Friday, November 26, 2021

Thanksgiving To God EVERY Day!


Greetings Everyone! Our dear friends in Nebraska, Washington State, Finland, Ireland, and all around the world – welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, I’m your humble servant, Leonard V. Johnson.

Well, it’s that time of year again! I am so looking forward to seeing my family gathered together once again! And I’m sure you are as well.

As my 6th great-grandfather, John Johnston sailed across the North Atlantic at 21-years-old from Aberdeenshire, Scotland in 1696 on his way to America, he began celebrating a day of Thanksgiving which had already been celebrated for some 75 years! Yet, Thanksgiving, as we know it today, was celebrated intermittently until President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, proclaimed it a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

But sadly, here we are – as Americans – 40 decades hence about to celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States of America – and a large amount of Americans have forgotten or abandoned the REAL SOURCE and the TRUE EXTENT of our many great blessings! Most Americans have carelessly forgotten the real meaning of Thanksgiving day!

No other nation in the history of nations has been so greatly blessed as the United States of America!


Are you aware, on July 4th, 1776, the population of the US was found to be 2.5 million! Today, our people have grown to 333 MILLION! In the 18th century, according to historian Alice Hansen Jones, Americans at the end of the colonial era averaged an annual income of $18.50, which was the highest in the Western world at that time. 1 Today, the yearly income is approximately $51, 480! 2 And in the 1700s, the world’s GDP was only $643.32 billion – in 2013 it was $101.27 TRILLION! 3 And astoundingly the Gross National Product (GNP) in the United States increased to 19,573.16 USD Billion in the second quarter of 2021! 4

Also, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage of a United States citizen, as of December 2020, is $29.81, while the average weekly wage is $1,034.41. Even though inflation is skyrocketing and a US state’s income tax rate may be anywhere from 1% to 13.3% - and according to a groundbreaking study by Just Facts that after accounting for all income, charity, and non-cash welfare benefits like subsidized housing and food stamps, the poorest 20 percent of Americans consume more goods and services than the national averages for all people in most affluent countries. 5 It shouldn’t make one wonder why illegal immigrants are so adamant about crossing our borders, continuing to weaken our nation!

The Third World countries – I apologize, the “developing countries” – such as Somalia, South Sudan, Niger, and Mali certainly look upon the great blessings of the United States of America in awe and amazement!

As I had once referenced, the actor Jeff Daniels had stated in a clip from The Newsroom, “There is absolutely no evidence to support the statement that we are …” speaking of the United States of America “the greatest country in the world.” And he would later go on to say, “It sure used to be… We stood up for what was right. We fought for moral reasons. We passed laws, struck down laws, for moral reasons. We waged wars on poverty, not on poor people. We sacrificed, we cared about our neighbors, we put our money where our mouths were and we never beat our chest.” And before giving this outstanding monologue he made sure to deem the young girl who asked the question “What makes America the greatest country in the world?” – as he should have – as part of the worst PERIOD, generation PERIOD, ever PERIOD.

All Americans should stop and think concerning his outstanding and thought-provoking monologue! At this time of the year, during this annual Thanksgiving Day, ALL AMERICANS should truly give thanks to God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ for all the boundless blessings. Yet, sadly, too many of our people have become oblivious to the rich history and the true meaning behind this most IMPORTANT national holiday.

Our America in this 21st Century faces ever-greater threats than even during the American Revolutionary War. Illegal immigrants crossing our borders soar to record highs – 1.7 million times in the last 12 months! The highest number of illegal crossings recorded since at least 1960. And, as we are aware – Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas stated that the illegal immigrants who boarded planes in a different country that were US-bound, had, to his knowledge, never been vetted. How many potential terrorists are illegally coming to America!? Our beautiful and blessed land is becoming polluted with filth! Even the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe are highly polluted! A crime surge is occurring in America! The homicide rate in some large US cities rose by 30% last year. And it is showing no sign of slowing. Derek Thompson of The Atlantic wrote, “Americans are experiencing a crime wave, unlike anything we’ve seen this century. … Americans can no longer say, as we could 10 years ago, that we are living in the safest time in our nation’s history.” 6 In the article he had spoken with Patrick Sharkey, a sociologist at Princeton University, who had argued that that intensive and often “aggressive” policing and incarceration policies “probably” helped reduce crime in the past few decades, to the great benefit of low-income neighborhoods. Immorality and sexual licentiousness are completely filling our land. Divorce and broken homes are rampant.

Truly, America needs another Donald Trump, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, or Teddy Roosevelt to again steer our nation towards AMERICANISM – to call all Americans to fasting and prayer – with THANKSGIVING and REPENTANCE unto God and to be delivered from these things which are seriously threatening to utterly destroy this great nation of ours!

America needs to again heed the valuable words of our first military general, statesman, and Founding Father, George Washington, given in his farewell address to the nation: “Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.”

Also, every American needs to remember the strong and bold advice from our beloved 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt: “Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood—the virtues that made America. The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life.”

And, let us never forget the sobering words of one of America’s greatest of generals, Douglas MacArthur: “In this day of gathering storms, as moral deterioration of political power spreads its growing infection, it is essential that every spiritual force be mobilized to defend and preserve the religious base upon which this nation is founded; for it has been that base which has been the motivating impulse to our moral and national growth.”

Friends, although those words were voiced nearly 70 years ago – in good measure, it certainly reflects the status of our America today. It is time, my fellow Americans, for an awakening of all people to reestablish “moral and spiritual principles” unto God – which upon this nation was originally founded.

As we here in America observe our Thanksgiving Day, let us remember that it was truly meant to be a day of THANKSGIVING to the awesome God Almighty for the many blessings He has bestowed upon this great nation! – cf. Genesis 35:11.

