Leonard V. Johnson
Pastor and Co-Founder
Dear Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers in Christ Jesus:
Greetings to all of you around the world.
We hope and pray you have had a Spirit-filled productive month!
Mardi Gras and St. Valentine’s Day
Multiple millions will soon be celebrating St. Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February. But, also a great many will be participating in and celebrating what is called Mardis Gras (also called Fat Tuesday, and is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent), this coming March 4th. Be sure to read our article ── Lent, Ash Wednesday and Easter - Did the Original Christians Observe These!?
The greater majority assume that the St. Valentine's Day celebrations tradition is connected with an early Christian “saint” by the name of Valentine. Well, nothing could be further from the truth!
Notice this from History.com ──
“ ... the Christian church [in other words, the Catholic Church] may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or Lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip the goat's hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood, and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman.”
It's sad that when you read through this article on History.com - History of Valentine's Day - written by their “editors,” it reads, “others claim.” As if anyone who teaches the truth of the origin of St. Valentine's Day is a heretic.
It is a known fact that centuries before the birth of our Savior ── Jesus Christ ── the Romans celebrated February 15th and the evening of the 14th as an idolatrous and sexual festival in honor of the one they called Lupercus - the “hunter of wolves.” The custom of the young Roman women placing their names in a big urn for the bachelors of the city certainly sounds familiar with what children all over the United States will be participating in on February 14th of this year - does it not? - the exchanging of St. Valentine's Day cards!? Indeed, the custom of exchanging Valentine's cards from this “name drawing” is a holdover from this Lupercalia celebration.
True Christians DO NOT keep or celebrate any repackaged and rebranded demonic holidays ── cf. Jeremiah 10:2-4.
“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. 21) You CANNOT drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you CANNOT partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.” – 1 Corinthians 10:19-21.
Revelries like Mardi Gras and St. Valentine’s Day (anciently called Lupercalia) truly came from pagans (heathens).
An article from Catholic Online rationalizes the celebration of Mardi Gras away ──
“According to historians, the celebration of Mardi Gras has its roots in the pagan Roman celebration of Lupercalia. This was a February holiday and it honored the Roman god of fertility. It involved feasting, drinking, and carnal behavior.However, with the rise of the Church in ancient Rome, Christian teaching and morals took root, but there always remained a strong need to blend ancient Roman traditional practices with the growing Christian faith. The blending of tradition with new religious beliefs was a common practice in the ancient world and it helped people to transition away from paganism.”(Read More: https://www.catholic.org/lent/mardigras.php retrieved 11 Feb. 2025).
The observance of non-biblical holidays as religious festivals is forbidden by the LORD God. We are not allowed to worship God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in this manner. Notice something that our Lord Jesus teaches us ──
“’ But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24) God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit [or through the Spirit of God – aided by the very mind of Jesus Christ] and truth’” – John 4:23-24.
Large amounts of alcohol (especially wine) played a leading role in Greek culture with their god Dionysus ── Key events and rituals:
• Processions that featured effigies of Dionysus.
• Public sacrifices and offerings of wine and fruits.
• Theatrical competitions, where playwrights showcased their tragedies and comedies.
The custom of Mardis Gras female attendees bearing breasts? ── one source ──
“Flashing for beads is a ritual with murky roots. Exactly when it first appeared at Mardi Gras is unclear, but it is believed to have become widespread in the mid-80s. …”
In a nutshell, they don’t have a clue. Many contributed to the women’s liberation movement that was gaining forward momentum in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.
But, here is something of interest. Dionysus, the god of wine and theater, is known for his wild and uninhibited behavior. 1 He is often depicted as naked with a homosexual consort.
Our Creator’s living immutable word teaches us ──
“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14) But PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” – Romans 13:13-14.
