CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES
P.O. BOX 6458
SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34606
Leonard V. Johnson
Pastor and Founder
Dearest Brethren and Friends:
Greetings, we hope you had a spiritually productive month.
We have been working on many things.
Is Matthew 24:14 being fulfilled – now!?
We see that a great many of the descendants of the old Worldwide Church of God are continuing the misappropriation of Matthew 24:14. And they are doing this for greed – for profit (cf. Jude 1:10-11). They continue to teach it as, “And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a WARNING and a WITNESS unto all nations, …” It does NOT say that! Jesus Christ says – quoting from the Authorized Version – “’ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’” The word witness is from the Greek word marturion, meaning testimony. And, testimony is almost always rendered “witness” in the Revised Version (RV). The New American Standard Bible (NASB) renders it, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Our Lord Jesus Christ just said the TRUTH OF GOD will be preached. But human beings have incorrectly come up with the idea that THEY are going to be the ones doing the preaching!
Also, as I have personally noticed, many of the so-called ministers from many of these church groups are referring to the apostles on a first-name basis! As if they are on a par with the apostles of Christ Jesus! I say that this is borderline blasphemous! If you have noticed in our writings we have nearly always referred to the apostles as the apostles. We try to always show proper respect – they rightfully earned their title, apostle. Note: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15.
Back in 2018, I received a message via Facebook from a man who stated, “The gospel that should be preached now is the gospel of the grace of God.” And he quoted Acts 20:24 to try and prove his conclusion. Well, he is partially correct.
“ … so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” – Acts 20:24.
The Apostle Mark, under great inspiration of the Spirit of God, wrote in Mark 1:14-15, “Now after John [the Baptist] was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe [believe this great announcement] …’” Also, in Luke 4:43 – “but He [Jesus Christ] said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God …’” And then, after His human death and His glorious resurrection, Acts 1:3 – “to whom He [Jesus Christ] also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days …” and what was He talking about!? “…and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”
The Apostle Paul, also, when he was under house arrest, fearing that he might die, Acts 28:23 – “… he explained and solemnly testified of the Kingdom of God, …” Also in Acts 28:31 we read, “preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
Indeed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of the kingdom of God, the good news of Jesus Christ our Savior, the good news that Jesus died for our sins, and that after three days and nights walked out of the tomb – establishing a pattern. And, it’s the good news of the New Covenant. A new contract, an agreement between Jesus Christ – our Elder Brother – and us. And, it’s the good news of God’s grace – the promise of eternal life.
O my! The kingdom of God – a beautiful and powerful soon-coming kingdom! And, that’s what all of us should be focused on! The kingdom of God! Jesus says, “’ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [all our physical needs] shall be added to you’” – Matthew 6:33.
Our Lord Jesus Christ also says (and I use the word says and not said – because His word is living! It is a living word; He is continuing to say it to all peoples of the Earth!), “ ‘My kingdom is not of this world. …’” The word kingdom in Greek is basileia, meaning “the realm in which a king sovereignly rules.”
Yet sadly, like the man who wrote me back in 2018, so many people about the highways and byways of these worldly churches it’s not always clear that the people of God – those individuals whom Jesus Christ and God the Father have called and chosen to understand the Truth of God – are indeed to seek first and foremost the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Again, many of the descendants of the Worldwide Church of God continue to teach that they are the ones doing this great testimony – this witnessing. And in TRUTH – in the end-time – that TESTIMONY will come from Jesus Christ through His chosen ‘witnesses’ (possibly 12) – the “end-time prophets.” Friends, it is not referring to printing presses, or radio stations, or TV and all of that – as they continue to teach their members – “We strongly believe that whatever you send [speaking of you sending them money] is well spent to support the Philadelphian remnant as we work on Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20.”
Our Lord Jesus Christ isn’t going to rely upon the sometimes half-hearted efforts of human beings! He’s going to take care of that job Himself! The Two Witnesses for 3 ½ years will have the power from God and Jesus to do untold miracles that this world has never seen or imagined! Jesus said, “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, … the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, …’” – John 14:12. Sadly, many of these remnant church groups continue to proudly proclaim, “Hey, we’ve got to pump out all this information. So send more money, send more money!”
