Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries

Monday, October 17, 2022

A Morning Bible Study - What the Feast of Tabernacles Pictures

Leonard V Johnson About

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.

The first three annual festivals occur during the spring.

● Passover - We Christians understand and recognize that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate penalty for our sins on the LORD’S Passover and was sacrificed smack dab in the middle of the Feast of Unleavened Bread! And brethren, all of the LORD’s Holy Days are what we call Christocentric. Meaning that they are all centered around JESUS CHRIST! In other words, we shouldn’t be so steeped and so misguided by Judeo-Christianity that we lose focus of who we are to look to! JESUS CHRIST! Recall, that Jesus built His Church! The New Covenant Church!

● Days of Unleavened Bread – Jesus Christ is the meaning of the Days of Unleavened Bread! Minister Michael C. Garrett gave a series of sermons entitled “Christ In You.”

●Pentecost - “Christ In You! … we must have God’s Spirit which is represented by the Day of Pentecost. And so, individual salvation – that Plan is given to us in the Spring Holy Days. … The Spring Holy Days are a continuum. What happens in Passover and Unleavened Bread, and down as you get into the Day of Pentecost – a continuous series of events that are all interrelated and intertwined.

The last four annual festivals occur during the fall.

●Trumpets - ‘A memorial of blowing seven trumpets.’ And, at the LAST TRUMP the saints of Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ are resurrected – and as Jesus says, ‘the angels are going to gather us from one end of heaven [the atmosphere] to the other end of heaven [the atmosphere].’

● Atonement - Our Lord Jesus Christ was the atonement for our sins. “You shall HUMBLE yourself before the LORD your God.”

Here brings us the glorious sixth festival and the subject of this Bible study. Let us learn this next exciting step in the LORD our God’s Master Plan for the redemption of all mankind through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1) What LORD God-ordained feast occurs only FIVE DAYS after the Day of Atonement!?

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 34) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, …’” – and recall what the Apostle Paul teaches us, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” – Galatians 3:29. Meaning - There is the Seed of Abraham (Seed being singular); there is the seed of Abraham physically (descendants of Abraham according to the flesh); and there is the seed of Abraham spiritually (those who, like Abraham, have faith in God). “ … saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this SEVENTH MONTH shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. 35) On the first day there shall be a holy convocation [a gathering]. You shall do no customary work on it.’” – Leviticus 23:33-35. And this is reiterated by the LORD God in Deuteronomy 16:13-15.

Does this Feast begin with a high day – a holy Sabbath – on which ‘you shall do no customary work,’ a ‘holy convocation’!? Again, vs. 35. Did the LORD our God command that this annual Festival be kept FOREVER!?

“’ You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute FOREVER in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month.’” – vs. 41.

The Feast of Tabernacles is also called in God’s living word the Feast of Ingathering because the Feast begins just after the autumn harvest was reaped and stored.

This God-ordained fall harvest Festival is to be a time of great rejoicing and thanksgiving for the LORD God’s abundant blessings! It pictures in the New Covenant the future ingathering of a great harvest of Spirit-begotten children of God into His glorious family during the Millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s learn and grow –

2) Does this annual holy Feast of Tabernacles last for more than just one day?

Again, verse 34 – “ … ‘The fifteenth day of this seventh month [month of Tishri] shall be the Feast of Tabernacles FOR SEVEN DAYS to the LORD.’”

Now, in the Western world, during the winter months, they speak of the ‘holidays’ – meaning from Thanksgiving through to New Year’s Day. It’s the same thing here – the eighth day of the Feast is a separate holy day, ‘a holy convocation.’ It’s a commanded assembly – if you’re able to do it.

“’ You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. 14) And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. 15) Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD will bless you in all you produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice. 16) Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses [to place His name]: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks [Pentecost], and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. 17) Every man [and woman] shall give as he [or she] is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you’” – Deuteronomy 16:13-17.

We – the spiritual children of Israel, the seed of Abraham – cf. Romans 4:11- 17; Galatians 3:29 – are to realize that we have no permanent city in this age and look to the one to come (Hebrews 13:14). So, staying in temporary dwellings during the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day helps remind us of that. Christians should indeed attend church services, if possible, each day of the Feast to learn (Deuteronomy 31:10-13, and Nehemiah 8:17-18), as living sacrifices, which is our ‘reasonable service’ – Romans 12:1.

Truly, the SEVEN-DAY holy Feast of Tabernacles pictures the glorious Millennial “fall harvest” of physical human beings and the Millennial Rule of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords over the whole earth!

3) Who is it that decides WHERE the Feast of Tabernacles is to be observed?

This is a question that my sister had not long ago asked and I would like to answer – the truth is so much different than what many might believe –

Again, verse 16 – “ … ‘before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses.’”

Notice verse 11 – “ … ‘at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide.’”

We must check the meaning of the word used to get a better understanding of what God is saying through the Prophet Moses. Now, it is true the Hebrew word for place is māqôm which means a physical location where something ought to be. 1 So, where does the LORD place His name today in the New Covenant!? Notice –

“ … chosen by God and precious, 5) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” – 1 Peter 2: 4, 5.

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16.

“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.’” – 2 Corinthians 6:16.

“in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:22.

The LORD our God’s habitation is where He lives. And the habitation (the dwelling place) that He chooses is not a town, a city, a state, a location, but within each and every one of His chosen begotten children. Our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ abide within us – Their habitation is within Their holy temple. This is the place They wish to place Their name – within us.

