Personal From... Real Leadership

 by Leonard V Johnson

It’s been a while since I wrote a Personal… And, this is something that I’ve been thinking about for quite some time now. Just this morning I had mentioned to my wife as she got ready for work, “There’s never been a time in my life, when I wanted new leadership for our great nation, greater than I do now.” I’ll try not to get too political in this article, but even during President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential election as the Republican nominee, I knew we needed new leadership ── but the United States of America wasn’t completely burnt to the ground yet. Now it is! I saw a photo on Facebook of Resident Joe Biden standing on a hill as America burned ── and I couldn’t help but think of Emperor Nero fiddling as Rome burned. And, even if that is nothing but a legend, that certainly would have been something his character could have easily done.

Since January 20th, 1989, I have not seen the United States of America in such desperate need of REAL LEADERSHIP as I have these past four years. What is real leadership?

The qualities to be a real leader begin early in life. This real leadership.

Do you remember the movie Twilight Zone from 1983? In segment two it was entitled, “Kick the Can” directed by Steven Spielberg. There was a character played by a young Evan Richards, a Tyrone Powers-type character (an English swashbuckler) with the top of his pajamas tied around his neck using it as a cape. Do you think he played a leader? I always thought so.

When I first saw this movie when I was fourteen, I looked upon young Mr. Agee as a leader. There always has to be a leader. And, there always have to be captains.

In the sermon, “Be Strong In the Lord!” I speak of the fact that in the glorious Kingdom of God──if we become born members of the family of God, God willing──we will still have to take orders. Because there will always be a leader that will be “higher in rank.”

I often wonder how many of our brethren think about the fact that the LORD God wants them to be a leader. A great many appear to only want to just follow “the leader” at church. Many don’t even want to be a leader. Yet, we are told in God’s living word that He wants LEADERS. To be above reproach. Serve with humility, integrity, and a heart for God. Present yourself approved as workers of God. And, the one that again makes us think of the young Mr. Agee, be like the youngest and serve like a leader. While not everyone is a traditional leader, everyone can lead in some way. Leadership skills are taught at a young age, and leadership can occur without words or even a position of authority.

During my adolescent years, I began to hone some leadership skills. I questioned a great many of the Worldwide Church of God’s doctrines. Such as “Older people will be resurrected as a twenty-year-old.” “You cannot get remarried if you’ve been divorced.” “There were no dinosaurs, that’s just something evolutionists peddle.” “We will be taken to Petra before the tribulation begins.” “There are three resurrections.” “Sunday is the ‘mark of the beast.’” “Aborted babies will not be resurrected.” Along with a whole host of others. With this questioning of authority, it benefited me. It helped develop critical thinking skills, it fostered independence, and it allowed me to properly ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Because of my insistence in questioning the ministers on what they were teaching, they threw me out. Unquestioningly──you must believe whatever they teach.

Among our readers are thousands of others who were unceremoniously thrown out of the Worldwide Church of God, or became disillusioned and left. Be sure to read a Personal… from last year, “Armstrong Religion” ── in which I state unequivocally that The religion of Armstrongism is very much alive! It’s a religion of Satan the Devil! Many of its splinter groups – the hundreds that there are – are what our Lord Jesus has called ‘the Nicolaitans.’ It certainly appears that the ‘little flock’ are those that have come out from among the Nicolaitans.

It's Not Easy to LEAD

So often in life, a person never has the chance to develop leadership qualities. However, as in the case of young Mr. Agee – his older version, played by actor Murray Matheson certainly displayed qualities of a leader, with his smooth manner and upper-class English diction. He seemed to have natural leadership qualities from birth. Sadly, a great many of the youngest in the world who do appear to have leadership qualities will not grow up to benefit mankind. And then a great many won’t even grow up to be a leader at all.

Leadership qualities can be developed. But it must be channeled in the proper direction. Because, like Jesse James, the leader of the James-Younger Gang, leadership can go in nefarious directions. It’s like the youth in this generation, they can either grow up being guided in the proper direction as a real leader or grow up becoming a leader of the BLM! Which is a terror group, and a Marxist movement.

There have been many great leaders throughout history who plunged this world into world wars! Don’t be offended if──like President Donald Trump calling Vladimir Putin a great leader──I call Adolf Hitler a leader. He certainly was a leader. I’m not sure if it had anything to do with his name, however. I heard one comedian on stage say that if Adolf Hitler’s last name was Smith ── he wouldn’t have been the evil and ruthless leader he became. Is there an evil connotation to the name Hitler? In fact, the name Hitler wasn’t even popular back then. The surname Hitler is a variation of Hiedler, a surname applied to those who resided near a Hiedl (“ subterranean river ”). I believe──through the power of Satan the Devil, and through his experiences of the Great War (the war to end all wars) ──he was destined to become the evil and vile leader he became. The MURDERER OF MILLIONS!

To understand real leadership and all that it entails is essential in God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning. We, brethren, are to be learning how to properly lead for the World Tomorrow! We are in training. As I said earlier – While not everyone is a traditional leader, everyone can lead in some way. We all have a responsibility to lead in some way today, and to train tomorrow’s leaders.

