Letter to our Friends - April 18, 2019 Update

Dear Friends:

The Spring Holy Day season is here!

Passover is after sunset on April 18th in 2019. We have an online video for Passover service in areas without a local minister. Here is a link: OCOJC Passover Service - 2017. Also, some of you may like to read the article: Prepare for the Passover 2019; along with Passover In Your Home - 2019 "VIDEO".

The Days of Unleavened Bread begin at sunset on April 19th of 2019 and run through sunset April 26th.

The Night To Be Much Remembered?

Now, the Days of Unleavened Bread begin at sunset on April 19th, however, is there a separate holy day called 'the night to be much remembered'!?

"It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations" - Exodus 12:42; KJV. 

Here is what Minister Michael C. Garrett teaches on this most misunderstood Scripture:

Exodus 12:42 – I want to point something out. And again, I’m not wanting to make anybody angry, and I’m not trying to tell anybody what they can and cannot do. In fact I have power over no one. Nor do I want power over anyone. You are all free moral agents to do whatever you think is best. But I would just implore you, and I would ask you, if you’re gonna do something, know why you’re doing it and use the Word of God as your foundation - as your rulebook. Like a few moment’s ago, I mentioned… it said to burn the meat. Never in the Bible does it say to burn the bread. Now I know that’s shocking to some of you, but that’s what the Bible says. And here is one – I don’t know just how it got started. It got started back in the Worldwide Church of God. And many people who got trained up in that system continue to perpetuate this – and they think they’re doing what the Bible says. But, in my opinion, they’re simply doing what human traditions established four, five, six decades ago. I’m talking about verse 42. It says in my King James English – “It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.” The night when they started to leave Egypt was the beginning of the Days of Unleavened Bread. And over time – and again I’m not trying to make this a major controversy. If you want to do what you want to do – then go do it. Don’t worry about me. But with time the people of the Worldwide Church of God changed that verse to read, “It is a night to be much remembered.” Have you heard that phrase!? Does it say that!? No, it says, “It is a night to be much observed …” Now in my margin – and I looked this up in some other translation’s this afternoon. To the best of my knowledge the meaning of those Hebrew words says, “it is a night of watching.” “The Lord’s vigil.” This verse 42 does not establish a separate holy day, or holy ceremony to be observed on the first night of Unleavened Bread. This verse doesn’t do it. Again, ‘a night to be much observed.’ A night of watching. Well, think about all the things that happened that night! You have this ceremony where you’re putting blood on the front of your house, you’re told don’t go outside. Stay inside and you’re protected. Imagine the cacophony which took place! When the Egyptian people, and the people who did not put blood on their doorway – when they realized that their firstborn children or anything firstborn – animal’s included – started dying! Imagine the agony and the voices. The wailing that took place all over the nation of Egypt! It was a horribly sad moment for the Egyptians. They were gonna see something that had never been seen before and has never been seen since! That’s why it says it’s ‘a night [of watching] …’ Because it was a unique – one of a kind, never before and never again – event! It would be like saying, “Halley’s Comet is coming tomorrow night!” “It will only be there for one night! You better get out and watch it!” Well, it was something spectacular! And He’s saying, “Remember this!” “Watch, think, remember – keep what happened tonight in your hearts and minds. And continue to tell the story.” Now, we don’t know anybody which was a part of this event. I mean that happened so many generations ago, we don’t have a grandfather, or grandmother, or great-grandparent who ever told us the story. But back in the day’s this happened, I’m sure many generation’s – parent’s to children to grandchildren to great-grandchildren – they said, “Hey! I was there when this happened! You won’t believe what we heard, what we saw, and what happened!” But it doesn’t say – go out and have a dinner together! This verse 42 does NOT purport that idea! 

Now, if you want to get together with your Church friends and have a dinner on the first night of Unleavened Bread, is there anything wrong with that!? No.

However, here’s the rub – over the history of the Worldwide Church of God people started keeping what they called “The Night To Be Much Remembered” and before long it became almost identical to the Jewish Passover Seder. The Jewish people have a very special ceremony that they call the Passover. Well, they’re off. What they’re celebrating with their Seder is actually the beginning – the first evening – of the Days of Unleavened Bread. And in the history of the Worldwide Church of God people started becoming, basically, following, the Jewish traditions. It is ‘a night to be much observed’ or ‘it is a night of watching.’ And how the Worldwide people translated that into ‘a night to be much remembered’ – and somehow that became a ceremony!? There are people of the history of the Worldwide Church of God that think it’s a Biblical commandment to go out and meet at a restaurant on the first night of Unleavened Bread. It’s not a commandment. If you want to do it to be sociable and friendly, visit – fine. But I’m just saying, be honest with what the Word of God says. And avoid human traditions.

Here is a link to that article: The Night To Be Much Remembered?

Unleavened Bread

We Christians understand and recognize that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate penalty for our sins on Passover and was murdered smack dab in the Middle of Unleavened Bread. Just what is the main meaning of the Days of Unleavened Bread?

Here, again, is what Minister Michael C. Garrett taught concerning this:

The Worldwide Church of God soiled – and sort-of think what that word connotates, but anyway – the Worldwide Church of God soiled the minds of many people about the true meaning and the teaching points which are associated with the Days of Unleavened Bread. Many of those misconceptions continue to grip many people - many church groups. And, the Worldwide Church of God basically taught, what I call, ritualistic housecleaning. And for most people of the Worldwide Church of God and many descendants from her, the Days of Unleavened Bread was about a campaign to “find leavening.” And they always said that leaven was an equal synonymous term with sin. So, you would normally here the following comment. I’m going to copy now what was said hundred’s of thousands of times – and you would here, “YOU MUST PUT SINNNNN OUT OF YOUR LIFE!” And then they would jump from there to say, “Leavening equals sin.” And so they would jump to the next conclusion, “You MUST go around finding every little particle of nine month old cookies! Wherever they might be!” And they taught that has one of the main meaning’s of the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Well, I think they misinterpreted, and misrepresented what the Days are supposed to mean. The meaning of the Days of Unleavened Bread is powerful! And, it’s not just one meaning – it’s truly like an onion. I think I complied one time about EIGHT different major teaching point’s from the Days of Unleavened Bread – from the Passover through the Days of Unleavened Bread. And each have a powerful Message. And not one of them has to do with – “You MUST find leavening!” … 

I’m just telling you – the Worldwide Church of God missed a lot of points. They missed a lot of things. And they misinterpreted a lot of things. And that’s a long story, but I’m not here to try to defend Worldwide. I have no desire to try and defend Worldwide. All I have a desire to do is to talk about the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God – and the Plan of God in a quick outline is given to us in the holy days. And the Spring holy days is all about individual personal salvation. For you or me on an individual basis for us to have the promise of eternal life. We must have the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We must have the ideas in the words and the presence of Jesus Christ come into us. That’s what the Days of Unleavened Bread are talking about. Christ In You! 

