The Last Great Day──A Picture of a Glorious Gift

Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Dry Bones

(illustration photo created using GPT Image2 for COJCOM)

by Leonard V Johnson

Greetings ── our dear friends in the States: Atlanta, Georgia; Guntersville, Alabama; Lake City, Florida; Richland, Michigan; and across the way, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Sāo Carlos, Brazil; and Maitengwe, Botswana. Welcome to the Last Great Day──that last great day of the Feast!

Here we are on the 8th day of the LORD’s Feast-- which we call ‘the Last Great Day ’-a feast day which immediately follows the LORD’s seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. It is kept from sunset on the 2nd of October through to sunset on the 3rd of October.

Notice Revelation 20 ──

“And I [the Apostle John in vision] saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” – Revelation 20:12.

The great Book of Life is going to be opened to all! This will occur after our Lord Jesus Christ’s Millennial reign- His thousand-year rule.

Our Jewish brethren call this holy day Shemini ‘Azeret, which means “eighth day of assembly.” So, the entire seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, along with the eighth day, is called within God’s living word, ‘the Feast of Ingathering.’ Notice ──

“’ Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: 15) You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); 16) and the Feast of Harvest [also known as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost], the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.’” – Exodus 23:14-16.

This ‘ingathering’ is a much larger feast, a harvest feast, than the firstfruits──which is associated with the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.

Notice a reference to this eighth-day feast within God’s living word ──

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 34) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, …’” – the very name Israel means, “people of El” – people of God! “ …’ saying: The fifteenth day of this SEVENTH MONTH shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. 35) On the FIRST DAY there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. 36) For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire [Indeed, while our Lord Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us all is complete, the New Covenant calls for us to ‘present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God’ – cf. Romans 12:1] to the LORD. On THE EIGHTH DAY you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.’” – Leviticus 23:33-36.

This eighth day is referred to in our Lord Jesus’ Church as the ‘Last Great Day,’ often because of what our beloved Apostle John wrote ──

“On the last day, THAT GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” – John 3:37-38.

Indeed, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, kept and celebrated this glorious day immediately after the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles- which does picture the ‘ingathering’ after His Millennial reign.

‘I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God.’ – Revelation 20:12

Notice what occurs after His glorious Millennial reign ──

“But the rest of the dead did not live again UNTIL the thousand years were finished. …” ── then a transition - the following part references the previous verse.

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.” – Revelation 20:5, 11.

The dead, small and great, standing before the LORD God. So, this wouldn’t include those our LORD God has called to Himself throughout the ages, because His chosen people are resurrected at the blowing of the SEVENTH TRUMPET──the resurrection trumpet. The multiple millions of people who are resurrected in the ‘great white throne’ judgment are everyone──past, present, and future──who has or will die in spiritual blindness and ignorance of our Lord Jesus’ great mystery of the gospel message. This is that judgment time that our Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly spoke ──

“’ For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23) that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. … 26) For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27) and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28) 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 [speaking of the first resurrection of His saints], and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of [judgment]. [speaking of the judgment after the second resurrection]. 30) I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.’” – John 5: 22, 26-30.

The Prophet Daniel also speaks of this great white throne judgment in a postscript ──

“’ I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.’” – Daniel 7:9-10.

Let’s also note that our Lord Jesus also taught us that “’ Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter.’” – Mark 3:28. Except, of course, those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit- in other words, those who were called by Father God and then chose, for one reason or another, to turn their backs on the LORD God once again──never will have forgiveness but are subject to eternal death.

This glorious and wonderful eighth day──the ‘Last Great Day’── truly pictures that all who have not been called, or have had enough knowledge to be responsible, will have the glorious opportunity for eternal salvation, and nearly everyone will take this merciful and loving gift of salvation.

Nearly every human being who has ever lived or will ever live will be saved!

Our loving and merciful Savior──the Son of God──was not sent to Earth to die for only a relatively few. No, “In this love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10) In this love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the ATONEMENT for our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10.