A Quality of Great Importance

There is no other greater quality of real leadership than that of Wisdom and Understanding.

There are men and women of dynamic personality, and charisma that assume leadership roles ── but are actually terrible leaders. Such as announcing, “Jesus isn’t the only way!” They aren't real leaders, but only a charade.

Yet, when one thinks of leadership, we most often associate leadership with a good personal appearance, a good voice, a good mind, and a dynamic personality.

Back in ancient Israel, the children of Israel wanted to be like the other nations around them ── they wanted a physical king (1st Samuel 8:5). So, the LORD God allowed them to have a physical king. Saul ── a handsome man, taller than any of the people. But, Saul came to lack the MOST IMPORTANT quality of real leadership ── obedience to the LORD God. Saul lacked faith and confidence in the LORD God. The LORD God had anointed him commander over His inheritance – but in the end, he “did not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD” – 1st Samuel 15:22-23.

Then the LORD God selected David ── a young 16-year-old ruddy bright eyed good-looking adolescent ── a young man after God’s own heart (1st Samuel 16:11-13) ── to be king.

King Solomon (King David’s son) is an excellent example to illustrate the importance of right leadership qualities ── Wisdom and Understanding.

At the beginning of his reign, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “’ Ask! What shall I give you?’” Certainly, the majority of people placed in this position would ask for wealth, power, or long life. But, King Solomon didn’t ask for any of these ── he asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s people. That he may discern between good and evil.

This was the very answer the Lord GOD was looking for! “The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” – 1st Samuel 3:5-10.

“Then God said to him: ‘Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12) behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a WISE AND UNDERSTANDING HEART, …’” – vs. 11-12.

So, a great leader has to be able to understand people. Including those brethren, we would consider an enemy. 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?” Often, the LORD God doesn’t completely remove terrible people from our lives. And I’m not speaking of having him removed by way of death or any such manner──but rather him just “living in a van down by the river.”

Often the LORD God tests us and is teaching us. Allowing us to be in strenuous situations to test and temper our faith ── and then in those moments ── forcing us to learn and hone the qualities of spiritual warfare. The LORD God often uses these moments to get us battle-ready through testing and teaching.

We are explicitly told in the Book of Proverbs, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7.

Again, in the sermon “Be Strong In the Lord!” I speak of another quality of being a right leader ── courage. Even before conversion, the LORD God was teaching me courage. Here’s one such test. In 2006 while I was sitting at the counter of the El Paso, Texas – the Country Market Restaurant | Flying J Travel Plaza. I noticed one seat down from me had a jacket thrown over the back and a bald-headed man with a Russian accent sitting next to that chair. Not long after I sat down, a young Mexican man (maybe mid-20s) sat down in the seat with the jacket thrown over the back. He and the bald-headed man began talking. The young Mexican man began to “wash his laundry in public” to this other man. How his grandmother and his father had both died on the same day. I half expected him to literally cry on this other man’s shoulder. Then, while I continued sitting there a strong feeling came over me, along with a thought in my mind: “They’re going to soon get up and go off together.” Sure enough, about five minutes later, they both got up together, paid their bills, and walked out the door together. Another thought quickly entered my mind, “Say something to that young Mexican man, and stop him from going off with that other man.” The thought became stronger. I began sweating. I began shaking. I said to myself, “Everyone will think I’m a kook!” I was too scared. Instead, I too got up and paid my bill ── never saying anything to that young Mexican man. They both walked out together.

Courage. The ability to do something that frightens one.

It’s true, that those who lead will make mistakes. But a real leader has to have the ability to put aside any mistakes, learn lessons, and press onward and forward. Henry Ford once said, “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” Or as Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

Our parents of today should well reflect on properly teaching their children the admiral qualities of courage. Surely everyone at one time or another in life has watched the 1939 Wizard of Oz!? With courage, we are immediately reminded of the Cowardly Lion played by actor Bert Lahr. In the movie, he sang a solo song, “If I Only Had the Nerve.” To be able to step out with faith and do ── and to take correction which comes with making mistakes. Then… upon making a mistake... get up, dust ourselves off… and try again.

Now, perhaps the greatest lesson we can learn from is history. The United States of America became “civilized” in 1865. Since that time we, as Americans, have made countless mistakes. Here are but a few ──

Weird Reports Are Said To Support The Iraq War.

A mistake was made when dictator Saddam Hussein was wrongly charged with involvement with the 9/11 attacks, and having weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). …

The Bush Administration Disregarded Warnings About 9/11.

A lot of people think that the administration had a decent heads-up about the attack. According to rumors, the Bush administration ignored multiple intelligence warnings that said Osama bin Laden was preparing an attack on the country. …

Disregard For Native Rights Under Colonialism. *

The disdain for Native American rights was one of the first and most serious mistakes in American history.

Racist Injustice And Slavery.

The institution of slavery in American history was perhaps the most pervasive and destructive mistake. …

Economic Mismanagement And The Great Depression.

