Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Sabbath-New Testament Study
Matthew 5:17-19 (KJV) 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus makes it clear in verse 17 that the Law (10 commandments) are not destroyed by him. They are fufilled rather by his revealing the true meaning and spirit of it's precepts. Verse 18, should be a clincher that we are still to keep the Moral Law (10 Commandments). Jesus in a crystal clear manner says, until Heaven and Earth pass away, that not one jot or tittle will in no way pass from the law (The Decalogue). As we know, Heaven and Earth have not passed away so therefore the Law and it's precepts are still in effect. This is talking about the 10 Commandments specifically not the ceremonial law of sacrifices or the civil law of the levitical preisthood. Furthermore in verse 19, Jesus warns all future teachers of God's word, that if they teach other's to break even the least of the 10 Commandments then they themselves will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Many Christians today call the sabbath the least of the commandments of God, even though it's listed as the 4th and it is said for us to remember it. For arguments sake, let's say the sabbath is the least of the 10. Jesus in verse 19 clearly says that even teaching other's that they don't have to keep the least of the 10 Commandments will be looled at as the least in his Kingdom. Not only the Kingdom to come but also in his Kingdom now here on earth and in heaven. Notice that the 4th commandment of keeping the sabbath is right after the commandments in regards to how we worship Jehovah. The first two deal with idolatry and the third with taking his name in vain. These are instructions in how to and not to worship God. The Sabbath commandment which is right after these three instructions on how to worship God, give us another decree on the way we worship him. By keeping the seventh day, we are making a clear distinction that we are worshipping the God of creation rather than creation itself as the first 2 commandments speak about. This is why it is essential to reject evolution because it denies the sanctity of the Hallowed Seventh day where God rested from his works. I believe in a literal 6 days of creation and the rest of Jehovah on the seventh day. The seventh day is a sign and a mark of Jehovah creating this world and is a very essential part of his identity and distinction from false gods. Mark 2:27-28 (KJV) 27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Sabbath made for man, not man for the Sabbath. This is in no way abolish's the Sabbath as being the Lord's day but rather puts it into the proper perspective that it isn't about the nuanced legalistic approaches (pharisaical) to keeping this day unto the Lord but rather a day of resting in the Lord hence made for the man. We keep from working, doing our daily pleasures and give our attention and devotion to Jehovah. Too many Christians are mindful about wordly things (the cares of this world) 24/7. Think how about how many Christians would have so much more peace if they rested on the Lord's day (The Sabbath). Jesus was rebuking the pharisees legalistic approach to the Sabbath not the actual Sabbath keeping. It's ironic how many Christians lament the removal of the 10 Commandments from public institutions but don't actually keep the 10 Commandments in practice by not resting on the Sabbath. Some Christians will then say "I work Monday - Friday Saturday is my day to take care of other things and enjoy entertainment and shopping. Or they will say "I have to work on Saturday, my job requires it". Well you then are leaning on your own understanding and not trusting God. Jehovah will honor when you obey his Sabbath ordinance not your legalistic keeping of it but your spiritual keeping of it which is nurtured by not working and not involving yourself with the daily activities of this world such as sporting events or entertainment. Gathering with the Saints and prayer and worship and studying will nurture your keeping of the Sabbath. We already devote so much time to the entertainment of this world and also work, that Jehovah is indeed worthy of one day solely set apart for him. What's wrong with that? Is he not worthy of it? Are you not wanting the blessings that come with entering the Lord's day of rest? So many Christians are burned out from going to and fro and then wonder why they lack peace. Setting apart a whole day for the Lord where you worship, pray, study and gather with the Saints and without taking part in working or your pleasures such as hobbies or worldly entertainment such as sports and secular movies will drastically draw you closer to Jehovah. Luke 6:1-11 (KJV) 1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? 3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? 5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. 6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? 