Personal From... Christ's Kingdom Come!

EVERY NIGHT ── just beyond our locked windows and doors ── lurks, rapists, murderers, terrorists, and assassins! Not actors, but REAL people, who murder in cold blood. Such as Aiden Zellmer in 2017, who was 15 years-old at the time, sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 40 years for the rape and brutal murder of 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell. It certainly makes you wonder what kind of world we are living in! 

What about July 13, 2024 ── the then former President of the United States and Republican Party nominee in 2024 for the presidential election, Donald Trump’s attempted assassination? What about April 15, 1865? What about November 22, 1963? In this present evil age, presidents, kings, prime ministers, heads of state ── and even those running for office are often assassinated. In Christ’s Kingdom to Come, this will stop! That is one huge difference between this evil and horrid world today and the kingdom to come ── when peace, world prosperity, and well-being for all people will come. 

What is the real cause behind all the violence, mayhem, cruelty, and crime ── the stench of our moral decay ── in a world in which 692 million people globally live in extreme poverty and squalor? 1

After the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, and lying on a gurney in the trauma bay, a chest tube draining blood from his side, Reagan sought to calm down his wife, Nancy, with a quip. “Honey, I forgot to duck.” And just before he was put under for surgery, he cracked to his surgeons: “I hope you are all Republicans.”  Dr. Joseph Giordano, a liberal Democrat, replied: “Today, Mr. President, we are all Republicans.”

Today, my friends, “We should all be followers of Jesus Christ!” But, we should all also be in reverent fear of falling “into the hands” of an angry living God! (Hebrews 10:31). 

“You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence When once You are angry?” – Psalm 76:7.

What about the would-be assassin of President Ronald Reagan ── John Hinckley Jr.? He had an unhealthy fixation on an underage actress who was playing a 12-year-old prostitute! In 2016, a federal judge ruled that Hinckley could be released from psychiatric care as he was no longer considered a threat to himself or others. After his release, a person wrote on Instagram, “We do believe that ex-cons and people with mental illness can recover, and that we should want them to maintain hope that they can better themselves and earn a chance to rejoin society... but we are living in dangerous times.”

Yes. We are living in dangerous times! Our sick and violent societies, with their out-of-control immoralities, their permissiveness, their spirit of rebellion against authority, their pride, greed, envy, jealousy, and hate ── are producing mass murderers.

A 2025 report by USA Today headlined, “2025 is already on track for an increase in deaths from extremist violence.” A new report from the Anti-Defamation League shows the number of extremist murders this year has already exceeded 2024. 2 

Studies suggest that many mass murderers have experienced childhood trauma, personal crises, or grievances. They may also exhibit warning signs like social isolation, a history of violence, or suicidal tendencies. Access to firearms and exposure to violent ideologies can also play a role. 3 Also, the stereotype of a mass shooter is a white male with a history of mental illness or domestic violence. 

Lee Harvey Oswald, the supposed assassin of President John F. Kennedy, was described as withdrawn and temperamental by several people who knew him.

Giuseppe Zangara, who attempted to assassinate President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, observers at the time and following his execution have discussed his mental state. Arguments have been made that Zangara was mentally ill, incapable of distinguishing right from wrong. 4 

What about ── Charles Guiteau, who shot President James Garfield in the back July 2, 1881 ── As Garfield entered the station, looking forward to a vacation with his wife in Long Branch, Guiteau stepped forward and shot Garfield twice from behind, the second shot piercing the first lumbar vertebra but missing the spinal cord. Guiteau announcing, “I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts.” According to Brian Resnick of The Atlantic, Guiteau “worshiped” the Oneida Communities founder John Humphrey Noyes, with Guiteau once writing that he had “perfect, entire and absolute confidence in [Noyes] in all things.” 5 Guiteau’s own father believed him to have been irresponsible and insane. And, if you’ve ever seen a photograph of him, he had a wild-eyed, crazy look about him. 

Then ── Leon Czolgosz. The American laborer and anarchist who assassinated United States President William McKinley on September 6, 1901. While McKinley innocently extended his hand to Czolgosz, he slapped it aside and shot McKinley twice in the stomach at point-blank range. While many members of the crowd began beating Czolgosz, the gravely wounded McKinley said to them, “Take it easy, boys.” He died 8 days later of gangrene caused by the wounds. Czolgosz was a recluse. He had become impressed after hearing a speech by the anarchist Emma Goldman. 

