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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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The Anti-Christ: The Papacy
- Thread starter JM
- Start date
Vic said:
That's ok Vic, the end times can be confussing!
: I put the cart before the horse, we find in Numbers 14:34 & Ezekiel 4:6 where God has explains this way of interpretation. "I have appointed thee, saith the Lord, each day for a year." I view the 70 weeks of Daniel to be understood this way.
- 1 year of 12 months at 30 days=360 days
3 1/2 years, or times, of 360 days=1260 days
42 months of 30 days=1260 days
I kidding about the confussing part, I'm just trying to read the passages with the knowledge I already have of the Scriptures.
j
Vic C.
Member
Yeah, all that I understand. The days ---> years I learned years ago. What confused me was I took it as though you were suggesting the two witnesses were to be around for 1260 years:
"-1260 years as shown by Rev.11:3 equals one prophetic day as one literal year..."
I always took that to be a literal 1260 days, or aprox. 3 1/2 years. Did you pickup on something I may have missed in my studies?
Always curious,
Vic 8-)
"-1260 years as shown by Rev.11:3 equals one prophetic day as one literal year..."
I always took that to be a literal 1260 days, or aprox. 3 1/2 years. Did you pickup on something I may have missed in my studies?
Always curious,
Vic 8-)
Note from the Geneva Bible on Revelation:
1 AD The dragon watches the Church of the Jews, which was ready to travail: She brings forth, flees and hides herself, while Christ was yet on the earth.
34 AD The dragon persecutes Christ ascending to heaven, he fights and is thrown down: and after persecutes the Church of the Jews.
67 AD The Church of the Jews is received into the wilderness for three years and a half.
70 AD When the Church of the Jews was overthrown, the dragon invaded the catholic church: all this is in the twelfth chapter. The dragon is bound for a thousand years in chapter twenty. The dragon raises up the beast with seven heads, and the beast with two heads, which make havock of the catholic church and her prophets for 1260 years after the passion of Christ in Re 13:11 .
97 AD The seven churches are admonished of things present, somewhat before the end of Domitian his reign, and are forewarned of the persecution to come under Trajan for ten years, chapter 2,3. God by word and signs provokes the world, and seals the godly in chapter 6 and 7. He shows examples of his wrath on all creatures, mankind excepted in chapter 8.
1073 AD The dragon is let loose after a thousand years, and Gregory the seventh, being Pope, rages against Henry the third, then Emperor in chapter 20.
1217 AD The dragon vexes the world for 150 years to Gregory the ninth, who wrote the Decretals, and most cruelly persecuted the Emperor Fredrick the second.
1295 AD The dragon kills the prophets after 1260 years, when Boniface the eighth was Pope, who was the author of the sixth book of the Decretals: he excommunicated Philip the French King.
1300 AD Boniface celebrates the Jubile.
1301 AD About this time was a great earthquake, which overthrew many houses in Rome.
1305 AD Prophecy ceases for three years and a half, until Benedict the second succeeded after Boniface the eighth. Prophecy is revived in chapter 11. The dragon and the two beasts question prophecy in chapter 13. Christ defends his Church in word and deed, chapter 14, and with threats and arms, chapter 16. Christ gives his Church victory over the harlot, chapter 17 and 18. Over the two beasts, chapter 19. Over the dragon and death, chapter 20. The Church is fully glorified in heaven with eternal glory, in Christ Jesus, chapter 21 and 22.
1 AD The dragon watches the Church of the Jews, which was ready to travail: She brings forth, flees and hides herself, while Christ was yet on the earth.
34 AD The dragon persecutes Christ ascending to heaven, he fights and is thrown down: and after persecutes the Church of the Jews.
67 AD The Church of the Jews is received into the wilderness for three years and a half.
70 AD When the Church of the Jews was overthrown, the dragon invaded the catholic church: all this is in the twelfth chapter. The dragon is bound for a thousand years in chapter twenty. The dragon raises up the beast with seven heads, and the beast with two heads, which make havock of the catholic church and her prophets for 1260 years after the passion of Christ in Re 13:11 .
97 AD The seven churches are admonished of things present, somewhat before the end of Domitian his reign, and are forewarned of the persecution to come under Trajan for ten years, chapter 2,3. God by word and signs provokes the world, and seals the godly in chapter 6 and 7. He shows examples of his wrath on all creatures, mankind excepted in chapter 8.