A Very Brief History of Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe

In the year of our Lord 1620, an English vessel known by the name Mayflower transported a group of English families from England to the New World after a grueling 10 weeks at sea! The massive 180-ton ship dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Thanksgiving originated from the first Thanksgiving feast which was held by the Pilgrims in 1621 – a prayer event and dinner to celebrate the first harvest of these Mayflower settlers – a Christian commonwealth. Before disembarking the vessel, they wrote and signed the Mayflower Compact, an agreement that established a rudimentary government that stated, “IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation.”

During that first winter of 1621, they were ill-prepared. It took a frightful toll, the most notable being the risk of starvation and the lack of suitable shelter. During that winter, the passengers remained onboard Mayflower, suffering an outbreak of a contagious disease described as a mixture of scurvy, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. After it was over, only 53 of the original 103 passengers remained—just over half; half of the crew died as well. 

From the beginning, the assistance they received from the local Native Americans – that being primarily the Nauset and Pokanoket tribes – was vital. A Pokanoket named Squanto spent several months teaching the Pilgrims survival skills such as planting corn, using fish as fertilizer, making medicine from plants, and building Indian-style houses. 7

We Should THANK GOD Daily!

"Oh, give THANKS to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2) Let Israel now say, 'His mercy endures forever.' 3) Let the house of Aaron now say, 'His mercy endures forever.' 4) Let those who fear the LORD now say, 'His mercy endures forever'" - Psalm 118:1-4.

We, as a nation today, are in serious trouble! We, as a nation today, have FORGOTTEN GOD and He has withdrawn His blessings from us! Notice this DIRE WARNING from the LORD our God –

“’ Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12) lest – when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13) and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14) when your heart is lifted up, and you FORGET the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; …”

And, might I say – from the dread of King James I & IV of Scotland and England; from the house of bondage!

“ … 17) ‘then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ 18) And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19) THEN it shall be, IF you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, …’”


“ …’ and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish’” – Deuteronomy 8:11-14, 17-19.

The LORD our God spoke this WARNING to ancient Israel, it surely applies to the modern United States of America!

The LORD our God WARNS our great nation (and any nation) –

“’ But it shall come to pass, IF you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you TODAY, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.

16) Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country.

17) Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

18) Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

19) Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.

20) The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have FORSAKEN Me’” – Deuteronomy 28:15-20.

As Minister Guy LaMar recently wrote –
“Hopefully true Christians can realize the EVIL spirit that has come upon the nation of the United States of America! This EVIL spirit is under the umbrella of Liberalism. Many youths of today have been trained in this EVIL spirit from the public schools of which are run by Liberal colleges. All of which are tools of Satan the devil to destroy humanity. Sadly, the USA is in its stage of demise. Unless the USA repents, which is highly doubtful, it will fold as a nation from what it once was.”
Unless we, as a nation, repent of our disobedience and our ingratitude and pride, the LORD our God will continue cursing the nation until she is destroyed! Now, this may be shocking and incredulous to many – but it will happen – unless we repent as a nation!

Yet, you – as an individual – can and should repent of disobedience to the LORD our God! Will you repent of ingratitude for the many blessings which the LORD our God has given you!?

God promises protection if you do –

“A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.

8) Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.

9) Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10) NO EVIL SHALL BEFALL YOU, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11) For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” – Psalm 91:7-10.

True Christians have repented of sin – for sin is the transgression of the Law, summed up with the Ten Commandments – 1st John 3:4. It is a great blessing from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ that true Christians can keep Thanksgiving day and understand its true meaning – and that every day we give THANKS TO GOD! □

Bibliography:

1) Miller, S.C., George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Ten Facts About the American Economy In the 18th Century, https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/colonial-life-today/early-american-economics-facts/. Retrieved 24 Nov. 2021.
2) Hartill, R., How to Retire With $2 Million on the Average American's Salary, Oct. 29, 2021. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-to-retire-with-%242-million-on-the-average-americans-salary-2021-10-29. Retrieved 24 Nov. 2021.
3) Roser, M., Economic Growth, Our World in Data, https://ourworldindata.org/economic-growth#the-world-economy-over-the-last-two-millennia. Retrieved 24 Nov. 2021.
4) source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
5) Agresti, J.D., The Poorest 20% of Americans Are Richer on Average Than Most European Nations, FEE Stories, August 30, 2019. Retrieved 24 Nov. 2021.
6) Thompson, D., Why America’s Great Crime Decline Is Over, The Atlantic, March 24, 2021. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/is-americas-great-crime-decline-over/618381/. Retrieved 24 Nov. 2021.
7) Chavez, F.B. III, What Indian Tribes Interacted With the Pilgrims? Classroom, 29 Sept. 2017. https://classroom.synonym.com/economics-georgia-1733-7894900.html. Retrieved 24 Nov. 2021.


Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Shame Is NEVER Right In the Eyes of God!


 by Michael C. Garrett

To shame someone, or to attempt to shame someone – and it seems like to me, as I sit in front of my television set watching the news, that SHAME is now a national preoccupation. One group is always trying to shame the other group. The Republicans or the conservatives are trying to shame the Democrats or the progressives – the neo-socialists. And then, whenever the neo-socialists get a chance to speak, they’re trying to shame the conservatives! And, it can certainly also be that way even in our own personal lives!

Just stop and listen to how often people attempt to shame another person.

It would be what our Lord Jesus Christ would call, ‘being judgmental.’

Now, it’s not like you have to give approval to everything you see or hear, but is it your job to try and shame the other person!?

No.

Turning to the Book of Matthew chapter 7

Verse 1 – “’ Judge not, that you be not judged. 2) For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use [what you pour out, what you dish out], it will be measured back to you.’

