Does the LORD God Truly Want To Forgive You?

by Leonard V Johnson

Will all your sins be forgiven? Is forgiving all your sins part of God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning?

Does the LORD God genuinely want you to be saved?

Yes!

Notice what the apostle Paul was inspired to write ──

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made FOR ALL MEN, 2) for kings [for presidents, prime ministers, and the like] and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all goodness and reverence. 3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4) WHO DESIRES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

Nearly 6,000 years ago Lucifer (now known as Satan the Devil) began his deception of mankind (cf. Genesis 3:1-4; Revelation 12:9), and from that point mankind was cut-off from the LORD God (the Elohim; the family of God which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) ──

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For ALL that is in the world ── the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the PRIDE of life ── is not of the Father but is of the world. 17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does THE WILL OF GOD abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” – 2 Peter 1:2-4.

All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory ── Romans 3:23.

And when the time was fulfilled ──

“’ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes [on] Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’” – John 3:16.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9) If we confess our sins [to God our Father and God our Savior], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:8-9.

Yes! The LORD God will forgive you if you truly repent and confess your sins to Them!

The’Unpardonable’ Sin

Now is there a sin that WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN?

Our Lord Jesus says, “Yes!”

What is the unpardonable sin? Well, simply put ── it’s the blasphemy against God’s Spirit. Rejecting God’s Spirit. Those who have turned their back on the LORD God, having driven out the Spirit of God out of them ──

“’ Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32) ANYONE who [commands] a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but WHOEVER [commands] against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.’” – Matthew 12:31-32.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by [which] you were sealed for the day of redemption [the resurrection of all the saints].” – Ephesians 4:30.

“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death [speaking of the second death], he will ask, and He will give him life [eternal life] for those who commit sin not leading to death [speaking of the second death]. There is sin leading to death [again, speaking of the second death]. I do not say that he should pray about that [meaning, he should not make a request for this!]. 17) All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death [speaking again of the second death].” – 1 John 5:16-17.

Notice what happens to those who do commit sin leading to death ──

“ …’ He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels … 46) And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’” – Matthew 25:41, 46.

I cover what is meant, “everlasting punishment” in our Letter to our Friends – July 2, 2021.

The fire is everlasting, the execution is the second death, it’s instantaneous.

The LORD God’s immutable word is clear that They are willing to forgive us our sins ── if we confess our sins to Them and REPENT ── Acts 2:38; 3:19.

But what if you do not repent?

Well...   Satan the Devil told Eve ──

“ …’ You will not surely die. …’” – Genesis 3:4.

Yet, the LORD God says ──

“ …’ Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” ─ Genesis 2:16.

And, under divine inspiration, the apostle Paul ──

“For the wages of sin is death [speaking of the second death], but THE GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23.

They are not speaking of a first death ── our physical death that is caused by the second law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of increasing decay. Because, and I’ve mentioned this several times now ── that even if Adam had taken of the tree of life, he was going to die anyway, no matter if they were to choose the tree of life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Had they chosen the tree of life, they would still have lived out their days and died. But, like what the apostle Paul wrote, “at the twinkling of an eye,” they would have been resurrected wholly spiritual beings. Have you ever thought of this before? They were speaking of a second death ── a death in which you are not resurrected again. A permanent death.

Again, the LORD God ──

“’ I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you [the very day that you hear His message], that I have set before you LIFE AND DEATH, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, …’” – Deuteronomy 30:19.

“’ Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.’” – Ezekiel 18:4, 20.

On our Statements of Belief page, we wrote ──

Baptism of Fire

The baptism of fire is NOT a baptism to be sought by spiritually begotten children of God – as some teach. It is a baptism that is reserved for the incorrigibly wicked. The Scriptures reveal that the baptism of fire is the eternal destruction of the vile wicked in the “lake which burns with fire and brimstone.” Those who are cast into this lake of fire will NOT be “tormented day and night forever and ever,” but will be burned up. This is the second death – the permanent death – and God’s final judgment for the unrepentant and for those who have committed the unpardonable sin – those who have rejected God’s Way of salvation through Jesus Christ. All who have hardened their hearts in their iniquities and their rebellion against Almighty God and who have committed the unpardonable sin by knowingly resisting and blaspheming God’s Holy Spirit – therefore making it impossible to now be led to repentance. They together will be destroyed (“perish” – cf. 2 Peter 3:9) together in the “lake which burns with fire and brimstone.”

The LORD God gives men time to repent of a sin which does not lead to death. Notice what our Lord Jesus says ──

“ … ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7) Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8) But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9) And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that, you can cut it down.’” – Luke 13:6-9.

Cf. ──

“’ Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21) And I GAVE HER TIME TO REPENT …’” – Revelation 2:20, 21.

