Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Where Are We Headed? Sermon


Leonard V. Johnson







Good Morning here from the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries. I recently noticed Minister Guy LaMar posting a reminder, “I am NOT setting dates --- BUT do CONSIDER the POSSIBILITY of Christ JESUS returning around the years of 2027 to 2033 {1}.” I commented myself - I too, dearest Brother, would NEVER set dates (cf. Matt. 24:36). However, back on November 6th, 2016, while I lay in my bed at night I had a dream, and behold, I was looking up at the clearest night sky I had ever seen before, filled with crystal clear bright shining stars. I watched the glistening of the stars until I heard a booming voice. It appeared to be the end of a conversation, and the voice spoke - "They only have 10 years left." That was the end of the account. But, as for me, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and I keep the matter in my thoughts and mind, not knowing the meaning.
     Well, there truly is only ONE source that can give you genuine understanding of this world’s events – and that is God’s living word!
     I was afraid that it was going to happen. That PBS’ Masterpiece Victoria would include this LGBTQ movement in regards to homosexuality. It did! And because of that, I will NOT watch another episode. {2}I refuse to accept it and I refuse to be an audience to it! – cf. Romans 1:26-32.
     TERRIBLE and IMMORAL changes have been happening in our societies and will grow ever worse in the next FOUR YEARS!
     The majority of our peoples around the world DO NOT even see most of these terrible and immoral changes.
     But, you need to know. And you need to take action – while there is still time!
     I am currently typing up another article entitled “Is This the Beginning of the End?” {3} which will certainly address much of this too.


     Certainly, many younger people will continue to assume that everything will just continue along the way that it always has. “Sure,” they say quietly and personally, “we made a huge mistake with Joe Biden, but we’ll get over it, a new president will be elected, and we’ll carry right on.” But we need to realize, my young friends, that landmark changes have occurred in our societies and that events will NEVER be the same as they were again. What we have at this moment is the beginning of a major storm! What our Lord Jesus Christ has called, “’ the beginning of sorrows.’” A storm that will eventually envelop the whole national and international scene.
     Even now, as we are very aware, Russia and Ukraine are a powder keg ready to explode; the Iran nuclear “agreement” and where that fiasco is heading towards; China’s growing boldness; Germany increasing her military budget, and Europe’s unease.
     And even on the domestic scene, the groundwork was being laid even during the Clinton Administration not only for the current Russian and Ukrainian war but the very foundation for the soon-coming complete destruction of the United States of America!
     And, getting back to homosexuality – and be sure to watch Minister Michael C. Garrett’s lovingly and enlightening sermon “He Will Heal Them” – this homosexuality is now taken for granted as an alternative lifestyle that has no physical or spiritual penalties. In the United States of America – what once was an “In God We Trust” God-fearing nation – on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on homosexual “marriage,” legalized it in all fifty states, and required states to honor out-of-state homosexual “marriage” licenses. And homosexual “marriage” is legal in all parts of the United Kingdom. And, as we are aware, the Roman Catholic Church ordained Robert Carter – an openly gay priest. And a great number of this world’s churches have also ordained admitted and openly gay ministers into their churches!
     IT IS A WORLD TRAGEDY!
     And it certainly is if you examine what God’s living word directly and clearly states! But how many theologians do that anymore!?
     Why, if this world’s ministers would do that people might get the idea that stealing, lying, fornication, adultery, and homosexuality were actual SINS that should be abhorred and deeply repented of! That certainly would lose too many of their people, wouldn’t it!
     And in the very realm of natural forces gravely afflicting large areas of Africa, and even the Anglo-Saxon nations, it is prophesied that they will experience far greater devastation like famine, earthquakes, drought, and disease epidemics such as have not struck nations before!
     And certainly, a great many of our peoples can see – including many secular experts – that the U.S. dollar will eventually be replaced with the Chinese Yuan as the key reserve currency for international trade and commerce. And a rising foundation that is already being laid by the European Community, will unite ten nations (or rather kingdoms; as God sees kingdoms {4}) in EUROPE which will quickly begin to exert not only a major economic, but a political, religious, and military power upon the Western world. And the very power and strength of this final resurrection of this “Holy” Roman Empire will not only startle the Western hemisphere but will certainly be a catalyst for the Islam nations to unite into an Islamic confederation of nations – known in Scripture as ‘the king of the South’ – cf. Daniel 11:40.

How Do We Know!?

