Monday, March 30, 2020

During Passover - Grape Juice or Wine?

      
Friends, last year before Passover I had touched on whether our Lord Jesus Christ was observing Passover with grape juice or wine. And, Mr. Garrett had also touched on this in the article "End-Time Prophets - a seven-part series (Part 3)" in which he wrote, "Now, there are a lot of church traditions that just coil in unbelief at the suggestion that Jesus Christ and His disciples - the future apostles - were drinking wine. And a lot of these church denominations claim, 'Oh, it wasn't wine! It was grape juice.' Don't fool yourself! In Greek, the word is oinos. And if you were to get on a plane this afternoon and travel to Athens, Greece and go yo a restaurant - and if you ordered oinos - they would bring you a glass of about 12 percent alcohol-induced wine. Indeed, it was wine! It wasn't grape juice!"

We, in the Church of God, use a small amount of wine for Passover.

Now, again, the Greek word commonly translated as "wine" in the New Testament (οἶνος) indeed means "wine made from grapes." 1

In Genesis 9:21 - "Then he [Noah] drank of the wine and was drunk, ..." The word here in Hebrew is yayin, and in Greek it's oinos. 2

Our Master and Elder Brother recorded for us His first recorded miracle in John 2:3-11. And He also introduced the use of the wine cup - the Greek word potērion.
"Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.'" - Luke 22:20; NKJV unless otherwise noted.
This cup of wine symbolizes His shed blood for us all. Now, there is considerable evidence that the common Passover beverage used by the Jews in the first century was wine, as noted by Dr. Jack Lewis:
"Wine was ordinarily used at the Passover and is called 'fruit of the vine' in Berakoth 6:1." 3.
The Bible teaches that wine is the 'blood of the grapes" - Deuteronomy 32:14.

Now, in part 4 of End-Time Prophets - a seven-part series Minister Garrett wrote concerning drinking alcohol:

So, it's not reasonable to conclude that they were drinking grape juice at Passover in our Lord Jesus' time as grapes are NOT in season then.

I had driven a tractor-trailer over the road many years and hauled loads of grapes from California to Florida many times. "Grape country" in California is very similar to the land of Judea - modern Israel - in terms of climate. Grapes ripen in the late Summer or early Fall.

Passover is usually in the Gregorian Calendar month called April (and to note: Since some of the Roman months were named in honor of their gods and goddesses, and as April was sacred to their goddess Venus, her Veneralia being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her equivalent Aphrodite). Now, raw grape juice indeed spoils very quickly unless refrigerated. And to note also - there were a few classical writers which wrote of certain methods used by the ancient people to preserve grains, fruits, vegetables and wines - such as Columella who lived in the first century A.D. in his treatise On Agriculture.
"In order that the grapes may remain green for as much as a year, you will keep them in the following manner. When you have cut from the vine grapes ... immediately treat their pedicles with hard pitch; then fill a new earthenware pan with the driest possible chaff, which has been sifted that it may be free from dust, and put the grapes upon it. Then cover it with another pan and daub it around with clay mixed with chaff, and ten, after arranging the pans in a very dry loft, cover them with dry chaff." 4.
Indeed, the Jews themselves use wine at Passover (Hisrch E.G., Eisenstein JD. Wine. Jewish Encyclopedia. 1907, pp. 532-535).

There have many who has argued that yayin, and Greek oinos could not always have been alcoholic. And to a point, this is true:
"This is begging the question, and that in defiance of the facts. Although invariably fermented, it was not always inebriating, and in most instances, doubtless, was but slightly alcoholic, like the vin ordinaire of France." 5.
Christians are NOT to be 'drunk with wine, wherein is excess' as the apostle Paul wrote - Ephesians 5:18; KJV.

Only a small amount of wine is normally consumed at Passover.

So, it is not logical to conclude that grape juice was used by our Lord Jesus Christ at His final Passover. He drank fermented wine.

We, in the Church of God, use wine for Passover, too. □

Bibliography:

1. https://biblehub.com/greek/3631.htm
2. Harris, Laird, R., Archer L., Gleason, and Waltke K., Bruce. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, The Moody Bible Institute, © 1980, p. 375.
3. Lightfoot, John. A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica. Vol. 2. Baker: Grand Rapids, MI. 1979, 346ff.
4. Columella, On Agriculture 12, 10, 3, trans. E.S. Forster and Edward H. Heffner, The Loeb Classical Libray (Cambridge, Mass., 1955).
5. Unger F., Merrill. Wine. Unger's Bible Dictionary, Moody Press, © 1966, p. 1168.



Additional Items of Interest:
Passover Service - 2019 "VIDEO"A step by step Passover Service for baptized members of the Church of God [...]
Passover Service - 2017Greeting’s friends wherever you might be. We’re here tonight to keep and to observe the Passover [...]
Passover Message - 2013Greetings everyone. If you would, please turn in your Bible’s to 1st Peter. [...]

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Is Civil Unrest Increasing in America?


A good friend messaged me via Facebook with the following:


Also, notice the following:
Coronavirus causes gun sales surge amid fears of civil unrest
The coronavirus is not just causing a shortage of toilet tissue, cleaning supplies and bread, it is prompting an increase in gun and ammunition sales from people fearful of the disease’s potential aftermath.
People like Daniel Hill, who had never purchased a gun prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, Hill picked up two guns, a 9-millimeter Taurus handgun, and an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, from Hyatt Gun and Coin, a gun store in North Carolina …
Hill, 29, who works as a kitchen manager in Charlotte, N.C., told The Times that the unknown aftermath of the coronavirus caused him to fear a potential lapse in public safety —complete with lootings, robberies and “everything shutting down, like in a zombie movie.” Hill said he feared an America that “just won’t have any sense of lawfulness anymore.”
Gun and ammunition dealers say Hill is not alone. Gun stores are reportedly seeing a sharp increase in customers who share Hill’s fears. Some states have sold out of particular models of firearms and other survival prep gear, including in California, New York, Ohio, Washington State, and Alabama. One Twitter photo showed a long line of people outside of a Los Angeles gun shop, waiting to purchase their firearms. …
Like gun shops, ammunition suppliers are also seeing a sizable increase in sales.
(Read More: https://thegrio.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-gun-sales-civil-unrest/).
A greater amount of armed Americans could very well mean the greater possibility of civil unrest. It is prophesied within the living words of the Eternal God - the Holy Bible - of future violent civil unrest!

