True Christians Are Hated Because We Belong to Him!

Our Lord Jesus teaching disciples on the Mount of Olives (Ai-generated)

by Leonard V Johnson

Our Lord Jesus Christ ── and brethren, you might think this is trivial, but I’d like to point out: When people speak about our Lord Jesus Christ, I notice so many just simply say “Jesus.” Have you noticed this? In my humble opinion, it’s not proper or respectful to simply say “Jesus.” By doing this, we fail to give to our Master and Elder Brother, our Savior, the honor that is rightfully due to Him. The names we call others, including our Savior, provide a snapshot of our relationship. A few examples ──

Names and titles matter a great deal. The top 5 titles the Apostle Matthew used for our Savior ──

• Son of Man (30 times)

• Lord (23 times)

• Christ (13 times)

• Teacher (10 times)

• The Child (9 times)

The top 5 titles the Apostle Mark used for our Savior ──

• Son of Man (14 times)

• Teacher (12 times)

• King of the Jews (5 times)

• Christ (4 times)

• Rabbi (4 times)

The top 7 titles the Apostle Luke used for our Savior ──

• Lord (35 times)

• Son of Man (25 times)

• Teacher (13 times)

• Christ (7 times)

• Master (5 times)

• Son (5 times)

• Son of God (5 times)

The top 5 titles the Apostle John used for our Savior ──

• Lord (36 times)

• Son (18 times)

• Son of Man (11 times)

• Son of God (9 times)

• Christ (8 times)

Surely, by the titles they used, we can see that they didn’t just think He was “Jesus of Nazareth,” but rather He was the Christ, the promised Messiah, the One sent to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

But enough said on this interesting topic for the moment. Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us ──

“’ It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!’” – Matthew 10:25.

Truly, our Lord Jesus tells us ── and He’s continuing to tell us, brethren, because His words are alive! – cf. Hebrews 4:12 ── that His faithful followers would be hated because we belong to Him! ──

“’ If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.’” – John 15:18.

“’ Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.’” – Luke 6:22.

“’ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.’” – Matthew 10:22.

~ be sure to read our article You're Not Welcome! ~

It is true that our enemy, Satan the Devil, certainly does not want you to be a part of our Lord Jesus’ true faith of the Way ── by inspiring people to attack you verbally because of His name’s sake. Something that happened in my life ── my wife and I were having a family get together, and my sister-in-law was lamenting over the fact that she has lost so many of her family members to death, either from suicide, cancer, or a bleeding ulcer. And she was saying how this great loss has affected her throughout her whole life. And, because I was trying to comfort her in the name of Jesus Christ, she blatantly called me a winebibber, because I was having a beer. Immediately, I recognized that it was Satan the Devil, attacking me ── we wrestle not against human beings, but rather we wrestle against the spiritual forces of the evil one. Satan the Devil trying to discredit me. Well, I dearly love her and pray for her always. Wanting no ill will to come upon her family.

Yet, sadly, some often fall into Satan the Devil’s evil tactics.

The Apostle Paul before the high priest and elders in Rome. Acts 28:17-22 (Ai-generated)

History shows us that certain ones did not look very kindly towards true Christians ──

“But we would like to hear from you and to know what you think, because we are indeed very aware that this sect is everywhere spoken against.” – Acts 28:22, NET.

Are you able to endure to the end, being a part of a faith that is spoken against everywhere? Sadly, most people cannot. No one wants to be unpopular, to not be a part of the “in crowd.” No one wants to be laughed at, screamed at, spit upon, and berated. Back in 2023, my own mother-in-law screamed at me out of the blue, “You’re in a cult! You’re going to hell!” Her words stabbed deep into my chest. And I couldn’t help but immediately think of the LORD God’s living word regarding the Apostle Paul, and how he was berated by a certain servant girl ── saying to them sarcastically, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the Way of salvation.” It is revealed to us that Satan’s method is to deceive and that he and his minions have the power to place thoughts, suggestions, or impulses into unsuspecting human minds – unless we are alertly on guard against it.

Now, deception doesn’t always have to be clever to work ── Joseph Goebbels famously stated, “If you tell a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself.”

The Apostle Paul before the high priest Ananias, Governor Felix, and Tertullus in Caesarea. Acts 24:1-22 (Ai-generated)

So, surely what has happened to me by a mentor ── in which I suspect he has bashed my name and reputation against the jagged stones, possibly why I don’t have many people interacting with me on Facebook. The name-calling. Yet, I wish to be like our Christ, “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9. Because we are warned ──

“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18.

But yes indeed. Are you aware that our Lord Jesus’ original followers of the Way were considered to be part of a “cult” or a “sect”? Did you notice above that the Apostle Paul, while in Rome, had called together the leaders of the Jews to explain that he had done nothing wrong? ── yet he was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, was compelled to appeal to Caesar Nero during his imprisonment in Caesarea.

“And when he [born Saul of Tarsus] was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, ‘Since we have obtained great peace through you, and excellent things have been done for this nation through your forethought. … 5) For we have found this man to be a pest, and a mover of INSURRECTION among the Jews in the whole world, and a leader of THE SECT of the Nazareans; …’

10) And when the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul answered, ‘Knowing that you have been a judge to this nation for many years, I do more cheerfully make defense for myself concerning these things. 11) So that you may understand, it was not more than twelve days ago that I went up to worship in Jerusalem; 12) And neither did anyone find me disputing with anyone in the temple, nor inciting a tumult among the people ── neither in the synagogues, nor in the city; 13) Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14) But I confess to you that according to the Way which they call HERESY, so I serve the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets.’” – Acts 24:2, 5, 10-14, NET.

Most translations use the pejorative term “sect,” instead of “cult.” It’s a negative term ── a form of name-calling.

