Participants: Pastor Stephen Bohr
Series Code: CGC
Program Code: CGC000024S
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00:01 Music...
01:03 Pause... 01:12 Shall we bow our heads? 01:14 "Our Father, what a wonderful day You have given us. 01:19 What a privilege it is to be alive 01:22 in these last days of the history of the world. 01:27 We believe that the coming of Jesus is very close... 01:30 very near 01:32 and we ask that as we study this very important subject today 01:36 that Your Holy Spirit will help us understand 01:39 so that we might choose to be on Your side 01:42 when crunch time comes. 01:45 We thank you for hearing our prayer, 01:48 for we ask it in Jesus' name, amen. " 01:51 I'd like to begin by mentioning 01:55 something which I have underlined previously 01:59 in our studies 02:01 and that is that when Jesus or God... 02:05 because Jesus is God 02:07 created this world, 02:09 Adam and Eve were not eye witnesses of the work of Jesus. 02:15 In other words, 02:16 Adam and Eve saw Jesus create absolutely nothing. 02:21 The only way in which Adam and Eve could be certain 02:25 that God was the Creator 02:27 was not because they had scientific evidence... 02:30 historical evidence... 02:32 or empirical evidence... 02:34 the only way that they could be absolutely certain 02:37 was because they believed God's story 02:41 when He told them, "I was the Creator. " 02:44 They had to accept it by faith. 02:48 Now, God put a test in the Garden of Eden 02:51 to see if they actually were willing to believe in His story, 02:57 whether they would show their loyalty to God 03:00 as their Creator and as the only true God 03:04 and that test, of course, was a tree... 03:08 the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. 03:11 Now go with me to Genesis chapter 2 03:14 and let's examine several important details 03:18 about this specific tree 03:21 and we're going to go very quickly 03:22 because we're then going to make an application 03:26 of what we study from primarily Genesis chapter 2. 03:30 Now, go with me to Genesis chapter 2 and verse 16, 03:35 verse on screen... 03:46 Did God first give a positive command 03:48 about what they could do? 03:51 Yes... 03:52 He said, "All of the trees of the Garden 03:54 are for your personal consumption 03:57 and for your personal every-day use... " 03:59 but then I want you to notice that the positive command 04:03 is followed by a negative command. 04:06 It says in verse 17, "But... " 04:08 remember that little word, "but... " 04:10 verse on screen. 04:21 So, God in this Commandment begins with the positive. 04:25 He says, "You can partake and enjoy of any tree of the Garden 04:30 but I have reserved one tree which is off limits 04:35 which you are not to partake of. 04:38 This is my tree... you are not to use it 04:42 for your own personal use. " 04:45 Positive command... negative command... 04:49 "All the trees you can use except for this one. " 04:53 Now, I want you to notice where this tree was located 04:56 in the garden. 04:58 Go with me to Genesis chapter 3 and let's read verses 2 and 3, 05:03 Genesis 3 and verses 2 and 3. 05:06 It says, 05:07 verse on screen... 05:18 "the... " that means middle in the Hebrew, 05:22 verse on screen... 05:30 Where was the tree which tested the faith of Adam and Eve 05:34 in God as their Creator? 05:36 It was in the center of the Garden 05:40 and so, you have a positive command... 05:42 a negative command... 05:44 and you have the test in the middle. 05:47 Now, let me ask you, "Who chose the tree 05:50 from which Adam and Eve were not supposed to eat?" 05:53 Did God tell Adam and Eve, "Now, Adam and Eve, 05:56 I'm going to allow you to eat 05:58 from all of the trees of the Garden, 05:59 but I want you to reserve one tree... especially for me, 06:03 now, you choose which one you don't want to eat from. " 06:07 Is that the way it worked? 06:09 No... who chose the tree? 06:11 God chose the tree... 06:13 Was God serious about that particular tree? 06:16 Or did God really care? 06:18 Would He accept Adam saying, "Well Lord, you know, 06:21 I chose not to eat from that tree over there 06:24 instead of the one that You specified. " 06:27 No, God was dead serious, God chose the tree 06:30 and God is the one who said, 06:31 "From this tree, you will not eat. " 06:34 Now, as you read the story about this tree 06:37 in the book of Genesis, 06:39 you get absolutely no impression 06:41 that this tree was any different than any other tree. 06:44 We're not told that the tree was taller... 06:47 that it was surrounded by a glorious light, 06:50 or that the fruit of this tree was different 06:54 from the fruit of any other tree. 06:55 In its outward appearance, 06:57 we get the impression from the story 07:00 that it looked just like every other tree 07:02 but what set this tree apart from all of the other trees 07:07 was not its external appearance... 07:09 what set it apart is the fact that God had specified 07:13 that Adam and Eve 07:15 were not supposed to use this particular tree. 07:19 Now, let me ask you, "To whom did this tree belong?" 07:24 It belonged to God. 07:26 How many of the trees of the garden 07:28 incidentally belonged to God? 07:30 Audience: All. 07:31 Pastor: Do you believe that all of the trees belonged to God? 07:33 You notice, for example, Psalm 24 and verse 1, it says, 07:37 "The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof. " 07:42 In other words, everything on Planet Earth 07:45 belonged to the Lord. 07:47 All of the trees of the Garden belonged to the Lord 07:50 but let me ask you, "Did this particular tree 07:54 belong to the Lord in a special sense 07:56 over and above all of the other trees?" 07:58 Obviously yes. 08:00 All of the trees were God's 08:02 but this tree was God's in a special sense. 08:06 It was not to be used by Adam and Eve. 08:10 Now, what was the purpose of this tree? 08:13 As we read Genesis 3, we discover that the purpose was 08:18 to give Adam and Eve the opportunity to recognize 08:22 by not eating from the tree 08:24 that the Creator was the true God 08:28 and that they were creatures. 08:30 How do we know that? 08:31 Go with me to Genesis chapter 3 and verse 5... 08:34 Genesis chapter 3 and verse 5. 08:38 Here we find the devil speaking to Eve 08:41 and he says this, 08:43 "For God knows that in the day you eat of it 08:48 your eyes will be opened, and you will be like... " whom? 08:53 "You will be like God, knowing good and evil. " 08:57 What is the devil trying to get Eve to think? 