Category: Devotionals

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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 

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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 

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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. 

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Devotionals

THE SHREWD STATESMAN EMPEROR: CONSTANTINE THE GREAT

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE SHREWD STATESMAN EMPEROR: CONSTANTINE THE GREAT

“Constantine had been watching, he said, those [Roman Caesars] who had PERSECUTED the Christians [during the Smyrna stage of the church], and found that they usually had a BAD END, while his father, who was favorable toward them, had PROSPERED.

“So when he and Licinius met at Milan in 313 A.D., they jointly prepared an edict, usually called ‘THE EDICT OF MILAN,’ which gave equal liberty to Christians and pagans, Had Constantine STOPPED here, he might have been HONORED as the originator of religious liberty in the Roman Empire, but he had a DIFFERENT aim in view.

“The Roman Empire had been ruled at times by two, four, or even six Caesars jointly, and in his AMBITION to become the sole Emperor, Constantine, as a shrewd statesman, soon saw that the Christian church had the ViTALITY to become the STRONGEST FACTOR in the empire. The other Caesars were persecuting the Christians.

“If he could WIN them without LOSING the goodwill of the pagans, he would win the GAME! He therefore set himself to the task of BLENDING the two religions (Christianity and Paganism) into ONE. As H. G. Heggtveit (Lutheran) says:

‘Constantine labored at this time untiringly to UNITE the worshippers of the old and the new faith to ONE RELIGION. All his laws and contrivances are aimed at promoting this AMALGAMATION of religions. He would by all lawful and peaceable means MELT together a PURIFIED HEATHENISM and MODERATED CHRISTIANITY……His injunction that the ‘Day of the Sun’ should be a GENERAL REST DAY was characteristic of his standpoint…..Of all his blending and melting together of Christianity and heathenism NONE is more easy to see through than this making of HIS Sunday law. ‘The Christians worshipped their Christ, the heathen their SUN-GOD; according to the opinion of the Emperor, the OBJECTS of worship in both religions were essentially the SAME.’ – ‘Kirkchistori’ (Church History), pp. 233, 234. Chicago: 1893.” – Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson, p. 109.

Tomorrow, the full text of Constantine’s Sunday Law of 321 A.D. We are rapidly approaching the prophesied final confederacy of all churches and religions, supported by the state powers to enforce the “Christian Sabbath” or “Lord’s Day,” which is none other than Sunday. Do you know what your responsibilities are towards this final test of faith, and how to prepare for it, even now, with family members who are willing? May the Lord of the Sabbath bless us all, NMF 

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Devotionals

BISHOPS OF DENMARK AND NORWAY HONESTLY ADDRESSED THE SABBATH-SUNDAY PROBLEM

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

BISHOPS OF DENMARK AND NORWAY HONESTLY ADDRESSED THE SABBATH-SUNDAY PROBLEM

“Bishop Skat Rordam, of Denmark, says:
‘As to  whom and how it became customary to keep the first day of the week the New Testament gives no information…..The first law about it was given by Constantine the Great, who in the year 321 ordained that all civil and shop work should cease in the CITIES, but AGrICULTURAL LABOR IN THE COUNTRY was permitted….

‘Still no one thought of basing this command to rest from labor on the 3rd [4th] commandment BEFORE the latter half of the SIXTH CENTURY. From that time on, little by little, it became the established doctrine of the church during its ‘DARK AGES,’ that the holy church [?] and its teachers, or the bishops of the Roman Pope at their head, as the Vicar of Christ and His holy apostles on earth [?!], had TRANSFERRED the Old Testament Sabbath with its glory and sanctity over unto the first day of the week.’ – ‘Report of the Second Ecclesiastical Meeting in Copenhagen, Sept. 13-15, 1897,’ P. Taaning, pp. 40, 41. Copenhagen, 1887.

