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

by Leonard V Johnson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will His Second Coming be globally expected?

No.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No. Notice Matthew 24:38-39.

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

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

Again, no.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes.

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

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

Notice Matthew 24:4-7.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes!

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

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

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

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

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

Again, yes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, … 15) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep [meaning, those who are dead in Christ]. 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven [low earth orbit down to the atmosphere] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ WILL RISE first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them IN THE CLOUDS to meet the Lord IN THE AIR. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18) Therefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 15-18.

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

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

ADDITIONAL MORNING BIBLE STUDIES IN THIS SERIES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Morning Bible Study - What Is Repentance?

Leonard V. Johnson    About

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

1) What is sin, defined by the LORD God?

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

Has every human being since Adam sinned?

“Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered the world, and death [the second death; see Revelation 20:14; 21:8] through sin, and thus death [the second death] spread to all men, because all sinned” – Romans 5:12.

Lawlessness against the Government of God!

From the very foundation of the world the LORD God’s Law was given to man – summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS – cf. Romans 4:15!

The transgression of the LORD God’s Law constitutes sin.

What is the ultimate penalty of sin?

“What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death [eternal death]. … 23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 6:21, 23.

The churches of this world teach as doctrine – you’ve all heard it many times – the immortality of the soul. Oh, do they love to talk about the immortality of the soul! And yet, not one place in the Bible can you find that concept! Not one! Now, you can find where Jesus Christ is the only One who has immortality within Him. And, obviously, God the Father has immortality within Him. But as far as us!? You know, Ezekiel 18 two times says, “The soul who sins SHALL DIE.” And, in the Book of Romans 1:32 – “…that those who practice such things are deserving of DEATH, …” Romans 6:16 – talks about a ‘sin leading to death.’ Nothing about immortality!

Romans 7:5 – talks about the ‘motions of sins, which did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto DEATH.’ And then, Romans 8:6 – “For to be carnally minded is DEATH.” I think you get the idea. The Bible, over and over says, if we don’t walk the correct path and have the correct relationship with God, that we are subject to death.

The ultimate penalty is eternal death─ a complete cessation of life forever.

2) Has the LORD God (the family of God, which consists at this present time of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ), in Their infinite mercy and love, provided the Way by which we can avoid paying this ultimate penalty─ eternal death?

“Jesus said to him, ‘I AM the Way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” – John 14:6.

“Nor is there [eternal] salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we MUST be saved” – Acts 4:12.

And of course a most cherished passage─ and it’s a beautiful passage!

“’ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’” – John 3:16.

Again, perish – DEATH!

Our Lord Jesus Christ would become our Atonement – it was prophesied – we often read this during the Passover – or the Lord’s Supper – because it’s such a description of what Jesus endured – Isaiah 53:1-3.

The LORD God’s Master Plan is laid out before us!

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [atonement] for our sins” – 1 John 4:10.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” – Romans 5:8-10.

The LORD God explains to us in 1st Corinthians –

“For since by man [Adam] came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23) BUT EACH ONE IN HIS OWN ORDER: Christ the firstfruits [Our Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF], AFTERWARD those who are Christ’s at His second coming [a first resurrection of the dead – in Christ]. 24) Then comes THE END, …” – 1 Corinthians 15:22-24.

3) How can a person─ no matter where they are on this planet─ have their sins blotted out by our Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice─ be completely forgiven of their transgressions against the Law of God, and be delivered from the ultimate penalty of eternal death?

First, let’s notice –

“But before faith came [speaking of the faith we have in our Lord Jesus Christ], we were kept under guard by the law [the Mosaic Law; the Law of Moses, in which the Ten Commandments is of a separate covenant], kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed [speaking of the New Covenant under our Lord Jesus]. 24) Therefore the law [the Mosaic Law] was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25) but after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26) For you are all [children] of God THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. 27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28) There is neither Jew nor [Gentile], there is neither [bond] nor free, there is neither male nor female; for YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS” – Galatians 3:23-28.

Jesus Christ would come from the descendants of Abraham – through Abraham. And friends, I have to say, that includes all nations. Not just a certain group, nationality, or race of people – but all nations. The apostle Paul next says, “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Those Gentile nations – God’s glorious plan all along was to allow for the Gentile nations to also see the light of Christ. Recall, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined” – Isaiah 9:2. God’s revelation – primarily through the apostle Paul – to all of those Gentile nations.

