Commentary: A Celebration to Demons!

“What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20) RATHER, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to DEMONS and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” – 1 Corinthians 10:19-20.

The month of January (in Latin, Ianuarius) was named after their god Janus in the Roman pantheon.

So, since the LORD God──the very CREATOR God that every Protestant and Catholic alike claims to worship──does not begin a new year on January 1st, what is the origin of January 1st being New Year’s!?

In the year of our Lord 46 BC, Roman general, statesman, and later dictator of the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar (12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) declared that Ianuarius 1st would mark the beginning of a new year! All of Rome (and a great many in Roman conquered lands) prayed to Janus ── their god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings. In Bulfinch’s Mythology, he is listed as “A solar deity; a doorkeeper of heaven and patron of the beginning and end of things. He had two faces, one for the rising sun and one for sunset. The first month of the year was named for him. The gates of his temples were kept open in times of war. He was the builder of the Janiculum which Aeneas saw when he set foot on Italian soil.” 1 They would pray to this false god when they wanted something new in their lives (such as resolutions).

So, the very month of JANUARY as well as Julius Caesar’s New Year is not of the LORD God! And, nowhere is it within God’s living word ── the Holy Bible.

Notice what the historian and first theologian to write in Latin (who was a heretic follower and who did not have the proper canon, and was a trinitarian), Tertullian wrote about winter celebrations, such as Saturnalia, in the late second century AD ──

“The Minervalia are as much Minerva's, as the Saturnalia Saturn's; Saturn's, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year's gifts likewise must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens' wives and the ædiles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol's birthday; every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things are befitting to a Christian master, unless it be he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a master? …

But, however, the majority (of Christians) have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear the Name be blasphemed. … To live with heathens is lawful, to die with them is not. Let us live with all; let us be glad with them, out of community of nature, not of superstition. We are peers in soul, not in discipline; fellow possessors of the world, not of error. But if we have no right of communion in matters of this kind with strangers, how far more wicked to celebrate them among brethren! Who can maintain or defend this? … By us, … the Saturnalia and New-year's and Midwinter's festivals and Matronalia are frequented — presents come and go — New-year's gifts — games join their noise — banquets join their din! Oh better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself! … not Pentecost, even it they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians. We are not apprehensive lest we seem to be heathens!” 2

What Tertullian appears to be saying is that by observing Christmas (formally known as Saturnalia) and the New Year’s celebrations, Christians appear as heathens ── following after pagan gods and goddesses! True Christians SHOULD NOT be celebrating days that actually honor pagan gods and goddesses! New Year’s was observed to honor their goddess Strenua ── a goddess of the new year, purification, and wellbeing. She had a shrine and grove at the top of the Via Sacra.

Brethren, celebrating January 1st as a new year is celebrating for and with demons! Because it’s origin is from paganism.

And, how is New Year’s celebrated today? The traditions vary around the world. As an example: In Spain, revelers eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each chime of the clock. Each grape represents a month of the coming year, and eating them is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. In Japan, the New Year, or Oshogatsu, is a time for purification and renewal. Temples ring their bells 108 times to symbolize the cleansing of 108 earthly desires, according to Buddhist beliefs. And, in Denmark, people literally break into the New Year—by smashing plates! Residents hurl old dishes at the front doors of friends and family as a gesture of affection and good wishes. 3

In the  United States of America, along with other  Western cultures, many people still make New Year’s resolutions. The very expression “strenas diabolicas observare” roughly translates from Google Translate to “to observe diabolical tricks.” So, it is highly likely that New Year’s resolutions ── Interestingly, a study found the practice of resolution setting may be more common in the U.S., as similar polls in Sweden found just 12% to 14% of people set goals for the new year. 4 ── originate from their goddess Strenua – of “purification and well-being.”

When Is the New Year?

The LORD our God has declared to all that the month of Abib/Nisan will be the FIRST MONTH OF A NEW YEAR ──

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2) ‘This month [Abib/Nisan] shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.’” – Exodus 12:1-2.

This month is equivalent to late March/early April. In the year 2025, the LORD God’s new year begins March 29th at sunset.

Again, January 1st is not the beginning of a new year for the LORD our God ── or any true follower of Christ Jesus! □

Bibliography

1 Bulfinch's Mythology, Bulfinch, T., Janus - Dictionary and Index, Crown Publishers, Inc., © 1979, pg. 917.

2 Tertullian, On Idolatry – Chapters X, and XIV. – New Advent - https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0302.htm.

3 Sarkar, O., New Year Traditions Around The World: A Celebration Of Cultures, ZeeNews, Retrieved 30 Dec. 2024.

4 Oscarsson M, Carlbring P, Andersson G, Rozental A. A large-scale experiment on New Year's resolutions: Approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals. PLoS One. 2020;15(12):e0234097.

Additional Things To Think About...

A Roman 'Mark' !? - Back in Rome, in the times before our Lord Jesus Christ, the Roman government MARKED people by branding them on their hands and on their foreheads – like a tattoo.

Are We Insane? - More and more people are becoming insane!

Blessing or Curses? - IT IS my understanding that of all the remnants of the churches of God – the Intercontinental Church of God has had the most confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths!

Do They Have God's Spirit? - With a heathen person or a tax collector, you sure don’t want to be around them.

Fluffy Fake Religion - This is exactly what the self-professing Christians are all about. They love their fluffy fake religion and claim it to be Christian, ...

A Great Crisis Strikes Judah! - In the land of Judah, the nation of Israel was confirmed as a nation in 1948. And, it was fully established as such in 1968. So, 75 years ago, the tiny nation in Palestine, Israel, was recognized as a nation. 

The LORD God Does Not Change! - If the LORD God – the family of God which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – places Their wrath in a certain way onto a nation, a country, or a province, that has done certain abominable things that are against Their divine will thousands of years ago, make no mistake about it, the Eternal our God will do the same to the wicked nations, countries, and provinces in this 21st century world – this present evil age!

Commentary: Like A Jigsaw Puzzle

by Guy C LaMar

What people certainly need to understand is the fact that God’s living word──the Holy Bible──is to be read and studied like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.

In Isaiah 28:9-10, the LORD our God tells us through His faithful servant Isaiah, “’ Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? 10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.’”

Reading and studying in this manner, in combination with prayer will give you the FULL STORY of any topic.

As an example: when studying prophecy, one must go to various passages throughout His living word which refers to the specific prophecy. Putting it together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Also, people must understand that only those who are being called by Father God can rightly understand the depths and the riches of God’s living word – cf. John 6:44.

If a person is ignorant of what they don’t understand, then how do they know that they don’t know!?

And, that’s not to say that they are guiltless.