10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. Verse 1- By plucking the ears of corn Jesus and his disciples were not violating the Sabbath as they were not using a sickle but their hands (Deuteronomy 23:25). Verse 2- The Pharisees by their man made traditions made the Law of God (The command to keep the Sabbath) of no effect. Their accusation that Jesus and his disciples were breaking the sabbath had no biblical support. Realizing this as Christians is important, so that we don't use this passage as an excuse not to keep the Sabbath day as Holy thinking Jesus and disciples were disregarding it. Deuteronomy 23:25 makes it clear that Jesus and his disciples were not violating the Sabbath day. Verse 3 and 4-Jesus brings to remembrance to the Pharisees about David eating the shewbread which was hallowed, if you read the passage of 1 Samuel 21 1:1-7 you will see that David and his men kept themselves from women or in David's words "women have been kept us". David also said that the vessels of the young men were Holy. Many have read verse 3 and 4 and concluded that David and his men eating the shewbread was something that was done in haste and in a disregard for what was lawful. However reading the passage in 1 Samuel, you see that David and his men still had to meet the criteria of having clean vessels (no sexual relations for at least 3 days as David states). Also, David didn't just take the bread but the preist Ahimelech gave it to him after David confirmed him and his men's cleanliness. It's Highly unlikely that David would have took the bread without the Preist Ahimelech giving it to him. Reading Luke 6:3-4 without reading 1 Samuel 21 1:1-7 is a disservice to this text, because one can easily come to the conclusion that David disregarded the law of God for his temporal needs. As a righteous man, David still went through the preisthood to be granted permission for he and his men to eat the hallowed shewbread. Also, one cannot use the story of David and the shewbread to justify not keeping the sabbath. The Law of God including the Sabbath was still in effect before and after David and his men partook of the hallowed shewbread. Nothing changed pertaining to God's Law as a result of what David did in 1 Samuel 21 1:1-7. This is important to note because many use this story as an excuse that we still don't need to observe the sabbath. Jesus's point here, is that doing good on the sabbath unto the Lord supercedes the man made ordinances created by the religious. For example, as we keep the Sabbath there may be times where an urgent situation arises that may call for you to do something you wouldn't normally do during your sabbath observance. Say someone calls you on the phone and ask you to go and buy them some medicine at a pharmacy because they are feeling very ill, would you not do this for them because of your sabbath observance of no selling or buying? Of course as a loving child of God you would do as Ahimelech did with David and go and supply the urgent need of a loved one. Now, it would be up to your discernment as to whether the situation called for you to go outside your technical sabbath observance just as Ahimelech verified with, David that him and his men had kept themselves Holy by not going into women for at least three days. For example, you get a call from a worldly relative or friend that they are sick and throwing up. This was a result of drinking and partying the night before. They need you to bring them medicine which means you need to go to the store to buy it. In this case, because their sickness is a result of their own sin and disobedience, I would not go outside my normal sabbath observance routine to buy medicine at a store. Remember, Ahimelech didn't flippantly give David the hallowed shewbread. He made sure David and his men had kept themselves Holy before handing over the shewbread to them. Remember, that satan knows you obey God's fourth commandment and he will use people to get you to disregard the sabbath. So, in doing your due diligence as a Christian, ask the person who calls you how they got sick and then determine whether you should go outside your normal sabbath keeping observance routine and buy them medicine. The person who calls doesn't necessarily have to be a Christian for you to love and do good to them but as long as their being sick isn't a result of sinful conduct. Be like Ahimelech and ask questions regarding the person's Holiness so to speak. Again, I must clarify that the person doesn't have to be a Christian but as long as they weren't doing anything sinful which led to their sickness. If it was an emergency type situation, then certainly God may be using you to take care of them even if the situation was a result of their sin. What I'm talking about above is more common type sicknesses. Verse 5- Key verse here, Jesus stated here "That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." Lord=kurios (Greek) which means supreme in authority (supremacy) God, Lord, master, owner, controller, master of the sabbath for example. Jesus clearly states that he has authority over the sabbath. It's very important to note that Jesus never in this passage nullifies, does away with or discourages the keeping of the sabbath day which he is Lord of. His point in this whole passage was that he was Lord of the sabbath, meaning he had supremacy over it. Using David as an example, Jesus made it clear that doing righteous Godly works even in/on what is Holy supercedes man made ordinances that make the Law of God no effect. Reading the passage in 1 Samuel 21 1:1-7 illustrates that David eating the shewbread was not done flippantly and that Ahimelech the preist also made sure David and his men kept themselves Holy, before giving them the hallowed shewbread. Basically Jesus was telling the Pharisees that they missed the whole point of the sabbath which was a gift to us from Jehovah. This gift is one of rest and undistracted worship of God which only benefits us. The Pharisees had made it a burden upon men whereas Jehovah made it to be a delight for us. Jesus being the Lord and owner of the sabbath had the authority to do away with it