Friday, November 28, 2025

World News in Relation to Biblical Prophecy ── November 28, 2025


The European Union and India have been growing ever closer. An important development is taking place. They are continuing to look closer into bypassing the US dollar dominated by SWIFT, which is an acronym that stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. It’s being greatly affected by its weaponization of its dollar, including the strenuous sanctions such as on Russia. Now, this has been going on for decades, and nations such as Russia is continuing to take greater steps. China and the BRICS group has also been working for this bypass for some time now ── as we’ve been reporting. Here’s a report from November 19th, of 2019 ── 
In the United States of America – the nation has basically been credited for the motivation of the Gentile BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in getting together to work on their agenda to lay aside the US dollar as the world’s dominant currency. BRICS again had a meeting last week concerning this and other aspects of their ultimate plan to increase their influence (See: ‘Have the BRICS hit a wall?’). Retrieved 28 November 2025.
Here's a report from last year by The Business Standard ── 
October 30, 2024 

Can BRICS Pay become a challenger to SWIFT?

Countries in today’s globalized economy are increasingly interdependent, relying on international payment networks to facilitate cross-border transactions. SWIFT, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, is the most widely used payment network, processing transactions predominantly in US dollars.

Although it operates from Europe, SWIFT is influenced by the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, and other G-10 financial authorities, which allows the US considerable sway over the system. This influence has been described as the “weaponization” of SWIFT, as control over global payments can have strategic consequences. …

Russia has been working to insulate itself from SWIFT dependency since it annexed Crimea in 2014. This initiative led to the development of the System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS), an alternative platform created by Russia’s central bank. Currently, SPFS connects 557 banks and companies, including 159 foreign entities, with 160 banks worldwide participating in the system. 

China has similarly developed its own alternative with the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), launched in 2015. By 2021, CIPS had processed a significant 80 trillion yuan (approximately $12.8 trillion), connecting 1,280 financial institutions across 103 countries. Among these are 30 Japanese banks, 23 Russian banks, and 31 African banks, marking its wide international reach.

The origins of BRICS Pay 

Events like the US’s recent seizure of Afghan reserve funds and frozen Russian assets have highlighted the vulnerability of dollar-denominated reserves, undermining trust in dollar debt as an international savings tool. This experience has prompted many nations to seek alternative trade settlement and currency security systems. 

In response to this shifting landscape, the announcement of BRICS Pay from Kazan, Russia, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to diversify global payment networks beyond the established US dollar dominated systems. 

The BRICS Plus Summit of heads of state was held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, 2024. The Kazan summit marked the first post-expansion gathering for BRICS, highlighting initiatives like the introduction of “BRICS Pay,” which aimed to fortify economic and trade ties within the group. 

The introduction of BRICS Pay aims to challenge SWIFT’s global monopoly and reduce dollar dominance, positioning it as a significant step towards financial autonomy for BRICS nations. 

However, BRICS Pay cannot yet replace SWIFT entirely unless BRICS members agree on a unified or common currency—a challenging task given the economic disparities among member countries. 

So, notice that Europe, theoretically, controls SWIFT. This also means that Europe could interfere with the United States’ ability to use it. In regard to the European Union and India, here’s a report from The Times of India ──
November 11, 2025 

Cross-border payments boost: India, EU begin phase to link UPI with TIPS; remittances to get cheaper 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said the process of interlinking the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the Euro system’s TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) platform has entered the realization phase, marking a step towards enabling cross-border instant payments between India and Europe. …

The proposed link is expected to facilitate cross-border remittances between India and the Euro Area and benefit users across both jurisdictions, the statement noted. … 

The central bank said it has been actively pursuing connections between UPI and fast-payment systems in other economies to promote cross-border transactions. 

Also, worth noting: As of 2025 the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) includes: 
  • 27 EU member states 
  • Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland 
  • The United Kingdom 
  • Five EU candidate countries (Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) 
  • Non-EU countries (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City) 
  • The Nordic country of Finland.   
The end of US dollar world dominance is soon coming to an end. 

With all that said ── these countries, moving to eradicate the US dollar as the dominate currency, will wreak havoc on the economy of the United States of America! Notice what the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries posted back in 2020 ── 
Friends, there are various ones around the world doing everything they can to dethrone the U.S. dollar as this world's reserve currency. There are some which claim this may occur by 2025 - like the author and creator of Liberty Blitzkrieg:
The Road to 2025 (Part 3) – USD Dominated Financial System Will Fall Apart

The USD is unique in that it grants the U.S. the “exorbitant privilege” of having a national currency which at the same time serves as the global reserve currency. … 

Pricing key commodities such as oil, which everyone in the world needs, in USD creates a massive structural support for the dollar versus other government fiat currencies. If other nations constantly have to convert to USD before purchasing commodities, there’s a constant underlying global demand to buy USD on a daily basis. No other country has this sort of structural support for its currency, and it allows the U.S. to be far more fiscally irresponsible than other countries without suffering devastating currency devaluations on the global market. 

Despite the tremendous advantage such a system offers the U.S. on the world stage, there haven’t been any rival countries that could realistically challenge it given American economic dominance. This is no longer the case. …
Still today, the US GDP accounts for 22% of world’s GDP, while 80% of international payments are made in dollars. 

