Our Passover Lamb and the Atonement Goat ── Our Lord Jesus Christ

by Leonard V Johnson

Greetings everyone! Including our Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends in Bordeaux, France; Malang, Indonesia; Calamba, Philippines, and here in the states, Lake City, Florida, and Richland, Michigan. Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries! I hope and pray that you had a most wonderful and humbling Day of Atonement. Here it was just great──a wonderful holy day full of self-reflection and humility.

In the original Hebrew Bible──which is God’s living word──the Day of Atonement is: יוֹם כִּפּוּר Yōm Kippūr, which means ‘day [of] the atonements.’

Within God’s living word, let us notice the Old Covenant ceremony related to the holy Day of Atonement that is spoken of in the Book of Leviticus 16 ──

“’ Aaron [the high priest of the Aaronic priesthood of the Old Covenant] shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and MAKE AN ATONEMENT for himself and for his house. 7) He shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 8) Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for THE SCAPEGOAT.

9) And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the LORD’s lot fell, and offer it as A SIN OFFERING. …

15) Then he shall kill the goat of the SIN OFFERING, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. 16) So he shall make ATONEMENT for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17) There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to MAKE ATONEMENT in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may MAKE ATONEMENT for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

18) And he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD, and MAKE ATONEMENT for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19) Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.’” – Leviticus 16:7-9, 15-19.

Anciently, symbolically, the goat on which the LORD’s lot fell, the sin offering, was pointing to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As explained by our beloved Apostle Paul, our Lord Jesus’ sacrifice for all mankind was THE ATONEMENT sacrifice of the New Covenant, the reconciliation to our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ ──

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away [including the ceremony of the Day of Atonement of the Old Covenant]; behold all things have become new.

18) Now all things are of God, who HAS RECONCILED [HAS ATONED] us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.

Also, notice this from one of the wisest men who ever walked the earth, King Solomon ──

“In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.” – Proverbs 16:6.

Also, Psalm 65, attributed to King David ──

“Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them.” – Psalm 65:3.

Psalm 65 is mainly celebrating the LORD God’s creation and provision, yet the language about ‘By awesome deeds in righteousness’ can certainly be viewed as pointing to His future mercy, forgiveness and atonement for our transgressions.

What is also most interesting is Genesis chapter 4 ──

“Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering.” – Genesis 4:4.

So, even at those early beginnings there was the knowledge that sin needed atonement. Leviticus 16 outlines for us the Old Covenant ceremony for the Day of Atonement, where blood sacrifices covered the nation’s iniquities and Isaiah 53 describes the suffering servant bearing our transgressions ──

“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

7) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. … 10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him [see: Genesis 3:15]; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an OFFERING FOR SIN, … 11) … By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.” – Isaiah 53:6-7, 10, 11.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed for our iniquities (for more on the Old Testament prophecies pertaining to our Lord Jesus, check out our free online PDF booklet, “Many Convincing Proofs That Jesus Is Christ”).

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was indeed our ATONEMENT ──

“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28) Therefore take heed to yourselves and to ALL THE FLOCK, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of God WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD.” – Acts 20:27-28.

“But NOW the righteousness of God APART FROM THE LAW [the law of Moses] is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets [the first five books of the Holy Bible, including the books of the prophets], 22) even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all WHO BELIEVE, For there is no difference; 23) FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD, 24) being justified freely by His grace through THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, 25) whom God set forth AS A PROPITIATION BY HIS BLOOD, …” – Romans 3:21-24, 25.

“IN HIM we have REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, …” – Ephesians 1:7.

“In THIS the love of God was manifested toward us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10) In THIS is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS.” – 1 John 4:9-10.

Let us also notice ──

“For when we were still without strength, in due time [‘when the time was fulfilled’] Christ died for the ungodly. 7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8) But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9) Much more then, having NOW BEEN JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10) For if when we were enemies WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have NOW RECEIVED THE RECONCILIATION.” – Romans 5:6-11.

Again, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was our ATONEMENT for our reconciliation unto God.

Our heavenly Father God sent His only begotten Son ──

“’ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, what whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world THROUGH HIM might be saved.’” – John 3:16-17.

Our Lord Jesus was not sacrificed for only His saints ── the Old Covenant sacrificial ceremony shows us this understanding.

However, even since the Adamic Age, and on into this ‘present evil age,’ only a few have been called by our heavenly Father ──

“’ For many are called, but few are chosen.’” – Matthew 22:14.

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” – 1 Corinthians 1:26.

“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” – Romans 11:5.

However, the LORD God desires everyone to be saved and to receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23) ──

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made FOR ALL MEN, 2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4) WHO DESIRES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6) who GAVE HIMSELF A RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-6.

So, since the LORD God’s desire is salvation for all, and His living immutable word teaches us that ‘many are called, but only a few’ are chosen during this present evil age (be sure to read and study our free online article, “Are You Being Called by God?”) and that the Eternal One is not a respecter of persons, then His Plan includes multiple millions of people past and present (see also our sermon, “Salvation OFFERED To All”). Again, certainly, the Old Covenant sacrificial ceremony of Leviticus 16 shows us this understanding.

Our Passover Lamb

'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'

Again, our beloved Apostle Paul explains ──

“ … For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed, was our Passover lamb that was sacrificed for EVERYONE. He went on to explain that Christ was only sacrificed ONCE FOR ALL for our sins ── Romans 6:10; Hebrews 7:27; 9:12, 28.

“so Christ was offered ONCE to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, FOR SALVATION.” – Hebrews 9:28.

~ I have a short conversation with AI regarding some splinter groups of the Church of God who are claiming that our Lord Jesus’ sacrifice is only covering His saints──not the whole world. See: “Conversation With AI Regarding Christ’s Sacrifice ‘Once for All’” ~

So, certainly, a question can be asked: why two sacrifices since our Lord Jesus Christ was only sacrificed once for all?

Well… something that I teach in our sermon, “Discover the Identity of the Two Goats of Leviticus 16” ── and truly a living truth that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught me, I learned it from no man ── both goats in Leviticus 16 together represented different aspects of what our Savior, Jesus Christ, would accomplish for us, The first goat was the sacrifice that paid the penalty for transgressions, and the second as the scapegoat carried away the transgressions completely. One goat was sacrificed to cleanse the altar and provide access to the Holy Place ── the Holy of Holies, and the other, the scapegoat, the Azazel goat, carried the people’s sins away into the wilderness. They worked together as a single sin offering, showing us the covering of sin and its complete removal. So, while our Lord Jesus fulfilled both types of this ceremony, they represented different aspects of what He came to accomplish for us.

