Leonard V. Johnson
Pastor and Co-Founder
Dear Brethren, Co-Workers, and Friends in Christ around the world:
Welcome, and greetings from West Central Florida.
We are continuing to create and publish PDF booklets. Our latest is “The Truth Concerning New Year’s.” We also just completed “What Is the Kingdom of God?” translated into Spanish in audio and video. Please continue praying that we can continue creating and publishing informative and God-inspired PDF booklets.
Additional Ministerial Equipment
We recently purchased some additional equipment for creating sermons.
A lightweight portable camera mount tripod stand.
5k video camera camcorder.
We would like to begin using two cameras while filming sermons, for additional camera angles. Additionally, we will need to purchase hardware or software to switch between cameras during filming.
Will Aborted Babies Be Resurrected?
This question hits close to home with a great many of us──myself as well.
Our awesome, loving, and gracious LORD God (the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) is working out the greatest of purpose for all of us on this planet──that only a very few have been called to understand.
Will aborted babies (aborted for any number of reasons), along with babies that die not long after being born live again?
Every human being for the last nearly 6,000 years has come into this world (and even before being born; cf. Jeremiah 1:6) with a “carnal mind” that is “enmity against God” ── against the LORD God’s Way – Romans 8:6-8.
The LORD God──through those that Father God has called out of this world (John 6:44) ── is building perfect righteous godly character through our experiences and our sufferings. We certainly all should have heard the phrase from our fathers after doing something wrong, “Well, did you learn your lesson yet?” Experience is one of our greatest teachers. Anyone can profit from mistakes ── if the person stops making the same mistakes and learns the lesson.
Over the weekend my wife and I held a family get-together. And my sister-in-law was lamenting over the fact that she “lost” a great many of her family members to death. Either by suicide, cancer, or by a bleeding ulcer. She was saying how these “losses” affect her half the year. My heart truly goes out to her and her family in their loss.
I do not know what her Baptist minister is teaching her concerning life and death ── but I felt that wasn’t the time nor place to speak to her the living truth from the LORD God. Besides, she didn’t ask.
Sadly, the majority of humanity does not know what salvation truly is. The majority are taught and believe that upon death (if you’re “good” – by whatever standard they apply to good) they instantly fleet off to heaven. Or, upon death (if you’re “bad” – again, by whatever standard they deem is bad) they “go down” to hellfire! And this is simply not taught in God’s living immutable word – the Holy Bible! Most religions have their ideas and ideals of a “heaven.” Yet ── in fact, the LORD God has not been trying to save everyone during these nearly 600 decades. Only those that were “predestined” to be called (Romans 8:28-30). And they are not usually wealthy, wise, or noble (1 Corinthians 1:26).
A call unto eternal salvation is a glorious gift, and we must properly learn that our way is actually WRONG! Repent, and accept the glorious Gospel Message – believe the glorious Gospel Message – and accept CHRIST JESUS as our Savior, High Priest, and Elder Brother, and to begin building godly character to eventually be “like Him” – (1 John 3:1-3). See also, Revelation 1:6; 5:10.
Failing to see clearly and to properly understand life and death, my sister-in-law, and multiple billions like her, tend to believe that their loved ones who have died (and, as they use the phrase “a good person”) have gone off to heaven. That they have been “saved” ── including aborted babies. To justify their belief in this, they quickly turn to Matthew 18:3-6.
“Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3) and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom [from] heaven. 4) Therefore whoever HUMBLES HIMSELF as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom [from] heaven. 5) Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6) Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in Me to sin, would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’”
Briefly ── another verse which helps us glean a little more light about this concept. Verse 14 – “’ Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.’”
We are not to harm a little one. Jesus Christ said, ‘It is better that a millstone be hung about your neck than you to harm one of these little ones.’ Now, He may have been speaking about new Church members, but I think by extension, you’d have to say that Jesus Christ simply detests the idea that little children are murdered. We have major political leaders in this country who have supported legislation that would allow doctors the right to murder a baby that had unexpectedly survived an attempted abortion. And I just think – anyone who would vote for that, or even consider that, how wicked, calloused, and vicious that human heart must really be. I just simply cannot envision God Almighty and Jesus Christ being pleased with our nation's acceptance, and making it right for the cruel sacrifice of God’s potential children.