Possibly twelve witnesses, which are martyred (cf. Matthew 24:9) down to what the Bible calls the ‘two witnesses’ (See: Revelation 11:3), are basically patterned after the historic work of Moses and Aaron. There were times when Moses and Aaron went to the house of the pharaoh and pronounced a decree. ‘Thus says the Eternal God!’ The end-time prophets will do that also! But these end-time prophets will also say just like Moses and Aaron said to Pharaoh, ‘Let my people go!’ ‘Let the people of Israel go!’ And so the end-time prophets – in this modern end-time – will be demanding the leaders of this soon-coming ‘beast’ power – this ten nation combine – ‘Let loose, let free, the captives which came from the house of Israel!’ (Be sure to read our FREE three-part series of booklets – Prophecy Series).
Also, I have personally noticed that a great many of these remnant church groups hypocritically quote our Lord Jesus Christ, “ ‘ … Freely you have received, freely give’” – Matthew 10:8. Stating to their members and followers, “Yes, we are to freely give. With your financial support, we have been able to give the world many truths from the Bible, proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God in over 1000 languages, reach people all over the world on radio as well as the internet, teach the youth, support the poor, and preach around the world.” And then, they sell their books and booklets at Thriftbooks.com, Walmart, Betterworldbooks.com, etc.!! Our Lord Jesus says to them, “’ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of [gehenna fire] as yourselves’” – Matthew 23:15. Of course, they have an excuse at the ready for this. They claim, “We sell not for the sake of building big profit for shareholders, but for the sake of investing in ministry for more and more distribution.” That, to me, is a hypocritical statement! As an example: the Apostle Paul wrote letters FREE OF CHARGE while earning money through manual labor.
Turn with me if you will to Revelation 11:4-7, concerning these end-time prophets which are martyred, leaving but the ‘two witnesses,’ which will also be martyred. These two are a modern-day type of Moses and Aaron when Israel was taken out of Egypt. That happened earlier, and it will happen again. As the physical people of the children of Israel were brought out of slavery and bondage, so too will the ‘elect’ (See: Matthew 24:22). A great many of the Gentile nations rise up against the nations of Israel, and greatly wound them, damaging them, destroying a great many people – and cause a state of captivity over the nations of Israel.
As I had written in May 2019 - Matthew 28:19-20, though preaching as a witness is included within the scope of the commission – it is actually placing MORE emphasis upon the ENTIRE PROCESS OF CONVERSION, of feeding, of growing, and of overcoming – than merely witnessing. The key phrase is “’ make disciples’” – Greek mathēteuō meaning to instruct, teach.
Let us also notice in verse 20, where our Lord Jesus says: “’ Teaching them [the disciples that had been made] to observe all things that I have commanded you.’” The key phrase is “all things.” Now, that cannot be done by merely ‘preaching in all the world as a witness.’ As we are learning – a life-long project requiring the structure of the Church of God. This, friends, is the reason why the Church of God – the Body of Christ – exists.
We focus on what Jesus admonished us to do, ‘FEED THE FLOCK!’ And, though witnessing is included in it – it’s the feeding of the flock because it is the called, the elect – God’s children – who are God’s greatest concern. These are the ones who are being prepared for the Kingdom of God. And, it takes a lot of feeding and experiences with Almighty God and Jesus Christ, for Them to be formed in us. It is not to just send money to a church organization so that they can buy proselytes in places like Africa!
Prayer Request
Please pray for our dear Brother and Minister Michael C. Garrett. He has tweaked his lower back and is in great pain. Here is what he wrote:
“I request your prayers on my behalf. I have ‘tweaked’ my lower back/upper left hip. I have had intense, immobilizing pain all day. There is almost no position – sitting, standing, lying down – which allows me to have some relief. It has been HORRENDOUS.Yesterday evening, I bent over and to my right. Upon standing, my lower back/hip area became very uncomfortable. This morning, it was all TERRIBLE.I would suspect some type of a PINCHED NERVE. The skin on the outside of my left thigh is NUMB.This has totally shut me down.THANK YOU for your prayers.MCG.”