The Great Depression of the 1930s, which resulted from some poor economic decisions, was a pivotal period in American history. 1

In 1905 George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Understanding Tomorrow

There is another important quality of real leadership. Vision. Who immediately comes to my mind is ── and even though Charles Babbage was the inventor of the first mechanical computer in 1822 ── I’m thinking of Steve Jobs. And, even though he never showed obedience to the LORD God, he was a leader. A true visionary. The Apple II became one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products in the world.

This world certainly looks bleak at times, but a vision of what could be, coupled with the knowledge and ability to bring the vision to life, helps create a leader of tomorrow. This is especially true with the presidency of the United States of America. As President Ronald Reagan once said, “It might be well to ask yourself: Are you better off than you were four years ago?” Now, we have an incoming leader who has promised us a much better world for all of us. THANK ALMIGHTY GOD we already know what President Donald Trump can do ── because he’s done it before. But it’s not uncommon to hear elected government officials promise something and don’t deliver. Or, the promise of fundamentally transforming America! And then doing so. Remember Barack Obama!?

Real leaders with vision will know that the way will be difficult. That the “road to success” will be NARROW, and will be filled with potholes. But, a real leader with vision will be able to ‘finish the race that is set out before them’ (2 Timothy 4:7) when it gets tough. One who can “see the Light at the end of the tunnel.” Sadly, in this present evil age, REAL LEADERS OF VISION are too few and far between. **

There Has To Be Dependability

A real leader must be dependable. And be consistently dependable.

1st Corinthians 1:9 – “God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on] by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

There is nothing more disheartening than a fickle leader. If those who rely on and listen to a leader that is not consistently dependable ── trust is quickly broken.

As a real leader, we should ─ and it has been said, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” Also, back in 1934, what the Japanese called “Duck diplomacy” meant that you “float along placidly on the surface, but underneath you are paddling like the dickens with your feet.”

In this 21st-century complex world, it is not always easy to maintain consistent dependability. And to maintain strong moral principles. As in abortion, homosexual rights, labor unions, capitalism, expansionism, transgenderism, war. Most of our readers have strong moral principles and opinions on these subjects.

One real leader from Church history ── and one who should inspire all of us, brethren ── was Polycarp.

A Price to Pay For Consistent Strong Moral Principles

Upon the death of the apostle John, then an old man sometime after AD 98, the churches in Asia Minor came under Polycarp's leadership. This was no easy time in world history to be a Christian. The Roman government had begun persecuting and martyring the Church of God in the days of Emperor Nero (54-68 BC), and the following emperors followed──Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, and Trajan. Emperor Hadrian, like Trajan, became famous for his wall in northern Britain. Hadrian kept Trajan’s persecutions upon the Church of God in place ── there was no more house-to-house hunting for the brethren, but those who had strong moral principles against the norms of the Roman polytheistic belief system were persecuted and martyred. Polycarp, now an old man well past 80, continued to provide spiritual leadership for the oppressed Church of God.

The Roman senate, during the time of Caesar and Cicero, declared atheism (not believing in the Roman gods) punishable. Even though the Roman senators and knights were veritable atheists ── the senate was therefore really just an assemble of atheists. 2 However, they certainly couldn’t allow declared followers of Jesus of Nazareth, whom the Jews wanted crucified ── and the governor of the Roman province of Judaea obliged to continue.

Followers of our Lord Jesus Christ were often brought before magistrates and commanded to renounce Jesus Christ. In the Book of Revelation chapter 2, written during the time of Emperor Domitian, Christian persecution in Smyrna began to greatly increase, due to the city's strong influence of emperor worship, which at that time was REQUIRED BY LAW and punishable by imprisonment or death. Interestingly, there was a significant community of Jews in Smyrna who not only opposed Christianity but also participated in the imperial cult. So, Christians not only faced persecution from the pagans but Jews as well. Polycarp, who had personally known and had been taught by the apostle John, was martyred in Smyrna at the instigation of Jews in about 156 A.D. 3

As Polycarp was being taken into the arena, a voice came to him from heaven: “Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man!” No one saw who had spoken, but our brothers who were there heard the voice. When the crowd heard that Polycarp had been captured, there was an uproar. The Proconsul asked him whether he was Polycarp. On hearing that he was, he tried to persuade him to apostatize, saying, “Have respect for your old age, swear by the fortune of Caesar. Repent, and say, ‘Down with the Atheists!’” Polycarp looked grimly at the wicked heathen multitude in the stadium, and gesturing towards them, he said, “Down with the Atheists!” “Swear,” urged the Proconsul, “reproach Christ, and I will set you free.” “86 years have I have served Him,” Polycarp declared, “and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” 4

“I have wild animals here,” the Proconsul said. “I will throw you to them if you do not repent.” “Call them,” Polycarp replied. … “If you despise the animals, I will have you burned.” … The crowd collected wood and bundles of sticks from the shops and public baths. The Jews, as usual, were keen to help. …

So they simply bound him with his hands behind him, … [and Polycarp] looked up to heaven, and said, “O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of You, the God of angels, powers and every creature, and of all the righteous who live before You, I give You thanks that You count me worthy to be numbered among Your martyrs, sharing the cup of Christ and the resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and body, through the immortality of the Holy Spirit. May I be received this day as an acceptable sacrifice, as You, the true God, … Amen.”