Here are some passages from the living Word of God concerning the Days of Unleavened Bread:

"Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that [life] shall be cut off from Israel. 16) And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. 17) And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by AN ORDINANCE FOR EVER. 18) In the first month on the fourteenth day of the month at even [sundown], ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. 19) Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that [life] shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. 20) Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread" - Exodus 12:15-20; KJV.

And Leviticus 23:6-8 talks about this Feast of Unleavened Bread also. Also, Deuteronomy 16:16, shows us that offerings were expected to be given on the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the Fall Holy Days.

As we eat a little unleavened bread each day, we are to remember the sacrifices which Jesus Christ has done of all of us, and symbolically take CHRIST IN US!!!

The Days of Unleavened Bread was NOT done away!

Early Christians knew that the Days of Unleavened Bread was not done away. The Apostle Paul endorsed properly keeping the Feast with unleavened bread (1 Corinthians 5:7). And, he and others continued to observe it and also to observe it outside of Judea:

"And we sailed away from Philippi AFTER the Days of Unleavened Bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days" - Acts 20:6; KJV.

Indeed, if Christians were not keeping the Days of Unleavened Bread, God's Spirit would not have inspired this to have been recorded in this manner. Philippi was a Gentile city. It was ruled by the Roman Empire - and keeping these days was NOT limited to places such as Jerusalem. In at least two different places in the New Testament, we see that the Days of Unleavened Bread were being kept in Gentile locations (1 Corinthians 5:7; Acts 20:6).

Let us also consider the statement, "it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread" in Acts 12:3. Why would the Apostle Luke mentioned these days if they were unknown to the Gentile Christians and had been done away!?

We in the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ do not accept that the Council of Laodicea or the Council of Nicaea, or any other council spoke for the true Christian Church - the Body of Christ - the Church of God, and we continue to keep the Days of Unleavened Bread. We eat some unleavened bread for each of the seven days as God has commanded (Exodus 12:15; 13:6; 23:15; 34:18). Now, this bread can be made from different grains and nuts - the use of wheat is not biblically required.

Let us also remember, other foods can indeed be eaten during this Feast of Unleavened Bread, it is just that no leavened BREAD is to be eaten. It is the Days of Unleavened Bread. Also, unlike the Passover, the first day and the last day of the Days of Unleavened Bread are like the weekly Sabbath - no regular work is to be done.

Apostle Paul wrote, through inspiration of God's Spirit:

27) "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28) But let a man [or woman] examine himself [or herself], and so let him [or her] eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29) For he [or she] who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself [or herself], not discerning the Lord's body" - 1 Corinthians 11:27-29; NKJV.

Apostle Paul is clearly teaching that to take this bread and wine, one must examine oneself.

While there are a great many in this world which like to allegorize away many portions of God's living Word - the Bible, there are a great many spiritual understanding's to God's Holy Days. The physical observance helps us to better understand the spiritual lessons.

YouTube, and GodTube:

Many of you realize that within a few days of the official formation of the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ, we began to load video sermons onto YouTube.

Now we have a couple more channels which we are using YouTube:

Deacon Trevor Koonce channel: channel with many earlier sermons.

the Leonard Johnson channel: channel mainly for sermons and Biblical subjects.

As many are aware, YouTube is controlled by companies that tend to be antagonistic to Biblical teachings on several aspects of morality, so we are not wishing to be completely dependent upon YouTube.

YouTube has stated that subscribers tend to watch more of the videos of the channels they subscribe to. For us, it is free advertising of the living TRUTH of God through YouTube, and for our subscribers to be notified when new video sermons are loaded to our channels.

As far as the Leonard Johnson channel, I have not actually done anything to specifically attempt to increase YouTube subscribers. I currently have 9 subscribers for this channel. YouTube has substantially dropped our view counts - possibly because of the series given by Minister Michael C. Garrett, the Toxic Philosophy series, in which he had accurately stated that politics to the left-wing is their religion. Afterwards the view counts dropped significantly!

As we have mentioned before, we are now using another platform, other than YouTube, for our video sermons.

Our good friend in Owensboro has been able to load our recent video sermons to our Godtube channel which is publicly available at: https://www.godtube.com/o'borochurchofjesuschrist/.

Several have asked if there is a way you can help the Work of God. Well, if you would like to assist us with Godtube, please go to: o'borochurchofjesuschrist and, if you wish, watch each of the video sermons there (even if you have seen them before on YouTube). The more views we get, the greater our coverage will be on Godtube.

We know that a 'famine of the Word' is soon coming (Amos 8:11-12), yet we still need to do the Work of God while it is still light, soon darkness shall come (John 9:4) and we must be prudent and wise about it (cf. Matthew 10:16-18).

World News Items:

The Paris cathedral of Notre Dame caught fire and much of it was burned. The French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild it "because it is what the French expect of us, it is what our history deserves, it is, in the deepest sense, our destiny" (See: Fire Causes Massive Damage to Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral). Of course France's "destiny" is to temporarily support the rising church+state Babylonian power of Revelation 17. (Be sure to read: Prophecy Series - End-Time Babylon). President Macon's statement is very consistent with this. Napoleon was crowned (well, technically he crowned himself) Emperor of France in the Notre Dame cathedral December 2, 1804. Is it possible that the future Beast of the Sea will be crowned in a newly renovated Notre Dame cathedral!?

Notice this news report:

A photo of a gilded cross gleaming through the smoke and haze after a fire ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has proven to be a symbol of hope following an unspeakable tragedy.      https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/04/16/powerful-image-shows-cross-shining-through-wreckage-at-notre-dame-cathedral/23712689/

I do know I have been seeing demons (architectural gargoyle's) looking down at the burning Notre Dame in news reports, as in this photo (bottom right) from Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images:

(L) Smoke rises around the alter in front of the cross inside the Notre Dame Cathedral as fire continues to burn. Photo: Reuters.

Since a cross will be at the least a symbol of the Beast, that cross image above may be part of a motivator for people in France and the rest of Europe to want a type of church+state alignment. Indeed, Roman Catholic commentators on secular television programs has stated that the Notre Dame situation, and that bright shining cross, is hope that this would lead to a "reawakening" of the Catholic religion. A version of this will occur per Revelation 17.

Now, as far as the church+state situation goes in Europe, the former presidential advisor to US President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, has tried to tell some Europeans that Pope Francis is the enemy (Steve Bannon 'told Italy's populist leader: Pope Francis is the enemy'). This is not going to endear him or the United States of America to Europe. The burning of Notre Dame may spark even more Catholic interest in Europe.

Other European matters, a new EU internet copyright law became official this week (See: Europe backs copyright overhaul that threatens to hit YouTube and Facebook hard). And, while it has a two year implementation window and supposedly exempts non-profits and small firms, the way that it is written could indeed impact what we proclaim on YouTube and on our Facebook pages. This is another step closer for Europe to control the Internet.