Also, consider - which I posted this morning from The Guardian @aservant1God, "Record 3.3m Americans file for unemployment as the US tries to contain Covid-19".
26 March 2020
Labor Department figures show the number of claims rose to 3.3 million, beating a previous record of 695,000 in October 1982. ...
Experts warned of a "catastrophic unemployment crisis" after the labor department announced jobless claims filed by individuals seeking unemployment benefits rose by more than 3 million to 3.28 million from 281,000 the previous week. ...
US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has predicted unemployment in the US - close to record lows only last month - could reach 20%. ...
"This morning's jobless claims confirm that the United States is in the thralls of a catastrophic unemployment crisis, the likes of which we haven't seen since the Great Depression," said Andrew Stettner, [a] senior fellow at the Century Foundation thinktank. ...
(Read More: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/26/us-unemployment-rate-coronavirus-business).
Friends, businesses are not merely just "cutting" jobs around the US to save money, a great many businesses are cutting costs so that the business has a chance to continue operating.

Well, truthfully, as increased unemployment goes, what should we expect when various governments declare the shutdown of "non-essential businesses" and the ordering of "shelter-in-place"!? It was our governmental actions (whether right or wrong) that is the cause of the increased unemployment. And, of course, with the grave increase in unemployment means the production and the increase of economic fears.

What is the "solution" that our leaders should make - in the United States and abroad!? As I asked my wife last night - "What is the greatest risk!? The contracting of COVID-19 or the worsening of our national debt!? - which now stands at $26.6 TRILLION! Is it the increasing of our national debt, the promise of cash payments, the relaxing of mortgage rules, and the printing of money out of thin air!? Well, from a prophetic perspective, these decisions will not end well. The United States of America has been surviving from borrowed money for decades. And, it is so bad now that Bloomberg back in 2019 reported that if the US stopped borrowing - she would slip into severe economic depression! Indeed, as Almighty God has led me to understand - according to biblical prophecy, there is coming a time when the US debt will be invoked as a reason to "enslave" the United States as per Habakkuk 2:6-8.

Let us all also consider this which was posted 9 days ago from CIDRAP News:
Modeling study suggests 18 months of COVID-19 social distancing, much disruption
“Each policy has major challenges,” the authors wrote. Mitigation “might reduce peak healthcare demand by 2/3 and deaths by half. However, the resulting mitigated epidemic would  still likely result in hundreds of thousands of deaths and health systems (most notably intensive care units) being overwhelmed many times over.”
To avoid that, the country would need to focus on suppression. But suppression requires social distancing measures far longer than the 14 to 30 days Americans have been told to prepare for. Instead, they would need to be in place for 18 months, or until a vaccine is made available.
“I think the model’s broad conclusion is correct that there is a terrible dilemma of very long-term social distancing, or overloading healthcare systems, or both,” said Marc Lipsitch, DPhil, a professor of epidemiology and the director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard University. “With the options currently available I do not see a way to get out of this dilemma.”
Model considers 3 scenarios, predicts high death count
To understand how mitigation or suppression would play out, the Imperial College team, led by Neil Ferguson, OBE, ran a model based on three scenarios. In the first, US officials do nothing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, schools and businesses are kept open, and the virus is allowed to move through the population.
This would result in 81% of the US population, about 264 million people, contracting the disease. Of those, 2.2 million would die, including 4% to 8% of Americans over age 70. More important, by the second week in April, the demand for critical care beds would be 30 times greater than supply.
If mitigation practices are put in place, including a combination of case isolation, home quarantine, and social distancing of those most at risk (over age 70), the peak critical care demand would reduce by 60%, and there would be half the number of deaths. But this scenario still produces an eightfold demand on critical care beds above surge capacity.
In order to suppress the pandemic to an R0 of below 1, a country would need to combine case isolation, social distancing of the entire population, and either household quarantine or school and university closure, the authors found. These measures “are assumed to be in place for a 5-month duration,” they wrote.
In addition, the authors said, these measures may have to be put back into place if restrictions are lifted and cases surge again.
“I don’t think it is attractive, [I] just don’t see a way out of it,” said Lipsitch.
(Read More: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/03/modeling-study-suggests-18-months-covid-19-social-distancing-much; retrieved 27 March 2020).
So, certain models are suggesting that a large amount of Americans and a large amount of Germans will contract COVID-19!

And in my case, since my wife works with the public (especially with elderly people, many of which absolutely needs to be driven for their daily dialysis treatments), the odds of contracting COVID-19 are higher. Now, indeed, I pray to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ for Their divine protection for myself and my family and also take appropriate hygienic precautions and the government recommended social distancing, but that is not the case for many around the world - such as @re4lity7 who Twittered me and said, "Thanks but I am an atheist."

Friends, what will happen when, despite the use of social distancing, the shelter-in-place, the closed businesses, the medical treatments, and more, a whole lot more people die!?

Will the survivors increase judgment!? - will civil unrest greatly increase!?

This is what God's Word says it will be like in this end-time - in the latter days - this 11:59 hour:
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2) For men [and women] will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers [against God], disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. AND FROM SUCH PEOPLE TURN AWAY!
And the apostle Paul continues:
Verse 6 - "For this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7) always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8) Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men [and women] of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith" - 2 Timothy 3:1-8; the NKJV throughout, unless noted.
Let us not ever be like them, friends!

We should keep ALWAYS IMPORTANT in our life Jesus Christ, the principles of the New Covenant, the kingdom of God, the Word of God, the Truth of God, and understanding the ultimate Plan of God!

God's living WORD says:
"'Sanctify them by YOUR TRUTH. Your WORD [the Holy Bible] is TRUTH'" - John 17:17.
"For this reason ['for you who walk worthy of God who has called you into His own kingdom and glory!'] we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the WORD OF GOD which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the WORD OF GOD, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14) For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans" - 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14.
"[B]y the WORD OF TRUTH, by the POWER OF GOD, by the ARMOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT [See Ephesians 6:10-18]" - 2 Corinthians 6:7.
"In Him [Jesus Christ] you also trusted, after you heard the WORD OF TRUTH, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" - Ephesians 1:13.
And this "gospel" in a nutshell is - The resurrected saints of God are not going off to Heaven, but rather Heaven – the throne of God, the Kingdom of God – is coming to the Earth!

As I said in our latest Letter to our Friends, the Church of God is not lost! We understand that these events with prophesied pestilences are going to come about. But we also understand that we have the greatest hope - we have the greatest faith. We have direct communication with the God of our fathers and to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! And so we don't have fear. We're not afraid of what this COVID-19 is going to bring about! Indeed, we are saddened for those we lost to death - yes. But we know it's not the end - don't we!?

O' dearest friends, in whom we love and indeed pray for always - in this grave stressful time in this world, with this COVID-19, the closed businesses, the travel restrictions, remember the words of Jesus Christ:
"' These things I have spoken to you, that IN ME [remember, the Days of Unleavened Bread will be here soon! A wonderful time of the year to have 'CHRIST IN YOU'!] you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world'" - John 16:33.
"'Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom'" - Luke 12:32.
Yes, friends, a great many of us throughout the world are facing various tribulations, but let us 'be of good cheer, our Savior of the world has overcome the world!'

