Friday, February 24, 2023

Letter to our Friends - February 22, 2023


CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 6458
SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34606



Leonard V. Johnson
Pastor and Founder

Dear Friends in Christ:

Greetings from Spring Hill, Florida.

Our Social Media Statistics

Having had our Soundcloud Radio channel up and running since March 5, 2019, with no marketing and no purchasing of followers, we currently have 32 followers!

Soundcloud Radio channel, search https://soundcloud.com/leonard-johnson-199529372.

Statistics:

As of February 22, 2023─

Followers: 32
Tracks: 92
Total Plays: 413
Likes: 55
Reposts: 43
Top Seven Countries: USA, Kenya, Ireland, UK, Mexico, Germany, Australia.

Analytics for this streaming server lists a great many more listening countries, including the Russian Federation, Venezuela, Lithuania, South Africa, and the State of Kuwait.

Top Three Tracks:

“Fall Holy Days – 2014 Part X” by Michael C. Garrett – 66 plays.
“4-22-22 – SEVENTH Day of Unleavened Bread” by Leonard V. Johnson – 16 plays.
“One God, One Mediator” by Leonard V. Johnson – 14 plays.

For our COJCOM YouTube channel, search https://www.youtube.com/@cojcom.

Statistics:

As of February 22, 2023─

Lifetime – June 28, 2015 – Feb. 21, 2023, the channel has received 5,252 views.

Total Subscribed listeners: 24
Total watch time: 416.3 hrs.
Top Four Countries: USA, Egypt, India, South Africa.
Subtitles and CC: Indonesian.
Top Three “Cards”: TI CCOG, Enoch Walked with God, and COJCOM.
Non-subscribers' views: 4,747. 288.0 watch time (hrs), w/an average view duration of 3.38 hrs.

Top Three Sermons within this period:

“One God, One Mediator” by Leonard V. Johnson – 232 views.
“Be Not Defeated” by Leonard V. Johnson – 111 views.
“Is There A ‘Secret Rapture’?” by Leonard V. Johnson – 80 views.

The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries website:

For our COJCOM website, search https://www.owensborocojc.com.

Statistics:

As of February 22, 2023; analytics from the website─

All time since January 10, 2019 – the website has received 143,387 views.

Top Seven Countries: France, USA, Indonesia, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Canada.

Analytics for our website lists a great many more countries, including Russia, Nepal, Egypt, Japan, Belgium, the UK, China, and the Netherlands.

Top Five Keyword search: civil unrest in america, enoch walked with god sermon, feast of unleavened bread 2020, was gods promises to abraham hard to believe, america collapse 2025.

Top Five Posts of All Time:


China and Russia Alliance?

Yesterday I was asked: does God’s living word mention, prophetically, a China-Russia alliance in these latter times!? And the answer is, NOWHERE, directly! We must remember that God’s living word ─ the Holy Bible ─ is concerned only with ISRAEL and JUDAH – and with the Gentile nations only as they come into contact with Israel. Russia and China are both Gentile powers. An alliance between them in these latter times is a great possibility. Keep in mind: there have been Sino-Russian alliances several times throughout history. Recall: In 1949, with Soviet support, the communists won the Chinese Civil War and established the People’s Republic of China, which made an alliance with the Soviets. An alliance between them would not be mentioned directly in Bible prophecy. In prayer this morning to Father God and our Lord Jesus, I was reminded of what our Lord Jesus has told us─ “’ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet’” – Matthew 24:6. There have been literally thousands of alliances and wars between Gentile powers that are nowhere mentioned in Bible prophecy.

On the other hand, we have the very real prophecy of Ezekiel chapter 38. In the sermon “Ezekiel 38 – Gog and Magog” we teach── a great many falsely teach that the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 speaks of a soon-coming invasion of North America from Russia. But this is not correct. This prophecy comes to its fulfillment at the end of Christ’s Millennial Reign.

Some 1,928 years ago, the apostle John in a mighty and powerful vision─ which certainly must have lasted weeks or months─ saw powerful armies totaling 200 million strong – called the ‘king of the South’ in the Book of Daniel. We do believe this will be a confederation of Islamic nations –the Islamic Middle East, including great parts of North Africa.

Minister Michael C. Garrett─
“I’ve been saying this for several years – as we hear about various attacks – that around the family dinner tables, behind closed doors, around the office water cooler – the people of Europe are probably beginning to say to one another, “We have a problem!” “We tried to extend mercy and graciousness to these foreigners and yet the only thing they seem to want to do is to kill us!” And sooner or later the ire of the European people will turn very heated, very hot, very angry – against these foreigners! And when that happens – hold on, fasten your seat belt, tighten it down as good as you can get it – because this world is going to quickly spin out of control! And, I have said for years – and I’m going to say it again for all of you – Islamic terrorism is going to plunge the world into WORLD WAR III! I say that with absolute confidence because that’s what the Bible says! And that’s what this chapter is about. European people in prophecy, the British and American people in prophecy – they go down different roads, but the other part of it is the Islamic people.

The Book of Daniel talks about the “king of the North,” being EUROPE, and the “king of the South,” the Islamic Middle East, including North Africa. And there will be a World War III – and it will plunge the world into a day that the Bible calls ‘great tribulation.’ GREAT TROUBLES! The worst period of time in the history of mankind!”