Breaking the LORD God’s righteous and immutable Law is still breaking the Law. God's word says that people in general “willfully forget” - 2 Peter 3:1-7.

The penalty for breaking the Law remains the same. Death – cf. Revelation 20:15; 21:8.

However, the worst people, are those who have been shown God’s living truth──and yet because this truth infringes on their lustful desires and lifestyle, they REFUSE TO RECEIVE IT AND ACCEPT IT──they will be severely punished! – cf. Matthew 10:15; Luke 10:14.

That is being willingly ignorant.

God’s word says that “it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” And the apostle Peter continues and says that many people will ‘return to their own vomit’! – 2 Peter 2:21-22.

And, our Lord Jesus says of those who outright betray Him, “’ It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.’” – Matthew 26:24.

THEREFORE, I say to you with all the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ – “’ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. REPENT, and believe in [and I add editorially, receive it and accept it] THE GOSPEL.’” Mark 1:15. □

Additional Commentaries

Evil Mock's God's Truth - We must be careful with whom we share God's living truth. Evil will mock and insult YOU along with God's truth!

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged! - I work with Sunday-go-to-meeting church people – of the Baptist and the Church of Christ. And I have to listen to them every day.

A More Clear Understanding of God's Living Truth - SEVERAL years ago I bought a Faithful Version with Commentary of the Holy Bible and gave it to an old minister. Well, that old minister scoffed at this version, claiming that the King James Version was the best.

An Added Phrase - THERE are those who believe the Old Testament commands about NOT CONSUMING BLOOD were only for the Jews – and were “done away with” by our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, ...

Becoming a God - In this week’s sermon, which is entitled, "Future Rulership With Christ," we state something that you're probably going to think is mighty bold to preach. 

Increased Knowledge - God’s living word – the Holy Bible – tells us that towards the end of this age, there will be an increase in knowledge.

'they display their sin like Sodom' - Queers are servants of Satan the Devil!

What Is A True Christian?

by Leonard V Johnson

It excites me to tell you that this subject that I want to speak about in this article is one I’ve been wanting to speak about for some time. We do have A Morning Bible Study──God's Definition of a TRUE CHRISTIAN which will certainly complement this article.

WHAT IS A TRUE CHRISTIAN? 

What is true Christianity?

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ explains to us what a true Christian is like. Sadly, throughout this world and its professing Christianity, it’s extremely difficult to find the qualities that our Lord Jesus describes should be present in a Christian.

As an example──and this is something I recently witnessed on Fox News immediately after the resident Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 men on federal death row. Tim Timmerman, whose daughter was killed by one of the men whose sentence was commuted on Monday, said in an interview with Fox40, “You couldn't imagine someone that deserved it more than Mr. Gabrion. He killed at least five people. Where's the justice in just giving him a prison bed to die comfortably in?” I also heard one woman say, ‘They didn’t show any mercy to their victims. They deserve no mercy!’ Surely, there is nothing more central to Christianity than mercy. One of our Lord Jesus’ teachings in the “Sermon on the Mount” which is recorded for us in Luke chapter 6, “’ But I say to you WHO HEAR: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28) bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.’” – Luke 6:27-28, NKJV throughout, unless otherwise noted. 

We, as true Christians, are to have MERCY.

We are told by the apostle Paul that “in the last days perilous times will come.” Including a severe lack of forgiving others – 2 Timothy 3:1-5. And, I am not saying that I do not believe in capital punishment. But a person who blatantly says that a person does not deserve mercy──that person is not a true Christian. I speak concerning capital punishment and does God ever use capital punishment? In a Personal From… 2022.

This command to those WHO HEAR certainly is not being followed by a great many professing Christians around the world. Are you able to witness this command from our Lord being implemented in your neighborhood? What about at your Sunday church gathering? What about the multiple thousands you walk by on the streets of America──a great many of who claim to be Christian?

Surely, to truly love your enemy, you must know WHY HE IS HERE ON THIS PLANET. The same as WHY IS MAN? Because truly the grandest of Golden Rules is, “’ Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.’” – vs. 31. Our Lord Jesus did not just suggest this for us──we are to live by this.

And I do understand, because it did happen to our beloved Lord Jesus ── how it could be very difficult to forgive and have mercy on a person who murdered a member of your family. Yet, Our Lord Jesus is the Law Giver. And He commanded His followers to abide by this Law. To apply it to their daily lives.

Why Have Mercy?

Our Lord Jesus continued here, “’ Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37) … Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.’” – vs. 36-37.

Having mercy on others is not for their benefit──it’s for yours.

Sadly, gossip, condemnation, and backbiting are at the forefront of even many so-called Christian sermons. And even in private conversations. It’s in our movies, television shows, books──even in the majority of children’s television programs──it dwells on the idea of condemning and seeking revenge.

Truly, when you witness genuine mercy from one human being toward another it is remarkable and marks within your mind an indelible memory.

Our Lord Jesus’ command surely encompasses the lack of consideration for others regarding: blaring car radios, annoyingly loud motorcycles, loud barking dogs, littering, damaging public property, and spraying permanent graffiti without authorization. Acts of inconsideration to others that make life unpleasant.

So, it is so commonplace──the infringements of the command that our Lord Jesus Christ gives us──it certainly should make us wonder: and I have spoken of this several times ── Remember Abraham’s plea!? “Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place.” And the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” And then Abraham said, “Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous?” And then, forty, and thirty, and then twenty, and finally ten. And the LORD said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten righteous people.” And we know the result. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, couldn’t even convince his own family to leave. It was only his wife and his two daughters who were still living at home who left Sodom. Those five cities on the plain of Jordan were allowed to be destroyed because there weren’t even ten righteous people in that city. And, brethren, let us not sell ourselves short – but we should ponder – is it that Almighty God is holding back the utter destruction of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth of Nations, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and Judah (the little nation known today as Israel) respectively – because there are maybe ten in one-million righteous people still within these nations!? It should make us wonder: WHERE ARE THE TRUE CHRISTIANS? As I’ve spoken to my sister about, along with Minister Guy LaMar, “Within a fifty-mile radius from me, where are my true brethren?” They are difficult to find.

