The Calendar That Christ Used

The Gregorian calendar hanging on your wall or refrigerator is used in most parts of the world. It went into effect in October 1582 following the papal bull Inter gravissimas issued by Pope Gregory XIII, which introduced it as a modification of and replacement for the Julian calendar. But the LORD God gave the children of Israel a completely DIFFERENT calendar! And truly, without knowledge of this calendar, you CANNOT obey the LORD GOD!

Has the LORD God left it up to each individual to go by whatever calendar they choose? Have you ever thought about this? Sadly, most people don’t. Just like everything else in their religion ── they just assume that the calendar hanging on their wall (given to them by their insurance company) is a Christian calendar. Does the Lord GOD ── the very Creator of the known universe ── have His own calendar? And, has He actually preserved it for us today?

How is it possible that we ── true Christians ── know when to properly observe the Lord’s Passover, or the Days of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Tabernacles, along with the other holy days which the LORD God has commanded that we keep?

Notice ──

“The old Egyptian system, prototype of our present calendar, was composed of twelve 30-day months, each divided into three decades; then at the close of the 360-day year, five feast days were added to complete the 365-day year. The Julian calendar was an adaptation of the Egyptian system, but it took the five extra days and distributed them through the year, and added a new day every four years. Then, in 321 AD, an entirely new feature was introduced into the calendar by Constantine the Great. He commanded the observance of the seven-day week, and appointed the first day of the week ── Sunday ── as the Christian day of worship. (If you consult your own calendar, you will see that Sunday is the first column from the left). This was the first distinctly religious feature ushered into a civil and scientific calendar, and it was not pre-ordained nor written on tablets of stone, but was the whim of a Christian ruler, who exercised his regal arbitrary power, without doing much thinking about what the result would be. …

Our calendar is not Christian in origin. It descends directly from the Egyptians, who originated the 12-month, 365-day system. A pagan Egyptian scientist, {Ancient Greek astronomer} Sosigenes, suggested this plan to the pagan Emperor Julius Caesar, who directed that it go into effect throughout the Roman Empire in 45 BC. As adopted, it indicated its pagan origin by the names of the months──called after Janus, Maia, Juno, etc. The days were not named but were numbered on a complicated system involving Ides, Nones, and Calends. It was not until 321 AD that the seven-day week feature was added when Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity. Oddly enough, for his weekdays, he chose pagan names which are still used.”

(From “Journal of Calendar Reform,” Sept. 1953, along with footnote p. 128 {bracketed ours}).

A hieroglyphic calendar at Elephantine Island on the Nile

Théodule Devéria (French, 1831 - 1871) (1831 - 1871) – photographer

“Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2) Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the heathen; …’” – Jeremiah 10:1, 2.

Certainly, our Lord Jesus Christ did not use this heathen calendar!

What is God’s living word on what calendar our Lord Jesus used? What calendar did He go by?

The very first time within God’s living word that we come across any evidence of a God-given calendar is found in Genesis 1:14 – “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15) and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth’; and it was so.”

Well, our present-day Gregorian calendar does not meet this qualification. It actually divides the year IN THE DEAD OF WINTER! It divides the day IN THE MIDDLE OF A NIGHT. And its months have no direct link to the moon.

It is not the LOD God’s calendar!

What, then, is the proper method for calculating time by the LORD God’s standard?

A True Unit of Time

In the Book of Genesis, it is revealed to us. Notice ──

“Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. 4) And God saw the light, and that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5) God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. …” – Genesis 1:3-4, 5.

And then, six times the term “evening and morning” is used. Always with the evening (darkness) preceding the morning (light) part of each day. So, notice ── as revealed to us by our Creator God ── a day DOES NOT begin in the middle of a night, but it begins at sunset.

This true division of Night and Day was completely understood and followed when our Lord Jesus Christ was on earth. When the Lord’s Sabbath was drawing to a close – notice ── “When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.” – Luke 4:40.

Even though they fully understood when a day would come to an end, they weren’t aware that our Lord Jesus Christ was more than willing to heal on His Sabbath. Truly, the teachings and traditions of their Jewish rabbis caused them to be ignorant concerning healing on the Sabbath.

So, can the “lights in the firmament of the heavens” “divide the day from the night” ── unless the proper moment of sunset is used to properly divide a day from another day?

A day begins at sunset is also confirmed for us in Leviticus 23. Notice ──

“’ Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; … 32) It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall [humble] your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.’” – Leviticus 23:27, 32.

Notice that the tenth day begins at the exact moment when the evening begins ── sunset of the ninth day.

Also, the exact moment for a day to end is shown to us in Leviticus 15, in which anyone who is designated as unclean was to bathe in water and be unclean until evening. “’ And when the sun goes down he shall be clean; …’” – Leviticus 22:7. A new day begins at sunset ── not at midnight!

How the Week Came About

Have you ever thought about how the period of time we call the week came about? Was it FIRST revealed to prophet Moses and the children of Israel after their exodus from Egypt? No.

Notice ──

Long before the Exodus, the patriarch Jacob was required to serve his relative Laban for seven years for his younger daughter, Rachel. But, following the first seven years Laban tricked him, bringing Jacob his older daughter Leah, and “he went in to her.” “So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?’” And, Laban answered, “’ Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.’” – Genesis 29:15-30.

A seven-day period, or a week, followed before he was allowed to have Rachel as his wife, with the stipulation that he had to work for him another seven years.

So, the children of Israel ALREADY KNEW the symbol of “a day for a year” ── truly an important key in properly understanding biblical prophecy. And, they ALREADY KNEW of a seven-day week. This is the first time the word week appears in God’s living word. The Hebrew word being šābûa’, meaning week (a period of seven). In Genesis 1 seven consecutive days are listed for us. The sixth of the seven days mentioned was nearly over when Adam was created.

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the SIXTH DAY.” – Genesis 1:31.

“Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.”

Six of the days of creation came to an end, but one thing remained ── a day of rest.

Notice that our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of it ──

“ … ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.’” – Mark 2:27.

Throughout our history books, it has been recorded the existence of a seven-day week among many ancient nations long before the Exodus. It’s easy to understand why our LORD God commanded us to “’ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy’” because this special day was added to the six-day week the day AFTER Adam and Eve were created. It was made for them, therefore it was made at the time when they were made ── not some twenty-five hundred years later during the Exodus.

The Lord GOD had completed the creation of “the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them” in SIX LITERAL 24-hour DAYS, then, “on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3) Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, …” – Genesis 2:1-2, 3.

To sanctify means to SET APART FOR HOLY USE.

Friends, this weekly cycle of SIX DAYS of labor, and the SEVENTH DAY the Sabbath of the LORD our God has NEVER been lost by God’s true Church. And this seven day cycle continued down through our Lord Jesus’ time. It was a part of the calendar He kept.

Indeed, we who remember, keep, and observe the SEVENTH DAY OF THE WEEK, called Saturday, are remembering, keeping, and observing the same seventh day that our Creator rested on, blessed, and sanctified!

Now, the existence of our seven-day week demands an explanation. Astronomy does not reason why there is a seven-day week period. A seven-day week period is not divided evenly into 30 days. One source I found states, “The people who gave us the seven-day week were the Babylonians.” 1 Is there any truth to this?

Jeffrey H. Tigay writes  ── a modern biblical scholar who is best known for the study of Deuteronomy and for his contributions to the Deuteronomy volume of the JPS Torah Commentary (1996) ──

“It is clear that among neighboring nations that were in position to have an influence over Israel – and in fact which did influence it in various matters – there is no precise parallel to the Israelite Sabbatical week. This leads to the conclusion that the Sabbatical week, which is as unique to Israel as the Sabbath from which it flows, is an independent Israelite creation.” 2

David M. Henkin, a history professor at the University of California, Berkeley, stated ──

“Some people have argued that there are roots of this in Babylonia [which lasted from around 1900 BCE – 500 BCE] but the evidence for that is pretty slim …” 3

Truly, the only sound and logical origin is found in the literal truth of our Almighty Creator God ── the creation account we see in Genesis 1 and 2. The seven-day week points definitely to a literal SEVEN-DAY PERIOD in which the Lord GOD recreated the earth (cf. Psalm 104:30) and brought forth out of ‘tohu wa-bohu’ all life that had existed upon the earth (and I use the word “had” because mankind has committed specicide on certain animals, along with animals’ own natural selection).

Spring Begins A New Year

So, we see that a new day begins just as the sun sinks below the horizon and that a new week begins with the sunset FOLLOWING THE SEVENTH DAY.

Friends, this was true in Adam’s time, and it is still true nearly 6,000 years later!

Does God’s living word speak to us concerning a new month and a new year? Yes. When were they first made known to mankind?

Our great Eternal Creator God had instructed the children of Israel, while they were still held captive in the land of Egypt, as to when a new year began. Why?

Because this knowledge was lost to the descendants of Israel who had been held in slavery for nearly two centuries. They had lost the LORD God’s method of keeping time. The LORD God had to explain and reveal it. Concerning the first month of a new year, the LORD “spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2) ‘This month [the month of Nisan/Abib] shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR TO YOU.’” – Exodus 12:1-2.

So, the first day of this month ── which occurs at the beginning of spring ── would be the first day of a new year. The FIRST MONTH of our LORD God’s calendar is not January, which is in the dead of winter, but rather in the beginning of spring ── at the beginning of new life. Now, a NEW MONTH and a NEW YEAR begin together ON THE SAME DAY, completely independent of the weekly cycle.

