Letter to our Friends - June 9, 2023

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES

P.O. BOX 6458

SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34606

www.owensborocojc.com

Leonard V. Johnson

Pastor and Founder

Dear Friends and Co-Workers in Christ Jesus:

Hello from Spring Hill, Florida, USA.

We are continuing to prepare for the time when the Lord our GOD will send a famine upon the land, “Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD” – Amos 8:11. This is a dual prophecy – or duality in prophecy. It has a future application. And, we fear that this time is coming soon here in the United States of America. A land that used to pride herself on “freedom of speech” (See: First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution). We have been producing audio articles using AI. The LORD God’s vital message is getting to an even wider audience. We are now reaching Ireland, Lebanon, Bogotá, and Santiago de Cali, Colombia on our Soundcloud Radio channel! – with our continuing listeners and supporters from Ireland, Mexico, and Kenya! Thank you for your continued love and support for the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches.

YouTube 

YouTube, a subsidiary of Google LLC, continues to dissuade and discourage our peoples worldwide from viewing the LORD God’s greatest and most-important message on this earth! – the Gospel ─ the good news of Jesus Christ, of His forgiveness, of His atoning sacrifice, of the opportunity for all of us to have Jesus Christ as our great High Priest and to live under the promises of the New Covenant, and to someday be a part of the glorious Kingdom of God that is coming to the Earth! 

We would love to announce to you that we have multiple millions of subscribers to our YouTube channel – but we cannot! As of June 9th, 2023, we have 28 subscribers! And, we thank each and every one of you personally for your loyal support and love. Please continue to pray for our channel's continued growth and success in proclaiming to the world the glorious Gospel of the soon-coming King of kings and Lord of lords! And, if you have not subscribed to our channel yet, please do! We thank you immensely. The channel contains our sermons, sermonettes, and WatchMan Reports. COJCOM. 

We also have a BitChute channel that has been doing very well. As of June 9th, 2023, we have 11,978 total views, with 52 videos. The channel came online nearly 4 years ago. YouTube which has been steadily improving ─ 101.0k impressions. Meaning, 18.0% of YouTube recommending our channel! 2.6k views from these impressions! Our top three sermons: “Real Repentance,” “First Day – Unleavened Bread,” and “Do You Have God’s Spirit?”

According to YouTube, subscribers watch more often than non-subscribers. Yet, we are not seeing this. Our number of non-subscribers continues to rise. As of June 9th, 2023, our watch time from non-subscribers is 69.8%, compared to 30.2% of our subscribers.

We also have a UGETube channel that is doing quite well. As of June 9th, 2023, we have 16,932 total views, with 79 videos. The channel came online nearly 4 years ago. Our top three sermons: “Being Born Again,” “Mark of the Beast” with Minister Michael C. Garrett, and “6-18-2022 – The WatchMan Report.” 

Suggested Sabbath Day Service

Here is our suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and friends around the world:

• TWO songs of praise. (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, is suggested, there is some Instrumental Accompaniments to the Bible Hymnal available on our website).

• Opening prayer. 

• Announcements – from the deacon or pastor. 

• Sermon – from the pastor or guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is “Armageddon” delivered by Minister Leonard V. Johnson.

• Closing song. 

• Closing prayer. 

In case you do not receive a ‘Letter to our Friends’ for any week, remember that there are many sermon messages on the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website, as well as audio articles, sermons, and booklets on our Soundcloud Radio channel.

Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy

The United States of America and Canada staged a joint military mission through the Taiwan Strait this past weekend, which was certainly trying to send a strong message to China. (See: Reuters - UPDATE 3-China rebukes US, Canadian navies for Taiwan Strait transit).

The PRC has long been interested in Taiwan and again wants it under its control and dominion. However, a great many in Taiwan do not want that. According to a 2020 Pew Research report, in Taiwan, people tend to have negative views when it comes to mainland China. Just 35% of adults give positive marks to mainland China, while about six-in-ten hold unfavorable views. Still, when it comes to financial ties, about half say they support closer economic relations with the mainland; 44% oppose this idea. 1

However, with China becoming more aggressive and America becoming more feckless, I believe that Taiwan will soon come under Chinese control. And, more than likely before the Biden/Harris Administration is over!

China, officially the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), is rising higher and higher in military strength and global influence. The dragon will someday soon dominate over the United States of America and our British-descended allies. Various conflicts between the USA and the dragon have been draining vital US military resources away from Europe. We, as a sovereign nation, is becoming weaker domestically and abroad. And because of this weakness, Europe is becoming more self-sufficient militarily.

Yes, Taiwan will soon be united with China, irrespective of what the United States of America may or ─ more than likely not do! Notice what the German-Foreign-Policy wrote concerning the consequences of a war with China:

The Consequences of a War against China

BERLIN/CANBERRA/BEIJING (Own report) – The EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner, Josep Borrell, calls on European navies to patrol the Taiwan Strait, thus challenging once again China’s red lines. The Taiwan Strait is an “absolutely crucial area,” where “ freedom of navigation” must be guaranteed, Borrell alleged …

In the meantime, the risk of war in East Asia has reached such a level that the public radio ABC in Australia – where the German Bundeswehr is regularly engaged in war exercises – has begun to openly discuss the concrete consequences of a war for the Australian population. Speaking to ABC radio, the military experts agreed that the West could not win such a war, but Australia would have to suffer tremendous losses, be plunged into poverty and even risk nuclear annihilation. They urgently call for preventing a war against China. …

“Best Potential Outcome, a Stalemate”

All four of the experts interviewed by ABC were in agreement that the United States cannot win a war against China. …

When it comes to the specific war scenarios, the experts disagree. Whereas White assumes that an armed conflict between the USA and China would mainly take place at sea, Fernandes expects, it is more likely that China could block Taiwan, and what would then develop, would depend on whether the United States would seek to end the blockade militarily. On the other hand, they agree that a US war against the People’s Republic of China, with Australian involvement, would lead to enormous loss of human life and other dramatic damage. Fernandes points out that, already the loss of a single frigate means the death of 170 people. White is convinced that such a war “would swiftly exceed the toll in casualties suffered in Vietnam and Korea.” Barrie – who, as a former Chief of the Defense Force, is especially familiar with the consequences of war – urgently warns that war against China would have an impact on all Australians, not least of all economically. Besides the loss of human life, it is likely “to impoverish us all,” in the worst case, it may even kill most of us if it goes nuclear”

(https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/news/detail/9220. Retrieved 9 June 2023).

