Letter to our Friends - March 21, 2023

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES

We are based upon the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God

P.O. BOX 6458

SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34606

www.owensborocojc.com

Leonard V. Johnson 

Pastor and Founder

Earthquakes, In Divers Places

Back in 2020, we posted an article “It’s Not the End of the World As We Know It.” In that article, we speak concerning the nearly worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, and the fact that a great many of our peoples in this world are pronouncing that because of this pandemic, it is “the end of the world!” 

Truly, our Lord Jesus included in things to watch for in this end time would be ‘pestilences.’ That there would be TROUBLES! And certainly ever-growing ‘troubles.’

In the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary under pestilence, it states, “Pestilence is often associated with war and siege conditions.” 1 And they list a couple of Scriptures for reference.

There are certainly additional ‘troubles’ that our Lord Jesus mentions. In the Book of Luke he uses the word ‘commotions,’ “’ But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end [meaning, the end of this age] will not come immediately’” – Luke 21:9.

A TIME OF ‘GREAT TRIBULATION’!

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said that in this end-time, ‘this generation,’ meaning the generation which will see all these things come to pass – there would be certain signs of when this present age is nearing its end – 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,’ [saying that Jesus was and is the Christos, the Messiah] and will deceive many.’”

And this has certainly been taking place, even since the middle of the 1st century AD! We can certainly look around our nations and – without naming names – we understand that this prophecy has undoubtedly come true. An awful lot of people have been deceived about who Jesus Christ really was, what He stood for, and why He even came to earth! And that’s a tragedy.

Verse 6 – “’ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. …’”

And we are certainly hearing of wars and rumors of wars – i.e. a potential war with Iran, as this recent article asserts – that the “PENTAGON DEVELOPED CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR WAR WITH IRAN.”

Our Lord Jesus continues on in Verse 7 – “’ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. …’”

We tend to believe that this is a reference to the Book of Daniel – ‘the kingdom of the North,’ and ‘the kingdom of the South.’ The European combine and the Islamic confederation – whatever they will call themselves in the future. I think this is an indication of the growing tension between these two groups of people. Catholic Europe and the Islamic Middle East.

Let us now turn to the Book of Revealing – the Book of Revelation which also prophesies of this very thing – chapter 6 –

“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” – Revelation 6:3-4.

This is our Lord Jesus Christ─ because He is the Great Revelator─ suggesting the prophecy of the prophet Daniel in chapter 11. A direct reference to a final holy war between the end-time Catholic United States of Europe (‘king of the North’) and the Islamic confederation of nations (‘king of the South’) – cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16.

Continuing, our Lord Jesus Christ says, “…‘And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.’”

So in all of this, it’s a step-by-step progress – over here something happens, and over there something happens. And as you read the Bible and you sort of get the feeling that it grows in intensity! As time goes by.

So, it’s important to notice that our Lord Jesus listed earthquakes as one ‘sign’ that precedes the ‘great tribulation’ – Matthew 24:4-22; see also “Prophetic Events To Watch For.” And He told His servants to ‘WATCH AND PRAY’!

Weather sorrows and troubles around the world are certainly things we are to ‘watch’ for.

The USA, like Ancient Rome, Will Fall!

We have been saying for years that the innumerable ‘troubles’ which are befalling the United States of America, in combination with the fact of her $31.7 TRILLION national debt─ the highest global national debt─ is weakening her here in the ‘beginning of sorrows.’ And, massive earthquakes could trigger supervolcanoes! Notice this from 2017 –

Almost 770 earthquakes have been recorded in Yellowstone Park over the past two weeks — more than normal but not a sign of volcanic activity, scientists say.

As of 11:30 Friday morning, 769 quakes had been recorded in the current swarm, said Jamie Farrell, a research professor of seismology at the University of Utah.

The swarm, which began June 12, is ongoing, he added, though the frequency of earthquakes has slowed down a bit. Typical swarms comprise 10 to 50 quakes, Farrell said.

“As of now, everything that we can see looks like these are tectonic in origin,” he said. “There’s no volcanic signature to any of these events that we’ve found.”

(READ MORE: Yellowstone earthquake swarm slowing, but ongoing — nearly 770 quakes so far. Retrieved 21 March 2023).

Friends, things will not remain as they have! Yellowstone could erupt! Elements will melt. Get your spiritual house in order.

There is a new study that suggests that the ancient Roman Empire fell because of grievous weather. Notice –

A team of researchers based their findings on data from 9,000 wooden artifacts from the past 2,500 years.

They found that periods of warm, wet summers coincided with prosperity, while political turmoil occurred during times of climate instability. The findings have been published online by the journal Science.

Once they had developed a chronology stretching back over the past 2,500 years, they identified a link with prosperity levels in past societies, such as the Roman Empire.

“Wet and warm summers occurred during periods of Roman and medieval prosperity. Increased climate variability from 250-600 AD coincided with the demise of the western Roman empire and the turmoil of the migration period,” the team reported.

(READ MORE: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-12186245. Retrieved 21 March 2023).

Since the United States of America is the most indebted nation in the history of nations, certainly grievous weather troubles will aid in her downfall. In the United States, 97 natural disasters occurred in 2021. Of these, 64 of them were severe thunderstorms, 14 were caused by wildfire, heat waves, and drought, and another 12 were due to floods and flash floods. Eight out of ten of the most expensive natural disasters in the U.S. were hurricanes, with the most expensive being Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with 182.5 billion U.S. dollars! 2

With ever-increasing inflation, domestic terrorism, riots, and civil unrest, along with an increase in food shortages, surely this will awaken the rest of the world to the fact that the US will not─ even if she was capable─ of ever repaying her debts. Recall, former President Donald Trump once said concerning the national debt, “I would borrow, knowing that if the economy crashed, you could make a deal.” 3

Even though we have referred to this many times before – let us quote this once again – the apostle Paul, speaking in a synagogue at Antioch to the sons of the family of Abraham, and all who fear God:

“’ Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

41) ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you’” – Acts 13:40-41.

