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Go To Meeting
(Church at Home)
Lyall Johnston—September 3, 2014
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Greetings, everyone! This is Lyall Johnston, welcome to Church at Home! Church at Home is sponsored by the Christian Biblical Church of God, and we are dedicated to restoring original Christianity for today.
What are the origins of the British people? The short answer is that they are descendants of families from the Bible going right back to the book of Genesis! You're not going to read this in your history books, but there is one book in which you can read it, one history that is reliable. Not like so many of the histories written today, which are written from the perspective of the individuals or those peoples who wrote these histories.
The Bible is a book that can be trusted, because as we have mentioned in previous topics, the Bible is God speaking to us today.
Is God speaking to the British peoples today, no matter where they are located in the British Isles or in other locations around the world? But for the people in the British Isles and those who sought other lands to live as they migrated, because there was something in the mind of the British people that caused them to immigrate, to seek new horizons. Many of those people ended up in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and scattered in other places around the world.
The British peoples, as we know, became the mighty British Empire, the greatest empire to exist ever. Where 'the sun,' it was said, 'never set on the British Empire.' But the British Empire came to an end and it became the British Commonwealth of Nations. Today it is the Commonwealth of Nations; what will the Commonwealth become next?
Where are our origins? It goes right back to the book of Genesis, and it begins with a man called Abraham! Abraham's name appears many, many times in the Bible, because God entered into a covenant with Abraham, which still exists today. That covenant still exists among His people. It is a covenant God made to Abraham and his family. That covenant is being worked out here on earth below, because of that covenant that was made so many years ago.
Abraham had a son and his name was Isaac, and Issac's son was named Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons, and one of those sons was named Joseph and he had two sons: Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob—who God had renamed Israel—put his name upon them: Ephraim and Manasseh. When ancient Israel was in Egypt—at this stage not as slaves, but had been rescued by one of the sons of Jacob—Joseph—at a time of famine—Jacob brought his family into Egypt and took care of them.
It was in the years following that the house of Jacob—or Israel—became slaves in Egypt, when a Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph and was threatened by the growth of the family of Jacob who came into the land. That story you can read in Exo. 1.
Those two sons upon whom the name of Israel was named—Ephraim and Manasseh—are known today as the United Kingdom and all the British peoples—wherever they exist on the face of the earth—and the other, of course, is America (Manasseh).
It's interesting that God mentions nations going back thousands of years, and still exist today. We've mentioned those nations: Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and we know where the Persian Empire is today. It's also interesting that one of those tribes, the whole world knows where they are today, because there's a constant focus on the descendants of one of the sons of Jacob: Judah. Today the descendants of Judah are known as the Jews. You can read about that in the Bible and in the histories of this world and in your daily newspaper.
If the tribe of Judah, who are the Jews today—of whom the Bible has much to say—what about Ephraim and Manasseh? Today Ephraim and Manasseh are the British and American peoples. Do you not think that they would be mentioned in the Scriptures, the Word of God, the Bible? There are eleven other tribes whom the world has lost knowledge of. In fact, those tribes and the descendants of those tribes have even lost knowledge of who they are. The other critical matter here: not only that, but they have also forgotten that God Who has set them up and blessed them under the covenant blessings that God promised to Abraham.
The British peoples experienced great wealth; the American people also. God has much to say about them. Other British people mentioned in the prophecies of the Scriptures, can we say that God has simply done away with those people. In fact, He did, He cast them aside, but He's not finished with them, yet.
We're living in a critical time as we saw in the previous segment. The Olivet Prophecy—Matt. 24—is about some of the times that are to come. It's interesting that in recent times we have this announcement from the BBC News, from the United Kingdom:
UK Terror Threat Level Raised to 'Severe'
(bbc.com/news/uk-28986271)
The UK's terror threat level has been raised from "substantial" to "severe" in response to conflicts in Iraq and Syria, Home Secretary Theresa May says.
The new alert level rates the risk of an attack on the UK "highly likely,", although Mrs. May said there was no evidence to suggest one was "imminent."