Doing some research for January 1st, it’s interesting to note: How did January 1st become New Year’s Day? We can partly thank the Roman king Numa Pompilius. According to tradition, during his reign (c. 715–673 BC) Numa revised the Roman republican calendar so that January replaced March as the first month. … However, following the fall of Rome in the 5th century AD, many Christian countries altered the calendar so that it was more reflective of their religion, and March 25th and December 25th became common New Year’s Days. 4 Also, January 1st, 1622, the Roman Catholic Church officially adopted January 1st as the beginning of a new year instead of March 25th. 5

“In 1582, the Roman Catholic Church, under Pope Gregory XIII came up with a new calendar, called the Gregorian Calendar. … King Henry VIII of England had thumbed his nose at the pope and declared himself no longer under his control. So his Protestant daughter, now Queen Elizabeth I, wasn’t about to let Rome tell her what day it was. She was having none of this newfangled calendar. So for 170 years, Britain carried on with its old calendar.” 6 The colonies in America naturally followed suit.

The Word Month in the Bible

The word month in God’s living word in Hebrew is ḥōdeš, meaning month, or new moon. The Hebrew word for month when speaking of a calendar is identical to new moon or moon. The appearance of the new moon in our Western sky is just after sunset and is the approximate beginning OF A NEW MONTH! Now, one observer might see first, before all others, a faint slender crescent of a new moon ── should he therefore begin the month earlier than others? Is this man allowed to add a 13th month to the year, while others have to wait until the following year? No. Complete confusion would result.

Mankind is not left to himself to choose a calendar ── and all its constructs. The LORD God is! There is a guiding Authority who determines which months are to have a 30th day and which years have a 13th month. Adding the fact that the LORD God commands us to keep and celebrate the Holy Days, shows us that there is a guiding Authority for us today in this 21st century ── as well. Our Eternal God never fails to provide mankind with knowledge that we must know and can discover.

It was Almighty God who created the entire known universe! He set His heavenly bodies in motion creating a “master-clock” in which true time is determined. Note: Just recently read a great article in which scientists from MIT have developed what they believe is the most accurate atomic clock ever constructed. Be sure to check it out! Recall, that God says, “’ Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years.’” – Genesis 1:14. So the earth’s rotation regulates the length of a day and the lunar phases dictate the length of a month. And the orbit of the earth around the sun – sorry Aristarchus of Samos – dictates the length of a year.

Truly, certain men were given this awesome understanding based upon mathematical principles on which the LORD God’s calendar is based. And, the children of Israel accepted this understanding. The LORD God revealed to these men a calendar that was based upon the laws of mathematics and astronomy. A CALENDAR THAT FOLLOWS THE MOVEMENTS OF THE HEAVENLY BODIES! It is understood that planets can be used as a basis for a calendar, as they have natural time intervals that everyone can agree on.

Is Our Eternal Creator’s Calendar Still Accurate?

Who was it that has preserved God’s calendar down from the time of our Lord Jesus Christ? ── until even today?

Because, if we don’t have an accurate calendar, then in commanding us to keep, observe, and celebrate God’s Sabbath and Holy Days, we are commanded to do something impossible. If the LORD God’s calendar is lost from us, then God’s commandments regarding keeping, observing, and celebrating the Feasts are also impossible. However, since the LORD God DOES COMMAND IT, the calendar is preserved for us!

Who was it that had this awesome responsibility to preserve the calendar? Notice ──

“’ This is he [speaking of Moses] who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel [the angel of the LORD God] who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us.” – Acts 7:38.

ORACLES WERE COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE LORD GOD. These oracles were given to all the children of Israel ── to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. The house of Israel would go into captivity, losing her identity, her knowledge, and her understanding of the LORD God. And, she did not preserve the LORD God’s sacred calendar for us.

Who did?

Well, the house of Judah also went into captivity over 134 years later in 587 BC! Yet, they retained their knowledge of their identity and their God. Even today ── the tiny nation called Israel in the Middle East (truly known as Judah), the Jewish people, have continued in their retention of the knowledge of the Lord’s true Sabbath rest and even of the calendar (which they refuse to accept).

Our Lord Jesus Christ Kept and Followed His Calendar

Let us notice what our beloved apostle Paul asks ──

“What advantage then has the Jew, … 2) Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.” – Romans 3:1, 2.

Friends, the JEWS ALONE were left to preserve for all mankind the LORD God’s living word, the holy Sabbath, along with God’s sacred calendar. Because, if they had not preserved this God-given commission, then our Lord Jesus Christ could not have accurately kept and observed His Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day in their proper seasons during His childhood. He would not have been able to live a sinless life. The LORD God gave the commission of preserving His sacred calendar to the Jews.

Now, our Lord Jesus Christ did indeed accuse the Jews of “’ laying aside the commandment of God [to] hold the tradition of men.’” – Mark 7:8. The commands that our Lord Jesus kept and followed were those written in the Law and the Prophets that Judah was commissioned to preserve. Yet, they themselves refused to believe and or obey.

Our Lord Jesus kept the very same holy Sabbath that the Jews were keeping. He kept the same Holy Days that they were keeping and celebrating ── proving that they (at that time) had a correct understanding of the times of the seasons. (Now, even at that time, certain heretical Jewish sects observed these Holy Days at the wrong times due to their complete misunderstanding of God’s living word). And, in speaking of His living word ── preserved for us with the Law and the Prophets (The Law, also known as the Law of Moses, consists of the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah in Hebrew and the Pentateuch in Greek. The Prophets consists of several books grouped together, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Malachi). Our Lord Jesus Christ fully accepted His living word which had been entrusted to the children of Israel by the prophet Moses and the other prophets. He fully accepted and recognized that the Jews had carried out His commission.

Do you!?

Or, are you one of these so-called Christians that is protesting in the streets of the United States of America holding a Palestinian flag while burning a Jewish flag!? Are you ANTI-SEMITIC!?

Do you go to Sunday church every Sunday and read your Bible ── not fully recognizing and understanding that without the Jews preserving for us God’s living word, you wouldn’t be reading God’s living word!? You would possibly be reading some other group's preserved knowledge, or of a sabbath, or “holy” days. NOT THE LORD GOD’S!

So, properly understanding that the LORD God commissioned the Jews to keep His calendar intact ── even up to our day ── we are left with transferring the proper dates from the true calendar of God’s to this present-day Gregorian calendar. (Now I caution you ── do not accept the Jewish dates for the Lord’s Passover or the Day of Pentecost. Because the Jews of today have departed from God’s living instructions regarding when these holy days are to be observed).

If one lacks a reputable Jewish calendar ── to calculate the actual day on which the Feast of Trumpets [called Rosh Hashanah] falls upon in any given year, the expected new moon of Tishri in that year is calculated. This year the Feast of Trumpets is September 23rd. This glorious feast of a memorial of the blowing of trumpets is celebrated on the 1st day of the SEVENTH MONTH. The rest of the Holy Days of the year are quite easily determined from the date of this feast.

The Lord God’s Passover is the first full moon after the March equinox ── April 12th. Note: all these days begin the preceding evening. The Lord’s Passover is to begin Sunday evening just after sunset, which is the 14th day of the FIRST MONTH.

The seven days of the Days of Unleavened Bread are April 13th through April 19th.

The Day of Pentecost (which means, count fifty) is the FIFTIETH DAY AFTER THE WAVE SHEAF OFFERING. This feast will be on June 1st this year.

The Fall Feasts

The next Holy Day ── the Feast of Trumpets. Again, this year the Feast of Trumpets is September 23rd.

Then, on the “’ tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall humble your souls, …’” – Leviticus 23:27. The TENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH is October 2nd. The day to humble yourself before the LORD God!

Then, “’ the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD.’” – Leviticus 23:34.

The FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH brings us to October 7th through to October 13th.

The Last Great Day being October 14th.

It is crystal clear that the LORD God has provided all mankind with a holy and sacred calendar that was preserved through the Jewish people. Through them, the LORD God has given us a sacred calendar so that we would be able to keep, observe, and celebrate the holy Sabbaths and the Holy Days as commanded.

The dates for the Holy Days for this year, 2026, and 2027 are available on our website – Holy Day Information & Calendar (Lev. 23, Deut. 16) for your convenience. □

Bibliography:

1) Arndt, G., Why Does a Week Have Seven Days? everything-everywhere.com, 3 Oct. 2022

2) Tigay, Jeffery H. (1998). "Shavua". Mo'adei Yisra'el: Time and Holy Days in the Biblical and Second Commonwealth Periods (Heb.), ed. Jacob S. Licht: 22–23.

3) Baker, N. and Watson, J., Where does the seven-day week come from and why does it govern our lives? Abc.net.au, 4 Jan. 2022. Retrieved 9 Feb. 2025.

4) Tikkanen, Amy. "Why Does the New Year Start on January 1? ". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Dec. 2018, https://www.britannica.com/story/why-does-the-new-year-start-on-january-1. Accessed 9 February 2025.

5) Johnson, B., Historic January, Historic-uk.com, Retrieved 9 Feb. 2025.

6) Lestz, M, New Year’s Day, Calendar Years, and the British Tax Year, Margo Lestz – The Curious Rambler, 31 Dec. 2017.

What is the TRUE GOSPEL?

Just what is the true Gospel that our Lord Jesus Christ preached? Did the apostle Paul preach a different gospel to the Gentiles? Here, made plain, is the truth about – what Gospel.

by Leonard V Johnson

During His ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ explained to His disciples (Luke 19:11-27) that He (this ‘certain nobleman’ in His parable) “ … ‘went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom …’” But that He would first have to return to God the Father in the upper heavenly realms – “ … ‘and to return.’”

Now, in the Book of Daniel, the 7th chapter is a vision that describes this coronation –

“I watched in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days [God the Father], And they brought Him near before Him, 14) Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” – Daniel 7:13-15.

In the upper heavenly realm, He will be given, officially, this Kingship; and there will supervise the Work of God in preparing and training brethren for His kingdom – to be co-rulers in His Government.