Our Lord and Savior is teaching us that while the LORD God may grant the unfruitful some time to repent and begin producing fruits fitting for God (and this certainly applies to everyone who has been called by Father God), there is a limit to the amount of time that is allotted. We MUST OVERCOME AND PRODUCE FRUIT FITTING FOR GOD!

Notice some additional Scriptures basically teaching us what the unpardonable sin is ──

“Therefore, we MUST give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, LEST WE DRIFT AWAY. 2) For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3) HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT A SALVATION, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4) God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” – Hebrews 2:1-4.

“For IT IS IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6) if they FALL AWAY, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” – Hebrews 6:4-6.

So notice that the only sin that will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit ── which is knowingly and willingly rejecting/neglecting the glorious Holy Spirit, which is gifted after true repentance and true baptism.

Notice this warning for those who have been called by Father God, have properly repented and have been properly baptized, having hands laid upon them, and receiving the glorious gift of the Holy Spirit ──

“For if we sin WILLFULLY after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin, 27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

29) Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant [the New Covenant] by which he was sanctified a common thing, and INSULTED THE SPIRIT OF GRACE?” – Hebrews 10:26-27, 29.

While this sounds like an unjust God, notice what God’s living word says ──

“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT.” – James 2:13.

God’s living word in the Old Testament confirms the living truth of the unpardonable sin ──

“ … ‘if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity [speaking of the first death here]; … 20) Again, when A RIGHTEOUS MAN TURNS FROM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND COMMITS INIQUITY, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die [speaking of the second death here]; … he shall die in his sin, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH HE HAS DONE [previously] SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED; …’” – Ezekiel 3:19, 20.

“’ But when A RIGHTEOUS MAN TURNS AWAY FROM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND COMMITS INIQUITY, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, SHALL HE LIVE?

ALL THE RIGHTEOSNESS WHICH HE HAD DONE SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die [speaking of the second death here].’” – Ezekiel 18:24.

Our Friends, Brethren, and Co-Workers in Christ ── those who worry about committing the unpardonable sin, it is most likely that you have not committed it. The fact that you are concerned about it shows that you have not WILLFULLY turned your back on the LORD God and God’s Way!

The LORD God will indeed forgive you if you REPENT and confess your sins to Them.

Truly, truly, the LORD God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, and does not want anyone to commit the unpardonable sin ── this explains why the LORD God is only calling a few in this present evil age (Matthew 20:16b), while nearly everyone will be forgiven in the age to come! □

What Is Meant... 'Nothing Leavened'?

by Leonard V Johnson

For 2025, the Days of Unleavened Bread begin at sunset on April 12th and run through sunset on the 19th of April.

The LORD God commands us ──

“’ In the first month, on the FOURTEENTH DAY of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19) For SEVEN DAYS no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. 20) You shall eat NOTHING LEAVENED; in all your dwellings you shall eat UNLEAVENED BREAD.’” – Exodus 12:18-20.

Now the leaven here… Is the LORD God saying, “Go grab your box of baking soda and throw it out of the house.” Is that what this here is saying?

No.

The word leaven here is referencing LEAVENED BREAD. And the only other possible meaning is… I don’t know if you’ve ever been around people who make sourdough bread. And I’m told you mix up a batch and then you keep a little lump (the starter) in a moist environment (let it sit out on the cabinet with a moist towel over it). And then you make the rest of the dough go into making the bread–whatever it is, and however it’s shaped. And then the next day, when you’re gonna make some more sourdough bread, you take the starter and mix it in with the new flour and oil and everything else you put into bread. And what happens, the yeast, which is in the starter, spreads throughout the loaf and leavens the whole loaf. So then you also take a chunk of it (probably a little round ball), put that in a moist towel, and save it for the next day. So, that would be a type of leaven that the LORD God would not appreciate on His Days of Unleavened Bread. And, if you’re not making leavened bread, there would be no use in having that around.

But that is what our LORD God is talking about! He is not talking about going through your house and looking for nine-month-old cookie crumbs! And that’s what the Worldwide Church of God taught. They actually made it into what I call a period of ritualistic – as in Jewish traditions – housecleaning. And in doing that, they totally missed the mark, they missed the AWESOME SIGNIFICANCE of the TRUE MEANING of the glorious Days of Unleavened Bread!

Again, the LORD God tells us ──

“’ You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, THE BREAD OF AFFLICTION … 4) And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, …’” – Deuteronomy 16:3, 4.

Now, if you look up in the Concordance, that word “affliction” ── it can mean TROUBLE. The bread of trouble. If you keep the Way of God, you are going to have some problems ever so often! And because of the problems other human beings attempt to create for us, it can at times be very problematic and difficult to be a follower of Jesus Christ. They’ll go out of their way to sort of put things in your path. But, our LORD God here is still speaking of physical leavened bread – no leavened bread shall be seen among you in all your territories for seven days.

