Is This Your Chance?

 Bending laws, twisting laws, changing laws. Are there some laws that we believe should never be broken, bent, twisted or changed in any way? 

God has this to say about His royal law - 

Jas 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 

Jas 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 

Jas 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 

Jas 2:11  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. 

Mat 22:36  Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment. 

Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 

Rom 13:10  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law

Psa 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

*

We make laws and then we change those laws according to popular opinion. Our laws are constantly being revised- some for the better, some for the worse. God made ten laws that were written by HIM on stone. No other laws of God were written by His own finger on stone, none.

Exo_31:18  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.

Were other laws enacted? Yes, there were quite a few ceremonial laws and such- but none of them were written by the finger of God Himself. The mere fact that those ten laws were important enough for this distinction should give us all reason to pause.  

This law is PERFECT. 

This law is NEVER to be revoked while this old earth remains.

Luk 16:17  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. 

Mat_5:18  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.

You cannot sin if there is no law and this is why many would do away with the law. This is why Satan would have men change the law to entrap them in his great deception. Changing a law that should never be changed, and therein causing many to sin by breaking that law, is one of Satan's greatest ruses. Will supposed ignorance of Satan changing the law of God to cause many to sin, excuse those who commit the sin? A sin of ignorance, is still a sin. 

Before Jesus returns ALL will have been judged and either been found wanting or found complete in Him. Jesus will not allow any to be deceived or to sin, even in ignorance if they are His. All will be given the chance to know His truth- all. Is this your chance, right now?

(Excerpt)

Christ and the Pharisees -OR Christ's Faithfulness in Sabbath-Keeping.

BY A. T. JONES.

[Religious Liberty Library, No. 18]

[Cont.]

And of course they then knew who it was who had told him to do this "unlawful" thing-to take up his bed and walk, on the Sabbath day.

"And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because

he had done these things on the Sabbath day." Verse 16. 

We know, and have always known, that persecution is coming on the people who in this day keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Then of all people we need just now to consider the faithfulness of Jesus in Sabbath-keeping. This scripture speaks to us just now; "Wherefore; holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him," when he was persecuted for

keeping the Sabbath We need his faithfulness in keeping the Sabbath, to hold us faithful in the keeping of it, during the times in which we are now to enter.

Jesus was persecuted for keeping the Sabbath. Then whoever else is persecuted for that is in most blessed company.

Now think of this. Jesus being Lord of the Sabbath, and the Sabbath being the sign of what he is to mankind, and he being the living expression of the Sabbath in his life, it was impossible for him to do anything on the Sabbath that was not Sabbath-keeping, because the very doing of it was the expression of the meaning of the Sabbath in itself.

But his Sabbath-keeping did not suit the Sabbath ideas of the Pharisees and the doctors of the law and the scribes, and they called it Sabbath-breaking. So he was counted a Sabbath-breaker when he was a Sabbath-keeper.

We see people in our day who, like him, are counted Sabbath-breakers when they ire Sabbath-keepers. May all such be like him indeed in every other respect. Now Christ's ideas of the Sabbath are God's ideas of the Sabbath. The Pharisees' ideas of the Sabbath and, Sabbathkeeping, being directly the opposite of the Lord Jesus' ideas were wrong. Therefore the controversy in that day between Christ and the Pharisees  and the doctors of the law, was simply whether God's ideas of the Sabbath should prevail, or whether man's ideas of it should prevail. There was no dispute then about what day was the

Sabbath, the dispute was as to what the true Sabbath idea is. 

In our day it is still the same controversy, but with it there is a dispute as to the day; yet the thought is the same to-day that it was then,-whether God's idea of the Sabbath, or man's, shall prevail. God says the seventh day is the Sabbath; man says the first day is the Sabbath; so, it is still the same controversy between Christ and the Pharisees of this day that it was between Christ and the Pharisees of that day. 

