Sabbath-Keeping and attending blessings![]()
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” Genesis 2:2&3
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 16:4&5 { see also vs14-29) ![]()
And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 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. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses.” Numbers 15:32-36
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” Isaiah 53:13,14.
“…But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on…” Acts 13:13-16
Sis. Ann-Marie Ballantyne
0 Comments
Why do we NEED to understand the Gospel?In Romans Chapter 1 verses 16 and 17, brother Paul tells us that he is “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” He declares that it contains the Righteousness of God, without which we cannot be saved. The brother calls the Gospel “ the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth....” But why, just why? Why does it have the ability to save us? Paul tells us -“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith…”
And what exactly is this Righteousness that is in the Gospel that we get through faith? Is it the righteous deeds of Christ? Is it our human works of keeping the law? Is it the works of the law? NO! The Righteousness spoken of in that scripture is God Himself. Jeremiah says “…and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD (YHWH) OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Oh yes… This Righteousness is different from or apart from the righteousness of the law (Romans 3:21&22). Again, it is YHWH-GOD Himself. You see, the problem of man is that God (Righteousness) is absent from His thoughts. He does not have God in His mind. As a result, the man/woman sins. Sin is the transgression of God’s Law (1John 3:4). It follows therefore that the remedy for man’s sin-problem is to have God in the heart which motivates Him to keep (not transgress) all of God’s Commandments. The Bible describes the Gospel as the power (Greek- dunamis) or dynamics of Salvation. It is the science of salvation. This means that without it, we cannot get salvation. It behooves us therefore to give ourselves over to understanding the Gospel that we may be saved and save others who hear us, through the same Gospel. Sis. Ann-Marie Ballantyne YES! Your Dress Matters![]() Christianity involves a radical change of mind which affects the entire life. The inward transformation is, most obviously, noted outwardly. Thoughts, words and actions are now Christ-like since Christ is dwelling in the mind through the truths of the Plan of Salvation (Ephesians 3:17). Included in this total change is the manner of dress of the renewed man. Unfortunately, many professed Christians do not care to realize the telling moral influence exerted by their manner of dress. They misrepresent and misapply the scripture which tells us to rend our heart and not our garment (Joel 2:13). Some even say “ It doesn’t matter what I wear…it’s my heart”, while others try their best to lessen the distinction between themselves and the world. Oh how the Master is misrepresented by these double-minded professors! Little do they know that many a worldlings have been drawn to learn about the Saviour through the modest dress of Christ’s followers! The dress of the Christian must be a living testimony that he is living by the faith of Jesus Christ- that he has been justified by the living, transformative knowledge of God ( Romans 1: 17). The real Christian would show in dress that he is not motivated by unsanctified desire to follow worldly fashion and pleasure. He seeks no compromise with worldliness to gain the friendship of the carnally-hearted and to lessen the demarcation in dress between him and the unconverted. The renewed man has to “…walk by faith, not by sight.”(11 Corinthians 5:7). The Bible says, “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold ALL things are become new. And ALL things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (11 Corinthians 5:17&18- emphasis supplied). The “all things” includes our dress. ![]() Nineteenth century inspired Seventh Day Adventist writer, Mrs. Ellen G. White properly informs us that “dress is an index of the mind and heart. That which is hung upon the outside is the sign of what is within” (Mind Character and Personality Vol.1 pp.289). She further reminds us of the obvious difference between the Spiritually-minded and the carnally-minded- “In words, in dress, in spirit, in everything, there is to be a marked distinction between Christians and worldlings. The distinction has a convincing influence upon world lings. They see that the sons and daughters of the LORD do separate themselves from the world, and that the LORD binds them up with Himself” (That I may know Him, ‘A marked distinction’) Indeed, in the life of a genuine Christian, the outward adorning is in harmony with the inward grace given into his mind at justification (Romans 3:22). His all-time desire yea, his very actions, motivated by this inward grace testify