The Sabbath and the endtimes, part 2

December 29, 2009

Note: The following is fast becoming not only my belief, but many other Christians around the world.  For a quick online understanding go to www.reg6.com (excellent complete explanation)

As most Christians today believe, we are indeed living in the last days. In Revelation it says that the time will come when God will destroy those who destroy the earth. Now, mankind has the weapons to utterly destroy the earth. For centuries this could not be said but today it is a reality. There so many other signs we live in the “last days”. The Bible’s last book (Revelation) shows what will be the last final battle between those who choose God and those who choose the anti-Christ.

 WORSHIP is at the heart of this battle. It will be against those “loyal” to God and worship Him in accordance to His word and will, and those who rebel against Him, by disobedience to  His word and will. These two groups are brought to the forefront of the earth’s  last great conflict. God’s people will have the “seal” of God in their foreheads and the lost will have the mark of the beast, either on their hands or their foreheads. I will explain latter on what the different marks represent. Therefore it is of extreme importance to know exactly what the “seal” of God is. Let’s look at this.

In (Rev.7:2,3) God gives the Revelation sealing angels the following instruction “Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried out with a loud voice to the other four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying “Do not harm the earth and the sea, or the trees till we have SEALED the servants of our God in their foreheads” This passage tells us 3 important facts. First, God holds back his final judgements untill the sealing process is complete. Second, God’s servants, those who remain loyal, obedient,  and faithful to Him, are the ones sealed. Third, the seal of God is placed in their forehead, a symbol of the mind. Scripture tells us, along with angels, who “seals” for God. In (Eph 4:30) it says “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, BY WHOM you were sealed for the day of redemption” The seal cannot be seen by man, only God can see it. It represents our loyalty and obedience to Jesus and  God, the Father. Today as well as ancient times, a legal seal authenticates a docoument and/or ownership. Seals identify who the document belongs to and whose authority stands behind it.   Seals contain three major elements: The name, title, and territory of the one placing the offical seal . God’s Sabbath is the  Commandment that contains all three, His name “The Lord your God” , His title: Creator “for in six days the Lord made”, and His territory , “the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them: (Exodus 20:8-11) The 4th Commandment has all three requirements of  a seal.

 I don’t think  it is any coincidence why God says “Remember” in the beginning of the 4th commandment. He KNEW we’d forget!   Let us remember in these last days the ONE commandment that has been “forgotten”.In (Eze 20:12) we find God gave an eternal sign of worship that sets His people apart “Morever I also gave them (His true people) My Sabbaths, to be a SIGN between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them”  The seventh day Sabbath is God’s eternal sign of “last days” loyalty. The mark of the beast will show disloyalty. If someone has heard about the holy Sabbath and clearly “knows” about it as being a commandment of God, and disobeys it, he will get a mark on his forehead. If someone does not clearly know about the seventh day Sabbath but nevertheless goes along with the world and breaks the Sabbath and  agrees with the prevailing “false” system worship, he’ll get the mark on his hands.

The anti-Christ system is already in place  (and has been for centuries in the substitution of “sunday worship” for the real Sabbath) and the great IMPOSTER  will arrive very soon (backed by the full power of Satan)full of tremendous charm and appeal and will declare a false system of worship. But the system will “look and feel” great ( and Holy!) but will require the breaking of the Sabbath to go along with it. Rest assured the seventh day Sabbath will NOT be the declared DAY of worship and rest by the IMPOSTER.  It will then be time to stand for God or for the extremely enticing false system of worship. After all the bible clearly says wonders and miracles will abound that will deceive many.