Jesus Christ’s Ministry

In the Book of Mark chapter 1 we read –

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” And, this beginning began with the work of John the Baptist. He prepared the Way for Jesus Christ’s ministry, or mission, of which God the Father had given Him.

“As it is written in the Prophets …” – as in the Book of Isaiah.

“ … ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 3) ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the Way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’”

Then follows the very beginning of Jesus Christ’s ministry –

Verse 14 – “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15) and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in [obey] the gospel.’”

But, repent from what!? Repent of sin! In the 1st Book of John, we learn just what sin is –

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” - 1 John 3:4.

Lawlessness against the Government of God!

Let us notice that our Lord Jesus Christ says that it is necessary that one repents! He also says that it is necessary for one to believe! Not only to believe in and on Him – but also to believe the gospel message.

What Gospel?

Back in the spring of 2018, a man on Facebook tried to tell me “the gospel that should be preached now is the Gospel of grace of God.” He also went on to say, “the gospel of the kingdom will be preached again after the rapture to Israel before the second coming. We cannot preach the gospel of the kingdom now because that was meant for the lost sheep of the house of Israel only.”

But, is this correct!? No.

Today, as it was so long ago (cf. Galatians 1:6-9), many preach a different gospel – “which is not another.” Some call what they preach, “the gospel of salvation,” “the gospel of the grace of God,” or even “the gospel of Proven Principles and of Winning Formulas,” “the gospel of Church and Christian Ministry,” along with “the gospel of the Great Man,” “the gospel of reincarnation,” “the gospel of political ideology.” Or even the Seventh-day Adventists’ “the gospel of the Three Angels”! Then, there’s the gospel, or rather the message, about going off to heaven. Then there are those who preach about Christ only – about His title. Now, they may call it the gospel of Christ – but none of these are the gospel that JESUS CHRIST taught and preached!

On the Internet it is replete with church organizations, of all kinds, falsely proclaiming “the fact that there are different gospels”! Which truly flies in the face of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as all the original apostles! One particular blasphemous site’s tagline reads – “Rightly dividing our walk!”

Now, our Lord Jesus Christ was crystal clear concerning just what gospel to believe and obey – “ … ‘the kingdom of God …’” The gospel of the kingdom of God! Our Lord Jesus Christ preached the gospel – the good news – of the soon-coming kingdom of God. The very Government of God which will be implemented upon the earth!

This is how we state just what gospel our Lord Jesus Christ brought and taught from God the Father –

“The very word “gospel” means good news. The Gospel is the wonderful, good news Message of God’s Master Plan of salvation for all mankind through the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ – “the Christ, the Son of the living God” – cf. Matt. 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20.

The New Testament calls this Message the Gospel of grace. The Gospel of grace is the good news that Jesus Christ is the Savior – the Messiah – of the world and that through His blood all who repent and believe on Him may have their sins forgiven and may enter into the family of God. The Gospel is also a Message about the soon-coming kingdom of God on EARTH.

It is the glorious, good news that when Jesus Christ returns to the earth, He will set up His kingdom – His government. He will rule all nations as King of kings and Lord of lords. The saints who are given eternal life at the first resurrection – who are changed from mortal to immortal – will be co-heirs with Christ and will be given authority to rule His kingdom as kings and priests alongside Jesus Christ. Through preaching the Gospel, God is preparing saints for His kingdom by calling those whom He chooses to repentance and conversion.”

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you rightly understand, clearly, just WHAT gospel our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brought from God the Father! Also, just WHAT gospel was sent unto the Gentiles. In the spring of 1981, I came to rightly understand that this world’s “traditional Christianity” teaches and preaches different gospels! Certainly, this is something each individual has to prove to themselves! And, your Bible says that Satan the devil has ‘deceived the whole world!’ – Revelation 12:9.

Now, our Lord Jesus Christ said of Himself –

“ … ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, …’” – John 5:19a. And, “’ I can of Myself do nothing’” – vs. 30. Along with, “ … ‘The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works’” – John 14:10b. And, continuing He says, “’ Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; …’” – and speaking mostly of the end-time prophets He adds, 2 “ … ‘and greater works than these he will do, …’”

“’ the Spirit of truth, [which] the world cannot receive, … for [It] dwells with you and will be IN you’” – John 14:12, 17.

So, at the very beginning of His WORK OF GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ taught His twelve disciples, which God the Father had called unto Him (cf. John 17:24) the very Message given to Him by His Father concerning the soon-coming Kingdom of God.

Then, after 3 ½ years, our Lord Jesus finished that initial phase of the Work of God, which Father had given Him to do. In His final prayer to Father, He says, “’ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do’” – John 17:4.

Note: Daniel 9:27, a two-fold prophecy, speaks of a remaining 3 ½ years of an end-time work. I briefly mention this in the article “Satan’s World” section ‘Satan’s sign and lying wonders’. Minister Garrett also writes concerning this –

“Daniel 9 gives us a clue: Contains what is often referred to as the SEVENTY WEEKS PROPHECY. Verse 27 – Remember, verse 25 we see the word “Messiah.” That’s who we’re talking about here in verse 27. The “he,” who – JESUS CHRIST – “he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;”

Which in Bible parlance, one day for a year – this is SEVEN YEARS. “But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Now, who was the ultimate sacrifice!? Jesus Christ. When did He die!? When was He executed!? He was executed on a WEDNESDAY, in the middle of the week. And, His human life ended after 3½ years of His public ministry. It was SEVEN YEARS He was supposed to have a very special dispensation. And He lived upon this earth for 3½ years, it begs the question: What became of the other 3½ years!? Well, the other 3½ years will be fulfilled in those events upon His return and for 3½ years the Millennium doesn’t really start, UNTIL AFTER 3½ years. Because Jesus Christ for 3½ years, is, as it were, remolding and reshaping the Earth – the people of the Earth. He’s getting the attitudes right. We are told “as a Rod of Iron.” And, Jesus Christ WILL wield that club, and we as members of the resurrected Family of GOD WILL in part wield that club, and here’s a part of the story – God uses the physical people of Israel as a part of His club. That’s a part of the story which has NEVER been told.” 

(Garrett, M.C. Notes Concerning the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, 28 Sept. 2019, pgs. 16-17).

However, just prior to our Lord Jesus Christ finishing that initial phase of the Work of God, He had said to His disciples, “’ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper [the Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send [It] to you’” – John 16:7.

So, after our Savior, Lord, and Master – Elder Brother – ascended to the very THRONE OF GOD, the very seat of the Government of the entire universe, He sent His Spirit. 3 And, about fifty days later – “when the Day of Pentecost had fully come” the Spirit of God was sent! And then His disciples became apostles!

Then, “having been built on the FOUNDATION of the apostles and prophets [of the Old Testament], Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20) He built His Church. “In whom the WHOLE BUILDING, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (vs. 21) – which is composed of those called and begotten children of God who have received, and in who is dwelling, God’s Holy Spirit – they are the spiritual temple of God.

Now, the head of Jesus Christ’s Church is not – and never has been – any man, but it’s always been the living Jesus Christ!

Why the Church?

Notice that the Church is called “His Body” – “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23) which IS HIS BODY, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” – Ephesians 1:22-23.

Just why is His Church called “the Body of Christ”!? – see also Ephesians 4:12; 5:30; Colossians 1:24; 1st Corinthians 10:17; 12:27; Romans 12:5.

Well, because it is the SAME POWER that had worked mightily in our Lord Jesus Christ’s human physical body which then entered the collective body of His Church. The Church, led by JESUS CHRIST from the upper heavenly realm after His resurrection unto glory – which was led by the apostles who had been taught and trained directly from Jesus Christ, becoming the COLLECTIVE BODY empowered by God’s Spirit – is today still being led by JESUS CHRIST from the upper heavenly realm – CARRYING ON THE LIVING WORK OF GOD!

And, that work, initially, was the divine commission. Notice this –

“ … ‘Go into ALL THE WORLD and preach the gospel to every creature’” – Mark 16:15. The word “creature” in Greek is ktisis, meaning, “creation or governmental institution.” Along with, “’ Go therefore and make disciples of [meaning, teach] all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; …’” – Matthew 28:19, 20.

Minister Guy C. LaMar has given a very informative sermon entitled “The Goal Of The Church” which certainly speaks volumes of God’s living truth! We are reminded that since God does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), His divine commission for His Church has not changed.

Many within this world’s “traditional Christianity” falsely teach that our Lord Jesus Christ turned over the Church to the apostle Peter (cf. Matthew 16:17-19) – to a human successor as voted by men. But God’s living word distinctly says, “And He is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, …” – Colossians 1:18. See also Ephesians 4:15; 5:23.

Just what is the purpose of Jesus Christ’s Church – even in this 21st-century world!? Well, in a nutshell – it is the same as it was in the 1st century! –

“For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the BODY OF CHRIST, 13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” – Ephesians 4:12-13.

And, again, just what gospel did the original apostles proclaim!? It was – and is – the gospel of the Kingdom of God! Let’s go through some of the Scriptures that prove this –

“These TWELVE Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6) But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7) And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom [from] heaven is at hand’” – Matthew 10:5-6.

Minister Michael C. Garrett teaches an enlightening truth regarding “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” –

“This is an end-time prophecy! Even though the story started out in about 30 AD, the story became a prophecy for the end-time. … Now, think about that phrase, ‘lost sheep.’ Jesus said, ‘feed My sheep.’ Now in one sense, the physical people of Israel are the ‘lost sheep.’ But in an even more spiritual, more heightened, more intense meaning, I think Jesus Christ might very well be saying, ‘Go to the lost Church members.’ ‘Go to those people who thought they were in a good organization, they didn’t realize their leaders were corrupt and their doctrines were impure – or highly compromised.’ ‘Go to those lost sheep!’ I think it has a double meaning!” 