Also, there was John N. Schrank, who was hallucinating and was obsessed with Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. He ended up shooting Roosevelt at point-blank range. Doctors at the time diagnosed Schrank as having paranoid schizophrenia.

Each of these men possessed a fancied but wrong cause, having emotional feelings of some personal animosity, feeling as if they were a man of destiny ── an instrument of God. Truly, how twisted and perverted in thinking a man can get regarding the LORD God!

John Wilkes Booth had written in his red leather diary, “Our Country owed all her troubles to him, and God simply made me the instrument of his punishment. The country is not what it was.” Booth was, unknowingly, referring to the wrong god ── he was referring to the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4).

On the day Garfield died, Guiteau wrote to President Chester A. Arthur, “My inspiration is a godsend to you, and I presume that you appreciate it. . . . Never think of Garfield's removal as murder. It was an act of God.”

Each of these assassins mentioned was a stereotypical “white” male with a history of mental illness or domestic violence. Each was a little man ── seized with a spirit of a satanic force, with illusions of a perverted sense of destiny. How can any nation protect us from such people? In this world ── they cannot.

But in Christ’s Kingdom to Come, it will be completely different! The physical men who will be in governmental office and authority will have the LORD God’s Law in their minds, and written on their hearts. “’ No more shall every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,’ says the LORD.” – Jeremiah 31:31-34. 

Let’s go over a quick study of what we mean by Christ’s Kingdom to Come. God’s living word speaks of three separate ages ── 

1.  The world, or rather the age, prior to Patriarch Noah and the Great Flood ── also known as the antediluvian period ── was the age that the Apostle Peter referred to as “the world that then existed” – 2 Peter 3:6.
2. The world after the Great Flood up to now is referred to by the Apostle Paul as “this present evil age” – Galatians 1:4. 
3. The world to come, or rather the age to come, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke concerning – “ ’── and in the age to come.’” – Mark 10:30; see also Matthew 12:32. And, He makes it clear what age He is speaking of ── “’ But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36) nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.’” ── Luke 20:35-36. The Millennial Rule of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Certainly, you’ve read Matthew 24:3, “ … And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” – NKJV. The disciples asked Him this two-part question some 1,992 years ago! It is referring not to the end of Earth’s existence like the false prophetess Ellen G. White taught, but rather to the end of this “present evil age.”

In this Personal From… let me give you a very short outline of what this glorious best-selling Book of books says concerning Christ’s Kingdom to Come. 

There is a most wonderful and awesome prophecy that foretold the birth of our Savior ──

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7) Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time FORWARD, EVEN FOREVER. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7. 

The same thing was announced to Mary, the mother of Jesus ──

“ …’ Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33) And He will reign over the house of Jacob FOREVER, and of His kingdom THERE SHALL BE NO END.’” – Luke 1:30-33.

Our Lord Jesus announced, “’ My kingdom is not of this world. …’” – John 18:36. His gospel message was His Kingdom to Come, of which He was born to be the King ── 

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2) As it is written in the Prophets: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 3) The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” – Mark 1:1-3.

“ … Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15) and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” – Mark 1:14, 15. 

And truly ── the definition of a kingdom, “1 archaic: KINGSHIP. 2: a politically organized community or major TERRITORIAL unit having a monarchial form of GOVERNMENT headed by a king or queen.” 6 

1. A government.
2. A family unit that grows into a nation with its own government – i.e., the Turkish nation that is primarily composed of the descendants of Esau.

The children of Jacob ── whose name was changed to Israel ── would also grow into a kingdom. The kingdom of Israel.

Millions of people erroneously believe that the Church is the Kingdom of God. Yet, in 1st Corinthians 15:50-53, we clearly read “that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed ── 52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead [the dead in Christ] will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, …”  

Sadly, the Mormons twist this into their belief ── “he means the works of the flesh and blood,” 7 ── even though this is not at all what the Apostle Paul was speaking about. “Flesh and blood” of the physical body as our present (note vs. 44) – cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

Notice the promise from our Lord Jesus to those who are converted, who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit in this “present evil age.” That when they are resurrected, they will be immortal spirit beings ── in His Kingdom to Come ──

“’ And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations ── 27) ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ ── as I also have received from My Father.’” – Revelation 2:26-27.