     Last November’s Personal I answered this question. My wife even asks me this question often when I tell her just what God says within His living prophecies, “How do you know!?” Well, human opinion is not worth anything in matters pertaining to God’s ultimate Plan for the future of all mankind – such as dire important questions like why we are here and what is the purpose of life.
     There is, however, as I stated earlier, THE SOURCE of proper knowledge and understanding of such matters that is absolutely infallible! And that Source is JESUS CHRIST! When honestly and properly understood, God’s living word reveals with immovable accuracy the meaning behind all human events – past and present – and of our ultimate outcome.
     As Sir Winston Churchill stated, “I will say that he must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here below of which we have the honor to be the faithful servants.” Our great CREATOR intervenes, when He chooses, in the affairs of men and nations. Thousands of our readers have proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that God’s living word – the Holy Bible – is our great Creator’s inspired “Instruction Manual” of essential knowledge for all mankind.
     It is also of grave importance to understand that nearly 1/3 of the Holy Bible is prophecy! Yet, it is for the largest part, neglected by mankind. The apostle Peter wrote, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” – 2 Peter 1:19-21.
     And, our Lord Jesus Christ says, “ …’ it is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD of God’” – Luke 4:4.
     In setting forth this very ‘beginning of sorrows,’ our Lord Jesus Christ states: “’ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place’” – Matthew 24:34.
     So when God’s true servants write these articles of the very prophesied events which will unfold, it is with a deep sense of awe and respect for Almighty God that we honestly, faithfully, and boldly proclaim His inspired messages.


    In what is often called the Olivet Prophecy, our Lord Jesus Christ privately was asked by His disciples for details of when specific events would occur and what would be the sign of His coming, and of the end of the age – Matthew 24:3.
     He specifically stated that there would be, over the centuries, false ministers saying that He is the Messiah, yet deceiving many. That throughout the centuries we would hear of wars and rumors of wars, that there would be world wars – “’ nation will rise against nation.’” And that towards the close of this world’s evil present age “‘ kingdom against kingdom,’” famines, pestilences, and major earthquakes in different places – verses 4-7.
     And then He WARNS that, even before all this gets too bad, the “End-Time Prophets” will arrive on the scene and will eventually be delivered up to tribulation and will be killed and hated by all nations for His name’s sake – verses 9-11. Yet, before they are killed, these end-time prophets will preach the gospel of the kingdom in all the world as a witness to all nations! – verses 14.
     In apostle Luke’s account of this same prophecy, our Lord Jesus Christ WARNS, “’ But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you [speaking primarily concerning the end-time prophets] and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings [presidents and prime ministers] and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony’” – Luke 21:12-13; see also Revelation 11:7-13.


     Now, the prophet Jeremiah wrote more than a hundred and fifty years after the ancient northern kingdom of Israel – the house of Israel – was taken into captivity in roughly 734-732 BC and the ten tribes eventually being “sifted” into other nations. Yet, he prophesied of a future punishment that would strike their descendants as well as modern-day Judah – Jeremiah 30:4.
     Even today a great many of our people do not realize that patriarch Jacob’s name had been changed to Israel. Yet, the term Jacob is often used for his descendants. It is also vitally important to properly understand that when the LORD God prophesies against Israel and Judah, it is actually two separate peoples He is speaking about. It is NOT only the Jewish people He is speaking about. If you do not understand this important revelation, be sure to read Minister Michael C. Garrett’s “God’s Promises To Abraham – a seven-part series.” Read this masterful set of articles online, or download them, at no cost.
     Continuing in the Book of Jeremiah chapter 30 in verse 7 – the LORD our God describes a time of absolute TERROR which will fall upon our peoples – “’ Alas! For that day [speaking of the Day of the LORD!] is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, …’”
     He is clearly delineated the exact same time period of which the Lord our God Jesus Christ speaks of in His prophecy. For there CAN NOT be two such times of trouble “worst ever.” Our Lord specifically WARNS, “’ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be’” – Matthew 24:21.
     So then, this “ ‘great tribulation’” falls upon Jacob’s descendants – and not only the Jews who are descendants of Jacob’s son Judah – but also upon the United States of America and the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth Nations who have shared the promises of national greatness and great blessings bestowed upon Jacob’s birthright son Joseph – yet who have FAILED to “TRUST IN GOD’ and honor Him!
     Verse 8 – “’ For it shall come to pass in that day,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘That I will break his yoke from your neck, And I will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them.’”
     A terrible “yoke” of national servitude – of subjugation – to a foreign mighty power is prophesied for our nations UNLESS WE TRULY REPENT of our national and personal sins and turn to God!
     And AFTER being released from this national servitude by the returning Lord Jesus Christ and His saints, our peoples “shall serve the LORD their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up [in other words, resurrect] for them” – verse 9.
     Friends, it is the time of the resurrection! King David will once again rule over the reunited people of the house of Judah and the house of Israel – see also Ezekiel 37:16-24.
     In chapter 3 of the Book of Jeremiah, the LORD our God describes the time AFTER the returning of our Lord Jesus Christ and His saints, “’ In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come TOGETHER out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers [speaking of the land of Palestine]’” – verse 18.
     Almost every prophecy describing Israel and Judah at our Lord Jesus Christ’s return shows them both in a condition of subjugation to a powerful foreign power which He will deliver them from, and reunite them and begin teaching them His Way that they know not – see Hosea 1:11; Zechariah 8:13; 10:6-9.