Let us also consider that the Apostle Paul, who kept and celebrated the holy weekly Sabbath (cf. Acts 15:21; 16:13; 18:4; 28:17), mentioned God the Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in every single introduction to his epistles! All fourteen! (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:1; Philemon 1:3; and Hebrews 1:1-2). Yet ── and brethren, please pay attention to this, he never mentions the Holy Spirit ── so, he clearly had a BINITARIAN understanding, not trinitarian.

~ be sure to read and study our article Is God a Trinity? ~

That was the understanding and doctrine of the early Church of Jesus Christ ── the Church of God ── the early Christians that were dubbed “Nazareans.”

True Christians have long been considered belonging to a “sect,” or rather, a “cult” – Acts 24:14. Our great High Priest, Advocate, and Savior, Jesus Christ, has warned us that the faithful would be persecuted and harassed ──

“’ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom [from] heaven.

11) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely FOR MY SAKE. 12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’” – Matthew 5:10-12.

The LORD God’s true prophets of old, according to our Lord Jesus, have been subject to all types of revile, persecution, and evils ── including rejection, disdain, physical abuse, and threats of execution and death! And, according to our Lord Jesus, it will happen again, when His true end-time prophets arise on the scene (cf. Matthew 24:9; Revelation 11:3-12).

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration, wrote ──

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine [his doctrine is our Lord Jesus’ doctrine, they are the same!], manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11) persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra ── what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” – 2 Timothy 3:10-12.

Historically, at least to a large part, because of the utter hatred of the Jews, true Christians were “excommunicated” by Emperor Constantine. One of the first recorded “official” persecutions of true Christians on behalf of the Roman Empire was in AD 64, when, as reported by Tacitus, Emperor Nero was blaming Christians for the Great Fire of Rome. According to tradition, it was during the reign of Nero that our beloved Peter and Paul were martyred.

The persecutions didn’t stop, and the name-calling continued against our brethren. In addition to Emperor Constantine the Great’s Edict Against Heretics, Emperor Theodosius I only intensified the persecutions.

Theodosius I (379-95) resorted to name-calling against all those who held to the original biblical position and understanding of the Godhead ── the Elohim, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. He specifically called out anyone who would disagree with his trinitarian law, as he stated ──

“ … According to the apostolic teaching and the doctrine of the Gospel, let us believe the one deity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in equal majesty and in a holy Trinity. We authorize the followers of this law to assume the title of Catholic Christians; but as for the others, since, in our judgment, they are foolish madmen, we decree that they shall be branded with the ignominious name of heretics, … They will suffer in the first place the chastisement of the divine condemnation, and in the second the punishment which our authority, in accordance with the will of Heaven, shall decide to inflict.” 1

Persecutions of the faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ didn’t stop. And since Constantine the Great’s edicts did not stop everyone from properly keeping and observing the Lord’s Passover, Theodosius I brought out his Edict of Thessalonica. After he became a baptized “Christian,” he decreed the death penalty ──

“CHAP. XXVII. Edicts of Theodofius aganft the heretics, A.D. 380-394

… Theodofius, fuggefted the moft effectual methods of perfucution. In the fpace of fifteen years, he promulgated at leaft fifteen fevere edicts againft the heretics; more efpecially againft thofe who rejected the doctrine of the Trinity; … inflicted on the Audians, or Quartodecimans, who fhould dare to perpetrate the atrocious crime, of celebrating, on an improper day, the feftival of Eafter.” 2

Truly, truly, wouldn’t the murdering ── the martyring ── of the faithful of Christ Jesus, who provided for us an example to keep and observe the Lord’s Passover ON THE 14th of Nisan, instead of celebrating a pagan celebration (Easter), a large, bright, and glaring sign of THE ANTICHRIST?

Brethren, for true Christians, the name-calling has continued from those who believe in the doctrine of the Trinity against us who hold strong to the Rock ── those of us who “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”!

So, be not surprised, my beloved, when you are persecuted ──

“For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The LORD will judge His people.’ 31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32) But recall the former days in which, AFTER YOU WERE ILLUMINATED, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33) partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34) for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves [from] heaven.” – Hebrews 10:30-34.

“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles ── when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness [and not just drunkenness with alcohol, but also with spiritual drunkenness], revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4) In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.” – 1 Peter 4:3-4.

~ be sure to watch and study our sermon Least In the Kingdom ~

Sadly, name-calling, persecutions, and shaming have occurred to the Lord’s people from the very beginning ── including by some who are claiming to be of the faith, of the Way.

Surely, the most common derogatory name that people call us who … “are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” – Romans 8:14, ── is the pejorative term “cult.” □

Bibliography:

1 Behenson, H., Documents Of The Christian Church, Theodosius I (379-95) on Catholic and Heretic, Oxford University Press, New York & London, 1947, pg. 31-32.

2 Gibbon, E., The history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.… 1789: Vol 3, Printed for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell, in the Strand. London, 1789, pgs. 24-25.

Americans express views on Immorality

A new Pew Research Center poll has been released on what Americans Consider Immoral. And adultery tops the list! ──

March 19, 2026

Republicans and Democrats differ sharply on whether abortion, homosexuality, and the death penalty are morally wrong …

We asked about behaviors that are, at least in part, morally debated in society today. We did not focus on behaviors that nearly everyone would likely say are morally wrong (like murder or stealing) or that everyone presumably would find acceptable (like asking for directions or picking up litter).

Consequently, the finding that Americans think many things are morally permissible doesn’t mean the public thinks everything is morally permissible.

Indeed, there is one item on our list that most Americans do find immoral: having an extramarital affair. Nine-in-ten U.S. adults say that married people having an affair is morally wrong.

(https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/03/19/what-do-americans-consider-immoral/).

Pew’s chart shows that 90% of Americans view married people having an affair as immoral, followed by 52% who view pornography as immoral. Then there’s 47% against having an abortion, viewing it as immoral. 39% of people view homosexuality as immoral, and only 35% who believe it’s immoral to end a person’s life with the help of a doctor. *

Well … according to God’s living, immutable word, every one of those is immoral, despite a person’s personal belief.