Friends, we certainly should be praying to God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ that They bless our leaders in the USA and China with wisdom and self-control in this ever-increasing tension that is about ready to explode globally! Sadly, distractions are everywhere – and the USA is not focused on Europe, which according to the LORD God’s prophesies is soon going to rise in power and military strength and will ultimately aid the USA in the loss of her sovereignty. Cf. Daniel 11:39 – “Thus he [this soon rising European civic leader of great power] shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.” 

Keep in mind: China’s Xi Jinping destroyed religion in China and made himself God! And never think that once China dominates the “strongest fortresses” (such as the United States of America) acknowledged by this soon-rising European civic leader and advances its glory causing them to rule over many, that China would not divide up “the land for gain.” Certainly, something to keep in mind.

Concluding Comments

The apostle Peter gives us a plain and clear guideline about facing tribulations –

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 

14) If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 

15) But let none of you suffer as a murderer [spiritually or physically], a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16) Yet if ANYONE suffers as a Christian, let him NOT be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” – 1 Peter 4:12-16, NKJV.  

True Christians are ambassadors for Christ!

In the Book of Luke chapter 6 – in what is called “the Beatitudes,” our Lord Jesus Christ told us the Way we should conduct our life – Luke 6:20-23. I suggest, however, reading verses 24-49 as well.

The apostle Paul, in 1st Timothy 4:12, tells us to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

For ministers of God as well as the flock it is IMPORTANT always to keep this in mind – for those who do not believe – you might be the closest they will ever be to the glorious soon-coming Kingdom of God.

While so many Christians feel compelled to make sure the “gloom and doom” messages outweigh any solutions offered – and maybe they do this because of control – if we, as true Christians, focus on the positives of God’s truth and hope in this darkened world – then God’s Way of light will shine forth upon the negatives.

Brethren, we have been blessed with the Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14; 47:4; 48:17; Psalm 19:14; Luke 1:68; Romans 3:23-24; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:7, 13-14; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 9:11-12) – the Holy One of Israel! And He will also bless us with the tools to combat this world’s negativity and to model the abundant life which He came to give us! – cf. John 10:10.

The ANSWER is found through JESUS CHRIST!

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

What Is Grace?

 by Guy C. LaMar

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast.” – Eph. 2:8-9.

The Apostle Paul urges us, “Test [or rather, PROVE] all things; hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

“’ To the law and to the testimony!’” says the LORD God – the very family of God; which at this moment consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – through the Prophet Isaiah. “’ If they do not speak according to this word [the Word of God; Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4], it is because there is no light in them.” – Isaiah 8:20.

Now, just what IS sin!? What is God’s definition of what SIN is!? “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, AND SIN IS LAWLESSNESS” – 1 John 3:4.

So, since this is what sin is – then the BREAKING OF GOD’S LAW IS SIN!

Satan the Devil and his ministers (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) have been CONFUSING the true meaning of grace in the majority of mankind’s minds!

Sadly, this whole world – according to God’s living word – has been DECEIVED! – Revelation 12:9; 20:3.

So, just what IS grace!?

Grace is Favor, Kindness, and MERCY. It is a DIVINE MERCY OR FORGIVENESS!

Grace is FORGIVENESS! Grace is a PARDON! Grace is MERCY!

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15) What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” – Romans 6:14-15.

Here, a lot of people use this Scripture to do away with God’s Law (the Ten Commandments) – they say, “Ah! There it is, you’re not under the Law anymore but under grace!” Well, look again at what he says here – he doesn’t say that the law doesn’t have dominion over you, does he!? What does he say!? That “sin shall not have dominion over you.” There's a huge difference there! Sometimes when Paul uses the word “law,” he’s talking about the Old Covenant or the law of the Levites and the temple people – as he is here. He’s talking about that law or that collection of practices that we would normally label under the umbrella as the Old Covenant. We’re under grace – we’re under the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, under the priesthood of forgiveness, hope, help, and love. And you know, that’s what we should do to people. I believe Paul is speaking of the law of the Old Covenant, or the law of the Levites and the temple elite - here.

“Therefore, just as through one man sin [Adam] entered the world, and DEATH [the death penalty] through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned ─” – Romans 5:12.

Now, I feel we should be reminded here of this - some Protestant groups misinterpret, they misapply, they misrepresent the term ‘God’s grace,’ and they make it into the incorrect concept of ‘once saved always saved’ – of which they call “eternal security.” You know, “Give your heart to the Lord, and it’s all said and done!” Well, that’s not correct! Many ministers from the outreaches of the churches of God continue to avoid or detour completely around God's holy grace because they think the word "grace" sounds too Protestant. And yet, the term ‘God’s grace’ – my friends, we have no chance unless God is gracious to us! Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ forever be praised - Amen!

“For the wages of sin is death, but …” – and we always quote this first part here – ‘THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH!’ That is certainly true. But look at the second part of this – I want to focus on that part here. “ … the gift of God is eternal life [through] Christ Jesus our Lord.” That is the grace that God gave! That is the glory of God being expressed through His love – through Jesus Christ – by giving us His Son! ‘ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!’

Sadly, every human being has – because of our very nature of hostility against the LORD God and Their commands (see Rom. 8:7) – has been convicted of sinning and breaking the LORD God’s commands – summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS! And, the penalty is DEATH! – Rom. 6:23. Our Lord Jesus Christ DIED in order to PARDON OUR PAST SINS! – Rom. 5:8.

UNMERITED GRACE is the ultimate mercy of the LORD God – the unearned, undeserving PARDON of our great and loving God when we properly and completely repent of our past sins.

“In Him [our Lord Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” – Eph. 1:7.

GRACE, then, is the LORD God’s loving willingness to FORGIVE US of our past sins!