So, how can a person be completely forgiven of their transgressions against the Law of God, and be delivered from the penalty of death?

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s very first recorded words at the beginning of His ministry state, “’ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” – Mark 1:15.

The apostle Peter, filled with God’s Spirit, unequivocally says─

“ … ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” – Acts 2:38.

“Repent therefore and be converted [be changed through God’s love and graciousness and through His Spirit], that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing [talking about the resurrection and being a part of the Kingdom of God!] may come from the presence of the Lord” – Acts 3:19.

Or, you can continue living under your bubble of a world, with your own belief that if you just live behind an entrance gate you’ll be safe.

“Do not love the world OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. 17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” – 1 John 2:15-17.

You must admit to yourself the true conditions of this present evil age! STOP living in your own little bubble – believing that “things aren’t really that bad!”

Look into God’s spiritual mirror of His living word – and let His words reflect every rotting and putrefying sore you have – every evil, every deception, every resentment, every rebellion, or hostility of your mind and heart.

Then REPENT unto the LORD God!

Just what is real repentance as defined by the LORD God? What does it involve? What must be done in order to repent?

It’s one thing to say to someone, “you’re a sinner.” But it’s another thing to show that person why they are a sinner.

The Greek word for repent is metanoeō, which means “to change any or all of the elements composing one’s life; attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors concerning the demands of God for right living.” 1

True repentance is exactly that. It is a complete about-face from the disobedience against the LORD God in not keeping the Law of God─ summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS. True repentance is far more than just a mere emotional experience or human feeling of remorse. It is “godly sorrow”─ notice –

“’ If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, … 12) I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people’” – Leviticus 26:3, 12.

“Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ 19) So Jesus said to him, … 20) ‘You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ 21) And he said, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth.’ 22) … ‘ … come, follow Me’” – Luke 18:18-22.

“So they said, ‘Believe on the [name] Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household’” – Acts 16:31.

“’ If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that [it] may abide with you forever─ ’” – John 14:15-16.

“Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10.

Sadly, multiple millions of our peoples have been taught that Colossians 2:13-17 is teaching that the Ten Commandments were “nailed to the cross.” Well, He did take something out of the way, nailing it to His cross!─ but, what was it?

What are the ‘wiped out the handwriting of ordinances’!? It’s the Old Covenant. Right here Paul just plainly says, ‘Jesus Christ blotted all of the Old Covenant out.’ Not the Ten Commandments. But the Old Covenant – the old Jewish ideas!

“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16) So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbath’s, 17) which are a shadow of things to come, [but let the Body of Christ judge you]” – Colossians 2:15. 2

Certainly, no man can prove this to you─ this truth from the LORD God is something you must prove to yourself, beyond any shadow of a doubt. We should all be as those people who lived in the ancient city of Berea in Macedonia─ they were “more fair-minded” who “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

What are we to repent of!?

The LORD God says –

“’ But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die [speaking of the second death]’” – Ezekiel 18:21.

“’ Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity [sin; wickedness] will not be your ruin’” – Ezekiel 18:30. 

Change your ways, change the way you think, change the way you act, change the way you speak, change the way you interact with other people, and change the way you interact with God. Just because you go to a church doesn’t mean your pleasing God. The only way you’re going to please God is if you’re doing, believing, and teaching, the things which He says. And that’s very difficult to get people to understand. If you truly want to honor God and to respect God and to love God, then it’s incumbent upon you to know what He actually teaches. And what He believes. And what He wants you to believe.

“’ Cast away from you all the transgressions, …’” – all of your mistakes. Be it mistakes in your own personal life, or whether it’s mistakes in your religious life – like false doctrines, or incorrect doctrines. “…’ and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit’” – Ezekiel 18:31.

Referring to the New Covenant! The New Covenant emphasizes Jesus Christ and the promise of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ being the Head of that Church, the ministry, the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. And it talks about having the Ten Commandments written on your heart and on your mind. And having the Spirit of God within you. And looking forward to the promises of God, the promise of forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life.

The LORD God’s holy commandments show us the Way to peace, prosperity, happiness, and true joy. And they are very much relevant in this 21st-century world! The ever-increasing and worsening evils that humanity is suffering from today are not caused by the Law, but because of the breaking of it!

