World News in Relation to Biblical Prophecy ── June 14, 2026

This week in World News Regarding Biblical Prophecy ── the Vatican. Robert Francis Prevost (aka Pope Leo XIV) has “consecrated” what is believed to be the tallest church building in the world (See: AP - Pope honors Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia as masterpiece of stone, color and light on Gaudí centenary).

Back in February, the cross at the top of the tower was installed. Raf Sanchez with NBC News has dubbed it “a gigantic five-story ceramic cross.” 1

Interestingly, it wasn’t until around 200 – 210 AD that we see writings, such as the Roman Catholic supporting Tertullian, suggesting that a cross is “a sign of Jesus.”

Alexander Hislop (1807 – 13 March 1865), a Free Church of Scotland minister, wrote in his book The Two Babylons concerning the cross ──

“It is certain that the X was the symbol of the god Ham in Egypt, and as such was exhibited on the breast of his image. Whichever view be taken, however, of Constantine’s sincerity, the supposed divine warrant for reverencing the sign of the cross entirely falls to the ground. In regard to the X there is no doubt that, by the Christians who knew nothing of secret plots or devices, it was generally taken, as Lactantius declares, as equivalent to the name of Christ. In this view, therefore, it had no very great attractions for the Pagans, who, even in worshipping Horus, had always been accustomed to make use of the mystic tau or cross as the ‘sign of life’ or the magical charm that secured all that was good and warded off everything that was evil. …

… one more symbol of the Romish worship to be noticed and that is the sign of the cross. In the Papal system, as is well known, the sign of the cross and the image of the cross are ‘all in all.’ No prayer can be said, no worship engaged in, no step can almost be taken without the frequent use of the sign of the cross. The cross is looked upon as the grand charm, as the great refuge in every season of danger, in every hour of temptation as the infallible preservative from all the powers of darkness. The cross is adored with all the homage due only to the Most High, and for anyone to call it, in the hearing of a genuine Romanist, by the Scriptural term, ‘the accursed tree,’ is a mortal offence. …

The same sign of the cross that Rome now worships was used in the Babylonian Mysteries, was applied by Paganism to the same magic purposes, was honoured with the same honours. That which is now called the Christian cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans and Egyptians—the true original form of the letter T—the initial of the name of Tammuz— …

There is hardly a Pagan tribe where the cross has not been found. The cross was worshipped by the Pagan Celts long before the incarnation and death of Christ. …” 2

This outstanding research by Mr. Hislop should show everyone that the use of the “cross” is clearly an idol for billions upon billions of people worldwide! Question: Does anyone feel that God our Father would want true Christians to venerate a symbol that was used to torture and murder His Son? Note: It only takes a little research to learn about how and by what means the ancient Romans would crucify their prisoners, e.g., it involved suspension on a wooden cross or stake until death.

Reference Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13. “( … ’ Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).” An old oak tree stripped of branches with a cross beam tied to it. (Ai-generated)

“Ancient Romans did indeed use permanent trees—specifically upright wooden posts or stakes. These were often oak or olive trees that had been set firmly in the ground before the condemned arrived at the execution site. The tree was not a temporary cross; it was a fixed structure, sometimes several feet tall, to which the victim was tied or nailed.” 3

Early Church of God groups have historically avoided using the “cross” symbol. The Paterines also considered the “cross” as the sign of the “mark of the beast” ──

“About the year 1040, the Paterines had become very numerous at Milan, which was their principle residence, and here they flourished at least two hundred years. They had no connection with the [Catholic] church; for they rejected not only Jerome of Syria, Augustine of Africa, and Gregory of Rome, but Ambrose of Milan; considering them, and all other pretended fathers, as corrupters of Christianity. They particularly condemned pope Sylvester as Antichrist. They called [the adoration of] the cross the mark of the beast.” 4

It is of interest to note the following admission in an article on the Paulicians by the Catholics ──

“A distinctive feature of Paulician practice was their rejection of the Cross as a symbol of worship. Instead, they honored only the book of the Gospel. … Since Gibbon the Paulicians have often been described as a survival of early and pure Christianity, godly folk who clung to the Gospel, …” 5

Also of interest, Puritans (a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to reform the Church of England by eliminating practices they viewed as remnants of Roman Catholicism) were also opposed to the cross symbol. Still, of course, in time, they again adopted Catholic doctrines and beliefs.

Yet, to this very day, true Christians are opposed to the cross symbol.

A publication of The Messenger of Truth ── an organic, precursor of the Church of God (Seventh Day), in its November 1854 periodical had the following ──

“Now this mark in the forehead, we say is the “cross;” for it is a mark or sign of Catholicism, or of the first beast. …

Although it may seem out of place here, yet I wish to say a few words to illustrate this message. The cross that we see on yonder meeting house, was not placed there as a sign, or symbol of “Our Salvation,” (as the Catholics say), but in reality a sign, or demonstration of Satan’s victory over the Son of God: Acts 2, 23) ── …

Therefore, those who make the cross their household God, pocket companion wear it in their foreheads & shew their true character, and that of their master; that he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth.” 6

Now, regarding this false self-proclaimed prophetess, Ellen G. White of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, she once wrote ──

“Papists place crosses upon their churches, upon their altars, and upon their garments. Everywhere is seen the insignia of the cross. Everywhere it is outwardly honored and exalted. But the teachings of Christ are buried beneath a mass of senseless traditions, false interpretations, and rigorous exactions. …

The worship of images and relics, the invocation of saints, and the exaltation of the pope are devices of Satan to attract the minds of the people from God and from His Son.” 7

The definition of “Papist” is a Roman Catholic.