Continuing with Habakkuk:

“Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction. 13) You are purer eyes then to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A person more righteous than he? 14) Why do You make men like fish of the sea, Like creeping things that have no ruler over them? 15) They take up all of them with a hook, They catch them in their net, And gather them in their dragnet. Therefore they rejoice and are glad. 16) Therefore they sacrifice to their net, And burn incense to their dragnet; Because by them their share is sumptuous And their food plentiful. 17) Shall they therefore empty their net, And continue to slay nations without pity?” – Habakkuk 1:12-17.

“I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2) Then the LORD answered me and said: ‘Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

4) ‘Behold the proud, His [life] is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith’” – Habakkuk 2:1-4.

Notice this end-time prophecy is for an appointed time – the time of the end. It is a prophecy for our time – and it will affect the proud. And, sadly, many will “run who reads it.”

narakeet

After much prayer and fasting, we have decided to utilize a speech synthesis generator to create voiceovers for audio articles for many of our articles along with audio booklets for many of our online booklets. We chose narakeet because of its pricing, ease of use, and very realistic and professional-sounding audio. We currently have over an hour and a half of audio articles available. We thank you immensely for your generous support and financial assistance to help allow us to utilize this─ growing popularity─ technology!

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 “’ Watch’ God’s Way” delivered by Minister Leonard V. Johnson.

• 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

Here in the United States of America two of our largest banks─ failed. This, of course, is cause for concern in Europe. (See: USNews – ‘From Wine Country to London, Bank's Failure Shakes Worldwide’).

Certainly, if this spreads, Europe will blame the USA for the ensuing economic crises.

Will some type of financial crisis trigger the rise of the final ‘beast’ power – a reorganized Europe – which is spoken of in Revelation 17:12-13!? We believe it will.

In Europe, Credit Suisse appears to be having issues as well.

ZeroHedge reports:

“The Market Is Being Brutal”: Futures Crash As Banks Crisis Slams Europe, Credit Suisse Craters

Just when it seemed that futures may finally be stabilizing after a week of rollercoaster moves and one day after US regional banks rebounded amid hopes that the US small bank run was easing, the bank crisis made a triumphant arrival in Europe where (just as we warned yesterday) it was all about Credit Suisse.

The Swiss Bank, already trading at all-time lows after it said yesterday that its financial reports had a material weakness, cratered more than 20%…

… after the bank’s top shareholder, Saudi National Bank Chairman Ammar Al Khudairy, whose stake has lost more than one-third of its value in three months, ruled out investing any more in the troubled Swiss bank as a bigger holding would bring additional regulatory hurdles.

(READ MORE: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/market-being-brutal-futures-crash-banks-crisis-slams-europe-credit-suisse-craters).

We also need to understand there is something else happening:

Silicon Valley Bank collapse worked its way into being the 2nd biggest banking collapse in US history, we’ve got to take another look at that still breaking story from different angles, with both that story over at Coin Telegraph which reporting on how the Silicon Valley Bank failure is urging regulators to step in due to claims that nearly 40,000 of all depositors at Silicon Valley Bank are small businesses and how these bank runs are being used to lead to the ‘new world order‘ and ‘great reset.’ …

So while 10’s of millions of Americans may not think that the collapse of SVB will have any effect upon them at all, as this story over at Coin Telegraph also reports, according to Fed data, small banks in the United States had $6.8 trillion in assets and $680 billion in equity as of February 2023. Considering this scenario, a failure on the tech bank would put in “risk of a run on thousands of small banks,” further making the SBV situation a “main street problem,” said Bob Elliot.

And while The Dispatch reports the Federal government is trying to contain the fallout from this latest bank failure, how long before they can no longer ‘kick that can down the road‘ and things will implode disastrously? It’s not just a coincidence that #TheGreatDepression is trending this very moment on twitter. …

So while March of 2023 might not be that day, and somehow the globalists will manage to kick the can down the road even one more time, knowing that the ‘great reset‘ and ‘new world order‘ are their ‘end games‘ for this mess they’ve created really tells us it’s just a matter of time.

(https://allnewspipeline.com/Bank_Runs_Lead_To_New_World_Order_And_Great_Reset.php).

The Gateway Pundit reports:

Tucker Carlson Goes There: “If People Don’t Start Making a Lot of Noise – It Will Mean Digital Currency… If You Want to Make a Run on the Banks This Is How You Talk” 

And, again, we stress that digital currency is NOT the prophesied ‘mark of the beast.’

Indeed, the USA has been looking into having a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)! And, indeed, this will increase government control and loss of freedom.

As I mentioned before, the Lego Land theme park in Winter Haven, Florida is cashless! And this trend will grow in the coming years! Notice that one of the prophetic events to watch for is: The rising trend of a ‘no cash’ society will increase, and eventually, the United States of America will become a whole cashless society.

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS WORLD!?

Ever greater pushes towards a cashless society, complete surveillance, digital passports, facial recognition, and increasing travel restrictions are all ways which, as stated in the article by allnewspipeline, are aiding the “great reset.”

Yet, again we want to stress─ many of the churches of God are continuing to proclaim that all this is the “666 prophecy.” 

Notice Minister Michael C. Garrett:

I turned to some ICG websites, and I found a booklet – written by Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong – The Mark of the Beast – What Is It? - a man who knew what the Bible said (for the most part), a man who studied and thought about the Word of God, but now has been in his grave for almost sixteen years – wrote the following:

“Millions are deceived! Many believe the Mark of the Beast is yet some future development, a national identity card, or an invisible tattoo, or a microchip implanted beneath the skin, or a plastic credit card.”