Even before the ink was dry on the pages of the New Testament, Almighty God inspired the Apostle Jude to write, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” – the keeping of the TEN COMMANDMENTS and ACKNOWLEDGMENT that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Master! “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God [God the Father] and our Lord Jesus Christ” – Jude 1:3-4.

This, remember, was a prophecy of many centuries ago! The Apostle Jude went on to describe these ungodly men as those who were resentful and hostile toward any government, the laws of any government, and any in authority.

“Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, REJECT AUTHORITY, and speak evil of dignitaries” – Jude 1:8.

What is in the minds of the majority of professing Christians concerning their relationship with God today?

It is simply – they have been convinced that a person should live a “righteous life.” They have been taught that they have been a “sinner” – which usually means “a person who has lived an unrighteous life.” And, to the majority, an “unrighteous life” is merely participating in and having various “worldly” habits, and interests – such as attending a movie theatre, dancing, music, drinking alcohol, or gambling. It may even include various trends and fads of clothing. There are literally THOUSANDS of categories in the minds of men which constitute their definition of SIN. However, whether it involves a lifestyle choice, habits, indulgences, or “worldly acts” – the majority of professing Christians would say that conversion, to them, means “living for God.” That it means living a “good life,” rather than an “bad life.” It means to “do good” rather than to “do bad.”

So, in vague terms, the majority of professing Christians realize that there must be a certain change in their life when they “repent” or “give their heart to the Lord.” To most – GRACE is the state of a Christian who is “living for God”! Grace has come to falsely mean A CONDITION of the INDIVIDUAL, rather than A QUALITY OF THE LORD GOD!

In other words, instead of properly understanding the true meaning of GRACE as revealed to us in God’s living word, the majority come to believe that GRACE is merely a biblical term that vaguely means that the Christian is “eternally saved.”

Have you ever been clear on this subject!? Have you been able to discover, in your Bible, your beliefs regarding your present state!? Have you been able to prove – beyond a shadow of a doubt – the true meaning of just what is SIN!?

Let’s clear the cobwebs! Let’s not be confused anymore! Let’s come to properly understand!

What Is Repentance?

“ … ‘REPENT, and let every one of you be baptized. … REPENT therefore and be converted, …’” – Acts 2:38; 3:19. To be converted means to be CHANGED!

And, this CHANGE of which the LORD God speaks is far from any vague sort of change. It means a complete and total change, a change in direction, a change that the LORD God requires in every facet of our lives! Our Lord Jesus Christ says to us, “ … ‘ unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’” – Luke 13:3. And He said it twice for grave IMPORTANCE!

To repent means to be deeply and heartfelt broken up over having sinned! Of having disobeyed the living CREATOR OF ALL LIFE! The Apostle Peter continued, “ … ‘ that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.’”

Certainly, nearly everyone knows that our Savior, Jesus Christ, was tortured and died for the express purpose of taking upon Himself our sins!? Certainly, we all know this, as a matter of basic Christianity 101, that a sinner must call upon God to apply the sacrifice of Jesus in order to forgive sins!? Sadly, a large majority do not! Catholics, as an example, will repent to Mary. Or, if there is a priest available, they will repent to their priest.

King David, experiencing a real depth of repentance cried out unto God, “’ Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.’” – Psalm 51:1-2.

King David was calling for the UNMERITED MERCY of God! He was pleading to God to extend GRACE because of his past sins. Later, King David says, “’ Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.’” – Psalm 119:97.

So, when you REPENT – you are repenting of having SINNED AGAINST THE LORD GOD! And to repent from sin means not only to be completely and totally broken up over having sinned – it also means to come to a deep determination, with the glorious help from the Spirit of God, to NOT SIN AGAIN!

Let us never forget just what is sin. “ … sin is lawlessness.” – 1 John 3:4.

WHEN you have heartfelt repented and been forgiven by the LORD God, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13) And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves TO GOD as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness TO GOD. 14) For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under GRACE” – Romans 6:12-14.

Do you understand!?

A truly repentant person is someone who is truly SORRY that he has sinned against the LORD God!

It means that the person is totally convicted of having broken the relevant and very holy COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and has now determined, with the loving help of God’s Spirit, never to break the COMMANDMENTS OF GOD again.

What the Apostle Paul is speaking of here, “you are not under the law,” means that you are not under the penalty of the law. He did not mean that we are not under the obedience to the law.

Recall, he says to us, “ … I would not have known sin except through the law. …” – Romans 7:7. To obey the law is to be “within the law.” To sin, to disobey the LORD God is to be “under the law.” Capiche?

Why do you think that the majority of professing Christians DO NOT KNOW the truth in regards to “grace,” “justification,” “sanctification,” “redemption,” “conversion,” “dedication,” “confirmation,” and other religious sounding terms!?

Well, to be FRANK, it is because there has been a GREAT DECEPTION by Satan the Devil to deliberately confuse these terms in the mind of mankind – keeping the precious Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God obscured behind DARKNESS!

To a great many peoples, JUSTIFICATION just means the same as GRACE. The majority of our peoples believe that “once justified” they are “once saved always saved.” But this is simply NOT TRUE.

Again, let us always turn to the SOURCE OF TRUTH – God Almighty!

“(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified).” – Romans 2:13.

It is just as God Almighty says! It is ONLY those who not only hear, but those who also DO and KEEP the holy laws of God, just as our Savior, Jesus Christ says, “’ Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom [from] heaven; but whoever DOES and TEACHES them, he shall be called great in the kingdom [from] heaven.’” – Matthew 5:19.

The LORD God will not save a single being who will not OBEY THEM!

Those who God the Father is calling out of this world, who have come to stand in awe, respect, and righteous fear of the holy immutable LAW OF GOD, and who now realizes has been convicted of sin in the sight of His LAW, have repented of breaking His LAW, shall be – as the result of their heartfelt repentance – justified.

Justification is not a permanent “condition” of a Christian. It has to do with the removal and forgiveness of past guilt.

The Eternal God plainly tells us that the works of the law – any law; whether HIS TEN COMMANDMENTS or civil laws – will not justify anyone. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from deeds of the law.” – Romans 3:28.

