Who are God's chosen people?

 There has been a great deal of talk about Israel and God's chosen people, so let's see what the Bible says about who are God's chosen people. We will begin with several scriptures: Galatians 3:26-29 KJV "26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.3.26-29.KJV Galatians 4:7 KJV 7 "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.4.7.KJV Romans 8:14-17 KJV 14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.14-17.KJV Romans 9:6-8 KJV 6 "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.9.6-8.KJV Romans 9:24-26, 29-31 KJV 24 "even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; And her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; There shall they be called the children of the living God. 29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness." https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.9.24-31.KJV Romans 11:17-27 KJV 17 "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, And shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins." https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.11.17-27.KJV Ephesians 3:6 KJV  "that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.3.6.KJV Matthew 7:21 KJV "not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.7.21.KJV Matthew 12:50 KJV "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.12.50.KJV According to all of these verses anyone who follows Jesus and do His will, wherever they come from, whatever their nationality are spiritual Israel 

Now consider the following verses:Daniel 9:24-27 KJV 24 "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.9.24-27.KJV  I'm not going to break this down completely word for word, but let's take some of the phrases. Verse 24 says 70 weeks are determined upon THY people.  Who are Daniel's people? Well, of course, it's the Jewish nation.  So 70 weeks, using the day for a year principal as found in Ezekiel 4:6 KJV "And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year." https://bible.com/bible/1/ezk.4.6.KJV And, Numbers 14:34 KJV "After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise." https://bible.com/bible/1/num.14.34.KJV so 70x7=490 years are "determined" for the Jewish nation as a whole, not as individuals. So when did this 490 years start and when did it end? For that we have to look at history.  Ezra 7:7-21 KJV 7 "And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. 8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. 11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel. 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. 13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; 15 and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, 16 and all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem: 17 that thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. 18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. 19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house. 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,"https://bible.com/bible/1/ezr.7.7-21.KJV While there are other commands to rebuild Jerusalem this is the only command that restores all the vessels of the temple and provides for the work to be done. So finding this date in history is the next course of action. According to historical records the seventh year of Artaxerxes reign would be  457BC (see:  https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4995/t/right-on-time--prophetic-appointments-revealed for more in depth study) Calculator time: 457BC as a start for 490 years accounting for the fact that there was no year #0 brings us to what year? 34AD In the year 34 AD the martyr Stephen was stoned in Acts Acts 7:59 KJV "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." https://bible.com/bible/1/act.7.59.KJV Now in Acts Paul says, Acts 13:46 KJV "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." https://bible.com/bible/1/act.13.46.KJV  As a nation Israel rejected the Messiah and His messengers so as a nation they were rejected as a favored people.  As individuals God can graff them in again as earlier texts mentioned. So when people use the following verses to say that the Sabbath was just for the Jews, they don't really understand that whoever follows Jesus is spiritual Israel and that Gods Sabbath is His mark of authority. Exodus 31:12-17 KJV 12 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. 14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed." https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.31.12-17.KJV

Sighing and crying for abominations

 Video by a brother in Christ who gave me permission to repost: https://youtu.be/8W7RKwqrT7o?si=AQYtCG4-WmGxUCX3

Original testimony

 I grew up as a preacher's kid. I lived a pretty sheltered life even though my parents were constantly at odds and divorced when I was 16. As a child age 8-12 I just "knew" that when Jesus comes back that it would be on a Sabbath and every Sabbath on the way to and from church I would try to figure out if any of the clouds was the "little cloud, the size of a man's hand" as in: 1 Kings 18:44 KJV "And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not." https://bible.com/bible/1/1ki.18.44.KJV I had been taught that Jesus is going to come back and get would be coming from the east. I knew which way East was and would scan the horizon every Sabbath. Fast forward to around 2009. I was still going to church but I was living a life that today I am ashamed of. I came to a point in my life where I was either going to forget everything that I had ever been taught and quit coming to church or I would have to turn my back on the world and re-surrender my life to God. I decided on surrender. I took a 3x5 card and wrote: I give to God my past. I give to God my future, I give to God my family, I give to God my love. I put that and my jewelry in a tithe envelope and put it in the offering plate at church.  Immediately my family and my life were ripped apart. It has been a long slow road, but God is putting the pieces of my broken life back together again and he has blessed me more than I could ever have imagined.  No, I don't have material wealth, or basically anything at all but I am happier now than I have been since I was 12. I  am still looking for that cloud coming from the East.

Another testimony

 https://www.youtube.com/live/bOh7-elIgpE?si=15NJOY0si3hiFQbD

Sabbath is essential

     What does the Bible say about the Sabbath? Let's begin in Genesis 1:31 KJV "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Genesis 2:1-3 KJV "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.2.1-3.KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.1.31.KJV God established the Sabbath in Eden when there was only Adam and Eve; the Jews as a nation didn't come into existence for many generations later. (As a side note, this is also when marriage between one man and one woman began.) Many years later, the Israelites were wondering in the desert and were hungry. In Exodus 16, God is about to give them manna from heaven. This is the description, Exodus 16:4-5 KJV 4"Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily." Exodus 16:16-30 KJV 16"This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. 17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. 18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. 19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. 20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. 21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. 22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. 24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. 25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. 27 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. 28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 30 So the people rested on the seventh day." https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.16.16-30.KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.16.4-5.KJV God was teaching them even then when Sabbath was. This event took place 4 chapters before the give of the law in Exodus chapter 20:8-11 KJV 8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.20.8-11.KJV In ancient Israel breaking the Sabbath was a death penalty. See Numbers 15:32, 35 KJV 32 "And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp." https://bible.com/bible/1/num.15.32-35.KJV