Now, Jesus was referring to – and there are other places cf. Hebrews – all men will stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ. It makes no difference who you are or what background you come from – rich or poor. Everyone, someday, will have to stand before the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ!

This is what our Lord is referring to here in Matthew chapter 7.

If you judge harshly – and in effect, you are wanting to shame that person; shame does not help build-up, it tears down.

Now, the very word “edify” and the different roots from that in the Greek language literally means “to build up.” It actually refers to a carpenter – who takes his different pieces of construction material and, piece by piece, places them into the frame and of the building of the house – and he builds a house. One two-by-four at a time and you build up this structure. Edification means to build somebody up!

Shaming is just the opposite. It tears people down and it destroys them.

Now, mankind does not have a soul. A person is a soul. Often you hear that word in our modern language. But you can say – using our modern language – you can destroy a person by attempting to shame them!

So, think about this Cancel Culture we hear so much about. At the moment of this article, the United States of America is in the depths of this Kyle Rittenhouse trial. A 17-year-old from Antioch, Illinois, who fatally shot two men who were attacking him and wounded another. His father lives just across the border in Kenosha, Wisconsin. And, I often wondered – and I learned something this week that I hadn’t understood before – I kept thinking, “Why does a 17-year-old leave his home, cross state lines, and become involved in this melee in Kenosha!?” There were all these protests and rioting! Well, his father lives in Kenosha, and the young man had a job there – and he considers Kenosha as much his home as he does where his mother lives. So he kind of has dual citizenship.

Now, a police officer or a firefighter back east sent $10 dollars to the Kyle Rittenhouse Defense Fund – it wasn’t an awful lot of money – but he just wanted to show his support for the young man. He, like many, believes that the young man did indeed attempt to protect himself in the form of self-defense. There were evil and vile people trying to kill him! One guy – Anthony Huber, who had lived a life of severe violence and crime – struck the young man over the head with a skateboard! Well, I’ll tell you what friends – if someone was hitting me over the head with a skateboard, and I had a gun, I would end the barrage on the top of my head! Obviously, if you get struck often enough on the top of your head with a skateboard – a pretty solid piece of material – eventually you are going to die or have brain damage. So, this serviceman sent this donation to the Kyle Rittenhouse Defense Fund, and when his employer had found out that he had done this – they FIRED HIM!

And you hear about this type of stuff all over!

Someone makes a statement in favor of the Republicans – or President Donald Trump – or traditional values, and all of a sudden all these people want to get them fired! – want to get them canceled. It is a horrible atmosphere in which we are living! I dare say it is truly a demonic age! An age in which Satan the devil and his demons are in overdrive!

Our Lord Jesus Christ continues in verse 3 – “’ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?’


So, the speck is like a small piece of wood in your neighbor's eye, but our Lord Jesus is saying, ‘you have a large beam of wood in your own eye!’ Do you think you have the right to tell your neighbor he has a little speck in his!? And this is the hypocrisy of what we’re speaking of here.

Verse 4 – “’ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?’

Verse 5 – the very words of Jesus Christ! ’ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’

A powerful example – but again, we live in an age where people want to shame their fellow human beings. And to destroy them – i.e. cause them to lose their job having no income. And, what did he do!? He sent $10 dollars anonymously.

The egregious anger which resides in so many people – they just want to DESTROY – because of some belief that they might hold.

Well, if I was to meet a full-fledged Communist, I certainly wouldn’t agree with his philosophy, but to the very best of my ability, I would try and treat him with respect. There are a lot of lifestyles that are now “out in the open,” that twenty years ago were not talked about. But, if I were to meet someone of this alternate lifestyle – I certainly wouldn’t approve of what they are doing – but it is not my job to try and shame them. I am not the Judge. I am not the Jury. And I will simply, to the best of my ability, treat them with respect.

You know, if you treat another human being with respect, you basically never have to apologize – do you!?

There was a time when I was a young man, there was a movie which came out called Love Story, a sad story – two people meet, they fall in love, and one of them gets sick and dies. But, two lines from the film have entered popular culture: “What can you say about a 25-year-old girl who died? That she was beautiful and brilliant? That she loved Mozart and Bach? The Beatles? And me?” As well as, “Love means never having to say you're sorry.” Now, I have to admit – when I was twenty-one or twenty-two – when I first watched that movie, I didn’t really understand what that saying meant. I couldn’t comprehend it. Or in Spanish - No puedo comprenderlo! Well, now I do!

Love means – conducting yourself in such a way that you treat other people with respect so that you NEVER do something to broach that commitment – and therefore you have to end up saying you’re sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have thought that. I shouldn’t have done that.

’ Judge not, that you be not judged.’

Let us turn to verse 16 of the same chapter – Matthew 7 –

Verse 16 – a verse which we refer to many times. One could be an atheist and was to study the living word of God and the “gospel” accounts – even for an atheist there are these powerful gems of wisdom, which can be found in the teachings of Jesus Christ. And this one is powerful! I have discovered in the latter half of my life that if I simply use this principle it teaches me so very much about the person with whom I’m dealing. ’ You will know them by their fruits.’

If you want to know what somebody is like simply view them in action. What they say, what they do. They will tell you who they are.

Notice verse 20 – “’ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.’

Now, back during the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, I thought of a concept that I hadn’t quantified before. And it became clear to me and it has continued to be a powerful part of my thinking. ’ You will know them by their fruits.’ As I go through this life some people fall into the category of “sweet spirit” – just special, wonderful people. And then there are others that are just lousy human beings. “Sweet spirit” or “Sour spirit.” Now, a human being without the Spirit of God can still have a “sweet spirit.” But, what is really ideal is to have a “sweet spirit” and to have contact and connection with God’s Holy Spirit! Now there is truly a special person! And these are the people that God Almighty and Jesus Christ are looking for – as opposed to that “sour spirit.” The angry and accusatory people.

