KEY Signs of the END TIMES

by Guy LaMar

MAKE no mistake about it, we are closer to the END TIMES today than we were yesterday. And each day more and more biblical prophecies of the END TIMES are coming together!

In the end-time Satan the devil will release his fury because he knows that his time is short –

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” – Revelation 12:12.

Mankind is going to turn far more wicked and evil in these end times.

People will reject God the Father and Jesus Christ for false gods and will MOCK God and His living word – the Holy Bible.

Haters of men will spew their hatred for God as they rebel against the position that was designed for them – which God has placed for them.

The same goes for men – they will also rebel against God because they won’t accept their God-designed position.

The majority who claim to be Christian will continue to cling more and more to what their church leaders teach them while overlooking the errors that they are being taught that contradict the Bible. Sadly, our peoples are grasping hold of mainstream Churchianity, and spackling over what the HOLY WORD of God actually says!

They twist Scripture in order to fit their religion.

The majority THINK that they have God in their life, while in reality, all that they have is THEIR TAKE on what the Bible says and DO NOT even have God’s Spirit working within them.

Children (regardless of their age) will look down on their parent(s), believing that they are better. The whole concept that children are “better” than their parent(s) is a worldly concept.

King Solomon was by no means “better” than his father – King David.

God the Father is above Jesus Christ – the Son of God

Whether one likes it or not, there is an order of rulership with God’s design.

In the household – the father is the head of the mother and the children. He is the head of the household until he breathes his last breath. The mother is to be HONORED until her death by her husband and children.

In fact: the HONOR of parents DOES NOT END! Just because parents die doesn’t mean the HONOR ends.

When they are alive, they are to be respected with awe-like attention.

Sadly, do children (again, regardless of their age) in this 21st-century world do this!? No! Which does clearly show us how deep Satan the devil’s hooks are in our peoples of today!

The Amish – a group of traditionalist Anabaptists – are the rarity in which their children (no matter what age they are) are, for the most part – respectful and are in awe-like of their parents.

A 50-year-old son or daughter will still be in great awe-like attention to their 70+-year-old parent(s).

This is a GODLY HONOR.

Yet, this present evil age’s way is DISRESPECT.

This present evil age’s way is of Satan the devil!

Our peoples can easily be identified as to who it is they serve by how they react and treat their parent(s).

If one acts and treats their parent(s) as if they are beneath them they are certainly serving Satan the devil. Yet, if one acts and treats their parent(s) with respect, dignity, and awe-likeness, then it is certainly pleasing to the LORD our God!

LOOK TO JESUS!

What did He do!? How did He treat His parents!?

He showed GREAT HONOR and RESPECT to His Holy Father. He says that He follows His Father's RULES, not His own, but His Fathers.

He DEARLY LOVES HIS FATHER, and God the Father loves His Son!

God the Father has placed all things under His feet – giving Him the power to rule over us in His glorious Kingdom.

The Holy Spirit grows in a new creature in Christ.

If we OBEY God’s Way then we MUST do what He says in order to be of Him.

1. Reflect on our life, come to terms with things, agree within ourselves, reject the old and give self over to living for Jesus Christ … THUS we MUST REPENT! Turn from the old and FOLLOW JESUS! Which is OBEY!
2. Be properly BAPTIZED! Which represents burying the old self and coming out of the watery grave as a NEW person following JESUS CHRIST! This act is showing God that you are dedicated to doing His will.
3. Have a minister of God LAY HANDS upon you to pray over you to receive the Holy Spirit. This is when you become a begotten member of the family of God.
4. ENDURE until the end of your life to stay the course in service to God. Your salvation is accepting Jesus Christ and enduring. Not ever denying or giving up on JESUS CHRIST. How you apply yourself to DOING GOD’S LAW builds your rewards in the soon-coming Kingdom of God.

Sadly, there are those who push the Spirit of God away and even deny the Spirit.

There will be those who will MOCK the very Word of God, Truth of God, and Plan of God, and of God’s holy righteousness.

Now, if a good person is constantly around an evil person then the good person will be influenced by this evil person – thus making them fall into the trap of becoming evil themselves.

There are far more “bad” influences in this world than there are “good influences in this world (the definition of what is “good” and what is “bad” as defined by God in His living word)!

The god of this present evil age – Satan the devil – is also the ruler of this world’s religions, the ruler of this world’s ways – which have been set up to beguile mankind.

“But even if our gospel [the good news of Jesus Christ, of the promise of salvation, and of the soon-coming Kingdom of God] is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST, who is the image of God, should shine on them” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

Satan Blinds People To the REAL JESUS

If a man has FAITH IN GOD and his spouse (or vice versa) does not, she can spew her hatred and disrespect for God to make the man fail in his faith.

Which can certainly be his downfall.

Just as ADAM allowed his wife to guide him into his downfall.

In the beginning, Satan the devil went after the “weaker” vessel in order to destroy mankind. It has been this way since the beginning of mankind’s creation.

WITHOUT GOD we are sure to fall each time! This is why we MUST stay in the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God – staying CLOSE TO GOD!

Have the Armor of God upon us always!

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might [the Holy Spirit]. 11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” – Ephesians 6:10-13.

Similar to how a bully will always target a seemingly weaker person. A bully will beat a person into submission in order to have them submit to their will. A bully will beat the person to make the person a type of slave. This is what makes a disciple of Satan the devil. Satan has his minions work against the “good” people so as to destroy them.

FAITH comes by hearing, and likewise, if someone is ONLY hearing negative things day in and day out then the person is subject to being spiritually deflated.

Brethren, as we approach these END TIMES there are those in this world that are easily recognizable by the ones who are able to discern the spirits – cf. 1 Corinthians 12:10.

“’ And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15) For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts, and turn, So that I should heal them.’” – Matthew 13:14-15.

“But know this, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times will come: 2) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, PROUD, blasphemers, DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS, unthankful, unholy, 3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. AND FROM SUCH PEOPLE TURN AWAY!” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

This is certainly what sort of world we are living in TODAY! Even so-called people of God are being offended, and betraying one another over such petty and insignificant things! – cf. Matthew 24:10.

