Springtime Days That the Early Christians Kept

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 24. The Disagreement in Asia.

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

He fell asleep at Ephesus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Morning Bible Study ── The RETURN of Our Lord JESUS CHRIST!

by Leonard V Johnson

Truly, this subject ── like no other ── brings joy to me! I feel so blessed and honored by the LORD God to be able to bring to you today this glorious, good news! No story around the world could be GREATER! THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST!

Yet, just before His murder, His death, and glorious resurrection unto life ── before His ascension to the upper heavenly realms more than 1,994 years ago, our Lord Jesus Christ announced, “’ I WILL COME AGAIN!’” – John 14:2-3. And only moments after His ascension, two divine messengers assured the apostles, “’ Men of Galilee, … This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” – Acts 1:11.

This glorious announcement has indeed been made! But sadly, this clear and plain ANNOUNCEMENT is overlooked by the majority of professing Christians around the world ── who don’t believe our Lord Jesus or His messengers ── the glorious and powerful Second Coming! They continue regurgitating their doctrine of a “secret rapture” in which they will be swept away with Him to the third heaven!

For this installment of The Morning Bible Study, let’s examine God’s living truth about the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

1) Until when does God’s living word tell us that our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ will remain in the third heaven before His powerful return to planet Earth?

This is pivotal and central in the greatest of Good News –

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven [speaking here of the third heaven, where GOD now resides] must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” – Acts 3:19-21.

Remember, the prophet Enoch - who was Adam’s great-great-great-great grandson (and Noah’s great grandfather) – prophesied of this coming kingdom long before the Book of Genesis was written – see Jude 1:14-15. Also, notice Isaiah 2:2-4.

Friends, this world as a whole doesn’t understand this awesome living truth that GOD is preparing for us. Let us thank Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ that They have blessed us with this great mystery!

Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming to establish the kingdom of God (the government of God) over the entire Earth! It was not established after the LORD God’s archangel Lucifer (now called Satan the Devil) was sent to the newly created planet to continue its beautification. Instead, because of his pride and lust for power, he ascended into the third heaven and tried to dethrone Jesus Christ and be like the Most High! – cf. Isaiah 14:12-15.

2) Will God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ intervene in world affairs before Their glorious and powerful Return?

Yes. They have intervened since the very beginning. Note Genesis 3:9-19. One of the LORD God’s latest interventions in world affairs is the miraculous physical salvation of President Donald Trump from the bullet of an assassin! Truly, as much as we dearly love the fact that our new President of the United States of America is Donald Trump, there will be grave unforeseen consequences because of his presidency very soon.

Will His Second Coming be globally expected?

No.

“’ And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth DISTRESS OF NATIONS, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26) men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27) Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.’” – Luke 21:25-27.

“’ For it will come AS A SNARE on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.’” – vs. 35.

Our Lord Jesus is saying there will be a great time of ‘great tribulation’ – and immediately after that, ‘the sign’ of Jesus Christ coming will appear in outer space. And I describe it this way - when the throne of God, when New Jerusalem, begins to return to this Earth, at some point, it will be a little small light in the night sky. And the next night it will be a little brighter – like the star Sirius. And then, it becomes more and more obvious – and people will look up and go, “What is that!?” Now, most of the people of the world will think it is – and they really will – an invading alien force. The United States of America – especially since mid-1947 – has been fascinated with space aliens and extraterrestrials. In fact, in the Book of Revelation, John wrote – “the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every [bond] man and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, [think of such places as the Cheyenne Mountain Complex], and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!’” – Revelation 6:15-16.

3) To what age in human civilization's history did our Lord Jesus compare His glorious and powerful return?

“’ But of that day and hour NO ONE KNOWS, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37) But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’” – Matthew 24:36-37.

What the world calls “The Second Age.” Sadly, as it was ‘in the days of Noah’ the majority of our peoples will be completely confused concerning the truth of the end-times. Or, they will completely ignore the loving gospel message concerning the end-time. 

Surely, we have to presume that our Lord Jesus Christ now knows.

