A Direct Examination of Luke 22:42 In Its Proper Context

by Leonard V Johnson

Greetings, dearest Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers in Christ Jesus. Welcome our friends across the way in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Brisbane, Australia; Lahore, Pakistan; and Hamburg, Germany. Also, our friends here in the States: The Dalles, Oregon; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Owensboro, Kentucky.

God’s Spirit continues to move me, and I've again come across another blasphemous article from a splinter-group church headquartered in Grover Beach, California, continuing to lead his ‘little flock’ so far off the narrow road that leads to life──I believe they’re in the jungle now.

I came across this statement from him: “Jesus pointed out that He and the Father have different wills.” And he used Luke 22:42 as his proof text. When I read this, I paused for a moment.

“saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.’” – Luke 22:42.

This directly shows our Lord Jesus’ human will submitting to the Father’s divine will. Now, I thought at first that was how he was teaching it──but when I read the article a little further, that was not so. He gave another statement: “The Father and Son are clearly … NOT … CO-EQUAL.” And he used 1 Corinthians 15:28 as his proof text, as well as completely discounting the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ was both human and divine. Something I discuss in the article, “What Was Christ Jesus!?”

“Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” – 1 Corinthians 15:28.

Our beloved Apostle Paul──under divine inspiration──indeed shows us that even after our Lord Jesus returns, He will still be ‘subject to Him who put all things under Him.’ And the reason for this? ‘that the Elohim may be all in all.’

Certainly, one way to look at this is: It’s not much different than the way the LORD God created the human family unit, where they created the husband as the ‘head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church.’ And how wives are to be subject to their own husbands, as to the Lord.

Of course, when I mentioned this to AI, it went ballistic: “That's a traditional biblical view of family structure!”

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane reflects His human will yielding to the Father──there is no evidence within God’s living word of a divided or UNEQUAL divine nature between God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

The very idea that our Lord Jesus has a separate divine will, or a separate divine nature, from Father God in His divine state is nowhere found within His living word! They both share one divine will as co-equal beings of the Elohim──Father and Son. A unity of Spirit, mind, and will between the Father and Son. It’s a true unity of will, not just agreement between two separate wills. If the Father and Son had fundamentally different wills, they couldn’t be truly one in purpose and in action. This oneness goes deeper than just cooperation──it’s a complete alignment of will, mind, and Spirit that makes their unity possible.

Now, this false and misguided minister also used as his proof text for this separation of wills: John 5:30 ── “’ I can of Myself do nothing. … I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.’”

Our Lord Jesus Christ here is acting only in the Father’s will, which actually points to a shared divine will and purpose, not separate wills. This false minister’s claim is leaving a huge gap without actually explaining how those wills might differ──which, of course, they do not. 

Here again our Lord Jesus is talking about His human desire, saying He won’t follow any personal agenda but only the Father’s Plan. It is a clear human-to-divine submission, not a claim that the divine will is different.

It appears that this false minister is leaning Catholic and Orthodox, and this might explain his misguided and misunderstood idea of the two wills, since many Catholics emphasize the distinction between the human and divine natures in ways that often get twisted into separate wills. Yet, God’s living word is clear: Unity is solid with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!

A rhetorical question is asked in the Book of Amos── “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” – Amos 3:3.

Again, the very idea of separate divine wills fundamentally contradicts the Unity that God’s living word teaches──and the teaching that they do, well… that’s not just wrong, but it’s borderline blasphemous! Because, without a UNIFIED WILL, you’d eventually get anarchy and grave contradictions. If the foundation isn’t perfectly aligned, everything built on top of it becomes unstable. And it’s this consistency of divine purpose and will that makes the divine Father-Son relationship work. And that UNITY IS ROCK SOLID!

When we look at the Scriptures, the oneness of the Father and Son in Spirit, mind, and purpose is clearly established. Luke 22:42 ── is addressing His human perspective and earthly ambitions, not divine will. Now, they are UNITY IN ESSENCE, yet DISTINCT IN PERSON. Indeed, our Holy Father and our Holy Elder Brother share the same divine nature; their will is identical in essence. Be sure to read our article, “What Was Christ Jesus!?”

Why does this matter?

It’s important to properly understand that our Father’s and our Elder Brother’s will are the same because it prevents two egregious errors ──

• Modalism/Oneness ── a doctrine that wrongly teaches that the Father and Son are the same being.
• The separation of wills ── a doctrine that wrongly implies conflict or inequality between Father and Son.

Let’s go over some key Scriptures that show us the Son is co-equal with the Father ──

“In THE BEGINNING was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2) HE WAS IN THE BEGINNING WITH GOD.” – John 1:1-2.

Two co-equal God beings. Thus, the Word was God and was with God. And the Word – Jesus Christ – is a lot like the Father. Notice that Jesus became flesh ──

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt [or rather, tabernacled] among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” – John 1:14.

Our Lord Jesus’ own words ──

“’ My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30) I and My Father are one.’” – John 10:29-30.

Two co-equal beings: UNITY IN ESSENCE, yet DISTINCT IN PERSON. He repeats this glorious unity in John 14:9 and 14:10.

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST. 9) For in Him [our Lord Jesus Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10) and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” – Colossians 2:8-10.

The Apostle Paul clearly states that, after Jesus’ resurrection, He knew that He was equal with God the Father ──

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6) who, being in the form of God [God the Father], did not consider it robbery to be equal with God” – Philippians 2:5-6.

Let us also notice Hebrews chapter 1, where the Father calls the Son “God” ──

“But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9) You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.’” – Hebrews 1:8-9.

Again, and yes ── I am repeating this once again ── our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, does not have a separate, conflicting will; rather, His will is perfectly aligned with the Father’s.

At our Lord Jesus’ baptism, the Father spoke, showing the DISTINCT YET UNITED BEINGS ──

“ … ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” – Matthew 3:16-17.

Now, regarding the full divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Statement of Beliefs reads as follows ──

Jesus Christ of Nazareth, prior to His human birth, eternally existed with God the Father. All things were created by God the Father through God the Son. The Son is revealed in the Old Testament as the LORD God and Lawgiver, and in the New Testament as the Word of God. To become the Savior of all mankind, He willingly divested Himself of His position in the God family, giving up His majesty, glory, and power, to become a fleshly human being, born of the virgin Mary and begotten of God the Father, who directed that He be named Jesus. His full New Covenant name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

As a human being having sinful human flesh, He was subject to the same temptations as every human being – yet He never sinned. As the perfect Lamb of God, He gave Himself to be God the Father’s special, unique sacrifice through the crucifixion as an atonement for the sins of all mankind.

After being dead in the tomb for three days and three nights, He was resurrected unto eternal life through the power of God the Father, becoming the Firstborn from among the dead. He was again invested with the full divine nature and power of the God family. He ascended into the upper heavenly realms (called in Scripture the “third heaven”) to sit at the right hand of God the Father as mankind’s High Priest, Advocate, and Intercessor and Head of His Church. Jesus Christ will return to the earth in the power and glory of His Father to establish the kingdom – the government – of God on the earth. As King of kings and Lord of lords, He will rule the earth forever with His brethren – the children of God the Father.