Christianity In Decline

Our America in this 21st Century faces ever-greater threats than even during the American Revolutionary War. Illegal immigrants crossing our borders soar to record highs – “The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States grew to 11.0 million in 2022. … In addition, through December 2023, about 500,000 new immigrants were paroled into the country through two federal programs – the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) program and the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U). Groups like these have traditionally been considered part of the unauthorized immigrant population. … While these new arrivals probably increased the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population, it remains to be seen how much.” 1 How many potential terrorists are illegally coming to America!? Our beautiful and blessed land is becoming polluted with filth! Even the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe are highly polluted! A crime surge is occurring in America! The homicide rate in some large US cities rose by 30% in 2020! And it is showing no sign of slowing. Derek Thompson of The Atlantic wrote, “Americans are experiencing a crime wave, unlike anything we’ve seen this century. … Americans can no longer say, as we could 10 years ago, that we are living in the safest time in our nation’s history.” 2 In the article he had spoken with Patrick Sharkey, a sociologist at Princeton University, who had argued that intensive and often “aggressive” policing and incarceration policies “probably” helped reduce crime in the past few decades, to the great benefit of low-income neighborhoods. Immorality and sexual licentiousness are completely filling our land. Divorce and broken homes are rampant.

Truly, America needs President Donald Trump! God’s living immutable word shows us what a society becomes like when the LORD God’s true religion ── and God’s word defines religion this way, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” – James 1:27. Again, much of what this world considers to be the religion of Christianity──church on Sunday, reciting prayers, lighting of candles, etc. ── are nothing more than human traditions that give the appearance of devotion, but ultimately have very little to do with any salvation of the participant.

Christianity is in decline in North America. According to AJ Willingham of CNN, “By 2040, Islam could be the second-largest religion in the US.” 3 And, according to a Pew Research Center poll, “Over the past three decades, the total number – or stock – of people living as international migrants has increased by 83%, outpacing global population growth of 47%.” 4

So, as our Lord Jesus was speaking──and even as He has asked, “’ Nevertheless when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’” (Luke 18:8), and certainly not only the faith of Christianity, but faith in even a Creator──He knew that at the close of this present evil age that there would be multiple billions who would be calling Him their ‘Lord,’ and who would be professing that they belong to Him, but who would not be obeying Him.

He says to them, “’ But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?’” – Luke 6:46. Indeed, a ‘lord’ is a master──one who is to be obeyed. In other words, our Lord Jesus is saying, “If you DO NOT obey Me, DO NOT call Me Lord!”

So often we hear a plethora of people──especially this time of year──talk about “the Lord,” or “the little Lord Jesus asleep in the manger,” when they don’t have the foggiest understanding of who the REAL JESUS actually is! Our Lord Jesus announces to us, “’ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom [from] heaven, …’” – Matthew 7:21.

Here are some simple and easy-to-understand teachings from our Master on what makes a person a true Christian –

“’ My mother and My brothers are these who HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND DO IT.’” – Luke 8:21.

“’ You are My friends IF YOU DO WHATEVER I COMMAND YOU.’” – John 15:14.

“’ If you love Me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.’” – John 14:15.

It’s clear that only a person who does what our Lord Jesus Christ commands has the right to call Him ‘Lord.’ That is the LORD God’s definition of a true Christian.

True Christianity Is A Way of Life

Christianity is not just merely believing. It’s not just joining a church. It’s not something to be paraded about one day a week or at differing times. It is a Way of life. In fact, true Christians call it, “the Way of the Lord” – Acts 18:25. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.’” – John 14:6. No one can follow what our Lord Jesus taught without truly experiencing a change in life and in one’s lifestyle.

This truth can be illustrated by the wealthy man who once came to our Lord Jesus and asked, “’ Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’” Because the man knew that he had to do something to follow Jesus. Sadly, the majority of people TODAY would answer: “You don’t have to do a thing. Just believe in the Lord and you will be saved.” But, our Lord Jesus answers us quite differently! “’ But if you want to enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.’” And He made it crystal clear that He was speaking of His Ten Commandments and not any laws of the Sanhedrin──or even the Code of Hammurabi. And, to this crystal clear answer, the wealthy man responded, “’ All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’”

Whether a person is wealthy or what society considers poor, our Lord Jesus requires His followers to have a true depth of CONVERSION. He knew that that wealthy man was not keeping the true intent of His commandments regarding loving the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. As well as loving your neighbor as yourself ──cf. Mark 12:28-31. So our Lord Jesus boldly told him, “’ You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come follow Me.’” So, only after that could he be a true Christian.

Sadly, like the overwhelming majority, he was unwilling to CHANGE in life and in lifestyle.

Maybe you think──and as my oldest brother, and now my wife has said to me──that all you need to do in life to find salvation (whatever that may be to you) is to “be the best person you can be”!? Or, maybe you believe in all your heart that you are keeping the Ten Commandments. If you don’t believe that they were “done away with,” or “nailed to the cross.” Well, let’s go over the Ten Commandments. And I want you to be honest with yourself and see whether you could use some improvement in keeping them in your life.

1) “’ You shall have no other gods before Me.’”

I humbly come before you as a servant of Jesus Christ, empowered by God’s Spirit, to warn you this day of growing idolatry within Jesus Christ’s Church! Many may ostracize me – even many brethren – but Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ are sending a message to you via an often despised man, often a foolish man, a weak man – nothing more than a conduit of the good news for all of you. The greatest sin by far is the sin of idolatry. Idolatry is when we violate the FIRST COMMANDMENT! It is when we put something or someone first in our life, BEFORE the living and true God. And, idolatry is the root cause of all other sins.

2) “’ You shall not make for yourselves a carved image──any likeness of anything …’”

The SECOND COMMANDMENT should be crystal clear to all. NO LIKENESS OF ANY KIND OF THE LORD OUR GOD! This includes the famous and most popular painting of “Jesus” with long hair and feminine features – “The Head of Christ,” also known as “Sallman Head” painted in 1940 by American artist Warner Sallman (1892–1968). Throughout the United States of America ── and the world beyond, a great many “Christians” have this famous painting somewhere in their home!

3) “ ’You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.’”

The THIRD COMMANDMENT applies to so much more than just using our Lord Jesus’ holy name in vulgarity. The word “take” in Strong’s Concordance means “to bear, carry.” 5 “The Qal form of this root is used almost six hundred times with basically three separate meanings: ‘to lift up’; ‘to bear, carry, support’; and ‘to take, take away.’ … The meaning ‘to lift up’ is used both literally and figuratively in many phrases. ‘To lift up the hand’ in taking an oath (Deut. 32:40; Ezek. 20:5, 6. 15, etc.).” 6 So, truly the meaning is that the LORD God does not like it when people make an “oath” to be a Christian, yet are doing things that make the true religion of God look bad.

