The Sabbath

A Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. Psalm 92:6 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Isaiah 56:2 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Mark 2:27,28 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3

Words of Hosea for the Church today

The words to ancient Israel are applicable to Christianity today - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: Hosea 4:6 They forget His law- I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. Hosea 8:12 They will reap what they sow - For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: Hosea 8:7 .....for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Hosea 4:1,2

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4

Psalm 112

Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:1,7

Sermon on the Mount

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:2,3 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15 Compare and Contrast the following two attitudes: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men ....I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Luke 18:11,12 -OR- And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13 Which spirit is God looking for? "Does satan plead loudly against our souls accusing of sin, and claiming us as his prey, the blood of Christ pleads with greater power." Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing p.9
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, Jeremiah 3:13,12 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lamentations 3:33 "The bitterness of grief and humiliation is better than the indulgences of sin." Desire Of Ages p.301
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:7,8 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24 "Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul." Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing p.15
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. Psalm 119:174 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35 "As you seek those living springs you will, through the Holy Spirit, be brought into communion with Christ. Familiar truths will present themselves to your mind in a new aspect, texts of scripture will burst upon you with a new meaning as a flash of light." Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing p.20"Every impure thought defiles the soul, impairs the moral sense, and tends to obliterate the impressions of the holy Spirit. It dims the spiritual vision, so that men cannot behold God." The Desire Of Ages p.302
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Psalm 57:10 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36 "Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as the cup of cold water to a thirsty soul." Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing p.23
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: 1 Corinthians 13:12 "To the great mass of mankind, Christ Himself is as a root out of a dry ground, and they see in Him no beauty that they should desire Him." Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing p.25
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 For unto us a child is born, ...and His name shall be called....The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 "The spirit of peace is evidence of their connection with Heaven." Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing p. 29
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:17 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11 "The character of the persecution changes with the times, but the principle-the spirit that underlies it- is the same that has slain the chosen of the Lord ever since the days of Abel." Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing p.29
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15,16 "But if Christians are such in name only, they are like the salt that has lost its savor. They have no influence for good in the world. Through their misrepresentation of God they are worse than unbelievers." The Desire Of Ages p. 306
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8 ...and I will declare thy greatness. Psalm 145:6 "The religion of the Bible is not to be confined between the covers of a book. It is not to be brought out occasionally for our own benefit, and then to be carefully laid aside again. It is to sanctify the daily life, to manifest itself....in all our social relations." The Desire Of Ages p.307

Sabbath

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD. Isaiah 58:13,14

Psalm 5:3

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3

The Judgement

The Sanctuary symbolism laid out the plan of redemption for all to see.

Altar of burnt offerings = The lamb to be crucified upon the Cross. And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: Genesis 22:8 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep,.. Exodus 12:5 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29 The laver of water = cleansing by water. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. Ezekiel 36:25 .....in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:20,21 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. 1 John 5:6 The lamp burning at all times = the Holy Spirit. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 The Table of Shewbread = Christ. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19 I am that bread of life. John 6:48 Altar of Incense = Prayers ascending to heaven. ...and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. Revelation 5:8 And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. Acts 10:4 - Now enter into the HOLY of HOLIES- The ark of the Covenant holding the 10 Commandments (Law of God). Over it The Mercy Seat representing God. And the two angels looking down, representing the interest of all heaven in what is happening here. On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies- to purge the Temple of the past years sins of the people. Then they would bring to goats. One would be let go and the other, the priest would lay his hands on its head and transfer the sins to it. Then it would be led away from the camp, never to return. Symbolic of the end when Lucifer is held accountable for sin. Destroyed forever. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, Revelation 20:10 ....and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Ezekiel 38:22 As for the Day of Atonement - And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Daniel 8:14 But the judgment shall sit,.. Daniel 7:26 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; Hebrews 8:1 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: Hebrews 9:7 He is our advocate-He stands in your place and holds up His nailed scarred hands before the Father and pleads your case. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1John 2:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:1,2 The reward is great-the promised land-once and for all. Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Ezekiel 37:12 But the punishment is severe - And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Psalm 61:4