Pay close attention to the fact that our Lord Jesus did not say, “children are converted and will be the greatest in the kingdom from heaven.” Here He was speaking to His disciples, and He was telling them (and by extension, us) to cultivate and build godly characteristics that little children ought to have. Our Lord Jesus was simply pointing out that His followers need the quality of humility (as a properly disciplined child will humble themselves before their parents, having honor and love to help them in their time of need). We need to build righteous godly character to qualify to inherit the Kingdom of God.
The apostle Mark also recorded these same words from our Lord Jesus ──
“ …’ for of such is the kingdom of God. 15) Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’” – Mark 10:14, 15.
A spiritually mature true Christian will humble himself as a little child before the thrones of the LORD God! Be sure to read today: “A Morning Bible Study - The Day of Atonement── A Great Prophetic Meaning!” as well as “Day of Atonement - a day to humble yourself before God!”
The LORD God’s greatest of purposes for all of us, brethren, is that we learn the value of God’s Way through experiences, trials, tribulations, and even sufferings. Including His Son, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9) And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation TO ALL WHO OBEY HIM.” – Hebrews 5:8-9. Before we receive the gift of eternal life, with all its power and responsibilities, the LORD God wants us to learn obedience to the Law of God ── which is summed up in the Ten Commandments.
Unborn or born babies, little children ── and even our loved ones that have died having not understood the mysteries of God – or not understood enough for them to have been responsible ── had no true opportunity for this kind of spiritual growth. They were not called out of this present evil age. They all were mortal and had no eternal life within them because they had not received the glorious Spirit of God ── the very life of God which imparts eternal life. Almighty God be praised forever more! – “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you; He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that dwells in you.” – Romans 8:11.
We know that eventually my sister-in-law, and the multiple billions around the world, will come to see clearly that there is a time when the LORD God will raise from the dead those that are dead, “small and great, standing before God, and books” will be opened. And “another book” will be opened, “which is the Book of Life.” – Revelation 20:11-13. They will be offered for the first time the glorious gift of eternal life. And, all aborted babies and all of our loved ones that had died having not understood the mysteries of God – or not understood enough for them to have been responsible ── will be there in the “Great White Throne Judgment”!
To further understand this hope in us (Titus 1:2), then watch our sermon “Salvation OFFERED To All.”
You have heard that it was said that aborted babies will not be resurrected because they had not breathed “the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). But, is this what makes them human? “But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.” – Job 32:8.
Animals do not have a spirit. Man needed this spirit to empower his brain with mind power - see 1 Corinthians 2:11. This human spirit enters the human embryo at conception. The spirit is like the “hard drive on a computer” – it stores information. The spirit essence is NOT an immortal soul or an eternal spirit. The spirit in man is NOT the man. It is something in the man. It has no life of itself. At death, it has no consciousness of itself, for it sleeps (1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). Like a tape recorder, it forms a permanent record of the qualities of mind and character built by a man during his lifetime. And much like a used tape is stored lifelessly on a shelf till activated in a recorder, so also does the spirit of man “return to GOD who gave it” after death, until the resurrection when life is again given to a person (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This was the way that our Lord Jesus Christ – through His servant – explained it to me and I hold fast to this that is good. Furthermore: the spirit in man was transmitted from Adam. Spirit comes from the father from a sperm cell – from Adam all down through all humanity.
So, of all life forms – be it amoebas, humpback whales, or spiritual angels – in all of God’s creation, MAN ALONE was created to eventually be born into the FAMILY OF GOD!
And, the LORD God ── gracious, merciful, and full of compassion ── will never forget an innocent unborn child. □
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.