But, of course, their doctrine has since changed; no later than 1997, a cross-containing logo has been in use by the official SDA Church. Also, they were not the only ones to adopt the Catholic cross symbol, or rather mark. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) did as well. However, notice this from July 2011 ──

“The Meaning of the Cross for Latter-day Saints

All of us have passed by churches that have a cross on their steeples or cupolas, and we’ve all seen people wearing a necklace with a cross, indicating they are Christian or a member of a certain Christian denomination. Some of our new members may even continue to wear a cross, feeling that it connects them with their past or other religious traditions. …

We may wonder why we Latter-day Saints don’t place a cross on our churches or wear a cross to show that we are Christians, thereby making it easier for others to identify in whom we believe. …

The blessing of what happened on the cross is witnessed in our behavior, our families, and our standards. We are Christians in the true inward sense, and we display Christ to the world through our lives, our message, and our love rather than through a symbol whereby we are identified.”

(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/07/the-meaning-of-the-cross-for-latter-day-saints?lang=eng).

Of course, their doctrine changed… “Sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise!” ──

“On March 25, 2026, the church announced the installation of a cross-centric statue on Temple Square. To be clear, the image—which depicts Jesus carrying the cross—isn’t terribly dissimilar from images with which LDS folks may be accustomed in other contexts. But when coupled with an increasingly public embrace of mainstream Christian Easter traditions, … it seems to mark a notable change of tone for the church generally and Temple Square specifically, particularly when it comes to cross-related imagery …

Previously, most imagery on Temple Square tended to focus on non-cross-related imagery, opting instead for images of Jesus performing miracles, teaching, or as a resurrected being. …

Now, visitors to Temple Square will be initially greeted with cross-imagery that feels and looks like it could be placed as comfortably in a Catholic Cathedral as it could be in a Protestant mega-church.”

(https://bycommonconsent.com/2026/03/27/lds-church-and-the-cross-new-statues-on-temple-square/).

Now, after writing that, the author apologizes ── “I don’t mean that in any way that is disparaging …”

So, indeed, Mormons are moving closer in line to Catholicism and all other “Christian” organizations around the world. Also, let it be duly noted that the SDAs have adopted the doctrine of the Trinity (be sure to read our article “Is God a Trinity?”), which they were initially teaching against, which, now combined with their cross acceptance, has made them more “acceptable” to the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant organizations.

The LORD God has warned us, brethren ──

“’ Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5) For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’” – Revelation 18:4, 5.

The LORD God also, through the inspired writings of the Apostle John, has warned us ──

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD ── the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life ── is not of the Father but is of the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16.

Yet… and the television show Blue Bloods, every episode, flaunted the sign of the cross (they were, after all, portraying an Irish American Catholic family) ── the Roman catholic Church and “her daughter churches” do not seem to care or realize that the cross is the mark of the beast.

God’s living word is clear that He is against anyone who “worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand” ── they “shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, …” – Revelation 14:9. □

Sources:

1 Sanchez R., Pope Leo to hold iconic Mass at Spain’s Sagrada Família, NBC News, 9 June 2026.

2 Hislop, A., The Two Babylons, Compiled, Formatted and Edited by Avram Yehoshua. https://seedofabraham.net/The%20Full%20Hislop-2012-04-14.pdf. pgs. 162, 197-201. Retrieved 14 June 2026.

3 Kohler, K. & Hirsch, G. E., CRUCIFIXION, Jewish Encyclopedia.com, Retrieved 14 June 2026.

4 Jones, W., The history of the Christian church: from the birth of Christ to the XVIII century, including the very interesting account of the Waldenses and Albigenses, Gallatin, Tenn.: Church History Research & Archives, 1983, pg. 500.

5 Knight, K., Catholic Encyclopedia Online, “Paulicians” Retrieved 14 June 2026.

6 Clark, E., The Beast and his Image, The Messenger of Truth, 2 Nov. 1854, Vol. I, No. IV, pg. 2.

7 White, E.G., The Great Controversy Between Christ And Satan, Pacific Press Publishing Ass., Mountain View, Ca, 1911, pg. 568.

Most People Will Be Deceived About the “Mark of the Beast”

by Leonard V Johnson

Even today, in the 21st century, a great many are wondering just what the “mark” of the beast is, and just who will be the final Antichrist. 

The term ‘antichrist’ and even ‘antichrists’ are used within God’s living word some five times, and they are found in only four verses of the Bible──all written by the Apostle John. 

Let’s notice them here ──

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who DO NOT confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” – 2 John 7. 

“Little children, it is the last hour; …” – and it was for them at that time. “… and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” – 1 John 2:18.

“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” – 1 John 2:22. 

“and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” – 1 John 4:3.

All of them are discussing an aspect of theology, which suggests, therefore, that the final Antichrist will be a powerful, respected, and popular religious figure.

The Book of 1st & 2nd John was likely written around A.D. 85-95, and he was probably speaking concerning Simon Magus (cf. Acts 8:18-24), the “mystery of lawlessness” that the Apostle Paul spoke about that was “already at work” – 2 Thessalonians 2:7. 

Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon ── one who attacked the observance of the LORD God’s holy Sabbath ── had written concerning this Simon Magus, “Those who converted to the teachings of Simon the Magician refrained from their own opinions about Him who is God, they thought they had discovered more than the apostles, inventing another God: and indeed the apostles, while still sharing the beliefs of the Jews, proclaimed the Gospel; …” 1 

Truly, one of the reasons why it is considered “the mystery of lawlessness” is that the supporters of changing the practices of “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” claimed that they were the faithful, all the while distancing themselves from the true apostles. 

Also, in addition to this popular and highly influential Simon Magus, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, specifically warned us about a large group that He called “the Nicolaitans.” – Revelation 2:6. I teach on just who our Lord Jesus considers the Nicolaitans to be in our video “THINK ABOUT THIS… The Nicolaitans.” A large church group that began to be “holier than thou” and became filled with hubris. A church with humble beginnings in 1934, growing into a great work for God ── and then losing their first love, having their lampstand removed from its place. Who, along with others that came before and even to this day, “are perverting the grace of our God, turning it into licentiousness, and are personally denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” – Jude 4, NET.