4) Should true repentance be heartfelt, deep, and moving!?

“’ Now, therefore,’ says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning’” – Joel 2:12.

However, sadly, a great many of our peoples believe that they should practice self-flagellation! The disciplinary and devotional practice of flogging oneself with whips or other instruments that inflict pain.

Our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will not accept those whose “repentance” is merely an outward show. The LORD God continues, “’ So rend your heart, and not your garments.’” Also, there are some who believe that repentance is merely a matter of understanding God’s truth intellectually. None of this is repentance at all. It is self-righteousness.

Every time that you start to think of yourself as doing something really well, you need to remember these words –

“But we are all like an unclean thing, [and at our best; I’m adding editorially] And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; …” – when compared to the might, the grandeur, the power, the righteousness of God the Father and Jesus Christ!

Truly by studying God’s living word─ and allowing our Lord Jesus Christ to lead us in all right understanding─ we begin to see and hear that we fall short of the glory of God! – Romans 3:23. And that we NEED His loving and merciful forgiveness and help.

Yet, how is it possible for a human to come to the kind of repentance that can begin to change one’s life!?

In truth, this repentance must come from the LORD God.

Notice here the living words of the LORD─

… “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, …”

People that conduct themselves this way – in the back of their minds somewhere know that this conduct will not go unpunished. They know about the judgment of Almighty God and Jesus Christ! Now, they may not understand the truth about the judgment of God – but they do know about it.

“ … that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” – Romans 1:18-32.

“But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3) And do you think this, O man [or woman], you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Or do you despise the riches of His [the Lord God’s] goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” – Romans 2:2-4.

And, by the very inspiration of God’s living Spirit, the apostle Paul continues with a promise of the Eternal our God, “Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.” – Romans 2:7.

Now, did you catch that!? A man must seek God’s free gift of immortality!

Why!?

Because it is only God Who has immortality to give. “Which He will manifest in His own time, He Who is the blessed and ONLY POTENTATE, the King of kings and Lord of lords [referring to our Lord Jesus Christ], 16) who ALONE has immortality.” – 1 Timothy 6:15-16.

PRAISE ALMIGHTY GOD THE FATHER!

The LORD God is patient, merciful, and loving in leading one to repentance.

5) So, does true repentance come from the LORD God!?

“in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26) and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” – 2 Timothy 2:25-26.

True repentance involves a complete and unconditional surrender to the LORD God─ placing the family of God above all else! Notice –

“’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38) And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me’” – Matthew 10:37-38.

In other passages, He talks about father and mother, children, lands, country, homes, your job, and your career. If you put anything BEFORE God you are committing a form of idolatry. And all of us – whatever spiritual “works” we’ve been asked to do that’s what we’re supposed to do. And do it to the best of our ability.

The apostle Luke adds – “’ If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple’” – Luke 14:26.

The Greek word hate is miseō, which means “to hate.” The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament helps us better understand the word “hate” and its root meaning. In Hebrew it’s śānē’, which means “hate, to be hateful.”

“The verb śānē’ and its derivatives have the root meaning “to hate.” It expresses an emotional attitude toward persons and things …

There is also a hating on the part of man which is acceptable to God. Man must have an aversion to and depart from evil, hence the Psalmist [King David] says, ‘I have hated the assembly of evildoers’ (Ps 21:5). This hatred is also in diametric opposition to a believer’s trust in the Lord, for the man of God says, ‘I hate them who regard vain idols but I trust in the Lord’ (Ps 31:6).” 3

In essence, if a person does not “hate” the way his unconverted father, mother, wife, children, brothers or sisters, and yes, even the way he himself is living, that person cannot be His disciple. Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly talking about giving one’s life entirely to the LORD God!

6) Did our Lord Jesus clearly say to us that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him?

“’ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day’” – John 6:44.

I can preach until I’m blue in the face and beg people to open their eyes and put aside their fluffy religious garbage, but UNLESS God the Father has called them, then they will NEVER know the REAL JESUS!

And then to make it even clearer─

“’ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and [ordained] you that you should go and bear fruit, …’” – John 15:16.

No, you didn’t pick the LORD God. You didn’t set out on your quest for God! If you ever did sort of, “I’m gonna look into the Bible!” It was God that put the motivation in you! Somewhere on that trip, He put you into contact with human beings or literature that had been produced by His people, by His Church, and that kept the process going and gave you the fuel to continue to learn.