(Garrett, M.C., God’s Promises To Abraham, Chapter 6 – A Coming Last Crusade! 2019, by Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ, pg. 88).
Certainly, a great many people have speculated in the past decades that these powerful armies totaling 200 million strong will somehow be an accumulation of China, Japan, and maybe Korea, maybe Mongolia – which is the heart of the Russian Federation! And, this certainly is a possibility! I will remind you of what Paul said in 1st Corinthians 15, he said, ‘We see through a glass darkly.’ And so, sometimes trying to understand prophecies before they happen becomes a little confusing. A little sort of blurry! But then, when the events actually take place and then following the events it becomes very clear what the prophecies always meant.

It is true that a lasting political and military alliance between China and Russia will have a profound and far-reaching effect on the entire world. Their relationships will certainly play a huge part in molding and partly solidifying (iron mixed with clay) a prophesied United States of Europe, rising to a global superpower. With China’s support for Russia – rooted in Xi Jinping’s close relationship with Vladimir Putin – along with the weakness of the United States of America, this has surely altered and hastened Europe’s calculations. The sense of urgency to protect Europe from authoritarian threats is now stronger than ever before! Surely, both China and Russia must be strong and free to deal with a soon-rising European force of political, military, and religious strength unmatched─ “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him’?”

This is certainly something in which we should be reminded of what our Lord Jesus Christ tells us, brethren: “’ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.’”

Suggested Sabbath Day Service

Here is our suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and friends around the world:

• TWO songs of praise. (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, is suggested, there is some Instrumental Accompaniment to the Bible Hymnal available on our website).
• Opening prayer.
• Announcements – from the deacon or pastor.
• Sermon – from the pastor or guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is “Faith Required for Salvation” Available on our YouTube channel Friday @ 6:15 pm est.
• Closing song.
• Closing prayer.

In case you do not receive a ‘Letter to our Friends’ for any week, remember that there are many sermon messages on the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries’ BitChute channel, as well as our Soundcloud Radio channel. Also, we post all ‘Letter to our Friends’ on our website - https://www.owensborocojc.com/search/label/Church%20letters.

Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy

We are continuing to see and hear – and hear ever louder – calls for Europe to increase its military strength! (See: ‘DW - MSC 2023 closes with call for more German defense spending’).

Notice –
Germany’s ability to defend itself is at risk unless it reintroduces compulsory military service, Patrick Sensburg, the leader of the Bundeswehr Reservist Association, told local outlet Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung on Thursday.

The task of national defense “requires different material and a lot more staff” than the Bundeswehr currently commands, Sensburg said, arguing that even the most well-intentioned government efforts to fill in the gaps “will not work without conscription.”

He suggested that an active force of 350,000 soldiers and 1.2 million reservists would be required to adequately protect Germany. The country currently commands just over 183,000 soldiers, down from 317,000 two decades ago, and 100,000 reservists – 30,000 of whom train regularly.

“Germany needs a strong military that is well-trained but also has many reservists from all walks of life,” Sensburg told Deutsche Welle earlier this month. “We can only ensure that if we have compulsory military service.” …

Alternative for Germany (AfD) MP Ruediger Lucassen agreed with the reservist leader, telling German outlet Junge Freiheit on Thursday that the Bundeswehr was “not capable of national defense because of its lack of personnel.” Those comments came after the AfD parliamentary group proposed a motion to discuss reintroducing conscription in the Bundestag next month.

Now, as far as the AfD party goes, it is increasing its political pressure in Germany. Notice the mood in Germany from the source Politico─
It’s the end of the world as we know it — and Munich feels nervous. 

If even the Germans are worried about the world’s perils, this could well be the moment to really start worrying.

MUNICH — Cut through the haze of hoary proclamations emanating from the main stage of the Munich Security Conference about Western solidarity and common purpose this weekend, and one can’t help but notice more than a hint of foreboding just beneath the surface. …

Germany’s new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, a Social Democrat like Scholz, called for even more, saying that “it will not be possible to fulfill the tasks that lie ahead of us with barely two percent.” … if even the Germans have woken up to the perils of the world’s current geopolitical state, this could well be the moment to really start worrying.

As I had stated earlier, what is occurring globally is altering and hastening Europe’s calculations. The sense of urgency to protect Europe from authoritarian threats is now stronger than ever before!

God’s living word teaches that there is soon coming a United States of Europe (or whatever name they will call themselves) ─ the prophesied “king of the North” with a mighty “great army” (Daniel 11:25) and with “many ships” (Daniel 11:40). German and other European shouts to increase their military strength is consistent with helping set the stage for those biblical prophecies to come to fruition.

Once this final European ‘beast’ power uses its full force to fulfill these prophecies ─ God’s living word tells us “all the world marveled and followed the beast”! – Revelation 13:1-4.

The German-European plan is for a united Europe to be a strong military power independent of NATO- led by the United States of America. A political, military, and religious force that is prophesied to ultimately defeat the USA – cf. Daniel 11:39.

Also in the news within Europe ─ the “Holy Roman Empire” is on the lips of some! (See: ‘maurizioblondet - Veneziani: per salvarci dall’UE c’è solo il Sacro Romano Impero’) I have translated this Italian article using Google Translate:
Venetians: to save us from the EU there is only the Holy Roman Empire.

What if, in order to save ourselves from the European Union, from globalization, from Chinese and American power, we had to rethink the Holy Roman Empire? I have not gone mad, I am reporting with some complicity, a thesis of the most famous living Italian philosopher. …

The philosopher in question is Giorgio Agamben, who many have known for his critical positions at the time of the pandemic and vaccinocracy. I will not resume his thoughts on the liberticidal use of the pandemic but on something that is in heaven and not on earth. So the philosopher, once placed on the radical left, proposed the establishment of a "Latin empire" promoted by the three great Latin nations (France, Spain, and Italy), in agreement with the Catholic Church and open to the countries of the Mediterranean. His dream, he writes explicitly on the Quodlibet website, is even the creation of a European Empire similar to the Austro-Hungarian one or the Imperium dreamed of by Dante in De monarchia. Agamben was inspired by the philosopher Alexandre Kojève, but his idea of empire united him with other living thinkers such as Remi Brague, Massimo Cacciari, and even Alain de Benoist.