(Garrett, M.C. The Day of Atonement Prophetically the Day of the Lord, 2019, pg. 38).

“He sent them to preach the kingdom of God …” – Luke 9:2.

“ … ‘and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” – Luke 10:9b.

“ … and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” – Acts 1:3b.

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, …” – Acts 8:12.

“And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God” – Acts 19:8.

“ … among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, …” – Acts 20:25.

“ … and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, …” – Acts 28:23.

“preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ …” – Acts 28:31.

“for the kingdom of God is not …” – Romans 14:17.

“For the kingdom of God is not …” – 1 Corinthians 4:20a.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” – 1 Corinthians 6:9. See also verse 10.

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; …” – 1 Corinthians 15:50.

“ … those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” – Galatians 5:21b.

“For this you know, that no fornicator [whoremonger, meaning “pornos – one who is sexually immoral], unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” – Ephesians 5:5.

“ … These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God …” – Colossians 4:11b.

“ … that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, …” – 2 Thessalonians 1:5.

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God [God the Father], and the power of His Christ [Jesus the Christ] have come, …” – Revelation 12:10.

And, let us always be reminded, that the apostle Paul WARNED that a DOUBLE CURSE would be pronounced on anyone preaching any different gospel – Galatians 1:8-9.

We – built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone – continue to bring you the great and awesome message of God - which is based upon the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God. Our mission and our purpose is to follow the admonition of Jesus Christ, when He said, “’ FEED MY SHEEP!’” We do the will of God the Father and Jesus Christ - to preach the Gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ, of His forgiveness, of His atoning sacrifice, of the opportunity for all of us, to have Jesus Christ as our great High Priest and to live under the promises of the New Covenant, and to someday be a part of the glorious Kingdom of God! □

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DOES GOD EXIST?

The Milky Way arching at a high inclination across the night sky.

Leonard V. Johnson

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From a child, I had a great passion for understanding. Always wanting to know the “why” about things. At the age of 12, I suddenly became fired up with great excitement to learn what God’s living word – the Holy Bible – actually says. In those young years of my life I came face to face with an important question – and a question I hope that you had – Does God exist? I thought I knew. Also, I desired to know the truth – one way or the other – concerning the theory of evolution. In truth, wanting to know beyond a shadow of a doubt the existence of God is the very starting point for the acquisition of knowledge. I have come to understand that it is the FOUNDATION FOR UNDERSTANDING.

In 1992 I was told by a friend that I had been conformed to Armstrongism. Always an inquisitor, I desired to know whether he was right! He questioned everything I had learned – i.e. the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, angels, life, death, God’s Law, the Sabbath, etc. All the foundational doctrines that I had come to understand in my 3 ½ years of learning. Therefore, I accepted the challenge of a multi-month intense Bible study. Breaking down and methodically going through each doctrine of God’s living word – I truly wanted to understand and to know biblical truth and knowledge and to properly distinguish, differentiate, and discern between biblical truth and biblical error. I needed to erase the chalkboard – but not forget – everything I was taught for those 3 ½ years. I started with the elementary principles of Christ – cf. Hebrews 6:1-2, and began to learn the truth of God as shown to me through God the Father and Jesus Christ as I read, studied, and prayed in connection with God’s living word – Them being my Teacher. Not what some Armstrong said – but through Them!

There are two possibilities of origin – it’s either like what Professor Stephen Hawking hawked, he concluded that the Big Bang was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics. In his work, The Grand Design, he wrote, “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing.” Or it’s a special creation by a Creator God. Of course, the former is much more popular. And it has won popular acceptance in science and in higher education.

We Must Know!

I have come to see and understand that the majority of this world’s so-called religious people are only assuming that God exists! Why? Well, it’s simply because they were taught it since childhood – without proving it to themselves. Also, in the circles in which they have lived. In my home, too, growing up, it was unquestionably taught – God exists. I came to understand that I was only assuming that God exists. Very few have actually looked for proof!

How do you look for proof that God exists? Is it the physical things we see all around us – is this proof!? Is it Darwin’s theory of evolution, of which any elementary or junior high school textbook alleged or proposed, theorized, or assumed, of which I was told to accept every bit of it without question!?

This morning I saw a female Lutheran preacher who was proudly proclaiming to be an LGBTQ “identified and affirmed” person at one of their rallies. And when she was confronted by a young man questioning her, she shuts him down! And this struck a chord with me – because we know well that people in general believe only what they are willing to believe. And only what they are willing to accept. In the majority of cases, people feel no compulsion or desire to refuse what is accepted in their social or geographical environment. Most dyed-in-the-wool homosexuals or lesbians will not accept the living truth of God – because of their reluctance or willingness to be corrected. She invited the young man to her church – surely so that she would have a Legion behind her  -  all with the same general belief! The old idiom - there's strength in numbers.

The worldwide Book that is professing to be the very living word of the Creator of the universe – the very One who created all things, “and without Him nothing was made that was made” says unequivocally, “the carnal mind is enmity [hostile] against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” – Romans 8:7. No facts, positive evidence, rational reasonings, or proof, will induce such a person (a person like that female Lutheran preacher who shuts you down even before listening to you) to accept that against which they are prejudiced. As I’ve said before - prejudism is a strong barrier to growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I Personally Found Proof of God’s Existence!

I desired to examine the facts. I restudied the very question of “evolution” rereading large portions of The Origins of Species by Charles Darwin and still was impressed by his command of contemporary studies in geology, botany, and zoology. He was blessed with an insatiable and unbounded appetite to test all kinds of things using science. Though much makes one scratch their head and appears seemingly convincing, when examined under the microscope of God’s living word – his hypothesis, theories, and explanations fall dead.

With the creation and launch of the James Webb telescope, some of the early images received are now questioning the theory of the Big Bang! Yet, some dyed-in-the-wool physicists are insisting, “No, the Big Bang theory is not ‘broken.’”

I recently watched the"Astrum" channel on YouTube (I really like this channel, because he doesn’t try and sell the theory of evolution or the Big Bang theory), in which the James Webb telescope is aiding in studying the recently found massive groups of rogue planets without a star – some are binary planets. In one October 2023 article in Science Alert, “JWST observations of the star-forming heart of the Orion nebula have given us something we've never seen before. There, in the Trapezium cluster, scientists have found dozens of planet-like objects roughly the mass of Jupiter untethered to any star, drifting through the galaxy in gravitationally bound pairs like it's a perfectly normal thing to do. But it isn't. There is no known formation mechanism that can lead to these binary masses – never mind 42 of them.” 1 European Space Agency scientist Samuel Pearson adds, “The main thing that we learn from this is that there is something fundamentally wrong with either our understanding of planet formation, star formation, or both.” 2

There is a vital issue that is unexplained in the standard model of the Big Bang theory. The model does not even address the very moment of creation at all – except for Stephen Hawking's erroneous statement, “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing.” But like Clara Peller asking, “Where’s the Beef?” – I ask, “Where’s the Proof?” The standard model only begins with the growth of the universe from a preexisting source of energy and matter. This standard model then makes you have to believe that something was created out of nothing!

Even to their chagrin, several scientists agree that there had to be a source of energy and matter before the Big Bang. But, what laws of physics can explain this phenomenon? There are none. To be fair – Hawking’s did not claim to have proven the non-existence of God.

Well, have you thought of this question – with all the energy, matter, and space itself initially concentrated in such a tiny volume, what held everything in place before it was supposedly released in a “Big Bang”!? What force would be strong enough to constrict the entire known universe other than a Creator!? The scientific community just states, “It is entirely possible that there was no previous era. Assuming this is true, it means that matter, energy, space, and time just began abruptly.” 3

Also, there is the question of the four fundamental forces of the universe.

● Gravity. A universal attraction between all forms of mass and energy.

● Strong Forces. In which is needed to hold the nucleus of atoms together.

● Weak Forces. As in acting inside particles of an atom and responsible for some particle reactions along with certain kinds of radioactivity.

● Electromagnetic Forces. A force acting between any charged particles such as electrons and protons within atoms.

Returning again to the quoted article “The science behind the Big Bang theory,” it mentions the fact that scientists believe these fundamental forces did emerge during the first seconds of the supposed “Big Bang.” But, they can’t explain how these forces emerged. Are we also to believe that such fundamental forces just came into being from nothing?

As Einstein’s theory of relativity postulated that time is a part of the physical universe, what existed before?

Well, the LORD God of the Holy Bible claims responsibility for the creation of the universe.

Which God?

Back in April 2022, someone asked me which God I worshiped. “Which God? The God of the Catholics or the God of the Hindus, etc.?”

That’s certainly a fair question. It deserves an answer.

Yes, my friend, I have a God!

Sadly, over the centuries mankind has separated the LORD God of the Bible into a separate God, whom they call “the God of the Hebrews.” I think this gets back to the question I was asked in 2022. “Which God?”

We are told in the living word of God – that the Word brought everything that exists into existence – including all that is falsely called “God.” It was He – the very One we know of as JESUS CHRIST – who created all matter, the fundamental forces and energy! He created LIFE and even endowed some of it with great intelligence.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” – John 1:1.

TWO GREAT CREATIVE BEINGS!

God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ is God [the Hebrew word Elohim, plural in meaning – more than one – the family of God].

SUPERIOR TO ALL ELSE THAT IS CALLED “God.” They alone are God!