Our Lord Jesus did speak of leaven metaphorically ──

“Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6) Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’

7) And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘Is it because we have taken no bread.’

8) But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, ‘O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9) Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10) Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up?

11) How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? ── but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’

12) Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:5-12.

He was speaking to them metaphorically.

The ‘doctrine’ of the Pharisees ──

• The importance of keeping rituals.
• The need to convert Gentiles.
• The Way to God was by obeying the physical Law.
• Extending Jewish practices into life outside the temple.
• Instilling greater piety in “the common people.”

To name but a few.

Additionally, they put significant weight on the “oral tradition,” or the traditions of the elders, believing this interpretive framework helped clarify the written Law. Ancient rabbinic sources and later compilations, such as portions of the Talmud, reflect the Pharisaic influence in codifying and teaching these traditions. This oral tradition functioned to address practical questions about Sabbath observance, dietary laws, ritual purity, and other facets of devotion. 1

Our Lord Jesus is showing us that His New Covenant does not match the old rites of the Pharisees, which required a lot of fasting. Our Lord Jesus taught against syncretism ── which is the mixing of beliefs, such as Judeo-Christianity.

Having a show of piety, without true holiness, is like leaven in that it gradually increases and spreads corruption, puffing up a person with vanity. Indeed, friends, the very nature of leaven (or, rather, yeast) is to change whatever it contacts. Yeast does its job slowly, secretly, and silently, but no one can deny its effect on bread. Yeast is microscopic in size, and only a little is kneaded into the dough. Yet, given time, the yeast will spread through all the dough.

The ’doctrine’ of the Sadducees ──

• Rejection of the Resurrection and Afterlife.
• Adherence to the Written Law.
• Temple Worship and Sacrificial System.

The Sadducees’ interactions with our Lord Jesus were marked by theological disagreements, particularly concerning their rejection of a resurrection. In Matthew 22:29-32, our Lord Jesus addresses their unbelief by affirming that there is a resurrection unto life and correcting their misunderstanding of His living word ──

“ …’ You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30) For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. 31) But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32) ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.’”

Our beloved apostle Paul wrote to the brethren there in ancient Corinth ──

“Your glorying is not good. …”

Speaking metaphorically involving leaven, concerning piety.

“ … Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7) THEREFORE purge out the old leaven [the leaven of piety; of glorying], that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” – 1 Corinthians 5:6-7.

True Christians have kept UNLEAVENED BREAD for Passover, and they have kept the Days of Unleavened Bread. So, in every generation the true Church of God is not called to be leaven. Christians are to strive to be spiritually unleavened, and Jesus Christ is “the unleavened Bread of sincerity and truth”!

We, brethren, need to continually purge out of our lives the old leaven ── that being the false doctrines of the churches of this world.

But sadly, most of our peoples will not. They are TRADITIONALISTS.

Our Lord Jesus ── the Savior of all mankind ── has warned us that the overall majority of professing Christians believe that they are “just fine and dandy, thank you!” And, He has told many of us, brethren, that He has a few things against us ──

“ ‘… that you have left your first love. … repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place ── unless you repent. … I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews [or rather, ‘the chosen ones’] and are not, but are a synagogue [or a church] of Satan. … you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam [those who are greedy for power!] … Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. … you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [some self-proclaimed prophetess; think of Ellen G. White who was the head of the Seventh-day Adventists, also a Jezebel spirit is running rampant within many woman of this present evil age] to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality [Fornications, as in the worship of a false god or goddess] and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. … I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. … So then [and He says to some of us, brethren], because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. … I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.’” – Revelation 2 & 3.

PRIDE CAN PUFF PEOPLE UP, just as physical leaven puffs up bread.

Notice what the LORD God truly wants of us ──

“He has shown you, O man, what is good [referring to God]; And what does the LORD require of you …” – and he lists three things – “…But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” And Jesus says virtually the same thing in Matthew chapter 23, verse 23 – He talks about, “…’ the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.’” – He said, ‘You know, we’ve got these bean counters up there, their tithing of all these little seeds.’ He said, ‘Yeah, you do that, but you forget the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith.’ I think about the fact that even today there are individuals who get hung up on weird little doctrines, and they forget the weightier matters of the law – judgment, mercy, and faith, to walk humbly before God.

Our physical and spiritual enemy, Satan the Devil, refused to walk humbly before God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! He was an “anointed cherub.” He was “perfect” in his ways from the day he was created, until iniquity was found in him ── Ezekiel 28:14-15. He allowed his heart to be lifted up because of his beauty. He corrupted his wisdom for the sake of his splendor ── and he was therefore cast to the Earth – Ezekiel 28:17.

