Ministers of Jesus Christ
Church of The Lord Jesus Christ
Assemblies of The Apostolic Faith
Atlanta, Georgia - USA
Apostle Dennis G. Smith, Pastor and Spiritual Overseer

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APOSTLE'S MESSAGE

Date: October 25, 2020

To all the Saints of God,

Grace and peace be unto all the Saints of God around the World.  As this Coronavirus Pandemic continues, we are continually reminding the Saints of God that we are obeying the magistrates and following the guideline of the health and governmental authorities for the safety of all people. 

     Health authorities and governmental officials continue to strongly encourage people to wear face coverings in public and use social distancing, wash your hands, and get tested to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.  In some places wearing face mask is mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public spaces.  

     At this present time, the City of Atlanta, Georgia remains in Phase II of the Reopening Plan.   Large gatherings of more than 50 people are banned in Georgia unless there is at least six feet between each person. We are continuing limited in-person gatherings to maintain the requested social distancing and online service through Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. The medically fragile are advised to continue to shelter in place.  Baptism and prayer service is continuing using personal protective equipment.

     As we obey the Magistrates, we have complete faith that God will continue to hear our prayers and provide a way for us through these uncertain times.

Romans 13:2-4 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

TITUS 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

 
This week’s encouraging words of growth focuses on:

The Events in the Day of the Lord (Part 3)

     While many focus the day of the Lord on the concluding wrath and judgment upon the wicked, we should now clearly see that the Day of the Lord is a long day with various events and signs occurring leading up to the return or second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In Matthew, the 24 chapter the Lord Jesus Christ gives a breakdown of events before the rapture, events during the rapture, and events after the rapture leading up to his second coming to the earth and throughout eternity.  When we experience the distresses coming upon the earth many of us are not surprised because we have remained watchful in the mist of the beginning and the intensifying of sorrows upon the world and the end of this present age.

Matthew 24:3 - 8 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

       We know that the present age will soon end and many of the things happening in the world today reveal the signs of the closing of the dispensation of Grace. Jesus Christ will soon return and rapture the Church in the midair meeting and the Saints will be with him in the air while the great tribulation occurs on the earth, then he will return to the earth physically with all his Saints.   Since no man knows or can set the time of His coming therefore the Church must be Rapture ready at all times.

 Matthew 24:42 - 44 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

        Every person will face Him in the judgment to receive either the reward of eternal life or the punishment of eternal death.  Apostle Paul was expressing his simplicity and sincerity in the grace of God, and not worldly wisdom which he would boast about in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ as an expression of the future reward of eternal life.

 2Corinthians 1:12 – 14 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.  For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;  As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

 Though the scripture does not give the details of a ceremony or Bridal feast, we know that it is a blessing to be called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.  The Rapture of the Saints to the midair meeting to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb also called the Bridal feast is also expected to be a time for Saints to be with the Lord in physical gloried bodies and to see him as he is in his physical glorified form. The Church is identified as the bride betrothed to Christ and most believe that the bride always refers to the church or the dwelling place of the people of God in the New Jerusalem.  This gives us a future expectation of the reward of eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 Revelations 19:6 - 10 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

 We who are a part of the Body of Christ, the Church should view our marriage to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with great expectations of joy and rewards.  We should not let the hardship and sacrifices we face daily to become a distraction from our eternal rewards.  No matter what we face in dealing with the forces of evil there is no greater love that I know that the love that Lord Jesus Christ gives to me.  All of us should overcome all shortcomings because Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom who truly loves us and will come to the rescue of his Bride.  The Prophet John the Baptist spoke of his joy to hear the voice of the Bridegroom Jesus Christ.

John 3:28 - 31 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.  He must increase, but I must decrease.  He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

      We must remain watchful and ready at all times.  We cannot allow ourselves to be persuaded by date setting false information regardless of who it is coming from.  This is why we must be wise during every moment of our life.  Because when false people set dates many will think that they have more time to get ready and will begin to take overcoming sin for granted. They will begin putting off doing the right thing expecting that the Lord will not come back in their lifetime.  And a result their life will be a life lived with the failure to overcome and repent of their sins. This is one way that the devils tricks you into living a sinful life. But the Saints of God need to focus on living holy each moment of their life knowing the promise of eternal rewards.

Matthew 25:1 - 13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:   But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The Book of Revelation repeatedly mentions the appearance of the Bride of Christ seen as the Holy City the New Jerusalem ascending out of heaven showing us that we will dwell with God for all eternity.  This is why we are comforted in life or in death because we know that our eternal destiny is to be with God.  Nothing should move you from the word of God.  Trouble should not move you, sickness should not move you, monetary gain should not move you, fame and recognition should not move you, and most definitely this covid-19 pandemic should not move you because you know and believe that you are victorious over all sinful ways because of the Blood of Christ and the indwelling Holy Ghost having no spots or blemishes in your garment but will stand before God with a pure heart.