Then the fire was lit, and the flame blazed furiously. … The fire shaped itself into the form of an arch, like the sail of a ship when filled with the wind, and formed a circle around the body of Polycarp. Eventually, when those wicked men saw that his body could not be consumed by the fire, they commanded an executioner to pierce him with a dagger ── ending the life of one of the great leaders of the Church of God.

Let us brethren, ask the LORD God for wisdom and understanding. Let us grow in courage. Let us learn from our mistakes. Let us continue to look into the future for a better World Tomorrow. And, let us always be consistently dependable.

Choose the path of a leader. A real leader. A leader for the Lord our God. □

* Sadly, I once heard a Worldwide Church of God minister say in a sermon, that Native Americans (in which he called Indians) were to be completely annihilated per God's will. 😢

** I speak of this concept often, especially regarding a two-fold prophecy regarding Genesis 18:22-32. That near the end of this present evil age, there will come a time when the LORD God won't even be able to find ten righteous people within the cities of the nations of Israel.

Bibliography

1) Mamchii, O., 9 Major Mistakes That Created Modern America, Best Diplomats, 10 Jan. 2024.

2) https://history.hanover.edu/texts/voltaire/volathe2.html.

3) Kennedy, T., Ancient Smyrna, Drive Thru History Adventures, 24 Dec. 2018.

4) The Martyrdom of Polycarp. Translated by J.B. Lightfoot. Abridged and modernized by Stephen Tomkins. Edited and prepared for the web by Dan Graves. #103: Polycarp’s Martyrdom, Christian History Institute, Retrieved 17 Jan 2025.

Personal From... Bitterness ── a terrible spiritual cancer

by Leonard V Johnson

Now, in this Personal, I’m going to speak with thunder. The Lord GOD Himself speaks His living word as “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” – Ephesians 6:17. All true Christians are advised in His word to take up this “sword,” as part of the whole armor of God ── to rebuke and withstand in the evil day. And this word of God is pictured as a sharp two-edged sword coming out of the mouth of Jesus Christ – the Personal Word of God – Hebrews 4:12. It corrects.

The other day, I was moved by the Holy Spirit to make an important ministerial announcement──in this Personal, I would like to add some additional thoughts –

If you’ve truly been called by Father God and placed within the Body of Christ ── if you’ve truly been converted, CHANGED ── by having received the glorious Holy Spirit, then you should no longer see things as you did before. If so, why is there such bitterness and vile hatred in your heart?

Because if this CHANGE truly took place in you so many years ago as you claim, then you should not be seeing your brethren as this world does. You should know better.

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32) And BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32.

“The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. 32) He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. 33) The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.” – Proverbs 15:31-33.

And HERE, Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers lies the GREATEST OF DANGERS!

Bitterness ── a terrible spiritual cancer.

Sadly, we have been hearing lately some vile, putrefying, hateful things from a former spiritual mentor ── some very hurtful things that have within them traces of disgust and contempt, and I caution him concerning this.

And it’s NATURAL. Yes, natural, to a person who does not have the Spirit of God within them and about them. Because I want you to realize that self-flattery, narcissism, deceit, pretending, lack of empathy, hate, and contempt are NATURAL for a person who does not have the Spirit of God. For the carnal mind devoid of God’s Spirit is the NATURAL mind – Romans 8:7-8. The people of the world do what is NATURAL for them to do. In other words, according to human nature. So, if the Spirit of God was within and about a person ── they would not be controlled by the flesh, but by the Spirit of God which lives in them – vs. 9.

The apostle Paul went on to say, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”

It’s a spirit of lust ── with our Spirit of discernment (1 John 4:1), we plainly see the evil that this world cannot see. And, there is a spirit of rivalry that has been at work for a long while ── and if not awakened to righteousness this evil deception will continue until perishment comes. Because he refuses to receive the love of truth, that he might be saved.

Sadly, some actually preach hypocrisy! They say, “I love you!” at the end of their sermons, but they do not show love through their actions. And many yield even further to human nature, resenting any perceived enemy ── and then soon allowing that of HATING any perceived enemy to completely seize them. Also, this self-righteous attitude becomes even more. They begin to feel SUPERIOR to anyone else ── even though they will often deny it. Their work becomes a “holier-than-thou” work. Thus, the CARNAL NATURE at full display – with the unrealized sway of Satan the devil and this demon of lust enticing them to VANITY, rivalry, jealousy, and hatred ── which is a spirit of murder! – 1 John 3:15.

Of all sins ── if I were to choose one, it would be that which commits the most harm ── self-righteousness, for this, even unrealized, puts the self (the self that refuses to look at itself in a spiritual mirror) ahead of the LORD God. Breaking the very first commandment.

Sadly, the self-righteous and narcissists are the hardest of people to bring to repentance and salvation. They are so deceived ── they have come to believe that as long as they don’t “act” upon their thoughts of lust, they’ve not committed sin. Often they will have persecutory delusions that cloud their thinking. They preach up a storm concerning Luke 18:10-14, yet they are the same as this Pharisee!