Sadly, a great many people allow the wrong kind of pride to get in their way ──

“A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.” – Proverbs 29:23.

Do you honestly trust Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ? Are you able to humble yourself before God and work on changing your faults?

Yes!

With the LORD God’s merciful help!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13.

The LORD God wants you to forsake piety and the wrong kind of pride, and humble yourself before Them! Sadly, a great many will not humble themselves before Them ── even on the glorious and holy day of the Day of Atonement!

Millions believe in Jesus, but are unwilling to prostrate themselves before the God of gods! To humble themselves before the King of kings and Lord of lords! Such humility takes faith ──

“’ He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.’” – John 12:25.

Brethren, this time of year, we are to examine ourselves ── are we living by the standards put forth by the LORD God? Are we placing before us anything before the LORD God?

Let us search for any old leaven, before the LORD’s Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread ── and let us put on “the unleavened Bread of sincerity and truth”! □

Springtime Days That the Early Christians Kept

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s faithful in the churches of God will observe the apostle Paul’s admonition to “examine” themselves just before the beginning of this spring’s holy days ── 1st Corinthians 11:28-32.

Sadly, the overall majority within this world’s churches will be observing Easter or perhaps Lent.

Also, the overall majority within this world’s churches realize that our Lord Jesus observed what they consider to be “Jewish” days, yet they have not properly understood nor realized that the faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ kept and observed ‘the feasts of the LORD’ in the first few centuries of true Christianity.

The LORD God’s faithful kept and observed all ‘the feasts of the LORD’ listed for us in Leviticus 23. Notice ── in the New Testament that they kept and observed ‘the LORD’s Passover’ along with the ‘Days of Unleavened Bread.’ ──

“THEREFORE purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8) THEREFORE let us KEEP THE FEAST, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1st Corinthians 5:7-8.

They kept and observed ‘the Day of Pentecost.’ ──

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. …” – Acts 2:1-4.

“But I [the apostle Paul] will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.” – 1st Corinthians 16:8.

They kept and observed ‘the Day of Atonement’ which was called ‘the Fast.’ ──

“Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them.” – Acts 27:9.

They kept and observed ‘the Feast of Tabernacles.’ ──

“but took leave of them, saying, ‘I must by all means KEEP THIS coming feast in Jerusalem.” – Acts 18:21.

They kept and observed what is called ‘the Last Great Day.’ ──

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’” – John 7:37.

Also, notice that the glorious fulfillments of ‘the first day of the month, a sabbath-rest, a memorial of trumpets, a holy convocation’ called ‘the Feast of Trumpets’ is spoken of in the New Testament ── 1st Thessalonians 4:15-18; also, be sure to read “Trumpets and Your Future.”

The Roman Catholic scholars understood and realized that these observances were kept as well ──

The connection between the Jewish Passover and the … feast of Easter is real and ideal. Real, since Christ died on the first Jewish Easter Day; Ideal, like the relation between type and reality, because Christ’s death and resurrection had its figures and types in the Old Law, particularly in the Paschal lamb, which was eaten towards the evening of the 14th of Nisan. In fact, the Jewish feast WAS TAKEN OVER INTO THE CHRISTIAN EASTER CELEBRATION; … The connection between the Jewish and the Christian [Easter] explains the movable character of this feast. … Since Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, had been slain on the very day when the Jews, in celebration of their Passover, immolated the figurative lamb, the Jewish Christians in the Orient followed the Jewish method, and commemorated the death of Christ on the 15th of Nisan and His resurrection on the 17th of Nisan, no matter what day of the week they fell. For this observance they claimed the authority of St. John and St. Philip. 1

In actuality, the true and faithful Christians that were in the Orient were keeping and observing the 14th day of Nisan ── not the 15th! But, the basic point I want to make is that the Roman Catholic Church then ── and now ── admits (in publication and behind closed doors) that our Lord Jesus Christ was slain on the 14th of Nisan – ‘the LORD’s Passover.’ Even though they changed the name, “change times and laws” calling it EASTER - a homonym of the pagan goddess Ishtar.

Pentecost … a feast of the universal Church [speaking about the Roman Catholic Church] which commemorates the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, fifty days after the resurrection of Christ, ON THE ANCIENT JEWISH FESTIVAL CALLED ‘the feast of weeks’ or Pentecost (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10) … 2

What is known as Lent was not kept or observed by any early true Christian. However, ‘the LORD’s Passover’ and ‘the feast of weeks’ (Pentecost) were!

In the THIRD CENTURY (referring to the period from AD 201 – AD 300), the Roman Catholic theologian Origen had listed the following as being celebrated by Roman Catholics ──

Chapter XXII. If it be objected to us on this subject that WE OURSELVES ARE ACCUSTOMED TO OBSERVE CERTAIN DAYS, as for example … The Passover, or Pentecost, … 3

It is also very likely that other spring holy days were being kept by the early Roman Catholics, along with the LORD God’s fall holy days.