(https://www.churchofjesuschristonlineministries.org/2025/05/statement-of-beliefs-of-church-of-jesus.html).

So, having read that false minister’s article a little further down, what I discovered was that he really didn’t get anywhere close to explaining his misinterpretation of Luke 22:42: “Jesus pointed out that He and the Father have different wills.” Instead ── in between a handful of Catholic and Orthodox arguments and ideas ── he switched subjects to the binary aspects of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ ── hence, Binitarian theology. Which is correct: there are, at this moment in time, two Gods, God the Father and God the Son.

Here are a few more Scriptures showing us that God the Father and His glorious Son share the same divine will, mind, and Spirit ──

“’ I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe [on] Me through their word; 21) that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.’” – John 17:20-21.

“’ All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that It will take of Mine and declare it to you.’” – John 16:15.

Romans 8:9 calls the Spirit of God both “the Spirit of God” and “the Spirit of Christ,” underscoring the same divine will.

Again: It is possible, and very probable, that this false minister is pulling his vain ‘philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world’ in pointing to passages such as Luke 22:42, where our Lord Jesus cries out, ‘Not My will, but Yours be done!’ in which he is leaning on the early Roman Catholic Church debates about whether Christ possessed one or two wills, a “controversy” settled at the Sixth Ecumenical Council in 681 AD. This false minister appears to have taken the “two-will” ideology and is applying it to the divine nature alone, leaving out the human-will understanding.

So indeed, the proper context of what our Eternal, ‘Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning’ is saying in Luke 22:42 is: the human will that our Lord Jesus had was certainly not the will that His divine will has ── because no one wants to be spit upon, called atrocious names, flogged, and eventually crucified. No one wants to die a most horrible death, of what He knew was going to happen to Him. So, yes ── His human will was going, ‘Father, I don’t want this to happen. If it is Your will, please take this from Me.’

And that’s the heart of it! No one, no human being, wants to face that kind of agony, so His human will recoiling in Gethsemane is a real, honest human experience. And it makes His ultimate submission even more powerful because He, also being divine, felt the full weight of it and still chose to say, “’ not My will, But Yours, be done.’” □

‘Judge with Righteous Judgment’

by Leonard V Johnson

Notice the following from Harbinger’s Daily back in 2025 ──

August 5, 2025

Biblical Illiteracy: There Are Few Verses In Scripture As Mishandled As ‘Judge Not’

The couple who became famous from HGTV’s popular Fixer Upper show, Chip and Joanna Gaines, made headlines recently because they are professing Christians, and yet they platformed two men in a gay “marriage” on their new show. Reportedly, in response to the outcry from Christians, the couple claimed, “Doesn’t the Bible say, ‘judge not’; who are you to tell people what they can, and cannot do?” Well, the Bible tells us what we can and can’t do as Christians!

There are few verses in Scripture that are mishandled as much as Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Whenever someone quotes that verse, as apparently the Gaineses did, to justify embracing or turning a blind eye to sin, they are completely ignoring the context. …

Clearly, within context, Jesus is not saying never to make judgments—that’s impossible anyway. …

This kind of misinterpretation of Scripture because of a lack of belief in the authority of Scripture (often coupled with biblical illiteracy!) is sadly very common, not just among professing Christian celebrities, but within churches, Christian colleges and universities, and even seminaries. … once you abandon the truth and authority of God’s Word beginning in Genesis, more compromise follows. And that’s exactly what we see in so many of these stories of compromising Christians.

(https://harbingersdaily.com/biblical-illiteracy-there-are-few-verses-in-scripture-as-mishandled-as-judge-not/).

In verse 24 of John 7, our Lord Jesus also tells us ──

“’ Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.’” – John 7:24.

Yes, Christians are supposed to make righteous judgments.

What is righteous? God’s living word tells us ──

“My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.” – Psalm 119:172.

So, just what are the LORD God’s commands in relation to marriage and homosexuality?

Let us turn in our Bibles to the following Scriptures ──

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” – Genesis 1:27.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24.

“’ 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. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.’” – Leviticus 20:13.

“And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6) But from the beginning of creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ 7) ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8) and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9) Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’” – Mark 10:5-9.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, clearly teaches us that a marriage is between a man and a woman. God’s living word tells us that for a man to have intercourse with another man is an abomination in the eyes of God!

Now, those who claim that God’s word does not condemn homosexuality are intentionally and ignorantly misreading what His word truly says. God’s word clearly prohibits and condemns homosexuality.

Let us also notice ──

“’ A woman SHALL NOT wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.’” – Deuteronomy 22:5.

So, not only does God’s living eternal word warn us that homosexuality, lesbianism, beastiality, and cross-dressing are an abomination, He also tells us that those people who condone these abominable sexual immoralities are just as guilty. Instead of denouncing sickness and sin, they praise it! Let’s notice what God’s living, immutable word told the Prophet Isaiah to say to his people ──

“’ CRY ALOUD, SPARE NOT; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.’” – Isaiah 58:1.

The Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration, warns us ──

“For SINCE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE, 21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22) Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man ── and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25) who exchanged the truth of God for THE LIE, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26) For this reason God gave them up to VILE PASSIONS. For even their women exchanged the natural use for WHAT IS AGAINST NATURE. 27) Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust FOR ONE ANOTHER, MEN WITH MEN COMMITTING WHAT IS SHAMEFUL, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a [reprobate] mind, to do those things which are not [proper]; 29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30) backbiters, haters of God, violent, PROUD, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31) undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 30) who, KNOWING THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD, that those who practice such things are deserving of death [the second death], not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” – Romans 1:20-32.

So, notice that not only are those who engage in homosexuality judged as deserving of death, but also those who accept or approve of their behavior.

Indeed, thoughts and actions of homosexuality can be overcome; homosexuals can change ──

“Do you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? DO NOT BE DECEIVED. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, will inherit the kingdom of God.

11) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

That is God’s living word──and His word is truth.

Notice this grave sexual immorality that the Apostle Paul was dealing with within the Church of God there in Corinth at one time ──

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles ── that a man has his father’s wife! 2) And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3) For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 4) In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5) deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” – 1 Corinthians 5:1-5.

Let us take note that true Christians are not to tolerate nor encourage sexual immorality within the Body of Christ.

This standard for judging comes directly from God’s living word ──

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul [the physical body] and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12.

True Christians are required to judge all aspects of sins and of sexual immorality righteously.

We are to “Test all things; hold fast what is good [good, in the eyes of God]. 22) ABSTAIN FROM EVERY FORM OF EVIL.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22.

Our beloved Apostle Paul also wrote ──

“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world [‘in the age to come’]? And if the world will judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3) Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4) If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the Church to judge? 5) I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?” – 1 Corinthians 6:2-5.

Yet, sadly, it’s not just the plethora of Protestants──including Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, and non-denominational churches──that completely overlook God’s living word regarding homosexuality and righteous judgment. Notice this from the Associated Press and of the late Jorge Mario Bergoglio (17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) ──

July 29, 2013: During his first airborne press conference as pope, Francis is asked about a purportedly gay priest and replies, “Who am I to judge?” His comment while flying home from World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro signaled a more conciliatory, welcoming tone for LGBTQ Catholics who long felt marginalized by the church. …

(https://apnews.com/general-news-7b465b60945f40deb3a68b3de742f84a).

