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,