Also, there were those that were rising that was preaching a different gospel, which is not another ── 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-7. As an example: Justin Martyr ── and while Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and many Protestants consider this Justin Martyr to be a saint (and an important one I might add), we in the Church of God do not see him that way ── he, too, distanced himself from the Apostle John’s faith, all the while endorsing and compromising with pagan Roman cultures and religious celebrations. 2

In Dialogue With Trypho, he had written, “But if, Trypho,” I continued, “some of your race, who say they believe in this Christ, compel those Gentiles who believe in this Christ to live in all respects according to the law given by Moses, or choose not to associate so intimately with them, I in like manner do not approve of them.” 3 

So, he openly admitted that he did not approve of those who kept the Law of God. He also recorded this accusation from Trypho, “But this is what we are most at a loss about: that you, professing to be pious, and supposing yourselves better than others, are not in any particular separated from them, and do not alter your mode of living from the nations, in that you observe no festivals or sabbaths, … you yet expect to obtain some good thing from God, while you do not obey His commandments.” 4 

This Justin Martyr was claiming to be pious and faithful, but in truth was actually practicing “the mystery of lawlessness.” 

Notice this also ── this Justin Martyr was the first known writer to have specifically discussed worship on a Sunday. “But we meet together on Sunday because it is the first day in which God, having wrought the necessary change in darkness and matter, made the world; and on this day Jesus Christ our Saviour rose from the dead.” 5

According to most scholars, this First Apology was written around A.D. 155-157. In Greek it’s written: τῇ τοῦ Ηλίου λεγομένη ἡμέρᾳ, which literally means, “on the day called the Sun's Day.” In Greek religion and mythology, Helios, is the god who personifies the Sun. So, in essence, he was telling the Greek-reading audience, along with the Roman emperor, that his faith is consistent with those who worship the Sun god Helios.

 Why Might Most Be Deceived About the “Mark of the Beast”? 

So, as we just read, most of the documented changes that the Greco-Roman churches began to do was adopt the distancing of themselves from the practices that were considered “Jewish.” Often out of fear of imperial persecution, but mostly because of outright antisemitism. The heretic Marcion literally hated the seventh-day Sabbath, and anything considered to be “Jewish.” 6 

“Marcion insisted that the Church had obscured the gospel by seeking to combine it with Judaism. He maintained that the God of the Old Testament and the Jews is an evil God.” 7

Marcion of Sinope preached that God had sent Jesus Christ, who was distinct from the “vengeful” God (Demiurge) who had created the world. Several theologians have viewed him as a proto protestant. 8

This Marcion was denounced by Polycarp ── who was a disciple of the Apostle John ── “And Polycarp himself replied to Marcion, who met him on one occasion, and said, “Dost thou know me?” “I do know thee, the first-born of Satan.” Such was the horror which the apostles and their disciples had against holding even verbal communication with any corrupters of the truth; as Paul also says, “A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” 9 

Interestingly, a book in my home library, “The Other Bible” ── a book containing “ancient alternative scriptures” is a section entitled “Marcion” which begins, “Marcion of Sinope in Pontus was even more troubling to the early Christians than Simon Magus. … It was Marcion’s rejection of the biblical God in favor of the unknown, alien “Good God” that put him in the Gnostic camp.” 10

One that our beloved Polycarp outright denounced. Tertullian would later claim in The Prescription Against Heretics, that Marcion professed repentance, and agreed to the conditions granted to him—that he should receive reconciliation to the Roman Catholic Church ── but that he was prevented from doing so by his death. 11 Many Protestant groups have embraced Marcion. Yet, Marcion of Sinope was an antichrist.

Concerning Emperor Constantine the Great (25 July 306 – 22 May 337) ── Eusebius describes a vision that Constantine had while marching at midday in which “he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing the inscription, In Hoc Signo Vinces” (“In this sign thou shalt conquer”). 12 He had his men plaster that symbol all over their shields. 

And even after his supposed vision ── which if he saw anything at all it was likely a “sun dog” or what is also called a parhelion ── in 310, and despite claiming himself now a “Christian,” Emperor Constantine the Great still put the sun god Sol on his coins. 

Constantine was devoted to Sunday, and decreed it ── 

“Let all judges, the people of cities, and those employed in all trades, remain quiet on the Holy Day of Sunday. …” 13 

Then, shortly after this decree, Eusebius records that Constantine “enjoined on all the subjects of the Roman empire to observe the Lord’s day, as a day of rest, …”14

So, it was that the “Lord’s day” became attached, by a decree from the emperor, of a “Holy” Roman Empire. Notice ── 

“There is a large body of civil legislation on the Sunday rest side by side with the ecclesiastical. It begins with an Edict of Constantine. the first Christian emperor, who forbade judges to sit and townspeople to work on Sunday.” 15 

It twas the first official intertwining of European politics and Roman Catholic doctrine. It was the closet worshiping Emperor Constantine of the sun god, who declared himself ── at least not officially ── a bishop of Rome. 

And I want to point out that there are some ── but not many ── Protestants who do recognize and understand that Constantine I (the Great) was not a true Christian, but rather a closet worshiper of a sun god. 

In A.D. 325, Constantine I convened The First Council of Nicaea. Approximately 300 bishops attended the council. All evidence indicates that the proceedings and the history leading up to the council had everything to do with the Arian controversy and nothing to do with matters like the biblical canon. 16 Also, the council attempted but failed to establish a uniform date for Easter at this first Council.

After that Council, those in the true Church of God, who kept the seventh-day Sabbath, as well as the Lord’s ordained Passover were considered to be heretics. 

