INTRODUCTION: In our last lesson we discussed the truths of the Sabbath. However, in today’s world, many “Christians” keep Sunday, the first day of the week, rather than the Sabbath, the seventh day, as a day to worship and honor God. This appears to lend credibility to the assertion that Jesus or His disciples changed the day of worship to Sunday; but is this really the case? Did such a change come about, and by whom was it made? In the Word of God and in history, we find the answer. REVIEW: 1. What does God’s law say about the Sabbath? Exodus 20:8-11 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Isaiah 58:13-14 2. What did Jesus say about the law? Matthew 5:17-18 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ Isaiah 40:8; Luke 16:17; 21:33 3. What did He say of men who would break the least of the commandments or teach others to lightly regard them (not take them seriously)? Matthew 5:19 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 4. What does James say about breaking even one commandment? James 2:10 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 5. What did Paul tell the leaders of the church at Ephesus? Acts 20:29-30 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: Paul told the leaders of the church that the church’s most severe test would come, not from the outside, but from within. It is apparent that we are dealing, not necessarily with a single person, although Satan would certainly use such to split the church, but with the principle of apostasy. Matthew 7:15; 1Corinthians 11:19 6. Who did Paul tell the believers would appear prior to Christ’s second coming? 2Thessalonians 2:3 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 7. Who is the only other person mentioned in the Bible as the son of perdition? John 13:26-27; 17:12 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 8. What was this person, or power, to do? 2Thessalonians 2:4 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 9. Under what symbol was this power revealed to Daniel? Daniel 7:8, 25 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: In Bible Study No. 12, we identified this power as the Roman Catholic Church, which, rising from the rubble of what had been the Roman empire, took its place as a world power. It should be noted that one of the identifying characteristics of this power is that it would seek to change times and laws. In order for the church of Rome to fit this prophecy, we would need to determine that it also attempted to change God’s law, most particularly the part of God’s law dealing with time. The only commandment in God’s law that deals with time is the 4th Commandment, the keeping of the Sabbath. We will now look at what the Catholic church writes about itself regarding this issue. “You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we Catholics never sanctify.” Faith of our Fathers, pg. 89, by Cardinal James Gibbons, James Murphy Company, New York, 1917)(Emphasis ours) ANOTHER QUOTE: “Protestants often deride the authority of Church tradition, and claim to be directed by the Bible only; yet they, too, have been guided by the customs of the ancient church, which find no warrant in the Bible, but rest on Church tradition only! A striking instance of this is the following: the first positive command of the Decalogue is to ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,’ and this precept was enforced by the Jews for thousands of years. But the Sabbath day, the observance of which God commanded, was our Saturday. Yet, who among either Catholics or Protestants, except a sect or two, like the ‘Seventh-day Baptists,’ ever keep that commandment now? None. Why is this? The Bible which the Protestants claim to obey exclusively, gives no authorization for the substitution of the first day of the week for the seventh. On what authority therefore, have they (the Protestant and Catholic) done so? Plainly the authority of that very Catholic Church which they abandoned and whose traditions they condemn.” Rebuilding a Lost Faith, pg. 80, by John L. Stoddard, P.J. Kennedy & Sons, New York 1922. And today, that tradition is no longer condemned. Rather, the Protestant and Catholic are now joining hands, fulfilling the words of Scripture and leading the majority of church into eternal death) 10. What kind of worship does the Saviour call that which is not according to God’s Commandments? Matthew 15:9 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 11. What does the prophet Malachi say would happen just prior to Christ’s coming? Malachi 4:4-6 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: While this prophecy had a partial fulfillment in the appearance of John the Baptist (See Matthew 17:12), in its context, it is apparent that the most complete fulfillment must be found in the days just prior to the second coming of Christ. It is significant that the coming of Elijah is mentioned in conjunction with the admonition to remember the law given Moses on Sinai. 12. What was the difference between Elijah’s faith and that of the other prophets? 1Kings 18:22 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: Baal was the name of the Phoenician sun god. Israel was deeply involved in pagan sun worship, and God sent Elijah to call them back to the worship of the true God, Creator of heaven and earth.) 13. What other prophets were on Mt. Carmel challenging Elijah? 1Kings 18:19 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: The prophets of the groves were worshippers of Ashtoreth, the queen of heaven, a fertility goddess, also known in Babylon as Ishtar (where the word Easter comes from, a pagan holiday adopted by the Papacy to name the day Christ rose from the dead). 14. What appeal did Elijah make to the people? 1Kings 18:21 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ 15. Is there a similar message to be delivered at the end of time? Revelation 14:6-7 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ NOTE: It is apparent that in the time of the judgment, God is calling for people not only to worship Him, but to worship Him as Creator, implying that either they are not doing so in the end, or are not doing so on the day He set aside at Creation, the Sabbath. 16. What is the only sign God has given men by which we show Him reverence as Creator? Exodus 20:8-11; 31:17 THE BIBLE SAYS: ______________________________________________ To us (spiritual Israel), as to them (ancient natural Israel) comes the message: How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him. Let it never be said of us, as of ancient Israel, “and they answered him not a word.” Are you halting between two opinions? Do you currently worship God (or think you’re worshipping God) on Sunday? Now you know that Sunday and God have nothing to do with each other as to rest or corporate worship. Do not allow yourself to be deceived as so many others have. If the Lord be God follow Him and worship Him on the day He set aside for such a purpose for therein is obedience and the blessing. What is your decision today? MY RESPONSE TO CHRIST IS: □ YES □ UNDECIDED Email us at: admin@thebiblesays.net