The seven integral part of true worship is to tremble
before Him, or take delight in Him meaning that, we are to stand in awe of Him
and have the rightful fear by being obedient to His word, for thus says the
Lord; “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that
you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My
hand has made, and all those things exist," Says the LORD. "But on
this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who
trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:1-2).
The reason why we are to tremble before Him or take
delight in Him it is because the church being similar to the captives of the
children of Judah and Israel to whom the Lord said; “I will cleanse them from
all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all
their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed
against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before
all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they
shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I
provide for it” (Jeremiah 33:8-9).
Remember, Jesus Christ is the Lord God of the Old
Testament who created the heavens and the earth, for it is written; “In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God He was
in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him
nothing was made that were made: In Him was life, and the life was the light of
men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend
it’, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 14).
It is further stated in scripture that; “He [Jesus
Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For
by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or
powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all
things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the
church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things
He may have the preeminence” (Colossians
1:15-18).
Now it is a common belief and a biblical statement
that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” And when He
came into the world He said; "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man
for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath" (Hebrews 13:8; Mark 2:27-28).
Since Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, the summons
to attend the holy convocation at their appointed times is a directive from
Him, and when obeyed we are demonstrating our reverence, glory and honor to Him
as “LORD.” For thus says the LORD, “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My
sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus
19:30; 26:2).
Similarly, when one disregards or hold in contempt the
days which the Lord has summoned them to appear before Him and choose to appear
before Him at a time He has not summons them to appear before Him is profanity:
For thus says the Lord; "When you come to appear before Me, who has required
this from your hand, to trample My courts?
Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an
abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies
--- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your
appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing
them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though
you make many prayers, I will not hear, your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).
Having fellowship, in the breaking of bread was the
community spirit that prevailed in the New Testament church when it originally
started, when Peter said to them, "Be saved from this perverse
generation." Then those who gladly received His word were baptized; and
that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,
and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were
done through the apostles” (Acts 2:40-43).
The Christian church, the children of God, and the
Philadelphia church are all characterized in whole and in part by these seven
distinctive marks or attributes, and it is the formula by which the church
which is presently so confused and divided can obtain its objective and be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Unfortunately people rather hold on to the customs and
traditions taught by men instead of taking delight and stand in awe of the directives
the Lord gave to His people and the only sign He gave to distinguish His people
from the rest of the world. For thus says the Lord; “Moreover I also gave them
My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am
the LORD who sanctifies them.” And, “I am the LORD your God: Walk in My
statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be
a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God' (Ezekiel 20: 12, 19.20).
Remember, Jesus Christ unequivocally said, “Do not
think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy
but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away,
one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled”
(Matthew 5:17-18).
Therefore, the Sabbaths, the seventh day including the
annual Sabbaths are perpetual sign God ordained to distinguish Himself and the
people who are sanctified. Moreover, in our new dispensation as free moral
agents, one person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day
alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day,
observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he
does not observe it. It is a matter of love, respect adoration and delight in
Him who loves us.
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With brotherly loveLucius Joseph
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