Agamben argues that in the extreme situation in which we find ourselves, such an ancient political model can find an unexpected topicality. The necessary premise for this rediscovery, explains the philosopher, is that the citizens of the European nation states find a link with their places and their cultural traditions and project themselves into the idea of a European citizenship, embodied not in a parliament or in obscure commissions, but in a symbolic power similar to the Holy Roman Empire. The question of whether or not such a European Empire is possible, says Agamben, does not interest us or correspond to our ideals: nevertheless it takes on a particular significance if we become aware that the current European community today has no real political consistency and has indeed been transformed, like all the states that are part of it, into a sick organism that runs more or less consciously towards its own self-destruction. So spoke Agamben on February 6.

Curious that this vision does not come from a Pope, a Father of the Church, a Prophet, a Thinker of Tradition but from a philosopher who writes on the manifesto. From Karl Marx to Charlemagne.
Also, notice the following call for a reorganization of Europe. (See: ‘Foreign Policy - Europe Doesn’t Need the United States Anymore’).

Europe is certainly in the process of changing.

In the United States of America, is domestic TERRORism rising!? ─ was the tragic derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials through East Palestine, Ohio, and the subsequent “controlled” burn EXPLOSION, initially, an act of domestic terrorism!? Well, our beloved FactCheck.org tells us that it is an emphatic ─ there’s no basis for any of those claims. Well, just like how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know. Of course, the Left-leaning Washington Post claims - in a sense - that there is ‘nothing to see here, folks. Move along!’ But this we do know ─ back in 2020 two women with ties to an anarchist group was charged with a terrorist attack on train tracks north of Seattle, Washington. (See: ‘Fox News - Women linked with anarchist group charged with terrorist attack on train tracks north of Seattle’).


So, what about one of the largest egg factories in the United States EXPLODING! Was this an act of domestic terrorism!? Well, again our beloved FactCheck.org says ─ it’s not part of a conspiracy to trigger U.S. food shortages. Clever Journeys asks the question: Why Are America’s Food Processing Plants Suddenly Exploding?

Here is what I do know ─ egg prices in my area at Walmart are $5.24 a dozen!

On top of all that – the H5N1 ‘bird flu’ is presumably impacting poultry and eggs alike, and certainly their prices in the market. (See: ‘JusttheNews - World's poultry supply threatened as bird flu spreads, report’).

Whether one wants to believe that all of these troubles are acts of domestic terrorism or not ─ all we really can say is like Fox News’ slogan “We Report, You Decide.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ has warned us ─ 

“… ‘nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.’” – a direct reference to the final holy war between the end-time ‘king of the South’ and the ‘king of the North’ (cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16). And the apostle Mark adds, “’ And there will be earthquakes in various places; and there will be famines and TROUBLES.’”

And even all this is but ‘the beginning of sorrows.’ EVEN MORE, IS TO COME!

All of these terrible happenings appear to be consistent with His living words.

Concluding Comments

Our Lord Jesus Christ has commissioned us─

“’ Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be [judged]’” – Mark 16:15-16.

Brethren, your loving support helps us in this commission of what our Lord wants.

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,


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Friday, February 17, 2023

A Morning Bible Study - What Is Repentance?


Leonard V. Johnson    About


Just what does it mean to repent? Is real repentance just an emotional feeling? Is it just merely feeling sorry for having made some mistakes in life!? What is God's definition of true repentance? Let us here in this Bible Study examine what true repentance is and is not, detailing what God's definition of real repentance truly is.
1) What is sin, defined by the LORD God?
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” – 1 John 3:4.

Has every human being since Adam sinned?

“Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered the world, and death [the second death; see Revelation 20:14; 21:8] through sin, and thus death [the second death] spread to all men, because all sinned” – Romans 5:12.


Lawlessness against the Government of God!

From the very foundation of the world the LORD God’s Law was given to man – summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS – cf. Romans 4:15!

The transgression of the LORD God’s Law constitutes sin.

What is the ultimate penalty of sin?

“What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death [eternal death]. … 23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 6:21, 23.

The churches of this world teach as doctrine – you’ve all heard it many times – the immortality of the soul. Oh, do they love to talk about the immortality of the soul! And yet, not one place in the Bible can you find that concept! Not one! Now, you can find where Jesus Christ is the only One who has immortality within Him. And, obviously, God the Father has immortality within Him. But as far as us!? You know, Ezekiel 18 two times says, “The soul who sins SHALL DIE.” And, in the Book of Romans 1:32 – “…that those who practice such things are deserving of DEATH, …” Romans 6:16 – talks about a ‘sin leading to death.’ Nothing about immortality!

Romans 7:5 – talks about the ‘motions of sins, which did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto DEATH.’ And then, Romans 8:6 – “For to be carnally minded is DEATH.” I think you get the idea. The Bible, over and over says, if we don’t walk the correct path and have the correct relationship with God, that we are subject to death.

The ultimate penalty is eternal death─ a complete cessation of life forever.
2) Has the LORD God (the family of God, which consists at this present time of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ), in Their infinite mercy and love, provided the Way by which we can avoid paying this ultimate penalty─ eternal death?
“Jesus said to him, ‘I AM the Way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” – John 14:6.

