₦airaland Forum

rupatch:
The dismissal of the Seventh Day Adventist Church's lawsuit seeking to halt elections and exams on Saturdays by the Nigerian court reflects a nuanced understanding of religious freedom and governmental obligations. Justice Omotoso's characterization of the claim as "frivolous, vexatious, bothersome, and unjustified" indicates a careful consideration of the broader societal implications. By affirming that the government's actions do not impinge upon the fundamental rights of the Seventh Day Adventist Church members, the ruling underscores the necessity of balancing religious practices with the practical necessities of governance. Moreover, the recognition of Nigeria's diverse religious landscape acknowledges the rights of minority groups while preventing the imposition of one belief system on the majority. This decision serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in navigating religious freedoms within a democratic framework, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rights of all citizens while maintaining the functioning of governmental processes.

GOD bless brother for seeing beyond the Bar.

More inferences here is that the laws of the land can be overlooked, and individual consttitutional liberties might be compromised when the government sees it "justified" for THE COMMON GOOD or GREATER BENEFIT of the MAJORITY.

Reflecting on the occurrences during the COVID 19 Lockdown, it's evident that people's rights to mobility and association were infringed for the GREATER GOOD OF EVERYONE, using health as the underlying reason or excuse.

We should expect thesame logic or arguments by our government when the National Sunday Law is put into effect

May God help us to stand on the side of TRUTH/RIGHT whether appeal is granted or not.

AMEN


God does not work with the majority.
He works with the FAITHFUL FEW THAT STAND TRUE TO HIS COMMANDS.

At the entrance of Cannan, Joshua and Caleb
At the Flood, only 8 Faithful Persons were Saved
Matthew 24:37 (KJV) But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 7:14 (KJV) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

MAY GOD HELPS US TO BE PART OF THE FAITHFUL FEW, AMEN.

60 BIBLE FACTS Concerning the SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH (SATURDAY)

1. After working the first six days of the week in creating this earth, God rested on the seventh day. Gen 2:1-3.

2. This stamped that day as God’s rest day, or Sabbath day, as Sabbath day means rest day.
To illustrate:
When a person is born on a certain day, that day
becomes his birthday. So when God rested upon the seventh day, that day became His rest, or Sabbath day.

3. Therefore the seventh day must always be God’s Sabbath day. Can you change your birthday from the day on which you were born to one in which you were not born? No. Neither can you change God’s rest day to a day on which He did not rest. Hence the seventh day is still God’s Sabbath.

4. The Creator blessed the seventh day. Genesis 2:3.

5. He sanctified the seventh day. Exodus 20:11.

6. God made it the Sabbath day in the garden of Eden. Genesis 2:1-3.

7. It was made before the fall of Adam; hence it is not a type, for types were not introduced till after the fall.

8. Jesus says it was made for man (Mark 2:27); that is, for the race, as the word man is here unlimited, hence, for the Gentile as well as for the Jews.

9. It is a memorial of creation. Exodus 20:11; 31:17. Every time we rest upon the seventh day, as God did at creation, we commemorate the grand event.

10. It was given to Adam, the head of the human race. Mark 2:27; Genesis 2:1-3.

11. Hence through him, as our representative, to all nations. Acts 17:26.

12. It is not a Jewish institution, for it was made 2,300 years before ever there was a Jew.

13. The Bible never calls it the Jewish Sabbath but always “the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Men should be cautious how they stigmatize God’s holy rest day.

14. Evident reference is made to the Sabbath all through that patriarchal age. Gen 2:1-3; 8:10, 12; 29:27-28, etc.

15. It was a part of God’s law before Sinai. Ex 16:4, 27-29.

16. God placed it in the heart of His moral law. Ex 20:1-17.
Why did He place it there if it was not like the
other nine precepts, which all admit to be immutable?

17. The seventh-day Sabbath was commanded by the voice of the living God. Deuteronomy 4:12-13.

18. Then He wrote the commandment with His own finger. Exodus 31:18.

19. He engraved it in the enduring stone, indicating its imperishable nature. Deuteronomy 5:22.

20. It was sacredly preserved in the ark in the holy of holies. Deuteronomy 10:1-5.

21. God forbade work upon the Sabbath, even in the most hurrying times. Exodus 34:21.

22. God destroyed the Israelites in the wilderness because they profaned the Sabbath. Ezekiel 20:12-13.

23. It is the sign of the true God, by which we are to know Him from false gods. Ezekiel 20:20.

24. God promised that Jerusalem would stand forever if the Jews would keep the Sabbath. Jeremiah 17:24-25.

25. He sent them into the Babylonish captivity for breaking it. Nehemiah 13:18.

26. He destroyed Jerusalem for its violation. Jer 7:27.

27. God has pronounced a special blessing on all the Gentiles who keep it. Isaiah 56: 6-7.

28. This is in the prophecy which refers wholly to the Christian dispensation. See Isaiah 56.

29. God has promised to bless every man who keeps the Sabbath. Isaiah 56:2.

30. The Lord requires us to call it “honorable.” Isaiah 58:13.
Beware, ye who take delight in calling it the “old Jewish Sabbath,” “a yoke of bondage,” etc.

31. After the holy Sabbath has been trodden down for “many generations,” it is to be restored in the last days. Isaiah 58:12-13.

32. All the holy prophets kept the seventh day.

33. When the Son of God came, He kept the seventh day all His life. Luke 4:16; John 15:10. Thus He followed His Father’s example at creation. Shall we not be safe in following the example of both the Father and the Son?

34. The seventh day is the Lord’s day. See Revelation 1:10; Mark 2:28; Isaiah 58:13; Exodus 20:10.

35. Jesus was the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28); that is, to love and protect it, as the husband is the lord of the wife, to love and cherish her. 1 Peter 3:6.