Now, the LORD God did not say that it is the doing of the law that people can be justified. It is those who are willing to DO His holy immutable and relevant LAW who are now eligible for such justification.

Justification comes as the LORD God’s FREE AND LOVING GIFT, through the quality of God which is called GRACE. Notice –

“being justified FREELY by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:24.

Yet, neither justification nor grace is a “condition” of a Christian which shall be perpetually to him or her.

The Apostle Paul, foreseeing this confusion and the deliberate deception to hide the living TRUTH of this doctrine, went on to say, “whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance [His loving GRACE] God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” – Romans 3:25.

So, grace is not some permanent condition of a Christian. It is the glorious quality of the LORD God – expressed toward a REPENTANT sinner who now realizes their guilt before the LAW OF GOD, and now wants ─ with all their heart, soul, and mind ─ to obey ALMIGHTY GOD!

Neither justification nor grace comes by the works of the law.

Rather, God’s living word clearly shows us that the LORD God will extend His unmerited PARDON, GRACE, to those who have been completely and heartfelt REPENTANT unto the family of God because they have disobeyed.

They are now PARDONED to begin OBEYING!

Once an individual has made this resolve in their mind, the LORD God says that such an individual can be justified.

“For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT OF GOD, 9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10.

We are the handiwork of God, created as new creatures, once we have been converted “in Christ Jesus” for the express purpose of living every word of God! And, living by every word of God means living IN OBEDIENCE to HIS HOLY LAW! Living in humility. Living a “good life” ─ but it is the LORD God who tells us what a “good life” is.

And the LORD God tells us by the perfect EXAMPLE of the life of Jesus Christ! He OBEYED PERFECTLY all of His Father’s Commandments!

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

Our Lord Jesus Christ, by ‘committing no sin,’ OBEYED ALL OF GOD’S TEN COMMANDMENTS. He set all of us an example to follow!

God’s holy and immutable Law MUST BE OBEYED!

Our Lord Jesus plainly tells us, “ … ‘ if you want to enter into life [eternal life], keep the commandments.’” – Matthew 19:17.

The Apostle Paul says, “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” – Romans 7:12.

And, he went on to say, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. … 16) If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.” – verses 14, 16.

Here is the New English Translation of verse 16 – “But if I am doing what I do not desire to do, I agree with the law that it is good.”

“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.” – verse 22.

“I thank God ─ through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” – verse 25.

A brother to our Lord Jesus, the Apostle James says, “If you fulfill the royal law according to the Scriptures, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; 9) but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10) For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” – James 2:8-10.

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4) He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, IS A LIAR, and the truth is not in him.” – 1 John 2:3-4.

So, GRACE is being granted forgiveness of our past sins – our past transgressions against GOD’S TEN COMMANDMENTS!

Simply put ─ grace is the LORD God’s mercy due to an individual repenting of breaking God’s Law. Sin is the breaking of God’s Law. God’s Law is God’s Way. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect example as to how to live within His Law.

When you think of GRACE ─ think of Christ Jesus! □

May Stats - 2023

GREETINGS TO ALL OUR BRETHREN AND FRIENDS: It's the beginning of a brand new month! June '23! Here are the analytics for last month for the www.owensborocojc.com website! Thank you all for your generous love and support in proclaiming worldwide the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God!

Again, if you would like to volunteer in proclaiming the glorious gospel message with the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, please contact Minister Leonard Johnson at mcbrian1966@gmail.com. Be sure to use the word Church as the subject so that we don't accidentally miss it!

Again, we thank you for your love, support, and great warmth in this worldwide work of the Eternal our God.

In Jesus' holy name,

www.owensborocojc.com. 

Locations

Systems

Traffic

Top Five Articles of Last Month

● Look To Jesus - Chapter One

● To Jesus Be the Glory - Chapter Two (Sermon)

● Christmas - Chapter One

● Letter to our Friends - May 6, 2023

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

The COJCOM's YouTube channel (Please Subscribe and give a thumbs-up, and ring the notification bell on our channel) had 48 views in the month of May '23! 75% less than Apr 1-30, 2023. Also, our channel had 3.6 watch time (hours). 83% less than Apr 1-30, 2023.

Our Top Three Sermons In This Period

● The Kingdom of God Is At Hand     25.6%

● Armageddon                                       9.3%

● Real Repentance                                0.5%

Again, thank you all for your continued love, support, and warmth in proclaiming unto "all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things" that our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded.

In Jesus' name,

www.owensborocojc.com

Commentary: Religiosity

by Guy LaMar

The LORD God established the languages that we speak.

The LORD God understands our speaking languages.

Along with our mental thoughts. The LORD God – the family of God, which at this moment consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – knows what one means and is saying when they speak.

A person with any speech impediments is just as clear to the Eternal our God as a proficient speaker.

So do not think for one second that grabbing hold of Hebrew names in this modern 21st century or even a 3000-year-old ancient language will somehow be more righteous and holy.

In truth, acknowledgment of how one says the name of God in the Hebrew language has no record going back some 5,000 years ago. And, even 3,000 years ago only has a guesstimate. 

In truth, the LORD God knows all languages – even in this 21st century. The LORD God established all languages. Our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ know who is calling upon Them – in any language!

Deaf people are heard by the LORD God as loud and boisterous as anyone else.

So, these “sacred name” groups are nothing more than people who are trying to limit the Eternal our God’s divine capabilities and awesome power.

This new movement of these “sacred name” groups is nothing more than a bunch of religiosity on steroids – so to speak. It’s simply a case of people trying to be too religious. And calling themselves “righteous” because of the sounds made from their mouth.

It is foolish trying to limit the Eternal Creator God in Their awesome power in understanding all languages.

It’s like some men get a sense of religiosity over growing their beards long. In the ’40s and ’50s among men, which was perhaps the era of the most disciplined of people in modern history, in American society, scruffy beards were looked upon as a person lacking proper grooming discipline due to laziness.

But now, in this modern era of religiosity and showy appearance, anything goes – including unkept and scruffy beards on men. It’s all a bunch of nonsense. Where men have long scruffy beards and women cut their hair short – such as a pixie cut.