Notice some Scriptures of great inspiration:
"Happy is the [person] who finds wisdom, And the [person] who gains understanding; 14) For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15) She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16) Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. 17) Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18) She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her" - Proverbs 3:13-18.
"Happy is the [person] who is always reverent, But [the person] who hardens [their] heart will fall into calamity" - Proverbs 28:14.
And, in the Book of Deuteronomy, the great prophet Moses had written the very Words of our Lord GOD, a GRAVE WARNING TO ALL:
"'I call heaven [the atmosphere] and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; THEREFORE CHOOSE LIFE, that both you and your descendants may live; 20) that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, FOR HE IS YOUR LIFE AND THE LENGTH OF YOUR DAYS; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them'" - Deuteronomy 30:19-20.
Indeed, wisdom can be found in the Holy Bible - the WORD OF GOD - and the Tree of Life for those willing to seek and to retain this wisdom. Yet, those who harden their heart will fall into calamity.

Let us not be like others who do not even acknowledge the LORD God in their heart and mind - let us understand that there is a reaction to every action. Let us live God's Way and let the light of His Spirit shine forth:
"' You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven'" - Matthew 5:14-16.
So, how should we all live!?
"' It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'" - Matthew 4:4.
"Pure and undefiled religion before God [Jesus Christ] and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted FROM THE WORLD" - James 1:27.
However, sadly, this world [the very world which the apostle Paul calls 'this present evil age'], for the most part, does not accept God and His revealed truth! Like this morning, I had mentioned to my wife that a greater majority of people didn't like an article I had posted in which I had said - when you turn your back on God, He will turn His back on you! She said, "No, I don't like that either." She feels that this COVID-19 pandemic has nothing to do with one turning their back on God. Yet, we know, that the LORD our God had told the house of Israel (and by extension all of us as well):
"'IF you will return, O Israel,' says the LORD, 'Return to Me; And IF you will put away your abominations out of My sight, Then you shall not be moved. 2) And you shall swear, 'The LORD lives,' In TRUTH, in JUDGMENT, and in RIGHTEOUSNESS; the nations shall be bless themselves in Him, And in Him they shall glory'" - Jeremiah 4:1-2.
I have said to her, part of the reason that our LORD God has taken His blessings from off the nations of Israel is the very fact that -  TODAY in America and Britain: According to the Pew Research Center, up to 25% of Muslims in the United States are converts. Meaning, they were of another religion and they converted to Islam. The United Kingdom 2011 Census gives the UK Muslim population in 2011 as 2,516,000, 4.4% of the total population.

And, she disagreed and said, "Any religion is better than no religion."

Friends, this COVID-19 should serve as a WAKE-UP CALL to all the world!

GOD - the very Creator of all life, all spirit, HAS A PLAN!


Ultimately, His glorious KINGDOM is going to replace the kingdom's of this world (Revelation 11:15) and THEY - God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ - will reign forever and ever! That is the gospel - the GOOD NEWS!

But, you do not need to wait until then.

You can strive to live according to our living God NOW! □

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Letter to our Friends - March 24, 2020



Michael C. Garrett
Pastor and Overseer


Greetings from West Central Florida:

I personally have had family and friends visit our home and are completely beside themselves with this COVID-19! Fear, panic, closures of whole cities, great confusion and frustration has set in. It has been tribulation this week around much of the world because of the steps which have been taken concerning the Coronavirus which has gripped the world – known as COVID-19.

COVID-19

Because of widespread fear of this virus, the schools in our five surrounding counties are closed for students through April 15th. There are massive school closures throughout the United States, Africa (including Kenya), and in Europe (including Serbia). And, many countries have declared a “state of emergency.”

This past Sabbath, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held his daily Coronavirus update and had stated that he is considering his most drastic move yet: Moving certain people at risk to isolation shelters. This is already being done in many other states throughout the US. The economic, including debt, and the ramifications of these drastic moves related to COVID-19 are mind-boggling!

In our area here in Hernando County and other parts of Florida, along with much of the US, the grocery store shelves have been pretty bare as my wife discovered the other day when she was trying to buy eggs (it took her four stores to find eggs)!

Friends, real and imagined fear is spreading throughout the world like wildfire! And, in the case of the United States as well as throughout Europe, debt is increasing exponentially. And indeed, as asked in a post on my Facebook Page – Cities of Confusion! - What would bring about this prophesied ‘great tribulation’!? Why is the ‘great tribulation’ going to come upon mankind!? Answer: Because of the collapse of the economy. COVID-19 may be a factor that will help lead to the prophesied final end-time reorganizing of a European ‘beast’ power as foretold in Revelation 17:12-13.
“’ The ten horns [or rather a ten-nation combine or ten combined kingdoms] which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom yet, but they receive authority for one hour [a very short time] as kings with the beast [an end-time final United States of Europe]. 13) These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast’” – the New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
A great many counties throughout the United States of America have placed people under quarantine. And, now, everyone in France is to fill out a form in order to travel outside of their HOMES (See: ‘Covid-19 in France: Declaration form FAQ’).

Friends, although this grave curse is upon the world – COVID-19 – it is not the beginning of the prophesied ‘great tribulation’ to come upon mankind, it is, however, another opportunity for this world as a whole to take a long and serious look at itself and hopefully see the hideous monster that it has become. Maybe, just maybe, this world will repent and turn to Almighty God!

Now, however, as our Lord Jesus Christ said, “do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet” – Mark 13:7.

He also said:
’ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’” – John 16:33.
’ Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom’” – Luke 12:32.
The Church of God is not lost! We understand that these events are going to come about. But we also understand that we have the greatest hope – we have the greatest faith. We have direct communication to the God of our fathers and to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! And so we don’t have fear. We’re not afraid of what this COVID-19 is going to bring about! Indeed, we are saddened by those who have died from it – yes. But we know it’s not the end – don’t we!?

Now, with all the quarantines and travel restrictions being imposed, what about attendance at weekly Sabbath services? Well, Mr. Garrett received a phone call this past Thursday from the manager of the Logsdon Community Center in Owensboro, Kentucky and stated that the policymakers of the center have determined that “no more meetings will be allowed to take place here until the Coronavirus scare is over.” Of course, our policy has always been, and still remains, if you have a contagious disease, you should not attend church services.

Now, as far as “social distancing” goes, church leaders in their respective countries and local groups should decide the relative safety of holding Sabbath services (though, as in Owensboro, some landlords and/or government officials are placing their own limits – the early Christian Church of God met in houses, and that is one thing which can be done – as Minister Michael C. Garrett is holding services at his home.

While we cooperate with government authorities when we can, we do not believe that government authorities should interfere with the ability to holy convocations or other biblical observances.

As the original apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” – Acts 5:29.

So, indeed, we as Christians should, as an example, keep Passover next month. Though in some areas, it may be wise to have only a small group meeting together.

God’s Spring Holy Days!


Friends, in a few weeks, the Spring Holy Days will begin!