Hence the United States receives goods from abroad always at comparatively very low prices, while the massive demand for dollars from the rest of the world allows to refinance the US public debt at very low costs. … 
This is absolutely key. There’s now a huge mismatch between the use of USD in the global financial system and the U.S. share of the world economy. China and Russia are acutely aware of this and have been taking major steps to transition to a more multi-polar currency world. There can be no multi-polar geopolitical world without a multi-polar currency world, which is why they’re working toward dethroning the USD. I believe they will succeed. 

Specifically, I think by 2025 the world will have a completely different global financial system from the one chaotically birthed in the 1970s. The USD will lose its total dominance on the world stage, resulting in major implications geopolitically as well as at home. 


Now, while I myself am not certain of that date. However, if certain Bible prophecies take place within the next four years … could it be possible that the U.S. dollar - hence the U.S. economy - will completely collapse by 2025!? 

Since posting that, the BRICS group has greatly expanded, the United States has placed even more sanctions, and we are seeing even more steps throughout the world in which more countries are working on bypassing the US dollar along with bypassing the SWIFT system.

When Hillary Clinton was US-Secretary of State (2009–2013), she would brag that the U.S. could use its so-called “soft-power” ── which meant, basically, imposing the U.S. government’s will through economic sanctions and other pressures. And while these measures may appear successful in the short-term, in the long-term they can certainly “push” other nations ── including ally nations ── further away from the United States of America.

Dethroning the US dollar as the world’s primary currency will ── not could ── cause massive economic troubles for the United States of America! More than anyone might believe. 

In Israel ── there has been record setting heat. Some are announcing that this is a pre-Messianic sign. Israel365News has reported the following ──     
November 23, 2025 

Pre-Messiah Heat Wave Shatters Israel’s 83-Year Temperature Records 

Israelis flooded beaches and national parks on Saturday as a historic November heat wave scorched the country, setting temperature records that stood for more than eight decades. Tel Aviv baked under 34.5°C (94°F), while Jerusalem—a city that sits at 800 meters elevation and rarely experiences extreme heat—reached an astonishing 32.3°C (90°F), the highest November temperature since 1942, before the State of Israel even existed.

The Israel Meteorological Service reported that Friday marked the single hottest late November day in Israel’s 77-year history as a nation. The heat wave persisted through the weekend, with temperatures across the country running 10°C (18°F) above seasonal averages. … 

The Bible repeatedly uses natural phenomena—drought, abundance, storm, and calm—as instruments of divine communication. When the expected patterns shift, when the seasons themselves seem confused, it demands attention. … 

Heat waves are hinted at in Isaiah as part of a Messiah-age healing process: 

“And the light of the moon shall become like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall become sevenfold, like the light of the seven days, when Hashem binds up His people’s wounds and heals the injuries it has suffered.” Isaiah 30:26 …

Conversely, the Talmud in Nedarim 8b describes a form of global warming as a punishment, … Reish Lakish states: “In the future (in messianic times) there will be no Gehennom. Rather, God will remove the sun from its sheath; the righteous will be cured by it, and the wicked will be judged by it.” 

It is true, the LORD God can send messages using severe weather. And these severe weather tribulations should serve as a WAKE-UP call!

“Therefore [the Lord God] says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead [the spiritually dead], And Christ will give you light.’” – Ephesians 5:14.

God’s living word is clear that He can control the weather, along with certain severe weather phenomena (conditions that are hazardous to human life and property). But, of course, the Lord God wants all people to heed His prophets ──  

“’ If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city [or western Jamaica, Cuba, or Bermuda ── sadly killing 106, injuring 141, with 29 people still missing, and causing an estimated $10 billion in damages], will not the LORD have done it? 7) Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.’” – Amos 3:6-7.

God’s living immutable word tells us that there are weather-related blessings for obedience and that there are weather-related curses for disobedience. Severe weather phenomena are not as random as most people believe.

While many ── like those that try and get on my wife’s bus holding a “The End Is Near!” cardboard sign ── such as those of the Jewish traditions, which describe in their Talmud that “global warming is a punishment from Gd.” God’s living word ── which is the Holy Bible … And I believe it’s important that you know our thoughts on this: The Talmud is not considered the word of God. It should be viewed merely as study text, as it was compiled by Jewish scholars much later than the Torah (a book that I absolutely have in my office library). The Talmud contains many interpretations, which does not reflect God’s truth.

God’s living word shows us that before the Messiah (our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth) returns, this world will have what could be called “a global heat” plague ── 

“And I heard another from the altar saying, ‘Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.’

8) Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the Sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9) And men were scorched with GREAT HEAT, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.” – Revelation 16:7-9.

Now, be aware that the Earth warming doesn’t necessarily mean that the Sun is heating up. But rather it’s more likely that more heat is being trapped next to the Earth’s surface. A greater increase in volcanism caused by a massive earthquake (see: Revelation 16:18) would cause a mini greenhouse effect to begin. 

The above prophecy is still several years into our future—we are not too far off, however. We believe it will happen in the 21st century. 

“’ Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31) because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [the glorious soon-coming Lord Jesus, the Son of God – the King of kings and the Lord of lords!] whom He has ordained. 

He has given assurance to this to all by raising Him from the dead.’” – Acts 17:30 31.

Severe weather phenomena is a tool that the LORD God can use to urge all people to repent (cf. Haggai 2:17; Amos 4:7-12). 