    So now we must ask ourselves exactly what does it mean in Colossians 2:16 KJV, when it says: "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:" ? https://bible.com/bible/1/col.2.16.KJV Let's go to Isaiah 1:13-14 KJV 13"Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.1.13-14.KJV  Hosea 2:11 KJV "I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts." https://bible.com/bible/1/hos.2.11.KJV So what were these "new moons and sabbaths"? Turn to  Leviticus 23:4, 24, 39 KJV 4 "These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. 39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath." (Read whole chapter for context) https://bible.com/bible/1/lev.23.4-39.KJV Notice in these verses that it did not matter what day of the week that the small (s) sabbaths fell on, they were to observe them as a sabbath, not The Sabbath.  It is currently impossible for every male to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem 3 times in a year. While God still does work according to the calendar that He set up, because God cannot change see Malachi 3:6 KJV "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." https://bible.com/bible/1/mal.3.6.KJV If God could change then satan would be correct in saying that God is arbitrary and unfair. Jesus would not have had to come to save us from sin, because God could then just decide that the wages of sin isn't death, but that is another subject for another time. Exodus 31:18 KJV "And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.31.18.KJV God Himself wrote the ten commandments and not even He can change them. Psalm 111:7-8 KJV 7 "The works of his hands are verity and judgment; All his commandments are sure. 8 They stand fast for ever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness." https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.111.7-8.KJV Proverbs 28:7, 9-10 KJV 7 "Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: But he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be abomination. 10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit: But the upright shall have good things in possession." https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.28.7-10.KJV Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 KJV 13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." https://bible.com/bible/1/ecc.12.13-14.KJV Since every work will be brought into judgment; by what standard does God judge us, if not by His law? 

    So how are we to keep the Sabbath? Isaiah 58:13-14 KJV 13 "If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.58.13-14.KJV When Jesus came the Jews were so fearful of breaking the Sabbath that they had made it a burden. Jesus came to show us how to keep the Sabbath. Luke 4:16 KJV "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read." https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.4.16.KJV Matthew 12:10-13 KJV 10 "and, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.12.10-13.KJV Jesus showed us by example how to keep Sabbath holy. Isaiah 42:21 KJV "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.42.21.KJV Jesus expounded on the law, He didn't do away with it. In fact He said, John 14:15 KJV "If ye love me, keep my commandments." https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.15.KJV He also said, Matthew 5:17-22, 27-28 KJV 17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.5.17-28.KJV This is what Isaiah meant when he said, "he will magnify the law". 

    So what about the disciples and Paul, what day did they keep? Acts 13:14, 44 KJV 14 "But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. 44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." https://bible.com/bible/1/act.13.14-44.KJV Acts 17:2 KJV "and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures," https://bible.com/bible/1/act.17.2.KJV They kept the Sabbath.  Have you heard something like this, "That was the old covenant, we are under the new covenant?" Well, Hebrews 8:10 KJV "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And write them in their hearts: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people:" https://bible.com/bible/1/heb.8.10.KJV James 2:10-12, 17 KJV 10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." https://bible.com/bible/1/jas.2.10-17.KJV  Can the court system of today judge a person if there is no law? Then how could the God of the universe judge anyone if His laws were not in force? 1 John 3:4 KJV "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.3.4.KJV God fully expected His laws to still be binding on us today, as expressed in Revelation 14:12 KJV "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.14.12.KJV Even in heaven, Isaiah says, in Isaiah 66:22-23 KJV 22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD." https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.66.22-23.KJV In conclusion we can find keeping the seventh day of the week holy from Genesis to Revelation. All the Christian world knows that Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday morning, so according to Matthew 28:1 KJV "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.28.1.KJV  Sunday is the first day of the week and it falls after the Sabbath. God never changes, and He never will.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7

Chapter 22—The Sign of our Order

I have been instructed that our medical institutions are to stand as witnesses for God. They are established to relieve the sick and the afflicted, to awaken a spirit of inquiry, to disseminate light, and to advance reform. These institutions, rightly conducted, will be the means of bringing a knowledge of the reforms essential to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord, before many that otherwise it would be impossible for us to reach. 7T 104.1

Many of the patrons of our medical institutions have high ideas in regard to the presence of God abiding in the institution they visit; and they are very susceptible to the spiritual influences that prevail. If all the physicians, nurses, and helpers are walking circumspectly before God, they have more than human power in dealing with these men and women. Every institution whose helpers are consecrated is pervaded by divine power; and the patrons not only obtain relief from bodily infirmities, but find a healing balm for their sin-sick souls. 7T 104.2

Let the leaders among our people emphasize the necessity of a strong religious influence being maintained in our medical institutions. The Lord designs that these shall be places where He will be honored in word and in deed, places where His law will be magnified and the truths of the Bible made prominent. Medical missionaries are to do a great work for God. They are to be wide awake and vigilant, having on every piece of the Christian armor and fighting manfully. They are to be loyal to their Leader, obeying His commandments, including the one by which they reveal the sign of their order. 7T 104.3