09:02 That she doesn't have to be creature... 09:05 that she can be... what? 09:07 God... 09:08 and when it says, "Like God" 09:10 you know, the King James Version says, 09:12 "you shall be like gods... " in plural. 09:14 The Hebrew word is "Elohim" 09:16 the same word that's used in Genesis 1 verse 1, 09:19 where it says, "In the beginning, 09:20 God created the heavens and the earth. " 09:22 The word should be translated in the singular... 09:25 the devil is saying, "You will be like God. " 09:27 In other words, "You will be God. " 09:29 In other words, the purpose of the tree 09:31 was to test Adam and Eve 09:33 to see if they recognize that they were creatures 09:36 and that there was only one true God. 09:40 The tree was a sign... a test that God gave them 09:43 to prove that they believed that He was the true God 09:47 and that they were creatures. 09:49 Of course, Genesis chapter 3 and verse 13 09:53 after Eve ate from the tree, 09:56 she complains to God and she says, 09:59 "The serpent deceived me, and I ate... 10:05 the serpent deceived me... and I ate... " 10:11 Now, we've talked about deception 10:12 in one of our previous lectures, 10:14 let me ask you, 10:15 "What do you have to do in order to deceive someone?" 10:18 You have to lie. 10:20 But what kind of lie do you have to tell 10:23 in order for that lie to deceive? 10:25 It has to be a lie which is very close to... what? 10:29 To the truth... 10:30 and by the way, the counterfeit always comes 10:35 after the genuine in time. 10:37 I want you to remember this 10:40 because we're going to come back to it. 10:42 Eve complains, "He deceived me... " 10:45 deception is very close to the truth 10:48 and deception always comes after the truth in time 10:52 and then I want you to notice what the consequence was 10:56 for them eating from this tree 10:58 which gave them the opportunity to show that they believed 11:02 that God was the true God and the only Creator. 11:05 In Genesis chapter 3, we find these words 11:09 about the consequence of their action. 11:12 Genesis chapter 2... actually and let's read verse 17, 11:16 verse on screen. 11:27 What would be the consequence 11:30 of disrespecting the tree of the Creator? 11:32 Death. 11:34 Now, let's review what we've studied. 11:36 One: God gives a positive command, 11:38 "You can eat of all the trees of the garden. " 11:40 Second: He gives a negative command, 11:42 "Of this specific tree, you shall not eat. " 11:45 The tree which tested Adam and Eve 11:47 was in the very middle of the garden. 11:49 God chose the tree from which they were not supposed to eat 11:52 and God was serious about that particular specific tree. 11:56 Furthermore, that tree showed no evidence of being different 12:00 from any other tree in its outward appearance. 12:03 The only thing that made it different 12:05 is that God had set it apart from all of the other trees. 12:10 Furthermore, we notice that God owned all of the trees 12:14 of the Garden but He owned this tree 12:16 in a special sense. 12:18 The purpose of the tree was to test Adam and Eve 12:22 to see if they recognize the Lord as their only God 12:25 and as their Creator 12:27 and we notice that the devil deceived Eve 12:31 and as a consequence the Bible tells us 12:34 that because they broke God's commandment, 12:38 they were sentenced... sentenced to die. 12:41 Now, why have I gone through all of this... 12:45 all of this material as we begin our study today. 12:49 Because we're going to find that God has given another test 12:54 to the world today and particularly to Christians. 12:59 Now before we go and speak about that test, 13:02 let me ask you, 13:04 do we have any more proof today that God was the Creator 13:08 that Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden? 13:10 Do we have any empirical proof that God was the Creator? 13:14 Do we have any scientific proof that God was the Creator? 13:19 Do we have any historical proof that God was the Creator? 13:23 No... 13:24 In fact, in Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 3, 13:27 it says, "By faith we understand 13:30 that the worlds were formed by the word of God. " 13:35 The things which are seen were formed 13:37 from that which does not appear 13:39 or from that which cannot be seen, 13:41 so, in Hebrews 11, we are told 13:43 that the only reason we can know that God was the Creator today 13:46 is because God says that He was the Creator in His Holy Word. 13:51 We did not see it... 13:53 we were not eye witnesses to it... 13:55 we must accept it by faith. 13:58 Now, let me ask you, 14:00 "Has God given a test for us to show 14:03 whether we believe that He is the Creator or not?" 14:06 Yes, He has. 14:08 Now, go with me to Exodus chapter 20 14:11 and let's notice some very interesting things here. 14:14 Exodus chapter 20 and I would like to read verses 8 and 9. 14:19 first of all, Exodus chapter 20 and verses 8 and 9. 14:24 It says here, 14:26 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. " 14:29 Now, notice that we have a positive command first. 14:33 "Six days you shall labor and do all your work... " 14:37 Did you catch that? 14:39 "Six days you shall labor and do all of your work... " 14:43 What is God saying? 14:45 He's giving a positive command... 14:46 He's saying, "Every week day is... " what? 14:51 for your own personal use" 14:54 but now notice that that is followed by a negative command, 14:58 notice Exodus chapter 20 and verse 10. 15:02 "But... " do you remember that little word in Genesis 2? 15:07 "but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. 15:11 In it you shall do not work: 15:14 you, nor your son nor your daughter... 15:16 verse on screen. 15:25 So, God has given a command which is positive... 15:31 every day of the week is for your own personal use, 15:37 but there is one particular day that is off limits to you 15:41 and so, the fourth commandment has a positive command 15:45 and it has a negative command. 15:48 Now, let me ask you this, 15:50 "Where is the fourth commandment found 15:54 in the law of God? 15:55 Do you know that somebody once counted the number of syllables 16:00 that are found in the Ten Commandments 16:03 in the Hebrew 16:04 and that person discovered that the Sabbath Commandment 16:08 is in the exact center of the Law of God... 16:11 it comes with the same number of syllables 16:13 before and after the fourth commandment. 