'It is a sign'

by Leonard V. Johnson

Turn with me if you will to Genesis 2. “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them were finished. 2) And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3) Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”

He ‘sanctified it,’ meaning He SET IT APART.

Now, did God really need to rest!? Or, was He setting us an example!?

In Exodus the 16th chapter we read concerning the 52 weeks out of the year for 40 years that the Israelites had as an example of the Sabbath day being pounded into their heads over and over.

5) “And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. … 22) And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23) Then he said to them, ‘This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’ 24) So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. … 29) See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place on the seventh day.’ 30) So the people rested on the seventh day.”

Now the commentators, like the Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary which states that Exodus 20:8 – “’Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy’” is “implying it was already known, and recognized as a season of sacred rest.”1 And, the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary stating, “The first is that God rested on the seventh day after creation, thereby making the day holy.” 2 In other words, a reflection, looking back to the creation – when God created the Sabbath day. He created holy time. And here its telling us to ‘remember’ in God’s Commandments that He gave to Moses at Mt. Sinai – to ‘remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’

Verse 9 – “’Six days you shall labor, and do all your work.’” – somewhat of a command here!? There are many people who don’t want to work at all.

Verse 10 – “’But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11) For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.’”

The LORD God commands that we keep the Sabbath

Exodus 31 – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 13) ‘Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I AM the LORD who sanctifies you.’”

Here we see that the keeping of the Sabbath day is a sign between God and His people. And that sign is the Sabbath day.

Verse 17 – “’It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel FOREVER; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”

Now, over in the Book of Leviticus, chapter 23, in the very top of the list of God’s annual holy high days, He begins that list with the weekly Sabbath day – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2) ‘Speak to the children of Israel [even the New Covenant children of God], and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts. 3) Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation [a holy assembly of people]. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.’”

Was there a penalty for breaking the Sabbath?

Turn with me over to the Book of Numbers, chapter 15, and we’ll see that there was a death penalty.

“Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33) And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34) They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him. 35) Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.’ 36) So, as the LORD commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones and he died.”

Now, does that death penalty for the breaking of the Sabbath day still hold today!? 

Well, I remind you of the Apostle Paul’s inspired words: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” – Hebrews 13:8. The One we now call Jesus Christ is the God of the Old Testament!

So, here, a little bit later in the history of the nation of Israel, they were taken captive into Babylon, and were then allowed to return. And in Nehemiah we’re told there is indeed a penalty for breaking God’s holy Sabbath day!

Nehemiah 13 – “In those days I [the prophet Nehemiah, credited for rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period] saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I WARNED them about the day on which they were selling provisions.” – basically a regular flea market on the Sabbath day!

So here’s some historical evidence from God’s prophets of old – we see God’s command on Mt. Sinai of the Ten Commandments to observe the Sabbath day. Some examples – of even the death penalty being exacted – on those who would break the Sabbath day.

Now, what will happen if you observe the Sabbath day. What are the blessings? The promises?

Isaiah 56 – “’Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.’”

Verse 3 – “’Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the LORD Speak, saying, ‘The LORD has utterly separated me from His people’; Nor let the eunuch say, ‘Here I am, a dry tree.’ 4)For thus says the LORD: ‘To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, 5) Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.’”

Sadly, it’s so difficult in our societies to realize the benefits of keeping the Sabbath day. He goes on with the fabulous blessings of even the Gentiles and the eunuch’s in keeping the holy Sabbath day.

Verse 6 – “’Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants – Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant – 7) Even them I will bring to My holy mountain [My holy Kingdom], And make them joyful in My house of prayer. … For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.’”

Indeed, if society as a whole would take hold of the Sabbath day and keep it – automatic blessings would come from God! It’s important that we know and understand this!

Again, “’’It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel FOREVER!’” And if you keep it – it’s not a burden – it’s a blessing to obey His voice and to keep it!

There’s a great many people who say, “The Sabbath day is nothing but a burden! It’s just laws that you’re trying to impose upon us!” The LORD God says, “’IF you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, 14) Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, …’” – ‘ride on the high hills of the earth,’ reminds me of the untold damage and death caused by the massive floods this year alone in places like India. God can bless you by causing you to ‘ride on high hills of the earth.’ “ … ‘And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.’” God says it’s to be a delight, a pleasure, a joy, a time of refreshing, a time of thinking about Him, looking at His creation, at nature – maybe walking in the woods or in an animal zoo – considering and contemplating our Creator God and just pausing from our normal work-a-day week, from the stress and all that goes with it.

What would our nation be like if the whole nation actually kept the Sabbath day!?

Now, turning to the future. A prophecy concerning the future of the house of Israel.

To help learn just which modern nations are the recipients -

the physical descendants - of God's promises to Abraham, be sure 

to read

God's Promises To Abraham - a seven-part series

by Michael C. Garrett

Isaiah 66 – “Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the LORD out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain [My holy Kingdom – New Jerusalem] Jerusalem,’ says the LORD, ‘as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. 21) And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,’ says the LORD.”

