The Great Beast power is seeking to attack God. Focus is on His Law. This power would attempt to change the very law of God. We see this in our society today and the prophetic Word.
Daniel 7:25 - A power that would do this puts himself above God. But that is what the Antichrist seeks to do.
Years ago great Christian writer George Elliot wrote powerful words relating to this concept: “Long should pause the erring hand of man…”
Now, if you would read the Ten Commandments in any Catholic Catechism you will note that they have been changed dramatically
In fact, the 2nd has been dropped entirely while the tenth has been divided into two. And the 4th has been changed. This 4th Commandment of God has been especially targeted by the Antichrist and trampled on: We discovered that it is the only commandment with any injunction that relates to time. Exodus 20:8 -11
This commandment begins in a much different manner than others in that it tells us to Remember. Why use the word “remember”? If I say “Remember Pearl Harbor” or “Remember the Alamo.” You understand this to mean that we should not forget it. It is important!
Well, this is important to God and He knew that the Antichrist would seek to change it so He states unequivocally to “Remember” it.
And they frankly admit to doing just what God warned us against.
History and Religious testimony bear this out. SLIDES
Constantine – The great hero of the Catholic faith was a major player in the transition from Sabbath keeping to Sunday worship. Now some want to deny this. Downplay Constantine’s role.
However, in the Book – “The Lord’s Day” edited by leader of Lord’s Day alliance containing chapters and articles by the most well known leaders in the church through the last century – makes it abundantly plain.
Friends – The great leaders of the church of old during Reformation – “The Bible Only”
Dowling in his book – History of the Reformation states this challenging concept. SLIDES
This is Biblical Christianity – The kind that cost the lives of so many during the dark ages when people were persecuted for reading and believing the Word of God.
They were literally burned at the stake for the testimony of the Bible and the Bible only as a rule of faith and not the dogmas of man or the church.
Years ago a leading Catholic Priest made this astonishing offer: SLIDE
Tonight we're going to hear The Rest of the Story – Need to know what the Word of God really says. There is no doubt in my mind that all here tonight want to know the truths of God’s Holy Word concerning this evening’s subject.
I always pray that God will send honest seekers of truth – I believe that’s why you are here.
Two verses of scripture that seem appropriate - Psalm 43:3 “O send out Your light and Your truth: let them lead me…”
Psalm 86:11 expresses the true sentiments of the follower of Jesus - “Teach me Your way O Lord and I will walk in Your truth.” Thankful that God will reveal truth if we come and study.
John 8:31,32 says, "If you continue in My Word, you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
The problem today is that most people think that what is most popular is what is truth. This is the premise on which every TV commercial works. Jesus, in his day discussed the fact that religious leaders had accepted tradition in the place of truth. On many occasions He spoke candidly.
He also made it clear about what is truth. Only one great test of truth: John 17:17 - Word is Truth – Not what man says that matters.
Isaiah 8:20 says: “To the Law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this Word – no light in them.” All sermons, books, religions, traditions and practices are measured by this infallible rule.
Does not matter what the majority says – Must also remind you – FEELINGS are an inaccurate test as well. We must ask what Word of God says
It doesn’t matter what we were taught as a child, either. Some think “as long as we're SINCERE – doesn’t matter.” No, no. - He wants to lead us beyond our ignorance. If truly sincere, we have a responsibility to learn what truth is.
We CAN be sincerely wrong and be lost sometimes as well. For instance, Driving – THINK going the right way – get lost – going the wrong way. Fact is we all need the MAP
Now the FACT is; the majority ALWAYS has been wrong in religious matters.
Remember what Jesus said about Noah’s day . . . Luke 17:26 - As in Noah’s day – millions lost – only 8 saved. Harsh reality - The entire world was in rebellion against God. How could this be? - Well, can’t blame God. He provided the means to save all who would. That ark represented His saving truth – most rejected His offer (His way). Why? – They simply were not willing to do as He said. Same at end – Jesus said.
Christ taught only a comparable few willing to do right and be saved. Matthew 7:13, 14
So it’s TRUE – MAJORITY – FAMOUS EVANGELISTS, THEOLOGIANS today keep Sunday. And most oppose the concept of 7th day Sabbath.
Quite frankly, this should warn us. God’s Biblical Truth never popular with the masses. Sad Fact – Majority of people today are not even interested – or be more studying the word today.
TONIGHT: IS SUNDAY REALLY SACRED? Tradition is on trial – you are the jury, God’s Word is used as evidence. Doesn’t matter what day the Bible says – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday I am willing – if Bible says – aren’t you?