7) How can YOU know that YOU truly repented before the LORD God?

“’ Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” – Matthew 3:8.

God provides all true Christians with the WILLPOWER, the FAITH OF CHRIST, and MOTIVATION to do His good pleasure. God the Father and Jesus Christ have gone to great lengths to provide the grace – the unmerited favor of Their divine mercy – to help Their begotten children to succeed in their calling. But They expect results!

At John the Baptist’s preaching, the people began to ask him, “What shall we do then.” In other words, “What is this─ bearing fruits worthy of repentance?” And he answered them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” He also told the tax collectors who came to be baptized, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” He also told the soldiers, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely and be content with your wages.” Such actions were fruits worthy of repentance.

Spiritually what are these fruits!? The fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the attributes] is love [godly love], joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. … 25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” – Galatians 5:22-23, 25.

“but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” – Acts 26:20.

Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that a person who truly repented bears the fruits of the Spirit of God─

“’ You will know them by their fruits. 17) Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire’” – Matthew 7:16, 17-19.

Verse 20 translated from the NLT – “’ Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.’”

That is the kind of repentance the LORD God will accept – that is the Way you must repent.

I pray that the LORD God will grant YOU repentance. □

1) Strong, J., LL.D., S.T.D., #3340 metanoeō – The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Zondervan, © 2001, pp. 1626.

2) Verses 16-18 do not abolish the dietary laws of clean and unclean meats, the festivals or the weekly Sabbath of God. Rather, Paul is clearly affirming that the Gentiles in Colosse were to continue to observe these commandments as they had been taught. Paul was instructing the Colossians to disregard the criticisms and harsh judgments of those outside the Church, because the observance of these days are a continuing foreshadow of the things that are yet to come in God’s Plan. By being faithful and keeping these commandments of God, they would always be worshiping the true God, be built up in Jesus Christ and never lose the understanding of God’s Plan. By true repentance to God the Father and Jesus Christ, they would not be deceived by vain philosophies of men, nor would they be seduced into the worship of fallen angels ─ Satan and his demons. The Holy Bible In Its Original Order A New English Translation by Fred R. Coulter. York Publishing Co., 2007, 2009, pg. 1199.

3) Harris L. R., Archer, L. Gleason, Jr., and Waltke K. Bruce. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1980, #2272, pgs. 879, 880.

Scriptural Index:

Old Testament - Leviticus 26:3, 12; Psalm 2:5; 31:6; Isaiah 9:2; 53:1-3; 64:6; Ezekiel 18; 18:21, 30, 31; Joel 2:12, 13.

New Testament - Matthew 3:8; 7:16, 17-19, 20; 10:37-38; Mark 1:15; Luke 14:26; 18:18-22; John 3:16; 6:44; 14:6, 15-16; 15:16; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 4:12; 16:31; 26:20; Romans 1:18-32; 2:2-4, 7; 3:23; 4:15; 5:8-10, 12; 6:21, 23; 7:5; 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15:22-24; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Galatians 3:23-28, 29; 5:22-23, 25; Colossians 2:13-17; 1 Timothy 6:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; 1 John 2:15-17; 3:4; 4:10; Revelation 20:14; 21:8.

Lent, Ash Wednesday and Easter - Did the Original Christians Obeserve These!?

Lent celebrants carrying out a street procession during Holy Week, in Granada, Nicaragua. The violet color is often associated with penance and detachment. Similar Christian penitential practice is seen in other Christian countries, sometimes associated with fasting. (Chopanito)

Lent, which began Wednesday, March 5th and ends April 19th, is a Roman Catholic holiday - but did the original Christians of the first century AD observe Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Easter?

Notice that Catholics are not the only ones who observe Lent. Here's an article from the falsely called Christianity Today from 2018:

Of note: 3 in 10 Americans with evangelical beliefs (28%) say they observe Lent; of these, 42 percent typically fast from a favorite food or beverage while 71 percent typically attend church services. Catholics remain the most likely to observe Lent (61%) with 2 out of 3 fasting from a favorite food or beverage (64%). Overall, 1 in 4 Americans observes Lent (24%), according to LifeWay. Most American observers fast from a favorite activity (34% vs 17%) or a bad habit (50% vs. 30%).

(Read More: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/february/what-to-give-up-for-lent-2018-top-ideas-twitter-100.html).