Surely, one would think that the person who was called the Holy See, Vicar, and Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church of the Roman Catholic Church would know that the Holy Bible clearly condemns homosexuality──and perhaps would certainly know something about what to properly say when questioned regarding it.

Commanded Not to Judge?

Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us, “’ Judge not, that you be not judged.’” Yet just a few verses later in His ‘Sermon on the Mount,’ He says, “’ You shall know them by their fruits.’”

His first statement is clear. But the second statement implies that some kind of judgment or assessment takes place in the mind of a true Christian. What is the difference between these two statements? The answer to this question underscores one of the hardest challenges to a true servant of our Lord Jesus. It focuses on a fundamental spiritual quality of character that every begotten child of God must develop!

When our Lord Jesus tells us, “’ Judge not, that you be not judged.’” – Matthew 7:1, He obviously is referring to the condemnation or pronouncement of guilt. It is plain in the verses that follow that no one is capable of such judgment because we are all blinded to some degree by our own shortcomings.

So, regardless of our accomplishments in this life, no one has the right to condemn another person (except, of course, our duly appointed judges (cf. Exodus 18:13-27; Romans 13:1-2). Indeed, our Lord Jesus Himself did not come to judge (to krinō) ── “’ For God did not send His Son into the world to CONDEMN [again, the word krinō] the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.’” – John 3:17. This word condemn in this verse is derived from the same Greek word, krinō, meaning “to judge, to pass judgment on, condemn in a legal sense.” 1

Now, there are several reasons why we are not to sit in condemnation of another. One IMPORTANT reason is expounded upon by the Apostle Paul in Romans 2 ──

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge [same Greek word, krinō] another you CONDEMN YOURSELF; for you who judge practice the same things. 2) But we know that THE JUDGMENT OF GOD is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3) And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?” – Romans 2:1-3.

Those very words, “judge,” are the same term for condemn. Same Greek word as was spoken by our Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:1.

And as the apostle discusses this vital subject, he adds, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” – vs. 4.

In direct connection with what our beloved Apostle Peter wrote ──

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9.

Leads You to Repentance

It is a natural reaction for us to come to a quick accusation and judgment of another when we witness them doing wrong, all the while blinded by our shortcomings. My father used to tell me, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say.” But, as I’ve said before, when we point a finger at another ── three fingers are pointing back at ourselves. We fail to remember that God Almighty is aware of all and has chosen not to intervene at this moment in time ── during this present evil age. He is literally blessing all people with His goodness, which could lead people to repentance.

Notice that the LORD God is giving people space to repent. Our Lord Jesus, addressing His Church there in ancient Thyatira, spoke of them allowing “ …’ that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.’” He goes on and says that He gave her “…’ time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.’” – Revelation 2:20-21.

This applied/applies not just to her, but to all people: ‘time to repent.’

Brethren ── and I would like to mention an important article I published, “You’re Not Welcome!” concerning an experience at a Church of God once during the Feast of Tabernacles 2020 ── it is not our obligation to condemn a brother or a sister in Christ. In so doing, we might be invading that space to repent that the LORD God is placing upon that individual to repent of their sins. Besides that, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself has told us that it’s ‘easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God’ – Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:24. Every single one of us has some type of beam lodged in our eye that prevents us from seeing clearly.

So, a great number of reasons could be listed as to why we shouldn’t condemn another. God’s living word is clear. Yet, true Christians do have an obligation to use our minds with Wisdom and develop spiritual discernment ── develop righteous judgment.

Apostle ── and if you are speaking of Jesus’ apostles, it is appropriate and respectful to use “apostle” as a title before their names; they have earned that title! ── Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2) And DO NOT be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2.

This absolutely requires constant prayer, Bible study, contemplation and meditation, as well as the study of this world. The Apostle Paul found people of this mindset when he visited ancient Berea ──

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” – Acts 17:11.

Notice the Bereans were not jeering, sneering, or judging. Rather, they received the word “with all readiness.” They were open-minded to all that he was presenting to them. Then they went daily to the Scriptures to see if everything spoken was in accordance with the living word of God. They obviously sought to follow the Apostle Paul as he followed Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Indeed, the LORD God is the Judge of all. But we ── in the Body of Christ ── must and should use spiritual discernment to keep our individual selves close to God.

Apostle Peter admonishes us, “But THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’” – 1 Peter 4:7-8.

We must and should spiritually discern right from wrong ── as defined by the Eternal One ── to allow for space for others to repent, to have fervent love for our brethren, and to have full faith that the LORD is aware of their shortcomings ── again, it’s one of the hardest challenges to a true servant of our Lord Jesus in this present evil age. □

1 Strong, J., LL.D., S.T.D., #2919 krinō – The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Zondervan, © 2001, pp. 1623.

What Are the Seven Spirits Before God’s Throne?

Ai-generated

by Leonard V Johnson

Surely, this question can be among our Think About This… series. Have you ever wondered WHO or WHAT the seven Spirits are? They are spoken of in the 1st chapter of the Book of Revealing. Here, after a series of visions, John was told by our Lord Jesus Himself, ‘Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.’ Our beloved Apostle John wrote ──

“John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD, and the Ruler over the kings of the earth.” – Revelation 1:4-5.

The Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary, a Protestant viewpoint, doesn’t have much to say about Revelation 1:4 ──

“The Holy Spirit in His sevenfold (i.e., perfect, complete, and universal) energy. Corresponding to ‘the seven churches.’ One in His own essence, manifold in His gracious influences. The seven eyes resting on the stone laid by Jehovah (ch. 5:6). … seven the number of God’s revelation in the world.” 1

Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary online, another Protestant viewpoint, concerning Revelation 1:4-8 ──

“There can be no true peace, where there is not true grace; and where grace goeth before, peace will follow. This blessing is in the name of God, of the Holy Trinity, it is an act of adoration. The Father is first named; he is described as the Jehovah who is, and who was, and who is to come, eternal, unchangeable. The Holy Spirit is called the seven spirits, the perfect Spirit of God, in whom there is a diversity of gifts and operations. The Lord Jesus Christ was from eternity, a Witness to all the counsels of God.” 2

Well … as usual, they are wrong.

The overall majority of biblical scholars see the seven Spirits as representing the Holy Spirit’s complete attributes ── like wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. They claim that it’s like God has this full toolkit of spiritual power right there at the center of everything. And what I have noticed is that most Protestant sources just continue down this path.

Now, regarding the “Him who is and who was and who is to come,” the overall majority of biblical scholars contribute this to God the Father. Notice this source ──

“God is called ‘He that is, and was, and is to come’, … That title is here given to the Father alone.” 3

And here’s another Protestant source pointing out that the seven Spirits represent the Holy Spirit ──

“The source of grace and peace is the entire Trinity, Grace and peace come from the seven Spirits, that is, from the sevenfold Spirit on the Messiah …” 4

However, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, identifies Himself * as the “Him who is and who was and who is to come” in verse 8 ──

“’ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, … who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”

In truth, the seven Spirits are angelic and thus DO NOT represent any so-called seven attributes of the Holy Spirit.

