Year: 2020

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Devotionals

THE TRUE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS, SAME AS THE ORIGINAL

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE TRUE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS, SAME AS THE ORIGINAL

We take a parenthetical break from the progressive detailed history of the prophesied “falling away” of the early church to refresh our minds on what the Bible says and describes the true and faithful church after its shaking and sifting:

Eph. 5:27: “Having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and without blemish” as the purified  “bride of Christ.”

1 Tim. 3:15; Rev. 3:12: They are “the pillar and ground of truth” of the spiritual “temple.”

Rom. 8: 8, 14: “They walk [live, move, and have their being] not after the flesh but after the Spirit.”

1 Pet. 2:9: They are “a chosen generation, royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar [separate from the world and unhinge of the world] people, a royal priesthood.”

Rev. 14:12; 19:10; 12:17: The true “remnant who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” and have the “spirit of prophecy which is the testimony of Jesus.”

Luke 17:21: The “kingdom” and kingship of God is within them.”

John 14:12: James 1:22: They are “doers,”!doing the works of Jesus, not “works of the flesh.”

Rev. 14: 1-12: They live and give the three angels’ messages (to the world aground them).

Matt. 16:18; 1 Pet. 2:6-8: Their faith, hope and character are based, developed, and founded upon the Rock, both Christ Himself by the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit and  the written Word abiding in their minds and hearts.

Hereunder are quotes from the inspired pen:
“From the beginning, FAiTHFUL souls have constituted the CHURCH on earth.” E. G. White, Acts of the Apostles, p. 11.

“The church on earth, composed of those who are FAITHFUL and LOYAL TO GOD, is the TRUE TABERNACLE whereof the Redeemer is the MINISTER. God, and not man, pitched this tabernacle on a high and elevated platform.” Ibid, 7 BC 931.

“Consider, my brethren and sisters, that the Lord has A PEOPLE, A CHOSEN people, HIS CHURCH, to be His own, His own fortress, which He holds in a sin-stricken, revolted world; and He intended that NO AUTHORITY should be known to it; no laws acknowledged by it, but HIS OWN.” Ibid, TM 16.

“There is no other church than the assembly of those who have the WORD of God, and are PURIFIED by it.” Ibid, 4 SOP 237.

“Those who KEEP God’s commandments, those who live NOT by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, COMPOSE THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD.” Ibid, 7 BC 949.
More follows tomorrow, God willing. Bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

BY WHOM, WHEN AND HOW THE SABBATH WAS TRANSFERRED TO SUNDAY

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

BY WHOM, WHEN AND HOW THE SABBATH WAS TRANSFERRED TO SUNDAY

What was the response of the bishops assembled at the Council of Nicene to Constantine’s perverted concept of conversion that he sent as an instruction to them? Does the record say they prayed to God for enlightenment, guidance and direction, as under shepherds and men of God should always do? No! Instead:

“The bishops were only TOO WlLLING to follow the emperor’s instructions. and the result was DISASTROUS to the church. J. A. W. Neander in the following paragraph some of the results of this policy:

‘Such were those who, without any real interest whatsoever to the concerns of religion, living half in Paganism and half in an outward show of Christianity, composed the CROWDS that thronged the CHURCHES on the festivals of the Christians, and the THEATERS on the festivals of the Pagans.’ – ‘History of the Christian Religion and Church,’ Vol. II, Sec. 3, Part I, Div. 1, par. 1, p. 233. Boston. 1855.

“No wonder Rev. H.H. Milmann exclaims:
‘Is this Paganism approximating to Christianity, or Christianity degrading to Paganism under another form??’- Ibid, p. 412.

“Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, and an admirer of Constantine,  co-operated with him in bringing ‘the venerable day of the Sun’ into the Christian church. Speaking of POPE SYLVESTER, CONSTANTINE, and HIMSELF [Eusebius], he says:

“All things whatsoever that it was a duty to do on the Sabbath these things WE have transferred to the Lord’s day, as more appropriately belonging to it, because it has a PRECEDENCE and is FIRST in rank and more honorable than the Jewish Sabbath. For on that day, in making the world, God said, ‘Let there be light, and there was light.’ – ‘ Commentary on the Psalm;’ quoted in ‘Literature on the Sabbath Question,’ Robert Cox, Vol. 1, p. 361.

“Eusebius evidently used the strongest argument he knew as proof for Sunday keeping: but advocates of this new holiday had probably not yet considered the IDEA that Christ’s RESURRECTION would be an argument in favor of Sunday-keeping, so he used creation instead!”