36. He vindicated the Sabbath as a merciful institution designed for man’s good. Mark 2:23-28.

37. Instead of abolishing the Sabbath, He carefully taught how it should be observed. Matthew 12:1-13.

38. He taught His disciples that they should do nothing upon the Sabbath day but what was “lawful.” Matthew 12:12.

39. He instructed His apostles that the Sabbath should be prayerfully regarded over 30 years after His resurrection. Matthew 24:20 (their flight took place in A.D. 66).

40. The pious women who had been with Jesus carefully kept the seventh day after His death. Luke 23:56.

41. Thirty years after Christ’s resurrection, the Holy Spirit expressly calls it “the Sabbath day.” Acts 13:14.

42. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, called it “the Sabbath day” in A.D. 45. Acts 13:27. Did not Paul know? Or shall we believe modern teachers, who affirm that it ceased to be the Sabbath at the resurrection of Christ?

43. Luke, the inspired Christian historian, writing as late as 62 A.D., calls it “the Sabbath day.” Acts 13:44.

44. The Gentile converts called it the Sabbath. Acts 13:42.

45. In the great Christian council, A.D. 52, in the presence of the apostles and thousands of disciples, James calls it the “Sabbath day.” Acts 15:21.

46. It was customary to hold prayer meetings upon that day. Acts 16:13.

47. Paul read the scriptures in public meetings on that day. Acts 17:2-3.

48. It was his custom to preach upon that day. Acts 17:2.

49. The book of Acts alone gives a record of his holding eighty-four meetings upon that day. See Acts 13:4, 44; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4, 11.

50. There was never any dispute between the Christians and the Jews about the Sabbath day. This is proof that the Christians still observed the same day that Jews did.

51. In all their accusations against Paul, they never charged him with disregarding the Sabbath day. Why did they not if he did not keep it?
52. Paul himself declared that he had kept the law. “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.” Acts 25:8. How could this be true if he had not kept the Sabbath?
53. The Sabbath is mentioned in the New testament 59 times, and is always with respect, bearing the same title it had in the Old Testament, “the Sabbath day.”

54. Not a word is said anywhere in the New testament about the Sabbath’s being abolished, done away, changed, or anything of the kind.
55. God had never given permission to any man to work upon it. Reader, by what authority do you use the seventh day for common labor?

56. No Christian of the New testament, either before or after the resurrection, ever did ordinary work upon the seventh day. Find one case of that kind, and we will yield the question. Why should modern Christians do differently from Bible Christians?

57. There is no record that God has ever removed His blessing or sanctification from the seventh day.

58. As the Sabbath was kept in Eden before the fall, so it will be observed eternally in the new earth after the restitution. Isaiah 66:22-23.
59. The seventh-day Sabbath was an important part of the law of God, as it came from His own mouth, and was written by His own finger upon stone at Sinai. (see Exodus 20). When Jesus began His work, He expressly declared that He had not come to destroy the law.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets.” Matthew 5:17.

60. Jesus severely condemned the Pharisees as hypocrites for pretending to love God, while at the same time they made void one of the Ten Commandments by their tradition. In the same way, the keeping of Sunday is making void God’s law and is only a tradition of men.


Let's also look at 40 Bible Facts Concerning the FIRST-DAY (SUNDAY) of the Week.

1. The very first thing recorded in the Bible is work done on Sunday, the first day of the week. Genesis 1:1-5.
This was done by the Creator Himself. If God made the earth on Sunday, can it be wicked for us to work on Sunday?

2. God commands men to work upon the first day of the week. Exodus 20:8-11. Is it wrong to obey God?

3. None of the patriarchs ever kept it.

4. None of the holy prophets ever kept it.

5. By the express command of God, His holy people used the first day of the week as a common working day for at least 4,000 years.

6. God Himself calls it a “working” day. Ezekiel 46:1.

7. God did not rest upon it.

8. He never blessed it.

9. Christ did not rest upon it.

10. Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3) and worked at His trade until He was 30 years old. He kept the Sabbath and worked six days in the week, as all admit. Hence He did many a hard day’s work on Sunday.

11. The apostles worked upon it during the same time.

12. The apostles never rested upon it.

13. Christ never blessed it.

14. It has never been blessed by any divine authority.

15. It has never been sanctified.

16. No law was ever given to enforce the keeping of it; hence it is no transgression to work upon it. “For where no law is, there is no transgression.” Romans 4:15; (1 John 3:4).

17. Nowhere does the New Testament forbid any work to be done on Sunday.

18. No penalty is provided for its violation.

19. No blessing is promised for its observance.

20. No regulation is given as to how it ought to be
observed. Would this be so if the Lord wished us to keep it?

21. It is never called the Christian Sabbath.

22. It is never called the Sabbath day at all.

23. It is never called the Lord’s day.

24. It is never called even a rest day.

25. No sacred title whatever is applied to it. Then why should we call it holy?

26. It is simply called the “first day of the week.”

27. Jesus never mentioned it in any way--never took its name upon His lips as far as the record shows.

28. The word Sunday never occurs in the Bible at all.

29. Neither God, Christ, nor inspired men, ever said one word in favor of Sunday as a holy day.

30. The first day of the week is mentioned only eight times
in all the New Testament. Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corin 16:2.

31. Six of these texts refer to the same first day of the week.

32. Paul directed the saints to look over their secular affairs on that day. 1 Corinthians 16:2.
33. In all the New Testament we have a record of only one religious meeting held upon that day. Acts 20:5-12.

