The Sabbath-Day

One set of dictionaries (2 volumes), the oldest that I possess (I love dictionaries), was first copyright in 1927 and last copyright 1956. Another dictionary, one I refer to daily, was first copyright in 1970 and its latest was 1997. This one, Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Third Edition, claims to be the dictionary used by editors and writers in general. The reason for this explanation is to show how the meaning of a word changes with time and circumstances. The word is Sabbath. The dictionary set has many definitions and explanations, including “…a time or period of rest, quiet, etc.” Also, “the first day of the week (Sunday), similarly observed by most Christians in commemoration of the resurrection of Christ;…” The dictionary I refer to daily contains only two definitions. The second reads: “…Sunday as the usual Christian day of rest and worship…” The differences in explanations and definitions are undeniably significant. The difference mirror the actuality of our application of the meaning of the Sabbath: As a day of rest and religious observance. Now in the 21st century you may scoff at the notion of a day of rest and religious observance, especially the religious aspect. That seems to be the attitude toward religious observance today. Here is my comparison of life’s changes that have become the norm. Until around the late 1940s, it was common on Sunday for retail stores of all types to be closed for the day, specifically for rest and relaxation and religious observance. In fact, following religious services cities and towns appeared deserted. People were either at home enjoying each others company, or visiting relatives and catching up on this and that. It was a time for refreshing the spirit. To a Christian, Sunday is the best day of all the seven. Oh, yes, a true Christian believer loves all seven days, but he loves Sunday most, because it connects him to “The Lord’s Day.” When the Lord’s Day is spent in the Lord’s Presence, we come to learn more of Him and of His will concerning us. We join in worship, in praise, and in prayer, and gain a fresh vision of the Lord and Savior, and our souls revive again. Like the Apostle John, we find ourselves rejoicing in the blessedness of being found in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. Moreover, this day reminds us of a finished Creation (Gen 2:3), and of a finished Redemption (Rom 4:24, 25), a double memorial. A reminder that we are saved by a living, loving victorious Savior, and a gracious God, that after six days of toil there should be a day different from the others – a day of rest. Thousands of years after the command “Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath-Day” (3rd Commandment) and the finished Redemption for our salvation, not only do our minds and bodies need this Sabbath for weekly recurring rest, but our souls need the blessing and refreshment of this hallowed Day. More so in our present age as technology has converted more souls from what was once casual, normal activity with time to truly relax and think, to a time of a fast-pace, out of control society, with more meaningless activity as has ever been seen or experienced since Creation. The Sabbath calls us to turn aside from our ways and works, and enter into the Sanctuary of the Lord. Besides God’s Law to “Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath-Day” He says: “Keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord” (Lev 26:2). There is no way to misunderstand that is there? Today too many people I notice do nothing to keep holy the Sabbath-Day. It occurred to me recently that our Government’s (Federal, State, City, etc.) reflect the attitude of the people. After all is said and done, the people vote to send representatives to represent them in the houses of government. Keeping holy the Sabbath-Day is not one of their positions. Even the president seems to have trouble choosing which Mosque to attend, occasionally feigning an interest in a Christian church to appease certain elements. Conversely, individuals that do attend religious services follow services engaging in activities that have nothing to do with rest and relaxation. Countless millions do not participate in, and altogether ignore religious services, instead indulge in all manner of activities, while never, ever giving moments thought to the Sabbath-Day. It was not always this way, on such a grand scale. Society, as a whole, ought to consider that the command to keep holy the Sabbath-Day is but one of the Ten Commandments. We also need to make ourselves, individually, understand that God’s Law is not suggestions, nor are they out of date, as some would like. That said, what you would like do not alter one iota God’s command to “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath-Day (or any of the other nine commandments). Consequences Failing to acknowledge that earth is only a temporary stop in our lives, without consideration for what awaits us in the after life, you may need reminding of heaven and hell. You can disbelieve all you want; it does not change the fact of their existence. On the other hand, there are those who do as they please in this life without regard to the consequences because they have been lead to believe a falsehood. Continue… Are you one of those people who agree with those who believe that there is no such place as Purgatory? If you do agree, then by the very idea that there is no place for purification, most people with sin in their souls are headed straight to the bowels of fiery hell. What? you say. Do you not see that by disagreeing, you are saying you think like most people that have a slight concern for their conduct that you, too, are going to heaven. No way! That is not likely. No one with sin of any kind can enter the kingdom of heaven. God proved that by letting His Son die for us on the cross. Yes, Jesus died taking our sins upon Him to give us a way to salvation. Almighty God would not remove the bitter cup from His Son and save Him because He was drenched with our sins. It was no small matter that God, Who is pure love, could not even look at His Son in that sorry state of sin. By their actions, so-called believers have misinterpreted the why of Calvary and the Crucifixion. They take upon themselves a tremendous, gamble. They gamble that because Jesus died for our sins, they have freedom to do whatever they please, including sin. It is true that God, our Creator, loves us, but He loves His Son, too. Since He could not even look at His Son immersed in sin while in horrific pain on the Cross - why in heaven would anyone think they are better than Jesus is and God will allow them to enter His Kingdom? Impossible! Illogical! A major error; lead by the prince of darkness, Satan himself. No further explanation for the misguided belief needed. No if, and, or but. Those of you that believe you can do as you please, i.e. sin, without consequences, are on the road to perdition. You who are inclined to be children of God and follow His Son, Jesus Christ, desperately need to recite the prayer that is addressed to Saint Michael the Archangel; praying for his defense and protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. To continue on without regard for your eternal salvation is a guarantee of entering the gate that is wide, which most people find and earn while living in this transitory life. Obeying God’s Law and boldly speaking out about God’s love and desires for His created creatures, is not a guaranteed bed of roses; on the contrary, for believers it is a guarantee of conflict with the secular world (i.e. society), but with a peaceful heart and mind – something extremely difficult to acquire without Heavenly aid today. To recognize and achieve this state, you may need to go against the world. A good place to begin is to “Keep holy the Sabbath-Day” and get close to Him Who Is in His house of prayer next Sunday, the Sabbath-Day. Thanks for visiting. -- Bob II Tim 4:2