“’ I AM the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing’” – John 15:5.

4) What is the God-ordained theme for the observance of the annual Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day?

“’ You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles SEVEN DAYS, … 14) And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. 15) Seven days you shall keep A SACRED FEAST to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice’” – Deuteronomy 16:13, 14-15.

5) Does the LORD our God say that we should spend our saved money on excellent foods or ‘whatever our heart desires’ to increase our joy and happiness during this holy ordained Feast?

“’ And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household’” – Deuteronomy 14:26.

Truly, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day is a time of rejoicing and thanking Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ for Their great blessings! For the children of Israel, it was a time of rejoicing because an abundant storehouse was taken in just before the coming of the annual Feast. During the Millennial reign of our Savior Jesus Christ and of His appointed king over the reunited physical children of Israel, the happiness and joy, and prosperity pictured by the Feast of Tabernacles will begin to spread around the world.

The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the spiritual and material abundance that will occur during the glorious Millennial reign of Jesus Christ when physical human beings will be keeping God’s commandments and His feasts without the influence of Satan and his imps – his minions (Revelation 20:1-6).

Indeed, Jesus Christ kept the Feast of Tabernacles and what we call the Last Great Day or rather ‘that great day,’ which is taught per John 7:10-37.

6) Since, this holy annual Feast is ‘a sacred Feast’ that is to be kept annually ‘FOREVER, ’ are the begotten children of God to live in “booths” – or rather, in temporary dwellings – during the Feast?

“’ And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees [known as palm fronds], the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41) You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute FOREVER in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42) You shall dwell in booths [or rather, tabernacles] for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths’” – Leviticus 23:40-41.

For over three generations a great many have been saying, “Well, this means ‘temporary dwellings.’” And yes, it’s true that booth means a temporary dwelling. And then they go on to say, “Well, when you go to a motel room, and you stay somewhere, that is a ‘temporary dwelling.’” And, yes, alright, the analogy does fit. But I don’t believe a motel room – where you have an indoor bathroom, a freezer, a sink, a large colored television set, and air conditioning along with a nice soft bed to sleep on – I personally don’t think that is anything like living for seven days in ‘a sacred’ booth!

Minister Michael C. Garrett –

“I’ve heard so many people say, “Well, in order to keep the Feast of Tabernacles the way you’re supposed to, you’re supposed to build a little brush arbor in your front yard and sleep.” Is that REALLY what GOD is saying here!?

Now, I think the FIRST GENERATION after the children of Israel were rescued from Egypt. I think that generation should have done it. So, they remembered what their parents went through. And I think the children of those children should have kept the celebration in booths to remember what their parents and grandparents went through. But after a while, those events lose their meaning. Are you required to live in booths anymore!? No! But there is something to gain.”

(Garrett, M.C., Notes Concerning the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, 2019, pg. 2).

And what is there to gain? Living in ‘temporary dwellings’ for an entire week – away from our everyday surroundings and influences, our job and our most negative influences – the begotten children of God enjoy a tiny foretaste of the Millennial reign of our King of kings and Lord of lords, when Satan the Devil and his minions are bound for the thousand years – notice –

“’ And it shall come to pass AFTERWARD … 32) And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion [New Jerusalem which came down from heaven] and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls’” – Joel 2:28, 32.

7) After our Lord Jesus Christ subdues all kingdoms at His glorious and powerful return, and establishes His kingdom upon this earth, will all the nation's representatives come up to New Jerusalem to be instructed into God’s Way!?

“Now it shall come to pass IN THE LATTER DAYS That the mountain of the LORD’s house [speaking of God’s government] Shall be established on the top of the mountains [speaking of this world’s governments], And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. 2) Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we will walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion [again, New Jerusalem which came down from heaven] the Law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem’” – Micah 4:1-2.

No, even then, not all nations will comply. Notice –

“And IT SHALL COME TO PASS that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year [annually] to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. 17) And it shall be that whichever of the families [the nations] of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them [on that nation] there will be no rain” – Zechariah 14:16-17.

Again, Minister Michael C. Garrett –

“I do not know what my Protestant and Catholic friends do with these verses! I can only imagine that they never read them, or if they do read them they take out a black magic marker and just ~~mark them out~~. Because it’s the exact opposite of what their religious leaders are teaching them. And I don’t know why they just can’t look into the Word of God and say, “You know, they’ve been lying to me! My religious leaders have not told me the truth! And I’m just gonna reevaluate everything I ever thought I knew about God and the Bible, and the Plan of God.” Well, the reason they don’t do it is because at this present time, they’re not being called. But, someday they will be. And then they will finally understand. Zephaniah chapter 3, verse 14 – “Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15) The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.” Verse 17 – “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, …” God, living on the Earth! Isaiah chapter 2 – which is almost identical to what Micah wrote in Micah 4.” □

1) Harris L. R., Archer, L. Gleason, Jr., and Waltke K. Bruce. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1980, # 135, pg.794.

Scriptural Index:

Old Testament - Leviticus 23:33-35, 40-41; Deuteronomy 16:11, 13-15, 16, 17; 14:26; 31:10-13; Nehemiah 8:17-18; Joel 2:28, 32; Micah 4:1-2; Zephaniah 3:14-15, 17; Zechariah 14:16-17.

New Testament - Mark 13:27; John 7:10-37; 15:5; Romans 4:11-17; 12:1; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Galatians 3:29; Ephesians 2:22; Hebrews 13:14; 1 Peter 5:5b-7; Revelation 20:1-6.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Are You of God, or the god of this world?