Well, then, as Jesus was persecuted for Sabbath-breaking when he was keeping the Sabbath truly, all people forever are in good company,

when they are persecuted for Sabbath-breaking when they are keeping

Sabbath. 

"Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." John 5:16-18.

By this we further see that the very first open steps that the Pharisees and the doctors of the law ever took against Jesus Christ to do him harm in any way, were taken because he had not kept the Sabbath to suit them. That was the

controversy between Christ and them; and upon this point everything else turned. (End Excerpt)

Sunday Laws

Blue Laws- 

"As Protestant moral reformers organized the Sabbath reform in 19th-century America, calls for the enactment and enforcement of stricter "Sunday laws" developed. Numerous Americans were arrested for working, keeping an open shop, drinking alcohol, traveling, and recreating on Sundays."

From <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law> 

Did you read the above? NUMEROUS people were arrested for breaking the Sunday Sabbath law created by man.  Why were they arrested? For doing what wasn't considered lawful to do on Sunday. People were persecuted for breaking a law to rest. Were they persecuted because they didn't recognize Sunday as a day of rest, or that they did recognize it as such but chose not to obey the law? For the most part they were accused of not keeping Sunday Sabbath because of the things they chose to do. Even if they went to church on that day then went home and broke the law, they were arrested. They kept the law in part, but not in whole.

Jesus was NEVER accused of NOT recognizing the Sabbath - from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.  Jesus WAS accused of committing UNLAWFUL acts on the Sabbath.  You can well imagine that if Jesus took a stance that Friday sunset to Saturday sunset was NOT the Sabbath to keep, that the Jewish leaders would have been all over Him for that. If Jesus even IMPLIED that the day the Jewish people (remember Jesus is of Jewish descent!) kept as the Sabbath WAS NOT the Sabbath day at all, He would have been stoned instantly- so grave was the breaking of that commandment in that way. 

The thing is Jesus DID keep Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, holy, because that was the day that had been blessed and sanctified from Creation and He WAS THERE when it was blessed and sanctified! He never even hinted in the smallest way that the blessed seventh day of every week, was going to be changed to another day, not once!

Jesus DID reveal to the Jewish leaders that they had placed upon the Sabbath laws and strictures that had never been intended to be placed upon that day. Just as Jesus said that it was wrong to be angry with your brother and you can commit murder in your heart, and it was wrong to look on a woman other than your wife with lust in your thoughts because then you commit adultery already without ever touching the woman physically. Jesus revealed the HEART of the laws that were given at Sinai, laws that were written down, but laws that were meant to be kept from Creation, naturally before the fall and intentionally after the fall. Murder and adultery, stealing and choosing other Gods were NEVER acceptable, never. They didn't instantly become unacceptable when the ten commandments were given, they were already unacceptable. 

Jesus healed on the Sabbath. 

Jesus told a man to pick up his bedding on the Sabbath.

Jesus told His followers it was okay to pick a little grain and eat it on the Sabbath.

Jesus did NOT tell the man to go make his bed and start cleaning up his house and get to work, now that he could walk. He told him to pick up bedding he's lain upon because he'd not been able to walk and to just leave it there, what was the purpose of that? The man was going to go somewhere to sleep and that bedding could be all the possessions he had.  Jesus did not tell His followers to cut down the field of grain and process it so they could eat, He allowed them to eat from what was there available to eat for the mere taking of it.  

Jesus NEVER broke the Sabbath by not keeping it holy, the entire day!

Jesus loved the Sabbath and wanted all of His followers to love the Sabbath as it was intended to be loved, because it was created for THEM. They were NOT created for the SABBATH.

This Holy Blessed SEVENTH Day was and IS a gift from God for us! Such a blessing for us to have the knowledge of this Sabbath day throughout history, to KNOW that Jesus kept the SEVENTH DAY - FRIDAY to SATURDAY - sunset to sunset  - and He did so His ENTIRE LIFE. He even remained in the GRAVE on the SABBATH! How amazing is it when we realize the depths our Savior went to in order for us to know which day and how we are to keep HIS HOLY SABBATH! 