Now, pay attention here, because he puts an exclamation point at the end of this sentence.

“All of this is nonsense!”

So, Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong knew enough to realize that all these stories about microchips and ID chips and credit cards and whatnot are indeed nonsense.

“Those who believe such things know nothing of the Bible, of history, or of prophecy!”

Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong was dead-on right! …

The Bible describes a “one-world government”!? No. Now, every time I’ve seen one of these books or one of these movies I’ve always been astounded by this concept that they put forth of “one-world religion,” and “one-world government”! And that seems to bring great joy to people of that ilk to talk about it. And if it were true it would be something to be upset about, but THE BIBLE DOES NOT describe that!

(READ MORE: The MARK of the BEAST).

So, if anyone believes that this world is going to have some super powerful ONE-WORLD RULING GOVERNMENT that will have everyone under the oligarch's control - then you are highly mistaken.

Yes, there is rising a European "beast" power that will ultimately control a large swath of people. That has occurred several times in the past.

But by no means will there ever be just a ONE-WORLD GOVERNMENT under mankind that the whole world is going to jump on board with and go along with. It is not going to happen! Not by human fleshly people!

Concluding Comments

Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:

“And today in my notes, let’s turn to Romans 5 … Verse 20 – “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound.” – now, which law is he talking about!? Is he talking about the Ten Commandments!? I don’t think so. Sometimes in Paul’s writing, he’s talking about the Old Testament law, meaning the laws surrounding the Jewish religion, the temple, the sacrifices, the ceremonial washing, and all the little doodads that they did back in the Old Covenant. And I think he’s referring to the Old Covenant here. Sometimes Paul talks about the New Covenant – many times. In fact, just while we’re talking about that, turn to Romans 7:12 – “Therefore the Law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” I believe he’s talking about the Ten Commandments right there. Because he even used the word commandment. And there are some people who – and it’s really hard to explain this one – there’s a group, there’s a mindset, there’s a movement, in some Protestant churches to bend over backward to try to tell their people that “the law is done away.” Now quite frankly, just to be honest, the origins of that type of statement coming from the fact that there are people going to church on Sunday – and they do it because the people before them did it, their mother, father, grandfather, grandmother. And they’re troubled because if they’re honest with the Bible, the day of church – I like to call it Church day – is what we call here in the Western culture Saturday. The seventh day of the week. Now, there are people, there are religious groups that keep Saturday as their church day - Seventh-Day Adventists, there were some seventh-day Baptists and other outfits. So they were honest enough with the Word of God that they looked in there and say, “Hey folks! Sunday’s not church day!” The weekly church day. But then church “officialdom” came in and made them change to Sunday. But Sunday is not the official church day. It’s the seventh day, which we call Saturday. So, if you say that the Ten Commandments are in effect, all of a sudden, you’re looking at the FOURTH COMMANDMENT – “’ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’” And, that means ‘remember the seventh day of the week.’ Now, what do you do!? How do you get yourself around that!? So, there are people – and I’ve heard of them, … “There’s no place in the New Testament, that requires the keeping of the Ten Commandments.” Well, O’ my! There’s a whole bunch of places, and here’s one of them. It’s just as plain as can be, the Apostle Paul – which in all of the personalities of the Bible, and when you think about the Old Testament prophets and you think about the disciples, and think about John the Baptist, and the various writers of the Bible. In my opinion, and it’s just my opinion, the Apostle Paul is 2nd in the hierarchy of importance, or significance, below Jesus Christ! Paul wrote the majority of what we now call the New Testament. And he wrote that under the inspiration, guidance, and direction of God’s Spirit and of Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ’s mind. Paul knows what he’s talking about! Paul is an authority! And here he says it, “Therefore the Law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” But like I said earlier, sometimes when Paul uses the word “law,” he’s talking about the Old Covenant or the law of the Levites and the temple people. And sometimes when he uses the word “law,” he’s talking about the Ten Commandments and the New Covenant. And you have to have enough wisdom and discretion to know which is which!”

(Christ In You (Unleavened Bread) 2017 Day 4).

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

1) Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Brand, C., and Mitchell, E.A., B&H Publishing Group, © 2015, pg. 1253.

2) https://www.statista.com/topics/1714/natural-disasters/#topicOverview.

3) What Trump really said about the debt, Politico, 10 May 2016.

A Morning Bible Study - God's Love - True Christianity

Leonard V. Johnson     About

Let’s begin this Bible Study by quoting our Lord Jesus Christ –

“ … ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, And with all your mind.’ 38) This is the first and great commandment. 39) And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’” – Matthew 22:37-40.

Here our Lord Jesus Christ simplified God’s holy, eternal, and relevant Law – summed up with the TEN COMMANDMENTS.

Our Lord Jesus Christ came to Earth to teach us how to apply God’s holy Law of love so we could live a happy and abundant life! – “ … ‘I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly’” – John 10:10.

His glorious light shall direct us toward the Way that leads to true happiness, true peace, and true security.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments [which, for mankind, is the TEN COMMANDMENTS] are not burdensome” – 1 John 5:3.

This is a glorious truth that so few understand!

It’s vitally important that we properly understand the true intent and purpose of the LORD God’s holy and immutable Law. Let us allow His living word to show us that it is the very basis of true Christianity.

1) How does God’s living word define the very nature and character of the LORD God – the family of God?

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. GOD IS LOVE, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” – 1 John 4:16.

