Leonard V. Johnson
Pastor and Co-Founder
Dearest Brethren, Co-Workers, and Friends in Christ:
Greetings from Spring Hill, Florida.
This last Sabbath, I visited the brethren there in Fayetteville, North Carolina,
along with my dear Sister. And for the Feast of Trumpets, we traveled to see
the brethren in High Point. What a wonderful gathering! Because of
this, I had suggested a sermon I gave just before leaving, “The Feast of Trumpets and the Church.”
The Fall Holy Days!
The fall Holy Day Season has begun! The glorious and significant
Memorial Feast of Trumpets began the evening of the 22nd to the evening of
the 23rd.
The following Holy Day after the Feast of Trumpets is
the Day of Atonement, or the Day to humble yourself.
It runs from the evening of October 1st through to the
evening of October 2nd.
And then the Feast of Tabernacles begins the evening
of the 6th of October and runs through to the Last Great
Day at sunset on October 14th.
For additional information on these God ordained Holy Days, please visit us
at
https://www.owensborocojc.com/2023/09/holy-day-informationcalendar-lev-23.html.
The Feast of Trumpets: Ear-splitting trumpets and the glorious
and powerful return of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Sadly, the majority of nominal Christians are ignorant of the Lord’s annual
Holy Days that are to be kept and observed in the fall season. Yet, each of
these Holy Days is Christ-Centered, and portrays pivotal events in the LORD
God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning!
The Feast of Trumpets not only pictures for us a memorial of the blowing of
warning trumpets, but also it pictures the glorious and powerful coming of
Jesus Christ with His host of angels and the resurrected saints of God ── the
Firstfruits. The ear-splitting trumpet blasts that warn us of the terrible
devastation that is coming upon an unrepentant world and then to the
glorious establishment of the very government of God upon Earth ── the
kingdom of God!
Let me take you through some of the warning Scriptures and how this
wonderful memorial feast fits into the LORD God’s Master Plan.
Notice, Leviticus chapter 23 ──
“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24) ‘Speak to the children of Israel,
saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a
sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25) You
shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire
to the LORD.’” – verses 23-25.
In the Old Covenant ── they blew a shofar on this holy day ── well, in fact,
on the first day of every month.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that the trumpet blasts were also a warning for
impending war ── “Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when
they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8) For if the trumpet makes an uncertain
sound, who will prepare for battle?” – 1 Corinthians 14:7-8.
The Apostle Paul ── under absolute divine inspiration ── pleads with us,
brethren, to speak the same thing!
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
you all SPEAK THE SAME THING, and that there be no divisions among
you, …” – 1 Corinthians 1:10.
Speaking the same thing is very important.
As servants of Christ, we are to cry out unto the world and warn of this soon
coming devastation that has not been since the world began! ──
“’ Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their
transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.’” – Isaiah 58:1.
In my Holy Bible, I have the following passages marked in pink ── which
indicate the blowing of the seven trumpet blasts and the coming of the Day
of the Lord! ──
“Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all
the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the LORD is coming, For
it is at hand: 2) A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick
darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. …”
And, like a recent documentary I just watched on the Black Sunday severe
dust storm that occurred on April 14, 1935, a massive dust cloud completely blocked out the sun!
“ … A people come, great and strong [a massive military army], The like of
whom has never been [some two hundred million strong Islamic army]; Nor
will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations.
3) A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is
like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them. 4) Their appearance is like the appearance
of horses; And like swift steeds, so they run. 5) With a noise like chariots Over
mountaintops they leap, Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the
stubble, Like a strong people set in battle array.
6) Before them the people writhe in pain; All faces are drained of color. 7)
They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; Every one
marches in formation, And they do not break ranks. 8) They do not push one
another; Every one marches in his own column. Though they lunge between
the weapons, They are not cut down.”
It reminds us of the American Civil War soldiers marching towards battle.