They proclaim to the world that they have the fruits of the Spirit ── and that you will know those who do not! PAY CLOSE ATTENTION! The fruit of the Spirit ── love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Without love, we are nothing more than a “sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1.

BEWARE OF FALSE MINISTERS

‘Wolves in sheep’s clothing,’ as our Lord Jesus calls them. Are you being misled by an innocent-looking archetype wolf?

Well, the LORD God reserves the strongest judgment for those who claim to be true Christians that are speaking for God, but are actually speaking more about themselves!

When one truly looks through the magnifying glass of God’s living word ── a wool-covered wolf cannot pass himself off as a sheep. We should expect that a false prophet will attempt, with all their heart, to look like a real one ── or what he might think is a real one. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote, under divine inspiration –

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

We should expect ── right out of the gate ── a welcoming greeting. Often we see a pleasant elderly gentleman ─ at least at first.

And this masked façade works ── at least for the first 6 minutes. Then, the façade falls away and is replaced with a hateful narcissist and self-righteous person. The pedestal they placed themselves upon begins to teeter. Their rightful “fruits” are exposed for the world to see.

Surely, if this person is preaching in the name of Jesus Christ, that is good fruit. Yes?

No. Not necessarily – according to our Lord Jesus. Notice immediately after telling us to beware of false prophets and to look at their fruits, He continued by saying, “’ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom [from] heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.’” – Matthew 7:21.

Preaching our Lord Jesus Christ is not conclusive proof of good fruit. But doing the will of God the Father is.

“’ Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? ’ [even preaching the New Covenant!] 23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – vss. 22-23.

Startling as it may seem, as an example, innocent-looking grandfatherly men who are very knowledgeable in the Bible ── may not be recognized by Him as a servant of His. Because they use His name deceptively and falsely! Instead of doing the will of God the Father, they do iniquity.

EVEN INSIDE CHRIST’S CHURCH

Not all false prophets come from outside of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Church! Some were formerly faithful servants of the Church ── but over time their hearts became bitter and callused. Allowing a spirit of lust to enter into them ── and now, they have completely “slid off” the spiritual rail – the ‘straight and narrow’ path.

The apostle Paul warned the flock of Ephesus. He knew that false prophets would soon descend upon them. So he alerted the leaders to the grave dangers that both pastors and the flock would face.

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29) I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” – Acts 20:28-29, NASB.

And EVEN WORSE – “and FROM AMONG YOUR OWN SELVES men will arise, speaking perverse things [even in secret], to draw away the disciples after them.” – vs. 30.

A faithful minister would always “remember those who rule over them [past or present], who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” – Hebrews 13:7.

The apostle Paul said some would turn from serving the needs of Jesus Christ and His little flock to serving their own self-gratification and interests instead.

Even the apostle Peter warned the Church of the same danger!

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies [such as removing Moses] even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

2) And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3) By covetousness [a desire for something or someone so much that you lose your contentment in God] they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” – 2 Peter 2:1-3.

Why Do They Have Followers?

Again, the apostle Peter said that many would follow the wrong way. Why do false prophets have a following?

Oftentimes it’s a simpatico relationship. In other words ── they were “wronged” by certain leaders of the Church, therefore you can relate to them. And followers who are craving peace, belonging, and security might gain a sense of those things as well as confidence through participation in the group.

False prophets have followers because the people can often relate to the false prophet having been rejected. The leader of the group provides meaning, purpose, and belonging. Offering a clear vision, and asserts superiority over the group. And, as to the leader, he will often be self-centered in personality, in trait, or behavior ── characterized by an excessive focus on oneself and one’s needs, desires, and INTERESTS, often to the exclusion or neglect of the needs and feelings of others. And true to form ── if you have been hurt by them, it’s somehow your fault, because you must have done something to deserve their wrath, or even, of being ignored. And, it’s your iniquity that has caused this mistreatment. They, however, are ultimately emotionally protected.

One can choose from thousands of different types of “Christianity.” Some are very somber. Others wild. Some are strict, others lenient. You can be bored to death, or entertained, or shouted at ── but all promise that you won’t be “lost” as long as you listen or attend regularly.

Even converted members of Christ’s Church can be led away and fall into this trap. The apostle Paul wrote Timothy –

“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:2-4.

False prophets respond to the itching ears of wayward sheep. The wolves entice them away with words that appeal to “their way” of thinking.

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4) he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions …”

As in saying, “No one else is teaching this!” It’s a big red flag! When someone claims exclusivity, it often leans more towards manipulation or a morbid interest in causing controversies.

“ … and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5) and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:3-5, NASB.

Why Is There Permitted False Prophets?

Why does the LORD God allow wolves to have access to certain people, or to His flock? Why doesn’t He expose them before they do any harm? Well, our Lord Jesus has His reasons.

A couple of weeks ago, I was reminded to go and read again the Autobiography of Herbert W Armstrong ── especially Volume 1 chapter 19.

Glaring at me in black and white was a truth to this question – why does the LORD God permit false prophets?

“Many times a certain individual has been used to bring us light, or truth, or help, or certain advancement or stimulus to the Work of God, only to lose out spiritually and be discarded, once his usefulness was over.”