This is speaking of the Millennium. Now, indeed, I have learned over time that when God gives a certain thought, phrase, or idea, and He inspires it to be said again, and then sometimes even again, He really is wanting to get YOUR ATTENTION! This is not speaking of the “Great White Throne Judgment.” And, it’s not speaking about that time when people will come up out of their graves – as in Ezekiel 37. This is referring to the people who live during and in the Kingdom of God AFTER it is established by Jesus Christ upon His return! Talking about the Millennium!

Verse 22 – “’For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23) And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD.”

Now, ‘the new heavens and the new earth’ is equal with ‘the Kingdom of God’ and is also equal in meaning to ‘the Millennial reign of Christ.’ They all sort-of mean the same. ‘‘So shall your descendants and your name remain.’ Now, it is unfortunate that the Worldwide Church of God taught – and many of its descendant churches continues teaching – that as time goes on after the Millennial reign of Christ, that human beings would stop being produced. Why!? Why did they teach this!? Because they simply didn’t understand the very Plan of God! Not really. The TRUTH OF GOD is that LIFE GOES ON FOREVER! And, the earth goes on forever!

Now, one of the great meanings of the Feast of Tabernacles is that God will someday ‘TABERNACLE’ in His tabernacle on the earth for all eternity! GOD THE FATHER is going to tabernacle with men! Again, the Worldwide Church of God taught – along with many of its descended churches continues teaching – that the earth was going to be melted down like liquid glass! A teaching which they most likely got from Ellen G. White’s book The Great Controversy Between Christ And Satan. God the Father is actually returning with Jesus Christ and will indeed associate with human beings.

So, just what is the prophet Isaiah speaking about here in verse 20 and 21!? He’s talking about THE DAY OF THE LORD! And it’s prophetically linked with a meaning of the Day of Atonement. “’It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles’” – see Ezekiel 30:1-3. A great many of the Gentile nations rise up against the nations of Israel, and greatly wound them, damaging them, destroying a great many people – and cause a state of captivity over the nations of Israel. A terrible day! And, it’s in the near future, and we’re simply not that far away from it.

“’All flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD.” A prophecy for the near future – talking about the Sabbath day unto the LORD.

Another example – the prophet Jeremiah was instructed to stand at the city gates – a prophet with a Message from God – to WARN the nation of Judah of pending doom because of their sin committed against God in not keeping the Sabbath day. Turn to Jeremiah 17.

“Thus the LORD said to me: ‘Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; 20) and say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates.’” – he was to stand at the city gates and make this announcement – this WARNING!

Verse 21 – “Thus says the LORD: ‘Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22) nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.”

And he goes on to say how they did not obey the command of God and of all the curses which were brought upon them.

Also, Ezekiel 20 – Ezekiel also talks about how they turned their backs on God and on His Law – the Ten Commandments. “’Therefore I [the LORD God] made them go out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. 11) And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, ‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them.’”

What about Jesus Christ – did He do away with the Sabbath day!?

Let’s turn into the New Testament, to Matthew 5:17 – “’Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.’”

Now, a lot of people say, “Well, there it is! He came and fulfilled the Law – therefore we don’t have to do it!” Well, let me ask a question.

Did Jesus Christ sin!? No, absolutely not! “ … leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, …’” He was the perfect sacrifice. So, if Jesus did not sin, then He could not have broken one of the commandments – and that includes the keeping of the Sabbath day. Jesus kept the Sabbath.

Let’s turn to some Scriptures for some examples.

Mark 2 – He makes an astonishing statement to His disciples as well as to the scribes and Pharisees that were there. “ … ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28) Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.’”

That was a most astonishing statement! Everyone needs to look at the Sabbath day as if it was something God truly intended for man – for his benefit! Jesus Christ was the One on Mt. Sinai that wrote with His finger His commandments. And, He said to the Pharisees, “’Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I AM!’” And, they knew exactly what it was He was saying! Because He was saying, ‘I was there when Moses said, ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel … and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?’ And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’” The very same statement! He was the Being of the God family that wrote the Ten Commandments. And, He was actually in the beginning with God as John 1 tells us, that created the original Sabbath day by resting from everything that was made that He had a hand in creating.

The Apostle John says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

Now, turning to the Book of Luke for another example here where Jesus kept the Sabbath day. Luke 4 – “So 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 to read.” So, this was actually His very first sermon that He preached in a synagogue – recall He stood up, took the scroll of Isaiah and read. Saying, “’Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” This was on a Sabbath day.

Also, over in Luke 6:6 – “Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.” – and of course He went and healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath day.

Also, Luke 13:10 – where Jesus had spoken concerning the barren fig tree. “Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.” So, Jesus Christ certainly kept the Sabbath day. Now, there is plenty of evidence that He entered into the synagogues on the Sabbath day and taught. He was persecuted for healing on the Sabbath day. Because the scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees all had created this litany of rules and regulations of what you weren’t supposed to do on the Sabbath day. And the Sabbath day had become a burden upon the people. Which Jesus said concerning those rules and regulations, “’And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” They were not the commandments of God. God never intended the Sabbath day to be a burden. It’s to be a delight. And again, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath’ – for his benefit.

Let’s look at the Apostle Paul’s teaching’s. Did Paul do away with the Sabbath day!?