4) “’ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’”

Let us never forget that the LORD our God made the SEVENTH DAY holy time. But, what does ‘holy’ time mean!? In several articles on our website, I have shown you in God’s living word that we are not to do any work, our own pleasure, speaking our own words, on God’s holy Sabbath day. We are to keep the Sabbath day holy. So, you shouldn’t be spending a lot of time in worldly visiting or what is often called “just shooting the breeze.” When the LORD our God said that we are to put the Sabbath day to holy use, He meant that we should be happily employed in doing good things prescribed for that day. To keep the Sabbath positive. Use the Sabbath as a day of rest from our labor, to get closer to God in prayer and Bible study. Take time to do good to others, to care for the sick, to visit the afflicted. Assemble – if possible – with other true Christians on the Sabbath. Then you will truly be a light unto the world! Friends, the holy Sabbath separates true Christians from this world’s churches with their pagan holidays and their “day of the sun.”

5) “’ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.’”

What does it mean to “honor”? The word “honor” in Hebrew is surprising. It is the word kābēd, meaning “be heavy, grievous, hard, rich, honorable, glorious.” It is the word for glory. It means to be weighty. In one respect it is bearing a burden of a weighty issue. In other words, honoring our parents goes far beyond childhood. It also takes us into their old age where we bear the burden when they are unable to carry their burdens. The word kābēd in all its beauty also means that we should always recognize the importance of our parents ── no matter whether we feel they are good or bad parents. They have a connection with us and we should recognize their importance to us. And it involves always showing them respect just as we show the LORD God respect.

This is one command that has a promise as part of it. And there are so many reasons why honoring our parents will result in a long life. For me, their instructions kept me away from many of the dangers of life. My Father’s echoing words, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say.” Now that I have entered into five-and-a-half decades of my life ── and thinking back to my childhood ── they certainly kept me from a path of criminality. I was there standing by her side when my Mother took her last breath – April 12th, 2013. It took a lot out of my wife and me taking care of her towards the end, but I wouldn’t trade that for the honor we showed her. My parents planted a love for God and a respect for authority in me that has helped lead to a longer life in the land in which the LORD God has blessed me to be born.

6) “’ You shall not murder.’”

The overall majority of humanity has not physically murdered anyone. But nearly everyone has committed murder in their heart at one time or another. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of [gehenna fire].’” – Matthew 5:21-22. He elevated the Law to a spiritual plane. That even if you have murderous thoughts in your heart, then you’ve committed an act of murder. And, murder and killing can mean two different things.

Murder: the crime of unlawfully killing a person with malice and aforethought. Killing can mean not deliberate.

7) “’ You shall not commit adultery.’”

As we’ve pointed out before, the word “adultery,” in part refers to the physical sin of adultery. Sex outside of marriage. Breaking the bonds of loyalty. But, a more spiritual aspect, when you see the words adultery, fornication, whoring ── and you read and study the whole passage ── it is the LORD God’s pronouncement against people who are engaged in false religions.

8) “’ You shall not steal.’”

Again, many reading this will wholeheartedly claim that they do not steal. But I want you to be aware of this: If you teach, preach, or propagate ─ and you don’t have to be a minister to teach false doctrines ─ or, let’s say that you are parents who teach your children that placing a tooth underneath their pillow, they will receive money from a Tooth Fairy – (in the US, the average tooth fairy payment is $4.57 per tooth, adjusting for geographical location, family traditions, child’s age, and inflation), or you teach your children about a Santa Claus that delivers presents to all the good children all around the world on Christmas Eve, or about an Easter bunny that lays chocolate or multi-colored eggs, or teaching them to beg for candy on Halloween ── if you teach them all that folderol, you are STEALING from your children or your grandchildren the truth of the living God! Because if you want to teach the children the living truth of God ── you will properly teach them what the LORD God actually says in the pages of THE WORD OF GOD!

9) “’ You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.’”

As in accusing somebody of doing something they did not do. Well, there are a whole lot of people who claim to be Christians who have broken this commandment. Spiritual crimes against true Christians. As an example: a former mentor found out that a fellow servant could no longer afford (nor have the time) to develop and upload his sermons, and instead of having understanding and compassion ── he instead bashes and trashes the poor soul who has become the object of his hate. I know about that!

10) “’ You shall not covet.’”

The apostle Paul said in Colossians 3:5 and in Ephesians 5:5 – ‘that covetousness of physical things [including people] is a form of spiritual idolatry and is a sin, and unrepented of is worthy of death.’ And so yes, the Ten Commandments have a more practical everyday physical meaning, but the Ten Commandments have a mighty powerful secondary spiritual meaning! Covetousness is perhaps the major form of national idolatry in America. And covetousness rears its head in many ways in the United States of America. Take - as an example - TV shows such as American Idol or I Am A Singer (which is popular in South Korea), or even The Voice. Watch one if you get a chance. The contestants sometimes become so mentally incapacitated with lust that it's so very sad. They gibber, or their eyes bulge out, and gasping, they hug and kiss the show’s host; they jump up and down at the prospect of owning a fantastic new sports car just on the other side of the curtain. “Come on down! You're the next contestant on The Price is Right!” The lust, greed, the vanity is certainly palpable. In the United States today, we worship people, automobiles, money, and the status that money brings - material possessions. The prophet Isaiah, under great inspiration from God's Spirit, wrote: “Their land is also full of idols; They worship the work of their own hands, That which their own fingers have made” - Isaiah 2:8. In actuality, this grave manifestation of this modern idolatry is perhaps the greatest and most serious sin in the United States of America.

Notice the Ten Commandments begin with idolatry, and it ends with idolatry?

True Conversion

As I said earlier ── Christianity is not just merely believing. It’s not just joining a church. It’s not something to be paraded about one day a week or at differing times. It is a Way of life.

We need to continue working at: that every activity, every conversation, every goal and plan ── we are representing the family of God! WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST! – cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20. That our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed to us His Law that bears on every facet of our life. With Almighty God helping us to cast down “arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing EVERY THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

Surely, to this world what our Lord Jesus asks of us sounds extreme. Many might think that true Christians are much like monks in Buddhism or Catholicism. No. The apostle Paul was only repeating what the LORD God’s living word tells us time and time again. Remember, we are told, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20. There is a price to pay ── complete and unwavering faith and obedience. “ …’ keep the commandments’” – Matthew 19:17. And, “to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8. And for a great many that price may be too high. The ultimate price is to surrender YOURSELF to Christ Jesus!

“’ Let the wicked FORSAKE HIS WAY, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.’” – Isaiah 55:7.

A true Christian follows and obeys our Lord Jesus Christ, His thoughts, and His will. What the prophet Isaiah is describing is true repentance. When a crowd asked the apostle Peter ‘What shall we do?’ The apostle Peter responded with the same answer! – Acts 2:36-39.