“Nor is there [eternal] salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we MUST be saved” – Acts 4:12.

And of course a most cherished passage─ and it’s a beautiful passage!

“’ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’” – John 3:16.

Again, perish – DEATH!

Our Lord Jesus Christ would become our Atonement – it was prophesied – we often read this during the Passover – or the Lord’s Supper – because it’s such a description of what Jesus endured – Isaiah 53:1-3.

The LORD God’s Master Plan is laid out before us!

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [atonement] for our sins” – 1 John 4:10.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” – Romans 5:8-10.

The LORD God explains to us in 1st Corinthians –

“For since by man [Adam] came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23) BUT EACH ONE IN HIS OWN ORDER: Christ the firstfruits [Our Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF], AFTERWARD those who are Christ’s at His second coming [a first resurrection of the dead – in Christ]. 24) Then comes THE END, …” – 1 Corinthians 15:22-24.
3) How can a person─ no matter where they are on this planet─ have their sins blotted out by our Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice─ be completely forgiven of their transgressions against the Law of God, and be delivered from the ultimate penalty of eternal death?
First, let’s notice –

“But before faith came [speaking of the faith we have in our Lord Jesus Christ], we were kept under guard by the law [the Mosaic Law; the Law of Moses, in which the Ten Commandments is of a separate covenant], kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed [speaking of the New Covenant under our Lord Jesus]. 24) Therefore the law [the Mosaic Law] was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25) but after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26) For you are all [children] of God THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. 27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28) There is neither Jew nor [Gentile], there is neither [bond] nor free, there is neither male nor female; for YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS” – Galatians 3:23-28.

Jesus Christ would come from the descendants of Abraham – through Abraham. And friends, I have to say, that includes all nations. Not just a certain group, nationality, or race of people – but all nations. The apostle Paul next says, “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Those Gentile nations – God’s glorious plan all along was to allow for the Gentile nations to also see the light of Christ. Recall, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined” – Isaiah 9:2. God’s revelation – primarily through the apostle Paul – to all of those Gentile nations.

So, how can a person be completely forgiven of their transgressions against the Law of God, and be delivered from the penalty of death?

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s very first recorded words at the beginning of His ministry state, “’ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” – Mark 1:15.

The apostle Peter, filled with God’s Spirit, unequivocally says─

“ … ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” – Acts 2:38.

“Repent therefore and be converted [be changed through God’s love and graciousness and through His Spirit], that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing [talking about the resurrection and being a part of the Kingdom of God!] may come from the presence of the Lord” – Acts 3:19.

Or, you can continue living under your bubble of a world, with your own belief that if you just live behind an entrance gate you’ll be safe.

“Do not love the world OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. 17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” – 1 John 2:15-17.

You must admit to yourself the true conditions of this present evil age! STOP living in your own little bubble – believing that “things aren’t really that bad!”

Look into God’s spiritual mirror of His living word – and let His words reflect every rotting and putrefying sore you have – every evil, every deception, every resentment, every rebellion, or hostility of your mind and heart.

Then REPENT unto the LORD God!

Just what is real repentance as defined by the LORD God? What does it involve? What must be done in order to repent?

It’s one thing to say to someone, “you’re a sinner.” But it’s another thing to show that person why they are a sinner.

The Greek word for repent is metanoeō, which means “to change any or all of the elements composing one’s life; attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors concerning the demands of God for right living.” 1

True repentance is exactly that. It is a complete about-face from the disobedience against the LORD God in not keeping the Law of God─ summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS. True repentance is far more than just a mere emotional experience or human feeling of remorse. It is “godly sorrow”─ notice –

“’ If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, … 12) I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people’” – Leviticus 26:3, 12.

“Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ 19) So Jesus said to him, … 20) ‘You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ 21) And he said, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth.’ 22) … ‘ … come, follow Me’” – Luke 18:18-22.

“So they said, ‘Believe on the [name] Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household’” – Acts 16:31.

“’ If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that [it] may abide with you forever─ ’” – John 14:15-16.

“Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10.

Sadly, multiple millions of our peoples have been taught that Colossians 2:13-17 is teaching that the Ten Commandments were “nailed to the cross.” Well, He did take something out of the way, nailing it to His cross!─ but, what was it?

What are the ‘wiped out the handwriting of ordinances’!? It’s the Old Covenant. Right here Paul just plainly says, ‘Jesus Christ blotted all of the Old Covenant out.’ Not the Ten Commandments. But the Old Covenant – the old Jewish ideas!

“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16) So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbath’s, 17) which are a shadow of things to come, [but let the Body of Christ judge you]” – Colossians 2:15. 2

Certainly, no man can prove this to you─ this truth from the LORD God is something you must prove to yourself, beyond any shadow of a doubt. We should all be as those people who lived in the ancient city of Berea in Macedonia─ they were “more fair-minded” who “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

What are we to repent of!?

The LORD God says –

“’ But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die [speaking of the second death]’” – Ezekiel 18:21.

“’ Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity [sin; wickedness] will not be your ruin’” – Ezekiel 18:30. 

Change your ways, change the way you think, change the way you act, change the way you speak, change the way you interact with other people, and change the way you interact with God. Just because you go to a church doesn’t mean your pleasing God. The only way you’re going to please God is if you’re doing, believing, and teaching, the things which He says. And that’s very difficult to get people to understand. If you truly want to honor God and to respect God and to love God, then it’s incumbent upon you to know what He actually teaches. And what He believes. And what He wants you to believe.