Notice this from the SECOND CENTURY (the period from AD 101 – AD 200) ──

The most important in this festival was the Passover day, the 14th of Nisan, … in it they ate unleavened bread, probably like the Jews, eight days through. … there is NO TRACE OF A YEARLY FESTIVAL OF THE RESURRECTION AMONG THEM, … 4

Like the faithful apostle John (the last of the original apostles to die; probably naturally), the early faithful true Christians kept and observed the LORD’s Passover, along with the Days of Unleavened Bread!

We in the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries keep and observe (In God’s living word, the concept of ‘KEEP’ and ‘OBSERVE’ is related to following and keeping the LORD God’s holy and righteous commandments, including the ‘feasts of the LORD,’ including the holy Sabbath!) the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day that foreshadows the glorious and powerful soon-coming Millennium!

So, the early true Christians kept and observed what are today known as “Jewish” holy days. And since our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles kept and observed them, shouldn’t ‘the LORD’s feasts’ be kept annually ── and not Easter, Halloween, and the Mass of Christ (Christmas) ── by true and faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ? Gradually, as more “converted” pagans entered into the Roman Catholic Church, they stopped keeping and observing “Jewish” holy days.

The Roman Catholic John Chrysostom preached antisemitism in AD 387 ──

What is this disease? The festivals of the pitiful and miserable Jews are soon to march upon us one after the other and in quick succession: the feast of Trumpets, the feast of Tabernacles, the fasts. There are many in our ranks who say they think as we do. … If the Jewish ceremonies are venerable and great, our[s] are lies. 5

Now, truly none of this causes a problem for the Roman Catholic Church of today, because they just simply gloss it all over with excuse after excuse – again, ‘changing the appointed times and laws’ – cf. Daniel 7:25. The modern Roman Catholics claim they still keep a version of Passover (of course, under the name Easter) and Pentecost. This John Chrysostom died on September 14, AD 407, and is venerated by the Catholic Church! So, he did not write anything they are too ashamed of ── they too have the idealism of “What is this disease?”

Although his writings are not a part of God’s inspired Word – the Bible – Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John, spoke of some possible information. Polycarp, who is considered a saint by the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.

Some of this information speaks of the Sabbath, the LORD’s Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. And the book ── The Life of Polycarp ── endorses keeping and observing them ──

In the days of unleavened bread, Paul, coming down from Galatia, arrived in Asia, considering the repose among the faithful in Smyrna to be a great refreshment in Christ Jesus after his severe toil, and intending afterwards to depart to Jerusalem. So in Smyrna he went to visit Strataeas, who had been his hearer in Pamphylia, being a son of Eunice the daughter of Lois. These are they of whom he makes mention when writing to Timothy, saying; Of the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and in thy mother Eunice; whence we find that Strataeas was a brother of Timothy. Paul then, entering his house and gathering together the faithful there, speaks to them concerning the Passover and the Pentecost, reminding them of the New Covenant of the offering of bread and the cup; how that they ought most assuredly to celebrate it during the days of unleavened bread, but to hold fast the new mystery of the Passion and Resurrection. For here the Apostle plainly teaches that we ought neither to keep it outside the season of unleavened bread, as the heretics do, especially the Phrygians, nor yet on the other hand of necessity on the fourteenth day: for he said nothing about the fourteenth day, but named the days of unleavened bread, the Passover, and the Pentecost, thus ratifying the Gospel.

22) And on the sabbath, when prayer had been made long time on bended knee, he, as was his custom, got up to read; and every eye was fixed upon him. Now the lesson was the Epistles of Paul to Timothy and to Titus, in which he says what manner of man a bishop ought to be. And he was so well fitted for the office that the hearers said one to another that he lacked none of those qualities which Paul requires in one who has the care of a church. When then, after the reading and the instruction of the bishops and the discourses of the presbyters, the deacons were sent to the laity to enquire whom they would have, they said with one accord, 'Let Polycarp be our pastor and teacher.' 6

So, there is an ancient book that says that Polycarp did indeed keep and observe the holy Sabbath, along with all ‘the feasts of the LORD’! And, of course, as we’ve shown you here in this article, other various sources also support this fact!

Polycrates ── who actually did not accept what the Roman Catholic Church taught ── who was bishop of Ephesus, wrote this around the year AD 195 ──

Chapter 24. The Disagreement in Asia.

We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord's coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate.

He fell asleep at Ephesus.

And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna.

Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead?