Now, I feel it’s incumbent upon me to explain the word ‘Azazel.’ Azazel (עֲזָאזֵל) comes from a Hebrew phrase meaning “goat that is sent away” or “for removal,” referring to the goat cast into the wilderness carrying Israel’s sins. The word is understood as a compound of “az” (strong) and “el” (God), or simply as “the place of removal,” describing its role in the Day of Atonement ceremony. 1 It does not mean demon. It’s a common mix-up because of the Book of Enoch (the book I have mentioned on various occasions, 1 Enoch, is not the Book of Enoch which the apostle Jude was quoting from – at least not wholly), which portrays Azazel as a demon.

So again, the two goats ── ‘the goat’ in Leviticus 16 ‘on which the LORD’s lot fell, and was offered as a sin offering’ they accomplished two important things that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, fulfilled on the cross. First goat was slain as a sin offering to cover the people’s sins. Then, the second goat, ‘the live goat,’ the scapegoat, carried those sins away into the wilderness NEVER TO RETURN. Together they pictured both the payment for sin and its complete removal from the LORD God’s presence. And our Lord Jesus accomplished both of these in His SINGLE ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice ── He paid the penalty for our sins and removed our guilt completely, so we’re not just forgiven, but our sins are remembered no more. As He tells us in the likes of Micah 7 ──

“He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.” – Micah 7:19.

Anciently, the Passover lamb isn’t just a historical ritual; it was a LIVING SYMBOL of God’s covenant that began with our great Patriarch Abraham. That slaughtered lamb, unblemished, pointed forward to our Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate “Lamb of God,” whose sacrifice fulfilled the pattern first seen in Abraham’s time.

Our Master, Elder Brother, High Priest, and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the “author and finisher of our faith” – Hebrews 12:2. As John the Baptist knew, calling our Lord Jesus, ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!’ – John 1:29.

And, as the Spirit of God spoke while I was typing this article: It’s now only ‘the Lamb of God’ of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant, and all of its ceremonies involving the two goats are, as our beloved Apostle Paul tells us, “He has made the first obsolete.”

So yes, sadly ── while many splinter groups of the Church of God, those of Judaism, and even the Roman Catholic Church and her Protestant daughters ── do not properly understand the meaning of the Old Covenant ceremony of the Day of Atonement and the symbolism of the two goats, it does have a prophetic significance! (be sure to read and study our free online article, “The Day of Atonement ── A Prophetic Significance”). A time when there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. A time when the saints of God will be standing on a sea of glass, singing a mournful Song of Moses (cf. Deuteronomy 31-32). The soon-coming Day of the LORD ── a Day of Reconciliation!

“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” – Matthew 27:51.

God’s living word tells us that the Aaronic high priest entered the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) ONCE annually on the Day of Atonement with ‘the blood of a young bull as a sin offering.’ Yet, with our New Covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our High Priest ── Melchizedek, King of Righteousness, King of Salem, the Apostle Paul explains that He only needed to sacrifice Himself ONCE ──

“For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law [the law of Moses, under the Old Covenant], he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20) saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.’ 21) Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.

22) And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission [of sins].

23) Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things IN THE HEAVENS should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24) FOR CHRIST [our High Priest] HAS NOT ENTERED THE HOLY PLACES MADE WITH HANDS, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US; 25) not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place EVERY YEAR with blood of another ── 26) He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but NOW, ONCE AT THE END OF THE AGES, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” – Hebrews 9:19-26.

Our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the great symbolism of the Old Covenant ceremony related to the holy Day of Atonement. He not only was sacrificed for our sins (represented by the first goat, the ‘sin offering’), but He also took away our sins, and sent them away forever ‘into the wilderness’ (represented by the second goat, the ‘scapegoat’). □

1 Amazon.com, 22 Sept. 2026.

The Day of Atonement ── A Prophetic Significance

 by Leonard V Johnson

Welcome everyone! From sunset on September 20 through sunset on September 21 is the Day of Atonement. Welcome also to our friends in Cajicá, Colombia; Amman, Jordan; Noida, India; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Newcastle, South Africa! Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, here in West Central Florida.

Indeed, the majority of our peoples around the world have not even heard of the Day of Atonement. And most who have don’t properly understand its great prophetic significance. Yet, this holy day pictures for us some things that are quite profound and humbling.

Let’s begin in the Book of Leviticus 23, where the LORD our God is revealing to Moses to speak to the children of Israel, His feasts──

“’ Also the TENTH DAY of this SEVENTH MONTH shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall AFFLICT YOUR SOULS, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. 28) And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make ATONEMENT for you before the LORD your God.’” – Leviticus 23:27-28.

The Hebrew word here for “afflict” is ‘ānâ (Strong’s #6031), meaning “to stoop down, to be concerned about, to be worried about, humbled.”

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

“’ On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; 3725 it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall HUMBLE your souls 5315 and present an offering by fire to the LORD. 28) Neither shall you do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement 3722 on your behalf before the LORD your God.’” – Leviticus 23:27-28, NASB.

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

However, notice the LORD God’s living words ──

“’ Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. YOU WILL NOT FAST AS YOU DO THIS DAY, to make your voice heard on high. … Is this not the fast that I have chosen: TO LOOSE THE BONDS OF WICKEDNESS, TO UNDO THE HEAVY BURDENS, TO LET THE OPPRESSED GO FREE, AND THAT YOU BREAK EVERY YOKE?’” – Isaiah 58:4-6.

The Old Covenant ── Historically

Indeed, the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was one of the children of Israel’s most solemn feasts. It was observed on the tenth day of the seventh month of Tishri──which is actually called Ethanim in God’s living word (1 Kings 8:2). The high priest performed a detailed ritual: he bathed, dressed in linen, offered a bull for his own sin, sacrificed one goat for the people’s sins, and also sent a second goat──a scapegoat──into the wilderness to carry those sins away. This ceremony aimed to purify both the sanctuary and the community annually.