The observance of the Sabbath is the sign between God and His people. Let us not be ashamed to bear the sign that distinguishes us from the world. As I considered this matter in the night season recently, One of authority counseled us to study the instruction given the Israelites in regard to the Sabbath. “Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep,” the Lord declared to them; “for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you.... Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever.” Exodus 31:13-17. 7T 105.1

The Sabbath is ever the sign that distinguishes the obedient from the disobedient. With masterly power Satan has worked to make null and void the fourth commandment, that the sign of God may be lost sight of. The Christian world have trodden underfoot the Sabbath of the Lord and observe a sabbath instituted by the enemy. But God has a people who are loyal to Him. His work is to be carried forward in right lines. The people who bear His sign are to establish churches and institutions as memorials to Him. These memorials, however humble in appearance, will constantly bear witness against the false sabbath instituted by Satan, and in favor of the Sabbath instituted by the Lord in Eden, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. 7T 105.2

A spirit of irreverence and carelessness in the observance of the Sabbath is liable to come into our sanitariums. Upon the men of responsibility in the medical missionary work rests the duty of giving instruction to physicians, nurses, and helpers in regard to the sanctity of God's holy day. Especially should every physician endeavor to set a right example. The nature of his duties naturally leads him to feel justified in doing on the Sabbath many things that he should refrain from doing. So far as possible he should so plan his work that he can lay aside his ordinary duties. 7T 106.1

Often physicians and nurses are called upon during the Sabbath to minister to the sick, and sometimes it is impossible for them to take time for rest and for attending devotional services. The needs of suffering humanity are never to be neglected. The Saviour, by His example, has shown us that it is right to relieve suffering on the Sabbath. But unnecessary work, such as ordinary treatments and operations that can be postponed, should be deferred. Let the patients understand that physicians and helpers should have one day for rest. Let them understand that the workers fear God and desire to keep holy the day that He has set apart for His followers to observe as a sign between Him and them. 7T 106.2

The educators and those being educated in our medical institutions should remember that to keep the Sabbath aright means much to them and to the patrons. In keeping the Sabbath, which God declares shall be kept holy, they give the sign of their order, showing plainly that they are on the Lord's side. 7T 106.3

Now and ever we are to stand as a distinct and peculiar people, free from all worldly policy, unembarrassed by confederating with those who have not wisdom to discern God's claims so plainly set forth in His law. All our medical institutions are established as Seventh-day Adventist institutions to represent the various features of gospel medical missionary work and thus to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. We are to show that we are seeking to work in harmony with heaven. We are to bear witness to all nations, kindreds, and tongues that we are a people who love and fear God, a people who keep holy His memorial of creation, the sign between Him and His obedient children that He sanctifies them. And we are plainly to show our faith in the soon coming of our Lord in the clouds of heaven. 7T 106.4

As a people we have been greatly humiliated by the course that some of our brethren in responsible positions have taken in departing from the old landmarks. There are those who, in order to carry out their plans, have by their words denied their faith. This shows how little dependence can be placed on human wisdom and judgment. Now, as never before, we need to see the danger of being led unguardedly away from loyalty to God's commands. We need to realize that God has given us a decided message of warning for the world, even as He gave Noah a message of warning for the antediluvians. Let our people beware of belittling the importance of the Sabbath in order to link up with unbelievers. Let them beware of departing from the principles of our faith, making it appear that it is not wrong to conform to the world. Let them be afraid of heeding the counsel of any man, whatever his position may be, who works counter to that which God has wrought in order to keep His people separate from the world. 7T 107.1

The Lord is testing His people to see who will be loyal to the principles of His truth. Our work is to proclaim to the world the first, second, and third angels’ messages. In the discharge of our duties we are neither to despise nor to fear our enemies. To bind ourselves up by contracts with those not of our faith is not in the order of God. We are to treat with kindness and courtesy those who refuse to be loyal to God, but we are never, never to unite with them in counsel regarding the vital interests of His work. Putting our trust in God, we are to move steadily forward, doing His work with unselfishness, in humble dependence upon Him, committing to His providence ourselves and all that concerns our present and future, holding the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end, remembering that we receive the blessings of heaven, not because of our worthiness, but because of Christ's worthiness and our acceptance, through faith in Him, of God's abounding grace. 7T 107.2

I pray that my brethren may realize that the third angel's message means much to us and that the observance of the true Sabbath is to be the sign that distinguishes those who serve God from those who serve Him not. Let those who have become sleepy and indifferent awake. We are called to be holy, and we should carefully avoid giving the impression that it is of little consequence whether or not we retain the peculiar features of our faith. Upon us rests the solemn obligation of taking a more decided stand for truth and righteousness than we have taken in the past. The line of demarcation between those who keep the commandments of God and those who do not is to be revealed with unmistakable clearness. We are conscientiously to honor God, diligently using every means of keeping in covenant relation with Him, that we may receive His blessings, the blessings so essential for the people who are to be so severely tried. To give the impression that our faith, our religion, is not a dominating power in our lives is greatly to dishonor God. Thus we turn from His commandments, which are our life, denying that He is our God and that we are His people. 7T 108.1

