So we left off at page 389. 00:00:16.18\00:00:19.78 At the top of the page, 00:00:19.81\00:00:21.22 we were talking about 00:00:21.25\00:00:22.58 the genuine and the counterfeit. 00:00:22.62\00:00:24.32 Let me just give you an illustration of this 00:00:24.35\00:00:28.12 so that we can understand 00:00:28.16\00:00:29.49 how the genuine and the counterfeit 00:00:29.52\00:00:30.86 relate to each other. 00:00:30.89\00:00:33.16 I had the privilege of teaching theology in Colombia 00:00:33.19\00:00:36.97 for six years in a university there. 00:00:37.00\00:00:39.90 One day, I went downtown to a department store 00:00:39.93\00:00:43.84 to purchase some things. 00:00:43.87\00:00:45.24 And when I went to the cash register, 00:00:45.27\00:00:48.94 the cashier took the 10,000 peso bill that I gave her. 00:00:48.98\00:00:52.85 And she wrinkled it in her hand, 00:00:52.88\00:00:55.25 and she lifted it up to look at it in the light. 00:00:55.28\00:00:59.75 And she had a backlight there, she put it under there. 00:00:59.79\00:01:04.26 And she immediately pointed to a policeman that was there 00:01:04.29\00:01:08.43 and asked the policeman to come over 00:01:08.46\00:01:09.90 because it was a counterfeit bill. 00:01:09.93\00:01:12.33 And so, you know, down there, 00:01:12.37\00:01:14.74 you're guilty until proven innocent. 00:01:14.77\00:01:17.74 And here, it's innocent until proven guilty, 00:01:17.77\00:01:20.68 supposedly. 00:01:20.71\00:01:22.14 But anyway, that policeman came, 00:01:22.18\00:01:24.31 another policeman joined him, 00:01:24.35\00:01:25.68 and they took me to a back room. 00:01:25.71\00:01:27.95 And they started interrogating me, 00:01:27.98\00:01:30.29 asking me where I have the equipment 00:01:30.32\00:01:33.15 to counterfeit bills. 00:01:33.19\00:01:34.52 And I told him, Hey, I'm not a counterfeiter, 00:01:34.56\00:01:36.29 I said, I don't look at every bill that I pay with. 00:01:36.32\00:01:39.13 And it was getting kind of serious. 00:01:39.16\00:01:41.83 And one of the policemen then asked me, 00:01:41.86\00:01:43.77 he says, "Who are you? 00:01:43.80\00:01:45.93 Where do you work?" 00:01:45.97\00:01:47.70 I said, "Well, you know, I am a teacher of theology 00:01:47.74\00:01:51.81 at Instituto Colombo Venezolano, 00:01:51.84\00:01:54.48 the name of the university. 00:01:54.51\00:01:56.75 And immediately the expression on the face 00:01:56.78\00:01:58.91 of that policeman changed to the better. 00:01:58.95\00:02:03.22 He says, "Oh, you teach at the school. 00:02:03.25\00:02:05.39 That's a good school. 00:02:05.42\00:02:06.76 People, they're good." 00:02:06.79\00:02:08.12 And I said, "Oh, praise the Lord that He likes." 00:02:08.16\00:02:11.13 But he likes our school, you know. 00:02:11.16\00:02:13.33 And so then he says, 00:02:13.36\00:02:15.10 there's no one who would be a counterfeit from that school. 00:02:15.13\00:02:18.73 So he says, I'm going to show you 00:02:18.77\00:02:20.10 how to distinguish 00:02:20.14\00:02:21.47 a counterfeit bill from a genuine one. 00:02:21.50\00:02:23.71 So I went to the cash register, 00:02:23.74\00:02:25.14 he got the counterfeit 10,000 peso bill, 00:02:25.17\00:02:27.31 and then he took a genuine 10,000 peso bill. 00:02:27.34\00:02:31.05 And first of all, he took the genuine bill, 00:02:31.08\00:02:33.75 and he put it in the light. 00:02:33.78\00:02:35.12 He said, "Do you see a brown line 00:02:35.15\00:02:36.48 running through the bill?" 00:02:36.52\00:02:38.02 And I looked and said, "Yeah, yeah." 00:02:38.05\00:02:40.39 Says, "Do you see the face 00:02:40.42\00:02:41.76 that is visible only in the light, 00:02:41.79\00:02:43.83 the face of the hero of the country?" 00:02:43.86\00:02:47.66 And I looked, and I said, "Yeah, it's nice and clear, 00:02:47.70\00:02:50.60 the face is nice and clear." 00:02:50.63\00:02:52.33 Then he took the bill, and he wrinkled it, 00:02:52.37\00:02:55.00 and it was made kind of a paper 00:02:55.04\00:02:56.57 that would kind of open like a flower after he wrinkled it. 00:02:56.60\00:02:59.84 Then he put it under the black light. 00:02:59.87\00:03:02.41 And the two and the two circles 00:03:02.44\00:03:05.41 that were on the bill shown in neon colors. 00:03:05.45\00:03:09.02 So he says that proves that that's a genuine bill. 00:03:09.05\00:03:12.12 Now he says, "I'm going to show you 00:03:12.15\00:03:13.49 what the counterfeit is like, 00:03:13.52\00:03:14.86 it looked pretty much like the genuine. 00:03:14.89\00:03:16.93 He took the counterfeit bill. 00:03:16.96\00:03:19.33 And he put it in the light. 00:03:19.36\00:03:20.80 He says, "Do you see any brown line?" 00:03:20.83\00:03:23.57 I said, "No, there's no brown line." 00:03:23.60\00:03:25.70 He said, "Do you see the circle? 00:03:25.73\00:03:27.14 The face is kind of blurry." 00:03:27.17\00:03:29.60 "Yeah, it is blurry." 00:03:29.64\00:03:32.71 And so then he took the bill and he wrinkled it. 00:03:32.74\00:03:36.01 And it stayed wrinkled. 00:03:36.04\00:03:38.38 He said, "See, it's made of a different kind of paper." 00:03:38.41\00:03:41.48 And he put it under the black light. 00:03:41.52\00:03:44.59 And there was no neon shine. 00:03:44.62\00:03:47.46 So he says now you know how to distinguish 00:03:47.49\00:03:50.43 a genuine 10,000 peso bill from a counterfeit one. 00:03:50.46\00:03:55.30 Let me ask you, 00:03:55.33\00:03:56.67 how can we detect a counterfeit? 00:03:56.70\00:03:59.87 By knowing the genuine. 00:03:59.90\00:04:03.10 So what is God's genuine day of worship? 00:04:03.14\00:04:06.68 The Sabbath. 00:04:06.71\00:04:08.24 So are we able to detect what the counterfeit would be? 00:04:08.28\00:04:12.45 Well, there's only one other day of worship 00:04:12.48\00:04:14.85 that Christians claim to keep and what day is that? 00:04:14.88\00:04:18.32 The Sunday and you know, 00:04:18.35\00:04:20.46 after that when I paid with a 10,000 peso bill, 00:04:20.49\00:04:24.03 and the cashier would return a large bill to me, 00:04:24.06\00:04:27.50 I would take it, I will look at it, you know. 00:04:27.53\00:04:29.83 And one day, the lady at the cash register says, 00:04:29.86\00:04:33.20 "Well, don't you trust me?" 00:04:33.23\00:04:34.57 I said, "Yes, I trust you as much as you trust me." 00:04:34.60\00:04:37.61 In other words, 00:04:37.64\00:04:38.97 she had a right to look in the light 00:04:39.01\00:04:40.34 so I have a right to look in the light as well. 00:04:40.38\00:04:43.18 I was very captivated by your illustration 00:04:43.21\00:04:45.45 about the Cordy. 00:04:45.48\00:04:47.62 You know, I was going to tell a story about that. 00:04:47.65\00:04:49.35 And I think I'll just go ahead and tell it. 00:04:49.38\00:04:51.79 My wife and I met in Medellin, Colombia 00:04:51.82\00:04:54.99 when I was going to school, 00:04:55.02\00:04:57.03 and at that time, the school was very segregated, 00:04:57.06\00:05:01.16 not in terms of race, but in terms of gender. 00:05:01.20\00:05:04.43 The girls had one side of campus 00:05:04.47\00:05:06.40 and the boys had the other side of the campus, 00:05:06.43\00:05:08.74 like in, you know, countries outside the US, 00:05:08.77\00:05:11.14 very conservative. 00:05:11.17\00:05:12.51 When we came to church, the boys were on one side, 00:05:12.54\00:05:14.98 and the girls were on the other side. 00:05:15.01\00:05:17.18 And there was one side of campus 00:05:17.21\00:05:18.71 that belonged to the boys and one side of the campus 00:05:18.75\00:05:20.92 that belong to the girls, 00:05:20.95\00:05:22.28 and woe to the boy that crossed the line, 00:05:22.32\00:05:23.89 or the girl that crossed the line. 00:05:23.92\00:05:26.22 But for those who officialized their relationship, 00:05:26.25\00:05:30.73 in other words, they were going steady. 00:05:30.76\00:05:33.03 And with the permission, 00:05:33.06\00:05:34.40 of course, of the parents of both, 00:05:34.43\00:05:36.13 there was a special privilege, it was known as the curtain, 00:05:36.16\00:05:41.57 la cortina in Spanish, 00:05:41.60\00:05:43.84 because you could go to the home 00:05:43.87\00:05:45.21 of a faculty member. 00:05:45.24\00:05:46.57 And for a couple of hours, 00:05:46.61\00:05:47.94 you could spend two hours with your boyfriend 00:05:47.98\00:05:50.85 or your girlfriend there behind the curtain, 00:05:50.88\00:05:54.55 you know, but, of course, I'm sure 00:05:54.58\00:05:56.32 that they were checking now and then. 00:05:56.35\00:05:58.95 But, you know, you could spend two whole hours 00:05:58.99\00:06:02.22 every couple of weeks, 00:06:02.26\00:06:03.83 where at other times, 00:06:03.86\00:06:06.29 you know, you couldn't cross the line. 00:06:06.33\00:06:09.20 And we had the privilege not only participating 00:06:09.23\00:06:12.97 in that curtain practice, 00:06:13.00\00:06:16.24 but we also, I taught there, 00:06:16.27\00:06:18.11 so we had students come to our house. 00:06:18.14\00:06:20.91 So we saw both sides of the fence. 00:06:20.94\00:06:24.38 Now, I can assure you something very clearly, 00:06:24.41\00:06:27.85 and that is that we were always on time. 00:06:27.88\00:06:32.45 In fact, we were not always on time, 00:06:32.49\00:06:34.26 we always got there early. 