The primary characteristic of the LORD God is love. And it is the greatest attribute that is transmitted to us by the Spirit of God – 1 Corinthians 13:13. God’s Spirit living within us imparts to our spirit His very traits! And the first and most important fruit of God’s Spirit is love.

The LORD God’s very character can be summed up in the word─ love. Truly, the LORD God’s love is an outflowing concern, of giving, serving, helping, and sharing.

God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ live in complete harmony of love – even before They created angels, and even before They created physical matter. Their love─ which is the Greek word agápē─ also regulates the conduct of all angels toward one another and toward their Creator.

2) What is God’s definition of sin?

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” - 1 John 3:4.

Lawlessness against the Government of God!

Even upon the very creation of angels the LORD God’s Law was in effect! –

“Bless the LORD, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word” – Psalm 103:20, KJV.

Angels obey the living word of the LORD God! Again, the LORD God’s Law── the basis of the Government of God── is love. The Law of God’s Government is THE WAY OF LIFE that causes and produces peace, happiness, prosperity, and well-being. Sin is the way of life that has caused all existing evils.

Does His word clearly tell us that one of the LORD God’s anointed cherubs sinned?

Yes─ we find this in Ezekiel chapter 28.

The LORD God created the angels first, for they shouted for joy when God laid the foundations of the Earth (Job 38:4-7). The LORD God created three archangels – Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer (Luke 1:19; Jude 1:9; Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Rev. 12:7).

Note: Within God’s holy immutable COMPLETE living word─ no other archangels are mentioned. Ancient apocryphal literature (which is not part of the inspired living word of the Eternal One) contains several other names of archangels.

These archangels had special positions at God’s throne in the Third Heaven (Ezek. 28:14, 16).

Lucifer (Hêlēl (in Hebrew #1966), Lucifer in Latin) was eventually assigned to oversee the Earth, to prepare it for the arrival of mankind. A position he later came to resent.

Again, Note: Lucifer, later named Satan the Devil, did not want to continue in the beautification of the earth – preparing it for the age of man. And as I have said before - we learn from God’s living word that angels were never meant to rule the earth or the universe – “the world to come” cf. Hebrews 1:5; 2:5 and see also 1st Corinthians 6:3. He became filled with pride and jealousy – cf. Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28.

Referring to the spirit power behind Tyrus, a wicked Phoenician king, the prophet Ezekiel writes:

“ … ‘You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13) You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.’

“ ’You [Lucifer, not King Tyrus] were the anointed cherub who covers [God’s throne]; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones [in Heaven]. 15) You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity [sin] was found in you’” – Ezekiel 28:12-15.

Sin is the violation of the LORD God’s holy and immutable Law of love.

God’s living word reveals to us that Lucifer became the very first sinner. Vanity, lust, and greed were found in him. He became jealous over the prospect that humans would eventually have the opportunity to become a God! – a very member of the family of God!

Jesus Christ in John 10:30-38 – a wonderful little scene there where He’s confronting some of the local religious folks. And He quotes from the Book of Psalms, and He even says, “’ You are Gods [‘ᵉlōhîm].’” Even in the Old Testament! Psalm 82:6 – this truth is right there in black and white! But for most people in this world, it just passes them by. They have no idea what their future is. You know, in Romans 8 – you read through there – you hear phrases like, “sons of God,” and “the Spirit of sonship,” and “children of God.” You can go through Galatians 3 and hear, “children of God … heirs according to the promise.” There are many more such Scriptures – also Hebrews 2:9-11 – talking about Jesus Christ and saying, “bringing many sons into glory.” And, 1 John 3:1-2 – the people of the world do not understand what you are about to read – but many of you reading this have heard it before, and you do understand it! I just hope that we always deeply appreciate it! “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He [shall appear], we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” We will be like the resurrected Jesus Christ!

Lucifer became jealous and envious of the Word (now known as our Lord Jesus Christ) and attempted to take control of the universe. The prophet Isaiah adds that Lucifer, in his vanity, said, “’ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God’” – this shows that Lucifer had a dominion, a responsibility, on earth – “’ above the stars of God [angels, Rev. 1:20]; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north [the location in the upper heavenly realms of God’s throne]. 14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High [speaking here of God the Father]” – Isaiah 14:13-14.

Lucifer apparently attempted to exalt himself above God – to take control of Heaven.

As the Book of Revelation brings out, this resulted in a war in Heaven in which Lucifer – now called the Enemy, or Satan – and his angels (now demons) were cast out: “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8) but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9) So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” – Revelation 12:7-9.

3) Are all TEN of the LORD God’s Law, for mankind, listed conveniently in the living word of God?

Yes─ we find them listed for us in the Books of Exodus and Deuteronomy.

“ ‘I AM the LORD your God, … 1 You shall have no other gods before Me. 2 You shall not make for yourself a carved image─ any likeness of anything … 3 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, … 4 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. … 5 Honor your father and your mother, … 6 You shall not murder. 7 You shall not commit adultery. 8 You shall not steal. 9 You shall not bear false witness … 10 You shall not covet …’” – Exodus 20:2, 3-4, 7, 8, 12, 13-15, 16, 17.

How do we know that there are exactly TEN!?

“So he [the prophet Moses] was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the TEN COMMANDMENTS” – Exodus 34:28.

His Law which existed long before Moses – the Law which tells us what is wrong and what is right – for the apostle Paul writes, “ … I would not have known sin except through the Law. …” – Romans 7:7.

4) Did our Lord Jesus Christ come to do away with God’s Law!?

No, of course not! Our Lord and Savior made a statement that even to this day the greater majority of our peoples do not understand! – or they refuse to accept as TRUTH!

“’ Do not think …’” – in other words, ‘DO NOT THINK THIS!’ “ … ‘that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets [meaning, the first five Books of the Bible, including the Books of the prophets]. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill’” – Matthew 5:17.

