaning, the generation which witnesses ‘all these things’ – the very signs He had mentioned] will by no means pass away till all these things take place’” – verse 34. In verses 21 and 22 of Matthew 24, our Savior referred to a period in time when complete annihilation of the human race would be a possibility. Now, does this mean nuclear warfare!? Or, does it mean a massive asteroid impact – what they call a “global killer”? (Just to note: a massive asteroid is due to shave close to Earth this Sabbath at 6:05! But scientists are reassuring us that it won’t strike the Earth). It could indeed be a combination of both some asteroids and nuclear/EMP explosions (cf. Revelation 8:10)!?



The Book of Revealing – the Book of Revelation – also WARNS of the fact of such tribulation that is yet in our future. The Apostle John’s great vision from God centers around events that will occur on the Day of the Lord. (Be sure to read our two-part article “The Day of the LORD” which covers these soon-coming end-time events). In the sixth chapter, we see war, famine, and diseases and death (the last three of the so-called Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) all riding together at this critical time in world history.

The passages concerning this fourth horse and its rider:
“When He [Jesus Christ] opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 8) So I looked, and behold, pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades [meaning, the grave] followed him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth” – Revelation 6:7-8.
Minister Michael C. Garrett has written:
“A group of people which I call the end-time prophets (and this is not a biblical phrase) – the New Testament Church began with twelve apostles. And I believe the New Testament era will end with twelve individuals, hand-picked by Jesus Christ, to carry an end-time warning to this nation and other nations - taking that Message before legislative branches, leaders, presidents. And, there’s a good chance that there will be twelve of them. Now, I can’t say one way or the other – but let’s just say there are twelve. Six groups of two – apparently working in tandem. Because that’s what Jesus did earlier in the “gospel” accounts. He sent them out two by two. And five of these groups will be martyred. Ten people – probably. Two will be left alive until the very end – and they will be called the Two Witnesses. They will end up in Jerusalem – directly opposing the great false leader of Europe and the great false religious leader of Europe. Just like Moses and Aaron did as they went into the court of the pharaoh. And they will curse the world with different plagues. And eventually, these two people will be martyred. But three-and-a-half days later they will rise again.”
(Day of Atonement = End-Time Trauma).
So, this fourth horsemen’s ride begins just prior to the Day of the LORD – what Jesus Christ called ‘great tribulation’ (Matt. 24:21) and what the prophet Jeremiah has called ‘Jacob’s trouble’ (Jer. 30:7). The majority of the Anglo-Saxon dominated nations will be effected – which are the end-time descendants of Israel, also prophetically referred to as Israel (cf. Genesis 48). (Be sure to read our seven-part series “God’s Promises To Abraham”). And indeed, they will be greatly affected AFTERWARDS!

The prophet Ezekiel was inspired to write:
“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have multiplied disobedience more than the nations that are all around you, have not walked in My statutes nor kept My judgments, nor even done according to the judgments of the nations that are all around you’ – 8) therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I, even I, am against you and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations. 9) And I will do among you what I HAVE NEVER DONE, AND THE LIKE OF WHICH I WILL NEVER DO AGAIN, because of all your abominations’” – Ezekiel 5:7-9.
“’ And you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD to the land of Israel: ‘An end! The end has come upon the FOUR CORNERS of the land. 3) Now the end has come upon you, And I will send My anger against you; I will judge you according to your ways, And I will repay you for all your abominations. … 15) The sword is outside, And THE PESTILENCE and FAMINE within. Whoever is in the field will die by the sword; And whoever is in the city, Famine and pestilence will devour him’” – Ezekiel 7:2-3, 15.
Notice that the Lord GOD’s WARNING that the end will come to the land of Israel (cf. Genesis 48 & 49) – the “four corners of the land.” Now, while many claims that this only referred (past-tense) to the tiny nation called Israel in the Middle East, understand that the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are indeed all across the “four corners” of the earth.

Indeed, with every grave terrorist attack, with every disease outbreak, with every devastating earthquake and hurricane or tornado the United States and her Anglo-Saxon allies are becoming weaker and weaker (Rebuilding costs increase following a catastrophe; take our national debt as an example). And I say, just as Greece needed to be bailed out in 2010, who will come to our aid when the US dollar finally and completely collapses!? – Europe!? (cf. Daniel 11:39; 8:24-25).

A Prophetic Dream?

Friends, several years ago now – November 6th, 2016 to be precise; just before I would be fit, spiritually speaking – I had a dream, and I believe it was from God. In my dream – a most vivid dream – I was looking into the clearest night sky I have ever seen, crystal clear bright shining stars. And then suddenly I heard a booming voice – what appeared to be a tail-end of a conversation. And the voice said, “They only have 10 years left.” At the time it was not clear to me what the dream was saying I had not had any anointing of God’s Spirit beyond baptism. Millions have supposedly been baptized, but few have ever had hands laid on them for the receipt of the Holy Spirit during the baptism and then even AFTER baptism. And fewer still have had hands laid on them by a servant of Christ who has authority from Jesus Christ. On August 10th, 2019 I had hands laid upon me by OCOJC minister Michael C. Garrett.