The LORD God’s living seventh commandment tells us ──

“’ You shall not commit adultery.’” – Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18; Matthew 5:27.

Here are a few more Scriptures related to physical adultery ──

“For THE COMMANDMENT IS A LAMP, And THE LAW A LIGHT; Reproofs of instruction ARE THE WAY OF LIFE, 24) To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress, 25) Do not lust after her beauty IN YOUR HEART, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids. 26) For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. 27) Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? 28) Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? 29) So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.” – Proverbs 6:23-29.

“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.

“as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” – Jude 7.

The Pew Research Center also posted a related article ──

March 5, 2026

In 25-Country Survey, Americans Especially Likely To View Fellow Citizens as Morally Bad

Americans are more likely than people in other countries surveyed in 2025 to question the morality of their fellow countrymen, …

In nearly all countries surveyed, more people say that others in their country have somewhat or very good morals than say their compatriots display somewhat or very bad levels of morality.

(https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/03/05/in-25-country-survey-americans-especially-likely-to-view-fellow-citizens-as-morally-bad/).

Well … that’s calling the kettle black!

In the U.S., 47% view their fellow citizens as morally good. According to the Americans polled, all other countrymen who are living in the U.S. are much more immoral! 

The article went on to say, “The United States is the only place we surveyed where more adults (ages 18 and older) describe the morality and ethics of others living in the country as bad (53%) than as good (47%). 39% of U.S. adults say homosexuality is morally wrong – far more than take that position in Germany or Sweden (5% each) but far fewer than in Indonesia (93%) or Nigeria (96%).”

Again, irrespective of any personal opinions, God’s living word condemns sexual immorality and murder (which does indeed include abortion and human euthanasia).

As we’ve pointed out before, the word “adultery” in part refers to the physical sin of adultery. Sex outside of marriage. Breaking the bonds of loyalty. But, a more spiritual aspect, when you see the words adultery, fornication, whoring ── and you read and study the whole passage ── it is the LORD God’s pronouncement against people who are engaged in false religions. □

* Full question response: "Patients choosing to end their lives with the help of a doctor."

Deadly Incident in Canada Involving a Transgender Shooter

Photo credit: Vladvictoria (pixabay)

Tragically, there was a mass shooting in Canada ──

Joakim Scheffer — 11.02.2026

Transgender Shooter Kills Ten in Canadian School Massacre

Canadian police confirmed ten deaths and at least 35 injuries following a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. The shooter, who also killed himself, was identified by a close family member as Jesse Strang, a transgender person identifying with ‘she/her’ pronouns.

According to media reports, an active shooter alert was issued at 3.15 pm Mountain Time (MT) by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), covering a large area including Chetwynd and Dawson Creek. Residents were advised to remain indoors and shelter in place. The alert was lifted at 6.45 pm MT.

Police later stated that ten people had been found dead following the incident, including the shooter. Six victims were found inside the school, while another died on the way to the hospital. Two additional victims were discovered at a home that police believe is connected to the shooting. …

The shooter was identified by his uncle, who also confirmed his transgender identity. According to information circulating on social media, the 17-year-old Jesse Strang began identifying as a woman around 2023. He reportedly came from a family that valued hunting and learned to shoot rifles from a young age. …

The shooting fits into an increasingly disturbing pattern of transgender violence leading to the deaths of many, including children, in North America. As Hungarian Conservative previously reported, 22-year-old Robin Westman, a biological male identifying as a woman, killed two children and injured 17 members of the Annunciation Catholic School community attending Mass in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in August 2025.

It was later revealed that the gunman represented the textbook example of a ‘regret case’. In his manifesto, he wrote repeatedly that he regretted transitioning to a woman, changing his name to Robin. ‘I am tired of being trans. I wish I never brainwashed myself,’ he wrote, adding that he was sick of his hair and wanted to chop it off.’

(https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/current/transgender-mass-shooting-canada-school-jesse-strang/. Boldened for emphasis).

February 11

Canada in shock over school bloodbath: Attacker was wearing a dress, reports say

Canada is in a state of shock following the massacre that occurred Tuesday in the small mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, in northeastern British Columbia, …

Information circulated in international media outlets (such as the BBC) and later confirmed by local authorities stated that the armed attack was carried out by a female figure with brown hair who was wearing a dress, at around 1:20 p.m. local time.

At the same time, reports from the local independent outlet Juno News claim that the suspect was identified by a close relative as Jesse Strang. The outlet contacted Russell G. Strang directly, who stated that he is Jesse’s uncle and confirmed that his relative was a transgender individual and responsible for the attack that claimed the lives of 10 people, including the suspect. A public YouTube account believed to belong to Jesse Strang displays the transgender pride flag and uses the pronouns “she/her.”

(https://en.protothema.gr/2026/02/11/canada-in-shock-over-school-bloodbath-attacker-was-wearing-a-dress-reports-say/).

It’s most tragic. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those gravely affected by this heinous and evil crime.

Sadly, throughout our societies, we are witnessing more and more of these evil acts of violence, including increased violence in the streets of the Ununited States, like in Minneapolis and Chicago.

While some ignorantly place the blame on guns ── “I’ll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!” (Charlton Heston) ── the truth is that there is growing throughout the world less fear of a Creator God who is the final Judge. This, and an increase in mental illnesses, is tragically leading people to these destructive ends in the bloodshed of innocent people ──

“ …’ Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’” – Luke 18:8.

“As it is written: … 12) ‘They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.’ 13) ‘Their throat is an open tomb; …’ ── like the latest NFL half-time show, where every other word out of that abominable bunny rabbit's mouth was one Spanish foul word after another! “ … ‘With their tongues they have practiced deceit’; ‘The poison of asps is under their lips’; 14) ‘Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.’ 15) ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16) Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17) And the way of peace they have not known.’ 18) ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’” – Romans 3:10, 12-18.