and nullify it. However notice in this passage he never did such a thing but only rebuked the Pharisees man made ordinances pertaining to sabbath keeping. Jesus and his disciples also didn't violate the sabbath by plucking the ears of corn with their hands as they didn't use the sickle. Christians cannot use the excuse that Jesus violated the sabbath or that he did away with it in this passage as neither of those options took place here in Luke 6:1-5. Remember David was a type of Christ and just as Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. David as a royal representative of God's people at that time, just as Jesus is the Church's royal representative in our times, had authority to ask for the shewbread. Even then, David had to state his cleanliness and Holiness before being given what, was hallowed. Jesus our Lord is Holy by nature and essence being Jehovah, so he didn't need to prove anything to the Pharisees but still gave them the 1 Samuel 21 1:1-7 story of the shewbread to prove his point of proper sabbath observance and what it truly is rather than burden filled man made dictates. This passage is about proper sabbath keeping not the doing away with or the advocating of violating it. Verse 6- We see that Jesus taught on the Sabbath indicating that he kept the day as Holy as was the custom of the Jews. Verse 7-11, It's important to note here that the religious leaders of Jesus time, the scribes and Pharisees were turning the sabbath into a burden on men's backs. Their hearts were far from God even though they were keeping the ordinances of the sabbath given by God and also keeping the man made ordinances that were added without God's permission. They were Itching to catch Jesus violating their man made ordinances of the sabbath. This shows that their heart was from God and that they didn't understand his purpose for the sabbath in the first place. According to Isaiah 58:13-14, the sabbath was meant to be a delight for us but the religious leaders of Jesus day had turned it into a grevious burden with all their man made rules. Jesus knew their thoughts and proved to them, by calling forth the man with the withered hand for healing, that the sabbath was intended to be a delight for men/women and on top of that it was lawful to do good on the sabbath. These scribes and Pharisees were so blind and hard hearted, that while keeping the sabbath in deed they were actually violating it in heart. Jesus made it clear that it is lawful to save life and heal on the sabbath. Note that Jesus never once here rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for keeping the sabbath but rather their evil burden bearing on men practice of it. They turned what was Holy into just another set of man made rules and regulations. They used the 4th commandment as a tool to put men/women in bondage rather than encourage them to delight in what the Lord consecrated and sanctified. Just like today, religious leaders will turn what God intended as a blessing into a bondage for their flocks. Them doing this, doesn't nullify what scripture teaches and the need to obey God's commandments but rather we are to ignore these false religious leaders man made understanding of scripture. We are to be obedient to what the Bible says about a certain subject. The lesson to be learned here is that we are always to go with what scripture teaches rather than what man teaches. Man's corruption of God's commandments doesn't nullify them but rather should redirect us back to the pure keeping of them as Jehovah intended. Some have used this passage to nullify sabbath keeping for the Christian, however nowhere in this text does Jesus abolish the 4th commandment. John 5:1-18 (KJV) 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. 16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus healed the lame man on the sabbath day again proving his own words that it is lawful to do good and heal on the sabbath. The Jews had distorted the sabbath so much that they accused the lame man of breaking the sabbath just by the fact he carried his bed. This was a false accusation that didn't have it's roots in Jehovah's original intention for the sabbath as a delight for men/women. After inquiring of the healed man, they learned that Jesus had told the man to carry his bed after being healed. Jesus was in the temple when he told the healed man to sin no more as would be his custom of keeping the sabbath day. The Jews who were there, were so filled with evil that they couldn't even praise Jehovah for the healing of the formerly lame man but actually sought to kill Jesus. This was all because Jesus allegedly violated the sabbath which was a false accusation. By healing the lame man, Jesus was actually honoring the sabbath day by doing good. He also told the man to sin no more. Doing good on the sabbath is lawful according to Jesus. Now, we don't use this as an excuse to do whatever we want on the sabbath and call it "good". When Jesus talks about it being lawful to do good on the sabbath it's in the context of helping people in their time of need, spiritually and/or physically. By need physically, things like sickness or even helping someone out who is stranded because their car broke down. This physical need is not to be used to violate the sabbath in the sense of work. For example, a friend or family member calls and "needs" help doing household chores or help coaching his son's football team that day, this type of physical "need" is something we don't participate in on the sabbath, as it is causing us and others