Now - Only 8 references most use to support Sunday. We must look at each one – find out if ever commanded to keep Holy.
Begin at first Gospel - Matthew 28:1 - Interesting – proof – Sabbath NOT 1st day –
Sabbath ended – modern translations – NIV, NEB
This harmonizes with Mark – next text: Mark 16: 2 - Again proves opposite of what is taught – same as Matthew
Third reference to the 1st Day of week is in verse 9 - Little comment needed – simply repeating - Important to note – nothing said about day being Holy.
MOST COMPLETE PICTURES OF RESURRECTION . . . Luke 23:52-56
1. v. 54 - Notice – Preparation Day
a. All know this is Friday – preparation for Jews.
b. This is “Good Friday” (Mark 15:42, Matthew 27:62)
c. Sabbath drew on – means “coming”
2. v. 55-56 “Rested according to the commandment.”
a. Identifies this as the specific Sabbath of the 10 commandments
b. Luke 24:1,2 – 1st day came – found stone rolled away
c. (By the way, if wondering about losing track of time – We know that Jesus and the Bible writers knew when Sabbath was – Need Not Worry beyond that.)
d. Resurrection EASTER SUNDAY – If sure of Easter, sure of true Sabbath.
Now, if Sabbath was changed, Jesus would have told these disciples – His most intimate friends. Luke would have told us for sure. Luke 1:1-4 - The inspired Doctor Luke would have cleared things up and set things straight - Very interesting to note that Jesus rested from work of Redemption, just as at Creation
The next instance is recorded in John’s Gospel. John 20:1 - Just the same historical information.
However, John mentions first day again – There has been some confusion here. John 20:19 - Some say meeting to celebrate resurrection. Notice “Fear of the Jews”
The disciples were scared – knew Roman soldiers thought they had stolen body. The fact is: They did not even believe that He had risen!
Mark 16:9-11 - None of them believed. Verses 13, 14
How could they have been keeping Sunday in honor of the Resurrection if didn’t even believe?
Some say every time Jesus met with Apostles after Resurrection – it was on a Sunday.
I don’t know – but seriously doubt it. Here’s one thing I do know for sure – 3rd time they went fishing. John 21:14. If Sunday – not keeping it as Sabbath. (I hope you’re getting a sense of the misinformation so predominant today in religious world)
7th Occurrence . . . 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 -Some believe – Sunday service – say church offering being taken. We need to know the background – “Poor Saints” – Jerusalem Romans 15:25, 26
Other translations – “Home” - Martin Luther’s
“Save it up” N.I.V. “Put aside and save” N.A.S.B.
Nowhere in text – mention a religious meeting taking place. See how people have written so much into these texts to support tradition?
Last mention of 1st day found in: Acts 20:7
Only reference mentioning a religious meeting or service of some sort (if you want to call it that) - Must examine closely
The time and content of this meeting indicates that it was a special farewell gathering occasioned by the departure of Paul and was not a regular Sunday worship service.
In fact, the meeting began on the evening of the first day – which was what we’d call Saturday night!
Notice – “Upon - first day” night time actually. You see, Bible day = Evening and a Morning. Genesis 1:5
Evening (night time) came first, then morning (day) came next = full day cycle.
Bible day began when sun set – to next sunset. Not midnight to midnight – there were no quartz lithium watches - N.E.B. - “Saturday Night”
Conybeare and Howson, The Life and Epistles of the Apostle Paul p.250
“It was the evening which succeeded the Jewish Sabbath.”
Notice verse 8 – Many lights – verse 7 - Paul preached until midnight -
Verse 9 boy fell asleep – dead. This teaches us not to fall asleep in church . . . or preach too long. “Break bread” - verse 7 - doesn’t mean worship – communion? Compare with verse 11 If it means eating here – has to be same in verse 7
Acts 2:46 says:“…continuing daily with one accord – breaking bread from house to house.”
Custom – hospitality – bonds of friendship expressed in eating together.
Paul walked 20 miles Sunday morning – joins company in Assos. Vs. 13, 14
EXAMINED EVERY TEXT – no evidence by command or example.
People are guarding an Ancient Tradition – Don’t know what the Truth is.
What does N.T. teach about Sabbath? Acts 13:42-44 - Jews gone – Gentiles . . . Paul preached . . . next Sabbath. Notice – next Sabbath – whole city came – Gentiles.
Many say that Sabbath was changed in honor of the resurrection – Surely Paul the great gospel preacher would have told them.