Who is the chief accuser!?

Satan the devil.

So, anytime you find yourself getting near wanting to accuse harshly – to really put someone down – you need to bite your tongue and place your brain in neutral and just stop. And consider the road down which you are attempting to travel. Don’t be that type of person.

Now, we all have bad days. Bad days are like snowfall – it happens. I personally don’t want to go outside when it’s freezing rain – but sometimes you have to. But, what we want is to have this “sweet spirit” about us.

Another verse I’d like you to look at – in the Book of John chapter 13

This comes close to crystalizing – in these verses – what God wants us to be. Because it describes JESUS CHRIST!

If we have the same traits as JESUS CHRIST we know we’re doing well. And we know that we’re looking at a very positive future – eternal life.

Verse 34 – Jesus speaking – ’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’

Now friends, if you want a goal to shoot for, an ideal, to say, “What type of person do I want to be!?” Sadly, the majority of our peoples don’t even think about this. They just tend to be what they are. But we do have – as human beings – the ability to direct our thoughts. The ability to change our lives. We have free moral agency. And, we have the opportunity to change. Especially if you have God’s Spirit and you read God’s living word, and you pray to God and Jesus Christ – and you think about these things.

Verse 35 – “’ By THIS all will know that you are My disciples, …’

A most powerful pretext! “’ By this all will know that you are My disciples’”! That you have love one for another. Simple.

I heard a false minister once get up in front of a congregation and say, “You’re not good enough to make it into the Kingdom of God!” And his whole sermon was based upon that. In fact, one in the congregation went out into the parking lot after services and confessed, “Well, I’m never going to make it!” And he never returned. What a horrible sermon! Now, you talk about “building up,” or “tearing down”! He was just tearing the people down – people he didn’t even know very well. This person thought of himself as a minister. But he was not – he was a detractor. The word minister means servant.

’ Judge not, that you be not judged.’

But, ‘by this will all men know that you are My disciples if you have love one to another.’

So, if you have God’s Spirit, you have access to a higher level of living, thinking, and being. Because you have the chance to have God literally residing in your mind – to have Jesus Christ live in your mind!

Yet, our peoples who are not yet called or chosen by God can still have wonderful dispositions! And I say this because there was once a group of people that I once knew, that would proudly announce, “We have God’s Spirit, but all these other churches, they’re horrible.”

And that is just a big blatant lie!

There are many wonderful people in this world! And most of the really good people which I have met in my life don’t have God’s Spirit – yet. But friends, I tell you, many of these wonderful people I would lay down my life to save theirs! Because they’re good people – and I pray for them on a regular basis. And someday I look forward to being given the opportunity to help teach them the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God – when the time is right. And, on that day, when these people who have a “sweet spirit” enter into the glorious Kingdom of God – I will celebrate!

Because, I have, in my thinking, what I call “The List.” And God Almighty and Jesus Christ know what I mean when I call it “The List.” And I have on this list people who throughout my life – from my twenties even until now – I find certain people who impress me, and I ask God Almighty and Jesus Christ – please place them on my list! And these are people that someday in the Great White Throne Judgment – or even at the end of this age – will be offered the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God, and I ask that I will be given the opportunity to be the one who helps teach them.

If you would turn to the Book of 1st Corinthians chapter 13

This is a well-known chapter. And, I believe that we’re talking about the basic fundamentals here. Now, a great many people are compelled to give very esoteric sermons – and I knew a man once who prided himself on being highly intellectual, and when he got up to speak, surely 95 percent of the congregation didn’t have a clue of what he was talking about – because he was out in leftfield.

If you just want to get down to the basics – what does God expect of you!?

“’ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5) You shall love the LORD your God will all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength’” – Deuteronomy 6:5.

And, “ …’ You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ – Matthew 22:37-39.

The TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS!

So, if you want to know who is the difference-maker – who makes it into the kingdom and who doesn’t – these are the things which will make the difference!

Now, in the Authorized Version, we see the word “charity” which is the Greek word agapē, meaning “the active love of God.” So, not just human love, but love on a much higher plane.

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.”

Verse 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 [godly love], I AM NOTHING.”

Verse 3 – “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned [in other words, to become a martyr], but have not [godly love], it profits me NOTHING.”

Verse 4 – “[Godly love] suffers long [in other words, is patient] …” – it truly means patience on steroids! So, it’s more than just momentary patience, but it could be patience that goes on for years and years – even decades. So, as an example ‘suffers long,’ some of those names on “The List” – over half a century – and I am still patiently waiting, patiently hoping, patiently knowing that someday this will happen.

“ … and is kind; …”

This certainly is a quality that appears to be going extinct in this world. Kindness. Like the group – which included Joseph Rosenbaum, Joshua Ziminski, Anthony Huber, and Gaige Grosskreutz – which attacked Kyle Rittenhouse. These four brutes – there was no kindness in them. There was no concern in them for anybody but themselves – and everyone else can just die as far as they were concerned. This is the fruit they showed.

“ … love does not envy; …”

Jealousy. A lot of people do stupid things just out of jealousy. Surely you have heard of the old saying “Keep up with the Joneses”!? And people will get themselves into tremendous financial problems just because of jealousy – wanting to outdo the other person.

“ … love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.”

So, if you find yourself only talking about yourself – maybe you’re talking about yourself too much!? The Greek philosopher Epictetus, who spent his youth as a slave in Rome before gaining freedom after the death of Nero, once stated, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” And that is really good advice. Sometimes we just need to listen, to hear, to comfort someone, or to even rejoice in their happiness.