These natures of mankind are permeating not only throughout the Ununited States of America but also throughout the whole of this present evil age.

After the tragic high-profile Parkland High School massacre in 2018, we are continuing to witness many more mass shootings. And the increasing amount of these shootings from the “transgendered” has been notable throughout these past few years. In many of our articles, we speak of the fact that it was, at one time, considered to be a mental illness. 1 See also, "Roman Catholic Priest Promotes LGBTQ+!"

The Lord GOD ── the Architect and Creator of all life ── has warned mankind against not only sexual immorality, but warns us that we shouldn’t even approve of those who do engage in those sexual immoralities ──

If you want to know how God looks upon the goings-on of this world. This is humans being human in their natural state. Romans 1:28 – “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, …” – we have public leaders who don’t even want to admit or acknowledge that God is our great protector. “…God gave them over to a [reprobate] mind, …” – it means ‘worthless.’ If you go back up to Verse 21, you see the phrase, ‘and their foolish hearts were darkened.’ And so, we live in a world – we who are children of the light – with people who are children of the darkness. Because they do not know God. They do not know His truth, His Plan, or His Ways. And here are a few things that humans are famous for – here’s the All-Star Cast. You want to know what you are without God!? Verse 29 – “being filled with all unrighteousness, [fornication], wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, [debate], deceit, [malignity]; they are whisperers [gossipers], 30) backbiters, haters of God, [despiteful], proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31) [without understanding], [covenant breakers], [without natural affection], [implacable; or faithless], unmerciful; 32) who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, …” – but thanks be to God, He has a plan. Where we can be saved, and then in the end, everyone we’ve ever known – almost – will have an opportunity to be saved.

There are governmental entities in Canada that have long banned public sections of God’s living word, such as parts of the above, as well as ──

“Do you not 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.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

The people of Canada are not benefiting from their censorship of the LORD God’s dire warnings regarding homosexuality, lesbianism, and transgenderism.

O’ what a dark and violent generation we are in ──

“There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. 12) There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. 13) There is a generation──oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. 14) There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men.” – Proverbs 30:11-14.

The living and eternal Word of God says that He is against violence and that utter destruction will result because of it ──

“’ Make a chain, For the land is filled with crimes and blood, And the city is full of violence. 24) Therefore I will bring the worst of the Gentiles, And they will possess their houses; I will cause the pomp of the strong to cease, And their holy places [their churches, synagogues, and mosques] shall be defiled.’” – Ezekiel 7:23-24.

Sadly, with the growing push of this Woke agenda, and this “Homosexual Acceptance Push in America,” our peoples are growing ever more depraved.

Notice that TERROR for those corrupted was indeed prophesied ──

“’ They have corrupted themselves; They are not His children, Because of their blemish: A PERVERSE AND CROOKED GENERATION. … 25) The sword shall destroy outside; THERE SHALL BE TERROR WITHIN For the young man and virgin, The nursing child with the man of gray hairs.’” – Deuteronomy 32:5, 25.

We are continuing to witness increased violence and corruption on a scale that has not been seen since the antediluvian era. Mass murders, sadistic, and terroristic acts!

We should truly consider the dire warning from the Apostle Paul ── inspired by the very Spirit of our mighty God ── as we approach the end-times of this present age ──

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

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

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

And it’s sad to say, such people are everywhere in this 21st-century world!

Friend, we continue to be in the time that our Lord Jesus has called ‘the beginning of sorrows’ – cf. Matthew 24:4-8.

Soon, a time of ‘great tribulation’ will come to the nation of Judah (the nation called Israel today; be sure to watch our sermon “’ Blow the Trumpet!’”), a time of trouble that ‘has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.’(Matthew 24:15-22).

But THANK ALMIGHTY GOD, there is GOOD NEWS! Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is returning and will establish His kingdom upon this Earth, and violent crime and these mass murders will immediately stop!

Let us continue to pray that we are worthy in the eyes of our great and awesome God, that we are ‘worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man’ within His mighty kingdom.

“ ‘Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On EARTH as it is in heaven.’” – Matthew 6:9, 10. □

1) Leonard Johnson speaks of this in our article, A Dying Nation

President Trump Is Considering Military Action in Response to Professing Christians Being Persecuted in Nigeria

A Christian woman is martyred under Nero in this re-enactment (Wikipedia)

Persecution of people claiming to be Christian is not over.

Notice this World Watch List 2025 ──

The World Watch List is Open Doors’ annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.

More than 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.

(https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/).

According to their stats, more than 4,470 Christians have been murdered in 2025, and more than 7,670 church buildings and Christian properties have been attacked. And, more than 4,740 professing Christians have been imprisoned because of their faith. 

In Brief 

North Korea: The violence score increased even more this year as North Korea re-established its hold on No. 1. Several groups of Christians were arrested and brought to labor camps. … 

Yemen: moved up to third place on the World Watch List due to an increase in anti-Christian violence. Pressure on Christians also remained at its maximum. Within the context of civil war, Iran-backed Houthi rebels expanded their power, making more of the country increasingly dangerous for Christians. …

Kyrgyzstan: … There was a sharp increase in violence against the church, many registered churches and Christian institutions were forced to close, and pressure on Christians increased in almost all spheres of life. … 

Though fewer Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria compared to last year, it remains disproportionately deadly for Christians, with 3,100 paying the ultimate price for their faith. … Christians continue to be detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, and imprisoned for following Jesus. In India alone, 1,629 Christians were detained without trial, and another 547 were sentenced to prison.

(https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/persecution-trends/).

Brethren, this is most egregious and tragically horrible! No one should be murdered, imprisoned, or persecuted for their faith. 