Our Lord Jesus is confident that His true sheep will not be led astray (even for very long) by false prophets. And, referring to Himself as the Shepherd of the sheep – “’ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5) Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’” – John 10:4-5.

His sheep acknowledge the fact that they are servants of Him – not any ministry. They acknowledge His doctrine – “’ My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17) If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.’” – John 7:16-17.

The little flock is certain to encounter many trials and tests, tribulations ── and false prophets, and even blasphemous pastors among them.

Our Lord Jesus has warned us, “’ For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23) But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.’” – Mark 13:22-23.

Thank Almighty God, the true sheep of His pasture, who seek His leadership and His will, will not be led astray. Our Lord Jesus’ sheep will see the fake wool and run! □

Personal From... Persecution Continues

YouTube (owned by Google) approved and then a couple days later "disapproved" our sermon "'Blow the Trumpet!'" which was being promoted in the United States and Israel for "violating" their policy - sensitive categories, like religious beliefs!

On March 1st the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries began promoting our sermon “’ Blow the Trumpet!’” within the United States and Israel with the goal of having it viewed. Here are the Ad Performance Results after FOUR DAYS. It was originally set to run for a total of seven days.

Length of Ad Campaign Run:

3/2/24 – 3/5/24

People reached across the United States of America and Israel. These people came from multiple states where Protestantism is highly practiced. Also in Israel where Judaism is practiced.

“Promotion Impressions” – counted every time a thumbnail of our promotion is shown. 3, 814.

“Promotion Views” – 982.

On our YouTube channel, as of 3/5/24, this God-inspired sermon holds at 1k views.

The image below is of what the ad looked like:

Blow the Trumpet

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries

Conservative Christianity is becoming something that Big Tech is now looking for to censor. And, it’s not just YouTube and Facebook that are threatening us with “religious ad restriction.” Our previous Google Ads account was canceled due to inactivity. So, when we do use Google Ads for campaigning – this happens! Although our Google Ads account appears alright at the moment – this campaign has simply been “disapproved” and “paused” – we have our doubts as to whether we will ever use them again. Or, even be able to. Our Facebook Ads – before Facebook canceled our previous page – were having great success. Our all-time stats of 97 campaigns reached 2.5k people with 4.6k impressions from January 1st, 2011 until they canceled the page in 2019. We had spent well over $2.5 thousand.

Yet, here now is a new Google policy that may greatly impact enough to stop us:

This satanic censorship from Big Tech toward Conservative Christianity – what they call “sensitive interest categories, like religion” is becoming part of a greater trend. Big Tech, however, takes money promoting Islam, abortion, sexual immorality of all kinds, as well as Protestant views. As well as anti-science views, the theory of evolution.

The fact that Big Tech is willing to forfeit any money related to Conservative Christianity shows us that they value Satan the Devil’s agenda above profits. We are witnessing this world’s Big Tech walking “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” – Ephesians 2:2.

We should expect even greater Conservative Christianity censorship to come:

“’ Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of HEARING THE WORDS OF THE LORD. 12) They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.’” – Amos 8:11-12.

We have reached the time when we are beginning to see some aspects of this. We are only in the beginning stages of this two-fold prophesied censorship.

Recall the living words of our Savior and Elder Brother – our God –

“’ I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.’” – John 9:4.

And, listening to our Savior Jesus Christ, we have not trusted the likes of YouTube or Google – and this is why we utilize other video platforms, like BitChute and UGETube.

We have also taken great steps to increase our audio presence via SoundCloud.

We hope to sometime soon be on the radio with broadcasts. We’re doing the work of our Lord Jesus Christ with what we have available financially. And, we will continue to do His work as long as we have breath.

With Big Tech censoring more and more, pushing towards the “famine of hearing the words of the LORD” we in the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries may very well be forced to use radio to reach those who desperately need to hear the living words of the Eternal One.

Persecutions Since the Beginning

Persecutions have followed all those who believe and worship the true God and Creator. Persecution, though on a lesser scale at the moment (especially in the Western world) is still occurring around the world for true Christians. 

One of the first recorded persecutions within God’s living word involved Cain and Abel.

“And in the process of time it came to pass [not long after creation, Hebrew, ‘at the end of days’ – some suggesting that Cain might have brought the offering on the Sabbath 1 ] that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his OFFERING, 5) but He did not respect Cain and his OFFERING. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell” – Genesis 4:3-5.

However, when Cain came to realize that the LORD favored his brother Abel and his offering, he began plotting to kill him.

“ … and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.” – Verse 8.

This turned out to be only the beginning of persecutions against those who believe and worship the true God and Creator.

Throughout God’s living word are many examples of persecutions against those who truly follow the LORD God – the Elohim, the family of God.

Joseph – Genesis 37; The prophet Elijah – 1 Kings 18-19; The children of Israel – Exodus 1; The Jewish people – Esther 3; King David – 1 Samuel 16-31; and a great many more.

The common theme in all of these cases was the LORD God’s willingness to help and deliver them from their persecutors.

There are two kinds of persecution within God’s living word – 1) persecution that is brought on because of righteousness. 2) persecution that is brought on because of unrighteousness.