that God is God alone in His experience and that he would rather obey Righteousness than the world. His dress shows that YHWH’ principles are exalted above every self/creation-motivated value. What are you testifying in your dress? Whose witnesses are you? Sis. Ann-Marie Ballantyne Answering a Law BreakerThe very fact that one has to believe shows that Salvation is conditional Brother M. But your hatred for the law of God is what will cause your ruin. This has blinded your eyes that you cannot see the plain truths. You need to understand, as Nyron Medina declares, "The problem of Law-Keeping in the New Testament that is addressed is not the fact of keeping the law, but of how the law was always meant to be kept. One was not to keep the Law simply doing the law through his own ability for this would make the person his own savior thus his god. This is sin. The law was always to be done by faith. Romans 9:31-33, Romans 10:1-3." Law And Grace, pg. 3. The Jews failed in understanding this principle and even the role of the law- that is to point them to Christ in order that they may have the righteousness of God. I can go on and on and look at every last text that you quoted Brother M. However, what you need to understand is the core of the gospel; the real pattern of the gospel. IF NOT YOU WILL BE LOST IN SATANIC DOCTRINES THAT FIGHT AGAINST GOD THE LAWGIVER. Sin is as a result of not having God in the heart; the man is alienated from God Ephesians 2:12. It therefore means that the Gospel which is the science of salvation must give us God in the heart and when we have God in the heart we keep His law. Romans 1:16, 17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” ![]() Now since God Himself (The righteousness of God Jeremiah 23:5, 6) is in the gospel, when the man believes the faith of the gospel, God goes into the man causing him to establish the law of God. This is the teachings of the Bible. Romans 3:21,22 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto ( Greek eis- into) all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.” The man believes the gospel or faith, God through the faith dwells in him as a result of being justified by faith and God who is in the faith which he believes causes the justified man to establish the law. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law, is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:28-31. Also, the Holy Spirit which is given us in our heart and seals us causes us to keep the commandments of God; “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” 1 John 3:24. It is God who forbids the breaking or making void the law. Therefore it is God who commands the establishing or the keeping of the law through faith; that is His condition, not mine. Therefore salvation is conditional, and since sin is THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW OF GOD, and Christ came to save us from sin (Matthew 1;21) he has to save us from transgressing the law of God. Salvation from sin is God in the heart through the revealed truths of Christ causing you to keep the law. ![]() Again Brother M, you have quoted a lot of texts that touch grace, but “…shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound? God forbid!...” Romans 6:1,2 And since we are saved by Grace through faith, faith makes us establish the law. Romans 3:28,30,31 . The grace of God teaches us to have YHWH alone as God, which is in harmony with the commandments of God; it emphasizes sinfreeness which is the keeping of the law, “… the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:11-13. This is sinfreeness because if you break any of God’s commandments you are guilty of all. James 2:8-12. If we have God alone as God, you will love your fellowmen which is to keep the commandments of God. 1 John 4:7,8, Romans 13:8-10. No matter what you try brother; the law of God has dominion over you as long as you liveth, either penal jurisdiction pointing out sin in you or duty jurisdiction pointing you to your duty to God. I pray that you will allow God to break down every idol cast out every foe and wash you that you may be whiter than snow, to love Him and fulfil His conditions. His law is perfect; it is the perfect law of liberty and “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. James 1:25, Psalms 119:165 Sis. Karima Paris The Law's Jurisdiction over Mankind![]() "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” Romans 7:1 In the scripture Paul is speaking to those who are brethren, thus it is a message to the church that is under grace, and he identifies them as knowing the law. Thus all who are under grace must know the law for the grace by which they are saved through the faith and are made God's handiwork, brings them into subjection to the law. (Ephesians 2:1, 5, 8-10, Romans 7:12). Thus they must know the law and its dominion or as the Greek have it jurisdiction over mankind. Dominion- Greek word- kurieuo. It means: "To have or exercise rule or authority over, Lord over; spoken of things as exercising