WHY!?

Because we are now living in an age where the majority of our peoples are SPOILED!

Spoiled people get out of sorts when they don’t get their way.

Our youth is now more DISOBEDIENT and DISRESPECTFUL to their elders than at any other time in human history.

They believe that they are “better” and more knowledgeable than their elders “back in the day.” And, in part, this may be true in regards to material matters, but not in spiritual matters.

I, personally, recall when I decided to stop being so “bull-headed” and began to actually listen to my Mother. I discovered that she was far wiser than I ever imagined. It was at that time that I very respectfully began “picking” her mind to gain more understanding of things that she knew without issue.

At some point, we all have become foolish. We won’t listen like we should to our elders. It is more noticeable in this day and age than at any other time.

There is a globe-girdling spirit that has taken over this world – even more so towards the end of this age.

Life Is Full Of Choices

It is written in the Book of Proverbs to “ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil” – Proverbs 4:26-27.

We seriously need to think about the choices we make and the consequences of those choices. They can lead to corruption (destruction), or to eternal life.

We reap what we sow.

“DO NOT BE DECEIVED, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap CORRUPTION, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” – Galatians 6:7-8.

Sadly, even a great many so-called ministers of God are DISRESPECTFUL.

Men of God who have actually been called by Father God into the Ministry of Christ Jesus are swiftly rejected by their old friends, their hometown, their relatives, and their own family!

These men are looked upon and judged by what they had done BEFORE THEY WERE CONVERTED AND ORDAINED. They are refused to be seen as a NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST – the Spirit of God living within them.

People are too busy casting judgment stones at the one that they knew before their conversion and ordination. It is also a testimony as to how lowly they think of the one whom God has ordained into the Ministry of Christ Jesus.

Like it or not – a true minister of the LORD our God is a representative and ambassador of Jesus Christ!

Sadly, many people cannot accept someone being a true minister of God simply because it is someone whom they knew closely before their conversion and ordination.

This is why the true minister of God can do a far greater work in God when he is not around those judgmental people.

Just as our Lord Jesus removed the doubters from the room when He was performing a healing. The doubters were out of the room – cf. Matthew 9:25.

And, mind you, Jesus was God in the flesh!

“But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet [or even a minister] is not without honor except in his own country, among his relatives, and in his own house.’” – Mark 6:4.

THIS IS TRUTH!

Well, how long do we have until it is officially the END TIMES!?

Truly, truly, ONLY GOD KNOWS!

Something to consider –

The year 2027 marks TWO-THOUSAND years from when our Lord Jesus Christ began His ministry! Could this be the year of the beginning of the ‘great tribulation’ spoken about by our Lord Jesus!? – cf. Matthew 24:21-22.

Could we witness the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the year 2030 – which marks TWO-THOUSAND years since our Lord ascended to the upper heavenly realms!?

Is it possible that this present evil age only has another 50 years, another 100 years, 500 years!?

Because, as our Lord Jesus says, it will be a time which “’ has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.’”

And sure enough, there is a spirit which is roaming this earth - and it’s running amok globally!

We should ALL focus on life as though Jesus Christ was returning today!

Yet, as God’s begotten children, we are aware of certain signs to look for. A major sign: a third temple (whatever it will consist of) has to be built along with several other things that have to happen. Now, a great many things have happened already that are straight from biblical prophecy as signs of END TIME events.

And they have happened in the exact manner which God’s living word says!

Look at this world and how our peoples are so self-absorbed. There truly are so few people on earth that are truly humble.

An ever-greater number of women rule over the men, and their husbands cower to their wives!

So-called church leaders allow their flock to rule over them! Since when does a flock rule over its shepherd!?

THE WHOLE HEAD IS SICK!

Also, sadly, in this day and age, ever-more of our peoples are worshiping their political leaders than GOD!

The ‘beginning of sorrows’ is HERE!

Of all the saints of God that I have personally known in my life – that are now resting in their graves, without question they are far better off. They don’t have to put up with the utter insanity of this world!

Our Lord Jesus makes it clear: if we endure until the END of our lives FAITHFULLY, then and ONLY then, we are secure in salvation.

Our Lord Jesus has assured us that “ …’ he who endures to the end shall be saved’” – Matthew 24:13.

The process of our salvation begins by accepting Jesus Christ – no other name under heaven by which we MUST be saved – as our LORD (which means Master) and Savior!

And for JESUS to truly be our LORD, then He must be MASTER of our lives! We MUST apply to His will. His commands, His Way. Following His rules. To KNOW HIM! – meaning, know who He is and why He is, and to know who He was before He became known as our Lord Jesus Christ – cf. John 1:1, 14.

These are just some of the things that are noticeable to identify the END TIMES which is the pulse of this present evil age – in this ‘beginning of sorrows.’ □

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Proving The Truth! - I think another thing we might say to people that we might meet and have this discussion, I think we would say, “The Bible is the inspired Word of God.” We believe that. Completely. [...]

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Our Roots

by Leonard V. Johnson

I just finished putting together Minister Michael C. Garrett’s in-depth God-inspired free online booklet “God’s Promises To Abraham.” A PDF booklet, which is a transcription of his 2016 seven-part series of sermons by the same title. Well, in this personal for June 2022, I briefly want to go over our roots as Anglo-Saxon Americans and Britons.

Now, to be sure our Jewish brethren know their roots. Within God’s living word - the Holy Bible – it’s traced all the way back to Judah the 4th son of Jacob. Also, assuredly, nearly every Arab knows that they are descendants of Ishmael – a son of Abraham’s. The Turkish people, generally, know that they are descendants from Esau – born of Abraham’s son Isaac and brother to Jacob.

But where are our roots!?

Where are the roots of the Anglo-Saxon American peoples and the Briton peoples!? And for that matter, the Canadians, the Europeans, and the Germans!?

And it is of interest to note that it is highly believed that the term “Saxon” is derived from the expression relating to the descendants of Isaac – or rather Isaac’s sons.