ANY attempt to alter HIS LAW by something as monumental as moving it to another day, was truly breaking His Sabbath commandment, it's CHANGING HIS law and ONLY HE would have the right to do that, not any man, no matter what title that man lay claim to could change His royal law! If it were meant to be moved to another day, our LORD would have made sure that was His intention in no uncertain terms, beyond any doubt. To change one of the royal laws would be admitting that it wasn't perfect to begin with and IT WAS and always will be!!!!!!! Only man's arrogance has led them to play God, and that's exactly what they've done, daring to change times and laws! God help us! Open the hearts and minds to TRUTH! To follow deception once you've been allowed to realize truth, is to blindly be led to perdition, to be among those Jesus will NOT know when He returns, even though those people will THINK they are His.

To belittle truth is to belittle our GOD.

Please, Lord, Father God, please, let the Holy Spirit live in us and let us seek and follow ONLY Your truth! All through YOUR LOVE ALWAYS!

Amen!

(Excerpt)

Christ and the Pharisees -OR Christ's Faithfulness in Sabbath-Keeping.

BY A. T. JONES.

[Religious Liberty Library, No. 18]

They had heard his word, "Thy sins be forgiven thee," but as they could not see the power of his word in this, he said also to the man, "Arise, take up thy couch and go into thine house." Then they saw that there was divine, even creative power in the word which he spoke. It followed from is that there was power to forgive sins in the word of forgiveness which he had spoken. And as they themselves had said, "None can forgive sins but God," it followed  from the evidences which he gave them, that upon their own proposition he was God. 

Yet their selfish hearts would not yield, and although Jesus had given them the proof upon their own proposition, that he was God with them, and God there present, they did not accept it, but went on with their reasonings about his

being a blasphemer.

It is seen from this passage, how extended the attention was at this time among these classes,-the Pharisees, and the scribes, and the doctors of the law,-and the reasons of what followed. This verse shows plainly that Christ had by this time attracted the interested and selfish attention of this class of men all over the land, from Jerusalem as well as elsewhere. 

And in nothing had the selfishness of the Pharisees and doctors of the law taken a more perverse turn than in the matter of the Sabbath and its true meaning and purpose. 

So far as the Lord's meaning and purpose in his Sabbath is concerned, they had utterly lost sight of it themselves, and by their traditions and exactions had

completely hidden it from the minds and hearts of the people. This was the crowning result of their perverse-minded course. And as Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, and to bring to mind what he is to mankind being the true intent of the Sabbath,-in other words, he himself as he lived among them being the manifestation of the true intent of the Sabbath,-it is evident that in nothing could his course arouse more, or more bitter antagonism from these men than in his words and actions with relation to the Sabbath.

The passage just quoted was at the end of his first full year, near the second passover that he attended; the following passage was at his second passover. It may have been within a few days of the other, but whether it was less or more, it was but a short time.

"After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel  went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the

water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy

bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore laid unto him that was cured, It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which

said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole." John 5:1-15.

(End Excerpt)

Consider Jesus.

 Consider…  If you are asked to consider something what are you being asked to do? To consider something is to think over what you are being asked to consider. If I ask someone to consider using a red paint and not a yellow for a project they are doing, I'm asking that person to contemplate doing something different. The person could outright say they have no need to consider it because their mind is set on the yellow, or they could say they'll give it some thought and then take the time to actually do so.  People are asked to consider all sorts of things. Some of the things we are asked to consider only need a few moments of consideration, other things might need a lot longer period of consideration. 

We are told to consider Jesus….

Heb 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 

Heb 2:18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 

Heb 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 

Heb 3:2  Who was faithful to him that appointed him,  as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 

Heb 3:3  For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 

Heb 3:4  For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 

Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 

Heb 3:6  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 

Consider…Christ Jesus. 