Now according to James Frazer, the whole world “progressed from a belief in magic [and I might add, darkness, ignorance, and superstitions] as a means of controlling his environment to religious beliefs, which propitiated” their gods, goddesses, and spirits. The gods of nations have been carved by men’s hands out of wood, gold, or silver. The gods of this world’s false religions have been carved out of human imaginations and faulty human reasonings. There are others who continue to worship the Sun, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, angels, and even the American singer Beyoncé! All these “gods” and “goddesses” are merely the created.

Creation is one PROOF OF GOD!

A Time When Matter DID NOT Exist

The Uranium in existence today has not been in existence long enough to have run its course and changed into lead. For a fairly accurate age of the Earth, we use Uranium. A radioactive element that decays into many sequential daughter isotopes before finally arriving at lead. This means that the proportions of Uranium and lead isotopes can give highly accurate age readings for a given sample of up to 4.5 billion years.

God’s living word does not describe the Earth as ever being a hot molten mass – to the contrary, His word states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” And, according to His word – “But this fact is hidden from them – they themselves choosing to ignore it – that by the Word of God the heavens existed of old, and the earth came forth out of water and amid water” – 2 Peter 3:5, NET. It was not created as a result of the “Big Bang” theory! Even Reasoanable-Bath-4963 has the common sense to ask, “Uranium turns into lead, but there's still uranium. Why?” Especially since we have been told over and over that the Earth is some 4.50 billion years old! The uranium series from 238 U has a half-life of 4.47 billion years! According to scientific consensus, Uranium formed 6.6 billion years ago. Therefore, there was a definite time of starting. Since radioactive elements such as Uranium, Radium, and Thorium have not existed ALWAYS, there was a time BEFORE when these elements DID NOT EXIST!

What About LIFE?

Where did LIFE come from?

Did life originate from what the likes of Carl Sagan had argued? “That the early atmosphere of the Earth was hydrogen-rich, and that the origin of life occurred before the hydrogen was lost, and that such gases sparked, creating life. That life began in the ocean with temperatures that began to fall and the amino-acids, and the proteins and the nucleotides – and how these different chemicals and the different aspects of this old earth – which condensed out of interstellar gas and dust some 4.5 billion years ago – and how they came together to form the earliest stages of life – a kind of organic soup!?”

Well, LIFE ONLY COMES FROM LIFE!

The late great French microbiologist Louis Pasteur in 1862, tested the validity of a widely held belief in spontaneous generation. For centuries, the general population and naturalists alike believed that a variety of organisms could arise spontaneously. Sound familiar? “The universe can and will create itself from nothing.” Pasteur’s experiments showed that microbes CANNOT arise from nonliving materials. Now, there are those who argue that eons ago conditions on Earth and in the atmosphere were vastly different than they were in Pasteur’s lifetime. Pasteur proved that microorganisms come from the multiplication of parent microorganisms of their own kind. Advocates of this spontaneous generation doctrine continue to argue that some form of the doctrine is true – in the sense that if life did not always exist on Earth it must have been spontaneously generated at some point. And, without even realizing it – turning 360° back to a CREATOR!

Now Darwin was quite clever not to promote this spontaneous generation of life in his work The Origin of Species, but his followers knew all too well what he meant. Especially Thomas Huxley who boldly proclaimed the ability that life can come from non-life.

Now, there’s a plethora of debate and speculation about life arising in many places throughout the universe. But, what does established scientific observations and experiments tell us? We NEVER see evidence of anything remotely looking like some “kind of organic soup”!? Nor any life arising spontaneously! What do we see? We only see living things reproducing “according to its kind” – Genesis 1:20-27. The LORD God – THE LIVING CREATORS – who is LIFE, who has imparted life to all that have it.

A person cannot rationally deny the existence of our God – unless he can successfully demonstrate that life can come from non-life.

Also, there are scientific laws, based on repeated experiments or observations, that describe or predict a range of natural phenomena. Such as the Laws of Physics, Laws of classical mechanics, Laws of gravitation and relativity, Laws of chemistry, Laws of biology, and Laws of Earth Sciences.

Do You Believe That There Is Anything Superior To You?

Find a mirror. Look into that mirror. What do you see? You see you. Do you know of anything that is superior to your mind!? Look at the planets in this solar system. Behold, in all its glorious splendor, the entirety of the known universe, with its galaxies, stars, and black holes – they are inanimate. They have no mind, they have no intelligence. They cannot do what you can do!

Your mind can know, think, reason, plan, and carry out its plans. Your mind can invent, produce, and acquire knowledge of the known observable universe. Certainly, a mind can create spaceships and computers. And, man can now send astronauts to the International Space Station – and beyond that, eventually, certainly, to Mars!

In our home, we have an Amazon Alexa – a virtual assistant. Now, there are times when “she” might appear intelligent – but the intelligence and power required to invent and produce “her” is far superior!

However, what one thing you cannot do? You cannot build, create, or produce anything superior to you!

Supreme Intelligence!

There are many companies and organizations that are building robots. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, unveiled a humanoid robot called Optimus. For someone to suggest to you that they could invent, create, build, and bring into being anything far superior in intelligence to you and your mind – would that not certainly insult you!?

Let me ask you straight forward – do you honestly believe that any power or force of less intelligence than you and your mind – brought you about!?

If you do not believe in my God – the very One whom the apostle Paul proclaimed on the Areopagus, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth” – then you only have the alternative. That something less intelligent than you and your mind produced YOU! A dumb, UNINTELLIGENCE brought you and your intelligence into being. Surely, you don’t believe that – do you!?

What If YOU Were Creator?

I recall when I was a young boy, lying in bed, fantasizing that I could spontaneously create real-life Hot Wheels cars. I had a collection of some two hundred of those scale model cars! I was too young to drive – but I thought creating real-life cars would be so kool! Suppose you could add to your powers of reasoning, planning, design, and creativity!? – so that you could project your will anywhere to create and produce and bring into being whatever your mind can plan and desire!?

Then suppose that you undertook and designed, fashioned, created, shaped, and set in motion a physical three-dimensional universe – with physical planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae – in all its splendor and glory!

Then suppose, in 2/3 of the way out from the galactic center of a solar system in a relatively large galaxy you reason, plan, design, and create all the physical forms of life that exist in this universe. And like in the Dr. Seuss book “Horton Hears A Who!” – there are worlds within worlds, down to the minutest infinitesimal particles of matter that we cannot see without the aid of the most powerful of microscopes.

Are you still looking at yourself in the mirror? Do you think your mind could invent, create, build, and bring into being this planet we call EARTH!? Be honest.

Because, if you can’t – then it stands to reason that the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE AND ALL MATTER is revealed as the SUPREME INTELLIGENCE! THE ARCHITECT OF THE VAST KNOWN UNIVERSE!

Mankind’s Intelligence vs. the CREATOR

Let’s compare the wisdom and intelligence of man with that of our CREATOR who brought all the marvels into being on this planet and keeps them functioning.

I found it fascinating to have learned that not all of Earth’s oxygen comes from trees. About 80 percent of the oxygen in the atmosphere comes from the ocean - from marine plants and plant-like organisms. The main marine organisms that produce oxygen are oceanic plankton. And I found it equally fascinating that the atmospheric oxygen level stays relatively constant! It is constantly being replenished by photosynthetic organisms, mainly in the oceans.

Here’s where the intelligence comes in. What has mankind been doing to the oceans – where marine plants and plant-like organisms live!? I’ll give you a guess. Mankind is having a very negative effect on Earth’s oceans! From habitat destruction via drilling, mining, dredging, destructive anchoring, the removal of priceless corals, carbon emissions, chemical pollution, oil spills, noise pollution, plastic pollution, and overfishing. As of 2018, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch covers 620,000 square miles - consisting of 45,000–129,000 metric tons of garbage!

What about mankind’s direct attack on the atmosphere itself? The three countries with the highest CO2 emissions are China (with 9.9 billion tons), the United States (with 4.4 billion tons), and India (with 2.3 billion tons). In 2020, global carbon emissions reached 32 billion tons! 4

What about mankind’s direct attack on Earth’s creatures? Animals are dying in droves all around the world! More than 3,400 sea lions sickened and died of the H5N1 variant of avian influenza in Peru this winter and spring. And, as the New Republic reported just this year –

“In the last decade or so, mass mortality events worldwide have included the loss of 450-plus elephants in Botswana, 18,000-plus migratory birds in India’s Sambhar Lake, 350 Magellanic penguins in Argentina, hundreds of emaciated gray whales along the Pacific coast, and 99.9 percent of Spain’s fan mussels. Five thousand dead red-wing blackbirds rained down in Arkansas, and 45,000 flying foxes hung from trees and piled on the ground in Australia. Lightning struck down a huddle of 300 Norwegian reindeer. Billions of starfish melted into goop.” 5

Sadly, like all perfect and beautiful gifts from THE CREATOR, mankind fails to value the priceless perfection of the all-wise LORD God.

Not only is mankind polluting this planet – but mankind is now reaching out and polluting other locations and planets in the solar system! It is estimated that there are 500,000 pounds of trash on the Moon. Some 15,694 pounds of trash on Mars. And circling the Earth – as of November 2022, the US Space Surveillance Network reported 25,857 artificial objects in orbit above the Earth! 6 And it’s only getting worse!

Foods That Are Alive!

Step away from the mirror a moment, and look about you – here on this planet are human beings, composed of certain and specific elements of matter – living and organic matter! In a sense, we are what we eat! Because these elements of life must be supplied and replenished through food, water, and oxygen.

No human being – with all our ingenuity, science, and laboratory doodads CAN CREATE FOOD! In other words, we cannot take inorganic matter and turn it into a living substance which is called food. However, there is a Great and Powerful Creator that did! A process that is far more wonderful and advanced than any human being can even imagine!

And so it is that out of the earth grows “grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit trees that yield fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth; … And God saw that it was good” – Genesis 1:11-12.