While God’s living word in no way condemns rejoicing and celebrating, Mardi Gras and all its related celebrations are completely contrary to the will of the LORD God! Interestingly enough, in Bolivia, the Carnival of Oruro occurs every year – closely related to the Diablada, also known as the Danza de los Diablos (Dance of the Devils). Spanish colonization led to the breaking down of the indigenous native legacies. However, many indigenous rites were preserved by the inhabitants, giving rise to a religious syncretism of Catholicism and Wari Culture. Christian ideas of the Virgin and the Devil from Catholic teachings were absorbed into native ideas of Pachamama and Tio Supay, a blending of religious symbolism that can still be seen during the Carnival. 2 

So, they openly worship Satan the Devil as their god!
Mardi Gras (in all its forms and celebrations worldwide), along with St. Valentine’s Day are not God-ordained celebrations!
Marijuana (weed, pot, Mary Jane ── or all the other slang terms used)
A greater number of nations, countries, and provinces around the world, and here in the Western Hemisphere, are legalizing the use of marijuana, or they have stopped enforcing laws related to its use.
A friend of mine ── who was at one time a minister for the Open Bible Churches ── tried to rationalize with me that Genesis 1:11-12 gave him the right to smoke marijuana. “Especially,” as he stated, “since marijuana is a flowering herb.”
While marijuana (along with hemp; hemp plants and cannabis plants are both the same species) are indeed “a herb that yields seed, … And God saw that it was good” ── let us also take into consideration what the apostle Peter wrote, under divine inspiration ── and this is one Scripture that I reminded my friend is within the living word of God ──
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8.
From my observation of marijuana users throughout my life, I can tell you with certainty that one cannot be sober or vigilant when you are smoking marijuana. It is an intoxicant. “Smoking marijuana can affect your memory and cognitive function and cause harmful cardiovascular effects, such as high blood pressure. Long-term marijuana use can worsen respiratory conditions. Marijuana has a central nervous system (CNS) depressant effect.” 3 Using marijuana (according to my personal observations) makes a person lazy.
God’s living word repeatedly condemns drunkenness ── Drunkenness can symbolize a lack of self-control or moderation in behavior (What is The Difference Between Buzzed and Drunk?).
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. 18) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:8, 18.
“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, … ── not even to eat with such a person.” – 1 Corinthians 5:11.
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, … will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
In God’s living word, the definition of a drunkard is an individual who habitually consumes excessive amounts of alcohol leading to a state of a lack of self-control.
As far as marijuana ── it’s necessary to draw principles from God’s living word and consider how the word of God applies to smoking marijuana. Again, the living immutable word of the Eternal God warns against using any substance that alters our state of mind or distracts us from the LORD God, the kingdom of God, and the righteousness of God.
Suggested Sabbath Day Service
Here is our suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers 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” by Minister Leonard V Johnson.
• Closing song.
• Closing prayer.
Some World News Concerning Biblical Prophecy
A great many, here in the United States of America and abroad, are concerned about a trade war because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs (See: VOA - Trump places tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China). Well, truly, according to Jeff Ferry ── the Chief Economist Emeritus at the Coalition for A Prosperous America, “We have been in a trade war since 2001 since China entered the world trading community. The trade war is long-standing. Now America is taking action and a lot of people are throwing up their hands, not because they are concerned about a trade war, but because they're concerned they might lose a valuable market for their own products.”
Where a great many differ from President Trump is that they ── such as the likes of Meredith Crowley ─ Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge ── believe that tariffs could lead to a much heavier economic burden on the lowest-income people.
And I say, “Waaaaah, we want to buy the cheap garbage products from China, rather than maybe paying a little more to help support the citizens of the United States of America!”