How do we know which is which!?

Only the LORD God decides that. Yet, there are criteria for judging what truly qualifies for righteousness.

King David wrote, “ … ‘For all Your commandments are righteousness.’” – Psalm 119:172.

Truly, the commandments of the LORD God are the basis for judging what is right and what is wrong. The apostle Paul rightly wrote, “ … I would not have known sin except through the Law [the Ten Commandments]. …” – Romans 7:7-8.

Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that all those who keep His commandments – and are persecuted for doing so – are the ones who will be blessed. For truly, it is our physical and spiritual enemy – Satan the Devil – that is the persecutor of all those who keep and obey the LORD God’s commandments!

Notice: In Revelation 12:17 – that upon him and his minions being cast down to the earth out of the atmosphere just before the glorious and powerful return of our Lord Jesus Christ, he will persecute ‘the woman who gave birth to the male Child.’ This ‘woman’ is JUDAH, the nation today called Israel. Verse 14 – “But the woman [Judah, modern-day Israel] was given two wings of a great eagle [compare Exodus 19:4], that she might fly into the wilderness to her place.” She will be protected for “a time and times and half a time” – three and a half years!

Keep in mind, the resurrection occurs on the SEVENTH TRUMP. The seven last plagues follow that. So, we (God willing) will already be in “low earth orbit” in the clouds being with Jesus Christ, in preparation for the time He, Jesus Christ, directly engages humankind.

In the 17th verse – “the dragon was enraged with the woman [again, here being JUDAH, the nation today called Israel], and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony [the gospel] of Jesus Christ.”

That there will be physical people of the house of ISRAEL and the house of JUDAH who will come to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and will “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony [the gospel] of Jesus Christ” during this period of intense persecution by Satan the devil and his followers – hence the final ‘beast’ power, and the final false prophet.

Now, since Satan the Devil is the true author of our persecutions – called “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10), we should not condemn, or place any curse on our persecutors. Our Lord Jesus Christ says to us, “’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.’” – Matthew 5:44.

All those who persecute us brethren are deceived by the evil one. As our Lord Jesus says, “ …’ they do not know what they do.’” – Luke 23:34.

Persecution is not just reserved for the LORD God’s prophets, apostles, or all those who believed in the living word of God. It comes upon all those who follow and obey JESUS CHRIST!

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly IN CHRIST JESUS will suffer persecution.” – 2 Timothy 3:12.

One trouble with this world and its churches today – they are minding the things of men, they are conformed to this world and its religions. Case in point: On the 13th of this month multiple thousands in the United States of America – in the state of Louisiana – will be celebrating Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday” in French). THEY WANT TO FOLLOW MEN AND NOT TO FOLLOW GOD! As the prophet Elijah stated, “If the LORD is God, follow Him, but if Baal, follow him.” But, if you truly follow God, you’ll be persecuted, you’ll be unpopular, you’ll even be hated – cf. Matthew 10:22.

Ask yourself as you celebrate this pagan celebration, are you suffering persecution for righteousness sake?

(Be sure to read: “Lent, Ash Wednesday and Easter – Did the Original Christians Observe These!?” along with “When Does God’s New Year Begin?” as well as “Letter to our Friends – March 3, 2020”).

“’ But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, …’” Persecution for the belief in and of Jesus Christ! Persecution for the belief in and of the New Covenant! Persecution for keeping and obeying His Commandments and having and teaching the testimony [the gospel] of Jesus Christ!

This world, as a whole, is offended at the LORD God’s living truth! Why? Because, “ … ‘this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were [are] evil.’” – John 3:19.

Men as a whole don’t like to be reproved. You have to admit that you have been wrong! You have to change your mind – for that is what true repentance is. This precedes even the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal Savior!

We can learn a great deal about the meaning as well as the purpose of persecution by examining the apostle Paul’s example. Almost all the apostles (according to historical tradition) suffered extreme and severe persecutions and even martyrdom. The sufferings and persecutions which the apostle Paul had to endure is long. Notice here 2 Corinthians 11.

“ … I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24) From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25) Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26) in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27) in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” – 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.

Yet, through it all, the apostle Paul was more concerned for all the churches than himself.

The apostle James tells us that we should “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” – James 1:2-3.

The apostle Peter admonished us to take our “fiery trials” patiently –

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed [when He returns], you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14) If you are reproached FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” – 1 Peter 4:12-14.

Future Persecution

Thank Almighty God that most true Christians will not be persecuted to the extreme that the original apostles were. However, the LORD God’s end-time prophets will be!

Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that immediately after the ‘beginning of sorrows’ His end-time prophets (possibly twelve in total) will be gravely persecuted and eventually martyred.

“’ THEN they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, …’” – here speaking mostly of the final end-time witnesses (see Revelation 11) – “ …’ and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10) And then many will be offended, will betray one another. 11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.’”

They – possibly beginning with twelve end-time prophets – will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the captured and subjugated “elect” of God, to a final great religious leader and a final European political civic leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the Devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years!

Verse 14 – “’ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME.’”