Consider everything about Him.

Consider that HE IS FAITHFUL.

We must HOLD FAST the confidence.

We must HOLD FAST the rejoicing of hope.

We have to CONSIDER our Savior and you know what? It has to be a DAILY consideration. A DAILY comprehension as we consider Jesus- that HE IS ABLE TO SAVE US!  He is NOT making it possible for us to save ourselves! He's not giving us the tools to save ourselves! He wants us to COME TO HIM, so HE CAN SAVE US.  We are to consider HIM constantly and all that means.

There is a verse -

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

We work out our own salvation by.. Considering JESUS and ALL He has told us, all He says to us in His word, all He exhorts us to do, to say, to be. We have to live as HE wants us to live. When we fall short, and we do, we have to consider that our Savior will forgive us, and help us in all ways towards our salvation. We can't allow the consideration of our Savior to ever cease. 

Satan would have us rip our eyes off Christ and put them onto ourselves. Satan wants us to look at our failings and despair that we will ever be what we know Christ wants us to be. Christ wants us to look at Christ, not ourselves. Christ wants us to find HOPE in Him and we can only do that when we look to Him and consider Him. We are wretched, miserable creatures on our own, Christ is our only hope.  

Christ will give us all we need- and we must go to Him for our needs and recognize when He supplies them, and thank Him, never allowing ourselves to believe we are able to save ourselves without Him. 

All by His mercy, His grace, His righteousness, His love, His forgiveness! All through HIM! May we consider Him, please Lord, may we consider You always! Amen!!!!!!!

(Excerpt)

Christ and the Pharisees -OR Christ's Faithfulness in Sabbath-Keeping.

BY A. T. JONES.

[Religious Liberty Library, No. 18]

The one thing for us all to do all the time is to consider Christ Jesus.

In him all perfections meet; in him we find faithfulness on every point; and if you want to be faithful, and want to "hold out faithful," just consider Christ Jesus who was faithful, and draw from him faithfulness. 

We are to draw from him faithfulness, as we are to draw righteousness and every other virtue. He is to be unto us faithfulness, just as he is to be unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

"Wherefore . . . consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him that appointed him." Heb. 3:1

This verse begins with a "wherefore;" that is, for this reason; and the reason is expressed in a previous verse. "Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a [original illegible] and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." "Wherefore," that is, for this reason, "consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful." Heb. 2:17,18

That is true in everything, and to us, especially now, is it emphatically true; and we are to consider his faithfulness in connection with the Sabbath of the Lord, and its keeping, if we would be faithful in the keeping of it. The Sabbath

means Christ, and Christ means the Sabbath. 

The Sabbath is the Lord's own sign of what Jesus Christ is to men; and we are to consider him in respect to it, and his faithfulness in keeping it.

And along with that we are to consider his faithfulness in keeping the Sabbath under persecution and at the risk of his life, and in giving up his life even, rather than to give up the Sabbath of the Lord. Because it was for not keeping the Sabbath to suit the Pharisees and the scribes and the doctors of the law, that he was persecuted first; and when he persisted in his way of keeping the

Sabbath, that is, the Lord's way, in spite of their persecution, then they went about to kill him. And when he would not give it up, then they did kill him. But God raised him from the dead, and took him to 'a world where he can keep the Sabbath without being annoyed, and without "disturbing" anybody. 

When Jesus came, he did not come in exactly the way that suited the Pharisees and the scribes and the doctors of the law; nevertheless they were not certain but that he might develop into that after a while. Consequently they studied his course for a considerable time, without making any positive opposition against him publicly. In fact, for about eighteen months of his public ministry, this people were studying him, and looking to see what would develop. Of course as he did not come according to their ideas, they would have nothing to do with him if he did not develop into what would conform to their ideas. And they watched him to see how the matter would come out. But he made no great demonstration of putting himself forward or calling attention to himself; he simply went on quietly teaching and healing the people, doing good everywhere that he went. They could not very well find fault with that, and it would be all right if in the end he should develop into what they expected.

