Is Jesus Christ our King

 

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Is Jesus Christ our King

It is apparent that most people who called themselves Christians, have probably accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, Redeemer, Advocate and High Priest, to whom they are grateful and thankful for delivering them from sin, and to whom they can go to make intercessions on they behalf for the forgiveness of sins, but they have not necessarily accepted Him as their Lord and King.

The reason for thinking this way it is because, very little or no regards or consideration is being shown to Jesus Christ as the Lord and King. because, to show reverence to Jesus Christ as Lord, the scriptures plainly says, “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord." And to confirm that Jesus Christ is indeed the Lord Jesus said,  “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2). Mark 2:28).

Now how does one show and demonstrate his/her belief and reverence to Jesus Christ as King? It is evident that Jesus Christ holds the dual office of King and Priest, for thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From his place he shall branch out, and he shall build the temple of the Lord; yes, he shall build the temple of the Lord. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne; so he shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both [offices]” (Zechariah 6:12-13).

Even those who are being trained, those who are overcoming this world, will be given the dual office of kings and priests. As it is written; “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).

Those called by God are regarded as, “A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation: His own special people, that they may proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of the darkness into His marvelous light.” The darkness from which they were delivered is the power [kingdom] of darkness which is ruled by Satan.

At conversion, when we received Jesus Christ by believing in Him, we are given the right or authority to be called children of God, and we should give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Because, “He has delivered us from the power [kingdom] of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (John 1:12-13; Colossians 1:12-13).

Since believers have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the Son of God's love  the logical question is, the reign of Jesus Christ as King is it currently in force? And if it is currently in force why are professing believers so involved and entangled with the political affairs of this world! When Jesus in praying to the Father said,  "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:14-16).

Therefore, what role should believers play in the political climate and affairs of this world? The role which believers should play in the affairs of this world should be that of an ambassador of the kingdom in which they are citizens, and the role of an ambassador is not to mingled or interfere with the political rhetoric of the country in which he/she resides but to be a representative of his/her country as we have been duly instructed saying; "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

As believers we cannot have dual citizenship, it is either having our citizenship in this world or in heaven as we have been duly admonished saying: "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself" (Philippians 3:20.21).

The reign of Jesus Christ as King is undoubtedly currently in force, otherwise, God would not have transferred us from the kingdom of darkness, into the kingdom of the Son of His love. And furthermore, His kingdom was established from the time of His birth even forever. For it is written; “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

As believers we should be cognizance of the fact that the kingdoms of this world are being ruled by Satan and his fallen angels for we have been forewarned saying; "Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him" (Revelation 13:2-4)?

To anyone reading this and is new to bible prophecy, the beast refers to a kingdom as explained by the prophet Daniel who wrote, "Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth." We are presently living during the reign of the fourth beast which has the characteristics of the other three beasts before it and will be completely different. For we have been admonished saying, " The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces" (Daniel 7:17,23).

Now since it is foreordained for this present kingdom to make war against the saints, and to prevail against them, until the Ancient of Days come, when the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever, why should the saints entangle themselves with a system that is antagonistic and diametrically opposite to what is destined for them?

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To be continued

With brotherly love 

Lucius Joseph

The Rationale for the Lord´s Sabbaths

 

Friday, November 6, 2020

The rationale for the Lord´s Sabbaths (part four)

 

6. The Sabbath/s is a sign between the Lord and His people

The Sabbath/s is a sign which confirms that Jesus Christ is the Lord and we are His people, for the Lord spoke to Moses saying; “Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”

“Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed" (Exodus 31:13, 16-17).

Also, to the prophet Ezekiel the Lord said, “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.” Also, “ 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).

Let no believer in Jesus Christ make the grave error in believing that this sign does not pertain to them because the Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises does not pertain to those who are the children of the flesh, because these are not the children of God; but it certainly pertains to the children of the promise who are those who believe in Jesus Christ the one Seed. For we have been duly admonished saying; “And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).

2.7.  The Sabbaths are times for family reunion

Households or families are not only exempted from working on the Sabbaths but they are also required to appear before the Lord as a family, for it is written: “But you shall seek the place where the LORD your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go. There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the LORD your God has blessed you” (Deuteronomy 12:5-7).