“’ Cast away from you all the transgressions, …’” – all of your mistakes. Be it mistakes in your own personal life, or whether it’s mistakes in your religious life – like false doctrines, or incorrect doctrines. “…’ and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit’” – Ezekiel 18:31.

Referring to the New Covenant! The New Covenant emphasizes Jesus Christ and the promise of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ being the Head of that Church, the ministry, the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. And it talks about having the Ten Commandments written on your heart and on your mind. And having the Spirit of God within you. And looking forward to the promises of God, the promise of forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life.

The LORD God’s holy commandments show us the Way to peace, prosperity, happiness, and true joy. And they are very much relevant in this 21st-century world! The ever-increasing and worsening evils that humanity is suffering from today are not caused by the Law, but because of the breaking of it!
4) Should true repentance be heartfelt, deep, and moving!?
“’ Now, therefore,’ says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning’” – Joel 2:12.

However, sadly, a great many of our peoples believe that they should practice self-flagellation! The disciplinary and devotional practice of flogging oneself with whips or other instruments that inflict pain.

Our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will not accept those whose “repentance” is merely an outward show. The LORD God continues, “’ So rend your heart, and not your garments.’” Also, there are some who believe that repentance is merely a matter of understanding God’s truth intellectually. None of this is repentance at all. It is self-righteousness.

Every time that you start to think of yourself as doing something really well, you need to remember these words –

“But we are all like an unclean thing, [and at our best; I’m adding editorially] And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; …” – when compared to the might, the grandeur, the power, the righteousness of God the Father and Jesus Christ!

Truly by studying God’s living word─ and allowing our Lord Jesus Christ to lead us in all right understanding─ we begin to see and hear that we fall short of the glory of God! – Romans 3:23. And that we NEED His loving and merciful forgiveness and help.

Yet, how is it possible for a human to come to the kind of repentance that can begin to change one’s life!?

In truth, this repentance must come from the LORD God.

Notice here the living words of the LORD─

… “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, …”

People that conduct themselves this way – in the back of their minds somewhere know that this conduct will not go unpunished. They know about the judgment of Almighty God and Jesus Christ! Now, they may not understand the truth about the judgment of God – but they do know about it.

“ … that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” – Romans 1:18-32.

“But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3) And do you think this, O man [or woman], you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Or do you despise the riches of His [the Lord God’s] goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” – Romans 2:2-4.

And, by the very inspiration of God’s living Spirit, the apostle Paul continues with a promise of the Eternal our God, “Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.” – Romans 2:7.

Now, did you catch that!? A man must seek God’s free gift of immortality!

Why!?

Because it is only God Who has immortality to give. “Which He will manifest in His own time, He Who is the blessed and ONLY POTENTATE, the King of kings and Lord of lords [referring to our Lord Jesus Christ], 16) who ALONE has immortality.” – 1 Timothy 6:15-16.

PRAISE ALMIGHTY GOD THE FATHER!

The LORD God is patient, merciful, and loving in leading one to repentance.
5) So, does true repentance come from the LORD God!?
“in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26) and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” – 2 Timothy 2:25-26.

True repentance involves a complete and unconditional surrender to the LORD God─ placing the family of God above all else! Notice –

“’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38) And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me’” – Matthew 10:37-38.

In other passages, He talks about father and mother, children, lands, country, homes, your job, and your career. If you put anything BEFORE God you are committing a form of idolatry. And all of us – whatever spiritual “works” we’ve been asked to do that’s what we’re supposed to do. And do it to the best of our ability.

The apostle Luke adds – “’ If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple’” – Luke 14:26.

The Greek word hate is miseō, which means “to hate.” The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament helps us better understand the word “hate” and its root meaning. In Hebrew it’s śānē’, which means “hate, to be hateful.”
“The verb śānē’ and its derivatives have the root meaning “to hate.” It expresses an emotional attitude toward persons and things …

There is also a hating on the part of man which is acceptable to God. Man must have an aversion to and depart from evil, hence the Psalmist [King David] says, ‘I have hated the assembly of evildoers’ (Ps 21:5). This hatred is also in diametric opposition to a believer’s trust in the Lord, for the man of God says, ‘I hate them who regard vain idols but I trust in the Lord’ (Ps 31:6).” 3
In essence, if a person does not “hate” the way his unconverted father, mother, wife, children, brothers or sisters, and yes, even the way he himself is living, that person cannot be His disciple. Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly talking about giving one’s life entirely to the LORD God!
6) Did our Lord Jesus clearly say to us that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him?
“’ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day’” – John 6:44.

I can preach until I’m blue in the face and beg people to open their eyes and put aside their fluffy religious garbage, but UNLESS God the Father has called them, then they will NEVER know the REAL JESUS!

And then to make it even clearer─

“’ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and [ordained] you that you should go and bear fruit, …’” – John 15:16.

No, you didn’t pick the LORD God. You didn’t set out on your quest for God! If you ever did sort of, “I’m gonna look into the Bible!” It was God that put the motivation in you! Somewhere on that trip, He put you into contact with human beings or literature that had been produced by His people, by His Church, and that kept the process going and gave you the fuel to continue to learn.
7) How can YOU know that YOU truly repented before the LORD God?
“’ Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” – Matthew 3:8.

God provides all true Christians with the WILLPOWER, the FAITH OF CHRIST, and MOTIVATION to do His good pleasure. God the Father and Jesus Christ have gone to great lengths to provide the grace – the unmerited favor of Their divine mercy – to help Their begotten children to succeed in their calling. But They expect results!