It is the second highest of five possible UK threat levels.
We're only one step away from the highest level of threat in the United Kingdom today, as we speak. There are comments here from the current Prime Minister where he says that we need to fill the "Gaps in armoury." Where does this information come from?
The home secretary already has the power, under the Royal Prerogative, to withhold a passport if it is in the public interest to stop somebody travelling.
These are somber, solemn words
That power has been used 23 times between since April 2013 to stop people travelling abroad for alleged terrorist-related or criminal activity.
In a Downing Street press conference on Friday, the prime minister said Islamic State (IS) extremists—who are attempting to establish a "caliphate," or Islamic state—represented a "greater and deeper threat to our security than we have known before."
He said that "learning lessons from the past doesn't mean there isn't a place for our military" in combating the threat, but did not commit to any military action.
The last time the level was this high was between January 2010 and the summer of 2011. This may have been linked to attempts by an al-Qaeda affiliate to smuggle bombs on to planes heading out of the Middle East.
The highest level is "critical"—meaning an attack is expected imminently.
We are on the level in the British Isles of "severe." The highest level is "critical."
Officials have twice put the country on such an alert—in 2006 after the discovery of liquid bombs aimed at airliners and then the following year when extremists attempted to bomb Glasgow Airport (pictured) and London's West End.
In other words—if security chiefs had knowledge of a clear threat they could not contain, the level would already be one notch higher.
Meaning "critical."
Something to go along with that is another news report recently how the Travel Lodges in the UK have made the decision to pull all copies of the Bible, the very Word of God, out of their hotel chains. The article went on to say that probably other hotel chains will follow suit.
We've taken it out of schools and many of the institutions. Prayer is not able to be said in the schools. In fact, there was an article written recently by a 15-year-old school pupil, and even though it is written for America, there is a very similar case in the United Kingdom:
NEW LORDS PRAYER BY A 15 YEAR OLD (iskcontimes.com/)
The Lord's Prayer is not allowed in most public schools [in America] anymore…
Is it allowed in the UK, where today 39% of the population of the UK, where humanist organizations have flourished for decades believe that definitively that no God exists. What about that Abrahamic covenant of which the people of the UK and all those people who are British are under? What do you think God thinks about that?
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the United States.
Of course, it is now being cast out—and has been for many, many years—by the British people. The people whom God calls special for a very special reason!
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...
Guns are allowed, but Not the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles...
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen
The thoughts, it would appear, of a 15-year-old who hasn't forgotten Who God is. A 15-year-old who has been taught by his parents to honor and worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, for which are nations and people are rejecting.
With 39% of the British people not even believing in God, when we don't do that, what does God think? What is God going to do?
CNN Poll finds the majority of Americans alarmed by ISIS
(americanglob.com/2014/09/08/cnn-poll)
They are quite happy, even after having troops pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan, that because of the impending threat, for the President to attack the Islamic state. So, they're afraid! There's a huge majority in the United States who would welcome the President to wipe out the Islamic state. The same is true in the UK, and currently there are more than 500 people carrying British passports that have gone out to fight the war in the Middle East, causing great consternation.
Here's the reason why the threat level has been raised to one short of the highest level. The people in the UK are becoming more and more afraid.
- Why is this?
- Why is this happening today with an empire that was so great?
- When Britain literally ruled the waves?
- When Britain was sitting in the ruling chair?
- When Britain was sitting in the great place of power?
- When Britain could do whatever she wished?
- Wherever she wished around the world?
Today, the British people are cowering in a corner! Afraid of what they sense is taking place!
This is what Jesus warned about in Matt. 24. Let's go back and refresh our mind on what Jesus said is going to happen. These prophesies are to all peoples in the world, but first to the British and American peoples and those whom God is calling today to turn to Him, to trust in Him, to have faith in Him.
Today our nations of the former British Empire, today the Commonwealth of Nations, we will not trust in God. Our leaders don't believe in God, or they don't know. On record they're saying, 'We're not sure if God does exist.' The question is still out.
But make no mistake; God knows He exists! And those people to whom He has called out of this world, and praying that all people will repent, so that we can avoid those things that Jesus prophesied and those prophecies are well under way. The ones paying the penalty first, and the ones God is bringing punishment on because we have rejected Him, we have rejected His laws and commandments, we take His name in vain—the second commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for God will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.'
'Oh well, we can do away with the Ten Commandments.' Can we? God hasn't wiped them out! God hasn't rejected them! Jesus did not come and reject the Ten Commandments, which He in person delivered to ancient Israel, and through the words of the Bible today that has gone into so many nations millions of copies being spread around the world everyday. Any nation, any person that takes the name of the Lord God in vain—whether he be Jew, Israelite or a descendant of the Gentile nations, God will not hold him guiltless!
So, we use the phrase, 'Oh, my God!' That is blaspheme! That is something that God takes notice of. As He said, 'I will not hold him guiltless.' If you use that phrase, its that cute little expression. Maybe that's what we think, but God takes it seriously. There is a penalty. That's just one example.
What we read in Matt. 24 is taking place before our very eyes today. We are living in the beginning of the time of sorrows, whether we can see it or not. The reason we're living in these times is because we—as the people who are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—have rejected God in the main.
God say throughout the Old Testament that He would punish us to bring us to heel, to bring us back into His presence. God even said that He would 'cast us off as His special people,' those who are supposed to be showing the rest of the world, those who are supposed to be an example living God's way of life. We as nations have rejected that! We're below the 50% level. We are a nation and a people who have gone below the 50% level of righteous living. When a nation goes below this level of righteousness, then we can expect even greater punishment for the evils we do! We've even thrown the Bible out of our churches. Oh, we'll read, but we will not obey the voice of God!
When was the last time you heard a sermon, a message from the pulpit in your local church, cathedral or chapel—wherever you worship—where you were reminded that God says that we are to keep His commandments, laws and statutes. And by keeping His commandments everything will go well for you.
Mathew 24:3—Olivet Prophecy, Jesus alone with His disciples: "And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him alone, saying, 'Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the completion of the age?'"—the end-times! 'When is the end coming, Lord? Is it coming in our day?'
You may ask the same question. Are you living in the last times? Every one of us is, because as the Scripture says, 'the lifespan of man is three score and ten'—which is 70. And if God gives us more time then blessed be the name of God! There are many of us who are getting older. Even if we don't live into the last days, or the very last of the last days, in our own time in our own lives, the time we have left—whether it be five years, ten years, or more—it's our last days. We have decisions to make if we haven't already made them. We have some repenting to do:
- of our pride
- of our vanity
- of our sins
So, for us, every person, even if we don't live into the time that Jesus is talking about, every one of us is living in our last days. We don't know what tomorrow will bring, whether we will be hit by a speeding vehicle, or be caught in some mortal incident where we lose our lives with a heart attack or some dreaded disease, which is on the increase.
Verse 4: "Then Jesus answered and said to them, 'Be on guard, so that no one deceives you.'" Are you deceived? Have you been deceived?
Verse 5: "For many shall come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they shall deceive many." That is the state of religion today! Preachers, false prophets, false apostles coming, bringing a gospel that is totally different from the Gospel that Jesus Christ brought and preached, which is the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God, of Whom Jesus Christ is Lord and King and Master. He is going to become King of all kings, and Lord of all lords. He is going to rule the people who remain, which shows that God's punishment on mankind, beginning with the descendants of Jacob, particularly the houses of Ephraim and Manasseh, for our sins for not obeying God, for not carrying His way before us and into all the world. Oh yes, we've been deceived!
Verse 6: "And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars…." Of course, now the peoples in the UK and in ours sister country the U.S. we're afraid! We're afraid that we're going to be attacked! Scripture shows that is exactly what is going to happen. What Jesus said is going to come to pass.
The only factor that can delay this in any way is if we repent of our sins and we turn to God in fasting and prayer! It has been done in the past, and God has answered those prayers. But:
- Will we do it?
- Will you, as an individual, do it?
- Will you repent?