Related to dreams:
“’ And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh [the preliminary part happened roughly 1,989 years ago – AD 31]; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29) And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days’” – Joel 2:28-29.
“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, … 17) ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18) And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy’” – Acts 2:14, 17-18.
Now, despite what God shows us within His living Word, most churches (even including many churches of God descended from the WCG) do not seemingly accept that God actually sometimes speaks in dreams in the 21st century – and some, seem indignant of the very idea. Both the Apostle Peter as well as the prophet Joel mentioned that there would be some with prophetic dreams in the end-time.

Please understand friends the end-time prophets – I don’t know who they are and you don’t either. They could be forty-years-old right now, they could be sixty-years-old right now, or they could be eight-years-old right now. I don’t know – and nobody knows. Because nobody knows when the end of the age is coming. And if anyone tells you they do – WARNING, WARNING, WARNING! They are attempting to manipulate you. Jesus Christ says, “’ But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.’” And at that time when He said it, He didn’t even know. Now I have to surmise that at this point in time God the Father has shared that with Jesus Christ. But again, we don’t know. Is the Kingdom of God three years away!? Probably not. Is it ten years away!? Possibly. That being said, there is a possibility that 2026 could be the beginning year of the Day of the LORD – but NOT the return of Jesus Christ.

Recall what Jesus said happens during and even after the gospel of Christ – the gospel of the kingdom of God – is preached in all the world as a witness to all nations by these end-time prophets, culminating with the Two Witnesses spoke of in Revelation 11:
’ Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand), 16) then let those who are in Judea [in Judea, not in the US, not in the UK, not even in Europe] flee to the mountains. 17) Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18) And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19) But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20) And pray that your flight may not be in the winter or on the Sabbath. 21) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22) And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake [the physical people descended from Jacob/Israel] those days will be shortened’” – Matthew 24:15-22.
In the end-time when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’ get out of Judah, flee, and when a lot of the Jewish people see their torment coming, are going to attempt to leave what we call ‘Israel’ today. Many are going to head north and try and cross Turkey over into Europe. And the Turks will NOT allow them. The Turks will round them up and sell them or kill them. Horrible end-time trauma comes upon the nation of Judah; modern-day Israel. (Again, be sure to read our two-part article “The Day of the LORD” in which more can be found concerning this ‘abomination of desolation’ spoken of by Jesus Christ).

Concerning WHEN our King of kings and LORD of lords return, notice what He said:
’ For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered TOGETHER.’ - Meaning wherever Jesus is – eventually – the saints of God (living and dead) will be brought to Him. ’ Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light [possibly because the atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash]; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ [meaning Satan and his demons will be expunged from the atmosphere of the earth]. 30) Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, …’” - Matthew 24:29, 30a.
There’s a term which has developed basically within the last century among some fundamentalist type churches of the Christian ilk talking about the rapture. And this is simply not correct theological teaching. And many times when people use the words, they say, “the secret rapture.” Well, there won’t be any secrets when Jesus is returning! Because, as Jesus says in verse 27 – “’ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man.’” - When the throne of God, when New Jerusalem, begins to return to this earth, at some point, it will be a little small light in the night sky. And the next night it will be a little brighter – like the star Sirius. And then, it becomes more and more obvious – and people will look up and go, “What is that!?” Now, most of the people of the world will think it’s – and they really will – an invading alien force!

There is nothing secret about it!
“ … ‘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. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, … ’” - Matthew 24:30, 31a.
The very throne of GOD, Jesus Christ and God the Father and the resurrected saints! Keep in mind, the resurrection occurs on the SEVENTH TRUMP. The seven last plagues follow that. So, we will already be in “low earth orbit” in the clouds, being with Jesus Christ, in preparation for the time He, Jesus Christ, directly engages humankind.
“ … ‘and they will gather together His elect [in other words, His saints will be gathered together] from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other’” – Matthew 24:31b.
However, in the meantime friends, we NEED to watch world events in relation to biblical prophecy to see other things that Jesus pointed out.

As far as watching, Jesus taught:
’ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is’” – Mark 13:33.
Also, let us notice this:
“ … ‘WORSHIP GOD! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’” – Revelation 19:10b.
Understanding biblical prophecy is important.

Our Lord and Savior WARNED:
"' Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of man'" —Luke 21:36.
The living Head of this Work—who has drafted you and me as His Co-Workers—commanded us to WATCH and PRAY ALWAYS that we may be accounted worthy to escape all the terrifying conditions now very quickly coming on this world.

He was talking about world conditions—world happenings—world NEWS (Luke 21; Matthew 24; Mark 13). He was talking about a very soon-coming ‘great tribulation.’ – cf. Matthew 24:21. And, He offered us a chance to ESCAPE this tribulation — not have to go through it. To take advantage of this GREAT ESCAPE-opportunity. He said we must 'WATCH' as well as PRAY always. He meant watch world happenings that are in connection with His revealed prophesies — events that are leading to the 11:59 hour so very quickly, in this generation!

For thirty-nine years I have been mindful of this warning, and more and more so as I have seen world happenings fulfilling prophecies. We can't ALL of us travel around the world to all parts to WATCH world affairs—but then again, we have television and the internet which brings world happenings directly to us. Through the prophecy of Ezekiel, GOD explains that when this time was to come, GOD would call watchmen. And, Isaiah 21:6 says, "' Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees!'" The watchman was the first line of defense of a fortified city. They stood on the watchtower and were trained to spot the enemies of the children Israel and would WARN of an approaching enemy. Today the House of Israel is primarily the United States of America and the United Kingdom – were founded by the people who were descended from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh. And how we as Christians – as followers of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant – are also related to Abraham. GOD raises up men with ministries to 'dig in the walls' and WATCH for our enemies and WARN this world as never before. Proclaiming with a strong and bold voice Jesus Christ, His gospel Message and His NEW COVENANT!