34. There is not an intimation that they ever held a meeting on it before or after that.

35. It was not their custom to meet on that day.

36. There was no requirement to break bread on that day.

37. We have an account of only one instance in which it was done. Acts 20:7.

38. That was done in the night--after midnight. Verses 7-11.
Jesus celebrated it on Thursday evening, (Luke 22), and the disciples sometimes did it every day. Acts 2:42-46.

39. Nowhere does the Bible state that the first day of the week commemorates the resurrection of Christ. This is a tradition of men, which makes void the law of God.
Matthew 15:1-9. It is baptism that commemorates the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Romans 6:3-5.

40. Finally, the New testament is totally silent with regard to any change of the seventh day as God‘s Sabbath day or any sacredness given for Sunday—the first day.




These 100 plain Bible facts, SHOWS conclusively that the seventh day of the week, or Saturday, is the Sabbath of the Lord in both the Old and New Testament.

Hence what should be our response to this fourth commandment of God?

“For he spake in a certain place on the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works....

There remaineth therefore a rest (Sabbath) to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:4, 9-11.

“And hereby we do know that we know him (God), if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him....By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 2:3-5, 5:2-3.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city (of God). For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:14.

GOD BLESS YOU IMMENSELY FRIEND

SultanOfAbia:
I have never seen a religion so divided like Christianity..

Pentecostal, Adventist,catholic,protestant, Methodist,Anglican, cherubim, Jehovah witness...etc

Dem go come dey compete among themselves
Who is more closer to Jesus

If Christians can't come together as one and stop dividing into different business centers.
Then it means you all are not following Jesus

Sabbath day is on Sunday

But some werey say it's on Saturday

Jesus was crucified in both hands on the cross

But Jehovah witness say no be Cross
Say na Nepa pole Dem use crucify Jesus

Too many division and man made doctrines
And everybody thinks their own church is superior

Seems someone is MISTAKEN as so many have also missed the simply Biblical reconning of days of the WEEK.

Exodus 20:10 (KJV)
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Point 1:
The 7TH DAY is the LORD'S SABBATH DAY.
You can choose the 1st, 5th, 6th or any other as your Sabbath day, but if you talk about God's Sabbath day, it can only be the 7TH DAY

But which day is SUNDAY?
Matthew 28:1
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.


Point 2:
The end of the Sabbath marks the beginning of the 1st Day of the week

Hence after THE SABBATH DAY (7TH DAY), we return again to the 1ST DAY.

(Also Note that Leviticus 23:32 says .......from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.)

Mark 16:9
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.


Point 3:
Jesus Rose on the First day of the week.
This day "NO ONE ARGUES ITS SUNDAY"


Mark 16:2
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Mark 16:9 (KJV) Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

More Verses

Luke 24:1-6 (KJV)
1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,


GOD'S SABBTH DAY =7TH DAY =SABBATH DAY = SATURDAY

1ST DAY = SUNDAY (THE DAY OF JESUS'S RESURRECTION)

Infact God Himself warned us about this seemingly CHANGE
Daniel 7:25 (KJV) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:......


I HOPE IT'S CLEAR.
MORE CLARIFICATION? FEEL FREE TO CHAT ME UP.

GOD BLESS YOU IMMENSELY BROTHER.

GGstan:
666 AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST
CLEARING THE CONFUSION AND MAKING IT PLAIN FOR THE SIMPLE MIND TO UNDERSTAND.


....... Continued in this page

Beloved, you might be wondering whether you will still find the title Vicarious Filii Dei in the pope's crown today. The answer is an obvious NO. This is because the Roman Catholic Church was sufficiently embarrassed by this revelation from Helwig that they took the title Vicarious Filii Dei from the pope's mitre. However, this title continues to remain the pope's official title, and is used whenever a new pope is being ordained.

Irrespective of the explanations I have given so far, someone is likely to object that the application of the number 666 to the Papal power is a mere coincidence. I would quickly agree with anyone that this might be a mere twist of fate, if all we had to identify the beast power from the Bible was this mystic number. But friends, the fitting application of the number 666 to the pontiff of Rome, is actually the twenty - first of a long list of characteristic marks that we have gleaned from the Bible to identify the papal system as the antichrist. Even if we should scrap off this one mark of identifying the beast power, what about the other twenty characteristics that point unmistakably to the Roman Catholic System as the antichrist? Do we scrap them too? Friends, the fact that the number 666 fits the Papal pontiff, only adds more weight and strength to solidify our stance that the Papacy is the true antichrist power of Bible prophecy.

Friends, based on what we gone through so far, I believe you have gained a clearer understanding of the number 666 and what it represents. Now, I want us to focus on the second issue in our study; that is, the MARK of the beast. Beloved, a lot of people in our world today believe that the mark of the beast might be related to one technology or the other. Some believe that the mark might be either a bar code or some computer chip. Others think the mark might be some iris scanning, or better still, an RFID chip that will be planted on the forehead or on the hand. Recently, I have received several posts on WhatsApp in regard to a particular article written by one Jonathan Annobil. This article by Jonathan Annobil presents one of the widely accepted explanations concerning these end time issues. I have therefore featured a portion of Jonathan Annobil's article in this study so we can compare his views on these end time issues with what the Bible has to say. Featured below is a portion of Jonathan Annobil's article:"666 is here already. Let's Pray Hard:

666 The Mark of the Beast Prophecy

Finally Fulfilled...

Written By: Jonathan Annobil on 10th August, 2014.

The US Senate has passed the Obama Health Bill into law. The implementation will commence soon. The bill will require all Americans to be implanted with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip in order to access medical care. The device will be implanted on the forehead or on the arm. This is to fulfill the prophecy in the Book of Revelation 13:15-18 concerning the MARK OF THE BEAST. Are you still doubting the END TIME? Do you know that the special car which was made for Obama is known as the BEAST? Get READY. The rapture is near. Revelation 13 is being played out right before us. Many are still unaware.