00:06:34.29\00:06:36.26 We guarded the edges in other words. 00:06:36.29\00:06:42.10 And during the time that we were together, 00:06:42.13\00:06:45.17 you know, I wasn't thinking about, man, 00:06:45.20\00:06:47.67 I could be playing soccer right now, 00:06:47.70\00:06:49.50 I could be playing softball or baseball, 00:06:49.54\00:06:52.01 I could be doing something else. 00:06:52.04\00:06:53.88 No, the focus was on one another. 00:06:53.91\00:06:58.08 You know, sometimes I would take a gift. 00:06:58.11\00:07:02.28 Like we bring gifts to church on the Lord Sabbath. 00:07:02.32\00:07:06.02 And when the period was coming to an end, 00:07:06.05\00:07:09.82 we'd say, "Oh, good." 00:07:09.86\00:07:11.19 Are we glad that this is, oh, no, not just kidding? 00:07:11.23\00:07:13.83 Said "Oh, too bad time is up." 00:07:13.86\00:07:17.50 And we would kind of stand there at the door, 00:07:17.53\00:07:20.04 you know, with the faculty there 00:07:20.07\00:07:21.50 and kind of talking to see 00:07:21.54\00:07:22.87 we could steal a few extra moments. 00:07:22.90\00:07:25.61 There was no looking at the church bulletin to see 00:07:25.64\00:07:27.94 what hour is sundown, 00:07:27.98\00:07:29.71 so we could get about our business. 00:07:29.74\00:07:33.55 While I was teaching there was one student, 00:07:33.58\00:07:37.32 a couple that would come to our house. 00:07:37.35\00:07:39.75 And the girl one day, it was the date 00:07:39.79\00:07:43.93 when they were supposed to meet. 00:07:43.96\00:07:46.13 She came and she was crying. 00:07:46.16\00:07:47.60 I mean, she had tears rolling down her face. 00:07:47.63\00:07:51.00 I said, "What's wrong?" 00:07:51.03\00:07:52.70 She says, "Pastor, today was the day 00:07:52.73\00:07:55.00 that my boyfriend and I 00:07:55.04\00:07:56.54 were supposed to meet together here for our date. 00:07:56.57\00:08:02.11 And he preferred to go play soccer. 00:08:02.14\00:08:06.28 What should I do?" 00:08:06.31\00:08:08.08 I said, "Get rid of him. 00:08:08.12\00:08:11.29 Because if he does that now, 00:08:11.32\00:08:13.86 it's gonna be a lot worse if you get married." 00:08:13.89\00:08:17.13 So let me ask you, 00:08:17.16\00:08:18.76 do you suppose that I consider it a huge sacrifice? 00:08:18.79\00:08:22.40 You know, every two weeks, oh, 00:08:22.43\00:08:23.87 I gotta go to this appointment with my girlfriend. 00:08:23.90\00:08:26.80 What a bummer. 00:08:26.84\00:08:28.50 Oh, I just wish that the time 00:08:28.54\00:08:30.54 or the time would just come to an end. 00:08:30.57\00:08:32.64 This is torture. 00:08:32.67\00:08:34.01 No. 00:08:34.04\00:08:36.38 We enjoyed the time together. 00:08:36.41\00:08:38.58 Why? 00:08:38.61\00:08:40.02 Because there was love. 00:08:40.05\00:08:41.88 And so it is with the Sabbath. 00:08:41.92\00:08:44.09 You know, we want to start the Sabbath early to see 00:08:44.12\00:08:47.66 if we can steal a few extra moments. 00:08:47.69\00:08:50.06 And at the end, we don't want the Sabbath to end. 00:08:50.09\00:08:53.36 And our conversation has to do not with other things 00:08:53.40\00:08:56.13 that we would rather do. 00:08:56.16\00:08:57.50 Our conversation has to do 00:08:57.53\00:08:58.93 with our relationship with Christ. 00:08:58.97\00:09:01.67 So the Sabbath is about our relationship with Christ. 00:09:01.70\00:09:04.81 That's what it's about. 00:09:04.84\00:09:06.24 It's not about rules and regulations. 00:09:06.27\00:09:08.71 The reason why we suspend all of our things 00:09:08.74\00:09:11.51 is so that we can concentrate 00:09:11.55\00:09:13.82 on our love relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:09:13.85\00:09:17.79 Now, let's go to the bottom of page 389. 00:09:17.82\00:09:22.66 The penalty. 00:09:22.69\00:09:24.49 What was the penalty for violating the Sabbath? 00:09:24.53\00:09:28.10 Well, Exodus 31:15, says, 00:09:28.13\00:09:30.57 "Work shall be done for six days, 00:09:30.60\00:09:33.17 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, 00:09:33.20\00:09:36.17 holy to the Lord. 00:09:36.20\00:09:38.01 Whoever does any work on the Sabbath, 00:09:38.04\00:09:40.88 he shall surely be put to death." 00:09:40.91\00:09:46.28 Wow. 00:09:46.31\00:09:48.42 Is that true of Adam and Eve if they ate from the tree? 00:09:48.45\00:09:52.85 Let's go to the note. 00:09:52.89\00:09:54.82 At the beginning Satan seem to say to Eve, 00:09:54.86\00:09:58.46 "Do you really think 00:09:58.49\00:09:59.83 that God would pronounce the death penalty 00:09:59.86\00:10:01.76 just for eating a piece of fruit?" 00:10:01.80\00:10:04.47 Come on, be real. 00:10:04.50\00:10:06.27 If God threatened to kill Moses for not circumcising his son, 00:10:06.30\00:10:10.41 how serious would He consider breaking the Sabbath? 00:10:10.44\00:10:14.48 Would God be any less particular 00:10:14.51\00:10:17.35 if people considered the observance 00:10:17.38\00:10:19.01 of the Sabbath optional? 00:10:19.05\00:10:21.42 Some people argue that 00:10:21.45\00:10:22.78 because we do not execute those who break the Sabbath today, 00:10:22.82\00:10:26.82 the Sabbath is no longer binding upon Christians. 00:10:26.86\00:10:30.19 However, this logic ignores that the fact that adulterers 00:10:30.23\00:10:33.70 in the Old Testament suffered execution as well. 00:10:33.73\00:10:36.90 Is adultery all right today 00:10:36.93\00:10:39.00 because we do not execute people for it? 00:10:39.03\00:10:41.70 The fact is, that knowingly trampling upon the Sabbath 00:10:41.74\00:10:45.17 does not presently lead to death. 00:10:45.21\00:10:48.01 But willfully trampling upon it 00:10:48.04\00:10:51.28 will eventually lead to second death 00:10:51.31\00:10:54.58 at the end of time. 00:10:54.62\00:10:56.52 Now, you're probably wondering, 00:10:56.55\00:10:58.52 you know, where did Pastor Bohr get this idea of comparing 00:10:58.55\00:11:01.79 of what happened with Adam and Eve and the tree 00:11:01.82\00:11:04.23 then being able to eat 00:11:04.26\00:11:05.59 from all the trees except for one, 00:11:05.63\00:11:07.23 and that we're able to use all four days for ourselves, 00:11:07.26\00:11:10.67 except for what, all seven, or six days for ourselves, 00:11:10.70\00:11:13.40 except for one? 00:11:13.44\00:11:14.77 Where did I come up with this idea? 00:11:14.80\00:11:16.34 Well, it's in the Spirit of Prophecy. 00:11:16.37\00:11:19.27 Notice this next statement, Our High Calling, 343, 00:11:19.31\00:11:23.41 "As the tree of knowledge 00:11:23.45\00:11:26.45 was placed in the midst of the Garden of Eden." 00:11:26.48\00:11:30.99 And this, you can find this genie 00:11:31.02\00:11:33.96 is another evidence from the Spirit of Prophecy. 00:11:33.99\00:11:36.73 As the tree of knowledge was placed 00:11:36.76\00:11:38.46 in the midst of the Garden of Eden, 00:11:38.49\00:11:40.46 so the Sabbath command is placed in the midst 00:11:40.50\00:11:43.73 of the Decalogue. 00:11:43.77\00:11:46.10 In regard to the fruit of the tree of knowledge, 00:11:46.13\00:11:48.54 the restriction was made, 'You shall not eat of it, 00:11:48.57\00:11:52.31 lest you die.' 00:11:52.34\00:11:53.81 Of the Sabbath, God said, 00:11:53.84\00:11:55.44 'Ye shall not defile it, but keep it holy. 00:11:55.48\00:11:58.05 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 00:11:58.08\00:12:00.58 As the tree of knowledge was to test Adam's obedience, 00:12:00.62\00:12:04.75 so the fourth commandment is the test 00:12:04.79\00:12:07.56 that God has given to prove the loyalty of His people.'" 00:12:07.59\00:12:12.73 So there you have a parallel, 00:12:12.76\00:12:14.76 Ellen White draws the parallel between the two. 00:12:14.80\00:12:20.00 Now some people say the Sabbath is for the Jews. 00:12:20.04\00:12:24.11 Well, that's not totally, not totally false. 00:12:24.14\00:12:30.01 Is the Sabbath for us? 00:12:30.05\00:12:32.88 Are we Jews? 00:12:32.91\00:12:36.08 We're spiritual Jews. 00:12:36.12\00:12:38.32 So if we're spiritual Jews, is the Sabbath for us? 00:12:38.35\00:12:41.56 Yes. 00:12:41.59\00:12:42.92 Galatians 3:29 says, "And if you are Christ's, 00:12:42.96\00:12:46.90 then you are Abraham's seed, 00:12:46.93\00:12:48.90 and heirs according to the promise." 00:12:48.93\00:12:50.97 So if we're spiritual Israel, 00:12:51.00\00:12:53.07 we will keep the Sabbath that God gave to Israel. 00:12:53.10\00:12:57.61 Now, let's talk about the final test. 00:12:57.64\00:13:00.91 What were the two issues in the story of Daniel 3? 00:13:00.94\00:13:06.58 And you have a hint 00:13:06.61\00:13:08.75 that is subtle as a freight train. 00:13:08.78\00:13:11.59 Notice the number of times the word worship 00:13:11.62\00:13:15.06 appears in this chapter. 00:13:15.09\00:13:17.83 Is God's law also involved in this story? 00:13:17.86\00:13:22.23 And which of the two tables of the law 00:13:22.26\00:13:24.50 do you think was especially at stake? 00:13:24.53\00:13:26.67 Let's dwell on it for a moment. 00:13:30.41\00:13:32.97 What is the issue in Daniel 3? 00:13:33.01\00:13:35.64 Worship. 00:13:35.68\00:13:37.35 By the way, the Book of Revelation 00:13:37.38\00:13:39.41 draws on the story of Daniel 3. 