to work thereby violating the creation ordinance of the sabbath rest day. By need, I mean someone who falls ill, needs a ride to the hospital, needs help finding their dog or child who is lost. Needs food taken to them as they are unable physically to get it for themselves. We always want to help those in spiritual need which can also be on the sabbath. What we don't do on the sabbath is work nor do we buy or sell publicly. We use this rest day to worship Jehovah and his Son Jesus Christ without distractions. We don't do our own pleasures on this day such as secular entertainment of any kind or engaging in any secular activity. Notice that Jesus was not violating the Sabbath in healing this man. This verse can in no way be used to nullify the command to keep the Sabbath Holy. Jesus didn't violate the rest day by the healing of the lame man. Jesus also, in response to the Jews in the passages after verse 18, didn't do away with the need to keep the sabbath. He simply spoke of the Father and the works which would be done by himself (Jesus) just as the Father does those things. His rebuke of the Jews here didn't include doing away with of the sabbath. John 14:15-21 (KJV) 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Verse 15- 16- Very direct and to the point. Jesus commandments are also that of the decalogue (10 Commandments). Jesus taught his disciples to obey the 10 Commandments in Matthew 5:17-28; 12:1-13;15:3-9; 22:37-40. If we keep his commandments then he will send us the Comforter so that he will abide with us forever. Jesus said "if" you love me you will keep his commandments inferring that if you don't keep, his commandments which include the sabbath then you don't love him. Again, the sabbath is never nullified here and is never made as an exception in regards to keeping the 10 Commandments. Verse 21- Jesus restating that those who hath and keep his commandments (the 10 of the decalogue sabbath included) are the ones who love him. Jesus leaves no room for confusion here, you either keep his commandments proving that you love him or you don't keep his commandments proving that you don't love him with all your heart, mind and soul. Look at the second part of this verse. Jesus says that the person that loves him is the one who hath and keeps his commandments (Decalogue). This person will then also be loved by the Father. Jesus then says he himself will love us and manifest himself to us. The root of receiving Jesus and the Fathers love is in keeping their commandments, which there are 10, including the 4th which is keeping the sabbath holy. By not keeping the commandments of Jesus, we put ourself at risk of not receiving the Fathers love or of the Son's. We also are not loving God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart, mind and soul. Romans 2:12-16 (KJV) 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Verse 12- We see here that the Law is the standard by which men will be judged who have the law which was Israel (primarily made up of Jews) in the old covenant and in the new covenant it's Israel (now made up of Gentiles and Jews alike) which is the Church. We as the Church will be judged according to the law. Why is this? Because we have the law which is God's 10 Commandments and should know that we need to keep them. God winks at ignorance, so those who sin without the law will perish without law. Verse 13- This is a clear scripture that those who are doers of the law will be justified. The law of course pertaining to the 10 Commandments which include the sabbath. The warning here is clear that just hearing the law (going to church and/or reading the Bible) will not justify you. Brethren, going to church and even reading the Bible will not save you. What will save you and make you just before Jehovah is doing the things of the law which includes all 10 Commandments which the sabbath is the 4th one. Shall be justified=dikaioo (greek) which means to render just or innocent, free, justify, be righteous, to regard as just, to declare one to be just, to declare anyone to be virtuous and to be good, to vindicate, to approve, to absolve from the consequences of sin, admit to the enjoyment of divine favour. Verse 14- 15- When the gentiles who have not the law, keep it by nature as it is written in their hearts, they are a law unto themselves. The law of God being written in their hearts, meaning they didn't need stone tablets to know what is God's law and that they should keep it. Their conscience and thoughts bear witness of this in that they shew the work thereof. In other words, their actions of keeping the law by nature are a result of the law being written in their hearts and their conscience and thoughts bear witness of this. They are mindful of the things of God's law. It's deep in their conscience and they think about Jehovah's law. They don't need stone tablets to obey and know his law. So our hearts, consciences and thoughts either accuse us by not keeping the law or they excuse by keeping the law which includes the 4th commandment of keeping the sabbath holy. Verse 16-Our hearts, thoughts and consciences which contain the secrets of men will be judged by God by Jesus Christ (The White Throne judgment) according to the gospel of which include the 10 Commandments. 