And, sadly, I have personally heard many a minister say that the word ‘fulfill’ means that He did it all for us and that we don’t have to do it at all. The word ‘fulfill’ actually is plēroō in Greek, meaning “to do them.” Because someone had to completely do Almighty God’s Law perfectly. And He certainly did. They had to be obeyed perfectly.

Verse 18 – “’ For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away [a reference to Matthew 24:35 and Revelation 21:1], one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled.’” - Jesus elevated God’s Law to A SPIRITUAL PLANE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT.

So, by all except our Lord Jesus─ there was a spiritual inability. A spiritual lack, – that prevented God’s holy commandments to be kept perfectly. But brethren, we shouldn’t have that lack; we should have the Spirit of God in our minds and in connection with our spirit. God’s Law is spiritual. And CHRIST IN US we can truly keep and OBEY His Law in their spiritual intent.

5) What about the living Church of God!? ─ the very Church our Lord Jesus built. Does God’s living word show us that the Church would be teaching and obeying the TEN COMMANDMENTS along with other instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ!?

Friends, this glorious message of the gospel of the kingdom of God is going out to the Gentile nations, WARNING them. Yet, we don’t expect them – the majority – to receive this message gracefully. Surely, Moslems will not accept God’s glorious message. And, if one does – it’s extremely rare and a truly glorious blessing from our heavenly Father!

Indeed, our Lord Jesus has commissioned:

“’ Go therefore and make disciples [which includes teaching] of ALL THE NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) TEACHING THEM to observe all things that I have commanded you; …’” – Matthew 28:19-20.

The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches follow the admonition of Jesus when He said, “’ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’” – Matthew 10:6, and of course to the potential sheep of Christ. Our mission is to teach the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God to the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ and to testify of Jesus Christ, of His forgiveness, of His atoning sacrifice, of the opportunity for all of us to have Jesus Christ as our great High Priest and to live under the promises of the New Covenant, and to someday be a part of the glorious Kingdom of God!

Now we believe that phrase, ‘lost sheep,’ has a much deeper, spiritual, and heightened meaning. Our Lord Jesus might very well have said, ‘Go to the lost Church members.’ ‘Go to those people who thought they were in a good organization, they didn’t realize their leaders were corrupt and their doctrines were impure – or highly compromised.’ ‘Go to those lost sheep!’ I think it has a double meaning! And, I personally have tried showing some people who think that they are in a good organization. Yet, sadly, their leader's true spirit is not of God. In fact, those same leaders were going to deliver me up before their council and “scourge” me in their church. It can be humbling at times the feeling of loneliness in the faith – but if one mustard seed will take root, then I have done my job.

The LORD God’s living Church today echoes the word of King David and follows God’s Law of love.

6) If we, brethren, receive, renew daily in our mind (Rom. 12:2), and exercise God’s Spirit, will the love of God enable us to ‘fulfill’─ to obey─ God’s holy and immutable Law!?

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit [which] was given to us” – Romans 5:5.

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the Law. … 10) Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law” – Romans 13:8-10.

7) 7) Is it possible to “earn” eternal salvation!?

No!

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “ … ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, …’” – what!? “ … ‘deny himself, …’”

There was “a certain ruler [a Jew] asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’” And, to point out that the commandments He speaks of are God’s and not the Sanhedrin’s, He quotes some – “ … ‘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.’” The certain ruler says, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” And, surely, with 603 additional ones.

“So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell [which certainly also means "deny"] all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” – Luke 18:18-22.

Have you denied thyself!? Have you – as Abraham did – left your ‘father’s house’!? Have you taken up your cross!? And it will be a cross if you truly follow Jesus Christ!

Now I tell you – with all the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ – this world’s “Traditional Christianity” is NOT teaching you to follow Jesus Christ today! As an example: Our Lord Jesus Christ DID NOT keep any Christmas, Easter, or even any New Year’s Eve! “O’,” you exclaim, “we want to follow the traditions of the world!” Those all originated from paganism. And, I tell you this day the majority of those calling themselves “Christian” don’t follow Him! They don’t observe the customs He did. And, they would be aghast to keep the seventh-day Sabbath along with the commanded annual feasts of the LORD – calling them ‘Jewish holidays.’

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “ …’ follow Me!’” So, why don’t you look into your own life and then see what He did – and follow Him! Now, many think, preach, and teach that one shouldn’t teach what the apostle Paul taught. Now, let it be known – I have come across in my research a great many churches of this world downright rejecting the apostle Paul.

Friends, wake up and see the truth! And I know that will bring a lot of persecution of course. People are so prejudiced about what God’s living word actually teaches. And I ask you – is it not clear that there are, even today, two groups!?

What I mean by “groups” is that essentially, there were the true Christians – that had a direct connection to the apostles John and Philip within Asia Minor, and then there were others who were associated with the Greco-Roman confederation of churches that began to emerge even in the first century in Alexandria, Jerusalem, and in Rome.

To follow our Lord Jesus Christ in faith means to obey His commands!

However, we cannot “earn” salvation by keeping His commandments. Salvation unto eternal life is a free gift─

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 6:23.

“The wages of sin is death”! Ask yourself, “Do I agree with that!?” Do you agree with Jesus Christ!? Because, after all, He is the LIVING word of God. And, the Bible is the very same word of God in print. It’s the same word – there is no difference.

So, the wages of sin – wages being something you receive, or what you get for what you’ve done. What you have earned by what you have performed. Capiche? And if sin is what you’ve done, then God’s word says, death. But, according to all those comments on my Facebook news feed the wages of sin is eternal life, not death. It is eternal life in heaven or eternal life in hell. But have you read the rest of this verse!?