I send you thanks! And, WE should THANK JESUS CHRIST for the great privilege of having a part in His Work—of being a Co-Worker WITH Him in the very Work of GOD which He heads and directs! I know that I am very grateful—I hope you are, too!

World News Items

Well, here we go again – in the US, her presidential primary is beginning to gear up with the New Hampshire primary (See: ‘Sanders wins New Hampshire primary’ along with ‘The 2020 New Hampshire primary’). I have been praying for President Donald Trump and I recommend that all do so. Can that help the United States of America!? Certainly. As I have been saying, I believe we are in the eye of the storm. What this nation as a whole truly needs is national repentance and the glorious kingdom of God!

In the Middle East, Israel’s Defense Minister said that Israel was targeting Iranian military targets and not just Iranian proxy forces (See: ‘Israel Reveals it is Now Targeting Iranian Forces Militarily’). Indeed, Iran will not like that and it appears prophesied that one day will cause grave damage to Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:6-9). Israeli statements and actions surely are hastening that time.

In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has announced he wants out of a security agreement with the US (See: ‘Philippines Duterte deals blow to the U.S. by terminating troop pact’ also ‘Top US commander warns Philippines rift could hurt terrorism fight’). This move on his part could – just as US commanders warn – strengthen the radical Islamic armies that could ultimately be tied in with ‘the kings from the east’ (Islamic armies) of Revelation 16:12-16.

Hamas – a terrorist organization – as well as many African leaders, have rejected the Trump’s Administration’s peace deal (See: ‘African leaders reject Trump’s Mideast peace plan’ and ‘Fatah: “Trump… Shove [the Deal] up your [A–]”’) As I tweeted on @AfjcMinistries, In my opinion, there can be no 'deal' with known #Terrorists, other than complete annihilation! (Isa. 48:22; Ex. 14:14).

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 “Jacob’s Trouble” by Michael C. Garrett.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is “Dimash in NYC – A Story Of Faith” 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 to SUBSCRIBE to our BitChute channel.

Concluding Comments

Brother John was inspired by the Lord our God to write the following:
5) "This is the Message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that GOD is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" - 1 John 1:5-7.
Friends, let us always walk in the light of truth. Let us NEVER practice darkness. Believe that our Lord Jesus can cleanse us from all sin.
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" - Ephesians 4:29-32.
As far as fellowship with one another goes, let us meet with other brethren when we can. And do NOT neglect to try to attend the Feast of Tabernacles.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Is God's Biblical Food Laws Still In Effect!?


I recently came across an article written by Tim Zimmerman (who calls himself an apostle of Christ) regarding unclean meats. And he writes:
"In this article, I will present total 100% solid undeniable, irrefutable proof that Jesus cleansed all animal meats and that they are acceptable for food. ...
Peter's Vision:
Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
(it is very important to understand that Peter was hungry. He was in need of eating food.)
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 
(The Greek word for "vessel" is Strong's #G4632 - skeus, which can mean the tackle and armament of vessels, used specifically of sails and ropes. It does not make sense for this to be a sheet with animals in it. Animals are held by cages and nets/ropes/chains. Not sheets of cloth. The Almighty would reveal things to Peter in a way that Peter could understand and relate to. Peter was a fisherman who worked on ships. The Greek word for "sheet" is Strong's #G3607 - othone, which can refer to linen but also to a sail. Placing the two Greek words together in the same sentence in the context of being spoken to a fisherman, and speaking of holding animals, it is very clear that it is a net.)
12 Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
(Peter recognized these beasts as what he considered as unclean animals. see vs. 14)
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
(Peter was hungry and The Almighty told Peter to kill and eat these animals!)
(The Almighty need not tell Peter to kill and eat gentiles!)
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
(What did Peter call unclean? Answer: The animals that The Almighty told him to kill and eat! Peter was not calling Gentiles unclean. He was calling the animals unclean.)
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
(Peter called the animals unclean. The Almighty told Peter to not call them unclean. This is as clear as day! The Almighty corrected Peter! The almighty told Peter that these animals were no longer unclean, rather that He had cleansed them! It cannot be more clear.)"
(Zimmerman, Tim; Unlean Meats or Provision for the Great Tribulation? Retrieved 10 February 2020).
Now, I say with the authority of Jesus Christ that he is horribly wrong! I have highlighted grave errors on his part above. All one needs to do is to continue reading the chapter and God's living Word reveals HIS TRUTH!

Let's actually begin in Acts 10:1; NKJV throughout -
 "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion [roughly equivalent to a captain in the US Army] of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2) a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, ... 3) About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, 'Cornelius!' ... 4) ... 'Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5) Now send men  to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.'"
Friends, even before God reveals to the Apostle Peter the answer to his vision, verse 5 underlined is a clue. So, these two household servants and a devout soldier (three men) were sent by Cornelius to the Apostle Peter. 