All these observed the fourteenth day of the Passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. 7

Praise be forever for our mighty LORD God ── this shows that Polycrates and others (who are considered to be saints by the Roman Catholic Church) kept and observed the LORD’s Passover ON THE 14th of Nisan. So, there is no doubt that the feasts that are called by a great many today as “Jewish” were still being kept and observed by the true and faithful Christians there in Asia Minor and elsewhere centuries after the death and glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ!

What WAS NOT BEING KEPT OR OBSERVED ── until at least the 4th century (the period from AD 301 – AD 400) ── by the Roman Catholic Church or even the Eastern Orthodox churches, was CHRISTMAS! Nor what is known as Lent, or Valentine’s Day, or Halloween, that multiple millions keep and observe today.

The LORD God’s feasts are still observed by the faithful true Christians around the world in this 21st century!

Do you follow the commands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or are YOU BUT A TRADITIONALIST? □

1 Wynes, J.J., The Catholic Encyclopedia Volume V, “Easter”, 1909, pgs. 224, 225.

2 The Catholic Encyclopedia Volume 15, “Whitsunday,” Knights Of Columbus Special Edition, 1914, pg. 614.

3 by Tertullian, Part Fourth; Minucius Felix; Commodian; Origen, Parts First and Second, Ante Nicene Fathers, Vol 4, 2000, pg. 1513.

4 by Gieseler, Johann Karl Ludwig, 1792-1854, A text-book of church history, “§ 53. ECCLESIASTICAL LIFE.” 1857-80, pg. 166.

5 John Chrysostom, Against the Jews. Homily 1, https://www.tertullian.org/, HOMILY I § 5, VI § 5.

6 Lightfoot, J.B., Pionius, Life of Polycarp (1889) from J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 3.2, pp.488-506. LIFE OF POLYCARP.

7 New Advent, Church History (Book V), Chapter 24, § 2-6.

Additional Articles to Ponder

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Marriage ── Judgment is now on us – the living Church of God – not upon this world. With the unconverted, marriages in this world are recognized and bound by mankind. Marriages are “recognized” by God to be “unbound” when legally processed by State courts. [...]

Marriage (PDF)

Commentary: History of the Sabbath ── Brethren and Friends – I feel compelled by God’s Spirit to share this revealed truth. I haven’t got the time at the moment to fully expound upon this – although it is all throughout God’s living word. The factual history of the Sabbath. [...]

AUDIO: History of the Sabbath

Personal From... Armstrong Religion ── Throughout my proclaiming God’s living Word, Truth, and Plan of God ─ the glorious Gospel message. The very message preached by JESUS CHRIST and His Church, concerning the history of our Lord Jesus of Nazareth, and His soon-coming kingdom to this earth. Including the very message of what our Lord Jesus had done in the past, what He is doing now, and what He will do. The message of the NEW COVENANT ─ I had never been called a “spiritual murderer”! But, today I have!

AUDIO: Personal From... Armstrong Religion

Letter to our Friends - April 18, 2019 UPDATE ── Dear Friends: The Spring Holy Day season is here!

Unequally Yoked

by Guy LaMar

TODAY after a meeting with someone, I had a revelation. I MUST disconnect with the WORLDLY who CLAIM to be a Christian.

Now, it’s one thing to have a short audience with them in small substance, but to have a long-lasting period with them always ends up in a feeling of spiritual yuck!

A grievance of Spirit is the result.

In fact ── I even had told this individual of whom I speak, that he has a bad spirit about him. I could easily sense it.

He HATED every ounce of Truth given to him, REFUSING TO ACCEPT IT!

He defended his sins and his lies.

It becomes overly trying when we, brethren, are trying to witness to them the LORD God’s living Truth, and they utterly reject it exceedingly with outright rebellion.

2nd Thessalonians 2:9-12 ──

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10) and with all UNRIGHTEOUS DECEPTION among those who perish, because they DID NOT receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11) And FOR THIS REASON God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12) that they all may be condemned WHO DID NOT BELIEVE THE TRUTH but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Hebrews 10:26 ──

“For IF we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.”

Brethren, the Truth of God has set us free from the lies that Satan the Devil has made for humanity!

People who claim to have the Holy Spirit ── yet live contrary to the Lord God’s Way and against His will are nothing more than LIARS!

They are frauds, fakes, and wannabes! They are servants of Satan the Devil!

So says the living and holy word of God!

The Lord God says to just stay clear of such types of people, and let God work with them as He sees fit.

Matthew 15:10-20 ──

“When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, ‘Hear and understand: 11) Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.’

12) Then His disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?’ 13) But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father HAS NOT planted will be uprooted. 14) Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.’

15) Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘Explain this parable to us.’

16) So Jesus said, ‘Are you also still without understanding? 17) Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20) THESE are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.’”

Jeremiah 17:9 ──

“’ The heart [the human psyche] is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?’”

The LORD God knows it! His word is clear… we should AVOID such types of people!