Now, my wife likes to say that she is “heinz 57” – a person that’s a born mixture of at least 2 or more different races. And in a sense, she’s correct. I’ve studied her genealogy, and her 5th great-grandfather Josephus Spruytte was born in Stadan, Belgium in 1688 – a direct descendant from Asher, a son of Jacob (whose name was later changed by God to Israel - Genesis 32:28). Her maternal side, however, becomes a little muddled.

Since the early beginnings of my research into my roots, I have made wonderful discoveries! Having believed most of my life in being of Irish descent, it was exciting to learn the revelation that I am descended from John de Johnstone of Dumfriesshire, Scotland of 1120 – my 22nd great-grandfather – a direct descendant from Benjamin, a son of Jacob (though certainly there is some ethnic intermingling).

So, with a little time and some elbow grease one can certainly discover their roots, and can come to see and know who they are and where they came from.

As I said earlier, our Jewish brethren – from the tribe of Judah – pretty well recognize who they are because of their recognition and their continued recognition of God’s holy Sabbath – the seventh day of the week; what we call Saturday. Most of our peoples in America and Britain know of it as the “Jewish Sabbath.” Unfortunately, the majority of our peoples observe Sunday – the first day of the week. And, I’ve gone over it with you in previous articles, and I’ve certainly spoken before of the Sabbath being a sign – such as in the article “’ It is a sign.’” But, as the apostle Paul says to us –

“Therefore He [our Lord Jesus Christ] says: ‘Awake you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.’” – Ephesians 5:14.

Our Roots Revealed

We read in 2nd Kings 16:6, the first instance where the name Jews is used – “At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath …” – KJV. The southern kingdom had retained Jerusalem as its capital and had seceded from Israel. They were led by the tribe of JUDAH – hence they are called Jews. Now, the term “children of Israel” refers to all twelve tribes – the House of Israel and the House of Judah.

And, reading verse 5, notice that Remaliah king of Israel (one of the last kings of Israel) was at war against THE JEWS. Can you imagine that!? The Jews at war against Israel! But, doesn’t nearly everybody teach that the Jews are Israel!? Yet, the TRUTH is they are not! The Jews are not Israel at all.

Notice this: King Solomon’s successor was his son Rehoboam. And under King Solomon, the people had been taxed greatly. The people of Israel sent their representative to the new king who said, “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” – 1 Kings 12:4.

Doesn’t this sound familiar!? Before the American colonies seceded from Britain a group of colonial representatives wrote down all the reasons why. And one reason being: “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.”

King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had stood before his father and they advised him, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But the king rejected their advice, consulting the young men he had grown up with. They, answering him thus – “say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist! 11) And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!” – 1 Kings 12:6-11.

Then the people of ISRAEL rejected him as their king. The people took a man who was the “superintendent” under King Solomon, Jeroboam I, and made him their king. And they set up their capital in Samaria – north of Jerusalem. So, the tribe of Judah seceded from Israel and became the Kingdom of Judah. And the tribe of Benjamin went with them.

One of the first things which the newly crowned King Jeroboam did was to change the seventh-month festivals of Israel – which is the Feast of Tabernacles – to the eighth month (cf. 1 Kings 12:32). Now, mind you, certainly the Northern Kingdom – the House Of Israel – was guilty of breaking the holy Sabbath throughout most of its history – even before being taken captive by Assyria – but there is not one iota of evidence in God’s living word (which I can find) that states that King Jeroboam changed the seventh-day Sabbath to the first-day – Sunday. However, we do know that Constantine the Great had!

But, another blasphemous thing that King Jeroboam did – because of fear that if “the people go up to [Jerusalem] to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill him” – is that he had built two state temples with golden calves – one in Bethel and the other in Dan. “He made shrines on the high places, and made priests FROM EVERY CLASS of people, who were not of the sons of Levi.”

And so the tribes of Levi, Judah, and Benjamin became known as the Kingdom of Judah. They are not Israel.

Kingdom of Israel Taken Captive – 734-732 BC

In the span of 19 different kings and seven dynasties, the kings of Israel rebelled against the Lord our God, the Creator of heaven and earth. And finally, the LORD God warned them that He would drive them out. And He did. The HOUSE OF ISRAEL was taken captive to Assyria on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. In 2nd Kings chapter 17, we read of this very thing!

“Now the king of Assyria [King Tiglath-Pileser III] went throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria and besieged it for THREE YEARS. 6) In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel [not the Jews] away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah and by the Habor, the River of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.” – 2 Kings 17:5-6.

Verse 18 – “Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone.”

So, only the Kingdom of Judah remained.

Verse 23 – “Until the LORD removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, as it is to this day [meaning, as it was when this was written]. 24) Then the king of Assyria brought the people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities.”

In other words, the people called ISRAEL were forcibly relocated by the Neo-Assyrian Empire! They were all moved from their farms, from their cities, and from their homes!

So now they were the ones being called Samaritans in the time of our Lord Jesus. The Jews in the time of our Lord Jesus were from the Kingdom of Judah.

So the Kingdom of Israel lost its identity.

They were driven away from the LORD God, and became known as the “Lost Ten Tribes.”

The Holy Sabbath – ‘it is a sign between Me and you’ (Exodus 31:13)

Our LORD God had made an everlasting sign with the children of Israel. It’s recorded for us in the Book of Exodus chapter 31 –

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 13) ‘Speak also to the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL [again, meaning all twelve tribes – including Ephraim and Manasseh; between God and His people], saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep [see Ex. 20:8], for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I AM the LORD who sanctifies you.’” – Exodus 31:12-13.

Another way of saying: ‘I AM the LORD that sets you apart from all other nations.’

“’ Therefore the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath THROUGHOUT their generations as a perpetual covenant.’” – verse 16.

So, it is an agreement. And it is perpetual, which means endless or never-ending! This had NOTHING to do with the Old Covenant!

“’ It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel FOREVER; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the SEVENTH DAY He rested and was refreshed.’” – verse 17.

The Hebrew word used for “sign” is ‘ôt, which means “mark, or symbol.”

