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Re: Is the Sabbath a 'test of loyalty'?
[Re: Rick H]
#195870
05/27/23 10:22 PM
05/27/23 10:22 PM
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Will the Sabbath be a test of loyalty in the end times? Yes. Will the Sabbath be the defining factor in one's salvation? No The Sabbath is a "test" not the defining factor. The defining factor is, --have we completely committed ourselves to Christ in faith and heartfelt loyalty, depending on His saving and cleansing work for salvation. A test is something that tests whether the defining factor is in place. It is often something obvious depicting a much more complex reality within. The way the Sabbath is observed, and why it is observed, makes a huge difference in the authenticity of the test. God is testing the intention, the motivation that precedes the act of observing or not observing the Sabbath. Ex. 31:13 "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.
31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Ex. 16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, ?Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. Why does God actually tell Israel that he "hates" their sabbath keeping and worship assemblies? Isaiah 1:13 the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot bear them, away with them; they are iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. What would make them acceptable? Isaiah 1:16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.
God does not desire people to appear before Him in pretended worship, in a ritualistic , spiritless and fake worshipping gathering, while holding all manner of sinful thoughts and plans in their lives. That is NOT Sabbath observance no matter how much assembling into church occurs. It was mere opus operatum,(rituals to gain merits) not an act of loyalty, love and faith combined with true worship in the sanctifying presence of Creator God. In the END -- the Sabbath TEST Sabbath will be a big issue. The world will be falling apart. The counterfeit sabbath will appear as a re-establishment of worship, it will be proclaimed as God's Sabbath, and all must observe it to regain God's favor. But God will hate it! Why? Because it is an effort to gain His blessing quite apart from loving obedience and dependence upon His grace and cleansing power. A wrong day will be legislated, which God never blessed or set apart as holy. Sunday. People will flock to the churches, with ritualistic, gathering in places of worship on Sundays believing they are appeasing God by this act. The pressure will be on -- huge pressure We saw a tiny glimpse of that type of antagonism during covid, when people roundly condemned those who refused the mandated, though questionable solution, to a problem. Though a different situation, it showed the antagonism aroused when anyone refuses to follow supposed "common good" mandates. This Sunday movement will have far more pressure as it will have an appearance of worship, and coming back to God. As well as being promoted as a means to save the planet. But sin is not cleansed from the heart Yet people will be frantic with animosity against those who disregard Sunday and worship on Saturday. True worship on God's Sabbath -- the seventh day -- will be scorned by the mobs. No one will keep Saturday in a merely ritualistic fashion when the world turns against God's true Sabbath. Those on the Lord's side will cling to the Sabbath that God blessed, as they cling to their Redeemer and Creator, repenting of their sins and wanting only to bring glory and honor to the One Who died to save them. Knowing it is a sign He is our God and we are His people, it is He that sanctifies us and makes us holy. They are ready to give up everything, even life itself rather than dishonor God! Are we ready for this? Are we so strongly rooted in Christ that all the powers of hell won't rip us from His side? Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
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Re: Is the Sabbath a 'test of loyalty'?
[Re: Rick H]
#195890
06/03/23 05:24 AM
06/03/23 05:24 AM
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Yes, many God-fearing, up-right people who have followed God to the fullness of their conviction in faith and obedience but never understood or kept the true sabbath, will be saved. BUT Because so many good Christians have fallen asleep in the triumphs of faith and have not understood or kept the true Sabbath, they, (people who realize which day is God's true Sabbath) are doubting the seventh day Sabbath being a test for us now in the time of the end.. Several issues here -- One is the sanctuary message and the importance of 1844 when the three angels messages began to sound. This was not just an unnoticed movement. It was a movement that stirred the Christian world. The first angel's message of "worship the Creator" "hour of His judgement is come". Daniel 8:14 the "sanctuary to be cleansed". The message that "Christ is coming". But they thought the sanctuary was this earth. NO! the sanctuary was not the earth, scripture did not say the sanctuary is the earth, but because Christ's second coming didn't cleanse the earth in 1844, the Christian world threw out the whole message. Yet none of those prophesies said Christ would come in 1844. What were the prophesies saying? --Restore the worship of the Creator Who made heaven and earth (Rev. 14:7) --The hour of His judgment is come (Rev. 14:7) -- The sanctuary is to be cleansed at end of 2300 years (pointing to 1844) {Dan. 8:14) -- Christ is coming (we don't know that hour) (Matt. 25:13) Then there was the focus on the third angel of Rev. 14 Which was yet to follow the 1st angel-- before the second coming. The wrath of God on those who follow the beast, his image and receive his mark. God's blessings on those who keep His commandments and have the faith of Jesus. -- What commandments? The ones the "beast" had thought to change? (Dan. 7:25) With emphases on the commandment the first angel called to restore? (Rev. 14:7) But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. He who reads every heart, and tries every motive, will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Every one is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. GC 605 Don't for a moment believe Sabbath observance will atone for the breaking of other commandments. 1 Corinthians 6: 9 Don't you know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.Likewise we understand -- "Don't you know that those who will not worship the Creator God on the day He sanctified, blessed and placed in the very heart of His commandments can not enter the kingdom of God. And yes, such were some of you, but you were washed and you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus..."When we keep the Sabbath it is a sign that we worship God Who sanctifies us! (Ez. 20:12) It is a sign we are resting in Him!
Last edited by dedication; 08/31/25 05:21 PM. Reason: Divided into two posts
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Re: Is the Sabbath a 'test of loyalty'?
[Re: Rick H]
#198982
08/10/25 04:23 PM
08/10/25 04:23 PM
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Debate goes on whether the Sabbath is a sign or the seal.
The Bible definitely says the Sabbath is a Sign.