1st Corinthians 15:33 ──

“DO NOT BE DECEIVED: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”

1st John 4:1-3 ──

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit [every person], but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because MANY false prophets have gone out into the world. 2) By this you know the Spirit of God: EVERY SPIRIT THAT CONFESSES THAT JESUS CHRIST HAS COME IN THE FLESH IS OF GOD, 3) and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Anti-christ, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”

Brethren, think of Catholicism! Notice this answer from a Catholic ── “Could we say that somehow, Christ could be both a human person and a divine person, in the sense of his human person being a ‘partaker’ in the divine person? In short, the answer is no. …A divine person cannot change into a ‘divine-human’ mix.” They are denying that our Lord Jesus Christ came in the flesh!

2nd John 1:10-11 ──

“If ANYONE comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST], do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11) for he who greets him SHARES IN HIS EVIL DEEDS.”

Titus 3:9-11 ──

“But AVOID foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10) Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11) knowing that such a person is warped and sinning BEINF SELF-CONDEMNED.”

Sadly, as I witnessed with the individual I speak of, I witnessed things that the LORD God says are not to be accepted.

2nd Timothy 3:1-7 ──

“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 [and those who are good], 4) TRAITORS, HEADSTRONG, haughty, LOVERS OF PLEASURE RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD, 5) having a form [an outward appearance] of godliness but DENYING its power [i.e. denying that the Lord God has the awesome power to be both human and divine!].

And FROM SUCH PEOPLE TURN AWAY!

6) For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts 7) always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Brethren, we who obey the LORD God’s will ── reject the world and its ways! And this also means those who embrace those worldly ways. Not rudely, but carefully making sure not to allow such a person to be close enough in our lives to allow their worldly influences to grab ahold of us and influence us.

It’s better to be alone in God’s living word in this world ── free of anything that has an audience with wickedness ── than to be going against the will of God!

Let us be comforted in God’s Truth!

The Church ── the LORD God’s chosen begotten called out of this world people ── are those whom we should embrace as a close-knit family. Because iron sharpens iron.

Meeting together (when absolutely possible) is vitally important for God’s chosen people. The Church is made up of God’s chosen people.

And, I am certainly not speaking about the false churches of this world ── where people gather together and listen to false doctrines and lies! Such as: meeting together on a day that the LORD God did not anoint as His day of rest!

Be sure to read TODAY ── The Fourth Commandment!

Sadly, this world as a whole ── the world that is influenced by Satan the Devil and his minions ── DO NOT WANT TO HEAR GOD’S TRUTH!

And, even if they do happen to hear the TRUTH OF GOD, they reject it because HIS TRUTH goes against the grain of society or their church organization. The societies of this world are all under the influence of Satan the Devil!

As for me ── I will serve the LORD God. I will do the LORD God’s will ── not this world and its system.

Truly, I leave you with this…

Joshua 24:15 ──

“’ And IF it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves THIS DAY whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served … But as for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.’” □

Learn To Love

by Leonard V Johnson

There is a famous quote that has once again made its rounds on social media sites, “People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love” ~ Nelson Mandela.

Indeed, we ── as human beings ── must be taught how to love. We are born with the capacity to love. Yet, how we experience love or hate can profoundly shape us throughout our lives. 

We are told by the LORD God ── through the inspired prophet Job ── “’ Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.’” – Job 14:1.

The LORD God’s (the Elohim; the family of God) Master Plan… From the Beginning involves love. Notice what our Lord Jesus says ──

“’ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.’” – John 3:16-17.

We have the capacity to obtain the same character attributes as our Creator, such as goodness, creativity, and love. These attributes help us to better understand who God is and why God is. And as to why He created what He has created.

We are also told by the apostle Paul ──

“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no not one; 11) There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.’” – Romans 3:10-11.

Another quote that comes to my mind is from a book entitled The Help ── “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” To me, it emphasizes the importance of encouragement from parents to their children in helping shape their character.

YOU ARE IMPORTANT!

YOU MATTER TO THE LORD GOD!

THE LORD GOD WANTS THE VERY BEST FOR YOU – PERSONALLY! And, the LORD GOD DOES HAVE A PLAN FOR YOU – PERSONALLY!

Something that I want us, brethren, to especially think about is that our tests, trials, and tribulations happen because the LORD God loves us immensely ──

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; 12) For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” – Proverbs 3:11-12.

Notice also the apostle Paul speaks of this ──

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6) For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.’

7) If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8) But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9) Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

10) For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11) Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:5-11.

Yes. As I wrote last January, “I’ve been praying to the LORD God now for a little over a year for the removal of an evil and vile person from my family’s life. “Why?” I ask Father God and our Lord Jesus, “Have You not removed this vile man from our lives?” The answer that I finally received was not the answer I wanted.