Now, let's review the Apostle Peter's vision:
Verse 9 - "The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10) Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11) and saw heaven [the atmosphere] opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12) In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13) And a voice came to him, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 14) But Peter said, 'Not so Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.'"
So, right here in verse 14, with Peter not yet knowing the answer for this vision, he knew that God's dietary laws for mankind were still very much in effect - as in animals, creeping things, and birds. And also, this shows that nearly 30 years after the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter, and the other apostles were still NOT eating unclean meats as directed per Leviticus 11:1-8, 47; Deuteronomy 14:1-29.
Verse 15 - "And a voice spoke to him again the second time, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' 16) This was done three times ..." 
In other words, God repeated that phrase THREE TIMES.

Now, let's get to the true answer from God for this vision of Peter's.
Verse 19 - "While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit [God's Spirit] said to him, 'Behold, THREE MEN are seeking you. 20) Arise therefore, go down and go with them, DOUBTING NOTHING; FOR I HAVE SENT THEM.'"
Verse 24 - "And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25) As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26) But Peter lifted him up, saying, 'Stand up; I myself am also a man.' 27) And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28) Then he said to them, ..." - and here is something that God was correcting the Apostle Peter regarding - "' You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God [in this vision] has shown me that I should not call any MAN common or unclean. 29) Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?'"
And then, the crux of what God wanted the Apostle Peter - and all of us - to understand:
Verse 34 - "Then Peter opened his mouth and said: 'In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35) But IN EVERY NATION whoever fears [revrently fears] Him and works righteousness IS ACCEPTED BY HIM'" 
Either Gentile or Jew!!

So, in truth, this vision had nothing to do with 'The almighty told Peter that these animals were no longer unclean, rather that He had cleansed them!'
Verse 44 - "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45) And those of the circumcision who believed [those who abide by the law of Moses. Which were the temporary ceremonial laws, such as animal sacrifices, physical circumcision, stoning, tassels, etc, under the Old Covenant] were astonished, as many as came with Peter, BECAUSE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD BEEN POURED OUT ON THE GENTILES ALSO."
When one - like Mr. Zimmerman -  takes Scripture out of proper context, there is no possible way to understand the living truth of the Almighty God!

God's living Word - the Holy Bible - WARNS about those who love, believe, and teach, a lie:
"But outside [outside of the holy city - New Jerusalem will be] dogs [a spiritual predator who feeds off others] and sorcerers and sexually immoral [also meaning, people who have been seduced into believing and following false claims about doctrine] and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie" - Revelation 22:15.
Now, in the aforementioned article, Mr. Zimmerman had mentioned that he personally didn't eat unclean meat as per God in Leviticus 11:1-8, 47; Deuteronomy 14:1-29 for some 22-24 years! He claims that it in the future will "be a major challenge for many who have been taught otherwise." How so!? This reminds me of something Minister Guy LaMar wrote:
"Those are individual choices that won't be beneficial for the good of the body. Let's get something clear - GOD - THE CREATOR OF ALL - Has had laws for mankind since He created mankind. Those laws - when observed - will result in good things but when they are broken then bad things happen. Why? Because God put those laws in motion for the benefit of mankind. God made dietary laws for mankind so as for the benefit of mankind."
I couldn't have put it more eloquent than that!

The Apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
"For this you know, that no fornicator [again, people who have been seduced into believing and following false doctrine or religions], unclean person [an immoral person], nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7) Therefore do not be partakers with them" - Ephesians 5:5-7.
Sadly, although the greater majority who profess Christ believe that they can eat unclean meats, the Apostle Paul wrote:
"For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8) Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit" - 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8.
And Brother Peter added:

"then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10) and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries" - 2 Peter 2:9-10.

Sadly, so many who profess Christ despise God's living authority and eat whatever they lust after. And, many of these same will claim that Jesus declared all animals to be clean to eat - even though HE DID NOT!

Now, while Mr. Zimmerman is correct in his study of the Greek words, he was terribly wrong in assuming that Jesus had declared that all animals were now clean to eat. Truthfully, would you want to eat a leech, or a mosquito, or a cockroach!? Even using but logic should tell us that such things are unhealthy. Peter himself obviously did not believe that Jesus had declared all animals as clean as he knew that the dietary laws of God were still in effect.

And another primary "proof" text that many Protestants and Catholics alike use - including Mr. Zimmerman - is Mark 7:18-19. Mr. Zimmerman writes:
"When did Christ cleanse animals? Answer: In Mark 7:19
Mark 7:19 (New American Standard Bible) "because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated? Thus He declared all foods clean." (The Almighty showed me that the NASB is more accurate than KJV. ...) ..."
Friends, I say this: The worth of a Bible translation is to be found in its precision and its accuracy of meaning. The most logical verses to use to test are Genesis 1:1-2. The beginning verses of any translation of the Bible reflect the character of the whole translation. Why!? Because the first two verses of the Bible in Hebrew are so full of meaning, yet stated so very succinctly! So, how a translator words these two verses will reflect his biblical understanding as much as his knowledge of grammar. In fact, the word construction in Genesis 1:1-2 is such that two translations are possible grammatically - but only one of the two translations gives the correct meaning. The other, as in the NASB, contradicts the plain statement of Isaiah 45:18 - "For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited." Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ created the earth to be inhabited; They did not create it in chaos, They created it to be inhabited! A Bible translation may be accurate, but that does not necessarily make the translation correct. In deciding among Bible translations - of which I have seven different translations in my library - people usually ask, Which one should I choose!? However, this is the wrong question to ask! It is never wise to use just one translation. We should ask, instead, which versions or translations are the most carefully worded!? Which are the most effective for studying!? Which preserves the original texts most accurately!?