“’ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that THE WORLD THROUGH HIM might be saved.’” – John 3:17.

“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.

Sadly, the overall majority of Protestants, who are quick to quote John 3:16, teach and believe that the world could be saved; however, the vast majority will be “lost” and will be tormented and tortured in a hellfire that burns forever. (Be sure to watch our sermons: “Is There A Hell?” and “A Real Hellfire!”). God’s living word does not teach this!

Honestly, since the eternal LORD God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and is love──would they have predestined nearly all human beings to be subject to an eternal torturous hellfire?

Truly, the Eternal LORD God had from the very beginning a Master Plan… From the Beginning!

“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? CERTAINLY NOT! 15) For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’” – Romans 9:14-15.

The LORD God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” – 1 Timothy 2:4. The reason that the LORD God has not called all people unto Himself in this present evil age is that He knew that most would not endure unto the end to be saved. God’s living word teaches us that most have been intentionally spiritually blinded ──

“’ Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14) And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15) For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with the eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’” – Matthew 13:13-15.

Those who are intentionally spiritually blinded in this present evil age still have an opportunity ──

“’ I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.’” – Isaiah 42:16.

Let us also notice ──

“’ Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of the wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.’ … 24) These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, And those who complained will learn doctrine.’” – Isaiah 29:14, 24.

Yes, they will be resurrected and judged guilty of sin (cf. 1 Peter 4:17; Romans 3:23), yet “judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” – James 2:13.

The LORD God will “plead His case with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword,’ says the LORD.” – Jeremiah 25:31. Sadly, not all will come to accept the glorious gift that the LORD God is offering. Yet most will repent and believe in the gospel!

Truly, since the beginning of the ages in such locations as Africa, Europe, Asia, western South America, central Mexico ──as in Tenochtitlán, located on an island in Lake Texcoco ── there have been those who had never heard of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His merciful sacrifice and of the true gospel of the kingdom. The LORD God, of course, foreknew this and had planned!

There is only ONE NAME ── “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” ── that name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

So, since the majority of all humanity has never heard the true gospel concerning our Savior and of the soon-coming kingdom (Be sure to read and study our free, no-obligation online PDF booklet, “What Is the Kingdom of God?” ── which is also translated into Spanish, “¿Qué es el Reino de Dios?”), Truly, “’ all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” – Luke 3:6.

Now, indeed, the LORD God clearly teaches us that we are not to worship Father God and our Lord Jesus the way that pagans used to worship, with many today, such as those of Wicca, continuing to worship ──

“’ When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30) take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31) You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

32) Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.’” – Deuteronomy 12:29-32.

As an example, the ancient Aztecs, in which human sacrifice was a central religious practice in Aztec (Mexica) culture, did not commit a random or isolated act. Those who participate in, combine, or practice pagan worship with the Lord Jesus’ doctrines are completely obscuring the LORD God’s Master Plan for the redemption of all mankind.

When not understanding and when not keeping and celebrating the LORD God’s Holy Days and Feasts, instead keeping and celebrating worldly holidays ── then the understanding that all the God-ordained Holy Days and Feasts are all Christocentric ── they all point to Christ Jesus! ── is not properly understood and realized.

The Feasts of the LORD picture for us His loving and merciful Plan of salvation for all of mankind. Indeed, it is a marvelous and loving Plan! □

Sermon: The Feast of Tabernacles ── Day 3: Whole Armor of God

 The Lord's Feast of Tabernacles is from the evening of September 25th, and includes the Last Great Day, until sunset October 3rd.

Here is a sermon I gave back in 2022 for the 3rd Day of the Feast ──

1:11:27

Minister Johnson speaks concerning the fact that all true Christians are under attack, spiritually, by the evil one of this present evil age. He takes us through several Scriptures where the LORD God shows us that He will help fight our battles. Ephesians 6 tells us that we should be putting on the whole armor of God, for we are soldiers for our great Commander in Chief of His spiritual army.

