To condemn is easy, to admonish with the truth is difficult; seldom does it win the favor of the crowd. Because of this, you will seldom witness ministers of God’s word preaching on a subject which would otherwise be offensive to their congregation. Truth causes many to stumble, for it exposes our sins. “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Gal.4:16. In contrast, when Christ ministered, He experienced much pain and suffering through the rejection of those whom He came to give life everlasting, He expressed His lamentation in these words: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the Prophets, and them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” Luke13:34. Earthly governing powers have always sought means by which to enforce control of its people. In contrast, our Heavenly Creator desires genuine, voluntary love and obedience from our heart. “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men.” Isaiah 29:13. Christ quotes this very same Scripture in denouncing the religious rulers of His time when saying: “Well hath Esaias [Isaiah] prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Mark 7:6. Today, we have voted for laws and methods by which to restrain what is preached by the churches. One of these 501 (c) (3) methods is the removal of a Church’s tax- exempt status, 501(C)(3), if said Church should unlawfully preach what is defined by our government as not “Politically correct.” The term “politically correct” is an ancient principle which came into existence right out of the flood in the days of Nimrod (from the tower of Babel fame). If you acted contrary to his religious beliefs you were killed (The Two Babylons or the Papal Worship, Rev. A. Hislop). Nebuchadnezzar cast Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-Nego in the fiery furnace because they refused to worship his gold idol (see Daniel 3). Faithful Daniel was thrown into the lions den because he worshiped contrary to the laws of men. “Then said these men, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” (Dan.6:5-28). In the fourth century, the Roman Emperor Constantine (306-337 AD) pronounces his famous edict on March 7^th, 321 AD. Enforcing for the first time in recorded history, pagans and Christians alike, in all of his Empire to worship together on Sunday, the first day of the week. “On the venerable day of the Sun, let all magistrates, and people residing in the cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.” (The history of the Christian Church, Phillip Schaff Vol.lll, sec.75, par.5, note1). Constantine was a very devoted worshiper of the Sun-god Apollos. However, he understood that to unify his empire, he would need to amalgamate the large Christian populace with the various other pagan religious sects. He claimed of having a vision one day, as he gazed upon the Sun, seeing the form of a cross (formerly an ancient pagan symbol), and a voice saying to him: “In this sign conquer.” He therefore became a “Christian”, had his army march through the Euphrates River “baptizing” them, and instantly had a “Christian” army. Paganism, cloaked with a form of Christianity, waltzed into the early Church. “Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away! 2 Tim.3:5. When this edict was not well received by most of the faithful followers of Christ, Eusebius, a Bishop of Rome, one of the “Church Fathers”, in his pursuit of gaining favor with the princes of the Empire, advanced the claim that Christ had transferred the sanctity of God’s Sabbath from the Seventh day, to Sunday, the first day. “The early Church had already begun to apostatize from God, and to accept man’s traditions in preference to the Scriptures. Many of the early Fathers had been heathen philosophers.” (The change of the Sabbath, G.I. Butler). In 538 AD, the Emperor Justinian (527-565 AD) also a devout Sun worshiper and a shrewd politician, elevated Sylvester, the Bishop of Rome as “king”, giving him an army by which to enforce political/religious power, establishing him as the first Pope. By the sixth century, the Papacy had firmly established its position of political dominance and religious power, declaring that it was God’s very voice upon the Earth. This political/religious power, baptized in paganism, persecuted those whom did not obey its religious agendas. Abel was slain by Cain for his obedience, - his “righteousness by faith” in Christ. That same anti-Christ spirit, which hates the obedience of those which brings forth the fruit of righteousness, has manifested its ugly head more intensely as the ages pass; just as it continues today. “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Gal.4:29. Noah, a preacher of righteousness, was mocked and rejected for his message, the Jews rejected Christ for His message, persecuting Him and His Apostles. After His Ascension, pagan Rome continued the persecution through its Emperors such as Titus, Nero, Diocletian, and others. Thus continued this persecution of the Saints; but now, by the supposed “Church” of Christ! Persecution led many to compromise. Many faithful Saints, however, chose death rather then to reject their faith in Christ and His teachings. Many were martyred through brutal devices such as lions and wild beasts, crucifixion, impalement, torture, cut in half, burning, beheading, Etc. Nero and others made sport of these faithful children of the Most High. A Church historian wrote: “Paganism foresaw that should the Gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept away; therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. The fires of persecution were kindled. Christians were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. Great numbers sealed their testimony with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor, learned and ignorant, were alike slain without mercy. Under the fiercest persecution these witnesses kept their faith unsullied. They called to mind the words of their master, for so had the Prophets been persecuted before them. In vain were Satan’s efforts to destroy the Church of Christ by violence. By defeat, they conquered. God’s workmen were slain, but His work went steadily forward. Their living example and dying testimony were a constant witness for the truth. Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the Government of God, by planting his banner in the Christian Church. If the followers of Christ could be deceived, and led to displease God, then their strength would fail and they would fall an easy prey. The great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he had failed to gain by force. Persecution ceased, and in its stead were substituted the allurements of temporal prosperity and worldly honor. Idolaters were led to receive a part of the Christian faith, while they rejected other essential truths. They professed to accept Christ as the Son of God, and to believe in His death and resurrection; but they had no conviction of sin, and felt no need for repentance or of a change of heart. With some concessions on their part, they proposed that Christians should also make concessions, that all might unite on the same platform of belief in Christ. Now was the Church in great peril. Prison, torture, fire and sword were blessings in comparison with this. Under a cloak of pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into the Church, to corrupt their faith, and turn their minds from the Word of truth. A large portion of Christians lowered their standard, and a union was formed between Christianity and paganism. Unsound doctrines, superstitious rites, and idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated into Her faith and worship. As the followers of Christ united with idolaters, the Christian religion became corrupted, and the Church lost Her purity and power. There were some, however, who were not misled by these delusions. They still maintained their fidelity to the Author of truth, and worshiped God alone.” (The great controversy between Christ and Satan E.G.W.).