Exodus 31:13 Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it[is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD that sanctifies you.
31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth
Ezekiel 20:12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
20:20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God.
But is the Sabbath also the Seal by which God's people are sealed?
The Bible says it is God and the Holy Spirit by which God's people are sealed.
2 Cor. 1:21-22 Now he which stablishes us in Christ, and has anointed us, is God;
Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:12- 13 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
So why do we say the Sabbath is the seal?
The Sabbath is the seal placed upon God's law, the ten commandments.
A seal is a stamp placed upon an official document showing the person issuing that document has the legal authority to issue the document and enforce it's requirements.
This is true from ancient times to modern times. A seal contains the 1)Name 2) His position and title of authority 3) the jurisdiction under his authority.
So God spoke His law, and placed within the heart of this law HIS "seal" -- Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
1. Name: ?The Lord your God? (Exodus 20:10).
2. Title: ?Maker? or Creator (Exodus 20:11).
3. Territory: ?Heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them? (Exodus 20:11) .
4. On what evidence is His authority to command based?
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT IS THE SEAL OF THE WHOLE LAW.
1st
Exodus 20:2-3 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought you out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
But who is this God asking us to serve and worship only Him?
2nd
Exodus 20:4-6 You are not make for yourselves any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: to worship and to serve them....
Nothing created is God. This God cannot be reproduced in any likeness to anything created. Nothing can take His place.
3rd
Exodus 20:7 20:7 You are not to take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.
Don't misrepresent Him, not in your actions or speech. Our lives and speech is to testify of Him, not make light or lead away from Him.
4th
Exodus 20:8-11 the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them... wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and made it holy. ... Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.
It's on the fourth commandment that God places His seal.
If we want to know and follow God's law we will look for that seal!
5th - 10th
When this God is our god, and we've accept His Lordship over us, it will show in how we act with those around us.
The Sabbath is a sign that we have accept Him as our Creator and Lord and God, and taking the seal of His law, we show our loyalty to Him as our law giver and commander.
If we want to be sure as to whose law we are following? Who do we look to as our Master and God in this world of religious confusion ? Look for the seal. Is the law that is followed, stamped with God's seal of authority?
Ezekiel 20:20 And keep my sabbaths holy; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God.
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Re: Is the Sabbath a 'test of loyalty'?
[Re: Rick H]
#199038
08/31/25 05:23 PM
08/31/25 05:23 PM
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Global Moderator
Supporting Member 2024
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Joined: Apr 2004
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The light concerning the binding claims of the law of God is to be presented everywhere. This is to be a deciding question. It will test and prove the world.?Special Testimonies, Series A, 7:17, 18. (1874).
It is on the law of God that the last great struggle of the controversy between Christ and His angels and Satan and his angels will come, and it will be decisive for all the world.... Men in responsible positions will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but from the sacred desk will urge upon the people the observance of the first day of the week, pleading tradition and custom in behalf of this man-made institution. They will point to calamities on land and sea?to the storms of wind, the floods, the earthquakes, the destruction by fire?as judgments indicating God's displeasure because Sunday is not sacredly observed. These calamities will increase more and more, one disaster will follow close upon the heels of another; and those who make void the law of God will point to the few who are keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the ones who are bringing wrath upon the world. This falsehood is Satan's device that he may ensnare the unwary.?The Southern Watchman, June 28, 1904. We can see things building up to this! After 1844 the Sabbath truth was preached with considerable energy. How did the Christian world respond? Every excuse to reject the true Sabbath was brought forth and a mountain of opposition mounted. Even to the preaching that God's holy law was nailed to the cross! The Christian world has accepted the falsehoods of Satan, and has believed and advocated a change in the fourth commandment, which was given as a commemoration of God's creative power in making the world. This falsehood has been working out its baleful results in making of no effect the whole law, in placing upon the human mind the impression that God is not invariable, invincible truth. This is the cup of intoxication that the Christian world is drinking, with which the inhabitants of the earth are becoming drunken. Satan is seeking to destroy the force of the Ten Commandments, urging his agents to declare that Christ nailed them to his cross. The cross is an immutable argument of the unchangeable character of the law of God. Christ died in order that a way might be provided for saving the sinner, in meeting the demands of the broken law. The law was written with the finger of God upon tables of stone, and John saw the temple of God open in heaven, and in the temple the ark of his covenant....
the prophet describes the scenes of the Gospel age, and he sees in heaven the ark of the testimony. There the holy law of God shines in holy dignity, just as when God wrote it with his own finger on tables of stone.
John describes the work that will be done in the last days, when the Protestant churches form a confederacy with the Catholic power, and work against the law of God and against those who keep his commandments. John says, ?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.?
The Protestant world have cherished an institution of the Papacy, --they have observed Sunday in preference to the Sabbath of the Lord their God, and in compelling men to keep Sunday, under penalty of law, they are exalting the first day of the week, a spurious sabbath, and casting dishonor upon the Sabbath of the fourth commandment Signs of the Times March 12, 1896. We can now see how all the storms, earthquakes, floods, fires, etc. can be blamed on lack of Sunday observance (Climate change agenda) with the next step leading to appeasing the gods with Sunday observance -- we are on the thresh hold of that happening. Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel's message have often been regarded as mere alarmists....But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before. It is when the Christian world, who have, especially in the last 175 years, vehemently declared that keeping God's true Sabbath is legalism, that it was nailed to the cross and is no longer binding, then turn around and demand, by force of law that everyone observe sunday as the day of rest, that the third angels message becomes very plain. Every person will be brought to decision. And every person will worship on either that papal/pagan day of the sun, or on the day God our Creator sanctified and blessed and asked His people to Remember. A sign that He is their God and sanctifier.
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