40 Questions - Answered

[FaithWillDo]

Dan 7 says that the coming of Christ would not happen until after the 1260 years of the dark ages that followed the fall of the pagan Roman Empire (4th beast of Dan 7).

’

Dear Bob,

You said:
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time. (1260 years)

Here is the correct understanding of the "time, and times and half a time". It is also called 1260 days, 42 months, 3 1/2 years and 3 1/2 days. It is never called 1260 years.

To understand the meaning of "time, times and half a time", a person must understand Daniel's Seventy Weeks prophecy.

I wrote a short paper on it a while back:

Dan 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Daniel’s seventy weeks prophecy is God’s timeline to accomplish the “restitution of all things”:

Acts 3:20-21 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Seventy weeks of years (490 years) are given to “bring an end to sin” and “bring in everlasting righteousness” for mankind. Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to accomplish this great work:

1John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.


THE 70TH WEEK

At the start of the 70th week (483 years), Christ, now being 30 years of age, “confirmed the covenant” He made with Abraham.

Gen 15:5-6 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

This confirmation took place when Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.

Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli…

Matt 3:13-15 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

At that time, the final 7 year “week” commenced which would bring an end to sin, make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring in everlasting righteousness. To complete this mission, Christ willingly went to the cross at the 3 ½ year mark (He was “cutoff”). His sacrifice purchased mankind’s sin debt and provided the pathway of salvation for mankind. As a result of Christ’s death and resurrection, the Old Covenant of Law ended and the New Covenant of Grace through Faith began. This change is shown to us by verse 27:

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Christ’s death on the cross caused the “sacrifice and the oblation to cease”. No longer could mankind approach God through the Old Covenant of Law. Now the only approach to God is through Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ who dwells in His new temple not made with hands. That new temple is mankind.

Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

1Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

However, mankind, who being carnally minded, prefers the Old Covenant of Law over the New Covenant of Grace through Faith.

Luke 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

Our carnal nature has a built in desire to show God that our “works” can make us acceptable to Him. So when a Called Out believer attempts to combine their own “works” with Grace through Faith, they “fall away”. This “falling away” is also combined with the deceptions of Satan who masquerades as Christ. When Satan’s deceptions run their full course within a Called Out believer, a worsened carnal state is developed.

Mat 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

The “seven other spirits” is a spiritual term that represents the complete deception of Satan. It is the spirit of antichrist that came into the world near the end of the Apostles ministry:

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Once this worsened carnal state occurs within a Called Out believer, it causes the “overspreading of abominations” (Dan 9:27) which makes the Lord’s temple desolate. This is the “sin that leads to death”.

1John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

This Abomination of Desolation is what Christ refers to in this verse below:

Matt 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand

THE REMAINING 3 ½ YEARS

The New Covenant of Grace through Faith is a spiritual covenant and it cleanses the inside of mankind. It is not bound by literal time. The New Covenant of Grace through Faith is represented by the remaining 3 ½ years which will put an end to sin. This 3 ½ years will happen "within" all mankind, either in this present age or in the next age. This 3 ½ years is also presented in scripture as Time, Times and half a time, 1260 days, 42 months and finally 3 ½ days.

The remaining 3 ½ year period starts within a believer when they are first Called Out from the world. This is the time of the Early Rain of the Spirit.

Jam 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

James says a lot in these two verses and its meaning is hidden in spiritual language.

Christ is the Husbandman who is a farmer. The Precious Fruit of the Earth is the New Man in Christ who is to be harvested from the Earth. The Earth represents the carnal & sinful world. The farmer “hath long patience for it” because birthing many new Sons of God is a long process and is now just getting started with the harvest of the First-Fruits in this present age.

Christ said:
Luke 12:49 I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

“Fire” is a spiritual term for the judgment of God. Without His judgment, no one would be saved. In the above verse, Christ longs to start that process of judgment upon mankind (The Elect first, then all others) but the time was not yet at hand. Since before the creation began, Christ has been waiting patiently for that day - the Day of the Lord. It is no wonder that “patience” is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

At the end of verse James 5:7, James says that the growing season for Christ’s harvest of mankind starts with the Early Rain. It is at this point in time that a new believer will enter the Church. The Early Rain represents the receiving of the down-payment of the Holy Spirit. However, the Early Rain of the Spirit is not sufficient for us to grow to maturity and produce fruit. It leaves the new believer carnally mind and spiritually blind. It is at this time that Satan comes to us and causes us to accept His lies. We quickly fall away and spiritually worsen into a “Man of Sin”. This is the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel and Christ.