Our beloved President of the United States, Donald Trump, made a statement related to this atrocity ──

 

2 Nov, 2025 

Trump threatens military action in Africa 

US President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of War to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria, accusing the West African nation of allowing the killing of Christians by Islamist militants. 

Nigeria, a country split between a Muslim-majority north and a largely Christian south, has long been plagued by violence from groups such as Boko Haram, which is responsible for massacres, kidnappings, and bombings nationwide. The attacks, which have killed tens of thousands and displaced over two million since around 2009, target both Christians and Muslims. Though often seen as sectarian, analysts cite land disputes, resource competition, and ethnic tensions as key drivers of the violence. 

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump accused Abuja of failing to protect Christians and warned the US “may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists.” 

Trump’s threat followed a claim on Friday of “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria and his designation of it as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, which is applied to states accused of systematic violations of religious freedom. 

(https://www.rt.com/news/627254-trump-nigeria-christians-military-action/).

If you think that these atrocities are only occurring in places like Central America or Africa, you’d be wrong. Notice the following report from the Catholic News Agency ── 

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 20, 2024 

Nearly half of the 2,500 anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe were in France, the report says

A recently released report from a European watchdog group has found nearly 2,500 documented instances of hate crimes against Christians living in Europe. Approximately 1,000 of these attacks took place in France. 

According to the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) report, which drew on both police and civil society data, 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes and acts of discrimination and intolerance occurred across 35 European countries from 2023 to 2024.

Of these, 232 constituted personal attacks of harassment, threats, and physical assaults against Christians. 

Most affected countries: France, England, and Germany. …

(https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260575/nearly-half-of-2500anti-christian-hate-crimes-in-europe-were-in-france-report-says).

Yes, sadly, there is great persecution through suppression, shadow-banning (which we at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries have come across), implied threats to a person’s career, etc., for many who dare to proclaim their faith or biblical morals. Now, in the Western nations – i.e., the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom – religious persecution is often more subtle- yet, any persecution is persecution.

Friend, as we are approaching the very END of this six-thousand year age, Socialism is indeed taking a foot-hold in the consciousness of our Generation Z! ── and for those who may not know the definition of what Socialism is ── “any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.” 1 

Facebook was originally brought about by Mark Zuckerberg for a platform where the whole world could meet, share interests, EXPRESS FEELINGS AND IDEAS, and make new friends. Well, what happened? TODAY, Facebook is a perfect example of Socialism – you get it “free,” the quality is mediocre, you have no say in how it works, the guy at the top is getting wealthier, there is no real competition, and if you say anything they don’t like, they shut you up! 

Our Lord and Savior, Master and Elder Brother, the living Jesus Christ, foretold continuing persecution of the Christian faith ──  

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. … 10) ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11) Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward [from] heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’” – Matthew 5:1, 10-12.

“’ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.’” – Matthew 5:43-44.

And, to truly obey His living words here, it takes the very Spirit of God within you ── because it is so easy to just write this down, or post it on your Facebook page, but to actually obey Him here is much harder ── it requires the very Spirit and Strength of God!

Our Lord Jesus has warned us that a time is soon coming when “’ brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and the children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.’” – Matthew 10:21. 

Do you think this is impossible? Notice this report from Aaron Earls of Lifeway Research ── 

Oct 4, 2023 

The Next Generation Is Leaving the Faith Earlier Than You Realize 

When church leaders imagine young people turning away from Christianity, they may picture a college student being convinced by an atheist professor or an older high schooler getting a driver’s license and using their newfound freedom to leave church behind. In reality, the secularization of the next generation may look more like a 14-year-old watching YouTube in their room.

New analysis published at the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) reveals children born in the 1980s and ’90s never absorbed the faith in their home. And they walked away from it at an earlier age than most parents and leaders suspect. … 

In the latest study, close to 30% of seniors and sophomores and almost 25% of 8th graders said they didn’t consider religion to have any importance. 

(https://research.lifeway.com/2023/10/04/the-next-generation-is-leaving-thefaith-earlier-than-you-realize/). 

Our Lord Jesus speaking primarily about His soon-coming end-time prophets ──

“’ But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils [religious councils], and you will be beaten in the synagogues [even to a gathering of people who are seemingly called out of this world by God]. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. … 12) Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.’” – Mark 13:9, 12.

And this indeed is what will occur to His end-time prophets ── 

“When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.” – Revelation 11:7. 

The Apostle Luke recorded for us the same ── 

“’ But before all these things, …’” – what things? The nations that rise against nations, and kingdoms that rise against kingdoms, the massive and devastating earthquakes, the famines and the pestilences certainly caused by a world war, and the fearful sights of asteroids that are heading for earth (?) ── “’ But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues [again, even to a gathering of people who are seemingly called out of this world by God] and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13) But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.’” – Luke 21:12-13.

And speaking to all true Christians, our Lord Jesus Christ has warned us, so that we “’ should not be made to stumble. 2) They will put you out of the synagogue [they will even put you out of those church groups that seemingly appear to have been called out of this world by God! – see: “You’re Not Welcome!” ]; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3) And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.’” – John 15:1, 2-3.

So, a little bit of history: The first recorded official persecution of Christians on behalf of the Roman Empire was in AD 64, when, as reported by the Roman historian Tacitus, Emperor Nero attempted to blame Christians for the Great Fire of Rome. The most widespread official persecution was carried out by Diocletian beginning in 303. During the Great Persecution, the emperor ordered Christian buildings and the homes of Christians to be torn down and their sacred books to be collected and burned. Christians were arrested, tortured, mutilated, burned, starved, and condemned to gladiatorial contests to amuse spectators. 2 Emperor Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, who claimed to be a Christian ── but was not ── between the 2nd century AD and the time of his emperorship in the early 4th century, Christians in the Roman Empire faced periods of intense persecution and were even executed for their faith. 3 Like the quote from the 1998 movie Armageddon, “It happened before. It will happen again. It's just a question of when.”