00:13:39.45\00:13:42.58 Because in Daniel 3 you have Nebuchadnezzar, 00:13:42.62\00:13:47.66 who for a while lived as a beast. 00:13:47.69\00:13:50.33 He raises up an image, 00:13:50.36\00:13:52.79 commands everyone to worship the image. 00:13:52.83\00:13:55.96 And if they don't, they are going to be killed. 00:13:56.00\00:13:58.10 Does that sound familiar? 00:13:58.13\00:14:00.60 And the kingdom is Babylon. 00:14:00.64\00:14:03.57 In Revelation, do we also have an end time Babylon? 00:14:03.61\00:14:07.04 Yes. 00:14:07.08\00:14:08.44 Is the beast going to raise up an image? 00:14:08.48\00:14:11.38 Yes. 00:14:11.41\00:14:12.85 Is the beast going to command everyone to worship the image? 00:14:12.88\00:14:16.52 Yes, and whoever does not worship 00:14:16.55\00:14:18.29 the image will be killed. 00:14:18.32\00:14:20.22 Only in Revelation we're dealing with symbols, 00:14:20.26\00:14:22.49 in the story of Daniel we're dealing with the literal, 00:14:22.52\00:14:26.09 literal Babylon, spiritual Babylon, 00:14:26.13\00:14:28.50 literal image, spiritual image. 00:14:28.53\00:14:31.07 Literal Nebuchadnezzar behaved as a beast for a while, 00:14:31.10\00:14:34.80 spiritual beast, or symbolic beast. 00:14:34.84\00:14:39.67 So basically, Daniel Chapter 3 is about worship. 00:14:39.71\00:14:43.51 Will you worship the true God or will you worship the image 00:14:43.55\00:14:47.68 that Nebuchadnezzar has raised up? 00:14:47.72\00:14:49.78 Now does it also have to do 00:14:49.82\00:14:51.69 with keeping God's commandments? 00:14:51.72\00:14:53.72 Of course, 00:14:53.76\00:14:55.26 which commandments particularly? 00:14:55.29\00:14:57.86 The first four. 00:14:57.89\00:14:59.53 You shall have no other gods before Me. 00:14:59.56\00:15:03.33 Don't bow before idols. 00:15:03.37\00:15:06.87 Right? 00:15:06.90\00:15:08.24 The fourth commandment, respect the Creator, 00:15:08.27\00:15:11.47 there's only one true Creator, and the Sabbath is His sign. 00:15:11.51\00:15:15.91 So in other words, the issue is worship. 00:15:15.94\00:15:18.45 And the issue is also 00:15:18.48\00:15:21.58 the observance of God's commandments. 00:15:21.62\00:15:25.05 Now, what will be the great issue 00:15:25.09\00:15:27.36 in the final conflict on earth? 00:15:27.39\00:15:30.03 Revelation 13:15, 00:15:30.06\00:15:33.19 "He was granted power to give breath 00:15:33.23\00:15:35.26 to the image of the beast, 00:15:35.30\00:15:37.17 that the image of the beast should both speak and cause 00:15:37.20\00:15:39.93 as many as would not," what? 00:15:39.97\00:15:42.44 "Worship the image of the beast to be," what? 00:15:42.47\00:15:46.94 "To be killed." 00:15:46.98\00:15:49.04 So what is the issue in the end time conflict? 00:15:49.08\00:15:52.51 Worship. 00:15:52.55\00:15:54.45 Are the commandments also involved? 00:15:54.48\00:15:57.25 Notice Revelation 14:12, 00:15:57.29\00:16:00.22 "Here is the patience of the saints, 00:16:00.26\00:16:02.72 here are they that," what? 00:16:02.76\00:16:05.23 "Keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." 00:16:05.26\00:16:08.90 Is Satan going to be enraged against God's people 00:16:08.93\00:16:11.90 who keep the commandments, 00:16:11.93\00:16:13.27 just like Nebuchadnezzar was enraged, 00:16:13.30\00:16:15.00 that these young men would not disobey 00:16:15.04\00:16:16.84 the commandments of God, 00:16:16.87\00:16:18.21 and would not practice false worship? 00:16:18.24\00:16:20.18 Absolutely. 00:16:20.21\00:16:21.54 Revelation 12:17, 00:16:21.58\00:16:23.55 "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, 00:16:23.58\00:16:26.28 and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, 00:16:26.31\00:16:30.35 who keep the commandments of God, 00:16:30.39\00:16:33.15 and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." 00:16:33.19\00:16:38.63 Now, the seal of God is received only where? 00:16:38.66\00:16:43.33 The seal of God is received only in the forehead, 00:16:43.37\00:16:47.07 or on the forehead. 00:16:47.10\00:16:49.70 Which means that if it's on the forehead 00:16:49.74\00:16:52.41 or in the forehead, it means 00:16:52.44\00:16:54.11 that you serve God out of conviction. 00:16:54.14\00:16:56.75 In the Bible, the hand represents what? 00:16:59.75\00:17:04.45 Work. 00:17:04.49\00:17:05.95 Represents work 00:17:05.99\00:17:08.36 according to the Book of Ecclesiastes. 00:17:08.39\00:17:10.96 At the end of time, 00:17:10.99\00:17:12.33 there's going to be two kinds of people 00:17:12.36\00:17:14.76 that receive the mark of the beast, 00:17:14.80\00:17:16.46 but only one kind of person that receives a seal of God. 00:17:16.50\00:17:20.20 Notice Revelation 13:16, 00:17:20.24\00:17:23.10 speaking about those who are lost, 00:17:23.14\00:17:25.61 "He causes all, both small and great, 00:17:25.64\00:17:27.54 rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark 00:17:27.58\00:17:30.75 on their right hand or on their foreheads." 00:17:30.78\00:17:36.42 So the wicked, 00:17:36.45\00:17:38.15 they're willing to receive the mark on the forehead 00:17:38.19\00:17:40.79 or where? 00:17:40.82\00:17:42.49 On the right hand. 00:17:42.52\00:17:44.99 Now what was placed upon the foreheads 00:17:45.03\00:17:47.10 and hands of Israel in the Old Testament? 00:17:47.13\00:17:50.03 Deuteronomy 6:6-8, "And these words 00:17:50.07\00:17:53.23 which I command you today shall be in your heart. 00:17:53.27\00:17:56.27 You shall teach them diligently to your children, 00:17:56.30\00:17:58.94 and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, 00:17:58.97\00:18:01.61 when you walk by the way, 00:18:01.64\00:18:03.11 when you lie down, when you rise up. 00:18:03.14\00:18:05.48 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, 00:18:05.51\00:18:08.52 and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 00:18:08.55\00:18:11.29 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house 00:18:11.32\00:18:14.06 and on your gates." 00:18:14.09\00:18:15.42 What does it mean to have 00:18:15.46\00:18:16.79 the Ten Commandments written on our forehead? 00:18:16.83\00:18:21.30 That's where your frontal lobe is. 00:18:21.33\00:18:23.57 It means that we serve God with all of our mind. 00:18:23.60\00:18:27.47 We serve Him by conviction, if you please. 00:18:27.50\00:18:32.07 Does that also affect what we do? 00:18:32.11\00:18:35.91 Our actions. 00:18:35.94\00:18:37.51 See, the hand has to do 00:18:37.55\00:18:39.01 with the actions that we perform. 00:18:39.05\00:18:41.68 Yes, it also affects our actions. 00:18:41.72\00:18:44.75 Now what did, where did God promised 00:18:44.79\00:18:46.65 to write His law? 00:18:46.69\00:18:48.76 Hebrew 8:10, 00:18:48.79\00:18:50.86 "For this is the covenant 00:18:50.89\00:18:52.23 that I will make with the house of Israel 00:18:52.26\00:18:53.73 after those days, says the Lord: 00:18:53.76\00:18:56.16 I will put my laws in their," what? 00:18:56.20\00:18:59.87 "In their mind and write them on their hearts, 00:18:59.90\00:19:03.44 and I will be their God, 00:19:03.47\00:19:05.11 and they shall be My people." 00:19:05.14\00:19:10.15 What will God's people receive 00:19:10.18\00:19:12.45 in contrast to the mark of the beast? 00:19:12.48\00:19:15.35 The seal of God, 00:19:15.38\00:19:16.72 and where will the seal of God be placed? 00:19:16.75\00:19:19.05 On the forehead. 00:19:19.09\00:19:20.42 And what is it that is written in the mind or on the forehead? 00:19:20.46\00:19:24.59 God's what? 00:19:24.63\00:19:26.03 God's law. 00:19:26.06\00:19:28.30 So we find that the seal of God 00:19:28.33\00:19:30.43 is related to His law specifically. 00:19:30.47\00:19:34.24 Which commandment does the first angel's message 00:19:34.27\00:19:36.60 draw our attention to? 00:19:36.64\00:19:38.67 We're not going to read the verses Revelation 14:6-7. 00:19:38.71\00:19:42.91 It draws our attention to the what? 00:19:42.94\00:19:45.85 To the Creator. 00:19:45.88\00:19:48.22 Is the first angel's message a message to the whole world, 00:19:48.25\00:19:51.35 every nation, kindred, tongue and people? 00:19:51.39\00:19:53.12 Absolutely. 00:19:53.15\00:19:54.49 The whole world is invited, 00:19:54.52\00:19:56.42 not only invited but commanded to worship the Creator. 00:19:56.46\00:20:01.86 What does the third message warn people not to do? 00:20:01.90\00:20:06.07 It warns people not to worship the beast or receive his mark. 00:20:06.10\00:20:10.87 They are opposites in other words. 00:20:10.91\00:20:13.31 The seal of God is the exact opposite 00:20:13.34\00:20:17.38 of the mark of the beast. 00:20:17.41\00:20:20.42 Now, does the Sabbath commandment 00:20:20.45\00:20:22.05 have anything to do with worship 00:20:22.08\00:20:24.09 and with creation? 00:20:24.12\00:20:26.15 Absolutely. 00:20:26.19\00:20:27.79 Isaiah 66:22-23, 00:20:27.82\00:20:31.49 "For as the new heavens and the new earth 00:20:31.53\00:20:33.19 which I will make shall remain before me, 00:20:33.23\00:20:35.90 says the Lord, 00:20:35.93\00:20:37.27 so shall your seed and your name remain. 