• Special Music: May we suggest, “He Will Carry You” – by G.C. LaMar.
• Sermon – from the pastor or guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is “Firstfruits From the Earth” delivered by Minister Leonard V Johnson.
• Closing song.
• Closing prayer.
Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy
Let’s begin in the United States of America. As of the writing of this Letter, there are 13 days until the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance! And truly, it can’t come soon enough!
Former President Jimmy Carter sadly died on December 29th. The only news source that I found that actually tells us some truth concerning his life and legacy is Newsmax with Rob Finnerty. “Good Man, Bad President.” All other news sources – including Fox News – only give glorious accolades. The four years that he was in office ── the highest and most important office of the land ── was the very worst until resident Joe Biden. He lived a long and fruitful life. Our prayers go out to his family for their loss ── may the LORD God truly comfort them.
Concerning the greatest U.S. President since Ronald Reagan, there are (of course) a great number of concerns about certain vows he made. His comments about using the U.S. military to root out Mexican cartels IN MEXICO have upset leaders within that country. (See: Newsmax – ‘Mexico Concerned Trump May Order Military Strike on Cartels’).
Well, if Mexico took care of the problem, we wouldn’t have to. Just because Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, says it’s not going to happen does not mean that the United States of America will not cross into Mexican territory and take care of business! We have done this to many countries in the past ── including Mexico. Remember the Mexican-American War (from 1846 to 1848)?
Of course (because there hasn’t been a U.S. President to do so since President Ronald Reagan) statements and vows that U.S. President Donald Trump is making are upsetting nations around the world that have been long allies of the U.S. ── including Canada, Denmark, and Panama. To Note: Since 1867, the United States has considered, and made, several attempts to purchase the island of Greenland from Denmark. Also, be sure to read: Firstpost – ‘Canada as US' 51st state? Why it was a real worry for some’).
Notice this regarding Panama ──
Panama: Protesters say ‘enemy’ Trump must leave canal aloneDecember 25, 2024Demonstrators in Panama on Tuesday protested against US President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion that the US government could retake the Panama Canal. …Dozens of protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in Panama and chanted slogans such as “Trump, animal, leave the canal alone,” carrying banners reading “Donald Trump, public enemy of Panama.”
I too believe the greatest of words when it comes to Making America Great Again is the word “tariffs.” But, we should also note that the threat of massive tariffs and the threat of deporting massive amounts of illegal and DANGEROUS people from the United States upsets some nations ── including Mexico and Venezuela. Well, I stand with our incoming border czar, Tom Homan, “There’s Other Ways!” when a country is refusing to take back its illegal migrants. Crossing our U.S. border illegally doesn’t make you unhuman, but it does make you a CRIMINAL!
Many in Mexico believe that they are entitled to receive all that land back. They call it the “Reconquista” (the “reconquest”). It is interesting to note that God’s living word does teach us that the final European “beast” power ──the final king of the North ──who will eventually subjugate the United States of America will “divide the land for gain” – Daniel 11:39. It is quite possible that Mexico will end up with a majority of this land back.
There is coming a time when the Europeans (possibly under the guise of pretending a NATO military exercise within North America) will launch a blitzkrieg attack against the United States of America in fulfillment of biblical prophecies. And, Mexico ── in all likelihood ── will side with the Europeans.