‘God gave them a spirit of stupor’

Our Lord Jesus tells us that many are trying to get salvation through a wide gate ─ a broad way that leads to destruction. – Matthew 7:13. NARROW IS THE GATE! Sadly, the majority of our peoples are looking for an easy street. They begin to see that being a true Christian is difficult. They begin to say to themselves: “I believe in God. I speak with God. There’s no need to go to a church. All you really need to do is to be the best person you can be.” Yet, they don’t have much of a concept of an afterlife. They sing the song by Doris Day ──

Que sera, sera

Whatever will be, will be

The future’s not ours to see

Que sera, sera

What will be, will be

Our Lord Jesus Christ really means what He says ── in keeping the commandments to inherit the LORD God’s free gift of eternal life! He meant exactly what He said. The multiple billions who have throughout the generations professed Christianity (along with all other religions) without ever truly understanding what it really means to be a true Christian (Acts 4:12) ── a follower of Jesus Christ ── will eventually have their opportunity to truly understand in the second resurrection. That period is shown to us in the Book of Revelation 20:11-13. □

Bibliography

1 Passel, J.S., and Krogstad, J.M., What we know about unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S., Pew Research Center, 22 July 2024.

2 Thompson, D., Why America’s Great Crime Decline Is Over, The Atlantic, March 24, 2021.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/is-americas-great-crime-decline-over/618381/. Retrieved 26 Dec. 2024.

3 Willingham A.J., By 2040, Islam could be the second-largest religion in the US, CNN, 10 Jan. 2018.

4 Kramer, S., and Tong, Y., The Religious Composition of the World’s Migrants, Pew Research Center, 19 Aug. 2024.

5 Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Strong, James. Zondervan, 2001, #5375, pg. 5394.

6 Harris L. R., Archer, L. Gleason, Jr., and Waltke K. Bruce. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1980, #1421, pg. 600.

Commentary: Does God Accept Lies?

by Guy C LaMar

“’ You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.’” – Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20.

Does the LORD God (the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) accept lies!?

NO!

In fact, the LORD God calls “lying lips an abomination to the LORD” – Proverbs 12:22.

So, never think that substituting customs and days that were originally founded by paganism something that the LORD God is going to accept.

Because it is A LIE!

Xmas is A LIE!

It is not the birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is, however, the supposed birthday of the Pagan sun god──Mithra.

Substituting a pagan god for our Lord Jesus is an abomination.

It is a rotten stinkin’ lie perpetrated by our physical and spiritual enemy──Satan the Devil.

Now, does the overall majority of our peoples actually care?

NO!

They would rather live according to their traditions than the living truth of the Eternal One!

Thus, whether you believe it or not, in the authority of Jesus Christ, those people have DISQUALIFIED themselves as being true Christians.

Now, a person can surely claim they are a Christian──until they are blue in the face──but, that does not make them a true Christian.

Because they’re NOT FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST.

They are, however, following “the god of this age” ── Satan the Devil and his deceiving way! – cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4.

Now, should we as true Christians, just sit on our hands and not care what this world does? Or, should we DO WHAT THE LORD GOD’S LIVING WORD SAYS! And, ‘Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up [our voices] like a trumpet; Tell [the LORD God’s] people their transgression, AND THE HOUSE OF JACOB THEIR SINS’!? As the LORD tells us we should do! TELL THE HOUSE OF JACOB THEIR LIES!

Doing anything that is not pleasing to the LORD God disrespects the LORD God!

And it’s especially worse when you’ve been shown the living truth of God, and you outright reject the LORD God’s truth──because you would rather be a part of the Babylonish system and fit in.

Well, did our Lord Jesus Christ “just fit in”!?

Absolutely not!

God’s living word tells us NOT to “be conformed to this world,” ── to the ways of this world. – Romans 12:2.

Because, if we love the ways of this world, the love of God is not in us. – 1 John 2:15.

Thus we are a fraud if we DO NOT obey the LORD God, but rather accept the ways of this world──which is ruled by Satan the Devil.

As for me and my household, we will serve the Eternal One. □

Additional Commentaries to Consider

Do Not Despair. When week after week things are thrown at our peoples that make them 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 of all things.

The Anointing of Cloths. Just after the New Testament Church of God was built, the apostles and the evangelists continued the HEALING OF THE SICK, as well as preaching the true gospel!

Familiar Traditions. People are used to holding onto their religious traditions over truth and facts because familiar traditions are comfortable to people - but regardless, it doesn't make it truth.

Religiosity. The LORD God established the languages that we speak.

The Covenant Day. IN accordance with the promises that God gave to Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 15:3-6 and Genesis 22:15-18, our Lord Jesus Christ began the New Covenant on Passover day. Therefore the 14th of the 1st month - Passover day - can rightly be called the Covenant Day.

Conspiracy Theories. In this commentary, I’d like to address conspiracy theories – and the largest findings in this area are the politically-based forms of conspiracies.

Some Food For Thought. HERE is just some food for thought.

Make Obesity Great Again?

The cesspool that is the new San Francisco, Californication wants all its citizens to feel comfortable with their weight ──

Fat-Shaming ‘Expert’ Goes To Work For San Francisco. Her Mission? Make Obesity Great Again

In the lovely cesspool of San Francisco, it’s time to Make Obesity Great Again.

Never mind the poop and dirty drug needles littering the streets; the San Francisco Department of Health seems to want fat citizens to feel comfortable in their own bodies, to feel accepted by society, to feel like they can live their truth without any fear of judgment. To do so, they apparently hired a fat-shaming expert to work as a consultant — two labels that should send chills down your spine — on “weight stigma” and “weight neutrality” — two buzz phrases as hollow as they are silly.

Virgie Tovar, a self-described “plus-size Latina” and “leading expert on weight-based discrimination,” announced Monday she will work with the city’s health department to achieve the aforementioned “weight neutrality,” which, in my estimation, entails yet another feckless waste of taxpayer dollars for some unbelievably stupid liberal theory.

“I’m UNBELIEVABLY proud to serve the city I’ve called home for almost 20 years in this way! This consultancy is an absolute dream come true, and it’s my biggest hope and belief that weight neutrality will be the future of public health,” Tovar wrote on Instagram.

With all due respect to my weight-challenged brothers and sisters in America, you have no business eating up taxpayer dollars working for the city health department to “make weight neutrality … the future of health.” On its face, it is an absurd notion.”

(READ MORE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/mindandbody/fat-shaming-expert-goes-to-work-for-san-francisco-her-mission-make-obesity-great-again/ar-AA1w2W6k).

San Francisco Health Department hires ‘fat positivity’ expert to consult on ‘weight stigma and neutrality’

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has hired a self-described “anti-weight-based discrimination” expert to consult on “weight stigma and weight neutrality.” …

Tovar's website lists her as a “plus-size Latina author, lecturer, and leading expert on weight-based discrimination and body positivity with over a decade of experience.” She is a contributor for Forbes, where she covers stories on the “plus size market.” Her most recent articles include features about hosting a “size inclusive” Thanksgiving and alleged “fatphobia” in current TV shows.”