Turn with me if you will to Acts 13:14 – “Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.” So, we know that Paul kept the Sabbath – doing God’s work many years after the human life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even long after the so-called “nailing it to the cross” which so many Protestant’s talk about. Many decades, Paul was still keeping the Sabbath day! And there are so many Scriptures which prove it! Now, he didn’t go and rent a building on Sunday.

Now, when Paul could have said, “Look, let us start a whole new church. And, we’re going to start keeping Sunday.” Understand, Jesus Christ was not resurrected on Sunday. He wasn’t! He was resurrected on a late Saturday. Now, many might say, “Well, the Bible talks about ‘the Lord’s day.’” The Book of Revelation talks about how John was in a vision. He was having a vision which revealed to him THE LORD’S DAY. Or, rather THE DAY OF THE LORD!

So, here Paul is going into the synagogue preaching on the Sabbath day.

Acts 13:42 – “So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.”

Now, Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong wrote:

“Notice what happened! The Jews left the synagogue, and only Gentiles remained. … What an opportunity for Paul and his men! Here were only Gentiles, asking the apostle to the Gentiles about coming together again for worship, and hearing the word of God preached, on the next Sabbath day! All Paul had to do was to explain to them that they didn’t need to wait a whole week—they could come back the very next day, our Sunday, to celebrate the “Eucharistic sacrifice!” Did Paul do this? Remember, Luke wrote these words about thirty years after Christ had ascended to heaven. There would have been plenty of time for the “custom” of “Christians meeting together on Sunday in commemoration of the resurrection” in those thirty years.”

(Armstrong, G.T., Why “Keep Saturday for Sunday”?).

With these Gentile converts, they met back the next Sabbath day.

Verse 43 – “Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”

Also, Acts 15:21 – here at the Jerusalem conference in which James gave his sentence concerning the Gentile converts – that they were insisting they be circumcised. And here is what James says, verse 19 – “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble these from among the Gentiles who are turning to God.” – all the Gentile converts of Corinth, Rome, Ephesus, Pergamos, and Thyatira in Asia Minor. Verse 20 – “but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21) For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

So, James knew that these Gentile converts – as long as they commanded these people to abstain from their heathen ways – that they would attend a synagogue on the Sabbath day and that they would learn of God’s Law and His Way – over time.

In chapter 17, verse 2 – when Paul was in Thessalonica. “Then Paul, as his custom was,” – as his habit was, as his tradition was, “…went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” – so he was there for almost a month reasoning with them out of the Scriptures on the Sabbath day.

Now, the Bible does not say when or how the Apostle Paul actually died. 2 Timothy was written by Paul during his second Roman imprisonment in AD 64-67. So, for over 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul is still preaching in the synagogues on the Sabbath day!

And another, chapter 18, verse 4 – “And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.” – now not only is Paul speaking of the Sabbath day, but in verse 21, he speaks also of the feast days – the holy days. “But took leave of them, saying, ‘I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; …”

Now, also in 1 Corinthians in which Paul is writing to the Church in Corinth, he said, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, … but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” So, Paul fully acknowledged the understanding that, “You are supposed to keep Passover, and you are all supposed to keep Unleavened Bread.” And, the very Days of Unleavened Bread are pointing us to ONE THING – Jesus Christ! He is that Unleavened Bread of sincerity and truth! He is the very essence of the meaning of Unleavened Bread!

No! The Apostle Paul didn’t do away with the holy days. Nor did he do away with the Sabbath day.

So, what are the proofs then for the observance of Sunday worship!?

Let’s look at them really quick. John 20. This is a proof text for those which say that the New Testament is saying that you’re supposed to keep Sunday instead of Saturday. This is the resurrection chapter of John – the actual events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Now the first day of the week …” – now, surely, everybody knows that is Sunday. “ … Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, …” – now, Matthew’s account says, “after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn [while it was yet dark], Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.” “ … Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”

Now, surely, Jesus died on a Friday and was resurrected on a Sunday – right!? Again, as I said earlier – wrong! Yet, what does the churches of the world teach? They teach that He died on a Friday and He was resurrected on a Sunday morning. And yet, Jesus Christ said, “’An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS in the belly of the great fish [or sea creature], so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’” And friends, if you go Friday afternoon to Sunday morning you cannot get three days and three nights! Jesus was crucified on WEDNESDAY, the middle day of the week. He died shortly after 3 p.m. that afternoon, was buried before sunset Wednesday evening. His body was Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights in the grave – three nights. It also was there through the daylight part of Thursday, Friday and Saturday – three days. He rose Saturday – the Sabbath – late afternoon, shortly before sunset.

Now, Joseph of Arimathea was eager to take our Lord’s body down off the cross because it was the Sabbath. And, a lot of people have misunderstood that this was actually a high day – John 19:31. So, we know that the end of Wednesday – when Jesus was crucified and He died on the cross – they took Him down quickly. That Wednesday night (the beginning of Thursday) was the first day of Unleavened Bread – a high day – a Sabbath. Then came Friday, when they prepared the spices. And then there was another preparation day for the weekly Sabbath day. And then, at the end of that day – it would have been three days and three nights. For late in the evening on the Sabbath He was resurrected! And then, as it began to dawn – towards the first day of the week before the sun rose on Sunday morning – He was already gone! The tomb was empty and the stone had been rolled away! Jesus Christ was resurrected the evening before!