Both the European Union and Russia has indicated a willingness to help broker a peace deal in the Middle East (See: FM: Russia willing to host Palestine-Israel meeting). Even though Russia is not the prophesied future 'King of the North' (Daniel 11:40), it may very well be involved in a future peace deal.

Tensions are still high between China and Australia (See: China tells WTO that Australia's ban on 5G technology is 'obviously discriminative'). Now, while the two do trade a lot with each other, this will not end well with Australia.

Suggested Holy Day Service:

Here is a suggested Holy Day Service for this week.

* 2-3 hymns. 

* Opening prayer. 

* Sermonette (if you choose): The one suggested for this week is Bondage of Armstrong. 

* Announcements (if any). 

* Sermon: The one suggested for this week is Contract With Christ - Part 1. Other sermons are  available at: Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ.

* Final hymn. 

* Closing prayer.

Concluding Comments:

Minister Michael C. Garrett has said:

Notice 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 – Paul wrote this, and he was talking about the time of the end! He was talking about the days leading up to the ‘Day of the LORD’! He’s talking to us my friends from nearly two-thousand years ago! Verse 2 – “For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3) For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4) But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5) You are all [children] of the light and [children] of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6) Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk [drunk physically and spiritually] are drunk at night. 8) But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” – and these are wonderful words – Verse 9 – “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, …” – both physical salvation and spiritual salvation. “…10) who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11) Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” – and I don’t think in the Church of God we edify each other as much as we should! We are the only things we’ve got – we are family! You remember that wonderful song a few years ago, back in the ‘80s – “We Are Family!”? Well we are! But sometimes we don’t treat each other like we’re family. I wish we would! I think Jesus Christ wants us to, I know that God would bless us if we would!

We must keep these thoughts in mind, because the only source of protection possible for all of us is the protection which comes from Jesus Christ, God Almighty, and Their angels! I will say to all of you – may God bless you, may He keep you, may He bless the Church of God, may He bless the Work of God. And in the end, I’m just gonna say one more time – remember those photos that you have seen from the devastation of the 2010 Haitian earthquake, without God’s protection that is your future! With God’s protection, that will not be your future. Remember, pray, watch, learn, study, and be thankful to God because He is the Rock of our salvation!

Sincerely, and with great love,

Letter to our Friends - April 10, 2020

Michael C. Garrett

Pastor and Overseer

Greetings dear friends from West Central Florida:

God’s Spring Holy Day season is upon us!

Passover and ‘the night to be much observed’ – ‘a night of watching’ (cf. Exodus 12:41-42) – our Lord’s vigil – went very well here and in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Days of Unleavened Bread

Today as I write this, it’s the SECOND DAY of the Days of Unleavened Bread – which lasts until sunset April 15th.

We Christians understand and recognize that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate penalty for our sins on Passover and was murdered smack dab in the Middle of Unleavened Bread.

Just what is the main meaning of the Days of Unleavened Bread?

Here, is what Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote concerning this:

Many … misconceptions continue to grip many people - many church groups … what I call, ritualistic housecleaning. And for most people … the Days of Unleavened Bread was about a campaign to “find leavening.” And they always said that leaven was an equal synonymous term with sin. So, you would normally hear the following comment – I’m going to copy now what was said hundreds of thousands of times – and you would hear, “YOU MUST PUT SINNNNN OUT OF YOUR LIFE!” And then they would jump from there to say, “Leavening equals sin.” And so they would jump to the next conclusion, “You MUST go around finding every little particle of nine-month-old cookies! Wherever they might be!” And they taught that as one of the main meanings of the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Well, I think they misinterpreted and misrepresented what the Days are supposed to mean. The meaning of the Days of Unleavened Bread is powerful! And, it’s not just one meaning – it’s truly like an onion. I think I compiled one time about EIGHT different major teaching point’s from the Days of Unleavened Bread – from the Passover through the Days of Unleavened Bread. And each has a Powerful Message. And not one of them has to do with – “You MUST find leavening!” …

I’m just telling you – … they missed a lot of things. And they misinterpreted a lot of things. And that’s a long story, … All I have a desire to do is to talk about the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God – and the Plan of God is a quick outline is given to us in the holy days. And the Spring holy days are all about individual personal salvation. For you or me on an individual basis for us to have the promise of eternal life. We must have the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We must have the ideas in the words and the presence of Jesus Christ come into us. That’s what the Days of Unleavened Bread are talking about. Christ In You!

Here are some passages from the living Word of God concerning the Days of Unleavened Bread:

"Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that [life] shall be cut off from Israel. 16) And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. 17) And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by AN ORDINANCE FOR EVER. 18) In the first month on the fourteenth day of the month at even [sundown], ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. 19) Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that [life] shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. 20) Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread" - Exodus 12:15-20; KJV.

And Leviticus 23:6-8 talks about this Feast of Unleavened Bread also. Also, Deuteronomy 16:16, shows us that offerings were expected to be given on the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the Fall Holy Days.

As we eat a little unleavened bread each day, we are to remember the sacrifices which Jesus Christ has done of all of us, and symbolically take CHRIST IN US!!!

The Days of Unleavened Bread was NOT done away!

Early Christians knew that the Days of Unleavened Bread was not done away. The Apostle Paul endorsed properly keeping the Feast with Unleavened Bread (1 Corinthians 5:7). And, he and others continued to observe it and also to observe it outside of Judea:

"And we sailed away from Philippi AFTER the Days of Unleavened Bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days" - Acts 20:6; KJV.

Indeed, if Christians were not keeping the Days of Unleavened Bread, God's Spirit would not have inspired this to have been recorded in this manner. Philippi was a Gentile city. It was ruled by the Roman Empire - and keeping these days was NOT limited to places such as Jerusalem. In at least two different places in the New Testament, we see that the Days of Unleavened Bread were being kept in Gentile locations (1 Corinthians 5:7; Acts 20:6).

Let us also consider the statement, "it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread" in Acts 12:3. Why would the Apostle Luke mention these days if they were unknown to the Gentile Christians and had been done away!?

We in the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ do not accept that the Council of Laodicea or the Council of Nicaea, or any other council spoke for the true Christian Church - the Body of Christ - the Church of God, and we continue to keep the Days of Unleavened Bread. We eat some unleavened bread for each of the seven days as God has commanded (Exodus 12:15; 13:6; 23:15; 34:18). Now, this bread can be made from different grains and nuts - the use of wheat is not biblically required.

Let us also remember, other foods can indeed be eaten during this Feast of Unleavened Bread, it is just that no leavened BREAD is to be eaten. It is the Days of Unleavened Bread. Also, unlike the Passover, the first day and the last day of the Days of Unleavened Bread are like the weekly Sabbath - no regular work is to be done.

Apostle Paul wrote, through the inspiration of God's Spirit:

27) "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28) But let a man [or woman] examine himself [or herself], and so let him [or her] eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29) For he [or she] who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself [or herself], not discerning the Lord's body" - 1 Corinthians 11:27-29; NKJV.