1. Why is the chip being implanted exactly where the Bible says it would be? Why on the hand and forehead? Why not anywhere else?

2. Why is it being connected to your bank account? Remember, the Bible says you won't be able to buy or sell without the mark 666. And guess what! The chip is connected to your financial details. What breaks my heart the most is that many people in the church will not make it if Jesus comes now. Many are unaware that the end is near. Don't tell me that it's advancement in technology or development. If any area of your life is not in sync with God's Word, repent and be converted. If you miss heaven you cannot miss hell…think about it. Hell is not a pretty place, the worst part is that it is for eternity…He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the church" (Bold emphasis have been added and shortened words written in full).Friends, before I address certain points from this article that I do not see eye to eye with Jonathan, I want to emphasize the fact that Jonathan Annobil is sincere in his desire to reach the lost for Christ. You can feel it from the tone of his words as he delves into diverse end time issues. Unfortunately, his explanations to these apocalyptic issues do not synchronise with God's Word. For instance:

1. Jonathan Annobil makes the passing statement: "The rapture is near." I believe he makes this statement in connection with the popular secret rapture theory which has been accepted by many in Christendom today. Unfortunately, this doctrine has no scriptural basis. The Bible clearly teaches about a single literal second coming of Jesus and not a secret rapture hoax. If you will want to obtain our clear explanations on the Bible’s position concerning the secret rapture doctrine, just send a request for our series on THE RAPTURE AND SECOND COMING OF CHRIST through our WhatsApp numbers found at the end of this study.

2. Jonathan Annobil also makes the statement: "Hell is not a pretty place, the worst part is that it is for eternity". Friends, the Bible does not teach that people go to heaven or hell immediately after death. The Bible’s clear teaching is that when people die, they take an unconscious sleep in their graves waiting for one of two types of resurrection depending on their works here on the earth. Moreover, even though the Bible mentions hellfire, it is quick to add that it is a future event that will take place at the end of the age (Revelation 20:9). The Bible is also clear about the fact that the wicked will not remain in this fire forever but will be completely destroyed by it. If you will want to obtain our clear Bible - based explanations on these issues, just send a request for our series dubbed: THE TRUTH ABOUT HELL through our WhatsApp numbers found at the end of this study.

3. Concerning our topic for today, Jonathan Annobil believes that the Mark of the beast is 666; and that through the technology of RFID, this 666 mark will be implanted on the forehead or on the hand of people. Beloved, from what we have considered earlier in today's study, we can confidently say that; this view that postulates that the mark of the beast is 666 is not supported by Scripture.

4. Jonathan Annobil also believes that the beast is actually US President Obama. This is because according to him, Revelation 13:15-18 describes end time issues which Obama is actually on the verge of fulfilling. Annobil mentions in his article, President Obama's healthcare law which is going to ensure that all Americans are implanted with an RFID chip on their foreheads or on their hands. Annobil thinks this initiative by President Obama will actually fulfil the prophecy of Revelation 13:15-18. What actually convinces Annobil to believe that this view is conclusive, is the fact that, the special car that was made for President Obama is known as the beast; a name which the apostle John utilizes to describe the antichrist power in Revelation 13. This view by Jonathan Annobil is also not supported by Scripture. From the context of Revelation 13:15-17, it is possible that current technology may be used to block God's people from buying and selling. However, the Bible does not teach that the mark of the beast is any form of technology.

Beloved, for us to be able to ascertain what the mark of the beast is, we must first know who or what the beast power represents. And to know from Scripture, the identity of the beast power was what Jonathan Annobil could not correctly determine. From our previous studies, we have proven beyond reasonable doubt that the beast power is the Papacy or the Roman Catholic Church system. Get this fact wrong, and you are likely to make several errors concerning end time issues as Annobil has made in this article.

Friends, from our previous studies, we know for sure that the beast power is the Papacy. Now, from simple logic, we can postulate that if the beast power is the Papacy, then if follows that the mark of the beast will actually be a mark that is associated with Roman Catholicism. Now, with this clear point made, a very important question that we will have to find an answer to is this: What does the Roman Catholic Church claim to be the mark or sign of her authority?

Friends, I want us to hear this from the horses' own mouth. And so let's check some Catholic sources:

1. From the Catholic Record, London, Ontario September 1, 1923 we read the following: "Sunday is our mark of authority, the church is above the Bible and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of the fact and any protestant who keeps Sunday acknowledges this". 2. From the "Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine" 2nd Edition 1910, p. 50 we read the following: "QUESTION: Which is the Sabbath day?"

"ANSWER: Saturday is the Sabbath day."

"QUESTION: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?"

"ANSWER: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church, in the council of Laodicea transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday."3. From C. F. Thomas, Chancellor to Cardinal Gibbons, we read the following answer in regard to a letter concerning the change from the Bible Sabbath to Sunday: "Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act. ...and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters."4. From the book Rome's Challenge, page 34, we read the following: "Most Christians assume that Sunday is the biblically approved day of worship. The Roman Catholic Church protests that it transferred Christian worship from the biblical Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday, and that to try to argue that the change was made in the Bible is both dishonest and a denial of Catholic authority. If Protestantism wants to base its teachings only on the Bible, it should worship on Saturday."5. From the Saint Catherine Catholic Church Sentinel May 21, 1995, we read the following: "Perhaps the boldest thing, the most revolutionary change the church ever did happened in the first century. The Holy day, the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday... not from any directions noted in the Scriptures, but from the churches sense of its own power. People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become Seventh-day Adventists, and keep Saturday holy."Friends, from the several quotes above, we learn clearly that the mark of the beast, that is, the mark of Catholic authority, is SUNDAY WORSHIP. In fact, the Bible predicted several centuries ago, through the prophet Daniel; that the antichrist power will actually attempt to change God's times and Laws (Daniel 7:25). And friends, that's exactly what the Roman Catholic Church has done. The Church of Rome has tampered with the holy law of God by taking away the second commandment prohibiting image worship from her Catechism. Find time to check this out. As if that was not enough, the Catholic Church has tampered with the content of the Sabbath commandment by changing the Sabbath time from Saturday, (the Seventh day) to Sunday, (the first day of the week).