Human Values Vanished

Occasionally you hear or read the saying “Life is wasted on the young.” A saying I believe began around 1960. However, it appears that the ‘young’ as referred to here nowadays means a great many people from around age 50 to the present (and as far into the future as can be seen). As I see it, the life wasted on the young deals with loss through disregard for human values now as virtually non-existent by the masses. Decide for yourself. To help you ponder on the truth of our sad loss of human values, I will relate a real, telling story from around 1960. As I pen this article, that equates to a clear 50 years ago. Many years ago, before losing our sense of decency, quality standards and human values, a teacher friend taught young students in a small village school in England. (You could also once apply this same story to any town or city in America.) This teacher had a rule that every student who told a lie in school would receive seven strokes on the palm with a strap. (By the way, this was not a parochial school.) One day a little girl told a lie and was called before the class to receive her punishment. She was a sensitive little thing, and the teacher was very sorry to have to strike her with the strap, but he must enforce the rule. When she received the first stroke her cry of pain went straight to his heart; he could not continue. Yet he could not pass by her punishment. This is what he did: He looked over to the young boys in class and asked, “Is there any boy here who will bear the rest of her strokes?” As soon as his words were spoken, a little fellow called Jim stood and said, “Please, sir, I will!” and Jim went up to the desk and received without a cry, the six remaining strokes of the strap. The teacher then had a vision of a Heart gentler still than that of this brave lad, but gentle with the same kind of gentleness, which filled the teacher’s eyes with tears, and made him close his books and asked his student-scholars to come round his desk. As they surrounded him, he told of the Gentle One who long ago bore the punishment of us all. The story he told them is ours today. This is a touching, human interest story from far gone days, now relished in memory only by those of us who remember America as she was, beautiful and full of human and Christian meaning, from sea to shining sea. How far we have strayed from normal human values is indicative of our gross degeneration, degrading our human race. It would not be possible today to punish a student without someone bringing in the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to charge the teacher – and his institution – with some sort of wrong-doing. Nor would it be possible for the teacher to bring his students “round his desk, and tell them of the Gentle One Who long ago bore the punishment of us all.” Nor could the one telling the story, however correct, be able to say: “The story he told them is ours today,” without more charges of “forcing religion” by atheistic students taught by ignorant parents, with the aid of the ACLU and the support of the National Teachers Association and Union. Along with our arrogant Legislators in Washington, these entities are now a great part of our country’s degradation in our once quality values. They no longer are concerned with the decent development of our children as contributors to our society and possible future leaders. Teachers in their groups have been, and continue to be, a subversive element, determined to destroy the greatness of this country by their liberal stance on virtually everything we formerly held dear. Teachers have been engaged in intently causing deterioration in classrooms across this nation long enough for us to take notice of their affects on our society. Leading the way is eroding morals, promoting inordinate, Liberal lifestyles and acceptance of such, abandoning Patriotism, honest American History, World Geography, are but examples. Recent news reported that today’s young students could not even write, they no longer learn cursive writing – and do a terrible job of printing! That is out; text messaging is in. Parent Teachers Association (PTA) need to reenergize their group to care as they did many years ago. It will be no easy task. More and more, the human condition and morals go down the toilet with little to no concern by those who are most likely the ones who ought to care; if moved to care, it is usually too late. Most of the young of 50 years ago (the Woodstock generation) passed on their careless attitude to their young of today. The human values that have vanished leaves us without desirable quality leaders and future leaders. Our last election in 2008 was a strong indication of our lack of leadership; we had no one qualified with the right attitude to be president, selected by either political party. We ended up with a no-nothing, inexperienced president that is making a shambles of our economy, and ignores our country’s historical values, while continuously apologizing and bowing to foreign countries for our history of saving the world through human sacrifice. A president bent on reshaping America’s heritage, trading Freedom for Socialism. We all must face the fact that our elected officials are sent to Washington by our vote. All of those in Washington represent the attitude of the people that send them there. This weakened nationwide condition does not bode well for our beloved America. Unless we renew our purpose as an independent Government with individual liberty and freedom, with quality human values, the end for us as “one Nation under God” will soon be history. Thanks for visiting. - Bob Rom 13:12-14