Apostle Paul is clearly teaching that to take this bread and wine, one must examine oneself.

While there are a great many in this world which like to allegorize away many portions of God's living Word - the Bible, there are a great many spiritual understanding's to God's Holy Days. The physical observance helps us to better understand the spiritual lessons.

The SEVENTH-DAY of the Days of Unleavened Bread

Friends, on the 21st of Nisan, Almighty God caused the Red Sea to be parted so that the children of Israel should cross on dry ground through the midst of the sea (Exodus 14:21). This year, that date is from sunset on the 14th through to sunset on the 15th!

In the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, the LORD [the very God we know of today as Jesus the Christ!] called for the children of Israel to cross on dry-shod going into the ‘midst of the sea’ with a wall of water on their right hand and on their left under a cloud – symbolic of baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2) – with their enemies pursuing them. Then, ‘in the morning watch,’ the sea returned to its full depth covering and destroying the Egyptians chariots, horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh (Exodus 14:23-28).

As I retold – the other day – this great historical story of the Bible to my wife, we should understand that it was on the seventh day of the Days of Unleavened Bread that the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea and the army of the Egyptians was utterly destroyed!

A Christian’s sequence of events begins from the acceptance of Jesus Christ, the New Covenant, of the gift of repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38-39). Christians must endure unto the end (Matthew 10:22), and attain to the resurrection of life (John 5:29; Revelation 20:6) and called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

The crossing of the Red Sea has a great lesson for Christians. At the sounding of the SEVENTH TRUMP – understand, when the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES BEGIN, THE RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS HAS ALREADY OCCURRED! The Saints are protected! Because they’re not flesh and blood any more. Their eternal spirit beings – members of the Family of God (cf. Revelation 15:2) – “…the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent [which is now cast down to the earth]” – (Revelation 12:14; see also Ezekiel 20:10). Keep in mind, the resurrection occurs on the SEVENTH TRUMP. The seven last plagues follow that. So, we will already be in “low earth orbit” in the clouds, being with Jesus Christ, in preparation for the time He, Jesus Christ, directly engages humankind. Thessalonians 2:1 – “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, …” - by our gathering, remember, we’ll be caught up in the clouds and meet Jesus in the clouds!? Verse 2 – “…the day of Christ had come.” – that’s the Day of the Lord! Remember, all the major prophets talked about it! 75% of the “minor” prophets talked about it!

And, in duality, ONCE AGAIN God will send out His prophets, transport them by His heavenly “taxi-service,” and the two witnesses, I do believe, will have opportunities to speak to the children which are held in captivity. Now, the question is: Who are these people!? A lot of them are the people of Israel – most of which are physical members of the house of Israel. America, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. The people where the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh settled. However, I do believe, that among some of those people will be groups of people who thought they were members of the Church of God (cf. Revelation 12:17), who thought they were doing what they were supposed to do. But did not understand that over the years their religion had been transformed into not a worship of God, but rather worship of human beings. Verse 17 – “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring [Now if you’re in a group of people or an organization whose leader is ashamed of the name Jesus Christ, where does it leave you!? You’re out in the cold!], who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Terrible things continue to grow worse all around them! They will need to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

And also, in duality, the New Testament announces a fulfillment of the utter annihilation of “pharaoh’s” army in the complete destruction of this world’s armies who will fight against the returning Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:19-21).

Indeed, the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread helps picture the end of this world’s governmental systems and the establishment of the glorious Kingdom of God!

A Second Passover!?

Now friends, because of the many governmental restrictions because of this dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, many people may not have been able to keep the Passover earlier this week – or, for those who were ill – on the 14th of Nisan (which was the evening of the 7th on the Gregorian calendar). There is– according to the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God – a reference to a second Passover. This is based upon the following Scriptures. Turn over to Numbers chapter 9.

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month [the month of Nisan] of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2) ‘Let the children of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. 3) On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight [at sundown], you shall keep it at its appointed time. According to all its rites and ceremonies you shall keep it.’

4) So Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the Passover. 5) And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month [Nisan], at twilight [at sundown], in the Wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did.

6) Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. 7) And those men said to him, ‘We became defiled by a human corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the LORD at its appointed time among the children of Israel?’ 8) And Moses said to them, ‘Stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.’

9) Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 10) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the LORD’s Passover. 11) On the fourteenth day of the second month [the month of Iyyar], at twilight [at sundown], they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. … 13) But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person, because he did not bring the offering of the LORD at its appointed time [the 14th of Nisan at sunset]; that man shall bear his sin’” – Numbers 9:1-13; NKJV.

This is in reference to a second Passover. For those who are sick, or unable to keep the first Passover, a month later, you can keep as a substitute Passover. And, look what it says, “with unleavened bread.” So, how can it be any more simple, how can it be any more plain and straightforward!?

World News Items

I called my barber the other day via the phone, and a recording stated, ‘We will be closed for the next 30 days!’ It’s no longer legal in many parts of the United States of America to get a haircut!? Yet, the World Health Organization (WHO) wants everyone to know that it considers abortion access in this time of crisis to be essential! (See ‘WHO: Abortions Must Continue even at Expense of Containing Coronavirus’). Friends, just as we teach our young children, ‘every action has an equal opposite reaction,’ God – the mighty and awesome CREATOR of His universe – teaches all mankind, “’ But it shall come to pass, IF you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, [for there is but ONE God, and ONE Mediator between God and all men, Jesus Christ; Isa. 44:6], to observe CAREFULLY all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: ….’” – Deuteronomy 28:15.

God condemns the shedding of innocent blood:

“These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17) A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood [including metaphorical blood], 18) A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19) A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren” – Proverbs 6:16-19.

“Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. 8) The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice [judgment] in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace” – Isaiah 59:7-8.

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place’ … ‘Yet your eyes and your heart are nothing but your covetousness, For shedding innocent blood, And practicing oppression and violence’” – Jeremiah 22:3, 17.

Babies are innocent. The murdering of innocent babies is part of this ‘shedding of innocent blood’!

Also, most religious services have been banned in many parts of the world and many religious groups are being blamed for the spreading of the virus (See ‘Coronavirus Blood Libel Attempts to Outlaw Religion and Replace it With Spring Break’). And, Europe is disunited in trying to decide how to proceed (See ‘EU fails to agree on coronavirus recovery deal’). Yet, many governmental actions are looking to help pave the way for a totalitarian ‘beast rising up out of the sea’ (Revelation 13:1-10) (e.g. ‘"Immunity Certificates" Are Coming - COVID-Survivors To Get 'Special Passports' Enabling Return To 'Normalcy'’). Friends, God’s Word indeed shows us that totalitarian control, including in relation to religion, is soon coming to E U R O P E:

“Then I [the apostle John saw in a great vision] stood on the sand of the sea [which would be the Mediterranean Sea]. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. [Now this ‘seven heads’ are the seven resurrections of the “Holy” Roman Empire. And those ‘ten horns’ are the ten kings or the ten kingdoms that make up the final installment of the “Holy” Roman Empire. The same thing as we saw back in Daniel – the ‘ten horns.’].

2) Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard [a reference to the Greco/Macedonian Empire under Alexander the Great], his feet were like the feet of a bear [and that’s the Medo-Persian Empire], and his mouth like the mouth of a lion [the ancient Babylonian Empire]. The dragon [Satan the devil] gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” – Revelation 13:1-2.

This is what Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote concerning this:

“Revelation chapter 13 – after the seven heads and ten horns it says in verse 2 – “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard … feet of a bear, … and his mouth like the mouth of a lion.” … The final installment of the “Holy” Roman Empire, as it were, would be a bit of all of these kingdoms. And then it says Verse 5 – “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months [again, 3 ½ years].” Verse 7 – “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8) All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life …”

(Prophecy Series – The Final Empire, Garrett, M.C., 2019, pg. 20).

“Then I [the apostle John] saw [in this great vision] another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon [a great religious leader].

Verse 12 – “And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, …” Verse 13 – this is so important – this great religious leader – “… performs great signs, so that he even makes fire [or lightning] come down from heaven on the earth by those signs [“miracles”] which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, …” A little later on it talks about Verse 16 – “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, …” – Revelation 13:11-13, 16.

And I know a lot of people have speculated, what is the so-called “Mark of the Beast”! It is the sign of the cross. If you think about it – the world of so-called Christianity, the world of the Catholic faith and the Protestant faith – one is the one identifying sign under which all of them sort-of identify!? It is the sign of the cross. And, if you think about Catholics, they take their right hand, and they start at their forehead, and they make that funny little sign. This is the identifying sign of that great religion that sprang out of the Roman Empire and which is the basis of the “Holy” Roman Empire as they go through their different phases and will be the great power behind the formation of that final “Holy” Roman Empire.

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day [the Day of the LORD] will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, … [this is talking about a future religious leader from the homeland of Europe, practicing the historic religion of Europe, who claims – and notice… THIS IS THE ABOMINATION THAT MAKES DESOLATE!] 4) who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God [meaning in Jerusalem], showing himself that he is God” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

Also also, government actions in relation to COVID-19 have been adding to the havoc of the world’s economies (See ‘Finns Warned World's Best-Funded Welfare State Collapsing Under Virus-Triggered Mass Unemployment’ along with ‘As the coronavirus triggers a global economic crisis, just how bad could it get?’). Europe is trying to recover (See ‘EU's von der Leyen calls for 'Marshall Plan' for Europe’). In the US, the approach has been to SHUT DOWN many nonessential (government definition) businesses and to INCREASE HER DEBT which stands at approximately $24 TRILLION! (See ‘Trump nominates White House lawyer to oversee coronavirus stimulus plan’ and ‘YouTube; Bloomberg Politics: Pelosi Targets $1 Trillion or More for Next Round of Stimulus’). God is allowing the nations to become weakened!

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this week’s suggested High Sabbath service:

● 2-3 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is The Old Time Gospel).
● Opening prayer.
● Sermonette (if you choose). The one suggested is “Pray Not For This People” by Minister Michael C. Garrett.
● Announcements (if any) and one hymn.
● Sermon. The one suggested is “Dimash In NYC – I Will Fear No Evil” by Michael C. Garrett. (Many more sermons are available at http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/).
● Final hymn.
● Closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ website. Also, friends, be to SUBSCRIBE to our BitChute channel.

Concluding Comments

As you are aware, my wife and I are adopting and we have been helping him with his homework. His world history teacher is teaching his whole class ‘A New Faith,’ and ‘The Spread of Islam.’ He is required to learn such ‘vocabulary’ words and their definitions, such as shari’ah, mosque, quran, and caliph. I remember when I was his age learning in history class such things as the names of all the US presidents, the history of the United States of America and her constitution, the emancipation proclamation, the history of Ponce de Leon and Christopher Columbus.

Is America becoming more Islamic? Well, notice the following:

The Islamization Of American Schools – Soft Jihad in American Schools

September 8th, 2018

Well, what can I say? The Islamic paradise is playing out live, but not in living color, only in a mono color — black. … In CNN’s translation of the Shahada, they (intentionally) left out a critical part. The Shahada starts by: I testify (meaning I accept, I verify) that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. … And the school authorities say that there is absolutely no religious scheme in this practice. Well, I would be shocked if these conniving goons would ever speak the truth and when they stop short of deceiving non-Muslims by any and all means to convert them. It is a central doctrine of their religion– taqiyya –to deceive non-Muslims is a meritorious deed when it serves Islam. …

Muslim organizations have been busy and working “stealthily” changing America in what is called “Soft Jihad,” or “Cultural Jihad,” in the United States. Soft Jihad is practiced where the sword of jihad is not advisable, where Muslims are not strong enough to unsheathe their sword, where the true nature of Islam is exposed and when the general public would likely stamp them out.

A critical tool of soft jihad, involves penetration of the American educational system, …

(Read More: https://newswithviews.com/the-islamization-of-americas-schools/).

According to a report by the International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, the Muslim population in North America – a region consisting of three countries and territories: Bermuda, Canada, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and the USA, the total population of this region increased from 44 million in 1870 to 172 million in 1950, to 388 million by 2020!

The growth of North America’s Muslim population can be attributed to immigration, high birth rates (Pew Research Center – ‘New estimates show U.S. Muslim population continues to grow’) and conversions to Islam.

Islam and Islam-related issues, omnipresent in North America in this 21st century, can be categorized into five broad themes: 1) Islamic extremism and security implications of North American jihadists within Syria and Iraq and elsewhere; 2) the continued spread of Islamic Sharia law in the US and other North American countries and territories; 3) the exploitation of US and other North American children by Muslim gangs; 4) Muslim integration into parliamentary democracies, devolved parliamentary dependents, or a constitutional republic; and 5) the utter failure of North America’s multiculturalism.

Indeed, the diminished respect for God’s living Word – the Holy Bible – and God’s standards is also a factor in the increased Islamization of North America.

As the Muslim population increases in the United States, so too will the number of Islamic terror attacks.

Consider some biblical prophecies related to TERRORISM:

“’ But IF you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15) and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16) I also will do this to you: I will even appoint TERROR over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17) I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. THOSE WHO HATE YOU shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you’” – Leviticus 26:16-17.

“’ The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be TERROR within For the young man and virgin, The nursing child with the man of gray hairs’” – Deuteronomy 32:25.

So, what is Islam’s role!? A person from lands that are currently dominated by Islam is prophesied to be involved with deals with a final European ‘king of the North’ – Daniel 11:27; along with Psalm 83:3-8.