***** 

We are to invite everyone—the high and the low, the rich and the poor, all sects and classes—to share the benefits of our medical institutions. We receive into our institutions people of all denominations. But as for ourselves we are strictly denominational; we are sacredly denominated by God and are under His theocracy. But we are not unwisely to press upon anyone the peculiar points of our faith. 7T 109.1

***** 

In order that men might not forget the true God, Jehovah gave them a memorial of His love and power—the Sabbath. He says: “Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you.” Exodus 31:13. 7T 109.2

***** 

Concerning Israel, the Lord declared: “The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.” Numbers 23:9. To us as well as to ancient Israel these words apply. God's people are to stand alone. The observance of the seventh-day Sabbath is to be a sign between them and God, showing that they are to be a peculiar people, separate from the world in habit and practice. Through them God will work to gather from all nationalities a people for Himself. 7T 109.3 https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/117.565#566

Separating from the former churches

 But as ministers and religious leaders decided against the Advent doctrine, and desired to suppress all agitation of the subject, they not only opposed it from the pulpit, but denied their members the privilege of attending preaching upon the second advent, or even of speaking of their hope in the social meetings of the church. Thus the believers found themselves in a position of great trial and perplexity. They loved their churches, and were loth to separate from them; but as they saw the testimony of God's Word suppressed, and their right to investigate the prophecies denied, they felt that loyalty to God forbade them to submit. Those who sought to shut out the testimony of God's Word they could not regard as constituting the church of Christ, "the pillar and ground of the truth." Hence they felt themselves justified in separating from their former connection. In the summer of 1844 about fifty thousand withdrew from the churches.

About this time a marked change was apparent in most of the churches throughout the United States. There had been for many years a gradual but steadily increasing conformity to worldly practices and customs, and a corresponding decline in real spiritual life; but in that year there were evidences of a sudden and marked declension, in nearly all the churches of the land. While none seemed able to suggest the cause, the fact itself was widely noted and commented upon, both by the press and the pulpit. GC88 375.3 - GC88 376.1

H E L P

Help--why are you trying to do things on your own, call for help.

H- Hope, hope thou in God. Psalm 119:114, 116 "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.119.KJV  Psalm 42:11 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.42.KJV Isaiah 26:3 "'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.26.KJV 

E- Escape 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.10.KJV 

L-Limit, don't limit God. Psalm 78:41 "Yea, they turned back and tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.78.KJV

P-Prayer Ephesians 6:10-18 "10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.6.KJV

I heard a sermon the other day that was speaking about the night that Jesus sent his disciples in the boat on the lake. The story is found in Matthew chapter 14. Verse 22 says, "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.14.KJV  That word constrained is an interesting word here; it means "To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige" Jesus made the disciples get in a boat that He KNEW was going to be headed straight into a storm. There are many STORMS in this life and before they can touch us, they must pass through the hands of the Almighty God. Satan, as in the case of Job, in the Bible must get permission from God for anything that he does. (see Job chapter 1:6 "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.1.KJV & 2:1 "Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.2.KJV ) Satan does not have free reign to do anything that he wishes; if he did we would all be dead. God knows the trials that you will go through in this life and He is there ready to HELP you if you will ask Him and trust that He has your best interest at heart.  Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JER.29.KJV Back to the boat, in Matthew 14, as soon as Jesus and Peter get back in the the boat, the storm ceases. Jesus had just taken Peter by the hand after he had failed to keep his eyes on Jesus and had begun to sink. Jesus is waiting with outstretched arm to save you too. and then He will walk with you through the rest of your life's journey, just don't take your eyes off of Him. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18, and 20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.28.KJV

Golden age

 Many Christians too, seem to be content with expecting the world to be pervaded by the principles of Christianity, making little or no account of Christ's coming and the resurrection and the new earth. Their "golden age" for the world is made such, at best, by the prevalence of moral and religious truth. They speak as if the kingdom of Christ were a mere figure for the moral influence of his religion, and not as literal an account as can be given of a state or commonwealth having Christ at its head, whose utmost prosperity must therefore be in his person and presence. ARSH January 28, 1862, page 67.7

Thus many are looking for what will never come,-a "golden age" before the end of the world, a millennium of peace. They would better be preparing for the "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation" (Daniel 12:1), for that is what is coming. Thousands read the prophecy in Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 about swords and ploughshares so carelessly as to misread it altogether. This is what the people say; but God says exactly the opposite. See Joel 3:9, 10. Thus Paul wrote, "When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them." 1 Thessalonians 5:3. It is not peace, but war that awaits the world; not a golden age, but a time of trouble. PTUK July 16,  1896, page 452.4

These things are looked upon by very many, as sure tokens of future good; forerunners of a bright, golden age, when all will be converted from sin to holiness, which some vainly think already dawning. And know not that the day of vengeance hasteth greatly, and that these things are foretold signs of the coming of the Son of man, plainly fulfilled before their eyes. ST1853 24.2

The ears of the people are filled with the pleasing fables of the world's conversion, a good time coming, and that we are just entering the golden age. The threatenings of God's word on the proud, the haughty, the vain, the rich, the sinners in Zion, and those out of Zion, are kept back by the false teachers these times. Many of them even dare to teach that the moral code of the ten commandments is abrogated. EMTF 21.5