Revelations 21:2 - 4 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

 Revelations 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

 Revelations 21:9 - 10 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,.

 The Events in the day of the Lord has a time of Blessing usually called the blessed hope of the Church which is the Rapture of the Church which occurs before the Great Tribulation and a time of God's almighty wrath, which comes upon those who are deemed wicked.   This is the reason why you can endure the ridicule from those around you who reject living a holy life, because you know the end of all those who continue in sin.  They will receive eternal punishment.  All of their advancement in rockets, science, and military weaponry will not be able to save them!

Revelation 6:12 - 17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;  And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  And the heaven departed as a scroll when is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:   For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

 The moon unable to give the normal night light and the Sun unable to give the normal day light should give a complete view of the devastation and wrath to come.  All should now see that the day of the Lord contains signs and events of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to Rapture his Church and  to judge the world.

 Matthew 24:29 - 31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:   And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

 We continue with a Message from Apostle Shelton…… Prince Michael and the Time of Trouble………

PRINCE MICHAEL AND THE TIME OF TROUBLE (part 3)

By Bishop S. McDowell Shelton

 Read Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

 Now, don't just scan over this message, but read these scriptures, jot them down and go back and read them again.  This tribulation period will be a time of judgment, a time of separation and a time of strengthening the hand of the people in the trouble.

      There is going to be a time of trouble.  It is going to be one that is completely unique in its capacity because never since the earth began and people walked on it will they have seen this kind of trouble.  The nuclear bombs are part of this trouble.  Sure, it is.  What we think of as World War III or whatever they call it, if they have time to call it anything, is part of this great trouble.   

      But when I say all of those things, you might say: 'Well if the church is going to be caught up and taken away, I won't be here."   Oh, but you will be here during some of the time of the trouble.  When the actual period starts you will be caught up or perhaps some time before that.  But you will be here, and trouble is going to start in the dispensation of grace, and you will go through this period of tribulation.  Such as was never since there was a nation, even to that day "And at that time thy people shall be delivered and every one of them shall be found written in the book.  And many of them that sleep in the dust shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12: 1- 2

 Daniel 12:1 - 2 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

     These scriptures are speaking of events that are going to take place in the first resurrection, in that before tribulation actually begins the troubled times, at the end of the dispensation of grace, there shall be an awakening for those who sleep who sleep in the earth.  There shall be a rapture of the saints who are steadfast and living, as well as the ones who are sleeping int the earth.  Those who are alive here are going to be caught up and changed all in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  They are going to be with the Lord for this period of tribulation that is going on in the earth.  And following that, we will be with God in a of honeymoon type of bridal feast.  When this is over, the Church shall come back to this earth and shall be with God and the people here----that is a natural people who are going to be having children--- and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

     As times passes, we shall have the capacity to be here on this earth and other places in the entire universe.   However, there will be a period of time called the millennium or a thousand-year reign at which time Satan is going to be chained.  He is going to be kept incapacitated for the thousand years and will not be able to afflict the people. However, no sooner than the thousand years are ended, he will start again but this time he will be defeated.

Daniel 12:2 states: “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt”.

This scripture is speaking of the first resurrection and the second resurrection.   Those who awake to everlasting life speaks of the first resurrection“….And some to shame and everlasting contempt”.  That is the second resurrection.  They will awake and will be cast in the lake of fire where there will never be any relief, but will be tormented day and night and no one will be able to go and give them mercy.  No one will be able to go and help them for they will be here in this hell, in this world that will lose its ability to keep its movement going and shall fall into total space out away from where God and the Saints will be.  It shall burn and the people on it shall be falling with it forever and ever.

Daniel 12:3 states: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament . . ."   I want you to be wise.  I haven't nearly begun to say all the things which I would say to you, but I have covered all of them in the sense of just telling you about them here and there.   However, it is important to you and to your salvation that you know these things.   I want you to take heed that man deceive you. 

     You see, it tells you about wars and rumors of wars; about things that are going to happen, and the end would not be yet. Before you leave this earth, you are going hear about all those things. 

 Matthew 24:26 – 28 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

     In other words, wherever there is anything that you can feast upon or the fulfillment of a statement, you will always know because the eagles or birds of prey will gather.   It is difficult for you think about, but you have seen other birds of prey gather together after a carcass has been lying on the heap.  For further reference see the 12th chapter of Daniel. 

     Someone’s carcass lying in the way.  It might be yours.  Someone's troubles are upon them today.  Someone’s end is near.  Someone’s testimony has been quieted and is not heard.  Someone's sickness overwhelms them.  Someone’s end is near them today.  In some case, it will not always the very oldest, but it comes upon the young and those in their median age as well.  The old close their eyes and say "Amen" for their end is near them.

     Trouble comes in the earth.  The elements disturb itself.  Famine and hunger arrives at the different places and we can no longer hear the song that our mothers love to sing.   Someone’s end is near. 