God’s living Word specifically WARNS of grave problems from the Arabic peoples in this end-time (which nearly all are Muslim):

“’ They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4) They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’ 5) For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6) The tents of Edom [the progenitor of the Turkish people] and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [think Jordan] and the Hagrites [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; 7) Gebal [Lebanon], Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [Turks]; Philistia [modern Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon] 8) Assyria [whose descendants migrated to Germany] also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot [Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan]” – Psalm 83:3-8.

This end-time prophecy is likely to involve TERRORISM!

Why!?

Because ‘they have taken crafty counsel’ indeed sounds as if it could involve some terrorism.

Friends, bringing in Muslim immigrants into North America will very likely result in some of them fulfilling terroristic prophecies (be sure to read ‘How Democrats are using multiculturalism and immigration to destroy America’).

Without national repentance, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and even Bermuda are doomed. Notice that lack of repentance is indeed listed as a reason that the ‘king of Assyria’ – the final ‘king of the North’ – will become Ephraim’s king:

“’ I taught Ephraim to walk, … 5) But the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent. 6) And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume them, Because of their own counsels. 7) My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him’” – Hosea 11:3, 5-7.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

SEVENTH DAY of Unleavened Bread Sermon

                                                                                               

Leonard V. Johnson

     Greetings EVERYONE! Including our dear brethren and friends in Springfield, Missouri; Elkview, West Virginia; across the ocean in Kingston Upon Thames, United Kingdom and up in Toronto, Canada. Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, I’m Leonard V. Johnson.

     Well, here we are on the glorious SEVENTH DAY of the LORD our God’s holy Feast of Unleavened Bread!

     One of the major proofs of the very existence of a CREATOR is CREATION. And it is creation that actually identifies God. And, the weekly Sabbath is a memorial of creation. Every week it should be a reminder to us all of God’s awesome creative power and majesty! It should keep us all in remembrance of the true worship of God and of the true God. Indeed the SEVENTH DAY OF THE WEEK is a sign {1} with great and significant meaning. It was implemented by God to help keep us in the true worship of the CREATOR!

Why the HOLY DAYS!?

     This early morning, our 9-year-old niece enters the office, crying. She was crying because the Easter rabbit didn’t deliver an Easter basket full of chocolate “bunny” eggs to our house as she was spending the night! My wife speaks up and says that the Easter rabbit didn’t know that she was spending the night – that surely he had left a basket at her house!! I just shook my head in bewilderment.

     Thank God, dear brethren, that we know God’s living truth in regards to Easter, {2} but also that God gave His Church seven annual feasts. And these Holy Days are to keep His begotten children in the true memory and worship of God by helping us to be constantly in the understanding of His Master Plan – from the beginning. These annual feasts picture the different epochs of His Master Plan for the redemption of all mankind. They mark the dispensations and their meaning.

     Like I was explaining briefly to my wife the other day that our great and loving God has shown all mankind what death is like, along with what happens after death – with sleep. Throughout the day we grow tired to the very point of going to bed and falling asleep - sleep is defined as a state of unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused. Eight hours can pass by in the blink of an eye, and before we know it, we’re awake and refreshed – ready for a brand new day! Death and the resurrection unto life are reenacted day after day after day continually.

     These worldly churches continue to incorrectly teach that Jesus Christ finished the “work” of redemption on the cross. But the very FIRST event in God’s Master Plan for the redemption of all mankind was our Lord and Savior’s death on the cross. At the acceptable year of the LORD ‘the Spirit of the Lord GOD was upon Him because the LORD had appointed Him to preach good tidings to the poor; to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and open the prison to those who are bound’ – Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:16-19. And this great operation began… well… let’s begin in the Book of Genesis, the 3rd chapter. Many biblical commentaries tell us that this is one of the very first messianic prophecies in the Holy Bible. This is where God extends His curse on mankind for sinning and to Satan the devil himself.

     Verse 15 – “’ And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, …’” – talking, of course, of Satan the devil and Eve. “ … ‘And between your seed …’” – speaking here about the followers of Satan the devil  {3} – “ … ‘and her Seed; …” – the followers of her Seed – the living Jesus Christ - which would come after her.

     “ … ‘He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.’” – that may sound confusing here, but the commentaries realize that this is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ. That He would eventually bruise the head of Satan the devil. In other words, He would overcome Satan and put him down. Yet, before that happened Satan would ‘bruise His heel.’ And, of course, the reference here, is when he would succeed in bringing about the death of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. So, here we see a great prophecy which is some six-thousand-years old, which points to the Messiah.

     Also, in the Book of Jude, he quoted from a portion of something which the prophet Enoch had written. He said, “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also saying, ‘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 things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’”

     So here is a man – the prophet Enoch – whose life actually overlapped Adam’s. They lived contemporaneously for 365 years! And the prophet Jude is quoting a statement here from the prophet Enoch that is talking about the returning LORD returning with ‘ten thousands of His saints.’ So, we’re moving forward in time and we see another prophecy about the Messiah.

     And we find the operation of this great sacrifice, which began in the garden of Eden when Abel sacrificed a substitute lamb – cf. Genesis 4:3-5. We see what the apostle Paul says in Hebrews 9 –

     “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” – verse 22.

     But, why blood? Of all things, why blood for the remission of sins?

     Let us notice what God’s living word says about blood. Genesis chapter 9 –

     “So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. 2) And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, and on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. 3) Every moving thing that lives [and is clean according to God’s law of clean and unclean meat {4}] shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. 4) But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.’”

     Blood is the source of life. {5} God would later tell the children of Israel: “’ For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. 14) for it is the life of the flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’” – Leviticus 17:11, 14.

     And it’s reiterated in Deuteronomy chapter 12 –

     “’ Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat.’”

     So we see, brethren, that in the Old Testament blood sacrifices were a type of the perfect blood sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that provides a total and complete, and permanent, forgiveness of sins – and more importantly “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” – Romans 6:23. We are spiritually dead in and of ourselves: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins” – Ephesians 2:1.

     And so we see God’s plan in the redemption of all mankind in Genesis 18.

     Verse 1 – “Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2) So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, [he sees what appears to be] three men [walking towards him]. … he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, …” – and why does he bow down!? Because he knows who one of them is! It is the One we now call Jesus Christ! Verse 3 – “and said, ‘My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.” – and then what does he say!? He tells his servants, verse 4 – “Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.’” – so there’s a little foot-washing ceremony taking place. And then he says in verse 5 – “’ And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that, you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.’” They said, “‘Do as you have said.’ 6) So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, ‘Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.’” – so, when you take a little flour and a little oil and knead it up and put it on the grill – you have unleavened bread. Doesn’t have time to leaven. And so, they’ve got a foot washing, they’ve got unleavened bread Verse 7 – “And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, …” butchered it, and they have themselves a meal. A little pre-Passover meal.