Soundcloud Radio Channel
Our Soundcloud channel is not monetized. Having had our Soundcloud Radio channel up and running since March 5, 2019, with no marketing and no purchasing of followers, we currently have 51 followers!
Statistics:
As of January 19, 2024 –
Followers: 51
Tracks: 197
Total Plays: 1,098
Likes: 208
Reposts: 93
Top Seven Countries: USA, Ireland, Kenya, UK, Germany, Brazil, Spain
Analytics for this streaming server lists a great many more listening countries, including Colombia, Netherlands, Philippines, Canada, and Indonesia.
Top Three Tracks:
‘FALL HOLY DAYS – 2014 Part X’ by Michael C. Garrett – 66 plays.
Piga tarumbeta! – 55 plays
END TIME PROPHETS – Chapter 1 – 17 plays
The COJCOM YouTube channel
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Statistics:
As of January 19, 2024 –
Lifetime – June 28, 2015 – January 18, 2024, the channel has received 6.2k views.
Total Subscribed listeners: 32
Total watch time: 479.5 hrs.
Top Four Countries: USA, Egypt, India, and South Africa
Subtitles and CC: English and Indonesian.
Top Three “Cards”: TI CCOG, Enoch Walked with God and COJCOM
Non-Subscribers views 5,635. 336.9 watch time (hrs.), w/an average duration of 3:35 hrs.
The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries website
Statistics:
As of January 19, 2024: analytics from website –
All time since January 10, 2019 – the website has received 194,878 views.
Top Seven Countries: USA, Singapore, France, Indonesia, Germany, Israel, Hong Kong.
Analytics for our website lists a great many more countries, including Canada, Russia, Nepal, China, and Türkiye.
Top Five Keyword Search: civil unrest in america, Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ, Enoch Walked with God sermon, Feast of Unleavened Bread 2020, Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ sermons.
Top Five Posts of All Time:
1) Wisdom From A Bulletin Board (Sermon) – 1.37k
4) The Workmen of God – 652
Suggested Sabbath Day Service
Here is our suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and friends around the world:
• TWO songs of praise. (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, is suggested, there are some Instrumental Accompaniment to the Bible Hymnal available on our website).
• Opening prayer.
• Announcements – from the deacon or pastor.
• Sermon – from the pastor or guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is “Know Your Enemy.” Delivered by Minister Leonard V Johnson.
• Closing song. May we suggest listening to “Love Can Build A Bridge” by The Judds!?
• 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’ UGETube channel. Also, we post all of our ‘Letters’ on our website: https://www.owensborocojc.com/search/label/Church%20letters.
Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy
There are some that are believing and teaching that because of the wars and conflicts in the Middle East, Russia/Ukraine, and China/Taiwan – that World War III has started!
Certain people like Mike Snyder of End of The American Dream are speculating that we have seen the beginning of World War III. Notice:
“Did you see that we just bombed the Houthis? Each new day in 2024 seems to bring some sort of a new escalation, and for now most Americans can ignore all of the fighting because it is all happening on the other side of the globe. But how are they going to feel when the U.S. is actively engaged in multiple wars simultaneously and those wars are directly affecting daily life inside the United States? …Most Americans don’t realize this, but this weekend Taiwan will hold an election which may determine whether the U.S. and China go to war.In fact, China has literally framed this election as “a choice between war and peace”…Meanwhile, the war in the Middle East just got even more “interesting”. It is being reported that a “U.S.-led coalition” just struck more than a dozen targets in Yemen…Unfortunately, the truth is that World War III is already here, and soon global events will spiral completely out of control.”