The Roman Catholic Church considers herself above Christ Jesus ──

“The Church is above the Bible; and this transference of Sabbath observance from Saturday to Sunday is proof positive of that fact.” 17

“The first proposition needs little proof. The Catholic Church for over one thousand years before the existence of a Protestant, by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday. … The command is: ‘Let him hear the Church,’ not, let him read the Bible, for the Bible as such did not exist when the Saviour spoke these words; but the Church.” 18 

“[Sunday]… has no foundation in the Bible, but it is in flagrant contradiction with its letter, which commands rest on the Sabbath, which is Saturday. It was the Catholic Church … [that] … transferred this rest to the Sunday in remembrance of the resurrection of our Lord. Thus the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the Church.” 19

So, the Roman Catholic Church believes that their authority is shown by their direct change from the Sabbath to Sunday. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ never changed the holy Sabbath, nor did any change come from His early and faithful followers. In truth, the Roman Catholic leaders know which weekly day is the holy Sabbath, yet they continue to push Sunday. 

According to our Lord Jesus Christ, it is the truth of God that sanctifies His people ── 

“’ 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. … 17) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18) As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19) And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.’” – John 17:14, 17-19. 

God the Father’s word is truth, not the Church. His living word teaches us to “’ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9) Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10) But THE SEVENTH DAY IS THE SABBATH OF THE LORD YOUR GOD. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.” – Exodus 20:8-10.

Catholics and Protestants alike should ask themselves ── if you, who proclaims yourself a true Christian, believes in the living word of the Eternal One, why do you continue to believe the false arguments that the Roman Catholic Church and her daughter churches continue to use in their teachings that the holy Sabbath, the seventh-day, was changed to Sunday? 

The Apostle Paul ── under divine inspiration of God’s Spirit ── warned then in the Book of 2nd Thessalonians, which was likely written in AD 51-52, that the “mystery of lawlessness” (the spirit of an antichrist, “which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world” – 1 John 4:3) was already at work ── 

“For the mystery of lawlessness is ALREADY at work; only he * who now restrains will do so until he * is taken out of the way.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:7. 

The “he” is Satan the Devil.

How can the spirit of an antichrist, the very spirit of lawlessness, be a mystery to mankind?

Well… are you aware that Satan can create false miracles? God’s living word tells us that he knows that his time is short and that he – in this end-time – is stirring up a great rebellion among people against authority. And he uses these false miracles to accomplish his work – i.e., the Three Secrets of Fátima, the “Our Lady of Clearwater” in ’96, along with the untold number of so-called visions of Mary. 

The Apostle Paul writing to the Church of God there in Thessaloniki – verse 3 – “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come [speaking of the terrible Day of the LORD] unless the falling away comes first, …”               

This theme continues in the writings of the Apostle John as he wrote down the message from God’s angel. Revelation chapter 13, verse 13 – “He [this very “son of perdition” - this false prophet] performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven [the sky] on the earth in the sight of men.” 

The power to apparently pull-down lightning from the sky!

Indeed, there are illusionists, like Simon Magus was, such as Criss Angel, David Blaine, Shin Lim, and Lu Chen.

“… and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4) who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”  

Even our Lord Jesus Christ has WARNED us of this, which includes an end-time final Antichrist ──

“’ For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.’” – Matthew 24:24.

Concerning the “mark of the beast” ── some Roman Catholics consider the sign of the cross to be their mark. As an example, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states ──

“[Paragraph 1235 of Article III] The sign of the cross, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to him …” 20

Also notice the following, which is from The key of truth: a manual of the Paulician church of Armenia. Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni (ca 990-1058) wrote the following in regard to the Manicheans in another of his letters ── he worked actively to suppress the Tondrakians, a breakaway Christian Armenian sect that the Armenian and Byzantine Churches both labeled heretics ──

“Gone astray through their vain imaginings, they sophisticate many in the whirligig of their fanciful notions, and patch up the doubts which suggest themselves to them into an idle web of tittle-tattle; so far forth as they represent our worship of God as a worship of idols. As if we, who honour the sign of the cross and the holy pictures, were still engaged in worshipping devils.” 21

History records for us that crosses were being used centuries before our Lord Jesus was even born. As an example: The Stela of Shamshi-Adad V is a large Assyrian monolith erected during the reign of Shamshi-Adad V. It is shown him wearing a cross pattée or cross formée, which is a large pendant resembling a Maltese cross. This symbol is associated with the sun god Shamash and was typically worn by the crown prince in Assyrian culture. Best known for its use as the Iron Cross, used as a symbol of the German Empire that was present in its War Ensign and war materiel, including on Luftstreitkräfte aircraft until April 1918 when the Balkenkreuz was introduced. 

The cross ── with all of its many variations ── is widely accepted as a tradition by Roman Catholics and their Protestant brethren that which marks with the imprint of Christ the one who belongs to Him. Thus, they have been set up from the beginning to accept “the mark of the beast” in the end time.

Our Lord Jesus Christ considered the Pharisees of His day, the strictest, law-abiding, religious people. And the Apostle Paul affirmed the strictness of that sect himself ── 

“… according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” – Acts 26:5. 

However, our Lord Jesus scolded them because of their strict adherence of their traditions. They were guilty of lawlessness ── 

“He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4) For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5) But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God’ ── 6) then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7) HYPOCRITES! Well did Isaiah prophecy about you, saying: 8) ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9) And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” – Matthew 15:3-9. 

So, notice that our Lord Jesus Christ condemned them as transgressors of the Law of God. The Pharisees believed that they were keeping the Law of God ── summed up with the Ten Commandments ── but they were rather keeping their traditions.