But when a year and a half had gone by, his fame had spread through the land, and had attracted the attention of the Pharisees, the scribes, and the doctors of the law, as well as the common people. By this time he had attracted their active attention, their interested attention, and their selfish attention, too; because as they watched him in his course, they saw not only that he did not

develop into what they expected, but, on the contrary, they saw that he was gaining an influence with the people in a way that was not playing into their hands; and that as he went on longer, the people were drawn more to him. They hoped that if he did not develop into what they wanted,-in fact, they thought, they really supposed, that if he did not develop into what they  expected,-then, of course this would be evidence in itself that he could not possibly be the Messiah, and therefore his work would come to nothing.

But there appeared in his words a something that held the attention of the people-the common people. And they were glad to hear him again when they had heard him once; for his words were mildly spoken, and with a simplicity that everybody could understand. He did not speak in the learned, highflown utterances of the doctors of the law and the scribes, but always used language

that the people could understand. They did not have to use a dictionary to find out the meaning of the words that he used. His word was in simplicity and with power, and it clung to the people and remained with them, and had a tendency always to draw them more and more to him. 

The Pharisees and scribes seeing this, began to see that they would have to do something if they were to save their own credit with the people. So at the end of the first year and a half, near his second passover, that event occurred which is recorded in the fifth chapter of Luke; it is also recorded in the second chapter of Mark; but Luke's record has a point or two in it that Mark's has not.

It was the time when he was in the house teaching. A great multitude had gathered about the house, and some men came bearing a man sick of the palsy. They could not get through the door for the press of the people, so they went up on the housetop, and took up the tiling and let the man down at Jesus' feet, and Jesus said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee." Now the record is this:-"And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them." Luke 5:17. 

As Jesus said to the man sick of the palsy, "Thy sins be forgiven thee," these Pharisees and doctors of the law began to reason and murmur in their hearts, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And instead of following the logic of their own proposition,-that nobody could forgive sins but God alone, and here was one who was forgiving sins, and therefore he was God with them,-they took the other course, and said, "This man is forgiving sins, and therefore he is a blasphemer." 

But we read:- "That ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth

to forgive tins (he said unto the sick of the palsy). I say unto thee, Arise, and lake up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God." Verses 24, 25.  (End Excerpt)

Sabbath Keeper's Death Sentence.

 Because Jesus revealed the way of true Sabbath keeping which was contrary to the Israel leaders of His day, they wanted to put Him to death. They USED the Sabbath Keeping of Jesus against HIM. Jesus kept the Sabbath faithfully as God intended it to be kept and He even pointed out the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders, but they were too blinded by their own arrogance and too deceived by Satan to see the truth right before their eyes.

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

Mat 12:1  At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 

Mat 12:2  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 

Mat 12:3  But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 

Mat 12:4  How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 

Mat 12:5  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 

Mat 12:6  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 

Mat 12:7  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 

Mat 12:8  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 

Mat 12:9  And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 

Mat 12:10  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. 

Mat 12:11  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? 

Mat 12:12  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 

Mat 12:13  Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 

Mat 12:14  Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 

(Excerpt)

Christ and the Pharisees -OR Christ's Faithfulness in Sabbath-Keeping.

BY A. T. JONES.

[Religious Liberty Library, No. 18]

Jesus Christ was persecuted because he did not keep the Sabbath to suit the Pharisees, the scribes, and the priests, in his days on earth. Christ was not only persecuted, but he was rejected, and a robber and murderer was chosen in his stead, and he was crucified, because he would not keep the Sabbath to suit the Pharisees, the scribes, and the priests.