For example, the principal objective for tithing is for households to appear before the Lord on His feast days and rejoice before Him as we have been admonished saying; “And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household” (Deuteronomy 14:26).

Appearing before God was designed and ordained for the entire household including servants, strangers and the Levites that are within your gates, and so the admonish is, “Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess" (Deuteronomy  31:12-13),

Having established the seven significant purposes for the Sabbath one should ask him/herself the question, why then is the body of Christ, the church so divided? The answer to this dilemma is quite simple, it is, those of us who profess to be believers unfortunately, do not have the same teacher, the same guide, do not sing the same tune, do not march to the same beat and do not dance to the same music.

 Most of us are in the state described by the apostle Paul saying; “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:2.3).

The Sabbaths therefore, are times and procedures ordained by the Lord so that humanity can have fellowship with Him and with one another. As free moral agents we have the prerogative to obey or not to obey, but to blatantly neglect or disregard these days and substituting them with other days is a violation of God´s principles and a clear sign of vain worship which is a form of idolatry.

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Heed the warning

Friday, September 18, 2020

Heed the warning

 

As we prepare to observe the first day of the seventh month of Tishrei and are prepared to follow the instructions given by the Lord to His people stating; “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:2-25).

Now to the skeptics who will be quick to say that we are not under law and will discourage innocent sincere believers to pay heed to this biblical instructions, let me briefly remind them of the rationale and objective for observing the Lord`s Sabbaths.

1. The Sabbaths are signs which identify the One and only true God.

For thus spoke the Lord to Moses concerning the children of Israel saying, “Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you” (Exodus 31:13-14).

It is important that we analyze this passage of scripture carefully so as to be able to see and understand the profoundness, the magnitude and immutability of it: Let us begin with the word “Surely”, the connotation of this word denotes, certainly, assuredly, undoubtedly, truly, firmly, unerringly, without mistake. Then we look at the word Sabbaths, notice that it is in the plural and not singular, signifying that it is more than one.

Then it says clearly that the Sabbaths (plural) is a sign between God and His people throughout their generations, that means, it is an everlasting covenant between God and His people, why! That His people may know that He is the Lord who sanctifies and set them apart and for this reason they are to observe the Sabbath because the Sabbath is holy to God`s people. The Sabbaths therefore, is a time that is holy both to the Lord and His people.

It is a legal practice or procedure that, by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established, so let us establish God`s word by hearing what the Lord spoke to the prophet Ezekiel concerning His people. The Lord said to the prophet Ezekiel, “Moreover (meaning, furthermore or in addition to) 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.” He also warned His people saying; “Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols. 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, 18-20).

Therefore, it is without a shadow of doubt that, the Sabbaths (plural) is a sign that identifies the One and only true God and His chosen people.

2. One cannot deem the observance of the Lord`s Sabbaths (plural) legalism

For we have been duly instructed saying; “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” (Romans14:-5-6).

There is absolutely no demand, no coercion, no command to observe or not to observe, it is simply a voluntary conditional act done by those who loves the Lord as Jesus plainly said. “If you love Me keep My commandments,” and it is an act done by those who knows Him as being the LORD our God and will ascribe to Him the honor and glory due unto Him: For thus says the LORD; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (John 14:15; Leviticus 19:30, 26:2).

The act of observing the Sabbaths is not legalism but it is all about our awe and reverence to the LORD Jesus Christ, for this is what we have been instructed saying; So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16).

Please note carefully that, the scripture did not say that, festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths were a shadow of things to come, which would denote that they are of the past, but rather, they are a shadow of things to come, denoting that they are still current, but the substance for food and drinks and the rationale for observing them is Christ.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius joseph

Once and for all phenomenon (part three)

 

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Once and for all phenomenon (part three)

5. The will of God is fulfilled

The fifth once and for all phenomenon is that the will of God is fulfilled once and for all. As clearly seen, the earthly tabernacle, the animal sacrifices and the Levitical priesthood were all shadows and copy of the reality, thy all served the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For he was told, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

But now, once and for all, Jesus Christ has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come --- In the volume of the book it is written of Me --- To do Your will, O God.' Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:5-10).