16:16 In other words, the Sabbath Commandment 16:19 is found in the heart of the Law of God 16:21 just like the tree was found in the heart of the Garden of Eden. 16:26 Now, allow me to amplify this point just a little bit. 16:32 Archaeologists several years ago were digging in... 16:37 in a place called Ugarit in Canaan 16:42 and in Ugarit they unearthed some tablets... 16:46 some very interesting tablets of clay. 16:50 Now, I want to tell you a few things about these tablets. 16:54 They were actually covenants 16:57 between a great king and a lesser king... 17:02 I want you to remember that, 17:04 they were covenants that a greater king was making 17:08 with a lesser king. 17:09 The covenant was on tablets as I mentioned. 17:13 The tablets were written on both sides. 17:17 Now, in the PowerPoint presentation 17:20 we have pictures of several of these... 17:23 of these interesting tablets that were discovered. 17:26 They were written on both sides 17:27 and interestingly enough on one side of the tablet 17:33 right in the middle of the tablet 17:36 was the seal of the king who was actually writing this covenant 17:42 for the lesser king. 17:44 Now, it's interesting, of course, 17:46 that this tablet was made of clay 17:49 and when the clay was wet, 17:51 the king would take his seal 17:53 and he would impress the seal right in the middle... 17:55 right square center of the tablet... 17:58 and of course, when the seal was impressed on the tablet, 18:01 the writing where the seal was impressed 18:03 was obliterated... 18:05 people could not read what was underneath the seal 18:08 and that's the reason why they wrote the covenant 18:12 on the reverse side... or on the back side. 18:14 You see, in the front side had the seal 18:16 which showed that this was an authentic covenant 18:19 and then the other side allowed people to read 18:23 the contents of this covenant specifically. 18:27 Now, the interesting thing is that these covenants... 18:30 in the middle... in this seal 18:33 contained three items of information 18:36 about the king who was actually giving this covenant 18:40 or forming this covenant with a lesser king... 18:42 three items of information in the seal... 18:44 Number one: the name of the king who was making the covenant. 18:50 Number two: the territory over which that king ruled 18:56 and Number three: the title or the office that that king held 19:02 which in this case would be king of such and such location, 19:08 the name... the title... and the territory 19:12 over which that king ruled or governed. 19:15 Now, somebody might say, "Why are you bringing this up?" 19:20 There's a very specific reason 19:23 and I want you to go with me to study it. 19:25 Go with me to Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verse 13, 19:28 Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verse 13, 19:31 this is going to get very interesting. 19:34 Do you know that these covenants were found 19:36 in the same general geographical area... 19:39 they were found in the Middle East 19:41 by the way, where the Ten Commandments were given 19:44 and I want you to notice the characteristics 19:46 of the Ten Commandments. 19:47 Notice Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verse 13, 19:51 it says... 19:53 "So He declared to you His... " what? 19:56 "His covenant... " 19:58 who is making the covenant here? 20:00 God is making the covenant. 20:03 "So He declared to you His covenant 20:06 which He commanded you to perform... " 20:08 and what is the covenant? 20:10 The... what? The Ten Commandments 20:13 "and He wrote them on two tablets of... " what? 20:18 He wrote them on two tablets of stone. 20:22 Were the Ten Commandments a covenant between a great king 20:25 and His followers? 20:26 Absolutely. 20:28 Were they written on tablets? 20:29 Absolutely. 20:30 Now, there's detail which very few people know 20:33 and that is... that the Ten Commandments were written 20:35 on both sides of the tablets. 20:37 Did you know that? 20:39 Go with me to Exodus 32... some of you did... 20:42 Exodus 32 and verses 15 and 16. 20:46 Exodus chapter 32 and verses 15 and 16, 20:51 notice what we're told here, 20:53 it says in verse 15, 20:56 verse on screen. 21:17 Now, the tablets were the work of Moses...? 21:20 Audience: No... 21:21 Pastor: Thank you very much... 21:23 "The tablets were the work of God 21:24 and the writing was the writing of God 21:28 engraved on the tablets. " 21:30 On how many places were the tablets written? 21:34 on the front side... and where? 21:36 And on the backside. 21:38 The reason why the Bible says 21:40 that the Ten Commandments were given in this way 21:42 is because that's the way in which covenants were given 21:45 at that time 21:46 which has been discovered by archaeologists 21:48 who have unearthed dozens of tablets 21:52 that follow the same pattern. 21:53 Now, my question is, 21:55 "Where would you expect to find the seal of God 21:59 in the Ten Commandments?" 22:00 You would expect to find the seal of the great God 22:05 in the middle of the tablet. 22:07 Is it in the middle of the tablet? 22:09 Would you expect that seal to have the name of God 22:14 to have the title and his territory? 22:18 Absolutely. 22:19 Go with me to Exodus chapter 20 and verse 11, 22:23 Exodus chapter 20 and verse 11, 22:27 see... God uses archaeology to show things to us. 22:30 Even the stones speak out if we don't. 22:34 Notice Exodus 20 and verse 11, 22:37 It says, "For in six days the Lord... " 22:41 that's His name, right? 22:43 "Jahweh" or "Jehovah" we say... 22:46 "For in six days the Lord made... " 22:49 what is the office... 22:51 or what is the function of this God or the Lord? 22:54 He is the... what? 22:56 His title is Creator. 22:57 The Lord made... what is His territory? 23:00 "The heavens and the earth the sea and all that is in them 23:05 and rested the seventh day. 23:07 Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. " 23:11 By the way, this is the only one of the Ten Commandments 23:15 that has all three necessary elements of a seal. 23:19 The name of the Lawgiver... 23:21 His function or His office... 23:24 and the territory over which He rules. 23:27 Isn't this interesting? 23:31 Now, allow me to say something about the Sabbath 23:37 and the reason why God gave the Sabbath. 23:39 Did God give the Sabbath to establish the distinction 23:44 between Himself and His creatures? 23:46 Is that what the commandment says? 23:48 "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy... " 23:50 and at the end He says, 23:52 "The reason why is because I made the world... " 23:55 in what? 23:56 "In six days and rested the seventh... 