The Apostle Peter also wrote of this TIME OF THE END – 2nd Peter 3:1-4 – “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2) that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3) knowing this FIRST: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4) and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since our fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation [or rather, in this 21st century phraseology, ‘from the beginning of the Big Bang!’].”

As our Lord Jesus Christ let us know, there would be several things to Watch and look out for. “ … ’ Take heed that no one deceives you [religiously and spiritually]. … you will hear of wars and rumors of wars [all throughout this present evil age]. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom [a reference to Daniel 11:40]. … famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.’” – Matthew 24:4, 6-7.

Truly, religious deception, wars, violence, and an increase in lawlessness. Droughts, famine, and great earthquakes in various places around the world, along with other natural catastrophes, disease epidemics, and the rise and aggression of a radical Islamic power! The rise of a powerful United States of Europe, a final civic and military leader who seeks global supremacy! A great and influential false Catholic religious leader – an end-time pope.

Did the people of Noah’s day really expect great and untold devastation to come to them?

No. Notice Matthew 24:38-39.

“’ For as in the days BEFORE THE FLOOD, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39) and did not know until the Flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’”

Again, will the majority of our peoples on earth be expecting the LORD God’s intervention in these cataclysmic global catastrophes, and be expecting the powerful Return of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Again, no.

“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, DID NOT REPENT of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, …” – Revelation 9:20.

“’ Therefore you also must be ready [speaking to those who truly follow and obey our Lord Jesus Christ], for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’” – Matthew 24:44.

Even a great many that truly worship, follow, and obey our Lord Jesus will not be expecting His Return at the hour He does!

4) Would only our brethren of the 1st century be unable to know the day and hour ── or does it apply to all people throughout this present evil age?

“’ Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ 41) Then Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?’ 41) And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43) BLESSED is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.’” – Luke 12:40-43.

Notice that our Master’s warning is especially for the generation that will see all these things come to fruition. Those alive ‘when He comes’!

While this parable does indeed include providing physical food in due season, it is also speaking concerning spiritual food in due season. The ‘faithful and wise steward’ will not be focused mainly upon themselves but doing the work that our Lord Jesus Christ has assigned them to be doing. Cf. John 21:15-17.

5) Even though we cannot know the exact day and hour of our Master’s Return, are we able to know the season of His Return?

Yes.

“’ Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33) So you also, when you see ALL THESE THINGS, know that it is near ──at the doors! 34) Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION [the generation that sees all these things come to pass] will by no means pass away till all these things take place.’” – Matthew 24:32-34.

What “signs” did our Lord Jesus say we would see before His glorious and powerful Return?

Notice Matthew 24:4-7.

6) What major “sign” did our Lord Jesus say we would see to indicate that the end of this present evil age has come?

“’ THEREFORE when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand), …” – Matthew 24:15; see also Mark 13:14.

I’m willing to accept the possibility that this is Jesus Christ suggesting the prophecy of Daniel 11. The king of the North vs. the king of the South. The Catholic European combine and the Islamic confederation – whatever they will call themselves in the future. I think this is an indication of the growing tension between these two groups of people. In all of this, it’s a step-by-step progress – over here something happens, over there something happens. And as you read and study God’s living word, you sort of get the feeling that it grows in intensity! The ‘abomination of desolation’ ── (a two-fold prophecy; notice Daniel 11) a soon-coming ‘man of sin’ setting himself up in Jerusalem (‘standing in the holy place’) ‘showing himself that he is God’ – cf. 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-4. This is the major “sign” to watch for!

Yet, even BEFORE this ── the (possibly) twelve end-time witnesses come on the scene WARNING for 3 ½ years. As our Lord Jesus speaks of ──

“’ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’” – Matthew 24:14.