“Bishop A. Grimelund, of Norway, says:
‘Now, summing up what HISTORY teaches regarding the ORIGIN of Sunday and the development of the doctrine about Sunday, then this is the sum: It is NOT the apostles, nor the early Christians, not the councils of the ancient church which have imprinted the NAME and STAMP of the Sabbath upon the Sunday, but it is the CHURCH OF THE MIDDLE AGES and its scholastic teachers.’- ‘Sondagen Histori’ (The History of Sunday), p. 37, Christiana: 1886.

‘What do we learn from this HISTORICAL REVIEW? ……That it is a doctrine which ORIGINATED IN THE PAPAL CHURCH that the sanctification of the Sunday is enjoined in the 3rd [4th] commandment, and that the essential and permanent in this commandment is a COMMAND from God [?!] to keep it holy one day each week.’ -Ibid, pp. 47, 48.”- “Facts of Faith,” Christian Edwardson, Southern Publishing Asso.,(Revised), 1943, p.108.

“Stamp” is synonymous with “mark,” “seal,” and “sign.” It is critical that we know for a certainty when the Dark Ages began, and what three things had to happen before the papacy could be fully formed!

Stay tuned and connected; remain on the prophetic track we are on! Bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

WHAT THE AUTHOR OF THE ‘BAPTIST MANUAL’ SAYS ABOUT THE BURNING ISSUE OF WHICH IS THE TRUE SABBATH

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WHAT THE AUTHOR OF THE ‘BAPTIST MANUAL’ SAYS ABOUT THE BURNING ISSUE OF WHICH IS THE TRUE SABBATH

“Dr. Edward D. Hiscox, author of the ‘Baptist Manual’ says:
‘There was and is a commandment to keep holy the Sabbath day, but that Sabbath day was not Sunday. It will be said, however, with some show of triumph [?!], that the Sabbath was TRANSFERRED from the seventh day to first day of the week, with all the duties, privileges, and sanctions. Earnestly desiring INFORMATION on this subject, which I have studied for many years, I ASK, where can the record of such a transaction [change] be found? NOT in the New Testament, absolutely not. There is NO Scriptural evidence of the change of the Sabbath institution from the seventh to the first day of the week.

‘‘I wish to say that this SABBATH QUESTION, in this aspect of it [the ‘transactional change’] is THE GRAVEST and MOST PERPLEXING QUESTION CONNECTED WITH CHRISTIAN PEOPLE; and the only reason that it is not a MORE DISTURBING ELEMENT in Christian thought and in religious discussions, is BECAUSE the Christian world has settled down CONTENT on the conviction that SOMEHOW a transference has taken place at the beginning of Christian history.

‘To me, it seems UNACCOUNTABLE that Jesus during three ears’ intercourse with His disciples, often conversing with them upon the SABBATH QUESTION, discussing it in some of its various aspects, FREEING it from the false glosses, NEVER ALLUDED TO A TRANSFERENCE of the day; also that during 40 days of His resurrection life, no such thing was intimated.

‘Nor so far as we know, did the (Holy) Spirit which was given ‘to bring to their remembrance all things whatsoever He had said unto them,’ deal with this question. Nor yet did the inspired apostles, IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL, founding churches, counseling and instructing those founded, discuss or approach this subject.

‘Of course I quite well know that Sunday did come into the early Christian history as a religious day, as we learn from the Christian Fathers and other sources. But what a PITY it comes BRANDED with the mark of Paganism, and christened with the name of the SUN-GOD, when adopted and sanctioned by the PAPAL APOSTASY, and bequeathed as a sacred legacy(??) to PROTESTANTISM!’” – A paper read before a New York Ministers’ Conference, held Nov. 13, 1893. From a copy furnished by Dr. Hiscox for the ‘Source Book,’ pp. 513, 514. Wash., D.C., Review & Herald, 1892 – Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson, pp.107, 108. Southern Pub.Asso., 1943.

Bless all, but only with and in the truth as it is in Jesus, NMF. 