1073 AD The dragon is let loose after a thousand years, and Gregory the seventh, being Pope, rages against Henry the third, then Emperor in chapter 20.
1217 AD The dragon vexes the world for 150 years to Gregory the ninth, who wrote the Decretals, and most cruelly persecuted the Emperor Fredrick the second.
1295 AD The dragon kills the prophets after 1260 years, when Boniface the eighth was Pope, who was the author of the sixth book of the Decretals: he excommunicated Philip the French King.
1300 AD Boniface celebrates the Jubile.
1301 AD About this time was a great earthquake, which overthrew many houses in Rome.
1305 AD Prophecy ceases for three years and a half, until Benedict the second succeeded after Boniface the eighth. Prophecy is revived in chapter 11. The dragon and the two beasts question prophecy in chapter 13. Christ defends his Church in word and deed, chapter 14, and with threats and arms, chapter 16. Christ gives his Church victory over the harlot, chapter 17 and 18. Over the two beasts, chapter 19. Over the dragon and death, chapter 20. The Church is fully glorified in heaven with eternal glory, in Christ Jesus, chapter 21 and 22.
J
John the Baptist
Guest
--Find another world church that fits this Antichrist fold--
CHAOS AWAITS MAJOR CITIES... RESULTING IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF A NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW. "AND THAT NO MAN MIGHT BUY OR SELL, SAVE HE THAT HAD THE MARK, OR THE NAME OF THE BEAST" REV. 13:17.
LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE DENIED - EVERY PRINCIPLE OF THE CONSTITUTION WILL BE REPUDIATED "AND ALL THE WORLD WONDERED AFTER THE BEAST" REV. 13:3.
WHO IS THE WOMAN RIDING THE BEAST?
In prophetic language, the symbol of a Woman represents a church, as we find it in Jeremiah 6:1-2 or Ephesians 5:24-27. Also in the book of Revelation, it is described to us, by the symbol of a "woman" the pure and only church of Christ, that "keeps the commandments of God and has the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 12:6, 13-17; 14:12). Revelation describes another "woman" that is not of Christ, it is a rich, an arrogant, and a persecuting church, as we will see:
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet [red] color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand [the vessels of her rituals] full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of harlots and abominations of the earth†(Rev.17:4-5).
“And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints [even though she speaks of peace, she’s murderous & persecuting Dan. 8:23-25], and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration†(Rev. 17:6).
“And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns†(Rev. 17:7).
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, [historically, Rome has been the city of the seven mountains] on which the woman sitteth†(Rev. 17:9).
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings [world powers at large], which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast [in prophecy, a “beast†is a kingly power, Dan. 7:17,23]. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast†(Rev. 17:12-13).
“And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth [to sit means to control through world governments, as we have illustrated in this prophetic narrative], are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues†(Rev 17:15).
“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast [an ecclesiastical-political new- world order], until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman [the impure church ] which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth†(Rev. 17:17-18). Note: With prophetic insight into the future, John was unmistakably hinting that there would be a power that would lust for both political and religious supremacy.
The late Jesuit and Vatican insider, Malachi Martin, wrote, “...he [John Paul II] insists that men have no reliable hope of creating a viable geopolitical system unless it is on the basis of Roman Catholic Christianity.†The Keys of This Blood, page 492.
WHAT IS HER MARK?
“The OBSERVANCE of SUNDAY by the Protestants is an HOMAGE THEY PAY in spite of themselves to the AUTHORITY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.†Monsignor Louis Segur, Plain Talk about Protestantism of Today, page 213.
“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.†The Catholic Mirror, September, 1893.
“Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act... And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things.†H.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons. Nov 11, 1895.
“The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of the Sabbath observance is proof positive of that fact.†The Catholic Record, London, Ontario, September 1, 1923.
“We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.†Peter Geiermann, CSSR, A Doctrinal Catechism, 1957 Edition, page 50.
John Paul II receives U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan for a private audience at the Vatican, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003.
“We all gather on the day of the SUN...Sunday on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in the light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal church.†New Catholic Catechism (1993), pages 582, 583.