During this time, the fallen away believer desperately needs the Latter Rain of the Spirit. The Latter Rain is also known as the Baptism of the Spirit which is the rain that produces our salvation. However, this rain will not fall upon a Called and Chosen believer until the 3 ½ years period is complete.

Later in James, he had this to say about the Early and Latter Rain period:

James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Note: The Early Rain falls upon the “sea” where unbelievers dwell. The Latter Rain falls upon the “earth” where the Called Out believers dwell.

Once the Latter Rain falls upon a Called and Chosen believer, they are “born again” and the last 3 ½ years of Daniel’s prophecy is testified to be true.

The completion of this "3 ½ years" started with the Day of Pentecost when those in the upper room received the Latter Rain of the Spirit. And it has been happening over and over again down through this age to all of Christ’s chosen Elect. But they are ONLY the First Fruits of Christ’s harvest of mankind. After this age ends, all who remain lost will go through the same process in the final age. When the last person is saved, the last "3 ½ years" of Daniel's prophecy will be completed within ALL mankind and these statements will be testified to be true:

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

1 Tim 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Joe

 

[LoveGodsWord]

For me the Sabbath is every day...

I have entered His Sabbath rest... Praise God.

As for the reference to Constantine, (Born 280AD), this is a common error as Church Fathers recorded meeting on resurrection day hundreds of years earlier.

"On the day called Sunday there is a gathering together in the same place of all who live in a given city or rural district. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then when the reader ceases, the president in a discourse admonishes and urges the imitation of these good things. Next we all rise together and send up prayers.

When we cease from our prayer, bread is presented and wine and water. The president in the same manner sends up prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people sing out their assent, saying the “Amen.” A distribution and participation of the elements for which thanks have been given is made to each person, and to those who are not present they are sent by the deacons.

Those who have means and are willing, each according to his own choice, gives what he wills, and what is collected is deposited with the president. He provides for the orphans and widows, those who are in need on account of sickness or some other cause, those who are in bonds, strangers who are sojourning, and in a word he becomes the protector of all who are in need.

We all make our assembly in common on Sunday, since it is the first day, on which God changed the darkness and matter and made the world, and Jesus Christ our Savior arose from the dead on the same day. For they crucified him on the day before Saturn’s day, and on the day after (which is the day of the Sun) he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught these things, which we have offered for your consideration."


—First Apology, 67

• Saint Justin Martyr (100-165 A.D.)

Hi Carl,

Quoting sources outside that bible in contradiction of the scripture is not a replacement for scripture. Careful dear friend of seeking Gods' truth from the teachings and traditions of men outside of Gods' Word that break the commandments of God and lead others to do so as it will only lead us in a path away from God and His Word. Jesus warns us of this in Matthew 15:3-9. For example there is no such scripture anywhere in the bible that says everyday is a Sabbath. The only definition of "the Sabbath" in scripture of God's 4th commandment that gives us a knowledge of what sin is when broken is "the Sabbath is the seventh day of the Lord your God" which is found in Exodus 20:10. So the question we should all be asking ourselves is who do we believe and follow; God or man? Let's be honest the scriptures teach us in John 12:47-48 that we will all be judged come judgement day for the Words of God we accept and the Word of God we reject.

Something to pray about. Sin is the transgression of the law.

 

[Carl Emerson]

My response in quoting Justin Martyr was in response to the claim by Sabbath Blessings that Sunday worship started with Constantine - this was simply not correct.
The church started Sunday worship very early on to celebrate the resurrection.
Please do not accuse me of putting non-scriptural writings above scripture.