Anyway, turn with me if you would to the Book of Mark, chapter 7 and read this in your Bible:
"So He said to them, 'Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?'" - Mark 7:18-19.
Well, there are at least SEVEN problems when using this as a "proof" text.

  1. "thus purifying all foods" is not in all manuscripts. As in the Textus Receptus (the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Greek text used in preparing the King James Version was the Textus Receptus), it does not use the phrase "thus purifying all foods."
  2. Also, in the Jay P. Green's The Interlinear Bible Hebrew-Greek-English translates this thus: "This is because it does not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the waste bowl, purging all the foods."
So, Jesus (and even presuming that the Greek words relating to purging are actually what He said) appears to be saying that the digestive tract purges all the foods that go into it. He is NOT saying that all unclean meats are now therefore clean.
  1. Also, notice - and I saw this immediately - that Jesus was asking a question either in verse 19 or 20 (according to the translators). He was not making a declaration concerning clean or unclean meats.
  2. Also, the full context of Mark 7 was of the Pharisees complaining that Jesus' disciples did not wash their hands as in the tradition of the elders. See Mark 7:1-3. It had NOTHING to do with unclean meats.
  3. Also, after the incident recorded in Mark 7, Jesus said, "' Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!'" - Matthew 23:24. In this metaphor, He uses two unclean creatures - a gnat and a camel.
  4. Also, let us consider this: in the third-century, an elder named Pionius, who claimed to be part of the "Catholic Church,' refused to eat unclean meat: 3) It was Saturday and after they had prayed and taken the sacred bread with water, Polemon the temple verger came in on them with his men in order to seek out the Christians and drag them off to offer sacrifice and to taste forbidden meats. "Surely you are aware," said the verger, "of the emperor' edict commanding us to sacrifice to the gods." "We are aware," said Pionius, "of the commandments of God ordering us to worship him alone." (The Martyrdom of Pionius and his companions, Chapters 3, 6, & 9. - http://archive.is/abf7S; reviewed 11 February 2020). 
  5.  True Christians DO NOT come to the same conclusion that people like Mr. Zimmerman has. Believing what Almighty God and our Lord God Jesus Christ's living WORD says is NOT picking and choosing, it is those who refuse to obey God's Word or to follow our Lord's examples that are choosing to disobey.
It is a known fact that there can develop grave health problems with eating bats (See: 'Scientists Pinpoint 2 Causes Behind China's Deadly Coronavirus - They're Both Shocking'), rats, snakes, and even including pig (See: '4 Hidden Dangers of Pork'), along with many other biblically unclean meats. Friends, if you're not going to believe and trust Almighty God - the CREATOR OF ALL - then, you'll probably not going to believe WHO or a nutritionist.

So, the prohibitions against eating such meats as pork were NOT "nailed to the Cross" or done away with. Our Savior's death and resurrection did not change the contamination of certain meats.

God says:
" ... 'Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul [your life] delight itself in abundance. 3) Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul [your life] shall live; ...'" - Isaiah 55:2, 3.


ADDENDUM 5/3/22

General List of Clean and Unclean Creatures:

Clean Birds:
All Song Birds, Chicken, Dove, Duck, Geese, Grouse, Partridge, Pheasant, Pigeon, Quail, and Turkey.

Unclean Birds:
Aquatic/Wading Birds, Buzzard, Carrion, Condor, Coot, Cormorant, Crow, Eagle, Falcon, Flamingo, Hawk, Heron, Hoopoe, Kite, Magpie, Ostrich, Owl, Swan, Parrots, Pelican, Raven, Roadrunner, Seagull, Vulture, Woodpecker.

Clean Fish:
Albacore, Mahi-Mahi *, Alewives, Anchovies, Black Drum, Bluebacks, Bluebill Sunfish, Bluefish, Blue Runner, Bonitos, Boston Bluefish, Bowfin, Buffalofish, Butterfish, Carp, Chub, Cod, Common Sucker, Crappies, Crevalle, Flounder, Fresh Water Mullet, Frost Fish, Grouper, Grunt, Gulf Pike, Haddock, Hake, Halibut, Hardtail, Herring, Icefish, Jack, Kingfish, Long Nose Sucker, Mackerel, Menhaden, Mullet, Muskellunge, Northern Sucker, Orange Roughy, Pickerels, Pig Fish, Pike, Pilchard, Pollack, Pompano, Porgy, Red Drum, Red Horse, Red Snapper, Red Striped Sucker, Redfin, Redfish, Robalo, Salmon, Sardine, Scup, Sea Bass, Sergeant Fish, Shad, Sheepshead, Silver Hake, Silverside, Smelt, Snook, Striped Bass, Trout, Tuna, Weakfish, White Fish, White Sucker, Whiting, and Yellow Perch.

Unclean Sea Creatures:
Abalone, Bullhead, Orca, Catfish, Eel, Skate, Clam, Crab, Crayfish, Dolphin, Conch, Lobster, Manatee, Mussel, Oyster, Porpoise, Scallop, Seal, Shark, Shrimp, Squid, Sturgeon, Turbot, Turtle, Walrus, Whale.