23:58 therefore, I commanded you to... " what? 24:01 "To rest on the seventh day 24:04 in recognition that I was... " what? 24:06 "That I was your Creator 24:09 and you are the creature. " 24:12 By the way, go with me to Ezekiel 20 and verse 20, 24:15 where we find the same idea, Ezekiel chapter 20 24:19 and verse 20. 24:21 Here we find some very interesting words, 24:23 you see, Israel had apostatized from God consistently... 24:27 time and again... 24:28 and in Ezekiel chapter 20, 24:31 God is telling them about their history, 24:33 and He's going to explain the reason why 24:36 He gave them the Sabbath. 24:37 Notice, Ezekiel chapter 20 and verse 20. 24:41 God says, "Hallow Moses' Sabbaths... " 24:45 Audience: No. Pastor: Oh, thank you. 24:48 "Hallow... " or... that is... keep holy... 24:51 "My Sabbaths, and they will be a... " what? 24:54 "A sign between Me and you, 24:58 that you may know that I am the Lord your God. " 25:04 What was the purpose of the Sabbath? 25:07 To show the distinction between the Creator and the creature. 25:10 To show that man believed that God was the Creator. 25:15 Is this the same with the tree in the Garden of Eden? 25:19 Absolutely. 25:20 The tree and the day are parallel. 25:24 Now, let me ask you something, 25:26 "Do you suppose the devil loves the Sabbath?" 25:28 Go with me to Isaiah 14 and verse 14, 25:33 I'm going to explain to you 25:34 why the devil doesn't like the Sabbath. 25:36 Isaiah 14 and verse 14, 25:38 there's a very specific reason. 25:40 You see, the devil was not satisfied with being a creature. 25:45 What did he want to be? 25:48 He wanted to occupy the position of who? 25:51 Of the... of the Creator... of God. 25:55 Now, what do we find in chapter 14 25:58 and verse 14? 26:00 Here Lucifer in heaven says, 26:03 "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; 26:08 I will be like the most High. " 26:12 He's saying, "I will be... " what? 26:16 God... it's no coincidence that he says to Adam and Eve... 26:19 to Eve specifically, "You will be like God. " 26:23 Because he had already done it... where? 26:26 He had already done it in heaven. 26:28 He says, "I will ascend and I will be like God. " 26:31 Let me ask you, "Can the devil love the Sabbath?" 26:34 Why can't he love the Sabbath? 26:37 Because the Sabbath points to the fact 26:40 that there is only one true God 26:42 and that is the God that created the Heavens and the earth. 26:47 The Sabbath denies Satan's right to claim to be God. 26:51 Because the Sabbath is a sign that God is the Creator... 26:56 that God is the only true God of the universe 26:59 and if the devil promoted the Sabbath, 27:02 he would definitely be promoting God 27:04 and so, the devil says, "I have to find a sign 27:07 that points not to God but points to... " whom? 27:11 But points to me and my kingdom. 27:15 Now, let me ask you, 27:17 "Who chose the Sabbath as the day of rest?" 27:20 Did God say, "Folks, here's seven days... 27:23 I am a generous God... 27:26 I want you to dedicate one day in seven to me, 27:29 you choose which. " 27:30 Lots of Christians would like to believe that 27:34 because any day in seven 27:36 as long as we take one day to rest... that's all right, 27:38 who chose the specific day that we're supposed to rest? 27:41 Notice Genesis chapter 2 and verses 2 and 3, 27:45 Genesis chapter 2 and verses 2 and 3, 27:48 it says here in Genesis 2 and verses 2 and 3 27:54 the following, "And on the... " 27:56 notice the number of times "seventh day" is used... 27:58 "And on the seventh day 28:00 God ended His work which He had done; 28:02 and He rested on the seventh day 28:04 from all His work which He had done. 28:07 Then God blessed the seventh day... " 28:09 I think He's trying to tell us that the Sabbath is the 7th day. 28:11 "And on the seventh day He rested from all His work 28:18 which He had done and made. " 28:20 And then it says, "He sanctified the Sabbath 28:22 and He rested on the Sabbath. " 28:24 In other words, who chose the day 28:25 that He expected human beings to keep? 28:28 God chose the day just like God chose the... what? 28:32 Just like God chose the tree. 28:35 Now, 28:40 how did the devil try and change the Sabbath 28:45 on this earth? 28:47 He needed a human instrument or a human system 28:52 in order to do it 28:53 and that system... we talked about last night. 28:57 I want to read you a few statements now, 29:00 I'm going to read you particularly one right now 29:03 but we'll be reading several of them. 29:05 This statement is from a Roman Catholic... 29:08 very reputable Roman Catholic encyclopedia 29:12 called "Prompta Bibliotheca" 29:14 it's speaking about the authority of the Pope 29:17 and this is what it says, 29:20 this is a Roman Catholic scholar writing, 29:23 "The Pope is of so great authority and power 29:28 that he can modify, explain, or even interpret 29:32 even divine laws. 29:34 The Pope can modify divine law, 29:38 since his power is not of man, but of God, 29:43 and he acts as Vice-regent of God upon earth 29:47 with most ample power of binding and losing his sheep. " 29:52 What does the Pope have the power to do? 29:56 To modify... explain... or interpret divine laws 30:02 and then he says... the Pope can modify divine law. 30:07 Do you remember what the Little Horn 30:08 was going to attempt to do? 30:10 He thought that he could... what? 30:11 That he could change the law 30:13 and he did it by eliminating the second commandment 30:18 it's not in the Catechisms... you can look... 30:20 and by changing the rest day from Sabbath to Sunday. 30:24 You can check the website that I mentioned 30:26 in our last lecture. 30:28 There are 16 pages of quotations from Roman Catholic books 30:32 where they openly admit 30:34 that it was the Roman Catholic Church 30:37 which changed the day at least in their mind 30:40 changed the day from Sabbath to Sunday. 30:42 Allow me to read you just one of them from a Catechism, 30:44 this is Life in Christ... 30:46 Instructions in the Catholic Faith, page 243... 30:49 It says this, "Why did the church change the Lord's Day 30:55 from the Sabbath to Sunday? 30:56 Answer: "The Church, using the power of binding and loosing 31:03 which Christ gave to the Pope 31:06 changed the Lord's Day to Sunday. " 31:10 And you can look in history... 31:13 Sunday was kept long before Protestants came on the scene. 31:18 Sunday was kept all the way back to the 3rd Century actually 31:22 and it did not come as a result of the study of Scripture. 