Passover – which is for baptized members of Jesus Christ’s Church – should be observed shortly AFTER sunset on the Gregorian Calendar date of April 7th. Now, many, continue to observe and teach a separate holy day ceremony on April 8th at sunset. Exodus 12:42 should properly be rendered, “it is a night of watching.” It does not establish a separate holy day, or holy ceremony to be observed on the first night of Unleavened Bread (Be sure to read “The Night To Be Much Remembered?”). Then, beginning sunset April 8th is the Days of Unleavened Bread which lasts until sunset April 15th, 2020.

Bud Offutt


Please pray for our dear brother in Christ, Bud Offutt, who has infections in his lungs and in his blood. Please pray for him and his family in this challenging, emotional, and sad time in their life. Father God, let them always be comforted in Your Master Plan of redemption. He has had health struggles for many years now.

World News Items – I’ve doubled up.

First – as has been rampant in world news – is COVID-19. Iran warns that the virus could kill ‘millions’ in the Islamic Republic. And, the Ayatollah Hashem Bathaei is the latest in Iran – on a list of senior Iranian officials – to have caught the virus and has died. Now, while publicly, Iran sounds like they want to reduce the cases of COVID-19, notice the following: “Iranian Official Calls to Deliberately Spread Coronavirus Worldwide to Bring Messiah”. Many Shi’ite Muslims (which is what most Iranians are) believe that a leader called Imam Mahdi will rise from a well after a period of great chaos. And, since this COVID-19 is causing great chaos around the world, some Shi’ites want to increase that chaos. While this supposed leader does NOT truly exist, God’s living Word – the Holy Bible – does indeed tell of a final end-time ‘king of the South’ which will rise to power and lead a confederation of predominantly Muslim lands in the Middle East and North Africa (cf. Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8). It could be possible that Iran – the number one terrorist nation in the world – may cause many of the ‘troubles’ our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prophesied would occur in this 11:59 hour! – see Mark 13:8.

Also, and it comes to no surprise; for the POTUS has been known to say, “But I would borrow, knowing that if the economy crashed, you could make a deal. And if the economy was good, it was good” the United States’ debt is increasing! President Donald Trump has actually gravely added to the already massive US debt – and the COVID-19 is adding even more! (See: ‘Treasury proposal: Deliver $500B to Americans starting April’ and ‘Americans Could Get Government Money Fast to Soften Coronavirus Blow’). Neither of these articles mentioned the already massive debt of the United States. Spending another trillion dollars we don’t have will only increase the US debt by that much. The Bible indeed teaches that at the appointed time of the end (Habakkuk 2:2-3), the highly indebted nations will be taken over and essentially be made ‘slaves’ (Habakkuk 2:6-8).

And also also, and this too comes as no surprise – the US President Donald Trump has upset the Germans by pushing his isolationism – “America First” agenda even further (See: ‘Trump's attempt to buy a coronavirus vaccine shows why big pharma needs to change’ as well as ‘'Not for sale': Germany has reacted furiously to Trump's attempts to poach German scientists working on a coronavirus vaccine’). Friends, millions of people all around the world are indeed waiting for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Yet, the majority believe that they will know what steps to take at the last minute to prepare (e.g. Christian preppers, which is a wrong and foolish attitude to have as a follower of Christ Jesus!). Notice what Jesus did teach in a parable about some people like that:
’ Then the kingdom [from] heaven shall be likened to ten virgins [meaning, one who is free from false religions] who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2) Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3) Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil [symbolic of God’s Spirit] with them, …’
Let us ask Father God and our Elder Brother to renew within us daily of Their Spirit – cf. Psalm 51:10.
Verse 4 – “’ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5) But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6) And AT MIDNIGHT a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7) Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8) And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9) But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and THE DOOR WAS SHUT. 11) Afterward the other virgins came also [see Matthew 7:20-23], saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12) But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13) WATCH THEREFORE, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming’” – Matthew 25:1-13.
Surely, we are in the ‘beginning of sorrows’ spoken of by Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 24:8) – sending a Message to all peoples, and especially end-time Christians to NOT BE COMPLACENT but to ‘WATCH THEREFORE’ – to WAKE UP FROM SLUMBER – and get their spiritual house in order!

Now, is the POTUS pushing his “America First” beyond anything which is proper!? Is trying to purchase a vaccine for the virus COVID-19 effectively telling the Germans that the United States of America doesn’t care if they live or die!? Whether that is true or not – the Germans didn’t like it. And the Germans are grievously angry about this!

And in other related news this week – some United Nations officials believe another major locust plague will strike again soon (See ‘Plague of locusts set to descend upon Middle East in time for Passover’). Let us all keep our brethren around the world in our prayers – many of our friends are in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and elsewhere.

In Turkey – tensions continue between Turkey and the European Union in regards to Turkey pressuring the EU by releasing/pushing out certain Syrian refugees near the Greek border (See ‘Turkey Tears Down Greek Border Fence: Floods EU with Syrians’ also ‘EU and Turkey agree to review 2016 migration deal’). Biblical prophecy is indeed aligning with Turkey prophesied to separate from Europe and align herself with the ‘king of the South’ for a short time (cf. Daniel 11:40-43; Psalm 83:5-7). Yet, it will be disastrous for Turkey – cf. Daniel 11:25-26; 11:41). See also our free no-obligation online booklet “TURKEY is going to betray HIS BROTHERS”

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” by Leonard V. Johnson.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is “Dimash in NYC – In Everything Give Thanks” 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

Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:
1st Corinthians chapter 13 – we’ve read this before! But again, it’s one of those verses where you say, “Can I hear that too often!?” “Is there a point where I just don’t need to hear that anymore!?” Probably not. Verse 1 – “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not [godly] love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” – and I’ve often thought is there really a good reason for mountains to be thrown into the sea!?
I can’t think of many examples where, “Ah, I just think that mountain needs to go over there into that ocean!” If you had that much faith, and you did not possess godly love, your faith is simply like a wet bag of popcorn! You ever had a wet bag of popcorn!? It’s not very tasty. Verse 4 – “Love suffers long …” – it’s patient. And this is an issue which we in this age – this instant age of just go, go, go - I really think maybe we miss out on just the ability to be patient. “and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Verse 8 – “Love never fails. …” – well, that’s godly love, from God’s perspective. …
You might have a child that has done some thing’s wrong, but for most parents, they may be disappointed in their child, but they are not rejecting their child. They still love him, or they still love her. They still want to help them. Godly love endures. Think about all the people who say, “I love you!” And then they walk down the aisle at the wedding chapel, and then five-years later, “I hate you!” You get my picture. Human love, sometimes, doesn’t last very long. And any human love that does not last very long, is by its definition, not Godly love. Because, Godly love ‘never fails.’
Friends, let us ask Almighty God and Jesus Christ for His ‘godly love.’