Sadly, the majority will 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 [will not] repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” – Revelation 9:20-21. □      

Thursday, November 27, 2025

THINK ABOUT THIS... Demonic Nature


by Guy C LaMar, https://www.youtube.com/@ticcog


God’s living word contains several passages where demons refer to themselves using plural pronouns such as “we,” “us,” “them,” and “they.” And these instances provide some insight into demonic nature and their behavior.

The most explicit example within God’s living word concerning demons using plural and self-referencing is the Gadarene demoniac. 

“Then He [our Lord Jesus] asked him, ‘What is your name?’ And he answered, saying, ‘My name is Legion; for WE are many.’ 10) Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send THEM out of the country.” – Mark 5:9-10. 

The Apostle Luke provides us a parallel account ──

“Jesus asked him, saying, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Legion,’ because MANY demons had entered him. 31) And THEY begged Him that He would not command THEM to go out into the abyss.” – Luke 8:30-31.

Interestingly, the demon spoke both in the singular (“My name is Legion”) and then uses plural pronouns (“we are many”), indicating as the Apostle Paul wrote, “because many demons had entered him.” So, multiple demons can enter into a person while one speaks collectively. 

Continuing ──

“So all the demons begged Him, saying, ‘Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.’” – Mark 5:12.

The Apostle Matthew also recorded this interaction ── 

“So the demons begged Him, saying, ‘If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.’” – Matthew 8:31.

Now, regarding swine. We are told in the Book of Leviticus chapter 11 that swine (and swine is a broader term that refers to all members of the pig species) is not allowed to be consumed by human beings ── 

“and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, IS UNCLEAN TO YOU. 8) Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses [the dead carcasses] you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.” – Leviticus 11:7 8.

The copy of this law of the LORD God is recorded for us in the Book of Deuteronomy ── 

“Also the swine IS UNCLEAN FOR YOU, because it has cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud; you shall not eat their flesh or tough their dead carcasses.” – Deuteronomy 14:8. 

The Lord GOD declares to us through His Prophet Isaiah: concerning what happens to those that are consuming swine and other abominable things during the Day of the Lord! ── 

“’ Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, To go to the gardens [indicating temptations and gross indulgence] After an idol in the midst, Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the [rodent], Shall be consumed together,’ says the [Eternal One].” – Isaiah 66:17.

These demons suddenly crying out to the glorious Son of God, “’ What have WE to do with You, JESUS, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us BEFORE THE TIME?’” – Matthew 8:29.

They knew just who He was, and that He was and is the living Son of God! The Apostle James, a very brother to our Savior also states this very thing ──

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe ── and tremble!” – James 2:19. 

God’s living word tells us clearly that Satan the Devil and his demons are rulers of this world ──

“in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” – Ephesians 2:2.

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the lory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. 

The Apostle Paul ── divinely inspired by the Spirit of God ── explains who we, as true Christians, are at war with ──

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12. 

Notice that the Apostle John understood and acknowledges that the whole world ── this present evil age ── is under the control of the evil one. Satan the Devil. (1 John 5:19). And we are commanded to come out of this world and be separate. As God has said ── 

“Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.’ – 2 Corinthians 6:17.

We also should not conform any longer to this present evil age ── 

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2. 

“DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For all that is in the world ── the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life ── is not of the Father but is of the world. 17) And the world [this present evil age] is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever [for all eternity].” – 1 John 2:15-17.

All of these Scriptures show us that Satan the Devil and his demons are ruling this present evil age. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s apostles recorded for us these encounters to reveal an organized kingdom of demons, a collective nature of demonic forces operating under a spiritual authority known as “the evil one” – Satan the Devil – who spiritually influences this world. 

What demonic influenced groups around the world fall into this singular, yet plural narrative? 

A few ── al-Qaida, Cartel de los Soles, Antifa, Los Lobos, Tren de Aragua, ISIS, and the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGBTIA). 

They are servants of Satan the Devil ── either knowingly or unknowingly. 

Sadly, in our modern wicked and perversely twisted societies of evil, people have begun to accept that which is evil as good. Homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism, and whatever intersex is ── are now being accepted as “normal” and an acceptable lifestyle choice. Even though the Creator of all life, in His living word, says just the opposite! That those who do such things are deserving of death (speaking of eternal death).

The very destruction of the ancient cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities of the plains was primarily because of their abominable “lifestyle choices.” The Apostle Peter warning ──

“and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them AN EXAMPLE to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7) and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by THE FILTHY CONDUCT OF THE WICKED.” – 2 Peter 2:6-7.

The LORD God has warned us ── 

“’ You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. IT IS AN ABOMINATION.’” – Leviticus 18:22.

“’ If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. …’” and the grave punishment by the LORD God at that time, and we are told that God does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8) “ …’They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.’” – Leviticus 20:13.

We are not to enable or approve of this filthy conduct of the wicked! Here are some Scriptures teaching us this ── 

“who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that THOSE WHO PRACTICE SUCH THINGS are deserving of death [eternal death], not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” – Romans 1:32. 

“And have NO FELLOWSHIP with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Ephesians 5:11.

“If ANYONE comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [the very doctrine that our Lord Jesus brought from Father God], do not receive him INTO YOUR HOUSE NOR GREET HIM; 11) for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” – 2 John 10-11.

We are to warn this word that is accepting the filthy conduct of the wicked and those who practice such abominations unto the LORD God ── Ezekiel 3:18-19. 