Many Christians today are using the latter reason as to why they keep Sunday! No wonder the papacy’s question as to why they keep Sunday instead of the Sabbath, as the Bible clearly teaches, remains unanswerable Biblically! Only the truth can set man free from the bondage of error and sin! Bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

APOSTASY: PREPARED THE WAY OF THE PAPACY FIRST, THEN THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

APOSTASY: PREPARED THE WAY FOF THE PAPACY FIRST, THEN THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come [Christ’s second advent], except there come a falling away [apostasy] first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thess. 2:3, KJV.

“When the early church became corrupted by departing  from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen rites and customs  [as we have been tracking in church and secular history] she LOST the Spirit and power of God; and in order to CONTROL the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the PAPACY, a CHURCH that CONTRoLLED the power of the STATE and employed it to further her own ends, especially the PUNISHMENT OF ‘HERESY.’

“Whenever [and wherever] the church has obtained secular power, she had employed it to punish DISSENT from HER doctrines. PROTESTANT CHURCHES [whether Evangelical, Pentecostal, or Apostolic, etc.] that have followed in the steps of Rome in forming alliance with WORLDLY POWERS have manifested a similar desire to RESTRICT LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE. An example of this is given in the the long-continued persecution of dissenters in the CHURCH OF ENGLAND. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, THOUSANDS of nonconformist ministers were forced to FLEE from their churches, and many, both of pastors and people, were subjected to FINE, IMPRISONMENT, TORTURE, AND MARTYRDOM.

“It was apostasy that led the EARLY CHURCH to seek the aid of civil government, and this prepared for the development of the Papacy—-THE BEAST. Said Paul [2 Thess. 2:3 quoted]. So apostasy IN THE CHURCH will prepare the way for the IMAGE TO THE BEAST.

“Satan will work with all power and deceivableness of unrighteousness.’ 2 Thess. 2:9,10. His working is plainly revealed by the RAPIDLY increasing darkness, the MULTITUDINOUS errors, heresies, and delusions in these last days. Not only is Satan leading the WORLD captive, but his DECEPTIONS are leavening the PROFESSED CHURCHES of our Lord Jesus Christ. The GREAT APOSTASY [in these professed Christian churches] will develop into DARKNESS DEEP AS MIDNIGHT. To God’s [faithful and true] people it will be a night of trial, a night of weeping, a night of persecution for the TRUTH’S SAKE. But out of that night of darkness God’s LIGHT will shine!” – E. G. White, Maranatha, p. 165.

The time of test is rapidly approaching! “Quit ye like men and be strong” “in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

CONSTANTINE’S STRATEGY TO MAKE ‘CONVERTS’ IN HIS AMALGAMATED SCHEME

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

CONSTANTINE’S STRATEGY TO MAKE ‘CONVERTS’ IN HIS AMALGAMATED SCHEME

“Having obtained a glimpse of the opposition of God’s people [represented at that time and stage of church history by the Waldenses] to this [prophesied] ‘falling away,’ let us now return to our subject, to get a view of the NOVEL means Constantine employed to make converts in accordance with his amalgamation scheme. Edward Gibbon says:

‘The hopes of wealth and honors, the example of an emperor, his exhortations. his irresistible smiles, diffused conviction among the VENAL and OBSEQUIOUS crowds which usually fill the apartments of a palace…..As the lower ranks of society are governed by limitation, the CONVERSION of those who possessed any EMINENCE of birth, of power, or of riches, was soon followed by DEPENDENT multitudes. The salvation of the COMMON PEOPLE were PURCHASED at an easy rate, IF it be true that, in ONE YEAR, TWELVE THOUSAND MEN were baptized in ROME…..and that a white garment, with 20 pieces of gold, had been promised by the emperor to every convert.’ – ‘The Decline and Fall,’ chap. 20,
par.18.

“Constantine gave the following instruction to the BiSHOPS at the Council of Nicaea [ever heard of the Nicene Creed?], which shows his constant policy:——‘In all way UNBELIEVERS must be saved. It was not everyone who would be converted by LEARNING and REASONING. Some join us from desire of MAINTENANCE, some for PREFERMENT; some for PRESENTS; NOTHING IS SO RARE AS A REAL LOVER OF TRUTh (repeat:‘nothing is so rare as a real lover of truth!’]. We must be like physicians, and accommodate our medicines to the diseases, our teaching to the different minds of all.’- ‘Lectures on the History of the Eastern Church.’ Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, D. D., Lecture 5, p. 271, NY: 1875.” – C. Edwardson, Facts of Faith, pp. 113, 114. Southern Publishing Asso., Nashville, TN: 1943.