Yes… sadly, if you’re just sitting there among the pews in your Sunday-going Catholic or Protestant church, and you’re listening to this minister read to you whatever interpretation he wants to provide to you and you don’t open up your Bible and research it yourself… then… yes, you’re gonna go right along with the crowd.

The LORD God reminds us ──

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” – 1 Peter 3:15, KJV.

Brethren, are you able to do this using our Lord Jesus’ own words, or do you rely on man’s?

Now to be fair, there are some Protestant sources that don’t believe that the seven Spirits are the attributes of the Holy Spirit, e.g., ──

“And from the seven spirits which are before His throne] This fact that they are "before," or in the presence of, God's Throne, shows that they occupy the position of servants (see 1 Kings 1-:8), and of created beings (4:5, 10; 7:9, 15; 8:2; 11:4, 16; 12:10; 14:3, 5, 10; 20:12). …

angels are constantly represented as occupying this position.” 5

Again, our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself answers WHO and WHAT the seven Spirits are ──

“’ The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.’” – Revelation 1:20.

This divine knowledge even flew over the head of AI when I tried explaining this to it. It responded ──

“AH! That’s an interesting angle! So, you’re seeing these angels as vessels of God’s spirit, which is why they’re called spirits? That’s a pretty cool interpretation!” 6

The seven stars are angels as our Lord Jesus clearly states; the seven Spirits are angels. There are not seven separate “attributes” to the Holy Spirit, nor are there seven Holy Spirits. There are 91 separate verses in the New King James Version that has the expression “THE Holy Spirit.” The New Testament speaks of “the Holy Spirit” in a singular term.

Let us notice again verse 8 of Revelation 1 ──

“’ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, … who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”

Here we see that our Savior, High Priest, and Advocate refers to Himself as the One “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” So, letting God’s living word interpret itself, brethren, this also helps show us that verse 4 is not referring to our Heavenly Father.

Turning in our Bibles to chapter 5 of the Book of Revelation, notice verse 6 ──

“And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the FOUR LIVING CREATURES, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having SEVEN HORNS AND SEVEN EYES, which are THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD sent out into all the earth.” – Revelation 5:6.

Ai-generated

Notice also Revelation 4 ──

“Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3) And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4) Around the throne were twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5) And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. SEVEN LAMPS OF FIRE were burning before the throne, which are THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD.” – Revelation 4:2-5.

Returning again to The Book of Destiny, the Roman Catholics, while claiming that the seven Spirits is the Holy Spirit, they also claim ──

“These seven spirits are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit according to Isaias (XI.2). They symbolically represent the union of the Holy Spirit with the Lamb.” 7

There is a problem with that interpretation, however. Let’s notice God’s living word regarding this ──

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2) The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” – Isaiah 11:2.

It’s important to note that each time the word “Spirit” appears here, including with multiple attributes, IT IS SINGULAR. The list that comes after “the Spirit of the LORD” is basically describing attributes of God the Father.

Notice the glorious attributes of the Holy Spirit ──

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness, self-control. …” – Galatians 5:22, 23.

Here are 9 separate attributes.

Notice also, when the glorious gifts of the Holy Spirit is spoken of, they too add up to 9 ──

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5) There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6) And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7) But the manifestations of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. 8) for to one is given THE WORD OF WISDOM through the Spirit, to another THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE through the same Spirit, 9) to another FAITH by the same Spirit, to another GIFTS OF HEALINGS by the same Spirit, 10) to another THE WORKING OF MIRACLES, to another PROPHECY, to another DISCERNING OF SPIRITS, to another DIFFERENT KINDS OF [LANGUAGES], to another THE INTERPRETATION OF [LANGUAGES]. 11) But one and the same spirit works all these things, …” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 11.

So, not only do they not add up to seven, but there is “ONE AND THE SAME SPIRIT.” So, not only are the Protestants wrong, so too is the Roman Catholics.

Our Lord and Savior’s Church ── it’s His Church; He founded it (Matthew 6:18), is consistent with the living word of the Eternal One.

The seven Spirits, and the seven lamps of fire, are symbolic of angelic beings. □

Bibliography & Notes:

1 Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.R., Brown, D., Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary of the Whole Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, 1982, pp. 1527.

2 Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise), Revelation 1, www.christianity.com. Retrieved 16 June 2026.

3 Kramer, Herman Bernard F. Leonard, The book of destiny : an open statement of the authentic and inspired prophecies of the Old and New Testament, Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford, Ill., 1975, pg. 43.

4 Horton, M., S., The Ultimate Victory: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation, Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO., 1991, pg. 26.

5 Bullinger, E.W., D.D., The Apocalypse or the Day of the Lord, Second Edion (Revised and Corrected), E2 b2, i- -4,5-, 1909, pg. 68.

6 Amazon.com, 16 June 2026.

7 ibid. 3, pg. 139.

* Yes, I have been wrong in this biblical understanding. I, too, have stated and written before that the "Him who is and who was and who is to come: is speaking of God the Father, e.g., Revelation - A Book of the Past and the Future (Part I). I stand corrected in the sight of the Lord.

What Do You Mean… SALVATION? (Part II)

by Leonard V Johnson

Do you know just what salvation is? Do you know how to get salvation? When do you receive salvation?

Greetings Everyone! Our dear Brethren, Co-Workers, and Friends in Jackson, Mississippi, Philadelphia, PA., in Burgas, Bulgaria, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Nairobi, Kenya. Thank you so much! In this second part of What Do You Mean… SALVATION? I’d like to begin where we left off ──

Yes, indeed, the wages of sin is ETERNAL DEATH! But we have the glorious hope, the glorious GIFT of the Eternal our God ── ETERNAL LIFE!

And eternal life can only be had from the LORD God (the Elohim, the family of God – which at this present time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ). So, as stated previously, we must seek GOD. But we find a tremendous and impenetrable barrier ── our sins. And I don’t know about you, but I find sin exactly the way the Apostle Paul describes it ──

“But if I am doing what I do not desire to do, I agree with the Law that it is good. 17) So then, I am no longer working it out myself; rather, it is sin that is dwelling within me; 18) Because I fully understand that there is not dwelling within me──that is, within my fleshly being──any good. For the desire to do good is present within me; but how to work out that which is good, I do not find. 19) For the good that I desire to do, I am not doing; but the evil that I do not desire to do, this I am doing.” – Romans 7:16-19, NET.

There are certain sins we tend to commit over and over again, and each time we IMMEDIATELY go to the LORD God in heartfelt repentance ── “the desire to do good is present within me; but how to work out that which is good, I do not find.”

Isaiah 55:6-8, which we covered in the first part, says that IF we would seek the Eternal God, we as sinners must forsake OUR WAY, and turn to the LORD God’s Way. The LAW OF GOD IS GOD’S WAY! And sin, the transgression of God’s Law ── which is rebellion and disobedience ── is our way.

So, we forsake our own way ── we forsake the breaking of the TEN COMMANDMENTS, summed up in TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS ── “’ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ … And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:36-40. At least we try with the help of our Helper! – the Holy Spirit.

The Keeping of God’s Law Alone Won’t Justify!