Clean Land Animals:
Antelope, Bison, Brahma, Buffalo, Caribou, Cattle, Deer, Eland, Elk, Gazelle, Giraffe, Goat, Ibex, Kudu, Moose, Musk Ox, Oryx, Ox, Pronghorn, Reindeer, Sheep, Water Buffalo, Wildebeest, Yak, Zebu.

Unclean Land Animals:
Anteater, Armadillo, Aardvark, Bat, Bear, Beaver, Cat, Dog, Camel, Chipmunk, Coney, Coyote, Donkey, Elephant, Fox, Gopher, Ground Hog, Hare, Hedge Hog, Hippo, Horse, Hyena, Hyrax, Jackel, Koala, Kangaroo, Lemur, Lion, Lizard, Lynx, Marmoset, Mole, Mouse, Opossum, Panda, Peccary, Pig, Platypus, Porcupine, Prairie Dog, Primates *, Rabbit, Raccoon, Rat, Rhinoceros, Skunk, Sloth, Snakes, Squirrel, Tiger, Warthog, Woodchuck, Wolf, Zebra.

Clean Insects:
Cricket, Grasshopper, and Katydid.

Amphibians *:
All unclean

 * Generally clean. Make sure that the fish you eat is fresh and free from any sign of damage to the meat, which includes blood where the red meat was removed. It's also important to know where the fish came from. They do have scales.

* Includes Lemurs, Lorises, Tarsiers, Monkeys, and Apes, along with well over 300 different species.

* The three modern orders of amphibians are Anura (frogs), Urodela (salamanders), and Apoda (caecilians). The number of known amphibian species is approx. 8,000, of which nearly 90% are frogs.

Monday, February 10, 2020

St. Valentine's Day - where did it come from!?



Greetings friends. Should Christians celebrate February 14th as St. Valentine's Day!? And, where in the world did this celebration truly come from!? Be sure to read our January 14th Letter to our Friends, in which I also mention St. Valentine's Day.

Now friends, surely school teachers, and other professional educators would know the origin of St. Valentine's Day!? Yet, most do not.

I remember in elementary school often being shamed by the teacher for not participating with the rest of the class in handing out "Be My Valentine?" Valentine's Day cards. The class was NEVER told of the real origin of Valentine's Day, nor of WHY they are observing the exchanging of the cards.

Teachers - even in this 21st century - continues to teach that Valentine's Day is about love. As does this blog site article - Valentine's Day, Teaching About Love. Teachers would surely be reprimanded or even fired if they were to speak out against Valentine's Day and teach of its true origin!

Candy makers have geared up all year to unload tons of heart-shaped boxes just for February 14th. Florists consider St. Valentine's Day the busiest time of the year.

But why!? Where truly did these customs originate!? Shouldn't we be educated as to its origin!? 

Is it Christian?

Catholic shrine to "St. Valentine" in
Dublin, Ireland (Photo by blackfish
The greater majority assume that the tradition of Valentine's Day celebrations is all in connection with an early Christian "saint" by the name of Valentine. Well, nothing could be further from the truth!

Notice this from History.com: " ... the Christian church [in other words, the Catholic Church] may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or Lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip the goat's hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman."

It's sad that when you read through this article on History.com - History of Valentine's Day - written by their "editors," it reads, "others claim" as if anyone that teaches the truth of the origin of St. Valentine's Day is a heretic. 

It is a known fact that centuries before the birth of our Savior - Jesus Christ - the Romans celebrated February 15th and the evening of the 14th as an idolatrous and sexual festival in honor of the one they called Lupercus - the "hunter of wolves." The custom of the young Roman women placing their names in a big urn for the bachelors of the city certainly sounds familiar with what children all over the United States will be participating in on February 14th of this year - does it not? - the exchanging of Valentine's Day cards!? Indeed, the custom of exchanging Valentine cards from this "name drawing" is from this Lupercalia celebration.

When Emperor Constantine the Great in AD 313 made Christianity an official religion of the Roman Empire, there was talk of discarding this pagan festival. But the Roman citizens wouldn't hear of it! And, it was agreed that the festival would continue - except for the more sexual observances. And, according to CatholicSaints.Info, Pope Gelasius I "abolished the heathen festival of the Lupercalia. ..." Also, "Later, the church [meaning, the Catholic Church] attempted to give a Christian meaning to this pagan celebration. As far back as 496, Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia on February 15th to Saint Valentine's day on February 14th." (Lavinia Dobler, Customs and Holidays Around the World, p. 172).

So, just how did this pagan festival acquire the name "St. Valentine's Day"? And, why do children continue to cut out hearts and send them to "sweethearts" on a day which truly honors Lupercus - the "hunter of wolves"!?

All of that above is part of why these pagan customs, in honor of a false god, became "Christian."

Just who was the "original" "St. Valentine"?


Now, many have mocked, laughed, and rejected this truth - indeed, Valentine was a very common name in ancient Rome. And, Roman parents would often give their children the name Valentine in honor of the first called Valentine of antiquity - Lupercus, the hunter. But, who was this Lupercus!?