Any conversion other than by the conviction of the conscience, enlightenment of the mind and change of heart by Holy Spirit in either the spoken or written Word, is either a “half-convert,” or none at all. Such is the “form” not the  substance.  We must be genuinely born-again or else the “old man” is still alive, not dead, waiting to manifest itself again when the opportunity arises, particularly during crises, emergencies and “mini” and “little” times of trouble! Bless all, NMF  

Categories
Devotionals

CONSTANTINE & POPE SYLVESTER COLLABORATE

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

CONSTANTINE & POPE SYLVESTER COLLABORATE

The Roman Emperor Constantine represents the State and Pope Sylvester represents the Church.

“Dr. Lewis quotes from Dr. Schaff a very fitting conclusion in his remarks regarding Constantine: ‘And down to the end of his life he retained the title and dignity of PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, or high-priest of the heathen hierarchy. His coins bore on the one side the letters of the NAME OF CHRIST, on the other the SUN-GOD, and the inscription, ‘SOL INVICTUS’ [Invincible Sun].’—Ibid, p. 10.

“That the Christians at this time were still keeping the Sabbath can be seen from the following statement of Hugo Grotius, quoted by Robert Cox, F. S. A. Scot.: ‘He refers to Eusebius for proof, that Constantine, besides issuing his well-known edict that labor should be suspended on Sunday, enacted that the people should not be brought before the law courts on the SEVENTH DAY of the week, which also, he adds, was long observed by the PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS as a day of religious meetings…..And this, says he, ‘REFUTES those who think that the Lord’s Day [Sunday] was substituted for the Sabbath—a thing NOWHERE mentioned either by Christ or His apostles.’ – ‘Opera Omnia Theological,’ Hugo Grotius (died 1645), (London, 1679); quoted in ‘Literature of the Sabbath Question,’ Cox, Vol. I, p. 233. Edinburgh: Maclachlan & Stewart, 1865.

“Pope Sylvester co-operated with Constantine to bring PAGANISM into the Christian church (especially Sunday-keeping). This caused the TRUE Christians to have REPUGNANCE for him. The WALDENSES believed that he (Pope Sylvester) was the ANTICHRIST.  Dr. Peter Allix, quotes the following from a prominent Roman Catholic author regarding the Waldenses:

‘They say that the blessed Pope Sylvester was the Antichrist, of whom mention is made in the Epistles of St. Paul, as being the son of perdition, who extols himself above everything that is called God; for, from that time, they say, the Church PERISHED……He lays it down also as one of their opinions, ‘That the law of Moses is to be kept according to the letter, and that the KEEPING OF THE SABBATH……and other legal observances, ought to take place.’ – ‘Ecclesiastical History of the Ancient Churches of Piedmont,’ p. 169. Oxford. 1831, p. 154 in the edition of 1690.” – Facts of Faith, C. Edwardson, pp. 112, 113.   Bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

A UNIVERSAL RELIGION UNITING ALL RELIGIONS – REAL PURPOSE OF SUN-DAY WORSHIP BEGAN IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

A UNIVERSAL RELIGION UNITING ALL RELIGIONS – REAL PURPOSE OF SUN-DAY WORSHIP BEGAN IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE

The word catholic simply means “universal.”

“Dean H.H. Milman says: ‘It was openly asserted that the worship of the sun, under the name Elagabalus, was to SUPERSEDE all other worship. If we may believe the biographies in the Augustan history, A MORE AMBITIOUS SCHEME OF UNIVERSAL RELIGION had dawned upon the mind of the Emperor. The Jewish, the Samaritan, even the Christian, were to be FUSED and RECAST into ONE GREAT SYSTEM, of which the Sun was to be the central object of adoration.’ – ‘History of Christianity,’Vol. II, Book II, ch. 8, par. 22, pp. 178, 179. NY: 1881.

“Dr. Lewis further says that [Emperor] Aurelian, who reigned from
270-276 A.D., embellished the temple of the Sun with ‘above fifteen thousand pounds of gold.’—‘History of Sunday Legislation,’ p. 23.

“Emperor  Diocletian, who reigned from 284-305, appealed in the face of the army to the all-seeing Deity of the Sun.’ -Ibid, p. 24.