00:20:37.30\00:20:40.17 And it shall come to pass 00:20:40.20\00:20:41.57 that from one new moon to another, 00:20:41.60\00:20:43.44 that is from one month to another, 00:20:43.47\00:20:45.64 and from one Sabbath to another," all the Jews. 00:20:45.67\00:20:51.48 That's not what it says, "All flesh shall," what? 00:20:51.51\00:20:57.39 "Come to worship before Me, saith the Lord." 00:20:57.42\00:21:02.19 Why do we worship God? 00:21:02.22\00:21:04.76 Because He's the Creator? 00:21:04.79\00:21:06.43 What is the sign of the Creator? 00:21:06.46\00:21:08.66 The Sabbath. 00:21:08.70\00:21:10.70 Most of the world at the end is going to worship whom? 00:21:10.73\00:21:14.30 The beast, because he claims to occupy the position of who? 00:21:14.34\00:21:18.61 Of God. 00:21:18.64\00:21:19.97 Does he also have a sign? 00:21:20.01\00:21:21.84 Sunday. 00:21:21.88\00:21:23.91 It's that simple. 00:21:23.95\00:21:26.11 And you say, you mean to say 00:21:26.15\00:21:27.48 God is going to test people over a day? 00:21:27.52\00:21:28.85 Well, he tested Adam and Eve over a tree. 00:21:28.88\00:21:33.52 So what's the issue? 00:21:33.56\00:21:35.16 God uses external things to test His people. 00:21:35.19\00:21:39.16 Did He test Israel when He told them 00:21:39.19\00:21:40.93 not to take anything from Jericho? 00:21:40.96\00:21:44.10 Did He test Ananias and Sapphira with money 00:21:44.13\00:21:46.87 that they had in their pockets? 00:21:46.90\00:21:48.67 Yes. 00:21:48.70\00:21:50.31 Because when we are faithful in the external, 00:21:50.34\00:21:53.91 it's a sign that we internally are loyal to the Lord. 00:21:53.94\00:21:58.28 And that's what we were studying 00:21:58.31\00:21:59.65 in our last presentation last evening, 00:21:59.68\00:22:02.52 is the fact that Sabbath observance, 00:22:02.55\00:22:05.59 external Sabbath observance is a sign 00:22:05.62\00:22:08.72 of an internal experience 00:22:08.76\00:22:10.39 that the Holy Spirit is placed in our hearts. 00:22:10.43\00:22:13.46 So if we have the Holy Spirit, and we love the Lord, 00:22:13.50\00:22:16.77 it will be a pleasure to observe His holy Sabbath. 00:22:16.80\00:22:20.74 Let's read now some statements on pages 394 and 395, 00:22:20.77\00:22:26.44 on the importance of this issue. 00:22:26.47\00:22:28.98 And now we're going to talk about 00:22:29.01\00:22:30.41 our church Seventh-day Adventist. 00:22:30.45\00:22:31.91 There's a tendency these days to want to change the names 00:22:31.95\00:22:35.65 of some of our churches, 00:22:35.68\00:22:37.95 Adventist community church, Adventist fellowship, 00:22:37.99\00:22:43.93 and some even take away the word Adventist. 00:22:43.96\00:22:47.73 Did Ellen White foresee this, 00:22:47.76\00:22:49.90 and does she have something to say about it? 00:22:49.93\00:22:52.63 Evangelism 233, 00:22:52.67\00:22:55.37 instead of the people of God becoming less and less 00:22:55.40\00:22:58.24 definitely distinguished from those 00:22:58.27\00:23:00.58 who do not keep the seventh day Sabbath, 00:23:00.61\00:23:03.68 there to make the observance of the Sabbath so prominent 00:23:03.71\00:23:08.18 that the world cannot fail to recognize them 00:23:08.22\00:23:11.09 as Seventh-day Adventists. 00:23:11.12\00:23:15.19 Volume 2 of Selected Messages, 385. 00:23:15.22\00:23:18.73 There is to be no compromise 00:23:18.76\00:23:22.26 with those who are worshiping an idol Sabbath. 00:23:22.30\00:23:25.87 We'll come to that in a few moments again. 00:23:25.90\00:23:28.27 We are not to spend our time in controversy 00:23:28.30\00:23:30.61 with those who know the truth 00:23:30.64\00:23:32.77 and upon whom the light of truth has been shining, 00:23:32.81\00:23:35.94 when they turn away their ear from the truth 00:23:35.98\00:23:38.41 to turn to fables. 00:23:38.45\00:23:39.81 That's why I don't think that we should debate with people 00:23:39.85\00:23:41.95 who don't want to accept and obey the Sabbath. 00:23:41.98\00:23:45.45 It's a waste of time. 00:23:45.49\00:23:47.82 And all it does is give fodder to others 00:23:47.86\00:23:51.36 to take sides and to be critical. 00:23:51.39\00:23:55.23 I was told that men will employ every policy. 00:23:55.26\00:23:59.90 Wow, this is amazing. 00:23:59.93\00:24:02.24 I was told that men will employ 00:24:02.27\00:24:03.94 every policy to make less prominent 00:24:03.97\00:24:07.11 the difference between the faith 00:24:07.14\00:24:08.74 of Seventh-day Adventist 00:24:08.78\00:24:10.38 and those who observe the first day of the week. 00:24:10.41\00:24:13.52 Is that happening? 00:24:13.55\00:24:14.88 As I speak, you better believe it. 00:24:14.92\00:24:17.49 The whole world will be involved in this controversy. 00:24:17.52\00:24:22.09 And the time is short. 00:24:22.12\00:24:24.06 This is no time to hold down our colors. 00:24:24.09\00:24:30.00 Second Messages, volume 2, page 385 00:24:30.03\00:24:32.43 we find this remarkable statement. 00:24:32.47\00:24:34.77 A company was presented before me 00:24:34.80\00:24:37.64 under the name of Seventh-day Adventist. 00:24:37.67\00:24:39.91 These are Adventists, folks, Seventh-day Adventists, 00:24:39.94\00:24:42.94 who were advising that the banner or sign 00:24:42.98\00:24:45.65 which makes us a distinctive people 00:24:45.68\00:24:48.18 should not be held out so strikingly. 00:24:48.22\00:24:51.82 For they claimed it was not the best policy 00:24:51.85\00:24:55.06 in securing success to our institutions. 00:24:55.09\00:24:59.06 The distinctive banner is to be born 00:24:59.09\00:25:02.26 through the world to the close of probation. 00:25:02.30\00:25:05.13 In describing the remnant people of God John says, 00:25:05.17\00:25:08.04 here is the patience of the saints, 00:25:08.07\00:25:09.84 here are they that keep the commandments of God 00:25:09.87\00:25:11.84 and the faith of Jesus. 00:25:11.87\00:25:13.78 This is the law in the gospel. 00:25:13.81\00:25:15.98 The world and the churches are uniting in harmony 00:25:16.01\00:25:18.48 in transgressing the law of God, 00:25:18.51\00:25:20.42 in tearing down, tearing away God's memorial, 00:25:20.45\00:25:24.19 and in exalting a Sabbath that bears the signature 00:25:24.22\00:25:27.46 of the man of sin. 00:25:27.49\00:25:29.06 However, the Sabbath of the Lord thy God 00:25:29.09\00:25:32.86 is to be a sign to show the difference 00:25:32.89\00:25:36.20 between the obedient and the disobedient. 00:25:36.23\00:25:38.93 I saw some reaching out their hands, 00:25:38.97\00:25:41.30 to remove the banner and to obscure its significance 00:25:41.34\00:25:45.81 that's within the church. 00:25:45.84\00:25:49.71 One final statement, 00:25:49.74\00:25:51.85 volume 2 of Selected Messages, page 386. 00:25:51.88\00:25:55.42 Our people have been regarded as too insignificant 00:25:55.45\00:25:58.89 to be worthy of notice, 00:25:58.92\00:26:00.99 but a change will come. 00:26:01.02\00:26:03.29 The movements are now being made. 00:26:03.32\00:26:06.46 The Christian world is now making movements 00:26:06.49\00:26:09.26 that will necessarily bring 00:26:09.30\00:26:11.37 the commandment keeping people to notice. 00:26:11.40\00:26:14.97 There is a daily suppression of God's truth 00:26:15.00\00:26:17.77 for the theories and false doctrines 00:26:17.81\00:26:19.71 of human origin. 00:26:19.74\00:26:21.58 There are plans and movements been set on foot 00:26:21.61\00:26:24.98 to enslave the consciences 00:26:25.01\00:26:26.98 of those who would be loyal to God. 00:26:27.02\00:26:30.25 The law making powers will be against God's people. 00:26:30.29\00:26:34.52 Every soul will be tested. 00:26:34.56\00:26:37.43 All that we would, 00:26:37.46\00:26:38.79 as a people be wise for ourselves, 00:26:38.83\00:26:41.06 and by precept an example, 00:26:41.10\00:26:43.30 impart that wisdom to our children. 00:26:43.33\00:26:46.50 Every position of our faith will be searched into. 00:26:46.53\00:26:50.94 And if we are not thorough Bible students, 00:26:50.97\00:26:55.28 established, strengthened, settled, 00:26:55.31\00:26:59.48 the wisdom of the world's great men 00:26:59.51\00:27:02.48 will be too much for us. 00:27:02.52\00:27:05.42 Now is the time 00:27:08.66\00:27:09.99 that we need to be intensely studying the Bible, 00:27:10.03\00:27:15.06 and discovering all of the reasons 00:27:15.10\00:27:17.37 for our faith because someday, 00:27:17.40\00:27:19.47 Ellen White explains that we will have to appear 00:27:19.50\00:27:21.90 before rulers, governors, 00:27:21.94\00:27:25.51 presidents to give a reason for our faith. 00:27:25.54\00:27:29.44 And so we must know our faith well. 00:27:29.48\00:27:33.85 We must be able to argue why our positions are correct 00:27:33.88\00:27:37.19 and true and biblical. 00:27:37.22\00:27:39.49 Or else as Ellen White says here, 00:27:39.52\00:27:41.82 the wisdoms of the world's great men 00:27:41.86\00:27:46.49 will be too much for us. 00:27:46.53\00:27:48.26 We will not be able to persuade them. 00:27:48.30\00:27:51.27 And by the way, 00:27:51.30\00:27:52.70 you know, the Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:27:52.73\00:27:55.94 publishes the journal Liberty. 00:27:55.97\00:27:59.37 Some people say, "Why do we publish Liberty? 00:27:59.41\00:28:01.08 Or why do we even fight for religious liberty? 