All the Biblical institutions such as the Sabbath, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper all trace their origin to a divine act of establishment. But there was no such establishment of a weekly memorial of the resurrection. None of the utterances of the risen Savior or the Apostles reveal any intent to memorialize the day of His resurrection by making it the new Christian day of rest and worship!
In fact the silence of the N.T. on this matter is very revealing since most of it was written many years after Christ’s death and resurrection. If Christians had come to view Sunday as the memorial of the resurrection and replaced the creation/redemptive functions of the Sabbath, we would expect the New Testament to say so.
It doesn’t indicate that this happened after the time of the apostles. The truth is, it wasn’t considered in this fashion until the 4th century under Constantine.
In his book arguing for Sunday worship From Sabbath to Lord’s Day, D.A. Carlson admits:
“There is not a hint anywhere in the ministry of Jesus that the first day of the week is to take on the character of the Sabbath and replace it.” Published 1982 by Zondervan - Grand Rapids, Mich. p.82, SLIDE
Harold Lindsell, in Christianity Today, also writes:
“There is nothing in Scripture that requires us to keep Sunday rather than Saturday as a holy day.” Christianity Today - Nov. 5, 1976, p. 42
Some call Sabbath bondage – works - Say Sabbath-keepers are legalistic.
Legalist = someone who works for salvation and focuses upon things not taught or emphasized in the Scriptures. But whole concept of Sabbath is to rest from our works and experience the fullness of the grace of God.
Reminds me of a verse in: Hebrews 4:4,9,10,11
Paul (writing here) taught – “there remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest.” SHABAT = “rest. Cease, celebrate” - Cease from own works - traditions. “And rest as God did.”
Not just talking about gospel rest (spiritual rest) - because God not need a spiritual rest.
Legalist – like Pharisees – substituted man’s works, traditions for God’s command.
This scripture is inviting us to abandon man’s ways and traditions, having faith in God, and keeping His glorious Sabbath.
Whole life of Paul as a Christian teaches the Biblical truth. Acts 16:13
Again, Paul’s custom is noted in Scripture in: Acts 17:2 Paul did not change day after conversion from being a Jew. Early Christians often met with Jews –
It’s a fact that: two of the reasons this changed was . . .
a. Persecution of Jews by Romans
b. Faithless ones began keeping Sunday with pagans in Rome and Alexandria long after cross.
This development began during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 135. Hadrian outlawed Judaism in general and Sabbath keeping in particular. His aim was to liquidate Judaism as a religion at a time when there were Jewish uprising occurring because of renewed Messianic expectations.
To avoid the repressive anti-Jewish and anti-Sabbath legislation, many Christians especially in Rome and Alexandria began keeping Sunday in order to differentiate themselves from the Jews.
But the Bible is clear – In Acts alone – Bible records 84 different Sabbaths kept by Paul - Acts 18:4, 11 - Remained there a year and a half - 78 Sabbaths right there.
Acts 28:17 Conclusive! - Paul at the end of his life
Acts 28:17, 30, 31 – He preached the things concerning Jesus – Never went against customs of Fathers. They could never accuse Paul of breaking the Sabbath.
Look – SABBATH PLAINEST TRUTH IN THE BIBLE.
I know how you may feel – like an old friend found guilty. Hard to believe, I’ve seen many cry when first heard it. But we must know and do what is right. Don’t you agree?
1 John 2:4-6 Says if: “keep not commandment – truth not in him.”
Who changed the Commandments? The Apostles Didn’t
Acts 5:29 Peter says: “Ought to obey God rather than man.”
And Jesus warns us in His rebuke to the Jews of old – Mark 7:9
Jesus is our example as Christians: In 1 Peter 2:21 and 1 John 2:6 tells us clearly that we must do what He teaches.
Some might say – God exempts – “impossible in an industrial society.”
James 2:10, 11 - Break one- break all – can keep any of them today by God’s grace just as when first given.
Now certainly it’s true - Satan manipulated the economic world.
a. But God never requires the impossible.
b. But never – necessary to disobey God.
But, you say, “My family will starve.”
Jesus answered that dilemma – Sermon on the Mount . . . Matthew 6:33
This is much bigger that you think – no time to cover it all. Lots of other things misunderstood today.
On ending, let me say – not so much a question of a day – as obedience through love . . . 1 John 5:3
Let’s choose today to experience blessing of obeying God. Isaiah 58:13,14
Today Jesus reaches out to a world that, to a large extent has forgotten Him. He lovingly invites us to come closer to fellowship, a relationship of trust and loving obedience. He wants us to experience all that He has given to us in His great love.
He has given us the great truths of Daniel and Revelation to show us His truth that is to prepare us to meet Him soon when He returns in glory.