Sadly, our societies are embracing evil as good. And that which was once considered “good” is now considered as “bad” ── Isaiah 5:20-21. 

Computer search engines will promote and defend the evil of this present age. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also programmed to be in favor of the evil of the LBGTQIA+ agenda! Apparently, AI will not allow college students to write a thesis against this abominable lifestyle. AI is programmed with a liberal narrative which is pro-homosexual.

“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.” – Proverbs 17:15. 

“’You have wearied the LORD with your words; Yet you say, 

‘In what way have we wearied Him? 

In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil Is good in the sight of the LORD, And He delights in them,’ Or, ‘Where is the God of justice’” – Malachi 2:17.

The Apostle Paul ── writing to Timothy ── warns us that toward the end of this present evil age the wickedness of man will be great in the earth, just as our Lord Jesus has warned us, “and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart [will be] only evil continually” – Genesis 6:5; see also Matthew 24:37-39 ── 

“But know this, that IN THE LAST DAYS perilous times will come: 

2) For men [mankind] will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good; 4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) having a form of godliness but denying its power.

And from such people turn away!” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5. 

“’Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore [without national or personal repentance and a complete change of heart and mind] they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them [the terrible and dreadful Day of the Lord], They shall be cast down,’ Says the LORD.” – Jeremiah 6:15. 

These Scriptures show us that this world is completely reversing itself in its ignorance and lack of knowing, and in understanding God’s living word, to immoral standards. Showing us that our societies are turning themselves over completely to evil ── to Satan the Devil, the “god of this present age,” and to his rulership and great authority. 

Woe to those who embrace evil as good. 

May the kingdom of God come soon! □                     


Additional things to think about...

How God is called God ── Friends, how is it that “God” is called “God” by the native tongues of various regions around the world?
Debt Forgiveness ── When people do good deeds for others and expect something in return for those good deeds, then that person is offering a loan.
A New Sodom and Gomorrah ── In the local news - A guy who is involved with the University of North Alabama (UNA) posted something against homosexuals on his own PERSONAL social media account.
A Soon-Coming Kingdom ── Personally, I firmly believe the following – and it surely makes a lot of wonderful sense.
A Roman 'Mark'!? ── Back in Rome, in the times before our Lord Jesus Christ, the Roman government MARKED people ...
Blessing or Curses? ── IT IS my understanding that of all the remnants of the churches of God, the Intercontinental Church of God has had the most confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths!
Pray to Father God or Jesus Christ? ── SHOULD WE pray to Father God or to Jesus Christ?

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Dangers of Eastern Meditation

Photo by: Pexels (Pixabay)


Satan the Devil wants to get to your mind. 

Notice this from Science Alert ── 
25 October 2024

Meditation And Mindfulness Have a Dark Side We Don't Talk About 

Mindfulness is a type of Buddhist-based meditation in which you focus on being aware of what you’re sensing, thinking, and feeling in the present moment.

The first recorded evidence for this, found in India, is over 1,500 years old. The Dharmatrāta Meditation Scripture, written by a community of Buddhists, describes various practices and includes reports of symptoms of depression and anxiety that can occur after meditation. 

It also details cognitive anomalies associated with episodes of psychosis, dissociation, and depersonalization (when people feel the world is “unreal”).

In the past eight years there has been a surge of scientific research in this area. These studies show that adverse effects are not rare. 

A 2022 study, using a sample of 953 people in the US who meditated regularly, showed that over 10 percent of participants experienced adverse effects which had a significant negative impact on their everyday life and lasted for at least one month. 

According to a review of over 40 years of research that was published in 2020, the most common adverse effects are anxiety and depression. These are followed by psychotic or delusional symptoms, dissociation or depersonalization, and fear or terror. … 

The most common account I hear from people who have suffered adverse meditation effects is that the teachers don’t believe them. They’re usually told to just keep meditating and it will go away. 

Eastern meditation is not of God ── it is not in God’s living word.

Encyclopedia.com has the following on “Meditation, Eastern” ── 
The practice of meditation in India goes back to at least the middle of the first millennium B.C.E. and probably much earlier. The ancient Hindu mystical and philosophical texts called the Upanishads refer to meditation, and the early texts of Buddhism assume its existence as a technique taught by a wide variety of religious teachers. By the time of the turn of the Common Era, if not centuries before, meditation had become highly systematized in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. 

In all the meditation traditions originating in ancient India, emphasis is placed on finding a quiet, solitary place (the wilderness, a monastery, or an ashram or retreat) and assuming a sitting posture that will be conducive to meditation. The most famous of these postures, or asanas, is the "lotus position," whereby the meditator sits with legs folded and feet resting on the thigh or knees. The hands are kept folded in the lap or in a special gesture called a mudra, and the eyes are kept closed or slightly open in an unfocused, downward-looking gaze. The back is kept straight to enhance alertness and to help the "inner channels" of the mystical body open up and run smoothly. … 

Various techniques for "fixing" the attention (trataka ) were developed in later esoteric Hindu traditions, all of which were meant to induce the trance state called samadhi. In some cases the practitioner was instructed to fix his or her attention on certain places in the body—the crown of the head, the spot between the eyebrows, the tip of the nose, the navel, and so on—in order to gather one's mental energy at a single point. In other instances, the practitioner was instructed to focus on a small object such as a speck on the wall or a mustard seed, or to stare at a distant object to the exclusion of all others in one's purview, or to focus on one or another of the Sanskrit letters or some other image. Meditation on those powerful, sacred sounds known as mantra s (the most famous of which is "om ") was especially common. … 

Other Mahayana traditions are more devotional in their emphasis. Here, meditation takes the form of fixing the mind on the Buddha or bodhisattva to whom one is devoted and whom one asks for help. In these traditions, prayers or mantra s become the centerpiece of meditation practice, or the name of one of the Buddhas or bodhisattvas is invoked repeatedly. 