- Will you turn to God in that proverbial sackcloth and ashes and humble yourself as a beginning?
- Will you pray, as part of the British peoples, that God will forgive us for our sins?
- That God will turn the hearts of our people back to Him? Whom we have forgotten!
Even the animals, as Isaiah was given to write, know their masters. But we, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob don't even know who our Master is! We don't know the Lord God, because we refuse to obey His laws! By refusing to obey His laws, we cannot know Him, because He does not know us as Jesus said: Why do you say to Me 'Lord, Lord'? I don't know you, you workers of lawlessness!'
Yes, we think that we're Christian, that we go to church on Sunday. We think that we know Christ, and we think that He knows us. But that's not what He says. Many will say 'Lord, Lord!' But He will say, 'I don't know you, because you have refused to obey My commandments. I don't know you.'
Verse 6: "And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars…. [that's constant today] …See that you do not let these things disturb you…. [talking to His disciples] …For it is necessary…"—an imperative; this has to happen, and it is going to happen based on the surety of the Word of God.
"…it is necessary that all these things take place, but the end is not yet" (v 6). We don't know exactly when the end is, but the signs that we are living in the end-times are very clear.
Verse 7: "For nation shall rise against nation…" Look at what's happening in the Ukraine, a very critical area between the peoples of the Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Look at the reaction from America and Britain, and many other nations.
"…and kingdom against kingdom… [Is that on the increase in our day?] …and there shall be famines and pestilences…" (v 7). Do we have disease? Ebola? Are people dying from Ebola? This is just the beginning. God is calling us to repentance. God is calling us to obedience!
"…and earthquakes in different places. Now, all these things are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up…" (vs 7-9). This is specific to the disciples, but also prophetic and true for God's servants today, any who will take a stand, obey God, seek Him and follow His way of life. Not some 'religion,' but a way of life that God has given to us, primarily outlined in the Ten Commandments. But you also need the Holy Spirit to keep those commandments in a manner pleasing to God. That requires repentance and baptism.
Verse 9: "Then shall they deliver you up to affliction, and shall kill you; and you shall be hated by all nations for My name's sake." There is the future for the people of God.
Today in many places in the British Commonwealth we are still able to worship God. The time is coming that what Jesus said here will happen. "…you shall be hated by all nations for My name's sake."
Isn't it interesting that the people who are supposed to be the people of God—the two peoples: the British people and the American people—are they not hated by many nations today? Are there not many, for the present, paying lip service to us, but deep down underneath they hate us? That is a truth, and you can read that in your daily newspaper! You can see that on the news programs.
Verse 10: "And then shall many be led into sin, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another; and many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many; and because lawlessness shall be multiplied, the love of many shall grow cold" (vs 10-12). Isn't this a factor in our nations today? Lawlessness abounds! The crime, corruption is getting to that boiling point! In fact, in many cases, has already reached the boiling point. And "…the love of many shall grow cold."
We are unsure! We protect ourselves from our neighbors! We protect ourselves from others because we just simply don't trust. Primarily the safety that we have enjoyed in the past is basically gone, and we just are at the beginning of the time of troubles.
We've already mentioned that Britain is the descendant of Ephraim, and I would recommend that you go online—cbcg.org—and order a copy of our publication: Two Nations that Changed the World—America and Britain—Their Biblical Origin and Prophetic Destiny by Philip Neal.
You need that book because it goes into great detail showing that we're the descendants, going into the background of those who are the British peoples. Your eyes will be opened! You will be amazed! Astonished!
When you understand the prophesies given thousands of years ago about what would happen to us if we refuse to obey the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the penalties that we would suffer. But also on the reverse side, there are the blessings that come through obedience.
Once again, thank you for inviting me into your home. Until next time, this is Lyle Johnston saying so long everyone!
Scriptural References: Matthew 24:3-12
Scripture referenced, not quoted: Exodus 1
Also referenced: Book: Two Nations that Changed the World—America and Britain—Their Biblical Origin and Prophetic Destiny by Philip Neal
LJ:bo
Transcribed: 6-24-15
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