When I spoke to AI concerning Leviticus 23:26-28 ──

The Day of Atonement on the tenth day of the seventh month, calling it a holy convocation. The children of Israel were to “afflict” themselves──likely through fasting, self-examination, and humility before the LORD God──and bring a fire offering. That same day, no ordinary work was permitted, emphasizing total focus on repentance and atonement. In Leviticus here, the word “afflict” carries the sense of humbling oneself before the LORD God. The dictionary notes “to humble” as one of its definitions. Commentators explain it as “submit themselves humbly,” often expressed through fasting or self-examination.

“Isn’t it true that traditionally the Jewish people fasted on the Day of Atonement?”

Yes──Leonard, traditionally JEWS fast on Yom Kippur, refraining from food and drink from sunset until nightfall the next day. The ‘affliction of one’s soul’ was commanded by the LORD God. It’s observed for nearly 26 hours, with additional prohibitions on washing, leather shoes, and marital relations.

“That’s right, if you are of the Jewish religion──Judaism. But we are Christian, and we are of the New Covenant today, not of the Old Covenant.”

Indeed──Leonard, in the New Covenant, fasting is not a commanded ritual as in Judaism. Our Lord Jesus and His early Church treated fasting as a voluntary practice for humility and prayer preparation. He teaches us that fasting isn’t a means to earn any favor, just a way to acknowledge our great need and focus ON CHRIST. The Book of Acts does record believers fasting before missions and at times of crisis, showing us that it is still done today AS A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE ── not as a legal requirement of any kind.

“Yes, that is all true, but it’s also true that fasting should be private ── just between the LORD God and yourself. And one shouldn’t let the whole congregation know that they’re fasting.”

Yes. Fasting is primarily a private act of humility before the LORD God, not meant to be displayed for others. Yet Scripture also records communal fasts for us, so it isn’t exclusively private all the time.

So, again, fasting isn’t a required law in our New Covenant with our Lord Jesus; it’s voluntary. It can be used as a voluntary way to humble yourself before God. Our Lord Jesus never commanded us to fast, describing it as a personal humility practice rather than a mandated ritual or law.

“Let’s briefly go over some of these passages within God’s living word ──”

Yes. Matthew 6:16-18 ──

“’ Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites [He uses the word hypocrites, the same word He often used for the Pharisees and the Sadducees of His day who were ritualistically fasting on Yom Kippur], with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

17) But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18) so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.’”

Let’s also note Isaiah 58:6, which defines the kind of “fast” the LORD God requires, a fast that loosens yokes.

“That’s right. In fact, our Lord Jesus Christ has told us that fasting isn’t required (note that keyword, required) while He is with us, comparing us to the wedding guests who celebrate instead of mourning. He used the new-wine and new-cloth images to show us that the old ritual isn’t imposed in the New Covenant. Yes. Our Lord Jesus tells us that fasting isn’t required. But that His followers will fast (as a voluntary practice for humility) when the bridegroom is taken away (Matthew 9:14-17). If the LORD’s Spirit is within us, our Lord Jesus Christ is with us!”

Absolutely, Leonard! When the Holy Spirit indwells in us, Jesus is spiritually with us today; His Spirit brings Christ’s presence into believers.

“’ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that It may abide with you forever ── 17) the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither sees It nor knows It; but you know It, for It dwells with you and will be with you.’” – John 14:16-17.

“Sadly, there are many splinter groups of Worldwide that continue to fast on the Day of Atonement as a requirement ── the Old Covenant way.”

Yes ── Leonard. You’re right ── those splinter groups cling to Old Covenant fasting rituals, yet our New Covenant, as Hebrews chapter 8 shows us, makes such fasting optional and stresses to us inner humility instead of an external ordinance.

“Hebrews is the epistle that really drives the point home ── its whole thrust is about our Lord Jesus Christ’s superiority and the New Covenant’s inner humility, again, not external ordinances or rites. Our Lord Jesus is now our great High Priest and calls believers to draw near to the LORD God’s thrones of grace and mercy.

Sadly, those splinter groups continue annually to talk about the scapegoat. And they act as if that is doctrine. One doesn’t have to completely understand that scapegoat ritual to find the glorious salvation of our Lord Jesus!”

You’re right ── Leonard, those churches continue to treat the scapegoat ritual, the Old Covenant ritual, as doctrine, even though the practice was just a symbolic way to transfer sin in ancient Israel. Many cultures have analogous scapegoating rites, sending away collective guilt onto an animal or person. One doesn’t need to master that Old Covenant story to receive Jesus’ salvation. Faith in Christ is what matters. 1

Now, many claim that Acts 27:9 “proves” that the Apostle Paul fasted on the Day of Atonement. Again, our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 9:14-17 that His followers wouldn’t fast while He was with them, but the Apostle Paul’s warning here in Acts 27:9 wasn’t about requiring true Christians to fast. He was just simply noting that the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur had already passed, signaling the end of the safe sailing season in the Mediterranean Sea. This verse doesn’t support reading anything about true Christians having to fast; sadly, people are reading something into this passage that is not actually there.

Our beloved Apostle Peter – under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit, writes ──

“ … you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received BY TRADITION FROM YOUR FATHERS.” – 1 Peter 1:18.

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

It is true that our Lord Jesus Christ would be our Atonement – it was prophesied – we often read this during the Passover – or the Lord’s Supper.

“Now all things are of God, who HAS RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation [atonement], 19) that is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them [the LORD God does not hold true Christians' sins against us because our sins have been imputed, or credited, to our Lord Jesus. In Christ Jesus, God Himself became the ultimate Atonement], and has committed to us the word of reconciliation [atonement].” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

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

Prophetically ── the Day of the LORD

PROPHETICALLY ── a time of deep and disturbing trouble. A time of trauma. A time of the seven last plagues, which include the death of millions and even hundreds of millions of people. And it will include the utter destruction of the false Mother Church, false ministers and priests, and false doctrine. Which will include the binding, a spiritual prison, of Satan the Devil and his imps. The clearing of the deck of evil and spiritual darkness.

The Day of Atonement should be a time of humility, personal reflection, and a most somber time ── again, a time when on this Earth hundreds of millions of people will die by the hand of the returning powerful Jesus Christ. Think upon that! It looks forward to a time, prophetically, when we’re told that the blood in and around the streets of Jerusalem will be up to the horses' bridle! That’s a pretty somber thing!