As to the Sabbath rest we are invited to come into - this is to enjoy His seventh day of creation with Him as He rests... As this is an epoch for Him it is each day for us but one day of creation for Him.
Yes it is the 'Seventh day of the Lord your God', just as on the other six days of creation He worked to create it. He is resting now from His work and invites us to join Him through the finished work of the Cross. So His Sabbath Rest was never about one day of the calendar week, as for Him a day is as a thousand years.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

My response in quoting Justin Martyr was in response to the claim by Sabbath Blessings that Sunday worship started with Constantine - this was simply not correct.
The church started Sunday worship very early on to celebrate the resurrection.
Please do not accuse me of putting non-scriptural writings above scripture.

As to the Sabbath rest we are invited to come into - this is to enjoy His seventh day of creation with Him as He rests... As this is an epoch for Him it is each day for us but one day of creation for Him.
Yes it is the 'Seventh day of the Lord your God', just as on the other six days of creation He worked to create it. He is resting now from His work and invites us to join Him through the finished work of the Cross. So His Sabbath Rest was never about one day of the calendar week, as for Him a day is as a thousand years.

Hello Carl,

Historically, Constantine did not change the day of worship as many claim. According to the historical records, Constantine made a civil Sunday law that the Roman Catholic Church adopted in order to practice and promote Sunday worship over the Sabbath of God's 4th commandment...

First Sunday Law enacted by Emperor Constantine - March, 321 A.D.

“On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grain-sowing or for vine-planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost. (Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls each of them for the second time [A.D. 321].)” Source: Codex Justinianus, lib. 3, tit. 12, 3; trans. in Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol.3 (5th ed.; New York: Scribner, 1902), p.380, note 1.

Now a professed Christian, Constantine nevertheless remained a devout sun worshipper. “The sun was universally celebrated as the invincible guide and protector of Constantine,” notes Edward Gibbon in his classic Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, ch. xx, par. 3.

Constantine even printed coins which “bore on the one side the letters of the name of Christ, on the other the figure of the sun god.” Arthur P. Stanley, History of the Eastern Church, lect. vi, par. 14.

Again, Constantine’s promotion of Sunday observance was part of his definite strategy to combine paganism with Christianity: “The retention of the old pagan name of dies Solis, or 'Sunday,' for the weekly Christian festival, is in great measure owing to the union of pagan and Christian sentiment with which the first day of the week was recommended by Constantine to his subjects, pagan and Christian alike, as the ‘venerable day of the Sun.’” – Stanley’s History of the Eastern Church, p. 184.

In spite of the rising popularity of Sunday sacredness, Church historian Socrates Scholasticus (5th century) wrote: “For although almost all churches throughout the world celebrate the sacred mysteries [of the Lord's Supper] on the Sabbath of every week, yet the Christians of Alexandria and at Rome, on account of some ancient tradition, have ceased to do this.” – Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History, Book 5, ch. 22.

Another historian also confirmed this by stating, “The people of Constantinople, and almost everywhere, assemble together on the Sabbath, as well as on the first day of the week, which custom is never observed at Rome or at Alexandria.” – Sozomen, Ecclesiastical History, Book 7, ch. 19. Thus even in the 5th century, Sabbath keeping was universally prevalent (except in Rome and Alexandria) along with Sunday keeping. Many Christians kept both days, but as the centuries wore on, Sunday keeping grew in prominence and especially within Roman Catholic territories.

In 330 A.D., Constantine moved his capital from Rome to Constantinople (modern Istanbul), thus preparing the way for the Roman Catholic Popes to reign in Rome as the successors of Constantine. As the Papal Church grew in power, it opposed Sabbath observance in favour of Sunday sacredness and made the day change official in the Council of Laodicea (A.D. 363-364). Constantine's law had now been fully integrated into the Papal Church and the final step of the Sabbath to Sunday change was complete.

So around the year A.D. 364, the Catholic Church outlawed Sabbath keeping in the Council of Laodicea when they decreed 59 Canon laws. The following is the relevant Canon law: Canon XXIX: “Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honouring the Lord's Day; and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ.” (Percival Translation).

Four hundred years after the death of Christ and one hundred years after Constantine's linking of Church and State by his Sunday law edict, Rome and Alexandria were the only places in the world where many of the Christians kept only Sunday and not the true Sabbath. Why was it that Rome and Alexandria were also the first locations that Sunday worship began? Because this is where the pagan practices of Babylon eventually landed after it was conquered. And what was the dominant pagan practice that the Babylonian priests brought with them? Sun worship which was done on Sun-day! See the history of Sunday worship for more detail.