By Guy C. LaMar

Our Lord Jesus Christ tells His chosen people to not waste their blessing of spiritual knowledge on people who will NOT appreciate it.

In the Book of Matthew chapter 7, Jesus says –

“’ Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces’” – Matthew 7:6, NKJV throughout, unless otherwise noted.

Our Lord Jesus warns His people to preach only before a receptive audience. Such as in a church where it is fitting.

In the Book of John chapter 8, Jesus says –

“ … ‘I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life’” – John 8:12.

We – as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ – are supposed to follow His example!

Thus, we are to be a light unto the world as He was a Light unto the world. We are not to be hiding our light. This means that we are to be a Christ-like example to others so that they may see the living Jesus Christ living within us. And by this, it will inspire others.

Our Lord Jesus says in the Book of Matthew chapter 5 –

“’ You …’” – speaking to His chosen begotten people – “ … ‘are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Verse 17 – “’ Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill’” – Matthew 5:14-17.

God's Law Not "Done Away"

The word “fulfill” in this context means to offer the full measure of the perfect example of how to live in accordance with God’s Law.

Let us live by the perfect example of our Lord Jesus Christ. And know your audience in which you share this glorious Truth of God – the gospel of Christ.

i.e., – our Lord Jesus “fulfilled” the Law. To “fulfill” means “to fill to the full” or “make complete.” That is quite the opposite of abolishing the Law! Indeed, our Lord Jesus “fulfilled” the Law by revealing its spiritual meaning – in how mankind relates to God as well as to others. The scribes and the Pharisees of Jesus’ day thought for sure that they were adept at keeping the letter of the Law – but in their corrupt hypocrisy, they completely missed the spiritual intent of the Law.

The first four Books of the New Testament – erroneously called “the Gospels” – show us that our Lord Jesus focused solely on the spirit of the Law through His ministry. As evidenced in the Book of Matthew chapters 5 through 7, our Lord Jesus specifically established a new spiritual standard of the application of the Law for the New Testament Church of God. As compared to the letter of the Law under the Old Covenant. Certainly, two examples are sufficient to show how our Lord Jesus “fulfilled” the Law by revealing its deep spiritual meaning –

“’ You have heard that it was said to those of old [speaking of the Old Testament], ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22) But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ [Arabic for ‘worthless’ or even 'You're dead to me!'] shall be in danger of the council [as in the Sanhedrin Council]. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire’” – Matthew 5:21-22.

Notice also –

“’ You have heard that it was said to those of old [again, the Old Testament], ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28) But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman [or for that manner, also a man] to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart’” – Matthew 5:27-28.

His examples clearly illustrate the spiritual application of the Law – the Ten Commandments – as taught by these two examples, which are also found throughout the New Testament.

Over twelve years after the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Apostle James – a very brother to our Lord – defined the true Christian approach to the Law of God, calling it the “Royal Law” – cf. James 2:8.

Notice how his inspired writings completely agree with our Lord Jesus’ teachings in regards to Matthew chapters 5 through 7 –

“If you really fulfill the Royal Law according to the Scripture, ‘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.

He continues –

“For He [the Lord God; today known as Jesus the Christ] who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the Law. 12) So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the Law of liberty” – James 2:11-12.

Finally – notice how the LORD praised Abraham’s faithful obedience when He passed the covenant promises on to his son Isaac –

“’ And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5) because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My Laws’” – Genesis 26:4-5.

Our Patriarch Abraham is not only the father of Isaac, Jacob, and the children of Israel in the Old Testament, but he is also called the father of the New Testament Church of God –

“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” – Galatians 3:29.

This means that if we are truly Christ’s, then we will do as Abraham had done. We will obey the voice of the LORD, keep His charge, keep His commandments, His statutes, and His Laws. And we will never believe that our Lord Jesus “did away” with the Law – or called the Law a “curse.”

But, the churches of this world – Satan the Devil’s churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques – teach otherwise.

Our Lord Jesus says that the heavens and the earth would pass away BEFORE any word of God’s LAW will –

“’ For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled’” – Matthew 5:18.

It is true that our Lord Jesus fulfilled the perfect example of the Law in motion. He showed us all how to show love and respect towards God (the first FOUR Commandments) and to show love and respect towards others (the last SIX of the Commandments) – perfectly. He gave us all that perfect example. And this example was not “done away with”!

Truly, this earth age will pass. A “new heaven and a new earth” will be created. The heavens – which include the atmosphere and what we call outer space – will be recreated because God’s saints will be co-ruling under Jesus Christ in a future era of time. As the LORD God proclaims – “’ That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion [New Jerusalem], ‘You are My people.’” – Isaiah 51:16.

Through our Lord Jesus’ example, we all now have a perfect example to abide by. Before our Savior, there was no one who could be a perfect example. The people of the world only had the written Law. He came to spiritualize the Law. The Holy Spirit with God’s chosen begotten children helps lead others to live in accordance with God’s spiritual Law.

To reject the Law of God is to reject God!

God’s Law is love!

God’s Law is given out of love!

God is love!

God’s Law is not grievous – 1 John 5:3.

It is a true gift from God!

Why is it that the majority in this present evil age reject and question God’s commandments, statutes, and judgments!?

Because they prefer to instead get what they want instead of what God says we should have or do.

Mankind is rebellious against the LORD God. And the LORD God hates rebellion. Satan the Devil was rebellious against the LORD God and was thrown to tartaroo – the earth – for later judgment.