So, what end-time event ── prophetically future event ── does the Day of Atonement picture?

The WRATH OF GOD (the Day of the Lord) is prophetically linked with the Day of Atonement. Single most prophesied event in the Bible – bar none. Not even the Return of Jesus Christ is prophesied as much as the Day of the Lord is prophesied. The Fall Holy Days picture, in a prophetic sense, some of the major events, major stages, major progressions of the end-times. The SEVEN SEALS of the Book of Revelation are the symbolic, prophetically, of the early ‘troubles’ which will befall this world, and in particular, the House of Judah and the House of Israel. And the FIRST SIX of the SEVEN TRUMPETS are a progression of those ‘troubles.’ And the SEVENTH TRUMPET of the seven trumpets is indeed directly related to the concept of the resurrection of the saints. The blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMP! And following that, in the Book of Revelation –

Chapters 15 & 16 – you read about the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES.

Chapter 15 ──

“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.” – verse 1.

The seven last plagues are directly linked with what the Lord God calls the “Day of the Lord.” And the Day of the Lord is prophetically linked to the Day of Atonement. Remember – SEVEN SEALS, SEVEN TRUMPETS – THE SEVENTH TRUMPET IS THE RESURRECTION TRUMPET!

“...We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” And that’s sort of the concept of the word ATONEMENT. Reconciliation.

Turning to the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 20. We truly cannot fully understand the meaning(s) of the Day of Atonement unless we understand these things. Because the Day of Atonement does not mean “at-one-ment.” The theme is, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.”

The soon-coming Day of the LORD ── a Day of Reconciliation! □

1. Amazon.com, 16 Sept. 2026.

Do You Follow and Imitate Christ’s Example of Keeping His Feasts?

by Leonard V Johnson

Blessings to you, my friend! Welcome. Our friends in Karachi, Pakistan, Poza Rica, Mexico, Thái Binh, Vietnam, and the Nizhniy Novgorod, Russian Federation. I welcome you to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries (COJCOM) here in West Central Florida!

What are commonly called the ‘Fall Holy Days’ will begin very soon for 2026. In fact, the SEVENTH MONTH of the year begins sunset Friday 11th. It’s the biblical month, Ethanim (1st Kings 8:2).

There are wonderful meanings that these Fall Holy Days represent.

A few weeks ago I spoke concerning the glorious LORD’s Feast of Trumpets which pictures for us a memorial of blowing of trumpets the next phase of the LORD God’s redemptive plan, when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shall come, in the clouds with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) For it shall be AT THE LAST TRUMP “for the trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” – 1 Corinthians 15:52.

Beginning at sunset the 20th of this month is the LORD’s Day of Atonement. Truly, a holy day to humble yourself before the LORD God. These feasts and holy days belong to God! They are His feasts! And He’s sharing the information with us – those of us who have ears to hear and eyes to see and a willingness to accept the truth of God as being our teacher! Sadly, many ministers today continue to threaten the congregation with a very serious maniacal undertone – “You shall afflict your souls!” As we have pointed out many times ── get out your concordance, get out your word studies, get out your different translations, and you too will discover that that phrase is supposed to say – “You shall HUMBLE yourself before the LORD.” It is the same thing that our Lord Jesus Christ teaches in the Book of Matthew, chapter 5.

True Christians continue to keep our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s example of keeping and celebrating the LORD’s Feast of Tabernacles and knows that it represents the glorious and powerful second coming of our Savior and the establishment of His Millennial Rule on Earth! (cf. Revelation 11:15).

As our beloved Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration, wrote ──

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1.

Do you follow and imitate Christ Jesus?

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, along with all of His apostles kept and celebrated the Fall Holy Days!

Let’s also notice that our beloved Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69–155 AD), a disciple of the Apostle John, also kept and celebrated the Fall Holy Days ──

I will give the narration in order, thus coming down to the history of the blessed Polycarp. …

So also he pursued the reading of the Scriptures from childhood to old age, himself reading in church; and he recommended it to others, saying that the reading of the law and the prophets was the forerunner of grace, preparing and making straight the ways of the Lord, that is the hearts, which are like tablets whereon certain harsh beliefs and conceptions that were written before perfect knowledge came, are through the inculcation of the Old Testament, and the correct interpretation following thereupon, first smoothed and levelled, that, when the Holy Spirit comes as a pen, the grace and joy of the voice of the Gospel and of the doctrine of the immortal and heavenly Christ may be inscribed on them. And he said that they could not otherwise receive the impression of the seal which is given by baptism and engrave and exhibit the form conveyed in it, unless the wax were first softened and filled the deep parts. So also he thought that the hearts of the hearers ought to be softened and yield to the impress of the Word. For he said that it unfolded and opened, like closed doors, the minds of recent comers; and accordingly the prophet was bidden by God, Cry out mightily and spare not, Raise thy voice as a trumpet. What must one say, when even He that was gentler than all men so appeals and cries out at the feast of Tabernacles? For it is written; And on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, If any man thirsteth, let him come to Me and drink. 1

So, according to Pionius──for there is a narrative claiming that Pionius and several other Christians were martyred on the “birthday” of Polycarp──he endorsed the keeping and the celebration of the Fall Holy Days which begins with the LORD’s Feast of Trumpets, including the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.

The Feasts and the Holy Days of the LORD (annually during the spring and fall) were indeed kept and celebrated by the early, true Christians, and this is crystal clear from God’s living word──from both the Old and New Testaments. For additional information, be sure to read and study “God’s Eternal Marks Upon His Covenant People (PART ONE) and (PART TWO).”

The LORD’s first fall Holy Day is the Feast of Trumpets (also called Rosh Hashanah by the Jews) which will begin sunset on September 11th until sunset September 12th.

Then there is the LORD’s Day of Atonement. It begins sunset on September 20th until sunset September 21st. Again, the true meaning of the Day of Atonement isn’t about God wanting you to afflict your body. It’s about God wanting you to HUMBLE yourself before Him, His will, and His word. A MEMORIAL of the glorious ATONEMENT that our Lord Jesus Christ has done for all of us! Christ Jesus is our ATONEMENT!

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

Then comes the great annual festival, the Feast of Tabernacles! It begins sunset September 25th and continues until October 2nd at sunset. Immediately followed by the Last Great Day which ends at sunset on the 3rd of October.