Yes. Sometimes we have to endure long and arduous matters to help us in developing love.

Notice what the apostle Peter wrote ── here speaking that we may be partakers of the divine nature ──

“But also for this reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith VIRTUE, to virtue KNOWLEDGE, 6) to knowledge SELF-CONTROL, to self-control PERSEVERANCE, to perseverance GODLINESS, 7) to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS, and to brotherly kindness LOVE. 8) For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:5-8.

Perseverance is a sign of love.

“Love suffers long …” – 1 Corinthians 13:4.

While we may be enduring trials, tribulations, and tests, let us consider the following ──

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, … 7) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; … 9) For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.” – Psalm 37:4, 7, 9.

Yes, brethren, we will be rewarded for our perseverance.

Our perseverance in waiting patiently towards the LORD God, but also our fellow man.

Patience and Compassion

It’s not just the LORD God we are to love. We are also to love our fellow man ──

“ … ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ 29) Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30) And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31) And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’” – Mark 12:28, 29-31.

Interestingly, the scribe answered Him ──

“ … ‘Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33) And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’

34) Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’” – Mark 12:32, 33-34.

How do you love your neighbor ── even if your neighbor is “an evil and vile person”?

Brethren, we know that even that “evil and vile person” will be given the opportunity (the gift and blessing) from the LORD God ── someday ── to be a part of the glorious family of God.

With this firmly in our minds, we should be determined not to hurt, harm, or pronounce any curse on our neighbors. And we, of course, should never covet ANYTHING they might have. Our Lord Jesus Christ ── who truly gave His commandments to Israel, spiritually magnified His Law in the New Covenant.

As an example ── the Sixth Commandment, “’ You shall not murder.’” – Exodus 20:13.

Sadly, there was a time when I nursed my anger towards this “evil and vile person” I speak of. As spiritually magnified by our Elder Brother, Master, and Savior, this commandment not only means that we are not allowed to physically murder but we also are forbidden to hate our brother. Notice ──

“’ You have learned that our forefathers were told, ‘Do not commit murder; anyone who commits murder must be brought to judgment.’ But what I tell you is this: Anyone WHO NURSES ANGER against his brother must be brought to judgment. …’” – Matthew 5:21, 22, NEB.

We are to express love toward our neighbors – cf. Matthew 5:43-48. We must always keep in mind that our neighbors will also ── in due time ── have the potential in the LORD God’s Master Plan.

Another example ── the Seventh Commandment, “’ You shall not commit adultery.’” – Exodus 20:15.

Again, not only are we commanded not to commit physical adultery, but spiritual adultery as well ── the lusting and worship of false gods. Our Lord Jesus also speaks of this ──

“’ You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28) But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’” – Matthew 5:27-28.

Think of this ── how can one lust after their neighbor, when the LORD God will prepare them ── someday ── for the glorious family of God?

The Ten Commandments, spiritually magnified by our Lord Jesus Christ, can be divided into two groups of commandments ── love for God, and love for neighbor.

EVERY HUMAN BEING ── whether they be Jewish, Palestinian, Ukrainian, Russian, Yemenis, or Egyptian ── are our neighbors! Keeping and obeying the Commandments of God hinges on always remembering that every human being will one day have the glorious opportunity to be a member of the family of God!

Our neighbors ── even the one that might have cursed you, or hates you, or who has spitefully used you and tried to assassinate your good character ── were also created in the LORD God’s image, according to the LORD God’s likeness, and they too can become God – cf. Psalm 82:6; John 10:34.

Are you beginning to see and hear what the Spirit has to say concerning the IMPORTANCE that the LORD God places on our relationships between all human beings (the “good, bad, and the ugly”) created in the image and likeness of the LORD God? This should come front and center to our minds in how our Lord Jesus Christ dealt with His “enemies” ── the very ones that tried to repeatedly stone Him, and those that would eventually murder Him. He knew their potential upon their repentance. This too must be the underlying premise upon which we base our every thought and deed toward our neighbors. Our Lord Jesus teaches us, “’ And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.’” – Luke 6:31.

Returning again to 1st Corinthians chapter 13, the apostle Paul writes ──

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not [easily] provoked, thinks no evil; 6) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7) bears all things, believes all things [that are truthful], hopes all things, endures all things.

8) Love never fails …

13) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13.

The apostle our Lord Jesus loved also spoke of love ──

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

And we, in this 21st-century world, cannot help but think of the vicious, vile, and evil Houthis, Hamas, al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hezbollah, the IRGC, and even the Tren de Aragua ── who have no love, therefore DOES NOT KNOW GOD!

9) In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [the Atonement] for our sins. 11) Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

12) … If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13) By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. …

20) If someone says, ‘ انا احب لله !,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21) And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” – 1 John 4:7-11, 12, 20-21. □