An IMPORTANT Prophecy

     But what of – in regards to the title of this article – where in the world are we heading in the next four years leading up to the major crisis at the close of this world’s present evil age!?
     Well, such a foundational prophecy concerning this very thing is set forth in Leviticus chapter 26 as well as Deuteronomy 28. These prophecies are speaking of the descendants of all THIRTEEN tribes of the house of Israel.
     And they detail just what the LORD our God will do IF His people do not turn back unto Him and forsake their own way.
     Be sure to read Leviticus 26:3-13 – in which the LORD our God sets forth great blessings which we could have IF our peoples sincerely turned back unto Him, keeping His statutes and keeping His commandments and serving Him with their whole heart. “’ But IF you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, … I also will do this to you: I will even appoint TERROR over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it’” – verse 16.
     Surely this prophesied time of national crisis began for the United States of America in greater force on September 11, 2001. The world as a whole changed dramatically after 9/11!
     “’ I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies’” – verse 17. It has been said that America has won its last war – and certainly the Vietnam War is surely an obvious example to back up this point. The Korean War – which my father served – ended the career of a great general - Douglas MacArthur. And it also marked the beginning of a new era in America’s war strategy: limited warfare.

It Gets Far Worse

     Let us all in this time of crisis carefully read this foundational prophecy in Leviticus chapter 26, noticing that AFTER each series of events it’s as if the LORD our God pauses to see if we will repent. If not, then He continues adding far worse punishments.
     “’ Then, if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you SEVEN TIMES more plagues, according to your sins’” – verse 21.
     Finally, the LORD our God says that if we will still not repent, “’ then I will also walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you SEVEN TIMES for your sins’” – verse 28.
     “’ I will lay your cities waste and bring your sanctuaries [church buildings] to desolation, …’” – verse 31.
     And our people will be taken into subjugation by a conquering powerful foreign invader.
     Friends, referring to all these end-time events, our Lord Jesus Christ admonishes us, “’ But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man’” – Luke 21:34-36.
     Friends, this utter destruction will come IN OUR GENERATION in the form of either a direct nuclear attack – or perhaps an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon – IF the nations which have descended from the house of Israel do not repent and turn unto the LORD our God!
     The LORD our God will remember His people Judah and Israel under their subjugation: “’ I will strengthen the house of Judah, And I will save the house of Joseph. I WILL BRING THEM BACK, Because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; For I AM the LORD their God, And I will hear them’” – Zechariah 10:6.
     When these terrible events take place – as surely as the Lord lives – then the nations will remember that God’s true servants WARNED them ahead of time and they “shall come with weeping, and with supplications” and the LORD our God shall lead them” – cf. Jeremiah 31:7-9.
     What GREAT AND GLORIOUS NEWS!
     So, we thank you for joining us for this holy Sabbath day. We hope and pray that you continue to have a most glorious and wonderful Sabbath!!! We love you and we pray for you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!!
     So, until next time, this is Leonard V. Johnson for the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries saying, goodbye for now.


Editor's Notes:

{1} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson meant 2033. The original said: "2013."
{2} Editor's Note: My wife and I recently tried to watch Downton Abbey (Series 1) and the very first episode has homosexuality!
{3} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson has since changed the title to "Is This 'The Beginning of Sorrows'?"
{4} Editor's Note: Afterthought: I think that God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ are considered "old school" by modern standards.

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