Beloved, you might be wondering why I am being so passionate about this Sabbath - Sunday issue. You might be wondering what at all is wrong with going to worship God on Sunday. You see friend, the reason I seem to be so passionate to get this message across to you is basically because of your eternal salvation. For God has reserved the fiercest of His wrath for people who will worship the beast and receive his mark. From Revelation 14:9-11, we read the following terrible warning from the heart of a loving God:"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name" (Revelation 14:9-11).Beloved, in the very next verse that follows this horrible warning, the people of God are differentiated from those who worship the beast, and take his mark. From Revelation 14:12, we read the following comforting words:"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."Friends, in this text, the people of God are described. They choose to obey the commandments of God rather than bow to the authority of the beast. They choose to honour God by keeping holy the Seventh - day Sabbath instead of bowing to popular pressure to keep Sunday.

Friends, you might be a little bit surprised why God seems to be so passionate about pouring His unadulterated wrath on people who will keep Sunday instead of the Bible Sabbath as we near the close of this earth's history. The reason friend is basically that Sunday was never ordained by God. The Lord ordained the keeping of the Sabbath; that is, the Seventh day, right after creation (Genesis 2:1-3). The Lord set the Sabbath as a memorial in time to remind all intelligent beings on the planet that He is the Supreme Creator. The Lord abhors idolatry. In fact, from the first commandment in the Decalogue, we read the following: "Thou shall not have other gods before me" ( Exodus 20:3). Beloved, from the time of Nimrod, mankind has resorted to worshiping other gods instead of the Creator. And one primary god that Satan has influenced almost all cultures and people to worship through the ages, is the sun god. In ancient biblical times, the worship of the sun became so popular that even some of God's chosen people in ancient Israel were attracted to the practice. From Ezekiel 8:15-18, we read the following concerning sun worship in Israel:"15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. 16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. 17 Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them."Friends, sun worship was an abomination to the Lord, and He brought swift judgement on those who participated in such abomination. Today, the enemy of souls has changed his tactics. He knows that he cannot deceive the masses to bow to the sun god as he did in ancient times because of their knowledge of God's commandment concerning idolatry. However, the devil has determined to make many to commit this same sin of idolatry, by promoting the day on which the pagans worshipped their sun god, over and above the Bible Sabbath; which draws the attention to the Creator.

Beloved, Sunday is the day that the pagans worshipped the sun god. It is this same day that has been Christianised by the papal power and promoted across the world as the Lord's Day. From the pointed words of the Roman Emperor Constantine, we read the following in regard to the first Sunday law: "On the venerable day of the sun, let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed." Friends, as we can see from this law, Sunday was actually revered because the sun god was worshipped on this day.

Beloved, from the words of Dr. Edward T. Hiscox D. D., author of the Baptist manual, we read the following: "There was and is a commandment to keep holy the Sabbath day, but that Sabbath was not Sunday. It will be said, however, and with some show of triumph, that the Sabbath was transferred from the Seventh to the first day of the week, with all its duties, privileges, and sanctions. Earnestly desiring information on this subject, which I have studied for many years, I ask where can a record of such a transaction 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. Of course, I quite well know that Sunday did come into use in early Christian history as a religious day, as we learn from the Christian fathers and other sources. But what a pity that it comes branded with the mark of paganism, and christened with the name of the sun god, when adopted and sanctified by the papal apostasy, and bequeathed as a sacred legacy to Protestantism." Stated November 13, 1893, at a New York Minister's Conference discussing the heated debate over whether the Chicago's World Fair should remain open on Sunday.Beloved, the famous Cardinal Gibbons summarizes this Sabbath - Sunday controversy with these strong words: "Reason and sense demand the acceptance of one or the other of these alternatives: either Protestantism and the keeping holy of Saturday, or Catholicity and the keeping holy of Sunday. Compromise is impossible." - Catholic Mirror, Cardinal Gibbons Dec. 32, 1893.Friends, from what we have studied so far, it is very clear that each one of us has a choice to make in the final battle between good and evil. The choice, as to whether we will give our allegiance to the beast power (that is, the Papacy) and take his mark of authority (that is, Sunday worship), or we will choose to obey the commandments of God, including His holy Sabbath, because we love Him with all our heart. Beloved, which of these two options will you choose today? Are you going to follow human traditions or you will be obedient to the Commandments of God? Christ stands at the door of your heart, and implores you with these clear words: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15).

Footnote: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30).

Right now, you might pondering:

1. What about the mass number of people who worship on Sunday? Do their worship on Sunday mean they have received the mark of the beast?

2. What is the meaning of receiving the mark of the beast in the forehead? What is the meaning of receiving the mark on the hand?

3. Does the Bible predict a National Sunday Law in the various countries of the world as part of a Global New World Order?

4. What will be America's role in the final conflict between good and evil?

If you so wish, you can get in touch with me on 0 7 0 6 8 00 6 1 8 0
Maranatha!