‘the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord’!

Ask yourself again, “Do I agree with this!?” Do you believe that you have an immortal soul? Because if you do, then you don’t agree with God. Well, sadly, not very many people agree with God – not very many people do. Have I planted a seed in your heart and mind!? Or just completely turned you off!?

Eternal life is clearly a gift from Almighty God─ it is not something you can earn by only keeping the holy and immutable Law of God. Yet, no one will enter into the kingdom of God as a sinner. Again─

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” - 1 John 3:4.

Following and obeying the LORD God─ His law of love─ enables one to become more like God, until finally BORN AGAIN into the Spirit family at the resurrection, then possessing in full measure God’s holy, righteous, loving character – 1 John 3:9. □

Scriptural Index

Old Testament - Exodus 20:2, 3-4, 7, 8, 12, 13-15, 16, 17; 34:28; Job 38:4-7; Psalm 82:6; 103:20; Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:12-15, 16; Daniel 10:13.

New Testament - Matthew 5:17, 18; 10:6; 22:37-40; 24:35; 28:19-20; Luke 1:19; 18:18-22; John 10:10, 30-38; Romans 5:5; 6:23; 7:7; 8:14-16; 12:2; 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 13:13; Galatians 3:26-29; Hebrews 1:5; 2:5; 1 John 3:1-2, 9; 4:16; 5:3; Revelation 1:20; 12:7-9; 21:1. 

Being Born Again (Sermon)

 

Welcome! The COJCOM is pleased to present our latest sermon via our UGETube channel - Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.

Being Born Again

sermon length: 57:59

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE "BORN AGAIN"! If someone was to come to your door and ask, "Brother, have you been born again?" Would you know how to properly answer─ using God's living word!? Here in this sermon, Minister Leonard V. Johnson covers with you─ the answer. Using God's living word.

DIRECT LINK to this sermon "Being Born Again"

Additional Items of Related Interest:

A Willingness To Change - A sermon delivered by Minister Michael C. Garrett of the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ 2019 on the TRUTH that one has to have the WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE─ to repent. To completely change their way of living to the LORD God's Way.

A Morning Bible Study: What do you mean... Born Again? - Born again. A profound truth, that even today, still completely mystifies many people.

What do you mean... 'Born Again'? - “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” In the Book of John, the 3rd chapter here we read the response that Jesus gave to a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus [...]

Commentary: Do Not Despair

 by Guy C. LaMar

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COJCOM · Commentary - Do Not Despair Audio Article

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When week after week things are thrown at our peoples that make them become more and more weak─ to the point that they become exceedingly fragile, then it is at that point that they are on the very edge to all things.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” – 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Sometimes─ if not often─ a person who is so down-and-out will call to talk to their “family” member or their “friends.” And those good “family” members, or their good old “friends” will only ramble on about themselves with little to no concern about anything else.

Or, a person can easily sense that their good old “friends” or “family” does not truly care to hear about their problems and difficulties─ thus the person begins to feel that much more alienated.

When things like this happen to people, it can break them.

It can easily cause people to feel helpless and worthless.

Often─ thoughts of suicide creeps into their mind.

Many who are at this point of feeling so hurt, betrayed, worthless to others may feel that God is not there for them. It is at such a point they may attempt to end their own life.

Friends─ if we are not on ALERT with the TRUE LOVE OF GOD within us to see such signs, then we may end up having callused blinders on.

If we are unable to see past our own nose and our own wants, then we will never be able to see the needs of others.

Sadly, the results of such desperate people can come to an end when such a desperate person ends up taking their own life. So as to end their pain and hurt that seems to never go away─ due to the rejections they feel.

Brethren, as true Christians, we MUST PUT ON GODLY LOVE! A deep concern and out-going care for others.

When the LORD God brings such a feeling in our heart─ then you best embrace it. It is the LORD God pushing you to help save someone.

What is even more alarming is that many times such people are those who cover up their pain and hurt. We must be ALERT, we must be able to read between the lines to suspected people of whom are in such pain and hurt.

Sadly, the WORLDLY─ more often than not─ only knows self.

Worldly people tend not to see past themselves in most cases. It’s all about “me,” “me,” “I,” and “who cares,” and “I don’t care!”

The LORD God is not a part of their lives. But, a true Christian will care.

God’s living word tells us, brethren, to be on ALERT!

Notice these Scriptures –

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” – 1 Peter 5:8.

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist WITH TRUTH, having put on the breastplate OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15) and having shod your feet WITH THE PREPERATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16) above all, taking the shield OF FAITH with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17) And take the helmet OF SALVATION, and the sword OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD; 18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, BEING WATCHFUL to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints─ ” – Ephesians 6:14-18.

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation [the coming] of Jesus Christ” – 1 Peter 1:13.

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2) For YOU YOURSELVES know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3) For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ …” ─ or even “peace for our time!” ─ “then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

4) But you, brethren, ARE NOT IN DARKNESS, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5) You are all [children] of light and [children] of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

6) Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us WATCH AND BE SOBER. 7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8) But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the BREASTPLATE OF FAITH AND LOVE, as a helmet THE HOPE OF SALVATION.

9) For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9.

“’ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak’” – Mark 14:38.

If we lack self-control we will lose the battle over self-pity, or depression, and may become consumed by whatever it is that is hurting us─ to the point of loss.

So, where is the LORD God when His begotten people feel such despair!?

King David─ under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit –

“The righteous cry out, AND THE LORD HEARS, And delivers them out of all their troubles. 18) The LORD is near to those who have a broken [or humble] heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all” – Psalm 34:17-19.

Also, the very word of the Eternal, the LORD our God –

“Thus says the LORD: … ‘Fear not, for I AM with you; Be not dismayed, for I AM your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand’” – Isaiah 38:1; 41:10.