Talk about a “Negative Nancy”! Indeed, there are wars, and there are threats of wars, and there are rumors of wars. These certain people – like Mike Snyder are right about that. However, regarding the current situation. IT IS NOT WORLD WAR III. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet’” – Matthew 24:6. This truly is part of what He has called, ‘the beginning of sorrows.’
So notice that our Lord Jesus says that wars and rumors of wars (like China possibly invading Taiwan) should not trouble His chosen people.
Also, notice that our Lord Jesus then uses the word “THEN” beginning in verse 9. We have spoken of this many times. The end-time prophets appear on the scene.
Verse 9 – “’ Then they will deliver you [pertaining mostly to the end-time prophets] 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. 13) But he who endures to the end shall be saved.’” – and this we believe is the hope of every man. And they – possibly twelve end-time prophets – will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the captured elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years!
Verse 14 – “‘ And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’” – and this ‘gospel’ is the announcement of the coming Kingdom of God! The Kingdom of God is the GOVERNMENT OF GOD – of which Christ was born to be the KING (Luke 1:30-33; Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 11:15). The end-time prophets will have the power from GOD to heal, to ‘shut up the atmosphere from rain, to turn waters to blood, and to strike the earth will all plagues as often as they desire’ (see: Revelation 8:7-12).
Be sure to read: Prophetic Events To Watch For.
Concluding Comments
I was asked how it is that Satan the Devil and his minions have been attacking me personally these past five months.
Like the antagonizing youths who came from the city mocking the Prophet Elisha, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” (2 Kings 2:23). I – but a mere servant of the Lord Jesus Christ - am being mocked and falsely accused. And the person who is falsely accusing me – under the influence of the evil one – is trying to ruin my name and reputation! This person has falsely accused me of some most heinous of things.
One of the things that I am being accused of is advocating a different Jesus. As an example: In the sermon, “Son of God” I boldly and emphatically say, “To become the Savior of all mankind, He willingly divested Himself of His position in the God family, giving up His majesty, glory, and power, to become a fleshly human being, born of the virgin Mary and begotten of God the Father.”
Also in our article “Are You But A Traditionalist?” I opened up the article asking the question – “Why in this world is there such grave religious confusion!? Also, why in these worldly churches do they look to a different Jesus than the living Jesus Christ of God’s living word!?” For it was said to me, “I spoke with my friend, and you’re in a cult! And you’re going to hell!” Of course, it’s not the worst thing that has ever been said to me – but, it came from my own mother-in-law! A great many people in this world believe and teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was never human – including most Catholics!
Our Lord Jesus Christ says to us brethren, “’ If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19) If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world HATES you. 20) REMEMBER the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. … 21) But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake [the name JESUS], because they do not know Him [God the Father] who sent Me.’” – John 15:18-19, 20, 21.
“’ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. … 25 … If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26) Therefore do not fear them. …’” – Matthew 10:22, 25, 26.
The stress of my mother-in-law’s drastic mood and personality changes, hatred, anger – a complete disregard for the consequences of her behavior – has greatly subsided. The test results from her neurologist showed nothing!
And the person that was falsely accusing me of the most heinous things is supposedly gone down the road living in his van down by the river. Of course, I prayed about it extensively to Father God and our Lord Jesus! And we are assured, “A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape” – Proverbs 19:5.
In fact, I prayed for my mother-in-law and her “person of interest” who has been falsely accusing me – “ … ‘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.’” – Matthew 5:44.
The Apostle Paul wrote – through the inspiration of God’s Spirit – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and DO NOT CURSE” – Romans 12:14.
As we are aware, the Prophet Elisha “turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD.” – 2 Kings 2:24. Our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus DOES NOT want us to ask Them to strike our enemies with a curse of death or cause any kind of major calamity to occur in their lives. I’m sure I’ll put together an article shortly on this subject. But suffice it to say, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” – Romans 12:19.
Therefore, I just simply used the Apostle Paul’s example in speaking with Father God and our Lord Jesus – “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.” – 2 Timothy 4:14. □
With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,
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