The march was Napoleonic in style. The use of line formations was deeply
rooted in European military tradition, with origins dating back to ancient
Greece and Rome. These formations were designed to overwhelm enemy
lines and provide a wall of protection for the soldiers. I am reminded of the
Second Battle of Fort Wagner, which took place July 18th, 1863 ── a battle
in which the first all-African American regiment. In all, about 1,515 Union
soldiers were killed, captured, or wounded.
9) They run to and fro in the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the
houses, They enter at the windows like a thief. 10) The earth quakes before
them, the heavens tremble; The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars
diminish their brightness.
11) The LORD gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For
strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great
and very terrible; Who can endure it?”
12) ‘Now, therefore,’ says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, With
fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’
13) So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your
God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm. 14) Who knows if He will turn and relent,
And leave a blessing behind Him ── A grain offering and a drink offering
For the LORD your God?” – Joel 2:1-14.
Our Lord Jesus Christ says that this time of tribulation will be worse than it's
ever been since mankind has been on the earth ── “’ For then there will be
great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until
this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22) And unless those days were shortened,
no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake [speaking of His saints] those
days will be shortened.’” – Matthew 24:21-22.
And, having watched the special memorial held for Charlie Kirk. The
thousands upon thousands of God-fearing nominal Christians that gloriously
and boldly speak of our Lord Jesus Christ ── a great many that may not
know the gospel of Jesus Christ, or of God’s Master Plan… From the
Beginning ── but certainly wouldn’t take much for them to be called by
Father God and come to the knowledge of the truth. A passage that I have
recently seen in the light of the Spirit of God ── Joel 2:30-32, and especially
verse 32.
“’ And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and
pillars of smoke. 31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon
into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
32) And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be saved [saved from the occurring devastation!]. For in Mount Zion
and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among
the remnant whom the LORD calls.”
Many will be converted in that day.
Revelation 8:1-6, 7-13; 9:1-20, 21 speaks of the sounding of the trumpets!
“The first angel sounded …” Hail and fire mingled with blood. The third of
the trees were burned up, and all the grass was burned up.
“The second angel sounded …” A great mountain burning was thrown into
the sea, and a third of the oceans became blood. A third of the sea creatures
died, and a third of the ships upon the seas were destroyed.
“The third angel sounded …” A great “asteroid” fell to the earth, named
Wormwood. It fell upon a third of the rivers and on the springs, and a third
of the waters became bitter, and many men died.
“The fourth angel sounded …” A third of the sun was struck. A third of the
moon, and a third of the stars. Meaning, a good third of the day it was dark.
A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
“The fifth angel sounded …” Satan, the Devil, is confined to the earth and is no
longer allowed to have access to the atmosphere. He is given the key to the
bottomless pit. He is about to release His two million-strong Islamic army.
“The sixth angel sounded …” The release of the two million-strong Islamic
army, along with the four “demons” that had been bound at the great river
Euphrates. They were released to kill a third of all mankind!
And then … even after all this death and destruction on a global scale,
mankind as a whole refuses to repent unto the LORD God! ──
“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent
of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols
of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor
walk. 21) And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their
sexual immorality or their thefts.” – Revelation 9:20-21.
Now… the glorious Feast of Trumpets doesn’t just focus on the bad news ──
it also focuses on the good!
The Good News of Christ! Notice ──
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty. …”
Brethren, Co-Workers, and Friends ── we all have that secret place where
we abide under the shadow of the Almighty God Most High!
“ … 2) I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in
Him I will trust.’” – Psalm 91:1-2; read also verses 3 – 16.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet ── “but in the days of the sounding of
the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would
be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.” – Revelation 10:7.
Our Lord Jesus Christ asks us all if we truly believe this glorious mystery of
God! ──
“ … ‘ I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes [on] Me, though he
may die, he shall live. 26) And whoever lives and believes [on] Me shall never
die. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?’” – John 11:25-26.
“’ Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes [on] Him
who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has
passed from death into life.’” – John 5:24.
So… IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TROUBLES OF THOSE DAYS … and
something that the Spirit spoke to me, the sky will open up! Notice ──
“’ Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall [or rather, disappear]
from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
Think of a massive portal opening in the atmosphere and there…
suddenly… the Son of Man appears in heaven!
30) Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven [the atmosphere],
and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of
Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31) And He
will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather
together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.’” – Matthew 24:29-31.
The glorious resurrection of His saints is recorded for us in 1st Corinthians
chapter 15 ──
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [not all die], but we shall all be changed ──
52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the
trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised incorruptible, and
we shall be changed. 53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality.” – 1 Corinthians 15:50-53.
“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the FIRST RESURRECTION. Over
such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” – Revelation 20:6.
Suggested Sabbath Day Service
Here is our suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and
friends around the world:
- TWO songs of praise. (Our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, is suggested; there are some Instrumental accompaniments to the Bible Hymnal available on our website.)
- Opening prayer.
- Announcements – from the deacon or pastor. An announcement that I would like to give is a prayer request: Please keep Paul Platsky of High Point in your prayers. Also, John & Charlotte Mitchell of the Rocklin ICG, and David & Princess Johnson. Also, please continue to keep Minister Robert Nunnery in your prayers.
- Our suggested sermon for this week, “Day of Atonement 2021 ‘Humble Yourselves’”.
- Closing hymn.
- Closing prayer.
YouTube ── https://www.youtube.com/@cojcom.
UGETube ── https://ugetube.com/@cojcom.
BitChute ── https://www.bitchute.com/channel/U3xLiHjo9y45.
Some World News In Relation To Biblical Prophecy
Here in this letter, I will briefly go over some world news in relation to biblical
prophecy. In an upcoming article, I will cover this news more thoroughly.
In the United States of America ── the devastating and heinous
assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was a nominal Christian! and who
had good biblical morals and was a Sabbath-keeper, has dominated
the mainstream media. There are a few who are greatly concerned about a
civil war/unrest because of his murder. (See: AP - Political leaders confront security concerns — and fear — after Kirk’s assassination).
In many Western nations, the use of marijuana has become legal. Yet, studies
continue to show that smoking or consuming marijuana is harmful. Recent
research points to problems for unborn babies whose mothers used
marijuana while pregnant. Also, there appears to be some fertility issues
associated with it (See: Fox News – Cannabis use rises among pregnant women despite serious fetal risks).
Also in the news – US President Donald Trump addresses the UN. He
delivered a powerful rebuke to the destructive globalism that has fueled
endless conflict and chaos around the world. unapologetic in proclaiming
American strength as he unveiled a bold vision for sovereign nations to unite
against the true threats of terrorism, unchecked migration, biological
warfare, and loss of cultural identity. (See: the White House – At UN, President Trump Champions Sovereignty, Rejects Globalism).
In France, protests have erupted concerning European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen. There is great concern whether she should
remain in power (See: Zero Hedge - France In Flames As The 'Block
Everything' Protest Movement Sweeps The Country).
Concluding Comments
Something that God’s Spirit ── God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ
── has taught me this past week. A fresh look at ‘He shall rule them with a
rod of iron.’
“’ And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will
give power over the nations ── 27) ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
…’” – Revelation 2:26, 27.
Many teach this as a rod of “anger” or “discipline.” As punishment. And that
certainly can be one aspect of a “rod of iron.” But let us think of a shepherd
and his flock. What does a shepherd use a rod for?
- Protection: The Shepherd's rod is used as a defensive tool to fend off predators and those who would attack His sheep.
- Guidance: The Shepherd's rod can be used to guide His sheep and keep them on the desired path.
- Counting: The shepherd's rod can be used for counting His sheep. He can hold up His rod and have each of His sheep pass under it, allowing Him to keep track of the number of His true sheep that are in His loving care.
- Discipline: The Shepherd's rod of wood or iron can also certainly be used for the discipline of an unruly sheep. If one of His sheep strays too far or behaves inappropriately, the Shepherd may use the rod to gently discipline, ensuring that His sheep stays with the flock.
In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,
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