The prophets describe the last days as dreadful in the extreme. Jesus declares them like those of Noah and of Lot. Paul says they will be perilous, and that in them many will depart from the faith. The doctrine of human progress to a state of perfection and holiness, as held all the way from the most prudent, down to the extravagant Spiritualist — that the golden age is soon to open — we regard as Satan's master-piece to bring the mind of the Christian world into an unprepared state to meet the impending dreadful crisis, described by the prophet Joel. — ARSH September 23, 1862, page 132.16

Thousands are deceiving and being deceived by the delusive dream that the millennial day is softly stealing upon our world, and there shall be the much-talked-of golden age. Alas! for such! Between our time and that future glory of Messiah's reign there lies a region as dark as midnight, strewed with such ruined hopes and blasting terrors as this world has never known-such a time of plagues and tribulation as never was, when all hopes based on finite good shall utterly perish, with all those who have deceived themselves thereby. ARSH January 5, 1864, page 42.1

The world's conversion, and a thousand years of peace and holiness before the second coming of Christ. Those who cherish this hope, look for its consummation in the seventh Millennium, in the last days. But have the prophets, Christ and apostles, spoken of the last days as a period of peace, prosperity and holiness? Nay, verily. The prophets speak of the last days as a period that waiteth for the wrath and fierce anger of the Lord to "lay the land desolate, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Christ declares that as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at his coming; that the wheat and tares should grow together until the harvest, and that the harvest is the end of the world. The apostles speak in harmony with the prophets and Christ. Says Paul, "In the last days perilous times shall come;" etc. 2 Timothy 3:1-8. Compare his description of the last days, with the picture of the good days to come, the golden age now opening before us, held forth from the pulpit and the religious press, and it will be seen that the popular churches are deceived by a false hope. Their ears are turned from the truth unto a pleasing fable. ARSH December 11, 1855, page 85.11

The time of trouble spoken of by both Daniel and our Saviour, is actually upon us. "Like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt," so it is now with the troubled masses. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." This is now the moral phase of society, and precisely our prophetic whereabouts in the church, our nation, and the world at large. The church is in exile, weeping and praying, "even so, come Lord Jesus." While the latter-day "scoffers" in derision are saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" thousands are "deceiving and being deceived" by the delusive dream that the millennial day is softly stealing upon our world, and there shall be the much talked of golden age. Alas for such! Between our time and that future glory of Messiah's reign there lies a region as dark as midnight, strewed with such ruined hopes and blasting terrors as this world has never known - a time of plagues and tribulation as never was, when all hopes except those based on the truth shall utterly perish, with all those who have deceived themselves thereby. ARSH July 22, 1862, page 58.21

The professed Christian church, wedded to worldly governments, declaring virtually by precept and practice their corrupt union, and that they have no king but Caesar, looking and hoping that human governments will bring about peace and prosperity to the nations, and the good time coming, and a golden age of millennial blessedness, without her Lord—lukewarm in respect to her love for the appearing of the King-cold and formal in her religion-making the house of prayer a house of merchandise-and in love with the present world-knowing that if her Lord does come, he will disfranchise her from human governments, sever the cord that binds church and state, and destroy all the kingdoms of the nations; knowing that when the king does appear he will separate between the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares; knowing that when he shall come he will overturn the money changers, and drive from his temple all buyers, and sellers, and lovers of the world; and finally, that those that love not his appearing, but are saying, "The Lord delayeth his coming," shall have their portion in the burning lake; aware of this fact, any intelligence that his coming is near at hand is unwelcome news-exciting alarm and hate. Their hearts fail them for fear, which will increase to consternation at his advent. ARSH May 30, 1865, page 201.18

The scriptures plainly teach that man is to become more and more corrupt, and ripen for the day of wrath as that wrath approaches. Look at the metallic Image of Daniel second chapter, given to illustrate the four universal kingdoms, preceding God's everlasting kingdom. Why was not the head of clay and iron, its breast and arms of brass, its belly and sides of silver, and its legs and feet of gold? It would then much better illustrate the view of many that the world has been growing better, and that even now we are entering the golden age. Those who talk of this being the golden age, have this Image turned topsy-turvy, standing on its golden head. But let it stand up on its feet, and the diminution of the value of metal from head to feet, is a fit emblem of the gradual apostasy of man since he left Eden. ST1853 25.1

What EGW says about those who like to debate.

 Discussions not to be Sought

[From a personal testimony.] 

Young preachers should avoid discussions, for these do not increase spirituality or humbleness of mind. In some cases, it may be necessary to meet a proud boaster against the truth of God in open debate; but generally these discussions, either oral or written, result in more harm than good. After a discussion, the greater responsibility rests upon the minister to keep up the interest. He should beware of the reaction which is liable to take place after a religious excitement, and not yield to discouragement.... GW 377.1

Generally, the influence of discussions upon our ministers is to make them self-sufficient, exalted in their own estimation. This is not all. Those who love to debate are unfitted for being pastors to the flock. They have trained their minds to meet opponents, and to say sarcastic things; and they cannot come down to meet hearts that are sorrowing, and that need to be comforted.... GW 377.2

In the presentation of unpopular truth, which involves a heavy cross, preachers should be careful that every word is as God would have it. Their words should never cut. They should present the truth in humility, with the deepest love for souls, and an earnest desire for their salvation, and let the truth cut.—Testimonies for the Church 3:213-218. GW 377.3