Michael has stood and will stand again, but you are going to have to stand yourself.  And it is near. What is near?  Your end!  Because you are in the dispensation of grace and must make your calling and election sure.  It is not likely that Michael will dispute with Satan over your body nor will he dispute with Satan as he disputed regarding Moses. 

     You speak about your enemies.  Don't be your own enemy.  You speak about time and chance.  Don't let it happen to you.  However, when it does happen to you, always find a victorious way out.   In this time of turmoil, trial, and temptation, you must have the ingenuity and the spiritual intelligence as to how to survive and how to come out of it.  Remember and search back those things which I have said to you, those things which I have taught you.  Remember those things which you have learned and the days of the prophets.   

     Do not be so lightheaded, so easy to believe and be deceived.  There is no one really interested in delivering you, but me.   When I say “delivering you”, I mean the ultimate deliverance.  There are plenty of people who want to project their thoughts on to you and their ideas of what God said to them.  There may be some right with us, and I would hope there are, who want to encourage you with the same doctrine which we teach.  But to have the responsibility for your soul is another matter to most of them. Most would not want it. There are those who would carry out what God is saying to the Church at this time. There is only one thing that God has for His Church today and that message is being brought to you in these latter days by us.  If someone comes to you with something different than that what we preach, regardless to whom they are, something is wrong with them. You had better examine that false doctrine which has had you bound, and come and obey the Apostolic Doctrine.

     It is time that you draw closer to each other and closer to God.  The way you can become closer to us is by obeying the Word of God and letting Him have His way in your life.  The more you obey the Word of God, more you begin to open yourself up to the truth coming in your life, you and I will become closer and closer. You must live in a way that when you close your eyes, it will be a thing of beauty, that your sleeping in the Lord will become a precious thing.  Don't worry about staying on this earth for any long period of time.  If God so blesses you with a long life, that is a good thing.  But if not, learn to surrender yourself and give up the ghost.  Try to live, if you can, but when you see that the time has come, just make sure that your life is in order.  And that the things which you learned is that you are willing to leave everything.   

      To see all of you saved, striving earnestly, preparing yourself, to see that accomplishment in your lives would make me feel completely satisfied.  To see that it was not all in vain, to know that when I called to you, you hearkened, when asked, you gave and obeyed; and that faith and many souls were added to the Church.  To know that through the blood of the lamb they overcame and have eternal life.  That would be my reward.   I will trouble you no more, yet I will trouble you always.  I was born in this world for this time.  Let me tell you something.  If you want to serve God, I won't ever be the one to hold you back as long as you operate orderly, according to the power of God.  I would be force on earth to project you forward.  If you want fair and right judgment, and truth and salvation and you come to sit with me, stand with me, your eyes have not seen, nor your ears heard those good things which God has in store for you.  Not only in your life with Christ, but right here before you leave this earth, in the mist of all this trouble, you will find blessings.  God bless you. Let us do a thing of beauty and an labor for the lord. Amen.

 May the Lord Bless you and Keep you and eternally hold you in the center of his will, may he open your understanding that you will come to know that you must repent of your sins and be baptized by immersion in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, then continue in prayer, tarrying until you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign following speaking with other tongues as the spirit gives you utterances.  Then you must leave the principles of the doctrine and go on to perfection overcoming the love of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life and continue steadfastly in the Apostle’s Doctrine remembering always that he that endures until the End, the same shall be saved.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God Almighty. Amen


With perfect love,
Apostle Dennis G. Smith

 

Coronavirus outbreak in Churches from health reports:   October 25, 2020

More than three dozen coronavirus cases have been linked to a church in Maine that held a fellowship rally earlier this month.  The state's Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Saturday that 17 cases were linked to Brooks Pentecostal Church in Waldo County.  By Tuesday, that number had climbed to 42, Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah said at a news briefing.  The agency said in a press release on Saturday that the church held a fellowship rally between Oct. 2 and Oct. 4.   About 100 to 150 people, including members from other churches, attended the rally. Masks were available but not routinely used.  The church also held in-person services where people did not regularly wear a mask.  "Based on what they know right now, they expect the number of cases associated with this outbreak to increase significantly.

 

Present Guidelines for Individuals and Businesses in Phase 2:

·         Small private gatherings of no more than 10 people, with social distancing.

·         Large Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned in Georgia unless there is at least six feet between each person.

 

 Social Distancing guidelines:

When to Wear a Mask:

Those who are staying home and have no close contact with people who are infected with COIVID-19 do not need a mask most of the time. However, wearing a nonmedical or homemade mask may be helpful in certain situations or for certain populations. Wear a Mask when:

Because homemade masks protect everyone else from the droplets created by the wearer, it is important that as many people as possible wear these masks when leaving their homes. This helps prevent those who may be infectious but are only mildly symptomatic or not symptomatic from spreading the virus to others in the community.

Everyone should remember the phrase: “My mask protects you; your mask protects me.” By increasing the overall number of people who are containing their coughs, sneezes, and other droplets, it will help us control the overall spread of the virus.