Here is a direct link to the sermon: The Feast of Tabernacles ── Day 3: Thole Armor of God

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! □

The Feast of Trumpets and the Book of Life

by Leonard V Johnson

Here we are again, dear brethren, coming up on the LORD God’s glorious Feast of Trumpets, September 12th, 2026! Hello to our beloved Brethren, Co-Workers, and Friends in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Lahore, Pakistan, Manchester, England, UK, Owensboro, Kentucky, and Fayetteville, NC!

Here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries (COJCOM), we continue to keep and celebrate the LORD God’s biblical holy days and feasts, including the Feast of Trumpets, also called Rosh Hashanah by our Jewish brethren. Two older sermons of related interest would be “Feast of Trumpets and the Church” and “Prophecy – Feast of Trumpets 2022.”

The LORD’s Feast of Trumpets is on September 12th this year──2026. Its observance begins the evening before, at sunset, on the Gregorian calendar and runs until sunset on the Gregorian calendar.

Let’s turn in our Bible to Leviticus 23 ──

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial [not a shadow] of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.’

25) ‘You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.’” – Leviticus 23:23-25.

Here is pictured within the 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.

Unless our Lord Jesus returns to resurrect the dead in Christ, we would never gain eternal life if there were no resurrection: “Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” – 1 Corinthians 15:18.

Our Lord Jesus will directly intervene in world affairs upon the SEVENTH BLOWING OF THE TRUMPET ──

“The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

15) Then the SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED: And there were loud voices in [the atmosphere], 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!’” – Revelation 11:14-15.

A trumpet in God’s living word can symbolize war. He will come during a time of worldwide war when the nations are angry!

So, let us notice exactly when this takes place ──

“’ So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; They [ISRAEL] will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they [ISRAEL] who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.’” – Isaiah 27:13.

Now, when will ISRAEL be gathered together? At the sound of the SEVENTH TRUMPET, at the glorious and powerful coming of our Lord Jesus! Most churches have forgotten or are blatantly ignorant of the LORD’s Feast of Trumpets; they believe that the return of the Jews to the holy land and the establishment of a nation which is called Israel was the fulfillment of the above prophecy.

The LORD’s Feast of Trumpets clearly points to the blowing of trumpets, and God’s living word shows us a variety of prophetic events that will accompany the cacophony of blasts.

In this article, I’d like to cover with you the relevance of the Feast of Trumpets and the Book of Life.

The Feast of Trumpets in the Old Testament

God’s word tells us ──

“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. …

24) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial [not a shadow] of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.’

25) ‘You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.’” – Leviticus 23:23-25.

Let us note that the children of Israel were to mark this particular day as A MEMORIAL OF THE MEANING THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS HAS FOR THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL──both physically and symbolically. 

The Eternal One instructed the children of Israel to ‘make two silver trumpets to use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.’ They were to gather the Tribes of Israel for assemblies and signal when it was time to move during their migration to the Promised Land. They were also instructed to blow them when they were preparing for a military attack or to defend against an enemy. Moreover, trumpets were blown during the LORD’s festivals and at the beginning of each month ── cf. Numbers 10:1-10.

The children of Israel had already experienced the awesome and ear-splitting trumpet and its blast when the LORD God gave them the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:19). So, the Lord continued associating trumpet blasts with important events and happenings──as the LORD God continues for us today!

Here is a little more regarding the ‘day of blowing of trumpets’ from God’s living word ──

“’ And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month [Tishri], you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work. For you it is a day of blowing the trumpets. 2) You shall offer a burnt offering as a sweet aroma to the LORD: one young bull, one ram, and seven lambs in their first year, without blemish. 3) Their grain offering shall be fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, 4) and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs; 5) also one kid of the goats as a sin offering, to make atonement for you; 6) besides the burnt offering with its grain offering for the New Moon, the regular burnt offering, and their drink offerings, according to their ordinance, as a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.” – Numbers 29:1-6.