And there’s another proof text. Acts 20. And, I want you to look at each one of these and see – is this truly proof from God’s living Word that is convincing evidence. And, friends, there should be no question of doubt about the day which we are to assemble together – by God’s words.

Acts 20:7 – “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, …”

So right here – ‘the Days of Unleavened Bread.’ And I want to add here – if you have a King James Version of the Bible, notice that the word day is in italics. 3 Italics mean that this word was not in the original manuscript – but good old King James VI had this word added. It doesn’t mean the first day of the week, it just simply means ‘the first of the week.’ It’s not signifying a church service. Now, some church groups try to use this as a verse to legitimize having Sunday church. And what they say is, “Well see, it’s the first day of the week and they’re breaking bread.” Well folks, ‘breaking bread’ is just another fancy word for a shared meal.

So, is this an evidence we’re going to use – concrete evidence – that we are to keep Sunday!?

1 Corinthians 16:1 – “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2) On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”

So, is this an evidence we’re going to use – concrete evidence – that we are to keep Sunday!?

The Apostle Paul was simply making a collection of food, goods, and possibly money, to carry back to Jerusalem. This had nothing to do with keeping and observing Sunday worship service. And indeed, most commentators understand what Paul was saying, “Don’t wait till I come to try and gather all these goods together, go ahead, on the first day of the week, gather up money or whatever goods that you have, and have them ready.”

Also, last one, Revelation 1. Now, it’s humorist that there are so many Protestant’s in their attempt to give biblical proof to the concept of Sunday worship with this Scripture. Paul is having a vision. Verse 10 – “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.”

Now, so many go, “See, Paul was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day – Sunday!” No! The Day of the Lord is the same as the Lord’s Day. It means the same. The greater majority of the Book of Revelation leads up to the events of the Day of the Lord! And, sadly, most churches have no clue about the true meaning of the Day of the Lord. The Book of Revelation reveals just what is going to befall the nations of Israel (I think the modern-day recipients of the blessings of Abraham and his descendants include the United States of America, the United Kingdom (and their different colonies from the past and now – many of which are independent countries), New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa) and all of the people of God during the end-time trauma. Also about the horrible plagues which will come upon this earth because of sinning mankind and His wrath being poured out upon all nations! And all men are going to see the coming of God the Father and Jesus Christ to this earth!

So, let me wrap this up here – the Catholic Church indeed recognizes that the Sabbath day is a Jewish observance. And that Sunday worship is not a Christian observance. The Catholics didn’t want to be Jewish! And it’s completely funny that most Protestants don’t have a clue about that! And to tell you the truth, their attempts at proving that Sunday is the holy day of the week is truly pathetic!

However, God’s children keep the Sabbath – observes the Sabbath as a perpetual covenant. A sign between Almighty God and them. This is His identifying sign which tells Him who His people truly are!

God created the Sabbath day in the beginning. And He instructed His people to honor it, obey it, to sanctify it – because it was to be a sign between Him and His people. It is indeed a test commandment.

Friends, those that honor it receive great blessings. Those that disobey it are cursed from God.

So, ‘remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ □

Bibliography 

______________________________________________________________________________

1 Jamison Fausset and Brown Commentary of the Whole Bible, Jamison, R., Fausset, A.R., Brown, D., Zondervan Publishing House, 1982, pg. 71.
2 Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Brand, C., and Mitchell, E.A., B&H Publishing Group, © 2015, pg. 1396.

3 The Codex Sinaiticus, written in the middle of the fourth century translates this verse: “But on the first of the week, when we came together to break bread, Paul discoursed to them, about to depart on the morrow, and continued his speech till midnight.” – Acts 20:7.

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Do you understand Ezekiel 37?

Here is a little of what Minister Michael C. Garrett teaches concerning this:

Ezekiel 37 – a chapter that is so difficult for mainstream people to understand – that all they can really do is make a song out of it. Remember the song “Dem Bones Dem Bones Dem Dry Bones”? Well, it’s so much more IMPORTANT than just being a song! It’s the truth of God – it’s the future! I love this passage.

“The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2) Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3) And He said to me, …” – and I’m sure you’ve noticed this before, but folks, this is FANTASTIC – this thought process here. It appears to me beyond any doubt that there will be at the resurrection of these dead people a DUAL PARTICIPATION. We - who will be members of the Family of God; for a long time at this point – are going to be given the opportunity to participate in the resurrection of our family members and our friends. Has Hollywood ever thought of a plot like that!? This is a plan so wonderful, so high, that the mental small people of Hollywood can’t even grasp this! But this is the Plan of God – and this is what He is offering to you and to me! An opportunity to participate in bringing back to life some of the very people who gave us life! A perfect circle. “…’ Son of man, can these bones live?’ So I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, You know.’ 4) Again He said to me, ‘Prophesy [speak] to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the Word of the LORD! 5) Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6) I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I AM the LORD.’ 7) So I [spoke] as I was commanded; and as I [spoke], there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.” – forming perfect skeletons. Verse 8 – “Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them, …” – with all of the organs, everything in place. “…but there was no breath in them.” – they were now just corpses – as it were. And then the Lord GOD said to Ezekiel in this vision – verse 9 – “…’[Speak] to the breath, [speak], son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’ 10) So I [spoke] as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great [company of people].” – millions upon millions – billions of people! Verse 11 – “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. …’” – remember what Paul said, ‘all Israel will be saved.’ God fell in love with Israel millennia ago, and He has NEVER lost that love! And someday He is going to fulfill all of His promises! And these are people some of which we’re gonna know!

