Friday, March 24, 2023

End-Time Prophets (Online Book) - Chapter 4


Greetings Everyone! The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are pleased to bring you our latest free no-obligation online PDF booklet "END-TIME PROPHETS" by Minister Michael C. Garrett.

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3:51 - Germany's Merkel
7:07 - Do not discuss religion or politics?


Minister Michael C. Garrett     About

Chapter 4 - Do Not Discuss Religion Or Politics?

Note: This book was created from a series of sermons starting in November 2016 by Mr. Garrett. This book consists of 6 chapters reflecting the eight sermons published of the same title. This book is for the convenience of having all eight sermons in one easy-to-read format and download. These sermons are on our YouTube channel - Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ - YouTube

Today is November 26, 2016. And most of us woke up this morning to the news that Fidel Castro, the long-time dictator of Cuba – the Marxist–Leninist – who took power in 1959 in a coup and has ruled that island nation with a strong hand died on November 25th, 2016. He had to give up his control in about the year 2006 because of some health issues. Apparently, he underwent surgery for intestinal bleeding, and on 31 July 2006, delegated his presidential duties to his brother Raúl Castro. So, the Castro brothers have been in charge ever since 1959.
     The announcement was greeted in so many different ways. Late last night the news spread in Little Havana, down in Miami, Florida. In Little Havana are people who – for the most part – with their families escaped Cuba. Or, came over from Cuba to get away from that island dictatorship. And, the people who were there last night – young and old – were greatly celebrating. And I mean celebrating his death.
     And yet, the island nation itself – I saw a few pictures this morning – it was very somber and quiet. And you began hearing reports from different world leaders. And some of the socialist-type leaders were praising Castro – “This great man. This great leader. This epic figure of the 20th century!” And, even our own president (Barack Hussein Obama II) said, “history will record and judge” former Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s impact on the island nation.
     That seems to me such a foolish comment. And I guess what Donald Trump tweeted out fits more in my opinion. He was not diplomatic. He was very bold and just said, “Fidel Castro is dead!” He was a dictator! He killed people, he put them in jail, and he impoverished his nation! He caused untold misery! And, I heard this morning that Fidel Castro was responsible for mass murders. To date, the number of executions carried out by the Cuban government is still unclear but estimates range from 10,000 to 100,000 people. And, isn’t it funny – the people on the Left, they always try to portray themselves as being “open-hearted,” magnanimous, caring and giving. And yet, they are the most intolerant people on the face of the earth! For the Left, you have to agree totally with them or somehow you’re just a terrible human being. And in some situations – not worthy of life!
     But, “ding dong, the witch is dead!” And in this case – it’s Fidel Castro! And, all I can say is – good riddance to him. And, I just wish that someday the people of Cuba could live in a true democracy, true freedom, and have normal peaceful profitable lives. And I’m sure all those people in Little Havana wish that for their countrymen also.
     But anyway – the world goes on!

Germany’s Merkel

In this chapter, I would like to briefly read what was in USA Today on November 20th, 2016. The headline reads – Germany’s Merkel will seek a fourth term, face populist tide by Kirsten Grieshaber The Associated Press.
     Now, this talks about some of the very things which we here at the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ have been talking about for a long time.
     “BERLIN — Angela Merkel, who has steered Germany through several global crises as its first female leader, said Sunday she will seek a fourth term as chancellor in elections next year when she could find herself up against the anti-immigrant populist tide that has swept both Europe and the U.S.
     “I literally thought about this decision endlessly ... but I am ready to run for office again,” Merkel told reporters after meeting with high-ranking members of her center-right party. “I want to serve Germany.”
     Repeatedly named “The World’s Most Powerful Woman” by Forbes magazine, Merkel, 62, has been cast by some as the last powerful defender of liberal values ...”
     As opposed to conservative.
     “ ... in the West following Donald Trump’s election as the next U.S. president.
     The nationalist Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, could prove to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to her re-election. The party, now represented in 10 state parliaments, has aggressively campaigned against Merkel’s decision to welcome an estimated 890,000 migrants into Germany last year, many of them Muslims fleeing the war-torn Middle East and Africa.
     Trump’s election and Britain’s vote last June to withdraw from the European Union have reflected, in part, growing populist and anti-immigrant sentiment among voters. Elections next year could also see a far-right politician become president of France, which has been beset by violence by Islamic extremists.
     Merkel said she expects strong challenges from the left and right fringes as Germany has become more polarized.
     “This election will be difficult — like no other election since the reunification” of West and East Germany in 1990, she said.
     A date has not been set for the election, but it will take place sometime between Aug. 23 and Oct. 22.”
     So, there are democratic parties – there are movements – inside both Germany and France that want to take a different direction in their countries. They’re not happy with the way that their countries are going. And, we’ve been saying this now – for the past three years – you’re going to see this happen! And in the end those countries in Europe that are swinging far-Right are going down the road of certain increased militarism. And, sooner or later they are going to look upon the Muslim people of North Africa and the Middle East as enemies – and they will invade those Islamic countries. In what we call The Last Crusade. So, things are heating up! And, biblical prophecy is being fulfilled – and you can even read about it in secular articles.