Our peoples that rebel against the LORD God for their own desires and wants are not the LORD God’s people, but are Their enemies.

Also, eating and consuming what the LORD God says not to is certainly showing God that you do not TRUST Him and are not willing to OBEY Him. That certainly makes a person an enemy of God.

To reject God’s holy, righteous, and very relevant Law is to reject God’s love. To reject God’s love is to reject God! It makes such a person a “child of the devil” – meaning a follower of the evil one. No matter if they want to admit it or agree with it or not! – cf. 1 John 3:8-10.

This is the plain truth of God!

Satan the Devil Is Religious

This present evil age of fluffy religiosity – the false religions of this world – is of Satan the Devil. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14) And NO WONDER! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers …” – bet you didn’t know that Satan the Devil is so religious!? “ … also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

The people of the world who believe that God the Father is flawed are the biggest FOOLS on the planet!

Without God the Father’s rules and regulations – His eternal and relevant LAW – there would be no sin. Quoting the Apostle Paul – “What shall we say then? Is the Law [the Ten Commandments] sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the Law.” And he goes on with some examples – “For I would not have known covetousness unless the Law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’” – Romans 7:7. So, without God the Father’s LAW there is death – see vs. 10. And in retrospect, without God the Father’s LAW there would have been NO MESSIAH! Without God the Father’s LAW there is no salvation.

This present evil age and its societies have a small attention span – that it is nearly impossible to get the TRUTH OF GOD to them! From birth, they had been indoctrinated into a fluffy feel-good bunch of religious mumbo jumbo! Our peoples today want to leave out any intellectual evaluation with any matter.

It's like when I try to study for an insurance license. The studying is rather dull and boring. It’s as exciting to my mind as watching paint dry. In fact, I could actually find paint drying more exciting!? Well, that’s an example of how this world views the expounding of their minds with the living TRUTH OF GOD!

Our peoples are allowing their minds to be limited in what they will accept or will not accept – based upon biases’.

Sadly, a great number of our peoples enjoy latching onto evil and rebellious religions! i.e., “Rebellious Religion: Christian Hardcore and Muslim ‘Taqwacore’ Punk Rock.”

They do not want to accept or “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”

This present evil age and its churches – again, led by Satan the Devil and his minions – certainly, come off as “righteous,” but deceiving themselves and others around them.

God’s plain living word in which He states unequivocally, “the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, WHO DECEIVES THE WHOLE WORLD” has been ~~marked through~~ with a marker, or conveniently forgotten!

This grave deception has included the very rational, practical, and beneficial biblical as well as secular instructions about diet which had been established!

Friends – when our Savior of all mankind – the living Jesus Christ – returns, there will be a “restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” – Acts 3:20-21. And, “all things” would certainly include His dietary law!

Dietary Law shows God's Love

e.g., the dietary law of God shows us what meats are acceptable and good to consume. Satan the Devil has influenced mankind to put garbage into their bodies! He literally hates mankind! He has placed twisted lies within this world’s churches to do his bidding!

It is easier to live in the manner of the world because it is accepted in our societies. But it takes a true servant of the LORD God to step out of the world’s box and abide by the will of God.

This world is indeed against the LORD God because this world is ruled by “the god of this world” – Satan the Devil – 2 Corinthians 4:4.

Again, an example can be given of God’s dietary law. These worldly churches believe that they can defecate on God’s law and rationalize them away by allowing themselves to be led astray from the TRUTH OF GOD.

Here is a truism – the eating of pig meat, in the eyes of the LORD our God, makes that person just as sinful as anyone committing sexual immorality – i.e., homosexuality, Pedophilia (which is called a psychiatric disorder, but homosexuality isn’t). Because the LORD our God says that embracing and consuming swine is an ABOMINATION! – cf. Deuteronomy 14:8; Leviticus 11:7; Isaiah 65:4; 66:17.

Yet, those who use their own reasonings to argue against this truism have a lack of knowledge and understanding – i.e., “4 Hidden Dangers of Pork.”

This world’s so-called biblical “experts” teach and proclaim that 1st Timothy 4:1-5 teaches that God’s dietary law is no longer valid for Christians (See: “Is God’s Biblical Food Laws Still In Effect!?” as well as “Pork – Is It a Sin To Eat?”).

Yet, in these verses, the Apostle Paul is discussing FALSE TEACHERS who were promoting the idea that Christians could be “more spiritual” by practicing asceticism and vegetarianism, abstaining from meats that the LORD God had created for us to eat. When the Apostle Paul writes, “For EVERY creature is good, and NOTHING is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving …” – which this world’s religious say, “Just pray over the meat and God will bless it” – “ … 5) for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” he was speaking about those in this latter time departing from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy!

Where in God’s living word is it found that there are creatures “sanctified” and “set apart” for human consumption!? In Leviticus chapter 11, and is recapitulated in Deuteronomy 14 – giving a list of clean animals to eat.

Keep in mind – in the times of our Lord Jesus and of the Apostle Paul they were preaching from and studying the Old Testament. They were living and establishing the New Testament. They just preached from the Old Testament. So, where in God’s living “word of God” would the Apostle Paul have seen unclean animals “sanctified” or “set apart” by God for human consumption!? Nowhere! Because it’s not there!

Friends – the Apostle Paul was not setting aside God’s commands declaring that unclean meat is now permissible to eat! Quite the contrary, he used the living word of God to correct those who were consuming meats based upon the “commandments and doctrines of men” rather than on the LORD God’s commandments – cf. Colossians 2:21-22.