 “The Waldenses originating from the first century, through religious persecution, were driven from the Alpine valleys in Southern Italy to amid the fertile valleys surrounded by the towering Alps in the Northwest. Here they led a life devoted to the study and preservation of the Word of God. They possessed the Bible as their rule of worship, obedience, and life. For fear of losing their precious treasure – the Word of God, they completed handmade copies in their own language. Their Bible version can be traced back to the first century, an original may be found at Torre-Pellize. [The Catholic Bible can only be traced back to the fifth century- no further]. Their children are recorded as memorizing entire books of Scriptures. Priests from the nearby city of Turin had many times visited them, trying to persuade them to follow the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and obey the laws of the Pope. By their refusal, they were condemned as heretics. During the Dark ages, on the pain of death, they traveled the World posing as merchants, when in reality they were Evangelists. They would hide small scrolls on their garments, and when the opportunity would present itself, would share the precious truth of the Gospel of Christ to the willing hearts. Those that were caught in this “heresy” would be imprisoned, tortured, or burned. Thus, during the “dark ages” when the religious powers had declared it unlawful to possess any sacred writings, the Word of God remained present upon the Earth. During these periods, the Papacy had declared it illegal for anyone to own any Sacred Scriptures, the claim was that only the “Church” could interpret the Word of God, they were ordained by God for this service to mankind. Bibles were collected and burned, all in the name of Christ. In 1198, a man ascended the Papal throne, took the name Innocent III and became the most powerful Pope who ever ruled in Rome. By this time the Waldenses had carried the Gospel of Christ to many parts of Europe. Small companies of people living in Naples, Poland, Germany, Moravia, Bohemia, and England, worshiped God as Christ had taught His Disciples. Like the faithful Waldenses, they maintained their fidelity to Christ, and obeyed His Commandments, including the Seventh Day Sabbath originally spoken by Christ at Creation. (Gen. 2:1-3). This is in the twelfth century! Innocent III forced most of the kings in Europe to obey his commands, severely persecuting and punishing those who would not. He proclaimed a crusade against the Waldenses, a Holy war. In Papal countries all over Europe, The Pope’s proclamation invited all men to unite as an army, and kill all the “heretics” Waldenses, protestants, and others, (those that refused obedience to the Pope and kept God’s Commandments), promising them their lands, homes, and all their goods. Through this period, originating in Papal Spain, the famous inquisition came about. Legalizing the persecution of human beings classified to be heretics. A century later, Pope John XXII continued this crusade, and so did the successive Popes: Clement VI, Gregory XI., Etc.” (The history of the Waldenses, V. E. Robinson.) “In 1488 Pope Innocent VIII unsheathed the Papal sword, decreed to put to death all “heretics” (Those that refused the false doctrines of the church) The Waldenses- men, women and children were imprisoned or put to death. At Angrogna, Mothers, clutching their babes in their arms, pleading for mercy, were thrown off a cliff by the Papal soldiers, perishing on the rocks below.” (The Israel of the Alps, James Arrabito, LLT Productions.) This was done in the name of Christ. “Yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim.3:12. “The Waldenses kept the Sabbath day, observed the ordinance of baptism according to the primitive Church, instructed their children in the articles of the Christian faith and the Commands of God.” (Jones’s church history, vol.2 chap.5, sec.4)