Verse 5 – “[D]oes not behave rudely, does not seek its own, …

Truly having higher goals in life than just worrying about yourself. Rather, worrying about others – and trying to help others. Praying for others. Encouraging others.

“ … is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6) does not rejoice in iniquity, …”

Now, not just in iniquity, which means evilness, but godly love does not relish hearing accounts where someone else is in trouble or has a health issue. Sadly, there are people who – if one of their enemies gets COVID-19, they’re actually celebrating! “He got COVID – maybe he’ll die!” I’ll tell you, friend, that’s an evil thought!

’ Judge not, that you be not judged.’

With what you give, that you will receive. If you are wishing horrible things upon your adversaries, in the end, that form of judgment, may be meted out to you by Jesus Christ!

Now, if someone has harmed you – at some point they are going to stand before Jesus Christ. And certainly, if you are a brother or a sister to Jesus Christ there will come a day when He will defend you! ‘What were you doing in attempting to harm My brother/sister!? Did you have any idea that when you were attempting to harm them you actually were attempting to harm Me!? – because I AM a part of them and they are a part of Me!’

“ … but rejoices in the truth; …”

And, rejoicing in truthful things. Rejoicing in people who have a “sweet spirit.”

Verse 7 – “[B]ears all things, believes all things, …”

Now, not in a conspiratory or crazy way, but in a sweet and loving spirit way.

“ … hopes all things, …”

In other words, hopes for the best, hopes for the good.

“ … ‘ endures all things.”

Whatever comes across your way – you deal with it. You don’t just slink away and feel sorry for yourself. But, if you have to, get a little angry and fight back against it.

Verse 8 – “[Godly love] never fails. …”

So, think about your life, and all the people that you have known – some of them might have been so-called church friends – and they might have met you and said, “Well, I just think the world of you, you’re my friend and my brother/sister.” And, I’ve even had people from these groups say to me, “Well, Michael C., I would die for you!” And, that certainly is an extreme statement! I appreciate the thought, but I really hope they never have to. But then a few years go by – a few situations occur – and now they won’t even talk to you.

Again, [Godly love] never fails.”

I have learned that the love of human beings can be extremely temporal. Short-lived. So, the question could be asked – did they ever have godly love!? Using God’s definition – no. They certainly tried to fake it. But they truly didn’t have godly love. Because they proved that their love was of a temporary nature. Had their love and caring been real they still would be supporting you and pulling for you.

When it comes to JESUS CHRIST, you do not want Him saying, ‘You have a sour spirit.’ □

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Revelation - A Book of the Past and the Future (Part 4)



You can now listen to this God-inspired article. Just click the orange play button below.

GREETINGS AGAIN EVERYONE! – our dear friends in Ireland, Rome, New York, Texas, Missouri, and Imphal, India – as well as all states of our beloved United States! Welcome – thank you for joining us this day for the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries here in Spring Hill, Florida. I’m your servant Leonard V. Johnson.

Last July I had typed up the third of this series – I truly enjoy going over this with all of you. Today, for this holy Sabbath day, I reread the series and thought – “Why not type up a fourth!”

So, without further ado, let’s turn to the 3rd chapter of the Book of 1st Peter

Verse 15 – “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

Now, as I had told the story in “Does God Have Your Attention?,” my sister-in-law had asked me why I didn’t believe in what they deem “the secret rapture”!? And, after I had slowly and as methodically as I could explain to her the truth concerning death, what happens after death, and of the resurrection unto life. She also had queried of me – when that I thought the “end” was going to come!? What time setting was it going to be!? “How long do we have!?” And, what hope do we have!?

Now, when we read this passage here in 1st Peter in roughly 64 AD – what is the hope that we have!?

Also, how can we finally put to rest the unanswered question about our future!?

So, here we are coming to the next chapter of the Book of Revelation – chapter 6.

I do want to give a bit of a review, however.

The apostle John, in roughly 95 AD wrote the Book of Revelation, at the time being around the age of 90 years old. He was in exile – as we learn from the first Book of Revelation – on the Isle of Patmos, and in Scripture, it tells us that he was on the island “for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Now, at the time that he was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos, it was an abandoned treeless island where Rome would place political prisoners to simply live out their lives and die. He was there on that island doing exactly what we do – preaching the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God, as well as having the testimony of Jesus Christ. And, I’ll speak of this in a moment, and of just what this means. The apostle John was placed there on the island as a political prisoner for preaching the living word of God.

Now, as I stated in the previous articles, this book is not The Revelation of St. John The Divine as they have it so boldly printed in my Old English Authorized Version. But, rather, it is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Now, a great number of people call it “Apocalypse,” as in the Catholic Challoner-Rheims Version I have in my library. And, of course, turning but a page you come across the famous painting by Warner Sallman – the supposed image of Jesus Christ. Now, according to art historian Thomas Matthews, it was no accident to depict Him with long hair, it was not random on the part of artists. They chose to portray Him with long hair because the male gods of the Greco-Roman pantheon almost always were depicted with long hair. 1

The greater majority of our peoples have an incorrect understanding even of the word “apocalypse.” They think it means disaster – but it actually means “to reveal.” And, we know that our Lord Jesus Christ is “The Revelator.”

So, John heard behind him a loud voice – and this voice told him exactly who He was, ’ I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, … the First and the Last.’ And, the apostle John saw this frightening series of visions. He received instructions to write down what he would see. He was also told to write letters to each of the seven churches which were in Asia Minor. And in those letters to the churches, our Lord Jesus Christ gave accolades, along with warning and rebuke to each one.