I grow a beard from time to time, but it is not a religious statement by any means.

It’s when a person makes long scruffy beards a religious statement that it becomes just silly.

It’s like the Orthodox Jewish men growing their beards long. They grow these silly beards, and they grow their payots (sideburns) extra long. Or the Hasidic Jewish men wearing their black Russian-looking shtreimel and a tallit. And, like the Catholics, they pray their repetitive prayers.

God’s living word teaches us that we are not supposed to wear a covering – a hat – when we are speaking with the LORD God. Notice –

“Every man who has a covering on his head when he is praying or prophesying puts his Head [the Lord Jesus Christ] to shame” – 1 Corinthians 11:4, NET.

Now, that is not to say that the LORD God can’t hear our prayer because we might have a hat upon our heads. But, it is a sign of DISRESPECT to the Lord our God – the living Jesus Christ!

Sadly, these modern-day so-called Christians that practice Judeo-Christianity are nothing more than modern-day Pharisees or Sadducees.

They are bastardizing the LORD God’s true religion.

The name of God is THE FATHER. GOD IS OUR FATHER!

The name of His Son and our Elder Brother is JESUS. This is the holy name that the Anglo-Saxon-speaking peoples use to identify the living Son of God, our Savior, the Christ.

Let us always STAY WITH THE TRUNK OF THE TREE! Don’t go out on limbs or twigs. Keep the simplicity of Christ our main focus in life. Keep JESUS CHRIST the center point of all things in your life! He is the Director. He is the Producer. He is the Author. He is the Beginning and Finisher of our faith. He is the All of Everything to true Christians.

True Christians do not limit the Eternal God to words, languages, or phrases.

Yet sadly, a large majority of our peoples in this world continue to dress or speak in a certain way in order to make themselves appear more righteous and showy.

The LORD God is the Alpha and Omega of our religion. The LORD God is at the heart of our mindset, our thinking, and our activities as to whether we are on the correct path or not.

Too often a good and faithful servant of the LORD our God can get off-track by becoming overly religious. And, when they become overly religious they begin to lose sight of the MOST IMPORTANT thing – true love for others. They become cynical, and judgmental and begin attacking at every opportunity others who might lack and understand things that they think one should.

AS TRUE CHRISTIANS WE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL IN HOW WE VIEW OTHERS!

Do not ever try and cram our religion down other people’s throats.

Do not try to win people over with “good arguments,” we should win others over with our good examples. Be nurturing, loving, uplifting, kind, and understanding – instead of bashing them over the head for something they cannot know.

This is the main reason why I refuse to “get in line” with these worldly churches in this present evil age.

They busy themselves bashing people over the head with their judgmental Louisville Slugger instead of having true compassion, mercy, and concern for them.

Now, this doesn’t mean that we should be a pushover.

True Christians should have a great amount of discipline and self-control. It’s vitally important that discipline is on self, and not trying to be pushy upon others.

Be always THANKFUL and ACKNOWLEDGE the glorious blessings that the LORD God has called you!

We must have pity, mercy, and concern for all others.

Yet, it is only God THE FATHER, who calls people unto His living Word, Truth, and Plan.

Our Christian duty in part with this calling is that we are to be a light unto the world. Which means to let our light shine brightly through good examples, good words, and by how we represent ourselves to others.

God’s living word clearly teaches us that we are to be kind in our response to being asked – “What do you believe!?”

We should not be prideful, bombastic, or authoritative towards others who do not understand what we have been blessed to understand. There is no value in insulting others and attacking others for their lack of understanding. In fact, it only makes us a religious snob if we attack others as though we know something they don’t by holding it over their heads. Religious snobs will NEVER win people over to the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God.

Let us always LOOK TO JESUS!

Let us always look to how He handled others and He presented TRUTH to others.

The “religious snobs” tend to be scared to be around others due to their fear. Their fear that other people will influence their group away from them.

But, if you are a good steward and on guard, then you will prevent such a thing in a kind and respectful manner. And will certainly help the one you believe is trying to influence others away to find the true Light of Christ.

Remember, our Lord Jesus Christ kept company with prostitutes, criminals, and demon-possessed individuals, and certainly came across homosexuals. In truth, every person that was ever around Him was a sinner!

But, pay close attention to how He handled people. It all boils down to… L O V E!!!!! Deep compassion and concern for others! Kindness.

And, all the fruits of the Spirit were on full display within JESUS! And His Way is the way we are seeking to be!

Showing to all mankind ─ love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

This is where our mindset IS TO BE! □

Additional Commentaries

Becoming a God - The reason that I bring this up is that I too in my youth thought this was a mighty bold statement. “Oh,” I would think, “the audacity! The unmitigated gall!” Since that time, I have grown substantially in the loving grace and knowledge of the Eternal God. [...]

Evil Mock's God's Truth - We must be careful with whom we share God's living truth. Evil will mock and insult YOU along with God's truth!

Let NOTHING Get In the Way of Jesus! - THE point is: that it is a struggle to NOT allow the snares of this world - things that are material - to get in the way of JESUS!

Letter to our Friends - May 6, 2023

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES

We are based upon the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God

P.O. BOX 6458

SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34606

www.owensborocojc.com

Leonard V. Johnson 

Pastor and Founder

Greetings Friends this early morning from my desk here in Spring Hill, Florida:

We hope and pray that you have had spiritually uplifting weeks since our last letter.

I’ve been busy working on additional audio articles for our brethren and friends around the world. We currently have over 7 hours of audio articles and audio booklets available on our Soundcloud Radio channel.

Mother’s Day

The national holiday of Mother’s Day is approaching us here in the US on the 14th of May! A day to honor the mother of the family, or an individual who is a mother, and even motherhood itself.

The LORD our God’s commandments include the honoring of our parents. God’s holy 5th commandment is about honoring as well as dishonoring. The 5th commandment, from the very living word of the Eternal our God, states ─

“’ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you’” – Exodus 20:12.

The vast majority of our peoples only view this as laying out a proper and respectful relationship between our parents. And this is true. But there is more to this commandment than most realize or understand. It’s also a two-fold command.

