Christ warned us of the many false Christs to come and will deceive many (Mat. 24:24) and even Paul told us of the many who claim to be god. “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; (1Cor. 8:5-6)”.
We can all agree with Paul, to us there is one God, but how can we be unquestionable confident that the one we are worshipping is the real one and not an imposter. Everyone I know who claims to be a Christian seems sure that their particular “Christian” God is the real Christian God.
But please consider the many disagreements among the various Christian denominations as to how they choose to worship Him. (Some even claim that He is actually a Her but we will leave them to their own delusions).
What we might call the mainstream or orthodox Christian religion has many dissenting splinter groups, but they do have one unifying characteristic, they all observe various holidays that are of pagan origin that historically worshipped false gods. Such as Easter, the pagan moon god, portrayed to be the resurrection day of Christ, which is easily disproved. Christmas, the sun god, claimed to be the birthday of Christ, which can also be easily disproved, and many other pagan days of observance are observed by the established Christian organizations. But there is one that is consistent among all of them and that they will all staunchly defend, yet it is the easiest to prove to be a false doctrine. That is the doctrine of a Sunday Sabbath over the God ordained Saturday Sabbath.
As unbelievable as it may seem Satan has deceived the world into observing his holidays in place of God’s ordained holy days, even the predominant so called Christian churches (Rev. 12:9). While claiming to be true worshippers of Christ, they turn their backs on God’s commanded assemblies (Lev. 23) and give honor and recognition to mankind’s worst enemy and arch deceiver, Satan.
But it didn’t happen overnight. Because man’s memory is short, Satan uses time to his advantage. In spite of the persecution and martyrdom of Christians in the first and second centuries, Christianity was growing rapidly and seemed unstoppable. But by third century Satan played his ace card, Constantine, who was a devout sun worshipper. It began with the edict of 321 AD which states: “On the venerable day of the sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed….”
Other declarations were to declare that Christianity was to be the official religion of his kingdom. He then made it easy and advantageous for the many and various pagan religions to claim Christianity; but they brought many of their beliefs and customs with them. Thus, Christianity became compromised. Constantine also expelled all Jews from Rome including anyone who seemed or acted in a Jewish manner. Christians, who of course, were not Jewish, was considered to be Jewish because they honored all of God’s commandments and holy times, and consequently had to go into hiding or leave. Many joined groups such as the Waldenses and fled to the Alps.
But it got worse, the Council of Laodicea stated in 364 AD; “Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on the Saturday (Sabbath), note they still recognized it as the true Sabbath, but shall work on that day: but the Lord’s Day, they shall especially honour; and as being Christians, shall, if possible, do no work on that day. If, however, they are found Judaizing, they shall be shut out from Christ.” Note also, that they, on their own, declared Sunday to be the “Lord’s Day” which cannot be supported by scripture. Jesus, in His
own words, stated which day is His day. “…the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath” (Luke 6:5). Many Christians lost their lives by refusing to compromise if found Judaizing (practicing true Christianity).
How can we, as sincere Christians, harmonize what we have just quoted with Christs words as quoted by Mark: “Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:6-9).
And again we read, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, 8 “`This is a People who honour Me with their lips, while their heart is far away from Me; 9 but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules'” (Matt 15:7-10).
Could we conclude, therefore, that much of what we see in traditional Christianity is vain worship, maybe even worshipping a false Christ, as Christ Himself warned us of?
Which brings us back to our original question, how can we be sure who we are worshiping? Why not just go to God’s word instead of following mere men’s rules and traditions?
“8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 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: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed It (Ex 20:8-11).
And we can even nail it down more assuredly; let’s go to Exodus 31:12-13 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. And in verses 16-17 “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Therefore, we can know assuredly that we are worshipping the true God by the very sign that He gave us, the true Sabbath.
But, say some, we are of the New Testament all those Jewish rituals were done away at the cross. What was done away was the law of the Levitical Priesthood and its rituals which was replaced by the Melchisedec priesthood, but God’s commandments were made a covenant prior to the Levitical priesthood and therefore could not be annulled by them, study Hebrews. Isiah tells us Jesus came to magnify the law (Isa. 42:21) which He certainly did as evidenced in Mathew 5. Consider what Paul told Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Wouldn’t all scripture have to include both testaments?
What about all the good works that Christian churches are doing throughout the world, doesn’t that prove they are worshiping the true God. Oddly enough, good works can be done in the name of Christ and still be vain worship. Listen to the words of Christ:
21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness). 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.”
Isn’t Jesus telling us that these people thought they were gaining salvation by works instead of obedience?
More assurances:
Did the new covenant change the law or where the law was put (Jer. 31:33, Heb. 8:10)?
As Christians should we honor God’s commanded assembles appointed times as did the New
Testament Christians?
As Christians are we sons of Abraham and therefore a part of his generations (Gal. 3:7)?
As Christians are we children of the promise the same as Isaac (Gal. 4:28)?
As Christians is there neither Jew nor Greek—but all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28)?
As Christians are we fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Eph. 2:20)?
As Christians are we guaranteed the promise to all descendants of Abraham whether they are by faith
or by law (Rom.4:16)?
As it was in Ezekiel’s day, so it is today, 25 “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. 26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
So, the answer to our Question is surprisingly simple:
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3).