Notice we see God’s FINAL appeal before the judgements come and what He says to do  in (Rev.14:7) “Saying with a loud voice,  ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come;and WORSHIP  Him who made heaven and earth, the sea, and springs of water”.   In the last days Satan will clearly be out to get the people who “keep” the commandments of God and  have the testimony of Jesus(Rev.12:17) The Commandment keepers(including the Sabbath) will be looked upon as  “outlaws” and will not be able to buy or sell and suffer other punishments for not going along with the WORLD WIDE and well loved anti-Christ and his system of worship .No doubt VERY similar to a “true” system of worship but with a subtle errors(against God’s word). Even MANY  “Christians” will be “fooled” by the anti-Christ .  Satan will insure that the false system of worship helps “break” God’s commandments, particularly the Sabbath, thereby showing loyalty to HIM. The  Sabbath obserbance will be seen by the IMPOSTER anti Christ and his “loving” system of worship,as clearly the wrong thing to do and a defiant act. 

So stand firm for God. For the future things mentioned in Revelation are soon to come upon us.(Rev.14:12) “For here is the perseverance of the saints, who KEEP the commandments of God, and their faith in Jesus”.  Keep the testimony of Jesus, and keep God’s commandments, and this will perserve you to the end. Peace and understanding to all in Christ, Amen.

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The Sabbath and Jesus, part 1

December 28, 2009

This is a two part blog. The first is about Jesus in relation to the Sabbath. The second is about “end times” and relation to the Sabbath.

I guess my first question would be to ALL Christians- Who would you most like to be like? If you answered Jesus- Bingo! You answered correctly. The first thing we need to know was that Jesus was brought up in a very religious family. His family taught Him all the ways in relation to loving God and his fellow man. He was a carpenter full time in His later years and did excellent work. Bible says He grew in statue and respect from God and His fellow man. He also observed EVERY Sabbath of His life!In the beginning with His family, then by Himself as a adult.  He was a man of righteousness and saw that it was RIGHT to worship His father on the Sabbath. Jesus NEVER did anything just to appease anyone, He did only what was right in His sight and God the father’s sight. So custom or not He viewed keeping the Sabbath as pleasing to God. This very fact should send shivers down Sabbath bashers spines! In Luke 4:16 it is established beyond any doubt “…As His custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath”. Obviously he enjoyed the gathering of people together on the holy Sabbath. In  1John 2;6 we find “he that says he abides in Him, ought to himself walk JUST AS JESUS WALKED”  If Jesus walked religiously every Sabbath into the synagogue, where should we walk on the Sabbath?

Now here is probably the MOST powerful verse in all of scripture telling ALL Christians that the Sabbath was and REMAINS God’s holy day. In Matt 24:20 we find what Jesus Himself said about the Sabbath ” But pray that your flight be not in the winter or on the Sabbath” If we really take time to understand this we find that Jesus places GREAT value on His and God’s holy day. We’ve already established He valued the Sabbath during His lifetime on earth, now, He shows He values it ( and so should we) into the FUTURE!  He says “pray” meaning God forbid you will have to disgrace the holy Sabbath in the future. He was talking about the events of destruction in the world   that would be in the FUTURE!

 Wait a minute. Didn’t He know that “Christians” would forsake (after His death)the Sabbath for the “first day” sunday? Obviously if He knew “Christians” would worhip Him on His resurrection day,why would he remind people of the keeping of the Sabbath? Why would He “throw” people off in regards to worshipping? NO WAY did He intend on elimination of the holy Sabbath. It should be SO clear if you’ll  simply study and dwell on the words of Jesus. lastly we find in Luke 23:26 “…They returned, and prepared spices and ointments, and RESTED the Sabbath day according to the commandment”  Look at this. Even in His death, His followers dared NOT trample His holy Sabbath. And look at the “reason” they obeyed the Sabbath, it was a COMMANDMENT!  Luke, in his gospel directly points out that it was a Commandment, and he wrote his gospel “decades” after Jesus died. Why did Luke not mention something to the effect “and now the First Day has replaced the Sabbath” or some such words(?). Afterall most Christians believe that “Sunday” became the new worship day. Sorry, just no REAL proof of this in ALL the bible!

Not even Jesus’ death could get His followers to break a Commandment of God. They remembered Jesus’ teachings about obeying His Commandments and the Sabbath. Wow!  End of story!