Mark of the Beast

Another beast rises up to exercise, during the great time of trouble, the mark of the beast upon the world. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Revelation 13:11 Since waters in prophecy = populations, then land must represent an area of small population. And had the gentle appearance of a lamb with its horns, but spoke like a dragon. Sounds like the only power on earth that fits that, and would have the power of influence to accomplish it, would be the USA. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, Revelation 13:12,13 So this takes place after 1798 sometime, for the beast had his "deadly wound" healed. What nation made what appears to look like fire comming down from heaven? The U.S. at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In the future, when this takes place, they will impose a death penalty. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Revelation 13:15 Now-for the Mark of the Beast- And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. Revelation 13:16-18 Those who have it in their hands go along so as to be able to buy and sell. Those who have it in their foreheads actually believe in it. And what is it? Ezekiel parallels and compliments Revelation. In both, they talk of the end. They both talk of a remnant, Gog (as a name for Lucifer) the same amount of plagues at the end, etc. But the difference is, and here is where they compliment each other, Ezekiel tells of the Mark of God's people who are spared. And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.Ezekiel 9:4 Revelation tells of the Mark of the Beast. The opposite. So what is the seal of God's people at the end of time? Why was God upset with His people in Ezekiel? Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Ezekiel 22:26 They keep not His Law. 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. Ezekiel 20:12 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. Ezekiel 20:20 After the end- And it hath been from month to month, And from sabbath to sabbath, Come do all flesh to bow themselves before Me, Said Jehovah. Isaiah 66:22 (YLT) The Sabbath is still important. Its the only Commandment that identifies His power as God-Creator of the heavens and earth. So the Mark of the Beast must be some sort of mandated Sunday observance in the last days. When things are so bad, the people turn to a spiritual leader who tells them what to do-keep Sunday to appease God. (THE MARK OF THE BEAST is NOT in effect today-those who currently go along with the institution of Sunday in place of Sabbath DO NOT have the Mark of the Beast. It is only at the end when its mandated by Law-and all have to then make a choice). As in Ezekiel, where God is angry with the people for not keeping His Commandments, in Revelation, the remnant are identified as those who keep His Commandments in the end - Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14 Interesting in Ezekiel that one of the abominations that Ezekiel sees, as he peaks into the Temple, are men worshipping the sun!! ...at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Ezekiel 8:16 As a sidenote-we learn in Ezekiel that the reason for the plagues at the end (like in Revelation) is to restrain the wicked from totally destroying the remnant. Ezekiel and Revelation should be read together.

Daniel & Revelation part 4: Rome (pagan/papal)

The fourth kingdom of the statue in the kings dream, was made of iron-representing Rome. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; Daniel 2:40,41 Rome had 10 toes like the 10 horns of the dreadful beast. The 2 legs were the division of Rome into 2 empires-western (Latin speaking) and eastern (Byzantine-Greek speaking). The 10 are the 10 kingdoms that originally emerged from out of the collapse of the Roman Empire. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. Daniel 7:7 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. Daniel 8:23-25 This would be pagan/papal Rome. As we shall see with the emergence of the Little Horn-which leads to the transition from pagan Rome to Papal Rome- I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Daniel 7:8,21,23,25 And what did this Little Horn do? It spoke words against the Most High and thought to change times and Laws. The Papacy instituted Sunday in place of Sabbath (the 1st day for the 7th). It removed altogether the 2nd Commandment. It also brought paganism into the church with many of its holidays. It has people refer to its priests as "Father" and allow them to act as a mediator between you and your God. (Confessions, Last Rights, Mass, etc.). It also persecuted the saints- during the Reformation. Hundreds of thousands were slain, burned at the stake or tortured to death. They were given into his hand for a time and times and dividing of time. (A time = a year, or 365 days) So with he day-year principle its 1,260 years. The Papacy was given firm control over all Christian Churches by the emporer in 538 AD. Add 1260 takes to 1798. What happened to end that in 1798? And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. Revelation 13:3 French General Berthier took the Pope prisoner on orders of Napoleon. He died in prison. The Papacy hasn't been the same since. But its deadly wound will one day be healed. Evidence the beast in Revelation is the Little Horn of Daniel- (42 months times 30 days =1260). And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Revelation 13:5-7 What will the power behind this beast do to the saints in the end of time? 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. Revelation 12:7

Daniel & Revelation part 3: Greece

The third part of the statue in the Babylonian kings dream was of brass-representing Greece. ..his belly and his thighs of brass, Daniel 2:32 It was also the third beast-the leopard. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. Daniel 7:6 The 4 wings represent its speed of the young Alexanders the Greats conquest-also the 4 heads were the four Grecian kingdoms it divided into upon his death. In Daniel 8 Greece is the Goat with the great horn that destroys the ram of Media-Persia. The notable horn is Alexander the Great. Followed by his four Greek Kingdoms upon his death. And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns:Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. Daniel 8:5-8 (The four generals who succeeded Alexander and divided the empire into four parts were Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy and Seleucus.)

Daniel & Revelation part 2: Persia

The Median-Persian empire was represented as the silver part of the statue. ...his breast and his arms of silver, Daniel 2:32 The Persian Empire was also represented as the bear. It raised itself up on one side. (the Persians gained the upper hand over the Medes in their joint empire). And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. Daniel 7:5 The three ribs are the conquest of Babylon, Egypt and Lydia-the big 3 empires that the Persians conquered. The ram is Media-Persia. The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. Daniel 8:20 The ram was destroyed by the Greeks- And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. Daniel 8:5,7

Daniel & Revelation part 1: Babylon

Daniel tells the king of Babylon the interpretation of his dream-Babylon is the head of gold in the statue. Thou art this head of gold. Daniel 2:38 The first beast, a lion, also represented Babylon. The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. Daniel 7:4 Its wings being plucked off symbolize the slowing down of the speed of the expansion of the Babylonian Empire. A man's heart given to it symbolizes the weakness of the empire at the time.

The Old Paths

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Jeremiah 6:16