Although Lord of the Sabbath, himself, yet he was denounced as a Sabbath-breaker, was spied upon, was persecuted, was rejected, and a robber and murderer chosen in his stead, and was crucified, because he would not conform to the narrow, bigoted ideas of the Sabbath held by the Pharisees, scribes, and doctors of the law.

All this is worthy of peculiar attention in every way just now, when the Pharisees, the scribes, the chief priests, and the doctors of the law, are making such a great stir over the Sabbath question, and are spying upon, and persecuting, and imprisoning people as "Sabbath-breakers," who are actually Sabbath-keepers, according to the plainest word of the Lord, and according to the lifelong example of Jesus Christ himself. In view of this it is well to study

the life and example of Jesus in this matter. 

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him." Heb. 3:1, 2. (End Excerpt)

Rewarded.

 

THE FAITHFUL REWARDED AT HIS COMING

It will not be in vain that they look for him, for shall appear to their salvation. Heb. 9:28. 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 

It is in vain that they love his appearing, for a crown righteousness is laid up for such. 2 Tim. 4:8. 

2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Their faithful waiting shall be rewarded, for when he appears they shall appear with him in glory. Col 3:4. 

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

Their names may be cast out as evil, they may suffer reproach and scorn here, but when he comes they shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4.

Words cannot describe that glory. Finite man cannot fathom its greatness; for, truly, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

We cannot understand why any who take the Bible for their teacher, and profess to love the Lord Jesus, can have a prejudice  against his second coming. He promised his followers that they should be recompensed at the resurrection of the just, which takes place at his coming, and will never take place unless he comes.  Luke 14:14. 

Luk 14:14  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Speaking of the signs of his coming he said: "And when these things begin come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28. 

Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 

The saints, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, are groaning for the redemption of the body. Rom. 8:23. 

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

This is the redemption which will be accomplished at the coming of Christ and the resurrection of the just. The joy of that day is unspeakable.

"Behold, I come quickly," says the Saviour, "and my, reward is with me." Fervently our hearts respond, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:12, 20. 

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

 (End of Excerpt)

A Message For Our Time.

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EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

A PRACTICAL DOCTRINE…

The truth on this subject is important; it is important to us that we understand it. The oft-repeated saying that "it makes no difference," is not applicable here. But many evade the truth on this subject by referring to the good and pious of former generations, to whom the

warning message of Rev. 14:9-12 was not given. They were accepted of God, and died happy; we will live as they lived, and go to heaven also. To this there are two just replies:–

1. Professors of this day are not living as their fathers lived. Even one generation ago Christians professed a simplicity of godliness which is ignored by the mass of professors in this day. The church suppers and festivals, the gambling devices to obtain money, the church theatricals, and other profane amusements now foisted upon the name of Christianity "for pious uses" (to quote a term of the mother church), would not have been tolerated for a moment by our fathers of past generations. The earnest vital godliness of a half century ago is now known to the few,–a "little flock" when all told. Our fathers, in the denominations, will rise up to condemn this pleasure-loving age. The objection we are noticing is a reproach to the piety and zeal of our fathers, as their lives are a rebuke to the cold formality of present-day religion. 

 

Let us in turn ask, Why was it that Seth, Enoch, and others before the day of Noah, were not required to build an ark? Enoch was so godly as to receive the testimony that his ways pleased God, and to be translated without seeing death. Could not Noah as live  as Enoch lived and be saved, without the cross and labor of building an ark? The answer is nigh unto everyone. He could not, and why?–Because Noah lived in the time of the flood and Enoch did not.

Enoch could not preach Noah's message; he lived at a time too early for that. Noah could not be accepted of God and do only that which Enoch did, as he lived under different 

circumstances. Extraordinary events require extraordinary preparations; and those preparations are suited to no other time but their own. 