Sadly, nominal professing Christians can easily get involved with such demonic things, true and faithful Christians do not ever want to place themselves in some type of demonic-related trance.

The type of meditation that the LORD God wants for us, and the things we should be meditating upon are discussed in God’s living word.

The Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration of God’s Spirit, wrote ── 

“For though we [brethren] walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty IN GOD for pulling down strongholds, 5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. 

He also tells us ── 

“Set your mind on things ABOVE, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:2. 

God’s living word is not compatible with Buddhism. It’s not compatible with Hinduism, or Islamism ── or any other ism. God’s living word is the truth of God and God’s Law is noble, holy, and righteous. God is not The Buddha. God is not Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva ── or all the other innumerable Hindu gods. God is not Allāh. 

Let us consider what our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, teaches those of little faith ── 

’ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28) So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29) and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30) Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 

31) THEREFORE, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33) BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things shall be added to you.’ – Matthew 6:27-33.

We should not worry about the things that our Father knows that we require. We should be seeking first and foremost, in our hearts and minds, the glorious kingdom of God and His righteousness. 

Your meditation should be upon that ── not upon trying to clear your mind of thoughts. Instead, you should focus your mind on the living words of God, which is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of [body] and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12.

Our Lord Jesus saying ── 

“ … ‘ For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.’ – Matthew 12:34, 35. 

So, if you are meditating on THINGS ABOVE you are more likely to bring forth good things. 

Eastern meditation ── the short answer. Brandon Todd Clay, “The four spiritual dangers in Eastern meditation are its non-Christian roots, mind-emptying issues, the potential to invite demonic affliction, & its self-focus over God-focus.” 1 It’s a selfish activity. The LORD God desires us to be concerned about others as we would ourselves ──  

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38) This is the first and great commandment. 39) And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40) One these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’ – Matthew 22:37-40.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:3-4.

Let us also consider this from the Apostle James, a very brother to our Lord Jesus, that ties in with our Lord’s words ── 

“If ANYONE among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” – James 1:26-27.

Truly, pure religion before God and the Father begins on the inside but then should be put into action. 

The Apostle Paul wrote Timothy ── 

“Till I come, …” and we can certainly apply this to, ‘he who endures to the end,’ “ … give attention to reading [God’s living word], to exhortation, to doctrine. 14) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of hands of the eldership. 15) MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” – 1 Timothy 4:13-16.

Brethren, “given to you by prophecy” as in John 15:26-27, “ …’the Helper comes, which I shall send to you …’” Also, prophecy is not merely about predicting the future but is primarily about proclaiming the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God – along with God’s will. 

Indeed, you should not neglect your spiritual gifts that has been gifted to you. You should not neglect the reading and studying of God’s living word ── the Holy Bible ── nor should you neglect the COJCOM sermons, articles, audio articles, books and booklets, and World News in Relation to Biblical Prophecy. You should also help, as much as is possible, others, exhorting others, encouraging others. We should be meditating on these things that your progress “may be evident to all.” We should also take heed to ourselves and to our Lord Jesus’ doctrine, continue in this, because it can save ourselves and those who ‘hear’ us.

Now, as far as what true Christians are to meditate upon, the Apostle Paul makes it clear ── 

“ … brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy──meditate on these things. 9) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8, 9.

Let us meditate on why it is that mankind ── without the help of our Creator ── will never have true and lasting peace among the nations. Let us meditate upon the soon-coming kingdom of God—which we have an online booklet, translated also into Spanish, located at https://bit.ly/4pdwC8C.

Immediately after the end of this present evil age, Christ’s Kingdom will be established upon the Earth, and men will receive a new heart and a new spirit, for the LORD God will remove the heart of stone from men’s flesh and shall give men a new heart (cf. Ezekiel 36:26), it will become a world without severe crimes. 

That glorious knowledge alone should give us courage and hope to face the tribulations that we will face in this present age. 

Let us consider if all people throughout the world kept the holy Ten Commandments ──

  1.  There would be no more worship of false gods or goddesses. All mankind would only worship God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! “ … ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ – Matthew 4:10.
  2. There would be no more idols ── of any kind ── whether made out of wood, stone or metal, in any likeness of anything whether in the atmosphere, on the earth, or beneath the earth, or in the water.
  3. No man, woman, or child would again call upon the name of God in vain (cf. Matthew 15:9). “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” – Habakkuk 2:14. Nor will anyone be using God’s name disrespectfully, frivolously, or in a deceitful manner.
  4. Every man, woman, and child would ‘remember’ weekly the LORD God’s holy Sabbath-rest and would be keeping it holy.
  5. Every man, woman, and child would properly honor their physical parents and their spiritual Parents.
  6. All murders would immediately cease. 
  7. There would no longer be worship of false gods and goddess ── which is spiritual adultery. And all physical adulteries would come to a stop.
  8. Stealing would come to a crawl and would soon cease from around the world. 
  9. There would be no more giving of false testimony against another. No more lying.
  10. Every man, woman, and child would stop coveting and lusting after their neighbors' houses, wife or husband, servants, livestock, or anything that is their neighbor’s. That would stop!
The magnificence of the LORD God’s loving and merciful Master Plan is truly something to meditate upon. 