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Righteousness2:
Bible prophecy is unfolding right before our eyes. But the world is too blind to see it.

The mark of the beast technology is being tested right before our eyes.



Everything is converging so quickly all over the world.
The Rapture of church is much closer than many think
JESUS Christ is coming.
JESUS Christ is coming..
JESUS Christ is coming..
Make your ways right with JESUS Christ to avoid had I know.

666 AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST
CLEARING THE CONFUSION AND MAKING IT PLAIN FOR THE SIMPLE MIND TO UNDERSTAND.

I welcome all Nairalanders and friends alike to this edition of Insights from God's Word, an indept Study Programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we will be looking at one of the series on The Final Events of Bible Prophecy.
The topic for this study is: 666 and the Mark of the Beast. In this study, we are going to determine from Scripture, the truth about the mysterious number 666 and the dreaded mark of the beast. It is my sincere prayer that the Lord will use this study to provide sound Bible - based answers that will help millions to know the truth about these issues, and be able to distinguish this truth from the numerous counterfeits out there.

Even though several interpretations abound in regard to these apocalyptic issues, one basic interpretation stands tall among the rest. This widely accepted interpretation is the explanation that the mark of the beast is actually the number 666. In fact, if you should do a quick survey; asking people this simple question: What do you think is the mark of the beast? Many of your respondents, I believe, will tell you that the mark of the beast is 666. Some will go further and make use of a popular text found in Revelation 13:16 to explain to you that a literal 666 mark is going to be placed on the forehead, or on the hand of people who will accept the authority of an antichrist power that will show up in the future. Friends, this popular view that the mark of the beast is a literal 666 mark that will be printed on the foreheads or hands of people who will kowtow to an antichrist power yet to come in the future, is not supported by the Bible. In fact, the Bible teaches that the Number 666 and the Mark of the beast are two different things. In today's study, we are going to consider critically these two issues from the light of God's Holy Word.

First, I will want us to consider the mysterious number 666, after which we will find out what the Bible has to say concerning the mark of the beast. Friends, as I said earlier, the Bible actually differentiates the NUMBER 666 from the MARK of the beast. From Revelation 13:16-17, we read the following in regard to these end time issues:"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a MARK in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the MARK, or the NAME of the beast, or the NUMBER of his name" (Capital Emphasis Added).Beloved, in the verse 17 of Revelation 13, we are told that no man (generic) might be able to buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name. Thus, in this text, the apostle John clearly sets a distinction between the MARK of the beast, the NAME of the beast and the NUMBER of the beast. In fact, in the very next verse that follows what we have just read; that is, the verse 18 of Revelation 13 , we are given explicit details from the beloved apostle concerning this NUMBER of the beast. From Revelation 13:18, we read the following:"Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the NUMBER of the beast, for it is the NUMBER of a man: His number is Six hundred and sixty-six."Beloved, the quote above in Revelation 13:18 makes it clear that 666 is the NUMBER of the beast. As we can see, this text in Revelation 13:18, does not relate the number 666 in any way to the mark of the beast. Now, having made the biblical distinction between these two issues clear, I want us to proceed and find out what this mysterious number represents. But friends, for us to be able to do that, we must first know who the beast power represents. This is because the subject we want to unravel, which is the number 666, is actually the number of the beast. And none should ever think that they will be able to unravel this mysterious number without knowing first; who or what the beast power represents.

Beloved, a critical examination of the book of Daniel and Revelation in conjunction with various passages in Scripture that describes the beast power, and comparing it with history, we will realize that there is only one power in all history that fits the numerous identifying characteristics provided by Scripture. And friends, we learn that this power is none other than the Papacy or the Roman Catholic Church System.
(reach out to me for the study on identification of the beast-power)

Beloved, now that we know who the beast power is, I believe, we can make some safe inferences. We can actually deduce at this point that; since 666 is the number of the beast, and the beast power is identified to be the Papacy, then the number 666 must logically apply to the Papacy. Besides this key information in Revelation 13:18, the Lord provides additional detail in the same text to enable us to unravel this mysterious number without much stress. Friends, from Revelation 13:18, we also read that the mysterious number 666 is actually the number of a MAN. It is obvious from the context of the text, that the man, whose number is 666, is actually connected to the beast power. With this understanding from the text, we can safely infer that even though 666 is the number of the beast, it is specifically the number of the man in control of the beast system.

From the deductions we have made above, a key question we need to ask ourselves is this: Does the Roman Catholic Church has a powerful man at the head of its system? Beloved, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, any school boy is likely to tell you that the most powerful man at the head of Roman Catholicism is none other than the Pope. Now that we are certain that the Papacy is headed by a powerful man in the person of the Pope, a follow - up question that begs for an answer is this: How does the number 666 apply to the Pontiff of Rome? You see friends, in the Greek, Latin and Hebrew languages, the various alphabets are assigned distinct numeral values. This makes it possible for anyone to calculate the number of various personalities of interest. This is the reason why the verse in Revelation 13:18, could be specific that the number 666 is actually the number of a man. From history, we know that various Popes have taken over various names. However, there is one conspicuous title that the Popes of Rome assume when they come into office. The official title that every Pope assumes when he is ordained into office is VICARIOUS FILII DEI, which means VICAR OF THE SON OF GOD. To confirm this, I want us to check out some official Catholic sources. First, from the Catholic Magazine, Our Sunday Visitor April 18, 1915 we read the following: What are the letters inscribed in the Pope's crown, and what do they signify if anything?" The letters inscribed in the Pope's mitre are these: Vicarious Filii Dei, which is the Latin for Vicar of the Son of God. Beloved, another evidence of this title is found in the Jesuit Catechism. From this Catechism, we read the following: Question: "What is the Pope?" Answer: "He is the Vicar of Christ, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and there is but one judgement seat belonging to God and the Pope."Friends, it is a fact that VICARIOUS FILII DEI is the official title of the pope. This title means vicar or representative of the Son of God on earth. But beloved, the Bible does not declare any human being as the representative of Christ on earth. The Bible actually teaches that we should set our affections on things above (Colossians 3:2), basically because Christ our beloved Saviour and Lord is interceding for us in heaven's Sanctuary (Hebrews 8:1-2). And friends, besides this fact, the title Vicarious Filii Dei is actually the title of God the Holy Spirit. However, this title too, just like other titles of God such as Holy Father ( John 17:11), has been taken over by the proud pontiff of Rome. Beloved, we learn from the Bible that when a mere man such as the pope, takes over the prerogatives of God, that is blasphemy of the highest order (John 10:30-33 ).