Now, coming back full circle here in the 21st century, professing Jesus Christ and the truths of His living word, i.e., the Trinity, heaven and hell, God, immortal soul, etc.,  is considered by many in government groups as dangerous or hate crimes.

The Prophet Daniel, speaking of the time of the end ── inspired by God’s Spirit ── shows us that persecution is coming from a final “United States of Europe” civic and military leader, to not only all true Christians, but also the LORD God’s end-time prophets for 3 ½ years ── 

“He [this final end-time European Catholic-led civic and military leader] shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints [speaking of the end-time prophets, see Revelation 11] shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.” – Daniel 7:25.

Now, while many do not want to pay any attention to this vital subject, the reality is that persecution has existed from the very beginning. And that persecution would come to those who profess Jesus. Some are quite shocked by certain truths that we teach (and we are often persecuted by those who profess to be Christian themselves).

Those of us who Jesus knows belong to Him will always be persecuted. He has told us, “’ If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19) If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. … 20) If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. …’” – John 15:18-19, 20. □                     

Sources:

1) Webster, M. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, tenth edition, Merriam-Webster's Incorporated, 1996, pg. 1114.

2) Bomgardner, D. L. The Story of the Roman Amphitheatre. New York: Routledge, 2000. p. 142. 

3) History Skills, Christian martyrdom in the Roman Empire in the 2nd–4th centuries, Retrieved 4 Nov. 2025. 

Is Abortion A Sin?

 by Leonard V. Johnson

Good Morning, Altoona, IA; Prineville, OR; Ashburn, VA; and Tokyo and Milan. And, thank you to everyone here today. Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries. I’m Leonard V. Johnson.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever addressed the subject of abortion directly before ── but today I would like to do so. Yes, I realize that it is a controversial subject that many don’t want to talk about ── they tend to shy away from it. Just simply saying, “It’s the woman’s right to do with her body what she wishes.”

But, we’re going to view abortion how the LORD God views abortion, and not how mankind views it. Is abortion a sin? Is it a crime? The LORD God is the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Now, for those of our faith and belief, this will likely be redundant ── I will cover things that we, true Christians, have already likely been taught by the LORD God. For others, it will certainly astound you to finally rightly learn what your Bible truly says on this subject of abortion.

Let’s begin by giving the definition of what sin is. 

“WHOEVER commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” – 1 John 3:4. 

Sin is the transgression of the LORD God’s spiritual Law ── summed up in the Ten Commandments (cf. Exodus 20:117). Crime as defined in the Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary is ── 

\’krīm \ n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L crimen accusation, reproach, crime; prob. Akin to L cernere to sift, determine] (14c) 1: an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law. 1

During the last presidential debate, I gave a Personal From… The Trump and Harris Debate, and the Christian Vote, in which I briefly spoke about the fact that Taylor Swift had endorsed Kamala Harris as the next president. 

“After last night’s Presidential debate, the pop star publicly endorsed Kamala Harris because “she is a steady-handed, gifted leader” who fights for “LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body. . .” 

CNN had posted an article on what was her “banking issue” ── 

A fired-up Vice President Kamala Harris adopted a rapid-response mentality to seize on the key issue of abortion rights …

Referring to people behind abortion bans as “these hypocrites,” she argued at a hastily arranged campaign event in Atlanta that some US communities now dealing with abortion bans have for years been neglected on the subject of maternal care. “Where ya been?” she asked. 

(https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/politics/kamala-harris-abortion-whatmatters/index.html, retrieved 29 June 2025).

It’s evident that the majority of this world, truly, doesn’t know what is right, and what is wrong ── morally, ethically, or spiritually. 

On planet Earth, there is only ONE WAY to properly know what is right and what is wrong. And all human governments ── with their legislations, and laws, should come from that ONE WAY! – the LORD God’s Way. In your Bible, we find the LORD God speaking – and there is only one supreme authority throughout the known universe… and as I just read today, are you aware that Voyager I has only traveled into outer space 1 light-day distance from Earth? At some 15.5 billion miles from Earth at a speed of roughly 38,000 miles per hour ── it’s only at 1 light-day from Earth! The LORD God’s universe is ENORMOUS IN SIZE! So, there is only one supreme authority that knows, definitely, and tells us whether abortion is or is not a sin. 

The Beginning 

Let’s turn in our Bibles to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1. The very first words written down for all humanity ── “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

And down in verse 26 ── “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …’”

So, notice that it does not say, “Me,” or “My,” but rather, “Us,” and “Our.” The reason being is that God is a family. Sadly, that is something that most people are ignorant of ── or blatantly disregard. “’ Let Us make man in Our image.’” And what this means is that God is reproducing humans after the God kind. After His own likeness. And sure enough, we see in verse 25 this fact is brought to the forefront, “And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

Now, in the article Why Death? I speak of whether there was death before Adam sinned. Be sure to read that article, it’s very interesting and informative. Discover in that article ── taught directly from God’s living word ── that animals indeed did die before Adam sinned (death and decay are a natural law), and that God still considered what He saw as “very good.”

So, God created the beasts of the earth after their kind, the cattle after their kind ── wolves after their kind, elephants after their kind, horses, and so forth and so on. And then in the very next verse, He addresses man. That God would reproduce man after the God kind. And, sadly, this is a living truth that practically no one appears to accept ── including many of the religions of this world.

The greatest truth on planet Earth is the fact that God ── the Creator of the whole universe, with all of its galaxies, suns, gases, and dark matter, and everything else ── is reproducing the God kind from physical human beings. A truth that I have shared with my unconverted wife, in which she responds, “It’s hard to believe that,  as vast as the universe is, with the billions of planets throughout the universe, there is no other life out there!” And my answer to her is ── unless the LORD God, or a right representative of God (i.e., an angel), tells me different. The only physical life in the universe is on planet Earth.