31:27 It came as a result of several pressures 31:30 within the Roman Empire... 31:32 anti-Judaism... and other factors. 31:35 It did not come as a result of a direct command of God. 31:39 Now, let me ask you this, 31:41 "Does the Pope... or does the Papacy 31:45 claim that the Pope is God's representative on earth?" 31:49 There are statements that even say that he is God on earth. 31:52 Let me ask you... who could only be the one 31:54 who could change the law of God? 31:56 It would have to be... whom? 31:57 It would have to be God. 31:59 Would the devil want to use an earthly System 32:02 that claims to have God on earth 32:05 to attempt to change God's Law 32:08 particularly the Commandment that identifies the true God? 32:12 You see, how could people ever believe 32:15 that the Pope is God on earth 32:16 if the Pope kept the Sabbath as his sign? 32:19 What does the sign of the Sabbath point to? 32:22 It points to the fact 32:25 that there is only one true God in heaven... 32:27 the Creator of the heavens and the earth. 32:30 You see, if the Roman Catholic Papacy 32:32 claims that the Pope is God on earth, 32:35 the Pope could not keep the Sabbath 32:37 because then people would say, "Now, wait a minute... 32:39 you say that you have the power of God on earth but... but look, 32:43 the Bible says that the Sabbath points to only one true God 32:47 in heaven 32:49 and so, did the Papacy need to establish a different day 32:52 that would distract people from God 32:55 and would attract people to the System? 32:58 Absolutely. 33:00 Now, allow me to mention something 33:02 which is very, very interesting, 33:04 and some people might not like what I'm going to say now 33:08 but it's the truth. 33:09 Do you know that the observance of Sunday as the day of rest 33:14 is really idolatry? 33:17 And you're saying, "Well, I've been keeping Sunday, 33:20 have I been an idolater?" 33:21 Well, perhaps... not knowingly. 33:24 Let me show you what I mean, 33:27 let me ask you, "Who created the sun?" 33:30 Who created the sun?" 33:32 God created the sun. 33:34 "Did He create the sun for worship?" 33:36 No, so what happens if you convert the sun 33:40 into an object of worship, what is that called? 33:42 That's called idolatry. 33:44 Now, let me ask you, 33:45 "Who made the first day of the week?" 33:47 God... 33:48 "Did He make it for worship?" 33:50 Which day did He make for worship? 33:52 The Sabbath. 33:54 Did He make the first day for worship? 33:55 No... 33:56 so what happens if man coverts it into a day of worship? 33:58 What is that called? 34:00 Idolater. 34:02 It doesn't make any difference whether it's an object... 34:04 the sun or whether it's a day. 34:06 Anything that man makes as a substitute for worship 34:10 in place of what God has established for worship... 34:14 is what? 34:16 It is practicing idolatry. 34:18 Now, allow me to read you some interesting statements... 34:23 see, the statements get even more interesting... 34:25 you know Protestants believe that they're keeping Sunday 34:29 in honor of the resurrection of Jesus 34:31 because the Bible says that we're supposed to keep Sunday 34:33 but what they don't realize is that they're really 34:36 continuing the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. 34:40 Of course, they try to find arguments from Scripture, 34:43 "Yeah, Jesus resurrected the first day. " 34:45 I'm not going to argue with that, 34:46 but where does the Bible say we're supposed to keep Sunday 34:49 in honor of the resurrection? 34:51 They say, "Yes, but you know 34:53 Sunday's the day that's been kept for centuries. " 34:55 Yes, but where does the Bible say 34:57 that we're supposed to keep Sunday? 34:58 The fact is, that Protestants in the Protestant Reformation 35:02 did not go all the way 35:04 in establishing the true day of worship 35:06 which the Bible enjoins 35:07 and which Jesus and the apostles kept. 35:10 They simply took the tradition 35:12 that came through the Roman Catholic Church 35:15 and continued this as the day of worship. 35:17 Now, do you want to hear what Catholics say about this? 35:20 This is what one Catholic scholar says... 35:23 actually there are two, Reverend Leo J. Trese 35:26 and John J. Kasala. 35:27 "Nothing is said in the Bible 35:31 about the change of the Lord's day from Saturday to Sunday 35:36 we know the change only from the tradition of the church... 35:40 a fact handed down to us from the earliest times 35:44 by the living voice of the church. 35:47 That is why we find so illogical 35:50 the attitude of many non-Catholics 35:53 who say that they will believe nothing 35:55 unless they can find it in the Bible 35:58 and yet will continue to keep Sunday 36:01 as the Lord's day on the say-so 36:03 of the Catholic Church. " 36:05 Here's another one... 36:07 this one is even more meaningful. 36:11 This one is by H. Canon Cafferata 36:14 "A word about Sunday... 36:16 God said, 'Remember that thou keep the Sabbath day holy' 36:20 the Sabbath was Saturday not Sunday... 36:23 why then do we keep Sunday holy instead of Saturday?" 36:26 He says, "The Church altered the observance of the Sabbath 36:32 to the observance of Sunday. 36:34 Protestants who say that they go by the Bible and the Bible only, 36:39 and that they do not believe anything 36:42 that's not in the Bible, 36:44 must be rather puzzled by keeping of Sunday 36:48 when God distinctly said, 'Keep holy the Sabbath day. ' 36:52 The word Sunday does not come anywhere in the Bible 36:57 so, without knowing it, 36:59 they are obeying the authority of the Catholic Church. " 37:02 Here's another one, I'll read one more, 37:05 this one is from Father Enright 37:08 who for many years was a teacher 37:12 at the Redemptorist college of America... 37:14 he was actually President of the Redemptorist College of America, 37:17 he say this, 37:18 "It was the Holy Catholic Church that changed the day... " 37:21 see... notice... 37:23 "changed the day of rest from Saturday to Sunday. " 37:25 By the way, does the prophecy of the Little Horn say 37:27 that the Little Horn would think that he could change 37:29 the law of God? 37:31 Yes... and so, he says, "It was the holy Catholic Church 37:35 that changed the day of rest from Saturday to Sunday... 37:39 the first day of the week 37:40 and it not only compelled all to keep Sunday 37:44 but urged all persons to labor on the seventh day 37:48 under pain of anathema. " 37:49 That's "being accursed. " 37:51 "Protestants profess great reverence for the Bible 37:54 and yet by their solemn act of keeping Sunday, 37:58 they acknowledge the power of the Catholic Church. 