Our Lord Jesus and 'Independence'

by Leonard V. Johnson

July 4th, 2024, will be Independence Day here in the United States of America! TWO-HUNDRED-AND-FORTY EIGHT YEARS! And a great many Americans will be celebrating it!

But, what about INDEPENDENCE from this present evil world!?

Our beloved Apostle John wrote – under divine inspiration –

“Do NOT love the world or the things IN the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For all that is in the world─the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the PRIDE of life─ is not of the Father but is of the world. 17) And the world [this present evil age] is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17.

At the final end of this present age, the world will pass away, but those who do the will of the LORD God (the family of God; which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ] will remain forever.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ I will build My Church!’” And indeed He is continuing to build His Church! But this world hardly recognizes His living Church - the Body of Christ. The New Testament Church along with her teachings was suppressed all within 40 years – even as soon as AD 49. Counterfeit gospels escalated into a great religion that calls itself Christian. And God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ tell us to “ ’Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” – Revelation 18:4. Oh, but brethren and friends, it was prophesied! Our peoples have become a curse unto themselves! We are literally destroying ourselves – by varying means!

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s true Church would never die out!

“ … ’on this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades [the grave] shall not prevail against it.’” – Matthew 16:18.

We in the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are a part of our Lord Jesus’ “little flock.”

Also, our Lord Jesus has warned His Church in Revelation 2 & 3 that throughout this present evil age, His Church as a whole will continue to have issues in certain areas. The Messages to the churches.

Regarding the Church, Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:

Worldwide Church of God really went off the deep end on this. The ministers and preachers and teachers of Worldwide attempted to teach their people the highly confused concept (and they called it a doctrine) that the Messages in Chapters 2 & 3 were ‘Church eras.’ Over long periods. And the people who always proposed that theory …

And the ones that continue this highly confusing concept in this 21st century as well.

… of ‘Church eras’ they always claimed for themselves to be the Church of Philadelphia. Chapter 3:7. Because of all the churches, the church which was extent in Philadelphia, in the nation which we now call Türkiye, in the late first century, when John was an elderly man in his 90s – of all the churches, the people in the church of Philadelphia come off the best. So, of all the proponents of this so-called ‘Church era’ idea, they always claim to be Philadelphia. And, the Worldwide Church of God certainly did. Herbert W. Armstrong would say, “We are the Philadelphia era!”

Well, they were wrong! …

And so are those who continue to proclaim that they are a continuation of the church of Philadelphia!

Keep in mind, Paul said in 2nd Timothy 1:15 – near the end of his life, and he’s lamenting many things. And he knows he established the churches in Asia Minor – or had them established with people working under him. “This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, …” And he named a couple of the ring leaders.

In other words, ‘At one time, Paul was working with you,’ our Lord Jesus was implying, ‘you were a very dedicated group of people – very dedicated church – filled with enthusiasm. But now, some 30-40 years later, you’re just a shadow of your former self!’ …

Revelation 2 & 3 talk about churches – seven churches – which existed back in AD 95 that John was inspired to write letters to. However, I think there is a prophetic meaning to them. I think Jesus Christ is saying here, in this Book of prophecy – the Book of Revelation is a Book of prophecy – … although He’s talking about an earlier group of people, the former. It’s also a prophecy about the latter. About the latter days. …

And there are people right now in these end-times, or near the end-time, which would have the same evaluation[s]. They might be in that church over there, or, they might be in that church over there. Where are you!? Just because you grab the name Philadelphia Church of God doesn’t mean you qualify for this category.

(Garrett, M.C. “Revelation 2 & 3: Messages to the Churches” 1 May 2019).

The Apostle Paul also wrote –

“But evil men and imposters …” – and those that continue to teach as doctrine, “We are the Philadelphia era!” “ … will grow worse and worse, DECEIVING and BEING DECEIVED.” – 2 Timothy 3:13.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned us that at the end of this present evil age –

“ …’ if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There! Do not believe it. 24) for false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders [and even promote many false Catholic prophecies] to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25) See, I have told you beforehand.’” – Matthew 24:23-25.

And returning to 2nd Timothy 3 we read –

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing FROM WHOM you have learned them.” – verse 14.

Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers – it’s the same with the one that is occupying the White House in Washington, D.C. at this present time – Joe O ‘Biden. Every single American should have known before they cast their ballot in 2020 his political track record for the past 40 years! As Janet Hook of the Los Angeles Times wrote in 2019, “A review of Biden’s record — which spans 36 years as a U.S. senator and eight as vice president — is, in part, a reminder of how much the Democratic Party itself and the U.S. political system have changed over the last half a century.” We, as Americans, should have been paying attention to WHOM we were voting for! A little research goes a long way! In regards to God's living word, our LORD God says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but TEST the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  - 1 John 4:1.

It's the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

It’s not the Church of “O N E M A N at this time leading the final phase of the work”! How blasphemous, pretentious, and narcissistic of a person to claim such a thing! Our Lord Jesus Christ – and Him alone – is the Leader of His Church! We are but servants. Again, the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are but a part of His ‘little flock’ – Luke 12:32.

Do you believe that Father God is calling you (or has called you), if so you can be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Notice what the Apostle Peter – under divine inspiration – says that we are to do –

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’” – Acts 2:38-39.

Our Lord Jesus Christ first announced –

“ … ‘ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe [and obey, I add editorially] in the gospel.’” – Mark 1:15.

Now, if you have already properly repented of your sins, been properly baptized, and had hands laid upon you, having received the glorious gift of God’s Spirit – we suggest that you read our “Statement of Beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.” If you agree and would like to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ with us, please feel free to contact us at sjohnson0387127@att.net, or drop us a line at:

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries

P.O. Box 6458

Spring Hill, Florida 34606

If you have yet to properly repent, properly be baptized, and have hands laid upon you, receiving the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, and you would like to meet with a minister or deacon in the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries or our affiliated churches to discuss our Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings and have questions answered. You can, of course, read and or listen to many of our Lord Jesus’ teachings via our website www.owensborocojc.com as well as www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours always in Christ,