A single human being is of great value ── because one single human being can lead to an immortal spiritual God.

Turning to the 2nd chapter of Genesis, verse 7, we see that the LORD God “formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” 

Here is that word, soul. In Hebrew, it is nāpash, meaning “life, soul, creature, person.” 2 

So, “man became a living being.” A soul came from the dust of the ground, and not from spirit. A soul is not immortal and is not spirit. And to this soul “formed from the dust of the ground,” the LORD God said there was a tree in the midst of the garden that was forbidden to eat. The LORD God said, “’ In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” So, he was not immortal. As I’ve said many times, even if Adam and Eve had eaten of the tree of life, they would have died anyway, no matter whether they had chosen the tree of life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Had they chosen the tree of life, they would still have lived out their days and died. But, like what the apostle Paul wrote, “at the twinkling of an eye,” they would have been resurrected wholly spiritual beings. Have you ever thought of this before? The LORD God was speaking of a second death ── a death in which you are not resurrected again. A permanent death (cf. Revelation 20:14; 21:8). The LORD God says here that the soul would die.

Now, whether there were literal trees, or this is just a metaphor ── shouldn’t be the issue. I personally believe there were literal trees (I reference our Lord Jesus’ words, “ …’ On earth as it is in heaven.’”), But there were two trees, the knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life. A tree that was real life ── not only a temporary existence.

Mankind was given “the breath of life” ── in other words, a chemical existence. Mankind has not been granted life like the LORD God has. The LORD God is immortal – eternal life. The LORD God does not need to breathe oxygen. Mankind requires oxygen to live. This “breath of life” fuels our cells by oxidizing food, which creates energy and heat.

However, the LORD God offered life to man. Adam, the first human being ever created, was offered the life that the LORD God has. But man chose to take unto themselves the knowledge of good and evil. They disobeyed God and partook of the forbidden tree. Thereupon, God “drove out the man; and placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” – Genesis 3:24. It wasn’t until the time was fulfilled ── until our Lord Jesus Christ, the second Adam, that the tree of life was able to be accessed again. 

Appointed For Men To Die Once 

The LORD God has appointed men “to die once, but after this the judgment” – Hebrews 9:27. In 1st Corinthians chapter 15, verse 22, we see that “in Adam all die,” and indeed, all of mankind has been dying in Adam ever since. “Even so in Christ all shall be made alive” ── all by a resurrection. And, as I’ve said so many times, the LORD God, from the beginning, had a Master Plan. Mankind was no afterthought. Everyone who has ever lived – past and present – is going to be brought back to life and be given an opportunity to be given God life and made immortal children of God. 

So, when the time was fulfilled ── and according to biblical dating, at around 4,000 years after Adam was created ── the Word “became flesh and dwelt among us” as the second Adam to accomplish what the first did not do. Our Lord Jesus says that He “’ came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’” – John 10:10. He came that we might have life ── which the first Adam could have had, but refused to take it.

And sure enough, in 31 A.D. when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, the Apostle Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said, “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. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’” – Acts 2:38-39.

We see in the Book of Romans chapter 8, and verse 9, that we, true Christians, live not in the flesh but in the Spirit ── the Holy Spirit of God ── if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now, if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they are not His. In other words, they are not a true Christian. Truly, those who are true Christians are those who have truly repented, been properly baptized and have had hands laid upon them, and have received the glorious gift of the Holy Spirit. Those that have come “out of her” ── came out of this world’s religions and ways. They are Christ’s. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.” – Romans 8:14. 

Also, the Apostle Paul – under divine inspiration – in that same chapter says, that “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit [that] dwells in you.” – Romans 8:11.

So, if we have the Spirit of God dwelling within us, and we are led by His Spirit, we are already children of God ── the unborn children of God. 

Returning again to 1st John chapter 3, this time verse 2, we find it says that, “now we are children of God.” We are already children of God, but not born yet. And it’s basically the same way that a baby inside a mother’s womb is yet unborn.

So, we find ourselves, true Christians that is, yet unborn, and when we are born, we’re going to be quite different. We will be changed “in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet [the SEVENTH TRUMP]. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” – 1 Corinthians 15:52. Notice in the 1st chapter of Revelation, we see just what our Lord Jesus Christ looks like in His glory. “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.” – Revelation 1:14-15.

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus who came to our Lord Jesus by night and said, “‘ Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs [these miracles] that You do unless God is with him.’” It’s amazing – here it was that he understood that Jesus was someone of extreme importance and that His ability to perform these miracles – he knew that the Man came from God, yet here he is out at night – incognito – so that no one sees him. It reminds us of religious people today. They claim to be Christian, but are very afraid to truly keep the commandments of God and have and defend the testimony of Jesus Christ. They are afraid to speak out against such issues as homosexuality, marriage, bi-sexuality, or even what they are now calling pansexuality. They are afraid to speak out against such terrorist organizations as Black Lives Matter, Antifa, or even radical Islam. 

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

And Nicodemus said in bewilderment, “ …’ How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’” 

Nicodemus just couldn’t understand. And our peoples today also cannot properly understand.

Sadly, the overall majority of this world’s ministers DO NOT properly understand it. Again, from the popular Protestant website Got Questions, they answer ──  

“The phrase translated “born again” can also be translated as “born from above.” … How does the new birth come to be? … When one is saved, he has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of that new birth.” 3        

They are wrong! 

They claim that they are “born-again Christians.” Are they? Well… I’m going to tell you about an article in PDF format, which is free to read and study. What do you mean… BORN AGAIN? It’s important to know the truth. Far too many people are just believing whatever a minister says and are not going by the living word of God, the Holy Bible. And God’s living word is indeed inspired by the LORD God. It is God speaking. Our Lord Jesus answered, “’ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’” – John 3:1-8.