Our mortal and spiritual enemy, Satan the Devil, wants you to doubt the LORD your God. God’s living word calls Satan ──

“ … the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” – Ephesians 2:2.

In An American Tail, a young mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz, is told early on, “Never Say Never!” Let us never think that we cannot make it into God’s Kingdom, or that the LORD God will give up on us. 

As the Apostle Paul was inspired to write ── 

“being CONFIDENT of this very thing, that He [our Lord Jesus Christ] who has begun a good work in you WILL COMPLETE IT until the day [the glorious BLOWING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET BLAST!] of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6. 

So, God’s living word does endorse meditating upon His word, but we should never (I know, I know… I said never) participate or practice any type of eastern meditation. □                        


1) Clay, B.T., Four Spiritual Dangers In Eastern Meditation, Truth Story, 11 Nov. 2018. 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

We Are to be Like God!


by Leonard V Johnson


This last Sabbath, I suggested for the Sabbath sermon, “You Were Born to Rule! – Part II.” In fact, human beings were created in the image of, and according to God the Father’s and our Lord Jesus’ likeness. 

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …’” – Genesis 1:26.

Man was created in the very image ── meaning in the same shape and form as God. Now God (and by God, I mean Elohim, the family of God – which at this present time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) is composed of Spirit, yet they formed man of physical matter. We are not composed of spirit as God is.

The LORD God creates in a system of duality. Not everything is created all at once, there are two stages of creation. We see this clearly throughout all of God’s living word ── the Holy Bible. The creation of man first began with the physical; then there will be the spiritual creation of man and that begins in Christ Jesus. Adam, a physical man, our Lord Jesus was the spiritual Man that came from the upper heavenly realms. So, everything that God creates is of a dual nature. 

Angels themselves were not created complete all at once. God could not create godly character within them by fiat, and neither can it be created all at once within mankind. The spiritual creation is the inspiration of godly, holy, and righteous character within us. 

Now… we have to make the decision, we have to be willing to accept, we have to hunger and thirst for it, but it comes from the LORD God. Because it’s not our righteousness. It’s not our holiness. Because any righteousness that we think we might have ── because as “good” as we might think we are, we are “all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” – Isaiah 64:6. It is the very righteousness of the LORD God, which is given by His Spirit placed within us. 

So, mankind was created in the very form and shape of God, with a spirit within us, which needs another Spirit to go with it. The spirit in man needs the Spirit of God. This spirit within us provides us with brain, with mind power - see 1 Corinthians 2:11. Truly, knowledge can only come to us through our five basic senses. Sight, hearing, tasting, touch, and smell. We cannot know anything naturally except what we come to know through our five basic senses. And we cannot know the spiritual things of the LORD God, and the glorious things God has prepared for those of us they love ── and the majority of God’s living word is spiritual knowledge ── unless the Spirit of God is combined with our spirit. 

Turn in our Bibles to the Book of John chapter 14, and notice verses 8 and 9 ── 

“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ 9) Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?’  

What our Lord Jesus Christ means by this statement is ── He looks exactly like the Father.

God of the Old Testament 

Up at the podium, back in the year 2014, I actually heard a Pentecostal minister say to his audience, “I don’t like very much that God of the Old Testament. He was often cruel and stern!” I just shook my head in utter disbelief! I reminded myself that it was the LORD God ── inspired by their Spirit ── that wanted me to see firsthand and hear in Memorex what these worldly churches are teaching their people.

Because… what the LORD God has taught me is that the God of the Old Testament is … “as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who [reverently] fear Him; As far as east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who [reverently] fear Him.” – Psalm 103:11-13. He is a God of immense love and mercy. That is what the LORD God has shown me in His living word. Apparently, that Protestant minister never read that. We see the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy ── who would later become an evangelist and go out preaching the kingdom of God and of our Lord Jesus under Paul. He wrote ── 

“and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures [speaking of the books of the Old Testament; the only Scriptures that Timothy had known], which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 3:15.

So, the books of the Old Testament “are able to make [us] wise for salvation … which is in Christ Jesus.” Notice this also, the Apostle Paul had written to the church in Corinth. That the things written in the Old Testament were “examples … written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11. In fact, the Church of God is built upon the very foundation “of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” – Ephesians 2:20.

Well… do you know… and I’ve spoken about this before in our sermon “The Feast of Trumpets and the Church” ── there were almost no prophets mentioned in the New Testament Scriptures? Go ahead and look it up in your Bible help books, maybe your concordance, and see how many you can find. In fact, there were really only FOUR PROPHETS spoken of in the New Testament, beginning with Simeon. Also, there was the Prophetess Anna, who was of great age and served God with fasting’s and prayers, night and day, gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:25-38). Their whole commission was truly to receive messages direct from the LORD God and take it to the apostles. They did not go to the people, and they didn’t preach. And it is true that in the Koine Greek language the word “prophesy” not only means foretelling, but it also means preaching under inspiration. So, the LORD God’s end-time prophets (see Revelation 11:3-12; Matthew 24:9-14) will certainly be witnessing and prophesying with real fire, and with full earnestness, and great power. And they will ultimately be murdered in the streets of Jerusalem!