THE FIRST SUNDAY LAW
“The earliest recognition of the observation of Sunday as a legal duty is a constitution of Constantine [the first Roman “church-state†Emperor] in 321 A.D.†Encyclopedia Britannica, Ninth Edition, Article “Sunday.â€Â
“FIRST DAY†BIBLE TEXTS
Millions of conscientious Christians attend church every Sunday, the first day of the week. They do so believing that somewhere, somehow, someone changed the day of worship. Either that, or they aren’t aware that God set aside the seventh day, not the first day of the week, as His holy day. It is true, a change has been made. But by whom? We will discover that God made the Sabbath during the first week of earth’s history. He set it aside as a weekly appointment between man and Himself - as a blessing, a refreshment, the day to especially remember, honor and worship Him as our Creator and King. If God changed His mind about His special appointed day with us, wouldn’t He have recorded so momentous an adjustment in the Bible? There are only eight texts in the New Testament that mention the first day of the week. Please look at them carefully. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1,2; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1; John 20:19; Acts 20:7, 8; I Corinthians 16:1, 2).
The first five texts simply state that the women came to the sepulcher early on the resurrection morning, and that Jesus rose from the dead. Now look up John 20:19 in your Bible. It tells us that Jesus appeared to the disciples later on the resurrection day. It says that the reason they were assembled was “for fear of the Jews.â€Â
No telling when the Jews might grab them and treat them to the same fate as their Master. They had seen their beloved Master die on Friday. They “returned and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.†(Luke 23:56) And now they’re hiding with the door shut for “fear of the Jews†(John 20:19). There’s no mention of a change.
Pope John Paul II's envoy Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, left, meets with the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, right, in Baghdad, Saturday Feb. 15, 2003
The seventh text is Acts 20:7,8. It says, “and upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper
chamber, where they were gathered together.†This was a night meeting - the dark part of the first day of the week. In the Bible reckoning, the dark part of the day comes before the light part. “And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called night. And the evening and the morning were the first day†(Gen. 1:5).
The dark part comes first. The Bible reckons a day from sunset to sunset. The seventh day begins at sunset Friday evening. The first day begins sunset Saturday evening. Paul is together with his friends on the dark part of the first day of the week which we call today “Saturday nightâ€Â. This is a farewell get-together. He preaches until midnight until poor Eutychus falls out of the window (Acts 20:9). Verse eleven says that they talked until the break of day, and then Paul departed. Verse thirteen shows that Paul spent that Sunday morning traveling to Assos. There’s nothing here either concerning a change of the Sabbath.
The New English Bible translates this text like this: “On Saturday night, in our assembly for the breaking of the bread, Paul who was to leave the next day, addressed them, and went on speaking until midnight†(Acts 20:7). The last text that mentions the first day of the week is in I Corinthians 16:1, 2. It says: “Now concerning the
collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.†Verse three tells us that he will bring the offering to Jerusalem. As he had done in Galatia, so
Paul also requested of those in Corinth to have a collection all ready when he would come to take it to the poor saints in Jerusalem. There’s nothing in the text about a church service, but each person is to “lay by him in store.†The first day of the week was the best time for people to set some money aside, because later in the week, it would be spent. That’s also true today! Paul requested this so “that there be no gathering when I come†(I Corinthians 16:2).
SATURDAY IS THE SABBATH...THE 7TH
DAY... THE LORD’S DAY...Beware of SUNDAY...Counterfeit Sabbath...the mark of the beast that will be enforced as the day of rest and worship by a national Sunday law! Exodus 20:8-11, Ezekiel 20:20, Daniel 7:25, Matthew 12:8, Luke 23:56, Revelation 13:16-17 & 14:7-12.
“The Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day†(Mat. 12:8). “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God†(Fourth Commandment, Exodus 20:8-11). “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James... very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun...
The Pope holds an audience with Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Vatican library on February 22, 2003.
And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man...And he saith unto them, be not affrighted; Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen.†(Mark 16:1-6).
Everyone knows that Sunday was the resurrection day. “The Sabbath was past†when it dawned. Thus it is evident that the Sabbath is Saturday, the day before Sunday. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill†(Matthew 5:17). “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and e a r t h pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled†(Matthew 5 : 1 8 ). “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath†(Mark 2:27).