Mr. Tumnus, the character in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia (a children's series of movies) is the first creature Lucy Pevensie meets in Narnia. There is no doubt that Mr. Tumnus is the Greek god Pan. Bulfinch's Mythology The Complete Texts says this about Pan:
"PAN, the god of woods, and fields, of flocks and shepherds, dwelt in grottos, wandered on the mountains and valleys, and amused himself with the chase or in leading the dances of the nymphs. He was fond of music, ... the inventor of the syrinx, or shepherd's pipe. ... Pan came to be considered a symbol of the universe and personification of Nature; and later still to be regarded as a representative of all the gods and of heathenism itself." 
Often, Pan is pictured with an erected phallus.

It goes on to say:
 "Sylvanus and Faunus were Latin divinities, whose characteristics are so nearly the same as those of Pan that we may safely consider them as the same personage under different names." 
(Bulfinch, Thomas; Bulfinch's Mythology The Complete Texts, © 1979, p. 166).
Pan was an Arcadian god of light. As such he is equivalent to the Phenician god Baal. Again going to the aforementioned source, "The Druids taught the existence of one god, to whom they gave a name 'Be' al,' which ... means 'the life of everything,' or  'the source of all beings,' and which seems to have affinity with the Phoenician Baal. ... their supreme deity, with the Sun." (Id. At 358).

So, regarding this direct connection between Lupercus and Pan, "He [Faunus], as well as Silvanus, came to be more and more identified with the Greek Pan, with whom he had many traits in common. His priests were the Luperci, his main festival the Lupercalia." (Id. At 904).

It's interesting to note that Nimrod (a king of the ancient land of Shinar, Mesopotamia) in the Bible is called "a mighty hunter before [or rather, against] the LORD" (Genesis 10:9). According to Wiktionary, the name Lupercus is perhaps a compound of lupus ("wolf") + arceō ("I ward off"), so named because of the god's role as protector of flocks from wolves. Now, also, according to Wiktionary, the word Valentine is Latin from Valentinus, meaning "I am strong, healthy."

It is true that Alexander Hislop - a Free Church of Scotland minister - wrote in his book The Two Babylons, in effect: 'Semiramis was an exceedingly beautiful woman, who gave birth to a son named Tammuz, was instrumental as the queen, and wife of Nimrod the founder of Babylon, and its religion, complete with a pseudo-Virgin birth. Later, Nimrod was killed, and Semiramis, pregnant with his child, claimed the child was Nimrod reborn.' 

All his assertions have been rejected by secular historians. 

Minister Michael C. Garrett has written:
"The people of this world do not practice the religion which came from God! They just don't! ... Where in the Bible do you find the little Cupid angel portrayed on St. Valentine’s Day!? Where in the Bible do you see where it says to celebrate Halloween!? Where in the Bible do you accurately see the word Easter!?"
(The Song of Moses). 
Friends, compromising with pagan traditions is essentially one of the major areas that separate true Christians from those who just call themselves a Christian. Those in Christ's Church try to live their lives in accordance with the Law of Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ. God's holy days do not compromise with pagan holidays! And, just because many people use the name Christ and call themselves Christian does not mean that they are faithful to Jesus Christ. Notice what Jesus teaches:
"'Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom [from] heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" - Matthew 7:21-23; NKJV.
Jesus did not observe St. Valentine's Day, or anything even close to it!

St. Valentine's Day - or Valentine's Day as it's called on the Gregorian calendar - is not a God-ordained holiday.

It originated from lawlessness and does NOT edify the Holy One of Israel - Jesus Christ! Some twenty years ago, the incorrectly named Christianity Today wrote:
"There are more tales of the 'origins' of Valentine's Day than arrows in Cupid's quiver. As expected, most have something to do with pagan ritual (pretty much every holiday - from Christmas to Mother's Day - has something to do with pagan ritual). Four centuries before Christ, Romans had a day called Lupercalia. Without going too much into it, I'll sum it up as a sexual lottery. Pull names out of a box at random and couple with a young member of the opposite sex. After a year, you get to pick another name."
(Olsen, Ted; Then Again Maybe Don't Be My Valentine; February 1, 2000; Retrieved 10 February 2020).
Yet, shame on them! Despite knowing that much of the truth, they continue to write articles that promote Valentine's Day as "embracing," "loving," and "leads to the Resurrection"! Such as this article from 2017.

Friends, NONE WHO PROFESS CHRIST should observe this February 14th "holiday" - it is NOT a Christian holy day. It truly began as a "sexual lottery." □


Additional Items Related:

Letter to our Friends - January 14, 2020Let us be reminded of what the Apostle John was inspired to write [...]
Christ In You (Unleavened Bread - Day 7) - 2017 "VIDEO"Hello friends, wherever you might be. You might be here in America, you might be in some other country or continent. [...]
Letter to our Friends - July 30, 2019 - Dear Friends: Greetings from Owensboro, Kentucky. We hope and pray that you were spiritually uplifted this week. ....

Friday, February 7, 2020

Letter to our Friends - February 4, 2020


Michael C. Garrett
Pastor and Overseer


Greetings from West Central Florida:

It’s been a most wonderful full week of matters related to the teaching and preaching of the living Word of God around the world.

The Differences in Doctrine

Last July I listed five doctrines which make the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ different from Pentecostal churches of God. I am currently working on putting together a reference (PDF) for our fundamental doctrines. Keep an eye out for that.

Protestants, and others, are likely to be surprised to learn about doctrinal differences and truths that much of this world do not understand – as well as many of the churches of God which have descended from the WCG.