In the Strong’s Concordance of the Bible (#8643), the ‘blowing of the trumpets’ term is terû‘â. “Alarm, signal, sound of trumpet. This is a feminine noun formed from the root rûa’. It is a purely Hebrew formation and occurs thirty-six times in the OT, mostly in the singular. There are four distinct senses in which it is used. It is used for “signal” (Lev. 25:9), the “sound of the trumpet” for the blowing of the shofar on the day of atonement. It is also used for “alarm” as in case of attack (Josh 6:5; Jer 4:19), “I hear the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.” In addition, it is used for the trumpet in the tumult of the battle, “And Moab shall die amid uproar, amid shouting, and the sound of the trumpet” (Amos 2:2). Lastly, the noun is used for the exultation of praise to God, “Praise Him with trumpet sound, praise Him with lute and harp” (Ps 150:3).” 1

Now, because animal sacrifices are no longer required (cf. Hebrews 10:3-10), Christians do not offer burnt offerings, grain offerings, or drink offerings made by fire──we are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). However, traditionally, a financial offering is taken up on this holy day consistent with what the Apostle Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 9 ──

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

Also notice what the LORD God tells us in Deuteronomy 16 ──

“’ Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD, at the FEAST OF WEEKS [PENTECOST], and at the FEAST OF TABERNACLES; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. 17) Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.” – Deuteronomy 16:16-17.

This coming SEVENTH MONTH is called Ethanim in God’s living word ──

“Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the feast in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month.” – 1 Kings 8:2.

However, this month is typically called Tishri by our Jewish brethren, as that was the name used when they were in Babylonian captivity. And although our Jewish brethren call the LORD’s feast Rosh Hashanah, that was never its original name.

“Rosh Hashanah actually means “Head of the Year.” What: Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the universe, the day G‑d created Adam and Eve, and it’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year.” 2

The Jewish Talmud was compiled between the 1st and 7th centuries, with the Babylonian Talmud, which is considered the main version, completed around 500 AD. And since the meaning of the name Rosh Hashanah means “Head” and “Year” ── which is nowhere to be found in God’s living word ── we use the term “the Feast of Trumpets.

The Book of Life

True Christians have our names written in God’s Book of Life (cf. Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5).

The first allusion to the Book of Life appears in Exodus 32 ──

“’ Yet now, if You will forgive their sin ── but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.’ 33) And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me I will blot him out of My book.’” – Exodus 32:32-33.

Besides Exodus, Psalm 69:28 talks about being blotted ‘out of the book of the living,’ Daniel 12:1 mentions those whose names are written ‘in the book’ shall be delivered, Malachi 3:16 refers to ‘a book of remembrance’ for the faithful, and Isaiah 4:3 alludes to a list of those ‘who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.’

My heart swells with great joy knowing that His mighty prophets of old weren’t just guessing ── they heard the LORD God speak of a heavenly book, the “Book of Life,” long before we ever heard of it. They spoke of it in visions and writings, marking the righteous for all eternity.

Our beloved Prophet Moses knew that his name was written in the Book of Life.

Additionally, the Book of Life could very well be mentioned in three other Psalms ──

“Then I said, ‘Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8) I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.’” – Psalm 40:7-8.

“You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?” – Psalm 56:8.

“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” – Psalm 139:16.

God’s word clearly shows us that those who reverently fear the LORD our God have their name written in the Book of Life, but those who do not and are not righteous don’t have their name written in the Book of Life.

True Christians who are inscribed in the Book of Life will be born-again at the glorious resurrection which occurs with the blowing of THE SEVENTH TRUMPET BLAST spoken of in the Book of Revelation. Eternal life will be given at the time of the LAST TRUMPET to the LORD God’s chosen people.

The Prophet Isaiah appears to be referencing this LAST TRUMP, the one that signals the glorious and powerful return of our Savior Jesus Christ and the calling ‘with a great sound of a trumpet, gathering together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other’ ──

“So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” – Isaiah 27:13.