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

Friday, March 20, 2020

It's NOT the End of the World As We Know It ....

cover of a cd by R.E.M. - an American rock band

I've had friends and relatives who are absolutely beside themselves with this COVID-19! Is this - as they blurt out - "the end of the world!"? No. Why!?

Well, because according to the living Word of God - the Holy Bible - there are other events that must first take place.

As an example: there has not been yet the 'abomination of desolation' set up in Jerusalem spoken of by the prophet Daniel and confirmed by our Lord Jesus Christ - Daniel 11:29-33; Matthew 24:15-21. That 'abomination of desolation' being a possible European peace-keeping military force (cf. Luke 21:20). However, this time is getting ever-closer - as I tweeted just today @aservant1God a "New Iraq Group Claiming Attacks on U.S. Troops Says It Can Strike Israel"

Also, a 'king of the South' prophesied for this end-time in the Book of Daniel (cf. Daniel 11:40) - a confederacy of Islamic nations and a 'king of the North' - a European combine of nations led by a strong man are to rise to great power! 

Minister Michael C. Garrett writes:
"Daniel 11 spends a tremendous amount of time about this ongoing battle and pressure going back and forth between the king of the North and the king of the South. And the king of the South in verse 10 is, sort-of, a definition. It says – “However his sons [meaning, the sons of the king of the South] shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; …” – and this becomes sort-of like a confederation of nations, or, as they will say in the future, a caliphate. And that’s what the Arab’s call when they become united with one purpose and one goal under one leader. And, this basically will be what the king of the South will be. A collection of Arab and Islamic nations, throughout North Africa, into the Middle East, and even beyond. Which will combine in opposition to the king of the North. The king of the North will be, I believe, a combination, a conglomeration, of nations from central Europe. And most likely led by the nation of Germany."
These great prophecies alone need to be fulfilled in this end-time (as duel prophecies).

This "flare-up" of the COVID-19 is not expected to result in the death of ¼ of the world's population. Now, that would be close to 2 BILLION PEOPLE! So far, the "official" death toll for the COVID-19 is "confirmed" as 10,254 (Data from the CDC, WHO, ECDC - Wikipedia).

But this grave COVID-19 is indeed consistent with the WARNING from our Lord Jesus Christ for this end-time - this generation:
" ... 'Take heed that no one deceives you. ... 7) But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.'"
And then, our Master speaks of the very prophecy of Daniel's in this end-time (again see Daniel 11:40):
Verse 8 - "' For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles [the apostle Matthew adds pestilences]. THESE ARE THE BEGINNINGS OF SORROWS.'"
As I had mentioned in a February Letter to our Friends - back on November 6th, 2016 I had a prophetic dream from God. A most vivid dream. In this dream I had at night I was looking at the clearest most wonderful night sky I had ever seen, with crystal clear stars shining. And then suddenly I heard a booming voice which said, "They only have 10 years left."

Now, I'm not one to set dates or state that our Lord will come back in 10 years. However, our Master did tell us that we can know the seasons of an approximate time for the beginning of His prophesied Day of the LORD! And we are definitely in these prophesied 'sorrows' - or what the Authorized Version says, 'birth pains.'

Indeed, according to our Master and Elder Brother - Jesus Christ - the end will NOT come until after the prophesied end-time prophets (very possibly twelve) begin to preach 'this gospel of the kingdom of God in all the world as a witness to all the nations' (See Matthew 24:9-14; I asked the question Is Matthew 24:14 being fulfilled - now!?):
9) "' THEN they will deliver you [speaking - for the most part - to these end-time prophets] up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10) And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another [speaking of the brethren]. 11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold [again, speaking mostly of the brethren]. 13) But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and THEN the end will come'" - Matthew 24:9-14.
Jesus Christ just said the TRUTH OF GOD will be preached. But human beings have incorrectly came up with the idea that THEY are going to be the ones doing the preaching! It will be, rather, His end-time prophets spoken of in Revelation 11:1-13 for 1,260 days - 3½ years.

And, following that is the prophesied end-time 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

Also - as of TODAY - and as I tweeted @aservant1God "Gov. Gavin Newsom orders all Californians to stay at home." So, a shelter-in-place mandate has been ordered for Californians. Dine-in restaurants, bars, movie theaters, libraries, etc. are CLOSED until further notice. Only what the government considers "essential" businesses are to remain open. Indeed, the weakening of our already gravely weakened economy is mind-blowing - considering the massive debt of the United States of America being $24.582 TRILLION!

As stated earlier - God WARNS of a "totalitarian dictator" rising within Europe in this end-time:

"He [this 'totalitarian European dictator'] was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast [a great church, what the Bible calls 'the great whore who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication'], that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed [recall what's called Blue Law]. 16) He [this 'totalitarian European dictator'] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and [bond], to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, [be sure to read our free no-obligation online booklet The MARK of the BEAST to properly understand just what this mark is!], 17) and that no one [IN EUROPE; understand that the United States of America and the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth nations are no longer sovereign nations!] may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18) Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666" - Revelation 13:15-18.

So friends, with wisdom, let us understand this 'number of the beast.' The original founder of this 'beast' power - which is the Roman Empire and subsequently the "Holy" Roman Empire - was ROMULUS. The Roman Empire was named AFTER him - 'the number of a man.' And, every citizen in that kingdom is named AFTER him - called, a ROMAN. Also, take into account, the apostle John wrote in the Greek language. So, ROMULUS - the name being in Greek LATEINOS - and counting in Greek - L=30, A=1, T=300, E=5, I=10, N=50, O=70, and S=200. All these add up to 666!

Those who will not worship the Roman Catholic Church will gravely suffer! No one will be able to hold a job or engage in business without being associated with the Roman Catholic Church - in EUROPE! □


Additional Items of Interest:

End-Time Prophets - a seven-part series (Part 6)’ Every kingdom …’” – every country. “ … ‘divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house …’” – think about a mother and father. If they’re not on the same team – if they’re not working together with a lot of similar goals and attitudes, respect for one another, that house – that marriage – will not stand. And in American societies, according to FastStats, in 2017, the divorce rate was 6.9 per 1,000 population. Well, you’ve got to be united to a great extent!
Day of Atonement = End-Time Traumathe real challenge for anyone who truly wants to understand and to follow biblical truth and knowledge is to properly distinguish, differentiate, and discern between biblical truth and biblical error.
Jacob's TroubleAnd, we sort of live in a tranquil land, and we don’t think about that!