Now, indeed, to the Catholics and others, this all seems just fine. The majority considers this to be inspirational. Yet, THIS IS NOT INSPIRED BY GOD!

Saint Jude was inspired 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" - Jude 3; NKJV throughout.

Was our dear brother contending 'for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints,' as he promoted Lent, Ash Wednesday, or even Easter!?

In a 2015 Angelus Address, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (aka Pope Francis) stated:

Last Wednesday, Lent began with the Rite of Ashes, and today is the first Sunday of this liturgical time that makes reference to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, after his baptism in the Jordan River. ... 

And in the end of the Lenten itinerary, in the Easter Vigil, we can renew with greater awareness the Baptismal covenant and the commitments that flow from it.

(Read More:  https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-crossing-the-lenten-desert/).

Notice that he tied Lent with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spending 40 days in the desert. Indeed, it is true that Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert - and Scripturally, this would have fallen in the Fall and not the Spring. And, how can that be determined!? Well, we know that Jesus' ministry lasted 3½ years, and going back from 3½ years places the beginning of His ministry in the Fall.

Notice this from the Catholic Encyclopedia:

A comparison of St. John's Gospel with the Synoptic Evangelists seems to introduce another pasch, indicated in the Fourth Gospel, into Christ's public life. John 4:45, relates the return of Jesus into Galilee after the first pasch of His public life in Jerusalem, and the same event is told by Mark 1:14, and Luke 4:14. Again the pasch mentioned in John 6:4 has its parallel in the "green grass" of Mark 6:39, and in the multiplication of loaves as told in Luke 9:12. But the plucking of ears mentioned in Mark 2:23, and Luke 6:1, implies another paschal season intervening between those expressly mentioned in John 2:13 and 6:4. This shows that the public life of Jesus must have extended over four paschs, so that it must have lasted three years and a few months. Though the Fourth Gospel does not indicate this fourth pasch as clearly as the other three, it is not wholly silent on the question.

(Read More: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08377a.htm).

Indeed, it is correct that between 3 years and a few months to less than four years is consistent with the belief that Jesus' ministry lasted 3½ years.

So, let us presume that our Lord Jesus Christ's ministry began on the Feast of Trumpets, and ended on Passover, it would have lasted roughly 3½ years!

How do the Catholics define Lent!? Here is something, again, from the Catholic Encyclopedia:

The Teutonic word Lent, which we employ to denote the forty days' fast preceding Easter, originally meant no more than the spring season.

(Read More: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm).

So, Lent essentially means the Spring season. And what of the word Teutonic? It relates to the ancient tribe of the Teutons—members of an ancient, probably Germanic or Celtic people. To note, the word Easter is also a Teutonic word—relating to Estre, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring (See: the Ven. Bede (De temporum ratione, I, v)).

But here it is, primarily Winter (today in Florida it's 55°), and yet they say that Lent means Spring - where did it come from!?

NOT FROM THE LIVING WORD OF GOD - THE HOLY BIBLE!

Notice again that the Catholic Encyclopedia teaches that the claim that this was observed by the early apostles is indeed unfounded:

Some of the Fathers as early as the fifth century supported the view that this forty days' fast was of Apostolic institution ... But the best modern scholars are almost unanimous in rejecting this view ... Formerly some differences of opinion existed as to the proper reading, but modern criticism (e.g., in the edition of Schwartz commissioned by the Berlin Academy) pronounces strongly in favor of the text translated above. We may then fairly conclude that Irenaeus about the year 190 knew nothing of any Easter fast of forty days. ... And there is the same silence observable in all the pre-Nicene Fathers, though many had occasion to mention such an Apostolic institution if it had existed. We may note for example that there is no mention of Lent in St. Dionysius of Alexandria (ed. Feltoe, 94 sqq.) or in the "Didascalia", which Funk attributes to about the year 250.

(Read More: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm).

Now, isn't it likely that the whole idea of a forty-day fast came from Alexandria in Egypt by way of the Greeks!?