mastery over us." Spiros Zodiates pg. 900 Now that we understand the word dominion and its meaning in Greek, let us see when its authority and jurisdiction were over man. Paul said the law has jurisdiction over a man as long as he lives thus when man came into existence he was under the jurisdiction of the law, as duty bound (Genesis 2:7,16,17). This is proven to be so because when man sinned, he transgressed the first command of the law, for the temptation that was presented to man is that they would be gods if they eat the fruit. Thus for man to eat and disobey God, he must have other gods, thus violation of the law (Genesis 3:1-6). A note to take is that God outlined to man if he eats he would die; thus disobedience is death but obedience is life. The scripture also states to break the law is death but to keep it is life (Romans 6:23, 1 John 3:4, Romans 7:10). Thus when man sinned, he was found in transgression of the law. Thus through Adam's sin death entered in the world and death passed upon all mankind for all was born in sin, coming short of God's glory (Romans 5:12, Romans3:23). The jurisdiction or authority of the law enters in its condemnatory authority pointing out sin and condemning to death when sin enters (Romans 5:20). The law's condemnatory authority gives a knowledge of sin and God's judgment against it (Romans 3:9-20). It enters in its condemnatory authority to point us to Christ who is God; that is the aim of the law for righteousness so we could receive of his righteousness to be brought back under the jurisdiction and duty authority of the law as walking in obedience to it, fulfilling its requirements. (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, 7, Jeremiah 23:5, 6, Matthew 1:21, 1 John 3:4, 5, Galatians 3:24, 25, Romans 10:1-4, Romans 8:1, 2, 4, 1 John 2:27) Paul shows that the law is not sin but gives knowledge of sin. (Romans 7:7, 8). John shows sin is the transgression of the law and sin is of the devil. It is his works and it is his works that is transgression of the law. Christ came to destroy not the law ( 1 John 3:4, 8). John shows that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17). Paul shows that this same grace was since the foundation of the earth and abound to deal with the offense of sin which is transgression of the law. Thus both grace and law go hand in hand. (Romans 5:20,21). Thus when Paul calls the law the administration of death, he was pointing out the law in its condemnatory authority that it entered to deal with sin and that it was not made for a righteous man, for he is not in sin anymore but changed from sin to righteous and is no longer under the condemnation of the law but the duty authority of the law, in subjective obedience to the law. (Galatians 2:16, 20, Romans 8:1, 2, 4, Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14, Romans 3:28-31). ![]() In concluding here are the points we learn: 1) the authority or jurisdiction of the law falls into two parts: A) the duty authority or jurisdiction of the law. B) The condemnatory authority or jurisdiction of the law. 2) The law has authority over man as long as he lives. So from the time man was in existence the law has authority over him. 3) The duty authority of the law man was under when he was created; the condemnatory authority when he sinned. 4) The condemnatory authority gives knowledge of sin and God's judgment against it; it also points out what is required of God for man. 5) Paul called the law the administration of death because the knowledge of sin it gives and the judgment of death for transgression of it. 6) Paul also shows that the law was ordained to life, thus all those who have the life of Christ is brought into subjective obedience to the law 7) Paul shows us that the law is our school master pointing us to Christ, that when we receive of the righteousness of Christ we brought under the duty authority or jurisdiction of the law in keeping it. 8) Paul shows that the law is not sin but gives knowledge of sin. 9) John shows that sin is transgression of the law, it is the work of the devil and all who transgress the law are children of the devil. 10) John shows that is the work of the devil (sin- transgression of the law) that Christ was manifested to destroy, not the law. 11) John shows grace and truth came by Jesus Christ 12) Paul shows that grace entered since the foundation of the world to deal with the offense (sin). That same grace also works in Harmony with the law 13) Paul shows that all mankind are under the law whether bound to the duty authority of the law in keeping it or bound to the condemnatory authority of the law by transgressing it. 14) And lastly, Paul shows that the church of God who under grace should know the authority and jurisdiction of the law, they must know these things and be found keeping it. Therefore all who preach the abolition of God's law, that God did away with his law and we are no longer under the duty authority or jurisdiction of the law, do not preach the doctrine of Christ which is salvation from sin ,but the doctrines of the devil which is salvation in sin. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 5:17-19, Romans 13:8-10, Revelation 22:14) May God bless all who read this in Jesus' name. Amen. By Michael Francis Sinfreeness is Possible![]() Since the Satanist or child of the devil has idol values in his heart (1 John 3:8, Ezekiel 14:4), the YHWHist or the Christian will not have idol values in his mind, for there is no agreement with the idols and YHWH. YHWH in the heart means the man is idol-free; it means that He has YHWH alone as God or his ideal. He cannot have YHWH and idols at the same time, for YHWH does not give His glory and praise to idols. ![]() Think about this- the Holy-One, the true and living God dwelling in a temple of flesh, “…for ye are the temple of the living God…” 2 Corinthians 6:16. What a beautiful thought!. “Therefore, what fruit had ye then of in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?” Romans 6:21 None! For if God is dwelling in you, and walking in you, if God is your God, then you are his child and His child is sinfree. 2 Corinthians 6:16, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:18 So you are no longer estranged from God through your idols Ezekiel 14:5; you no longer have the multitudinous sins since sins are a result of Idols in the heart. So the heart is idol free, has God as His habitation, God makes his abode or home in the heart, there can be nothing but fruits of righteousness coming from the man, He is idol free, therefore he is SINFREE. God in the heart equals sinfreeness!. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4, 5, Romans 6:18, 22.) By Sis. Karima Parris How Holy Angels are Attracted to Us for Our ProtectionIn this evil,uncertain and dangerous world, we do need the protection of Holy angels around us at all times. The Holy scriptures and Jesus himself shows us how they are attracted to us and delight to be our protectors when the God ordained condition is fulfilled. May God bless you as you consider this important presentation below. By Bro. Rey Gomez
Editor's Note: We apologize for audio difficulties at the end of the video and pray that it blesses you overall. Amen. Which Side?Time is at hand; we are living in the last days of this earth’s history. Signs all foretell that the moment of Christ’s second coming is soon at hand (Luke 21:25). Evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13). We are told that the closing scenes of this earth’s history will be terrible (Rev 15:1) for those who have not been justified by faith (I Corinthians 6:9-11).We must be justified or converted away from our sins for God to protect us. We are currently in a battle, a spiritual battle(2 Corinthians 10:4). However the question is; what side will you be on? Will it be on the LORD’s (Yhwh) side saying that He is God alone (Psalms 86:10) or on Lucifer’s side saying that he (a creation) is god with God (Isaiah 14:12-14). ![]() Revelation Chapter thirteen (13) tells us of the beast and its image. Soon the wound of the beast (Roman Catholic Papacy) will be healed (Revelation 13:3) and the entire world will wonder after the beast. Sunday will be exalted and enforced as the official day of rest or Sabbath. Our rights and freedoms will be infringed upon: our rights to life, private property and our right to worship according to the dictate of our conscience will be transgressed when Republicanism is no more (Revelation 13:15-17). However the bible tells us, “Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 13:10, Revelation 12:17). We are told that the dragon is wroth with the woman (church) and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which is the remnant church of Christ. At present Satan is gathering / uniting the religions of Babylon. Pope Francis is making open statements saying “we are all God’s children..doesn't matter what religion you belong to.” (Revelation 19:19-20) We see that there is a gathering together of false religions to war against Christ and his church. However while they are gathering together to war against the LORD(YHWH) and his people, YHWH himself is gathering together his saints (Psalms 50:1-5), they that have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice (Thusia). Which side will you be on? Will you be gathered together with the wicked to war against God, and support Lucifer in his claim as being god with God? Or will you be on Yhwh’s side with His saints showing and exalting him to be God alone? In order to be on Yhwh’s side you must be justified by faith(Romans 5:1), you must be converted and made sinfree. You must keep the Law of God by faith(Romans 3:30-31). May Yhwh Bless you as you choose to be gathered together with the saints of God. The gathering of the wicked will be destroyed with the seven last plagues (Revelation 15:1, Revelation 16) but the gathering of the righteous will be unto everlasting life (John 3:36). By Sis. Adana Neptune Just a portion of thought from my studies today: There are only two