Sadly, most who profess our Lord Jesus Christ as Savior truly believe that they are obeying and doing the will of God Almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ yet are no better than the Pharisees were. They believe that their church traditions are in complete harmony and alignment with the LORD God (including Sunday church and the tradition of the cross), they are but HYPOCRITES in God’s eyes! 

The keeping of Sunday as an ordained by God rest day, along with the allowing of the “beast” to mark you (the symbol of the cross, with all of its many variations, is the “mark of the beast”) ── eventually leading to economic blackmail (Revelation 13:17), are all tools of an antichrist. And are all tools that the final Antichrist will certainly use! 

True Christians do not allow themselves to be “marked” by the “beast” ── 

“Then the third angel followed, saying with a loud voice, ‘If ANYONE worships the beast [the seventh-revival of a “Holy” Roman Empire] and his image [the Roman Catholic Church], and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10) he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone [which causes you to burn up and completely perish] in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.’” – Revelation 14:9-10.

The sign of the cross ── or even, for that matter, the many manifestations of the cross symbol ── is the “mark of the beast.”

A final Antichrist is coming ── a powerful, respected, and popular religious figure ── that will be influenced by the dragon, Satan the Devil. And anyone “both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave” who does not accept, or allow to receive this mark, will not be able to “buy or sell except one who has the mark” ── which means one that accepts the worship of the beast and his image and submits wholeheartedly to the Roman Catholic Church. □      

Sources:

1) Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book III Chapter 12, verse 12, Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1880, pg. 54. 2) Kirby, P., Justin Martyr – Dialogue With Trypho, Ch. 81, Early Christian Writings © 2001-2002. 

3) Ibid. § XLVII.

4) Ibid. § X. 

5) Martyr, J. The First Apology of Justin Martyr, Edinburgh : J. Grant, 1912, Chapter IV, pg. 68. 

6) Tertullian, The Five Books Quintus Sept. Flor. Tertullianus against Marcion, Edinburgh : T. & T. Clark, 1868, Chapter XII, pgs. 215-220. 

7) Latourette, Kenneth Scott, A History of Christianity, Vol. I: to AD 1500, New York : Harper & Row, 1975, pg. 126.

8) Wikipedia contributors. "Marcion of Sinope." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 Nov. 2025. Web. 12 Nov. 2025. 

9) Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, The Ante-Nicene Father, Vol. I, The Christian Literature Publishing Co., Pg.. 416. 

10) Barnstone, W., The Other Bible, HarperSanFrancisco, 1984, pg. 642. 

11) Tertullian ,The Prescription Against Heretics 30 § 3. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0311.htm. 12)  Alföldi, Andreas, The conversion of Constantine and pagan Rome, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1948, pg. 16.

13) https://droitromain.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/Anglica/CJ3_Scott.htm, Book III, Title XII, III. 

14) Eusebius, The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, in Four Books, from 306 to 337 A.D., London: Samuel Bagster & Sons, 1845, Chapter XVIII, pg. 189. 

15) The Catholic Encyclopedia, Knights of Columbus Special Edition, Vol. XIV, “Sunday,” 1913, pg. 336. 

16) Barros, M., The First Council of Nicaea: What actually happened and why. textandtradition.substack.com, nov. 8, 2025.

17) The Catholic Record, September 1, 1923. 

18) Catholic Mirror, The Christian Sabbath, Sept. 2d, 9th, 16th, and 23rd, 1893, Catholic Mirror, Baltimore, Md., pg. 29. 

19) Gaston. L, Plain talk about the Protestantism of to-day, Boston : Patrick Donahoe, 1868, pg. 225.

20) Catholic Doors Ministry, "THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH." Retrieved 13 Nov 2025. 

21) Conybeare, F.C., The key of truth: a manual of the paulician church of armenia, The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1898, pg. 149.      

God's Eternal Marks Upon His Covenant People (PART FOUR)

by GC LaMar

God’s living word reveals to us that the keeping of the holy Sabbath will continue throughout eternity ── 

“’ For as the new heavens and the new earth [see: Revelation 21:1] Which I will make shall remain before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23) And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another [which signifies a recurring cycle of worship], And from one Sabbath to another, ALL FLESH shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD.” – Isaiah 66:22-23.

So, suppose the holy seventh-day Sabbath was merely a temporary “Jewish” commandment. Why would God’s living word tell us ── by the Prophet Isaiah, inspired by God’s Spirit ── that it will continue even after a new heaven and a new earth come down out of the atmosphere? Its eternal nature confirms for us its role as a permanent sign of the LORD God’s chosen people.

Worldwide Observance In the Kingdom of God 

The Prophet Zechariah has prophesied that beginning in Jesus Christ’s Millennial Reign, all nations will be required to keep and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles ── 

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17) And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to [New] Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18) If the family of Egypt [the nation of Egypt] will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19) This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.” – Zechariah 14:16-19.

This passage shows us that the LORD God’s annually appointed Feast of Tabernacles will not be abolished, but will be observed worldwide, beginning with our Lord Jesus Christ’s Millennial Rule—the establishment of the glorious kingdom of God. It will be mandatory that all nations (delegations of all nations) come up to New Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, with severe punishment for those nations that refuse to do so.

The Prophet Isaiah also confirms this truth ── “And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD.” – Isaiah 66:23.

All flesh──which means every human being will be remembering and observing the holy seventh-day Sabbath even after the establishment of the new heaven and the new earth. 

Whom Do You Serve & Worship? 

God’s living word makes it clear that there are two masters.

The Prophet Elijah ── whose name literally means “My God is YHWH,” who was a prophet for the LORD God in the northern kingdom of Israel during the 9th century BC ── makes this clear to those who were worshipping Baal ── 

“Then it happened, when [King] Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, ‘Is that you, O troubler of Israel?’ 18) And he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. … 20) So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21) And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.” – 1 Kings 18:17-18, 20-21. 

Every person on planet earth either serves the LORD God or Satan the Devil ── the god of this age. There is no neutral position. 