CHOOSE LIFE

Our Holy Father and our Holy Savior want all people to choose life ──

“’ I call heaven and earth as witnesses TODAY against you, that I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, BLESSING and CURSING; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.’” – Deuteronomy 30:19.

Now, I’ve spoken of this before, like in my recent Personal From… Christ’s Coming! There are physical laws, and there are spiritual laws, and every single one of us must choose as to whether we will accept and follow the LORD God’s spiritual laws or not. Because if we neglect so great a salvation, as the LORD God has offered to us, we are turning our back on the LORD God, and we will find only death. The penalty of sin. We must choose LIFE, and we must choose LIFE of our own volition, voluntarily. Our OWN FREE WILL! No one can choose it for you ── no armchair televangelist, no door-to-door preacher, no minister, rabbi, no Imam. And it doesn’t matter how much they promise you salvation, a heavenly paradise, or seventy-two virgins! They can’t save you!

You know, I can’t help but think of my sister-in-law’s friend that was visiting our home once, and I was asked about ── why I don’t believe in the rapture ── and after my brief biblical teaching on this subject, and explaining and solemnly testifying of the kingdom of God, teaching Jesus and of eternal life, she laughed and said, “Everybody is a savior.” I couldn’t save her. I just taught the truth. Our whole private relationship with the LORD is between you and Him! And it is true that we are often brought into certain circumstances, and that the LORD God can bring about certain circumstances that bring a person to a place where a decision must be made, a decision is offered ── to choose life or to choose death. Sadly, my sister-in-law’s friend died about 2 weeks later. The LORD God will never force you to accept His living word. Now, she’s not “lost” or “burning in a hellfire.” She will be resurrected among those of the “Great White Throne Judgment,” and ‘books will be opened for her. And another book will be opened, which is the Book of Life, and she will be judged according to her works, by the things which are written in the books.’ – Revelation 20:11-15. I have placed her name among my “list.” And I pray to our heavenly Father and Elder Brother that I will have the great pleasure and honor to speak with her once again the glorious testimony of the kingdom of God, teaching Jesus and of eternal life.

Let’s go back to verse 17, “’ But IF your heart turns away so that you do not hear, …’” You see, the LORD God allows us to turn away, He allows us to rebel, when He says, “IF” ── because if He was forcing us to obey Him, then He couldn’t say, “IF.” So, IF “ …’ your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18) I ANNOUNCE TO YOU TODAY THAT YOU SHALL SURELY PERISH; …’”

Our Holy Father is the great Ancient of Days ── the Supreme Ruler of all that is. And the LORD God says here, “‘I have set before you life and death [the second death], blessing and cursing; therefore CHOOSE LIFE.’” He desires us to choose life, yet the LORD allows us to disobey “’ that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for HE IS YOUR LIFE …’” And how wonderful it is when you see and hear clearly what His Spirit has to say regarding this! The kingdom of God is the family of God. And if you choose life, you will be begotten of God and later born-again into the family of God! More on the PLAN OF GOD… FROM THE BEGINNING can be found in our message “God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning!”

Trumpets in the New Testament

An ancient Greek warrior blowing a salpinx

God’s living word in the New Testament frequently speaks of the blowing of trumpets.

Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us ──

“’ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a TRUMPET, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.’” – Matthew 24:31.

The Greek word here is salpinx, meaning an ancient Greek trumpet used for military and ceremonial purposes.

The Apostle Paul teaches the same ──

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the TRUMPET OF GOD. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

So, both our Savior and the Apostle Paul taught that His saints would be gathered together when the TRUMPET OF GOD is sounded. And that our Lord Jesus will return upon the LAST TRUMPET BLAST, which is after ‘the tribulation of those days’ (Matthew 24:15-29). Therefore, those who are “pre-tribulation rapturists” are in error. Check out our message, “Is There a ‘Secret Rapture’?”

THE LAST TRUMPET is the RESURRECTION TRUMPET ──

“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. … 58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:52, 58.