***** 

Discussions cannot always be avoided.... People who love to see opponents combat, may clamor for discussion. Others, who have a desire to hear the evidences on both sides, may urge discussion in all honesty of motive; but whenever discussions can be avoided, they should be. They generally strengthen combativeness, and weaken that pure love and sacred sympathy which should ever exist in the hearts of Christians, although they may differ in opinion. GW 377.4

In this age of the world a demand for a discussion is not real evidence of earnest desire on the part of the people to investigate the truth, but comes through the love of novelty and the excitement which generally attends discussions. God is seldom glorified or the truth advanced in these combats. Truth is too solemn, too momentous in its results, to make it a small matter whether it is received or rejected. To discuss truth for the sake of showing opponents the skill of the combatants, is ever poor policy; for it does very little to advance the truth. GW 378.1

Opponents of the truth will show skill in misstating the positions of its defenders.... They will generally deride sacred truth, and place it in so false a light before the people that minds that are darkened by error and polluted by sin, do not discern the motives and objects of these designing men in thus covering up and falsifying important truth. Because of the men who engage in them, there are few discussions that it is possible to conduct upon right principles. Sharp thrusts are too frequently given, personalities are indulged in, and often both parties descend to sarcasm and witticism. The love of souls is lost in the greater desire for the mastery. Prejudice, deep and bitter, is often the result.... GW 378.2

Many choose darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. But there are those who, if the truth had been presented in a different manner, under different circumstances, giving them a fair chance to weigh the arguments for themselves, and to compare scripture with scripture, would have been charmed by its clearness, and would have taken hold of it. GW 379.1

It has been very indiscreet for our ministers to publish to the world the wily sophistry of error, furnished by designing men to cover up and make of no effect the solemn, sacred truth of Jehovah. These crafty men who lie in wait to deceive the unwary, give their strength of intellect to perverting the word of God. The inexperienced and unsuspecting are deceived to their ruin. It has been a great error to publish to all the arguments wherewith opponents battle against the truth of God; for in so doing minds of every class are furnished with arguments which many of them had never thought of. Some one must render an account for this unwise generalship. GW 379.2

Arguments against the sacred truth, subtle in their influence, affect minds that are not well informed in regard to the strength of the truth. The moral sensibilities of the community at large are blunted by familiarity with sin. Selfishness, dishonesty, and the varied sins which prevail in this degenerate age, have blunted the senses to eternal things, so that God's truth is not discerned. In giving publicity to the erroneous arguments of our opponents, truth and error are placed upon a level in the minds of the people, when, if they could have the truth before them in its clearness long enough to see and realize its sacredness and importance, they would be convinced of the strong arguments in its favor, and would then be prepared to meet the arguments urged by opposers. GW 379.3

Those who are seeking to know the truth and to understand the will of God, who are faithful to the light, and zealous in the performance of their daily duties, will surely know of the doctrine; for they will be guided into all truth.—Testimonies for the Church 3:424-427. GW 380.1

***** 

Whenever it is necessary for the advancement of the cause of truth and the glory of God, that an opponent be met, how carefully, and with what humility should they [the advocates of truth] go into the conflict. With heart-searching, confession of sin, and earnest prayer, and often fasting for a time, they should entreat that God would especially help them, and give His saving, precious truth a glorious victory, that error might appear in its true deformity, and its advocates be completely discomfited.... GW 380.2

Never should you enter upon a discussion, where so much is at stake, relying upon your aptness to handle strong arguments. If it cannot be well avoided, enter the conflict, but enter upon it with firm trust in God, and in the spirit of humility, in the spirit of Jesus, who has bidden you learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart.—Testimonies for the Church 1:624-626. GW 380.3

https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/35.1958

Happy Marriage

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

H F J G U I I S W K R E A G H G N V O R Y Y Y K R G E L H B 
R D B G Z L S A Y Y F O G L X K M X I B A B V T V A E F T E 
Q W A S E Q F D E X P K H B E L F T G X Y R J I I Z I N E A 
P Z W J S U F I F G B F Q M T M I X V G K R Y S Q U J I R R 
M T Y V P W K F F Y W D C W O W T V L P W N Z Q C C Q T U E 
B V E Z S G S B K Z K Y R Q N M J Y E K J Q X N K T Z I D T 
B P X U N E R K U S M E W O G J X Q N B P Q X G M Z A M N H 
L J V N O L E P A T H P C U J B H P W A M B N C K J X L E I 
O Y Y S H T E K N I H T P F N I B B T J G R S I G E T U H C 
N B V E I R S W E Q Y M A X T A W K G Q H T O D J E O C X Y 
G H G E U O D W M T A L F S B S I W P W M S D E B M K X U E 
H W G M V H S C U T H J E N B V U R L Y N H K B T L Y Z O H 
Q A A L G G W J M Z Y L W Y U Z I Z Q T Q T T Q K B A I X D 
L G X Y N G U K H H F A U L T J M X J X W X F D E H Z Y J B 
H T D I H Y B T V V S L Q V A Y D W T J S J U B I P B H S I 
M Y H Q M Q E N R E J L M Y E L V N P I S K P M X X B L A X 
P T P Q Y C B E L I E V E T H I U A J Y J V R C B T E A E Y 
F J E V I D Y N J O T I Y B W S P T Y O O S T L L H T B S M 
Q T S O A T E I K A Z H T F S A I W J Z L A R D C T F D X N 
U T J F I U S K P S A B A F X E J A D F Q S H O P E T H X R 
G E Z R Z H N R E C D H C Z R H E N V I E T H H A R E H G O 
R K A H D J O T V U X Q U A B V O V N E H K K V H E D T L T 
X H X L M V X V E J V R G K J M U T M W R I H R G F D L S Y 
C Q H J O Q W A C T R H T P G X U N G U N E U C I F M E S G 
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C Q Q K D E F F U P W G E A S C H Y E B V S D M T E L Q D P 
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P J P T P X N L B C T W Z A X R X O Q X F V L U W G E Q J R 