     So, upon delivering His people from Egypt, God taught them the proper time. {6} God said, “’ This MONTH shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you’” – Exodus 12:2.

     Certainly many keep the beginning of this first feast of the LORD’s in observing Passover. Yet, they never go on to learn the awesome “depth of the riches” of God’s grace and mercy pictured by the following feasts! Let us ALWAYS look unto JESUS, “the Author and Finisher of our faith” unto salvation! – Hebrews 12:2.

     On the 10th day of this first month, the children of Israel were instructed to take a lamb without blemish. And they were to keep it UNTIL – not after – the 14th of the same first month, at “EVEN” – which is sunset – and then kill it.

     This was within – not AFTER – the 14th day. {7} They shed the blood of the lamb, which pictured Jesus Christ’s sacrifice which was to come. And they ate the flesh of the lamb THAT NIGHT. Then, at midnight the death angel came but PASSED OVER (hence, PASSOVER) every dwelling where the BLOOD had been sprinkled.

     THERE ARE some very important details. And it is vital that we notice them. It proves that the Passover is to be observed on the 14th, not the 15th.

     Now, I want you to see another vital point. Turn to the Book of Numbers chapter 28 –

     Verse 16 – “’ ON the FOURTEENTH DAY [not after it] of the first month is the Passover of the LORD. 17) And ON the FIFTEENTH DAY [not before it] of this month is the feast; unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days.’”

     And the last writings of Moses talk about this – Deuteronomy 16:3 – “’ You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction …’” – and that’s one of the meanings of the Days of Unleavened Bread. “…’ the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4) And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, …’” – so, that’s very clear. Verse 8 – “’ Six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a [holy convocation, a solemn assembly] …’”

     Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:

     “So, what have we concluded from all of those … biblical passages!? During the Days of Unleavened Bread, you are to eat – every day – at least some unleavened bread. And for those seven days, you will not eat leavened bread. Now that’s all it said. It didn’t say, “Get down on your hands and knees and look for old cookie crumbs.” It just didn’t say it. It is not the Days of Unleavened Beer. You know, in order to make beer you have to have yeast. Yeast, the number one leavening agent in the history of mankind, always has been always will be. It is not the Days of Unleavened Wine. It is not the Days of Unleavened Toothpaste. Because some toothpaste has baking powder in them, I am told. And all the other things you can worry about. A lot of people think, ‘Well I’m not supposed to eat leavening.’ You’re not supposed to consume leavened bread. Didn’t we read that!?”

(Garrett, M.C. Christ In You (Unleavened Bread – Day 2) – 2017 “VIDEO,” 2019).

     Truly, one way you can understand the Days of Unleavened Bread is by understanding the very central focus of the Days of Unleavened Bread – Jesus Christ!

     Sadly, many minds were soiled concerning the true meaning and the teaching points which are associated with the Days of Unleavened Bread! And many of these misconceptions continue to grip many people – many remnant church groups. {8} Well, they continue to teach ritualistic housecleaning. And to so many, the Days of Unleavened Bread is a campaign to “find leavening.” And they always claim that leaven is equated with the term sin. While that is a tradition, it is not Scriptural. And I want you to understand that they were teaching this as Judeo-Christianity – not as part of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ! In fact, there is no Scripture that declares that leaven (which is short for leavened bread) is sin. There is certainly a passage that tells us exactly what sin is. It’s 1st John 3:4 – “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”

     Our Lord and Savior – the true Messiah - never called leaven sin. An example can be found in the Book of Matthew chapter 13 –

     Verse 33 – “’ The kingdom [from] heaven is like leaven, …’”

     And another passage that offers a perspective is in the Book of Luke chapter 13 –

     “’ To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21) It is like leaven, …’”

     Here’s another example – when our Lord Jesus compared the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees with leaven.

     “’ How is it you do not understand that I DID NOT SPEAK TO YOU CONCERNING BREAD? – but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees’” – Matthew 16:11.

     Verse 12 – “Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine [Strong’s 1322, didache, teaching or instruction] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

     Yet, so many ministers would get up at the podium during the LORD God’s holy Feast of Unleavened Bread and announce, “YOU MUST PUT SINNNNN OUT OF YOUR LIFE!” {9} Claiming that leavening equals sin. And they would jump from there to the next conclusion, “One must go around the house and find every little crumb of nine-month-old bread crumbs! Wherever they might be!” And out goes the toaster into the garbage! And sadly, they taught this as one of their main doctrines for the Days of Unleavened Bread! And this ideology is continuing to be propagated!

     Well, we believe they misinterpreted, as well as misrepresented just what the Days of Unleavened Bread truly means. The meaning of the Days of Unleavened Bread is powerful! And as Minister Michael C. Garrett states – it is truly like an onion. You peel an onion, and what do you get? More layers!

     But, again, the 14th day is the PASSOVER. And it is the first of the feasts of the LORD mentioned after the weekly Sabbath (Leviticus 23:4-5). “’ On the FOURTEENTH DAY of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s PASSOVER.’” – Leviticus 23:5. And, the apostle Paul teaches us distinctly that the New Covenant Passover is not the LORD’s Supper {10} – cf. 1 Corinthians 11:20, 34. On the “’ FIFTEENTH DAY of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; …’” The FEAST day begins after Passover has ended.

     With this in mind, let us turn to the Book of Exodus chapter 12 –

     Verse 1 – “Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron … 14) ‘So this day shall be a MEMORIAL; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS. You shall keep it as a feast by an EVERLASTING ORDINANCE. 15) Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses.’” – Exodus 12:1, 14-15.

      Again, Minister Michael C. Garrett:

     “Exodus 12:15 – and what’s our little objective here in this part!? To find out EXACTLY what the Bible says about Unleavened Bread - and not the Jewish Talmud. “’ Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. … ’” – pretty simple, isn’t it!? Now, the next part is where they got tricked up, it says, “… ‘On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whosoever eats leavened bread …’” – what’s the implication!? The word leaven is a shortened contraction meaning what-leavened bread. The whole idea was that for seven days you’re going to have in your house, and on your person, unleavened bread, and for seven days you are NOT going to eat leavened bread. Now, that’s all these verses are going to say.”

(Garrett, M.C., Christ In You (Unleavened Bread – Day 1) – 2017 “VIDEO,” 2019).

     So, what day is established as a MEMORIAL, a feast by an EVERLASTING ORDINANCE!? Not a shadow, but a memorial!? Again, notice, it is the day that is the feast “’you shall keep it as a feast …’” It is the day that is a feast day – the 15th of Abib/Nisan – not the Passover! And it is to be kept as a Sabbath – or holy convocation, FOREVER!

     Verse 16 – “’ On the FIRST DAY [the first day of the seven – the 15th of Abib/Nisan] there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day [the 21st of Abib/Nisan] there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work [as in labor or occupation] shall be done on them; …’”

It was not abolished with the Old Covenant

     Notice that the Days of Unleavened Bread is a PERIOD – having two DOUBLE holy days. And this period is established FOREVER! The Living Bible translates this verse – “’ You shall celebrate this event each year (this is a permanent law) – to remind you …’” – Exodus 12:14, TLB. The whole period is included.