A great deal of the New Testament is but quotes from the Old Testament. And those things were written for our admonition. And the Church of God is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with our Lord Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone

Where did the Body of Christ – the Church of God – receive its knowledge? Where did it receive its doctrine, its understanding, and what it is supposed to believe and teach? Well… the Body of Christ did not receive it from a General Council of Churches. It did not receive it from a First Council of Nicaea, or a second ── or even a seventh ── all who said, “Let’s decide what it is that we’re going to believe!” The Church of God certainly didn’t receive it from Emperor Constantine the Great, who was not a true Christian, but was in all respects a fraud. Yet, he was the one who announced, “I’m making this official; you’ve got to believe in the doctrine of the Trinity!” as an example.

And both Roman Catholics and Protestants has accepted it ever since. And, if you want to believe in a Trinity, you’re more than welcome to do so, but as for me ── I have proven beyond any shadow of doubt that the doctrine of the Trinity is a false doctrine. The LORD God is much more than any trinity!

 The LORD God is Greater Than Anything You Might Imagine! 

If you will, turn in your Bible to the Book of Isaiah, the 40th chapter. I remember back in the 80s when I was young (er), we would travel to Government Camp up on Mount Hood in Oregon to the commissary. Mount Hood is a part of the Cascade Range of mountains of North America. I can still remember the feeling of awe seeing the grandeur of Mount Hood from where we lived in Stayton, Oregon! Anyway, let’s read a little of this, beginning with verse 12 ── “’ Who has measured the waters in the hallow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance?’”   

Now… are you able to do that? Are you able to think of one man that can measure the universe in a span, or can weigh a mountain in a scale? Yet, the LORD God ── the Creators of both heaven and earth ── certainly can!

“’ Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? 14) With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding? 15) Behold, the nations [and there are currently some 195 countries in the world, with an approximate land area of 148.94 million square kilometers!] are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; …’” – Isaiah 40:13-14, 15. 

The small dust” that would be on the scale that you weigh things, a speck of dust that you likely couldn’t even see with your naked eye ── that’s the totality of all the nations that are on planet Earth!

“ … ‘the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. 16) And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering. 17) All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.’” – Isaiah 40:15, 16-17.

In this strong hyperbolic expression denoting the utter insignificance of the nations as compared with the LORD God, and yet mankind has an awesome potential to become a God! As great as the LORD God is, except that God the Father and our Lord Jesus will always be supreme in authority. The Father is supreme in authority over the Word, who became our Lord Jesus, as He Himself says, “ … ‘the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.’ – John 12:49. Our Lord Jesus Christ always and forever being obedient to Father God.

Let’s see a little more on the greatness of God ── notice again the 40th chapter of Isaiah, beginning in verse 25 ── “’ To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?’ says the Holy One [which is, of course, YHWH, the One who became our Lord Jesus Christ!]. 26) Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing. 27) Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: ‘My way is hidden from the LORD, …’” And then the Prophet Isaiah continues, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. …” – Isaiah 40:25-26, 27, 28.

So, the LORD God never gets weary, never gets tired. Now… God “rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done” – Genesis 2:2. Not because He was tired, but He rested to place His own presence on that day, and it’s been there ever since ── setting the day as holy.

My Initial Calling 

I became interested in receiving The Ambassador Bible Correspondence Course through the Worldwide Church of God in the spring of 1981. I began attending the Albany, Oregon, congregation with my paternal grandmother soon after completing the course. Then the following 3½ years I was taught a firm foundation that I could believe what God’s living word truly says.

As our Lord Jesus Christ, in person, had taught His apostles, and had taught the Apostle Paul in the Arabian desert for some three years ── even though He had already ascended to the upper heavenly realms. The Apostle Paul mentions that he had seen Christ, that he had been with Christ – Galatians 1:11-12. Now, the Holy Bible is the word of God in print. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Word of God in person. They are the same. I was taught upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets of the LORD God, our Lord Jesus being the chief cornerstone. I was taught the living Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God in print. Before being taught upon God’s foundation, I was a virgin ── spiritually speaking.

Let’s read just a little more of chapter 40 ──

“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31) But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:29-31.

Sadly, so many people tend to not think just how awesome and mighty the LORD God is. The great giver of life, who wants to give us such wonderful and glorious things. And as I cried unto God the other night in prayer, I asked Him to give me that which I can use in serving Him ── that if there be anything else He requires of me, to just let me know. I don’t ask of this for myself; but I ask it that I can better serve you who is reading this.

Why is the LORD God Concerned About You? 

The observable universe is some 93 billion light-years in diameter! One light-year equates to about 5.88 trillion miles. Yet, the LORD God is concerned about you! Turning into the Book of Hebrews the 2nd chapter, we see what King David had written in the Book of Psalm, but the Apostle Paul goes a little further ── 

“For He HAS NOT put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.” – Hebrews 2:5.

What, in the world, is he talking about? “ … the world to come, of which we speak, …”? The world to come is going to be the kingdom of God – the government of God! And he says, “ … He has not put the world to come … in subjection to angels.” It means, and I’ve been saying this for some time now ── we learn from God’s living word that angels were never meant to rule the earth or the universe.

Continuing … “But one testified in a certain place, saying: ‘What is man that You are mindful of him, …’ – verse 6.