(READ MORE: https://www.foxnews.com/media/san-francisco-health-department-hires-fat-positivity-expert-consult-weight-stigma-neutrality?msockid=1422941e837d60df3c3b8140823261f3).

Without getting too political, (and let us all pray that President Donald Trump’s new health secretary will be able to make some headway towards a healthier Western society!) it’s tough because of the gauntlet of influences in our societies towards an unhealthy lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight.

Any obesity promoter should be ashamed of themselves!

I have had over 4 decades of faith-based discrimination, does this make me an “expert” in discrimination?

We should NEVER go about making light or fun of people who are obese or even morbidly obese ── we should also NOT EVER encourage anyone to just accept their unhealthy weight and lifestyle.

Always remember that when you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at yourself.

Whether someone wants to argue this fact or not ── obesity is unhealthy. Especially, class III obesity (Formerly Known as Morbid Obesity)! 1

Some insist on "health at any size." But, isn't obesity and health an oxymoron? 

God’s living and immutable word tells us to eat what is good ──

“’ Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? LISTEN CAREFULLY TO ME, and eat what is good, …’” – Isaiah 55:2.

A large part of the problem is that in our Western societies (and even those of North America, Western Europe, India, China, and Japan) our peoples don’t know what is “good” to eat.

As we get ever closer to the end of this present evil age, extremely overweight people appear to be consistent with the following prophecy from our beloved minister to the Gentiles, teacher, mentor ── and prophet, the apostle Paul ──

“But know this, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times will come: 2) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, WITHOUT SELF-CONTROL, brutal, despisers of good, 4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Besides any health issue, e.g. an underactive thyroid, a lack of self-control is certainly a contributing factor in obesity.

According to the Health Policy Institute, “Obesity rates for older adults may be even higher in the future. Since 1991, rates of obesity have increased dramati-cally. Substantial increases among adults of all ages suggest that obesity among older Americans is likely to become a greater problem in the future. Among the obese population age 51 and older, a disproportionate share — three-quarters — are age 51 to 69, yet this age group comprises only two-thirds of the general pop-ulation age 51 and older.” 2

Sadly this new “Woke Ideology” that has spread like a cancer around the globe ── and a definition of “woke” is ever-changing depending on what side of the fence you’re standing on at any given time ── truly wants to try and force you to believe that what is “bad” (defined by the LORD God) is now “good.”

God’s living word WARNS us ──

“’ WOE TO THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD, AND GOOD EVIL; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21) WOE to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!’” – Isaiah 5:20-21.

Truly, it is evil to tell anyone that it is perfectly alright to be obese! That certainly is “bearing false witness against your neighbor” ── which is breaking the Commandments of the Eternal our God!

Although, sadly, the overall majority of self-proclaiming Christians were taught to just “come as you are,” what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ truly says is ──

“’ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. REPENT, and believe in [as well as “on”] the gospel.’” – Mark 1:14-15.

And the very word “repent” means CHANGE!

True──God our Father calls out of this world the foolish, the weak, the base, and those that are despised (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 2:5), but He certainly doesn’t want us to stay that way. He expects us to prosper after we obey. He expects us to change our way── which includes a proclivity to being lazy, or having a lack of self-control when it comes to overeating.

Obesity is not only terribly unhealthy for a person, it’s also bad for society.

“A recent report released by the Milken Institute shows that the annual cost and the economic impact of obesity in the United States exceeds $1.4 trillion. This number includes costs associated with obesity treatment and obesity-related conditions and costs associated with attendance and productivity at work as they relate to obesity. The report also suggests how obesity can be addressed to combat its growing health and economic impact. Read the full report from the Milken Institute.” 3

God’s living word teaches against obesity ── notice these valuable passages ──

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, AND BE IN HEALTH, just as your soul prospers.” – 3 John 1:2.

“For BODILY EXERCISE profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.” – 1 Timothy 4:8-9.

The LORD God does focus more on our spiritual health within the pages of His living word ── and we certainly need to be strong in spiritual health ── but we also need to glorify the LORD God through our physical health as well. God’s living word shows us how we should treat our bodies in the Way that the LORD God intends.

“My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2) For length of days and long life … 8) It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:1, 2, 8.

What is the definition of obesity?

According to Wikipedia – “Obesity is a medical condition, sometimes considered a disease, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it can potentially have negative effects on health.” 4

God’s living word also warns us of gluttony ──

“Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21) For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, …” – Proverbs 23:20, 21.

Yes. OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS and ADDICTIONS, i.e. overeating can be difficult ── and seemingly impossible. True Christians should know and believe the following ──

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6.

“’ Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.’” – John 14:1.

With fervent and never-ending prayer and trusting always in the LORD God, overcoming addictions can happen ── including maintaining a healthier lifestyle and losing weight (if needed). □

There are several helplines available for obesity and eating disorders:

1-800-684-3263

info@americanobesityfdn.org

Or, contact the Obesity Society

Phone: (301) 563-6526 or email contact@obesity.org

Sources:

1) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21989-class-iii-obesity-formerly-known-as-morbid-obesity.

2) Obesity Among Older Americans, Health Policy Institute, retrieved 23 Dec. 2024.

3) How Much Does Obesity Cost the U.S?, Obesity Medicine, 25 July 2023 Retrieved 23 Dec. 2024

4) Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 15). Obesity. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Obesity&oldid=1263202796

Letter to our Friends ── December 17, 2024

Leonard V. Johnson

Pastor and Co-Founder

Dear Brethren, Co-Workers, and Friends:

Greetings from West Central Florida.

I hope and pray that you are focused on our Lord Jesus Christ, and are FIRST AND FOREMOST seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness!

On that note, this Sabbath’s suggested sermon speaks about this very subject. Here is a link: Are You Christ-Centered?

This world is in their season of supposedly being focused on Jesus──Christmas. But I do know that during the small gathering, my wife just had for their Christmas, our Lord Jesus Christ wasn’t even mentioned. Except of course──by myself. It was all about celebratory revelry. When I spoke up and stated that our Lord Jesus wasn’t even born in December, that He more than likely was born in September, my wife jokingly said, “Well, it’s a late birthday celebration.”

Now, Christmas isn’t what I wish to speak about in this Letter──it’s dress. We have several articles on our webpage www.owensborocojc.com that talk about this pagan time of year.

How You Appear Before the LORD God Is Important

Our Lord Jesus is our example. In the Book of Ezekiel chapter 16, we are told all about ISRAEL. Israel is likened to a woman, our Lord Jesus being her Husband.