38:01 The Bible says, 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy' 38:06 but the Catholic Church says, 38:08 'No, keep the first day of the week... '" 38:11 and now notice this, 38:12 "and lo, the entire civilized world 38:16 bows down in reverent obedience 38:21 to the command of the holy Catholic Church. " 38:25 Is this an important issue? 38:28 This is a very important issue. 38:32 You say, "Why is it important?" 38:34 Let me ask you, 38:36 "Does the Sabbath look just like any other day?" 38:39 Does the Sabbath have 24 hours? 38:42 Does the sun rise and set on the Sabbath? 38:46 Do you get up and go to bed on Sabbath? 38:48 Is Sabbath one of the numbers on the calendar? 38:51 You look at the Sabbath... 38:53 the Sabbath looks just like any other day. 38:54 What makes the Sabbath different? 38:57 Not its outward appearance 38:59 like the outward appearance of the tree... was not different 39:01 what makes the Sabbath different is the fact that God... what? 39:06 God set it apart. 39:08 Now, I want you to imagine 39:10 that in your pocket you have two dollars. 39:12 One dollar is for you to go to the market 39:14 and you can't buy much with one dollar... 39:16 I realize, one dollar to buy things at the market 39:18 and the other dollar you set aside for tithe. 39:20 Let me ask you, 39:22 "Do those two dollars look exactly alike?" 39:24 Yes. 39:26 Are they printed on paper? 39:28 Are they worth the same amount? 39:29 So, they're exactly the same, right? 39:31 There's no difference between the two dollar bills. 39:34 Are they different? 39:36 Sure they are. 39:37 What makes them different? 39:38 The fact that one is set apart for a holy use 39:42 and the other one is for secular use. 39:45 The Sabbath was set apart by God 39:48 not because it is different than any other day 39:52 but because God simply wanted to set it apart 39:56 to test the faithfulness of man 40:00 in recognizing Him as their Creator 40:02 and as their God. 40:05 Now, you say, "Pastor, 40:07 it doesn't really make any difference which day we keep. " 40:09 If God didn't change the day and the Papacy did, 40:13 whose authority are you accepting? 40:14 You know, obedience is the highest form of worship. 40:18 If you say you worship God and you disobey God 40:21 knowing that you're supposed to keep the Sabbath 40:24 and you don't, 40:26 whose authority are you accepting? 40:28 You're accepting the authority of the individual 40:29 who changed the day, 40:31 so, the final conflict has nothing to do with 40:34 just one day versus another day, 40:36 the issue is, "Whose authority do you accept?" 40:39 Do you accept the authority of the true God... the Creator 40:43 who made the Sabbath 40:44 and you keep the Sabbath as a sign that you are loyal to him, 40:48 or do you keep the first day of the week 40:50 thus accepting the authority of the power that changed the day 40:54 from Saturday to Sunday? 40:55 The issue is, whose authority do you accept? 40:58 Not which day specifically you keep. 41:02 By the way, we have a story in the Bible 41:05 that shows how serious in the mind of God it is 41:09 when we do not respect what He has made holy... 41:12 when we offer God something secular as if it was holy. 41:16 We have in Leviticus chapter 10 the story of Nadab and Abihu, 41:20 I'll tell you very quickly the story, 41:21 In Leviticus 9 it says that God rained fire from heaven 41:25 down on the altar... that was holy fire 41:27 and God said to Israel, 41:29 "I want you when you take fire... 41:31 when the priests take fire into the sanctuary, 41:33 make sure that they use holy fire 41:36 from this altar... 41:37 not any kind of fire... this fire 41:40 because this fire is holy. " 41:41 But the Bible says that Nadab and Abihu 41:44 the sons of Aaron... they were under the influence of wine, 41:46 by the way, Babylon at the end of time 41:48 is under the influence of spiritual wine... 41:50 false doctrine... 41:51 that does not allow them to think straight, 41:55 and so, under the influence of wine, 41:57 they actually took common fire 41:59 and they took it into the sanctuary... 42:01 now, let me ask you, 42:02 "If you had looked at the two fires, would they look alike?" 42:04 Sure. 42:06 If you analyze the chemical properties of both, 42:08 would the chemical properties be alike? 42:11 If you put your finger in both fires, 42:13 would the fire burn your finger? 42:14 Of course... 42:16 so, the fires were just alike 42:18 so what distinguished one fire from the other? 42:21 It was not its external appearance... 42:24 what distinguished the two fires was 42:26 that God had said, "This fire is holy 42:29 and this fire is common 42:31 and you will present to me holy fire. " 42:34 Of course, God isn't as particular today... 42:37 God today doesn't mind... He doesn't care... 42:40 it's just "Bring me anything. " 42:41 Did God change? 42:43 The cross changed God... 42:45 He was particular before and now He's really lenient. 42:49 Come on Folks, does God change His character? 42:52 Does God still expect us to offer Him as holy... 42:55 that which is holy? 42:57 Absolutely. 42:58 And the Bible stays that Nadab and Abihu 43:01 brought in "strange fire" the Bible says, 43:04 that means... common every day fire... 43:06 and God said, "Oh, well thank you very much 43:10 fire is fire... I don't mind. " 43:12 No, the Bible says that the glory of God came up 43:14 and consumed Nadab and Abihu there 43:18 because they took common fire 43:20 and they offered it to God as if it was holy. 43:23 How do you suppose God feels 43:25 when we take a common working day 43:27 and present it to God as if it were holy? 43:30 Now, most Christians don't realize this, 43:33 the ministers... I might say to a great degree are to blame 43:38 because God has given them a Bible to study 43:40 and a Bible to preach... 43:41 to share with their congregations the truth 43:44 even if it's unpopular... 43:46 even if everybody leaves the church... 43:49 ministers should be faithful to God 43:51 and preach the truth though the heavens fall. 43:54 Do you agree with that? 43:55 Audience: Amen. 43:57 Pastor: I'll tell you Folks, the blood of many people 43:59 are going to be on me if I don't tell you the truth, 44:01 I might say some things that appear to be hard and harsh 44:04 but they're the truth 44:05 and God wants us to... to know them 44:08 and to obey them 44:09 because the destiny of souls depends upon it 44:12 and by the way, we find in Exodus 31 verse 15 44:15 that God says that whoever tramples upon the Sabbath 44:18 is to be put to death. 