Reflections on the Sabbath and The Wisdom Pearl
For years now I noticed the political pendulum swinging left as far as possible. Now that President Trump is in office again, things seem to be swinging right. What does that mean for those of us who are preparing for the mark of the beast crisis? When things go all the way right, will that culminate in an enforcement of Sunday blue laws?
As the country tries to return to traditional family values, an emphasis is placed on family life, church life, and being lawful citizens. It's not far-fetched to imagine a Family Sunday or Earth Sunday being called for by the American people. Add to that freak weather patterns that make it seem as if God is angry with our nation; changes can be implemented rather quickly. Suppose a national Sunday Law was introduced next month, would it be an overwhelming surprise? Are we ready to share without reservation the precious truth of the Seventh-Day Sabbath, the day set aside by our Creator?
The Sabbath will be a special point of contention as it declares God’s authority over man’s authority. Satan will exert his influence through his agents in government in order to declare that “Sunday sacredness has been desecrated.” The government and apostate Christians will denounce Sabbath keepers for calling down God’s judgments, and declare them enemies of the state. (www.tgcme.com/lesson-36-the-impending-conflict) See also The Great Controversy Chapter 36.
Having grown up Seventh-Day Adventist, I attended Kenneth Cox Seminars, Stop Smoking 5-Day Plans, and other campmeetings. Now, as a mother of four, I appreciate gatherings with other like-minded brothers and sisters. Our small world of friends and old classmates is comfortable and familiar. Our Sabbath traditions and might-I-say liturgy feel "salvational." Life is good so long as there are no major disruptions. We hope and pray nothing new like 9/11 or COVID will happen anytime soon. However, the more time we take to meditate on Scripture, the more we realize that those crises were just the beginning. The devil, a Bible student of a different kind, knows his time is short.
According to Revelation 3, we are in the time of the Laodicean church: naked, blind, and poor. The church is blind, unable to see it's missing the robe of righteousness. It seems to be rich and increased in goods, but without true treasure in heaven. Let us buy gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich, put on white raiment, that we may be clothed, and apply eyesalve, that we can see (Revelation 3:18).
As we allow God to change us, let's not be shy about sharing the truth with others. During this window of opportunity where the average American is seeking morality for our country, let's join the conversation about keeping God's Law, especially the often-forgotten fourth commandment.
This year, during the month of March, our ministry had the opportunity to be a part of The Wisdom Pearl conference in Arizona. It was a beautiful melting pot of truth seekers. There were many hearts touched and several people decided to keep the seventh-day Sabbath as a result of the meetings.
Friday afternoon Charlie Kirk shared his journey in discovering Sabbath rest on Saturday. He initially discovered it through his Jewish friend, Dennis Prager. Charlie studied it out and found that the Sabbath was instituted at the Garden of Eden and that Sunday sacredness was established by the Catholic church. He saw the beauty in keeping the fourth commandment and how it helps us keep the other nine. The temptation to break the other laws lessens when we're spending quality time with our family and taking time out for God every Sabbath.
As Charlie sat opposite a number of other speakers (one at a time), he talked about the joy of Sabbath. With every new point he made, the audience applauded. It was an exciting moment of coming together in truth. At one point, he turned to the audience and said, "Don't you just look forward to the Sabbath every week?"
The truth is, Sabbath was given to us by God Himself. When we keep His day holy, we are recognizing Him as our Creator. The same language found in the fourth commandment is also found in the first angel's message of Revelation.
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is. Exod 20:11
...worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Rev 14:7
The contrast between true Sabbath keeping and the man-made system of worship will soon be evident. Acts 5:29 says "We ought to obey God rather than men." Although most Christian Americans may not see any danger in bringing back blue laws, a day will come when we will all have to decide who truly deserves our homage. Should we obey God's Word or government mandates? We have been warned through prophecy about America's role in enforcing a false day of worship. Will those who are in positions of authority protect our liberty of conscience or will they cave to popular opinion? Have our leaders become blind?
According to Early Writings, chapter 16, Ellen White states:
“I have seen how the blind guides were laboring to make souls as blind as themselves, little realizing what is coming upon them. They are exalting themselves against the truth, and as it triumphs, many who have looked on these teachers as men of God and have looked to them for light, are troubled. They inquire of these leaders relative to the Sabbath, and they, with the object of getting rid of the fourth commandment, will answer them thereto. I saw that real honesty was not regarded in taking the many positions that were taken against the Sabbath. The main object is to get around the Sabbath of the Lord and observe another day than that sanctified and hallowed by Jehovah. If they are driven from one position, they take an opposite one, even a position that they had but just before condemned as unsound.”
When truth is really being searched for, there will be disagreements, that's unavoidable. As truth triumphs, will we go against it or settle in the truth? Do we now have the love and charity for those we are disagreeing with? Do we contradict ourselves as we try to argue our side? Let us pray for a clean heart a right spirit within us (Psalm 51:10). May we purge our lives of sin, becoming a vessel prepared unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). Time is short.
Written by:
Simone Rivera