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God’s power is waiting to be unleashed

December 18, 2009

The more I grow in my walk with the Lord the more I become aware of His “speaking” to me. One of the first signs the  Lord gave me was about a year ago. I began to read the bible (from front to back) for the first time in my life. A few nights later I got to exodus and read about the “Ten Commandments”. The very NEXT day I was called to do a service call ( I do appliance repair) in a town close by. After the repair the elderly gentleman handed me a book ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS! Obviously this was a direct sign from the Lord that I should seriously look into these “commandments”. That I did. And it turned my whole life around. It also revealed new truths I was not aware of in regard to our Lord. Since then there has been many signs given to me and I have been so strengthen by them. Christians should ALWAYS be on the look out for His signs. I believe our Lord wants to be involved in even “trifles” of our life. Think of Him as a great thoroughbred race horse locked in the racing stall, prancing and puffing, just waiting to be released! He wants to show you His great power and signs! So many times us Christians go to church and sing praise songs and such yet don’t witness His great power in our lives. We pray and then forget! How about going back to the Lord and inquiring of your prayer? What happened? Did He answer you? Do we ask Him to “speak” to us someway , somehow? Remember he is ALWAYS listening but is our faith strong enough to believe He’ll answer us? Keep your prayer in mind then watch and be aware because He want’s SO MUCH to show His power and love to you! Then you can go to church on His holy Sabbath and REALLY praise Him! Not only because He’s worthy but also because you’ve witnessed it! I  feel our churchs need to be more “in the spirit” of praising Him and less in the “performing” of praising Him. Once we come to Him in obedience to his word, He is WILLING  and ABLE to answer us, even in trivial areas of our lives.

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God’s signs give us renewed faith!

December 11, 2009

Recently I witnessed a sign from God that renewed my faith. About a week ago I had finished work and headed to my favorite restaurant called “hometown buffet”. I had eaten there  hundreds of times in the last 7 or 8 years. Never have I had a person or couple sit at my table without my permisson! I had paid for my dinner and picked a nice table real close to the food.It was a table for 4. I put my ticket ( a big bright yellow ticket) and my book I had with me called “Ten commandments twice removed”on my table to let people know it was taken. I wanted to read alittle while I was eating. 

The place wasn’t that crowded and there were some empty tables near by.  I went and got my food and then proceeded to come back to my table. As I arrive there were a middle aged couple sitting at my table! They were casually eating as if everything was just great with them. I say “hi” and they said “hello”. I was starting to get alittle hot under the collar and picked up my ticket and said “did you see my ticket?” They responded with a smile and continued to eat. Immediately our Lord reminded me i was now a true Christian, so I smiled back and sat down with my new guests,lol. I felt alitte awkward but I started to eat.

They just seemed so at peace and I started to feel at ease also. I casually asked “how are you doing tonight?”  They said “fine, do you like the food here?” I said “Yes, it’s my second home” and they laughed. Something about them seemed so easy and calm as if they were “suppose” to be eating with me. Little did I know they were! We chatted and they commented on my book and asked”are you seventh day adventist?  Isaid “yes” they said “so are we”. Now, I felt it was “meant to be” but I was to find out even more it was INDEED meant to be. After all it  seemed so unreal for them to walk up and sit at my table (with many other tables  empty).

 Our conversation shifted to God and what great things He’s doing today. We reinforced each other that our faith (believing in our Lord Jesus, and following His commandments, and spreading His word) was truly the way. So I had a pleasurable dinner with “strangers”

Last Saturday evening our town hosted it’s annual “festival of lights” parade in downtown Palm Springs. It attracts thousands of people ( in this case maybe about 50,000 plus). Because I was one of the primary workers in making this years float I was invited to be on it. I arrived early that night to be ready as I had never been “in” a parade much less ‘on” a float. So about 6:15 we started up our float and made our way in line down the parade route.