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Letter to our Friends - March 10, 2020



Michael C. Garrett
Pastor and Overseer

Greetings from West Central Florida:

We Believe the Words from the Bible

We receive a great many replies and comments. Here is one from our friend SSShadow Wolf from our sermon “Dimash in NYC – Is That All There Is?”
In all fairness Ishtar though pagan was the idea of the spring season and time of growth and renewal , fertility when the earth grows new and abounds . It is the renewal of life and then there will be a harvest in another season so all things reproduce-it isn’t necessarily about “ sex” itself .
There is a time and season for all life .
Most educated people know our holidays ( religious) were strategically placed by the church to bridge those seen as pagan ( country folk ). Ireland is a good example and many places globally . Pre-existing Sacred places to people deemed as “ pagan” had churches placed on those sites . It was a way to make it easier to call people to their way .
Now-about “ sleep”. The moment my husband passed away I awoke with what appeared to be a heart attack-great pain, couldn’t breathe and then in my mind I saw him and I knew . The nurse that called me still remembers how I answered the phone “ I know. He was here . He had a heart attack “.
My husband came many times. (As have friends and family over the years ).
It was a shock to her he had a heart attack to begin with . It was a shock for her to hear me say I knew already and she told me she won’t ever forget it .
This is not the first experience I’ve had since childhood and I’m 64.
I’m certain you don’t just go to sleep right away . Eventually? Maybe .
I know when some people are going to die. I absolutely dread this. It is not a gift .
Mike -what God chooses to relay to an individual isn’t understandable. But that’s one on one .
I agree on the Dante’s Inferno reference .
As for where we go or how when we die ? Given books were tossed out of the Bible centuries ago we have much not available.
As for incense and tradition-these for some focus the mind and dispel the distraction so the mind , body and spirit are more focused . Having lived amongst indigenous people and a catholic back ground ( though not solely defined ) works for me.
Sound , smell , all senses are engaged. Music is a good example. It’s proven to alter energy and emotion .
Look at how you felt with Dimash .
Hollywood hasn’t helped with confusion. I have studied theology since I was 12. Islam , Judaism, ba’hai, various Christian denominations, various indigenous practices globally etc. I don’t fit in a box . Bc I did study I see the common denominator so many miss -much of what you have seen in others different.
I had to lay the yoke of “ our way or you’re going to hell “ down .
A great deal of metaphor is used. Consider the Bible was written two ways -one for scholars and then the uneducated. The scholars were few abs and the illiterate immense . The numbers are significant and symbolism is as well .
It’s my opinion the story of Adam and Eve in the garden uses symbols from another practice. Apple? The snake ? In Ireland st. Patrick did not drive snakes out . They never had any . But there were symbols ( there and globally ) of the SHAPE. It’s thought those were symbols of another practice .
The Celtic cross predates Christ .
I like the phrase “ what if we die we just wake up?” Since I was a child I have had an image where I die and then awaken gasping thinking “ oh! That was a dream!” And I was happy! I was about 3.
I have memories back to the crib , baby buggy and high chair that freaked my mother out .
I’ve learned I know more than what I thought I did - I DONT know as much as I think I do at the same time and I’d like to know more .
Thank you, SSShadow Wolf I hope to have Mike speak on some things you have brought up, And let Mike explain what we believe and why we believe the way we do, Of course, we believe the Words from the Bible and not from Catholic or other denominations writings, SSShadow Wolf We sincerely hope no one gets offended from what we believe in, and we are not trying to change anyone belief We just want all people to listen and thank about what Mike tells us from the Bible. Once again Thank You, SSShadow Wolf. – Don Everly.

Let me briefly address some of our fundamental doctrines which are from the living Words of the Eternal God – the Holy Bible:

Ishtar - Easter. I’ve often called it “Ishtar.” Because it is. It’s a celebration of a pagan sex goddess! Hence, we have bunny rabbits, and Easter eggs, and all of that paraphernalia! It has nothing to do with Jesus Christ – although they try and make it sound like it has got something to do with Jesus Christ. An ancient Babylonian Ishtar worship celebration. When Babylon fell, the migrating Teutonic tribes continued the same observances to their spring goddess – Ishtar, or Astarte, or Astoreth. These pagan Germanic observances were indeed incorporated into nominal “Christianity” during the Dark Ages in an effort to win over European pagans into the fold. Thinly veiled paganism has survived virtually intact all these years. And, as languages have evolved, developed, and changed the word EASTER has been pronounced identically the same, and the very customs have remained virtually unchanged.

Friends, we must observe what God says He will do to those who refuse to repent of this grave abomination:
“And He [God] said to me, ‘Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing … to commit the ABOMINATIONS which they commit here? … 18) Therefore I also will act IN FURY. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them” – Ezekiel 8:17-18; NKJV throughout.
But what of SSShadow Wolf’s statement, “Most educated people know our holidays ( religious) were strategically placed by the church to bridge those seen as pagan ( country folk ).” Is it right to use it to honor CHRIST!? Well, that’s the way many reasons. Let GOD answer this:

Jesus Christ – the God of the Old Testament – spoke to Moses to warn the people not to follow the customs of the other nations around them.
“Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, … and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31) YOU SHALL NOT WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD IN THAT WAY; FOR EVERY ABOMINATION TO THE LORD WHICH HE HATES THEY HAVE DONE TO THEIR GODS” – Deuteronomy 12:30-31.
Here is what GOD says – and it doesn’t matter what we think – it DOES MATTER what God thinks. He calls these pagan “Ishtar” Easter customs abominations.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote:
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; … 3) For the customs of the peoples are futile” – Jeremiah 10:2-3.
“asleep” – death. The very Word of God, which truly kicks-in-the-head the concept that you have an “immortal soul.” I mean, MOST of the people who go to the churches, under the umbrella of Christianity, and many pagan religions, believe that you don’t die when you die. Even though you die you don’t die – you go somewhere else, become some other thing – you float off to Heaven as most so-called Christians believe. The Bible says nothing about going off to Heaven. It talks about meeting Jesus Christ in the atmosphere, the resurrected saints. The Bible does talk about Heaven coming to the Earth! The very throne of God! The very city of God – New Jerusalem! “A new heaven and a new earth” with New Jerusalem being the capital of the Earth.

Friends, we graciously respect the fact that nearly everyone has an opinion concerning death. Indeed there are about as many ideas concerning death and what happens afterward as people in the world to give them. Yet, there is ONLY ONE revealed source (inspired by our very CREATOR GOD) of knowledge available for understanding the TRUTH concerning just what happens after death. And that source is our Creator’s revealed knowledge to all mankind without which we cannot know why we are here, or even where we are going. It’s called the Holy Bible.

The Bible clearly reveals that man is a living soul:
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul [a living being]” – Genesis 2:7.
Man became “a living soul.”

There is nowhere in the Bible which says that man has a soul inside of him. It says that man is a soul. And, it says a soul can die!
“’ Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die” – Ezekiel 18:4.
So, man is a soul. And, man sins. So, therefore, a living soul dies.