ALL  BEARETH  BEHAVE  BELIEVETH  BUT  CHARITY  DOTH  EASILY  ENDURETH
ENVIETH  EVIL  HER  HOPETH  INIQUITY  ITSELF  KIND  LONG  NOT  OWN
PROVOKED  PUFFED  REJOICETH  SEEKETH  SUFFERETH  THINGS  THINKETH
TRUTH  UNSEEMLY  VAUNTETH

Scripture reading for today is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." 

https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.13.KJV   Every church wedding I have ever attended has included these verses.  I come from a broken home as do many others.  I have also been in relationships which have failed, so I have a lot of experience in what bad relationships are like, unfortunately.  But what does a good, healthy relationship look like?  While our scripture reading gives us many clues the Bible also holds many other keys to having healthy happy marriages.  These keys can be used in any relationship as well.  So what are they?  Back when God originally made Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden he gave these words.  Genesis 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.2.KJV  Thus the first principle that we come to is that the man and his wife need to establish their own home separate from their parents.  I would add a small caveat here, and that is: unless there is a parent that needs to be medically cared for and the family is capable of caring for them.  But the principle remains that the in-laws should not interfere with the decisions which the husband and wife make together.  I heard a story once about a husband and wife who had been married for many years and one day the wife asks the husband if he still loved her.  He replied that he had told her on the day they had gotten married that he loved her and if that ever changed he'd let her know.  Some people feel that courtship is over when you've "Won" the man or woman of your dreams.  I am here to tell you if you don't continue to court your spouse as long as you live then someone else just might!  Courtship should end only in death! 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, have fervent and unfailing love one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."   https://my.bible.com/bible/1588/1PE.4.amp  Proverbs 31:28 "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.31.kjv   1 Corinthians 7:34 "There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.7.KJV  Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.12.KJV  Another key is a very controversial one and that is that the man is supposed to be the head of the household, the priest of the family. 1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.11.KJV Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 33 Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.5.KJV  In many of today's homes the man has been so emasculated that he just acquiesces to whatever his wife wants to do. This is not a healthy relationship.  Now you may be a strong woman who thinks that she rules the roost, but with the relationships that I have had or seen others have, things just don't seem to run as well if the man won't stand up and be "THE MAN" in the home. This is not to say that the woman does not, and cannot have her own voice heard in the home. But if there is a disagreement, even IF she is right, she needs to allow her husband to possibly fail in something rather than fight to be "right". I once had an argument with a husband for 3 very long hours in a van with all the kids.  We were traveling to his parents house and just before we left, he asked me a question.  I had been married long enough to know better than to even respond to the question, so I asked if he really wanted an answer or did he want to tell me why my answer was wrong.  He said that he really wanted an answer so I gave him the answer as I saw it. For the next three hours the kids witnessed him berating me for my stupid answer.  They learned to disrespect me and other women in the process. Well, three hours later we get to his parents' place and he asked his father the SAME question, and guess what?  His dad gave MY exact same answer!!!!! What do you think my husband said? He said, "huh, I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT LIKE THAT BEFORE!"  Nope not in three whole hours of fighting did he ever really listen to me.  All I accomplished by arguing was hate, anger, and the children's disrespect. The correct answer as given by a MAN that my husband RESPECTED was accepted. And I could have saved myself a great deal of agony.  The moral of the story is this, even if you are "Right" in any argument you can lose a great deal, if you make it an argument.  Allowing a man to do things his way, even if wrong, might just lead him to respect your opinion more the next time. It is a proven fact that as a general rule a man will respect another man's opinion more than that of a woman even if the opinions are the same.  Something about the way men talk to each other makes the same statement sound different.

    Husbands, the Bible speaks to you too, Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.5.KJV The question is how did Christ love the church? The text continues, "and gave himself for it." When we think of how Christ gave himself for the church our mind should be drawn to his sacrifice on the cross. Jesus left all of heaven just to come live here and die just for you.  Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GAL.6.KJV 2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." A man should not be slothful in his life, he should work to provide for his family. 1 Timothy 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1TI.5.8 A man should not be playing video games all day mooching off of society. 1 Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.13.11 James 1:19 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.1.19 Proverbs 16:32 "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.16.KJV  Proverbs 14:29 "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.14.KJV These principles are not just for men. I was once involved in a situation where a small group was reading a book filled with good advice about health issues.  One of the men in the group kept needling his wife, look here, this is for you.  Over and over again when we came to a new point in the book, he would keep using the book to poke at her.  None of these points are just for the man or just for the woman. Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.12.KJV