And, as the LORD God told the children of Israel, the LORD God also says to us, brethren –

“ … ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you TODAY. … 14) The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace’” – Exodus 14:13, 14.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” – Jeremiah 29:11.

The epistle of the apostle Paul to our brethren in ancient Philippi, a city in Thrace (northeast Greece), to us, brethren, the spiritual descendants of Abraham –

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13.

God’s divine living word is clear─ STAY CALM!

Give it all over to the LORD God.

Never give up on the LORD our God as He will guide us if we turn to Him!

And to put the icing on the cake, WATCH, AND PRAY WITHOUT CEASING AND FOLLOW GOD’S WAY!

OBEY HIS HOLY LAW─ summed up with the TEN COMMANDMENTS! cf. Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 22:37-40.

Do not allow human reasoning to over-take your thoughts. SEEK THE LORD GOD’S WILL.

That is how the LORD God will be there for you! Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ If you love Me [if you are loyal] keep My commandments’” – John 14:15.

Which can’t be anymore clearer.

The worst things will just roll away once that is done.

Your comfort will not come as much from other people as much as it will from the LORD God.

TRUST and BELIEVE the LORD God for help─ and it will come. □

ADDITIONAL COMMENTARIES

Personal From... There Should Be Delay No Longer

Leonard V. Johnson     About

I was perusing Facebook this early morning, and I noticed that Minister Guy had posted a photo of the front cover of a magazine while it was sitting perched in a magazine rack at Lowe’s – for all the world to see! A blasphemous magazine titled Witches! However, it’s not witches I wish to speak about here – they are just a means to an end that Satan the Devil uses at his disposal. It did, however, make me immediately think of Revelation chapter 10.

     A mighty vision that the apostle John was experiencing while being confined on the Island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea.

     In the 10th chapter of Revelation, down in verse 6 – “and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, …” – meaning, it’s the end of man’s rule!

     I believe it’s important in this Personal to go over again with all of you God’s living TRUTH in this matter. Not too many ministers have tried to talk about this important subject of this “little book” which is open in the hand of a mighty angel. I do know of one false minister in Edmund, Oklahoma who believes that it was he who wrote this “little book”! Well, this “little book” isn’t written by any human being─ it’s written by the LORD God!

     Let us go through Revelation chapter 10 and like Paul Harvey always said, let us see The Rest of the Story.

     Verse 1 - “I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.”

     This mighty being here is described as an angel. But it is also describing characteristics that we read about of our Lord Jesus Christ! There are some which question as to whether it is our Lord. I, personally, do not believe it is speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ. This mighty angel, certainly an archangel, is a representative of Christ. Let us recall in the Book of Luke when an angel had told the priest Zacharias, ‘Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will also go before Christ in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.’’ And Zacharias in essence asked the angel, ‘How do you know that I am going to have a son?’ And the angel answered, “’I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.’” So, we have this description of a mighty angel which has a rainbow about his head, his face shining as it was the sun, his feet as it were like a pillar of fire – or even as it were “like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace.”

     Verse 2 – “He had a little book in his hand. …”

     Again, this “little book” is not written by some human being! This “little book” is written by the LORD God! And here, the apostle John – it surely reminds us of the prophet Ezekiel, in which he saw a vision of God, which said to him, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.’ … 9) Now when I [prophet Ezekiel] looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10) Then He spread it before me; … 3:1) Moreover He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, …” – Ezekiel 2:1, 9-10; 3:1. And when he looked upon the scroll there was writing on the inside and on the outside – covered with lamentations and mourning and woe. Friends, it was not a comforting bedtime story which the prophet Ezekiel was reading!

     What so many of our peoples around the world may not realize is that this “little book” contains some of the prophetic events which are going to immediately take place just before the SEVENTH TRUMP is to be blown! The SEVENTH TRUMP is the RESURRECTION TRUMPET!

     Sadly, the remnant churches of God continue to teach as gospel a little red booklet which was written in 1972 entitled The Key to the Book of Revelation─ and also, sadly, they seem to swear by it. To this very day a great many people continue to be hung up with their early teachings, their training, from a man─ who in many ways, and yet, in all candor, and in all honesty, I’ve come to realize that in many of the things which he taught he just simply didn’t have it down correctly. Of course I love and respect him. As an example which Minister Michael C. Garrett has given us before─ in the early years of the Church of God it was taught (as doctrine) that all aborted babies were lost. They had no chance to ever be resurrected. Because, as they said, “They had not received the breath of life.” Like a large majority of Mr. Armstrong’s doctrines, this too was “borrowed” from Protestant groups. We, of course, do not believe nor teach this. It’s WRONG! It’s not correct! The – according to a 2022 article by Fox News – over 63 MILLION babies aborted since Roe vs Wade will live again! Along with all the untold millions around the world that are aborted for one reason or another.

     The majority of the thousands of remnant churches of God will not, or they will refuse to see Revelation chapter 10 in this way – even including many Protestant church groups. Yet, as the LORD God says – through the prophet Daniel – “Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, ‘My lord, what shall be the end of these things?’” And the great archangel Michael says, “Many shall be purified, made white, and REFINED, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” So many from the early Church of God continue to say, “I don’t want to learn any more than I did in 1972! ─ don’t confuse me!”

     “ … And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.”

     This obviously is showing that the LORD God now has all authority over the whole earth – “the sea and the land.”

     Verse 3 – “and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.”

     These “seven thunders” being – even though this is very poetic figurative language – we have to believe is referring to seven angelic beings.

     Verse 4 – “Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

     These “seven thunders” ─ the Greek word translated “thunder” means “to roar” ─ are crying out for the LORD God’s judgment to come upon the sinful nations of the earth. And this thunder represents the very voice of the LORD God –

     “The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire” – Psalm 18:13.

     Friends, it’s very probable that the reason why the LORD God sealed up the things which the seven thunders uttered is because they are simply too terrifying to record!

     Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself says to us –

     “’ men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken’” – Luke 21:26.

     Surely the majority of our peoples think that means meteorites and comets striking the earth. And this will indeed occur at some point in time. However, we contend that this means that Satan the Devil and his demons will be expunged from the atmosphere of the earth. Recall, once our Lord Jesus says, “’ I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’”? There will be a great spiritual war we’re told in the Book of Revelation as well as in the Book of Daniel – “At that time Michael shall stand up” – Michael the great archangel, and all of his subordinate angels will directly engage in spiritual warfare with Satan and his demons. And Michael and all the holy angels will be victorious! And Satan and his demons will no longer be allowed in the atmosphere, but will be confined upon the earth. We believe this is what is meant here.

     And speaking of Satan the Devil and his minions being “cast to the earth” ─ when it comes to UFOs─ even though I believe that the majority of UFO sightings are simply mistaken identity, only about 2-5% of all UFO sightings are truly unidentified objects in the sky─ 1 how can any physical object, no matter how old an “advanced race” (which is based wholly on evolution) becomes, defy the laws of physics!? Truly, this is more spiritual than natural.

     Author Gary Bates summarizes –

     “They [UFOs] are already here. Some way and somehow they appear to be emanating from our own planet. They are visible yet do not seem to be real physical objects. In other words, they do not seem to be bound by the same physical laws as the rest of our material/natural world.” 2

     Since the very beginning of the world, Satan the Devil and his followers have been deceiving people into believing there is no true LORD God, becoming the “god of this age” having blinded those “who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” – 2 Corinthians 4:4.

     And what an ingenious way! Satan and his demons want to confuse people and keep them from having the gospel of Christ to shine upon them. What better way to confuse an advanced technological world ─ than truly an evolutionary humanistic religion, called UFO religion.

This Whole World Has Been Deceived!

Our mortal and spiritual enemy, Satan the Devil, is doing his job very well!

     Soon, the prophesied “end-time prophets” will come on the scene. Throughout our history, many peoples were martyred doing God’s true work – and in the very near future, there will be many more martyred – 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. But first ─

     “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.’ 2) And I looked, 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.” – Revelation 6:1-2.

     Now, I guess there could be different interpretations. It is possible that this represents a false religion gaining great strength and world prestige again –the Mother Church of Europe – which has plunged this world into numerous world wars!

     Notice –

     “ …’ 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.

     “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” – Revelation 6:3-4.

     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 Catholic United States of Europe (‘king of the North’) and the Islamic confederation of nations (‘king of the South’) – cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16.

     Notice –

     “’ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. …’” – Matthew 24:7a.

     Religious motivated militancy and aggression often lead to war. And wars often lead to number three.

     “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.’” – Revelation 6:5-6.

     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.

     Notice –

     “ … ‘And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places’” – Matthew 24:7b.

     “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. And power was given to them over A FOURTH OF THE EARTH, to kill with SWORD, with HUNGER, with DEATH, and by the beasts of the earth” – Revelation 6:7-8.

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

     You take 8 billion people – we’re talking about 2 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).

     Notice –

     “’ All these are the beginning of sorrows’” – Matthew 24:8.

     Friends, a great many of our peoples continue to get wrong the timing of these prophetic events.

     Notice that our Lord Jesus now changes His focus to the “end-time prophets,” He says, “’ Then …’”

     “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” – Revelation 6:9. This, of course, is allegorical language.

     “’ 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’” – Matthew 24:9-12.

     And they – possibly twelve final end-time prophets (though God's living word does not say) – 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!

     Notice –

     “’ 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’” – Matthew 24:14.

     His very next word, “’ Therefore …’” is used to clarify the relationship between the previous – verses 9-14 – and smooth His transition from one thought to the next – verses 15-22.

     We end up back with “there should be delay no longer”!

The Great DECEIVER!

This great DECEIVER who has deceived the whole world has sent out his messengers with soft and often charismatic words─ their devious ruse designed to take advantage of desperate people, corrupting the living word of God for filthy lucre. To soothe the people of earth into thinking all is well.

     Of course our Lord Jesus Christ has warned us of these –

     “’ Beware of false prophets [false ministers], who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves’” – Matthew 7:15.

     And in order for Satan the Devil and his followers to deceive the whole world he has used every means available to him. According to a 2023 article by Billboard, Satanism is on the rise! “Whether it's Lil Nas X pole-dancing into hell or Sam Smith sporting devil horns at the Grammys, outrage at queer artists using Satanic imagery has been on the rise as of late.” Also, according to a 2022 US Today Times article: According to census data, Satanism and devil worship are on the rise.

     “One of the most surprising findings of the 2021 census when collecting its data on religion is the rapid rise of Satanism.

     The number of people in England and Wales who identified themselves as Satanists increased by 167 percent between 2011 and 2021. Office for National Statistics (ONS) researchers found that the number of Satanists increased from 1,893 to 5,054 over that ten-year period.”

     Certainly with such seemingly innocuous movies as the Harry Potter franchise, along with a plethora of teenage witch television shows geared towards children, this doesn’t come as any surprise!

     As Minister Guy LaMar stated in his post – “the EVIL one is making a showing big time”!

     Why!?

     Because he knows that his time is growing short – cf. Revelation 12:12. □

1) Gary Bates. Alien Intrusion. Updated and Expanded Edition. (Powder Springs: Creation Book Publishers, 2004). Pg. 16.

2) Ibid. 156.