They will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the subjugated elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years! Having the power from GOD to heal, to ‘shut up the atmosphere from rain, to turn waters to blood, and to strike the earth will all plagues as often as they desire’ (see: Revelation 8:7-12). And this ‘gospel’ is the announcement of the coming Kingdom of God! The Kingdom of God is the GOVERNMENT OF GOD! And, as these end-time prophets, under the direct inspiration of God’s Spirit, are proclaiming this soon-coming WORLDWIDE GOVERNMENT, ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet,’ will be set up ‘standing in the holy place’ – talking about Jerusalem. And this will come about when European forces invade the Middle East to put down Islamic resistance – to crush it militarily. ’For then …’ – when you see this great military force enter Jerusalem from the North – Europe – and take over Jerusalem, and a great holy man claims that he is now God – that is the ‘abomination that makes desolate’ – Jesus says, ’there will be great tribulation, …’ – many, many horrible globe- girdling problems! “…’ such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.’ ’And unless those days were shortened, …’” – except this end-time trauma be shortened, “…‘no flesh would be saved; …’” – and as some translations say, ‘saved alive; but for the elect’s sake …’ – a certain group of people who are very near and dear the hearts of God the Father and Jesus Christ – referring to the physical people of the House of Israel. Once named Jacob.

7) Will our Lord Jesus’ triumphant and powerful Return from low earth orbit be accompanied with a shout, with the booming voice of an archangel, and with trumpet blasts?

Yes!

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven [the atmosphere; recall, in God’s living word, there are three separate heavens. The atmosphere, starry space, and God’s dwelling place] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet [the SEVENTH TRUMPET] of God. …” – 1st Thessalonians 4:16.

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Coming will not be any “secret rapture” event at all. For the WHOLE WORLD will hear Him and see Him!

“Behold, He is coming with clouds [the atmosphere], and EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM, even they who pierced Him [meaning, even the seventh and final resurrected “Holy” Roman Empire]. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” – Revelation 1:7.

“’ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. … 30) Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven [speaking of starry space], and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven [the atmosphere] with power and great glory.’” – Matthew 24:27, 30.

8) Will our Lord Jesus Christ Return to the same Mount of Olives that faces Jerusalem on the east from which He ascended?

Again, yes!

“Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations [See: Revelation 16:16; the Battle of Armageddon], As He fights in the day of battle. 4) And IN THAT DAY His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. …” – Zechariah 14:3, 4.

And when He returns to the Mount of Olives, He will not be alone! Notice who is coming with Him ──

“ … ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15) to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh [and blasphemous] things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’” – Jude 14, 15.

“Now I saw a new heaven [a new atmosphere] and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. … 2) Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven [low earth orbit] from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3) And I heard a loud voice from heaven [the atmosphere] saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God [here, the word God is ho Theos, meaning God the Father when it appears without qualification or the Son, as in monogenēs Theos] is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God [ho Theos] Himself will be with them and be their God.” – Revelation 21:1, 2-3.

Notice also ── “ … for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” – Revelation 21:22.

We could point to twenty or twenty-four verses that say it implicitly or suggest it. God the Father is coming back with our Lord Jesus Christ!

“’ For the Son of Man will come in [or with] the glory of His Father with His angels, and then he will reward each according to his works.’” – Matthew 16:27.

9) Do the saints return from the third heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, or just from “low earth orbit” down to the “new heaven” (the atmosphere) of the Earth?

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, … 15) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep [meaning, those who are dead in Christ]. 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven [low earth orbit down to the atmosphere] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the 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. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18) Therefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 15-18.

Who gathers the saints from all around the world to be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air?

“’ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven [the atmosphere] to the other.’” – Matthew 24:31.

ADDITIONAL MORNING BIBLE STUDIES IN THIS SERIES:

'Overcoming' Is Important ── God’s living word – the Holy Bible – speaks a great deal about overcoming. Let us understand just what it is and why it is so IMPORTANT. 

What do you mean... Born Again? ── Born again. A profound truth that even today still completely mystifies many people.

Are You Preparing For God's Kingdom? ── On our short Welcome video, we announce that the kingdom of God is coming soon – are YOU prepared!?

God's Definition Of A True Christian ── YOU'LL notice in our writings that we use the phrase “true Christian” quite a lot. Just what is a true Christian!? Many people certainly have their own definition of what a true Christian is, but let’s learn God’s definition.

God's Coming Kingdom ── Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascended to the upper heavenly realms some 1,992 years ago! He came to Earth to announce the glorious, Good News of His soon-coming kingdom!

What the Feast of Tabernacles Pictures ── The LORD our God’s seven annual festivals picture the steps in which He is bringing about His Master Plan for the redemption of all mankind.