The controversial author Alexander Hislop believed so:

The forty days’ abstinence of Lent was directly borrowed from the worshippers of the Babylonian goddess. Such a Lent of forty days, “in the spring of the year,” is still observed by the Yezidis or Pagan Devil-worshippers of Koordistan, who have inherited it from their early masters, the Babylonians. Such a Lent of forty days was held in spring by the Pagan Mexicans, for thus we read in Humboldt, where he gives account of Mexican observances: “Three days after the vernal equinox…began a solemn fast of forty days in honour of the sun.” Such a Lent of forty days was observed in Egypt, as may be seen on consulting Wilkinson’s Egyptians. This Egyptian Lent of forty days, we are informed by Landseer, in his Sabean Researches, was held expressly in commemoration of Adonis or Osiris, the great mediatorial god. At the same time, the rape of Proserpine seems to have been commemorated, and in a similar manner; for Julius Firmicus informs us that, for “forty nights” the “wailing for Proserpine” continued; and from Arnobius we learn that the fast which the Pagans observed, called “Castus” or the “sacred” fast, was, by the Christians in his time, believed to have been primarily in imitation of the long fast of Ceres, when for many days she determinedly refused to eat on account of her “excess of sorrow,” that is, on account of the loss of her daughter Proserpine, when carried away by Pluto…

Among the Pagans this Lent seems to have been an indispensable preliminary to the great annual festival in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Tammuz, which was celebrated by alternate weeping and rejoicing, and which, in many countries, was considerably later than the Christian festival, being observed in Palestine and Assyria in June, therefore called the “month of Tammuz”; in Egypt, about the middle of May, and in Britain, some time in April. To conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, Rome, pursuing its usual policy, took measures to get the Christian and Pagan festivals amalgamated, and, by a complicated but skilful adjustment of the calendar, it was found no difficult matter, in general, to get Paganism and Christianity–now far sunk in idolatry–in this as in so many other things, to shake hands…

Let any one only read the atrocities that were commemorated during the “sacred fast” or Pagan Lent, as described by Arnobius and Clemens Alexandrinus, and surely he must blush for the Christianity of those who, with the full knowledge of all these abominations, “went down to Egypt for help” to stir up the languid devotion of the degenerate Church, and who could find no more excellent way to “revive” it, than by borrowing from so polluted a source; the absurdities and abominations connected with which the early Christian writers had held up to scorn. That Christians should ever think of introducing the Pagan abstinence of Lent was a sign of evil; it showed how low they had sunk, and it was also a cause of evil; it inevitably led to deeper degradation. Originally, even in Rome, Lent, with the preceding revelries of the Carnival, was entirely unknown; and even when fasting before the Christian Pasch was held to be necessary, it was by slow steps that, in this respect, it came to conform with the ritual of Paganism. What may have been the period of fasting in the Roman Church before sitting of the Nicene Council does not very clearly appear, but for a considerable period after that Council, we have distinct evidence that it did not exceed three weeks.  

(Hislop, A., The Two Babylons, pp. 104-106).

So, we see that the so-called Christian observance of Lent is nothing more than a continuation of ancient pagan practices, which were incorporated into mainstream Christianity over many centuries. The Bible emphatically condemns practices associated with pagan worship - such as those involved in the worship or adoration of Tammuz:

"And He said to me, 'Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing.' 14) So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz" - Ezekiel 8:13-14.

What about Easter!?

Indeed, Ishtar is pronounced about the same as the English term Easter.

First Century AD Christians DID NOT celebrate Easter. The one and only time that the word Easter is mentioned in the King James English Bible, it is a mistranslation. It should read Passover. They observed the memorial of Jesus Christ's death - Passover.

What of Ash Wednesday!?

Well, Ash Wednesday, or Mardi Gras or even "Fat Tuesday" involves parties, parades of people masked as demons, and all-out revelry. A great many believe that they should overindulge because of the next night - Ash Wednesday and Lent - considered to be a time of self-imposed abstinence by millions.

Ash Wednesday's actual origin is considered a mystery. It was NOT observed by our Lord Jesus Christ, His original apostles, nor the early Church of God.

Here again, is what the Catholic Encyclopedia reports:

The Wednesday after Quinquagesima Sunday, which is the first day of the Lenten fast. The name dies cinerum (day of ashes) which it bears in the Roman Missal is found in the earliest existing copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary and probably dates from at least the eighth century. On this day all the faithful according to ancient custom are exhorted to approach the altar before the beginning of Mass, and there the priest, dipping his thumb into the ashes previously blessed, marks the forehead ... There can be no doubt that the custom of distributing the ashes to all the faithful arose from a devotional imitation of the practice observed in the case of public penitents.