1 John 2:3-4 (KJV) 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. The above two verses couldn't be any clearer regarding keeping the commandments of God which the sabbath is the fourth of such. The inference here is that if we don't keep his commandments then we don't know "Him" (Jesus Christ). It is by faith in Jesus Christ, that we then seek to keep his commandments. By keeping the sabbath (among the other 9 commandments) which is the 4th commandment, we know God and we know that we know "Him". The proof that we know "Him" is in our keeping "His" commandments. The word "If" is key here because it infers that not keeping "His" commandments is showing that we don't know "Him" (Jesus Christ). Verse 4 proves that those who say they know Christ but yet keep not his commandments ( Decalogue included-Moral Law-10 Commandments) are Liars, and the truth is not in them. In other words, these type of people are deceived. They have chose blindness rather than the truth and have then deceived themselves. I believe God is a just God and he also looks at the heart of man and knows men have been lied to and there is grace for those who have been misled by sheperds. However, once the truth of the need to keep the 10 Commandments is brought to someone's attention then they are mandated to research for themselves like a Berean to see if it is true (need to keep 10 Commandments). And even if people have been deceived by teachers/pastors of there being no need to keep the 10 Commandments anymore, it is in a sense their own fault for putting their trust in man and not looking to see what scripture says without the lens of their pastor or denomination. How do we know that we know Jesus Christ? By keeping his commandments which include the 10 of the moral law, the decalogue. If we say we know Jesus Christ but don't keep his commandments, what does the Bible call us? Liars! What's not in us if we don't keep the commandments of God? The truth! 1 John 5:2-3 (KJV) 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. According to this pasaage, the Love of God and his children are described and proved by keeping his commandments. What are God's commandments? It's simple, the 10 Commandments (The Moral Law). It couldn't be any more clear. If you say that this passage isn't referencing the 10 Commandments then I ask, what other commandments could it be talking about? Remember, in the New Testament when it talks about the commandments of God it's speaks of the Father's Moral Law (The Decalogue). When it comes to Jesus Christ, it's speaks of having faith in him and have his testimony which is the spirit of prophecy. The 10 Commandments are also Jesus commandments as he confirmed during his ministry that we are to keep them as we will see in other passages. So the phrase "commandments of God" are always a reference to the 10 Commandments of which, the Sabbath is the 4th. keeping the 10 Commandments is how we prove our Love of God and also his children. When you tell people that you keep the Sabbath, an automatic response from other Christians in often that you arw putting yourself under bondage. Note the last part of this passage "and his commandments are not grievous to bear". This verse blows the whole "10 Commandments are bondage" theory out of the water. Keeping Jehovah's 10 Commandments are not a burden but actually a huge blessing. This includes keeping the Sabbath day as Holy. Read Isaiah 58:13-14 and you will see that when we turn ourselves back to keeping the sabbath that it is a delight. Do you want to listen to man or God? Man says the sabbath is a bondage but God says it's a delight! The Three Angel's message Revelation 14:6-7 (KJV)-The First Angel's message 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. My focus is on verse 7, notice in the first angel's message of preaching the everlasting gospel that with a loud voice the shout is made to Fear God and give him glory. Right after that is the description of a very intregral part of God's identity. That very important part of his identity is in his creation of heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of waters. Why is this important? Because as Christians we must worship God in spirit and in truth and part of that truth is worshipping the God that created the world in six days and rested on the seventh (the sabbath). When we keep the Sabbath day as Holy, then we in turn are worshipping the God of creation. Just by keeping the seventh day sacred, we are honoring Jehovah acknowledging that he created heaven and earth and everything in them in six days and rested on the seventh, making it Holy and consecrated. This makes a clear distinction in what God we are worshipping when we keep the Sabbath, which thereby also acknowledges that it was him that created the world and everything in it. That's why evolution has no place in the mind of the believer as it strips off a very intregal part of Jehovah's identity which is the six days of creation and the seventh day sabbath. See the below scripture that mirrors the above passage in Revelation as far as Jehovah's identity in creation. Exodus 20:11(KJV) 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore theLord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. So, the first angel's message which we as the Church are to preach with a loud voice is the call for all nations to worship and fear the God of creation. They are not to just give glory to any god, usually one of people's own making, through their empty creeds which allow them to live however they want and not obey Jehovah's commandments. The very fact that the description of His creation is mentioned here, means that it is to be part of the everlasting gospel. Key in this creation, is the seventh day sabbath which is a seal of obedience to Jehovah and keeping it holy is