A Plague of Locusts

Kenya is being inundated by swarms of billions of locusts – the worst outbreak in 70 years (See: ‘Kenya is being menaced by swarms of billions of locusts and has only 5 small planes spraying pesticide to fight back’). This is expected to cause major food shortages. We have many brethren in Christ in Kenya. And, according to Statcounter, within the last 9 months, we’ve had over 36 visits from Kenya to https://www.owensborocojc.com

A map of locust-infested area in Kenya based on information from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Google Maps/Business Insider
Let us, friends, pray always for the safety of our friends and our brethren in Christ in these turbulent and troublesome areas of the world. There is much poverty in Kenya. Although its economy enjoys the leading position in eastern and central Africa, 16.9% of its population lives below the poverty line. 1 Poverty has steadily been decreasing, however, 2 the end of poverty in Kenya will only come with the return of Jesus Christ!

World News Items

Brexit (a portmanteau of "British" and "exit") is moving ahead as it was approved by the two European Union presidents, the UK Parliament, and Queen Elizabeth II (See: ‘EU leaders sign UK Brexit agreement, what's next?’). And then, also, by the EU Parliament (See: ‘EU parliament gives final approval to Brexit deal’). So, officially, the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union on January 31st, 2020. Now, what just happened is very important – highly significant. The UK voting to break away from the European Union directly has implications for future fulfilled prophecy. We need to understand prophecy – in terms of where it has been and more particularly where it is going. Biblical prophecy.

The dreaded plague of the Wuhan Coronavirus is rampant in the news! Friends, the consumption of biblically-unclean foods has been pushed as the likely cause, though there are other ideas (See: ‘Wuhan coronavirus may have been transmitted to people from snakes’ along with ‘Fifth US case of coronavirus confirmed as China warns people can spread the virus before they feel ill’ and also ‘Live Animal Markets Worldwide Can Spawn Diseases, Experts Say’).

The Trump Administration released its proposed Middle East peace plan (See: ‘Trump Unveils Mideast Peace Plan’). The Israeli leaders like it, but as usual, the Palestinians do not (See: ‘‘Trump’s Peace Deal is Akin to Decree of King Cyrus Paving Path For Third Temple’ says Israeli Politician’). Now, it’s not the two-fold prophecy of Daniel 9:27. Yet, one day, there will be some type of confirmed peace deal by a European ‘prince’ (Daniel 9:26) who will later become the prophesied final king of the North.

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 Dimash in NYC – Miracles From God! by Leonard V. Johnson.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is Dimash in NYC – Vocal Mastery 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 to SUBSCRIBE to our BitChute channel.

Concluding Comments

The Book of Daniel has the following statement:

4) "' But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the Book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase'" - Daniel 12:4; NKJV.

When prophet Daniel was told this, they did not have steam engines, petroleum, nuclear, or even electricity.

We do now!

When prophet Daniel was told this, they did not have radios, televisions, computers, cellular telephones, or even the internet.

We do now!

When prophet Daniel was told this, there was no international power known as the United States of America - cf. Daniel 11:39.

There is now!

When prophet Daniel was told this, there was no power in Europe like the European Union, which had unity problems - cf. Daniel 2:41-43.

There is now!

There were also no people known as Christians.

There are now!

Friends, we are in the time of the end where we understand more and more of the prophecies that were sealed in the Book of Daniel. Including the soon-coming destruction of the USA (Daniel 11:39), and her Anglo-Saxon descended allies (Daniel 8:24-25), and coming ever-greater persecution of Christians (Daniel 11:28-35). People, indeed, are turning to and fro, knowledge has been increased, and we do understand more of the Book of Daniel. We are getting closer to the end of this age.

In this age when the love of many waxes cold, endure to the end - Matthew 24:13.

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

1) 60 percent population living below poverty line: World bank report. (2013). Business Recorder
2) Global MPI Winter 2017/2018. OPHI. ophi.org.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2020.



If you haven't read our seven-part series "God's Promises To Abraham" - be sure to read it TODAY! It includes such content as the prophesied Brexit, a brief history of the EU, the testing of Abraham's faith, a review of today's societies, and so much more! 

Dimash in NYC - Miracles From God! (Sermonette)

The Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ is very pleased to announce our latest sermonette from our YouTube and BitChute channels:


 
32:36

A first-hand witness to some amazing miracles from Almighty God and our Lord God Jesus Christ.

Delivered by Mr. Leonard V. Johnson on 2-5-2020

Here is a link to this sermonette - Dimash in NYC - Miracles From God!


Additional Items Related:

Dimash in NYC - A Hidden Meaning? -  Sabbath morning I was enjoying this week's suggested Sabbath service sermon by Minister Michael C. Garrett entitled "Dimash in NYC - A Daily Dose of Dimash." And, while listening to the sermon I scrolled through some of the many comments regarding Minister Garrett's inspiring, informative, and enlightening sermon and I read ***t***s's (whatever that means) comment.
Dimash in NYC - Let Your Light So Shine (Sermon) - "Aren't we all to be lights to the world!? That all men may see who you are, what you are!’ That they may come closer to God because of the example you show them. ‘Let Your power and glory, and let them shine through me.’"
Dimash in NYC - From Whence Come Wars? (Sermon) - The Apostle James asks, "Where do wars and fights come from among you?" And he answers, "Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" - James 4:1-3; NKJV.