Are You Handling God's Test ── Do you realize that every one of us is being tested by Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ!? How are you handling God’s test?

Is God's Spirit Within You? ── Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ tells us that we will know a true Christian by their fruits ... Is God’s Spirit within you? Are you a Spirit-begotten child of our living God – and how can you tell!?

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.

Be Strong In the Lord! (Sermon)

You can also listen to this sermon. Click the orange play button below.

COJCOM · 1-11-2025 ── Be Strong In the Lord!

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

Last Sabbath night – or rather early Sunday morning – as I lay in bed trying to go to sleep. A title to a message came into my mind. Be Strong In the Lord. Then, just as quickly, Scriptures from God’s living word flashed throughout my mind. I quickly jumped out of bed, entered our office, grabbed a pencil and a piece of paper, and jotted down the Scriptures.

The first passage that came to my mind was Ephesians 6:10. Let’s turn in our Bibles and read this verse.

The power of His might is THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Before I begin this Sabbath, I would like to thank our Brethren and Friends in Clonee, Ireland; Brussels, Belgium; Prineville, Oregon; Forth Worth, Texas; and of course our dear brethren and friends in Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Anderson, Alabama. Welcome. And thank you all for joining us this Sabbath for the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.

Now, Satan the Devil is our adversary. He is our physical and spiritual enemy. He and his minions are seeking to destroy our Lord Jesus’ Church, and you along with it. We must always be prepared to fight and to win our spiritual battles.

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

Notice 1st Timothy chapter 1.

Verse 18.

The apostle Paul knew that we, dear Brethren, both in his day and throughout all generations, would be involved in many tribulations, troubles, trials, tests, and even sufferings for our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why he wrote Timothy and told him – and by extension, us as well – to wage a good warfare.

Notice 2nd Timothy chapter 2.

Verses 3 & 4.

Brethren war is nothing new to the living Church of God. Over and over throughout God’s living word God’s people have been involved in wars. Our Lord Jesus’ Church has always been in one war or another. Though we wrestle not against human beings, but rather we wrestle against the spiritual forces of the evil one – Satan the Devil. He marshals against us in trying always to discredit us and even to destroy the very work of the Eternal One.

Over the weekend my wife and I held a family get-together. And my sister-in-law was lamenting over the fact that she “lost” a great many of her family members to death. Either by suicide, cancer, or by a bleeding ulcer. And she had said that this great loss had affected her throughout half of last year.

In her expression of grief and sorrow, she called me a “winebibber,” because I was having a beer. She knew me before I was converted.

Again, and I recognized it immediately, Satan the Devil - we wrestle not against human beings, but rather we wrestle against the spiritual forces of the evil one. Satan the Devil trying his best to discredit me. Well, I love her. And I pray for her always. Wanting no ill will to come to her or her family.

Well, the soundness of wisdom will be judged by the fruit of her wisdom.

Now, our Lord Jesus Christ has said, “’ I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’”

Brethren, His Church will prevail throughout the rest of this present evil age. But will you?

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

To ensure that you will not become a casualty of this war against the evil one – Satan the Devil’s demonic kingdom – you should enlist in the army of our Almighty God!

But first, just like what I went through myself, you must go through a battery of tests to determine your character and your mental fitness. Some of these stories I have told a few times. Tests from God that I went through. And, looking back, I know them to be tests. This was before I was converted. Before I rightly repented, was properly baptized, and had hands laid upon me, receiving the glorious gift of the Holy Spirit.

Once, as I was walking out of a truck stop, an exquisitely dressed man began calling after me, “Hey, can I get a ride!?” As I turned around I saw that this well-groomed man was dressed in the finest dark suit I had ever seen, with gold cufflinks, a gold chain, a gold wristwatch, and shiny black dress shoes. A chill ran up my spine. As I kept walking, he began following me and called out again, “Hey, can I get a ride!? I just got off the bus.” I had assumed that he meant a Greyhound Bus, although he didn’t have any luggage – and I had not seen hardly anyone at the truck stop, so I knew he wasn’t telling the truth. “No, I’m not going to give you a ride,” I said sternly, as I continued walking away from him. He began to follow more briskly, “I’m just going down the road.” Then he stopped suddenly and yelled, “You’re not going to give me a ride!” – which was more of a statement than a question.