So, here we are in the 21st century, where all the nations continue to be but a drop in a bucket compared to the LORD God. In the Book of Psalm chapter 53, we are told, “God looks down from heaven, upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.” The LORD God is that AWESOME!

“But one testified in a certain place, saying: ‘What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?’ – Hebrews 2:6.

Why should the great LORD God be concerned about a relatively small planet ── the third planet from the Sun ── located in the Orion Arm of a relatively average size Milky Way Galaxy, with us on it? What is our potential? Was it just to invent writing in ancient Sumer and Egypt? Was it to create a city in Uruk, Sumer, and Mesopotamia? Was it to create the first word dictionary in Mesopotamia? A crossbow in ancient China? What about the first analog computer, the Antikythera?

Yet here ── 

’ You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands [and what are the works of His hands? Recall the Prophet Isaiah, “’ Lift up your eyes on high, And see who created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, …’”]. 8) You have put all things in subjection under his feet.’ – Hebrews 2:7-8.

What of this ‘have put all things in subjection under his feet’? Surely not everything? Notice chapter 1 of the Book of Hebrews ── “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, …” – Hebrews 1:2.

In Greek the phrase “all things” is pás, which means a term used to denote completeness or totality, everything. As in the whole of the universe and everything in it.

“ … For in that He [the Lord GOD] put all in subjection under him [speaking of mankind], He [the Lord GOD] left nothing that is not put under him [again, surely not everything? but let’s read on]. But now we DO NOT SEE all things put under him [under mankind].” – Hebrews 2:8.

No, not yet. The LORD has, however, let us have “dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” – Genesis 1:26. Mankind can now go down into the depths of the Mariana Trench ── an oceanic trench located in the western Pacific Ocean, at a maximum depth of 69 km (43 mi)! Mankind now has had the Blue Origin NS-35, a sub-orbital cargo spaceflight mission, operated by Blue Origin which launched on September 18, 2025, using the New Shepard rocket. And, of course, the actor William Shatner was finally able to go where no other 90-year-old man had gone before, aboard Blue Origin’s NS-18 sub-orbital flight. Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin rocket! Yet, even all of that doesn’t excite me as much as the fact that the Lord GOD has commissioned me, as a servant, to proclaim with His message, to those who are willing to hear (Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9, 23; Proverbs 1:5; John 8:47; Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). And the LORD God has provided me with the means and ability, that I try and use, not using it for my own purposes. 

What Is Our Lord Jesus Christ Doing ── Now?

So, no. Not everything is under mankind’s control. But what do we see? “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death [eternal death] for everyone.” – Hebrews 2:9. So, we see JESUS, who was scourged and spit upon, crucified, raised by a resurrection from the dead, and who then ascended up to the upper heavenly realms. And where He is now at the right-hand of God Most High as our living High Priest and Advocate. 

Well… what is our Lord Jesus doing today? 

Sadly, most people ── those who actually have an inkling of how far across the known observable universe is ── well… and I actually say, some. Some people believe that He never existed, or that He just died, or that He went far away from Earth. No, in fact, our Lord Jesus is our High Priest; I personally look to our Lord Jesus every day. I look to Him for wisdom and strength. I have proved beyond any shadow of doubt that God our Father and God our Savior mean what they say! Like what Dr. Seuss has emphasized – though slightly altered here – He means what He says and says what He means! 

“ … we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, …” – Hebrews 2:9.

He is already wearing a crown! He has gone to the upper heavenly realms ── which is spoken of in Isaiah 14 – “ … On the farthest sides of the north; …” ── to the very throne of God the Father and has been given a crown of rulership (a coronation is a formality which commemorates the new leader’s accension; see Daniel 7:13-14). The LORD God forever be praised ── after our glorious resurrection (God willing), we shall be in low earth orbit in attendance for this coronation! Our Lord Jesus returning to Earth (Zechariah 14:4) in all “power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” – Revelation 5:12. As King of kings and Lord of lords to rule all nations, and to bring the nations true and lasting peace.

You know ── and Minister Guy LaMar has spoken of this before as well. “A Message of Only Doom!?” ── there are some people, because we preach from God’s living word, accuse us of preaching a doctrine of doom. Yet, instead of preaching doom, we preach just the opposite. We preach and teach the greatest and most magnificent potential that Almighty God has for all mankind; that not too many others appear to be preaching.

Let me just add here ── “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” – Hebrews 9:27. 

“For it was fitting for Him [our Lord Jesus, because He created us; John 1:1-3, 14], for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bring many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11) For both He [our Lord Jesus] who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” – Hebrews 2:10-11.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, received again His glory and honor as God by a resurrection from the dead. “ … that He might be the FIRSTBORN among many brethren.” – Romans 8:29. And He will not be ashamed to call us “brethren.” 

“who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things [again, the Greek word pás, which means a term used to denote completeness or totality, everything. As in the whole of the universe and everything in it] by the word of His power, …” – Hebrews 1:3.

O’ last night I was watching on YouTube the glorious and wonderous metamorphosis of a butterfly! In which the host could not answer why many creatures metamorphose ── as he asks, “Why is living your life as multiple life forms such a great recipe for evolutionary success?” Of course, as usual, not giving any acknowledgement or credit to our great and awesome Creator!

HOW GREAT IS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! The firstborn of many brethren! Who has set us an example that we can follow! □                       

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