At John the Baptist’s preaching, the people began to ask him, “What shall we do then.” In other words, “What is this─ bearing fruits worthy of repentance?” And he answered them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” He also told the tax collectors who came to be baptized, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” He also told the soldiers, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely and be content with your wages.” Such actions were fruits worthy of repentance.

Spiritually what are these fruits!? The fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the attributes] is love [godly love], joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. … 25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” – Galatians 5:22-23, 25.

“but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” – Acts 26:20.

Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that a person who truly repented bears the fruits of the Spirit of God─

“’ You will know them by their fruits. 17) Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire’” – Matthew 7:16, 17-19.

Verse 20 translated from the NLT – “’ Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.’”

That is the kind of repentance the LORD God will accept – that is the Way you must repent.

I pray that the LORD God will grant YOU repentance. □


1) Strong, J., LL.D., S.T.D., #3340 metanoeō – The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Zondervan, © 2001, pp. 1626.
2) Verses 16-18 do not abolish the dietary laws of clean and unclean meats, the festivals or the weekly Sabbath of God. Rather, Paul is clearly affirming that the Gentiles in Colosse were to continue to observe these commandments as they had been taught. Paul was instructing the Colossians to disregard the criticisms and harsh judgments of those outside the Church, because the observance of these days are a continuing foreshadow of the things that are yet to come in God’s Plan. By being faithful and keeping these commandments of God, they would always be worshiping the true God, be built up in Jesus Christ and never lose the understanding of God’s Plan. By true repentance to God the Father and Jesus Christ, they would not be deceived by vain philosophies of men, nor would they be seduced into the worship of fallen angels ─ Satan and his demons. The Holy Bible In Its Original Order A New English Translation by Fred R. Coulter. York Publishing Co., 2007, 2009, pg. 1199.
3) Harris L. R., Archer, L. Gleason, Jr., and Waltke K. Bruce. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1980, #2272, pgs. 879, 880.


Scriptural Index:

Old Testament - Leviticus 26:3, 12; Psalm 2:5; 31:6; Isaiah 9:2; 53:1-3; 64:6; Ezekiel 18; 18:21, 30, 31; Joel 2:12, 13.
New Testament - Matthew 3:8; 7:16, 17-19, 20; 10:37-38; Mark 1:15; Luke 14:26; 18:18-22; John 3:16; 6:44; 14:6, 15-16; 15:16; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 4:12; 16:31; 26:20; Romans 1:18-32; 2:2-4, 7; 3:23; 4:15; 5:8-10, 12; 6:21, 23; 7:5; 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15:22-24; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Galatians 3:23-28, 29; 5:22-23, 25; Colossians 2:13-17; 1 Timothy 6:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; 1 John 2:15-17; 3:4; 4:10; Revelation 20:14; 21:8.
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Friday, February 10, 2023

Letter to our Friends - February 9, 2023


CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 6458
SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34606



Leonard V. Johnson
Pastor and Founder


Greetings Friends this early morning from my desk here in Spring Hill, Florida:

We hope and pray that you have had spiritually uplifting weeks since our last letter.

I’ve been busy working on online booklets translated into Kiswahili, for our brethren and friends located in Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique, Africa. We have a few translated: Imani yako ni ya kibiblia? …na unaweza kuthibitisha hilo?, also Je, Mungu Ni UTATU? Along with about three more, along with a few articles. However, remember that on our website www.owensborocojc.com, at the sidebar to the right, every article can be translated into 133 different languages using Google translate.

Also, I’ve been busy writing up "A Morning Bible Study." We currently have about 13. You can access these Bible studies at the top of our website by clicking the button at the top─ Bible Study.

Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day 2023

I plan on joining our brethren in Owensboro, Kentucky this year for the LORD God’s holy feast. You are more than welcome to join us this year! Services for the feast are to begin the evening of September 29th and run (which includes the Last Great Day) until sunset on October 7th.

We will more than likely meet together at the Logsdon Community Center, 2400 Friendship Dr. Owensboro, KY. 42303. If this changes, we will be sure to let you know. For more information, you can contact Minister Michael C. Garrett at garrett158@roadrunner.com.

Prayer Requests

Please continue to pray for Minister Michael C. Garrett. He has had a foot ulcer for the past six months. It is getting better, however, by the day. Please continue your prayers for him. Also, please pray for Minister Guy Lamar’s sister Deborah. She's been having some issues with her blood pressure and heart rate.

St. Valentine’s Day Not Biblical


February 14th. Multiple millions of our peoples will be observing what is known as St. Valentine’s Day on February the 14th.

Throughout the years, the improperly named Christianity Today─ an evangelical “Christian” media magazine founded by Billy Graham─ has often tried to justify its opinion on this worldly holiday by talking about love. As an example, in their February 1st, 2000, issue, they wrote: “Four centuries before Christ, Romans had a day called Lupercalia. Without going too much into it, I'll sum it up as a sexual lottery. Pull names out of a box at random and couple with a young member of the opposite sex. After a year, you get to pick another name. But apparently, Christians didn't think the practice was all bad.”

What!? All that bad!? Isn’t it nice how this article watered down the sexual perversions which the ancient Romans were engaged in, by saying, “a sexual lottery,” and “without going too much into it”!?

What I have to say to them is what our dearly beloved apostle Paul says─ under the inspiration of God’s Spirit─

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame─ …” – Philippians 3:18, 19.

They do not even follow our LORD God’s holy words─

“Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2) Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles [or rather heathens]; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 3) FOR THE CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLES ARE FUTILE” – Jeremiah 10:2, 3.