Also ── 

“’ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’” – Revelation 3:21. 

Let us forever praise our God Most High, and our Lord Jesus Christ ── God’s living word teaches us that this “present evil age” is soon to come to an end when the SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDS THE TRUMPET ──

“ … 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 11:15.

This is the MOST GLORIOUS AND WONDERFUL GOOD NEWS that has ever been announced! □

Bibliography

1 https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/september-2024-global-poverty-update-from-the-world-bank-revise.

2 Carless, W., 2025 is already on track for an increase in deaths from extremist violence: Exclusive, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2025. 

3 Noriega, D. and Owen, T., Nearly All Mass Shooters Since 1966 Have Had 4 Things in Common, Vice, 19 Nov. 2019. Gillett, T.M., New database compiles common traits of US mass shooters, Jurist news, 5 Feb. 2022.

4 Possley, M., AN INTRIGUING LOOK AT THE MAN WHO TRIED TO KILL FDR, Chicago Tribune archive.today, 18 Oct. 1998. Retrieved 30 April 2025. 

5 Resnick, B., This Is the Brain that Shot President James Garfield, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

6 Webster, M. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Edition, Merriam-Webster’s Incorporated, 1996, pg. 643.

7. Ante-Nicene Fathers 3 §451, Tertullian 207 AD. See also:

https://fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Plan_of_salvation/Resurrection/Mormon_views_regarding.   

Resist Satan, and stay steadfast in the faith

by Leonard V Johnson

Our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a commission ──

“ …’ Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be [judged]. 17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new [languages]; 18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’” – Mark 16:15-18. 

Your loving support helps us in this commission of what our Lord wants.

Our Lord Jesus said, “’ Likewise, I say to you, THERE IS JOY in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’” – Luke 15:10.

Regarding demons ── ‘serpents and scorpions’ (slang terms, epithets. It’s like saying that a person is a “snake in the grass.” It's often used to describe someone who has betrayed your trust or acted dishonestly) ── notice what the seventy that our Lord Jesus had sent out to ‘heal the sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come to you’ reported back to Him ──

“Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’” – Luke 10:17.

Yes! The demons are subject to the Name and Authority of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Certainly, demonic encounters are worldwide.

I, personally, have had several encounters with demons.

Once in 2006 ── After spending nearly two hours in prayer to Father God and our Lord Jesus in the truck, I went and had dinner in the truck stop restaurant. When I was finished eating, I was paying my bill at the register. A man came up behind me and suddenly stopped, backing away from me as if he’d seen a ghost. A frightened look came across his face! He wouldn’t come near me. After I paid my bill, I turned to move towards him, and he began shaking and looked as if he was ready to fall onto the floor. I just walked away from him without saying a word.

Once, as I was walking out of a truck stop, an exquisitely dressed black man began calling after me, “Hey, can I get a ride?” As I turned around, I saw that this well-groomed man was dressed in the finest dark suit I had ever seen, with gold cufflinks, a gold chain, a gold wristwatch, and shiny black dress shoes. A chill ran up my spine. As I kept walking, he began following me and called out again, “Hey, can I get a ride? I just got off the bus.” I had assumed that he meant a Greyhound Bus, although he didn’t have any bags or luggage, and I had hardly seen anyone in the truck stop, so I knew he wasn’t telling the truth. “No, I’m not going to give you a ride!” I said sternly as I continued walking away from him. He began to follow more briskly, “I’m just going down the road.” Then he stopped suddenly and yelled, “You’re not going to give me a ride!” – which was more of a statement than a question. Friends, this was a demon trying to trick me! I just turned and walked away from him. Did he recognize me and know that I would soon belong to Jesus Christ? Well, they certainly did recognize Jesus Christ when they said, “’ What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?’” – Matthew 8:29. 

Now mind you ── not all evil spirits try and confront us as directly as the sorcerer Bar-Jesus (Elymas; for so his name is translated) did with the apostles Barnabas and Paul (Acts 13:1-12). 

God’s living word tells a story about Simon, who had been practicing sorcery, and the people from the least to the greatest believed that he was a man of God. But he was not! ── Acts 8:9-24. 

Notice that Simon had been baptized ── without receiving the Holy Spirit. “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money.” (vs. 18). And the Apostle Peter rebuked him sharply! This same Simon ── also known as Simon Magus ── would go on to deceive many, founding Roman Catholicism, usurping Simon Peter’s name, and declaring himself God on Earth and the first Catholic pope. 