Friends, I truly believe that this was a demon, trying to trick me! He knew that I would soon belong to Jesus Christ! What would have happened if I had allowed him in my truck? That time the test was successful – I won the battle. I… was STRONG IN THE LORD!

There were other times that I had failed miserably. It’s a learning process.

For I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. Very possibly several. And, I have a story – Back a few years ago now, when I was driving a tractor-trailer over the road heading for California Again, before conversion. I had pulled into a truck stop for the night as it was just getting dusk, and I saw this old woman walking across the parking lot. She appeared to be wearing nothing but a filthy, ragged blanket. She passed all the other trucks, and just as I pulled the airbrakes – she was standing next to my truck looking up at me with very kind eyes. As I slowly rolled down the driver-side window, she asked very quietly, “Do you have a blanket?”

And I thought to myself – she already has a blanket. I quickly replied, “No, I don’t have a blanket!” Without saying another word, she turned and walked out into the desert and out of sight. But I had an extra blanket – in fact, I had two extra blankets that I always brought with me. And, the thought then struck me – I had just failed the test. And I said to the LORD, “O’ Lord GOD! I have failed!”

Well, we, dear Brethren, were called to serve. And even though we passed the initial trials and tests, we are still just an enlistee – we’re still in basic training. But, the difference is we now have the gift of the Holy Spirit within us. And, as the apostle Paul wrote, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.”

While in this training we must have proper nourishment. Both physical and spiritual. And God’s living eternal word tells us that for the Christian soldier proper nourishment is the living word of God. We are to be fed on the milk and the solid meat of the Word – speaking of the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ! And we must exercise the fruits of God’s Spirit. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We must also exercise discipline in studying and meditating on the word of God. Praying always to maintain our spiritual strength.

To BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

We must also learn to use weapons. In one sermon, I believe it was a sermon, I went through, step-by-step, the Elementary Principles of Christ. And we must also go on to perfection. These spiritual weapons are described for us back in the Book of Ephesians – where we began in this message. Ephesians chapter 6. I’ll cover these with you in a little while here.

Another important lesson we must learn is how to take orders. Sadly, this is something that a lot of ministers have a difficult time with. Many believe that once they reach that pinnacle of standing behind the lectern, they no longer need to listen to their fellow servants. With many, their heads become bloated and even twisted, and then some sadly lose the Spirit of God altogether. So, we must learn to take orders. Because – God willing – when we make it into the born family of God, we will still have to take orders. When your Commander tells you, “’ I want you to go do this!’” You must go and do that. Being a soldier in Christ is a team endeavor.

I once had a so-called minister – and now a filthy, vile, and rotting minister, a Liberace of his ministry – I once had him say to me that competition between ministers is a good thing! It is not! Was the apostles of Christ in competition with each other? Did they rival against each other? No. We each cannot just charge off with our bayonets attached, and run in whatever direction we choose. Any military – to win battles, is UNIFIED. And it is directed from the very top – as is the army of God!

Once our basic training is complete before our conversion, we are ready for solid food. We are ready for deployment. The foundation should be fully understood, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. In the case of the LORD God’s Army – we are full of the glorious Spirit of God!

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

We must now learn COURAGE.

Turn with me to the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 20.

Verse 1.

Brethren, when we look today throughout the world, many of our attackers are mighty in power. I was attacked one Feast of Tabernacles Season, and the sycophant leader wanted to put me in front of their rulers, and authorities – to chastise me and persecute me. They certainly have more power and prestige than I do. Yet, the LORD God’s power is unmatched – and God gave me the wisdom of how to handle myself.

Verse 2.

Verses 3 – 8.

Notice that the fearful and those faint of heart were told that they weren’t even wanted near the brave men. The Lord our God wants people in His spiritual military who will strap on the Armor of God and will fight with unwavering faith, devotion, and veracity against our enemy – Satan the Devil and his minions – until complete victory! Until an unconditional surrender of the enemy.