worshipping Him. A big part of worshipping Jehovah, which is part of the everlasting (never ending and unchangeable) gospel is keeping his commandments which includes the 4th command to keep the Sabbath day as Holy, as it acknowledges that Jehovah created heaven and earth, and the sea and the fountains of waters. Any Christian that doesn't include the call to worship the God of creation, which includes obedience to the 4th commandment is preaching an incomplete gospel message. Revelation 14:8 (KJV) Second Angel's message 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Who is Babylon? According to Revelation 17:5-6 it is "The Mother of Harlots And Abominations of the Earth" and it is drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Between the early 1200's and around 1800, conservative estimates are that the Catholic Church led by the office of the papacy killed over 50 million people much of whom were Bible believing Christians. We see that the Catholic Church, not only by having the blood of the Saints on it's hands but also by having the same pagan creeds and practices of Ancient Mystery Babylon(Nimrod, Semiramis, Tammuz), is modern Mystery Babylon. Who are the Whore's daughter's? It says in Revelation 17:5 that it is the mother of Harlots. As we speak many of Christendom's churches are uniting with the papacy. Part of this unification is that much of Christendom is still holding on to many of the pagan Catholic doctrines that had it's origins in paganism all the way back to Ancient Mystery Babylon. To name a few, the immortal soul teaching (disembodied soul or spirit creature going to heaven or hell right after death), the spirit underworld Hell of never ending torment doctrine, the wafer communion and the perversion/distortion of the Godhead. Front and center in the apostasy of visible Christendom is the Lutheran Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, Episcopalians, Anglican's, Greg Laurie of Harvest, Brian Broderson of Calvary Chapel. All of the above have participated and/or endorsed ecumenical events and unity with the Catholic Church. The Whore also has it's meat hooks in non Christian religions such as Mormonism, Islam, Bahai Faith, Jehovah Witnesses as all have joined hands with her by participating in ecumenical conferences at the Vatican. The Jehovah Witnesses through the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society do this behind closed doors amd in secret. They were already exposed as being part of the United Nations (Vatican controlled) from 1992-2001. No question that they are still members behind closed doors. These are all the Whore's daughter's. So the Protestant churches are going back to Rome en masse and the evangelical churches are following in lock step. Rick Warren is friends with Greg Laurie who is intregal in the Calvary Chapel movement. Both Rick and Greg have been part of ecumenical services and conferences with the Catholic Church. Rick Warren has been at the forefront of this great apostasy and the evangelical churches are following his lead as blind sheep. The second angel's cry is that Babylon (The Catholic Church, the Protestant churches along with evangelicals and other false world religions) is fallen is fallen as she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (false doctrines and demonic teachings of the Catholic Church and the homage that is paid to the papacy which includes the sunday sabbath and the disregard of God's seventh day sabbath). It's my firm belief that we are in the time of the second angel's message. Babylon (The Catholic Church, Protestantism, Evangelicalism, other false world religions) is fallen is fallen and has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul, spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird (see Revelation 18:2). Any Christian that is still part of Babylon is called to come outnof her: Revelation 18:4 " And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 14:9-12 (KJV)- Third Angel's message 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. It's those that keep the commandments of God (10 Commandments) and the faith of Jesus. Note that these two different types of obedience are seperated as two distinct things. We as believers are supposed to keep the decalogue including the 4th command to keep the sabbath day and also to have the faith of Jesus and everything he prophesied and his death, burial, resurrection and his ascension to the right hand of the Father. Revelation 12:17 (KJV) 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Again, we see that obedience to the commandments of God (The Decalogue- Moral Law) which includes the 4th command to keep the Sabbath day as Holy and having the testimony of Jesus is what will mark true believers. So we know what the commandments of God are, that is pretty easy (the 10 Commandments) but what is the testimony of Jesus Christ? See scripture below: Revelation 19:9-11 (KJV) 9 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. 10 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. 