This “exquisitely dressed black man” who tried to approach me, however, reminds me of an incident that the Apostle Paul encountered ──

“Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17) This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaims to us the Way of salvation.’ 18) And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out that very hour.” – Acts 16:16-18.

Notice that this slave girl even says the truth concerning these men, who are true servants of the Most High God ── just as this “exquisitely dressed black man” said to me as a statement, “You’re not going to give me a ride!” 

Of course, that was not the only time that I believe a demon was sent to confront me ── Our next-door neighbor, upon moving into our home, I soon discovered he was being attacked by at least a couple of demons. There was a time when he came to our front door and knocked. Upon opening the door, he says, “Can I come in?” I invited him in, and we were having a good visit ── until I began to praise our Most High God and our Lord Jesus Christ. He suddenly became quiet, stared at me, and said, “If you mention God one more time, I’ll kill you!” I politely said, “You need to leave now.” After that ── when I would take a walk around our block, he would “finger gun” shoot me. I have since spoken at length to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus, that he would cease any interaction with me. Now he won’t even speak to me. I believe that he was (and or is) being tormented by at least two evil spirits. 

Truly, demons know who true Christians are ── as Acts 19:13-16 indicates ──

“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘We exercise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ 14) Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15) And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ 16) Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” 

The very first time that I suspected an evil presence was about 1976. I experienced,  for nearly two weeks, every time that I began to drift off to sleep, I was struck on the head with something (or by someone) that wasn’t there. It would hurt something fierce.

In our societies worldwide, it appears that demonic influence is growing. Sadly, a great many people communicate with “angels.” Which is most likely demons. And, I was told by my wife just last night, that she often speaks to her favorite aunt, who died in 2010. I did not argue with her ── I just simply said, “Whatever comforts you.”

However, God’s living word warns us against this ──   

“’ When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 10) THERE SHALL NOT BE found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11) or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or ONE WHO CALLS UP THE DEAD. 12) For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.’” – Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

“ ’They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; With abominations they provoked Him to anger. 17) They sacrificed to demons, not to God, To gods they did not know, To new gods, new arrivals That your fathers did not fear.’” – Deuteronomy 32:16-17.

“Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, …” – Colossians 2:18. 

“And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! …’” – Revelation 19:10.

Sadly, a great many television shows and movies directed at children encourage demonism. 

Certainly, while parents should truly worry about explicit sex scenes and outright vulgar language on television, there is also a danger ── that is blatantly out front for all to see ── witchcraft and demonism. One blockbuster movie that comes to mind ── the 1991 Addams Family Movie – in which Uncle Fester reunites with his family, and they entertain guests during a Halloween party by playing the “wake the dead” game! Many modern so-called family movies are encouraging children to talk to the dead. This is encouraging demonism. And, with Satan the Devil becoming ever more angry in his wrath, knowing that his time is growing shorter ── this will continue to increase until the glorious and powerful return of our Lord Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God! Because, as our Lord Jesus asks, “ …’ Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’” – Luke 18:8. And, it’s not just faith in our Lord Jesus, but faith even in a Creator! 

YOU ARE NEVER TO CALL OUT OR WORSHIP THOSE IN THE DEMONIC REALM! 

Notice what the Apostles Peter and James ── under divine inspiration ── have written ──  

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walk about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9) Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9. 

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. …” – James 4:7, 8. 

We are to resist Satan the Devil, and his demons ── not to ever call out to them! 

Brethren, Friends, and Co-Workers in Christ ── this is what all parents are to do ──

“’ Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5) You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6) And these words 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, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.’” – Deuteronomy 6:4-7.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6.  

Instead, sadly, children are ── as was my niece, who was only 11 years old at the time ── encouraged to watch the movie Bob Marley – One Love! With its Rastafari message. And its mention of Haile Selassie I – who, among adherents of Rastafari, Selassie is called the returned Jesus. 

We should be warning our children to stay clear of messages like that and to stay clear of demons!

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, says to us ── because His message is timeless ──

“ … ‘ If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” – John 8:31-32. 

Let us always stay in the Word of God! □

Additional Item of Interest:

Do You Know Your Enemy? 

Be Not Ignorant of Satan

Lucifer ── Became Satan the Adversary