The LORD God – the family of God, which at this present time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – desires soldiers who are STRONG IN THE LORD! Who are spiritually strong enough to begin this journey, and those who are strong enough to endure whatever trial, test, tribulation, or suffering may come, with the LORD God’s help to the end of our fight.

A great many – and I speak of this very thing in a THINK ABOUT THIS… The Nicolaitans – a great many, the overall majority, have thrown this precious knowledge and our Savior’s sacrifice away. And then some place a mask on and – like a Hollywood actor – pretend to be a “minister of righteousness.” So, we needed to be tested and tried before conversion.

In the Book of Hebrews chapter 2.

We read in verse 10 that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Captain of our salvation. He is the Captain of His Church, and we, His spiritual military, His Army! And, like I said earlier – we are in a warfare.

When our enemies are lobbying spiritual mortar rounds at us – our Lord Jesus Christ is our SHIELD!

Turn with me and notice the Book of Psalm chapter 33.

Verse 8.

The people of this world will soon stand in awe of the LORD God. But right now – you brethren – should always be standing in awe of the LORD God. And if we stand STRONG IN THE LORD TOGETHER we are going to shake kingdoms with this Message from the LORD God far more powerfully than anything else we could do.

Verse 9.

Verses 10 – 12.

Truly blessed are those who are in our Lord Jesus’ Church whom God the Father has chosen for His inheritance.

Verses 13-20.

Brethren, as long as we are pleasing the LORD God, and doing the will of God, we have NOTHING to fear in any battle.

Back in 2022, I gave a sermon entitled, “We Are At War!” And this is even more true today! We Are At War! And we need to always keep in our minds – will I win!? Will I be victorious!?

Turning a page, notice chapter 34 of Psalm.

Beginning in verse 7.

Let us fully realize, again, as long as we are pleasing the LORD God, and doing the will of God, and we have a right heart, a right spirit, a right attitude, and keep in constant communion with our Captain, the Captain of our salvation – our Lord Jesus Christ – His angels will protect us from danger!

You know, it was a tragic thing that just happened in New Orleans. And our hearts and prayers go out to the victims' families and friends in their loss – may the LORD God truly comfort them. But, if you are being led by the Spirit of God, you are a child of God – and if a child of God – you would not have been there on Bourbon Street participating and celebrating a pagan holiday.

We MUST have endurance and strength.

Sometimes, we will find ourselves in the heat of battle, and we will need endurance and strength.

Notice again, verse 7.

So, in conclusion, let’s go over the Armor of God that we must wear.

Again, Ephesians chapter 6.

We should always be looking upon ourselves as soldiers for Christ! And that we are fighting a battle against the evil one – Satan the Devil. And there might be times when Satan the Devil appears to give you a low blow, an unfair blow – so he can destroy you. But as long as you ARE STRONG IN THE LORD he will not succeed.

Ephesians chapter 6.

Beginning in verse 10

Verses 11 – 16.

The SHIELD OF FAITH. The assurance in the LORD God. That the LORD God is faithful. That the LORD God will never leave you or forsake you. That the LORD God is always beside you. And that the LORD God will help fight our battles with us.

Verse 18.

We should be praying constantly for all the saints! Here in the United States of America – in North America, and around the world! All the saints.

Brethren, I have looked at our analytics for our YouTube channel. Our audience is mostly men, ages 55 to 64. Many of us, dear Brethren, have long received our basic training. Many of us have had years of experience now in the spiritual Army of the Lord our God. We’ve had skirmishes throughout all these years that we’ve been in service to the Lord Jesus. But now, as we get closer to the end of this present evil age, brethren, we are in a fierce fight with Satan the Devil, and his demons. He knows that he has but a short time left. And as we are so close to victory – let us keep in mind Proverbs 3:6 - In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Satan desires more than anything that we would just quit. Or let a young idol get in our way.

PUSH HIM ASIDE MY DEAR BROTHER! And take the reigns of our Captain, let Him lead you through this field of battle!

Thank you for listening this Sabbath!

Let us NEVER SURRENDER!

Until next time, this is Leonard V Johnson for the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.