This should remind us of Ezekiel chapter 14 in this end-time in which the LORD God tells the prophet Ezekiel (and in this end-time an EZEKIEL WATCHMAN) –

“’ Therefore say to the HOUSE OF ISRAEL …’” – recall, the prophet Ezekiel was a prisoner. Here, his country, Judah, had been invaded, and he was among the prisoners of war in a prison camp next to the River Chebar in the nation of Babylon when he was writing this. But the HOUSE OF ISRAEL – the very nation to which he was being sent to – had been taken captive more than a hundred and forty years before!

“ … ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. 7) For ANYONE of the House of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel [the House of Israel], who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet [certainly, a false prophet] to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself. 8) I will set My face against that man [or even a self-proclaimed prophetess] and make him A SIGN and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I AM the LORD.’” – Ezekiel 14:6-8.

It should also remind us of Ezekiel chapter 9 –

Verse 2 – “ … One man among them was clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar. … 4) and the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put A MARK on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’ 5) To the others He said in my hearing, ‘Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6) Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; BUT do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.’”

Truly, an identifying mark. A seal. Recall, the LORD our God is going to seal the servants of our God (the 144,000 (a PDF article)) on their foreheads! Cf. Revelation 7:2-3.

The House of Israel Does Not Have the Sign

So, during those 19 different kings and seven dynasties, their captivity, their migration, and integration into other nations, the people of the LORD God have lost their sign – they have lost their identity.

But here only the Kingdom of Judah remained. They were all that remained in the land of Palestine – the tribe of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. In 597 BC King Nebuchadnezzar II laid siege to Jerusalem which lasted some THREE MONTHS! The city fell! And forced exile and detention began of the people of the LORD our God.

Again, the Kingdom of Judah retain their identity; because they have retained the SEVENTH DAY SABBATH, which is a sign that identifies. The Jews today keep the Sabbath sign. Yet, they suppose that they are ISRAEL. They have even called their nation by the name ISRAEL. Yet, they are only JUDAH.

Israel – the Kingdom of Israel – was driven out and became “lost.” They also lost the Sabbath.

The Assyrian Empire “reached its height in the eighth and seventh centuries under Sargon II (722-705 B.C.), Sennacherib (705-681), and Assurbanipal (668-626). It had come to include nearly all of the civilized world of that time. One after another, Syria, Phoenicia, the Kingdom of Israel, and Egypt had fallen victim to Assyrian military prowess. Only the little Kingdom of Judah” remained. 1

The death blow [to the brilliant and successful Assyrian Empire] was delivered by the Kaldi, or rather the Chaldeans – the Neo-Babylonian Empire – in 612 BC. Under the leadership of Nabopolassar - the founder and first king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire – who had served the Assyrian kings, he organized a revolt and finally captured Nineveh. Now the Assyrians themselves had been taken into captivity – together with the Israelites. Where the Israelites would eventually migrate and be “sifted” into other lands – moving west and northwest. And by the time the Kingdom of Judah was taken captive to Babylon, they had already been captured and annexed more than a hundred and forty years before.

The Assyrians would later migrate into the land known today as GERMANY.

Here is an excerpt from the controversial Dr. Herman L. Hoeh from his Compendium of World History, Volume 1 –

“The Hebrew root “heth” (from whence Hittite is derived) signifies “warrior.” The Canaanite Hittites were famous warriors. As the Assyrians were a war-making nation, the world also attached the name “Chatti” – meaning “warrior” or “men of war” to them when they anciently migrated to the Halys River basin in Asia Minor.” 2

Roman authors believed that a people of mixed Belgic and Germani descent had somehow migrated to the Iberian Peninsula 3 around the fourth century BC.

To Note: 

“The construction ‘Ger-man’ breaks down into ‘ger’ (still used in English as ‘gar’) … meaning spear, and ‘man’ which is unchanged in meaning. ‘Her-man’ is another form of the word. It was likely to have been formed of ‘ger’ for spear and ‘ker’ for an army of spearmen, for which ‘k’ was softened to an ‘h.’ … the possessors of this name were tough, fierce killers … The Romans introduced Germani …” 4

The Left-leaning “politically correct” Wikipedia writes of Germani, “many scholars consider the term problematic since it suggests identity with present-day Germans.”

Yet, they never quote the illustrious Sir William Smith –

“The Germans regarded themselves as indigenous in the country; but there CAN BE NO DOUBT that they were a branch of the great Indo-Germanic race, who, along with the Celts, migrated into Europe from the Caucasus and the countries around the Black and Caspian seas, at a period long anterior to historical records.” 5

Truly, the Germans of today have their roots back in ancient Assyria. They appear not to know that they don’t know who they are. The Ten Tribes of Israel migrated into Western Europe and into the British Isles. And, as I went over in the article “Freedom – A True Blessing From God,” it has been well identified that the majority of the founding stock of France are descendants of the tribe of Reuben. And that the founding stock of the British people were descendants of Joseph – divided into two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh.

As I mentioned earlier, I have my ancestry (as far back as I could research without going overseas) – my ancestors migrated from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and settled in Virginia in the United States in about 1675. One source claims that they were Quakers back in Scotland. 6

God’s Promises To Abraham

Again, I have just finished putting together Minister Michael C. Garrett’s in-depth God-inspired free online booklet “God’s Promises To Abraham.” A PDF booklet, which is a transcription, of his 2016 seven-part series of sermons by the same title. Following are links to those God-inspired sermons –

6-25-16 – God’s Promises To Abraham

7-02-16 – God’s Promises To Abraham – Part 2

7-09-16 – God’s Promises To Abraham – Part 3

7-16-16 – God’s Promises To Abraham – Part 4

7-23-16 – God’s Promises To Abraham – Part 5

7-30-16 – God’s Promises To Abraham – Part 6

8-06-16 – God’s Promises To Abraham – Part 7

And, the reason for this short article is to announce this complimentary PDF online booklet. This series of sermons along with this free no-obligation PDF booklet will help you with some amazing information about our ancestry. About our roots. And not only that, but it is also a KEY needed to help unlock and understand biblical prophecy. And it WARNS of a Coming Last Crusade involving a United Europe in these end-times, along with the subjugation of the United States of America in the next few years!