So one can understand why Rome and Alexandria did not bother to keep the true Sabbath as they had not done so for 200 years. Throughout the entire history of the changeover from Sabbath to Sunday, Rome and Alexandria had worked together. Alexandria provided the philosophical reasons for the changes and Rome provided the decrees and anathemas. Constantine's help was given only to the worldly Church leaders at Rome and those Christians that resisted the errors that were being introduced into the Church met with his opposition. “Unite with the bishop of Rome or be destroyed,” was Constantine's position.

“Great as were the favors which Constantine showed to the church, they were only for that strong, close-knit, hierarchically organized portion that called itself Catholic. The various [so-called] heretical sects could look for no bounty from his hands.” – Williston Walker, A History of the Christian Church, page 105.

The change of the Sabbath to Sunday was totally completed by the seventh century as the Popes consolidating their enormous power persecuted all who resisted their innovations. Did Satan use Constantine to play a key part in his plan to change the Sabbath to his day being Sunday? The answer is clear! From sun worship 2000 B.C., to Sunday worship in the Church. Satan infiltrated the Christian Church and most are oblivious to the fact that this has happened or understand the relevance. Sunday or “dies solis”, the day of the sun came from Satan worship and is his day. (more from here).

As far as Justin Martyr is concerned even in His time the early Christian Church was keeping both the Sabbath and the first day of the week but that was more to do with man made traditions and the persecutions from the Roman Empire and the Christians wanting to separate themselves from the Jews. There is no biblical bases or scripture that supports the teachings of Sunday worship. It is simply a man-made teaching and tradition of men that is not biblical.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

My response in quoting Justin Martyr was in response to the claim by Sabbath Blessings that Sunday worship started with Constantine - this was simply not correct.
The church started Sunday worship very early on to celebrate the resurrection.
Please do not accuse me of putting non-scriptural writings above scripture.

As to the Sabbath rest we are invited to come into - this is to enjoy His seventh day of creation with Him as He rests... As this is an epoch for Him it is each day for us but one day of creation for Him.
Yes it is the 'Seventh day of the Lord your God', just as on the other six days of creation He worked to create it. He is resting now from His work and invites us to join Him through the finished work of the Cross. So His Sabbath Rest was never about one day of the calendar week, as for Him a day is as a thousand years.

Jesus kept the Sabbath Luke 4:16 and taught us all about the Sabbath throughout the NT. The seventh day Sabbath is the only day God sanctified, blessed and holds any sacredness in the entire bible according to God. This is God's Special day that is clearly written both by God and Jesus:

10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God Exodus 20:10
Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28
“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, Isaiah 58:13

Jesus came to be the example for us. He did not keep the Sabbath so we do not have to. Jesus kept all of the commandments and asked us to as well. John 15:10

God bless

 

[Carl Emerson]

Jesus kept the Sabbath Luke 4:16 and taught us all about the Sabbath throughout the NT. The seventh day Sabbath is the only day God sanctified, blessed and holds any sacredness in the entire bible according to God. This is God's Special day that is clearly written both by God and Jesus:

10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God Exodus 20:10
Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28
“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, Isaiah 58:13

Jesus came to be the example for us. He did not keep the Sabbath so we do not have to. Jesus kept all of the commandments and asked us to as well. John 15:10

God bless

Jesus kept the Sabbath in order to fulfil the Law.

The reason why your position is outrageous is that it condemns a large chunk of the Body of Christ.

Pretending that you don't judge Sunday worshipers is quite dishonest.

Your message is clear - Worship on Saturday or be anethema.

My Father does not say that.

Paul didn't say that...

What we are hearing is a different spirit.

The consequences of not 'rightly dividing' the Body of Christ are quite severe.

Human loyalty to a constructed theology that divides the Body of Christ is a very serious issue.

Read my testimony here...

Jesus's Ministry

Then tell me that the Jesus I met face to face when I was about 8 was not real.

Walking with Jesus every day in His Sabbath Rest is the goal of our communion with Him.

It is sad that you seem to have missed this, and judge others for enjoying this treasure of faith.