 

And so with the preaching of the Lord's coming. To past generations it was not "present truth." They could not give the message of warning. But we, who have seen the signs of his coming, who know the time (Rom. 13:11, 12), who see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25), must proclaim this truth, sound the alarm, as Noah proclaimed the approach of the flood. As it was

necessary in order to be saved to receive the message of Noah, so it is necessary in order to be prepared for our Lord's advent that we accept the truth in regard to his near coming.  (End Excerpt)

Could Christ Return Tomorrow?

 A servant of the Lord can be an evil servant, yet of the Lord. We don't want to believe it, but it's true. So many profess to belong to the Lord, the evil servant professes to belong to the Lord. The evil servant however is believing in his heart that Christ is delayed in His return. BECAUSE the evil servant believes inwardly, perhaps even secretly, that Christ isn't coming anytime soon- the evil servant of the Lord lives their life towards their lusts, their appetites, their sinful, self-serving ways.

Truly if you BELIEVE that Christ could come tomorrow… what? Wait… don’t all those prophecies need to be fulfilled yet? Yes, they do. The thing is, a lot of those prophecies yet to be fulfilled will only be fulfilled AFTER probation is closed- and the just will remain just and the unjust will remain unjust. IF a person is waiting for ANYTHING, and I do mean ANYTHING, before they get serious about the Lord's return, then they are an evil servant. When we wait before choosing the Lord, before choosing to believe that He will be coming soon, that waiting is our lack of faith. We cannot live as if our Savior is NOT returning tomorrow.  Yes, I said tomorrow once more.  Do I believe He will return tomorrow- a huge part of me says, no. That huge part says no because I have it in my head that certain things have to take place. HOWEVER, I long for His return to be tomorrow, and for me to be wrong about the things that need to take place. I pray for forgiveness, I do NOT want to be an evil servant and think in any way that the Lord is delaying His return!

Truly, what is the difference between believing our Savior IS returning tomorrow, and comprehending tomorrow could be our last day due to our death? Being ready always, always without exception- being a good servant of the Lord's.

When the people saw the stars falling from heavens in an unprecedented manner, and in a manner they've not fallen since- they believed Christ's coming was near, even at the door, they readied themselves as best they could because they were so sure it could be any moment. 

The problem with waiting for signs to take place BEFORE believing Christ's return is settling into a state of lulled behavior with your mind slipping into the murky territory of the signs being delayed and therefore- Christ is delaying His return. It's a very slippery slope to take. 

In 1890 as they believed in the imminent return of Christ not long after the stars fell, the sun went dark and the moon wouldn't give its light, they weren't thinking about the times of the Gentiles being fulfilled, as spoken about in Luke 21:24. They didn't say, well, we still have to wait for this to take place, and that to take place, and yes, this other thing hasn't happened yet either.

GOD wants us to be ready NOW for Christ's return at ANY moment! 

So, I say again, truly, if you believe that Christ could come tomorrow, are you living a life that reveals that you are a servant of the Lord's, a good servant, not an evil servant. A good servant who is prepared and wanting others to be prepared. Or does your life reveal you are living for this world and all its ways? 

We need to examine ourselves, our own motives, our own beliefs, our own actions. Are we among those who are of the world so that we cannot be distinguished from all others? Is Christ's return on our lips always? If not, why not?

The evil servant of the Lord's, believes they are of the Lord in truth. To all outward appearances they are still a servant of the Lord- and the evil they keep in their hearts is hidden so that they are leading others down the wrong path, the evil path. Their followers are using the example of the evil servant thinking it's the right example because it's from the Lord's servant. They aren't considering for a moment that there are evil servants of the Lord whose subtle evil seduces many from God.  God gives us all we need to be discerning, to know truth from lies, evil from good, but we need to heed the Holy Spirit when we are shown that even a seemingly beloved servant of God could be an evil servant of God.

Jesus is coming very, very soon! We are on the precipice of eternity! 

Let's LIVE this truth! 