You may wonder, Where Are We Headed? This world is in trouble and the United States of America is heading for her collapse. And it is all foretold within the pages of your Bible.

Now, at this same time, I want to mention to you another free online PDF booklet “The Confusion About Death.” I have mentioned it surely in many sermons. It is sad to know that the greater majority of our peoples are deathly afraid of death. Even though our beloved apostle Paul writes, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope [meaning, the hope of salvation and of the resurrection].” – 1st Thessalonians 4:13. This booklet will help you understand just what is death and just what will happen in the “afterlife.”

Now also, a most wonderful website – www.owensborocojc.com – is available. And you are more than invited to come and visit us. “Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries” website. Over 370 posts. It reaches around the world.

Here is one of our latest articles “Why So Many Don’t Understand Pentecost.” A great many throughout the remnant churches of God just simply observe these festivals because their congregation does, yet DO NOT fully understand why – the true meaning along with GOD’S PLAN in commanding them to be kept.

Here is another article, a commentary from Guy LaMar, “A One Ruling Government Is Coming!” There are a growing number of people who believe that there will be a ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT before the return of our Lord Jesus. Yet, God's living word DOES NOT teach this and will never happen before His glorious and powerful return.

Now here is another article, “Is This ‘the Beginning of Sorrows’?” Are the ‘troubles’ we are witnesses around the world today the beginning of this prophesied ‘beginning of sorrows’ spoken of by our Lord Jesus!?

The website – www.owensborocojc.com – is not a website that begs for money, it’s absolutely free. It’s already nearing its 11th year. It is one of only a few websites that is explaining the Word of God, the Truth of God, and helps understand more fully the Plan of God.

So, thank you for your time, your love, and your support. Until next time, this is Leonard V. Johnson.

Bibliography:

1) Burns M. E. and Ralph P., World Civilizations Fifth Edition, Vol. I, The Mesopotamian and Persian Civilizations, W.W. Norton & Co., New York, © 1974, pp. 55. Illustration on the page from the same source.

2) Hoeh, L.H., Compendium of World History, Vol. I, 1962 - http://www.herbert-armstrong.org/Miscellaneous/Compendium%20Vol%201.pdf.

3) Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, III, 29.

4) The History Files, European Kingdoms Germanic Tribes, Cherusci (Germans) - https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsEurope/BarbarianCherusci.htm. Retrieved 10 June 2022.

5) Smith, W., A Classical Dictionary of Biography, Mythology, and Geography, 1858, pg. 281 - https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.48044/page/n5/mode/2up.

6) Johnson, Dr. Lorand V., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1298796/pdf/taos00013-0034.pdf. Retrieved 10 June 2022.

Should You Eat Out On God's Sabbath?

by Guy C. LaMar

There have been MANY arguments on: Can you go out and eat on God’s Sabbath?

I, personally, have seen both sides of this issue. I have, personally, embraced both sides through the years. Yet, the more I think, guided by God’s Spirit, the more I see that God’s word is CLEAR.

MANY will sugar-coat their religion to fit their personal taste.

All I am going to say is this: If you go to a restaurant on God’s Holy Sabbath, you’ll be BUYING.

In the Book of Nehemiah chapter 10, we are shown a very simple instruction –

“If the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell ON THE SABBATH DAY, we would not buy it from them ON THE SABBATH, or on a holy day; …” – Nehemiah 10:31.

Exodus 20:10 –

“But the SEVENTH DAY is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger [foreigner or visitor] within your gates.”

A waiter or a waitress is considered a servant. In other words, serving you within a restaurant.

But what about: within your gates!?

In that era of time, many were farmers. Most had livestock and farm hands.

The Sabbath is a day of rest FOR ALL! - cf. Acts 17:30. You cannot go out and just say – because the world doesn’t keep the Sabbath I will take advantage. This type of thought is conforming to the ways of this world – cf. Romans 12:2.

In Revelation 3:15-16 the Lord Jesus Christ says to many of the Body of Christ -

“’ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16) So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.’”

Brethren, a true Christian is either hot for God – doing His will, obeying His LAW – summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS – staying in His Way, or they are but lukewarm, wishy-washy, and making up their own rules – as did the Jews adding to the LORD our God’s LAW. Or they are just cold – and not abiding at all in the LORD God’s LAW, STATUTES, ORDINANCES, and JUDGMENTS!

God created a perfect Plan. We should stick to it!

The Preparation Day was made for God’s people to prepare for the Holy Sabbath day – e.g. doubling up on your duties, such as preparing food for the Sabbath.

Matthew 12:1 says, “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.”

The apostle Mark writes in Mark 2:23 – “Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain.”

This is not an act of labor. It’s simply plucking grain as you walk by. It certainly isn’t buying or selling.

There are no servants involved. A simple hand reaches out and plucks a head of grain as you walk by. Very simple.

If people want to have a delight in God’s Sabbath, where there is no labor involved and have a great meal and fun with family and friends – PRAISING GOD over a meal, then substitute going out to a restaurant for a cookout with pre-prepared food from the Preparation Day (FRIDAY).

e.g. Have coals for your barbeque grill ready. All you need to do on God’s holy Sabbath for the cook is to start the fire with a match and enjoy good fellowship as the food cooks on the grill. No labor involved – only joy. It will be all set up from the day before. THIS IS A DELIGHT IN THE SABBATH – and it’s already set up from the day before.

Brethren, in this life we are to be led by the Spirit of God, to make decisions, either hot for God, or lukewarm, or cold.

K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-7).  Don’t try to twist and tangle God’s living truth to fit your own personal agenda.

If we are OBEYING the LORD our God and NOT forsaking fellowship (when we are able), then we will have company on the Sabbath. Recall: a great many had church services in a home in the early beginnings of the Church of God.

Yet, do not worry if you cannot find like-minded people to be in company with. The LORD our God recognizes your commitment to Him. Our Lord Jesus and a legion of angels are with you on the Sabbath – if you are faithful. You have your spiritual gathering and fellowshipping, even if no other physical human is around!