Your degree of faith is 'as unto the Lord'

Mine is also...

We should leave it there - all else is judgement. (Rom 14)

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Jesus kept the Sabbath in order to fulfil the Law.

The reason why your position is outrageous is that it condemns a large chunk of the Body of Christ.

Pretending that you don't judge Sunday worshipers is quite dishonest.

Your message is clear - Worship on Saturday or be anethema.

My Father does not say that.

Paul didn't say that...

What we are hearing is a different spirit.

The consequences of not 'rightly dividing' the Body of Christ are quite severe.

Human loyalty to a constructed theology that divides the Body of Christ is a very serious issue.

Read my testimony here...

Jesus's Ministry

Then tell me that the Jesus I met face to face when I was about 8 was not real.


It is sad that you seem to have missed this, and judge others for enjoying this treasure of faith.

Your degree of faith is 'as unto the Lord'

Mine is also...

We should leave it there - all else is judgement. (Rom 14)

All I did was quote scripture. You really should re-read the post you are replying to because there was no judgement, I only quoted God’s Word. Maybe you can quote me exactly where I judged you. Jesus is our only judge, but we should help each other if in error, because the time is coming nearer and we are told to worship Jesus in Truth and Spirit. John 4:24

Walking with Jesus every day in His Sabbath Rest is the goal of our communion with Him.

Also, there are two rests in the Bible. The commandment from God where God told us to rest from our work and Remember to keep the seventh day Sabbath holy Exodus 20:8-11 and Christs rests that we receive when we obey, not disobey according to scriptures. Hebrews 4:4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,

Jesus kept the Sabbath in order to fulfil the Law.

Fulfill the law does not mean destroy and Jesus said that very plainly Mathew 5:17-20. We fulfill the law when we obey. For example, when I am faithful to my husband, I am fulfilling my marriage vows. When I drive the speed limit, I am fulfilling my obligation under my drivers license agreement, when I go over the speed limit, I no longer fulfill the law and now I am breaking the law. Jesus did not die to give us a license to sin. Jesus taught us we could overcome sin and He was our example and great sacrifice. Which is why Jesus said: Matthew 5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Then tell me that the Jesus I met face to face when I was about 8 was not real.

I never said anything about this. Jesus calls on everyone, but few listen and follow His Word according to scripture.Mathew 22:14

The scriptures mean exactly what they say. Ignoring them does not make them go away, but I will leave that between you and God.

God bless

 

[LoveGodsWord]

Jesus kept the Sabbath in order to fulfil the Law.

The reason why your position is outrageous is that it condemns a large chunk of the Body of Christ.

Pretending that you don't judge Sunday worshipers is quite dishonest.

Your message is clear - Worship on Saturday or be anethema.

My Father does not say that.

Paul didn't say that...

What we are hearing is a different spirit.

The consequences of not 'rightly dividing' the Body of Christ are quite severe.

Human loyalty to a constructed theology that divides the Body of Christ is a very serious issue.

Read my testimony here...

Jesus's Ministry

Then tell me that the Jesus I met face to face when I was about 8 was not real.

Walking with Jesus every day in His Sabbath Rest is the goal of our communion with Him.

It is sad that you seem to have missed this, and judge others for enjoying this treasure of faith.

Your degree of faith is 'as unto the Lord'

Mine is also...

We should leave it there - all else is judgement. (Rom 14)

Carl do you mind if I ask you an honest question based on scripture? Do you think once someone has been given a knowledge of the truth of Gods' Word and they choose to reject Gods' Word in order to continue in known unrepentant sin that they are in a saved state before God or an unsaved state before God?

 

[Danthemailman]

Jesus kept the Sabbath in order to fulfil the Law.

The reason why your position is outrageous is that it condemns a large chunk of the Body of Christ.

Pretending that you don't judge Sunday worshipers is quite dishonest.

Your message is clear - Worship on Saturday or be anethema.

My Father does not say that.

Paul didn't say that...

What we are hearing is a different spirit.

The consequences of not 'rightly dividing' the Body of Christ are quite severe.

Human loyalty to a constructed theology that divides the Body of Christ is a very serious issue.

Read my testimony here...

Jesus's Ministry

Then tell me that the Jesus I met face to face when I was about 8 was not real.