The idea of an “immortal soul” did not come from the Bible. It actually came out of ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and was enshrined by philosophers such as Plato. Notice what the Jewish Encyclopedia reads:
The belief that the soul continues its existence after the dissolution of the body is a matter of philosophical or theological speculation … and is accordingly nowhere expressly taught in Holy Scripture. … The belief in the immortality of the soul came to the Jews from contact with Greek thought and chiefly through the philosophy of Plato, its principal exponent, who was led to it through Orphic and Eleusinian mysteries in which Babylonian and Egyptian views were strangely blended.
(Jewish Encyclopedia Online, 1906, “Immortality of the soul”).
The Bible plainly reveals that when you die – you are dead.

Now, what of our friend's statement – “Given books were tossed out of the Bible centuries ago we have much not available.”? Short answer – The Greek Bibles used by the inspired New Testament Church of God under the guidance of the apostles DID NOT contain Apocrypha. These uninspired books were NOT added until 315 A.D. The Bible was completed in the days of the apostles! And, the same may be said of the so-called “lost books of the Bible.” These books were NEVER lost because they were NEVER a part of the Bible. They are out-right FAKES! They are spurious – uninspired of God – and full of erroneous errors!

The completed Bible says the dead don’t know, hear, see, or think anything. The dead have absolutely no awareness of any kind:
“For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. 6) Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished …” – Ecclesiastes 9:5-6.
God’s Word on this message is crystal clear. Death is death beyond any shadow of a doubt. The apostle Paul adds – “For the wages of sin is death” – Romans 6:23. And, death, by definition, is “a permanent cessation of all vital functions: the end of life.” The absence of life – not just separation from God.

Also, what of many which believe in an afterlife – as in “you don’t really die – your body dies, but your soul (or spirit) lives on.” Here, again, is a short answer.

Indeed, man was created with a spirit (cf. Job 32:8; Proverbs 20:27). The human spirit enters the human embryo at conception (cf. Job 3:11). The spirit is like the “hard drive on a computer” – it stores information. The spirit essence is NOT an immortal soul or an eternal spirit. The spirit in man is NOT the man. It is something in the man. It has no life of itself, for the life of man is in the air he breathes, and, in the blood that circulates through his body (Genesis 2:7; Leviticus 17:11). It does not of itself see or hear (for even a blind or deaf person, though deprived of one of his senses, is altogether human). And at death, it has no consciousness of itself, for it sleeps (1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). Like a tape recorder - forms a permanent record of the qualities of mind and character built by a man during his lifetime. And, much like a used tape is stored lifelessly on a shelf till activated in a recorder, so also does the spirit of man “return to GOD who gave it” after death, until the resurrection when life is again given to a person (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Be sure to READ and STUDY our free online no-obligation booklets concerning these and many other subjects – “Is Your Belief Biblical? …and can you prove it?” “Proving the Truth!” “The Confusion About Death!”

The Coronavirus

The Coronavirus – officially called COVID-19 has been found in a great many nations around the world:

Brown: China, Red: Confirmed cases reported Blue: Suspected cases reported (Pharexia)
Now, let me state first, that quarantines (and not necessarily the way the various world governments are implementing them) are indeed biblical when dealing with infectious diseases. Notice, as an example, of the following:
“And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: 2) ‘When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling, a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes on the skin of his body like a leprous [or rather skin diseases] sore, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. 3) The priest shall examine the sore on the skin of the body; and if the hair on the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous [or contagious] sore. Then the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean.
4) But if the bright spot is white on the skin of his body, and does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and its hair has not turned white, then the priest shall isolate the one who has the sore seven days. 5) And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day; and indeed if the sore appears to be as it was, and the sore has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall isolate him another seven days. 6) Then the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day; and indeed if the sore has faded, and the sore has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scab, and he shall wash his clothes and be clean. 7) But if the scab should at all spread over the skin, after he has been seen by the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen by the priest again. 8) And if the priest sees that the scab has indeed spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.
9) When the leprous sore is on a person, then he shall be brought to the priest. 10) And the priest shall examine him; and indeed if the swelling on the skin is white, and it has turned the hair white, and there is a spot of raw flesh in the swelling, 11) it is an old leprosy on the skin of his body. The priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not isolate him, for he is unclean.
12) And if leprosy breaks out all over the skin, and the leprosy covers all the skin of the one who has the sore, from his head to his foot, wherever the priest looks, 13) then the priest shall consider and indeed if the leprosy has covered all his body, he shall pronounce him clean who has the sore. It has all turned white. He is clean. 14) But when raw flesh appears on him, he shall be unclean. 15) And the priest shall examine the raw flesh and pronounce him to be unclean; for the raw flesh is unclean. It is leprosy. 16) Or if the raw flesh changes and turns white again, he shall come to the priest. 17) And the priest shall examine him; and indeed if the sore has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him clean who has the sore. He is clean.
18) If the body develops a boil in the skin, and it is healed, 19) and in the place of the boil there comes a white swelling or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it shall be shown to the priest; 20)and if, when the priest sees it, it indeed appears deeper than the skin, and its hair has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous sore which has broken out of the boil. 21) But if the priest examines it, and indeed there are no white hairs in it, and it is not deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days; 22) and if it should at all spread over the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous sore. 23) But if the bright spot stays in one place, and has not spread, it is the scar of the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
24) Or if the body receives a burn on its skin by fire, and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a bright spot, reddish-white or white, 25) then the priest shall examine it; and indeed if the hair of the bright spot has turned white, and it appears deeper than the skin, it is leprosy broken out in the burn. Therefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous sore. 26) But if the priest examines it, and indeed there are no white hairs in the bright spot, and it is not deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days. 27) And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day. If it has at all spread over the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous sore. 28) But if the bright spot stays in one place, and has not spread on the skin, but has faded, it is swelling from the burn. The priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar from the burn.
29) If a man or a woman has a sore on the head or the beard, 30) then the priest shall examine the sore; and indeed if it appears deeper than the skin, and there is in it thin yellow hair, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a scaly leprosy of the head or beard. 31) But if the priest examines the scaly sore, and indeed it does not appear deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall isolate the one who has the scale seven days. 32) And on the seventh day the priest shall examine the sore; and indeed if the scale has not spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the scale does not appear deeper than the skin, 33) he shall not shave. And the priest shall isolate the one who has the scale another seven days” – Leviticus 13:1-33.
Also, beyond just washing our hands (which is also biblical), here is something from Waking Times entitled “Natural Protection Strategy Against Viruses, Including the Coronavirus”:
There is mounting scientific evidence that a handful of vitamins, minerals, and herbs have been shown to be effective in prevention and treatments of many viral influenced illnesses. …
Vitamin C – Coronavirus: Exploring Effective Nutritional Treatments, Andrew W. Saul, Orthomolecular News Service; January 30, 2020. This article is based on more than 30 clinical studies confirming the antiviral power of vitamin C against a wide range of flu viruses over several decades. Vitamin C inactivates the virus and strengthens the immune system to continue to suppress the virus. In many cases, oral supplementation up to 10,000 mg daily can create this protection. However, some viruses are stronger and may require larger doses given intravenously (100,000 to 150,000 mg daily). Vitamin C helps the body to make its own antioxidant, glutathione as well assist the body in the production of its own antiviral called interferon. If IV vitamin C is not available there have been cases where some people have gradually increased their oral dose up to 50,000 mg daily before reaching bowel tolerance. Powdered or crystal forms of high quality ascorbic acid can be taken five grams (5,000 mg) at a time, every four hours. Every virus seems to respond to this type of treatment, regardless of the whether it is SARs, Bird flu, Swine flu or the new Coronavirus flu. …
Silver – Silver Kills Viruses, Journal of Nanotechnology, October 18, 2005. This study found that silver nanoparticles kills HIV-1 and virtually any other viruses. The study was jointly conducted by the University of Texas and Mexico University. …
Interestingly enough, I have used what’s called Colloidal Silver 30 ppm since about the 1990s! It’s helped my family with sores and ailing cats.