Well… of course, we cannot keep a spiritual Law perfect with a carnal mind ── 

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6) For to be carnally minded is death [speaking here again of eternal death], but to be spiritually minded is life [eternal life] and peace. 7) BECAUSE the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can be.” – Romans 8:5-7.

Now, even if we could keep God’s Law perfect ── never breaking His holy and righteous Law ── our obedience is only what is required of us. It does not make up for our past sins. The death penalty still hangs over our heads. NO FLESH SHALL BE JUSTIFIED OF OUR PAST SINS! A person who was sentenced and then found guilty of committing a heinous crime last month is not magically exonerated from his future execution because he suddenly began obeying all the laws of the land. All the good works in the world ── all the Law-keeping ── cannot justify you of your past sins.

Alright ── where does this leave us? We are now trying our best to obey the LORD God ── to keep the Ten Commandments, the LAW OF GOD. Is this necessary? ABSOLUTELY! ──

“What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? CERTAINLY NOT! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the Law. …”  – Romans 6:1-2. 

“’ If you love Me, keep My commandments.’” – John 14:15.

But does it justify us?

No!

We, at this stage, are still CUT OFF FROM GOD! Our works ── the keeping of God’s Law, while certainly REQUIRED, still have not justified our past sins ── and will not reconcile us to GOD. And we MUST SEEK GOD and have ACCESS TO GOD to obtain His glorious GIFT of eternal life!

So, even after we forsake our sin ── and we TURN TO GOD’S WAY, as the LORD God commands of us ── the KEEPING OF HIS ETERNAL AND RELEVANT LAW ── that eternal death penalty still hangs over our heads! This is what God’s living word teaches! It’s ETERNAL DEATH ── not ETERNAL PUNISHMENT! GOD’S LIVING WORD TEACHES ETERNAL DEATH! But God’s GIFT is ETERNAL LIFE!

God’s living word teaches that our ultimate punishment will be the second death ── death for all eternity. Now, there is a first physical death ── that is a law (the laws of thermodynamics are fundamental principles that describe how energy, heat, work, and entropy behave in a physical system) ──

“And IT IS APPOINTED for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” – Hebrews 9:27.

There was physical death before Adam & Eve were ever created.

And how are all people ── past, present, and future ── judged? “For as in Adam all die, even so IN CHRIST all shall be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:22 ── all people who have died or will die – our first death, “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” – vs. 23. How? By the RESURRECTIONS! (Be sure to read and study our online booklet “The Two Resurrections”).

“’ Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29) and come forth ── those who have done good, to the resurrection of life [the first resurrection], and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of [judgment] [the second resurrection, often called the ‘great white throne judgment’].’” – John 5:28-29.

So, there is going to be a resurrection of the just and the unjust ── they that have done good (who are being judged now, cf. 1 Peter 4:17), and they that have done evil (to a resurrection of judgment)! And if they that have done evil, once resurrected and once called by Father God and begin learning His truth, DO NOT REPENT OF THEIR EVIL, THEIR SINS “’ shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is THE SECOND DEATH.’” – Revelation 21:8, see also Revelation 20:11-15.

How To Gain Contact with the LORD God

There is the Way ── and I want to emphasize the word “the” because many people, like Oprah Winfrey, who peddle and promote that there are ‘many ways.’ As I’ve mentioned several times now ── Oprah Winfrey has unapologetically declared her belief in pantheism: “Well, I am a Christian who believes that there are certainly many more paths to God other than Christianity. … I don't believe that it’s the only way, with six billion people here on the planet.” So, there is the Way that you may gain contact with the LORD God who has ETERNAL LIFE to impart.

“’ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes [on] Him should not perish but have EVERLASTING LIFE.’” – John 3:16.

God the Father GIFTS eternal life ONLY THROUGH HIS SON ── JESUS the CHRIST!

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8) But God demonstrates His own love towards 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.” – Romans 5:6-10.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, never incurred the eternal death penalty. He NEVER SINNED AGAINST THE LAW OF GOD. He has said, “ … ‘I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.’” – John 15:10. And He set us an example that we should do as He did.

When our Lord Jesus voluntarily PAID for our eternal death penalty that was hanging over our heads ── He didn’t pay for it for any sins of His own, for there was none ── He sacrificed His life for ours, YOURS AND MINE! He paid the death penalty for us!

The life that He gave was that of THE CREATOR (John 1:3) of us all! Father God created all things through HIM! All things ── including all mankind! Therefore, the life He sacrificed on the cross was greater than the sum-total of all human lives! HIS SACRIFICE PAID THE DEATH PENALTY FOR US!

So, again, let’s notice Romans 5:8-10, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US. 9) Much more then, HAVING NOW BEEN JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, …”

‘NOW BEEN JUSTIFIED …’ How? Is it by our works ── the obedience of God’s Law which is required? No. It’s ‘BY HIS BLOOD’! If God the Father has called you, and you have properly repented, been properly baptized, having hands laid upon you, having received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and have indeed accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as not only the ONLY SAVIOR OF ALL MANKIND, but as YOUR personal Savior ── YOU ARE ALREADY NOW JUSTIFIED!

AH! Right here, we certainly need to understand what the LORD God means by “justification.” What does JUSTIFIED refer to? It’s the Greek word dikaioō, which means “vindicate, declare righteous, to put someone in a proper relationship with another, freed.” (Strong’s #1344). It does not mean “saved.” It does not mean the gift of life. It means the gift of vindication, of acquittal of our past sins – our guilt. IT MEANS THE PENALTY OF OUR PAST SINS HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL BY OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, FOR US!

The penalty stands paid! We are no longer UNDER the Law (Be sure to read and study our article, “’ Under Law’ or ‘Under Grace’?”). The Law no longer has a claim over our lives! We are now under GRACE ── undeserved PARDON. We have been PARDONED from having to pay the death penalty.

IN OTHER WORDS ── “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51) ── the BARRIER between you and God the Father has now been removed! You are now, BY OUR LORD JESUS’ SACRIFICE, granted contact with God the Father ── reconciled to Him!

What Must We Do to Receive Eternal Life?

Sadly, and I have witnessed this ── many religious people, even many ministers, will flat-out tell you, “It is impossible to keep the Ten Commandments!” Are they telling you the truth? What does God’s living word say?

Notice! “Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’” – Luke 18:18. Our Lord Jesus’ answer, “’ If you want to enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.’” – Matthew 19:17.

Why, if it is impossible, does the Lord Jesus command us, ‘If you love Me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS’? Those who claim that they “know the Lord” will often use sentimental religious phraseology like, “O’ how good it is to know the Lord!” ── yet they teach against the keeping of the Commandments.

“He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” – 1 John 2:4.

And yet it is true, we of and by ourselves, cannot keep God’s holy and righteous spiritual Law perfect! And the Lord GOD does not contradict Himself. We can keep the letter of the Law, but we cannot keep the spiritual Law perfect. Let me explain.

So, returning again ── we have now been blessed and granted contact with Father God ── in other words, ‘the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.’ Yet, we are mortal, and we possess only a temporary physical existence (cf. Hebrews 9:27). The LORD God alone has eternal life. And LIFE can only come from LIFE. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s death paid the penalty of our past guilt ── our past sins. It reconciled us to Father God ── granting us direct access to Father God without the need of a priest. But it did not grant us eternal life ── it did not yet save us!