To quote these Scriptures to try and prove that God’s biblical dietary law is “done away” is to completely ignore God’s warnings along with this secular world’s health warnings on unclean meats!

Furthermore – as another example – several Old Testament Scriptures that discuss the soon-coming kingdom of God make no sense if our Lord Jesus “did away” with His dietary law!

To Note: Prophet Isaiah records for us a prophecy of our Lord Jesus Christ’s attitude on this very subject upon His glorious and powerful return –

“’ When you see this [meaning, the establishment of New Jerusalem and His glorious kingdom upon earth], your heart shall rejoice, And your bones shall flourish like grass; The hand of the LORD shall be known to His servants, And His indignation to His enemies. 15) For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire [see: i.e., Revelation 8:7-12]. 16) For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD shall be many. 17) Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, To go to the gardens [or rather, “for entering into gardens”] After an idol [he doesn’t mention which one, but rather, “following one,” i.e., some idol or other] in the midst, Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse [or rather rodent] Shall be consumed together,’ says the LORD” – Isaiah 66:14-17.

Prophet Isaiah is stating succinctly that the righteous judgment of the LORD God will fall upon all those who are ignoring and rejecting His divine Law – including His biblical dietary law of clean and unclean meats.

One of the regrettable consequences of this world’s professing Christianity is the aversion to the dietary law, spawned in the turmoil of the second century A.D. – 101-200. Multiple millions of our peoples have suffered and died from diseases they contracted by consuming meats that the LORD our God never intended to be eaten and consumed!

“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2) For one believes he may eat ALL THINGS, but he who is weak eats ONLY vegetables. 3) Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4) Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Verse 5 – “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6) He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks” – Romans 14:1-6.

Now, to further substantiate that the problem was vegetarianism vs. eating meats, the Apostle Paul continued to explain –

“Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. … 17) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18) For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. … 20) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21) It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22) Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” – Romans 15, 17-18, 20-22.

Let us break down Romans 14:1-6 into a Part A and a Part B. The Apostle Paul wrote these verses in an “A and B” pattern. And when analyzing and studying this pattern it shows that the Apostle Paul was not giving people license to pretentiously choose any day of the week as a holy day – a Sabbath of rest and worship. That is God’s prerogative alone – not mankind’s. Rather, the Apostle Paul is writing about those who eat meats and those who are vegetarians.

A: “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2) For one believes he may eat all things.” This means, there are those who believe that all meats are lawful.
B: But on the other hand – “but he who is weak [in the faith] eats only vegetables.”

A: “Let not him who eats [meats] despise him who does not eat [meats].”
B: “and let not him who does not eat [meats] judge him who eats [meats], for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant?

A: Again, on the other hand – “one person esteems one day above another [for eating meats].”
B: But, then again – “another esteems every day alike [for eating meats]. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.”

A: “He who observes the day [in his eating of meats], observes it to the Lord.”
B: “and he who does not observe the day [in his eating of meats], to the Lord he does not observe it.”

A: “He who eats [meats], eats [meats] to the Lord, for he gives God thanks.”
B: “he who does not eat [meats], to the Lord he does not eat [meats], and gives God thanks.”

Capiche?

Notice that there is not one word in these verses that can be used to justify Sunday-keeping or any other day as a day of worship!

Throughout God’s living word, God has always commanded and upheld the SEVENTH DAY Sabbath as the weekly day to keep holy and remember, and His Holy Days as annual days of assemblage and worship.

The apostle Paul was simply writing about the problem there in Rome concerning vegetarians and meat eaters – and the day on which some meat eaters chose to eat meat.

So, again, our Lord Jesus did not come to annul God the Father’s Law – but to expound upon it to a spiritual level.

"clean" and "unclean" meats

In the Book of Genesis chapter 7, the LORD teaches us “clean” and “unclean” animals. He instructs Patriarch Noah several times to distinguish between these two types of animals. The “children of the LORD” were given by Prophet Moses – through the LORD God – a list of “clean” animals which are good for food in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

Notice Leviticus chapter 11 provides for us specific instructions on identifying mammals that are good for food – those that have cloven hooves and chew their cud. i.e., “’ the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, IS UNCLEAN TO YOU. 8) Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. THEY ARE UNCLEAN TO YOU’” – vss. 7-8.

Here, our very Creator – the very One who knows what is good and bad for us – identifies pigs as unclean and commands that they not be eaten.

Notices verses 9-10 provide the LORD's instruction on seafood –

“’ These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers – THAT YOU MAY EAT. 10) But all in the seas or in the rivers that DO NOT have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, THEY ARE AN ABOMINATION TO YOU; you SHALL NOT EAT THEIR FLESH.’”

This shows us that shellfish, such as crabs, lobsters, oysters, mussels, and shrimp, MUST NOT BE EATEN!

Yet, in this present evil age – our peoples will take those commands of the LORD our God and ~~CROSS THEM OUT~~ because they would rather believe the lies that cater to their desires (their lusts of the eyes and of the flesh) rather than OBEY GOD! They reason amongst themselves and claim, “O’ shellfish tastes GREAT!”

The majority continue to insist that this was part of the Mosaic law which was “done away”! But this type of reasoning is INSANE – what was unhealthy then is still unhealthy today! – Hebrews 13:8.