(Garrett, M.C., The Apple Of God's Eye).

Friends, Ezekiel 37 helps show us that people who were dead - and not in Christ Jesus - will indeed be resurrected to the flesh and live again having a true opportunity for salvation unto immortality and eternal life.

"The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2) Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3) And He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' So I answered, 'O Lord GOD, You know.'

4) Again He said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5) Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6) I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I AM the LORD.'

7) So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8) Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

9) Also He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.' 10) So I prophesied as He commanded, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11) Then He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' 12) Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13) Then you shall know that I AM the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14) I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,' says the LORD'" - Ezekiel 37:1-14; NKJV throughout, unless otherwise noted.

Now, will salvation be offered to all who have ever lived or will live!?

Yes!!!

Related to this, we made the following video sermon:

Let us notice just what the Old and New Testament plainly teach us:

"' And all flesh shall see the salvation of God'" - Luke 3:6.

" ... And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation of our God" - Isaiah 52:10.

Again, Minister Michael C. Garrett concerning Ezekiel 37:1-14:

So, who is this referring to!? This is referring to the people who live in and in the Kingdom of God AFTER it is established by Jesus Christ upon His return! Talking about the Millennium!

The Prophet Micah wrote:

"Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea" - Micah 7:18-19.

So, with what we just read above - is the Lord GOD going to pardon sin [iniquity] for only a few or nearly all!? The Lord GOD does not stay angry forever, He delights in mercy. And, as Prophet Micah continued here, the Lord GOD will indeed give TRUTH to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which He swore to our fathers of old.

And, if you would turn to Ezekiel 11 and Ezekiel 36. They both record for us that the Lord GOD is going to convert many sinners and that they will walk in His statutes - His LAW:

" ... 'Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.' 17) Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: 'I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.' 18) And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. 19) Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, 20) that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God'" - Ezekiel 11:16-20.

"'For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all the countries, and bring you into your own land. 25) Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your IDOLS. 26) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27) I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgment5s and do them.

28) Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people and I will be your God. 29) I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. 30) And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. 31) Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves, in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.

32) Not for your sake do I do this,' says the Lord GOD, 'let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.' 

33) 'Thus says the Lord GOD: 'On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34) The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35) So they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.' 36) Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it'" - Ezekiel 36:24-36.

Now, friends, this great and awesome prophecy has not been fulfilled by the Jews which has gone back to the nation called Israel in the Middle East. God has not given them a 'new heart and a new spirit.' The Lord GOD indeed has a Master Plan of salvation to all those who may feel lost. 

The Prophet Daniel - under the great inspiration of God's Spirit:

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3) Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever" - Daniel 12:2-3.

Friends, this shows us that DEATH IS LIKE SLEEP. It's also referring to a resurrection. As I wrote in our 'Letter to our Friends' of November 12th, 2019:

The prophet Daniel foretold this grave time happening BEFORE the SEVENTH TRUMP OF GOD – “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people [the spiritual saints of God] shall be delivered, Everyone who is found written in the Book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some [those who have committed the ‘unpardonable sin’] to shame and everlasting contempt” – Daniel 12:1-2.

Our Lord GOD, in John 5:28-29 emphatically stated:

' Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29) and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation [or judgment].'"

Sadly, this is something that mainstream Christianity - including the Mother Church in Rome - does not properly understand.  

Here are a few inaccurate views from some of the different denominations of this world:

• Certain Protestants and Evangelicals: God is trying to save everyone NOW through the name of Jesus Christ. However, since most have not heard the Message of Christ, most who have lived or will live are eternally lost.
• Universalists: God loves everyone and will save everyone.
• Calvinists: God isn't trying to save everyone now and never really plans on truly offering salvation to all because all humans are sinners and deserve eternal damnation. Yet, God is so merciful He sent His Son to die for a few (roughly 1-3% of the total population) that were predestined to be called and saved, and this shows that God has love. Nearly all who ever lived are eternally lost.
• Mormons (a.k.a. the Latter Day Saints): God, since He will not condemn those who - for no fault of their own - have not accepted Christ, that He will save many through baptism for the dead, and their later, hoped for acceptance of Jesus. So, they try to find the names of the dead through genealogical research and have people baptized by proxy for them.
• Eastern Orthodox: They tend to believe that God's Plan of salvation is highly sacramental, and teach that His Plan is not one of terror, but that God may save people up through the time of the 'Great White Throne Judgment.'
• Unitarians: God does not truly care what you believe or even if you do, but if you try and lead a decent life, He will save you. Now NOTE: This is not really the position of unitarian groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and many others, yet, the position of those generally known as Unitarians.
• Catholics: God wants to save everyone, yet most will not be saved. Despite never hearing the name Jesus Christ, God has a plan and will save some from the pagan religions who strive to live right and will give salvation to Catholics who have gone through the right sacraments at the appropriate time.