00:28:01.11\00:28:03.18 Let the end come." 00:28:03.21\00:28:05.85 You know, let's not try to stop it. 00:28:05.88\00:28:08.28 Let's not try to slow it down. 00:28:08.32\00:28:11.05 Why do we have Liberty magazine? 00:28:11.09\00:28:12.62 Why do we emphasize religious liberty? 00:28:12.65\00:28:15.09 Because we believe 00:28:15.12\00:28:16.96 that many of the individuals that are in government, 00:28:16.99\00:28:20.46 eventually will come over to the Lord side, 00:28:20.50\00:28:23.50 because we share the message of religious liberty with them. 00:28:23.53\00:28:27.17 So it's a method of reaching the thinkers out there. 00:28:27.20\00:28:31.41 So they will see the issues, 00:28:31.44\00:28:33.04 and they'll come over to the right side. 00:28:33.07\00:28:34.88 And by the way, we might be thankful someday 00:28:34.91\00:28:37.58 that some of these individuals read the articles 00:28:37.61\00:28:39.95 in Liberty magazine, 00:28:39.98\00:28:41.45 because they will favor us 00:28:41.48\00:28:43.28 when we come before kings and rulers. 00:28:43.32\00:28:45.25 So it is a blessing 00:28:45.29\00:28:47.42 to have the Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:28:47.46\00:28:50.09 struggle for religious liberty 00:28:50.13\00:28:52.29 and take up religious liberty issues. 00:28:52.33\00:28:55.16 Okay, let's go to page 397. 00:28:55.20\00:28:57.23 We have just a little less than half an hour 00:28:57.27\00:29:00.04 to deal with the idol Sabbath. 00:29:00.07\00:29:02.27 Ellen White repeatedly referred to Sunday as the idol Sabbath. 00:29:02.30\00:29:08.11 It's a very interesting way of referring 00:29:08.14\00:29:10.11 to the counterfeit day of worship. 00:29:10.15\00:29:12.51 Now let's read the verses that we have here 00:29:12.55\00:29:14.48 at the beginning of this chapter. 00:29:14.52\00:29:16.48 First of all, Deuteronomy Chapter 7, 00:29:16.52\00:29:19.32 Deuteronomy Chapter 7, 00:29:19.35\00:29:21.29 and we'll read verses 25 through 27. 00:29:21.32\00:29:25.59 Deuteronomy 7:25-27. 00:29:25.63\00:29:29.83 God is telling Israel what they need to do 00:29:29.86\00:29:33.03 when they enter the Promised Land. 00:29:33.07\00:29:37.04 Actually, it's only verses 25 and 26. 00:29:37.07\00:29:39.71 "You shall burn the carved images 00:29:39.74\00:29:42.61 of their gods with fire, 00:29:42.64\00:29:45.18 you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, 00:29:45.21\00:29:49.82 nor take it for yourselves, 00:29:49.85\00:29:52.15 lest you be snared by it, for it is..." 00:29:52.19\00:29:56.42 Now we will come to a keyword 00:29:56.46\00:29:57.83 that we're going to come to in a few moments. 00:29:57.86\00:29:59.76 It is what? 00:29:59.79\00:30:01.23 "An abomination to the Lord your God. 00:30:01.26\00:30:04.23 Nor shall you bring 00:30:04.27\00:30:06.03 an abomination into your house." 00:30:06.07\00:30:07.80 that's speaking about idols, 00:30:07.84\00:30:09.60 "lest you be doomed to destruction like it. 00:30:09.64\00:30:12.94 You shall utterly detest it, and utterly abhor it, 00:30:12.97\00:30:17.21 for it is an accursed thing." 00:30:17.25\00:30:19.05 What a way to describe idols. 00:30:19.08\00:30:22.85 Notice also 1 Kings Chapter 15, 00:30:22.88\00:30:26.82 Chapter 11, excuse me, verses 5 through 7. 00:30:26.86\00:30:29.72 1 Kings 00:30:29.76\00:30:31.86 11:5-7. 00:30:31.89\00:30:36.13 Once again we find the idea 00:30:36.16\00:30:38.40 that idols are an abomination to the Lord. 00:30:38.43\00:30:42.37 Here we find the following words 11:5-7, 00:30:42.40\00:30:46.71 it's talking about Solomon. 00:30:46.74\00:30:49.54 "For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, 00:30:49.58\00:30:52.68 the goddess of the Sidonians, 00:30:52.71\00:30:54.98 and after Milcom the abomination 00:30:55.02\00:30:59.09 of the Ammonites. 00:30:59.12\00:31:00.72 Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, 00:31:00.76\00:31:03.63 and did not fully follow the Lord, 00:31:03.66\00:31:05.83 as did his father David. 00:31:05.86\00:31:07.96 Then Solomon built a high place 00:31:08.00\00:31:10.63 for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, 00:31:10.67\00:31:14.64 on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, 00:31:14.67\00:31:17.24 and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon." 00:31:17.27\00:31:23.08 So what is idolatry called? 00:31:23.11\00:31:26.18 It is called an abomination. 00:31:26.21\00:31:30.15 Now, why is that important? 00:31:30.19\00:31:32.85 We need to go to Ezekiel Chapter 8 00:31:32.89\00:31:35.59 to understand the reason why. 00:31:35.62\00:31:37.23 Ezekiel Chapter 8. 00:31:37.26\00:31:40.23 Ezekiel is that big book, 00:31:40.26\00:31:42.63 right before the Book of Daniel. 00:31:42.66\00:31:45.03 So let's go to Ezekiel Chapter 8, 00:31:45.07\00:31:48.04 which is known as the abominations chapter. 00:31:48.07\00:31:52.04 Because in this chapter God shows 00:31:52.07\00:31:55.34 Ezekiel an abomination that's being committed 00:31:55.38\00:31:58.05 among those who profess to be God's people. 00:31:58.08\00:32:00.05 This is not the Philistines, or the Egyptians, 00:32:00.08\00:32:02.58 or the Babylonians, 00:32:02.62\00:32:03.95 or the Assyrians that are doing this. 00:32:03.99\00:32:05.45 These are God's professed people, 00:32:05.49\00:32:07.32 and the leaders of God's people, 00:32:07.36\00:32:09.22 the ones that are practicing these things. 00:32:09.26\00:32:12.26 It's called the abominations chapter 00:32:12.29\00:32:14.23 because God shows Ezekiel an abomination 00:32:14.26\00:32:16.70 that God's professed people are committing, 00:32:16.73\00:32:19.40 and Ezekiel thinks, wow, that's pretty bad. 00:32:19.43\00:32:23.84 And God says, "You haven't seen anything yet. 00:32:23.87\00:32:26.64 I'm going to show you a worse abomination than this." 00:32:26.68\00:32:30.05 And so then God shows Ezekiel another abomination. 00:32:30.08\00:32:34.02 And Ezekiel thinks this is terrible. 00:32:34.05\00:32:36.62 And God says, "You haven't seen anything yet. 00:32:36.65\00:32:38.72 I'll show you a greater abomination 00:32:38.75\00:32:40.46 than this." 00:32:40.49\00:32:42.52 The final and greatest abomination 00:32:42.56\00:32:46.06 on the list is found in Ezekiel 00:32:46.09\00:32:48.56 8:16-17. 00:32:48.60\00:32:54.27 Ezekiel 8:16-17. 00:32:54.30\00:33:00.18 And actually, we'll read 00:33:00.21\00:33:01.94 all the way through verse 18. 00:33:01.98\00:33:06.61 Notice it says in verse 16. 00:33:06.65\00:33:11.82 "So He brought me into the inner court 00:33:11.85\00:33:14.22 of the Lord's house." 00:33:14.26\00:33:15.72 So this talking about something that's happening where? 00:33:15.76\00:33:19.43 In the temple, that's right. 00:33:19.46\00:33:21.93 "And there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, 00:33:21.96\00:33:25.87 between the porch and the altar, 00:33:25.90\00:33:28.77 were about twenty-five men 00:33:28.80\00:33:31.44 with their backs toward the temple of the Lord." 00:33:31.47\00:33:36.48 How was Israel supposed to pray? 00:33:36.51\00:33:40.68 Toward the temple. 00:33:40.72\00:33:42.55 Where was the door to the sanctuary? 00:33:42.58\00:33:45.39 It was on the east side, 00:33:45.42\00:33:46.82 which means that if you're worshiping 00:33:46.86\00:33:48.59 towards the sanctuary, 00:33:48.62\00:33:50.29 what is to your back? 00:33:50.33\00:33:52.09 The sun is to your back. 00:33:52.13\00:33:54.46 God did that purposely 00:33:54.50\00:33:55.83 because all of the ancient nations worship 00:33:55.86\00:33:57.70 with their faces to the east. 00:33:57.73\00:33:59.70 But God said, "No, 00:33:59.73\00:34:01.07 you're going to worship with your face to the west, 00:34:01.10\00:34:03.94 so that the sun is at your back." 00:34:03.97\00:34:07.04 So it says here, 00:34:07.08\00:34:08.41 "Then their faces toward the east, 00:34:08.44\00:34:11.05 and they were worshiping the sun toward the east." 00:34:11.08\00:34:16.22 And God's own temple 00:34:16.25\00:34:18.82 taught religious leaders. 00:34:18.85\00:34:22.02 Verse 17, "And he said to me, 00:34:22.06\00:34:25.93 'Have you seen this, O son of man? 00:34:25.96\00:34:29.03 Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah 00:34:29.06\00:34:31.87 to commit the...'" 00:34:31.90\00:34:33.34 What was this called? 00:34:33.37\00:34:35.00 "The abominations which they commit here. 00:34:35.04\00:34:38.61 For they have filled the land with violence, 00:34:38.64\00:34:41.08 then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. 00:34:41.11\00:34:43.65 Indeed they put the branch to their nose." 00:34:43.68\00:34:48.45 And now God is going to say what the result is going to be. 00:34:48.48\00:34:53.02 "Therefore I also will act in fury. 00:34:53.05\00:34:57.03 My eye will not spare nor will have I pity, 00:34:57.06\00:35:01.43 and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, 00:35:01.46\00:35:04.93 I will not hear them." 00:35:04.97\00:35:08.00 Wow. 00:35:08.04\00:35:10.71 Was everybody in the city committing these abominations? 00:35:10.74\00:35:13.78 Was every person in the city committing these abominations? 