 All though most of the great reformers were Sunday keepers, one need not look very far to understand their spiritual culture. Most were raised up in the church. By this time in history, the true Sabbath of the Lord had been suppressed through many centuries. For those raised in the traditions of the church, The Sabbath was taught that it was an ancient Jewish ritual, not for the church of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many today teach this unscriptural error. There were some reformers however, that had fully broken from the traditions of the church, their accounts are mostly obscured in history. “Carlstadt held to the divine authority of the Sabbath from the Old Testament.” (Life of Luther, page 402). The fault found with the reformers? They stopped reforming. Sadly, for many of us today, God’s true Sabbath is not a subject of interest. “Let’s preach salvation, lets pray for revival, let all the churches come together putting their doctrinal differences aside in love…”

 Preaching God’s Word to others, while in disobedience to His Commandments is Teaching lawlessness. “Not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matt. 7:21&22 (NKJ) This Prophecy is declaring that there will be some “Christians” who think themselves worthy to enter the Kingdom of God, for they have performed “miracles” in His Name. Yet what does Christ pronounce upon them? “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! What is it to “practice” lawlessness? “Who ever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” 1John 3:4 “He who says, ‘I Know Him’ and does not keep His Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him” 1John 2:4 (NKJ)

 “I will repeat to you what I said at Urbana, when for the first time you told me your fears lest I would be assassinated by the Jesuits: ‘Man must not care when and where he will die, provided he dies at the post of honor and duty.’ But I may add, to-day, that I have a presentiment that God will call me to Him through the hand of an assassin…The Pope and the Jesuits, with their infernal Inquisition, are the only organized power in the world which have recourse to the dagger of the assassin to murder those whom they cannot convince with their arguments or conquer with the sword… Unfortunately, I feel more and more, every day, that it is not against the Americans of the South, alone, I am fighting, it is more against the Pope of Rome, his perfidious Jesuits and their blind and bloodthirsty slaves, than against the real American Protestants, that we have to defend ourselves…even the protestant ministers are under the influence of the Jesuits without suspecting it…The history of these last thousand years tells us that wherever the Church of Rome is not a dagger to pierce the bosom of a free nation, she is a stone to her neck, and a ball to her feet, to paralyze her, and prevent her advance in the ways of civilization, science, intelligence, happiness and liberty.” “This war would never have been possible without the sinister influence of the Jesuits. We owe it to Popery that we now see our land reddened with the blood of her noblest sons…for if the people knew the whole truth, this war would turn into a religious war, and at once, take a tenfold more savage and bloody character, it would become merciless as all religious wars are.” These are the words of Abraham Lincoln, spoken in 1861 & June 9^th, 1864. “Fifty years in the Church of Rome” Charles Chiniquy Pages: 496-499.
(Please read: “The secret terrorists” - Bill Hughes Truth triumphant Box 1417 Eustis Fl 32727)

You have probably heard it said that history repeats itself; let’s read what the agenda of the Papacy of today has to say: “Ensure that Civil legislation [passes laws!] respects their duty to keep Sunday Holy…refraining from work and activities which are incompatible with the Lord’s day.” (Apostolic letter, Des Domini of Pope John Paul II, dated May 31, 1998). I would ask you to notice the mention of “the Lord’s day” as we have just read. “It has been said that when the Apostle John, when writing the Book of “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” sometime in 90-96 AD, was referring to Sunday as the “Lord’s day”, “evidence” that God’s true Sabbath day – the Lord’s day, (as mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures) had been changed from Saturday to Sunday. However, why does he specifically mention “Sunday, the first day” twice in his Gospel? John 20:1&19. If he understood the term “Lord’s day” to mean Sunday, why did he not call it so still later when he wrote his Gospel 2 or 3 years later? Not one well-authenticated instance can be found where Sunday was called the Lord’s day before the year AD 194, just about one hundred years later than the time when this was written by the Apostle John, - a point in history when Christianity had become much corrupted.” The change of the Sabbath, G.I. Butler 1904

Christ gave a solemn warning to those desiring everlasting life. He spoke: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matt 7:13-15. Notice that He did not say that the way which leads to life was going to be easy. Not only is that statement contrary to what is preached today (for what is preached today in the Evangelical world is that you do not have to obey God’s Laws) – follow your own rules, do anything you want to do, live how you want to live, think what you want to think, dress how you want to dress, eat, drink and be merry! Christ did it all for me, all there is left for me to do is enjoy life to the fullest because “we are under grace.” If that is true, why does the Lord further add that few would find the way to life? The refinement of our soul is not overnight, it is progressive. Conversion occurs when we accept Christ by faith through His Holy Spirit. Our sins convict us, we recognize that we are sinners and realize that we need a Savior. Just finding Him is but the beginning. Paul says, “I would not have known sin except through the law.” Romans 7:7. Walking in obedience will be our life’s challenge. We may profess to be born again, saved by the blood of Christ, yet if we do not heed to Heaven’s moral code of conduct, which Christ declares he came to establish, not to abolish, will we be accepted for Heaven? “Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till Heaven and Earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall not pass from the Law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these Commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 5:17-19. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God, nor indeed can be, so then, those that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Rom 8:7. So the Scripture declares that “the carnal mind” the flesh, is “enmity” (contrary, opposing) to God! “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Rom. 8:5. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do for it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4. Paul just said that our carnal nature is in rebellion against God, therefore, to be in harmony, or obedience, we must walk in the Spirit to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law. Paul emphasized that to fulfill the requirement of God’s Moral law, we must be Spiritually minded, it is by Christ’s Spirit that we desire to walk in obedience to God’s Law. In obedience to His Law, we fulfill the “righteousness of the Law”. Being “delivered from the Law” means you are no longer trespassing its requirements, it does not mean that the law no longer exists. If you obey the posted speed limit, the law officer cannot give you a speeding ticket for you are not a law breaker! By obedience to the law, you are set free “delivered” from the law! If however, you break the speed limit, you become a transgressor of the law, and will receive its just punishment – a speeding ticket. James calls God’s Law the Law of liberty! James 2:8-12. The Law can only condemn, it does not bring forth salvation. Salvation is only through faith in Christ. The Law accuses us of our sins, pointing us to Christ; when we are in Christ, He points us back to the Law, for outside of Him there is no Righteousness. If the Law did not exist today, we would not know that we need Christ. “I would not have known sin except through the Law.” Romans 7:7. “For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “thou shalt not covet.” Romans 7:7. Paul, in no small terms has just confirmed that the law that he is referring to is the Moral law of our Creator – the Ten Commandments, for this is the law which contains “Thou shalt not covet” (the tenth). Accordingly, this set of laws also contains the first, which is: “thou shalt have no other God’s before Me.” Therefore, when the opponents of God’s true Sabbath acknowledge that we are not to have other god’s, what may I ask, have they done with the Fourth Commandment? The one that begins with: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy. Six days shall ye labor and do all thy work, but the SEVENTH day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, Thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant [employees] nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle [business] nor thy stranger [GENTILES] that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the Seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11. The apostle John, in harmony with Paul declares God’s promise to us in this: “And what ever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:22. John just said that when we keep His Commandments, this is pleasing in God’s eyes. This John, whom it was given “the revelation of Jesus Christ” at about 90-96 AD, wrote his Gospel & epistles (first, second, and third John) at about 96-100 AD from the island of Patmos, a small barren “rock” in the Agean Sea about fifty miles southwest of Ephesus, John’s former home in Asia, where he had been banished by the Roman Emperor. “Compelled to sever his connections from home and loved ones, he (John) maintained his union with God and held communion with Heavenly beings. We should be thankful for the bleak and barren places of life that cut us off from all Earthly help so that Heaven can draw near. Out of a Roman penitentiary came forth the Apocalypse to bless Christendom. From the barren rocks of Patmos came the book that completes and crowns the cannon of Holy Scripture.” (The seven epistles of Christ) T.G. Bunch. In his first Epistle, second chapter verses one, three and four, under inspiration John writes: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His Commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” John was the last living Apostle, the only one to die of natural causes. He writes to the brethren in all the Churches, the first century Christians; that if one claims to “Know” God, and yet is disobedient to His Commandments, this person is a liar and the truth is not in him! Need we add any words to this? The inspired psalmist says: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple, the statutes of the Lord are right, the Commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Psalm 19. The Father says to us: “My son, do not forget My law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.” Prov.3:1&2. I desire those promises for you brothers and sisters, I desire that for my family and all of mankind. Christ instructed us: “If you love Me, keep My Commandments, he who has My Commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14: 15 & 21. To the rich young ruler He said: “If you want to enter into life, keep the Commandments.” Matt. 19:17. For someone to encourage others to ignore God’s word as found in the scriptures is a gravely serious matter. A degree in theology is not necessarily a guarantee that a man is truly saved, knows God intimately (or even wants to), seeks after righteousness, or is qualified to lead others to the gates of paradise. A popular author once wrote: “Many portions of Scripture which learned men pronounce a mystery, or pass over as unimportant, is full of comfort and instruction to him who is diligently seeking in the school of Christ. One reason why many theologians have no clearer understanding of God’s word is, they close their eyes to truths which they do not wish to practice. As understanding of Biblical truths depends not so much on the power of intellect brought to the search as on the singleness of purpose, the earnest longing after righteousness.” The Father tenderly declares “ I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me.” Prov.8:17. Again He confirms this: “Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all of your heart. And I will be found of you, says the Lord.” Jer. 29:12-14.

Many who oppose and reject the keeping of the Biblical Seventh day Sabbath are condemned by the fourth Commandment contained in God’s Moral law. Leaning upon other men’s doctrinal theology (opinion) to interpret the Word of God can be deadly. For example, there are men teaching that you do not have to keep God’s law, nor repent, confess, or fear God, for Jesus did everything at the cross; and if you have any remorse or conviction of sin in your life you are dishonoring Christ because we are now under grace. Grace however, means: “The divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life, gratitude.” (Strong’s definition #5485) We need to study prayerfully and diligently that what our Church is teaching lines up and is in harmony with what the word of God declares in the Scriptures. Moses and Paul are not in disagreement. The New Testament does not annul the Old Testament. We should consider that maybe, just maybe, the reason condemnation is experienced could be because a loving Creator is possibly revealing something new to us. Perhaps this thing being revealed is foreign and uncomfortable (God’s true Sabbath). It could certainly be contrary to what is popular and comfortable. Our conscience is a beacon, a rudder, to help guide us by His Spirit in this refinement process, to direct our course towards what is true and pleasing to our Heavenly Father. We were made for His pleasure, not the other way around. I am a sinner and I need a savior, simple. What is not so simple is that we exist in a World that is in rebellion against the very Savior of the world. 1 Tim 4:1,2. Satan hates God’s Laws for by them he is condemned. All forms of government, of necessity, must implement laws by which to effectively govern their realms. Our Creator is a God of order, not of confusion. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the Saints.” 1 Cor. 14:33. God’s Law identifies the true Creator, the great Lawgiver. Our Heavenly Father’s power and irrevocable authority is declared by His precepts – His Ten Commandments. Our obedience to these is the golden clasp, the binding evidence by which we are separated from those that are in rebellion against Him. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor.2:14.

Dear friend, Are you a seeker of righteousness?
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt.6:33. “The righteousness of God says our Lord, is the one thing to be sought in this life. Food and clothing are minor matters in comparison with it. God will supply those things, but to secure God’s kingdom and His righteousness should be the only object of life. In 1 Cor.1:30. we are told that Christ is made unto us righteousness as well as wisdom; and since Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Cor.1:24) and in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. It is evident that the righteousness which He is made to us is the righteousness of God. Just what is this righteousness? “My tongue shall speak of thy word; for all thy Commandments are righteousness.” Ps.119:172. The Commandments are righteousness, not simply in the abstract, but they are the righteousness of God. For proof lets read the following: “Lift up your eyes to the Heavens, and look upon the Earth beneath; for the Heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the Earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; but My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished. Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My Law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.” Isa. 51:6,7. What do we learn from this? – That they who know the righteousness of God are those in whose heart is His Law, and therefore that the Law of God is the righteousness of God. This may be proved again, as follows: “All unrighteousness is sin.” 1John 5:17 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4 Sin is the transgression of the law, and it is also un- righteousness; therefore sin and unrighteousness are identical, but if unrighteousness is transgression of the law, righteousness must be obedience to the law. Now what law is obedience to which is righteousness, and disobedience to which is sin? It is the law which says, “Thou shalt not covet;” for the Apostle Paul tells us that this law convicted him of sin. Rom.7:7. “I would not have known sin except through the law.” The law of Ten Commandments then, is the measure of the righteousness of God. Since it is the law of God, and is righteousness, it must be the righteousness of God. There is, indeed, no other righteousness.” Christ and His righteousness, E.J.Waggoner 1890