“And that day was the preparation and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how His body was laid. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments; and rested thesabbath day according to the commandment†(Luke 23:54-56).
President Bush traveled to Rome to meet the Pope.
Notice that Luke, a non-Jewish biblical writer, approximately 37 years AFTER the resurrection of Christ, still called the Sabbath (the seventh day of the week) a Commandment of God.
“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scripture†(Acts 17:2). “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks†(Acts 18:4). “There remaineth therefore a rest [Sabbath] to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His†(Hebrews 4:9, 10). “For he spake in a certain place of the
seventh day...And God did rest the seventh day from all his works,†“And blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it†(Hebrews 4:4 and Exodus 20:11).
In the New Testament, there are no fewer than 59 references to the Sabbath. The book of Acts records 84 Sabbaths on which the Apostle Paul and his associates held religious services. Yet there is not ONE word in the entire Bible authorizing Sunday keeping.
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth NOT his Commandments, IS A LIAR, and THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM†(1John 2:4). “If you love Me, KEEP my commandments†(John 14:15). “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet OFFEND IN ONE POINT, he is GUILTY OF ALL†(James 2:10). The law that the Bible refers to, here, is the law of the TEN COMMANDMENTS, which were written by God’s finger (James 2:8-11, Mathew 5:17- 21, Exodus 31:18, Deuteronomy 10:1-4).
“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read†(Luke 4:16). “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments†(Matthew 19:17). “God blessed the SEVENTH DAY AND SANCTIFIED IT†(Genesis 2:3). “He hath blessed and I cannot reverse it†(Numbers 23:20) “For thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be blessed for ever†(I Chronicles 17:27).
French Cardinal Roger Etchegary, representing the Papal envoy, with Yasser Arafat.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven†(Matthew 7:21). “Many will say to Me that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy Name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from me, ye that work iniquity†(Matthew 7:22, 23).
“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain; and it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the LORD †(Isaiah 66:22, 23). According to Colossians 2:14-17, the sacrifices with its ceremonies and rituals as registered in Leviticus 23 and other texts, were nailed [abolished] on the cross. But not the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment that is Eternal, as indicated in the above Bible verses.
A CALL TO ALL MENâ€â€REVELATION 14
“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.†Rev. 14:7. “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wratf 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.†Rev. 14:9-10.
For many years, we have seen Sunday closing laws on local, state, and municipal levels. Men are forced to close certain kinds of
businesses, and are prohibited from some secular activities on the first working day [Sunday] of the week, lest they be fined or imprisoned. And the situation will grow worse in the days ahead, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name†(Read Rev.
13:15-17). But there is victory for those who will stand true to the God of heaven, because there is overcoming power for those who will “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.†Rev. 14:12.
CHAOS AWAITS MAJOR CITIES... RESULTING IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF A NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW. "AND THAT NO MAN MIGHT BUY OR SELL, SAVE HE THAT HAD THE MARK, OR THE NAME OF THE BEAST" REV. 13:17.
LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE DENIED - EVERY PRINCIPLE OF THE CONSTITUTION WILL BE REPUDIATED "AND ALL THE WORLD WONDERED AFTER THE BEAST" REV. 13:3.
WHO IS THE WOMAN RIDING THE BEAST?
In prophetic language, the symbol of a Woman represents a church, as we find it in Jeremiah 6:1-2 or Ephesians 5:24-27. Also in the book of Revelation, it is described to us, by the symbol of a "woman" the pure and only church of Christ, that "keeps the commandments of God and has the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 12:6, 13-17; 14:12). Revelation describes another "woman" that is not of Christ, it is a rich, an arrogant, and a persecuting church, as we will see:
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet [red] color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand [the vessels of her rituals] full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of harlots and abominations of the earth†(Rev.17:4-5).
“And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints [even though she speaks of peace, she’s murderous & persecuting Dan. 8:23-25], and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration†(Rev. 17:6).
“And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns†(Rev. 17:7).
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, [historically, Rome has been the city of the seven mountains] on which the woman sitteth†(Rev. 17:9).
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings [world powers at large], which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast [in prophecy, a “beast†is a kingly power, Dan. 7:17,23]. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast†(Rev. 17:12-13).