It’s like a new synthetic illicit drug that makes one feel SUPER GREAT when they shoot it into their veins, but it is against the law! Yet, they keep shooting it into their veins, despite the risks to their health – not to mention, against the law!

The LORD God made the “clean” and “unclean” distinction of meats with Patriarch Noah centuries before the Old Covenant – the Mosaic law – was ever established.

The majority of our peoples grew up eating these “unclean” meats and today think nothing of it! But God’s holy and righteous Law is not arbitrary! Why is God’s Law regarding meats important!?

Again, even secular evidence shows that there are health benefits to following God’s food Law – which equates to God’s love being shown to us by making sure that we eat what is proper.

The LORD God – recall, “Let Us create” – created all animals and creatures upon the earth and within the seas and rivers! He created pigs, cockroaches, maggots, eels, sharks, and vultures – for a grand purpose! But that purpose was not to be eaten by human beings!

Only a few called

Now, unless someone directly asks you to share and explain God’s glorious Truth, DO NOT volunteer to share this amazing gift of the LORD our God. Instead, live the Truth before others so that they may see your good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

Our Lord Jesus says in the Book of John chapter 6 –

“’ 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.

“The last day” speaking of the SEVENTH TRUMP, the resurrection trumpet!

So, unless God the Father calls an individual to His Son – the living Jesus Christ – they do not know the real Jesus Christ!

True Holy Spirit-led people may indeed help inspire others through their example of CHRIST IN THEM.

But, as God’s living word – the Holy Bible – says with a clear hard truth that a great many flat-out reject, and in which we teach with hard-hitting truth in our commentaries and articles – we plant a seed.

If the seed is planted in good ground and is accepted, then glory be to our LORD God in the highest, and to the one who embraces this Truth of God. God will water, and the seed will sprout and grow in the glorious grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! Yet, if the seed is planted in hard ground, unfit for seed, and is rejected like a dead weed that eventually withers up and blows away with the wind – to become no more – so also is the one who rejects the living Truth of the Eternal our God!

True Christians are to live by example. Not cram our religion down the throats of others. Sadly, the majority of this present evil age – and even among self-professing Christians – are not interested in hearing God’s chosen begotten children share the living Truth of God. They would rather hear a fluffy fake religion or no religion at all. So that they can continue to wallow in the sins to which they are used to.

True Christians are told to ‘Come out of her my people’ – out of the way of the world and to embrace God’s Way. Friends – once a living Truth of God has been proven from the very Word of the Eternal God as to what He wants a person to do, and then that person flat-out rejects this living Truth because they would rather allow another to do their thinking for them – e.g., this world’s churches and their leaders – Jesus Christ will reject them! Of such will have no place with the LORD our God!

We Only Preach the TRUTH OF GOD

Many years ago I had a debate with the Council of Religious Leaders at a church college. They were trying to disprove the seventh-day Sabbath, the dietary law, among other things. Now, mind you, these were all “Bible scholars”! They had even flown in a man from England who was supposed to be an “expert” on the subject of the Sabbath. On this day I had with me my Holy Bible along with some notes. I had been invited to this meeting after having had many phone conversations with this group. I was in my early 20s at the time. This debate lasted from early morning until near sunset. Yet, NOTHING that they threw at me dissuaded me. They were stumbling and falling all over themselves with the proof I was showing them from God’s living word. God’s Spirit was leading me!

There was one “expert” that stated, “Well, 1st John 3:4 is speaking of the Jewish law.” I was flabbergasted by this ignorant comment! “O’ really!?” I retorted. And then I continued by saying, “If that is the case, then Jesus was flawed.” I began to break God’s living truth down for them, and they were stumped. As we were parting company, the man from England said that he was going to have to return to his studies and reexamine things, as I had opened his eyes to things he had not considered. He openly stated in front of the others, “Mr. LaMar, you have truly tested my faith today.” With the others chiming in, “You got that right!”

Also, there was a TV program from the Church of Christ that challenged people by answering their questions. I presented many things to them. The host said the same thing – this time on live TV – “Mr. LaMar, you have tested my faith.” My Mother was watching along with me and she said, “Son, you need to be a minister.” Friends – little did she know, that was the greatest quest of my life!

It has been only recently that I have found more peace, joy – and more of a calming feeling in my life than I have ever known.

I was ordained into the ministry of Christ on July 13th, 2019. And since that time I have given many commentaries. I have officiated 6 funerals. I have given hundreds of sermons. I have literally preached among but a few people as though I was preaching to thousands, and I have preached among hundreds as though I was speaking to but a few. We will preach ONLY God’s living word – the Holy Bible – and not storytelling. We preach not Me-Me-I unless it is in relation to the topic of the sermon with God’s living word backing it up. We preach ONLY the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God according to the living word of God and we apologize if it offends you.

We realize and understand that this world DOES NOT understand God’s living truth! We do, however, try to handle sensitive subjects with kindness and a softer approach. Sadly, this world – for the most part – only understands what their church or religious leaders teach them.

We can show and prove to anyone the glorious TRUTH OF GOD and we can expound upon this Truth. But, again, unless God the Father has called that individual, they will NEVER accept the TRUTH OF GOD. Truly, as a rule, we NEVER smear our belief in others’ faces. Unless they ask for it – then it’s on!

Sadly, there are a plethora of things that this world’s religions – this world’s churches – use to take God’s living word out of context to fit their ideas – their doctrines. Yet, FACTS ARE FACTS! God’s living word NEEDS to be looked at in the manner and the context it’s placed. Yes, we are told to place together God’s living word “precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little” – Isaiah 28:10 – to place the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle.