The LORD God’s faithful followers, the early true Christians, kept and celebrated what many mistakenly refer to as “Jewish holidays.” Again, our Savior and Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ indeed did──an not only because He was Jewish. His disciples that graduated and became apostles all kept and celebrated His Feasts and Holy Days! Including the weekly holy Sabbath day, the SEVENTH DAY!

I hope and pray that you will look into His Feasts and Holy Days more! □

Is There A Connection Between Roman Catholicism and Islam?

There's a new religion in town: Chrislam. (photo Ai-generated)

Well … Mike Gendron, who was a devout Catholic for over 30 years, in his May 2018 Newsletter has the following ──

Common Bonds Between Islam and Catholicism

Will the world’s two largest religions converge and be the catalyst for the prophesied one-world religion? At first glance, the two faiths appear to be vastly different but under close inspection, they have more common bonds than differences. In 1994 the Vatican issued a publication entitled: “Spiritual Bonds Which Unite Us: 16 Years of Christian-Muslim Dialogue.” After extensive study and research, I put forth 10 common bonds that will help unite these two religions.

I. Both Esteem and Honor Mary - Muslims and Catholics both call her, “Our Lady.” and venerate her as a pure and holy saint. Mary is mentioned more in the [Koran] than the Bible.

II. Both Seek Messages from Apparitions of Mary - Many of the messages make it clear she is coming for all her children including Muslims, Catholics and Protestants and that people of all religions can be saved apart from Jesus Christ as long as they are good.

III. Both Are Anti-Semitic - The Vatican has issued over 100 antisemitic documents and taught the Jews should be cursed because they killed Christ. Mohammed words recorded in a hadith say, “The last day will not come until the Muslims destroy the Jews.”

IV. Both Embrace Another Jesus - Catholicism has a counterfeit Jesus whose death on the cross was not sufficient to save them. Islam also has a counterfeit Jesus (Isa) who did not die on a cross and is not God, only a prophet.

V. Both Seek World Dominion - Both religions rule with an autocratic government and have a history of forced conversions and killing those who oppose them. Could these religions which control people with indoctrination, intimidation, and fear be a precursor to the rule of Anti-christ?

VI. Both Deny the Authority of Scripture - The pagan beliefs of both religions stand opposed to the Bible. Muslims reject the Bible as the final revelation from God declaring that God has revealed a final testament: the [Koran] which is their supreme authority.

VII. Both Use Prayer Beads to Avoid Punishment - Catholics pray the rosary to remit punishment for sin. Muslins use 99 beads that correspond to the names of God. Praying to Allah five times a day is an act of obedience to escape the punishment imposed on those who do not pray.

VIII. Both Take Pilgrimages to Obtain Favor from God - Catholics take pilgrimages for religious purification and the promise of indulgences. Muslims take pilgrimages to Mecca, a mandatory religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime.

IX. Both Have Human Mediators - Catholics rely on the priesthood to dispense salvation through sacraments and seek Mary to intercede with God on their behalf. Muslims rely on the intercession of Muhammad on judgment day. He will prostrate himself before Allah who will say, ‘O Muhammad! speak, it will be heard; and be given; intercede, and it will be approved.’

X. Both Have a Works-Righteousness Salvation - Allah will place one’s good and evil works on the divine scale: "Those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls in hell" (Sura 23:102,103). In Catholicism, sacraments, good works and obeying the law are necessary for salvation.

(https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Common-Bonds-Between-Islam---Catholicism.html?soid=1103609831924&aid=AJJ4Pc81tHg).

The Koran I have in my library reads ──

“Those whose good deeds weigh heavy in the scales shall triumph, but those whose deeds are light shall forfeit their souls and abide in Hell for ever. The fire will scorch their faces and they will writhe in anguish.” – 23:102,103.

Even though we here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries surely wouldn’t word things exactly like he does, there are indeed similarities between Roman Catholicism and Islam.

Both indeed are obsessed with Marianism and apparitions. In fact, May is the month that all Roman Catholics dedicate to their understanding of Mary. The majority believe that our Lord Jesus’ mother appeared in Fatima, Portugal, on May 13th, 1917.

Interestingly, the founder of Islam, Muhammad, apparently, had four daughters ── Fatima, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum, and Zaynab. Fatima is revered in both Sunni and Shia traditions.

The Vatican designed a new-age-style cross encircled by the crescent moon of Islam

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, throughout his see, had made many pro-Islamic statements. 1 Also, the Vatican designed in 2019, what they are calling “a new age-style cross encircled by the crescent moon of Islam.” Surely a Chrislam cross.

Well … as far as God’s living and holy word goes ── the Holy Bible ── Moslems believe that Jews and Christians corrupted it, and thus, cannot be trusted to be the word of God. Now, strangely enough, they do believe that God (whom they call Allah ── the Allah of Islam, however, is not the God of the Bible) used Jesus, yet they deny His deity and His glorious resurrection.

The Roman Catholics do accept the Holy Bible as the word of God, but believe that it is the Vatican that interprets the Bible, along with its nearly 2,000-year-long traditions ── and certainly since the rule of Emperor Constantine II. So, the overall majority of Roman Catholics do not believe Scripture the same as we do ── i.e., the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries.

As for the Roman Catholic Church and a future Confederation of Islam working together ── yes, it is coming. So says God’s living word ── and, it could be related to this dual prophecy ──

“’ And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah [speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ] shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city [this did occur in 70 A.D.] and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27) Then [H]e shall confirm a covenant with many for ONE WEEK [one week = 7 years]; But in the middle of the week [on a Wednesday] He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.’” – Daniel 9:26-27.