The article continues:
Elderberry – A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found elderberry can be used as a safe and effective treatment for influenza A and B.
Calendula – A study by the University of Maryland Medical Center found that ear drops containing calendula can be effective for treating ear infections in children.
Astragulus root – Scientific studies have shown that Astragulus has anti-viral properties and stimulates the immune system. One study in the Chinese Medical Sciences Journal concluded that Astragulus is able to inhibit the growth of coxsackie B virus.
Licorice root – Licorice is gaining popularity for the prevention and treatment of diseases, such as hepatitis C, HIV and influenza. (The Chinese Journal of Virology published a review of these findings)
Olive leaf – Olive leaf has been proven effective in the treatment of cold and flu viruses, meningitis, pneumonia, hepatitis B, malaria, gonorrhea and tuberculosis. One study at the New York University School of Medicine found that olive leaf extracts reversed many HIV-1 infections.
These are just some of the many anti-viral agents that should be included in everyone’s home remedy medicine chest. …
(Read More: https://www.wakingtimes.com/2020/02/25/natural-protection-strategy-against-viruses-including-the-coronavirus/).
Of course friends, we can also call upon the elders of the Church to anoint us (James 5:14-15) or, when that is not possible, request an anointed cloth (Acts 19:11-12).

But we should expect pestilences in this end-time (cf. Matthew 24:7-8). We should have confidence in Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ and Their ultimate Plan – “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” – Philippians 1:6. Yet, we should be prudent – cf. Proverbs 22:3.

The apostle Paul reminds us:
“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh – who are called Uncircumcision made in the flesh by hands – 12) that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13) But NOW in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” – Ephesians 2:11-13.
Friends, let us not fear as others who have no hope.

World News Items

The Seventh-day Adventists have been having ecumenical controversies as some of their leaders in Italy have approved an ecumenical document signed by the Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Evangelicals, as well as Methodists – with some SDA leaders opposing this (See: ‘Seventh-day Adventists, Roman Catholics, and Evangelicals Sign a Historic ‘Ecumenical Charter’ that Affirms Faith in ‘One, Holy, Catholic Apostolic Church’). Yet, many of their leaders are going along with the Vatican’s agenda to bring her “daughters” back into the fold. Our prayer is for all, including the SDAs, to seek the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Ultimate Plan of God – to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” and to indeed “Come out of her [Babylon the great], my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” – Revelation 17 & 18.

In Turkey – thousands of Syrian refugees were encouraged to cross the border into Greece, with the Hellenic forces highly opposing this (See: ‘Greece blocks 10,000 migrants at Turkish border’). Turkey has since threatened to send millions more. Indeed, as we teach in our free online no-obligation booklet “Turkey is going to betray HIS BROTHERS!” Islam will eventually be pushed out of Europe. And Turkey will eventually turn and support the European ‘beast power’ (cf. Daniel 11:40-43).

In Russia – as I had shared on our Twitter page – Russia’s President Putin took another step consistent with biblical standards regarding a constitutional amendment that is in opposition to ‘same-sex marriage’ (See: ‘Putin's new amendments revere God, ban same-sex marriages’). While the West continues to move away from biblical morality – very slightly conditioning society to accept biblical immoralities – this indeed shows us that in this end-time all nations are being caught up with this evil agenda.

In regards to the Coronavirus – COVID-19. It’s causing the closure of certain locations and the cancellations of many various events (e.g. See: ‘Saudi Arabia Cancels Pilgrimage Entries to Mecca Over Fears of Coronavirus’). As per a discussion recently with a dear sister in Christ – it is likely that this Coronavirus will be a major factor that will help lead to the rise of this end-time European ‘beast power’ – mainly because it’s a factor in diminishing certain Chinese export dominance. China and her economy have been damaged by COVID-19! (See: The coronavirus outbreak is the 'biggest danger' for the global economy since the financial crisis and could halve growth in 2020, OECD warns’). Also, according to an article from ZeroHedge – “the super-rich are left scrambling to fend for themselves against a problem they can't just throw money at and solve” (See: ‘How The Super Rich Are Preparing For The Coronavirus’).

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 “End-Time Babylon” by Michael C. Garrett.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is “Are We To Listen To Others?” by Leonard V. Johnson. (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 prophet Jeremiah wrote the following:
“Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: ‘You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings, ‘ says the LORD. … 10) For the land is full of adulterers” – Jeremiah 23:2, 10.
Minister Garrett wrote:
“God says He will repay them the way they deserve to be repaid. Now, people can say, “To whom is He speaking!?” Is He talking about the physical people of Israel, who have been misled by their false religions!? It’s possible. I think that is part of the implication. But I think it is also referring to the Churches of God – the Body of Christ – and there are in these different organizations pastors who seem more concerned about their own needs, their own sense of power, their own sense of control, than worrying about the spiritual health of people who are a part of their organization. And I do believe every human being who thinks he is a leader in the Body of Christ – you need to read these words very soberly because if you’re not careful you might be on the receiving end. … “For the land is full of adulterers; …” – Now, I’ve tried pointing out before that the word “adultery,” it might, in part, refer to the physical sin of adultery. Sex outside of marriage. Breaking those bonds of loyalty. But, most of the time, not all of the time, when you see words in the Bible such as fornication, adultery, whoring, those types of words, if you read the whole passage, it is God’s pronouncement against people who are engaged in false religion. You see, at one time God married Israel. And when Israel, the people of Israel, leave God and go – in His own terminology – a whoring after other gods and other religions, God looks upon that as the highest form of adultery. Of the betrayal of wedding vows.”
(Notes Regarding The Day of Atonement (Prophetically the Day of the LORD)).
Now, you might very well say to yourself, we don’t have to worry about “adultery” or any false religion. Yet, friends, we are in a world that often promotes evil as good and good as evil. Their “false gods” (as Mr. Garrett’s five-part series “Toxic Philosophy” teaches on) are distorted worldly philosophy and public opinion which continues to rapidly sway further away from Almighty God and Jesus Christ.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,