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!