At the very beginning of His WORK OF GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ taught His twelve disciples, whom God the Father had called unto Him (cf. John 17:24), the very Message given to Him by His Father concerning the soon-coming Kingdom of God. Then, after 3 ½ years, our Lord Jesus finished that initial phase of the Work of God, which Father had given Him to do. In His final prayer to Father, He says, “’ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do’” – John 17:4. Daniel 9:27, a two-fold prophecy, speaks of a remaining 3 ½ years of an end-time work. I briefly mention this in our free no-obligation online PDF booklet “Satan’s World” section ‘Satan’s sign and lying wonders’. Minister Michael C Garrett also speaks of this ──

“Daniel 9 gives us a clue: Contains what is often referred to as the SEVENTY WEEKS PROPHECY. Verse 27 – Remember, in verse 25 we see the word “Messiah.” That’s who we’re talking about here in verse 27. The “he,” who – JESUS CHRIST – “he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;” which in Bible parlance, one day for a year – this is SEVEN YEARS. “But in the middle of the week, He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Now, who was the ultimate sacrifice? Jesus Christ. When did He die? When was He executed? He was executed on a WEDNESDAY, in the middle of the week. His human life ended after 3½ years of His public ministry. It was SEVEN YEARS. He was supposed to have a very special dispensation. And He lived upon this earth for 3½ years, it begs the question: What became of the other 3½ years? Well, the other 3½ years will be fulfilled in those events upon His return and for 3½ years ── the Millennium.”

(Garrett, M.C. Notes Concerning the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, 28 Sept. 2019, pgs. 16-17).

I also want you to notice that not only will the Roman Catholic Church work together with a future conglomerate of Islamic nations, called ‘king of the South’ in God’s word, but His living word also shows us that this future great religious leader will turn against this “Madhi” ── this final ‘king of the South.’ Notice the following dual prophecy, showing us that this final Islamic power will be defeated ──

“’ At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him [a final Catholic-led European civic and military leader, called the ‘king of the North’]; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries [the Middle Eastern countries], overwhelm them, and pass through. 41) He shall also enter the Glorious Land [Palestine], and many countries shall be overthrown; but these [initially] shall escape from his hand: Edom [which is Turkey], Moab [which is Iraq], and the prominent people of Ammon [or Jordan]. 42) He shall stretch out his hand [the ‘king of the North’] against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape’” – Daniel 11:40-42.

Now … the following end-time prophecy given to the Prophet Ezekiel also concerns the great and terrible Day of the Lord, “a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles” ── which is exactly what we are speaking about here. Now, mind you, even today most of these following nations are primarily Islamic! THE DAY OF THE LORD! It is prophetically linked to the meaning of the Day of Atonement. And it’s in the future, and we’re simply not that far away from it. Prophet Daniel in chapter 11, verses 40-43 shows us that Edom (Turkey) will initially escape the wrath of the final Catholic-led European ‘king of the North.’ Prophet Ezekiel shows us that Egypt and her allies, including Arabs, will be DESTROYED!

“’ For the DAY is near [speaking of the Day of the Lord], even the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles. 4) The sword shall come upon Egypt, And great anguish shall be in Ethiopia, When the slain fall in Egypt, And they take away her wealth, And her foundations are broken down’” – Ezekiel 30:3-4.

Notice that none of these verses mentions Edom (Turkey) being destroyed at that time. This utter destruction of Turkey will come later.

~ be sure to read our free no-obligation online PDF booklet by Minister Michael C Garrett, “TURKEY Is going to betray HIS BROTHERS! Turkey In Prophecy” ~

A reference – a time setting – note verse 15 of Obadiah 1 ── ‘the Day of the LORD upon all the nations is near.’ This is an end-time prophecy! Let’s pick it up at Verse 8 – “’ Will I not in that day,’ says the LORD, ‘Even destroy the wise men from Edom [Edom, Esau, Turkey, they all mean the same], And understanding from the mountains of Esau? 9) Then your mighty men, O Teman [Ottoman], shall be dismayed, To the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau May be cut off by slaughter.’ 10) ‘For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever. 11) In the day that you stood on the other side - In the day that strangers carried captive his forces, When foreigners entered his gates And cast lots for Jerusalem – Even you were as one of them.’” – It’s VERY CLEAR what He’s talking about – the sack of Israel (modern-day Israel) and Jerusalem, forces being carried off, and Edom (Turkey) has a direct hand in it!!

Edom (modern-day Turkey) certainly wants Jerusalem destroyed and will be a part of the conglomerate of Islamic nations called the end-time ‘king of the South.’

So, yes, both the Vatican and Islam are Anti-Semitic, and for a short time will be in cooperation with each other. Let us recall that many within the Roman Catholic Church, during the final days of World War II, collaborated with the Nazi regime! 2

However, it will end up not turning out very well for this end-time Islamic confederation of nations, or the Roman Catholic Church (cf. Revelation 17:1).

The stage is being set on the world scene for these end-time prophecies of our great and awesome God to be fulfilled! □

1 David Hollenbach, Pope Francis’ Encyclical and Solidarity with Muslims, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, 14 Oct 2020.

2 cf. James, Douglas, The Catholic Church and the Nazi Regime: Collaboration, Complicity, and Resistance, Dorset Eye, 7 Feb 2025.

Luxury Bunkers for the Apocalypse!

by Leonard V Johnson

There are reports that the very wealthy are spending copious amounts of money in an attempt to survive an apocalypse.

Now, while we have quoted Michael Snyder before, and he is often an interesting writer, he, too, is considered a “prepper” for an apocalypse. After all, it certainly helps him sell his books ──

February 13, 2024

The World Is Bracing For An Apocalyptic Future

When you imagine our collective future, what do you see? Today, most people do not envision a positive future for humanity. Our movies, our television shows, our video games and our talk shows are filled with apocalyptic themes, and there is constant speculation about what is ahead of us on social media. Global events have really started to go haywire in recent months, and faith in our leaders has never been lower. A lot of people are realizing that when things really start hitting the fan nobody is going to come riding along to rescue them. So sales of emergency food and supplies have soared to record levels, and millions of us are planning for life in a world that has gone completely and utterly mad. …

At this point, even the wealthiest members of our society are preparing for worst-case scenarios. …

If everything is going to be just fine, why are so many billionaires building massive survivalist compounds?

Can anyone out there answer that question? …

Billions of dollars is [sic] being spent on emergency food and supplies, and I fully expect that 2024 will shatter all previous records. …

We really are on the verge of an extremely apocalyptic future, and we will soon see things happen that many people never even imagined would be possible.

Millions upon millions of people have a gut feeling that really bad stuff is on the horizon, and it won’t be too long before it becomes clear why so many of us have been preparing for the worst.

(https://themostimportantnews.com/archives/the-world-is-bracing-for-an-apocalyptic-future).

Doomsday messages can often sell more books ── and there is a clear psychological reason behind it.