Just make sure the Sabbath stays HOLY – SACRED, CONSECRATED! No cussing, no gossiping, no idle talk – but rather staying focused on the KINGDOM OF GOD, the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God, the Way of God, the Law of God - and the worship of God in Spirit and in Truth. Like King David, meditate on the Law of God.

Remember that SIN is the breaking of the LORD our God’s holy, immutable, and relevant LAW – summed up in the Ten Commandments! Not the Jewish laws which they added! – cf. 1st John 3:4.

What made our Lord Jesus Christ perfect!? He kept the LAW of God perfectly. He fulfilled the Law – meaning that He, and He alone, lived by the Law of God perfectly. Thus allowing us the perfect example to live by – as a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.

Jesus told His disciples that if they have seen Him then they have seen the Father – because they are as ONE.

Jesus says that we are to be perfect (strive to be perfect), as God the Father is perfect in Heaven.

How do we do this!?

BY OBEYING HIS LAW!!! Just as our Lord Jesus did!

LAWS equal WAYS of lifestyle.

The religions of this present evil age which come off as fluffy and productionized are nothing more than the religions of Satan the devil – to snare unsuspecting people away from the REAL religion of God – cf. James 1:27.

Mankind has perverted God’s Law to fit their own human agenda.

Without the holy LAW of God, you don’t have God, instead, you have Satan the devil as your god.

So, we all, brethren, need to stop sugar-coating God’s immutable Way to fit our own way and excuses.

We need to be DISCIPLINED with ourselves in the service of God. BE ON FIRE FOR GOD! BE HOT AS CHRISTIANS! Dedicated – not excuse-makers!

K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-7). The simplicity of Christ makes life so much easier and correct.

KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY!

Going out to eat among the world in a restaurant on God’s Holy Sabbath day – A HOLY DAY – actually sets yourself up for breaking the Sabbath.

When you are in a restaurant on the Sabbath day, are you actually keeping God’s Sabbath holy!?

You have actually embraced this world’s SYSTEM! – cf. Romans 12:2.

You certainly don’t know who is in the room there with you. They may be vulgar, they may have all sorts of demonic ways!

I, personally, have been in restaurants with brethren on God’s Holy Sabbath and sensed evil spirits in the room.

I have often thought that it doesn’t feel right in the eyes of God to be among the world – ruled by Satan the devil – in a restaurant setting on GOD’S HOLY SABBATH! How are we keeping the Sabbath holy by allowing ourselves to be among this world!?

1st Corinthians 5:11 –

“But now I have written to you NOT TO KEEP COMPANY WITH ANYONE NAMED A BROTHER, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not even to eat with such a person.”

The Greek word that the apostle Paul uses for “brother” is adelphos, which can also mean “fellow countryman, neighbor.”

There’s a high chance that in a restaurant setting you are going to be among some of these types of people. Yet, with the LORD God’s people, you know who you are among. Spirit-led people of God.

So, for me, from now on in order to keep the Sabbath HOLY, I am going to be a lot more DISCIPLINED in my service to God and not allow myself to be among this world on God’s HOLY DAY. But rather I am going to keep the Sabbath by being among like-minded people of God – led by the Spirit of God.

No more allowing myself to be among idle chit-chat on the Sabbath. It is either uplifting Godly matters on the Holy Sabbath, or I won’t be a part of it.

“But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for WHATEVER makes manifest is light. 14) Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.’” – Ephesians 5:13-14.

Brethren, it’s time to get serious and fully dedicated to the LORD our God – before it’s too late. □

Pentecost Offertory: Unless They Are Sent Sermon

Leonard V. Johnson

Greetings Everyone all around the world! Our friends in Oklahoma! Welcome! In Fayetteville, North Carolina, in Hurricane, West Virginia, and Evansville, Indiana. Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries here in beautiful Spring Hill, Florida! And, I’m Leonard V. Johnson.

     For this holy Sabbath day, I’d like to go over an offertory for tomorrow's Holy Day of Pentecost.

     Now, if you have your Bible in front of you, you might want to follow along. Let’s begin in the New Testament with the Book of Acts chapter 2. I’ll be reading from my purple New King James Version.

     Acts chapter 2 beginning with verse 1.

     "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."

     Now, these were all our Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples, gathered together to keep the holy Day of Pentecost. Yet, they were not the only ones that were in the city of David at the time.

     Let’s notice verse 5.

     "And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven." {1}

     And we see a list of those nations which were there notice beginning in verse 8.

     "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9) Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11) Cretans and Arabs - we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

     So, Jews and proselytes. Proselytes were those who had converted from one religion to another.

     And then we see beginning in verse 14, the apostle Peter – and again, as I’ve mentioned before – I use the title apostle in his name because he deserves it. Many like to just say, Peter. I, personally, believe that we should show respect to all these men which our Lord Jesus Christ taught – and we should use their title with respect. As a sort-of example, when you go in to visit your doctor, do you call him or her by their first name!? Or do you use their title!? If you do use their first name – then maybe the two of you are golf buddies!? Just joking – don’t take me seriously here.

     But, the apostle Peter stands up and he begins to preach – some things from the Old Testament, and he brings up some things concerning our Lord Jesus Christ! And here again, you might think that it’s not important to use our Lord Jesus Christ’s title. Because many people just say His name – Jesus. Again, I just believe that proper reverence should be in order when we are speaking not just about One who became flesh and tabernacled among us – but in TRUTH we’re talking about the very CREATOR of all things! The known universe and of all spirits! I’m just saying. Now, to note – and I get this from David Wittenberg – who claims to be a Professor at the International School of Management Excellence in India commented on Quora – a site on which I have reservations with – he commented in this regard:

     “From the earliest days … people were referring to Jesus as Jesus Christ. … So, there is no single right or wrong way to use Jesus’ name and title. Most people will understand you if you use any of these forms.” 

     And I agree. It doesn’t have anything to do with salvation. But, a little humility does go a long way. So, whether one says just Jesus, or His name along with His title, it should be with great humility and reverence.