What now?

Our Savior, High Priest, and Advocate, Jesus Christ, has told us that it was necessary that He return to the Father’s throne in the upper heavenly realms (John 16:7) in order for the Helper (which is God’s Spirit) to be sent to earth. So, after our Lord Jesus’ glorious resurrection, His ascension back to the throne of God the Father who rules the entire universe, then, some TEN DAYS LATER, when the annual Feast of Pentecost had fully come, the Spirit of God descended from heaven and entered the very minds of all who had properly repented, properly been baptized and had hands laid upon them ── of their past sins against the LORD God and their Way. They were reconciled to Father God ── and had been blessed and gained access ── by faith in Christ Jesus’ shed blood for the remission of past sins (Acts 2:1-4).

His first disciples received the glorious Spirit of God through the work of the resurrected, glorified, LIVING JESUS CHRIST! Now, in truth, the Spirit of our Father is also the Spirit of our Savior (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:17). Thus, it was truly the living Jesus Christ, Himself, entering into them ── our Lord Jesus Christ in Spirit!

~ be sure to watch and study our sermon “The Nature of the Holy Spirit: Being or Force?” ~

Now, if God’s Holy Spirit actually dwells within you, then as God the Father raised His Son from the dead, He shall also “give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit [that] dwells in you” – Romans 8:11. “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if INDEED the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if ANYONE does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” – verse 9. If His Spirit does not dwell within you, then you are NOT A CHRISTIAN ── no matter how many religious-sounding phrases you might use, or how many worldly churches you may attend!

The LORD God’s Spirit is LIFE! It imparts HIS LIFE to you!

In Conclusion

So, first and foremost, there are TWO THINGS YOU must do.

On that very day of the Feast of Pentecost (31 AD), after our heavenly Elder Brother, Messiah, Advocate, and great High Priest ascended to the upper heavenly realms, there were many who had joined the mob previously that were shouting out “CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!” during His mock trial before the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, Pontius Pilate. Now, they were stricken with fright and astonishment when they heard with their own ears the Apostle Peter, who knew not their language ── speaking their language in his inspired sermon.

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?” – Acts 2:37.

“ … ‘REPENT, and let every one of you BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST [this time, instead of John the Baptist’s baptismal ministry] for the remission of sins; and you SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.’” – Acts 2:38.

So, TWO THINGS FIRST ──

1. REPENT ── to go unto the LORD God in full submission and heartfelt repentance of disobedience of our past sins, our rebellion against the LORD God. Turning completely unto GOD’S WAY ── which includes the LAW of GOD! The repenting of your sins, the transgression of the LAW of GOD.
2. BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST ── a great example is the Ethiopian eunuch. Evangelist Philip ran to him and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ ‘How can I,’ came the answer, ‘unless someone guides me?’

‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation, His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.’

The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Of whom does the prophet say this, was it himself or someone else?’ Then Philip, beginning at this very passage, taught JESUS to him!

The eunuch, convicted in heart, asked Philip, ‘See here is water. What keeps me from being baptized?’

Philip answered, ‘IF YOU BELIEVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART, YOU MAY.’

‘I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD.’

Repentance is toward the LORD God, for the Law comes from the LORD God, but FAITH is toward our Lord JESUS CHRIST (Acts 20:21). Our faith in Christ’s ATONEMENT for our sins is commanded to be expressed by BEING BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. (Be sure to watch and study our sermon, “Proper Baptism”).

         3. AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

This is a gift from God Almighty. It is a “down payment,” conditionally, of eternal life.

So, if YOU are faithful and continue to obey and follow GOD’S WAY ── the Way that the Holy Spirit leads and guides ── then YOU are already a begotten CHILD OF GOD! “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” – Romans 8:14. □

The Day of FIRSTFRUITS

by Leonard V Johnson

The Day of Pentecost is from sunset on the 23rd of May through to sunset May 24th this year. As always, this means two holy Sabbaths ── back-to-back.

One does not grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ without gaining knowledge. We must, brethren, continue to grow spiritually. So, in addition to our sermons on our YouTube and BitChute channels, we also have two websites devoted to articles in helping you shine a little brighter with the glorious Light of Christ ── https://www.owensborocojc.com/ and

https://www.churchofjesuschristonlineministries.org/.

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

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts …” – meaning set your heart apart and consider it holy unto the LORD our God. “ … and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” – 1st Peter 3:15, KJV.

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, BEWARE lest you fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” – 2nd Peter 3:17-18, NKJV.

‘The feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times’ ── the Day of Pentecost

Now, a person can still gather with Christ’s Church as a whole spiritually even without being physically present. The Bible teaches that spiritual connection is not limited by distance, as God’s presence and the work of the Holy Spirit unite believers in a way that transcends physical location.

Certainly, most who profess Christ know a little something about Pentecost. Most do properly consider it the beginning of the New Testament Church of God.

The apostles were told to wait in Jerusalem to receive the power of the Holy Spirit ──

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard Me; 5) for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” – Acts 1:4-5; NKJV and hereafter unless otherwise noted.

So, they waited. And ──

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” – Acts 2:1.

Notice it was when the Day of Pentecost had fully come. The Bible is clear that the events that follow were directly related to the fact that the Day of Pentecost had fully come. And the apostles were all observing it together.

Here is what happened ──

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven [the sky], as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

38) Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off [in the generations to come], as many as the Lord our God will call.’ 40) And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ 41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 47) [P]raising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:2-4, 38-42, 47.

Yes! They received some of the power of God’s Spirit! The Holy Spirit (and be sure to read our free article “Is God a Trinity?” which Facebook had banned back in 2021) was gifted at a certain time (the same time that many Jews observed Pentecost).

That was not a coincidence.

Many may not realize that Pentecost represented more than just the gifting of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the New Testament Church of God.

It’s “CHRIST IN YOU!” We must have God’s Holy Spirit, which is represented by the Day of Pentecost. And so, INDIVIDUAL SALVATION ── and that plan is given to us with the spring Holy Days. The spring Holy Days are a continuum. Because there’s the LORD’s Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, and then as you get to the holy Feast of Pentecost ── it’s a continuous series of events which are all interrelated and intertwined. The same thing with the LORD’s fall Holy Days.

Let’s notice also some additional Scriptures providing even more valuable information about this sanctioned and commanded Day of the LORD’s ── along with its true meaning.

The Feast of Pentecost was kept by true Christians after the initial one, yet, without speaking in different languages. The Apostle Paul continued keeping Pentecost decades after the Pentecost mentioned in Acts chapter 2. Notice these inspired words, written about 55 AD ──

“For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8) But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.” – 1 Corinthians 16:7-8.

This shows us that Paul knew when Pentecost was and that he felt that the Corinthians knew when Pentecost was and that the Ephesians would have known when Pentecost was. So, it was being observed by Paul and the Gentiles in Ephesus and in Corinth.

Here’s another time, the Apostle Paul wished to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost, around the years 61-64 AD ──

“For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.” – Acts 20:16.

True Christians in Jerusalem were still observing Pentecost and Paul was observing it too! Otherwise, there would have been no obvious reason why Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.