Our beloved Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69–155 AD), a disciple of the Apostle John, also wrote about and looked forward to the blowing of this LAST TRUMPET ──

“Wherefore, girding up your loins,” “serve the Lord in fear” and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and “believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory,” and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things in heaven and on earth are subject. Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him. But He who raised Him from the dead will raise us up also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, …” 3

Our Lord Jesus teaches us ──

“’ But those WHO ARE COUNTED WORTHY to attain that age [the age to come], and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36) nor can they die anymore, for they are equal [in this regard] to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

37) But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38) For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.’” – Luke 20:35-38.

Let us always PRAISE THE LORD OUR GOD ── the resurrection from the dead brings one back to life!

Our Lord Jesus also teaches us ──

“ … ‘if you want to enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.’” – Matthew 19:17.

“’ And as Moses LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that 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 3:14-17.

Moses placing a bronze fiery serpent on an old wooden pole (Numbers 21:8-9) (ChatGPT-generated illustration for COJCOM)

Let us also notice the living words of our Savior ──

“’ Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25) Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.

26) For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27) and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

28) 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, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of [judgment].’” – John 5:24-29.

There is a resurrection to life for those who ‘have done good.’ And there is a resurrection to ‘judgment for those who have done evil.’

Returning again to the beloved Apostle Paul ──

“Now IF Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection? …” – The Sadducees were a Jewish sect that denied the resurrection of the dead, and, sadly, there are a great many peoples today that continue to deny the truth concerning the resurrection of the dead. 13) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14) And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

15) Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up ── if in fact the dead do not rise.

16) For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17) And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18) Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

20) But now CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21) For since by man came death [the first death here], by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22) 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. 24) Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom of God the Father, when he puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

25) For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26) The last enemy that will be destroyed is death [the second death].” – 1 Corinthians 15:12-26.

We do not know upon what day or hour that this LAST TRUMPET BLAST will be blown, but it will announce the glorious and powerful return of our Savior, Jesus Christ! (Matthew 24:36, 44).

~ Be sure to also read “Conversation With AI Regarding the Meaning of ‘the beginning of sorrows’ ── and ‘Then’ (Part I)” where additional trumpets are spoken in the Book of Revelation ~

Is Your Name Written in God’s Book of Life?

Does God’s living word teach us whose names are in His Book of Life?

Indeed, it does!

Our Lord Jesus alludes to the Book of Life in the Book of Luke here ──

“And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions [symbolize evil, danger, deception, and spiritual adversaries], and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20) Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN.’” – Luke 10:18-20.

So, all true Christians have their names written ‘in heaven’ ── which surely is in the Book of Life.

The Apostle Paul implored “Euodia and … Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.” And I, like the Apostle Paul, implore you, my beloved and longed-for brothers and sisters in Christ, my joy and my crown, to stand fast in the Lord, and continue having your name written in His Book of Life! (cf. Philippians 4:1-3). Let not your name be blotted out and removed.

Also notice ──

“But you have come to MOUNT ZION and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem [see: Revelation 21:2], to AN INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS, 23) to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn WHO WAS REGISTERED IN HEAVEN, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.” – Hebrews 12:22-23.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says to His Church ──

“’ He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.’” – Revelation 3:5.

We are warned within the Book of Revelation that those who worship the ‘beast’ and its mouth piece, and partake of the ‘mark’ of the ‘beast’ (Revelation 13:1, 8; 17:8), and those who are involved in abominations (Revelation 21:27), and those who ‘adds to the living word’s written in the Book, or takes away from the living words of the Book and its prophecies, He shall take away your part from the Book of Life, and from the holy city of God, and from any blessings spoken of in the Book (Revelation 22:18-19). □

Sources:

1 Harris L. R., Archer, L. Gleason, Jr., and Waltke K. Bruce. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1980, #2135b, pg. 839.

2 Chabad.org, “Rosh Hashanah” What Is Rosh Hashanah? Retrieved 25 Aug 2026.

3 New Advent, Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, CH. II: An Exhortation to Virtue. (https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0136.htm).

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.”