     But, getting back here – the apostle Peter brings up some important facts about our Lord Jesus Christ – and there’s one way to look at this is that the people who were converted and were from different areas and nations, and they can just go back and live in their areas and be like everybody else, and all one has to do is take care of yourself. That’s the way a great many appear to view Christianity. But interestingly, the apostle Peter says something which I want to speak about this holy Sabbath – here in the Book of Acts chapter 2. Over in verse 39.

     "For the promise [the promise of salvation] is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God [God the Father] will call."

     So, he wasn’t just speaking of the people who would end up seeing and being visited by them, he – of course – meant others whom God the Father was going to call. Now how did this happen!?

     Originally it was just Jews and proselytes which were called. But others ended up being called also.

Gentiles Called

     Turning with me to the Book of Acts chapter 9 we see that Saul was very upset and breathing threats against the disciples of the Lord. He went to Damascus; he was commissioned by the high priest to go there and bring back any of the Way, whether men or women and bring them back for imprisonment or worse.

     But our Lord Jesus had a plan for him. Now, of course, Saul had a terrible reputation. In fact, so bad was his reputation, that Ananias - who God had given a vision – had said to God, “Lord, I have heard a great deal about this man. He has done much harm to Your saints there in Jerusalem.” But, our Lord Jesus said to Ananias there in verse 15.

     " ... 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.'"

     And continuing through this chapter we see that Saul was converted.

     Now, this was indeed a part of God’s Master Plan – to call Gentiles. And the apostle Peter should have known that this was part of God’s Master Plan. But, the apostle Peter didn’t quite fully understand all of this.

     Over in the Book of Acts chapter 10, the apostle Peter has a vision – and I don’t want to cover all of this here in this sermon – we’ve spoken of this vision several times. In fact, you can go onto our website – www.owensborocojc.com and at the top type in “meat” or “unclean” and read our posted article by Minister Guy LaMar “Pork – Is It A Sin To Eat?” In that article, he goes over Acts chapter 10.

     Basically, God explains to him that Gentiles are going to be called.

     Let’s turn into the Book of Romans chapter 10. Let’s begin here in verse 12.

     "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek [meaning Jew and Gentile], for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him."

     Notice verse 13.

     "For 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.' 14) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? ..."

     So, the LORD our God’s Plan is not to just call people to be just on their own – just live their own life – to just be with themselves.

A Great Commission

     God’s Plan is also to call others! And one of the things which our Lord Jesus Christ commissioned is mentioned in the Book of Matthew chapter 28 verses 19 & 20. He says –

     "'Go therefore and make disciples [meaning, teach] of all 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; ...'"

     So, our peoples have to be taught, and there are people that have to be sent.

     Turning again to the Book of Romans, this time chapter 15. Something which the apostle Paul said. Verse 27.

     "It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things."

     So, the apostle Paul is saying that those who have been the beneficiaries of spiritual information – the great and awesome knowledge from God along with His promises – have an obligation to potentially getting the good news out unto the world.

     Now, a great many of our peoples in this world have various attitudes against others, and on the Day of Pentecost, we learn that God the Father is indeed calling a few – a minute few in this age NOW!

     We have posted on our webpage – www.owensborocojc.com a seven-part series by Minister Michael C. Garrett entitled “Pentecost” in which he goes over in great detail anyone who wants to be of God.

     Again, these series of articles are available to read for free with no obligation whatsoever on our webpage www.owensborocojc.com. And I mention these great articles {2} because – not just for our friends around the world who are aware of being called by Father God, but others who God may be calling as well. Now, there are programs which we could use to make the article into a video – like InVideo in connection with a free program QuilBot – but to be honest, I don’t have a lot of time for all of that. That would be an excellent project for one of our dear friends of the same faith and like mind to contact us here and who would like to help in this regard. You certainly would be blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ and indeed help to spread the gospel around the world.

Be Not Ignorant of This Mystery

     So, indeed, God has a Master Plan in just calling you. As a matter of fact, let’s take a look at – again the Book of Romans chapter 11 –

     Going down to verse 25.

     "For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."

     Notice that the apostle Paul calls this a mystery. And he says that many are ignorant of this – and he doesn’t want you to be ignorant of this. But, he’s talking about when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”

     Now, I’d like to read a transcript from a sermon of Minister Michael C. Garrett of the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ in Owensboro, Kentucky. And if you’re in Kentucky or near enough to Owensboro to visit the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ, we certainly invite you to visit us. Contact us here at pastorleonard1@yahoo.com and we will certainly let Minister Garrett know that you’re coming to visit on one of God’s holy Sabbath services.

     But this that I read is from the article entitled “Hidden Truths” {3} And I’ll be sure to leave a link for you for this article in the information section of this sermon here.

     “Now, was Paul intentionally saying that God’s Word is a mystery!? … In 1st Corinthians 2: verse 7 look at what he calls it - “ … the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, … Paul writes concerning his ministry and the Message which he was teaching – and he describes it as ‘revealing a hidden mystery, this hidden wisdom.’ Now the Greek word “mystery” is mystērion, meaning “secret.” This word only appears in the New Testament which lists it approximately 22 times. But this is not something that is mysterious or mystic, or even astrological or cultic. It actually means – and in Romans 11:25 I have noted ‘of obtaining eternal life, the hope of eternal life’ – a hidden truth. The truth that is hidden from most people. And I believe that this truth is hidden from most – if not all – of so-called Christianity.”

     Now, he also wrote in that same article –

     Jesus Christ made it known unto the apostle Paul that the Gentiles were also included in His Plan of salvation. And, that was a ‘hidden truth’ that they didn’t see coming. And I believe this is one of the reasons why the Jews gave Paul so much trouble when he was preaching to the Gentiles. Because they couldn’t believe that Gentiles (other nations) were being offered this same promise of salvation through the gospel and through the glorious Message which Paul preached.

     Now, concerning this “fullness of the Gentiles” – this ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ refers to the fact when this final end-time European military invades the Middle East and takes over Jerusalem and the newly built temple - whatever that consists of.