     That alone should prove that the HOLY DAYS – including the seven Days of Unleavened Bread – are binding today, and FOREVER!

     The Passover is again referred to in verse 21 – “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. … 24) And you shall observe this thing as an ORDINANCE for you and your sons FOREVER.’”

Purpose of the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread

     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! And as Minister Garrett has so boldly proclaimed unto the world, we should LOOK TO JESUS, NOT MOSES! 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!

     So, if you go to JESUS CHRIST, He will forgive you – and we are told this back in the epistles of John. He is faithful to forgive!

     John 6 –

     Verse 48 – “’ I AM the bread of life.’”

   Recall earlier I called all the Holy Days Christocentric!? Again, the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread are pointing us to ONE THING – Jesus Christ! Brethren, He is that Unleavened Bread of sincerity and truth! He is the meaning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread! Now, that may sound as if we here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches are part of the “Jesus Only” churches – we are certainly not!

     Verse 49 – “’ Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. …’”

    Now, I’ve had this thought for some time here in regards to what our Lord Jesus Christ said of the Jews’ fathers who ate the manna in the wilderness for forty years. I think, personally, that that generation which saw the LORD our God’s Works for those forty years, blasphemed the very Holy Spirit! And we get a clue of this in Exodus chapter 17, verses 2 and 7, along with in the Book of Psalm chapter 95, verses 7 to verse 11. And in the Book of Hebrews chapter 3, verses 7 to 11. God swore in His wrath, ‘They shall not enter His rest!’ The Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary has this to say concerning this very verse – Verse 11 of Hebrews chapter 3 –

     “’ So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”

     “ … the threat extended farther than the exclusion of the unbelieving from the literal land of rest, and that the rest promised to the believing in its full blessedness was, and is, yet future.”

     Let’s turn and notice this in the Book of Psalm chapter 25 –

    Verse 12 – “’ Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. 13) And himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.”’

     Psalm chapter 37 –

    Verse 9 – “For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. 11) But the meek [the humble] shall inherit the earth, … 22) For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off. 29) The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever.”

     And, of course, our Lord Jesus Christ repeats this in His beatitudes Matthew 5:5!

     So I think there is an even greater meaning behind what our Lord stated in verse in verse 49 – “’ Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. …’”

     Returning now back to the Book of John chapter 6 –

     Verse 50 – “’ This is [speaking of Himself] the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51) I AM the living bread which came down from heaven. If ANYONE eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.

   Sadly, as I stated earlier, this Judeo-Christian – Old Covenant – ideology is continuing to be propagated and taught around the world on such websites as https://www.hwalibrary.com/. And I’m not stating that everything on that website is wrong, but there is a whole generation with the mindset, “I don’t want to learn any more than I did in 1972!” {11} I guess, completely forgetting what the apostle Peter admonished of us –

     “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, BEWARE lest you also fall from your own steadfastness [the quality of being resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering], being led away with the error of the wicked; 18) but GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST” – 2 Peter 3:17-18.

     The Jews of our Lord Jesus’ day just couldn’t handle Jesus saying, ‘Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.’ The Jews arguing amongst themselves, saying, verse 52 – “ … ‘How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?’” And sadly, to this very day, many still have no clue of what He is saying to them and what He said to their fathers. But, those of us who participated in the New Covenant Passover ceremony the other night, we know what our Lord Jesus Christ was speaking of! We partook of His Body which was sacrificed for us. We partook of His blood which was shed for us. We re-upped our annual covenant with Jesus Christ our Master, Elder Brother, and Savior.

     This whole week I have re-posted a series of sermons that Minister Garrett gave back in 2017 – “Christ In You.” And this very concept comes from the Book of Philippians chapter 2 verse 5 –

     “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

     A very meaning of the Days of Unleavened Bread – “Let this mind be in you …”

     For seven days practice this imbibing Jesus Christ.

     So let us dear brethren and friends hear this inspiring and glorious word of God through the prophet Moses in the Book of Exodus chapter 14 –

     Beginning in verse 13 – “ … ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD … 14) The LORD will fight for you, …”

     How wonderful!

    We are to stand still – stand firm – and see the salvation of the ETERNAL! He shall fight for us. Because we cannot conquer sin – we cannot conquer Satan the devil, ourselves, and this world, alone. But it is the risen Christ Jesus – our High Priest and Advocate – who will cleanse us, sanctify us, deliver us, who said He would never leave us for forsake us! Now, we cannot keep His holy, righteous and relevant LAW  {12} – summed up in the Ten Commandments in our own power and strength. But CHRIST IN US, we can. We Must always rely on Him – in faith.

     So, thank you for listening and watching today. We hope and pray that you had a most wonderful, glorious, and very spiritually fulfilling Feast of Unleavened Bread 2022! God bless every one of you!

     Very soon the Day of Pentecost will be here!

     Thank you so very much, and we pray for you always – wherever you may be, and we hope that you are continuing to pray for us here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches.

     Until next time, this is Leonard V. Johnson.

     Goodbye for now.

{1} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson had in mind this very article - "'It is a sign.'"

{2} Editor's Note: Though Mr. Johnson didn't mention the article, he was surely referring to an article such as "Lent, Ash Wednesday and Easter - Did the Original Christians Observe These!?"

{3} Editor's Note: There are a growing number of worldly churches that are incorrectly teaching that Satan the devil cohabited with the "daughters of men" called the "Seed of Satan." A perverted teaching of Genesis 6.

{4} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson added this, with the article in mind "Is God's Biblical Food Laws Still In Effect!?"

{5} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson was thinking - "this is the main reason of why I don't donate blood."

{6} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson almost added here, "Have we lost time? It is truly the year 2022!? And, is there a way to know for sure!?"

{7} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson just recently purchased a book written by Minister Coulter entitled The Christian Passover, which he didn't mention in this sermon. But certainly had this book in mind with this thought.

{8} Editor's Note: The many "remnant church groups" Mr. Johnson has in mind here are the innumerable churches which sprang up from the Worldwide Church of God. 

{9} Editor's Note: Even though Mr. Johnson gets this phrase from Minister Garrett, he personally heard a version of this at the Feast of Tabernacles 1986, Eugene, Oregon.

{10} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson had this in mind still from the notes from Passover Service 2022.

{11} Editor's Note: The generation Mr. Johnson is referring to is that are some in the generation that was members of the Worldwide Church of God (1968 - 1986) under Herbert W. Armstrong with this mindset.

{12} Editor's Note: Mr. Johnson began using the word "relevant" in regards to God's Ten Commandments after listening to Minister Garrett's powerful and spiritually enriching 20-part sermon "The Eternal Relevancy of the Ten Commandments."