Our Lord Jesus points out to us ── “’ No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’”  – Matthew 6:24.

The Greek word for “mammon” is mamōnas, which means “wealth, assets.”

The Patriarch Joshua, gathering all the tribes of Israel, speaks the same truth ── “Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2) And Joshua said to all the people, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River [Euphrates] in old times; and they served other gods. … 15) And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day WHOM YOU WILL SERVE, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.’” – Joshua 24:1-2, 15.

Each person must choose. Obedience to the LORD God of Israel──which includes the keeping and observance of His Sabbath and His Holy Days──or the gods of the peoples who are all around you (for the LORD your God is a jealous God among you).

Satan the Devil and His Demons Are Religious

Have you ever thought about the fact that Satan, the devil, and his demons are religious?

The Apostle Paul speaks volumes concerning this very truth ── “ … from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14) And NO WONDER! For Satan himself transforms into an angel of light. 15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:12, 13-15.

Satan the Devil, doesn’t always appear as an evil-looking being. He, more often than not, appears as righteousness. And, his ministers appear as ministers of righteousness. They deceive people into believing that they are serving the LORD God, when in fact they are serving Satan the Devil ── either on purpose or because of ignorance. And, there is a saying, “ignorantia juris non excusat.” Ignorance of the Law of God is not a valid defense.

The Prophet Hosea underscores this truth ── “’ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the Law of your God, I also will forget your children.’” – Hosea 4:6.

Speaking of the end-times of this present evil age, our Lord Jesus Christ says ── “’ Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24) For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25) See, I have told you beforehand.’” – Matthew 24:23-25.

So often, the deception can be so powerful and convincing that even the elect of God can be deceived. Our Lord Jesus has warned us, brethren, beforehand. He who holds fast what we have, brethren, till He comes, and who overcomes and keeps all His works until the end, shall escape and stand before the LORD God in the glorious kingdom of God!

We are warned that in the end-time a most-popular and powerful religious figure will stand up and announce that he is God ── “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day [the Day of the LORD] will not come unless the falling away comes first, and THE MAN OF SIN IS REVEALED, the son of perdition, 4) who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. … 

9) The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10) and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11) And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12) that they all may be [judged] who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 9-12.

Those who reject the living truth of God ── again, either on purpose or because of ignorance ── God will send them a strong delusion, that they should believe that this lawless one is God. Thinking that they are serving Jesus Christ, but instead ── in reality ── they are serving Satan the Devil.

 There is a WIDE GATE

Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of this wide gate ── “’ Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14) Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life [eternal life], and there are few who find it.’” – Matthew 7:13-14.

The majority of our peoples are traveling along the broad road that leads to destruction. And this includes the multitudes who are claiming Christianity while outright rejecting God’s commandments. The narrow way ── the path to eternal life ── is traveled during this present age by only a few, those who have within them the Spirit of God and who obey all of God’s commands! 

Our Lord Jesus Christ was asked, ‘are there few who are saved?’ ── “ … ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.’” – Luke 13:24. 

Many will be seeking to enter into His kingdom, but will not be able ── because they refused to obey the LORD God in their lifetime. 

‘Come out of her, my people’ 

The LORD God calls for His people ── those that Father God has called out of this world, have properly repented, been baptized, and have had hands laid upon them, receiving the glorious Holy Spirit ── to completely separate themselves from this world’s religions and this world’s religious practices ──

In vision, the Apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying ── “ … ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’” – Revelation 18:4. 

The Apostle Paul, too, has this same warning for us ── “Therefore, ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.’ 18) ‘I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.’” – 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; see also Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41; and 2 Samuel 7:14.

The LORD God (the Elohim, the family of God – which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) promises to receive and acknowledge as sons and daughters those who come out from false religions and unclean practices.

Partial Obedience is Disobedience 

To quote Yoda in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, “Do or do not. There is no try.” 

The LORD God values ── inspiring His Prophet & Judge Samuel to announce to King Saul ── full and faithful obedience above any religious ritual. He explains to us that rebellion is equated to witchcraft ── 

1st Samuel 15:22-23 ── “So Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.’” 

The rejection of the word of the LORD will result in the LORD God rejecting you.

 Life or Death

The LORD God tells the children of Israel that there is set before us all, life and death, and that we are to choose ── “’ I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20) that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and length of your days; and that you my dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.’” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20. 

The LORD God has set before every person a choice of life or death. Choosing life means loving God, obeying His voice, clinging to Him, that you may dwell safely in the land. And this obedience includes ── the remembering and keeping holy His seventh-day Sabbath and keeping and celebrating His Holy Days.

The Seal of God vs. The Mark of the Beast 

The apostle John, under divine inspiration of the Spirit of God, describes for us a grave warning ──

Revelation 13:16-17 ── “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and [bond], to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17) and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”   

There are quite a few places - Revelation 13:16-17; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4 that speak concerning the ‘mark of the beast.’

Now, the term ‘the mark’ – if you look it up in your concordance or your lexicon under your Bible study helps – it describes an actual something. An actual thing – a symbol. It’s not a concept or an idea. And, it's not “Sunday worship.” 

Revelation 14:9-10 ── “’ If ANYONE worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his FOREHEAD or on his HAND, 10) he himself shall also drink of the wine of the WRATH OF GOD, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. ...” 

Just as the LORD God has a seal upon the begotten children of God, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, has also “marked” their followers. The identifying sign of the churches of false Christianity is the cross, from the time of the Roman Empire down to today. At the end of this present evil age will center upon worship ── as in, Whom do you serve & worship? 

The grave consequences of having received this “mark” ── either you have already received this “mark” or you will receive it in the near future ── could be eternal without proper repentance.