At this point, let's find out whether the pope's official title; Vicarious Filii Dei actually adds up to 666. From our basic knowledge of Roman numerals in the primary school, I believe this wouldn't be a difficult hurdle to cross over.

For VICARIOUS, the Roman numeral values are as follows: V=5 , I=1, C=100, A=0, R=0, I=1, U=5, and S=0. If we sum the Roman numeral letters in the word VICARIOUS, we obtain a value of 112.

For FILII, the Roman numeral values are as follows: F=0, I=1, L=50, I=1 and I=1. If we sum the Roman numeral letters in the word FILII, we obtain a value of 53.

For DEI, the Roman numeral values are as follows: D=500, E=0 and I=1. If we sum the Roman numeral values in the word DEI, we obtain a value of 501.

Now, if we add up the totals of the words Vicarious Filii Dei, we obtain a grand total of 666. Let's check that out: 112+53+501=666. Beloved that's exactly 666. But you see, this is no news to many Bible Prophecy students. This is because the principal exponent of this interpretation, ANDREAS HELWIG lived from 1572 to 1643. However, many people are not familiar with Helwig's work because a lot of work has been done by loyal Catholics over the years to counter such Bible - based works, and divert the attention of the masses away from viewing the papacy as the antichrist of Bible Prophecy.

....... Continued in next page

jidxin:
fake Christians, read bible una no go read.... Anyway the mark of the beast is after rapture of the church

Please what Version of bible are you using and where can it be found in the bible that "the mark of the beast is after rapture of the Church".

Infact, make a wild or a careful search on the word "Rapture” in your bible, KJV, NKJV, BBE, NIV, ASV, RSV and so on, you would not find a single mention of that word.

There is a theological question that has disturbed millions of Christians and has lent untold doctrinal confusion to the modem religious world. That question revolves around the manner of Christ's coming back to this earth at the end of the world. Multitudes have been led to believe that Christ will return secretly. What about the so-called secret rapture? A large number of Christians have been exposed to this "dispensationalist" or "futurist" interpretation of prophecy and have been hopelessly confused.

According to this view, the coming of Jesus will be in two separate events. First, He will come secretly to take the church to heaven, and then, seven years later, He will come in an open demonstration of power and glory. In between those two events, the Antichrist is supposed to come into power and the great tribulation period takes place.

But the truth is that the Bible nowhere speaks of these two separate comings of Jesus. There is no second stage of His coming that occurs seven years after the so-called "rapture." By the way, that word "rapture" is also an invention of theologians. It can't be found in the Bible in even a single instance. It is a word coined for the second advent of Jesus.

Now here is what we find in the Scriptures: Christ's coming, the resurrection, and catching up of the saints to meet Jesus in the air, all take place at the same time, at the end of the world. This is why Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). Now why would Jesus promise to be with the church until the end of the world if He intended to come seven years before the end to take them out of the world? The promise would have no meaning.

Will It Be Secret?
The secret rapture doctrine contradicts the words of Christ in Matthew chapter 13 when He said that the wheat and tares would grow together until the "end of the world" and then would be separated. According to the two-stage teaching of His coming, both groups would not grow together until the end of the world. The righteous would be separated from the wicked seven years before the end. And what about the promise of the resurrection? Christ said, concerning the righteous, "And I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40). No one denies that this means the last day of the world. Yet Paul declares that the saints are caught up to meet the Lord at the same time the dead in Christ are raised. He says, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

Please keep in mind that Jesus called this resurrection the "last day." But how could it be the "last day" if this gathering of the saints takes place seven years before the end of the world? And how could the "last trump" sound if it really wasn't the very last moment of time?

Can you imagine the graves opening and the righteous rising and no one knowing that it had occurred? And consider this additional testimony of the Word of God:

Revelation 6:16,17 When the wicked see Christ come, they cry out to the rocks and mountains, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

1 Corinthians 15:52 "For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised."

Psalm 50:3 "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence."

Revelation 1:7 "Every eye shall see him. "

Matthew 24:30 "Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

Matthew 24:31 "He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (This is clearly the time when Christ comes to gather His saints.)

To say that the second coming of Christ to gather His saints will be secret, in view of these clear texts of Scripture, and in the absence of any text that even hints at His coming being secret, is to deny the Bible as the Word of God. In an attempt to uphold their contrived theory, the rapturists quote Matthew 24:40, 41 out of context. Notice this entire passage:
"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating

and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left" (Matthew 24:37-41).