(Read More: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01775b.htm).

So, Ash Wednesday is believed by the Roman Catholic Church to be related to following some type of public penance, though they do not know from where.

God's living Word - the Bible - never uses the terms Lent or Ash Wednesday. Nor does it describe anyone marking ashes on anyone's forehead. In fact, as stated earlier, God condemns any practices attributed to Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:13-14), which may indeed be related to the origins of Lent and/or Ash Wednesday.

Here is a commentary on Tammuz:

Tammuz was famous as a husband of Ishtar ... His Sumerian prototype Dumuzi was a king of Erech in the early 3rd mil. B.C. who was deified as the consort of the city's protectress Inanna or Innin (corresponding to the Akkad. Ishtar). Gilgamesh accused her of betraying Tammuz, her lover, in the famous epic (ANET, p. 84). In Hellenistic times Tammuz was equated with Adonis, and Ishtar with Aphrodite/Venus. Swine, often associated with underworld cults, were his sacrificial animals.

It has long been supposed that the purpose of Inanna's (or Ishtar's) mythical descent to the underworld (ANET, pp. 52-57) was to resurrect her lover. Hence he was identified by Sir James Frazer in 1906, along with Adonis, Attis, and Osiris, as an example of the dying and rising god.

(from the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Hendrickson Publications, 1999, p. 707).

In Babylonian legends, Tammuz supposedly died early in the Fall when vegetation died up. He departed to the nether world, being recovered by the wailing Ishtar.

(from the Unger's Bible Dictionary, Moody Press Chicago, 1966, p. 1070).

Notice that the wailing ended with the recovery (or rather the resurrection) of Tammuz. This, essentially, is the same as fasting for forty days which ends with Easter.

Ash Wednesday is certainly NOT from the Bible!

Will you follow those who followed Jesus Christ or do you prefer to follow human traditions!? □

February Stats ── 2025

Greetings Everyone! We are pleased to announce last month's stats for our website ── www.owensborocojc.com. The month of February appears to be a regular trend. We seem to get less traffic visiting our website in February. In 2024, the average monthly page view was 69.0. In 2023, it was 111.0. Averaging 92.3.

AVERAGE MONTHLY PAGE VIEWS: 97.0

AVERAGE MONTHLY UNIQUE VISITS: 92.0

AVERAGE MONTHLY FIRST TIME VISITS: 86.0

AVERAGE MONTHLY RETURNING VISITS: 6.0

Locations

Traffic

Systems

TOP FIVE ARTICLES LAST MONTH

● ON WHOSE AUTHORITY? - by Guy C. LaMar

● Angels Revealed (Sermon Transcribed) - by Leonard V. Johnson

● What Are Angels (Sermon Transcribed) - by Leonard V. Johnson

● The Unbiblical Origin of St. Valentine's Day - COJCOM

● Letter to our Friends - February 11, 2025 - COJCOM

The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries is pleased to announce that our YouTube channel (Please Subscribe and give a great big thumbs up if you like our videos, and be sure to ring the notification bell to be notified of additional published videos) had for FEBRUARY 2025, 186 Views (about the same as Jan. 4-31, 2025), 10.1 Watch Time (hours) ── 10% less than Jan. 4-31, 2025. +1 Subscriber! THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING TO OUR CHANNEL!!

Additionally ── within the same time frame (Feb. 1-28, 2025), we had 8 Returning Viewers and 59 Unique Viewers! 11.2% of viewers are from mobile, 11.9% of viewers are from tablet, and 27.4% of viewers are from TV!

Our total impressions were 4.7k (55% less than Jan. 4-31, 2025). Impressions click-through rate 2.6%. Average view duration: 3:24.

TOP THREE VIDEOS DURING THIS DURATION

(February 1-28, 2025)

● Be Strong In the LORD (Spanish) ── 16 views. UGETube, during the same duration, has 31 views!

● Angels Revealed ── 23 views. UGETube, during the same duration, has 59 views!

● What Are Angels? ── 34 views. UGETube, during the same duration, has 117 views!

Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers in Christ, thank you so much for your continued love and support for this work of God! We love you and pray for you always! May our mighty and glorious Almighty God bless you and keep you safe this brand new civic month ── March.

Sincerely, in Jesus' name,