Apparently, the followers of Billy Graham have selective hearing!?

They will also often use 1 John 4:7 to back up their opinion concerning Valentine’s Day─

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.”

The implication is that the apostle John was supporting Valentine’s Day. The misuse by them using this passage here is blasphemous!

But, in truth, the love of God is this─

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. 3) For this is the love of God, that WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. And His commandments are not burdensome” – 1 John 5:2-3.

In all reality Valentine’s Day has more to do with lust than love. This worldly holiday is not from the Father but from this world. God’s living word tells us─

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For all that is in the world─ the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life─ is not of the Father but is of the world. 17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does THE WILL OF GOD abides forever” – 1 John 2:15-17.

The apostle John by no means is telling true Christians to adopt pagan traditions. Yet this Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, along with its incorrectly named Christianity Today magazine appears to have a direct connection with Catholicism. It is a known fact that when Emperor Constantine the Great in AD 313 made Christianity an official religion of the Roman Empire, the Roman citizens wouldn’t hear of ending this sexual holiday. “Later, the church [meaning, the Catholic Church] attempted to give a Christian meaning to this pagan celebration. As far back as 496, Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia on February 15th to Saint Valentine's day on February 14th.” 1

Our Lord Jesus Christ has WARNED us─

“’ Take heed that no one deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many’” – Matthew 24:4-5.

WARNING that many will correctly say that He is the Christ – yet will deceive many!

And just because millions of our peoples use the name of Christ Jesus and are claiming to be Christian, does not mean that they have the Spirit of God dwelling within them─

“’ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom [from] heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22) Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” - Matthew 7:21-23.

They practice lawlessness because they do not keep the commandments of God!

Unlike that CT article, let’s go into some detail concerning this pagan worldly holiday known as Valentine’s Day─ which is nothing more than a holdover of a spring fertility/fornication Roman holiday:

Notice this from History.com: “ ... the Christian church [in other words, the Catholic Church] may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or Lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip the goat's hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman.”

It is a known fact that centuries before the birth of our Savior - Jesus Christ - the Romans celebrated February 15th and the evening of the 14th as an idolatrous and sexual festival in honor of the one they called Lupercus - the “hunter of wolves.” The custom of the young Roman women placing their names in a big urn for the bachelors of the city certainly sounds familiar with what children all over the United States will be participating in on February 14th of this year - does it not? - the exchanging of Valentine's Day cards!? Indeed, the custom of exchanging Valentine's cards from this “name drawing” is from this Lupercalia celebration.

All of that above is part of why these pagan customs, in honor of a false god, became “Christian.”

Also this pagan being named Cupid (a son of Venus) was also involved. According to a book I have in my library - Bulfinch's Mythology The Complete Texts - it states: “Cupid. The god of love in Roman mythology (Lat. cupido, desire, passion), identified with the Greek Eros; son of Mercury and Venus. He is represented as a winged boy, carrying a bow and arrows. One legend says that he wets with blood the grindstone on which he sharpens his arrows.” 2

It should be noted that one Roman Catholic Church source has stated─

“Although the mid-February holiday celebrating love and lovers remains wildly popular, the confusion over its origins led the Catholic Church, in 1969, to drop St. Valentine’s Day from the Roman calendar of official, worldwide Catholic feasts. (Those highly sought-after days are reserved for saints with more clear historical record. After all, the saints are real individuals for us to imitate.) Some parishes, however, observe the feast of St. Valentine.” 3

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2) And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3) But fornication [Greek: porneia, meaning sexual immoralities] and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints” – Ephesians 5:1-2.

This worldly holiday has both Roman pagan and Roman Catholic roots. 

Suggested Sabbath Day Service

Here is our suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and friends around the world:

• TWO songs of praise. (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, is suggested, there are some Instrumental Accompaniment to the Bible Hymnal available on our website).
• Opening prayer.
• Announcements – from the deacon or pastor.
• Sermon – from the pastor or guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is “The Test Commandment.” Available on our YouTube channel Friday @ 6:15 pm est.
• Closing song.
• Closing prayer.

In case you do not receive a ‘Letter to our Friends’ for any week, remember that there are many sermon messages on the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries’ BitChute channel, as well as our Soundcloud Radio channel.

Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy

As nearly everyone is aware of: A Chinese spy balloon─ the size of three full-size school buses─ was allowed to fly over the whole of the continental United States unimpeded. Surely this was no accident. (See: ‘Forbes - Why Chinese Spy Balloon’s Flight Path Was Not An Accident – And What It May Have Been Doing’).

The Gateway Pundit put together a graph to show just how many US military bases were in the path of the Chinese spy balloon.

Here is a list of the US Military bases in the path of the China Spy Balloon.

• Malmstrom Air Force Base – Montana – home of 341st Military Wing.
• Ellsworth Air Force Base – South Dakota – home of 28th bomb wing.
• Joe Foss Field ANG – South Dakota – home of 114th fighter wing.
• Sioux City ANG – Iowa – national guard base.
• Offutt Air Force Base -Nebraska – headquarters US strategic command.
• Camp Ashland – Nebraska.
• Lincoln ANG – Nebraska.
• Whiteman Air Force Base – Missouri – home of B52 bombers.
• Fort Leonard Wood – Missouri – Army training installation.
• St. Louis Army Human Resources – St. Louis, MO.
• Scott Air Force Base – Illinois – home of the Air Mobility Command.
• Fort Campbell – Tennessee – home of Screaming eagles, the 101st Airborne.
• Nashville ANG – Tennessee.
• Smyrna ANG – Tennessee.
• Houston Barracks – Tennessee.
• McGhee Tyson ANG – Tennessee.
• Pope Air Force Base – North Carolina – Air mobility command.
• Fort Bragg – North Carolina – one of the largest military installations in the world.
• MCAS New River – North Carolina.
• Camp Lejeune – North Carolina – military training facility.
• US Coast Guard Station Fort Macon. 4

As their article states, this was “an unprecedented national security threat” at the highest of levels!