And then “after these things” John saw a door standing open in heaven. He suddenly was transported in his mind into what is called the “Day of the Lord.” Now, Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote two wonderful and informative articles on the Day of the Lord – here I leave a link for you. So, friends, he wasn’t there on a Sunday – but that he was transported into the future to the very day of THE LORD! The very time in this generation of which Jesus calls ‘great tribulation,’ and in which the prophet Jeremiah called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” – Jeremiah 30:7!

So, John was invited in to see the very throne of God, along with the heavenly host and these FOUR LIVING CREATURES.

Revelation chapter 4 – 

“The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8) The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. …” – Revelation 4:7-8.

So, this description describes four unique cherubim. And, we can glean just how enormous the size of these massive, winged cherubim’s are from their description in the Holy of Holies of King Solomon’s Temple –

The Book of 2nd Chronicles chapter 3

Verse 10 “In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim, fashioned by carving, and overlaid them with gold. 11) The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits in overall length: [about 30 feet!] one wing of the one cherub was five cubits [about 7.5 feet], touching the wall of the room, and the other wing was five cubits, touching the wing of the other cherub.”

As I had mentioned before, the prophet Ezekiel, too, saw these enormous and massive cherubim’s – the Book of Ezekiel chapter 10

Verse 14 – “Each one had four faces: the first face was like the face of a cherub, [like the face of a calf] the second face the face of a man, the third face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.”

The Book of Ezekiel chapter 1

Verse 5 – “Also from within it came the likeness of FOUR LIVING CREATURES. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. 6) Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7) Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. 8) The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. 9) Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward.”

Then, in chapter 5, John saw “in the right hand of Him who sat” on this throne a scroll. He saw a strong angel proclaim in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And so he wept, because “no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll,” or to even look upon it. 

But, of course, we read the next verse –

Verse 5 – “But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep, Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its SEVEN SEALS.”

And, this is JESUS CHRIST!

Recall, we had read – the prophecy in which “the scepter shall not depart from Judah, … Until Shiloh comes; …”!? – Genesis 49:10. Of course, our Lord Jesus Christ was a Jew and He was of the tribe of Judah – the Root of David. He indeed came through King David’s lineage! He “has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its SEVEN SEALS.”

And, “in the midst … stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, …”

Now, as we know, John the Baptist called our Lord Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29. So, it is unmistakable of Whom he is referring to!

Revelation chapter 5

Verse 12 – “saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive …”

Now, what was it that the apostle John was speaking about here which is prevalent in this world – today!? The searching and the grabbing of POWER and RICHES and WISDOM, and STRENGTH and HONOR and GLORY and BLESSING! But, who does it say is worthy of all this!? 

Our Lord Jesus Christ!

And, how did He get it!?

Did He just go and grab it!? Did He step on others to receive it!?

No, He did it just the opposite.

He has taught us how we can receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. By FOLLOWING HIS EXAMPLE! By being a humble servant.


The "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"

So, this great, awesome, and exalted being began to open the SEVEN SEALS.

Revelation chapter 6

Verse 1 – “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’”

Verse 2 – “And I looked, …” So, it was the apostle John that this cherub was addressing – not the whole world here. “ … and behold, a WHITE HORSE. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.”

Now, I guess there could be different interpretations. It is possible that this represents a false religion in the guise of the Mother Church of Europe which has plunged this world into numerous world wars! Yet, others might very well say that this represents our Lord Jesus Christ, who set forth events in which He will return to the Earth! “Conquering and to conquer!”

Note, the Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary state that this represents our Lord Jesus Christ.

Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote of this WHITE HORSE and its rider –
“Biblical prophecy is very clear that the people of Europe return to their historic religion, and even elevate their human leader – the leader of their church – to a god-like status. And we know from the Book of Daniel that the Jewish people of Jerusalem reinstitute the daily sacrifices. And we know that when those sacrifices are set up and after a while they’re taken away – that that’s the time of the ‘abomination of desolation.’ So, I believe this rise in religious zeal and dedication, and the rise of religiously motivated militancy and aggression is indeed the meaning of the FIRST SEAL of Revelation 6.” 

Garrett, M.C., The Day of the Lord – Part 1, 2019.
Now, we are aware that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Revelator. And when His disciples had asked Him, “Tell us, … what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Our Lord Jesus Christ began to answer them.

Turning to the Book of Matthew chapter 24

Verse 4 – “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’

And certainly enough – there are! How many hundreds and hundreds of different versions of “Christianity” are there in this world!? – proclaiming that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, yet deceiving the people!?

Recall in verses 23 and 24 He says, ’ Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24) For false christs and false prophets [including false ministers] will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.’

So the people of God be aware that this is going to happen! There will be some in this end-time with the power to create “miracles,” even including preaching false doctrines and false gospels! I have been witness to some of this – false ministers anointing of people with oil and wine and the pushing of people over, making them feel as if they’ve been empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak in some babbling tongue! And, as the apostle John writes, performing “great signs, so that he even makes fire [or lightning] come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” – Revelation 13:13.

So, our Lord Jesus Christ’s very first WARNING and His answer to His disciples about evidence of His coming and of the end of the age was going to be a final end-time resurrection of religiously motivated militancy and aggression. And we have certainly seen this occur throughout the generations with the Roman Catholic Crusades! And it will happen once again!

Now, when we begin to see these things starting to pass there is going to be an eruption of false ministers in the world! When our peoples begin to see nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, massive famines, pestilences, and massive earthquakes all around the world – our peoples are going to get very frightened concerning what is occurring in the world! – cf. Luke 21:32. And, in the back of their mind, they’re going to recall something – Someone somewhere had told them to ‘watch’ and to look out at what is happening around the world – and a great many will begin preaching and warning of something that they know NOTHING about! They will be professing that they are ‘apostles’ and they are ‘prophets,’ proclaiming that “Jesus is the Lord!” and yet knowing NOTHING of the living truth of God!