To those that argue that the “Old Testament Laws” are not for “modern” Gentiles, for they are a “new Testament church”, under the “New Covenant”, I would humbly ask this question: Why do you preach to those that have sicknesses “By His stripes we are healed”? And also claim: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord.” And at the same time, you utterly reject the passage from the same book which says: “Thus saith the Lord, keep thee judgment [righteousness NKJ] and do justice, for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting [defiling NKJ] it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” And, “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath [from trampling it- disregarding it] from doing thy pleasure on My Holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the Holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the Earth, and feed thee with the inheritance of Jacob thy Father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 53:5, 54:17, 58:13

God promises to bless you if you obey His Commandments. Deut.5:29. Did you know that there are only two commandments that have a specific promise attached to them? These are: the fourth – God’s Sabbath, and the fifth – honor thy father and thy Mother. In the fourth, The Creator promises to cause us to “Ride the high hills of the Earth, and feed us with the inheritance of Jacob.” The inheritance of Jacob is the promise made to Abraham. By Faith in Christ, we are adopted as the “seed” of Abraham, “Spiritual Israel”. In the fifth, He promises that if we honor our parents “Our days may be long upon the land.” The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-17. It is very interesting to note that when God gave the Israelites His other Laws, He made a mention to them to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy, that it may go well with them and their children after them.” He said this to them a number of times, yet, this is one of the most blatant sins which the Israelites committed against Him. They placed other god’s before Him, in the tradition of the pagan nations surrounding them, they committed Spiritual adultery by taking up idols made of wood and stone, worshiping also the Moon and the Sun, among many other things which they did. See Ezekiel 18:9,21,24,26-28, 20:12,13,16,19-21,24 And 22:8. Yet whenever they were conquered by these Heathen nations and they remembered Him and repented, He would cause them to return to Him and obey His Sacred Sabbath. You see, the Sabbath of the Lord identifies the TRUE CREATOR. No other Commandment does this. This separates the children of God from the children of disobedience (see Hebrews 4:4-11). This alone is enough reason for those who reject and teach others to transgress God’s Sabbath day to reconsider God’s Word and fear Him. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Prov.1:7 (NKJ). He created it for our benefit, not His. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 Sunday keeping is following along the adulterous pagan practices of the Israelites- Baal worship. This is originally inspired by Satan who is seeking through his counterfeit Sabbath to receive the worship he craved when in Heaven, see Isaiah 14:12-14. “Her priests have violated My Law and profaned My Holy things; they have not distinguished between the Holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the clean and the unclean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I Am profaned among them.” Ezekiel 22:26.

Sunday crept in over the centuries, gradually taking pre-eminence over the Sacred Biblical Sabbath. When a tradition is kept through many centuries, it can become to be regarded as a foundational pillar of truth, rather than for what it is - simply a tradition. We are well aware that these can be dividing issues (Sunday keeping and the Law), however, we are also required because of Heavenly convictions to present (admonish, warn, caution, plead) to others to “carefully examine” all things. Do we really think that God would have His children living only by their own standards of righteousness? The fact is, as we look back in history we find that the truth of God as declared in His Word (His requirements upon man- a Christian), has been at the forefront of attack from the enemy of God and Man. If Satan can deceive mankind in believing that there are NO requirements for us to live in harmony with God’s Word, If he can deceive man in believing that God does not care by what standard we live by, or how carefully we take Him (God) at His word, he has accomplished his goal. One example is Adam and Eve. Are we any better than them? Since Christ has come, are we really “free” (as many preach to believing congregations) to live as we consider good in our eyes? By our own standards of righteousness? This is exactly what the Hebrews did. They are an example to us of a people who did not have a heart to live under God’s authority. 1Cor.10:11 Disobedient, Continually breaking God’s Commandments. They wanted the benefits of the covenant, but not the requirements. Winston Churchill once said, “The further ahead you wish to see, the further back you must look.” What does God’s word instruct regarding His new covenant? “But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their minds and in their hearts I will write them.” Hebrews 8:10. Christ is “the lamb that was slain before the foundations of the World”. Rev.13:8. He was the sacrifice to make atonement for our sins. Not the old Ceremonial Laws which symbolically pointed Forward to Himself. So what “laws” is God speaking of through Paul? There were four distinct sets of laws given: The Moral, (God wrote in stone with His own finger), The Ceremonial, Judicial, and the health law, (Moses wrote these on papyrus or animal skins.) Notice the symbolism, stone is “enduring, timeless”.

The Moral law: is what the Government of God operates under: Angels and Mankind are free moral agents, we have a choice to serve God with our love and allegiance to Him. This law defines His righteousness, it identifies Him as the Great Creator of the universe, it is His “Seal”, His “Sign”. “And Hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I Am the Lord your God.” Ezek.20:20. Please read Psalm 89:34 & 111:7-10.