 I was to be up front on the right. As we come into downtown so many people were lined up, many places 6 or seven rows deep. I began to wave as we proceeded. Our Christian band played in the rear part of float. I was glancing around be not really focusing on the individual people as there were So many of them. They waved and cheered and I was really surprised at the reception we received.

 I amused myself thinking “wow, so this is how it feels to be a star”lol. But I kept waving (feeling my arm about to fall off after the first 5 or six blocks) But as we get about midway the holy spirit took over! He guided my eyes to the right. I looked into the crowd and who did I see? THAT COUPLE! the strangers that had crashed my table! Wow. I thought , this is a sign from GOD! Immediately I felt a great elation and I waved at them and they waved back, our eyes locked. We broadly smiled and I gave them two thumbs up.

 I had not even once stared directly into any faces of the crowd until that moment. I was just glancing not focusing. But God planned it that I would see these people and thereby strengthen my faith knowing He is guiding my life and I’m on the right path.  In life we sometimes get alittle too much “doubting thomas” in us but if we are ever watchful God speaks to us in so many ways and signs.

 Praise our Lord for His ever watchful eye!  I had been in need of a boost of late in my Christian walk and God didn’t let me down.

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Prayers answered

November 19, 2009

Recently I prayed and got some results. Aboutsix months ago I received a “red light  camera”ticket. I guess I wasn’t paying attention and ran the yellow light which turned into red. I saw the big flash as I proceeded through the light. I thought “oh no, I’m busted”. Then about 1 week later (they are fast aren’t they,lol) I received in the mail my “bail” for the ticket. I opened it up and WOW! I did a double take –$450.00 I thought “this isn’t right!”  afterall I have been an excellent driver with NO tickets in over 5 years.

I decided to fight it. If nothing else just because I thought it was outrageous. I postponed it as long as I could. But I had to face the music soon. About two months ago I had to appear to let the judge know what I wanted to do about it. I said I’ll go to trial(by judge). So the day came about a month ago.

 That morning of the trial I kneeled down in my room and prayed. I started out telling God I would like Him to help me on this ticket (meaning get me OFF this thing!) but as I prayed I was led to make another prayer. I said ” Lord I will accept ANY decision you make, YOU do the right thing” I was content to live by our Lord’s will.

Then I went to court. There was about 25 people like me waiting in the court to have their cases heard. The judge called about 10 people to start off. ALL were dismissed! Then he calls me. Mine would be first tobe heard. I thought “oh boy this doesn’t look good” I was already thinking I would ask for traffic school to save on my drving record (not money). The cop was there too.

 The Judge asked the cop for the evidence. He proceeded to pull out his laptop complete with all my photos, face picture, truck license, etc. The judge strolled over to the cop’s laptop and watched  the video. Yep, I’m busted I thought. Then the judge walks back to the bench. He says to me “Mr. Peralta look up at me for a minute” I looked up and he looked at me intently. Then he looks at his papers. “I cannot say with 100% certainty that this is Mr. peralta in the pictures, CASE DISMISSED”  Wow!  I was amazed.

It was indeed a divine work of the Lord. I understand normally all the judge has to ask was “was that you driving this vehicle at that time Mr. peralta?” And I would have had to say “yes”. The Lord had set the judge’s mind to dismiss no matter what! I walked out of there 10 feet off the ground. But as I got in my truck I remembered my prayer (the holy spirit reminded me) of my prayer. IT WAS ANSWERED!

 And here is why. it was revealed to me. The 8th commandment says “thou shall not steal”. The city was trying to “steal” from me by way-overcharging for that ticket. It was not right and the Lord knew it. The key I believe is that I prayed correctly by saying YOU do the right thing. His righteousness prevailed. Not my will be done but Yours.Amen!

The second prayer answered was more like an admonishment from  the Lord. I am an avid chess player and I used to play sometimes 10 games a day, every day of the week. it had become like a God to me. The second commandment is “Thou shall have no God’s before me”  After I became a Christian it was slowly being revealed to me about this problem.

