Letter to our Friends - May 26, 2020

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Greetings from West Central Florida.

It was announced that on May 4th Florida would begin reopening its doors. Having the restrictions in the first place has greatly damaged the economy here and has caused grave problems with school – such as online school work and this year's “virtual” graduations. School attendance, however, here in Hernando County, will not be reopening as stated by Hernando County Schools Superintendent John Stratton, “We realize that Hernando County needs to get opened. Our School Board is following the State’s recommendation to be closed for the rest of this school year, with students finishing their academic year on the digital platform.”

Pentecost

A reminder friends that Pentecost is on May 31st. And, the actual observation begins the evening before sunset on May 30th and runs through sunset on May 31st. Since this means back-to-back Sabbaths. You should plan accordingly as God’s word instructs us. “You shall do no customary work on it” – Leviticus 23:15.

Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day – 2020

This year, the Feast of Tabernacles begins the evening of October 2nd and continues until the Last Great Day which is October 10th.

Because of COVID-19 concerns, there could be issues with various locations for the Feast of Tabernacles 2020. Indeed, true Christians are to ‘gather together,’ though atheists do not understand. We consider holding religious services like the Feast of Tabernacles as essential.

Wingfield Inn & Suites Photo by Business Owner

I have personally stayed with the Wingfield Inn & Suites in Owensboro, Kentucky several times. Its location is 3220 W. Parrish Ave. Owensboro, Ky. 42301. Here is a photo from its website - http://www.wingfieldinnandsuitesowensboroky.com/.

 Should you wish to stay there, the daily room rate is $95 per night, plus applicable taxes. You can call (270) 685-2433 to make reservations.

At this instant, we still intend to hold the Feast of Tabernacles in Owensboro, Kentucky at the Logsdon Community Center 2400 Friendship Drive, Owensboro, Kentucky 42303. However, there may be changes in location and how we can conduct services. Yet, we will still intend to hold services for the Feast of Tabernacles and encourage all who have a good character and would like to attend – you are more than welcome.

World News Items

Statements and steps made by the United States relating to COVID-19 have greatly upset many Europeans. A poll in Germany has found an increase in anti-American sentiment since the coronavirus became worldwide non-stop news (see ‘Coronavirus turns Germans more critical of US: survey’). Surely, this will not be good for the United States of America (cf. Isaiah 10:5-11, Daniel 11:39).

Friends, God’s living word tells us that a final leader of a “United States of Europe” will soon rise. He will promise peace and safety. And, he will be considered ‘the one’ who can save a reunified Europe and the world. The Book of Revelation calls him the ‘beast’ (Revelation 13:1-10), and the Book of Daniel calls him the final ‘king of the North’ (Daniel 11).

He is prophesied to utterly destroy the sovereignty of the strongest fortresses – the strongest militaries. And, in this final-hour that would be the United States of America and the United Kingdom – respectfully. Also, to a lesser extent – Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – the very group of nations known today as the ‘five eyes.’ Do not think that the POTUS Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda will not have serious negative ramifications for the United States. The time will come when America will completely fall.

Also, there have been grave concerns relating to the fact that COVID-19 restrictions are hurting economies and some few see some putting US dollar dominance at high risk (see ‘Doug Casey: The Feds Will Blame the Depression on Coronavirus’). The US President Donald Trump has made himself the subject of much criticism for taking personal steps he hopes will reduce risks for him associated with COVID-19 (see ‘Trump says he is taking hydroxychloroquine though health experts question its effectiveness’ and ‘Trump Says He’s Taking Hydroxychloroquine to Prevent Catching Coronavirus’ as well as ‘My ‘decision to make’: Trump defends criticized use of drug’).

Well, the Leftist mainstream could have easily discovered that a study came out back in 2014 which showed that chloroquine increased the amount of zinc getting into cells (see ‘Chloroquine Is a Zinc Ionophore’). Now, it is not that I am advocating chloroquine, but I do believe that science supports taking zinc, and for some substances that can enhance its absorption.