And when you take an Avocado seed (as an example) and place it in at least 1 inch of water for a couple of days – a true miracle occurs! It begins to sprout leaves! A process that is too wonderful for any human mind to imitate.

MANKIND, with all of our technology and laboratory doodads, with all of our inventive genius, does not have the power to create an Avocado tree! – to convert inorganic matter into living food. Do you truly believe that it is rational to conclude that there is a power or force that is NOT INTELLIGENT that has been able to create this miracle of food!? Did not a far greater intelligence than mankind design, create, and supply mankind with this wonderous miracle of food!? – and all living food in general!?

Oldest Known Analogue Computer

Some years ago I saw on the History Channel the discovery of the oldest known analogue computer – which is called the Antikythera mechanism. Built-in the 2nd century BC, it was used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses decades in advance. In 2022 researchers proposed its initial calibration date, not construction date, which could have been 23 December 178 BC.

Of course, it no longer works. It stopped working when the Roman cargo ship it was on sank off Point Glyphadia on the Greek island of Antikythera in approximately 70 – 60 BC.

Surely, ever so often, it was calibrated. As noted above, researchers proposed its initial calibration date of December 23rd 178 BC. And it was set by the MASTER CLOCK OF THE UNIVERSE!

But, what about the wristwatch you have on? Even this clock will not keep perfect time. Once or twice a week it needs to be adjusted a second or two by the master clock – the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). But even this master clock, based in the United States of America, is not perfect, either. Occasionally the NIST has to (for the sake of simplicity) combine outputs from cesium beam and hydrogen maser atomic clocks into a single signal. The International System of Units (SI) has defined a second as the period equal to 9,192,631,770 cycles of the radiation, which corresponds to the transition between two energy levels of the ground state of the Cesium-133 atom.

Yes! It is corrected by the Cesium -133 atom. The only stable caesium isotope. Again, a radioactive element with a half-life of about 2.3 million years! Our watches are corrected from an element that was created by the MASTER CLOCK OF THE UNIVERSE! – in physical terms. The understanding being – that the MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE is not bound by time and space. cf. Isaiah 57:15.

Yet, Mr. and Mrs. Skeptic – you look up into the great and awesome night sky at the MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE, and you have the audacity, the unmitigated gall, as you’re wearing a watch that must continually be reset, and you tell the LORD God, “Everything was created out of NOTHING! That there is no MASTER CREATOR! No Master Mind which thought out, designed, planned, and created – and brought into being motion.” In which a type of grand cosmic ballet came to life!

Do you dare say that to the LORD God!?

If you do – then the LORD God says to you – “’ The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God. …’” – Psalm 14:1; 53:1.

My friend, if you can look about you and observe how intelligently designed, planned, created, and executed everything we physically see all around us – except the botched, polluted, and destroyed works of mankind – and yet you say, “There is no God!” Then I will certainly pray for you! – I, like the LORD God, “am not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” and to salvation in the kingdom of God! – cf. 2 Peter 3:9. □

Bibliography:

1) Starr, M., JWST Discovers Starless, Planet-Like Objects Mysteriously Lurking in Orion, Science Alert, 4 Oct. 2023.

2) Minassian, N., New images of rogue planets floating together - but no one knows why, Sky News, 3 Oct. 2023.

3) The science behind the Big Bang theory, 18 Dec. 2023.

4) Garrett, C., Most polluted countries in the world: 2022 ranking, Climate Consulting by Selectra, 25, Jan. 2022.

5) Renault, M., Animals Are Dying in Droves. What Are They Telling Us?, The New Republic, 3 May 2023.

6) Orbital Debris Quarterly News, Vol 26, no, 4, NASA - https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv26i4.pdf

What Is the Kingdom of God?

by Leonard Johnson

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COJCOM · What Is the Kingdom of God? Audio Article

Multiple millions of people believe that the Church is the Kingdom of God. Then there are others who believe the Kingdom is an emotional feeling inside your heart. Here is the true answer from God’s living word – the Holy Bible.

This subject excites us like no other! But, in this world, it creates more confusion like no other. The “Kingdom of God.”

A plethora of ideas are being taught around the world concerning the glorious Kingdom of God. As an example Microsoft Bing – when asked the question “What is the Kingdom of God?” lists first – “The Kingdom of God is the realm where God reigns supreme, and Jesus Christ is King. It is not a physical or political territory, but a spiritual and moral domain.” Got Questions isn’t any better – with their “reviewed” answer, they vaguely and broadly answer (reviewed for biblical and theological accuracy by their staff) – “Broadly speaking, the kingdom of God is the rule of an eternal, sovereign God over all the universe.” Have you heard these types of answers!?

You probably have, because these vague, spiritually sounding ideas about the Kingdom of God are worldwide.

Truly, is the Kingdom of God something you can understand? Is it a mystery? Or is it something that like the false doctrine of the Trinity — cannot be understood logically!?

ARE YOU ABLE TO LEARN WHAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD TRULY IS!?

The apostle Peter exhorts everyone who earnestly desires the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” – 2 Peter 3:18. The apostle Jude wrote – under divine inspiration of our living God – “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS” – Jude 1:3.

Do you truly know what God’s living word says concerning the Kingdom of God, or have you, like the multiple millions worldwide, just taken for granted what your preacher or priest is teaching today!? As I pointed out in the examples, sadly the majority of our peoples have been hearing a syrupy, vague, false gospel – which actually DENIES the Message of our Lord Jesus Christ from Father God concerning the glorious soon-coming Kingdom of God!

Let’s search God’s living word and “prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21, NET.

Definition of a Kingdom

Back in December 1998, I bought my wife a Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Edition – which states that the definition of a kingdom is “1 archaic: KINGSHIP. 2: a politically organized community or major TERRITORIAL unit having a monarchial form of GOVERNMENT headed by a king or queen.” 1

Surely, the same people who just fatally and glibly spout off their ideas about what they think the Kingdom of God is KNOW THIS TRUE DEFINITION! A kingdom. We might immediately think of the United Kingdom. A literal and actual “territorial unit having a monarchial form of government headed by” King Charles III. Is the United Kingdom physical? Is the United Kingdom political? Or, is it something that is just “set up in the hearts of men”!?

In fact, going back to the fatal Got Questions – and I use the word fatal because they (whom they call “dedicated and trained servants”) are leading our peoples astray and are causing great confusion give this very answer to the question - What did Jesus mean when He said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21, KJV)?

“The kingdom would not be inaugurated with spectacle or splendor; … God was ruling in the hearts of some people, and the King Himself was standing among them, … There are three popular interpretations of Jesus’ words … 1) the kingdom of God is essentially inward, within man’s heart; 2) the kingdom is within your reach if you make the right choices; and 3) the kingdom of God is in your midst in the person and presence of Jesus.” 2

At the end of the article, they appease everyone and actually give an answer close to the truth. So, they cover all their bases – they certainly wouldn’t want to offend anyone.

There are four things necessary for a KINGDOM: 1) territory. A specific location and definite boundary lines. 2) A Monarch. A supreme ruler or government agent. 3) Subjects or citizens within the territory. 4) LAW for the kingdom. If we leave out any of these vital requisites, we cannot have and cannot believe, the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Let’s go through these four points, proving the truth of God from the living word of God.

Territory of the Kingdom of God

Any kingdom must occupy a certain given TERRITORY! The kingdom must govern subjects within a marked territory.

Sadly, the majority of our peoples are trying to spiritualize away the true meaning of the Kingdom of God. And, the “kingdom of God” is used as a catch-all phrase (much like the phrase Armageddon) to define their idealism of what men hope to attain someday through their own efforts. Then there are those who believe and teach that the churches will someday “evangelize” the entire world and will unite into a common church – the Roman Catholic Church teaches that the church exists to evangelize. The Catholics are completely confused – they don’t appear to know what to think. “The Kingdom is not a thing, it is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms. It is a person; it is he. [sic] On this interpretation, the term ‘Kingdom of God’ is itself a veiled Christology. … The Kingdom of God resides in the heart of man. … the kingdom of God is in the here and now, present in and through the Church.” 3

IT'S SAD TO SEE SUCH CONFUSION!

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself says, “’ The law and the prophets [the Old Testament] were until John [John the Baptist]. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.’” – Luke 16:16. The very gospel that our Lord Jesus Christ brought from God the Father was the Message of the soon-coming Kingdom (a ruling government) of God!

“’ He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me’” – John 14:24.

WHERE did our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ say the Kingdom of God would be?

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you rightly understand, clearly, just WHAT gospel our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brought from God the Father!

Also, just WHAT gospel was sent unto the Gentiles. In the spring of 1981, I came to rightly understand that this world’s “traditional Christianity” teaches and preaches different gospels! Certainly, this is something each individual has to prove to themselves! And, your Bible says that Satan the devil has ‘deceived the whole world!’ – Revelation 12:9.

During His ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ explained to His disciples (Luke 19:11-27) that He (this ‘certain nobleman’ in His parable) “ … ‘went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom …’” But that He would first have to return to God the Father in the upper heavenly realms – “ … ‘and to return.’”

Now, in the Book of Daniel, the 7th chapter is a vision that describes this coronation –

“I watched in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days [God the Father], And they brought Him near before Him, 14) Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” – Daniel 7:13-15.

In the upper heavenly realm, He will be given, officially, this Kingship; and there will supervise the Work of God in preparing and training brethren for His kingdom – to be co-rulers in His Government.

Where is our Lord Jesus going to be!? Notice Acts 1:10-11 – “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven [the atmosphere] as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11) who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? THIS SAME JESUS, who was taken up from you into heaven, WILL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER as you saw Him go into heaven [the atmosphere].’”