The Left-leaning BBC recently posted ──
1st February 2025It was not a bluff, the tariffs are here – and this is just the opening salvo from the Oval Office.The world trading system has not been here before. A slide towards a wider trade conflict is very much on the cards, as President Trump prepares similar tariffs firstly against Europe, and then at a lower level universally.But what matters as much as the actions the US takes, is how the rest of the world responds. …Canada has signaled it will take a robust approach to Trump, best articulated by the contender to be the country’s next prime minister, Mark Carney.“We will retaliate … dollar for dollar,” he told the BBC, ridiculing the fentanyl rationale and saying Canada would “stand up to a bully”. …The real question here is whether the rest of the world, even tacitly, coordinates retaliatory tariffs …Some nations may conclude that these days, there are other options in the world.
We know now what Canada finally did ── On Monday, Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Trump agreed to a 30-day reprieve on tariffs after Canada pledged to adopt a more stringent plan to secure its border with the United States. 4
However, this world’s nations have indeed been looking for an alternative way instead of trading with the United States of America. Some of the alternatives include using national currencies such as the Chinese yuan. Also, the nations Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) are seriously considering a BRICS common currency to replace the US dollar. We speak of this quite a bit.
God’s living word shows us that a “United” Europe will ── at least temporarily ── come to dominate world trade. And, speaking of a revitalized and empowered future Catholic Church (the mouthpiece for this final “United” Europe) ──
“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16) He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive A MARK ON THEIR RIGHT HAND or ON THEIR FOREHEADS, 17) and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark [the Christian cross] or the name of the beast [a resurrected and final installment of the “Holy” Roman Empire], or the number of his name.” – Revelation 13:15-17.
And we, over the years, have come to understand that this means the name of the
founder of Rome – ROMULUS. This blasphemous name is what all citizens of that
governmental system are called – ROMANS. The Greek name for Romulus was
LATEINOS. L = 30; A = 1; T = 300; E = 5; I = 10; N = 50; O = 70; S = 200 which
equals 666.
So here, again, we see in the Book of Revelation - the economy. The ability to buy and sell. Now, some of these nations in recent years – such as Greece in 2018 – had absolutely closed the banks down! And you couldn’t even use your debit card or even go into your safe deposit box and get cash that you might have had available. This is something that all people should truly think about! Instead of living as though our economy is going to go on forever.
“’ For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’” – Revelation 18:3.
“’ The kings of the earth who committed [spiritual] fornication with her will weep and lament for her [speaking of the destruction of the Roman Catholic Church] when they see the smoke of her burning, … 19) They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city [speaking of Rome], in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’” – Revelation 18:9, 19.
“’ The light of a lamp shall not shine in you [the Roman Catholic Church] anymore, and the voice of the bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24) And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.’” – Revelation 18:23-24.
Now, Europe does not have to be completely united (cf. Daniel 2:33), to appear as the best viable economic option for the world. And, even though it is certainly NOT at the top of people’s minds now, Europe is prophesied within the living words of God to do so at the end of this present evil age.
Surely, the implementation of tariffs against nations has accelerated the desire of Europeans to look elsewhere to secure trade deals outside of the United States of America. God’s living dual prophecies are coming to pass. We continue to witness steps that align with biblical prophecies.
In regards to the Gaza Strip ── and I’m going to quote from the Leftist-leaning Wikipedia (before they delete it or highly alter it) ──
U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that the U.S. takeover the Gaza Strip on 4th February 2025 during his meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. According to [our president] it is to encourage economic development and to build “unlimited jobs.” He also suggested that the Palestinians (who historically have been a violent and terroristic group of people; I personally added this part) be permanently removed from the Gaza Strip. 5
See also: VOA - Trump meets with Netanyahu, doubles down on relocating Palestinians.
Now, we have written extensively concerning the Palestinians.
Friends, the entire 47th chapter of the Book of Jeremiah is a dual prophecy concerning the Philistines (modern-day Palestinians), including Gaza – also notice that Ashkelon is spoken of –
“The word of the [Eternal] that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines [modern-day Palestinians], before Pharaoh attacked Gaza.
2) Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, waters rise out of the north, And shall be an overflowing flood; They shall overflow the land and all that is in it, The city and those who dwell within; Then the men shall cry, And all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.