00:35:16.81\00:35:20.98 No, not everybody was. 00:35:21.02\00:35:24.19 So God is saying, because of these abominations, 00:35:24.22\00:35:26.92 the greatest of which is worshiping the sun, 00:35:26.96\00:35:30.13 I am going to punish Israel, I'm not going to have pity, 00:35:30.16\00:35:34.80 they can cry out and I'm not going to hear. 00:35:34.83\00:35:37.83 But in the city, there are some people 00:35:37.87\00:35:41.27 that are not participating in the abominations, 00:35:41.30\00:35:44.21 a small remnant. 00:35:44.24\00:35:46.01 So is it necessary to separate them 00:35:46.04\00:35:49.14 from those who are committing the abominations 00:35:49.18\00:35:51.65 so that when destruction comes, 00:35:51.68\00:35:53.42 they survive? 00:35:53.45\00:35:54.98 Absolutely. 00:35:55.02\00:35:57.22 Chapter 9, 00:35:57.25\00:35:59.22 "Then He called out in my hearing 00:35:59.25\00:36:00.69 with a loud voice, 00:36:00.72\00:36:02.06 saying, 'Let those who have charge over the city draw near, 00:36:02.09\00:36:05.73 each with a deadly weapon in his hand.' 00:36:05.76\00:36:09.43 And suddenly six men 00:36:09.46\00:36:12.10 came from the direction of the upper gate, 00:36:12.13\00:36:14.67 which faces north, 00:36:14.70\00:36:16.74 each with his battle-ax in his hand. 00:36:16.77\00:36:19.77 One man among them was clothed with linen," 00:36:19.81\00:36:22.31 this is Jesus by the way, 00:36:22.34\00:36:23.95 "and had a writer's inkhorn at his side. 00:36:23.98\00:36:27.62 They went in and stood beside the bronze altar." 00:36:27.65\00:36:32.59 This is in the court of the sanctuary. 00:36:32.62\00:36:36.42 "Now the glory of the God of Israel 00:36:36.46\00:36:38.56 had gone up from the cherub, 00:36:38.59\00:36:40.30 where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. 00:36:40.33\00:36:43.70 And He called to the man clothed with linen, 00:36:43.73\00:36:47.47 who had the writer's inkhorn at his side." 00:36:47.50\00:36:50.61 Now there's gonna be a cry. 00:36:50.64\00:36:52.94 "And the Lord said to him, 00:36:52.97\00:36:54.94 'Go through the midst of the city," which city? 00:36:54.98\00:36:58.85 Jerusalem. 00:36:58.88\00:37:01.25 Is that the capital of God's people? 00:37:01.28\00:37:04.12 Yes, this happened among God's people. 00:37:04.15\00:37:07.19 Go through the midst of the city, 00:37:07.22\00:37:09.32 through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark," where? 00:37:09.36\00:37:14.83 "On the forehead? 00:37:14.86\00:37:17.40 Is this similar to Revelation? 00:37:17.43\00:37:20.07 Very similar to Revelation? 00:37:20.10\00:37:21.87 Is this a sign of protection? 00:37:21.90\00:37:25.24 Yes, it is. 00:37:25.27\00:37:27.04 Is a time of trouble coming to Jerusalem here? 00:37:27.08\00:37:29.94 Oh, yeah. 00:37:29.98\00:37:31.31 Is destruction coming? 00:37:31.35\00:37:33.21 Is everybody going to be destroyed? 00:37:33.25\00:37:35.58 No, our group is going to be what? 00:37:35.62\00:37:38.35 Sealed. 00:37:38.39\00:37:39.95 So it continues saying here. 00:37:39.99\00:37:42.79 "Go through the midst of the city, 00:37:42.82\00:37:46.03 through the midst of Jerusalem, 00:37:46.06\00:37:47.93 and put a mark on the foreheads of men 00:37:47.96\00:37:52.03 who sigh and cry over all the abominations 00:37:52.07\00:37:56.94 that are done within." 00:37:56.97\00:37:58.51 Does that mean that they would sigh and cry 00:37:58.54\00:38:00.44 about the abomination of worshiping the sun? 00:38:00.48\00:38:03.71 The greatest of all abominations, 00:38:03.75\00:38:06.01 because it is at the very top of the list? 00:38:06.05\00:38:09.02 Absolutely. 00:38:09.05\00:38:10.45 So what happens after the sealing takes place? 00:38:10.49\00:38:13.56 After the sealing is done, what happens? 00:38:13.59\00:38:16.09 Verse 5, "To the others, He said in my hearing, 00:38:16.12\00:38:21.06 'Go after him through the city, and kill, 00:38:21.10\00:38:25.57 do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 00:38:25.60\00:38:30.51 Utterly slay old and young men, 00:38:30.54\00:38:34.48 maidens and little children and women, 00:38:34.51\00:38:38.18 but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark." 00:38:38.21\00:38:43.25 And where do they begin the work of destruction? 00:38:43.28\00:38:46.69 "And begin at My sanctuary. 00:38:46.72\00:38:50.16 So they began with the elders 00:38:50.19\00:38:54.76 who were before the temple." 00:38:54.80\00:38:59.43 So not everybody was practicing the abominations, 00:38:59.47\00:39:02.20 not everyone was worshiping the sun. 00:39:02.24\00:39:05.01 There was a faithful group that were sighing and crying 00:39:05.04\00:39:07.91 because of the idolatry that was taking place, 00:39:07.94\00:39:10.21 and primarily the issue of worshiping the sun. 00:39:10.25\00:39:15.15 And so then, after the sealing takes place, 00:39:15.18\00:39:20.49 Nebuchadnezzar comes to Jerusalem, 00:39:20.52\00:39:23.26 in the year 586. 00:39:23.29\00:39:25.56 And he does exactly 00:39:25.59\00:39:26.93 what it says in verse 6. 00:39:26.96\00:39:32.07 Those in the city who are apostate are destroyed. 00:39:32.10\00:39:37.71 But those who had the sign on their foreheads were spared. 00:39:37.74\00:39:43.68 Now, did the destruction of Jerusalem 00:39:43.71\00:39:45.88 have anything to do 00:39:45.91\00:39:47.42 with keeping the Sabbath or not? 00:39:47.45\00:39:51.09 Go with me to Jeremiah Chapter 17. 00:39:51.12\00:39:55.66 Jeremiah Chapter 17. 00:39:55.69\00:40:00.80 Let's notice something very interesting here 00:40:00.83\00:40:03.33 why Jerusalem was destroyed? 00:40:03.37\00:40:06.53 Well, it's because they were worshiping the sun, 00:40:06.57\00:40:08.54 but it was more serious than that. 00:40:08.57\00:40:11.34 Notice Chapter 17, 00:40:11.37\00:40:14.81 and we will begin reading at verse 24. 00:40:14.84\00:40:18.45 Did the desecration of the Sabbath 00:40:18.48\00:40:21.02 have anything to do 00:40:21.05\00:40:22.38 with the destruction of Jerusalem? 00:40:22.42\00:40:24.22 Absolutely. 00:40:24.25\00:40:25.69 Now, if they were worshiping the sun, 00:40:25.72\00:40:27.19 were they keeping the Sabbath? 00:40:27.22\00:40:29.29 Of course not. 00:40:29.32\00:40:30.76 Notice verse 24. 00:40:30.79\00:40:33.56 Actually verse, yeah, verse 24. 00:40:33.60\00:40:36.10 "And it shall be, 00:40:36.13\00:40:37.83 if you heed Me carefully, says the Lord, 00:40:37.87\00:40:40.50 to bring no burden through the gates of this city 00:40:40.54\00:40:43.00 on the Sabbath day, 00:40:43.04\00:40:45.14 but hallow the Sabbath day," that is sanctify it, 00:40:45.17\00:40:48.24 "to do no work on it, 00:40:48.28\00:40:50.01 then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes 00:40:50.05\00:40:54.18 sitting on the throne of David, 00:40:54.22\00:40:55.92 riding in chariots and on horses, 00:40:55.95\00:40:58.39 they and their princes, 00:40:58.42\00:40:59.95 accompanied by the men of Judah 00:40:59.99\00:41:01.66 and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 00:41:01.69\00:41:03.59 and this city shall," what? 00:41:03.63\00:41:05.69 "Remain forever." 00:41:05.73\00:41:08.66 But you have the other side of the coin. 00:41:08.70\00:41:11.33 Notice verse 26. 00:41:11.37\00:41:14.10 "And they shall come from the cities of Judah 00:41:14.14\00:41:16.77 and from the places around Jerusalem, 00:41:16.81\00:41:18.94 from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, 00:41:18.97\00:41:21.91 from the mountains, from the South, 00:41:21.94\00:41:24.08 bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, 00:41:24.11\00:41:26.18 grain offerings and incense, 00:41:26.21\00:41:28.65 bringing sacrifices of praise to the house of the Lord." 00:41:28.68\00:41:30.99 That's what's going to happen if the Sabbath is kept, 00:41:31.02\00:41:33.66 the city is going to remain forever. 00:41:33.69\00:41:35.32 But now verse 27 tells us 00:41:35.36\00:41:36.93 what's going to happen if we break the Sabbath. 00:41:36.96\00:41:39.29 "But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, 00:41:39.33\00:41:42.40 such as not carrying a burden 00:41:42.43\00:41:43.90 when entering the gates of Jerusalem 00:41:43.93\00:41:45.30 on the Sabbath day, 00:41:45.33\00:41:46.67 then I will kindle a fire in its gates, 00:41:46.70\00:41:49.17 and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, 00:41:49.20\00:41:52.14 and it shall not be quenched." 00:41:52.17\00:41:56.34 Did Sabbath observance have anything to do 00:41:56.38\00:41:58.71 with the destruction of Jerusalem? 00:41:58.75\00:42:00.95 Absolutely. 00:42:00.98\00:42:02.88 And you'll notice here that Jeremiah lived immediately 00:42:02.92\00:42:06.72 before the Babylonian captivity, 00:42:06.76\00:42:09.99 interestingly enough. 00:42:10.03\00:42:12.29 Now in the light of what we've noticed, 00:42:12.33\00:42:14.43 let's go to the statements from Ellen White 00:42:14.46\00:42:19.10 that we find on page 397. 00:42:19.13\00:42:21.74 We set the stage now, 00:42:21.77\00:42:23.44 by studying the passage in Ezekiel, 00:42:23.47\00:42:25.37 we've noticed they were worshiping the sun. 00:42:25.41\00:42:27.21 And they were, 00:42:27.24\00:42:28.58 they were trampling upon the Sabbath. 