The Greek term for Pentecost means 50th. And that term is derived from the following Hebrew description of calculating the correct date ──

“’ And you shall count for yourselves from the day AFTER the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16) Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; …’” – Leviticus 23:15-16.

The Day of Pentecost in Scripture goes by different names, and because of that, many have been confused about it. Its other biblical names include the Feast of Harvest, the Feast of Weeks, and the day of firstfruits.

The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries observes the biblical method.

Brethren, we should remember ── that our LORD God, our Lord Jesus Christ, condemned the Pharisees for relying way too much on their oral law over the LORD’s Law (Mark 7:5-13). Our Lord Jesus told them they were ‘making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.’ – Mark 7:13.

the New Testament Pentecost

The LORD’s holy commanded Feast of Pentecost has somehow become buried within this world’s Christianity. Now, why did our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles actually keep and observe this important holy day, called “the Day of Firstfruits”? What exactly does it picture? And should true Christians be keeping and observing this holy day today? If so, what day should it be observed?

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, kept and celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. So did His apostles along with the New Testament Church of God.

Sadly, I was unable to travel to Fayetteville, North Carolina to keep and celebrate the Feast of Pentecost with the brethren this year, but I am keeping and celebrating it at home. Again, it’s an important day, and so few professing Christians today actually keep and celebrate this important day. WHEN and WHERE did professing Christians quit following the example of our Lord and Savior and His apostles?

Most professing Christians don’t know too much about Pentecost. Yet, they know about “Whitsun” or “Whitsunday.” On Wikipedia we read ──

“the name used in Britain, and in other countries among Anglicans and Methodists for the Christian holy day of Pentecost. …

The name is a contraction of “White Sunday”, attested in “the Holy Ghost, whom thou didst send on Whit-sunday.” … According to one interpretation, the name derives from the white garments worn by catechumens, those expecting to be baptised on that Sunday.” 1

This “White Sunday” has usurped the place of the LORD’s Day of Pentecost and has obscured its real meaning. Our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles and followers DID NOT observe this “White Sunday.” This day is nothing more than an invention of man ── which, sad to say, has been instrumental in turning away people from the important, God-ordained Feast of Pentecost.

Let us notice how this “White Sunday” has obscured and supplanted God’s holy Feast of Pentecost which our Lord Jesus and His Church kept ──

“the real White Sunday is the octave of Easter, or Dominica in albis, and both of these derivations must be abandoned when the proper use of the title is considered. It is not Whit Sunday, but Whitsun Day, as Easter is Easter Day; and the week is Whitsun Week, not Whit Week; and the season Whitsuntide, not Whittide. In Yorkshire, and doubtless also in other parts of England, the feast is commonly called Whissun Day, the accent being strongly thrown on the first syllable; and the two days following, Whissun Monday and Whissun Tuesday. The name is thus derived, as Dr. Neale shows (Essays on Liturgiology, etc.), directly from Pentecost, passing, by various corruptions, Pingsten, Whingsten, into the German Pfingsten and the English Whitsun. The Germans have also their Pfingsten-Woche, in exact correspondence to our Whitsun Week.” 2

This “White Sunday” is NOT synonymous with the Lord’s Pentecost! Rather, this “White Sunday,” or “Whitsunday” is a counterfeit of the holy Day of Pentecost which the LORD God originally commanded the Church of God to keep and celebrate, and then later His New Testament Church ──

“’ This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us.’” – Acts 7:38.

Why has this important holy day, the very “birth” of our Lord Jesus’ Church, been obscured? Why do so many professing Christians not keep it or celebrate it?

God’s Holy Sabbaths

Should the Feast of Pentecost be kept and observed by true Christians today? What is the real meaning of this day? What picture does it show us for the glorious Plan of God… From the Beginning?

Well … truth be told, a great deal of this present evil age’s spiritual blindness, ignorance, superstitions and outright misunderstandings is a direct result of its rejection of the LORD God’s annual Holy Days and His Sabbaths ── including the Day of Pentecost!

The LORD’s Sabbaths are meant to be a “sign” between Him and His people throughout their generations ── “ ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.’” – Exodus 31:13.

Sadly, most Christians are taught that His Sabbaths were fulfilled, or “nailed to the cross,” or ── you can celebrate His Sabbaths on any day.

In the Old Testament the Gentiles were completely cut off from the LORD God. The Eternal One had chosen the children of Israel to be His own special people ── to understand the LORD God’s purpose which they are working out here on planet Earth ──

“’ Now therefore, if you [the children of Israel] will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ …” – Exodus 19:5, 6.

So, had the children of Israel obeyed the LORD God, they would have been used by Him to bring the LORD’s knowledge of the true Creator God to the far-flung regions of Earth ──

“ ‘ And these words which I command you TODAY shall be in your heart. 7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8) You shall bind them AS A SIGN on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.’” – Deuteronomy 6:6-8.

The LORD God’s Sabbaths (both the weekly Sabbath and the annual Sabbaths) would have identified the true God and would have kept His people in the grace and knowledge of the LORD God’s Way.

So, just as the Lord’s weekly holy Sabbath was designed to keep mankind in remembrance of the LORD God as CREATOR (cf. Exodus 20:8, 11), so His annual Sabbaths were designed to unfold before mankind their GREAT MASTER PLAN… FROM THE BEGINNING!

The Master Plan of Salvation for All Mankind

Few realize and understand that profess to be Christian the LORD God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning for the salvation of all mankind. The overall majority of professing Christians are taught and believe that God is trying to save the whole world at this present time. But nothing could be further from the truth of God.

The LORD God is not now desperately trying to save all mankind. God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ are not engaged in a desperate fight with Satan the Devil over your soul. The LORD God is now ── throughout this present evil age ── leaving mankind to their own devices and sins, under the inspiration and sway of Satan the Devil ── so that mankind might learn that Satan the Devil’s way of pride, deceit, sin, greed, hatred will only continue to produce a crop of misery and eternal death.

One reason why so many believe that the LORD God is trying to save the world at this time is the fact that they have lost sight of the LORD God’s annual Holy Days and feasts; they don’t understand what these Holy Days and feasts picture in God’s overall Master Plan… From the Beginning. It’s only by keeping and celebrating His commanded Holy Days and feasts, that mankind can properly understand His Masterful Plan of the redemption of all mankind.

Eternal Salvation Was Not Offered to Everyone in the Old Testament

First and foremost, the LORD God did not even offer eternal salvation either to the children of Israel or to the Gentiles throughout the Old Testament. Now … it is true that the LORD prophesied that there would come a time when eternal salvation would be offered. Yet, you can search the entirety of God’s living word in the Old Testament to find one promise of eternal salvation offered to either the children of Israel or to the Gentiles, and you will not find it. The LORD God promises the children of Israel primarily physical and material ── rain in due season, plenty of corn and wine, physical health, material wealth, and, in addition, peace and happiness.

Now … the LORD God did bless salvation to a few during the Old Testament dispensation ── to such men as Abel, Enoch, Noah, the patriarchs, Moses, and the prophets. But eternal salvation was not offered to the masses. It was, however, prophesied to be offered to all later.

Who first brought immortality to light?