In conclusion – this is my life – the living word of God – this is my life’s passion. I completely understand that others do not walk this path.

But hopefully, I have planted a seed. And, this seed will either grow or wither away.

It’s based on the individual who embraces Almighty God and His Way as compared to the individual who rejects and continues to accept their own way – which is actually following the ruler of this present evil age, Satan the Devil. □

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Christ - Our Atonement

The majority of our peoples have not heard of the Day of Atonement. Most don’t properly understand its great prophetic significance. Yet – this Day reveals to us a glorious truth!

Greetings to you all on this beautiful and glorious holy Day of Atonement! Welcome our dear friends in Brussels, Belgium; Kampala, Uganda; Rwanda. Here in the States, Hendersonville, North Carolina; Michigan, and Orlando, Florida! Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, here in Spring Hill, Fl, I’m Leonard V. Johnson.

The Day of Atonement is here! From sunset October 4th through sunset October 5th.

Our beloved Apostle Peter was inspired by God’s Spirit to write –

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in FEAR [reverent fear and RESPECT], 18) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received BY TRADITION FROM YOUR FATHERS.

Verse 19 – “but WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20) He indeed WAS FOREORDAINED before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21) who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” – 1 Peter 1:17-21.

Sadly, the Jews believe God not! Yet, they SHOULD – (see: “Many Convincing Proofs”).

Turning into the Book of Leviticus chapter 16 we see the goat slain at the Atonement ceremony –

Now, one doesn’t have to fully understand Leviticus 16 to have the love of our Savior Jesus Christ to be poured out upon them, or His grace, His Spirit, His glorious promise of eternal life. Yet, a great many churches that are still deeply trenched in the Old Covenant make you think that this is the ultimate crux of the gospel of Christ. It is not!

“’ Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat. 16) So he shall make at◦one◦ment for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17) There shall be no man in the tabernacles of meeting when he goes in to make at◦one◦ment in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make at◦one◦ment for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel. 18) And he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD, and make at◦one◦ment for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19) Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel” – Leviticus 16:15-19.

Friends, to this very day, there are peoples who had their religious upbringing in churches that are steeped heavily in the Old Covenant – just as the Apostle Peter stated, “BY TRADITION FROM YOUR FATHERS”! – who continues to convey that this slain goat represents Christ Jesus!

Verse 21 – “Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live GOAT, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of THE GOAT, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man.”

Here speaking about a live GOAT, the “scapegoat,” the Azazel goat. Now, a great many ministers continue to believe that this goat represents Satan the Devil. But, we don’t really know – to be truthful about it! Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. But, in truth, it doesn’t really matter.

Let’s move on down in chapter 16 to verse 29 –

“’ This shall be a statute FOREVER for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you” – vs. 29.

As we’ve pointed out so many times, this is a very poor translation of this verse. The Hebrew phrase – the root of this phrase which I have underlined above, the meaning of it is “you shall HUMBLE yourself before the LORD your God.” Notice the New American Standard Bible version in the Key Word Hebrew-Greek Study Bible –

“’ And this shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall HUMBLE your souls, 5315 and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien 1616 who sojourns 1481among you” – Leviticus 16:29, NASB.

Does this mean that we must fast!? A great many people say, “Yes!”

Did you catch just what our beloved Apostle Peter – under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit – writes!? Again –

“ … you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received BY TRADITION FROM YOUR FATHERS.”

He is speaking of Jewish tradition. Because, if you’re going to be JEWISH, then Jewish tradition says that you must fast. If you’re going to be Jewish or a Jewish follower, then on the Day of Atonement you must fast. But you had better also not wear shoes made out of leather, not bathe, don’t wear any cologne or perfume, no lotion, and no sex for you! There is a whole list of things that you cannot do – if you want to be Jewish or a Jewish follower!

It is true that our Lord Jesus Christ would be 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.

“Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2) For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3) He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” – Isaiah 53:1-3.

Verse 10 – “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; …”

Now, in the Dead Sea Scrolls, when they discovered the Book of Isaiah – they were marveled that they found this scroll that they thought was a much later date. In those scrolls, this verse is listed. And, a translation by Professor Peter Flint reads, “Yet the LORD was willing to crush him, and he made him …” 1

Verse 11 – “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many. For He shall bear their iniquities.”

And down in verse 12 – “ … He was numbered with the transgressors, …”

So, here we see a little of God’s plan being unveiled to us through this prophet – who wrote 735 years before the event ever happened. It came to pass!

Our Lord Jesus Christ was the atonement for our sins –

“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.

Let us also notice –

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8) 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. 11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” – Romans 5:6-11.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was the ‘atonement’ for us in the reconciliation to Father God.

Now, if you would turn to 1st Peter, chapter 5 –

This is a Scripture that had a huge and profound influence on my life. And understanding these concepts has truly helped me to mature in my thinking and to gain much understanding.

Verse 5 – “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with HUMILITY, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” – the Apostle Peter is saying, ‘all of you be submissive to one another.’ It’s a cooperative enterprise. Everyone should be able to sit down at a table and – if their hearts and spirits are right – be able to offer information or suggest a change.

That’s the meaning of the Day of Atonement - internally speaking! To “be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, …”

Verse 6 – “Therefore HUMBLE yourselves under the mighty hand of God, …”– Humility.

What does that mean!? Does it mean joining a monastery and taking a vow of silence, walking around in a robe, and looking all pious!? Is this what God is talking about!?