So, the LORD God is Spirit. God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ are the Spirit ── 2 Corinthians 3:17. These so-called Christians are still human beings, not spiritual beings. They are not spirit and are not composed of spirit. Our Lord Jesus said, ‘You are a spirit once you are born again.’ 

Then we can turn in our Bibles to 1st Corinthians chapter 15 again. Verse 50. A verse that groups such as the Seventh Day Adventists seemingly don’t properly understand. “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” Also, we read in verse 53, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” A simple and straightforward verse. Brethren, the very second (“at the twinkling of an eye”) that you lose the irreversible loss of consciousness, and the inability to breathe (in other words, death), you will be changed from mortal to immortal ── and “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Notice Romans, chapter 1 ── 

“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2) which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4) and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, BY THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD.” – Romans 1:1-4.

So we see, brethren, that it is in the plainest of language ── easy to understand. Those who have truly repented of their sins, that is, turned away from the way they were living to the Way of God. And again, sin is the transgression of God’s Law. And, we notice ── and it is indeed a prolific teaching throughout the world ── that the churches of this world teach that God’s Law is done away, “nailed to the cross” as they say. And they also claim that all one needs to do is just “accept” Christ, and you will be saved. That if you will only receive Him and accept Him ── then He’ll just forgive all your sins. And, apparently, you can just go on sinning, as long as you confess to your local priest once in a while. Or, like they tell my Sister, “You have to stand up and confess your sins to the congregation!” Certainly taking 1st John 1:9 completely out of context! All of that is a deception! All of that is a blatant LIE! It is not the truth of the LORD God! It is not the truth of God’s living word! Because, when you sin against God, you are a sinner, and you are under the condemnation of sin, which is the wages of death. Eternal life is a gift from God. Only the LORD God holds the power of life or death – cf. Romans 14:9.

Back when I had first read Romans 6:23, some 44 years ago now, I was ecstatic! Because I began to understand it the correct way. Once, when I was 5 years old, while I was living in Lakeland, FL., I went to Sunday school with my neighbor and friend, Rusty. And I can distinctly remember hearing the teacher talk about “the immortality of the soul,” along with “going off to heaven.” In essence, they are teaching just the opposite of what our Lord Jesus is teaching us. They are saying that the wages of sin is immortality ── either eternity in heaven, or eternity in hell. Yet, we read the LORD God’s living word, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And we also see that, “’ the soul who sins shall die.’” – Ezekiel 18:4, 20. The LORD God said to Adam, the day that you eat of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil ── you will die. It was not ambiguous.

It's truly a matter of believing the LORD God, or not. You know, there is a great difference between believing in Christ and believing on Christ. Our Lord Jesus is the living Word of God in person ── and the Holy Bible is the same loving and living Word of God, only in print. And these words are living. And whether you have the penalty of death still hanging over your head, or whether you have now accepted the glorious promise of the resurrection and of eternal life, all depends on believing on what Christ Jesus says in His living Bible.

 Is Abortion a Sin? 

On this question of taking a human life that is called an abortion ── it’s truly the taking of a human life.

I say to you on the authority of Jesus Christ and of His word, the Holy Bible, that whether a fertilized egg or an embryo ── or even, God forbid, a newly born baby ── abortion at any time after conception, it is the taking of a human life and it is therefore the breaking of the 6th commandment! It is murder! “’ You shall not murder.’”      

  

Will aborted babies (aborted for any number of reasons), along with babies that die not long after being born (such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), will the baby live again?

Unborn or born babies, little children ── and even our loved ones that have died,  having not understood the mysteries of God, or not understood enough for them to have been responsible ── had no true opportunity for this kind of spiritual growth. They were not called out of this present evil age. They all were mortal and had no eternal life within them because they had not received the glorious Spirit of God ── the very life of God which imparts eternal life. Almighty God be praised forever more! 

There will be a time when the LORD God will raise from the dead those that are dead, “small and great, standing before God, and books” will be opened. And “another book” will be opened, “which is the Book of Life.” – Revelation 20:11-13. They will be offered for the first time the glorious gift of eternal life. And, all aborted babies and all of our loved ones that had died, having not understood the mysteries of God, or not understood enough for them to have been responsible ── will be there in the “Great White Throne Judgment”!

To further understand this hope in us (Titus 1:2), watch our sermon “Salvation OFFERED To All.” 

You have heard that it was said that aborted babies will not be resurrected because they had not breathed “the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). But, is this what makes them human? “But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.” – Job 32:8.

Animals do not have a spirit. Man needed this spirit to empower his brain with mind power - see 1 Corinthians 2:11. This human spirit enters the human embryo at conception. The spirit is like the “hard drive on a computer” – it stores information. The spirit essence is NOT an immortal soul or an eternal spirit. The spirit in man is NOT the man. It is something in the man. It has no life of itself. At death, it has no consciousness of itself, for it sleeps (1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). Like a tape recorder, it forms a permanent record of the qualities of mind and character built by a man during his lifetime. And much like a used tape is stored lifelessly on a shelf till activated in a recorder, so also does the spirit of man “return to GOD who gave it” after death, until the resurrection when life is again given to a person (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This was the way that our Lord Jesus Christ – through His servant – explained it to me and I hold fast to this that is good. Furthermore, the spirit in man was transmitted from Adam. Spirit comes from the father from a sperm cell, from Adam, all down through all humanity.

So, of all life forms – be it amoebas, humpback whales, or spiritual angels – in all of God’s creation, MAN ALONE was created to eventually be born into the FAMILY OF GOD! 

And, the LORD God ── gracious, merciful, and full of compassion ── will never forget an innocent unborn child. □ 

Bibliography

1 Webster, M. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, “Crime” Merriam-Webster's Incorporated, 1996, pp. 274.

2 Harris L. R., Archer, L. Gleason, Jr., and Waltke K. Bruce. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 1980, #1395a, pp. 587.

3 Got Questions, What does it mean to be a born-again Christian?, Retrieved 30 June 2025.