Just as plain as day! He’s coming back to the Earth, His residence is on the Earth, He’s gonna live on the Earth for all eternity and we’re gonna be with Him! It’s just amazing!

In the Book of Daniel the 2nd chapter – and in fact we have a series of free no-obligation online booklets written by Minister Michael C. Garrett which covers the Book of Daniel in great detail. Be sure to check those three booklets out! But, here, I just want to briefly go over this. I want to cover what an incredible dream that King Nebuchadnezzar II had – and the prophet Daniel was invited to come and interpret it. King Nebuchadnezzar II saw in his dream this great image – with ‘a head of gold, the breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.’ Speaking about FOUR successive world-dominating kingdoms down through history. Its feet partly of iron and partly of clay were represented as the last world-ruling kingdom to exist before the glorious and powerful return of Jesus Christ. Verse 34 – “You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35) … And the stone that struck the image became A GREAT MOUNTAIN and filled the whole earth” – Daniel 2:31-35.

The LORD God speaks of a kingdom as a MOUNTAIN – Prophet Micah was inspired to record the following:

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days [the Millennial Reign of Christ, see also Isaiah 2:1-4] That the Mountain of the LORD’s House [speaking of the kingdom of God] Shall be established on the top of the mountains [speaking of human governments], And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. 2) Many nations [minus “Gog and Magog” – which today is known as Russia and its provinces – see “Ezekiel 38- Gog and Magog” along with our article “Gog and Magog In Prophecy”; Revelation 20:7-9] and China and its provinces along with the likes of Siberia and numerous other Gentile allies] shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go to the Mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His Ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’” – Micah 4:1-2.

On EARTH As It Is In Heaven

The Old Testament also teaches of the glorious and powerful return of Jesus Christ TO THE EARTH! Turn with me to the Book of Proverbs, chapter 24, verse 20 –

“For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.” – there won’t be a reward for the evil man.

Surely that means there will be a reward for a righteous man – and what is this reward!? How does one receive this reward!? Do you receive this reward – now!? No, it’s not while you’re alive in this physical body.

Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 10 –

“Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. 11) He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them to His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.”

So, the reward is coming with Him. And, the reward is simply what God’s going to give to each individual for the work (see: cf. Acts 26:20 – “do works befitting repentance”) they’ve done while in service to God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Isaiah, chapter 62, and verse 11 –

“Indeed the LORD has proclaimed To the end of the world: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; Behold His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.’”

Notice from the New Testament – “For the Lord Himself will DESCEND FROM HEAVEN {which means come down out of the atmosphere} with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet {THE SEVENTH TRUMPET; THE RESURRECTION TRUMPET} of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. …” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Clouds. Again Webster’s Dictionary – “1: a visible mass of particles of condensed vapor (as water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a planet (as the earth) or moon.” 4

And, your Bible tells us what takes place immediately after our Master, Elder Brother, and Savior gathers His saints – “Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, {be sure to read and study A Morning Bible Study - Just What Is Armageddon? PDF} As He fights in the day of battle. 4) And in that day [the prophesied Day of the LORD] His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east.” – Zechariah 14:3-4.

Our Lord Jesus stated to the disciples and to all of us brethren “’ Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘WHERE I AM GOING, YOU CANNOT COME, … 2) … I go to prepare a place for you. 3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN and receive you to Myself; that where I am, [ON THE EARTH] there you may be also.’” – John 13:33; 14:2-3.

That’s the greatest promise in the Bible!! In fact, nothing comes close to that promise, and yet, many churches – so-called Christian churches – don’t even talk about this, don’t even think about it. It’s not even a part of their doctrine. But here He says, ‘I will come again!’ And there are some church groups that believe that Jesus Christ will return. Again, there’s a lot of confusion about when, where, and how. “…’ and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.’” – those are very encouraging Words, but He said, ‘I WILL COME AGAIN!’ Jesus Christ, someday, in the not-too-distant future, is going to return to this Earth, and when He does – or just before He does and as He does – there will be the Day of the Lord. It is a date in future history where Jesus Christ directly confronts rebellious evil sinful mankind and will punish this present evil age, and quite literally, break it down, and then He will start over! Building a society which is often called the Millennium, the World Tomorrow, it will be the millennial reign of Jesus Christ!

Sadly, very few who profess Jesus Christ actually believe in a Millennial Reign of Christ – even though His living word teaches it (cf. Revelation 20:4-6; see also A Book of the Past – And The Future). The majority who are looking for Jesus believe that He will be a “sweet” Jesus. As in “looks like a lamb” - cf. Revelation 13:11. But in fact, He will not be so sweet ─

For “’ He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’”! – Revelation 2:27.

What about the Roman Catholics – with an estimated 1.2 billion worldwide, according to the Vatican figures!?

Well, officially, they do not believe in a Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ – in spite of the fact that many of their “saints” taught the millennium. The Vatican strongly condemns this doctrine of the Church of God as blasphemous!

“676 The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the ‘intrinsically perverse’ political form of a secular messianism.”

(https://www.olmca.org/ourpages/users/evillasenor/CatechismCatholicChurch2ndEdition.pdf). 

Notice Revelation 5:10 – “’ And He will make us [a kingdom] and priests to our God; And we shall reign ON THE EARTH.’” – NET.

This EARTH is the TERRITORY that the Kingdom of God will be established!

A Kingdom Requires A Ruler

Jesus Christ comes back and RULES from the throne of the earth – of which Satan the Devil is currently residing on (cf. John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9) – just as the angel told Mary, “’ He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob [a united kingdom of Israel as well as all other kingdoms of the world] forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’” – cf. Luke 1:32-33.

He's coming back to make war – “Now I [the apostle John] saw heaven [again, the atmosphere] opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and IN RIGHTEOUSNESS He judges and makes war. 12) His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written than no one knew except Himself. 13) He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called THE WORD OF GOD. … 16) And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” – Revelation 19:11-16.

“Then the SEVENTH ANGEL sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven [the atmosphere], saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ [Jesus the Christ], and He shall reign forever and ever!’” – Revelation 11:15.

Our Lord and Savior ANNOUNCED – “’ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” – Matthew 28:19. Yet, He also said, “’ My kingdom is not of this world. …’” – John 18:36. In other words, of this time, of this age. He was born to be a King. And He said that if we overcome, we would co-rule with Him upon His throne, even as He also overcame and sat down with His Father on His throne.

Just WHERE will He establish His headquarters on earth!?

In New Jerusalem! Notice: “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven [the atmosphere], prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” – Revelation 21:2.

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain [which represents the kingdom of God], and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem [the New Jerusalem], descending out of heaven from God. … 22:3 the throne of God [God the Father] and of the Lamb [our Lord Jesus Christ] shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.” – Revelation 21:10; 22:3.

“’ At that time [the Millennium Reign of Christ] Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations [all the leaders of these nations] shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.’” – Jeremiah 3:17.

The Kingdom’s People

Perhaps no other question garners more controversy and argument than the IDENTITY of those who will be in the Kingdom of God. I remember asking a girlfriend’s grandmother this question once back in the ‘80s (she was a devout Mormon). She gave their standard answer, “the church itself is the kingdom of God on the earth.” She certainly didn’t like what I had to say concerning the living truth of God on this subject.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.’” – John 10:27. Also, “’ If you love Me, keep My commandments.’” – John 14:15; 15:10.

The apostle Paul under inspiration – “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are [children] of God” – Romans 8:14.

And, God’s divine word tells us who will be in the glorious kingdom of God – and who will not!

Notice – Revelation 22:14-15 – “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city [the City of New Jerusalem; the Headquarters of the Kingdom of God]. 15) But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”

To Note: Mormons (LDS Church or Mormon Church) keep the Day of the Sun as a day of rest. So, the Mormons are not the begotten children of God – cf. Exodus 20:8-10. Be sure to read Mr. LaMar’s article “Saturday Sabbath with Jews and Sunday with Gentiles?” along with “The Day of the Sun” PDF version.

Unless You Are Born Again

In the Book of John, the 3rd chapter here we read the response that Jesus gave to a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus who was curious in regards as to whether Jesus was really who He said He was. So, here was, in all accounts, an upstanding man in his society who came to Jesus at night – because he didn’t want his neighbors or religious associates to discover that he was conversing with Jesus Christ. Indeed it says in verse 2 – “This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs [these miracles] that You do unless God is with him.’” It’s amazing – here it was that he understood that Jesus was someone of extreme importance and that His ability to perform these miracles – he knew that the Man came from God, yet here he was out at night – incognito – so that no one saw him. It reminds us of religious people today. They claim to be Christian but are very afraid to truly keep the commandments of God and have and defend the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Our Lord Jesus went on to explain, verse 3 – “ … ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

And Nicodemus said in bewilderment – verse 4 – “ …’ How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’”

Notice our Lord Jesus’ response. He says, verse 5 – “ …’ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’”

There is a vast number of people today who believe that they have eternal life as a result of some sort of religious experience. I recall once while my wife and I were driving around one Sunday looking for garage sales, we pulled into a place called the Holy Ground in Hudson, FL. – a homeless shelter for men only. They were having a rather large garage sale. And as we pulled up, off to our right a man was flopping around on the ground like a fish out of water. We must have had shock written on our faces, because suddenly another man came running over to the car and shouted, “It’s alright! He’s got the Holy Ghost in him! He’s just been born again!” We quickly pulled back out of the driveway and left. Also – a dear friend of mine, whom we lost to cancer on April 19th, 2020, swore up and down that Asa A. Allen, the 1950s tent revivalist, literally cast the devil out of a man possessed. “I gave my heart to the Lard!” they claim.