Sadly, those who have either outright rejected or have allowed themselves to be misled concerning God’s commandments ── including the remembering and keeping holy His seventh-day Sabbath and keeping and celebrating His Holy Days ── have most likely accepted the “mark” of the beast, and do not have the seal of God.

God's Eternal, Unchanging Marks of His People 

The LORD God has not changed in standards ── from the beginning, the LORD God has “marked” their people through their faithful obedience to their commandments. From Eden, the seventh-day Sabbath has stood as a perpetual sign for the children of God. Divine appointments that identify those who belong exclusively to Him. 

These are not cultural “Jewish” customs and rituals that were only temporary in the Old Testament, that were abolished upon the cross. We are told that these are eternal statutes that were established by the Lord Himself, and that were observed by our Savior Jesus Christ and His apostles, and are destined to be kept and observed in His Millennial Reign and beyond. 

We are told by the LORD God of Israel, “’ For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 7) Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,’ Says the LORD of hosts. …” – Malachi 3:6, 7.

We are also told that our Lord Jesus Christ changes not ── “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8.

The LORD God does not change their standards ── their commandments are not going to change. 

God Commands All Men Everywhere To Repent 

Inspired by God’s Spirit, the Apostle Paul tells us ── “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” – Acts 17:30.

Hebrews 3:15 ── “while it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS as in the rebellion.’” – and he went on to explain, 16) For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17) Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, … 18) And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to THOSE WHO DID NOT OBEY? 19) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” – vs. 16, 17, 18.

2nd Corinthians 6:2 ── “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2) For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”    

My friend, won’t you seek the Lord while He may be found, won’t you properly repent, be properly baptized, and have hands laid upon you ── receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, receiving the seal of the living God? Won’t you be “marked” as belonging to Him by keeping His holy commandments, remembering and keeping His seventh-day Sabbath, and keeping and celebrating His Holy Days? Or, will you continue in the traditions of men, remaining spiritually dead and under the dominion of Satan the Devil?

The choice is yours. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has spoken. His living words are eternal. Choose life. Choose the LORD God. Choose the glorious seal of the living God ── today. □

God's Eternal Marks Upon His Covenant People (PART TWO)

by GC LaMar

Some people are no longer bearing eternal “marks” that distinguish them as belonging to the LORD God. The very abandonment of God’s appointed times results in loss of identity ── which is also called spiritual death.

The LORD God ── through the Prophet Hosea ── has prophesied judgment. “’ I will also cause all her mirth to cease, Her feast days, Her New Moons, Her Sabbaths ── All her appointed feasts.’” – Hosea 2:11.

Dead to the LORD God: Condition of Disobedience

Those who refuse or outright reject the LORD God’s commandments──including the keeping of His Sabbaths and Holy Days──are spiritually dead, separated from the Life of God. 

The Apostle Paul ── inspired by the Spirit of God tells us ── “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” – Ephesians 2:1-3.

In the Epistle to the Colossians, he wrote ── “And you, …” – speaking to true Christians “ … being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all your trespasses.” – Colossians 2:13. 

So, until God the Father calls you, places upon you the gift of repentance, properly baptized, and has hands laid upon you ── receiving the glorious gift of God’s Spirit ── you will remain dead in your trespasses and sins. You, officially, do not belong to the LORD God; instead enslaved to the god of this present evil age.

Satan the Devil: The god of this world and his deceived followers 

The Apostle Paul reveals a shocking truth ── “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are PERISHING, 4) whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

God’s living word calls Satan the Devil “the god of this age.” And that he has blinded the minds of those people who are perishing. Those who outright reject the LORD God’s holy and righteous commandments ── including the keeping of His Sabbaths and Holy Days ── continue to remain under the blindness and dominion of Satan the Devil and his demons, even if they are proclaiming that they are a “Christian.”

The Apostle John draws a stark red line ── “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned FROM THE BEGINNING. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9) Whoever has been born of God [which means resurrected into the very family of God – into the kingdom of God] does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10) In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” – 1 John 3:8-10.

He also defines what the LORD God defines as sin ── “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” – 1 John 3:4.

Those who continue in their transgressions ── the transgression of God’s Law ── are witnessing to the world that they “belong” to the devil, and not to the LORD God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifested. 

The Grave Deception of Worship on Sunday 

Those who claim to be “Christians,” yet observe Sunday as their Sabbath, instead of the seventh-day Sabbath, which is now called Saturday ── are also witnessing to the world that they “belong” to the devil. Sunday observance has no biblical foundation and is but a tradition of men that disobeys the LORD God’s holy command. 

Our Lord Jesus crying out unto those who lay aside His commands for men’s traditions ── “ … ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7) And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8) For LAYING ASIDE THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, you hold the tradition of men ──’” – Mark 7:6, 7, 8. 

13) ‘making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.’” 

Our Lord GOD has never changed His Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day. 

Sunday worship originated from pagan sun-worship, and was later adopted by “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” ── the Roman Catholic Church.

Those who observe Sunday, while claiming to be “Christian,” are not children of God, but are rather children of the devil ── and are following man-made traditions. 

The Apostle Matthew recorded for us ── “ …’ Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? … 6) … Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7) Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, …’” – Matthew 15:3, 6, 7.

Again, in the Epistle to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul warns us ── “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit …” – like someone trying to tell you that “man didn’t land on the moon in 1969,” or “the earth is flat,” or the “Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is one giant petrified tree.” Vain philosophy and empty deceit! “ … according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” – Colossians 2:8. 

The Rejection of the Lord’s Holy Days Because They Are “Jewish”? 

Many who claim “Christianity” outright reject the seven annual Holy Days because they claim they are “Jewish.” Yet, the LORD God specifically calls them “the feasts of the LORD” – Leviticus 23:2, 4. So, they belong to the LORD God, not any ethnic group.

Leviticus 23:2 ── “’ Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, THESE ARE MY FEASTS.’”          