We see in verse 9 that one of the first things that our Lord Jesus did (He was the God of the Old Testament!) when He came across her ‘thrown out’ after birth ‘into an open field’ all bloody, was to wash her. Continuing we find just how lavish our Lord GOD was with His gifts of clothing and jewelry for His bride. “’ I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. 12) And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.’” – Ezekiel 16:9-12.

The LORD God (the family of God, which at this moment in time consists of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) is not cheap. He wants His BRIDE to be dressed to the nines! And He expects the very best from His loyal and faithful servants. And in return, He will pour out to us blessings that we are unable to contain – cf. Malachi 3:10.

True──God our Father calls out of this world the foolish, the weak, the base, and those that are despised (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 2:5), but He certainly doesn’t want us to stay that way. He expects us to prosper after we obey. He expects us to change our way──though some may change in many things and others in only a few things. I speak of this in my latest sermon “’ Least In the Kingdom From Heaven.’” We are to always be improving on the things that the LORD God finds unacceptable.

Now, our Lord Jesus shows us that different occasions require different kinds of clothing. Certainly, growing up at home this was taught to us!? Because──immediately coming home from school, we were told by our parents to go change out of our “school” clothes and into our “play” clothes. In His parable of the wedding supper, He speaks of a guest ‘who did not have on a wedding garment.’ And notice what our Lord Jesus said ── “’ So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” – Matthew 22:1-14. There was an appropriate garment for the occasion, and no other was acceptable. Sitting in front of the LORD God dressed in street clothes with a baseball cap on will not do! (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:7).

How would you dress as an Ambassador for Christ? How would you dress if you had just traveled around the world and were meeting with dignitaries ── kings, princes, prime ministers, and presidents of nations, countries, and provinces!? – either in person or via a video. cf. Matthew 28:19-20. When I get in front of a camera to give a sermon──I have this in mind. What if – as an example ── the Prime Minister of Israel was watching my sermon!? What would he think of my dress? I would be dressed as if I were meeting with him in person.

Sadly, a great many people are less concerned about how they appear before the Lord GOD on His holy Sabbath than they are about how they appear at a wedding or a funeral. I have even heard an “unprofitable servant” ── our Lord Jesus calling such a ‘wicked and lazy servant’ ── say to his audience that the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-12) could just as well be dressed in regular street clothes and wearing a baseball cap! The phrase ‘clothed in sackcloth’ is a metaphor for one who is clothed in humility. A great many are more concerned about how they feel and think than what the LORD God thinks! Also, on that note: White clothing is a symbol of righteousness, and ‘clothing that is fine linen, clean and bright’ is symbolic of ‘the righteous acts of the saints’ – Revelation 19:8.

And yes──I have heard the argument in which they say that ‘for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ – 1 Samuel 16:7. I ask the question: Was the LORD speaking of dress or was He speaking of how other people view us and how He sees our ‘inmost being – our hidden part’ – cf. Psalm 51:6?

Brethren, if we overcome and qualify for the glorious kingdom of God, we also will be clothed in ‘fine linen, clean and bright’! And, ‘without having spot or wrinkle – without blemish’ – Ephesians 5:27. Now, many might say that this is only metaphorical ── but do you honestly believe that our Heavenly Father would want His born sons and daughters (especially when we appear before men) dressed in “street clothes” wearing a baseball cap? And, you might say that God is a Spirit and has no need of clothing, which is true (John 4:24) ── but we mustn’t forget that all the times that the Lord GOD appeared before men He was clothed – cf. Genesis 18, 21, 22; 32:22-32; Revelation 1:13.

The LORD God Supplies All Our Needs

As I mentioned in the beginning of this Letter, we are told to ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness’ ── and He would supply our physical necessities, including clothing. “’ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not MUCH MORE clothe you, O you of little faith?’” – Matthew 6:30.

People are indeed the products of the culture in which they were reared. As the LORD God’s chosen begotten people we must not be lazy or indifferent to improve ourselves──which includes our dress. We are to grow enough to enter into the glorious kingdom of God. If we only wear “street clothes” all the time ── we must change. If we’re wearing shoddy clothes and we go out of the house ── we must change first. WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST! – 2 Corinthians 5:20. Not just once in a while ── but all the time! Again, how would you dress to meet dignitaries? Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah, the wife of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, shared her thoughts with a Washington Times journalist concerning attire for women, “It is important that all of my guests feel at ease in our home. I want them to relax and enjoy themselves as much as possible, and I know that may be difficult when someone feels over- or underdressed the minute they walk through the door. Black tie at an embassy function calls for ladies to wear a long dress or very fancy ankle- or midi-length dress. If it is backless or somewhat decollete, some sort of an evening wrap is advisable, especially in winter or if the air conditioning gets too cold. Silk or silk/satin evening trousers with very dressy tops are also acceptable.” 1

God is giving us time to change and grow to become more like our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus wore a tunic (John 19:23). “The tunic was a shirt that was worn next to the skin. It was made out of leather, haircloth, wool, or linen. Both sexes wore tunics but there was a difference in the style and pattern. For men, the tunic came down to the knees and was fastened at the waist by a girdle of leather or cloth. Female tunics were very similar to the males, but went down to their ankles.” 2 Our Lord Jesus was neat and orderly in His dress and in His personal habits. He is the Author of order and beauty, not confusion, chaos, and dirtiness – 1 Corinthians 14:33.

Now, the Laws and Way of the LORD God is universal – cf. Romans 2:11. The Laws and principles of the LORD God are meant for all mankind throughout all the ages in all of our diverse societies and customs of dress. As we know in many countries, it is customary for men to still wear tunics, skirts, or kilts. As an example: The Samoan Lavalava is a wraparound “skirt.” These are worn by men, women, and children. In Japan, there are two types of the hakama for men to wear, the divided umanori, and the undivided andon hakama. The umanori type has divided legs, similar to diverted skirts and pantskirts.

God does not dictate in His living word what style of clothing a man or a woman is to wear. We are told to walk as our Lord Jesus walked, to live as He lived (1 John 2:6). Again, our Lord Jesus wore the style of clothing that was customary for His day. And He looked and dressed like any other average Jew. We should follow His example, wearing the styles that are customary and appropriate for our area of the world.

The LORD God Commands Cleanliness

Returning again to ancient Israel ── when the LORD God established His Law (and His Law has absolutely nothing to do with the Code of Hammurabi) with Israel, he gave the people certain physical laws, and rituals, that regulated their relationship with their fellow man. And, among these laws were regulations regarding cleanliness and sanitation.