3) At the noise of the stamping hooves of his strong horses, At the rushing of his chariots, At the rumbling of his wheels, The fathers will not look back for their children, Lacking courage, 4) Because of the day that comes to plunder all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; For the LORD shall plunder the Philistines, The remnant of the country of Caphtor.
5) Baldness has come upon Gaza, Ashkelon is cut off With the remnant of their valley. How long will you cut yourself?
6) ‘O you sword of the LORD, How long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, Rest and be still! 7) How can it be quiet, Seeing the LORD has given it a charge Against Ashkelon and against the seashore? There He has appointed it’” – Jeremiah 47:1-7.
So, grave problems were thus prophesied for the Palestinians, including those of the Gaza Strip – since this is a dual prophecy. This, of course, has a soon-coming application! Ashkelon is currently part of Israel. And, the terrorist group Hamas ── on January 7th, 2023, and several other Palestinian militant groups launched coordinated armed incursions from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel! The attacks began with a barrage of at least 4,300 rockets launched into Israel. Hamas militants breached the Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking military bases and massacring civilians in 21 communities. Murder, rape, and sexual assault were rampant! The Palestinians will either control Ashkelon or be so numerous within it.
Sadly, towards the end of this present evil age, the nation of Israel will lose territory to the Palestinians. Rockets, nor the Iron Dome will be the solution for our brethren of Judah. Those who truly follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).
Well, the removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip (and despite everything that has happened, many don't want to leave, according to Timothy Kaldas, deputy director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, “They know that the odds that the Israelis would let them back home after the fighting ends [are] ... unlikely.”).
And this I say, as our President Donald Trump has said, “Just can’t go back. If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years.” As I’ve often stated, a quote from Albert Einstein (or at least a variation of this), “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Palestinians being in the Gaza Strip is not working! But, sadly, no matter what I might think, you might think, or what the tiny nation called Israel might think or do, there will always be Palestinians and those who support them (and yes, I do believe that Palestinians have a right to their own sovereignty and land; just not the Gaza Strip or Palestine in general – and I base this upon God’s living word, not my own) oppose the removal of the Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and relocating them in Jordan or Egypt.
So, no matter our personal opinions regarding this highly flammable subject, world events continue to confirm the right understanding of many prophetic matters that we here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries are proclaiming and teaching ── all of which are based upon “the prophetic word confirmed” – 2 Peter 1:19, NKJV.
Concluding Comments
Here are some Scriptures of praise, joy, and thanksgiving to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ:
“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul [my life] within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With the multitude that kept a pilgrim feast” – Psalm 42:14.
“For the LORD will comfort Zion [New Jerusalem], He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody” – Isaiah 51:3.
“The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say:
‘Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever’
And of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the LORD” – Jeremiah 33:11.
“For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10) night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?” – 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10.
“Rejoice always, 17) pray without ceasing, 18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13) although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” – 1 Timothy 1:12-13.
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” – Colossians 3:17.
Let us, Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers In Christ, be thankful for our calling! We all should be!
In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

Bibliography:
1 Newbold, R.F., FEAR OF SEX IN NONNUS' DIONYSIACA, Department of Classics University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. April 1998, Retrieved 11 Feb. 2025.
1 Newbold, R.F., FEAR OF SEX IN NONNUS' DIONYSIACA, Department of Classics University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. April 1998, Retrieved 11 Feb. 2025.
2 Wikipedia contributors. "Carnaval de Oruro." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, , 12 Jan. 2025. Web. 11 Feb. 2025.
3 Mayo Clinic Staff, Marijuana, Mayo Clinic, Retrieved 11 Feb. 2025.
4 Isai, V., Behind Closed Doors, Trudeau Says Trump Threat to Take Over Canada Is Real, The New York Times, 7 Feb. 2025.
5 Wikipedia contributors. "United States proposed takeover of the Gaza Strip." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, 11 Feb. 2025. Web. 11 Feb. 2025.