Verse 6 – “’ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. … For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. …’

And, returning to the Book of Revelation chapter 6

Verse 3 – “When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 4) Another HORSE, FIERY RED, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.”

Now, this is certainly a scary time in which we are living – but I say that this is our Lord Jesus Christ suggesting the prophecy of the prophet Daniel in chapter 11. A direct reference to a final holy war between the end-time ‘king of the North’ and the ‘king of the South’ – cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16.

So, again, the apostle John was transported into the future – into the Day of the Lord! And these events are coming to pass just as our Lord Jesus Christ described – and in the same order.

Religious motivated militancy and aggression often led to war. And wars often lead to famine. And famine often leads to pestilences.

Verse 5 – “When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a BLACK HORSE, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius [which was approximately one day’s wage for a worker!], and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’”

The black horse of FAMINE. So here the food is very scarce. Your food is being measured out on a scale in very small quantities – like a cup of wheat. Not enough food to sustain one’s family let alone themselves! And, not only the purchase of wheat but also of barley.

Now, I have read the history of World War II, and the many a city – such as the Siege of Leningrad – where their people literally had to eat horses and dogs and even resorted to cannibalism to survive – because of vile and evil men such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin who wanted to possess power and to place their people under such a regime. Well, you think the 4.6 percent unemployment rate is high!? How about 23 percent!? 2 Which is what the U.S. unemployment rate was during the height of the Great Depression!

Today, as I covered this in our latest The WatchMan Report – the egregious rising consumer prices in the United States of America, which are not dropping anytime soon! The labor department results are that consumer prices jumped more than 6 percent from a year ago! How, large amounts of our food – such as tilapia, cod, mushrooms, apple juice, and garlic – is imported from China!3 And the prices for our imported products are increasing dramatically! U.S. import prices advanced 0.4 percent in September … The September rise was the largest 1-month increase since the index rose 1.1 percent in June. … The price index for U.S. imports increased 9.2 percent over the past 12 months. 4 Well, there are large amounts of our people that are on a fixed income and only have a certain amount each month! And guess what happens to their dollar when food prices begin to double and even triple!? And, of course, we’ve heard of popular grocery stores in the US placing limits on purchases such as toilet paper and bottled water during this COVID-19 pandemic! HERE – IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!? It’s astonishing – to say the least! And, it is something that our Lord Jesus Christ WARNED would occur!

Again, turning back to the Book of Matthew chapter 24 -

Verse 7 – “ … ‘And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.’

And, as we turn back to the Book of Revelation chapter 6

Verse 7 – “When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 8) So I looked, and behold, a PALE HORSE. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades [the grave] followed him. …”

So, it is as if death and the grave are personified here with this being which is sitting upon this pale horse.

“ … And power was given to them over A FOURTH OF THE EARTH, to kill with sword [meaning war], with hunger [meaning famine], with death, and by the beasts of the earth.”

You take 7.8 billion people – we’re talking about 1 ¾ billion people are going to die as a result of these events here! And I know this is horrible news! Again, when the prophet Ezekiel saw what was written on that scroll, it was lamentations and mourning and woe.” – cf. Ezekiel 2:9-10.

The majority of the Anglo-Saxon-dominated nations will be affected – which are the end-time descendants of Israel, also prophetically referred to as Israel (cf. Genesis 48).

Turning again quickly to the Book of Matthew chapter 24

Verse 8 – “’ All THESE are the beginning of sorrows.’

Now is the time when the final end-time prophets will arise and will be persecuted, hated by all nations, and will be killed for Jesus Christ’s name’s sake!

Again, Revelation chapter 6 -

Verse 9 – “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.”

This, of course, is allegorical language. Throughout our history, many peoples were martyred doing God’s true work – and in the very near future, there will be many more martyred. So, the fifth seal talks about the martyrdom of God’s true servants – a group of end-time prophets who go out throughout the world as a witness to all nations and preach the living gospel message – the kingdom of God – cf. Matthew 24:14. And, they proclaim His message before legislative branches of governments, world leaders, presidents, and even including the final European civil ‘beast’ power and the final European religious leader.

Verse 10 – “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’”

Again, this is allegorical language.

Verse 11 – “Then a white robe [will be] given to each of them; …” – certainly symbolic of immortality and righteousness. “ … and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”

We contend that this is speaking of the final end-time prophets – cf. Revelation 11.

Our Lord Jesus Christ also prophesied of this event! Again, turning to the Book of Matthew chapter 24

Verse 9 – “’ Then they will deliver you …’ – here pertaining mostly to the final end-time prophets – cf. Revelation 11. ‘… 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. 11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.’

And they – possibly twelve final end-time prophets – will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the captured and subjugated elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years!

Verse 14 – “’ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME.’

Now, as we have mentioned many times – a great many DO NOT properly understand the timing of these prophetic events. They improperly have been teaching, for well over eight-and-a-half decades, that the resurrection of the saints would not occur until the SEVEN SEALS were over, and the SEVEN PLAGUES were over. Then, at some point – and they’re not sure – the resurrection of the saints would occur. But we contend, a revealed living truth from God – THE SEVENTH TRUMP IS THE MOMENT OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS! The FIRST resurrection!

The final end-time prophets will have the power from God to heal, to ‘shut up the atmosphere from rain, to turn waters to blood, and to strike the earth will all plagues as often as they desire (see: Revelation 8:7-12).

Notice again the Book of Revelation chapter 6

Verse 12 – “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.”

Logically, the moon appears ‘like blood’ or reddish – when it appears in an atmosphere full of dust, smoke, or smog! The atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash towers from a great number of volcanoes erupting around the globe, possibly caused by the massive ‘great earthquake.’ The prophet Joel speaks of this same event –

“’ And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, BEFORE the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord’” – Joel 2:30-31.