When prophet Moses went up to God on Mount Sinai, He had given Moses specific instructions to go and tell the people –

“ … ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.’” – Exodus 19:10. The Lord GOD would not permit His people to appear before Him physically dirty or wearing unkempt clothing, as many religious people today appear before their gods and goddesses. Of course, we know that the LORD God requires spiritual cleanliness, but those who are developing spiritual cleanliness should also be practicing traits of physical cleanliness as well.

And since the LORD God does not change, They are still particular about how Their chosen begotten people appear before Them ── as an example: before a camera representing the Lord Jesus (cf. Matthew 18:20), and the video is published for all the world to view – including world dignitaries, kings, princes, prime ministers, and presidents. But some ‘unprofitable servants’ have not learned this yet. It is time to put away your stubbornness, and your resistance to change, and to listen to what the Spirit has to say. The LORD God will not permit us to inherit the kingdom of God if we have not been spiritually washed as a result of His great sacrifice, and unless we also learn how to appear before others as AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST dressed in the very best of our attire – with appropriate clothing fit for a King of kings and Lord of lords! □

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 “Are You Christ-Centered?” by Minister Leonard Johnson.

• Closing song.

• Closing prayer.

Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy

In the Middle East, the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown (See: VOA – ‘Russian State media report Syria’s Assad fled to Moscow’). See also: Fox News – ‘Assad arrives in Moscow, is granted asylum by Russia’).

Notice also the following:

Blaine Holt to Newsmax: Syrian Overthrow Pits 'Bad Guy Versus Bad Guy'

December 8, 2024

The news that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been ousted is neither good news nor bad for the rest of the world, as the fight between the dictator and the Islamist rebels who ended his regime pitted “bad guy versus bad guy,” retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt told Newsmax on Sunday. … with the Syrian government being overthrown, “Al-Qaida is moving in,” said Holt.

“This is going to create a vacuum that Israel is going to have to deal with almost immediately because stability is going to be required,” he added. …

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, while visiting an area near the Syrian border, called al-Assad’s ouster a “historic day.” He also said he’s ordered Israeli forces to seize areas in the buffer zone, to bar hostile forces from establishing themselves on his country’s border.

(https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/syria-basharal-assad/2024/12/08/id/1190804/).

So, now, a Shia Moslem psychopath who was behind some of the most atrocious and horrific terrorist acts recorded in history ── even against his own people ── is not in charge anymore. What will happen?

Certainly, just as there were US officials who voiced their concerns that the terrorists ISIS were going to fill the vacuum left in Afghanistan after the idiotic U.S. withdrawal, there are US officials who are concerned that “Al-Qaida is moving in.” And again, this would be consistent with a prophecy mentioned in the Book of Psalm –

“They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4) They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’

5) For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6) The tents of Edom [the progenitor of the Turkish people] and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [think Jordan] and the Hagrites [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; 7) Gebal [Lebanon], Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [Turks]; Philistia [modern Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon] 8) Assyria [whose descendants migrated to Germany] also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot [Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan]” – Psalm 83:3-8.

Nearly all of the above peoples are in lands dominated by Islam.

I believe that Syria (as well as Iran) will be a part of an “Islamic Coalition of Nations” ── called the end-time “king of the South” in God’s living word (cf. Daniel 11:40-43).

There are now various Islamic rebel groups all vying for control of Syria. And Iran (the number one terrorist-sponsoring nation) still wants whatever terrorist group that takes over Syria to get along with it –

December 8, 2024

Iran, a key ally of Bashar al-Assad throughout the Syrian conflict, said on Sunday it expects the “friendly” relations with Syria to continue even after al-Assad’s fall in Damascus.

“The relations between the two nations of Iran and Syria have a long history and have always been friendly, and it is expected that these relations will continue,” a foreign ministry statement said.

(https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/12/08/iran-says-it-wants-friendly-ties-with-syria-after-al-assad-s-fall).

As we’ve been announcing for years ── because of biblical prophecies such as Isaiah 22:6-9, it looks as if some in Syria (“Kir” includes some Syrians) will work militarily with Iran to cause great “damage to the city of David”!

Al-Qaeda is a pan-Islamist terrorist militant organization led by Sunni jihadists. There has been cooperation between Sunni and Shia Muslims before – and they do share some core tenets of Islam.

There have been some Protestant organizations claiming that the fulfillment of Isaiah 17:1 is near.

Let us notice that passage as well as some others –

“The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. 2) The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks Which lie down, and no one will make them afraid. 3) The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, The kingdom of Damascus, And the remnant of Syria; They will be as the glory of the children of Israel,’ Says the LORD of hosts.” – Isaiah 17:1-3.

“thus says the Lord GOD: ‘It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass. 8) For the head of Syria is Damascus, And the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken, So that it will not be a people.” – Isiah 7:7-8.

“Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have threshed Gilead [the Holy Land] with implements of iron.’” – Amos 1:3.

Damascus, “claimed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.” 3 And while most question that claim, the reality is that Damascus has not been (nor ever has been) destroyed to the point of being “a ruinous heap” since the LORD of hosts inspired His prophet Isaiah to record that it would happen one day. Certainly, this utter and complete destruction will come from warfare.

So, the fulfillment of Isaiah 17:1 will be fulfilled in this end-time. Certainly, the way biblical prophecy, for this end-time, is swiftly moving along ── we could see the utter destruction of the city of Damascus within a year.

This grave situation in Syria is highly volatile and will change. Judah (the tiny nation in the Middle East today called Israel) will certainly have to take military action against the various Islamic terrorist groups vying for power. In truth, we are getting very close to the time when Damascus will be destroyed!

The time has come when the LORD God has taken away the protection of Judah and the City of David! – Isaiah 22:9.

We are in the time that was prophesied by our Lord Jesus – “‘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.

Our Lord Jesus has told us over and over to WATCH, “’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.’” – Matthew 25:13; 24:42-44; 26:41; Mark 13:32-37; 14:38; Luke 12:36-37; 12:39-40; 21:33-36.

Concluding Comments

In this comment I think back to what I mentioned concerning an ‘unprofitable servant’ – It is time to put away your stubbornness, and your resistance to change, and to listen to what the Spirit has to say.

The apostle Paul says –

“Is there any such thing as Christians sheering each other up? Do you love me enough to want to help me? Does it mean anything to you that we are brothers in the Lord, sharing the same Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic at all? 2) Then make me truly happy by loving each other and agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, working together with one heart and mind and purpose.

3) Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. 4) Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.

5) Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, 6) who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to His rights as God, 7) but laid aside His mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men” – Philippians 2:1-7, TLB.

My brethren, we need to have love for one another, and like our living Lord Jesus, be willing to give up our lives for the truth to help increase love throughout all eternity!!

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,