“who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10) but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death [eternal death] and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” – 2 Timothy 1:9-10.

Also, our Lord Jesus Christ did not try and save the vast multitudes while upon the Earth. He cast out demons, healed the sick, and preached the gospel message, and went about “doing good.” Recall that our Lord Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables in order to hide the true meaning ── whom He was not calling at that time (cf. Matthew 13:10-15).

Notice the 11th chapter of Romans clearly shows us that the LORD God is not now trying to save “all Israel” ── “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8) Just as it is written: ‘God has given them [Israel] a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, TO THIS VERY DAY.’” – Romans 11:7-8.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in. 26) And so all Israel will be saved, …” – verses 25, 26.

~ be sure to watch “Think About This... 'until the fullness of the Gentiles'?” ~

Indeed, during our Lord Jesus’ 3 ½ year ministry countless thousands heard Him speak, but very few actually believed His message. At the time of His ascension to the upper heavenly realms, there were only about one hundred and twenty disciples ── see Acts 1:15.

Why were there so few faithful believers at that time?

Well … the answer is revealed to us through His annual Holy Days and feasts ── including with the Feast of Pentecost.

Now, the LORD God had ordained that the very first real harvest of true believers and followers would occur AFTER He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within the believers. Also, while our Lord Jesus walked on this earth as a mortal, yet divine being (be sure to read our article “What Was Christ Jesus!?”).

“But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, [which] those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” – John 7:39.

We, Brethren, Are the FIRSTFRUITS

So, what does the Feast of Firstfruits picture in the Master Plan of Almighty God? It portrays this present New Testament Church age in which the LORD God is only calling out the “firstfruits” ── a small number. The vast overall majority of mankind is still spiritually blinded ── still deceived by Satan the Devil, following along with his deceits, hypocrisy, sin, and outright lies.

And so, When the Day of Pentecost had fully come (AD 31) the “firstfruits of the Spirit” came to dwell within the believers, transforming their lives from within so they could become divinely begotten children of God. Truly, the period from the first Pentecost until the glorious and powerful second coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, will constitute the “harvest of the firstfruits.”

“Not only that, but we also who have the FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” – Romans 8:23.

When our Lord Jesus returns to Earth, the revived dead in Christ and the living in Christ are to be caught up together to meet Jesus in the atmosphere (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54). When will this happen? At the sounding of the seventh trumpet blast (1 Corinthians 15:52).

Notice Revelation 11:15-18 ── this magnificent and stupendous event is also described! “the SEVENTH ANGEL sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’ 16) And the twenty-four elders [remember, this is a future event] who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, …”

Now, back in 2020 I had a conversation with a dear sister concerning – just who are the twenty-four elders mentioned here sitting on the thrones; “and they had crowns of gold on their heads”!? And I had stated, “Nowhere in God’s living word are angels referred to as ‘elders.’” Nor are angels ever depicted sitting upon thrones or wearing crowns. In addition, the Greek word presbyteros, meaning “ancients,” is the same word used in Hebrews 11:2 – “For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” Referring to the elders, or rather “the fathers.” In Wycliffe’s Bible Dictionary it says – and I tend to agree – “As elders, they represent God’s people; their thrones and crowns symbolize a kingly role, while their acts of worship and the bowls of incense suggest a priestly function. Thus they seem to be the chief representatives of the redeemed as a kingdom of priests.” 1 – cf. Revelation 1:6. And, as I had said to my sister - I believe these twenty-four elders represent twenty-four representatives of the saints which are resurrected at the last trump – the seventh trump – extremely important individuals.

So, twenty-four very important saints of God, given eternal life at the glorious SEVENTH TRUMPET, the resurrection trumpet. They, too, comprise the “firstfruits” ── some of the very first (the first being the end-time prophets, Revelation 11:11-12) to be glorified with eternal life in the LORD God’s everlasting kingdom.

Also, among the firstfruits will be the prophesied 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel throughout this present evil age. “ … the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4) THESE are the ones who not defiled with women [the churches of this world], for they were virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed FROM AMONG MEN [again, throughout this present evil age], being firstfruits to God [God the Father] and to the Lamb.” – Revelation 14:3, 4.

But truly, who was the FIRST of the FIRSTFRUITS of all mankind ── to be the first raised from mortal to immortal, to receive immortality?

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23) But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” – 1 Corinthians 15:22-23.

Our Lord, Savior, and High Priest in the upper heavenly realms is called the “firstfruits” because He is the very first to have been “reaped” ── changed from mortal to immortal, receiving once again His glory and power!

All truly converted followers of Jesus Christ our Lord, during this Church dispensation comprise the “firstfruits unto God.”

Notice: Our Lord Jesus is called “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” – those who have died in Christ. He is also called “the firstborn from the dead” – Colossians 1:18. Also, “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” – verse 15. Also, “that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” – Romans 8:29. This certainly tells us, brethren, that others will be “born again” in the future. And our Lord Jesus’ Church is called “the general assembly and church of the FIRSTBORN who are registered in heaven” – Hebrews 12:23.

The Only Day of Salvation?

Sadly, most who profess our Lord Jesus Christ, incorrectly believe that this is the only day that salvation is being offered. They claim that if you do not accept Christ before you die, then you’re “lost” forever. This is patently false! The Catholics go to great lengths to try and personally “save” their followers before they die. And the Roman Catholics tradition of “praying for the dead” is inextricably linked to that Mother Church’s teaching on hell and purgatory.

~ be sure to watch our sermons “What Is Hell?” along with “Is There a Hell?” ~

The verse that they use as their proof text is 2nd Corinthians 6:2 ── “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the acceptable time: behold now is the day of salvation.”

Notice that the word “is” is italicized, meaning it was added by the translators. Now it's certainly not the only day of salvation! Now is the day for the salvation of the “firstfruits unto God” ── those who have been called all throughout this present evil age, meaning ── from the time of Adam even unto this present 21st century.

Again, it’s sad ── the overall majority who profess to be Christian look upon the holy Day of Pentecost as being “Jewish” – that it was only for the Jews. And they have therefore been taught that they don’t need to keep or observe this important Holy Day.

But the Day of Pentecost is not “Jewish”! It is a FEAST OF THE LORD! Notice ── “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, THESE ARE MY FEASTS.’” – Leviticus 23:1-2.

Our Lord Jesus’ disciples, and then apostles, understood that the holy Day of Pentecost was indeed one of the LORD’s commanded feasts; and they all kept and celebrated it. Think of this: Had they not been keeping and celebrating it, they would have missed out ── they certainly would not have received the glorious “Helper” sent by God when the Day of Pentecost had fully come! Think upon that for a moment.

It’s high time that all true Christians really begin to follow our Lord Jesus Christ’s example ── John 13:15. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us AN EXAMPLE, that you should follow His steps …” And what are those steps mentioned? “ … ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; 23) who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the [cross], that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness──by whose stripes you were healed.” – 1 Peter 2:21-24.

My friend, isn’t it high time that all true Christians “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”? □

Sources:

1 Wikipedia contributors. "Whitsun." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 20 May. 2026. Web. 22 May. 2026.

2 Whiton, John Milton, McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia, “Whitsunday.”