The Ceremonial Law: Represented Christ’s offering of His life to make atonement for our sins. The sacrificial system was symbolic, pointing forward to the coming of Christ in the future. The Patriarchs looked forward in faith to Christ. The blood shed by the animal sacrifice was the symbol of the promise made even to Adam, who taught his descendants after him of the coming of Christ, that by faith in Him, they were to receive their Salvation. Throughout all the ages past, Salvation has always been, and will be,- through faith in Christ the Messiah. When Christ came this was no longer needed for the World had been given the genuine article. Christ fulfilled this law. “without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin.” Hebrews 9:22.

The Judicial Law: The Israelites had been slaves for four hundred years, what they knew was the heathen rituals of the Egyptians. God had to re-program them to function as free individuals, governed by a Theocracy – God Himself was their king. These laws contained the principles by which our Constitution is founded. The respect for our fellow man and his property. The guidelines by which to behave in a Godly, lawful, productive, society provided the groundwork to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” Romans 9:13 (Shortly thereafter, Israel rejected God and asked for a king to rule them, like the heathen nations around them.)

The Health Law: God’s children are to be an example of health to a dying sick world. He has placed upon this Earth foods and elements to promote healthy minds and bodies. He gave the Hebrews the basic understanding by which to remain healthy, such as washing themselves, the prevention of leprosy, the handling of foods, Etc. We have progressed in science and medicine, but some of the prohibitions which He gave, were also to test their faith in Him, God uses all things to test our faith in Him. God declared to the Israelites some animals unclean to eat, for their benefit. Have animals changed since three thousand years ago? Yes. Has our World become cleaner? No. The fish that Christ ate with His Disciples is not the same fish we eat today. So would you say that the principles of health laws are abolished “because we are under grace?”, “Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the Temple of God is Holy; which Temple ye are.”1 Cor.3:16,17.

God is referring to His Moral Law, The Ten Commandments, when He promises to put those laws in our hearts, and in our minds. The one He wrote in stone with His own finger, and placed inside the Ark under the mercy seat, covered by the sacrificial blood. (The other laws were placed on the side of the Ark, again notice the symbolism). Or would it be the Judicial Law? We should still cut cows in half to enter into contracts? Would it be the health law then? We should remain outside our home for seven days if we touch a dead animal? No, we have antibacterial soaps now. Christ summarized the Ten Commandments with the two mentioned in Mark 12:29-34. He declared to the Scribe that there were no greater Commandments than those, and than He adds “you are not far from the Kingdom of God.” The raging objection that exists is pointedly at the fourth Commandment, the one which identifies God as The Creator of the Universe, the one which begins and onlyinstructs us to: “REMEMBER the Sabbath day to keep it holy…” The Moral Law was not nailed to the Cross, for “Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me” is the first Commandment, was it also abolished? Christ is the author of our faith, not of confusion! 1Cor.14:33. In contrast, examine what the Papacy has to say: “The Catholic Church for over one thousand years before the existence of a protestant, by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday.” Catholic Mirror, Sept. 23, 1893. “Sunday is our mark of authority…The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance [Sunday] is proof of that fact.” Catholic Record Sept. 1, 1923. “The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay in spite of themselves to the authority of the [Catholic] Church. Mgr. Louis Segur, Plain talk about Protestantism of today, Boston 1868, Page 225.
“You may read the Bible from Genesis to revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday.” Faith of our fathers, -James cardinal Gibbons, Catholic scholar and author.

The above is added evidence that there is something suspicious about these claims. Can a Pope change God’s Law? Did God change His Law? If so, Exactly where in Scripture is the instruction declared? Did the Apostles keep Sunday? Sunday the first day, is only mentioned eight times in the New Testament, Always as a regular work day. The Sabbath, -God’s true Sabbath, is mentioned 59 times in the New Testament, it is mentioned over 360 times in the Old Testament. In the book of Acts chapter 20 verse 7 describes the Apostles coming together to break bread and Paul speaks until midnight. The reckoning of a day was from sunset to sunset, therefore, Paul was simply preaching on Saturday and “continued his message until midnight.” This was not a Sunday service, Paul was leaving, they had a farewell supper together. Read the Prior chapters- 13:14, 13:42, 15:21, 16:13, 17:2&10-12, and 18:4. It is plainly declared that the Sabbath kept by the Apostles, Jews and Gentiles was the Seventh day, Saturday. This is 26 years after the resurrection! Do we desire to follow the example of the Apostles? Phil. 3:17, II Thess.3:9.