00:42:28.61\00:42:30.45 Is it just possible at the end of time, 00:42:30.48\00:42:32.65 that's the type of idolatry 00:42:32.68\00:42:34.52 that's going to be committed by the Christian world? 00:42:34.55\00:42:38.89 Listen to the terminology that Ellen White used. 00:42:38.92\00:42:42.36 The Sabbath question is one 00:42:42.39\00:42:45.79 that will demand great care and wisdom 00:42:45.83\00:42:48.53 in its presentation. 00:42:48.56\00:42:50.57 Much of the grace and power of God will be needed 00:42:50.60\00:42:53.80 to cast down the idol than has been erected 00:42:53.84\00:42:57.74 in the shape of a false Sabbath. 00:42:57.77\00:42:59.47 So what is Sunday? 00:43:02.91\00:43:05.38 An idol and what does, what shape does it have? 00:43:05.41\00:43:09.02 Well, has the shape of the Sabbath, 00:43:09.05\00:43:10.92 but it's a false Sabbath. 00:43:10.95\00:43:13.02 Notice the next statement. 00:43:13.05\00:43:15.06 Review and Herald, March 8, 1898, 00:43:15.09\00:43:18.76 Satan has taken the world captive. 00:43:18.79\00:43:21.90 He has introduced what kind of Sabbath? 00:43:21.93\00:43:24.73 An idol Sabbath. 00:43:24.77\00:43:26.94 Is it just as much idolatry 00:43:26.97\00:43:29.44 and an abomination to keep Sunday 00:43:29.47\00:43:31.91 as it is to worship the sun? 00:43:31.94\00:43:36.34 You say, "Well, it's not the same." 00:43:36.38\00:43:38.25 We'll come back to that at the end. 00:43:38.28\00:43:41.42 He has introduced an idol Sabbath, 00:43:41.45\00:43:44.02 apparently giving to it great importance. 00:43:44.05\00:43:46.76 Is that true? 00:43:46.79\00:43:48.12 He's given it great importance. 00:43:48.16\00:43:49.49 Oh, yeah. 00:43:49.52\00:43:50.86 He has stolen the homage of the Christian world 00:43:50.89\00:43:53.26 away from the Sabbath of the Lord 00:43:53.29\00:43:55.10 for this idol Sabbath. 00:43:55.13\00:43:57.80 And now notice the comparison. 00:43:57.83\00:43:59.67 The world bows down to a tradition, 00:43:59.70\00:44:02.50 a man made commandment, 00:44:02.54\00:44:05.51 as Nebuchadnezzar set up his golden image 00:44:05.54\00:44:07.78 on the plain of Dura, 00:44:07.81\00:44:09.28 and so exalted himself. 00:44:09.31\00:44:10.88 So Satan exalts himself in this false Sabbath, 00:44:10.91\00:44:15.32 for which he has stolen the library of heaven. 00:44:15.35\00:44:20.52 Interesting that she compares it 00:44:20.56\00:44:21.92 with the image that Nebuchadnezzar raised up, 00:44:21.96\00:44:24.66 which by the way, 00:44:24.69\00:44:26.03 that image was in honor of the sun god Marduk. 00:44:26.06\00:44:29.23 What was the image made of? 00:44:29.26\00:44:30.87 Gold. 00:44:30.90\00:44:32.23 Do you know what the ancients called gold? 00:44:32.27\00:44:33.87 The dew of the sun 00:44:33.90\00:44:35.30 because they felt that gold had dripped down 00:44:35.34\00:44:38.51 from the sun at one point. 00:44:38.54\00:44:41.78 By the way, they also worshiped gods of silver. 00:44:41.81\00:44:44.58 Silver was the moon goddess because the moon is silver. 00:44:44.61\00:44:48.68 So idols of gold and silver represented the fact 00:44:48.72\00:44:52.09 that they worshiped the sun, 00:44:52.12\00:44:53.99 and they worshiped the moon. 00:44:54.02\00:44:56.32 Notice the next statement like Cain, 00:44:56.36\00:45:00.76 men are today violating a plain thus saith the Lord. 00:45:00.80\00:45:05.30 So she's compared it with Nebuchadnezzar. 00:45:05.33\00:45:09.10 Now she's going to compare with Cain. 00:45:09.14\00:45:11.91 God has sanctified and blessed the seventh day, 00:45:11.94\00:45:15.61 requiring all men to keep it sacred 00:45:15.64\00:45:18.58 as his memorial of creation. 00:45:18.61\00:45:21.45 But inspired by the arch deceiver, 00:45:21.48\00:45:25.25 man is set up a rival rest day, 00:45:25.29\00:45:28.62 which God regards as He did the offering of Cain. 00:45:28.66\00:45:31.86 Why? 00:45:31.89\00:45:33.23 Because Cain offered God what he wanted to offer, 00:45:33.26\00:45:35.76 not what God commanded. 00:45:35.80\00:45:37.63 The Christian world offers God the day 00:45:37.67\00:45:39.60 that they want to offer, 00:45:39.63\00:45:40.97 not the day that God has commanded. 00:45:41.00\00:45:44.31 She continues, like Cain, 00:45:44.34\00:45:47.68 those who worship this idol are offended 00:45:47.71\00:45:50.41 because God's chosen people 00:45:50.45\00:45:52.28 will not reject the day specified 00:45:52.31\00:45:54.62 in his law as holy 00:45:54.65\00:45:57.29 to keep a rest day of man's creation. 00:45:57.32\00:46:00.96 They try to force their fellow men 00:46:00.99\00:46:03.16 to worship this idol. 00:46:03.19\00:46:05.19 Thus did Nebuchadnezzar 00:46:05.23\00:46:07.06 when he set up a golden image in the plains of Dura. 00:46:07.10\00:46:10.30 And in his pride and self-exaltation 00:46:10.33\00:46:12.63 sought to compel all to bow down to it. 00:46:12.67\00:46:16.60 Is the Christian world gonna compel God's people 00:46:16.64\00:46:19.34 to bow down and keep Sunday as the day of rest, 00:46:19.37\00:46:22.94 man made? 00:46:22.98\00:46:24.35 Yes. 00:46:24.38\00:46:26.05 As Cain set aside God's holy command 00:46:26.08\00:46:28.28 and offered a sacrifice of His own choice, 00:46:28.32\00:46:31.15 so men have set aside God's holy Sabbath, 00:46:31.19\00:46:33.62 and they've exalted one of their own creation. 00:46:33.66\00:46:37.53 Is Sunday a day of worship created by man? 00:46:37.56\00:46:41.40 Yes, it is. 00:46:41.43\00:46:42.96 And Cain was filled with bitterness against Abel, 00:46:43.00\00:46:46.43 as he was filled with bitterness against Abel. 00:46:46.47\00:46:49.50 So they are filled with bitterness against those 00:46:49.54\00:46:52.54 who by keeping God Sabbath 00:46:52.57\00:46:54.34 cast reflections upon the worship of a day, 00:46:54.38\00:46:57.28 which bears no divine sanction or appointment. 00:46:57.31\00:47:01.88 Thus, it has been, 00:47:01.92\00:47:03.82 thus it will be till the end of time. 00:47:03.85\00:47:06.69 Sin is Satan's attribute, 00:47:06.72\00:47:09.49 and it is always lead against good. 00:47:09.52\00:47:12.39 The spirit of Cain is manifested 00:47:12.43\00:47:14.53 in all false religions. 00:47:14.56\00:47:16.73 Satan's work is to condemn and destroy, 00:47:16.77\00:47:20.10 to take away man's liberty and destroy his life. 00:47:20.14\00:47:23.41 Transgression always leads men to act as Satan's agents 00:47:23.44\00:47:27.31 to carry out his purposes against God and righteousness. 00:47:27.34\00:47:32.71 And then she's going to compare the sin of the Christian world 00:47:32.75\00:47:36.58 to Nadab and Abihu, lo, surprise, surprise. 00:47:36.62\00:47:40.39 We've already talked about that. 00:47:40.42\00:47:42.46 Notice this, Review and Herald, December 20, 1898. 00:47:42.49\00:47:48.10 But this day, 00:47:48.13\00:47:49.70 so universally exalted 00:47:49.73\00:47:51.83 that Sunday is a spurious Sabbath, 00:47:51.87\00:47:54.97 a common working day. 00:47:55.00\00:47:57.57 It is accepted in the place of the day 00:47:57.61\00:48:00.41 that the Lord has blessed and sanctified. 00:48:00.44\00:48:03.11 But the sheer result of this course, 00:48:03.14\00:48:05.51 may be seen in the punishment 00:48:05.55\00:48:07.68 which fell upon Nadab and Abihu, 00:48:07.72\00:48:10.72 the sons of Aaron. 00:48:10.75\00:48:13.15 Is it the same principle, 00:48:13.19\00:48:15.42 offering God the secular as if it was holy? 00:48:15.46\00:48:20.23 And in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, 00:48:20.26\00:48:23.40 leading people to worship a man made idol 00:48:23.43\00:48:27.60 representing the sun god. 00:48:27.64\00:48:30.77 Here's another statement Letter 90, 1897. 00:48:30.81\00:48:34.94 The Protestant world have set up an idol Sabbath 00:48:34.98\00:48:39.71 in the place where God's Sabbath should be. 00:48:39.75\00:48:42.35 And they are treading in the footsteps of the papacy, 00:48:42.38\00:48:45.79 whether they want to recognize it or not. 00:48:45.82\00:48:50.09 The Faith I Live By, page 286, 00:48:50.13\00:48:52.76 "Sunday keeping is not yet the mark of the beast, 00:48:52.79\00:48:56.77 and will not be until the decree goes forth, 00:48:56.80\00:49:00.27 causing men to worship this idol Sabbath." 00:49:00.30\00:49:04.67 Has that command come yet to worship the idol Sabbath? 00:49:04.71\00:49:08.64 No, not yet. 00:49:08.68\00:49:10.41 So no one yet has the mark of the beast. 00:49:10.45\00:49:15.48 By the way, no one has the seal of God either, 00:49:15.52\00:49:17.65 the end time eschatological seal of God 00:49:17.69\00:49:20.76 because they're given at the same time. 00:49:20.79\00:49:24.13 Signs of the Times, May 26, 1898. 00:49:24.16\00:49:27.86 Those who live during the last days 00:49:27.90\00:49:29.86 of this earth's history 00:49:29.90\00:49:32.37 will know what it means to be persecuted 00:49:32.40\00:49:34.94 for the truth's sake. 00:49:34.97\00:49:36.67 In the courts injustice will prevail. 00:49:36.71\00:49:40.01 The judges will refuse to listen 00:49:40.04\00:49:42.14 to the reasons of those 00:49:42.18\00:49:43.65 who are loyal to the commandments of God 00:49:43.68\00:49:45.75 because they know the arguments in favor 00:49:45.78\00:49:48.15 of the fourth commandment are unanswerable. 