Does this sound like a conspiracy theory? Notice this from our history ──
How America’s Reasons For Entering World War I Resonate TodayApril 6, 2017One hundred years ago today, the United States officially declared war on Germany and entered World War I. Days before the declaration of war, President Woodrow Wilson urged a special joint session of Congress to “formally accept the status of belligerent which has thus been thrust upon it.”Wilson had not wanted to do this. Indeed, he’d won reelection the previous fall as the antiwar candidate, running on the popular slogans “He kept us out of war” and “America First”—appeals to voters who wanted to stay out of a major European war and avoid a simmering conflict with Mexico.But two events would change everything, and force Americans to accept that they could no longer avoid what had become a global conflict. The first was Germany’s resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare on passenger and merchant ships. The second was the “Zimmerman telegraph,” which revealed Germany’s attempt to forge a secret alliance with Mexico against the United States, promising to help Mexico recover territory it had ceded to the United States following the Mexican-American War in 1848.Both of these developments, like much of World War I, seem exotic and unimaginable today. A major military power attacking passenger ships with submarines? Mexico invading Texas? It’s easy to think we’ll never face such scenarios again, and we probably won’t face those particular scenarios. But as distant and strange as the First World War seems to us today, the reasons Wilson changed course and declared war hold vital relevance to our national life in the twenty-first century, and we ignore or misunderstand those reasons to our peril.
Also, staying here in the United States of America. January 1st, 2025, an ISIS-inspired, flag-carrying terrorist psychopath mowed down dozens of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans (See: The Denver Post – ‘New Orleans New Year’s Day ramming is the latest attack to use a vehicle as a deadly weapon’).
This is terrible and horrendous, and those affected by this vile evil are in our prayers.
15 Dead, Dozens Injured After Terrorist Plows ISIS-Flag-Waving Truck Into Crowd On Bourbon Street• 15 dead, dozens injured after truck plowed through Bourbon Street, New Orleans• FBI confirmed investigating as a 'terror' attack• The white Ford F-150 Lightning (EV) truck used was rented• ISIS Flag posted on the vehicle• The suspect is confirmed as 42-year-old US Citizen from Texas.• The suspect opened fire on police and was shot and killed.• Law enforcement is investigating at least two potential IEDs planted in the area.• The Sugar Bowl has been postponed until tomorrow.• Louisiana Governor declares state of emergency.
I’m under the belief that this (and any other) vicious psychopath DOES NOT deserve their name printed, that is why I redacted it.
Yes. There have been terrorist attacks on the United States of America ever since its inception in 1776. Be sure to check out: “The Enemy Within: Terror in America 1776 to Today. Educator Guide PDF” But, we are seeing worsening terrorism in America and abroad! The apostle Paul ── under divine inspiration ── wrote, “But know this, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times will come …” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5. And he lists an increase in those that would be unloving, unthankful, unforgiving, brutal, despisers of good, and traitors!
Concluding Comments
Last night I watched “Greyhound” the 2020 American war film directed by Aaron Schneider and starring Tom Hanks. I waited a long while to watch it and was excited to finally have a chance to see it. The film is based on the 1955 novel The Good Shepherd by C. S. Forester and follows a US Navy commander on his first assignment commanding a multi-national escort destroyer group of four, defending an Allied convoy from German U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic. 1 Truly, one of the greatest war films I have seen these past two years! Watching, what truly caught my attention ── besides the exciting battle scenes ── was when the US Navy commander’s fiancé handed him a card before deployment that read, “The Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever!” And I turned to my wife and excitedly exclaimed, “That’s talking about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! – Hebrews 13:8!”
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
I took note of the solace in the middle of horrific action when Commander Krause stands at the ship’s shattered porthole, staring out at the dark roiling sea and quotes God’s living word: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:6. And, while amid a wolfpack, under his breath, he quotes our Lord Jesus, “’ Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.’” – Matthew 10:16.
Truly, I was unaware that in watching this movie, my thoughts would be thinking of the time when our Lord Jesus calmed the storm for His disciples. At that moment, I wasn’t thinking of war or the threat against Krause and his men ── I was thinking of our Lord Jesus Christ. The story in which our Lord Jesus and His disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee, and a storm arises while Our Lord sleeps. The disciples are scared and wake our Lord to tell Him they’re going to die. What our Lord Jesus does is relayed to us in Mark 4:39 ── a true miracle: “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”
Brethren, when we find ourselves in a “dark roiling sea” of tribulations, troubles, and trials, and even of sufferings (2 Corinthians 1:3-7), let us have peace, and be still, in Christ Jesus! - Psalm 46:10. □
In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,
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