The first that was taken away is, the earthly tabernacle, animal sacrifices and the Levitical priesthood: And the second that has been established is the heavenly tabernacle, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and the Melchizedek priesthood.

The will of God for man even before the foundation of the world was that man be holy. For it is written: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:3-6).

The apostle Paul’s final plea to the church in Thessalonica was, “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness: Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8).

The once and for all terminology which has so many sincere and devoted people bamboozled and discombobulated is simply the fact that:

•      Once and for all Jesus Christ the Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea and spring of water died to reconcile man to God.
•        Once and for all we have access to the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, but to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.
•     Once and for all there is now the perfect sacrifice, not the blood of goats and calves, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ who entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
•       Once and for all we have Jesus Christ as our High Priest of the good things to come.

     Once and for all the will of God is fulfilled, because man can now have fellowship with the Father in  a perfect, holy, blameless and irreproachable state thereby, fulfilling what was predestined even before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. 

To be continued

     With brotherly love

     Lucius Joseph

The protocol for drawing near to God

 

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

The protocol for drawing near to God

 The protocol for drawing people to God was made possible by three inseparable links.

  1. Jesus Christ had to be God

 Only as God was Christ able to claim and redeemed the lives of every human being. He was and is the Word Who was in the beginning with God, and Who Himself was God, through whom all things were created, and without Him was nothing made that was made. He is the very image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation.

For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. God the Father was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. But as God it was impossible for Him to die, so the next obvious chain of event had to occur.

  2. God became flesh

 The Word Who was God, and by whom all things were created, divested Himself of His glory and became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Since as God He could not die to pay the penalty of sin in man’s place which is death, He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, that He by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both the One Who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says; “I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in Him.” And again He says, “Here am I, and the children God has given Me” (Hebrews 2:12-13).

Now since the children whom God has given Him have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people.

He was tempted in all points as we are being tempted, but did not sin, and because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. Because, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered: Thus, setting us an example that we should follow His steps.

  3. Redemption through His blood

 It should be an indisputable fact, that the law requires nearly everything be purified with blood: for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Therefore in order that our sins could be forgiven, it was imperative that Jesus Christ shed His blood. For the life of every creature is in the blood, and God has given it to make atonement for the soul on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. It is through the process of these three inseparable chains of events that God the Father drew man to Christ, like He said; “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die. (John 12:32-33).

 It is also by a similar process that Christ draws man to the Father, for He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The way to the Father is through the flesh of Jesus Christ, represented by the unleavened bread, the truth is Jesus Christ Himself, Who is the word of God and now officiating as our High Priest, and the life is the blood of Jesus Christ represented by the wine, for we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

The apostle Paul stated it quite clearly when he wrote; "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:19-22).

This is our only pass word to the throne of Grace, to the most holy place in the inner court. God has overlooked this time of ignorance and now commands all men everywhere to repent. It is time that professing Christians understand that the life which is in accordance to the Spirit is as literal and practical as that of living in accordance to the flesh.

Hence the reason we have been duly admonished saying, "And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness" (Romans 6:18-19).

Our ultimate goal is to be holy and to obtain everlasting life, which is not the same as eternal life. Eternal life is a gift from God, but everlasting life, or immortality is a reward which one has to work for. Therefore, he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit, will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Copyright © 2017 by Lucius Joseph

All rights reserved

Identifying the true church

 

Where is the church that Jesus Christ built? Is it possible to distinguish it from the midst of the babble of confusion that exists today! Since He said that, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” it must be somewhere still in existence, and one should be able to identify and distinguish it from all counterfeits.

Since God is not the author of confusion, but a God of peace as in all the churches of the saints, it is for certain that most of the churches we see today do not represent the church which Jesus Christ built. I know that it is quite convenient for people to say that, God has His people everywhere, but that still does not make them the church, the body of Christ which Jesus Christ built.

Let us also not ignore the warning which Jesus gave saying; “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many” (Matthew 24: -5).