So, without going into great detail here – this final European political civic leader has subdued and taken over Jerusalem – is trodding it underfoot – and while the true little flock of the Church of God is protected – and we DON’T KNOW exactly how God will protect His people. If He wants to bring them together in a small encampment and place His angels about them in some remote area – I’m sure He’s capable of doing it! And if you live out in the middle of Wyoming or something, and there’s nowhere near you another Church member, if He wants to place His angels about you – He will – and no plague will come near you! Wherever you are He will know where you are! And that’s the great thing about the God that we serve! He will protect His people! If those people have the right heart. If they’re not filled with self-righteousness and bitterness, envy, and jealousy. If they truly have the Spirit of God within them – He says He will protect them! – and this final European beast power is reigning for forty-two months. Then the “END-TIME PROPHETS,” are going to appear. They will be “clothed in sackcloth” – clothed with humility and in a state of great mourning. They will go forward and speak to the physical children of the house of Israel which are held in subjugation.

Now, the question is: Who are these people!? A lot of them are the people of Israel – most of whom are physical members of the House of Israel. The United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations (both past and present), Australia, and New Zealand - respectively. 

The people where the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh settled. However, I do believe, that among some of those people will be groups of people who thought they were members of the Church of God, who thought they were doing what they were supposed to do. But did not understand that over the years their religion had been transformed into not a worship of God, but rather a worship of human beings. These “two witnesses” are basically patterned after the historic work of Moses and Aaron. There were times when Moses and Aaron went to the house of the pharaoh and pronounced a decree. “Thus says the Eternal God!” The end-time prophets will do that also! But these end-time prophets will also say just like Moses and Aaron said to Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” “Let the Israelites go” And so the end-time prophets – in this modern end-time – will be demanding the leaders of this soon-coming European beast power – this ten nation combine – ‘Let loose, let free, the captives which came from the house of Israel!’ 

A great many of the Gentile nations rise up against the nations of Israel, and greatly wound them, damaging them, destroying a great many people – and causing a state of subjugation over the nations of Israel. These end-time prophets will have a testimony, as a final witness and warning to this final European beast power, this final religious leader, and the god of this world, announcing with the Authority of Jesus Christ, “the kingdom of God is at hand. REPENT, and believe the gospel!” “The wrath of God is coming!” □

Bibliography:

1) Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary on the Whole Bible. Jamieson Robert, Fausset R. A., Brown David, Zondervan Publishing House, 1961, pg. 20.

Our Top Ten Articles of 2023

GREETINGS Brethren and Friends around the world - including our peoples in Brussels, Belgium; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; London, England, and Lesznowola, Poland! The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries (COJCOM) is pleased to bring you our top ten articles of 2023!

10) What Was Christ Jesus!?

Not only were some even then turning to “a different gospel, which is NOT ANOTHER,” but they were also turning to a different Christ. To a Christ that did not die. 

9) Letter to our Friends - February 9, 2023

I’ve been busy working on online booklets translated into Kiswahili, for our brethren and friends located in Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique, Africa. We have a few translated: Imani yako ni ya kibiblia? …na unaweza kuthibitisha hilo?, also Je, Mungu Ni UTATU? Along with ...

8) A Morning Bible Study - Just What Is Armageddon?

In our latest Letter to our Friends, we briefly speak of Armageddon. Just what is Armageddon!? 

7) A Morning Bible Study - What Is Repentance?

Just what does it mean to repent? Is real repentance just an emotional feeling? Is it just merely feeling sorry for having made some mistakes in life!? What is God's definition of true repentance? Let us here in this Bible Study examine what true repentance is and is not, detailing what God's definition of real repentance truly is.

6) To Jesus Be the Glory - Chapter One (Sermon)

Today I would like to talk about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

     If you would, turn in your Bible ─ I have with me today my old Bible, but I also have my new Bible. It has a larger print. If you would, turn to the Book of Genesis chapter 1, verse 1.

5) Personal From... Greed for our time!

The other night I watched on television again a great movie “Darkest Hour,” the 2017 war drama featuring the legendary Sir Winston Churchill─ one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century─ and his unwavering belief that ...

4) Letter to our Friends - January 17, 2023

There are according to Volcano Discovery 27 different erupting volcanoes AT THIS VERY MOMENT! And a great many others around the world are showing signs of waking up! We are also witnessing a lot of unusual earthquakes around the world. ...

3) Revelation - A Book of the Past and the Future (Part 7)

Let us continue in this series of Revelation that we began in November of 2020. Indeed it is a DANGEROUS BUSINESS to stand up for one’s cause! Isn’t it!? We have certainly seen this first-hand in China. ...

2) END-TIME PROPHETS (Online Book) - Chapter 1

I want to point out – the “end-time prophets” – the Two Witnesses, it is indeed in the realm of prophecy. And we’re told in the Book of Peter ‘that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.’ ...

1) Commentary: Paganism and this world

WHEN pagans (servants of Satan the Devil) entwine their LIES with the living TRUTH of God, that is when this world embraces those lies to stick. ...

HERE ARE OUR TOP TEN ARTICLES OF 2022!

HERE ARE OUR TOP TEN ARTICLES OF 2021!