Walking with Jesus every day in His Sabbath Rest is the goal of our communion with Him.

It is sad that you seem to have missed this, and judge others for enjoying this treasure of faith.

Your degree of faith is 'as unto the Lord'

Mine is also...

We should leave it there - all else is judgement. (Rom 14)

Well said. Keep fighting the good fight of faith brother and God bless you!

 

[LoveGodsWord]

Well said. Keep fighting the good fight of faith brother and God bless you!

According to the scriptures saving faith is believing and following what Gods' Word says *James 2:17-26. We cannot say we have saving faith if we simply believe God and do not do what Gods' Word says. James calls this the dead faith of devils and Jesus says to those who have this kind of faith to depart from him and that he never knew them in Matthew 7:21-23. John also tells us that those who practice sin and those who do not practice sin is the difference between the children of God and the Children of the devil in 1 John 3:9-10; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12 and Revelation 22:14. The test according to the scriptures therefore to know if we are truly know God or do not know God is if we are believing and following Gods' Word or practicing sin according to 1 John 2:3-4; 1 John 3:4-9. According to the scriptures sin and unbelief in God's Word is what kept Gods' people from entering the promised land and this is the warning given in Hebrews 3 and Hebrews 4 that will keep us from entering Gods' Kingdom at the second coming according to the scriptures. So who should we believe and follow; God or man that is the question.

Hope this is helpful

 

[Carl Emerson]

Carl do you mind if I ask you an honest question based on scripture? Do you think once someone has been given a knowledge of the truth of Gods' Word and they choose to reject Gods' Word in order to continue in known unrepentant sin that they are in a saved state before God or an unsaved state before God?

That depends on what you mean by God's Word.

When you really hear God's Living Word you know He is not to be messed with and to disobey is unthinkable because the fear if Him indwells you.

However the Scribes and Pharisees Knew the Scriptures backwards and yet they never heard His Living Word or recognized Him when He was face to face.

So quoting scripture is not enough.

Encounter with the Living Word is everything.

When this happens the scriptures come alive as you hear His Voice to you personally.

So If I speak to a Mormon, he will say "take our bible study and in three months you will know the Truth..."

Then I speak to a JW, and He will say "take our bible study and you will know the truth in three months"

Then I speak to SDA like I am now and they present like the others - learn our theology and agree to know the truth.

So I said to them - work it out between yourselves first and get back to me.

Mean time I read scripture for myself for over 5 years with no input from any theology, just prayerfully, and asking Him about questions that arise. That was enormously helpful as big picture themes help to understand the detail folks argue about.
So many questions are resolved by understanding the Character of God.
The scripture came alive, as did the Voice of the Shepherd.

 

[Carl Emerson]

All I did was quote scripture

Well that is what Satan did as well...

It is how you present scripture that is either binding or freeing.

Encouraging folks to be back under law is binding.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Well that is what Satan did as well...

It is how you present scripture that is either binding or freeing.

Encouraging folks to be back under law is binding.

That's what Satan wants us to believe, that we no longer have to keep God's laws, but it's not what scripture teaches. Just common sense alone should tell us we should not worship other gods, or vain God's name, steal, lie, murder, most agree with those until we get to the 4th commandment God's holy Sabbath day that God asked us to REMEMBER. That's when most prefer their will over God's.

God's saints keep God's commandments as told by scripture. Revelations 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. There is not a lot of us left as predicted Revelations 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
If the law is no longer binding as you say, why does Satan care if we keep God's commandments?

God's commandments are made from love and how could they not be because God personally wrote them with His own Finger! They show us to love God (commandments 1-4) and how to love each other (commandments 5-10). In the Ten commandments it even tells us who God shows mercy to Exodus 20:6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

The time is coming nearer though and the second coming with be similar to the days of Noah. Matthew 24:37 Many did not believe back then either. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit wants us to obey God's laws. John 14:15-18, John 15:10, 1 John 5:3. Exodus 20:6, Acts 5:32. There is another spirit who has deceived many into believing God's laws are no more.