What they actually mean is they had a moving experience. It was brought about by the excitement of the occasion – perhaps the music which lifted their spirit. Whether it was the religious fervor of being in a crowd at the time, or the preacher having an ‘altar call’ perhaps while the choir was singing – Just As I Am, Lord! Or an emotional stir by a charismatic preacher – as you can see erupting out of those Allen revival meetings. They say that after Asa A. Allen attended a tent revival hosted by Oral Roberts in 1949, he wanted to open his own revival meeting. And, like Simon Magus, he established a large following. In ’55 he purchased a large tent, and soon many people were saying, “this man is the great power of God!” So many of this world’s preachers say – the only way that you have God’s Holy Spirit – or proof of God’s Holy Spirit – is by this idea of speaking in tongues. Now, people are sincere when they have these experiences of being “saved” – of ‘giving their heart to the Lord.’ They believe that they are saved.

But, it couldn’t be any plainer what our Lord Jesus said – before anyone may enter the Kingdom of God, they must be REBORN OF THE SPIRIT! And, only one being has been born again of the Spirit at this time – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Verse 6 – “’ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”

Our Lord Jesus is the firstborn of many brethren! (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18; 1st Corinthians 15:20).

These multiple millions of people who believe they have been “born again” can certainly do a simple test to prove whether or not they have been REBORN OF THE SPIRIT! Are they able to be seen by others? Are they VISIBLE!? Do they still have blood flowing in their veins!?

OF COURSE!

Then they are not “born again”!

Remember the living word of our Master, Savior, and Elder Brother – “’ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”

He goes on and explains, verse 8 – “’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’”

This friends is the plain teaching of the LORD our God! So, this new birth is not defined as just an emotional experience as so many are erroneously assuming. It is a literal BIRTH!

When you are “born again” – meaning, born of the Holy Spirit of God, you will be “like Him [Jesus Christ], for we shall see Him as He is.” You will not be seen by mortal eyes (unless you choose to manifest yourself), and you will be able to move like the wind.

Truly, our Lord Jesus says we must be “born again” – changed into wholly spiritual beings – born of the Spirit of God as divine children in the God family!

The Church of God is NOT the Kingdom of God! No physical nation, province, country, or kingdom is the Kingdom of God!

The apostle Paul explains, “’ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” – 1st Corinthians 15:50.

All physical nations, provinces, countries, and kingdoms on this Earth are all composed of flesh and blood people. The Church of God is currently composed of flesh and blood people – therefore has not inherited the glorious Kingdom of God.

Those who will be BORN OF GOD, who will be changed – “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet [the SEVENTH TRUMPET, the RESURRECTION TRUMPET]. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead [the dead in Christ] will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” – 1st Corinthians 15:52 – will be a part of the actual government of the LORD God – co-rulers with Jesus Christ, the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

The physical people – those being governed – will be physical, carnal nations on Earth! Again, let’s notice Zechariah 14. The LORD God will send drought to punish those physical nations in the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ who do not want to OBEY and keep the commanded Feast of Tabernacles.

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17) And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18) If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19) This shall be the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” – Zechariah 14:16-19.

“’ Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, Distorts its surface And scatters abroad its inhabitants. … 5) The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. 6) THEREFORE the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, AND FEW MEN ARE LEFT.’” – Isaiah 24:1, 5-6.

One of the great meanings of the Feast of Tabernacles is that God will someday ‘TABERNACLE’ in His tabernacle on the earth for all eternity! GOD THE FATHER is going to tabernacle with men! The Seventh-Day Adventists’ prophetess Ellen G. White was horribly wrong when she taught that the earth was going to be melted down like liquid glass! She actually DID NOT finish quoting the living eternal word of God! 5

Again already quoted, Micah chapter 4 shows us that the glorious Kingdom of God will be composed of those who will be BORN OF GOD – actually co-ruling over “the kingdom of this world” who are physical human beings! “Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up the mountain of the LORD [the Kingdom of God], To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we will walk in His paths.’ …” – Micah 4:2.

Our Eternal LORD God shows us that the inhabitants, the physical people of the earth shall be scattered abroad, and, although the LORD God is punishing the inhabitants of the earth for their transgressions, there will be a FEW MEN LEFT to repopulate the Earth in the Millennial Reign of our Lord Jesus Christ!

A Job To Be Done!

When our Sovereign Lord returns He will put down any opposition against the Kingdom of God! But WOE to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, [the atmosphere] ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God [God the Father], and the power of His Christ [our Lord Jesus Christ] have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down” – Revelation 12:10.

Notice chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation as well –

“And the stars [here, Satan and his demons] of heaven [the atmosphere] fell to earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.”

Eventually, Satan the Devil along with his minions will be bound for a thousand years so that he cannot continue to deceive the whole world –

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven [again, the atmosphere], having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2) He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3) and cast him into the bottomless pit [the abyss; prison], and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. …” – Revelation 20:1-3.

Major violence and hate will subside. Military weaponry will be a thing of the past. Military weapons will be converted into peaceful and productive implements –

“Now it shall come to pass IN THE LATTER DAYS That the mountain of the LORD’s house [the headquarters of the kingdom of God; New Jerusalem] Shall be established on the top of the mountains [Kingdoms or Governments], And shall be exalted above the hills [smaller nations]; and all nations shall flow to it. 4) He [the Lord our God] shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore” – Isaiah 2:2,4.

When the LORD God’s literal Kingdom is established upon the Earth, those who are co-rulers with Jesus Christ will be instrumental in teaching all physical nations, provinces, countries, and kingdoms God’s Way to live.

This is part of the glorious message from Father God that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brought almost 2,000 years ago. Yet, this present evil world as a whole has rejected this message.

We and our affiliated churches ANNOUNCE THIS MESSAGE!

Law For the Kingdom

The glorious Kingdom of God will be a WORLD-RULING KINGDOM. Again, Revelation 11:15 – “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven [the atmosphere], saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ [our Lord Jesus Christ], and He shall reign forever and ever!’” There is no ambiguity in that statement! The LORD God’s GOVERNMENT is accomplished through LAW – the LAW OF GOD! And God alone is LAWGIVER – cf. James 4:12.

The LORD God’s immutable and relevant Law is summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS.

“The works of His hands are verity and justice [judgment]; All His precepts [His commands or principles intended esp. as a general rule of action 6] are sure. 8) They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness.” – Psalm 111:7-8.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was and is a living EXAMPLE of the Law of God – and taught mankind to “’ not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4.

“For this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, LEAVING US AN EXAMPLE, that you should follow His steps: 22) ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth.’” – 1 Peter 2:21-22.

For our Lord Jesus teaches us – “ … ‘If you want to enter into life [eternal life], KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS’” – Matthew 19:17.

As our upper heavenly Elder Brother, High Priest, and Savior explains to us in the likes of the Book of Matthew chapter 5, we are to DO and TEACH the commandments of God, and that our righteousness (and it’s not our own righteousness, but a righteousness which is through faith in Christ, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS FROM GOD BY FAITH – cf. Philippians 3:9) should exceed ‘the righteousness’ of the scribes and Pharisees.

Our Lord Jesus goes on in this chapter to actually mention some of His commandments that were given at Mount Sinai – about murder, about stealing, about adultery. Speaking of the letter of the commandments. Our righteousness (and again, not our own righteousness - THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS FROM GOD BY FAITH) is to exceed the uber-religious of our day – of those who want to be JEWISH and Christian. Or, the term Judeo-Christian. And to this day – within the Church of God – there are people throughout all of these congregations who believe that they want to become followers of Jewish tradition, and that somehow that will make them more righteous. Of this, our Lord Jesus tells us – “’ For I say to you, that unless your righteousness [the righteousness which is from God by faith] exceeds the righteousness [the righteousness from their trying to keep all the extremely physically oriented ritualistic laws] of the scribes and Pharisees, you WILL BY NO MEANS ENTER THE KINGDOM [FROM] HEAVEN’” – Matthew 5:20.

So, since our Lord JESUS CHRIST “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” He will be KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS within you and within me just as He kept them within the apostle Paul. “I have been crucified with Christ, yet I live. Indeed, it is no longer I; but Christ lives in me. For the life that I am now living in the flesh, I live by faith—that very faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20.

Anyone who does NOT obey and DOES NOT keep God’s commandments are NOT His! Thus, they DO NOT have the Holy Spirit of God. They have their own idea of just what the Holy Spirit actually is – but they truly are NOT His!

God does not bend His rules to fit people’s imaginations of what their religiosity or tradition claims.

The Holy Spirit is only within those who are TRULY OBEDIENT TO GOD and forsake their own lives for Jesus Christ and who OBEY GOD’S COMMANDMENTS – summed up with the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

The apostle Paul – under divine inspiration – also teaches us that God’s Law is spiritual – Romans 7:14. So, with our mind we serve the Law of God – verse 25.

WHAT GLORIOUS GOOD NEWS!

The LORD God – the Family of God which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – are going to soon step in. They are going to intervene in Their great and awesome POWER AND STRENGTH to save mankind from their wretchedness, poverty, crime, and imprisonment! The Kingdom of God will be established upon this EARTH!

A JOYOUS, HAPPY, WORLD TOMORROW will be established! May the eternal God grant you the blessing to strive with all your heart and soul to qualify to be a part of the family of God within the glorious soon-coming Kingdom of God! □

Bibliography:

1 Webster, M. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Edition, Merriam-Webster’s Incorporated, 1996, pg. 643.

2 What did Jesus mean when He said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21, KJV)? Got Questions.org. Retrieved 22 Nov. 2023.

3 Fradd, M. What is the Kingdom of God? Catholic Answers, 11 June 2013.

4 Ibid. 217.

5 White, E.G., The Great Controversy Between Christ And Satan, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911, pg. 657.

6 Webster’s pg. 916.