Leviticus 23:4 ── “’ These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.’”

The LORD God gave these feasts to the children of Israel first, but they were always intended for all people. The false teaching that they are only for the Jews contradicts the living word of God. 

Notice the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Spirit of God, explains ── “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29) but he is a Jew who is one INWARDLY; and circumcision is THAT OF THE HEART, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” – Romans 2:28-29.

He also explains to us in the Epistle to the Galatians ── “There is neither Jew nor Greek [Gentile], there is neither slave nor free …” – this phrase from the first century AD, the Apostle Paul is emphasizing that there is accountability before the LORD God and equal value of all people. “ … there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” … again, this phrase from the first century AD, the Apostle Paul is emphasizing the unity of all true Christians, regardless of whether you are male or female. 29) And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” – Galatians 3:28-29.

So, true spiritual identity transcends ethnicity, gender, or social status. All who belong to Christ Jesus are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise ── they are spiritual Israel ── and are therefore heirs of the covenant promises, including the commandment of the keeping and observance of the LORD God’s appointed times. 

He reminds us ── “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh ── who are called Uncircumcision [unclean] by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands ── 12) that at that time you were without Christ, being [strangers] from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and WITHOUT GOD in the world. 13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. … 19) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” – Ephesians 2:11-13, 19.

So Gentile believers are “grafted” into the house of Israel, becoming fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. They are no longer strangers and foreigners of the Old and New Covenants of promise. Sadly, to reject the LORD God’s Holy Days because they are “Jewish” is to remain a stranger and a foreigner to the household of God.

Inspired by the Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul explains this to us via the Epistle to the Romans ── “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18) do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” – Romans 11:17-18.

This analogy illustrates the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles, where the cultivated olive tree represents Israel, while the wild olive branches represent Gentile believers. The Apostle Paul uses this metaphor to explain how Gentiles have come to share in the promises originally given to Israel, emphasizing the inclusion of Gentile believers in the spiritual blessings and promises. 

Verse 24 ── “For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?”

So, Gentile believers are “grafted” into the spiritual olive tree, which represents the house of Israel. To outright reject the house of Israel’s covenant signs, while claiming that you are “grafted” into the spiritual olive tree, is contrary to God’s living word,  and you are spiritually blind. 

Replacing God’s Holy Days With Pagan Holidays

Not only do most outright reject or explain away the LORD God’s Holy Days, but they also replace them with worldly holidays that originated in paganism. Such as Easter, New Year’s Day, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Mardi Gras, Palm Sunday, St. Stephen's Day, Shrove Tuesday ── and the list is virtually endless! Celebrations with absolutely no biblical basis, but rather have their roots in ancient paganism. 

Such as Saturnalia and the worship of the goddess Asherah ── “Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2) Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 3) For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. 4) They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple. 5) They are upright, like a palm tree, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good.’” – Jeremiah 10:1-5.

The Prophet Jeremiah ── inspired by the Lord our God of the heavens and of earth ── is describing a pagan custom of decorating an ancient Asherah pole, decorating it with silver and gold. So, indeed, there are similarities between this world’s modern Christmas tree and what the LORD God is telling us through the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. The Christmas tree is a symbol. The evergreen tree was a symbol of life and fertility and was a custom of the ancient Sumerians. A practice that was incorporated… again… by “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” ── the Roman Catholic Church.

The LORD God specifically commands us that we are not to worship them in that way ── “’ When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30) take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, …’” – saying ‘I want to know how this nation worshipped their goddess Asherah (which even more anciently was Semiramis, the wife/mother to Nimrod), because I want to worship God in this manner.’ “ …31) You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32) Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.’” – Deuteronomy 12:29-32. 

Again, the LORD our God explicitly forbids anyone adopting pagan practices to worship Him! Yet, this is precisely what the Mother of Harlots ── the Roman Catholic Church and her daughter Protestant churches ── has done! 

We are warned by the Apostle Paul ── inspired by the LORD our God ── “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15) And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16) And what agreement has the temple of God [the Church of Jesus Christ] with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.’ 17) Therefore ‘Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.’” – 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

The LORD our God calls for us to separate ourselves from all pagan practices such as Easter, New Year’s Day, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Valentine’s Day, and Halloween. □ 

To be continued.         

Some items of related interest may include

Think About This... What is meant, 'until the fullness of the Gentiles'? (Video)

Personal From... Christmas Challenges (Audio Video)

ChristMas... It's Origin (PDF booklet)

Should Christians Keep Halloween? (Video)

True Christians Don't Need To Be Stuffy Concerning Christmas (Article)

Krampus──Not For Christians! (Article)

'In Vain They Worship Me!' (Article)

When Does God's New Year Begin? (Article)

Commentary: X-Mas by GC LaMar (Article w/Audio)

True Christians SHOULD NOT Celebrate St. Patrick's Day! (Article)

Halloween Is Not Christian (Article)

Springtime Days That the Early Christians Kept (Article)

Satan's World (PDF booklet)

St. Valentine's Day ── where did it come from!? (Article)

Commentary: Happy New Year? by GC LaMar (Article w/Audio)

Commentary: History of the Sabbath by GC LaMar (Article)

What Is A True Christian? (Article)

Commentary: A Celebration to Demons! (Article)

Are You But A Traditionalist? (Article w/Audio)

Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Easter - Did the Original Christians Observe These!? (Article)

Should Christians Observe Halloween? (Article)

The Fourth Commandment! by GC LaMar (Article)

'It is a sign' (Article)

Saturday Sabbath with Jews and Sunday with Gentiles? (Article w/Audio)

Commentary: The Day of the Sun by GC LaMar (Article)

A Morning Bible Study: Are You Handling God's Test? (Article) (PDF)

Holy Day Information & Calendar (Lev. 23, Deut. 16) (Article)