Weather is also a terrible problem many are facing (see ‘Thousands evacuate area in Michigan after two dams fail and governor warns one city could see 9 feet of water’). The terrible flooding in Michigan is just one of the latest troubles that have been happening! Our Lord Jesus Christ warned a time of ‘troubles’ in this final-hour – Mark 13:8.

Also, in Judah (known today as Israel) – Breaking Israel News reported the following:

Biblical Plagues Worldwide: Huge “Corona” Hail, Freak Sandstorm makes Daytime Dark, Locusts

Biblical scholars know that the end-of-days will not be pleasant and as the world cowers inside, fearing the Angel of Death roaming the streets as it did in Biblical Egypt before the Exodus, modern incarnations of the Ten Plagues reappear around the globe.

HUGE “CORONA’ HAILSTONES PELT MEXICO

The people of Ciudad Valles in San Luis Potosi, Mexico got a taste of the Egyptian plagues on Sunday when hailstones the size of grapefruits fell from the sky. Three people were injured and extensive damage to property was reported. Many vehicles and houses were affected by the impacts of these ice balls, breaking glass, and damaging roofs. …

Most notably in the subject of Biblical plagues is Egypt. Directly after coping with thunderstorms and massive flooding last week that killed five people, Egypt was covered in darkness. While the desert sands were still drying, Egyptians were given a taste of what their ancestors experienced when a huge sandstorm engulfed the entire city of Aswan. …

Egyptian social media was flooded with posts about the string of “biblical plagues” hitting the region.

IRANIAN ARMY BATTLING INVASION OF LOCUSTS

Of course, no discussion of current manifestations of Biblical plagues would be complete with mentioning the huge swarm of locusts moving up from Africa and invading Iran. Troops were deployed for the second year in a row to cope with the infestation.

According to Jewish tradition, the ten-plagues will reappear before the Messiah. Rabbi Yosef Berger, the rabbi of King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, explained this aspect of the Messianic process to Breaking Israel News, quoting the Prophet Micah.

I will show him wondrous deeds As in the days when You sallied forth from the land of Egypt. Micah 7:15.

Jewish sources predict that all of the plagues will reappear in the final Redemption but in even more powerful forms.

(Read More: https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/150656/hail-shaped-like-coronavirus-falls-in-mexico-dust-storm-turns-day-to-darkness-in-egypt-watch/).

Friends, the prophet Joel was inspired to write – which I have highlighted, ‘the Day of the LORD’:

“’ Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty’” – Joel 1:15 NKJV throughout unless otherwise noted.

Now, this ‘day of the LORD’ refers to Jesus Christ’s intervention in this world’s affairs – His return to restore peace from sin-sick societies. Joel’s first chapter describes but some of the events which will lead up to the ‘day of the LORD’ as described in chapter 2. Here, in modern language, is what chapter 1 says:

“’ Hear this, you elders [meaning the leaders of modern-day United States of America and the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth], And give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! Has anything like this happened in your days, Or even in the days of your fathers? 3) Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, And their children [this generation]. 4) What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; What the swarming locust left; the crawling locust has eaten; And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.’”

An event so utterly unprecedented in all of history is just about to occur!

“’ For a nation [a mighty army of locusts] has come up against My land, Strong, and without number; His teeth are the teeth of a lion, And he has the fangs of a fierce lion. 7) He has laid waste My vine, And ruined My fig tree; He has stripped it bare and thrown it away; Its branches are made white.’”