No, humility is not what people can see – humility is what God sees. Truly becoming submissive to God, and His will, and the will of Jesus Christ.

“ … that He may exalt you in due time.” – at the blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMP – at the resurrection of the saints! That’s when you will receive your glory.

Verse 7 – “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” – this verse is so very important to all of us.

Verse 8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – Satan the devil is real, his demons are real. And, if you let down your guard, and the Spirit of God within you begins to drain – and you do not have that protective covering – Satan and his demons will find ways to mess up your life. And if they can, they will totally take you off the path of salvation. And, it’s happened to people that I know – tragically. And there’s nothing I can do about it, but ask God to have mercy on them.

Verse 9 – “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced [or has happened] by your brotherhood [your church members] in the world. 10) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while …” – after you have gone through this human life with its ups and downs and sufferings –

He will make you “ … perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

Verse 11 – “To Him [Jesus Christ] be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Indeed, in the Old Covenant on the Day of Atonement the high priest would go into the temple and sprinkle blood for the sins of the people. And, he was the only one who was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies – the inner sanctuary of the temple. Now, if you want to continue living under that system with its symbolism – you the individual – will never have access to God Almighty or Jesus Christ! However, in the New Covenant ANYONE ANYTIME ANYWHERE has access to Jesus Christ if they will only humble themselves before the mighty throne of God Most High! And seek in changing their lives and submit to God!

There are some magnificent prophetic meanings of the Day of Atonement – that many church leaders have never considered. And I’d be willing to say that probably most do not have a clear understanding of what prophetically the Day of Atonement – the DAY TO HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD – symbolizes. On a personal level, it truly means getting ever-closer to God, repenting, and humbling yourself before God – but on a prophetic level it is directly linked to the end-time trauma, what our Lord Jesus calls the end-time ‘great tribulation.’ – Matthew 24:21-22.

And certainly, the Day of Atonement is a somber day.

But the Day of Atonement is a somber day because it looks forward to a time when on this earth hundreds of millions of people are going to die by the hand of the returning Jesus Christ! It looks forward to a time when we’re told that the blood in and around the streets of Jerusalem will be up to a horses’ bridle – allegorically speaking.

It’s also a day that looks forward to a time where all of the individuals throughout history who had been called by God the Father and Jesus Christ, and had come to a level of knowledge and repentance and had their names written in the Book of Life – at some point their life turned sour, turned bitter, they turned their backs on God – and thereby they have had their names removed from the Book of Life. And sometime in the not-so-distant future on the return of Jesus Christ, those people will be brought back to life again, and then executed in the lake of fire. That’s why it’s a somber day.

Let us always HUMBLE OURSELVES before the LORD our God! □

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE HOLY DAY OF ATONEMENT

Day of Atonement - 2019 - Humble Yourselves In the Sight of the LORD (Sermon) - This is NOT a weekly church service, this is one of the annual holy days – often referred to as the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement is the second of what we often call the Fall Holy Days – or the Fall Holy Day Season.

Why FAST On the Day of Atonement? - by Minister Guy LaMar - Why do so many FAST on the Day of Atonement?

Notes Regarding the Day of Atonement - Prophetically the Day of the LORD (PDF booklet online) "The seven last plagues are directly linked with the idea of the Day of the Lord. And the Day of the Lord, prophetically, is linked to the concept of the Day of Atonement. ... the Worldwide Church of God and the descendants which have flowed from it, have been woefully ignorant of the meaning of the Day of Atonement. ... the Day of the Lord - an event which is the most often prophesied event in the Bible."

Offertory for the Day of Atonement - 2019 - Should an offering be taken on the Day of Atonement? Just what does your Bible teach about this!?

Day of Atonement - a day to humble yourself before God! - If you would turn in your Bible to the Book of Leviticus, chapter 23 – the only chapter in the whole of the Holy Bible which gives us all the LORD God’s holy days in order, giving us a thumbnail sketch about them.

Day of Atonement 2021 "Humble Yourselves" (Video Sermon) - Delivered by Minister Leonard V Johnson of the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries - for the Holy Day of Atonement 9/16/2021.

Day of Atonement Offertory - 2019 (Video Sermonette) - should an offering be taken on the Day of Atonement? Just what does your Bible teach about this? If you send an offering, how does that support the work of God? Minister Leonard V Johnson goes over some Scriptures related to this.

Day of Atonement = End-Time Trauma - Now, the so-called leader of the ICGs father, and his grandfather – established and led church organizations that taught and propagated ideas that were far different and diverse from the teachings of most – if not all – of the mainstream nominal Christian churches of the Western world. [...]

Old vs. New (Atonement) - 2017 (Video Sermon) - by Minister Michael C. Garrett.

Atonement - Part A (Video Sermon) - 2016 - by Minister Michael C. Garrett.

Atonement - Part B (Video Sermon) - 2016 - by Minister Michael C. Garrett.

Day of Atonement by Russell Kemp (Video Sermon) - 2020 - special guest speaker Russell Kemp came to speak at The Independent Christian Church of God for the Day of Atonement to feed us with spiritual food.

Saturday, October 1, 2022

September Stats

GREETINGS EVERYONE! October 2022 - It's a brand new month!

owensborocojc.com thank you for making this year the best year ever! Here are the stats for owensborocojc.com for the month of September '22 which you made possible!

Again, we thank you for your love, appreciation, and support, in Jesus' name,

owensborocojc.com.

Summary Stats According to StatCounter

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