• Fear is a strong motivator: People are hard-wired to pay attention to threats, so apocalyptic predictions can grab attention quickly.
• The promise of some “secret” knowledge “only I know”: There are many people, like Michael Snyder, who claim to be revealing hidden truths of God, or insider warnings, making people feel they’re a messenger from God.
• An emotional urgency: Often, there’s the idea that “time is running out” that is used to try and push people to act ── often claiming that “what you need to do is in my book, you should buy a copy today!”
• A storytelling appeal: Many people giving these doomsday messages are great storytellers, with end-of-the-world scenarios that tap into great drama and suspense. 1

Now, certainly, there are those authors who genuinely believe their warnings, yet most use fear-mongering tactics as a marketing strategy. Historically, many “end time” predictions have been absolutely wrong, yet the emotional pull still drives sales.

Having said all that, notice also the following from Survival . News ──

10/11/2022

Swiss company unveils fortified luxury bunkers designed for the apocalypse

Ultrawealthy individuals can still enjoy the luxury they have grown accustomed to while trying to survive the apocalypse.

Swiss firm Oppidum, which supplies fortified underground residences, has unveiled its new L’Heritage bunkers for ultra-high-net worth individuals.

Oppidum hired French architect Marc Prigent to design the stretched underground homes for “unprecedented times” with each one providing a minimum of 10,000 square feet of space.

According to Robb Report, the residences can be custom-made to fit the owner’s tastes and they can include extra facilities such as an extra-large garage, a private art gallery, meeting lounges, an indoor garden and even a spa with a private pool. …

The homes have two independent air filtration systems with a primary unit for peacetime operation which offers fresh air indefinitely and a state-of-the-art secondary air filtration system that can protect against airborne contaminants “be it of radioactive, chemical, biological or nuclear origin,” the website added.

Oppidum’s unique high-pressure air reserve and internal circulation gives an adequate level of oxygen in the building and simultaneously keeps an overpressure to guarantee absolute airtightness and gas-tightness of the indoor environment.

(https://survival.news/2022-10-11-swiss-company-unveils-luxury-bunkers-for-apocalypse.html#).

Who says you can’t live in the lap of “luxury” while the world is falling down around you?

Also, as far as the uber wealthy and the preppers, the UK’s The Guardian posted ──

Sun 4 Sep 2022

The super-rich ‘preppers’ planning to save themselves from the apocalypse

Tech billionaires are buying up luxurious bunkers and hiring military security to survive a societal collapse they helped create, but like everything they do, it has unintended consequences.

As a humanist who writes about the impact of digital technology on our lives, I am often mistaken for a futurist. …

I found myself accepting an invitation to address a group mysteriously described as “ultra-wealthy stakeholders”, out in the middle of the desert.

A limo was waiting for me at the airport. … They sat around the table and introduced themselves: five super-wealthy guys – yes, all men – from the upper echelon of the tech investing and hedge-fund world. At least two of them were billionaires. After a bit of small talk, I realized they had no interest in the speech I had prepared about the future of technology. They had come to ask questions. …

Eventually, they edged into their real topic of concern: New Zealand or Alaska? Which region would be less affected by the coming climate crisis? It only got worse from there. Which was the greater threat: global warming or biological warfare? How long should one plan to be able to survive with no outside help? Should a shelter have its own air supply? What was the likelihood of groundwater contamination? Finally, the CEO of a brokerage house explained that he had nearly completed building his own underground bunker system, and asked: “How do I maintain authority over my security force after the event?” The event. That was their euphemism for the environmental collapse, social unrest, nuclear explosion, solar storm, unstoppable virus, or malicious computer hack that takes everything down. …

Many of those seriously seeking a safe haven simply hire one of several prepper construction companies to bury a prefab steel-lined bunker somewhere on one of their existing properties. Rising S Company in Texas builds and installs bunkers and tornado shelters for as little as $40,000 for an 8ft by 12ft emergency hideout all the way up to the $8.3m luxury series “Aristocrat”, complete with pool and bowling lane. The enterprise originally catered to families seeking temporary storm shelters, before it went into the long-term apocalypse business. …

Ultra-elite shelters such as the Oppidum in the Czech Republic claim to cater to the billionaire class, and pay more attention to the long-term psychological health of residents. They provide imitation of natural light, such as a pool with a simulated sunlit garden area, a wine vault, and other amenities to make the wealthy feel at home. …

(https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/sep/04/super-rich-prepper-bunkers-apocalypse-survival-richest-rushkoff).

Well … as the article went on to say ── yes, the probability that such bunkers will actually protect those uber wealthy occupants for very long is indeed “slim to none.”

Sadly, most ── like a new Florida bill allowing churches, synagogues, and mosques to use armed security ── instead of putting their faith, trust, and confidence in Almighty God for their protection and safety, are placing their trust in “apocalypse bunkers.”

The Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo: Airman Magazine

O’ and it’s not just the uber-wealthy! Notice this report from 2019 ──

Study Finds Rise In ‘Doomsday Prepping’ Due To Mainstream American ‘Culture Of Fear’

CANTERBURY, England — “Doomsday prepping” or stockpiling food, medicine, weapons and other supplies in case of an apocalyptic scenario has long been considered peculiar behavior only exhibited by conspiracy theorists and other extremists in the United States. However, such prepping has actually been steadily on the rise in the U.S. over the past decade. So, what’s causing this surge in stockpiled rice packets and underground bunkers? One group of researchers says it is an ever-growing sense of impending doom in American culture.

Many have speculated that this surge in doomsday preppers over the last 10 years was linked to an extreme political reaction among many conservatives to Barack Obama’s initial election in 2008, but a new study out of the United Kingdom finds that neither the Obama presidency nor extreme right-wing conspiracy theories in general are the main cause of this growing phenomenon.

Researchers interviewed preppers from 18 U.S. states and asked about their motivations for stockpiling food and supplies. The results indicated that, although most did seem to be conservative and fear liberal policies, the main reason behind their motivations was the overall sense of fear currently dominating U.S. culture across a variety of media channels. Most Americans can’t seem to log online or turn on the television without being hit by a grim view of the future being reported or speculated on.

Potential occurrences commonly worried about by preppers include possible economic depressions, terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks, pandemics, or environmental disasters.

(https://studyfinds.org/study-finds-rise-in-doomsday-prepping-due-to-mainstream-american-culture-of-fear/).