God's living and holy WORD teaches that God created all things and that 'indeed it was very good' (Genesis 1:31), and 'whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments ...' (1 John 5:1-3). The Lord GOD 'made man upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29), but that humans felt that they could decide what is right and what is wrong (Genesis 3:6) - yet, such disobedience leads to death (Romans 6:23). Eternal death. So, because of this transgression, the Lord GOD banned humans from having access to the tree of Life (which represents His Holy Spirit) on their own (Genesis 3:22; John 6:44) - even though the Lord GOD had a Plan of redemption for all mankind 'from the foundation of the world' (Revelation 13:8).

The Lord God allotted mankind 6,000 years of rulership over themselves to live how they want. However, mankind will come to the very brink of human extinction (Matthew 24:22; Daniel 12:1).

And, because the Lord GOD's mercy includes His Plan for the forgiveness of all sins (Acts 13:38) and that Almighty God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ are love (1 John 4:8, 16; John 3:16), They will intervene and send the living Jesus Christ to establish His Kingdom upon this earth (Revelation 11:15; 20:4).

After our soon-coming 'King of kings and Lord of lords' Millennial reign, all who ever lived will be resurrected (Revelation 20:5). And then:

"And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God [Theos; God the Father], and books [the biblos; the Holy Bible] were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books [the Holy Bible]" - Revelation 20:12.

And God the Father and Jesus Christ will plead Their case (John 10:30):

"The LORD stands up to plead, And stands to judge the people" - Isaiah 3:13.

"A noise will come to the ends of the earth - For the LORD has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword,' says the LORD" - Jeremiah 25:31.

And friends, concerning WHY Satan the devil and his horde is released for a short season immediately after the Millennial Reign - Revelation 20:3b … because immediately he goes out to the four corners of the world – to Gog and Magog (Siberia, China, Russia area) to gather them together to battle against the beloved city of God and of the saints. And will be DESTROYED. And dead bodies will be piled high when the “Great White Throne” resurrection occurs.

Apparently, nearly all who ever lived will repent and accept Jesus Christ and will begin living God's Way of life.

Since GOD is love (1 John 4:16), it is crystal clear that He indeed has a Master Plan that takes into account EVERY human being (cf. 1 Peter 1:20-21). Almighty God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ indeed developed a Plan that does not result in the vast majority of humanity suffering untold torture in a "hellfire." It is logical that His ultimate Plan will result in nearly everyone who has ever lived - no matter what their religious background was - to be saved. And there are literally hundreds of passages within His Word to this fact! And this is God's will (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16-17).

Indeed, the biblical Holy Days reveal GOD's holy and loving Plan of redemption for all mankind. Yet, because the greater majority who profess Christ keep non-biblical holy days (or rather holidays) - such as Easter and Christmas - they simply do not understand that GOD has a Plan which will result in nearly everyone who has ever lived being saved!

The Lord GOD was very clear that only a few will find this Way during this age:

"' Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life [eternal life], and there are few who find it'" - Matthew 7:14.

"'Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom'" - Luke 12:32.

"Then one said to Him, 'Lord, are there few who are saved?' And He said to them, 24) 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able'" - Matthew 12:23-24.

So, many will be called, but few chosen in this age (Matthew 22:14). And, there is an 'age to come' (Matthew 12:32), where even infamous sinners will indeed have an opportunity for salvation (cf. Matthew 10:15; 11:22).

Jesus called His Church in this age, a 'little flock' which will be around until His return to this earth.

So, God's living Word clearly says:

"' And all flesh shall see the salvation of God'" - Luke 3:6.

So then those who do not truly see or hear what God's Spirit says in regards to His great Master Plan of salvation will have it explained to them. And this is part of what the Last Great Day pictures.

Jesus taught:

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" - John 7:37-38.

The Last Great Day (be sure to read our article Notes Concerning the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day) helps demonstrate that all who have ever lived will indeed have an opportunity for salvation. An opportunity that most will accept (John 7:37-39; Romans 11:25-26; Ezekiel 37:11-14; Hebrews 9:27-28).

Friends, this indeed is part of what Ezekiel 37 is about. □

Additional items of interest:

Notes Concerning the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day

What Is "The Unpardonable Sin"?

'Letter to our Friends' of November 12th, 2019

Some 2019 items to ponder .....

Here are some negative events relating to 2019 by Michael Snyder:

"One of the best ways to determine where things are heading is to look at how much has changed over the past 12 months. 2019 has been one of the most memorable years in our history, and it has certainly set the stage for the critical events of the decade to come. However, not everyone views this moment in our history the same way. For example, one "expert" that is being heavily quoted by the mainstream media is claiming that 2019 was the culmination of "the best decade in human history" ... certainly, there are many other voices out there that are boldly proclaiming that we have entered a golden era of peace and prosperity and that the best is yet to come. You can buy that argument if you want, but there are other voices that believe that everything that is wrong with our society is reaching a very dangerous crescendo. For those with that perspective, it appears that we are very close to a societal tipping point and that the years ahead are when we will finally pay the price for decades of exceedingly bad decisions. 

So, what do you think?

Will the 2020s be the best of times or the worst of times? ...

Here are 50 numbers from 2019 that are almost too crazy to believe ...