These SIX SEALS are roughly equivalent to the final end-time which the LORD our God calls the ‘great tribulation,’ and the prophet Ezekiel called the time of ‘Jacob’s trouble.’

Verse 13 – “And the stars [which denotes here, the rulers of the atmosphere – cf. Rev. 9:1; 12:4 5] of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ also prophesied of these events!

Again, the Book of Matthew chapter 24

Verse 29 – “’ Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’

By the very grace and glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, it is revealed to us that He is speaking about the removal of Satan the devil and his demons from the very atmosphere just BEFORE the coming of the LORD our God – the King of kings and the LORD of lords!!

Continuing – Revelation chapter 6

Verse 14 – “THEN the sky receded as a scroll when its rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.”

The atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash towers from a great number of volcanoes erupting around the globe, possibly caused by the massive ‘great earthquake.’ This damaging smoke and pollution must be cleared from the atmosphere before the arrival of our King of kings and LORD of lords!

Verse 15 – “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every [bond man] and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, …”

Just think of the many mountain complexes throughout the nations in which ‘rich men,’ ‘commanders,’ and ‘mighty men’ will hide from the threat of nuclear attack, massive volcanoes, and earthquakes – as well as an “unidentified object” heading for the earth!

Again, in sequence, our Lord Jesus Christ – Matthew chapter 24

Verse 30 – “’ THEN the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, …’ – speaking here of outer space. “ … ‘and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.’

Revelation chapter 6

And these kings of the earth, these great men, these rich men, these commanders of armies, and every mighty man, every contractor or independent –

Verse 16 – “ … said to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!”

Verse 17 – “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Turning to the Book of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah – under the great inspiration of the LORD our God – wrote of this very day of the Lord!

The Book of Isaiah chapter 13

Verse 6 – “WAIL, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7) Therefore all hands will be limp, Every man’s heart will melt, 8) And they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; They will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; They will be amazed at one another; Their faces will be like flames.”

Verse 9 – “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it.”

Verse 10 – “For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine.

Verse 11 – “’ I will punish the world for its evil, …’”

Now, I had mentioned in the beginning – when do I believe it is all going to “end”!? When is all the corruption and evil upon this earth going to end!?

Well, here it is!

The LORD our God – the very One we now know of as our Lord Jesus Christ – says, “’ I will punish the world for its evil, …’”

… ‘And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

12) I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir.

13) Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place, …’” – again, speaking about AN UNIMAGINABLE EARTHQUAKE!

Also in the Book of Isaiah chapter 24, that God says, “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; …” For as John the Baptist had heard the word of God and had went out into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, and proclaiming “’ Prepare the way of the LORD; … Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; … And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” – Isaiah 40:4; Luke 3:3, 4, 5, 6. This is what he was speaking of!

The Book of Zechariah, too, speaks of these final days – the day of the LORD!

Zechariah chapter 14

Verse 1 – “’ Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, … 4) And IN THAT DAY His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.’”

Friends – this is caused by a MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE!

Also, notice the Book of Joel the 2nd chapter – it makes so clear the order of events that we read in the Old Testament and in our Lord Jesus Christ’s own words!

Joel chapter 2 – certainly a preliminary part of this occurred 1,990 years ago – 31 AD.

Verse 29 – “’ And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30) And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, …’”

Exactly the same description!

“ … ‘BEFORE the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.’”

So, where is this so-called “secret rapture” in all of this!?

Because, from the very living word of the Eternal our God, He says that the SEVEN SEALS are roughly equivalent to the EARLY part of when our Lord Jesus Christ calls the end-time ‘great tribulation,’ of which the prophet Ezekiel refers to as ‘Jacob’s Trouble’!

Notice, there are SEVEN SEALS – I have just covered six.

God’s holy angels then begin to sound their trumpets and terrible things begin to occur! – Revelation chapter 8. These trumpet plagues begin to rain down upon all mankind! And then – the LAST THREE –

Revelation chapter 8

Verse 13 – “And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven [the atmosphere], saying with a loud voice, ‘WOE, WOE, WOE to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!’”

Revelation 11, verse 14 – “The second WOE is past. Behold, the THIRD WOE is coming quickly.

Verse 15 – “THEN THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED: …”

The time where the RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS OCCUR!

Then – the WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB! The saints – the resurrected saints and our Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father, and the holy angels are in New Jerusalem – the very throne of God – in low earth orbit. The people who have God’s Spirit are resurrected and they meet Jesus Christ in the atmosphere. And they wait for a time – not a real long time; possibly 3½ years (cf. Daniel 9:27; Rev. 12:6) – but they wait for some more events to take place upon the earth. And one of those events is called the seven last plagues.

Remember – SEVEN SEALS, SEVEN TRUMPETS – THE SEVENTH TRUMP IS THE RESURRECTION TRUMPET!

" ... Behold, the THIRD WOE is coming quickly."

to be continued


Bibliography:

1) Matthews, T. The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art. 1993. pp. 126-127.
2) Trading Economics – “The US unemployment rate fell to 4.6 percent in October 2021, the lowest since March 2020 and slightly below market expectations of 4.7 percent.” https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/unemployment-rate. Retrieved 15 Nov 2021.
3) Čirjak A., Does The US Import Meat From China? WorldAtlas.com. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/does-the-us-import-meat-from-china.html. 9 June 202. Retrieved 15 Nov 2021.
4) News Release Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ximpim.pdf. Retrieved 15 Nov 2021.
5) Unger, M.F., Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Chronology, New Testament (3) Enrollment of Cyrenius* (Quirinius), Moody Press, Chicago, Ill., 1966, pp. 1045.