“And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth [to sit means to control through world governments, as we have illustrated in this prophetic narrative], are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues†(Rev 17:15).
“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast [an ecclesiastical-political new- world order], until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman [the impure church ] which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth†(Rev. 17:17-18). Note: With prophetic insight into the future, John was unmistakably hinting that there would be a power that would lust for both political and religious supremacy.
The late Jesuit and Vatican insider, Malachi Martin, wrote, “...he [John Paul II] insists that men have no reliable hope of creating a viable geopolitical system unless it is on the basis of Roman Catholic Christianity.†The Keys of This Blood, page 492.
WHAT IS HER MARK?
“The OBSERVANCE of SUNDAY by the Protestants is an HOMAGE THEY PAY in spite of themselves to the AUTHORITY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.†Monsignor Louis Segur, Plain Talk about Protestantism of Today, page 213.
“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.†The Catholic Mirror, September, 1893.
“Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act... And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things.†H.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons. Nov 11, 1895.
“The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of the Sabbath observance is proof positive of that fact.†The Catholic Record, London, Ontario, September 1, 1923.
“We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.†Peter Geiermann, CSSR, A Doctrinal Catechism, 1957 Edition, page 50.
John Paul II receives U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan for a private audience at the Vatican, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003.
“We all gather on the day of the SUN...Sunday on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in the light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal church.†New Catholic Catechism (1993), pages 582, 583.
THE FIRST SUNDAY LAW
“The earliest recognition of the observation of Sunday as a legal duty is a constitution of Constantine [the first Roman “church-state†Emperor] in 321 A.D.†Encyclopedia Britannica, Ninth Edition, Article “Sunday.â€Â
“FIRST DAY†BIBLE TEXTS
Millions of conscientious Christians attend church every Sunday, the first day of the week. They do so believing that somewhere, somehow, someone changed the day of worship. Either that, or they aren’t aware that God set aside the seventh day, not the first day of the week, as His holy day. It is true, a change has been made. But by whom? We will discover that God made the Sabbath during the first week of earth’s history. He set it aside as a weekly appointment between man and Himself - as a blessing, a refreshment, the day to especially remember, honor and worship Him as our Creator and King. If God changed His mind about His special appointed day with us, wouldn’t He have recorded so momentous an adjustment in the Bible? There are only eight texts in the New Testament that mention the first day of the week. Please look at them carefully. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1,2; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1; John 20:19; Acts 20:7, 8; I Corinthians 16:1, 2).
The first five texts simply state that the women came to the sepulcher early on the resurrection morning, and that Jesus rose from the dead. Now look up John 20:19 in your Bible. It tells us that Jesus appeared to the disciples later on the resurrection day. It says that the reason they were assembled was “for fear of the Jews.â€Â
No telling when the Jews might grab them and treat them to the same fate as their Master. They had seen their beloved Master die on Friday. They “returned and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.†(Luke 23:56) And now they’re hiding with the door shut for “fear of the Jews†(John 20:19). There’s no mention of a change.
Pope John Paul II's envoy Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, left, meets with the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, right, in Baghdad, Saturday Feb. 15, 2003
The seventh text is Acts 20:7,8. It says, “and upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper
chamber, where they were gathered together.†This was a night meeting - the dark part of the first day of the week. In the Bible reckoning, the dark part of the day comes before the light part. “And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called night. And the evening and the morning were the first day†(Gen. 1:5).
The dark part comes first. The Bible reckons a day from sunset to sunset. The seventh day begins at sunset Friday evening. The first day begins sunset Saturday evening. Paul is together with his friends on the dark part of the first day of the week which we call today “Saturday nightâ€Â. This is a farewell get-together. He preaches until midnight until poor Eutychus falls out of the window (Acts 20:9). Verse eleven says that they talked until the break of day, and then Paul departed. Verse thirteen shows that Paul spent that Sunday morning traveling to Assos. There’s nothing here either concerning a change of the Sabbath.
