Letter to our Friends - June 2, 2020

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Greetings from West Central Florida.

Pentecost Weekend was fine, restful. We hope and pray that you are successfully enduring and growing. We humbly ask you to pray for more laborers and ever-greater growth.

Statcounter

There is an increase of unique visits and of first-time visits to our Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ – Florida website as the graph below indicates!

And, we are excited to announce that our articles are being read via Google Translator in es and es-xl (Spanish), en-gb (English in Great Britain), hu-hu (Hungarian), pt-br (Portuguese), de-ch (German), it-it (Italian), and fa-ir (Persian).

Now, some may criticize this small growth, but just a reminder that we only started the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ – Florida website February 5th, 2019 – and our last Google Ads promotion for the Florida based website was May 24, 2019, resulting in 86,377 impressions, 289 clicks and an interaction rate of 33 percent!

Notice this inspired by God recorded by the Apostle Luke:

“Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” – Luke 14:27 NKJV throughout unless otherwise noted.

And indeed, our LORD God’s message to the churches – the whole of the Body of Christ – He said:

“’ I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name’” – Revelation 3:8.

Now, these were seven churches – which existed back in AD 95 that Jesus wrote to through the Apostle John. However, there is a prophetic message to them. And, in this end-time, we are seeing the churches of God with these prophesied attributes.

Social media in this 21st century is indeed an open door that Jesus Christ uses for His Church to proclaim the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God – to, as He said, ‘Feed My sheep!’

End-Time Prophets – a seven-part series

We have compiled a table of contents for Mr. Michael C. Garrett’s amazing and thorough articles End-Time Prophets – a seven-part series. We changed Google Translator to reflect our friends around the world – Arabic, Malay, Chinese, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovakian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, and of course English.

We also have an electronic file uploaded in Spanish of our booklet Proving the Truth! Here is a link: ¡Demostrando la Verdad!

I am continuing to work on our References For Our Fundamental Doctrines. As of the writing of this letter, I have:

1. Baptism: what is baptism, when to baptize and its prerequisites, why to baptize, and how to
   baptize.
2. Born again: explaining that we aren’t now born again, we are only-begotten. And, that we
   need to be born again and when this occurs.
3. Church government: the fact that Jesus Christ is the Head. And, God’s Church is not to be
   a dictatorial top-down government.
4. Church name: references given on why we feel that the title of His Church and His work
   should carry His name!
5. The Ten Commandments: the Law of God – their obedience: the fact that if not obeyed and
   kept – what are the results? Their purpose, and the fact that Christ magnified the Law
   and was before Moses.
6. Old Covenant: What is it? Was a marriage contract. The terms of the people. The terms
   of God, and how God divorced the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Is it still in effect?
7. New Covenant: What is it? Another marriage contract for the spiritual house of Israel and
   the spiritual house of Judah. The terms of the people. The terms of God. A better covenant.
   When in effect?

When it’s finished it should have roughly 34 separate subjects relating to our fundamental doctrines which come from the living word of God – the Holy Bible.

World News Items

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from the People’s Republic of China. There have been grave protests in Hong Kong related to a new law that will accelerate Hong Kong’s meld into the People’s Republic of China (see ‘"We Must Stop Kowtowing To Beijing" - Former UK Gov Warns "China Has Betrayed Hong Kong" With New Security Law’). Jorge Mario Bergoglio (aka Pope Francis) recently entrusted (in a prayer of his) China to the Catholic’s version of Jesus’ mother – Mary (see ‘Hong Kong under threat as Pope prays for China’). Friends, the Catholic’s version of ‘Mary’ as an interfaith and ecumenical tool has long been a part of the Vatican’s arsenal and plan. Marian matters have been a part of the signs and lying wonders warned about in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 – one of which Mr. Garrett mentions in the booklet The MARK of the BEAST.

Friends, a great many wrongly teach that Revelation 9:13-18; 16:12-16 is a future prophecy concerning a literal translation ‘the kings of the sunrise’ which would appear to include places like Taiwan, mainland China, as well as Hong Kong - a coming military alliance between the powers in Asia. Yet, let us not be stuck – prophetically speaking – in the year’s 1933, 1986, or even 2003! The Apostle Peter – inspired by God’s Spirit – said for us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” – as well as His glorious Message! 

In God’s Promises To Abraham – a seven-part series, Mr. Garrett writes:

"In Revelation 16 we have moved down the line – we’ve gone from the trumpets – the seven trumpets – now we’re in what the Bible calls in chapter 15 – the seven last plagues. And the seven last plagues are the final addition of the end-time trauma. They’re the final stage! Verse 12 – “Then the sixth angel [of the seven last plagues] poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, …” – remember, real quick Revelation 9 – “’ Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’” Angels can also – sometimes – be referring to demons or demonic powers. These demonic powers are the power behind the throne of many of these nations. … “…and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.” – so, now that the river has dried up, now provides access for these armies from the east as it says here – ‘the kings from the east.’ I believe the majority of this will be ISLAMIC countries! Islamic soldiers, Islamic militants trying to get to the European forces to exact revenge and “justice” for having invaded and took control of the Middle East!"