#2 At 10 percent, Michaelle Obama topped the list in the Gallup poll for "the most admired woman in America" this year. ...

#5 The United States government is now more than 23 trillion dollars in debt. ...

#9 According to the IMF, total global debt has now reached the 188 trillion dollar mark.

#10 United States corporations are now close to 10 trillion dollars in debt.

#11 Total corporate debt has now reached 47 percent of the U.S. GDP. That is the highest level in our history.

#12 Total United States household debt is about to cross the 14 trillion dollar mark.

#13 A study that was recently released found that 70 percent of all Americans are struggling financially right now. ...

#21 According to the most recent government figures, 24.6 million Americans have used [illicit drugs] within the last 30 days.

#22 If you can believe it, 46 percent of all Americans have taken at least one legal pharmaceutical drug within the last 30 days. That is almost half the country. ...

#28 The suicide rate for the overall population increased by 41 percent between 1999 and 2016.

#29 One survey has discovered that 15-year-old students in China are almost four full grade levels ahead of 15-year-old students in the United States in mathematics. ...

#33 23 percent of all United States children live with a single parent. That is the highest rate in the entire world by a wide margin.

#34 Today, approximately 40 percent of all babies in America are born to unmarried women. ...

#41 58 percent of American adults under the age of 35 agree that some version of socialism "would be good for the country." ...

#44 The bird population of North America has declined by 3 billion since 1970.

#45 Scientists are telling us that at the current rate of extinction, nearly all insects could be gone "in 100 years."

(Read More: http://themostimportantnews.com/archives/50-numbers-from-2019-that-are-almost-too-crazy-to-believe).

Well then, are these the best of times or the worst of times!?

Well, indeed, some of both.

There have been massive automotive achievements and technological advancements, yet, that are ever-growing numbers of people worldwide who are living in extreme abject poverty! Along with grave morality issues, debt issues, the loss of our foul population, the insect population - which is indeed consistent with WARNINGS from Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ in Thier living Word - the Holy Bible (cf. Matthew 24:22; Revelation 11:18). Also, God's living Word teaches that in this end-time - this final hour - the grave indebted nations of the house of Israel will be plundered (Habakkuk 2:2-8).

The great United States of America is the most indebted nation in the history of nations. Indeed, Sodom and Gomorrah - according to research - were apparently very wealthy cities before being destroyed.

"Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground" - Genesis 19:24-25; NKJV throughout, unless otherwise noted.

Now, why did this actually happen!? The Apostle Jude states:

"[A]s Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth AS AN EXAMPLE, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" - Jude 7.

Amongst a number of other abominable things against God, they were sexually immoral going after "strange flesh" (cf. Romans 1:18-32).

Friends, why should we be worried about this in the 21st century!?

Here is something written by the Apostle Peter, under a great inspiration of the Spirit of God:

"[A]nd turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemning them to destruction, making them AN EXAMPLE to those afterward would live ungodly" - 2 Peter 2:6.

It is clear from Scripture that Sodom and Gomorrah were to serve as an example to those who would turn fully from Almighty God and Jesus Christ and live their life as those cities did. Yet, as so many people follow the belief of Sir James George Frazer in his book The Illustrated Golden Bough: "That man progressed from a belief in magic as a means of controlling their environment to religious belief, which propitiated gods and spirits," they are ignorant of the biblical WARNINGS to which modern leaders are advocating many forms of sexual immorality, including going after "strange flesh."

GOD, however, warns about such leaders:

"'As for My people [the nations of Israel], children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths'" - Isaiah 3:12. (See also Isaiah 9:16).

Also, notice that our Master foretold destruction coming to those who think it's the best of times - worst times are coming:

"' And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man [Jesus Christ's Second Coming]: 27) They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28) Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29) but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all'" - Luke 17:26-29.

Also, friends, there is a grave WARNING concerning complacency. As it was with Neville Chamberlain's day with his "peace for our time," we are getting ever-closer to an end-time temporary peace deal which will take place involving multiple Islamic Middle Eastern nations - Daniel 9:27.

A great many will believe - once again - that we are entering into an age of peace and prosperity. Yet, as the grave attack on our US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq shows us - the Bible WARNS that it will not end well:

"For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4) But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day [the Day of the LORD] should overtake you as a thief. 5) You are all sons [and daughters] of light and sons [and daughters] of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6) Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober [vigilent]. 7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night" - 1 Thessalonians 5:3-7.

Friends, Christians are supposed to WATCH and UNDERSTAND the world events around them in relation to biblical prophecy - what is happening around the world - as the Apostle Paul wrote.

Note the very words of our Master:

"' But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day [the Day of the LORD] come on you unexpectedly. 35) For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36) WATCH therefore, and PRAY always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man'" - Luke 21:34-36.

Christians are to WATCH world events and to pray always to be counted worthy in the eyes of Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ to escape from the coming end-time great tribulation. Friends, if all Christians were indeed blessed with protection from this soon-coming end-time trauma, there would have been no reason for Jesus Christ's instructions - as He did.

