(Chapter 5)
The Deciding Mark
The Bible tells us that at the end of this earth's history, the two opposing powers in this cosmic conflict of good and evil will have their separate marks of distinction. Incidentally, the Bible uses the words "mark," "seal" and "sign" interchangeably.
"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God...Saying, Hurt not the earth...till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads" Revelation 7:2, 3.
"And he [the beast] 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..." Revelation 13:16, 17.
The Bible also tells us what God's seal is. He says of the Sabbath that, "It is a sign..." Exodus 31:17.
"Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them....And hollow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God" Ezekiel 20:12, 20.
In order to be valid a seal must contain three validations proving its authenticity and authority. The three things that validate the seal are: #1, it must contain the name of the ruler; #2, the ruler's title; #3, the extent of his realm. For illustration, let's take the queen of England's seal. #1, name: Elizabeth II. #2, title: Queen. #3, realm: United Kingdom. Interestingly, we find that God's seal is found only in the fourth commandment. Watch carefully:
"For in six days the LORD [name] made [Creator: title] heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is [realm], and rested the seventh day: [and because He has that authority and right]...the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it" Exodus 20:11.
It is obvious then that the Sabbath is God's seal, sign or mark, and our willing adherence to the Sabbath places God's seal in us. When we keep God's Sabbath holy, we become His realm.
However, where there is a genuine, there will also be a false. The Sabbath as God's seal is no exception. The Bible tells us that there is another power that, while professing to love God and doing many wonderful things, will in actuality be opposed to the Word, law, and indeed, in some ways, even the very character of God. If the true Sabbath is God's seal, then the power opposing Him would choose a false Sabbath. That is exactly what it has done, and it proudly boasts the fact, saying:*
"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change [of Sabbath to Sunday] was her act... and the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical power." From the office of Cardinal Gibbons, through Chancellor H. F. Thomas, November 11, 1895.
"Sunday is our MARK of authority!...The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact." The Catholic Record, London, Ontario, Canada, September 1, 1923.
While Protestant churches vehemently condemn Catholicity, they complacently sit by, honoring her mark of authority, and attempt at all costs to defend a day of worship that finds its roots in paganism and has only years of tradition for its defense. Yet Christ said of tradition,
"Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men....Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition....Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition..." Mark 7:7, 9, 13.
NOTE:
In Ezekiel 20:12, 20 it is interesting to note what God says is the reason for the Sabbath. It is so:
"...that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them....that ye may know that I am the LORD your God."
The Sabbath is for us, so that we will not forget who our Lord is, and Who it is that sanctifies us. The Sabbath is for our benefit, to focus our attention on our Creator, Redeemer, Restorer and Friend. Without spending this sacred time with Him on His day, and in His way, He knew that we would all too quickly forget Who it was that made us, and Who it is that saves us. This is why He said for us to "remember," and this is why it is His seal, showing to all that we are His, both by creation and redemption.
*Please! remember that just as there is wonderful truth in every church, so there are also some very serious falsehoods as well. The majority of most church members, and even their clergy, are innocently unaware of these Biblical inconsistencies. Therefore, it behooves us to be gentle. Truth, even when presented in a most delicate way, is very sharp and discomfiting. Jesus said plainly that He had many sheep that were in other folds, meaning that His people are not those of any one particular denomination, but those who are yielded to Him and are desiring to know and do His will.
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