Indeed, as we are seeing ever-greater Islamic militant terrorist attacks worldwide – especially Western targets, including European targets - the growing hatred and warfare which is taking place between Catholic Europe and the Islamic Middle East.

Also, in relation to the Middle East – the Vatican has basically gone on record opposing Judah’s (the nation known as Israel) plans to annex Samaria and Judea (see ‘Vatican opposes Israeli annexation plan’). The Vatican has long tended to support the ancient Philistines. The Vatican has been negotiating for some time with the Israeli government for control over the Cenacle in Jerusalem. And, according to Israeli National News that indeed has happened! Author Giulio Meotti wrote: “The Israeli authorities have granted the Pope an official seat in the room where the Last Supper is believed to have taken place, on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.” The European Union also opposes Israel’s annexation.

Also, in the greatly divided United States of America – there have been peaceful, and also violent protests over what looks like a police-caused death of supposed criminal George Floyd (see ‘George Floyd protesters set Minneapolis police station afire’ and also ‘Man  Fatally Shot During 2nd Night of Angry Protests in Minneapolis’). Now, the police are supposed to be protectors – not violent oppressors. And, personally, I agree that Officer Chauvin should not have kneeled on George Floyd’s neck (this technique has been widely criticized by law enforcement experts as excessive), yet I believe that George Floyd – who supposedly was trying to pass along counterfeit $20 bill’s at a convenient store – was in terrible health. According to the Hennepin County medical examiner, Floyd was suffering from coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease and stated, “combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.” And, of course, violent protesting is a criminal offense! Expect to see even more civil unrest in America (cf. Ezekiel 7:23; Deuteronomy 32:25).

Also, also – I woke this morning and said, “Alexa, good morning!” And was bombarded with her spouting off the fact that in America – this month is Pride month! Nothing like being reminded that I am living in a sodomite nation. Interestingly this is an “identity movement’ which is called exactly what one of the ‘seven deadly sins’ is called - cf. Isaiah 14:13-14; Proverbs 6:16-19. Well, Pixar – now owned by The Walt Disney Company – has created a pro-homosexual animation titled Out. It’s about a boy who decides to tell his parents that he prefers to be a sodomite (see ‘For First Time: Disney Introduces Openly Gay Main Character’). Now, this should come as no surprise – this juggernaut company owns 20th Century Studios which produces numerous R-rated movies each year! Ever since June 26th, 2015, the LGBTQ movement has been ever-so pushing the conditioning of American societies into accepting their “rights.” God’s living and unwavering word WARNS this sodomite nation vehemently – e.g. Romans 1:18-32.

In COVID-19 news, there are German states which have banned singing in church (see ‘Germany clamps down on SINGING over coronavirus fears: Choirs are silenced and hymns banned at church services after warnings that it spreads infectious droplets’) Indeed, soon, a reorganized ‘United States of Europe’ will be telling Europeans who they must worship! – cf. Daniel 11:37-38; Revelation 13:15-17. Also, another Protestant so-called Christian entertainer revealed that he no longer believes in God (see ‘Jonathan Steingard, Christian singer, reveals he no longer believes in God’). It should be pointed out that God Himself calls those who believe not in a Creator – a fool. – Psalm 14:1. Which ironically here – is part of a song! (for some details, see the free online booklet: The Confusion About Death! Which asks important questions – like “Creation without a Creator?” and “Why don’t more people believe God!?”). Indeed, those who accept this and teach this is ‘loving and practicing a lie’ and will be outside the holy gates of New Jerusalem – Revelation 22:15.

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 “Jacob’s Trouble” by Minister Michael C. Garrett.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested for this week is “The Death of George Floyd” by Minister Michael C. Garrett. More sermons 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 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 Apostle James notes that Jesus brought us forth to also be a type of firstfruits:

“Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” – James 1:18.

So then, while Jesus Christ is the original firstfruits to represent the Old Covenant wave sheaf offering, true Christians are a kind of firstfruits – represented by the Day of Pentecost. “Firstfruits” mean that only a small “remnant” will be part of the harvest in this age – cf. Luke 12:32; Romans 9:27; 11:5. But the Bible also teaches that there will be a greater harvest – a time when all who has ever lived or will live will have an opportunity for eternal life – cf. Revelation 20:11-15.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,