Christ's messages to His Church (Revelation 2 & 3: Messages to the Churches) - conditions that exist within His Church throughout the ages - clearly teach that some will be protected and others will not. Indeed, we truly believe that Revelation 2 & 3 are speaking about churches - seven churches - which existed back in 95 A.D. that John was inspired to write. And, although He's talking about an earlier group of people - the former. He's also speaking a prophecy concerning the latter people. The latter days. An end-time prophecy.

Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:

"Jesus Christ is saying, 'there were people who had great enthusiasm and great love for Me and for My Church, but as they got older they got more tired, more confused, and misdirected.' Well, who does the misdirecting!? The misdirecting comes from the directors. The directors are the Church leaders. And in many of these organizations, which claim to be a part of God, they are in truth only worried about themselves - or family businesses. They're not worried about Jesus Christ, because quite frankly, I know some of these people, and they don't give a hoot about Jesus Christ! He says, " ...' Repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly [that's talking about the return of Jesus Christ - and end-time event] and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent.'" - would God the Father and Jesus Christ actually bring about the end and the demise of a Church!?"

Friends, there are a great many Church of God groups (those who are descended from the Worldwide Church of God) who do not understand prophecy proper (such as those concerning the prophecy of the 'king of the South'). Then, there are other groups who will believe they see a sign and will try and flee to places such as Petra!? The Worldwide Church of God's doctrine on Matthew 24:16 was that this verse stated that all of us were going to load up on buses and boats and airplanes and somehow end up in the deserts of Jordan!? In an old sandstone pagan temple, and somehow THAT was going to be our “Safety Place.” They call it a place of safety. I find it interesting that Jesus WARNS us, “’ Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ …” – ‘Oh, there’s a little place He’s hanging out – the Petra Desert.’ “ …’ do not go out; …’” – it’s a fraud, it’s a sham! “ … ‘or ‘Look, He is in the inner [chambers]!’ do not believe it.’ – there won’t be anything secret about the return of Jesus Christ! Also, there are a great many Church of God groups who do not properly understand concerning the Two Witnesses or even the prophecy of the 144,000!

Friends, let's be remembered of this great parable of Jesus Christ's:

"' For the kingdom [from] heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15) And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16) Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17) And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18) But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19) After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ... 24) Then he who received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25) And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 26) But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gathered where I have not scattered seed. 27) So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28) So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29) For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30) And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth'" - Matthew 25:14-19, 24-30.

Verse 30 - " ... 'cast the unprofitable servant ...'" those who have turned their back's on God and Jesus Christ - have driven the Spirit of God out of them, " ...' into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" There will be that eternal punishment of death in the 'lake of fire.'

If anyone has buried their talent, unbury it and use it!

"The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless. 13) The lazy man says, 'There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!'" - Proverbs 22:12-13.

Friends, be not lazy. Fear nothing when Almighty God and Jesus Christ are beside you! Are you diligently presenting yourself to be approved to God!? In his letter to his prótégé Timothy - and by extension to all of us:

"Be diligent to present [to study the Holy Bible!] yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. 16) But SHUN profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17) And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort" - 2 Timothy 2:15-17.

Now, in Jesus' parable of the talents, the man who buried his talent was very fearful. Our Master WARNS:

"' But the cowardly ... shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death'" - Revelation 21:8.

And there are many Christians that heed not the following warning:

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going" - Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Now, the above obviously applies to your physical work. But it also can apply to your marriage, your education, and the spiritual work you do for the Eternal God! Sadly, in this end-time - this final-hour - a great many of God's begotten children do not even help support the final phase of God's work (cf. Romans 9:28; KJV).

The Prophet Zephaniah was inspired to write:

"' The great day of the LORD is near; ... Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation'" - Zephaniah 1:14, 2:1.

O' friends, NATIONAL repentance is needed! God's living Word - the Bible - surely shows that the power of the United States (one who has the strongest military) will fall according to Daniel 11:39. Isaiah indicates that hypocrisy and or acting ungodly will be a major part of this great fall. Now, while political hypocrisy is indeed a problem all around the world, in the past few decades the bluntness of hypocrisy in America is rampant and ever-so obvious!

While this nation probably will not repent, you can. Do not wait until it’s too late (cf. Acts 17:30; Zephaniah 2:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Let us also consider what God teaches - because it's in His living Word - concerning the importance of gathering together as we get closer to this soon-coming end-time trauma:

"[L]et us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope WITHOUT WAVERING, for He who promised is faithful. 24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25) NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching'"

Let us also notice something stated by our Master, along with what the Apostle Peter wrote:

"'IF you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you'" - John 15:19.

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: 10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but NOW have obtained mercy" - 1 Peter 2:9-10; KJV.

Indeed, true Christians are a "peculiar people." The people that society - for the most part - does not desire. Notice what the Apostle Paul says:

"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him [here speaking of the resurrection of the saints - remember, we’ll be caught up in the clouds and meet Jesus in the clouds!], we ask you, 2) not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come" - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2.

The Day of the Lord! Remember, all the major prophets talked about it! 75% of the “minor” prophets talked about it! The Book of Revelation talks about the Day of the Lord, and HERE Paul, who also, besides being an evangelist, and then an apostle and a writer of the Bible, he also was a prophet. And here he speaks about end-time prophecy. He talks about ‘the day of Christ.’

Friends, the Day of the Lord is at hand. □