Typical Christian

 I just watched a Christian movie in which the husband of a young couple played the part of what I feel is like a typical Christian.  A lot of so called Christians are only "Christian" in church or when things are smooth sailing, life is good, everything is going right in their world. They don't really even know what they believe or why they believe in it. They like to tell others what they should or should not be doing, as if they know that person's life but when bad things happen to them, their Christianity goes right out the window.  They blame God. They curse God, and then they even suggest that maybe God doesn't exist. They don't have a real connection to their Creator. To these I would suggest that they read the book of Job in the Bible. Bad things do happen to good people, that is the nature of living in this sinful world. One day each individual will have to face their Creator face to face; they won't be able to say well my parents did or said this, or my grandparents or my spouse; they will have to answer to the Almighty God for their own actions. If you are only a Christian when you go to church and the rest of the time you live like the devil, don't think that you are fooling God.  Jeremiah 1:4-5 KJV 4 "Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."  https://bible.com/bible/1/jer.1.4-5.KJV Matthew 10:30 KJV 30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.10.30.KJV Matthew 7:20-23 KJV 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.7.20-23.KJV Each individual needs to, not only know what they believe, but why they believe it, and who they need to believe in. Psalm 20:7 KJV 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.20.7.KJV

Moral majority?

 Recently I have been in conversations where people have been saying that we need a moral majority to be in control in this country. So I have some questions about that.  For example what if the vast majority (75% or higher) of the people anywhere in the world believed that it was ok to rape and murder and steal for any reason.  Would their belief make these things correct? Obviously the answer is no. Biblically speaking the majority of people have NEVER been in the right. Let's begin in Genesis chapter 6: verse 12 "And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.6.12.KJV  Genesis 7:13 KJV "In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;" https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.7.13.KJV Only 8 souls got on the ark.  It has been estimated that the earth had approximately 8 billion people on the earth at that time much like today. That's roughly 1/1,000,000,000th of the population, a clear minority. Fast forward to Jesus day, the majority of the leadership in the Jewish nation rejected Jesus and called for his crucification. Matthew 26:3, 57 KJV 3 "Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled." https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.26.3-57.KJV So if this country or any other decides to force one belief on the rest of the people, that would be wrong. God never uses force. Let's take a look at one more of these examples in Daniel chapter 3:4-27 KJV 4 "Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [5] that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: [6] and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [7] Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [8] Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. [9] They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. [10] Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: [11] and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [12] There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. [14] Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? [15] Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. [19] Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. [20] And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. [21] Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [22] Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. [23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. [25] He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire. [27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them." https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.3.4-27.KJV Here in Daniel the majority of the people obeyed and bowed down to the image, only 3 stood tall. This same scenario WILL be REPEATED in the next few years not only in this country but also in all the world. The religious organizations of the day have refused to listen to unpopular truths plainly brought to view in the Scriptures, and in combating them they have adopted interpretations and taken positions which have sown broadcast the seeds of skepticism. Clinging to the papal error of natural immortality and man's consciousness in death, they have rejected the only defense against the delusions of spiritualism. The doctrine of eternal torment has led many to disbelieve the Bible. And as the claims of the fourth commandment are urged upon the people, it is found that the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath is enjoined; and as the only way to free themselves from a duty which they are unwilling to perform, many popular teachers declare that the law of God is no longer binding. Thus they cast away the law and the Sabbath together. As the work of Sabbath reform extends, this rejection of the divine law to avoid the claims of the fourth commandment will become well-nigh universal. The teachings of religious leaders have opened the door to infidelity, to spiritualism, and to contempt for God's holy law; and upon these leaders rests a fearful responsibility for the iniquity that exists in the Christian world. GC 586.2  "The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX, in his Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: `The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error—a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.' The same pope, in his Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized `those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious worship,' also 'all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.' GC 564.5In the movements now in progress in the United States to secure for the institutions and usages of the church the support of the state, Protestants are following in the steps of papists. Nay, more, they are opening the door for the papacy to regain in Protestant America the supremacy which she has lost in the Old World. And that which gives greater significance to this movement is the fact that the principal object contemplated is the enforcement of Sunday observance—a custom which originated with Rome, and which she claims as the sign of her authority. It is the spirit of the papacy—the spirit of conformity to worldly customs, the veneration for human traditions above the commandments of God—that is permeating the Protestant churches and leading them on to do the same work of Sunday exaltation which the papacy has done before them. GC 573.1It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, "his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Paul states plainly that the "man of sin" will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life." Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church. GC 578.3 "In matters of conscience the majority has no power." GC 201.1 To protect liberty of conscience is the duty of the state, and this is the limit of its authority in matters of religion. Every secular government that attempts to regulate or enforce religious observances by civil authority is sacrificing the very principle for which the evangelical Christian so nobly struggled. GC 201.1 The papists determined to put down what they termed "daring obstinacy." They began by endeavoring to cause divisions among the supporters of the Reformation and to intimidate all who had not openly declared in its favor. The representatives of the free cities were at last summoned before the Diet and required to declare whether they would accede to the terms of the proposition. They pleaded for delay, but in vain. When brought to the test, nearly one half their number sided with the Reformers. Those who thus refused to sacrifice liberty of conscience and the right of individual judgment well knew that their position marked them for future criticism, condemnation, and persecution. Said one of the delegates: "We must either deny the word of God, or—be burnt."—Ibid., b. 13, ch. 5. GC 201.2 https://thegreatcontroversy.com/