Our First Parents Dishonored Their Parent

Adam is called “the son of God” in the New Testament!

And, when it came to creating human beings – men and women – they who were created in the very image and likeness of God ─

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” – Genesis 1:26-27.

So, there is no excuse not to know – God created animals after the animal kind. He created trees after the tree kind. But He created humans after His own image and likeness – after the God kind.

Friends, this greatest news anyone could ever see or hear on this planet was revealed by God to me now four decades and two years ago!

As shocking as all of this sounds, the very reason that when you and I look into a mirror and have the very image and likeness of God is because we were actually created to be part of the Family of God and to live with Him for all eternity!

Adam was a son of God by His direct hand! So, when Adam and Eve sinned, they dishonored their Parent.

Adam not only dishonored God ─ the Elohim; the family of God, consisting at this present time of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ ─ they also broke the commandments of God. “For whoever shall keep the whole law [speaking of the Ten Commandments], and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” – James 2:10. Eve placed the vile and lying words of this enchanting whisperer (called the serpent – because you are who God says you are) high above the living word of our Creator! Breaking yet another commandment ─ the 1st commandment.

For the LORD our God says ─

“ … ‘ Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed’” – 1 Samuel 2:30.

Our first parents did not honor the LORD God.

They broke yet another commandment by stealing something that they had no authorization to take ─ “So when the woman saw that the tree [the tree of the knowledge of good and evil] was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and tree desirable [lust and covetousness] to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate” – Genesis 3:6.

They broke all ten of the commandments! And, as it was nearly six thousand years ago ─ dishonoring our parents can lead to a great many problems.

“’ Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you’” – Deuteronomy 5:16.

The name Deuteronomy is from a Greek translation meaning “second law.” All TEN COMMANDMENTS are repeated in the 5th chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy.

Minister Michael C. Garrett on the 5th commandment ─

“ … this is the one commandment that has a promise as a part of it. “…’ that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.’” – and I think by extension, honor all of the people in your family. And then go out another ring – honor all of the people who are close friends. Show those people honor, particularly your parents and your grandparents.”

I was there standing by her side when my Mother took her last breath – April 12th, 2013. It took a lot out of my wife and me taking care of her towards the end, but I wouldn’t trade that for the honor we showed Mother. “’ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.’”

It’s a tangible benefit to keep this holy and righteous commandment – as well as all His commandments!

A disobedient child is a frustrated child as that child’s mind is often troubled with feelings of guilt and rebellion. Children who love, honor, and obey their parents are truly blessed.

Also, it is truth, that those who come from a more stable family are less likely to be involved in violent crime.

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child

Interesting fact: Children can learn to tell lies from an early age, usually around 3 years of age. Children do not naturally know how to do right. They MUST be taught.

According to a developmental model of lying first proposed by Victoria Talwar and Kang Lee, children around the age of 2 to 3 years begin by telling primary lies that are designed to conceal transgressions but fail to take the mental state of the listener into consideration. Around the age of 4, children learn to tell secondary lies which are more plausible and geared to the listener's mental development. By age 7 or 8, children learn to tell tertiary lies which are more consistent with known facts and follow-up statements. 1

Boy, I can tell you a whopper of a lie that came from our nine-year-old niece a few months ago, which got her in some trouble! Somehow I don’t think it was a very well-thought-out tertiary lie, however. She was questioned on why it was that a freshly made homemade chocolate sucker was missing from the kitchen cabinet. And her tale was: As I was passing by, it just jumped in front of me and landed on the floor. It was damaged, so I threw it away. 😆

Mysteriously, some forty-five minutes later, after being sent to her room to think about it, the “damaged” chocolate sucker was back on the kitchen counter ─ with a bite taken out of it!

Those that follow and obey God’s living word – the Holy Bible – also realize that it also teaches parents to intentionally teach their children. Notice what His living word says immediately after Prophet Moses reiterated the Ten Commandments ─

“’ And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8) You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9) You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates’” – Deuteronomy 6:6-9.

Many Jews take this literally. In fact, my wife and I had a good friend – who was living in North Carolina – who had affixed a mezuzah to his doorpost in his belief of what Deuteronomy 6:9 says. And, because of their living so deeply in the Old Covenant, they will never see the Light of Almighty God, our Lord Jesus says – “’ Woe to you, BLIND guides, …’”!

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” – Proverbs 22:6.

Children who learn to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God will certainly learn what is right and acceptable to not only the LORD our God but to society in general.

Parents should also correctly discipline their children. God’s living word teaches ─

“Don’t fail to correct your children. They won’t die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death [sheol, meaning the grave]” – Proverbs 23:13-14, NLT.

Minister Michael C. Garrett on Mother’s Day ─

I think every day should be Mother’s Day. Because I think everyday people should honor their mothers and their grandmothers. And I think every day should be Father’s Day – not just once a year. But I think it should be for the entire year every day – 365/24/7. Because literally if it weren’t for these two people in combination - you and I would never have existed. So we literally owe them our lives! In a secondary nature to God the Father and Jesus Christ, we owe them an awful lot. Now, some parents are easier to honor. Some grandparents are easier to honor. And, sad to say, some parents are harder to honor. But to the best of your ability that should be your attitude.

Now, this is a Wikipedia article –

“Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of family as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world. Most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father’s Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparent’s Day.

In the United States celebration of Mother’s Day began in the early 20th century. It is not related to the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years.” …

… the United States was the trendsetter – as it were – in the modern incarnation of Mother’s Day.

“As adopted by other countries and cultures, the holiday has different meanings, is associated with different events, (religious, historical, or legendary), and is celebrated on different dates. In some cases, countries already had existing celebrations honoring motherhood, and their celebrations simply adopted several external characteristics from the U.S. holiday, such as giving carnations and other presents to one another. The extent of the celebrations varies greatly. In some countries, it is potentially offensive to one’s mother not to mark Mother’s Day. In others, it is a little-known festival celebrated mainly by immigrants or covered by the media as a taste of foreign culture.”