“But God will have a people upon the Earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the Basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deduction of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority- not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain “thus saith the Lord” in its support.” “It is easier to close our eyes and walk away from truth than to practice it. If we are just looking for intellectual knowledge, it will not help us. God is not going to reveal His truth to people who really do not want to follow it. What we need is a heart that loves righteousness and hates iniquity, a heart that will do God’s work”. Allen Stump, Old Paths, January 2008 “O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever.” Deut. 5:29. This promise spoken by God regarding His people should be considered by those who love God and have children: “that it might be well with them forever”. These last days, more than any other time in history, God’s laws (The Ten Commandments) are down played as not for modern man. There are several views held, all without a sure “thus saith the Lord”. What is given is conjecture and Man’s philosophy. The papist say they have authority to change God’s word - and they did! The Jehovah’s witness’, Baptists, Episcopalians, Mormons, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Methodists, etc., hold several views to disregard the Sacred Commandment: “The apostles kept Sunday, we are to keep only nine, they were ALL done away with at Calvary, they were only for the Jews, we keep the “spirit” of the Law, Jesus changed the law at the resurrection, we keep one in seven...” They all sound good and earnest from a pulpit. Nevertheless, Let it be proven by the scriptures please. “The law can save nobody. But it is also true that nobody will be saved outside of its protective boundary. We are only kept by faith through Christ. But we are kept by Christ to do something. We are kept to obey Him through His Commandments, to serve Him.” Allen Stump Old paths, January 2008 “Do we than make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:31. We are accountable to God for those things which He reveals to our hearts, and if we love Him and His children, we will want to warn or sound the alarm when we discover a cause for alarm. We are all ministers of His word. It is a matter of duty; it is a matter of love. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and we keep His Commandments, and His Commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:2&3. “Then many false prophets will rise and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matt.24:10,11. Notice Christ again says: false prophets deceiving many, lawlessness, (the not keeping of God’s law) the love of many growing cold (no love for God or His children.) Only those who endure are to be saved. Endure what? A life of doing what is good in our own eyes? Living by our own doctrines? Disregarding God’s word? Enduring is to resist, overcoming temptation and sin. James 1:12. How do we know what sin is? “I would not have known sin except through the law” Romans 7:7. The only definition of sin found in the whole Cannon of Scripture is this: “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4 “For whoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10. Christ is to find His Church ready as a bride, spotless and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27. Yet there are many who claim that it is impossible to keep the Law- “The Jews could not do it, how can we?” Does God command us to do something we can not possibly do? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil.4:13. He will do it through us by His Spirit. The Israelites did not desire to obey God. They continually rebelled against Him. They were not reborn Spiritually, they were carnally minded. They invented “justification by works” perverting God’s Commandments to attain “salvation by works”. But what does the Lord say in regards to His new Covenant? “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their Fathers in the day that I took them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My Law in their inward parts, [minds] and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Jeremiah 31:31-33. God repeats His promise through Paul in the new Testament, read Hebrews 8:10. This is promised only to “Spiritual Israel,” Abraham’s seed, which we become through faith in Jesus Christ. For to no other people is this promise given! Therefore, the Sacred Moral Law entrusted to the Israelites for a testimony to the rest of the World was not Jewish, or Hebraic, but divine. “Salvation,” said our Lord to the woman of Samaria, “is of the Jews.” John 4:22. “Spiritual Israel” From the Spiritual seed of Abraham. God’s promise through the ages is fulfilled in us by His Son Jesus Christ. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal.3:28&29. “Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My Commandments, My statutes, and My Laws.” Gen.26:5. This was 550 years before Sinai! “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal.3:26.

In the coming judgment, there will be two classes of people on this Earth. Only two. Those that are sealed with the sign of God, and those that bear the mark of the beast. This “Seal” and this “mark” has to do with who we worship and how we worship. From the beginning, prior to the fall of man, Satan has desired the worship due to Christ. Could God’s true Sabbath have any relationship with this? The only Commandment which identifies the true Creator of the Universe? Alone, majestic, separate, timeless, secure, right in the middle; Like the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. The one which begins with His tender words, in Fatherly love He speaks: “Remember the Sabbath day…” The Precept which directs our hearts to our Creator, Our Savior, worthy of our love and worship, adoration, faith, prayers, praise, gratefulness, allegiance, servitude, joy, and hope? May He help us to overcome sin, and may we be found without fault before His throne, and faithful to Him when He returns. Rev. 14:1-5.

“Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made Heaven, and Earth, the Sea, and the fountains of water”. Revelation 14:7. ~

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