The New English Bible translates this text like this: “On Saturday night, in our assembly for the breaking of the bread, Paul who was to leave the next day, addressed them, and went on speaking until midnight†(Acts 20:7). The last text that mentions the first day of the week is in I Corinthians 16:1, 2. It says: “Now concerning the
collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.†Verse three tells us that he will bring the offering to Jerusalem. As he had done in Galatia, so
Paul also requested of those in Corinth to have a collection all ready when he would come to take it to the poor saints in Jerusalem. There’s nothing in the text about a church service, but each person is to “lay by him in store.†The first day of the week was the best time for people to set some money aside, because later in the week, it would be spent. That’s also true today! Paul requested this so “that there be no gathering when I come†(I Corinthians 16:2).
SATURDAY IS THE SABBATH...THE 7TH
DAY... THE LORD’S DAY...Beware of SUNDAY...Counterfeit Sabbath...the mark of the beast that will be enforced as the day of rest and worship by a national Sunday law! Exodus 20:8-11, Ezekiel 20:20, Daniel 7:25, Matthew 12:8, Luke 23:56, Revelation 13:16-17 & 14:7-12.
“The Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day†(Mat. 12:8). “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God†(Fourth Commandment, Exodus 20:8-11). “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James... very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun...
The Pope holds an audience with Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Vatican library on February 22, 2003.
And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man...And he saith unto them, be not affrighted; Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen.†(Mark 16:1-6).
Everyone knows that Sunday was the resurrection day. “The Sabbath was past†when it dawned. Thus it is evident that the Sabbath is Saturday, the day before Sunday. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill†(Matthew 5:17). “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and e a r t h pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled†(Matthew 5 : 1 8 ). “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath†(Mark 2:27).
“And that day was the preparation and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how His body was laid. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments; and rested thesabbath day according to the commandment†(Luke 23:54-56).
President Bush traveled to Rome to meet the Pope.
Notice that Luke, a non-Jewish biblical writer, approximately 37 years AFTER the resurrection of Christ, still called the Sabbath (the seventh day of the week) a Commandment of God.
“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scripture†(Acts 17:2). “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks†(Acts 18:4). “There remaineth therefore a rest [Sabbath] to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His†(Hebrews 4:9, 10). “For he spake in a certain place of the
seventh day...And God did rest the seventh day from all his works,†“And blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it†(Hebrews 4:4 and Exodus 20:11).
In the New Testament, there are no fewer than 59 references to the Sabbath. The book of Acts records 84 Sabbaths on which the Apostle Paul and his associates held religious services. Yet there is not ONE word in the entire Bible authorizing Sunday keeping.
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth NOT his Commandments, IS A LIAR, and THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM†(1John 2:4). “If you love Me, KEEP my commandments†(John 14:15). “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet OFFEND IN ONE POINT, he is GUILTY OF ALL†(James 2:10). The law that the Bible refers to, here, is the law of the TEN COMMANDMENTS, which were written by God’s finger (James 2:8-11, Mathew 5:17- 21, Exodus 31:18, Deuteronomy 10:1-4).
“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read†(Luke 4:16). “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments†(Matthew 19:17). “God blessed the SEVENTH DAY AND SANCTIFIED IT†(Genesis 2:3). “He hath blessed and I cannot reverse it†(Numbers 23:20) “For thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be blessed for ever†(I Chronicles 17:27).
French Cardinal Roger Etchegary, representing the Papal envoy, with Yasser Arafat.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven†(Matthew 7:21). “Many will say to Me that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy Name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from me, ye that work iniquity†(Matthew 7:22, 23).
“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain; and it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the LORD †(Isaiah 66:22, 23). According to Colossians 2:14-17, the sacrifices with its ceremonies and rituals as registered in Leviticus 23 and other texts, were nailed [abolished] on the cross. But not the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment that is Eternal, as indicated in the above Bible verses.
A CALL TO ALL MENâ€â€REVELATION 14
“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.†Rev. 14:7. “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wratf 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.†Rev. 14:9-10.
For many years, we have seen Sunday closing laws on local, state, and municipal levels. Men are forced to close certain kinds of
businesses, and are prohibited from some secular activities on the first working day [Sunday] of the week, lest they be fined or imprisoned. And the situation will grow worse in the days ahead, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name†(Read Rev.
13:15-17). But there is victory for those who will stand true to the God of heaven, because there is overcoming power for those who will “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.†Rev. 14:12.