God will continue to use locusts to bring ever-greater famine upon many peoples. This prophecy continues:

“’ The field is wasted, The land mourns; For the grain is ruined, The new wine is dried up, The oil fails. … (12 The vine has dried up, And the fig tree has withered; The pomegranate tree, The palm tree also, And the apple tree – All the trees of the field are withered; Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men. … 14) Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders [the leaders of the modern descendants of the house of Israel] And all the inhabitants of the land Into the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD’”

Indeed friends, locusts (the Florida giant orange grasshoppers – called Lubbers – are very prevalent here) even when they are not fulfilling biblical prophecies can lead to food shortages and other serious problems. Now, could Jewish traditions about the re-emergence of the ten plagues of Egypt be possible!? Well, the New Testament – which the Jews do not even accept – does teach that.

In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu was again sworn in as Prime Minister. He wants to quickly go forward with annexing Judea-Samaria – of course against the wishes of the Palestinians, the Jordanians, and even the Europeans (see ‘Israel finally swears in government after 3 elections’ along with ‘Israel swears in new gov't as Netanyahu pledges annexation push’). Friends, as regular readers of https://www.owensborocojc.com are very aware, God’s living word indeed tells us of a coming temporary peace deal to that region per the Book of Daniel:

“’ And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah [which is Jesus Christ] shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27) Then he [the prince who is to come] shall confirm a covenant with many for one week [seven-years]; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate’” – Daniel 9:26-27.

Now, briefly, this is our understanding of this amazing two-fold prophecy:

This is a prophecy often referred to as the SEVENTY WEEKS PROPHECY. Verse 27 – Remember, verse 25 we see the word “Messiah.” That’s who we’re talking about here in verse 27. The “he,” who – JESUS CHRIST – “he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;” Which in Bible parlance, one day for a year – this is SEVEN YEARS. “But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Now, who was the ultimate sacrifice!? Jesus Christ. When did He die!? When was He executed!? He was executed on a WEDNESDAY, in the middle of the week. And, His human life ended after 3½ years of His public ministry. It was SEVEN YEARS He was supposed to have a very special dispensation. And He lived upon this earth for 3½ years, it begs the question: What became of the other 3½ years!? Well, the other 3½ years will be fulfilled in those events upon His return and for 3½ years the Millennium doesn’t really start, UNTIL AFTER 3½ years. Because Jesus Christ for 3½ years, is, as it were, remolding and reshaping the Earth – the people of the Earth. He’s getting the attitudes right. We are told, “as a Rod of Iron.” And, Jesus Christ WILL wield that club, and we as members of the resurrected Family of GOD WILL in part wield that club, and here’s a part of the story – God uses the physical people of Israel as a part of His club. That’s a part of the story which has NEVER been told.

(Garrett, M.C., Notes Concerning The Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day PDF, 2019).

However, there are a number of escalating episodes that happen to this world even before then. And, at some point, the SEVENTH TRUMP is blown. The seventh trump is the resurrection trump. It’s when the people of God – those who have God’s Spirit are resurrected and they meet Jesus Christ in the atmosphere. And then – they wait for a time, about 3½ years (cf. Daniel 9:27; Revelation 12:6) – they wait for additional events to occur upon this sin-filled world. And one of those events is called the seven last plagues.

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week.

● 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 “Is There A ‘Secret Rapture’?” by Minister Leonard V. Johnson.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.

● Sermon. The one suggested for this week is "Faith, Hope, Patience, Tribulation - Part IV" by Minister Michael C. Garrett. More sermons available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/.

● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.

Pentecost Service

Here is a suggested Pentecost 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 “Pentecost Offertory” by Minister Leonard V. Johnson.
● Announcements (if any).
● Special music: Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone performed by M.C. Garrett.
● Sermon. The one suggested is “Pentecost – Part A” by Minister Michael C. Garrett. An accompanied article “Pentecost – a seven-part series (Part I)” will be posted on Florida – Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website this Pentecost Weekend.
● 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 Home - Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, we have a social network aggregation known as Flipboard with 160 “flips,” and 10 “magazines” at https://flipboard.com/@ocojc2019.

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 is 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.”

(Garrett, M.C., Notes Regarding the Day of Atonement (Prophetically the Day of the LORD) PDF, 2019).

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,