Indeed, it is true ── there is a lot of bad news around the world. And there is a sense of “chicken-little” ── a tale about a chicken who mistakenly believes the sky is falling, symbolizing panic and fearmongering.

But be assured, brethren, our Lord and Savior made it a point to say, “’ See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.’” – Matthew 24:6.

Since our Lord Jesus Christ ascended to the upper heavenly realms, mankind has continued to have sorrows ──

“ … ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT TROUBLED; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8) ALL THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS.’” – Matthew 24:4, 5-8.

And certainly, since our Lord and Savior was taken up into the heavenly realms, this present evil age has been in ‘the beginning of sorrows’!

Now, it should be pointed out ── that this present world will get far worse than anything these “preppers” can imagine – cf. Matthew 24:21-22.

What about the hoarding of gold and other precious metals ── will any of that save someone?

No. our Lord Jesus has told us ──

“’ Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’” – Matthew 6:19-21.

Of course, we are not meaning that one shouldn’t have extra food, water, and money set aside in a safe location for emergencies such as devastating natural catastrophes, like tornadoes and hurricanes.

One of the wisest men of his day, King Solomon, had this to say ──

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7) Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, 8) Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.” – Proverbs 6:6-8.

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealthy of the sinner is stored up FOR the righteous [surely speaking of those self-righteous “Christians” that have their hand out!].” – Proverbs 13:22.

“The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.” – Proverbs 21:20, NLT.

So what God’s living word is teaching us is that we can have the wrong focus and that our priorities can be too physical and material. The LORD God knows what we need – Matthew 6:8.

Also, God’s word, in this two-fold prophecy, shows us that a few will escape destruction and captivity that will come to impact our peoples ──

And this is sort of odd. This scene we’re about to read is a little perplexing, but it has a meaning. And we’re going to get to that meaning in just a few verses. In verse 12, it will become clearer what he’s trying to say. God said to Ezekiel, His prophet, “’ son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair.’” He says in Verse 2, this is a reference to the DAY OF THE LORD, and you’re going to see that more clearly as this chapter 5 of Ezekiel continues. “’ You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city [talking about the hair], when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them.’” – At this point, it’s sort of mysterious or opaque what the Bible’s trying to tell us. It becomes clear in just a few verses. Verse 3 – “’ You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment.’” – a few of these hairs. ‘A few of these hairs sort of roll up in your robe.’ Verse 4 – “’ Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel.’” – Remember, Israel, once named Jacob, had 12 sons. Basically, in our world today, many of the nations of Western Europe, the British Isles, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have descended from those 12 sons. And the ‘house of Israel’ God is saying, ‘You were supposed to be Mine,’ and some of the verses actually say, ‘I married Israel,’ but then at some point God said, ‘I divorced Israel, too.’ Because they simply would not do what they were supposed to do, they did not live up to the marriage vows. But a FIRE, punishment, great problems, great issues, is going to come upon the house of Israel. It’s not here yet, but it just doesn’t seem to be that far down the road.

This is something which the prophet Ezekiel wrote against the siege of Jerusalem and his nation, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. This contains a tremendous amount of information – the prophesied Day of the LORD is equivalent to (prophetically speaking) the Day of Atonement.

And Jerusalem is the rightful capital of one of those tribes – the tribe of JUDAH. When the prophet Ezekiel wrote this, they had already been taken into captivity. Recall: He had written this by the River Chebar in captivity. He is actually writing about a future destruction of Jerusalem.

Verse 6 – “’ She has rebelled against My judgments by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against My statutes more than the countries that are all around her; for they have REFUSED My judgments, and they have not walked in My statutes.’”

Certainly, one of the greatest judgments that they literally threw away was the Divinity of Jesus Christ as being the true Messiah and the glorious Son of God!

“’ Those who survive will escape and be on the mountains Like doves of the valleys, All of them mourning, Each for his iniquity. 17) Every hand will be feeble, And every knee will be as weak as water.’” – Ezekiel 7:16-17.

Also notice what the Prophet Amos warned in this two-fold prophecy ──

“’ Proclaim in the palaces at Ashdod, And in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say: ‘Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; See great tumults in her midst, And the oppressed within her. 10) For they do not know to do right,’ Says the LORD, ‘Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.’

11) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘An adversary shall be all around the land; He shall sap your strength from you, And your palaces shall be plundered.’

12) Thus says the LORD: ‘As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion Two legs or a piece of an ear, So shall the children of Israel be taken out Who dwell in Samaria── In the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch! 13) Hear and testify against the HOUSE OF JACOB,’ Says the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, 14) ‘That IN THE DAY I PUNISH ISRAEL FOR THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS, I will also visit destruction on the altars of Bethel; And the horns of the altar shall be cut off And fall to the ground.’” – Amos 3:9-14.

In this two-fold prophecy, some will be hiding in the mountains and other areas throughout the tiny nation in the Middle East today, Israel ── as well as within the nations that have descended from Jacob’s 12 sons. Those that are not outright killed will be subjugated. The kings of the earth, the uber-wealthy, the famous, the commanders, the mighty, and even some commoners, will hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains for a time.

Indeed, our Lord Jesus taught that those in Judea should flee to the mountains during this Day of the LORD! ──

“’ Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand), …’”

And this indeed did occur ── Antiochus IV outlawed Jewish religious rites and traditions, and the Temple in Jerusalem was forcibly changed to a syncretic Greek-Jewish cult that included worship of Zeus. Antiochus sacrificed a great swine at the image of Moses, and at the altar of God that stood in the outward court, and sprinkled them with the blood of the sacrifice. 2 But this will happen again with another Antiochus IV, like a civic and military leader of a “United States of Europe”!

16) ‘ then let those WHO ARE IN JUDEA flee to the mountains.’” – Matthew 24:15-16.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the true Messiah, has warned us, brethren ──

“’ Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.’” – Luke 21:36.

So, brethren, let us always watch and pray, and OVERCOME that we may be counted worthy in the glorious eyes of God to be worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand (I say, kneel – cf. Philippians 2:10-11) before the awesome and powerful Son of Man!

Let us always put our faith, trust, and confidence in the LORD God, not in doomsday bunkers. □

1. Asked “AI” 25 Feb. 2026.

2. Wikipedia contributors. "Antiochus IV Epiphanes." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 Feb. 2026. Web. 25 Feb. 2026.