Some prominent leaders in the United States of America are continuing to point to China as a major military threat in two years! (See: ‘ZeroHedge - Air Force General Tells His Officers 'War With China' Only 2 Years Away’). There certainly could be military skirmishes between the USA and China. However, God’s living prophecies reveal that it will be a United States of Europe (a final European ‘beast’ power) that will lead to the loss of the USA’s sovereignty. Now, it is possible─ and even probable─ that China will be in support of this final European ‘beast’ power.

In an October 27th, 2022, article by Voice of America, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin asserted that “the U.S. Government and our Allies and partners around the world, is well positioned to meet the challenges of this decisive decade.” 5

However, I can’t help but think of a prophetic dream I had in 2016. In my dream – a most vivid dream – I was looking into the clearest night sky I had ever seen, crystal clear bright shining stars. And then suddenly I heard a booming voice – what appeared to be a tail-end of a conversation. And the voice said, “They only have 10 years left.” Since it has not been revealed to me just who are they. The question is─ who are “they”!?

Now, to note: Yesterday I watched the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Chinese threat to U.S. National Defense with retired Admiral Harry Harris and Dr. Melanie Sisson, a fellow in the Foreign Policy program's Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology. I got halfway through it─ it's 3 hrs and 30 minutes LONG!─ and I thought we would hear something new and profound. But all I heard was, blah, blah, blah!

Also, as I’m sure you are aware, certain Protestants have been teaching that a massive nuclear war between Russia and the USA is coming. Notice this Italian source – ‘ANSA en - WWIII would come if Russian tanks get to Kyiv says Crosetto’). Also, notice this from Michael Snyder of The Economic Collapse ─
The Nuclear War That We Have Been Relentlessly Warned About Is Now Right On Our Doorstep

On Thursday, Russia responded to news that the U.S. and Germany would be giving highly advanced tanks to the Ukrainians by firing “a barrage of missiles and drones across the country”. The Russians are now so invested in this war that there is no way that they could ever back down. Of course the same thing is true for the Biden administration. Joe Biden has staked his presidency on winning this war, and Congress has already approved approximately 100 billion dollars in total aid for the Ukrainians. We are on a collision course with destiny, and the cataclysmic war with Russia that I have been warning about for many years is now right on our doorstep. …

We must end this war before the nukes start flying.

And actually Joe Biden once warned that we would be facing “World War 3” if we ever sent tanks into Ukraine.

But now the Biden administration is trying to assure us that sending tanks into Ukraine is perfectly fine.

Donald Trump is warning that a worst-case scenario is coming too.

… more escalations are inevitably coming.

It is time for the American people to face the truth. We are at war, and there is no way out.

Now while we have quoted Michael Snyder before, and he is often an interesting writer, his long-term insistence that a “cataclysmic war with Russia that I have been warning about for many years is now right on our doorstep” is wrong.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has warned us – “ …’ you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet’” – Matthew 24:6. Which is consistent with what we have been witnessing between Russia and Ukraine.

Also in the news, the USA and Israel conducted their largest ever joint military exercise, supposedly to send a warning to Iran. (See: ‘Centcom - PRESS RELEASE | Jan. 26, 2023, Completion of Juniper Oak 23.2 Exercise’).

This exercise, combined with statements from the Resident Joe Biden last November in which he sees no hope in making any new nuclear deals with Iran, cannot be going over well with Ali Khamenei! While Iran─ the top state sponsor of terrorism─ was certainly aware of that exercise, it will certainly not stop Iran from one day attempting to do major damage to Israel’s capital – Jerusalem. Let’s turn in our Bible to the Book of Isaiah chapter 22 –

Verse 6 – “Elam [modern Iran] bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir [modern Syria] uncovered the shield. 7) It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots, And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.”

Continuing with verses 8 & 9 – “He [Almighty God] removed the protection of JUDAH. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9) You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; …”

Grave death and destruction is coming to the modern nation of Israel. Removing sanctions could be interpreted by Iran or Israel to attack militarily against one another.

A regional war in the Middle East is on the horizon.

Concluding Comments

Here are some Scriptures of praise, joy, and thanksgiving to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ:

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul [my life] within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With the multitude that kept a pilgrim feast” – Psalm 42:14.

“For the LORD will comfort Zion [New Jerusalem], He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody” – Isaiah 51:3.

“The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say:

‘Praise the LORD of hosts, 
For the LORD is good, 
For His mercy endures forever’

And of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the LORD” – Jeremiah 33:11.

“For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10) night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?” – 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10.

“Rejoice always, 17) pray without ceasing, 18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13) although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” – 1 Timothy 1:12-13.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” – Colossians 3:17.

Let us, friends, be thankful for our calling! We all should be!

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,



Bibliography

1) Lavinia Dobler, Customs and Holidays Around the World, p. 172.
2) Bulfinch's Mythology, Bulfinch, T., Cupid - Dictionary and Index, Crown Publishers, Inc., © 1979, pg. 897.
3) Hines-Brigger, S., The Catholic Roots of St. Valentine’s Day, Franciscan media, 14 May 2020. Retrieved 9 Feb. 2023.

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