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The sermon on the Mount of Olives and the book of Revelation are the prophecies of Jesus Christ. Also, anything else he said anywhere else in scripture concerning future events in terms of judgment on unbelievers and false teachers. Jesus reiterated the need to keep his Father's 10 commandments so those come from his Father. His testimony (the spirit of prophecy) and having his Faith (death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of His Father and also the sending of the Holy Spirit to his bride) are what true believers will obey and believe as well as the 10 Commandments of Jehovah. So clearly, according to the third angel's message, it is those who keep the 10 Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus as well as his testimony that will not worship the beast, his image nor have his mark. The opposite then is true, those that don't keep the 10 Commandments, the faith of Jesus and his testimony will worship the beast, his image and take his mark. Again, the keeping of the 10 Commandments (moral law), the faith of Jesus and his testimony cannot be separated. All must be kept! Colossians 2:1-17King James Version (KJV) 2 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Verse 14- We know that there were ordinances nailed to the stake=stauros (greek). Which ordinances though? It was the ordinace of circumcision and the ceremonies connected with it as well as the Law of Moses which included offerings and sacrifices.(See Acts 15:1, 5, Ephesians 2:14-15, Matthew 27:51). Remember that the 10 commandments are not the Law of Moses but they are the Law of Jehovah. Keep in mind that the Sabbath was instituted at creation, before the 10 Commandments were given, and was made Holy. The ceremonies connected with the services of the temple were taken away at the impalement of Jehoshua at the stake. Our Saviour was the perfect ransom sacrifice for all time sake thereby nullifying any more need for fleshly sacrifices to obtain atonement. The sabbath was never an ordinance of sacrifice for atonment but rather a command to rest and to keep the day Holy for devotion to Jehovah. The ordinances done away with at the stake were those that were sacrificial in nature in order to obtain atonement. With Jehoshua's death on the stake, we no longer need to make sacrifices at the temple for atonement as he is our atonement. We can now go directly to Jehovah by way of His Son Jehoshua for atonement of our sins. Verse 16- The Old Testament consistently uses the phrase "a festival, a new moon, a sabbath Let's read Romans 3:31 to see if the above scripture in Colossians includes the 10 Commandments. Romans 3:31 KJV " Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the Law." The need for the service of sacrifices and offerings ceased when type met antitype in the death of Messiah. In Him the shadow met the substance. Jehoshua was the perfect and complete offering. The law of the 10 commandments lives and will live through the ages (eternity).see Isaiah 66:22-23. Jehovah's law (decalogue) was not crucified at the stake. It was types and shadows, offerings and sacrifices that was nailed to the cross as they had no value after Jehoshua's death. The Old Testament consistently uses the phrase "a festival, a new moon, a sabbath" to refer to the ceremonial aspects of the law whether practiced weekly, monthly or yearly (see 1 Chronicles 23:31, 2 Chronicles 2:3-4, 8:12-13, 31:3, Nehemiah 10:33, Ezekiel 45:17, Numbers 28 and 29). The aspects of the ceremonial law included burnt offerings, meat offerings and drink offerings. Once Jehoshua died on the cross there.was no more need for these type of offerings as he was the once and for all sacrifice. So verse 16 has to do with the ceremonial aspects of the stated Holy days rather than the Holy days themselves. Since the Sabbath was a creation ordinance, as well as part of the 10 Commandments, it is still to be kept and remembered by us. The word "remember" is even part of the 4th commandment to keep the Seventh day Holy. Back to verse 14- Remember the context of this verse. It was to do with the death of Jehoshua at the stake. It was the antitype of the burnt, meat and drink offerings which were to obtain atonement. Since Jehoshua's death was the all time, once and for all atonememt there is no need for the above sacrifices as they were the type/shadow of what was to come which was the substance Jehoshua Messiah dying for our sins so that we can have atonement. No longer do we need to go to the Temple and give our offer burnt, meat and drink offerings to the Levtical Preists for atonement as we (the Church) are the Temple of Jehovah and all we need to do is go to His Son Jehoshua our High Preist and receive atonement by confessing our sins. Hebrews 4:1-11 (KJV) 4 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Many people will use this passage to do away with the 4th commandment to keep the Sabbath day as Holy. This epistle to the Hebrews is presenting the Seventh day Sabbath rest as a symbol of the spiritual rest Jehovah grants to those willing to enter into fellowship with him. Israel largely failed to enter into Jehovah's spiritual rest, and they often ignored the Sabbath observance that symbolized it. Believers in this passage are admonished to accept the spiritual rest of which the weekly Sabbath is the symbol (Verse 9 and 10). The message here in Hebrews underlines the Old Testament observance of the Sabbath as a sign of holiness (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12). Sabbath observance is a sign of our holy relationship with Jehoshua and it is the means by which the relationship is enriched. Revelation 12:17, 14:12, 22:14 all clearly state that the true Church in the last days will be made up of believers who keep the commandments of Jehovah as well as the faith and testimony which is the spirit of prophecy (Rev 19:10) of His Son Jehoshua. This includes the 4th commandment to keep the Sabbath day Holy.
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