44:20 You say, "Well, we don't put people to death anymore today. " 44:22 That's true because Israel lived in a theocracy 44:24 but reckoning day will come. 44:27 If we trample upon God's Sabbath knowingly and say, 44:31 "I know that the Sabbath is the day I'm supposed to keep 44:33 but I'm going to go ahead and keep on keeping Sunday 44:36 because that's what my church says... 44:37 that's what my minister says, 44:39 that's what my friends do... 44:40 that's what my relatives do... " 44:42 if we insist on doing that, 44:44 we might not be destroyed now 44:47 but when Jesus comes it will happen. 44:51 By the way, Folks, 44:52 do you know what the final controversy 44:54 and the final conflict is all about? 44:56 It's not about the oil of the Middle East... 45:00 it is not the Arabs against the Jews... 45:04 it is not a war of east against west... 45:09 it is a war that has to do with two things... 45:13 Number one: Worship... 45:15 and Number two: Obedience. 45:18 You say, "How do we know that?" 45:20 Well, let's go to Revelation chapter 13... 45:23 Revelation chapter 13... 45:26 by the way, do you know that worship has to do 45:28 with the first table of the Law, right? 45:29 the first table of the Law is the one that has to do with 45:33 our relationship with God. 45:34 That deals with the issue of worship, 45:38 so, which table is involved 45:40 especially in the final controversy? 45:41 It's the first table of the Law. 45:43 Now, notice Revelation chapter 13... 45:46 Revelation chapter 13 and let's read verse 15. 45:51 It says here, 45:52 "He was granted power to give breath 45:55 to the image of the beast, 45:56 that the image of the beast should both speak 45:58 and cause as many as would not... " what? 46:00 "worship the image of the beast to be killed. " 46:04 What is going to be imposed? False... what? 46:08 False worship according to this. 46:12 Now, the question is, 46:14 "Does the devil hate the commandments of God?" 46:17 Is the final conflict going to have to do 46:19 with the commandments of God? 46:20 Absolutely. 46:22 Go with me to Revelation chapter 12 and verse 17, 46:25 we've read this verse before, 46:26 time and again in Revelation we find this idea, 46:28 Revelation chapter 12 and verse 17, 46:31 it says here, "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, 46:35 that is... with the church... 46:36 "and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring" 46:40 or as the King James says, "with the remnant of her seed" 46:43 who... " what? 46:46 "who keep the commandments of God 46:48 and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. " 46:52 Notice Revelation chapter 14 and verse 12, 46:55 this is the conclusion of the third angel's message, 46:58 God's final message to the world. 47:00 It says there in Revelation 14 verse 12, 47:03 "Here is the patience of the saints; 47:07 here are those who... " what? 47:09 "who keep the commandments of God 47:12 and the faith of Jesus. " 47:15 And by the way, if you read the previous verses, 47:18 verses 9 through 11, 47:19 you're going to find that there's a contrasting group... 47:22 that group worships the beast and his image 47:25 and receives the Mark of the Beast. 47:27 So, there's a contrast 47:28 between those who worship the beast 47:30 and receive the Mark of the Beast 47:32 and those individuals who keep... what? 47:35 who keep the commandments of God. 47:38 Now, the question is, "What is the Mark of the beast?" 47:42 Well, perhaps we should let the Catholic Church itself explain. 47:46 By the way, what is the beast? 47:48 Did we study the beast? 47:49 Who is the beast? 47:50 It is the Roman Catholic Papacy... 47:53 was that clear in your mind? 47:54 Very clearly... Scripturally... it's the Roman Catholic Papacy. 47:57 So, must the Roman Catholic Papacy 47:59 have a mark or a sign of its power? 48:01 Obviously. 48:03 Now, I'm going to read you a couple of statements here, 48:05 this is from the Catholic Record... 48:09 a Roman Catholic journal, 48:12 the date is September 1, 1923, it's an old publication. 48:16 Here's what it says, 48:18 "Sunday is our Mark of Authority... " 48:23 did you catch that? 48:26 Why would it be a mark of authority? 48:29 Listen, if the Papacy claims 48:33 to be the power that changed the Law of God, 48:35 then the Papacy must have God on earth. 48:38 Are you understanding what I'm saying? 48:40 And by the way, every single prophecy 48:43 there refers to the Papacy... 48:46 there's something concerning the Law... 48:48 I'll give you some examples... 48:49 in Daniel chapter 7 it says 48:51 that he thinks he can change the law. 48:53 In 2nd Thessalonians 2 it says, 48:57 "He's called the man of lawlessness... 48:59 the man of sin... " 49:02 are you understanding what I'm saying? 49:06 In... in... with respect to other places 49:10 that speak about the antichrist, you have this same idea 49:15 coming through 49:16 that there's something happening with the commandments. 49:18 In Revelation chapter 13, you have him imposing... what? 49:21 The Mark of the Beast. 49:23 See, it all has to do with the Law of God. 49:26 So, it ways, "Sunday is our mark of authority" 49:30 and then comes this comment, 49:32 "The Church is above the Bible 49:35 and this transference of Sabbath observance 49:40 is proof of that fact. " 49:42 That is powerful stuff. 49:45 There was an individual who in 1895 49:48 wrote to James Cardinal Gibbons 49:52 I don't know if you've heard of James Cardinal Gibbons... 49:54 very famous Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, 49:56 this individual wrote to him asking him 49:59 if the Roman Catholic Church considered the... the Sunday 50:03 the change of the Sabbath to Sunday 50:05 as a mark of her authority and power... 50:08 and I'm going to read that statement. 50:10 This is the answer from Chancellor H.F. Thomas 50:14 given to this question, 50:16 "Does the Roman Catholic Church claim the act of changing 50:20 the observance of the Sabbath 50:22 from the seventh to the first day of the week 50:25 as a mark of her power?" 