“Such were the influences that PRECEDED Constantine and surrounded him when he came into power. The following extract shows still plainer the CHARACTER of Constantine and his attitude toward the sun-worship CULTS, when the first ‘Sunday edict’ was issued:

‘But the devotion of Constantine was more peculiarly directed to the genius of the Sun, the Apollo of the Greek and Roman mythology…..The sun was UNIVERSALLY celebrated as the INVISiBLE guide and protector of Constantine.’- Ibid, pp. 26, 27. These facts combine to show that Sunday legislation was PURELY PAGAN IN ITS ORIGIN.” – Ibid, p. 31.” – Facfs of Faith, pp. 111, 112.

How can a true Bible-believing Christian ever hold in reverence and worship anything that is pagan/heathen, instead of Christian and from Christ Himself, in origin and practice?? The light of truth needs to shine and dispel the gross darkness covering the Christian world!  Do your part and God will be glorified!  NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

WHAT EMINENT SCHOLARS SAID OF CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WHAT EMINENT SCHOLARS SAID OF CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW

“A.H. Lewis, D.D., who spent years of study and research on this subject, declares that, ‘the pagan religion of Rome had many HOLIDAYS, on which partial or complete cessation of business and labor were demanded,’ and that Constantine by his Sunday law was merely ‘adding one more festival to the FESTI of the empire [festi, in the original].’ – ‘A Critical History of Sunday Legislation from 321 to 1888 A.D., pp. 8, 12. NY: D. Appleton and Co., 1888.

This is clearly seen when we carefully examine all the circumstances presented by Dr. Lewis:

1. Constantine’s Sunday edict was given March 7, 321. The very next day he issued an edict commanding PURELY HEATHEN SUPErSTITION. We quote:
‘The august Emperor Constantine to Maximus: ‘If any part of the palace or other public works shall be struck by LIGHTNING, let the SOOTHSAYERS, following all usages, inquire into the meaning of the PORTENT, and let their written words, very carefully collected, be reported to our knowledge.’ – Ibid, p. 19.

2. The Caesar’s for over a century had been worshippers of the SUN-GOD, whose weekly holiday [not yet holy day] was SUNDAY. Dr. Lewis says: ‘The sun-worship CULT had grown steadily in the Roman Empire for a long time.’ -Ibid, p. 220. He then quotes the following from Schaff in regard to ELAGABALUS, a Roman Caesar of a century BEFORE Constantine’s time:

“The abandoned (morally-corrupt) youth, El-Gabal or Heliogabalus (218-222), who polluted the throne by the blackest vices and follies, TOLERATED ALL RELIGIONS in the hope of at last MERGING them in his favorite SYRIAN WORHIP OF THE SUN with its abominable excesses. He himself was PRIEST of the god of the Sun, and thence took his name.’- Ibid, pp. 20, 21.” – Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson, pp.110, 111.

Help others see the truth before it’s too late by sharing, not hoarding it. Bless all, NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW OF 321 A.D.

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW OF 321 A.D.

The first Sunday law decreed by the pagan Roman Emperor Constantine. It reads:

“On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and the people residing in CITIES rest, and let all WORKSHOPS be closed. In the COUNTRY, however, persons engaged in AGRICULTURE may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so SUITABLE for grain-growing or vine-planting; lest by NEGLECTING the proper moment for such operations the BOUNTY of heaven should be lost.(Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls for the second time.’ – ‘History of the Christian Church,’ Philip Schaff, D.D., (7-vol. ed.) Vol. III, p. 380. NY. 1884.

“Dr. A. Chr. Bang (Lutheran bishop, Norway), says: ‘This Sunday law constituted NO real favoritism for Christianity. It is evident from all his statutory provisions that the Emperor during the time 313-323 with full consciousness has sought the REALIZATION OF HIS RELIGIOUS AIMS: the amalgamation of heathenism and Christianity.’ – ‘Kirken og Romerstaten’ (‘The Church and the Roman State’), p. 256. Christiania: 1879.

“That Constantine by his Sunday law intended only to enforce the POPULAR heathen festival is acknowledged by Professor Hutton Webster, Ph.D. (University of Nebraska), who says:

“This legislation by Constantine probably bore NO relation to Christianity; it appears, ON THE CONTRARY, that the emperor, in his capacity as PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, was only adding the day of the Sun, the worship of which was then firmly established in the ROMAN EMPIRE [Not in Judea or Jerusalem], to the other ferial days of the sacred calendar [of the Romish Church].’ – ‘Rest Days,’ p. 122. NY. 1916.”—“Facts of Faith,” Christian Edwardson, pp. 109. 110.

If any of your family members, relatives, friends, classmates, fellow workers, neighbors or Facebook friends, etc., are still keeping Sunday not knowing the truth regarding this heathen worship day, pray and share these vital info I have, and will continue sharing, only as God wills. Bless all, NMF.