conflicting opinions that exist in this world, galaxy and Universe, and every intelligent creation fits into either one of them. These opinions however always gives a moral result. Here the children of Israel are asked: “….How long shall ye halt between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal then follow him…”1 Kings 18:21 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served ……” Joshua 24:15 It is clear from scriptures that every person falls into either one of those opinions; it is either you are serving the true God or false gods. To serve false gods is to exalt some creation as god with God. This causes a person to be in sin. So then anyone who is in sin is one who is exalting a creation as God and thus has gods or Idols in their mind. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful but became vain in their imagination and their foolish heart was darkened…. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man , and to birds, and four-footed beast, and creeping things, wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves;” Romans 1:21, 23-24 .“Who changed the Truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and serve the creature (creation) more that the Creator, who is blessed forever.” Romans 1:25 That also means that the True God is not in the heart, because the True God does not dwell with Idols. Thus idols in the heart mean the absence of God; thus the person is in sin. “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? …. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” 1 Corinthians 6:14-17 .“The wicked through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Psalm 10:4 Service to God is always service to him as God alone. God is Righteousness- “The Lord our Righteousness” Jeremiah 23:5-6. Service to Righteousness is freedom from sin. “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” Romans 6:18 Service to God who is righteousness is Freedom from Sin “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God,” Romans 6:22 ![]() So then the conclusion of the matter is that we are called to stand on the side of the right opinion which is that God is God alone; which is in all fairness the reason for our existence. Hence we are called to live Sinfree in this present world. Thus our purpose in this earth is to see God as God alone and Glorify him as God alone through a Sinfree Experience. “Even Every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, yea, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:7 “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O lord and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great and doest wondrous things: THOU ART GOD ALONE.” Psalm 86:9-10 “Ye are my witnesses saith the Lord, and my servants whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” Isaiah 43:10 “Stand in awe, and SIN NOT: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah” Psalm 4:4 Bro. Kamali Ellis BIBLICAL TRUTHS FROM NATUREAs I consider the fact that uprooting a plant can cause its life (I say can because there are methods that can be done to help the tree), I turned to the scriptures to see what God has to say about this issue. Let me share my findings.
An overall summary When God uproots you, it is complete destruction, unlike the plant that there is chance for survival. Please consider: 1. YHWH does the rooting up of the wicked, including sodomites; he hates sin. Deuteronomy 29:28 (you can read the whole chapter) 2. YHWH roots up the wicked because of idolatry- exalting creation as God with God. 1 King s14:15 3. When the converted continues not to obey YHWH by keeping his commandments, he too will be plucked up by the root as well. 2 Chronicles 7:19-20. For sin is the transgression of the law. To sin is to be a Satanist- a child of the Devil. 1 John 3:8. One cannot be a child of God and a child of the Devil at the same time. 4.) The man who delights in wickedness will also be rooted up but the righteous will be protected by GOD. Psalm 52:1-9 5.) Transgressors will be rooted out of the earth, like how a plant is rooted out. This is destruction of the wicked. Proverbs 2:22 Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up, says Christ in Matthew 15:13. Man is likened unto a tree in the scripture and we see that the wicked will be rooted up. How can one escape the destruction of YHWH? You have to be converted. You must be changed from your wicked ways to escape the wrath of God. You must cease from sin and it is God in you that causes you to live righteously.1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” God destroys because man robs him of His glory when they sin against him. Romans 3:23, but YHWH is God alone and his glory he will not share with another. Isaiah 42:8 Therefore choose this day to make YHWH your God alone, repent of your wickedness and be saved from sin and destruction. By Sis. Karima Parris |
Details
AuthorArticles are written and or submitted by members of the Thusia Seventh Day Adventist Church globally. Archives
June 2017
Categories |