So about three weeks ago, I prayed to the Lord and promised Him I would only play two days a week (Sundays and wednesdays) Last Saturday night I was bored, so I thought maybe I could just slip in a few games. I knew before about my promise but I tried to ignore it. I went to the computer. I had about 8 sites up and running. One of them was the Christian station WWW.3abn.com I proceed to pull up the chess site. As I brought it up, IT DISAPPEARED! And the Christian station appeared instead. Wow! I was instantly reminded by our Lord of my promise. I looked up and said “your right Lord, I am sorry” I was thankful the Lord cared so much to show me.   Praise God through our watchful Lord!

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Are we not under Law but under grace?

November 14, 2009

We often encounter this argument “Well, since we are not under Law but under grace, we do not need to keep the Ten Commandments any longer” Is this a valid point? The Bible clearly does say that we are not under the law, but does that imply that we are free from the obligation to obey it? Notice (Romans 6:14-15) ” For sin shall not have dominion over you:for ye are not under the Law, but under grace, what then? shall we sin, because we are not under the Law but under grace?”God Forbid!” Easily we could prevent confusion if we would accept bible statements as they are. After stating that we are not under the Law, but grace, he asks, “What then?” which means “how are we to understand this?” Then notice his profound answer “Shall we sin(break the Law) because we are not under the Law but under grace? GOD FORBID.” In his strongest language he states that being under grace does not give us a license to break the Law. Yet this is EXACTLY what millions believe today, completely ignoring Paul’s specific warning and strong admonishment.  It is particularly surprising because “Paul’s” writings are quoted so often as why the Law is no longer needed. Consider (Romans 3:31) “Do we then make void the Law through faith? God Forbid,on the contrary we establish the Law”” Here is a very clear passage. Paul asks if the Law is nullified for us just because we have faith in Christ’s saving grace. His answer is that the Law is established and reinforced in the life of a grace saved Christian. The truth of this reasoning is so obvious, but the false reasoning of those who wish to avoid obedinence is indeed sadly prevalent today among “professing Christians” .

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Is Obedience legalism?

November 14, 2009

One of the most contentious debates among Christians today

Unfortunately, the popular thinking and beliefs among Christians today is to “obey” laws  in the bible is “outdated” and not necessary. But we can look at scripture for a clear view.

One of the strongest and direct text found is (1 John 2:4)) “He that says ‘I know Him’ and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him”. What we find here is that original greek word for commandment here is “entole”. And once you study other scripture you find the word “entole” means the 10 commandments (or moral law). So John is plainly saying we MUST keep His commandments to KNOW Him. You see to know Christ is to love Him and to love Him is to OBEY Him. Look at the original sin of the world. Did it not come from disobedience?  God in His infinite wisdom placed the tree of Knowledge as a “test” of our obedience. He needed something to point to, to see if Man could “prove” his love of God by OBEYING God’s command. God, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit DO NOT CHANGE. The real test of ‘love” is whether we are willing to “obey” Him. But as His word says “the commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3) The Master Himself gave us direct words on “how” to love Him (John 14;15) “If you love me keep my commandments”. Now there is NO confusion “what” commandments He is talking about. It is again the word “entole”.

Here is where the problem comes in. Most people are happy to go to church on Sunday and profess to be a “Christian” but if they have to  CHANGE their lifestyle, then that’s a different story. Unfortunately most people today are not looking for the truth. They are looking for a smooth, comfortable religion which requires not much “obedience”. If they work their religion around “their” schedule they are happy to have such lifestyle. But ask them to obey His moral law (ten commandments) like devote an entire 24 hour period to the Lord (Sabbath) and they bring up 1000 excuses. “Oh done away with”   “oh I do my own 24 hour period when I can” “oh the Lord doesn’t really mean the seventh day, he means the first(sunday)  I ask them give me a direct commandment from the scripture where it says “Thou shall keep the FIRST day of the week holy”

To sum  up let us never think to obey is to do outdated or foolishness. Let us do as James points out in scripture (james 1:22)” Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, lest you deceive your own selves”

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