And then it says –

Religion. “In the Roman Catholic Church, the holiday is strongly associated with revering the Virgin Mary. In some Catholic homes, families have a special shrine devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In many Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a special prayer service is held in honor of the Theotokos Virgin Mary.”

… Just something to think about.”

(Garrett, M.C., Christ In You (Unleavened Bread – Day 7) – 2017 “VIDEO” 25 April 2019).

The Throne of King David

St Edward's Crown, the Orb, the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, the Sovereign's Sceptre with Dove, and the Sovereign's Ring

Today the official coronation of King Charles III is scheduled. Does King Charles sit on the throne of King David!?

Notice some prophecies in relation to the throne of David ─

“’ But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD forever’” – 1 Kings 2:45.

“ … ‘ Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, you will sit on the throne of David, you and your servants and your people who enter these gates!’” – Jeremiah 22:2.

The Davidic covenant. If you are on King David’s throne you are of David’s lineage. It was a royal lineage – which would never cease and was promised to King David in perpetuity.

Let us turn and look at this prophecy - “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, …” – now, of course, the LORD – through the prophet Isaiah – was referring to the Davidic covenant. Remember when the LORD God asked the prophet Nathan to go tell King David, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Would you build a house for Me to dwell in?’” “Also the LORD tells you [King David] that He will make you a house.” And, the LORD continues – “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed [your lineage] after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13) He [referring to King Solomon] shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom FOREVER’” – 2 Samuel 7:4, 11, 12, 13.

Verse 15 – “’ But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16) and your house and your kingdom shall be established FOREVER before you. Your throne shall be established FOREVER.’”

“’ For thus says the Lord: ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel’” – Jeremiah 33:17.

The above Scriptures make it clear that the throne of King David is forever. That kingly line did not end in the time of King Zedekiah, as we read about in the Chronicles of the kings of Israel and Judah. Rather we, of course, know the historical record of where the prophet Jeremiah took King Zedekiah’s daughter, Tea Tephi, to Ireland where she founded a line of Davidic kings that has continued down to this day. 2

Now, there are some people that are scowling and asserting that Jeremiah chapter 33, verse 17 doesn’t mean that anyone will actually sit on a physical throne, only that there will be a person available to be on the throne. Well, let us recall the following ─

“’ The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people’” – Genesis 49:10.

So, God’s living word shows us that this scepter came to King David of the kingdom of Israel (remember, the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah were once one kingdom) when he became ruler of the House of Israel (note: Numbers 24:17; 2nd Samuel 8:2). Now, again, there are a great many of our peoples that scowl and assert that the British Royal family can not possibly be holding the scepter because, as they claim, the “Until Shiloh comes” means our Lord Jesus’ first coming. Not His second coming. However, they are in error for several different reasons. Here are three ─

• If that were the case, then where were the kings between Zedekiah (the last king of Judah) and our Lord Jesus!? As we know, there were none.
• During His first coming, our Lord Jesus said that His kingdom was yet future. Notice John 18:36 – “’ My kingdom is not of this world. …’” So, of course, He did not assume the throne of His kingdom then. Our critics of what they call British-Israelism do not properly understand and they wrongly rationalize away a great many of God’s holy Scriptures for their own reasoning. Truly, truly, our Lord and Savior ─ the soon-coming King of kings and Lord of lords will sit upon the throne of David at the beginning of His millennial reign in the kingdom of God on this EARTH!
• Let us also note that Genesis 49:10 has indeed to do with the glorious and powerful second coming of our Lord Jesus – because nowhere have we seen the “obedience of the people”! And, even if our critics claim that it is only speaking about modern-day Israel (which, of course, it isn’t), even today modern-day Israel participates in worshiping false gods, such as the idolatry of Mother Mary worship!

So, true to the living word of the Eternal One, there has been a royal succession from Judah’s line after King Zedekiah!

Also ponder this: through the Prophet Nathan, the LORD our God made a remarkable promise to our beloved King David, as I mentioned earlier ─

“Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I dwell in the house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.’

Then Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.’ But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, … ‘When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom FOREVER. … But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established FOREVER before you. Your throne shall be established FOREVER’” – 2 Samuel 7: 1-4, 12-13, 15-16.

Notice here that the LORD our God uses the word “forever” three separate times! Now, the last time I checked, and have been taught my whole life that forever means forever, also that the word “forever” is from the Hebrew word ‘ôlām, meaning “everlasting, forever, eternity.”

The throne of King David was to be established FOREVER ─ and it exists TODAY! And this throne is the very throne that our Lord Jesus Christ will return to sit upon!

The holy and inspired word of the Eternal One clearly and plainly teaches us that someone was to sit upon that throne from the time of King Zedekiah (a contemporary of Jeremiah), who was the last king of the kingdom of Judah, until the glorious and powerful return of Jesus Christ!

This “throne of King David” was indeed properly understood and taught in the Church Age of the first century:

“’ And behold, [so says the archangel Gabriel to Mary], you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord GOD will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob [the house of Jacob being Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Including Joseph’s two sons Ephraim and Manasseh] FOREVER, and of His kingdom there will be no end’” – Luke 1:31-33.

“So Jesus said to them [to His disciples], ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on TWELVE THRONES, judging the twelve tribes of Israel’” – Matthew 19:28.

They knew that there was going to be a time of renewal, a regeneration, a palingensia.

And so, according to the very words of the Eternal our God, until the return of our Lord Jesus, someone needs to sit upon the throne of King David ─ and the British Royal Family's lineage has had an occupant upon the throne to this very day!

And, as I am typing this up, King Charles III, officially, is sitting upon the throne of King David!

Suggested Sabbath Day Service

Here is our suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and friends around the world:

• TWO songs of praise. (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, is suggested, there is some Instrumental Accompaniment to the Bible Hymnal available on our website).

• Opening prayer.

• Announcements – from the deacon or pastor.

• Sermon – from the pastor or guest speaker. The one suggested for this week is “Where Are We Headed?”

• Closing song.

• Closing prayer.

In case you do not receive a ‘Letter to our Friends’ for any week, remember that there are many sermon messages on the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries’ BitChute channel, as well as our Soundcloud Radio channel.

Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy

A growing number of Judaic Christians and one in particular has told us in regards to our audio articles, “IF you have to edit the sound to make it "SOUND MORE AUTHENTIC" then your [sic] using "AI" instead of your own sounding voice...” Also, a small group of Hasidic Jews is declaring it to be wrong to ever use the artificial intelligence (“AI”) program which is called ChatGPT (See: ‘Israel365 News - Hasidic rabbis rule: ChatGPT is ‘abomination, heresy, and heathenry without limits’). Even though these AI programs such as what pops up on the search engine Google, “Hi, I’m your Bing. Your AI-powered co-pilot for the web.” It’s certainly annoying! ─ are biased, their proper use is not prohibited by true Christians. As I posted in our last Letter to our Friends, “After much prayer and fasting, we have decided to utilize a speech synthesis generator to create voiceovers for audio articles for many of our articles along with audio booklets for many of our online booklets.” It was truly the LORD God who led us in this direction.

In Ukraine, the proxy war between the US and Russia continues to be even more heating up! Russia claims there was a drone strike against the Kremlin ─ of trying to assassinate the Russian leader Vladimir Putin (See: ‘BBC News - Kremlin drone: Zelensky denies Ukraine attacked Putin or Moscow’). Russia appears to be considering even more severe military action against Ukraine.

The greater part of this world is moving ever closer to a type of “reboot” that will result in a final “time of the Gentiles.” Notice the living words of our Lord Jesus ─

“’ And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And JERUSALEM will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled’” – Luke 21:24.

Both Russia and the European Union want the country of Ukraine and Moldova – and both have applied to be a part of the EU! Certainly, Russia does not like this!

God’s living word teaches that a United States of Europe with the voice of the papacy will expand to the south and the east. Notice this “little horn” written by Minister Michael C. Garrett ─

“Daniel chapter 8, verse 9 – once again we see this ‘little horn’ that represents the papacy – this great religious leader, especially in the end-time – the resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire. “…a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land [or the Holy Land]. 10) and it grew up to the host of Heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11) He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.”

Basically, Israel at the present time is a secular society. But apparently, I have to presume that something will shock that nation – probably some form of attack from her Arab and Islamic neighbors – that will cause the Jewish people of Israel to go back to their roots, they will reinstitute animal sacrifices. And then when this human being who calls himself the ‘Vicar of Christ,’ the so-called great “holy” man that actually dares call himself “Holy Father” – a man who puts on his pants just like you and I and sits on the toilet several times every day. And yet, he will call and say that he’s this great “holy” man! He is going to stop the sacrifices. We find out later that he sits in the “temple” and proclaims that he is God! And that is the ‘abomination that makes desolate.’”

(Garrett, M.C., Prophecy Series - The Final Empire! 2019).

And indeed, while the above had a past fulfillment, this awesome prophecy has a future fulfillment also! The European Union has mainly expanded south and east of the Benelux nations: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, which is where it initially was formed. Now, according to statistics from 2020, some 447.71 million people are under the flag of the European Union! – even though they are not completely united. Ukraine is mainly east of much of the EU. It is geographically, at least partly, of being a part of the EU. And Moldova and Georgia are south and east, which is also consistent.

Another major bank collapsed! The First Republic Bank in the United States of America (See: ‘The New York Times - Another Bank Failure: Are we on the brink of a financial crisis — or has the threat been contained?’). The USA is getting closer to her having to raise the debt ceiling once again. Congress has increased the debt ceiling 78 times since 1960. It currently sits at $31.4 trillion! Note: The debt ceiling caps the amount of money the federal government can borrow to pay its bills. (See: ‘Financial Times - US debt ceiling debacle adds to economists’ fears of turmoil’). One day, coming soon, the US debt will spark the utter destruction of the USA’s sovereignty! Cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8; Daniel 11:39.

Let us always remember to pray, Thy Kingdom come!

Concluding Comments

The prophet Jeremiah wrote the following:

“Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: ‘You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings, ‘ says the LORD. … 10) For the land is full of adulterers” – Jeremiah 23:2, 10.

Minister Garrett wrote:

“God says He will repay them the way they deserve to be repaid. Now, people can say, “To whom is He speaking!?” Is He talking about the physical people of Israel, who have been misled by their false religions!? It’s possible. I think that is part of the implication. But I think it is also referring to the Churches of God – the Body of Christ – and there are in these different organizations pastors who seem more concerned about their own needs, their own sense of power, their own sense of control, than worrying about the spiritual health of people who are a part of their organization. And I do believe every human being who thinks he is a leader in the Body of Christ – you need to read these words very soberly, because if you’re not careful you might be on the receiving end. … “For the land is full of adulterers; …” – Now, I’ve tried pointing out before that the word “adultery,” might, in part, refer to the physical sin of adultery. Sex outside of marriage. Breaking those bonds of loyalty. But, most of the time, not all of the time, when you see words in the Bible such as fornication, adultery, whoring, those types of words, if you read the whole passage, it is God’s pronouncement against people who are engaged in false religion. You see, at one time God married Israel. And when Israel, the people of Israel, leave God and go – in His own terminology – a whoring after other gods and other religions, God looks upon that as the highest form of adultery. Of the betrayal of wedding vows.”

(Notes Regarding The Day of Atonement - Prophetically the Day of the LORD) Shading and underlining for emphasis.

Now, you might very well say to yourself, we don’t have to worry about “adultery” or any false religion. Yet, friends, we are in a world that is now promoting evil as good and good as evil. Their “false gods” (as Mr. Garrett teaches in the sermon series “Toxic Philosophy” – a five-part series) are distorted worldly philosophy and public opinion which continues to rapidly sway further away from Almighty God and Jesus Christ.

With love and gratitude, in Jesus' Name,

1 Psychology Today. Nov. 11, 2013. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201311/when-does-lying-begin. 

2 O’Donovan, J., LL.D., M.R.I.A., Annals: The Kingdom of Ireland, By The Four Masters, V. I, Hodges, Smith, and Co., Grafton. Street, 1856, pp. 31. pdf. Retrieved 5 May 2023.