50:27 Here's the answer, 50:30 "Of course, the Catholic Church 50:33 claims that the change was her act. 50:35 It could not have been otherwise 50:38 as none in those days would have dreamed of doing anything 50:42 in matters spiritual and ecclesiastical 50:44 and religious without her. " 50:46 And now comes this, 50:48 "And the act... " 50:49 that is the act of changing the day... 50:51 "the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power 50:57 and authority in religious matters. " 51:00 The beast itself identifies what is the sign 51:04 or the mark of its power. 51:06 It's the change in the holy law of God... 51:09 the change of the Sabbath to Sunday 51:12 and let me ask you, "What happens when individuals 51:15 observe the Sunday as the rest day 51:18 knowing who changed the rest day... 51:21 whose authority are they accepting?" 51:23 They are not accepting the authority of God... 51:26 they are accepting the authority of... whom? 51:29 The authority of the power that changed the day. 51:32 Once again the issue is not, 51:35 "Is Sabbath better than Sunday?" 51:36 The issue is, "Who are you confessing as your authority 51:41 by keeping the Sabbath 51:42 and who are you confessing as your authority 51:45 by keeping the Sunday?" 51:46 The issue is, "Who do you obey 51:49 and who do you worship? 51:50 Do you worship the Creator 51:52 and the day that He gave at the beginning 51:54 on that day 51:56 or do you worship on the day that has been changed?" 51:58 By the way, do you remember that in the Garden of Eden 52:02 the devil deceived Eve? 52:07 Is it possible that the devil is deceiving 52:10 the majority of the Christian world? 52:12 You say, "Awww Pastor, that can't be possible. " 52:14 You don't think so? 52:16 You look at the whole history of the church 52:17 from the Old Testament... New Testament... 52:19 you'll find that the vast majority were always wrong. 52:22 How many in the days of Christ were right? 52:26 A handful... and you know it. 52:29 The rest were in apostasy. 52:32 In fact, there was a union of Church and State 52:35 that crucified Jesus. 52:36 The Church... using the power of Rome 52:39 to crucify Jesus Christ. 52:41 Do you think it's going to be any different 52:44 at the end of time? 52:45 You think that the majority of those who claim to be 52:47 followers of Jesus 52:49 are really going to be followers of Jesus? 52:50 That would totally go against the grain 52:52 of everything that has ever happened 52:54 in human history, incidentally. 52:56 Now, allow me to end by mentioning several details here, 53:01 and I'm going to have to do it quickly... 53:02 we won't be able to read the verses. 53:03 Do you know in the Bible 53:06 what it is that God constantly writes upon our forehead? 53:10 By the way, Revelation speaks... 53:11 makes a contrast between the Mark of the Beast 53:14 which is given on the right hand and on the forehead 53:16 and the Seal of God which is given... where? 53:19 On the forehead. 53:20 The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast 53:22 are opposites. 53:24 Is that clear? 53:26 speaks of a group 53:29 that have the Seal of God on their foreheads. 53:31 The immediately preceding verse 53:33 speaks about those who have the Seal of the Beast 53:35 on their foreheads. 53:37 So, the Mark of the Beast is opposite to the Seal of God. 53:40 Now, let me ask you, 53:41 "The Seal of God is placed... " where? 53:42 In the forehead. 53:44 What is it that you have behind your forehead? 53:46 Your mind. 53:49 What does God write on our minds? 53:51 Go with me to the book of Hebrews chapter 8 and verse 10, 53:57 Hebrews chapter 8 and verse 10, 54:00 I want you to see that the Seal of God 54:01 has to do with His Law... 54:03 with His Commandment... 54:05 Commandments... written on our hearts and on our minds. 54:07 By the way, the only other place that something is written 54:10 on the hand or on the forehead 54:12 is in Deuteronomy chapter 6 54:14 where God says, "I will write my laws 54:16 and my statutes and my words upon you, 54:18 you should write them on your right hand 54:20 and on your forehead 54:22 which means that your actions should reflect the law of God 54:27 and your thoughts should reflect the content of the law of God. 54:32 Notice Hebrews chapter 8 and verse 10, 54:36 Hebrews 8 and verse 10. 54:38 "For this is the covenant that I will make 54:42 with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: 54:46 I will put My laws in their mind 54:51 and write them on their hearts; 54:57 and I will be their God, 55:00 and they shall be... " what? 55:03 "and they shall be My people. " 55:06 One final point before we draw this to a close, 55:10 I mentioned that in Revelation 14 55:12 God gives a message to the world 55:16 to counteract the errors of Babylon. 55:19 This message is known as the three angels' messages. 55:23 I want you to notice what the first angel's message says 55:27 in calling the world to renounce the errors of Babylon. 55:31 Chapter 14 of Revelation and verses 6 and 7, 55:36 verse 6 says, 55:37 "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, 55:40 having the everlasting gospel 55:43 to preach to those who dwell on the earth... 55:45 to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people... 55:48 saying with a loud voice, 55:49 'Fear God and give glory to Him... '" 55:52 by the way, this is in the very end time... 55:54 God is warning the world 55:55 because He's going to say that Babylon is fallen 55:58 because Babylon did not accept this message 56:00 and so it says, "saying with a loud voice, 56:03 'Fear God and give glory to Him, 56:04 for the hour of His judgment has come...'" 56:07 and now notice, 56:08 "and worship Him who made heaven and earth, 56:11 the sea and the springs of water." 56:13 Where does that quotation come from? 56:16 "Worship Him who made the heavens... the earth... 56:19 the seas and the fountains of waters? 56:21 It comes from the fourth commandment 56:23 of the holy law of God. 56:25 The first angel brings attention to the fourth commandment 56:29 to the Creator... to worship the Creator 56:32 and by the way, we've read from Isaiah chapter 66 56:37 and verses 22 and 23 where when we get to the kingdom 56:41 when God makes a new heavens and a new earth 56:43 the Bible says that all flesh will go from Sabbath to Sabbath 56:50 to worship before the Lord. 56:54 You see, the Sabbath was God's plan at the beginning... 56:58 the Sabbath will be God's plan in the earth made new 57:02 and the Sabbath has been God's plan in between. 57:06 It is man who has changed the day... 57:10 the Papacy has adopted this Sunday 57:13 as it's mark of authority 57:15 but we must choose the mark of authority of God... 57:19 the sign between God and His people. |
Revised 2020-10-28