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Devotionals

THE PREDICAMENT OF PROTESTANTS AND CHRISTIANS CALLING AND KEEPING SUNDAY AS THE ‘LORD’S DAY

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE PREDICAMENT OF PROTESTANTS AND CHRISTIANS CALLING AND KEEPING SUNDAY AS THE ‘LORD’S DAY

Walter Farquhar Hook, D.D., Vicar of Leeds, the same thought:
‘The question is, whether God has ordered us to keep holy the first day of the week. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are UNDOUBTED ordinances of God; so we can count the chapter and verse in which we read of their being ordained of God.

‘But as to the Lord’s Day (Sunday), we are not able to refer a SINGLE passage in ALL the Scriptures of the NEW TESTAMENT in which the observance of it is enjoined of God. If we refer to TRADITION, tradition would NOT be of value to us on the point immediately under consideration.

‘The Romanist regards the tradition of the Church as of authority EQUAL to that of Scriptures. BUT WE ARE NOT ROMANISTS……But on this point there is NOT EVEN  tradition to support us…..There is NO TRADITION THAT GOD ORDAINED the first day of the week to be a Sabbath…..The change of the Sabbath to Sunday was NEVER mentioned, or, as far as I can discover, thought of by the early Christians.

‘The Sabbath, that is to say, the observance of Saturday as a day to be devoted to God’s service, to rest of body and repose of mind, was an ordinance of God. This ordinance relating to Saturday could be changed by God and by God ONLY.

‘We, as PROTESTANTS, must appeal to the BIBLE, and the Bible ONLY, to ascertain the fact that God has chafed the day—-that God has HIMSELF substituted Sunday for Saturday…..It is NO answer to this to say that the apostles SEEM to have sanctioned the assembly of Christians for public worship on the Lord’s Day, or that St. John in the Apocalypse speaks of the Lord’s Day and MAY possibly allude to the Sunday FESTIVAL. For this is one of the arguments that PROVES TOO MUCH.

‘We ourselves keep Easter Day; this is no proof that we do not keep Christmas Day, or that Easter has been substituted for Christmas. And if we have instances of the first day of the week being kept holy by the APOSTLES, we have MORE instances of their observing the Jewish Sabbath.’” —‘Lord’s Day,’ p. 94. London: 1856; quoted in ‘The Literature of the Sabbath Question,’ Robert Cox, Vol. iI, pp. 369, 370.”- Facts of Faith, Christian Edwardson, pp. 106, 107, Southern Publishing Asso. (Revised), 1943.

Note that both Easter is observed on Sunday, and December 25 was the birthday of the sun god Mi to Mithras of Ancient Rome.

Let us be faithful followers of Christ and the Bible, not the Church and churches of tradition and fables! Bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

THE ROMAN CHURCH HAS LONG APOSTATIZED: WHAT ABOUT THE PROTESTANT CHURCHES?

December 4, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE ROMAN CHURCH HAS LONG APOSTATIZED: WHAT ABOUT THE PROTESTANT CHURCHES?

“Now, long after the Sabbath has been changed, Protestants are at a loss to find authority in the Bible for this change. They have rejected the authority of the Roman Church to LEGISLATE on Christian faith, and cannot accept TRADITION, therefore THEY NOT WHERE TO TURN.

“Professor George Sverdrup, a leading man in the Lutheran Church, gives expression to this predicament in the following words:

“For, when there could not be produced ONE solitary place in the Holy Scriptures which testified that either the Lord Himself or the apostles had ordered such a TRANSFER of the Sabbath to Sunday, then it was not easy to answer the question: WHO has transferred the Sabbath, and who has had the RIGHT to do it?’ – ‘Samlede Skrifter i Uvalg, Andrea Helland, Vol. 1, p. 342, 343. Minneapolis, Minn.: 1909.

Next week, we will read what the Vicar of Leeds said about the same predicament of the Sunday-keeping Protestant Christians way back in 1856. Bless all as we educate ourselves on the true philosophy of history regarding nations and kingdoms, as well as New Testament church history as revealed in Bible prophecy. Bless all, NMF.