     Notice verses 31 – 32.

     "even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32) For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all."

     What the apostle Paul in essence is saying to us here is that in the Millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ – those Gentiles who were converted before the Millennium will also be in the kingdom of the LORD our God and will have the opportunity to become priests.

     And one of the glorious things which the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches – and if you’re wondering about those affiliated churches it’s the OWENSBORO CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST in Owensboro, Kentucky under the leadership of Michael C. Garrett, and THE INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD in Athens, Alabama under the leadership of Guy C. LaMar. But, what we have been doing is reaching out not to just the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but also to the Gentiles. And at the beginning of nearly every sermon I say hello and welcome to our many brethren and friends from around the world – at the taping of this sermon for this holy Sabbath day – the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries website has reached nearly 10,000 people in the last four years. Now our website says that we have reached over 93,000 people in the last 10 years! We have also reached in the last two years – conservatively, over 97 countries and provinces. And, I don’t mention these stats to blow our own horn, but only for the glory of God! Could we be more effective!? Yes. I’m sure there are things we could be doing which would be. Again - That would be an excellent job for one of our dear friends of the same faith and like mind to contact us here and who would like to help in this regard.

Give As You Are Able

     Certainly the LORD our God calls people in relatively poor areas of the world. And certainly, with greater funds, we could more easily minister to them. And this is one of the things that offerings are used for.

     Notice the Book of 2nd Corinthians chapter 9 – again from the apostle Paul here –

     Verse 1.

     "Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you."

    Here he’s telling the Corinthians that they were pretty good about sending things. And he was reminding them of that. And I say to our brethren and friends who are faithful to us and our affiliated churches - you are as well, and we thank you for that.

     So he’s speaking of “ministering to the saints” meaning assisting poor people – our brethren in much poorer places of the world. And he speaks of offerings in verse 6.

     "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9) As it is written: 'He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.'" 10) Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11) while you are enriched in everything for all liberality {4}, which causes thanksgiving through us to God."

     The apostle Paul is saying that God will bless you if you will provide the type of offerings that will help your poorer brethren. Now, we at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are not just speaking of our brethren in Africa, India, or Bangladesh – but also here closer to home – also here in the United States of America.

     In verse 13

     "while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14) and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

     So, are you thankful for Father God calling you! Are you thankful for this glorious great gift!?

     So, I mentioned earlier that we do have to reach our peoples – not just ourselves. And one thing which we have done is post several online booklets onto Google to read. Such as “Is God a Trinity?” which is available to read. We also, with the great help of Brother Erick Odhiambo in Kenya, we have this booklet translated into Kiswahili for our brethren and friends who feel more comfortable reading Kiswahili. And as far as God’s Master Plan to call others we also have a seron on our YouTube channel entitled “Salvation OFFERED To All”

Offerings Commanded by God

     Well, let us go back into the Old Testament – the Book of Exodus chapter 23 beginning in verse 14.

     "'Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: 15) You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); 16) and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field. 17) Three times in the year all your males [meaning, the head of the household] shall appear before the Lord GOD."

     Now, the “Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors” is Pentecost. And we true Christians are the first fruits. And it also has another name known as the Feast of Weeks. And it was called that because you count the weeks – the first day after the Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread – seven weeks called the Feast of Weeks. And when you count up all those days it comes to 50 – and so it’s called PENTECOST.

     Also the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 16.

     Beginning in verse 16 it's referred to as the Feast of Weeks.

     "'Three times a year all your males [again, meaning the head of the household] shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks [as I just said, called PENTECOST], and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. 17) Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you."

     So, we are supposed to give according to the blessing which God has given us.

     Now, how do we give!?

     Well, here we’re talking about giving financial offerings.

     Many of you who live in the United States of America can simply write a check or get a money order and send funds to:

     Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries

     P.O. Box 6458

     Spring Hill, FL. 34606.

    Now for those of you who are outside of the United States as well as some who are in the United States you can also go to our website www.owensborocojc.com where we take PayPal and you give a donation through PayPal and it goes to support the work.

     So, this work of God is not just for us – not just for ourselves. We need to do this work. Our Lord Jesus says to go unto the world and teach all nations to observe all things that He has commanded – to make disciples.

     Please do your part, obey the LORD our God, and give an offering – like God commands on this holy day of Pentecost.

     This is Leonard V. Johnson of the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.

Editor's Notes:

{1} Editor's note: Mr. Johnson says "under the sun" - it reads, "under heaven."
{2} Editor's note: They are not in fact articles, but rather a seven-part series of sermons given by Minister Michael C. Garrett in 2017.

{3} Editor's note: Mr. Johnson called this article "Hidden Truths." In fact, the article is called "'Mysteries' of God - Unlocking the Bible."

{4} Editor's note: Mr. Johnson mistakenly says "liberally." In fact, liberality means: the quality of giving or spending freely.

Pentecost - 2017 (VIDEO SERIES)

The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries is so very pleased to present PENTECOST - 2017. A seven-part series of sermons.

Beginning June 3, 2017, to July 8, 2017.

In this in-depth series of inspired sermons, Minister Michael C. Garrett gives us an intense study of God's living word in relation to the Feast of Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks.

                                                              1.32:54

Here is a link to PART B of Pentecost - 2017.

Here is a link to PART C of Pentecost - 2017.

Here is a link to PART D of Pentecost - 2017.

Here is a link to PART E of Pentecost - 2017.

Here is a link to PART F of Pentecost - 2017.

Here is a link to PART G of Pentecost - 2017.

Here are some items of related interest:

Why So Many Don't Understand Pentecost - A great many throughout the remnant churches of God just simply observe these festivals because their congregation does, yet DO NOT fully understand why – the true meaning along with GOD’S PLAN in commanding them to be kept.

'The Firstfruits Unto the LORD' - The majority of this world’s churches that profess Jesus Christ consider the Day of Pentecost A.D. 31 the beginning of the New Testament Church of God. And that is true.

Day of Pentecost - 2019 (transcript) - We are here on an annual holy day – a special day. It’s good to be with you.