God bless

 

[Carl Emerson]

That's what Satan wants us to believe, that we no longer have to keep God's laws, but it's not what scripture teaches

Galatians 5

4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Galatians 5

4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Hi Carl,

This verse does not delete God's laws. Maybe you missed the other of Paul's writings:

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Carl, you seem like a nice guy. I am not sure why you are so opposed to God's laws. They reflect the very essence of who God is. God gave us His law as a blessing.

Psalms 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 19: 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Hi Carl,

This verse does not delete God's laws. Maybe you missed the other of Paul's writings:

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Carl, you seem like a nice guy. I am not sure why you are so opposed to God's laws. They reflect the very essence of who God is. God gave us His law as a blessing.

Psalms 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 19: 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

I don't think you have understood my position.

I have tried to explain before it is a matter of motive.

Those truly born again have a new heart and His indwelling presence - the seal of salvation.

With this new Love within us our motives change and we want only to please God.

His presence within us guides us into all truth dynamically - my sheep hear my voice, a daily walk of obedience.

With this godly motive active inside of us we will only want to Love Him and Love our neighbor.

So the motive for obedience is then Love not Law.

This difference may seem subtle yet it is critical.

Now we know that faith comes from hearing God personally.

Jesus within us is doing personally what the Law could not do.

So we no longer venerate the Law but love the author of the Law.

This does not mean we should not refer to the law as a guide, but we are now, first and foremost, accountable to Him personally.

To keep hammering away with the Law misrepresents the heart of our faith - which should be a celebration of His Love.

I think there remains a very important function of the Law which is to bring a consciousness of sin to unbelievers. But to pound the Body of Christ with Law Law Law is coming from a wrong spirit.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I don't think you have understood my position.

I have tried to explain before it is a matter of motive.

Those truly born again have a new heart and His indwelling presence - the seal of salvation.

With this new Love within us our motives change and we want only to please God.

His presence within us guides us into all truth dynamically - my sheep hear my voice, a daily walk of obedience.

With this godly motive active inside of us we will only want to Love Him and Love our neighbor.

So the motive for obedience is then Love not Law.

This difference may seem subtle yet it is critical.

Now we know that faith comes from hearing God personally.

Jesus within us is doing personally what the Law could not do.

So we no longer venerate the Law but love the author of the Law.

This does not mean we should not refer to the law as a guide, but we are now, first and foremost, accountable to Him personally.

To keep hammering away with the Law misrepresents the heart of our faith - which should be a celebration of His Love.

I think there remains a very important function of the Law which is to bring a consciousness of sin to unbelievers. But to pound the Body of Christ with Law Law Law is coming from a wrong spirit.

I think if you read the posts regarding keeping God's commandments, we keep them to show our love to God. As I stated to you previous:

God's commandments are made from love and how could they not be because God personally wrote them with His own Finger! They show us to love God (commandments 1-4) and how to love each other (commandments 5-10). In the Ten commandments it even tells us who God shows mercy to Exodus 20:6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

If you truly have a changed heart you are going to want to keep the commandments because God wrote His laws in our hearts in the New Covenant and we fulfill them when we keep the laws. We cannot please God by disobeying.

To think we can know God and not keep His commandments, Jesus says this:

Mathew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

1 John 2:4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

God's law is taught all throughout the bible, so to say we are just hammering away about the law, seems pretty disrespectful to God, Jesus and all the disciples who taught us about God's laws. There were many in those days who thought the same thing about the law, so not much has changed. The law is not just for the unbelievers so the believers can sin freely. Sin is anyone who breaks God's laws 1 John 3:4

You seem offended when I post scriptures, you seem offended when an SDA doesn't respond to your posts, not sure there is much more I can do. I hope you consider the scriptures prayerfully.

God bless

 

[Carl Emerson]

I think if you read the posts regarding keeping God's commandments, we keep them to show our love to God. As I stated to you previous:

This is the reverse of my understanding.

We show our love for God by obeying His living Word.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

This is the reverse of my understanding.

We show our love for God by obeying His living Word.

Which includes God's commandments and Jesus says:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Exodus 20:6

To be honest I am surprised this is even an area of contention for anyone.

 

[Guojing]

Which includes God's commandments and Jesus says:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Exodus 20:6

To be honest I am surprised this is even an area of contention for anyone.

You are front loading works into the gospel of salvation, while he is back loading works.