Jesus is clearly drawing a parallel between the second coming and the days of Noah. Those who entered the ark in Noah's day were saved, and those who refused to enter the ark were left outside. But what were they left for? For another chance? No, obviously they were left to be destroyed by the Flood. So, says Jesus, will it be when He comes at the end of the world. One will be taken to heaven with Jesus, and the other will be left for destruction. Verse 51 makes clear what will happen to those who are left: "And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Read Luke 17:26-37 for Luke's parallel account of these same words of Jesus. In verse 36, this statement is made: "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." Now notice verse 37 and the question the disciples asked: "And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord?" They wanted to know where those who didn't go to heaven were going to be left. Notice Jesus' clear answer: "And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together."

Take note how Jesus taught that the bodies of the wicked are going to be left on the ground for the eagles to consume. Scripture is too plain to be misunderstood. Only as we accept all that the Bible says can we be safe from such deceptive teachings that are confusing millions of sincere Christians today concerning this most glorious event of all ages, the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Now, I realize that the rapturists hang onto the texts that liken the Lord's coming to "a thief in the night." They assume that this must be a quiet, secret coming. But does it really mean that? Let's show that it definitely does not. Here is one of those texts in 2 Peter 3: 10: "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat." Obviously the "thief' part has nothing to do with secrecy because the heavens will pass away with a great noise! And if coming "as a thief' is the secret rapture which takes place seven years before the end of the world, how can the heavens and earth "pass away," as Peter describes it? The heavens and earth could not pass away seven years before the world ends - that is the end

The fact is that Jesus Himself explained clearly just how a thief's coming could be related to His coming: "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up" (Matthew 24:42, 43). There it is, so plain and simple! The thief would come unexpectedly when the owners were not looking for a thief. In the same way, His coming would take people by surprise. They would not be watching or looking for it.

Will Christ Return in Two Phases?
The dispensationalists teach that the two separate stages of Christ's coming are indicated "in the Greek." They argue that there will first be the rapture (parousia), a secret coming; then seven years later will be the revelation (apokalupsis), His coming in power and glory. But, actually, instead of teaching two separate events, the Greek terms are used interchangeably in the Bible. They give no indication of a seven-year interval.

For example, Paul uses the word "parousia" in the famous rapture chapter of 1 Thessalonians 4 in speaking of the coming of our Lord and our gathering together unto Him. He then goes right on to show that this "parousia" will destroy the man of sin. Speaking of the Antichrist, Paul says, "whom the Lord shall ... destroy with the brightness of his coming [parousia]" (2 Thessalonians 2:. These texts clearly describe the coming (parousia) of Christ as taking place after the reign of the man of sin, not as an escape rapture before the reign of the Antichrist begins.

The other Greek word "apokalupsis" (revelation) is used in a way that indicates it is not a separate coming from the time the believers are gathered up. Peter said to "be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation [apokalupsis] of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13). Why would Christians be exhorted to keep hoping to the very end of the world for the grace brought through the revelation of Christ if their real hope was a secret rapture seven years before the revelation?

Now look at some verses that prove beyond a doubt that the two words "parousia" and "apokalupsis" refer to the same event. In Matthew 24:37 we read, "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming [parousia] of the Son of man be." Luke's account of the same passage says "As it was in the days of Noe ... Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed [apokalupsis]" (Luke 17:26, 30). This shows that the coming (parousia) of Christ and the revelation (apokalupsis) of Christ are the same event. There is absolutely no basis for placing seven years in between.

Many dispensationalist teachers actually claim that the rapture is not really the "coming" of Jesus at all. They say His coming is when Christ returns in power seven years after the rapture. But what a contradictory, confusing explanation that is! The fact is that there are many Scriptures that admonish Christians to wait and watch for the coming of the Lord. For example, James 5:7 says, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." But why should Christians need to be patient unto the coming of the Lord if there is to be a secret rapture to take them to heaven seven years before His coming?

Strange as it may seem, this whole counterfeit secret rapture is built upon a constant repetition of words and ideas that are not found in the Bible at all. But they have been repeated so often that millions have assumed that they must be soundly biblical. Let's take a look at some of the texts that have been used to support the doctrine of a two-phase coming of Christ. And please notice that none of the verses actually say what some try to read into them. In fact, it is only after a person has already assumed that Christ will return in two separate comings that these verses could even suggest the idea.

Revelation 3:10 is often quoted to try to prove that the righteous will be taken out of the world before the tribulation. "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." It is immediately obvious that this text does not speak of the righteous leaving this world at all. Jesus completely clarified the meaning by something He said in John 17:6, 15 which sounds very similar. "They have kept thy word. O I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." Don't miss the significance of the term "kept the word" in both these texts. Both statements are talking about the same group of people - the faithful ones.

Now if those who "kept the word" can be "kept from the evil" of the world without being taken out of the world, why should we suppose that a special coming and secret rapture is required for those who "kept the word" to be "kept from the hour of temptation"? Whatever else may be taught in Revelation 3: 10, it is evident that no extra coming of Christ is indicated.

True biblical doctrine must be based upon clear statements of what the entire Bible teaches on a subject and not upon verses that offer only veiled inferences. Luke 21:36 is an example of that very thing. Jesus said to His disciples, "Pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass." How? By a secret rapture to take them to heaven seven years before the end of the world? Definitely not, for in the prayer of Jesus we read, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." When He told them to "pray ... to escape," He must have meant the same as when He prayed, "I pray not ... take them out of the world but ... keep them." This rules out a secret rapture entirely. The text that is used to prove the rapture is seen actually to forbid the saints being taken out of this world during the time of trouble.

"It is a matter for deep regret that those who advocate the futurist system at the present day, Protestants as they are for the most part, are really playing into the hands of Rome, and helping to screen the Papacy from detection as the Antichrist."

Thus, the whole theory of the secret rapture with its future Antichrist had its origin with the Jesuits in an attempt to take the blame off the Papacy.