Do not discuss religion or politics?

Now, there’s a very old adage – in our culture – and I guess within the last twenty or thirty years I’ve heard a lot. And, I can’t remember hearing it when I was twenty or thirty, yet, here within the last two or three decades, you hear it a lot. It goes, “Do not discuss politics or religion in general company.” And often it is said in the context of, “don’t bring up the subject.”
     Now, that’s odd because America was founded by people sitting around – maybe on their job site sipping tea – discussing politics. And finally, enough discussion took place that back in 1775 Edmund Burke presents his 13 articles to the Westminster Parliament! The American colonists decided they no longer wanted to be under the heavy hand of King George III of England. And a movement was started, and inflamed, and before it was over, the American Revolutionary War came about! And before it was over America announced her Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776! And, from the miracles of God, the American colonists defeated the greatest military and naval power in the world at that time. Now, it never should have happened! But, with God’s blessing – it did!
     But, if everyone just sat around going, “I don’t want to say anything because I might upset somebody!” If everyone had done that, we would be saluting Queen Elizabeth II! Well, quite frankly, the world probably would not have survived the anguish and tyranny of World War I and World War II!
     Yet, that’s what we say in our culture today – “Do not discuss politics or religion in general company.”
     Well, if you want to know the truth – that phrase is actually a form of what we call now “political correctness.” Do you know what “political correctness” is!? It’s when another group of people, or a mass of people, or a movement of people, decide – ‘we’re going to tell the American people what they can say and what they can think.’ And they must not deviate from what this big mass tells them to. Well, friends, I contend that that is totally un-American! And I think it’s W R O N G! And I do not subscribe to such a situation! And I don’t think the Bible does either!
     Now, discussing politics, or discussing religion, is not the problem. The discussion is not the problem – it’s the manner or the style, the approach in which the discussion takes place. And the normal reason why people say, “don’t discuss politics or religion,” is because somebody in the group will become very hostile, or very aggressive, and end up attacking the other side of the argument. So, it’s not the discussion that’s bad – it’s the manner in which people perform the discussion. Now, keep in mind – we are to show respect to the people with whom we are around. And that’s godly.
     If you would turn to Matthew 19:17.
     If you would just follow the Words of Jesus, a discussion of politics or religion would not become a problem. I’ve had many discussions in my life with people who were part of other religious bodies or doctrines or ideas. And I have never got into an argument with a single one of them. And every time I’ve had this discussion I have tried to be polite, and respectful. And in doing that – I have learned a lot!
     doing that – I have learned a lot! You must have a respect for the people you are talking to. I have some Catholic friends – and ever-so-often we will talk religion. But I’m very respectful in what I say to them. And I try not to say the things which will inflame their passions. And I try to approach it from a very academic and intellectual viewpoint. And again, I will say, “The Word of God says, ...” And on several occasions I’ve had my Catholic friends say, “But, my priest says the following ...” “Fine,” I respond, “But that’s not what the Word of God says.” And then I’ll actually quote it and show them. And then they run off to their priest and two or three days later, they say, “Well, we’re gonna do it that way anyway.”
     Now, everyone is entitled to their thoughts – especially in this country. We do have freedom of religion. If you have a Baptist friend – they have a right to be a Baptist. And, if you have a Pentecostal friend – they have a right to be Pentecostal. If they’re Catholic – they have the right to be Catholic. If they’re a republican - they have the right to be a Republican. And, if they’re a democrat - they have the right to be a Democrat. Or a libertarian or whatever else. And, they need to be shown that respect.
     So, have your discussion based upon respect and logic.
     “So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.’” – now, I guess, Jesus as He was a human being felt a little inferior to God the Father. He says, ‘there’s only One ultimate holy Being right now, and that’s God the Father.’ “ ... ‘But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’”
     Verse 18 – “He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19) ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’’” – so, what is He quoting here!? He’s quoting the Ten Commandments as we find back in the Books of Deuteronomy and Exodus!
     Matthew 22:35 – again a very similar passage. “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36) ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ 37) Jesus said to him, ‘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.’” – or, rather, divine principle. Verse 39 – “’ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – RESPECT! Verse 40 – “’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’”
     He’s saying that the totality of the Bible can be summarized on these two ideas. ‘Love the LORD with all your heart, mind, and soul. And, love your neighbor as yourself.’ Again, RESPECT!
     If you would, Matthew 7 – we see where this idea is represented by Jesus Christ Himself. Verse 12 – “’ Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’” – this is the so-called ‘Golden Rule.’
     Now, keep in mind – what are we talking about!? Can you discuss religion and politics in public? Sure you can. But you have to do it in a spirit of respect. You can’t just start making fun of people and tearing their ideas down and then embarrassing them and trying to intimidate them. You’re nothing more than a bully – if you do that. But if you have a respectful discussion, and an intellectual academic discussion – sure you can talk about those things.
     Matthew 5:44 – “’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.’”
     So, what Jesus is saying – I’m going to paraphrase it – when others are disrespectful to you, try to be respectful to them. Even in the face of their disrespect.
     Romans 13 – Paul gets in on this subject. Verse 8 – “Owe no one anything except to love one another, ...” – to be respectful to one another. “ ... for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9) For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in the saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 10) Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
     Yes, we are to be very respectful.
     Galatians 5:13 – “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; ...” – religious freedom. “ ... only do not use liberty ...” – or that freedom “ ... as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [one phrase], even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
     Indeed, these are powerful thoughts! And, these are thoughts we need to think about – at all times!
     Also, Romans 14:13 – “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, ...” – and the word judge has the connotation of condemning. “ ... but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”
     Now, I would contend that when you are on the telephone and you tell somebody, “I’m going to do everything within my power to destroy you and the church in Owensboro!” I have a feeling that you have not read this verse nor have you understood it – and you are not living by it! It’s not our job to go out and destroy a Baptist, a Pentecostal, a Methodist, or a Catholic. As I said, I’ve had many conversations with people of various religions. And, I normally approach it from a curiosity standpoint – I’m trying to figure out what they believe and why. I want to know the why. Why do you teach that!? Why do you believe that!? Where does it come from!? And here’s what I have found so many times – most people don’t know how to explain their own religion.
     Well, people can disagree, without being disagreeable. And here – in our days following the US presidential election – our nation is just all torn up! The liberals are all just having crying fits! They’re angry, they’re lashing out, protesting, yelling, and calling people names. It’s really difficult to understand. Well, if you have a friend or a family member who voted for the other person – don’t be disrespectful. I would ask – why did you vote for that person.
     Ephesians 6:18 – “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all saints – 19) and for me ...” – Paul is saying, ‘pray for me.’ “ ...that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.”
     That was Paul’s attitude. He wasn’t going to be a shaking little rabbit – he was going to be bold like a lion roaring it out!
     Turning to Acts 4 – and I believe we’ve covered some of these verses in earlier articles. Acts 4:13 – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
     Verse 29 – “’ Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy [Son] Jesus.’”
     And that’s what the end-time prophets are going to do.
     Verse 31 – “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.”
     Not timid. Not scared. Not intimidated. Boldness – and I believe that God’s servants should be that way!
     As far as getting an answer. You should not go around knocking on people's doors. However, if somebody asks you a question, don’t curl up into the corner in a fetal position like you’re afraid to talk. Stand up tall, throw your shoulders back and look them in the eye and tell them exactly what needs to be said – with kindness, love, and respect. But don’t be ashamed of the Word of God. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus Christ – of the very Plan of God.
     1 Peter 3:15 – “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear [and respect].”
     Always be ready to give an answer! Don’t go, “Well, that’s private, and I just don’t want to talk about it.”
     Look at Revelation 3. As far as people who can’t make up their minds, what did Jesus say to a church group in the first century A.D.?
     Revelation 3:15 – “’I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16) So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.’”
     And what Jesus is saying – ‘I wish you had some boldness to you!’ ‘I wish you had some courage!’ Remember, courage is nothing more than another word for faith.
     Matthew 12. You’ve got to be aware of what you stand for and at some point, you’ve got to be willing to stand up and make a stand! So, keep this in mind – Matthew 12:36 – “’ But I say to you that for every idle word [every act or thought] men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment. 37) For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’”
     And if you are ashamed of the Words of Jesus Christ, He says that He will be ashamed of you! And yet if you are bold – I have a feeling that Jesus will stand with you and by you forever! You have to be ready to stand up for what you believe.
     Again, I’m not speaking about being hostile, or disrespectful. But you have to be able to stand your ground and say, “This is what I believe!”
     Romans 14:10 – “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? ...”
     “ ... For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 12) So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” – and who you are and what you believe and the courage that you have to do that!
     2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body [in their life], according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
     I would rather stand before the judgment seat of Christ and have Him say, “Mike, you were bold. You were a warrior. You didn’t back down, but you didn’t do it with meanness or hatred. You simply stood by My Word and My record and My Truth! And for that, I AM proud of you! Well done My good and faithful servant!” That’s what I would like to hear someday. But for some – remember Peter, after Jesus was arrested, Peter goes all scaredy-cat. Remember he was asked, “Well, weren’t you with Jesus!?” And he says, “Oh no, I never knew the man!” And, he even went into this torrid of cursing! Peter wasn’t nearly as brave as he thought he was. Now, later, after he has God’s Spirit he was brave, and he was bold.
     But friends, when it comes to discussing politics or religion always be respectful to the people to whom you are speaking. Don’t try to denigrate them or rub them into the ground. But at the same time – stand up for what you believe and boldly speak the truth. We should not be ashamed of what we believe! And, I hope all of you know what you believe. And I hope that you’re willing to stand up and fight for it – if you have to. Be bold. Be brave.
     Be S T R O N G in the Lord your God!
  




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11-26-2016 - End-Time Prophets - Part D
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Tuesday, March 21, 2023

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



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.”

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.


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.

The Gateway Pundit reports:


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!”


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.
3) What Trump really said about the debt, Politico, 10 May 2016.
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Monday, March 20, 2023

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. 

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