00:49:48.18\00:49:51.05 They will say, "We have a law, 00:49:51.09\00:49:53.32 and by our law he ought to die." 00:49:53.36\00:49:56.16 God's law is nothing to them. 00:49:56.19\00:49:58.53 "Our law" with them is supreme. 00:49:58.56\00:50:01.66 Those who respect this human law will be favored, 00:50:01.70\00:50:05.70 but those who will not bow to the idol Sabbath 00:50:05.73\00:50:10.91 have no favors shown to them. 00:50:10.94\00:50:13.54 In other words, the time will come 00:50:13.58\00:50:15.28 when we will not be able to depend 00:50:15.31\00:50:17.65 upon the First Amendment to the Constitution. 00:50:17.68\00:50:22.82 No such thing as free speech anymore. 00:50:22.85\00:50:27.59 Because a judges 00:50:27.62\00:50:29.56 and magistrates will refuse to listen to the arguments 00:50:29.59\00:50:32.13 because they know that the arguments 00:50:32.16\00:50:33.50 are too powerful. 00:50:33.53\00:50:35.23 Here's another one, 00:50:35.26\00:50:36.60 Review and Herald April 15, 1890. 00:50:36.63\00:50:39.53 Not a move has been made in exalting the idle Sabbath 00:50:39.57\00:50:43.87 in bringing around Sunday observance through legislation, 00:50:43.91\00:50:47.74 but Satan has been behind it, and has been the chief worker. 00:50:47.78\00:50:52.05 But the conscience should not be compelled 00:50:52.08\00:50:54.68 even for the observance of the genuine Sabbath, 00:50:54.72\00:50:57.45 for God will accept only willing service. 00:50:57.49\00:51:00.62 Would it be wrong for the government to enact 00:51:00.66\00:51:04.19 a Sabbath keeping law? 00:51:04.23\00:51:06.29 Seventh day Sabbath keeping law? 00:51:06.33\00:51:08.06 Yes, because the state has no jurisdiction 00:51:08.10\00:51:12.03 over the Sabbath. 00:51:12.07\00:51:13.40 The Sabbath is God's day, it belongs to him, 00:51:13.44\00:51:15.87 doesn't belong to Caesar. 00:51:15.90\00:51:18.91 19 Manuscript Releases, page 244. 00:51:18.94\00:51:24.18 Among professed Christians there are idolaters, 00:51:24.21\00:51:28.95 men and women who are not sealed by God. 00:51:28.98\00:51:32.39 Many have subverted the Christian faith 00:51:32.42\00:51:35.29 into idolatry, 00:51:35.32\00:51:37.29 giving to a man-made institution 00:51:37.33\00:51:39.66 the glory and honor 00:51:39.69\00:51:41.40 that God requires for His Sabbath day, 00:51:41.43\00:51:44.83 and compelling others to worship this idol. 00:51:44.87\00:51:48.74 Notice the number of times that Ellen White refers 00:51:48.77\00:51:50.54 to Sunday as the idol. 00:51:50.57\00:51:52.37 Such ones will surely be visited 00:51:52.41\00:51:55.64 with God's retributive judgments, 00:51:55.68\00:51:58.71 which are to be poured out without mixture of mercy. 00:51:58.75\00:52:01.58 This is seven last plagues, by the way, 00:52:01.62\00:52:03.59 upon the unrepentant 00:52:03.62\00:52:05.22 despisers of God's law. 00:52:05.25\00:52:10.26 Let's read this one more. 00:52:10.29\00:52:11.63 And then I'm going to show you that observing Sunday 00:52:11.66\00:52:15.10 as the day of worship is the same 00:52:15.13\00:52:17.07 as worshiping the sun in principle. 00:52:17.10\00:52:19.93 Notice this statement, 00:52:19.97\00:52:21.30 the Spalding Magan collection, page 22. 00:52:21.34\00:52:24.81 In preaching the truth, 00:52:24.84\00:52:26.91 it is not always best to present 00:52:26.94\00:52:29.01 those strong points of truth that will arouse prejudice, 00:52:29.04\00:52:33.68 especially where such strong feelings exist 00:52:33.72\00:52:37.49 as are felt in the Southern States. 00:52:37.52\00:52:40.69 Those are the red states as we call them today. 00:52:40.72\00:52:45.16 The Sabbath must be taught in a decided manner, 00:52:45.19\00:52:48.86 but be cautious how you deal with the idol, 00:52:48.90\00:52:53.54 Sunday. 00:52:53.57\00:52:55.04 A word to the wise is sufficient. 00:52:55.07\00:52:59.74 Now someone might object. 00:52:59.77\00:53:02.71 It's not the same to worship the sun, 00:53:02.74\00:53:06.75 as it is to worship on Sunday, 00:53:06.78\00:53:10.32 is it? 00:53:10.35\00:53:12.99 A closer look will indicate that in principle, 00:53:13.02\00:53:16.52 worshiping the sun and worshiping on Sunday 00:53:16.56\00:53:20.63 is based on the same principle. 00:53:20.66\00:53:23.43 So let's do it in question and answer format. 00:53:23.47\00:53:27.27 Who created the sun? 00:53:27.30\00:53:30.04 God. 00:53:30.07\00:53:31.71 Did He created for worship? 00:53:31.74\00:53:34.51 No. 00:53:34.54\00:53:36.44 So if we make the sun an object of worship, 00:53:36.48\00:53:41.82 what do we call that? 00:53:41.85\00:53:43.99 We call that idolatry. 00:53:44.02\00:53:46.12 Because anything that we make for worship 00:53:46.15\00:53:48.69 that God has not created for worship is idolatry. 00:53:48.72\00:53:53.66 Now let's ask three follow up questions. 00:53:53.70\00:53:57.10 Who created Sunday? 00:53:57.13\00:54:00.34 The first day of the week? 00:54:00.37\00:54:02.80 Did God create the first day of the week? 00:54:02.84\00:54:05.11 Yes. 00:54:05.14\00:54:06.47 Did He create the day of the sun for worship? 00:54:06.51\00:54:11.48 No, that's a secular workday, isn't it? 00:54:11.51\00:54:15.85 So did He create it for worship? 00:54:15.88\00:54:17.95 No. 00:54:17.99\00:54:19.32 So what happens if human beings 00:54:19.35\00:54:21.46 make it a day of worship? 00:54:21.49\00:54:25.73 It's idolatry. 00:54:25.76\00:54:27.56 Because anything that man makes for worship 00:54:27.60\00:54:31.43 in place of what God has established for worship 00:54:31.47\00:54:34.27 is idolatry. 00:54:34.30\00:54:37.01 It does not really matter whether we worship God 00:54:37.04\00:54:39.57 through a manmade idolatrous object 00:54:39.61\00:54:42.18 such as the sun, 00:54:42.21\00:54:43.98 or we worship a manmade idolatrous day, 00:54:44.01\00:54:48.42 because that also was made by man. 00:54:48.45\00:54:51.42 So we can understand why Ellen White explained 00:54:51.45\00:54:55.49 that Sunday is the idol Sabbath, 00:54:55.52\00:55:00.66 because it has been erected by man 00:55:00.70\00:55:03.93 as a day of worship, not by God. 00:55:03.97\00:55:08.44 So, as we've studied these lessons, 00:55:08.47\00:55:12.34 we studied last evening about the relationship 00:55:12.37\00:55:15.64 between the internal seal and the external seal. 00:55:15.68\00:55:19.15 We did a comparison also, in our first study together, 00:55:19.18\00:55:23.92 between the tree in the Garden of Eden 00:55:23.95\00:55:28.76 and the observance of the Sabbath 00:55:28.79\00:55:32.96 at the end of time. 00:55:32.99\00:55:34.76 We've now talked about the idol Sabbath, 00:55:34.80\00:55:38.37 the Sabbath that has been created by man for worship. 00:55:38.40\00:55:42.77 Everything that we've been doing is actually amplifying 00:55:42.80\00:55:47.74 the issue of the seal of God that is spoken of 00:55:47.78\00:55:50.71 in the interlude of Revelation Chapter 7. 00:55:50.75\00:55:55.82 The Revelation Chapter 7 speaks about the seal of God 00:55:55.85\00:55:59.82 that is given to the very end time generation, 00:55:59.85\00:56:03.43 it's given on their foreheads to protect them 00:56:03.46\00:56:06.06 in the time of trouble. 00:56:06.09\00:56:08.00 And the issue of controversy is going to be what? 00:56:08.03\00:56:11.40 The day of worship. 00:56:11.43\00:56:14.50 Now, in our next lesson, together, 00:56:14.54\00:56:18.07 in our last session this afternoon, 00:56:18.11\00:56:20.68 we are going to study about the Seal of the Living God. 00:56:20.71\00:56:25.18 This is another lesson 00:56:25.21\00:56:26.55 where we're going to take a look 00:56:26.58\00:56:28.55 at different avenues that we can pursue to prove 00:56:28.58\00:56:33.46 that the Sabbath is the seal of God, 00:56:33.49\00:56:36.19 and to also prove that the mark of the beast 00:56:36.22\00:56:40.10 has to do with keeping a counterfeit day 00:56:40.13\00:56:44.13 of worship. 00:56:44.17\00:56:46.37 As we examined two verses in closing, 00:56:46.40\00:56:49.94 we examined Revelation 14:9-11. 00:56:49.97\00:56:54.21 There it says, "Whoever worships the beast, 00:56:54.24\00:56:57.35 his image, or receives his mark 00:56:57.38\00:57:00.28 will receive the wrath of God." 00:57:00.32\00:57:03.72 Immediately after the third angel's message, 00:57:03.75\00:57:07.06 we find that verse that distinguishes Adventist 00:57:07.09\00:57:11.56 from all other denominations. 00:57:11.59\00:57:14.50 And what does that verse say? 00:57:14.53\00:57:16.40 In contrast to those who worship the beast, 00:57:16.43\00:57:18.67 his image and received the mark, 00:57:18.70\00:57:20.84 here are they who what? 00:57:20.87\00:57:24.17 Who had the patience of the saints. 00:57:24.21\00:57:28.34 They do what else? 00:57:28.38\00:57:30.01 They keep the commandments of God in contrast to those 00:57:30.05\00:57:33.58 who worshiped the beast, 00:57:33.62\00:57:34.95 his image and his mark in the third angel's message, 00:57:34.98\00:57:36.89 they keep the commandments of God 00:57:36.92\00:57:39.45 and the faith of Jesus. 00:57:39.49\00:57:44.29 So that is what we're going to unpack a little bit more 00:57:44.33\00:57:47.86 in our last session together. 00:57:47.90\00:57:49.46