All by the grace and mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! NOW AND FOREVER!!!!!!! Amen!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

THE EVIL SERVANT

VERSES 48-51: "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

What the evil servant says and does shows most dearly the position and work of the faithful and wise servant. The reason why the evil servant says, "My Lord delayeth his coming," is that the faithful servant is proclaiming the coming of his lord. The evil servant smites the faithful servant, because he teaches the speedy coming of his lord. The faithful servant, true to his commission to preach the "gospel of the kingdom" to a fallen church and a  scoffing world, toils on, and the evil servant smites on. One is laying up treasure in heaven, and is preparing to go home to his eternal reward, while the other is calling down upon his head the displeasure of the high and holy One, and is getting ready to receive the unmingled cup of the fury of the Lord. The faithful servant is turning some to righteousness, to shine forever as stars in his crown of glory, while the evil servant pursues his downward course and work of death, making the bitter cup of woe which awaits him still more bitter. But the separating day is coming. The Lord will come, and cut asunder the evil servant, and appoint him his portion with the lost. In the general wailing and gnashing of teeth, with hypocrites he will receive the portion due him for his works.

That this application is correct is shown by the words of the Saviour in the closing part of this chapter. Both parties are professedly "servants" of God. The "evil servant" says, "My lord delayeth "his coming." But when, because of his unfaithfulness because of his refusal to heed the instructions and. warnings of his lord, and of his ill-treatment of his fellow-servant who is sounding the alarm, the lord shall appoint him his portion with the hypocrites, it will avail him nothing that he has called the lord his lord; that he has been looked up to as a leader of the flock. They have the duty laid upon them, as servants, to give meat in due season; to sound the alarm; to proclaim the message of the advent near, even at the doors. But they are "evil servants," recreant to the trust committed to them, unmindful of the "sure word of prophecy." They do not want to think, nor to have the people think, of the Lord's coming. All scriptures which speak of that day call for watchfulness, diligence, and earnest zeal to be prepared to meet him. But these are worldlyminded, selfish servants. They love their ease; they cry, "Peace and safety," when sudden destruction is impending. 1 Thess. 5:1-3.

They love to slumber; they say, to-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." Isa. 56:10-12. They join the idle throng in singing, "There's a good time coming." In the words of the Saviour, they "eat and drink with the drunken," "walking after their own lusts." The sociable, the festival, the fair, the supper for feasting–these have attractions for them which their selfishness cannot resist. By these is piety dethroned; zeal is extinguished; cross-bearing and self-denying become distasteful graces; to hunger and thirst after righteousness is a burden; the "form of godliness" is retained, but "the power thereof" is gone. What a condition for a servant of God to be found in when his Master appears! And yet this is a fitting description of the mass of feasting professors who turn away with scorn from the unwelcome thought of the Lord's near coming. How different the lot of those who bear the cross, and give the household of faith meat due season! "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

We invite the attention of the reader to the following list of points made plain in our  examination of this chapter:–

1. The Saviour gave definite and plain signs which are to precede his coming.

2. He told the effect which these things would produce. See Joel  2:1 and other prophecies.

3. He said that by these signs we might know when his coming is near, even at the doors.

4. And the language is stronger than that of permission or the expression of ability to know. It is imperative; we are commanded and required to know when it is near.

5. The signs are so easy to understand that we may know when it is near, just as we may know that summer is near when the trees put forth their leaves.

6. That we are commanded and required to know is confirmed by the illustration of the time of Noah. 

(1) Noah knew the time that the flood was near. 

(2) He preached its coming. 

(3) He prepared for  the event. 

(4) It was fatal to all those who did not (would not) know the time. "So shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

7. The Saviour says it will in like manner be a fatal error on the part of those who do not know when the Son of man is coming. But this could not be so 

(1) if we could not know the time, or 

(2) if it makes no difference whether we know or do not. 

All this teaches us that the doctrine of the second advent is A PRACTICAL DOCTRINE…   (End Excerpt)