How then can the Church which Jesus Christ built upon Himself be identified and differentiated from the many counterfeits? First and foremost, the church is not a worldly organization, it is not a denomination: As a matter of fact, having the preconceived notion or idea of belonging to a particular sect or religious denomination is already a sin called sectarianism.

In pleading for the unity of the church the apostle Paul wrote; “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this that each of you says, “I am of Paul, or I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)

The apostle Paul further admonished the church by stating; "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3: 3-4).

The church in true perspective comprise of believers who forms the body of Christ. The word church refers to all who have been redeemed, and also groups of Christians assembled for worship. In reality, people do not go to church as it is commonly said, but rather the church meets at a particular time and place.

The church, the body of Christ is a kingdom of priests with Jesus Christ being the High Priest and head of that kingdom. As it is written; “God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the church, the kingdom of priests, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. He is the chief corner stone that was rejected by men. He is the noble man who went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return, but his citizens hated him, saying, ‘we will not have this man reign over us’ (Luke 19:12, 14).

He is the son of the owner of the vineyard whom when the vine dresser saw, reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours” (Luke 20:14-17).

To this end there has to be definite prescribed sign/s that distinguish the true church, the body of Christ, the royal priesthood, the holy nation which Jesus Christ built, from all other counterfeits.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Reasons for the lost identity of the true church

 Reasons for the lost identity of the true church

Reasons for the lost identity of God´s church

It is inconceivable to believe that the church which is built on Jesus Christ, and of which He said that, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” could be so difficult to distinguish among the counterfeits.

Judging from statements made by Jesus Christ Himself and other passages of scripture, one can conclude that the majority of churches are not portraying the sign of the true church of God.

For example Jesus said unequivocally “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished.”

He then gave a stern warning saying; “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus Christ placed His stamp of authority on the Sabbath which is part of the commandments by saying; “The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”

The Sabbaths therefore is a critical sign in identifying the church of God, as confirmed by scriptures which states, “You must observe My Sabbaths. This will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Also, “Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:20).

The Sabbaths, not just the weekly Sabbath, but the Sabbaths including the annual Sabbaths are times specifically ordained by God for holy convocations or religious assemblies. For thus says the Lord; “These are My appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies” (Leviticus 23:2, 4).

Unfortunately, while some are very zealous in observing the Weekly Sabbath, they have rejected and held in gross contempt the Annual Sabbaths and therefore are not ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name.

Others on the other hand who observe both the Weekly and Annual Sabbaths, fail to bring to the Lord His offering which is the main objective for having a sacred assembly, for thus says the Lord; “These are the Lord’s appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord offerings by fire, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day.’

In the event that someone has not truly understand the reformation and not the abolition of this burnt offering, this burnt offering is Jesus Christ the Lamb of God, with the unleavened bread representing His body as the grain offering, and the wine representing His blood as the drink offering. This is figurative to Christ who loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. This is the offering which abolished the first and established the second, as the new and living way by which the church draws near to God.

This offering is of such paramount importance that it is besides or in addition to, the Sabbaths of the Lord, and besides our gifts, and besides all our vows, and besides all our free will offerings which we give to the Lord (Leviticus 23:37-38).

Furthermore the majority of churches are profaning the name of the Lord and profaning His holy things, they have failed to make any distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, they have disregarded the Lord’s Sabbaths, so that He is profaned among them (Ezekiel 22:26).

For this reason the Lord is not being worshiped in the beauty of holiness. It is stated quite categorically “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?

For we are the temple of the living God as God has said; ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).

No one who is uncircumcised in heart should be allowed to enter the Lord’s sanctuary, the Lord’s sanctuary is only for priests who are called to be holy to their God, and not to profane the name of their God; for they offer the offerings by fire to the Lord, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.

The Church of God unfortunately has lost its identity, it is no longer looked upon as the little flock, who does not peddle the word of God for profit, and who demonstrates the presence of the Holy Spirit by teaching the word of truth, who ascribes to the Lord the glory due to His Name, who brings to the Lord His offering at its appointed time, who worships the Lord in the beauty of holiness, and who takes delight in approaching God, all because of three reasons.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph