THE FINAL CALL

-1-

THE FINAL CALL

Dedicated To: Seventh-day Adventists Worldwide & All the scattered people of Yahuwah

Thy way, O Yahuwah, is in the Sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
Psalms 77:13

The Ancient Hebrew Sanctuary, with its services and its furnishings All these contain the golden key that unlocks the great mysteries of the Plan of Redemption. It opens to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious

If you truly believe in the Midnight Cry message of 1844, this book will broaden your understanding as it holds the missing puzzle-piece, which completes this unique system of truth.

Adventist Sabbath Reform Movement 2011

All the material in this publication can be reproduced. Copyright permission is granted herewith

-2-

THE FINAL CALL

On earths busy highways the traffic is dense. The trading on Wall Street is eager and tense. The TV is blaring, The rock bands play loud To the hurrying, flurrying, scurrying crowd. Oh, moneys the object, and winnings the goal, And nobody has any time for his soul. The poor man, he envies and steals from his brother, And the rich are as busy defrauding each other. So love hides her face while self sits on the throne, And each man is occupied seeking his own, While dark clouds are threatening above them, unseen; Soon, Soon they will sweep away all the bright dreams. And far in the heavens there sounds a loud cry As wide as the earth and as high as the sky Swift on the winds the stern message is hurled, Three high-flying angels are warning the world! The storms mad approach meets their far-seeing eye And they shout out the warning to men as they fly: Come and flee to the shelter; Oh, flee while ye may; Your last precious moments are ticking away! Death threatens! Why linger here in the storms path? Soon, Soon all will drink from the cup of Yahuwahs wrath. Listen, oh listen. Hush all of the noise Silence the music Lay down your bright toys! Soon the tempest will strike with its death-dealing shock. Oh, Yahushua will hide you. So please flee to the Rock! The cry floats through jungles of steel and concrete, But the earth-ears are tuned to the music beat. Their eyes on their treasures, their hearts full of sin, Their ears are so deadened by earths frantic din That few are the earthlings who lift up their eyes Or hear the loud voices that sound from the skies... Hark! Hark! Pause and listen! Have you ears that hear? The voices are urgent. The message is clear. While mercy yet lingers, respond to the cry
For why will you die? Oh, why will you die?

-3-

THE FINAL CALL

ADVENTIST: We are first and foremost Seventh-day Adventists, which means we await the Second Coming of Yahushua our Lord and Saviour, and we observe the Seventh-day Sabbath according to the commandment, as it occurs upon the Creators calendar. SABBATH: We believe that as Yahuwah's creation, we are duty bound to keep ALL His commandments, as written in the Decalogue (Exodus 20: 1-19). This includes the keeping of the fourth commandment which speaks of our obligation to "remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy." We observe the 7th-day Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11), New Moon (Num 10:10; 1 Sam 20:24-27; Amos 8:5; Ps 81:3-4; Isa 1 vs 13-14, Isa 66 vs 23; Eze 46:1-3), and all the Feast Days of Yahuwah (Leviticus 23). REFORM: It is only as the law of Yahuwah is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. We believe that the last generation of believers have been called to restore the true worship of the Creator, and therefore this necessitates a reformation among Yahuwah's people: "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16). "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." (Isaiah 58:12-14). MOVEMENT: In giving the gospel commission to the first group of believers, the Master, who is Yahushua our Lord and Savior commanded them, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20). We believe we must keep moving as Yahuwah lightens up our path and reveals present duties to be performed in obedience to His command. Therefore we should be ever learning and ever progressing, until the whole world is filled with His glory.

Mission
This is a grass-roots movement of lay (common) Seventh-day Adventists, who believe that the true Sabbath, which can only be found by using the Biblical calendar should be restored to its rightful place. It has been a shock to learn from the Bible that the seventh-day Sabbath CANNOT be found on a man-made calendar but only on the Creator's calendar of "New Moons & Sabbaths" (Isaiah 66:23). Our mission therefore, is to restore the Biblical calendar among Yahuwah's people, as this is the only calendar upon which the Holy Sabbath and all the Feasts of the Creator can be observed. THIS IS PRESENT TRUTH!

-4-

THE FINAL CALL

We believe in the pure freedom that Yahushua has purchased for us through the shedding of His blood, as the first and foremost great principle which we hold as sacred. Every man and woman has the right to worship Yahuwah according to the dictates of his/her own conscience. We encourage all people to establish their faith based on the written word of Yahuwah, and we also acknowledge and believe in the testimony of Yahushua, which is the (living) Spirit of Prophecy. (Rev 14:12; 19:10) *Note- We have accepted the light of Yahuwah's truth, therefore we no longer keep Saturday as a Sabbath per se, instead we keep the Sabbath according to the Biblical calendar. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of [Yahuwah]" (The Desire of Ages, p. 231).
HIS NAME IS HOLY Most people are used to hearing the heavenly Father called "God." That is not His name, though! In Bible times, He was never called that. "God" was the word the pagan Teutonic people of Northern Europe used for their demonic objects of worship. When they were Christianized, they simply switched the word from their demon gods to the Creator. Hardly a way to honor the heavenly Father! When a word is transferred from one language to another, it is either translated or transliterated. When it is translated the meaning of the word is transferred. When it is transliterated it is the sound of the word that is transferred. The transliteration of the Fathers personal name, as given in scripture, is actually YHWH, pronounced Yahuwah. The translation of this name is I Am That I Am. It implies that the One who bears the name is selfexistent from eternity past, to eternity future. When Moses asked how he should answer when the Israelites asked who had sent him to them, the reply was: "I AM THAT I AM . . . Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14) While "Jesus" is commonly used to refer to the Son, it is actually from the Greek "Iesus," which refers to the pagan god, Zeus. The name of Yahuwahs Son is very like His own: Yahushua. Yahushua's name is a combination of the Father's name [Yahuwah] and yeshua, the Hebrew word for "salvation." Yahushua, then, means "Yahuwah's Salvation" (Psa.3:8), the "Salvation of Yahuwah" (Ex.14:13), or "Yahuwah is Salvation" (Psa.35:3). When the angel Gabriel was sent to Mary to tell her she would bear Yahuwahs Son, he told her what to name the Baby: "You will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Yahushua." (Luke 1:31) Joseph was told the same thing by the angel: "You shall call His name Yahushua for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) In Scripture, there are over 360 names or titles for the Father and the Son, from The Rose of Sharon, to The Provider. Other names applied to the Father and the Son are: The Lily of the Valley, My Shepherd, My Healer, My Banner (in War), My Guide, My Light, My Bread, My Life. Elohim, or El, means The Mighty One. In ancient times, parents would name their children under the inspiration of Yahuwah. This is seen in the many names, which contain references to Yahuwah (Yah) and El.

Abijah - AbiYah: worshipper of Yah Azariah - AzarYah: Yahuwah has helped Azaziah - AzazYah: Yahuwah has strengthened Daniel - DaniEl: judge of El Elijah - EliYah: El of Yah (Mighty One of Yahuwah) Elisabeth - Elisbet: El of (the) oath Ezekiel - YechzqEl: El will strengthen Gabriel - Gabriy'El: man of El Isaiah - YeshaYah: Yahuwah has saved Ismaiah - YishmaYah: Yahuwah will hear

-5-

THE FINAL CALL

Israel - YisraEl: he will rule (as) El

Jedidiah - YediydeYah: beloved of Yah Jeremiah - YermeYah: Yahuwah will rise Joel - Yah'El: Yah (is his) El (Mighty One) Jonathan - Yahownathan: Yahuwah-given Joshua - Yehushuwa: Yahuwah saves Josiah - YoshiYah: founded of Yahuwah Michaiah - MiykaYah: who is like Yah? Michael - Miyka'El: who is like El? Mishael - Mysha'El: Who is what El is Samuel - Shemuw'El: heard of El Zechariah - ZekarYah: Yahuwah has remembered

However, His holy name should always be used carefully and with the utmost reverence and respect. Yahuwahs words have power! Scripture reveals that the Almighty One is so powerful that even His words are powerful enough to do what the word is. (See Isaiah 55:11). This is why, when He created the world, all He had to do was speak: "Let there be light," and there was light! To say the very name which the Almighty Creator has given Himself is to speak a holy name that contains infinite power. When the holy angels speak His name, they cover their faces out of respect for it is holy and mighty like the One to whom it refers.

This is an urgent call for YAHUWAHs people to study, understand & restore His Calendar! It is only as the law of Yahuwah is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16 It has been a shock to learn from the Bible that the seventh-day Sabbath CANNOT be found except by using the Creator's calendar, of which the modern Gregorian calendar in use all over the world today is a counterfeit! As a result, the Saturday (and Sunday for others), that Christians have faithfully kept as a Sabbath for many decades, appears to be a fallacy, and there is urgent need to investigate the facts according to scripture and review our position concerning the same...
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

Yahuwah is mercifully calling upon His people to restore His calendar, as this is the only calendar upon which the Holy Sabbath can be observed! This timely revelation has also led to the realization that, the dreaded counterfeit Sabbath (Mark of the Beast), which is soon to be urged upon the people of the world, will also come disguised as "Universal Calendar Reform." It is generally understood by most Seventh-day Adventists; that the Catholic Church changed the day of solemnity from the Sabbath, to Sunday... However, what the majority of Christians do not realize is that the same power which was responsible for replacing the seventh-day Sabbath with Sunday, achieved this change by changing first the universal calendar altogether. The effect of this change is little appreciated and rather ignored. As Adventists, for decades we have regarded ourselves to be in the right, by virtue of our keeping Saturday as the holy Sabbath, since it naturally falls on the seventh-day of the modern Gregorian calendar week... But, now that Yahuwah is restoring the knowledge of His calendar among His people, could it be that the (Saturday) Sabbath we keep, is just as FALSE as the Sunday in its place? We have much more to lose by ignoring the facts than we have anything to lose by humbly learning about His calendar with its New Moons & Sabbaths. If there is found sufficient evidence to support the Creator's calendar, we must accept the counsel of Yahovah, and apply the principles of His calendar to our daily lives accordingly, because Sabbath Reform necessitates Calendar Reform!

-6-

THE FINAL CALL

HISTORY OF THE GREGORIAN CALENDAR The calendar we use today to count to the seventh-day of the week is a counterfeit calendar instituted by Rome! Before the Gregorian calendar we use today was introduced by a papal bull of Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, there was the Julian Calendar (Julius Caesar), which had been signed into law by the Roman Emperor Constantine, during the Council of Nica in A.D 321. Constantine was an equal opportunity monarch. While Christians hailed him as the servant of God and called him the Blessed Prince, pagans regarded him as their Supreme Pontiff, Pontifex Maximus. Constantine demanded unity. He forged compromise in an unexpected way: CALENDAR REFORMas a way to unify his domain rather than as a confirmation of him converting to Christianity. Of all Constantines edicts, the one that had the greatest and most lasting effect on Christendom was his legislation supporting the Council of Nicas decree establishing the observance of Easter. By the time of Constantine, apostasy in the church was ready for the aid of a friendly civil ruler to supply the wanting force of coercion. Lending a hand to the grand plans of the Council of Nica to do away with the practices and traditions of the Jews altogether, the time was ripe for a conciliation of state and church, each of which needed the other. It was a stroke of genius in Constantine to realize this and act upon it. He offered peace to the church, provided that she would recognize the state and support the imperial power. The sun calendar was, and is, the official calendar of Rome. While Emperor Constantine was praying to the Roman sun god Mithra, he received divine instructions for a renewed and improved religion to unify his Empire. Constantine consecrated himself as Pontifex Maximus, a title reserved for the high priest of paganism, and united his subjects under the sign of the cross of Mithra, which had already decorated Roman battle standards for over a hundred years. It happened to be the same symbol that the Persians borrowed from the Babylonian worshippers of Tammuz (Nimrod). This is also the same symbol, upon which our Saviour is widely believed to have been crucified. Pontiff Constantine 'updated' the Julian calendar by incorporating the festivals of pagan deities. The day of the birth of Tammuz, the reincarnated Nimrod, on the winter solstice (originally December 25th) and the day of the reincarnation of Nimrods wife as Easter, the queen of heaven and goddess of sexual desire, on the full moon sun-day after the vernal equinox, both became holy days on Constantines religious calendar. Constantine invented another Jesus (II Cor 11:4) to replace Tammuz and adorned him with all the accoutrements of Mithra worship. The Easter festival was eventually replaced by the Virgin Mary as the new queen of heaven. Long before the time of Constantine, the Babylonian priests of Nimrod had already divided the year into the four quarters of the solar cycle: the winter and summer solstices and the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. The Romans then haphazardly parceled 28 to 31-day months around the solar year and named the months to honor their fictitious gods. The year begins with January, named for Janus, the two-headed god who looks back at the past and forward to the future, while the span of February through June is populated with the personalities of various fallen angels. Julius and Augustus, emperors who became gods, are honored by the midsummer months July and August. September through December are the only months that remain numbered (the Latin numbers seven, eight, nine, and ten are septem, octo, novem, and decem) and hearken back to the time when the Creators original calendar was known by the entire human race. Although December is the twelfth Roman month, its name still represents its approximate position of the tenth (decem) biblical month. The Roman day begins exactly as it did in ancient Babylon at midnight the mathematical moment that the sun is on the opposite side of the earth. The Roman week begins at midnight at the end of Saturn's Day (Saturday). The first day of the pagan week is named Deis Solis or Sun-Day, the day that the sun god is to be worshipped. Pontifex Constantine commanded that everyone in his domain was to rest on the venerable day of the sun, and that anyone who celebrated the true Sabbath or any of the Feasts of the Jews was to be cut off. If Constantine had been scripturally literate, he would have seen that these were not the Feasts of the Jews, but the Sabbaths and Feasts of Yahuwah, that he was demeaning and negating! All of Constantines acts had the ulterior motive of political gain, and the Council of Nica was no exception. Constantines Sunday law was actually calendar reform which laid the foundation for a massive doubledeception: Sunday as the day on which Christ was resurrected; and Saturday as the Bibles seventh-day Sabbath! The result is that the Sabbath we have inherited through centuries of apostasy has its foundations in errorBut, now is the time to restore the true Sabbath of Yahuwah to its rightful place... THE CREATOR'S CALENDAR Hallowed by the Creators rest and blessing, the Sabbath was kept by Adam in his innocence in holy Eden; by Adam, fallen yet repentant, when he was driven from his happy estate. It was kept by all the patriarchs, from Abel to righteous Noah, to Abraham, to Jacob. When the chosen people were in bondage in Egypt, many, in the midst of prevailing idolatry, lost their knowledge of Gods law; but when the Lord delivered Israel, He proclaimed His law in awful grandeur to the assembled multitude, that they might know His will, and fear and obey Him forever. From that day to the present, the knowledge of Yahuwahs law has been

-7-

THE FINAL CALL

preserved in the earth, and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has been kept. Though the "man of sin" succeeded in trampling under foot, Yahuwahs holy day, yet even in the period of his supremacy there were, hidden in secret places, faithful souls who paid it honour. Since the Reformation, there have been some in every generation to maintain its observance. Though often in the midst of reproach and persecution, a constant testimony has been borne to the perpetuity of the law of Yahuwah, and the sacred obligation of the creation Sabbath. These truths, as presented in Revelation 14, in connection with the "everlasting gospel," will distinguish the church of Christ at the time of his appearing. For as the result of the threefold message it is announced, "Here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and the faith of Yahushua." And this message is the last to be given before the coming of the Lord. Immediately following its proclamation, the Son of man is seen by the prophet, coming in glory to reap the harvest of the earth. Yet this is a subject that is equally unpopular with most people. It is an inconvenient truth. The Protestant Reformation began a process of restoring lost truths to honest hearted seekers. The first step in Sabbath reform was to discover that Sunday was not the Bible Sabbath as many had believed! As the attention of the people was called to the subject of Sabbath reform, popular ministers perverted the Word of Yahuwah; placing such interpretations upon its testimony as would best quieten inquiring minds. And those who did not search the Scriptures for themselves were content to accept conclusions that were in accordance with their desires. By argument, sophistry, the traditions of the Fathers, and the authority of the church, many endeavoured to overthrow the truth. Its advocates were driven to their Bibles to defend the validity of the fourth commandment. Humble men, armed with the Word of truth alone, withstood the attacks of men of learning, who, with surprise and anger, found their eloquent sophistry powerless against the simple, straightforward reasoning of men who were versed in the Scriptures rather than in the subtleties of the schools. In the absence of Bible testimony in their favour, many with unwearying persistence urged,-forgetting how the same reasoning had been employed against Christ and his apostles,--"Why do not our great men understand this Sabbath question? But few believe as you do. It cannot be that you are right, and that all the men of learning in the world are wrong." To refute such arguments it was needful only to cite the teachings of the Scriptures and the history of the Lords dealings with his people in all ages. Yahuwah works through those who hear and obey his voice, those who will, if need be, speak unpalatable truths, those who do not fear to reprove popular sins. The reason why He does not oftener choose men of learning and high position to lead out in reform movements is that they trust to their creeds, theories, and theological systems, and feel no need to be taught of Yahuwah. Only those who have a personal connection with the Source of wisdom are able to understand or explain the Scriptures. Men who have little of the learning of the schools are sometimes called to declare the truth, not because they are unlearned, but because they are not too self-sufficient to be taught of Yahuwah. They learn in the school of Christ, and their humility and obedience make them great. In committing to them knowledge of His truth, Yahuwah confers upon them an honour, in comparison with which earthly honour and human greatness sink into insignificance. The next step in the restoration of truth is the knowledge that Saturday is no more the Biblical Sabbath than Sunday. To worship on the Sabbath, the Biblical calendar must be used to find that day! This truth must be shared with the world so that all who desire knowledge of the truth will not be left in ignorance. Each month begins with the sighting of the first sliver crescent of the NEW MOON (1 Samuel 20:24-27; Amos 8:5; Psalms 81:3-4; Isaiah 1 vs 13-14, 66 vs 23; Ezekiel 46:1-3; Exodus 12:2); and the beginning of the year is determined at the new moon, after the later rains, when the barley crop in Israel has reached the stage of maturity referred to as aviv (ripe). This was Israels national calendar from the time of their constitution at Mt. Sinai until long after their dispersion by Rome. It was the reckoning by which the Feasts of the LORD were conducted during the first and second Temple periods, and it was the exact schedule by which the followers of Yahushua continued to keep the Feasts after his resurrection. This reckoning of time can be understood by the smallest child and accurately determined by illiterate herdsmen. This is the simple calendar by which the appointed times of our Creator have always been reckoned and observed. He never changed them. He never changes. No one need be ignorant of His times and His seasons as long as we follow His method of marking the days, weeks, months, years, Sabbath years, Jubilee years, and millennia. Now, as in former ages, the presentation of a truth that reproves the sins and errors of the times will excite opposition. "Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." [John 3:20.] As men see that they cannot maintain their position by the Scriptures, many determine to maintain it at all hazards, and with a malicious spirit they assail the character and motives of those who stand in defense of unpopular truth. It is the same policy which has been pursued in all ages. Elijah was declared to be a troubler of Israel, Jeremiah a traitor, Paul a polluter of the temple. From that day to this, those who would be loyal to truth have been denounced as seditious, heretical, or schismatic. Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept the sure word of prophecy, will receive with unquestioning credulity an accusation against those who dare to reprove fashionable sins. This spirit will increase more and more. And the Bible plainly teaches that a time is approaching when the laws of the State shall so conflict with the law of Yahuwah that whoever would obey all the divine precepts must brave reproach and punishment as an evildoer. And in view of this, what is the duty of the messenger of truth? Shall he

-8-

THE FINAL CALL

conclude that the truth ought not to be presented, since often its only effect is to arouse men to evade or resist its claims? No; he has no more reason for withholding the testimony of Yahuwahs Word, because it excites opposition, than had earlier reformers. The confession of faith made by saints and martyrs was recorded for the benefit of succeeding generations. Those living examples of holiness and steadfast integrity have come down to inspire courage in those who are now called to stand as witnesses for Yahuwah. They received grace and truth, not for themselves alone, but that, through them, the knowledge of Yahuwah might enlighten the earth. Has Yahuwah given light to His servants in this generation? Then they should let it shine forth to the world! "There are many today who feel indignant and aggrieved that any voice should be raised presenting ideas that differ from their own in regard to points of religious belief. Have they not long advocated their ideas as truth? So the priests and rabbis reasoned...'They have no right to meddle with the fundamental principles of our faith....' "And then these leaders, in the blindness of their minds, give full sway to what is supposed to be righteous indignation against the ones who have set aside their cherished fables. They act like men who have lost their reason...They will not open their eyes to discern the fact that they have misinterpreted and misapplied the Scriptures, and have built up false theories, calling them fundamental doctrines of the faith." Testimonies to Ministers, p 69-70. HERE IS WISDOMThey shall not "buy or sell" on the Sabbath days, they whose names are written in the book of life, for the law of YAHUWAH is written in their hearts, that they should not sin against Him who has ransomed them with His precious blood...(Amos 8:5-14; Psalms 119:11; Rev 13:15,17, Rev 14:1-5,12) LIKE WISEThey shall buy and sell on the Sabbath days, they whose names are not written in the book of life, for they make void the law of YAHUWAH, and thereby deny Him who has ransomed them with His precious blood...(Rev 13:12-18; Rev 14:9-11)

The Advent Movement & The Date of 22 October 1844

In the 1840s, William Miller, a student of Bible prophecy and a leader of a great religious awakening around the globe, believed the Lord was to return very soon. Together with a colleague, Samuel Snow; they reckoned from Scripture and ancient Hebrew luni-solar calendation that the prophetic 2300 evenings and mornings (Daniel 8:14) were symbolic of literal years. They discovered that this prophetic period that began at the time of Artaxerxes decree in 457 B.C. (Daniel 9:24-27), was to end in October 22, 1844. While this date was to clearly mark the antitypical Day of Atonement and the cleansing of the Sanctuary on earth, it was wrongfully assumed by Miller that this marked the second coming of Christ Yahushua in the clouds of heaven. Because of this error as to the event to take place, they, along with all the believers world wide, experienced what is commonly known today as the Great Disappointment of 1844. The participants in this religious movement were Christians from all religious faiths and were called Adventists because they looked to the soon return or second advent of Yahushua. The Seventh-day Adventist church was born out of this great disappointment, but was not officially organized until 1863. William Miller died in December of 1849 before the Seventh-day Adventist church was organized. Therefore, his teaching and preaching must not be confused with those of the Seventh-day Adventist church and vice versa. William Miller and Samuel Snow were basing their detailed calculations of the fulfillment of the prophecy from the first visible crescent New Moon just as the Hebrew people of antiquity would have had to do. Otherwise, we would be recognizing either October 20 or 21 of 1844, instead of October 22. Later, Ellen White, a divinely inspired prophet and leader of the newly organized Seventh-day Adventist church, placed her stamp of approval from the Lord upon the date of October 22, 1844, but not upon the event the Millerites had believed was to happen. This was referred to as The Seventh Month Movement, because the Day of Atonement is always on the 10th day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Biblical luni-solar calendar. October on the other hand is always the tenth month of the Gregorian calendar. It was only Millers calculated and pinpointed conclusion that received the stamp of approval by the Lord Yahuwah, as stated by Ellen White. But notice what she says about the last generation that lives throught the time of trouble: I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested they know not their great ignorance. And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe; but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth . . . . Maranatha 45 Seventh-day Adventists grow up hearing about October 22, 1844! We are shown from scripture and historical documentation that the 2300 day prophecy, beginning in 457 B.C., ended in 1844 on the Day of Atonement. What most people do not know, however, is how the Millerites arrived at that specific date. Why October 22? Why not July 10, since it is indeed the 10th day of the 7th month of the Gregorian calendar? Leviticus 23 states that the Day of Atonement shall be observed on the tenth day of the seventh month, so where does October 22 come in? It is probably news to most Adventists that the Millerites did not use the Gregorian calendar to establish the Day of Atonement for 1844. As a matter of fact, they actually did not! As far back as April, and then in June and December

-9-

THE FINAL CALL

of 1843, and in February of 1844 . . . [William Millers associates] came to a definite conclusion. This was that the solution of Daniels prophecy is dependent upon the ancient or original Jewish form of luni-solar time, and not upon the altered modern rabbinical Jewish calendar nor indeed the Gregorian calendar! The Jews, in 1844, kept Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) on September 23. The Millerites were well aware of this and references to it show up in their publications. However, when challenged or mocked for insisting on a date which even the Jews themselves did not keep, the Millerites commonly replied, Every scholar knows that we are correct by the original calendar. The Millerites were deep students of the scriptures. The Seventh-day Adventist church owes much to their diligent, deep study of the Bible. They discovered that within Judaism, there were two distinct ways of computing the calendar. The rabbinical, which starts its new year, Nisan 1, on the new moon closest to the vernal equinox, and the Karaite which, following Mosaic calendation principles, placed its Nisan 1 on the first new moon after the vernal equinox if the barley harvest was ready. If not, they would intercalate an extra month (13th month). The Millerites rejected the rabbinical first day of Nisan on March 21 in 1844, and chose the April new moon for the beginning of the true type of the ancient first month. April 19 was the day. They argued that the modern Jewish calendar is based upon decisions that were unknown in the time of Christ. The Karaites were a sect of Jews who gave up the system of rabbinical calendation, and made the intercalation of a leap month dependent upon the ripened barley, according to Moses. They have been called the Protestants of Judaism. Karaism clashed seriously with the parent faith, shook off the yoke of traditionalism, proclaimed the right of private judgment, and maintained that the original Scripture is a full and sufficient guide. Knowing that the Millerites used the Karaite calendar is important, but there is another point regarding the Millerite computation of the Oct. 22 date that is vital to know. The Millerites arrived at Oct. 22 as being the Day of Atonement by calculation. Had the leaders waited until October to visually observe the first appearance of the moon by which to date Tisri 1, there could have been no seventh month movement, for there would have been insufficient time. They had to make their calculation in advance from standard moon tables which were abundantly available. The date of October 22 being the ending date of the 2300 year prophecy was first announced by Samuel Snow on July 21, 1844. He gave a discourse at the large Boston Tabernacle on the text Behold the Bridegroom cometh (on the tenth day of the seventh month), go ye out to meet Him! However, it was not until the camp meeting held at Exeter, New Hampshire (August 12-17) that the message really took hold. At this camp meeting, Snow gave three sermons. The first was on the 1844 ending of the great prophetic time periods; the second on the Mosaic sanctuary service types, and their antitypical fulfillment in the Christian dispensation; and the third on the date of Christs crucifixion in the midst of the seventieth prophetic week, which therefore brought an end of the 70 weeks in the seventh month of A.D. 34. And in consequence, the close of the 2300 years would similarly extend to the seventh month of 1844, which equated largely with the month of October. From this revival comes the name seventh month movement. Again, they arrived at the date of October 22 by calculation, for had they waited until they could observe the first crescent moon, there would have been no time for them to give the Midnight Cry. The Millerites already knew that the first day of the first Jewish month (Nisan 1) fell on April 19 in 1844. The way they reasoned it was thus: Since the crucifixion occurred in the midst of the week in the spring of the year, and hence in the middle of a literal Jewish year and also of a prophetic year, therefore the end of the prophetic year must come in the autumn. In other words, the prophetic years of Daniel end in the fall and not in the spring. Calendation was not altogether the key to the new chronology which suddenly confronted the people in the summer of 1844, and which gave life to the midnight cry. The mainspring lay concealed in Daniel 9 and Matthew 25. Samuel Snow was one of several to discover that six lunar months had yet to be added to the spring date -- itself a month later than first computed -- in order to complete the prophecy. Snow got this largely from Daniel. His argument was simple, but impelling -- that if Christ was crucified in the midst of the week, in the spring, then the end of the week, and therefore the end, not only of the 487th year, but also of the 2300th year, would come six lunar months later in the autumn. [October 22] was computed by adding six lunar months or 177 days, to April 19, and thereby obtaining as the first day of the seventh month, October 13, from which nine days more extended to the tenth day on October 22. The Millerites have left an official statement that they thus reckoned from the appearance of the moon on the 18th of April and thereby found that the seventh Jewish month commenced with the appearance of the moon on the 13th of October, so that the tenth day of the seventh month synchronized with the 22nd of that month. This is an extremely important point to know because, although there were new moons observed in all of the months leading up to the seventh month, there was no new moon to be observed the night of October 12/13. Why? Technically, it has to do with how soon the new moon can be seen after conjunction the point in time when the moon, earth and sun are all in alignment and the moon cannot be seen. At the U. S. Naval Observatory website, the conjunction is referred to as the new moon. However, in Bible times the months did not start until the first crescent could be observed. Typically, it takes two days for the crescent of the new moon to appear. In simple terms, no new moon was observed the night of Oct. 12/13, 1844, because the moons meridian (or the highest point of its arch before it set) was below the horizon in most of New England, the land of the Midnight Cry. Furthermore, the moon set only ten minutes after the sun did on Oct. 12, thereby making the sky too light to observe it anyway. The Millerites knew that under Mosaic calendation, a new moon was declared after 30 days regardless of whether or not it was observed. Therefore, they were all in agreement that October 13 was the first day of the seventh month (Tisri 1) and that the tenth day was the 22nd of October. Sylvester Bliss, in the Millerites official report in January, 1845 affirms: Reckoning from this [Nisan] moon, the seventh Jewish month commenced with the appearance of the moon on the 13th of October. Thus, the tenth day of the seventh month was October 22. Was October 22 the correct date for Day of Atonement in 1844? Absolutely. Under the Mosaic system the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the great Day of Atonement, occurred on the tenth day of the seventh Jewish month (Leviticus 16:29-34), when the high priest, having made an atonement for all Israel, and thus removed their sins from the sanctuary, came forth and blessed the people. So it was believed that Christ, our great High Priest, would

- 10 -

THE FINAL CALL

appear to purify the earth by the destruction of sin and sinners, and to bless His waiting people with immortality. The tenth day of the seventh month, the great Day of Atonement . . . which in the year 1844 fell upon the twenty-second of October, was regarded as the time of the Lords coming. The Millerites showed great courage in following the Lamb to arrive at October 22. The remarkable stand of the Millerites, in 1843 and 1844, in rejecting the current Rabbinical calendation, and reviving the original Jewish year of the crucifixion period . . . that they might correctly determine the close of the 2300-year period, took clear, scholarly thinking, intensive research, extraordinary moral courage, and really heroic, decisive action. They risked all upon this crucial position. Not only was Catholicism directly opposed to their prophetic interpretations, but almost all of Protestantism had rejected it as well. Furthermore, and most serious of all, Jewry had many centuries before abandoned the calendation given to Moses, which had been operative in principle and in essentially identical form in both the 5th century B. C. and the 1st century A. D. These centuries are important because the former embraces the beginning date of the 2300-year time prophecy, while the latter includes the verifying date of the Passover/crucifixion which occurred in the midst of the 70th prophetic week of the longer time prophecy. Painstakingly studying the Karaite protest in the Middle Ages against the Rabbinical perversion of the calendar, they at last deliberately and irrevocably accepted, restored, and applied to their time-prophecy problem, the earlier calendation championed by the Karaites. And this they did in defiance of the whole body of Rabbinical scholarship and the general current practice of Jewry. There were many in 1844 who made merry over a lunar reckoning that was not based upon the modern Jewish calendar. The answer was returned: Every scholar knows that we are correct as to the Karaite seventh month. The Millerites were well aware of the rabbinical seventh month in September in 1844, and the circumstance was often mentioned in their papers. At the same time they were emphatic in their challenge that they dissented from the modern Jewish calendar because it did not agree with the laws of Moses. To be consistent with Adventisms spiritual forefathers, Seventh-day Adventists of today need to compute when the true Sabbath occurs by using the same calendar utilized for determining the Day of Atonement in 1844! Those who cling to old customs and hoary errors have lost sight of the fact that light is ever increasing upon the path of all who follow Yahushuat; truth is constantly unfolding to the people of Yahuwah. We must be continually advancing if we are following our Leader. It is when we walk in the light that shines upon us, obeying the truth that is open to our understanding, that we receive greater light. We cannot be excusable in accepting only the light which our fathers had one hundred years ago. If our God-fearing fathers had seen what we see, and heard what we hear, they would have accepted the light, and walked in it. If we desire to imitate their faithfulness, we must receive the truths open to us, as they received those presented to them; we must do as they would have done, had they lived in our day. To follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth, Yahuwahs people must be as brave as their forefathers, advancing further in the path first travelled by those who have long-since gone to their rest. THE SANCTUARY & THE CALENDAR By Odette Boily The subject of the sanctuary was the key, which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that God's hand had directed the great advent movement and revealing present duty as it brought to light the position and work of His people. The Great Controversy, p.423. If the subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of 1844, would it not be wise to refer constantly to this wonderful, complete, connected and harmonious system of truth to reveal more truth to us in this last period of Earths history? Besides the discovery of the work of our Great High Priest in the Most Holy Place and the commencement of the hour of judgment on October 22, 1844, the Millerites were also given a most important revelation regarding the sanctuary that almost came back to life in 1939. Following the request of Pastor Wierts in the 1920s era, the General Conference of the SDA Church set up a Committee to re-visit the date of October 22, 1844. At that time, the Rabbinical Jews were questioning our stand on the Great Day of Atonement date in 1844, because according to the Jews it was celebrated on September 23 in 1844. The full collection of the research and datas of this Committee is available at Andrews University in Michigan. It is called the Grace Amadon Collection. The research is composed of 3000 pages and more on the subject of astronomy and the calculations of the Millerites to arrive at the true date of October 22, 1844. More specifically, that the luni-solar calendar and the beginning of the year according to the Barley Harvest Mosaic law were re-discovered by William Miller and his associates. That in-depth study of the luni-solar calendar led them to the Karaites whom in the 8th century AD stood against the Rabbinical Jews who had long compromised the calculation of the calendar of the festivals of the Lord as they do to this day, by using the new moon after the vernal equinox instead of the new moon corresponding to the barley harvest. Moses commanded that they should not even reap their barley until the first fruits of it had been offered to the Lord at the time of the Passover. Sidersky adds, "The aim of the Mosaic command was to regulate the months according to the course of the moon, and the whole year in accordance with the course of the sun -- by assigning as a starting point the lunar month coinciding with the beginning of a determined solar season." That determined solar season was still the barley harvest in the time of Christ. Later on, as after the dispersion of the Jews, the Sanhedrin did not content itself to observe the maturity of the barley, but added to it the observation and the calculation of the equinox. The ceremony of the barley was the divine rule by which the position of the month Nisan (or first month Abib) was located... Such a provision as the barley-harvest control of the

- 11 -

THE FINAL CALL

year thrusts definite certainty into Jewish reckoning in the time of Christ--- which held on until the Jews were scattered after the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70). By this rule, we know that the Nisan paschal moon could not come until the rains were over and the barley ripe. On those two counts, a Passover in Dystrius, the ancient name for March, is out -- for all the reports on agriculture and meteorology in Palestine, ancient and modern, show that March is the month for the latter rain, and that the barley ripens in April. Grace Amadon Collection Part V Crucifixion Date, page 8. 1844 PROBLEM AND SOLUTION: THE BIBLICAL LUNI-SOLAR CALENDAR In 1844, for the first time since the end of the 70 weeks, a problem in luni-solar reckoning directly related to the ministry of Christ, came up for solution. This problem reverted to the original Mosaic types, and therefore the calendar measure had to be a replica of the primitive Mosaic year. The following astronomical details were a necessary foundation for laying out this luni-solar calendar: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) The appointed Jewish feasts dates; New moon and full moon dates, as found in standard tables; Form and lengths of the Jewish year -- common and embolismic; Position of the moon in the heavens, and her times of setting; and Difference in time between meridians.

The dates of the Jewish festivals, in Jewish time, are found in the Bible. They were given to Moses when he was in the mount with Yahuwah. The book of Exodus, II Chronicles, II Kings, and the prophecy of Jeremiah contain definite dates for important events. Many such are found also in the prophecies of Ezekiel, Haggai, and Zechariah. They are all lunar time. These chronological references all go to show that the Jewish people, throughout the centuries, had a dependable calendar system, with its related festivals according to which events were reliably recorded. The feasts themselves occupied a period of more than half the Hebrew year, concerning which Moses had received instructions direct from Yahuwah. For nearly forty years Moses remained with Israel (and this was before they entered the Promised Land), and was thus responsible for the operation of these institutions, which became an integral part of the Jewish polity. These were far-reaching in purpose, for Yahuwah's original plan provides that all the families of the earth should come up to Jerusalem to keep the feast of Tabernacles. But a common center of worship in the earth, when, from one new moon to another, by lunar reckoning, and from one Sabbath to another, by solar reckoning, all flesh would come to worship before Yahuwah, shows that a luni-solar time system can be world-embracing in performance. Two millenniums after the world was created, Moses wrote that both great lights -- the moon as well as the sun -- were created to mark the days and years (Genesis 1:14). The lunar year therefore had a part in the great plan of creation and is taken note of in the pages of Holy Writ. Grace Amadon Collection - Solar Time, page 6. THE LUNI-SOLAR BARLEY HARVEST MOSAIC CALENDAR RESTORED IN 1844 Following the Biblically and astronomically sound original Karaites reckoning for the true Jewish sacred year, the Adventist leaders fix upon October 22 as the true 10th day of the true 7th month by applying this direct and simple formula: As the true "first month" began with the appearance of the new moon in April 1844, so the true "seventh month" in that year must begin with the appearance of the corresponding new moon after its change on the evening of October 11, the new moon becoming visible on the 13th, as every current calendar informed them. Therefore, they declared, the 10th day of the 7th month would fall upon October 22, New England-time reckoning. The time calculations for the specific day were complicated by the fact that not only does the Jewish sacred year differ from our Gregorian --- running from April to April, instead of from January to January -- but the Jewish or Biblical day is from sunset to sunset, instead of our arbitrary civil reckoning from midnight to midnight. All calculations must therefore accord with Biblical reckoning, and then be translated into our present Gregorian calendar, civil-time reckoning. All becomes clear when the inevitable relationship between Jewish and civil time is grasped... No intricate mathematical or astronomical calculation was necessary, so the Adventist position was easily understood by the common people. Nevertheless, a scholarly mastery of the astronomical and chronological aspects of the question was a conspicuous characteristic of Millerites leadership and literature. It was because of this that their argument could not be gainsaid by the scholars of the time. Definite note is taken, in the Midnight Cry of October 3, of the fact that the Rabbinate Jews had already observed September 23 as the 10th day of the 7th month, and that this was doubtless a month too early. In the same journal on October 11, we read; "The day (of Atonement) is observed by the Jews more than any other in the year, though they observe it one month earlier than the true time, as we think it is evident from the fact that barley is not ripe in Judea on the 16th day of the first month, as they reckon time; but the law of Moses required a sheaf to be waved before the Lord on that day." No Adventists looked for the Second Advent on September 23, the Rabbinate date, because for a year and a half they had all been following the Karaites reckoning for the sacred year -- both for the Jewish year 1843, and for 1844 -- which reckoning placed the first Jewish month in April, and in consequence the seventh month in October --- and therefore not in September. Grace Amadon Collection, Report of Committee on historical basis, involvements and validity of the October 22, 1844 position. Part II. Chronological Development page 24-26 (excerpts).

- 12 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE BIBLICAL CALENDAR IS IN THE SANCTUARY The Ancient Hebrew Sanctuary together with its Services and its FurnishingsCollectively, all these contain the golden key that unlocks the great mysteries of the plan of Redemption. It opens to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious The sanctuary was not given to Moses after sin as an after-thought in the mind of the Creator. The Bible is clear that the plan of salvation, as so wonderfully pictured in the sanctuary, was before the foundation of the world. The calendar Moses gave to the Israelites can be easily found throughout the sanctuary as it forms the very physiology or functioning of the Jewish economy. All of their festivals including the 7th day Sabbath were represented in the sanctuary through the pieces of furniture, sacrifices and ceremonies. (Numbers 28, Leviticus 23). This calendar, based on the luni-solar barley harvest of the Mosaic law, was revealed to the Millerites to be restored for the last generation. This is indeed the fulfillment of the reversal of the work of the apostate little horn power; Daniel 7:25, "He shall think to change times and laws." Christ not only kept the Sabbath as it was his custom, but also the Feasts that He himself instituted in order to teach the full and complete plan of salvation. We can follow Him in the sanctuary as the Passover Lamb offered on the cross in the Court, to His ascension and High Priesthood coronation in the Holy Place in heaven, with the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to confirm it, and the Great Day of Atonement in the Most Holy Place entry on October 22, 1844. We only need for Him to stand up and come out of the Most Holy Place after the judgment of the living saints is done, probation to close. And He returns in the cloud of glory to take us Home. Christ not only kept the festivals but He is also the fulfillment of the Feasts as He: Died on Passover AD 31 Abib 14. As established by the Millerites through the prophecy of Daniel 8:14 and 9:24-27. Rested on Unleavened Bread Abib 15, which is also a 7th day Sabbath by luni-solar calendar reckoning. Resurrected on Firstfruits Abib 16 Sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost on 9 Sivan, fifty days after Firstfruits on Abib 16 Inspired the Millerites from 1834-1844 to give the Trumpets sound, which will be repeated through the Loud Cry under the Sunday Law still to come. Entered the Most Holy Place on the Great Day of Atonement on October 22, 1844, to begin the judgment of the dead, while soon, though no one knows how soon, the judgment of the living will start. Is coming again to take us home at the Feast of Tabernacles. The Heavenly Father wants to sanctify us on His Sabbaths. (Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12). These are His Sabbaths including the 7th day Sabbath. Numbers chapter 28 indicates clearly the calendar of the sanctuary along with Leviticus 23. The lunisolar time system was ordained for the Sanctuary and its services upon which all the holy days fell, including the seventh-day Sabbath (Leviticus 23:2-4). This calendar is beaconed by the New Moon. Its years begin in Spring on New Moon day. Each month begins on New Moon day and is always 29 or 30 days in length. Each week is defined by six literal work days and followed by a seventh-day Sabbath as established by the creation model. There are four weeks in each and every lunar month. The lunar week does not cycle without end, as the New Moon was divinely ordained to refresh or restart the cycle of weeks each and every month. Therefore, the cycle of weeks is broken each and every month on the first day of the month. Is it any wonder that there has been an agenda to eliminate the holy appointed Feast days in Scripture along with the entire Sanctuary service model, as these testify to our Creators lunisolar time-keeping system? All of the Feasts are to be fulfilled in the believers who follow the Lamb wheresoever He goes. It is false to declare that these Feasts were finished at the cross, since the Great Day of Atonement has been proclaimed by the Adventists only since 1844. Except for Passover, Christ still fulfilled them after His death in resting on Abib 15 (first day of Unleavened Bread) and resurrecting on Abib 16 (Firstfruits). The type of the Passover Lamb met the antitype at the cross. Passover was fulfilled and replaced by the Lord`s Supper. No longer is there a need for a lamb to be sacrificed. Christ is the Lamb of Yahuwah. However, the other feasts types met their antitype after the cross and were not nailed to the cross.

- 13 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE CREATOR'S CALENDAR

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) HE WHO RULES YOUR TIME, CONTROLS YOUR DESTINY! Of all the conventions which shape the lives of the peoples of the world, our interpretation of time is paramount. At present, we live, work, play and worship according to the rules of man-made Papal (Gregorian) time. Clocks wake us up, tell us when to go to work, when to come home, when to eat , when to sleep; and even when to worshipthey control our lives entirely! The truth is we are so used to the dominance of mechanised time that most of us never even question its validity; from birth to death we equate ticks that follow tocks with the sound of unswerving inevitability. We assume all is well according to the natural order, but this is certainly not the case. Our understanding of time, which in its original context should be inextricably linked to the activities of the Created celestial bodies, has been commandeered, misrepresented and spoon-fed to us in the form of the man-made calendar of Rome. This system, which supposedly helps us live our lives, is not only hopelessly illogical but perpetuates humanity's alienation from universal truth. Our ultimate measuring stick, the manmade calendar, is composed of such irregular and inappropriate units which ultimately corrupt the very nature of mankind. The history of our perverse modern calendar can be traced back to the Romans where times arrow took a turn for the worse. The actual word calendar comes from Latin meaning account book and it was in Rome that a calendar was first imposed on society to assist the collection of taxes. It was here, in the days of Julius Caesar, that the concept time is money was born. Caesars Julian calendar, a reform of the Roman calendar, was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, and came into force in 45 BC. The Roman calendar originally had 10 months, to which Julius Caesar added his own month July. Not to be outdone, Augustus Caesar added August, although at that time August only had 30 days whilst February had 29, so Augustus took the 29th day from February and added it to August so it would have 31 days like July. These preposterous egocentrics explain why September is the 9th month not the 7th, as the name implies, and why October, November and December are similarly misrepresented. The Julian calendar was inherited by the apostatized Christians, through the Roman emperor Constantine some time around the 6th century then, In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII reformed the Julian calendar and it became known as the Gregorian calendar. It can therefore be argued that it is the Vaticans calendar and the world lives on "borrowed" Vatican time! The point though is the lack of reason, logic or intuition upon which this system is based. It remains devoid of methodology which stifles usability as to which days of the week correspond to days of the month. It has no rational grounding, other than days corresponding to one solar orbit, and therefore lacks any significant context, except ecclesiastical dominion, which is the only "reasonable" explanation to account for the apparent disregard of the universal fact that, time by design was ordained by Yahuwah! The Catholic Church's false claim to have absolute jurisdiction in ecclesiastical matters, is the only reason this fraudulent calendar system has taken the world captive to this day. The ultimate purpose of a calendar is not to keep accounts but to synchronize nature with time, as it proceeded from the hands of the Creator. The Gregorian calendar disconnects humanity from the cycles of the planets and galaxies; from the universal order of natural time and therefore nature itself. The inevitable result of setting aside the laws of nature and time, which is apparent in mans presumptions of his own apartness from nature, is the prime cause of the moral degradation of the earth. (See Psalms 119:126) THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION The imposition of artificial time upon the world has sufficiently perverted our fundamental perceptions of reality. But if we can learn to live within the understanding that we are Yahuwah's creation, that we cannot be separate from nature, and that an interactive awareness of our naturalness is the first step towards a vast range of wisdom now closed to us we can return to the communion that this historic period of apostasy has denied us. The man-made calendar of Rome provides the main metaphysical frame of reference for humanity and as such its influence is unprecedented. It is single-handedly responsible for the perception that time is money which perpetuates materialistic cultures in which greed and exploitation dominatebecause it is based on humanistic perceptions which lack divine sanction. The papal calendar is the express image or embodiment of the greatest apostasy of apostasiesthe abomination that maketh desolate! (Daniel 11:3). This is also called the image of the beast (Rev 13:14-15). In one stroke, it denies the Lordship of the Creator, and hides the fact that the Son of Yahuwah came at the exact appointed time, to make ransom for our sins, according to the time centric ordained by Yahuwah from the foundation of the world. Added to that, it makes void the mystery of redemption which is celebrated by Yahuwah's calendar in the annual feasts. This "abomination of desolation" is something that has attempted to replace the dailythey shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate (Daniel 11:31). The daily or continual service is identified with the earthly sanctuary service. The sacrifices, the incense, the lamps, the shewbread and the ministration of the priests were all identified as daily or continual aspects of the sanctuary service (Leviticus 6:13; 24:2; Exodus 28:29; 29:42; 30:8; Numbers 4:7). The earthly sanctuary and its divine ordinances all pointed to Yahushua as the ultimate sacrifice. This "daily" or "continual" service followed a

- 14 -

THE FINAL CALL

pattern and a calendar upon which the different services and feasts were held. When the Creator's calendar was replaced with a man-made calendar sanctioned by the little horn power: the Papacy (Daniel 7:19-25), this part of the "continual" ministry of Yahushua was indeed taken away; thus the prophet Daniel says, "He (the
little horn power) shall think to change times and laws." Daniel 7:25

To this day, the typical and anti-typical fulfillments of the feasts of the Lord remain covered in the darkness of apostasy, that, even the professed people of Yahuwah do not recognize these time-appointed solemn Feasts for what they are, and rightly so, because they [the Feasts & Sabbaths] cannot be acknowledged on a manmade calendar! In this way, the taking away of the daily and its replacement with this abomination which causes desolation, points to Satans goal to take away our dependence on Yahushua and exalt man in Yahuwahs place. It points to self-worship or I worship (devil worship) in the place of Yahuwah worship (Isaiah 14:12-14). Hence the pagan, unbiblical festivals of Easter, Christmas etc, and ultimately Sun-day and Saturday (Saturn's Day) worship...all these are an abominable form of idolatry. These should be purged from the house of Yahuwah, to sanctify it and make it pleasing before His sight. This is why Sabbath reform necessitates calendar reform. Yahuwah is calling us back to Him, to look to Him, rejoice in Him, be glad in Him, love Him and to say continually, "the Lord be magnified (Psalm 40:16). Yahushua longs for us to seek His face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11), to give Him thanks, make known His deeds among the people, sing unto Him, to glory in Yahuwah and remember His marvelous works (1 Chronicles 16:8-12). When we look to Yahuwah instead of man, His praise shall continually be in our mouths (Psalm 34:1). We will look for Yahuwahs lovingkindness and truth to continually preserve us" (Psalm 40:11). Yahuwah alone will be our strong habitation where we continually resort (Psalm 71:3). We will keep His law, not mans, continually on our hearts (Psalm 119:44; Proverbs 6:21). Putting man in the place of Yahuwah, mans law in the place of Yahuwahs law, mans standard in the place of Yahuwahs standard, looking to men instead of to Yahuwah this is the abomination of desolation. It is Satans goal to take from us all that is promised in these Scriptures and focus our attention on man, so that we look to man, trust in man and expect much from man. This is an abomination because it makes us desolate of Yahuwahs love, praise, presence and salvation. "An intensity such as never before was seen is taking possession of the world. In amusement, in moneymaking, in the contest for power, in the very struggle for existence, there is a terrible force that engrosses body and mind and soul. In the midst of this maddening rush, Yahuwah is speaking. He bids us come apart and commune with Him. Be still, and know that I am - Yahuwah.' Psalm 46:10. Ellen G. White, Education, p. 260. The objective now is to realign our consciousness, with the synchronic order of natural time, by changing our metaphysical frame of reference and acknowledging that time just like ourselves, was designed and divinely appointed by Yahuwah. This single issue lies at the heart of the crisis of perception and identity which has alienated Christianity from the creative and redemptive oracles of Yahuwah. The Creator naturally included the knowledge of the sun, moon and stars, and how they designate and rule (measure) time (Genesis 1:14) over His entire created domain (jurisdiction). He shows us how the sun measures the "daylights" and solar years; while the moon measures the "nights", the years, the months, the weeks, and the placement of the seventh-day Sabbaths, and all the holy appointed Feast days (collectively called seasons, translated moadim meaning Holy convocations in Hebrew). Unless Yahuwah's people develop a keen understanding and appreciation of His clockwork as embodied in His calendar, the truth of His creative as well as His redemptive works and sovereignty can easily remain unappreciated and kept in obscurity from the understanding of those who desire to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and that is exactly what the calendars of Rome have done! CALENDAR REFORM IS URGENTLY NEEDED! In the beginning, the Creator made everything from nothing. Matter existed at the sound of His voice. Life entered man with the breath of his Maker flowing into his lungs. Everything from nothing. All provisions for the happiness of man were provided by a loving Creator. And then, Yahuwah gave man the Sabbath: a blessed and holy time in which to rest and to give love and worship to his Creator (Genesis 2:2-3). All people need to worship; it is how mans brain is made. But, lest after generations become confused and lose track of the days, Yahuwah provided at Creation, a built-in, ever present, always accurate clock/calendar to measure time and clearly designate the work days from the worship days. In order to worship Yahuwah on the day He appointed, people must be able to understand how His clock/calendar works to know which day is number one-- the starting point for counting the six days to work, with worship on the seventh. The reason the Creators method of time-keeping is the most accurate, precise and elegant, while at the same time the most ingenious is because built within it are checks and balances which require no man-made manipulation to keep perfect track of time. The history of all counterfeit calendars is one of continual adjustment; not so with the true calendar of Creation. The entire system of artificial time is fundamentally flawed; so in order to progress, or arguably, for us to be in sync with the Creator's appointed time centric, we need to restore the Creator's calendar with haste!

- 15 -

THE FINAL CALL

However, rather than changing the papal (Gregorian) calendar into some new form, the true calendar of the Creator needs to be restored to those who desire to worship Him. Scripture declares: 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. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD... It is imperative that all have an intelligent knowledge of these vital issues because it cannot be assumed that a divine institution ordained by Yahuwah, can in fact be found on a counterfeit calendar. Counterfeit worship requires a counterfeit calendar and Satan is well-prepared to confuse minds with an array of false methods of time-keeping. Just as the true Sabbath is inseparably linked with the Biblical week, so the false Sabbath of pagan origin needed its own calendar and its own counterfeit week. The enforcement [at the Council of Nica, A.D. 321325] of the weekly observance of the Sun-day, gave official recognition to the pagan week of seven days named after pagan gods and resulted in the introduction of it into the official civil calendar of Rome. The Romans passed that calendar down to us, and in it we have still the ancient pagan titles of the days of the week. The calendar reform needed today is a return to true, Biblical time-keeping, because Sabbath reform necessitates calendar reform! The Great Yahovah is calling upon ALL His people to restore ALL His divinely appointed institutions, including His CALENDAR. If all who claim to keep all His commandments (including the holy Sabbath), really and truly desire to worship Him in spirit and in truth, they must realize that the calendar they are currently using, i.e the Gregorian Calendar of 1582 (Pope Gregory XIII), was instituted by Rome in rebellion against Yahuwah's divinely appointed "times and laws." Those who seek to worship Yahuwah on His true Sabbath, must reestablish the Creator's calendar, for only through the Creator's calendar can His Sabbaths (Leviticus 23), be observed and kept holy. This is the message of the hour He who has ears, let him hear! The Creator's calendar, as detailed in scripture, shows that a new year and a new month all begin with the sighting of the NEW MOON (Numbers 10:10; 1 Samuel 20:24-27; Amos 8:5; Psalms 81:3-4; Isaiah 1 vs 1314, 66 vs 23; Ezekiel 46:1-3; Exodus 12:2). WHAT & WHEN IS THE NEW MOON?

The calendar established at Creation was kept by the Jews until well into the 4th century A.D. Anciently, the Jews waited to observe the first crescent of the new moon and then the day following that sighting was New Moon Day, which was observed as a none-work day. The Hebrew month was lunar, beginning with the evening

on which the crescent moon appeared. The first day of the month was called the new moon day. At first, visual observation was used to determine the appearance of the crescent. If the crescent was seen on the evening following the 29th day of the month, a new month had begun; if not, another day was added so that that particular month had 30 days (a month never had more than 30 days). In Yahuwah's mercy, the New Moon was to be announced by the trumpet blast on the evening prior to New Moon Day (first day of the month). This was for the purpose of allowing the people time to prepare for this Holy day after sunset, when it was dark. Because half of the months of any given year were 29 days in length, His people would have been just observing the seventh-day Sabbath during a 29th day month, prior to the setting sun. It was at that moment that the New Moon was announced by the blowing of the trumpet. The dark hours between the seventh-day Sabbath and the New Moon Day gave His people time to prepare for it. Yahuwah's ordained Sabbath and New Moon Days were only 12-hour periods, which were observed from the sunrise to sunset. Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full . . . . Psalms 81:3 (NIV)

- 16 -

THE FINAL CALL

The biggest difference between the calendar of creation and the calendars in use today is how the weeks cycle through the year. The Gregorian calendar, like the Julian calendar before it, has a continuous cycle of unending weeks, one after the other. The Creators calendar does not. The weekly cycle started over with the appearance of each new moon. Again, the first visible crescent not only began each new month, it also restarted the weekly cycle. As a result, the seventh-day Sabbath always fell on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th of the luni-solar calendar month. To those who have never known anything different than a continuous, unending cycle of unbroken weeks, the idea of starting the weekly cycle over again each month strains credulity. However, be assured that the working week was never longer than the prescribed six days. Once a month they would have what today would be called a long weekend, because in a 29-day month the seventh-day Sabbath was immediately followed by new moon day, but the days for work never exceeded six days. New Moons beacon the beginning of each new month according to Scripture, and were designed at creation to designate by its changing phases exactly when the true seventh-day Sabbaths will fall. Among all the lunar phases, the New Moon, according to Scripture, is the most significant lunar phase and of great importance to Yahuwah's calendation principles. This is because it beacons that a new month is to begin the following morning at sunrise, and begins the count for the entire month, as well as for the entire year. The Creator's luni-solar month and its corresponding weeks has been the ongoing target of Lucifer's unending attacks. For if the real truth were leaked out regarding the importance Yahuwah places on the "New Moon", Lucifer's mask would come off, and he would be exposed for the imposter and mastermind of deception that he is. It shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky." Psalms 89:37

The count beginning at New Moon locates all the Lord Yahuwah's Holy appointed Feasts. According to Genesis 1, Exodus 12 and 16, and Leviticus 23, His Feasts are divided into two categories; the four weekly Sabbaths each month, and the annual appointed Feasts. Yahuwah's faithful will recognize that it was Moses who recorded all three of these vitally important accounts in Scripture. His faithful will discover that Exodus contains the pivotal record and time centric key that unlocks His calendation principles of both Genesis and Leviticus. It is in Moses' record of Exodus 12, 16, and 19 that the application of Yahuwah's "seven-day week" is made with regards to His months and years. It is only in the restoring of Yahuwah's calendation truths to Israel at the Exodus that the full calendation picture is given which presents the details of exactly how the Creator placed His ordained and holy seventh-day Sabbath as His most precious gem within the framework of His lunar cycle setting. The pure church of Revelation 12:1 & 17, is pictured as a woman clothed with the celestial bodies, which testify to the creative genius of Yahuwahthis pure Church, by all means necessary shuns the ways of the apostate church, represented by the impure woman (Rev 17), who has established herself in pride and defiance to the Awesome Majesty of the Creator. This pure church is called upon to, "worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters, and everything that in them is." This entails a total separation from the doctrines and erros of the apostate church, which has "made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." This is the reason why calendar reform is very necessaryWe as a people should follow a calendar that recognizes and celebrates the creative and redemptive works of our Maker, and we are guaranteed that His own calendar does exactly that!

- 17 -

THE FINAL CALL

Most people literally scoff at the idea of a 13th month in the year. However, the Biblical calendar indeed has a 13th month every few years. The Gregorian calendar intercalates a "leap" day once every 4 years. The Biblical calendar intercalates on "embolismic" month every few years. It is true that there is no thirteenth month on the solar, or sun-based, Gregorian calendar. However, the Creators calendar is not a solar calendar. It is a luni-solar calendar: a calendar that ties lunar months to a solar year. The average lunar year is 354 days long. This is eleven days short of the 365-day long solar year. On strictly lunar calendars, such as the Muslim Hijri calendar, calendar dates float backward through the year. This is why, from one year to another, Ramadan always occurs earlier in the year than the year before. Luni-solar calendars, on the other hand, use some point within the solar year to anchor the shorter lunar year. This anchor point requires that every two to three years a thirteenth month is intercalated, or added, into the calendar. This makes the year an embolismic year, meaning that a large segment of time is added back into the year. Modern Rabbinical Jews use the vernal (spring) equinox as their anchor point. For them, the year begins with the new moon closest to the spring equinox (officially March 21). The Creator, on the other hand, used the barley harvest to intercalate time. The barley harvest was a beautiful method of keeping the spring feasts in the spring, and the fall feasts in the fall. Because the people were dependent upon their Maker for sending the rains to make the barley grow, it was a constant reminder of their dependence on Yahuwah, their Creator. Farmers planted their crops in the fall. The early rain caused the crops to spring up. The latter rains, which fell through the first week of our modern April, matured the grain which ripened very quickly thereafter. The wave sheaf offering which was to always be offered on the 16th day of the first lunation, or month, required ripe barley. If, at the end of the 12th month, the season was not advanced enough to guarantee ripe barley, in time for the wave sheaf offering, the high priest would intercalate, or add on, a thirteenth month.

- 18 -

THE FINAL CALL

- 19 -

THE FINAL CALL

SISTER ELLEN G. WHITE CONFIRMS THE BIBLICAL CALENDAR! According to the observance of the Biblical Calendar every 7th Day-Sabbath falls on the following dates of the month: DAY 8 of the month DAY 15 of the month DAY 22 of the month DAY 29 of the month Let's look to our Master Yahushua, what He did: Then Yahushua six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Yahushua and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Yahuwah, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. John 12:1-8 SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER: PASSOVER = 14th OF THE MONTH OF NISAN From the 14th we subtract 6 days: 14 - 6 = 8th OF THE MONTH (A SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH) So according to the gospel of John, Yahushua went to Mary and Martha on the 8th day of the month - A SABBATH DAY, according to the Biblical calendar. Proof: The Saviour had reached Bethany only six days before the Passover, and according to His custom had sought rest at the home of Lazarus. The crowds of travelers who passed on to the city spread the tidings that He was on His way to Jerusalem, and that He would rest over the Sabbath at Bethany. Among the people there was great enthusiasm. Many flocked to Bethany, some out of sympathy with Yahushua, and others from curiosity to see one who had been raised from the dead. {DA 557.3}

Yahushua visited them on the weekly Sabbath!

More Proof? John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Yahushua was coming to Jerusalem, John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:14 And Yahushua, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, John 12:15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass' colt. What does Sister Ellen White tell us about this occasion? It was on the first day of the week that Christ made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Multitudes who had flocked to see Him at Bethany now accompanied Him, eager to witness His reception. Many people were on their way to the city to keep the Passover, and these joined the multitude attending Yahushua. All nature seemed to rejoice. The trees were clothed with verdure, and their blossoms shed a delicate fragrance on the air. A new life and joy animated the people. The hope of the new kingdom was again springing up. {DA 569.3} What was her advice to the earnest Bible-Student? There are truths in the word which, like veins of precious ore, are hidden beneath the surface. The hidden treasure is discovered as it is searched for, as a miner searches for gold and silver. The evidence of

- 20 -

THE FINAL CALL

the truth of Yahuwah's word is in the word itself. Scripture is the key that unlocks scripture. The deep meaning of the truths of Yahuwah's word is unfolded to our minds by His Spirit. {8T 157.1} WHAT ABOUT THE MODERN-DAY JEWISH CALENDAR? In the fourth century of the Common Error (C.E.), another calendar entered the picture this one being introduced by a group of exiled Pharisees. The Sanhedrin was evicted from the Temple Mount in the year 28 C.E. and finally exiled by Rome for the crime of conspiring to pay witnesses to make a false report on their behalf. This incident is recorded in the Talmud and is also cited by Matthew in his first-century chronicle of the life and ministry of Yahushua: Some of the watch (Roman guard assigned to secure the tomb of Yahushua) came into the city and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they (the priests) were assembled with the elders (the Sanhedrin) and had taken counsel together (conspired to commit fraud), they gave large money (bribes) unto the soldiers, saying, say ye (bear false witness), His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept (admitting dereliction of guard duty, punishable by death). And if this (admission of sleeping on post) comes to the governors ears (to the attention of their commanding officer), we will persuade him ($$$), and secure you (admit our culpability). So they (the soldiers) took the money, and did as they were instructed (by the crooked Sanhedrin): and this account is commonly reported among the Jews until this day(near the end of the first century). [Matthew 28:11-15] In 359 C.E., just before disbanding themselves, the exiled Sanhedrin devised a new calendar system. After the Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, the Pharisees had replaced the Temple service and the Creators appointed times with a new and improved religious system a code of righteousness defined by thousands of man-made commandments and regulated by their new calendar. As head of the 4th century Sanhedrin, Hillel II borrowed Babylonian mathematical calculations to determine the precise moment that the moon was in conjunction with the earth and the sun. This unobservable mathematical moment in time was used to determine the beginning of each month on the new Pharisee calendar. The Pharisees invented additional postponements so that they could celebrate their adaptation of the Feasts at their own convenience. They could now plan their religious activities months, years, and even centuries in advance. They completely disregarded the only criterion stipulated by the Almighty for determining the first month of the year the aviv barley in the land of Israel. The commandment concerning the barley was unmistakably defined so that we would offer the firstfruits of the barley harvest in a prophetically timely fashion and accurately count the omer to arrive at the first day after seven Sabbaths on the 50th day the Feast of Pentecost. But, instead of following the instructions concerning the barley harvest, the Pharisees arbitrarily added a 13th month seven times every nineteen years, and then altered the method of counting the omer in order to camouflage its Messianic significance and fulfillment by Yahushua. The Pharisees calculated their new calendar 2,000 years into the future and then admittedly hid the Book of Genealogies so that anyone outside their circle would have no way to calculate the correct elapsed time from creation. They changed the beginning of the year from the first day of the first month of the aviv to the first day of the seventh month (Tishri) and removed 241 years from the total elapsed time calendar. Only a chosen few would know when the 6th Millennium would actually end, to herald The time of Jacobs Trouble. The last official act of Hillel II, the head of the exiled Pharisee Sanhedrin, was to accomplish the very thing about which the prophet Daniel warned: He shall proclaim commandments opposing the Almighty and continually harass the saints of the most High, and calculate to change (appointed) times and laws (Daniel 7:25). Now, through the institution of the new Pharisee calendar, the appointed times of Yahovah had been officially nullified and systematically replaced by the appointed times of men. Do not follow the takanot and maasim of the Pharisees During the 135 C.E. revolt against Rome, the Pharisees wielded the power of death over any Israelite who would not join their unholy conspiracy to undermine the authority of the Scriptures. Under the bloodstained sword of Shimon Bar Kochvah, many reluctantly submitted to the Pharisees authority; but untold thousands of Jews, both Messianic and otherwise, fled for their lives rather than die or be forcibly converted to Rabbi Akivahs new Pharisaic Judaism. On their new calendar they changed the fall Feast of the Day of Trumpets to occur at spring time as Rosh Hashanah in the beginning of the year. The Feast of Trumpets is the appointed time that shadows the Messiahs final work in the redemption of mankind. It serves as an eternal reminder that judgement has begun. But this appointed time was un-appointed by those who claimed divine authority to invent takanot, laws which change Biblical law, and a false reckoning of the time of the feast of trumpets was appointed in its place. Until recently, only the Karaite Jews retained a knowledge of the original Biblical timing and calendation principles. It is these group of Jewish people that the Millerites consulted with in making the "Loud Cry" of 1844, to arrive at the date of 22 October as the beginning of the Great Day of Atonement (Judgement) in heaven.

- 21 -

THE FINAL CALL

Just days before his crucifixion by Rome, Yahushua warned tens of thousands of Israelites who were gathered in the Temple for the upcoming Passover: The sages (scribes) and Pharisees sit in the seat of Moses: (they purport to have Mosaic authority) therefore, whatsoever HE (Moses) commands you to do and observe, that do! But do not follow the takanot (laws which change or negate Biblical law) and maasim (acts of the rabbis which serve as legal precedents) of the Pharisees, because they say (they follow Moses) but they do not do (what Moses said to do)! [Ancient Hebrew text of Matthew 23:2-3 as transcribed by Jewish physician Shem Tov Ibn Shaprut in 1380 C.E.; translated by Nehemia Gordon, annotated by Michael Rood. Yahushua repeatedly declared that the Pharisees had absolutely no right to add to or subtract from the Torah (book of the Law); He declared that even He had no such authority (Matthew 5:17). Nevertheless, the Pharisee Sanhedrin made a takanah, adopting a man-made calendar, and cited a maaseh (a prior action of an infallible rabbi) that gave the Sanhedrin its imagined authority to nullify the Creators calendar. Three hundred and thirty-one years earlier, The Prophet, Yahushua, had said they had no such authority. For Better or for Worse Most Jews in the fourth century rejected the Pharisees purported supremacy over the Scriptures and continued to keep the Feasts according to the Bibles prescription. These stalwarts of Bible truth became known as Karaites or Scripturalists. Even though their numbers have significantly dwindled, to this very day, the wedding vows of every Karaite couple contain the age-old promise to keep the Feasts of Yahovah according to the sighting of the new moon and the aviv barley in the land of Israel. However, a few hundred years ago, a Karaite sage noted that even the Karaites had fallen into the sin of following the calculated Pharisaic calendar. None-the-less, Yahuwah is restoring this knowledge to His remnant believers. Those who have hewn out their own kingdoms will once again scoff at the idea that the Messiah is still alive and able to instruct his people in his authentic times and seasons by which he rules the universe. They will stand by their anointed ones and proclaim allegiance to the Pharisees and to Rome by their blind obedience to the Roman man-made calendar and the takanot and maasim of the Pharisees. They will say, Jesus is Lord with their mouths but deny the words of Yahushua by their actions. They will once again turn a blind eye to the Gospel of the Kingdom in favor of the convenience afforded those who follow the very religious organizations who have changed both the Creators appointed times and His Laws. With the adoption of the calculated calendar by the followers of the Pharisees and the acceptance of the pagan calendar by the followers of the Pontifex Maximus (The Pope), the hands were broken from the face of the clock. We were left with the appointed times of two insolvent religious systems spawned in the exaltation of fallen man and pagan deities. These two calendar systems freed those religions from any interference by the Creator, and left everyone on the planet clueless as to the timing of the fulfillment of the Fall Feasts of the LORD. Thus, in this generation, we have all been born into a world that has no idea what time it is on the Creators time clock. We, who are supposed to be aware of the Creators reckoning of time and His seasons (moadim-Genesis 1:14), are in complete darkness. The Day of the LORD has actually overtaken us as a thief, because we have not been diligent to guard and keep His appointed times in His appointed seasons and according to His extremely simple and absolutely accurate time clock.
The modern Jewish calendar is a blind guide, which Yahuwah's people should not attempt to follow!

The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church. He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power. . . Man is Satans captive and is naturally inclined to follow his suggestions and do his bidding. He has in himself no power to oppose effectual resistance to evil. It is only as Christ abides in him by living faith . . . that man may venture to face so terrible a foe. Every other means of defense is utterly vain. It is only through Christ that Satans power is limited. This is a momentous truth that all should understand. Ellen G. White,Maranatha, p. 64 We cannot trust the salvation of our souls to ministers, to idle traditions, to human authorities, or to pretensions. . .The Lord positively demands of every Christian an intelligent knowledge of the Scriptures., Review and Herald, March 8, 1887 (2RH 117:1:1-2.0) I saw that those who oppose the Sabbath of the Lord could not take the Bible and show that our position is incorrect; therefore they would slander those who believe and teach the truth and would attack their characters. Many who were once conscientious and loved Yahuwah and His Word have become so hardened by rejecting the light of truth that they do not hesitate to wickedly misrepresent and falsely accuse those who love the holy Sabbath, if by so doing they can injure the influence of those who fearlessly declare the truth. But these things will not hinder the work of Yahuwah. In fact, this course pursued by those who hate the truth will be the very means of opening the eyes of some. Every jewel will be brought out and gathered, for the hand of the Lord is set to recover the remnant of His people, and He will accomplish the work gloriously. Ellen WhiteEarly Writings p.70

- 22 -

THE FINAL CALL

There is no excuse for any one in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. We are living in perilous times, and it does not become us to accept everything claimed to be truth without examining it thoroughly; neither can we afford to reject anything that bears the fruits of the Spirit of Yahuwah; but we should be teachable, meek and lowly of heart. There are those who oppose everything that is not in accordance with their own ideas, and by so doing they endanger their eternal interest as verily as did the Jewish nation in their rejection of Christ. The Lord designs that our opinions shall be put to the test, that we may see the necessity of closely examining the living oracles to see whether or not we are in the faith. Many who claim to believe the truth have settled down at their ease, saying, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing. But Yahushua says to these self-complacent ones, Thou knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Let us individually inquire, Do these words describe my case? If so, the True Witness counsels us, saying, Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." (Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, December 20, 1892) There are glorious truths to come before the people of Yahuwah. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid open before the followers of Christ. As they follow on in the path of humble obedience, doing Yahuwahs will, they will know more and more of the oracles of Yahuwah, and be established in right doctrines. (That I May Know Him, p. 114) They had the Bible as we have, but the time for the unfolding of special truth in relation to the closing scenes of this earths history is during the last generations that shall live upon the earth. (Testimonies, Vol. 2, pp. 692-693) The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. (Selected Messages, Vol. 3, p. 339) In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of Yahuwah to the people of that generation. The old truths are essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When Christ desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began at Moses and all the prophets, and expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of the New that glorifies the Old. He who rejects the New, does not really possess the Old. For him it loses its vital power, and becomes but a lifeless form. In every page, whether history or precept or prophecy, the Old Testament Scriptures are irradiated with the glory of the Son of Yahuwah. So far as it was of divine institution, the entire system of Judaism was a compacted prophecy of the Gospel. [Emphasis added] (Signs of the Times, June 20, 1906) Another angel was to come from heaven with a message, and the whole earth was to be lightened with his glory. It would be impossible for us to state just how this additional light would come. It might come in a very unexpected manner, in a way that would not agree with the ideas that many have conceived. It is not at all unlikely, or contrary to the ways and works of Yahuwah, to send light to His people in unexpected ways. (Manuscript Release, Vol., 13, p. 334)

In examining past history, Yahuwah has sent truth to His people, over and over, in unexpected ways. We need to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that we do not reject these unexpected ways when they present themselves to us
As we gather up the divine rays shining from the gospel, we shall have a clearer insight into the Jewish economy, and a deeper appreciation of its important truths. Our exploration of truth is yet incomplete. We have gathered up only a few rays of light. Those who are not daily students of the Word will not solve the problems of the Jewish economy. They will not understand the truths taught by the temple service. (Spalding Magan Collection, p. 306) Said my guide, There is much light yet to shine forth from Yahuwahs law and the gospel of righteousness. This message, understood in its true character, and proclaimed in the Spirit, will lighten the earth with its glory. (Manuscript Release, Vol. 2, p. 58) He who deliberately stifles his convictions of duty because it interferes with his inclinations, will finally lose the power to distinguish between truth and error. The understanding becomes darkened, the conscience callous, the heart hardened, and the soul is separated from Yahuwah. Where the message of divine truth is spurned or slighted, there the church will be enshrouded in darkness; faith and love grow cold, and estrangement and dissension enter. Church-members center their interests and energies in worldly pursuits, and sinners become hardened in their impenitence. (Great Controversy, pp. 378-379)

- 23 -

THE FINAL CALL

What should be our response towards those who state that they have discovered new light? Nothing frightens me more than to see the spirit of variance manifested by our brethren. We are on dangerous ground when we cannot meet together like Christians, and courteously examine controverted points. I feel like fleeing from the place lest I receive the mold of those who cannot candidly investigate the doctrines of the Bible. Those who cannot impartially examine the evidences of a position that differs from theirs, are not fit to teach in any department of Yahuwah's cause. (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 411) Do you ask, What shall I do to be saved? You must lay your preconceived opinions, your hereditary and cultivated ideas, at the door of investigation. If you search the Scriptures to vindicate your own opinions, you will never reach the truth. Search in order to learn what the Lord says. If conviction comes as you search, if you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the truth, do not misinterpret the truth in order to suit your own belief, but accept the light given. Open mind and heart that you may behold wondrous things out of Yahuwah's word. (Emphasis added) (Christs Object Lessons, p. 112) It is necessary that our unity today be of a character that will bear the test of trial. . . . We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. Yahuwah and Heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed. When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position, and every minister should search the Scriptures with the spirit of candor to see if the points presented can be substantiated by the inspired word. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if Yahuwah peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24, 25. (Christian Experience and Teachings, p. 203) From age to age the warnings which Yahuwah has sent to the world by his servants have been received with like incredulity and unbelief. When the iniquity of the antediluvians moved him to bring a flood of waters upon the earth, he first made known to them his purpose, that they might have opportunity to turn from their evil ways. For a hundred and twenty years was sounded in their ears the warning to repent, lest the wrath of Yahuwah be manifested in their destruction. But the message seemed to them an idle tale, and they believed it not. Emboldened in their wickedness, they mocked the messenger of Yahuwah, made light of his entreaties, and even accused him of presumption. How dare one man stand up against all the great men of the earth? If Noah's message were true, why did not all the world see it and believe it? One man's assertion against the wisdom of thousands! They would not credit the warning, nor would they seek shelter in the ark. (Great Controversy, 1888 Version, p. 337) Those who live up to all the light they have will be given greater light. Light and grace will be given to those who thus obey Yahuwah. They will behold wondrous things out of His law. Great truths that have lain unheeded and unseen since the day of Pentecost, are to shine from Yahuwah's word in their native purity. (Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 473)

Further Reading:
1 Samuel 20 vs 5, 1 Samuel 20 vs 18, 1 Samuel 20 vs 24-27, 1 Chronicles 23 vs 31, 2 Chronicles 7 vs 8-10, Amos 8 vs 5-14, Leviticus 23 vs 24, Leviticus 23 vs 35, Leviticus 23 vs 36, Leviticus 23 vs 39, Numbers 10 vs 10, Psalms 81 vs 3, Isaiah 1 vs 13-14, Isaiah 66 vs 23, Ezekiel 46 vs 1-3 Note* The text found in 2 Chronicles 7: 8-10, is speaking of Solomons service of the dedication of the altar which was combined (2 Chronicles 7: 8-9) with the Feast of Tabernacles (2 Chronicles 5:3). This was an eight-day Feast, which commenced on the 7th-day Sabbath of the 15th day of the 7th month of Tishrei, and ended on the 7th-day Sabbath of the 22nd of the same month, And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he (Solomon) sent the people away into their tents. Notice how Yahuwah came and tabernacled (See Isaiah 7:14, John 1:14), with His people on this solemn Feast (2 Chronicles 7:1-3). Latter on in this book, it shall be demonstrated how this Feast was fulfilled at Yahushuas first advent and again how it shall be fulfilled at the Second Advent exactly according to its timing as it is upon the Biblical calendar.

- 24 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION AS ILLUSTRATED BY THE BIBLICAL CALENDAR by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) Just as the typical Hebrew sanctuary services pointed to the final deposition of sin, through the Messiah's sacrifice and ministration in the anti-typical (original) heavenly sanctuary where He has ascended to intercede on our behalf before the Judgement throne of Yahuwah; the annual feasts of the Lord as they occur at their appointed times on the Biblical calendar, also act as a type (shadow) of Yahuwah's time-line in the Great Plan of Redemption. THE CREATOR'S CALENDAR The 1st day of the first month (Abib/Nisan) is the first day of the Biblical year. It begins at the new moon and coincides with the ripening of the barley harvest. Each month began with a new moon. (Num 10:10, 28:11, 1 Sam 20:5, Psa 81:3, Isa 66:23, Ezek 46:3, Amos 8:5, Col. 2:16.) It is not counted as part of the week. SABBATHS OF THE BIBLICAL YEAR In addition to the observance of the new moon, which begins a month, the following Sabbaths and FEAST DAYS are found on the Biblical calendar (See Levitucus 23). The weekly seventh-day Sabbath Lev 23:3, Num 28:9-10, Exodus 20:8-11, Deut 5:12-15 A convocation day. No servile work done. This is the only feast day mentioned that occurs more than once a year. Because it occurs on a weekly basis, in addition to the yearly religious calendar (Lev. 23:37-38), these feasts of which all are a shadow or type of some event that would be their fulfillment, or antitype. The seventh day sabbath is a memorial of creation and the Creator, established at creation. It also points forward to the millennial sabbatical rest of the redeemed saints and the earth, at the second coming (Rev 20:1-3). It was not a day that originated with the Jews, it preceded them, although it was celebrated as a feast day. When one of the feast days fell on the seventh day Sabbath, it was referred to as a High Sabbath day (John 19:31). The seventh-day sabbath always falls on the 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th of each and every month of the Biblical calendar. SPRING FEASTS The Passover The 14th day of the 1st month (Abib / Nisan) Exo 12, Exo 13:6-8, Lev 23:5, Deut 16:3-8, Num 28:16 Note: this was not a convocation day (no public gatherings) This is the day when the angel of death Passed-over the dwellings of the Israelites in Egypt (at midnight), with the blood of the lamb having being smeared on the door posts. At the midnight hour, the first born of all people and animals of Egypt was killed. It also occurs on Preparation Day (6th day of the week), each and every year. It precedes the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which commences the following day, on the 15th of Abib/Nisan. Yahushua and the disciples ate a pre-arranged special Passover meal (Matt 26:18-20) with unleavened bread and wine on the 13th of Nisanthe day before Passover, because Yahushua was to be crucified at the time of the morning sacrifice (3rd hour), and die at the time of the evening sacrifice (9th hour) of the 14th of Nisan (Passover), the exact time the Passover lambs were slain for 1500 yearsthereby fulfilling ALL the types and shadows of the Passover Feast (Exo 12:6). Passover is a shadow or type of the sacrifice of Yahushua the antitypical Lamb of Yahuwah, at Calvary (1 Cor 5:7). The Feast of Passover still remains as a commemorative of this event, although with a different ritual in its observance (the Lord's Supper or Communion). Its perpetual observance points forward to the deliverance of Yahuwah's people at the time of the slaughter of Ezekiel 9, and at the second coming. Of shear necessity, the observance of Passover (the Lord's Supper or Communion) still occurs at its exact appointed time on the 14th Abib/Nisan, for Yahuwah's people today. However, provision is made, for the observance of a late Passover, in the second month of Zif/Ayyar - (Num 9:10-11). This is a type of the great multitude (Rev 15:2-3) who will respond to the message of the 144 000, and join in partaking of the bread and wine representing the spilled blood and broken body of Yahushua.

- 25 -

THE FINAL CALL

Feast of Unleavened Bread - a week long observance. First day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread 15th day of the 1st month (Abib/Nisan) Lev 23:7, Num 28:17, A holy convocation / High Sabbath day. First born dedicated to the Lord's service. Holy Convocation (Assembly/Gathering) (Exo 23:14,17, Exo 34:22, Deut 16:16) Symbolic of the travel out of Egypt (Numbers 33:2-5). A celebration of release from bondage in Egypt (Exo 13:6-10). This is synonymous with the very night the host of Israel went out of Egypt (Deut 16:1). All leaven bread was removed from the Israelites' dwellings and replaced by unleavened bread. This day fell on the seventh day Sabbath, the day after the crucifixion, making it a High Sabbath day - (John 19:31).Yahushua spent the entire day in the tomb, at rest on this Sabbath. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, is a type of the sinless nature of Yahushua releasing us from the bondage of sin (if we we place our faith in His atoning sacrifice). Yahushua is the sinless bread of life (John 6:32,48-51) and leavened bread represents the corruption of sin in your life, that Yahushua overcomes (1 Cor 5:8). Putting away the sin in your life (leavened bread), and replacing it by accepting the sinless Messiah (unleavened bread) in its place, is the Gospel Message symbolized in the Passover meal, known today as the Lord's Supper or Communion. We participate in the Lord's Supper at the exact appointed time of the Passover (14th Abib/Nisan), in remembrance of the sacrifice that Yahushua made for us at Calvary (Luke 22:19). On this day, Israel began to eat from the old (parched) corn of Canaan (Gilgal), and the manna ceased (ended) the following day, after forty years. (Joshua 5:11) The 16th day of the 1st month (Abib / Nisan) Exo 34:25-26, Lev 23:10-14, Not a convocation day. No restriction on servile work. Barley harvest - First fruits (wave sheaf) presented to the Lord (Lev 23:10-11) This was the day of first sheaf waving (type) of the first fruit of the barley harvest. The antitype was Resurrection day which occurred on 16 Abib / Nissan. Yahushua is the first fruits of the resurrection, (1 Cor 15:20, 23, 2 Tim 2:6-8). It is important to note that it was not a day of convocation (NOT A SABBATH). This is because the festival Sabbaths were not just commemorative in nature, but also prophetic, pointing to future holy events as fulfillments. To suggest a new Sunday "holy day" (Easter Sunday) was instituted by virtue of the resurrection, is damnable heresy. This is blatant perversion of truth. The calendar appointed by Yahuwah however, exposes it for what it isan abomination! Manna ceased to fall on this day (Joshua 5:12) On this day, the period called the Omer (count to Pentecost), begins on 16th Nisan and extends for the count of 50 days to Pentecost. The omer (literally 50), is counted as seven complete/perfect sabbaths excluding new moon days (1st day of the month) and transition days (day 30 of the month) plus one day. Pentecost ALWAYS falls on the 9th of the third month of Sivan. 7th and last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread The 21st day of 1st month (Abib / Nisan) Exo 12:18, 13:6, Lev 23:8, Num 28:25

- 26 -

THE FINAL CALL

A convocation / Sabbath day. No servile workfollowed also by the weekly seventh-day sabbath the next day 22nd of Abib/Nisan. It is the traditional celebration day of the crossing of the Red Sea. It always falls on the 6th day of the week. Feast of Weeks / Pentecost Exo 34:22, Lev 23:15-21, Acts 2:1, Acts 20:16, 1 Cor 16:8 Occurs 50 days after the day of first fruits / barley sheaf waving (16 Nisan), on the 9th day of the third month (Sivan). A convocation / Sabbath day. No servile work done. Travel to the Sanctuary required of all men (Exo 23:14,17, Exo 34:22, Deut 16:16). Wheat harvest - Firstfruits presented to the Lord (Lev 23:17, 20) Called Feast of Weeks (Ex 34:22), the day of First Fruits (Exo 23:16, Num 28:26) Feast of the Harvest (Ex 23:16) and in the New Testament - Pentecost (Acts 2:1) A festival that celebrated the first fruits of the wheat harvest with the offering of two wave loaves of leavened bread (Lev 23:17, 20). This feast was also a shadow or type because fifty days after the resurrection there was the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that resulted in three thousand souls being added to the church in one day (Acts 2:41). Therefore it was no coincidence that the believers "were in one place and in one accord." They had done their count to the Omer. They knew that the feast of weeks was a type which represented the outpouring of the early rain and expected this outpouring to occur at its exact appointed timeand so should we, as we await for the greater outpouring of the latter rain. This was the day that Yahushua was anointed in heaven as our High Priest, which was also prefigured by the anointing of Aaron (Exo. 40:13) as mentioned in Psalms 133:1-3. Having finished His ministration in the outer court of the sanctuary (the work of justification by His sacrifice, Rom 5:9), Christ then began the priestly work of sanctification in the heavenly temple that was typified by the holy place, the first apartment of the earthly sanctuary. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit is also known as the early rain (first anti-typical fulfillment) and reached from heaven down to the believers who were gathered in the upper room on Mount Zion. There will also be a latter rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit near the end of time (Joel 2:23, Zech 10:1, James 5:7) for the proclamation (Rev 18:1) of the three angels messages (Rev 14). *With the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D, the Jews were unable to celebrate this festival as commanded, and they substituted this feast with the celebration of the revelation of the Torah (10 Commandments) to Moses on Sinai, something they themselves admit has no biblical foundation, as to the timing. The Jews are said to have been gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of weeks, but they did not know it was to meet its first anti-typical fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This goes to show that although they were right as to the timing of the event, they did not know the true meaning of the festival. This was also the time of year for the coming of the latter rains (Joel 2:23). This coming of the latter rain is also a type (shadow), which will meet its anti-type at the coming of the latter rain (Rev 18:1), to finish the work, and to give power to the message of the third angel (Rev 14:9-12). We today (spiritual Israel) may seem to know of the event (latter rain) in detail, and yet fail to recognize the timing of its coming, by virtue of our following a false calendar! FALL FEASTS Feast of Trumpets The 1st day of the 7th month (Ethanim/Tishri) Lev 23:24, Num 29:1 New moon / A convocation/ Sabbath day. No servile work done. This was an announcement to Israel of impending judgment, which occurred on the Day of Atonement, ten days later. As this was also a type or shadow, the antitype of Trumpets was the worldwide proclamation of the second coming in 1843-44, during the "Great Awakening" revival, which was based on the 2300 days/years prophecy in Dan 8:14, which began in 457 B.C. and terminated in 1844. This was mistakenly interpreted, by William Miller and others, to predict the time of the second coming and end of the world in 1844, when in fact it was the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary and the beginning of the pre-advent

- 27 -

THE FINAL CALL

investigative judgment in heaven, which started with the judgement of the dead saints of Yahuwah. Another blowing of trumpets (worldwide proclamation) will occur just before the judgement in heaven turns to the living saints of Yahuwah. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) The 10th day of the 7th month (Ethanim / Tishri) Lev 23:27, Num 29:7, Lev 16 Judgement day, a day to "afflict your soul" which involved fasting that day (Joel 1:14-15, Acts 27:9). At was a solemn convocation and every person was required to afflict the soul or rend the heart, meaning confession of sins and true repentance with a genuine sorrow for sin. The Israelites where also required to fast from the "even" of the 9th of Tishri, to the "even" of the 10ththe Day of Atonement. This was the holiest day of the year and signified a cleansing of sins (Judgment) and reconciliation with Yahuwah. The people were to afflict their souls through fasting. On this day only the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to atone for the sins of the people (Lev 16). This was a shadow or type of Yahushua carrying out his role as our High Priest (Heb 9) and entering the Holy of Holies in the heavenly sanctuary when he began the investigative judgment at the end of the 2300 days / years of Dan 8:14 on the 10th of Tishri, which corresponds to October 22, 1844 on the Gregorian calendar. This was the beginning of the antitypical fulfillment of the Day of Atonement, which is still underway in heaven today, as we speakand consequently, will have to come to an end. This judgment began with the righteous dead and will end with the righteous living. At the end of this period of judgment, probation (preparation time) for humanity will have closed, and the seven last plagues of Yahuwah will then fall upon the wicked. Soon after will be the second coming, to gather the righteous to join the kingdom of Yahuwah in heaven, to reign with Yahushua for 1000 years (Rev 20:6). The Jubilee year begins on this day (Lev 25:9). Feast of Tabernacles - An eight day feast of ingathering. The first day was the 15th day of the 7th month (Ethanim / Tishri) Exo 34:22, Lev 23:34-36, 39-43, Num 29:12 A convocation / Sabbath day. No servile work done. Travel to the Sanctuary in Jerusalem required of all men (Exo 23:14,17, Exo 34:22, Deut 16:16). Fruit Harvest - Firstfruits presented to the Lord (Exo 23:19) For seven days the people moved out of their homes and lived in temporary shelters called "Sukkah" or booths, as a reminder of their wanderings in the desert for forty years. The branches cut from palm, willow and other trees were to be waved in celebration to the Lord during the first seven days of the feast (Lev 23:40). This final feast of the year is a celebration of ingathering at the end of the harvest (Exo 23:16) and is a time of rejoicing and fellowship. It symbolizes the gathering or harvest of Yahuwah's people, who leave earth for the marriage supper of the Lamb, to be celebrated in heaven after the second coming of Yahushua. Thus begins the millennium (Rev 20:6). The 15th of Tishrei is incidentally, or rather the exact divinely appointed birth day of Immanuel (certainly not 25th December!) The 7th day of the Feast of Tabernacles 21st day of the seventh month of Tishri Considered by Jewish custom to be the final day of judgment. A ritual of beating willow branches on the ground is practiced, which is thought to symbolize the final casting away of sin. It is the type of the end of the 1000 millennial judgement of the wicked, where Satan and his host will be destroyed by Yahuwah by fire from Heaven (Rev 20:7-15). The 8th day of the Feast of Tabernacles 22nd day of the seventh month

- 28 -

THE FINAL CALL

Lev 23:36,39, Num 29:35 A convocation / Sabbath day. No servile work done. The final day of Tabernacles was also a Sabbath, a day of solemn assembly. This day will also meet its antitype when the saints enter into heaven at the second coming and again when the new heavens and the new earth are created, and for all eternity the saints shall reign with Yahuwah and the Lamb. (Rev 21 & 22).

THE SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM)

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, 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; For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11) The Seventh-day Sabbath is the first Holy Day listed in Leviticus chapter 23. These holy days are also called feasts. The Seventh-day Sabbath is the crown jewel of Yahuwahs Holy Days. In February of 1846, O.R.L. Crosier wrote a very interesting article on the Jewish economy, which was printed in Day-Star, a magazine printed by the Advent movement. Ellen White states that Yahuwah showed her that Crosier had the truth in this article. "The Lord shew me in vision, more than one year ago, that Brother Crosier had the true light, on the cleansing of the Sanctuary, and that it was his will, that Brother C. should write out the view which he gave us in the Day-Star, Extra, February 7, 1846. I feel fully authorized by the Lord, to recommend that Extra, to every saint." (Word to the Little Flock, p. 12). In this article Crosier shows that Yahuwahs Holy Days, which he calls types, are all prophetic pointing out yet future events. Antitype in his article means the future events that Yahuwahs Holy Days point forward to. Autumnal types mean the fall Holy Days. His wording is a little difficult, but if one prayerfully reads his article several times then the significance of what he is saying will be clearer. Here is a quote from his article showing that Yahuwahs Holy Days have future fulfillments beyond the cross. That the significancy of the Law reaches beyond the first advent is evident from these considerations: 1. The cleansing of the sanctuary formed a part of the legal service, (Lev. 16:20: 33) and its antitype was not to be cleansed till the end of the 2300 days; Dan. 8:14. 2. The Sabbaths under the Law typify the great Sabbath, the seventh millennium; Heb. 4:3. 3. The Jubilee typifies the release and return to their possessions of all captive Israel; this cannot be fulfilled till the resurrection of the just. 4. The typical autumn (fall) feasts were none of them fulfilled at the first advent. 5. The legal tenth day atonement was not, neither could it be fulfilled at that time. Although he blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; yet, after his resurrection, both he and his apostles made use of the Law in proof of his Messiahship. He was buried and arose, and shed down the Holy Ghost in direct fulfillment of the types, which would not have been the case if the significancy of the Law had terminated at the cross. In fact his anointing and crucifixion were only the beginning of its fulfillment, as being the beginning of that great system of redemption whose shadows were contained in the Law. All will admit that some of the types have been

- 29 -

THE FINAL CALL

fulfilled and that others have not as they are yet to be fulfilled, it becomes us to remember and study the Law to learn their nature and import. (Day-Star, Extra February 7, 1846) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Colossians 2:16- 17) In Colossians 2:17 Paul is stating that the Seventh-day Sabbath points forward to something, but does not tell us what. Crosier tells us that the Seventh-day Sabbath points forward to the seventh millennium, which we spend in heaven before coming back to this earth. When sin entered the world, Yahuwah patterned the length of time for sin on this earth after the six day working week. Just as we labor hard for six days each week and rest on the seventh-day (see Exodus 20:8-11), so mankind labors hard under sin (see Genesis 3:19) for six thousand years and will rest on the seventh millennium, the Sabbath millennium. Yahuwah chose the period of six days such as are known to man for the work of creation in order to represent to man that in six days of 1000 years each, days such as are known to Yahuwah, He would accomplish the period assigned to man before the Judgment. 2 Peter 3:7,8. The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into Yahuwah's favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now Yahuwah's original purpose in its creation is accomplished. The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." (The Adventist Home, pp. 539540). The millennium is a great Sabbath of rest, both for the earth and for Yahuwahs people. For six thousand years the earth and its inhabitants have been groaning under the curse of sin. The millennium, the seventh thousand, will be a Sabbath of rest and release; for, says the prophet concerning the land, as long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath. 2 Chronicles 36:21. The reason why Yahuwah sent the Jews to Babylon is because they did not let the land get its Sabbath rest. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbath: for as long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years. This text in Chronicles is a direct reference to Leviticus 25:4, which says, But in the seventh year shall be a Sabbath of rest unto the land, a Sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. Yahuwah says in Leviticus 26:34 that if His people do not let the land get its Sabbath rest then He will take the land away from them so the land will get its rest. Yahuwah kept His word by taking the land away from the Jews for seventy years; obviously the Jews had not let the land have its Sabbath rest during a 490 year period during which time seventy years (one year in seven) should have been spent letting the land have its rest. Yahuwah is going to fulfill His threat in Leviticus 26:34 and take the land away from His people for a thousand years during the seventh millennium, letting the earth catch up on its rest during this time, which shows that Yahuwah did not abolish this law at the cross! If Yahuwahs command had always been obeyed and the land had had its rest every seventh year, the earth would not have waxed old like a garment, but would have remained productive. Yahuwahs commands will all be honored, and as the land lay desolate seventy years, keeping the Sabbath during the Babylonian captivity, to atone for the disobedience of ancient Israel; so, after the second coming of Christ, the land will lie desolate one thousand years, keeping Sabbath to atone for the many Sabbaths that have been disregarded since that time. (The Cross and Its Shadow, pp. 248-249). The week of years in which, after the land had been cultivated six years, it was to remain without cultivation the seventh (see Lev. 25:1- 7), is certainly a type of the great week of 7000 years, in which after the earth has been cultivated by its inhabitants during 6000 years, it will remain uncultivated and desolate during the seventh period of 1000 years while the Judgment of the wicked takes place. But this is not all. After seven of these week of years came the year of jubilee (Lev. 25:8-10). In this year liberty was proclaimed throughout all the land to all its inhabitants, and every man returned to his own inheritance. This signifies that after the Great Sabbath, during which the earth will remain uncultivated for 1000 years, the great week of 7000 years being finished, the curse will cease, after having consumed the earth with all who are wicked. Then the earth will be created anew by the power of Yahuwah, and all the just will return to their inheritance in the new earth, and never know sin or sorrow any more. (J.N. Andrews, Review & Herald, August 21, 1883). Yahuwah is emphasizing over and over in the Jewish economy that both man and the land is to rest on the seventh day or year, pointing forward to the fact that after six thousand years both Yahuwahs people and this earth are going to rest for one thousand years during the Sabbath millennium. The Seventh-day Sabbath is a memorial of Creation (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11). Throughout eternity the Seventh-day Sabbath will also be the memorial of Yahuwahs re-creation (redemption), both of His people and this earth. The Sabbath given to the world as the sign of Yahuwah as the Creator is also the sign of Him as the Sanctifier. The power that created all things is the power that re-creates the soul in His own likeness. To those who keep holy the Sabbath day it is the sign of sanctification. True sanctification is harmony with Yahuwah, oneness with Him in character. It is received through obedience to those principles that are the transcript of His character. And the Sabbath is the sign of obedience. He who from the heart obeys the fourth commandment will obey the whole law. He is sanctified through obedience. (Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 350). We should jealously guard the edges of the Sabbath. Remember that every moment is consecrated, holy timeBefore the Sabbath begins, the

- 30 -

THE FINAL CALL

mind as well as the body should be withdrawn from worldly businessBefore the setting of the sun let the members of the family assemble to read Yahuwah's word, to sing and pray. There is need of reform here, for many have been remiss. (Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 356). Just as we need to be ready for the Seventh-day Sabbath before it comes, so we need to be ready for the Sabbath millennium in advance, because the close of human probation, which is when the eternal destiny of everyone on earth will have been decided at the Judgment; occurs just before the millennium begins. Since we do not know when the close of probation will occur, we need to be ready all the time. How we look forward to obtaining true rest during this Millennium! For this reason, in urging us to remain obedient to the "types" as represented in the Mosaic law, the apostle Paul says, "And Moses certainly was faithful in the administration of all Yahuwah's house [but it was only] as a ministering servant. [In his entire ministry he was but] a testimony to the things which were to be spoken [the revelations to be given afterward in Christ]. But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father's] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And Yahuwah did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Yahuwah had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of Yahuwah. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as Yahuwah did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of Yahuwah is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 3: 5-19, 4: 1-13).

CREATION WEEK & THE SABBATH

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) Does the Creator's Calendar bare the Record of Creation? In reconciling the FACTS of the record of creation with the truth of the Creator's calendar, we submit first of all to the fact that the Creator's calendar bares the testimony of Scripture as to its authenticity. The Creator's calendar is the only one by which we can know for certain that Yahushua is indeed the MESSIAH (Anointed One), who came, lived and died for the sins of humanity that all who place their faith in Him may inherit eternal life, through His acceptable sacrifice. The Creator's calendar testifies to this by identifying Him as" the lamb that takes away the sins of the world," through His fulfilling ALL the "types and shadows" of the Passover sacrifice carried over for 1500 years, from the night of the first Passover in Egypt right up to the Savior's crucifixion upon Mt. Calvary in A.D 31. The Messiah fulfilled all these "types and shadows" right down to the exact date, day and time. The slaying of the Passover lamb was a shadow of the death of Christ. Says Paul: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.' 1 Corinthians 5:7 . . . . These types were fulfilled, not only as to the event, but as to the (exact) time. On the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, the very day and month on which for fifteen long centuries the Passover lamb had been slain, Christ, having eaten the Passover with His disciples, instituted that feast which was to commemorate His own death as "the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Great Controversy, p. 399. Of all calendars ever used by man, the Creator's calendar is the only one that bares testimony to this, and all the rest DO NOT! Simply because the rest are man-made, and the Creator's is not. The seventh-day sabbath also, which Yahuwah has declared that, "If you turn away your foot from the sabbath, from doing your own

- 31 -

THE FINAL CALL

pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the lord; and I will cause u to ride on the high hills of the earth".... Isa 58:13-14; "And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." Ezekiel 20:20. "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 doth sanctify them." Ezekiel 20:12; 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. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever. Exodus 31:13, 17. This Sabbath can only be found by using the Creator's calendar, not on a man-made calendar! As high as the heavens are, all of Yahuwah's ways are exalted in their consistency, complete order and perfect harmony. He is not the author of confusion! It follows then that, if the Creator's calendar is truth, then it should find its rightful place in the work of creation should it not? It had to have been perpetuated right from the beginning...In speaking of man's obligation to observe the Sabbath, the reason given for remembering the sabbath, to keep it holy; is stated explicitly in the fourth commandment of the decalogue as thus: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 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: 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." Exodus 20:8-11. Therefore if this sabbath is as important as it sounds in the context of the scriptures above, would it be sensible then, for Yahuwah to give such a stringent requirement, and then forget to mention which day exactly is the seventh day? The scriptures emphatically declare that the sabbath is specifically the seventh-day of the creation WEEK. That part of the story is fool-proof, infallible, dependable, reliable, trustworthy, certain, sure, guaranteed, tried and tested; flawless, perfect! It is beyond doubt that the Sabbath day, for all intents and purposes is indeed the seventh-day of the WEEK. You will notice that we are emphasizing the word WEEK; this is due to a reason/reasons which will henceforth become clear. Remember, the purpose of this study is to reconcile the Creator's calendar, which bares the weight of evidence according to Scripture, to this first WEEK of creation, wherein we find the holy Sabbath of the commandment. So, let us take a closer look at the creation WEEK shall we beginning from Genesis Chapter 1:1 In the beginning Yahuwah created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of Yahuwah moved upon the face of the waters. And Yahuwah said, Let there be light: and there was light. And Yahuwah saw the light, that it was good: and Yahuwah divided the light from the darkness. And Yahuwah called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And Yahuwah said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And Yahuwah made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And Yahuwah called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And Yahuwah said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God Yahuwah called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and Yahuwah saw that it was good. And Yahuwah said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God Yahuwah saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. And God Yahuwah said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And Yahuwah made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God Yahuwah set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God Yahuwah said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And Yahuwah created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and Yahuwah saw that it was good. And God Yahuwah blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

- 32 -

THE FINAL CALL

And God Yahuwah said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And Yahuwah made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and Yahuwah saw that it was good. And Yahuwah said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So Yahuwah created man in his own image, in the image of Yahuwah created he him; male and female created he them. And Yahuwah blessed them, and Yahuwah said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And Yahuwah said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And Yahuwah saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day Yahuwah ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And Yahuwah blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which Yahuwah created and made.These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD Yahuwah made the earth and the heavens. Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-4. Now, if the Lord of Creation restored the exact timing of the creation week to Moses and the Hebrew people (Exodus 12:2 ), then perhaps His people today should take notice. When a thing is restored, by definition, it is being brought back to its original state. Additionally, it would only make sense that Yahuwah would choose to do His restoring in perfect rhythm with the time signature of His creation week. There are several more details that have been inserted in the Exodus account that are not apparent in the Genesis rendering. This is made apparent in the structure of the month, which begins with the sighting of the first visible crescent moon. It is now clear that while the phrase, "new moon" is absent from most of our modern English translations, the word month literally means new moon. New moons are integral to the counting and placement of week days and seventh-day Sabbaths. While there was no mention of a new moon/month in the creation week account, it now becomes evident that Yahuwah's six work days followed by a seventh-day Sabbath are not a chain of uninterrupted cycles, as is the case on the man-made calendar. Rather, He created four fixed weeks and placed them into His lunar months just as a gemstone is placed within a pre-appointed setting. All are precisely placed into His well defined yearly calendar formula. Yahuwah naturally included the knowledge of the sun, moon and stars, and how they designate and rule (measure) time over His entire created domain (jurisdiction). He shows us how the sun measures the "daylights" and solar years; while the moon measures the "nights", the years, the months, the week days, the placement of the seventh-day Sabbath and all the holy appointed Feast days. Remember what is said by the Lord to Moses and Aaron in the Exodus 12:2 account: "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you." Since Yahuwah is restoring what was lost during the 430 years of the Israelite exile in Egypt, He is re-establishing that the very day He was speaking to Moses, was the exact first day of the month, of the beginning of the year, as that of the Genesis creation account. However, the work of creation itself in the Genesis account did not start on the first day of the month, but rather, on the first day of the week. Now, a few questions may start shooting like arrows in your head, like HOW SO? Well, this is how... When the word of Yahuwah is saying, "In the beginning," in the Genesis account, He is referring to the very beginning of time as we know it. Since Yahuwah is eternal (timelessHe has no beginning or end), the second hand on the clock of time made its very first stroke when Yahuwah made a "beginning" by saying "In the beginning...." This may leave your head reeling, but when Yahuwah is "beginning" time just as he said to Moses,"this month shall be your 'beginning' of months," we can know for certain this is where the first month of the year also starts. However there is one slight difference in the two accounts, and this is the golden puzzle-piece which brings harmony to these accounts which testify to Yahuwah's calendar and time system which we should not be ignorant of TODAY. This is where it gets really exciting. The student of the Scriptures will do well to listen intently at this juncture... We know from the testimony of the scriptures that every new month is beckoned by the appearance of the crescent new moon right? We also know that, anciently as it should be the practice for Yahuwah's people today, new moon day (day 1 of the month), was observed as a none-work day (Numbers 10 vs 10, 1 Chronicles 23 vs 31, Amos 8 vs 5, Psalms 81 vs 3, Isaiah 1 vs 13-14, Ezekiel 46 vs 1-3 ); And it shall be kept as such in the new earth as well (Isaiah 66 vs 23). In the Exodus account, Yahuwah was speaking on new moon day. In Jewish tradition, is is said that, when Yahuwah said to Moses, "This month shall be for you the beginning of months" (Exodus 12:2), the Almighty pointed up into the heavens at the crescent new moon and

- 33 -

THE FINAL CALL

said "When you see like this, sanctify [declare a New Month!]." The new moon is also observed as a rest day (though not a seventh-day Sabbath). This is called the first day of the month (Exodus 12:2, 1 Samuel 20;24-27), but is however not counted as part of the subsequent week of seven days. You may want to knowwhy? The reason is found in the very fact that the first day of the month is observed as a "new moon sabbath. Hence the count of week days starts the following day (day 2 of the month)can you see the difference? The second day of the MONTH, is counted as the first day of the WEEK. Now, how does this relate to the record of creation?

There are distinct possibilities which support the same conclusion:

The week of creation is set within the framework of Yahuwah's calendar, with the first day of TIME, being the same as the day of the creation of MATTER. When Yahuwah says, "In the beginning..., " and then He says,"Let there be light: and there was light", and when "Yahuwah saw the light, that it was good: and Yahuwah divided the light from the darkness. And Yahuwah called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day thus began TIME and also began MATTER, on the first day of the week. Therefore TIME and MATTER are co-existent, from the record of creation. Before this stroke of creative genius, there was no reckoning of timetime and matter both came into existence at creation, and creation of both commenced on the first day of the first week. CREATION DAY 4 We have settled that the months and years on the Creator's calendar begin with the sighting of the crescent moon, but we also know from the Scriptures that the sun, moon and stars where created on the forth day of the week, right? Now we have a dilemma! Well....not quite, actually. There is perfect harmony in Yahuwah's word, and in this we can be 100% confident! It has been supposed that this Movement, for the Restoration of the Creator's Calendar and His true Sabbaths, is in error "because our belief in the Creator's Calendar is based upon heresy." Quite the opposite actually... We live in Yahuwah's created world, where all people are endowed with the freedom to choose, and this also entails the freedom to form one's own interpretation of reality, based on the things we see, hear, touch and taste. However, it is even better when a free-thinking human being is given sufficient information, to enable him to make the right choices and decisions concerning eternal realities. For this reason, Yahuwah sent us His Gospela detailed blueprint of the information humans need, to understand eternal realities, thereby enabling us to make an informed opinion concerning the same. So, placing all our trust in Yahuwah, believing that He is ABLE to reveal these things to us, in order that we can form an honest opinion about eternal realities, we shall now endeavor to try and dispel the claims of heresy that some are hurling at us... Yahuwah's word and nature alike testify to the truth of what we are speaking of here. Nature is Yahuwah's handiwork and therefore cannot lie. There are certain things that man simply cannot change though they may try, because Yahuwah, who created all things had it so! "In the heavens there is nothing accidental, nothing arbitrary, nothing out of order, nothing erratic. Everywhere is order, truth, reason, constancy . . . I cannot understand this regularity in the stars, this harmony of time and motion in their curious orbits through all eternity, except as the expression of reason, mind and purpose . . . Their constant and eternal motion, wonderful and mysterious in its regularity, declares the indwelling power of a divine intelligence. If any man cannot feel the power of God when he looks upon the stars, then I doubt whether he is capable of any feeling at all.....These beautifully simple words of Roman Stoic, Cicero, gives voice to his admiration for the heavens and heavens Creator. He further observed, When you see a sundial or a water-clock, you see that it tells the time by design and not by chance. The heavens declare the glory of Yahuwah; the skies proclaim the work of his
hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Psalms 19:1-2.

In the beginning, the Creator made everything from nothing. Matter existed at the sound of His voice. Life entered man with the breath of his Maker flowing into his lungs. Everything from nothing. All provisions for the happiness of man were provided by a loving Creator. And then, Yahuwah gave man the Sabbath: a blessed and holy time in which to rest and to give love and worship to his Creator. All people need to worship; it is how mans brain is made. But, lest after generations become confused and lose track of the days, Yahuwah provided at Creation, a built-in, ever present, always accurate clock/calendar to measure time and clearly designate the work days from the worship days. In order to worship Yahuwah on the day He appointed, people must be able to understand how His clock/calendar works to know which day is number one-- the starting point for counting the six days to work, with worship on the seventh. The reason the Creators method of time-keeping is the most accurate, precise and elegant, while at the same time the most ingenious, is because built within it are checks and balances which require no man-made manipulation to keep perfect track of time. The history of all counterfeit man-made calendars is one of continual adjustment; not so with the true calendar of Creation.

- 34 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Creators calendar is based on three observable facts: 1. The spinning of Earth on its axis: a day. 2. The revolution of the moon around Earth: a lunation, or month. 3. The revolution of Sun around the earth: a year. Taken individually, each segment of natures clockwork is off by just a little bit. The weeks do not perfectly align with the lunations; the lunar year is not quite as long as the solar year. And yet, when taken as a whole, the parts unite to provide a coordinated time-keeping system that is precise enough for the most exacting astronomical calculation, while simple enough for a child to just lift his eyes to the heavens and understand the calendar of the Creator. Each month, which is always 29 or 30 days long, but never more than 30 days, starts with the first appearance of the crescent new moon. The years do not have a continuous cycle of weeks but instead the weekly cycle "refreshes" or starts over with each new moon. Now you may wonder how all this scientific information is relevant to establishing the role of the moon as regards to counting off weeks, months and indeed the Lord's Sabbath, but it will start to become clear when we consider the cycles of these heavenly bodies, which were created "for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years."(Genesis 1:14). All these terms, collectively are speaking of the natural cycle of time as determined by the activities of these celestial bodies. There can be no doubt that the biblical holy days are dependent on the moon. The strongest proof of this is the passage in Psalms 104:19, which declares: "He created the moon for Mo'adim [seasons or appointed times]" (Compare Genesis 1:14). The Hebrew term Mo'adim [seasons or appointed times] is the same word used to describe the Biblical holy days listed in Leviticus 23, which contains a catalogue of the Biblical holy days. It begins: "These are the Mo'adim [seasons or appointed times] of YAHUWAH, holy convocations which you shall proclaim in their appointed times [Mo'adim]." So when the Psalmist tells us that God created the moon for Mo'adim [appointed times], He means that the moon was created to determine the time of the Mo'adim of YAHUWAH, that is, the Biblical holy days which are these: 1) The Weekly Sabbath (Leviticus 23: 2 - 3, 38) 2) The Annual Feasts (Leviticus 23: 4 - 44)

Those who say the placement of the seventh-day Sabbath is not determined by the moon are themselves deluded, and they do not discern their own blindness...
On day four of the week of Creation, Yahuwah created the moon (sun, and stars also), but what is easy to miss is that, this very moon spoken of here was created to fit into the time centric already established when time came into being. The only question that needs to be answered is: Which PHASE of the lunar cycle was placed in the skies on day four of creation? This cycle has never been interrupted nor changed since the day it commenced, because "the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them" the work of creation was finished and all was perfect and good! This is why, in the wise words of Roman stoic, Cicero; "When you see a sundial or a water-clock, you see that it tells the time by design and not by chance. An intelligent look into the monthly cycles of the moon itself reveals a startling fact, to answer for the ageold question. Below is a chart showing the PHASE the moon was in, when it was created on Day 4 of the creation week:

- 35 -

THE FINAL CALL

Below is a chart showing the harmonious context into which Yahuwah placed the moon:

Below is a chart showing the first full cycle of the moon in the first month of its creation:

- 36 -

THE FINAL CALL

Below is an illustration of a typical Biblical calendar month, from the second month of creation right up to the present, represented by its respective moon phases, and we dare say it has been thus and has never changed since Yahuwah set it forth, in this exact same order :

For illustration purposes, items labelled in red pertain to the creation week. The X's represent the first three days of creation week, when the moon had not yet been created. You will notice that, for obvious reasons, the first month of creation was not beckoned by the appearing of a new moon. Rather, the moon was created on Day 4 of the week of creation, according to its respective phase in the lunar cycle and was placed into a pre-existing time sequence which had commenced from Day 1 of creation. From the illustration above, it becomes clear to see which phase the moon was in, when it was created on Day 4 of the week of "beginnings." We have placed the week of creation into the framework of Yahuwah's calendar month to illustrate the fact that Yahuwah did not arbitrarily create the moon and give it a phase of its own in the lunar cycle, that did not match His already established time centric. It had to "fit in" like a jigsaw puzzle, to ensure perfect continuity in the natural lunar cycle. The question here was to find out which "lunar phase" the moon was in when it was created on Day 4, and clearly as demonstrated, it was not a full moon as some have supposed. It was created to fit into a preordained natural cycle of time and this cycle has never changed. The first week of creation is not isolated in itself but fits perfectly into Yahuwah's coherent time sequence. On the Creator's calendar, Day 4 of the first week of any month is also Date No. 5 of the calendar month, as demonstrated above. To explain this further, we will use for this example, Day 6 of any given week, which is also known as Preparation Day, and yet it is also either Date 7,14,21 & 28 on any given month. For this reason, Passover is ALWAYS on the 14th of the first month of Abib, which is also Day 6 of the week Preparation Day. This is no shear coincidence, it is by design and divine intent. Of necessity, the moon could not have been created on the first day of the first month (new moon), because Yahuwah would not work on a new moon, just as He has required of us. It is rather curious that He started the work of Creation on the first day of the week and made sure He created the moon, which tells us when a new month starts, on day four; yet that moon started off its cycle in accordance with its respective

- 37 -

THE FINAL CALL

phase, just as though it had been there from the very beginning! Only Yahuwah could have such intelligent hindsight and foresight...This is how the overall cycle of time: hours, days, weeks, months, seasons, jubilees and millennia; can be accounted for, because this cycle has not changed since creation. In fact, the only time when "time" as recorded in Scripture, is said to have been "added," is when Yahuwah made the sun to cycle backwards through an angle of 10 degrees, on the sun-dial: In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, 3And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city. And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken; Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down. Isaiah 38:1-8. *Note10 degrees = 40 minutes. In conclusion, we can see how nature and revelation alike testify to the authenticity of the works of the Creator, and through this we can also see how the perpetuity of His calendar (which He has never changed) is authenticated and vindicated. "Nature is the servant of her Creator. Yahuwah does not annul His laws or work contrary to them, but He is continually using them as His instruments. Nature testifies of an intelligence, a presence, an active energy, that works in and through her laws. There is in nature the continual working of the Father and the Son. Christ says, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." John 5:17. Ellen White Patriarchs and Prophets p.114 Unless Yahuwah's people develop a keen understanding and appreciation of His clockwork as embodied in His calendar, the truth of His creative as well as His redemptive works and sovereignty can easily remain unappreciated and kept in obscurity from the understanding of those who desire to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and this is exactly what the calendars of Rome have done! The false calendar of Rome has indeed taken the world captive with its successive chain of unbroken weeks, which do not recognize the facts of nature and time as ordained by Yahuwah. What we call "a month," in modern terms is in fact groundless, because the months on the man-made calendar start and end arbitrarily and haphazardly without actual reference to the moon. The modern calendar bares the profession without the substance. It only in part infers its recognition that time, by design, is ordained of Yahuwah. This modern calendar is the token embodiment of the greatest apostasy of apostasies. In one stroke, it denies the Lordship of the Creator, and hides the fact that the Messiah came at the exact appointed time, to make ransom for our sins, according to the time centric ordained by Yahuwah from the foundation of the world. Added to that, it makes void the mystery of redemption which is celebrated by Yahuwah's calendar in the annual feasts. What contempt to the sovereignty of our Maker! How then can those who claim to worship the living God continue to follow a calendar system that robs Yahuwah of His awesome glory? Yet they disregard the very one which exalts the Lord of Creation and Redemption. Says the angel, "Fear Yahuwah and give glory to Him...for the hour of His judgement is come!" Yahuwah is about to execute His severe judgements without mercy, upon those that have made void His truth and His law, and who deny His Awesome Majesty, which is clearly manifest in the works of His hands. And so a call is heard, for Yahuwah's people to shun the judgement of the wicked, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication!" "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. The Levites, in their hymn recorded by Nehemiah, sang, "Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things therein, . . . and Thou preservest them all." Nehemiah 9:6. As regards this world, Yahuwah's work of creation is completed. For "the works were finished from the foundation of the world." Hebrews 4:3. But His energy is still exerted in upholding the objects of His creation. It is not because the mechanism that has once been set in motion continues to act by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats and breath follows breath; but every breath, every pulsation of the heart, is an evidence of the all-pervading care of Him in whom "we live, and move, and have our being." Acts 17:28. It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth produces her bounties and continues her motion around the sun. The hand of Yahuwah guides the planets and keeps them in position in their orderly march through the heavens. He "bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth." Isaiah 40:26. It is through His power that vegetation flourishes, that the leaves appear and the flowers bloom. He "maketh grass to grow upon the mountains" (Psalm 147:8), and by Him the valleys are made fruitful. "All the beasts of the forest . . . seek their meat from Yahuwah," and every living creature, from the smallest insect up to man, is daily dependent upon His providential care. In the beautiful words of the psalmist, "These wait all upon Thee. . . . That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good." Psalm 104:20, 21, 27, 28. His word controls the elements; He covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth. "He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes." Psalm 147:16. "When He uttereth

- 38 -

THE FINAL CALL

His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries." Jeremiah 10:13. Yahuwah is the foundation of everything. All true science is in harmony with His works; all true education leads to obedience to His government. Science opens new wonders to our view; she soars high, and explores new depths; but she brings nothing from her research that conflicts with divine revelation. Ignorance may seek to support false views of Yahuwah by appeals to science, but the book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. We are thus led to adore the Creator and to have an intelligent trust in His word. Patriarchs and Prophets p.115-116. "The invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity." Romans 1:20. There is harmony in the word of God Yahuwah...pure, perfect harmony! Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD. Psalms 104:1-35 There is no excuse for any one in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. Review and Herald, Dec. 20, 1892 (RH 623:1:1); CWE 37 At Oswego, New York, September 7, 1850, the Lord showed me that a great work must be done for His people before they could stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. I was pointed to those who claim to be Adventists, but who reject the present truth, and saw that they were crumbling and that the hand of the Lord was in their midst to divide and scatter them now in the gathering time, so that the precious jewels among them, who have formerly been deceived, may have their eyes opened to see their true state. And now when the truth is presented to them by the Lord's messengers, they are prepared to listen, and see its beauty and harmony, and to leave their former associates and errors, embrace the precious truth and stand where they can define their position. Ellen WhiteEarly Writings p.69 I saw that those who oppose the Sabbath of the Lord could not take the Bible and show that our position is incorrect; therefore they would slander those who believe and teach the truth and would attack their characters. Many who were once conscientious and loved God and His Word have become so hardened by rejecting the light of truth that they do not hesitate to wickedly misrepresent and falsely accuse those who love the holy Sabbath, if by so doing they can injure the influence of those who fearlessly declare the truth. But these things will not hinder the work of Yahuwah. In fact, this course pursued by those who hate the truth will be the very means of opening the eyes of some. Every jewel will be brought out and gathered, for the hand of the Lord is set to recover the remnant of His people, and He will accomplish the work gloriously. Ellen WhiteEarly Writings p.70

- 39 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE SABBATH & THE EXODUS

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM)

Yahuwah desired to make the nation of Israel the human depositories of His truth. The work of salvation on the earth needed ambassadors, and theirs was the highest honour placed upon any collective group of people. Through oral tradition, the Israelities recited Yahuwahs law and upon His word they meditated day and night. Yahushua the Messiah was the center of all their worship and lives. Although many generations had passed since the fall of Adam, the people generally understood the story of creation, how sin came into Yahuwah's created world and they clearly understood the promise of redemption. They knew about how Yahuwah had created the heavens and the earth in six days, and how He rested on the seventh-day whereby He blessed and sanctified the seventh day as a holy sabbath meaning day of rest and consecration. Yahuwahs Divine Law (Ten Commandments), was written "on the tables of their hearts," so to speak and to the Creator they rendered worship and devotion. The Creator set aside the Sabbath as a sign between His creatures and Himself, to signify that we are His creation and He is our Creator. It is a mark of ownership. (Ezekiel 20:12;20). The Sabbath is also the ultimate test of submission to Yahuwahs will. It is something Yahuwah has asked for us to do without any apparent logical reason for humans to do it. The Sabbath is similar to the tree in the garden test. Why did God Yahuwah choose one tree over all the others, as His which we could not touch? A simple test of submission! Yahuwah used this test with Israel to test if they would follow Him. The Sabbath will also be the final test, for those who would enter the heavenly Canaan. Thus we are called to "Fear Yahuwah and give glory to Him...for the hour of His judgement is come," and to "worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters, and everything that in them is (Rev 14:7). The Israelites worshiped Yahuwah to the best of their knowledge and their experience was a powerful testimony to the majesty and righteousness of Yahuwah. Through Joseph, who was one of Jacobs twelve sons, the Israelites entered the land of Egypt and there lived for a total of 430 years. For a time, the Israelites lived according to their profession of faith, and obedience to Gods commands was held as supreme among them. To that end, the Israelite province of Goshen was blessed in all of Egypt. Goshen was abundant in wealth and food, and the social and moral structure of their society was Yahuwah-focused. For a time everything in their community was bliss and because of the Israelites, the blessings of Yahuwah were extended to the heathen Egyptians, and some among the heathenites were led by conviction to acknowledge the true God of the Israelites. Favoured of Yahuwah were the children of Israel, that everything they touched "turned to gold," so to speak. They displayed an austere excellency in commerce, education, agriculture, health and social conduct. Theirs was a constant testimony that, "the fear of Yahuwah is the beginning of wisdom..." (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10; Psalms 111:10). And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:7. In the process of time however, the Egyptians became envious of the Israelites. Though foreigners in the Egyptians land, the Israelities seemed to have influenced every sector of life in Egypt. Their worship system the most exalted in contrast to the many heathen deities of Egypt, brought fearful forebodings in the minds of the Egyptians. Who was this "strange" God commonly called Elohim, Yahuwah, Yahovah by these immigrants? This "Mystical Being, who seemed to have a direct bearing upon the lives of these foreigners, also seemed irresistibly likable. The Israelites portrayed Him as merciful, kind, loving, compassionate. Yet the rulers of Egypt denied His majesty. One after the other in their successive dynasties continued to declare themselves sovereign among the mortals. In the face of physical proof of the awesome power of the Yahuwah of the Israelites, the Egyptian Pharaohs demanded from the Egyptians, the worship rendered to the gods themselves! After many generations of living in Egypt, the Israelites began to slip and slide from the strait path. Although gradually, the heathen habits and practices of the Egyptians stealthily crept in among them. They adopted diluted social customs, until finally their religion became so diluted with idolatry that in the end, many continued to hold onto a profession and practice of religion, without the power thereof. They had compromised their mission until they found justification in disobedience, saying "after all its not our home, we have assimilated into the surrounding society and in this way we can effectively proclaim the message of redemption among the Egyptians." It became fashionable to trample upon Yahuwahs law, just to be "acceptable" among the heathenites. They had wondered away from the strait and narrow path that it soon

- 40 -

THE FINAL CALL

became apparent, even to the utter shock of the Egyptians, that these foreigners had forsaken the Almighty Yahuwah, even becoming just like the idolatrous Egyptians themselves! They disregarded the Sabbath, which before they had been very passionate to proclaim as "holy unto the Lord." The Israelites had so tampered with and patronized idolatry; they made concessions with heathenism and compromised their faith in a way that the Egyptians themselves were surprised to see and failed to understand. They closed their eyes to the implications of making void Yahuwah's law, and the real character of the danger of their rebellion against Yahuwah was not apprehended. The Egyptians knew this to be apostasy and reasoned that for as long as the Israelites were kept in ignorance of their condition, they were powerless. So lest they should realize this and seek to restore true Godliness amongst themselves, the Egyptians sought occasion to overthrow the Israelites in their time of weakness. The Egyptians searched out ways to bring contempt upon the Israelites. They orchestrated counsels and consultations, to find justification as grounds for decisive affirmative action against the immigrants. It was latter realized that, the best way to bring the Israelites firmly under Egyptian control was to make sure the Israelites would not perform their worship freely. The Egyptians reasoned that, once the source of the Israelite strength was subdued, then they could deal with the Israelite problem at will. A perfect opportunity presented itself, when a cord of growing discontent was felt throughout the land of Egypt. Countless theories were established accusing the Israelites of conspiring to secretly takeover Egyptand even the world itself! These theories seemed to take hold quite easily as the Israelites were well knitted into the fibre of Egyptian life, from the great councils of politics, down to the humblest job in the landthere was no sector of life that had not been "penetrated" by Israelite influence. These suggestions of conspiracy among many others made the Egyptians the more determined in their efforts to undermine the freedom of the Israelite immigrants. A false coloring was given to their words; the worst construction was cast upon their motives, and every possible means was employed to cover them with reproach, to cause them to appear in the eyes of the people and even to themselves as the vilest of treasonous criminals. A perfectly "good" reason was sought as justification to undermine the progress of the chosen nation. And so it was that it was finally put accross to the ruling Pharoah that the secret of the success and strength of the Israelites relied on their form of worship and ultimately the God they worshipped, who differed considerably from the many gods of the Egyptians. It was well known among the Egyptians, that the Israelites were on a mission to evangelize the whole world with their gospel... For instance, the Israelities had a sacrificial system of worship, and they also had a set of customs, precepts and laws which they held as sacred. As such, it was neccesary to destroy these if the Egyptians were to make the Israelities wholly subject to the rule of the Pharoah. One of the practices of the Israelites which constantly brought envy to the consciences of the Egyptians was the Israelite keeping of a weekly Sabbath (rest). The Israelites laboured for six days only and then they would gather for worship on the seventh-day. Yet in comparison, they were more wealthier than the Egyptians though the Egyptians worked throughout the whole week. This odd scenario could not be logically explained by reason of any mathematical deductions which the Egyptians were famed for, except by identifying the Israelites' keeping of the Sabbath as having something to do with it. So, with an opportunity to solve the thorny Israelite problem having availed itself by way of a new king who did not know about Joseph, the stage was set for decisive action. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it shall come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Exodus 1:9-10. The insecurities which had gathered up across subsequent generations now became well nigh clear, and a "genuine" reason had finally been found as justification to undermine the progress of the chosen nation. What the Egyptians were themselves doing in conspiring against the people of the children of Israel, they now blamed on the Israelities. The Isrealites had proved to be peaceable, law-abiding citizens and it was inconceivable that they could plot to overthrow the Egyptians even in a crisis situation such as an outbreak of war. Such was the heaven-daring arrogance of the Egyptians that they set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. (Verse 11). The word of Yahuwah recounts that although the Egyptians afflicted them all the more, the Israelites multiplied in number even more. However, it also became evident that the Israelites could nolonger maintain their worship practices and sacrificial services at will, and it grieved them that they could no longer make sacrifices to Yahuwah nor keep the holy Sabbath. They would give anything to turn back the hands of time, to the days when they were prosperous and in God Yahuwah's favour, when their zeal for Yahuwah was a way of life. They were touched by a deep sense of regret when they looked back upon the times of peace and joy when they did not fully render their service to Yahuwah with true devotion. They would give anything now, to re-live those moments and this time make sure they proclaimed the gospel of redemption with a passion to turn the sinner from his wicked ways. But now they were subject to the jealousy and restrictive terms of the Egyptians. Satan was eager to destroy the gospel altogether. He sought to smother it while the Israelites were in Egypt. Under the banner of his Satanic majesty, the Egyptians were bent on destroying the hope of a Majestic Saviour and King that the Israelites preached about, before their days of complacence and compromise. This understanding of the Israelite hope of a Saviour, is demonstrated when Pharaoh ordered that all male children born to Israelites be killed, at the time of the birth of Israel's future delivererMoses. In any case, through long intercourse with the Egyptian idolaters, the people of the children of Israel had intermingled many

- 41 -

THE FINAL CALL

heathen customs with their worship. Satan, working through the Pharaohs, was eager to destroy the Israelites altogether. He sought to weary them with heavy burdens till they give up their faith in Yahuwah. But Yahuwah intervened to deliver His people by the hand of His servants Moses and Aaron. He then restored to the children of Israel a great deal of instruction concerning the plan of salvation and on appropriate lifestyle practices, to return them to sound morality and Godliness in order to fit them for His will and purposes. We shall discover also, that the first thing Yahuwah restored, was His calendar! It was Yahuwahs desire that His people should offer sacrifices as an indication of their willingness to be saved, and so when the Egyptians limited this divine right, they soon invited the full fury of Yahuwah. In addition to enslaving the people of the Amlighty Yahuwah and thereby keeping them from making sacrifice, the Egyptians were also guilty of religious intolerance as they sought to restrict the Israelites from observing the Sabbath, by making them work seven days a week without rest! It would soon be demonstrated how Yahuwah does not tolerate any such oppressive human systems which limit the rights of conscience. So, Yahuwah calls upon Moses to tell Pharaoh to let my people go into the wilderness that they may WORSHIP me. Exodus 5:1. Pharaoh of course refused to relent and with an outstretched arm amidst a torrent of terrible plagues, God brought the children of the people of Israel out of Egypt. In the first month of Abib, just prior to the Exodus, the Lord re-introduced His calendar. Said He, "this month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you..."(Exodus 12:2). In speaking to Moses on the first day of the month of Abib, saying this month is to be the first month of the year, this meant that a new month was beginning on that very day as well as a new year. So, what we have is the first day of the first month of the year. When the Bible refers to the first day of the month, it is literally referring to the New Moon (1 Samuel 20:24-27, Amos 8:5, Psalms 81:3-4, Isaiah 1 vs 13-14, Isaiah 66 vs 23, Ezekiel 46 vs 1-3). With the calendar having thus been laid out, Yahuwah also gave them instructions on how they were to place the blood of a slain lamb "without blemish" on the door-posts of their dwellings, so that as the angel of death passed through Egypt at midnight, he would see the blood which meant that a death had already taken place, and therefore the angel passed over. And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Exodus 12:29-30. This Passover feast which Yahuwah instituted, represents the "covering" provided by the blood of Yahushua who is the prophesied Saviour who was to come and die, to pay the ultimate penalty for sin. We see the same kind of situation happening to the people of Yahuwah towards the end of the history of the world. A oneworld religious and political system, which has already been established, will also trample upon the rights of conscience and limit the religious rights of Yahuwahs people who prefer to worship Him according to His word, and keep His commandments. The contest even now will be on the subject of faith, atonement and the Sabbath. The agencies of evil are already actively combining their forces and consolidating for the time of great tribulation, commonly known today as the "new world order." They are strengthening for the last great crisis. This will be a church dominating the civil power. In other words, it will be a union of church and state, and it will enforce its religious dogmas by the civil power, under pain of confiscation of goods, imprisonment, and death. With the leadership of Satan, the sole purpose of this apostate religio-political power will be to induce the Governments of the world as far as possible, to set a universal standard (image of the Beast), in the form of a Universal Calendar, which exalts religious observances of the Roman Catholic Churchespecially those which relate to the "sacredness" of the false Sunday Sabbath (falsely called "the Lord's Day"), the Sunday Eucharist and in particular, Easter Sunday. This, then, is the issue to which we are soon to be called upon to face, according to prophecy. Once again, Yahuwah will intervene for the deliverance of His people. Religious and political powers, combined, controlled and inspired by the spirit of Satan, will involve all people in doing those acts which are contrary to the commandments of the Creator, such as trampling upon His holy Sabbaththe true Lord's day! Any who shall refuse to do as they are commanded by the powers that be, will lose the rights of citizenship, and become outlaws in the land. They must do that which constitutes worshiping the beast and his image, or forfeit their lives. But before that can happen, Yahuwah is sending forth a message just a little while before this fearful crisis comes to bare upon the people, declaring that all who do any of these things shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Yahuwah, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation. Revelation 14: 9-12. Those who honor the law of Yahuwah will be accused of bringing judgments upon the world, and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men that are filling the earth with woe. The power attending the last warning will enrage the wicked; their anger will be kindled against all who will receive the message, and Satan will excite to still greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution. The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of Yahuwah has been finally withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for Yahuwah. Therefore he who refuses to comply with the express demands of earthly

- 42 -

THE FINAL CALL

powers, will expose himself to the severest penalties which human beings can inflict. As the Sabbath will be the special point of controversy, religious and secular authorities will combine to enforce the observance of the false Sabbath. The persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. Yet he who does comply, exposes himself to the most terrible threatenings of divine wrath ever to be found in the word of God! The question whether they will obey Yahuwah or man is to be decided by the people of the present age under the heaviest pressure from both sides, that has ever been brought to bear upon any generation since the world began... The people of Yahuwah will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob's trouble. "Thus saith the Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. . . . All faces are turned into paleness. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." Jeremiah 30:5-7.Though Yahuwah 's people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their destruction, yet the anguish which they suffer is not a dread of persecution for the truth's sake; they fear that every sin has not been repented of, and that through some fault in themselves they will fail to realize the fulfillment of the Saviour's promise: I "will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world." Revelation 3:10. If they could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink from torture or death; but should they prove unworthy, and lose their lives because of their own defects of character, then Yahuwah's holy name would be reproached. On every hand they hear the plottings of treason and see the active working of rebellion; and there is aroused within them an intense desire, an earnest yearning of soul, that this great apostasy may be terminated and the wickedness of the wicked may come to an end. But while they plead with Yahuwah to stay the work of rebellion, it is with a keen sense of self-reproach that they themselves have no more power to resist and urge back the mighty tide of evil. They feel that had they always employed all their ability in the service of Christ, going forward from strength to strength, Satan's forces would have less power to prevail against them. Their faith does not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. Though suffering the keenest anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not cease their intercessions. They lay hold of the strength of God as Jacob laid hold of the Angel; and the language of their souls is: "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud, Yahuwah would not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his life. So, in the time of trouble, if the people of Yahuwah had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with Yahuwah for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance. They afflict their souls before God, pointing to their past repentance of their many sins, and pleading the Saviour's promise: "Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me." Isaiah 27:5 While Satan seeks to destroy this class, Yahuwah will send His angels to comfort and protect them in the time of peril. The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delusions are terrible; but the Lord's eye is upon His people, and His ear listens to their cries. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but the Refiner will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. Yahuwah 's love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected. The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The "time of trouble, such as never was," is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before Yahuwah. As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of Yahuwah will flee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains. Many of all nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of Yahuwah pass weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. No human ear is open to hear their moans; no human hand is ready to lend them help... Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget faithful Noah when judgments were visited upon the antediluvian world? Did He forget Lot when the fire came down from heaven to consume the cities of the plain? Did He forget Joseph surrounded by idolaters in Egypt? Did He forget Elijah when the oath of Jezebel threatened him with the fate of the prophets of Baal? Did He forget Jeremiah in the dark and dismal pit of his prison house? Did He forget the three worthies in the fiery furnace? or Daniel in the den of lions? "Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not

- 43 -

THE FINAL CALL

forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands." Isaiah 49:14-16. The Lord hosts has said: "He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye." Zechariah 2:8. The precious Saviour will send us help when we most need it. "Stand fast to your allegiance. Help is coming!" Christ the Almighty Victor, holds out to His weary soldiers a crown of immortal glory"Lo, I am with you. Be not afraid. I am acquainted with all your sorrows; I have borne your griefs. You are not warring against untried enemies. I have fought the battle in your behalf, and in My name you are more than conquerors." The way to heaven has been consecrated by His own footprints. Every thorn that wounds our feet has wounded His. Every cross that we are called to bear He has borne before us. The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace. The time of trouble and persecution coming upon us very soon is a fearful ordeal for Yahuwah's people; but it is time for every believer to look up, and by faith and he may see the bow of promise encircling him. Yahuwah's judgments will be visited upon those who are seeking to oppress and destroy His people. His long forbearance with the wicked emboldens men in transgression, but their punishment is nonetheless certain and terrible because it is long delayed. "The Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act." Isaiah 28:21. To our merciful Yahuwah the act of punishment is a strange act. "As I live, saith the Lord Yahuwah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." Ezekiel 33:11. The Lord is "merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, . . . forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." Yet He will "by no means clear the guilty." The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked." Exodus 34:6, 7; Nahum 1:3. By terrible things in righteousness He will vindicate the authority of His downtrodden law. The severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor may be judged by the Lord's reluctance to execute justice. The nation with which He bears long, and which He will not smite until it has filled up the measure of its iniquity in Yahuwah's account, will finally drink the cup of wrath unmixed with mercy. When Yahushua ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when Yahuwah was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of Yahuwah's people. Says John the revelator, in describing those terrific scourges: "There fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image." The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy. In that day, multitudes will desire the shelter of Yahuwah 's mercy which they have so long despised. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Yahuwah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." Amos 8:11, 12. The people of Yahuwah will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish. That Yahuwah who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the hairs of their head will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied. While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants. To him that "walketh righteously" is the promise: "Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them." Isaiah 33:15, 16; 41:17. "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls;" yet shall they that fear Him "rejoice in the Lord" and joy in the God of their salvation. Habakkuk 3:17, 18. "The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul." "He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His fathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." Psalms 121:5-7; 91:3-10. Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of Yahuwah must soon seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto Yahuwah for deliverance. The wicked exult, and the jeering cry is heard: "Where now is your faith? Why does not God deliver you out of our hands if you are indeed His people?" But the waiting ones remember Yahushua dying upon Calvary's cross and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery: "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him." Matthew 27:42. Like Jacob, all are wrestling with Yahuwah. Their countenances express their internal struggle. Paleness sits upon every face. Yet they cease not their earnest intercession. Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold

- 44 -

THE FINAL CALL

companies of angels that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the word of Christ's patience. With sympathizing tenderness, angels have witnessed their distress and have heard their prayers. They are waiting the word of their Commander to snatch them from their peril. But they must wait yet a little longer. The people of Yahuwah must drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism. The very delay, so painful to them, is the best answer to their petitions. As they endeavor to wait trustingly for the Lord to work they are led to exercise faith, hope, and patience, which have been too little exercised during their religious experience. Yet for the elect's sake the time of trouble will be shortened. "Shall not Yahuwah avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him? . . . I tell you that He will avenge them speedily." Luke 18:7, 8. The end will come more quickly than men expect. The wheat will be gathered and bound in sheaves for the garner of God; the tares will be bound as fagots for the fires of destruction. Continuing with our story, just as the Sabbath is to be the final test of loyalty to Yahuwah in our generation, let us see how it was also a test of loyalty to God for the Israelites upon their release from bondage in Egypt: They took their journey from Egypt into the wilderness. And the whole congregation of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness due to hunger, for they craved for the fleshpots and bread of Egypt. Then the Lord told Moses that He would rain bread from heaven and the people were instructed that they were to go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or not. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. Exodus 16:4-5. And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. Then he said to them, "This is what the LORD has said: 'Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.'" So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. Then Moses said, "Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, there will be none." Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. And the LORD said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." Exodus 16:22-29. Commenting on this incident, the Apostle Paul warns us:" Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, they do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath. they shall not enter into my rest. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today(i.e while theres still time); lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; While it is said, today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? To who sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they did not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as He said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And Yahuwah did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was preached not in because of unbelief: Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying to David, today, after so long a time; as it is said, today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day? There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as Yahuwah did from His. let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 3:7-19; 4:1-11.

The application in our day is the most important:

- 45 -

THE FINAL CALL

1. The ISRAELITES had prepared themselves to escape the SLAUGHTER of the first bornThere is a FUTURE SLAUGHTER of Ezekiel 9. 2. They had done so by smearing BLOOD on the door posts of their homesChrist's blood shed upon the cross and applied onto our hearts. 3. They had eaten the PASSOVER mealthe LORD'S SUPPER (at its appointed time-14th Abib/Nisan). 4. They had gone out of EGYPT on the 1st day of the feast of UNLEAVENED BREAD (15th Abib/Nisan-at night). 5. The FIRST BORN of pharoah had died (14th Abib/Nisan). 6. Pharoah had persued them to the RED SEA and no further. 7. The waters (Rev 17:15) had parted, stood aside as ISRAEL passed through. 8. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE EGYPTIANS HAD FOLLOWED, HOPING TO ALSO GO THROUGH. Exodus 14:10-16 shows that ISRAEL was so used to being in EGYPT for the sake of the WORLDLINESS (Intemperance) that was there, and for the sake of FLESHPOTS (Gratification of appetite). ISRAEL is a name that belongs to Yahushua and it means VICTOR (OVERCOMER). The Messiah gave His name to the chosen people; the descendants of Jacob, and these are the 12 patriarchs whose names are on the GATES of the New Jerusalem. The identity of ISRAEL is SABBATH (and all commandments) keeping, FEAST observance, CIRCUMCISION (of the heart), and JERUSALEM (the holy city). In the LAST days, when ISRAEL is re-awakened to her duty, SEALED with ALL the TRUTH which God has given her, called her out of EGYPT to the go back to WORSHIP the CREATOR as He wills, God will re-establish her as the DIADEM of His Glory. "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." (Isaiah 62:1,2,7) SDA is the ISRAEL of Yahuwah today from which the 144 000 (the remnant) will come. Sister White says that, "the CHURCH (SDA) has left following Christ her leader and is retreating towards EGYPT." Testimonies for the Church, vol 5, page 217. This statement was written in 1882. By 1882, Sister White was claiming that the church, SDA, had ALREADY left Christ, and was going towards EGYPT. Where is the church TODAY? The term EGYPT is also a TYPE and has its ANTI-TYPE in our day, so who is EGYPT? Sister White also says that we are following the history of that people. Yahuwah sent Moses to take ISRAEL out of EGYPT so that ISRAEL is no longer under the PHARAOH who knew not Joseph, and so that ISRAEL can WORSHIP YAHUWAH in the way Yahuwah desires. So ISRAEL went to Egypt because Joseph was in EGYPT. The good thing is that at that time the LEADER of EGYPT knew Joseph. Patriarchs and prophets page 239 says that Joseph is a type a CHRIST. Joseph (Christ) saved the WORLD by storing grain (WORD OF YAHUWAH) in the 7 years of plenty and fed the WORLD in the 7 years of famine. Therefore, by going to EGYPT, THE FAMILY of Jacob was saved and were there till the 430 years from the call of ABRAHAM had expired. 1. Therefore in EGYPT is found the Word of Yahuwah: the Scriptures, the Spirit of Prophecy (the testimony of Christ). This is where the woman (Rev 12) was being fed for the 1260 years while in "EGYPT." 2. EGYPT (Protestantism) houses ISRAEL, but due to apostasy (worldliness), EGYPT will eventually not allow ISRAEL to worship as God has stated in His word. 3. When in EGYPT, ISRAEL is not allowed to keep the true Sabbath, the Lord's FEASTS, and has no true WORSHIP of God. Israel is under slavery. In its ANTI-TYPICAL form, EGYPT is also known as BABYLON (that great city of confusion, doctrinal apostasy and idolatry). 4. BABYLON is a fit representation of Apostate/False Religion. 5. The LEADER of BABYLON does not know Christ and will not let ISRAEL go to worship according to God's design. The leader of BABYLON is therefore the confederate leadership of the various apostate religious organizations, from which the laity, 144 000 will be SEPARATED, due to the message of the third angel.

- 46 -

THE FINAL CALL

6. Yahuwah raises up a prophet MOSES (the remnant people) to inform the people of the LAW OF YAHUWAH and to warn THE KING OF EGYPT (represented by the number 666 - the occult priesthoodof Babylon) to let Yahuwah's people go, so they may worship Him, and of the destruction to come (Three Angel's Messages). 7. When Yahuwah SEALS ISRAEL [true commandment keeping Rev 3:12, partaking of the true LORD'S SUPPER (blood upon the heart), and all the other feasts of the Lord at their appointed times], ISRAEL in this way separates from BABYLON (the uncoverted in the various religious organizations which constitute Babylon). 8. The first born of EGYPT is to be slaughtered. The prophecy of Ezekiel 9 is speaking of professed ISRAELITES who have refused to repent of their abominations (rejection of light sent from heaven, idolatry, trampling upon the true sabbath etc). 9. EGYPT/BABYLON will not let ISRAEL go, and will "pursue." (Legal Proceedings/Universal Calendar Reform/Sunday Law Decree and Persecution) 10. WATERS refer to many peoples and languages (Nations). These stand back as there is conflict between EGYPT and ISRAEL. ISRAEL "goes through" the nations with the everlasting Gospel, to preach unto every kindred, nation and tongue (third angels message). 11. Yahuwah preserves ISRAEL and EGYPT perishes with the waters. ISRAEL (144 000-Overcomers/Church of Philadelphia), refers to the membership of the church who have accepted the testimony of the scriptures and the spirit of prophecy, and have repented. They now keep ALL of Yahuwah's commandments, the FEASTS of the Lord at their appointed times, are SANCTIFIED (circumcised in the heart) according to the ABRAHAMIC COVENANT, and are now being associated with THE NEW JERUSALEM. The day there will be a complete separation from EGYPT/BABYLON, Yahuwah will have PERFECTLY sealed the 144 000. The SEAL: "Elohim, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Yahushua's new name. " Early writing 15.

CHOOSE WHO YOU WILL WORSHIP TODAYIF YAHUWAH, THEN FOLLOW YAHUWAH!

- 47 -

THE FINAL CALL

BIBLICAL PROOF OF THE CREATOR'S CALENDAR:

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) THREE MONTHS IN A ROW The calendar details of the months of the Exodus, the manna, and the mountain reveal divine lessons of the most vital and solemn importance. As often as these colorful stories are told and retold, their application to time is just as often overlooked. In the first month of Abib, just prior to the Exodus, the Lord introduced His calendar. In the second month of Iyar, He confirmed His forgotten calendar's layout, and true seventh-day Sabbaths, in a most unmistakable way when He sent the manna from heaven. In the third month the Lord fully restored and established His calendation system with the date of Israel's arrival at the famous desert Mountain of Sinai. Moses' faithful record of the Exodus account reveals identical dates and calendar details for three months in a row, and establishes Yahuwah 's true Holy seventh-day Sabbath. One month after the Exodus, the Lord responded to the cries of hunger, and sent manna from heaven. This "heavenly manna" story has had its greatest impact in the last 150 years as Yahuwah shed light on His Holy seventh-day Sabbath, setting it apart from all other days. Saturday Sabbatarians have successfully used the story of the manna to show that the Lord has ordained the seventh-day as His Sabbath. Because this was done using the Roman Gregorian calendar, Saturday by default, has been assumed to be the seventh-day. Consequently, they were also able to demonstrate that Sunday was not the Sabbath as many had believed. However, additional light has been shed on the manna story, which restores an additional dimension to the true seventh-day Sabbath. The restoring of His calendar, in an identical format for three months in a row, confirms that it greatly differs from our modern calendar. Now, through the lessons of the heavenly manna we are taught that God has ordained and sanctified a seventh-day Sabbath, which is neither Saturday nor Sunday!. It has been declared by the spirit of prophecy that, additional light would be revealed to His faithful followers regarding the Sabbath truth at the close of earth's history. We are all called to be faithful Bereans, "to search the scriptures daily to see if these things are so." "I saw that Yahuwah had children, who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They had not rejected the light on it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth [Hosea. 6:2, 3.] and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the church, and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time, Yahuwah's chosen, all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us." Ellen G. White- Word to the Little Flock, p. 18. "There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation." Ellen G. White- Councils to Writers & Editors, p. 35. Shocking as this may appear to be, those who truly desire to know the truth, must investigate for themselves. If knowing the truth is vital; if faithfully keeping the Lord's true and Holy seventh-day Sabbath is imperative, then please take the time to read this article carefully.... MONTH 1: THE EXODUS The Lord, in His divine wisdom anchored down specific time details so that earnest truth seekers may know with certainty when to worship. In Month #1 of this study, evidence is presented which reveals the Creator's original calendar layout. Exodus 12:1-42

1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel,

- 48 -

THE FINAL CALL

saying: 'On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. 7 And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. 8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire--its head with its legs and its entrails. 10 You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. 11 And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. 15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat--that only may be prepared by you. 17 So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19 For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. 20 You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread. 21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. 24 And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. 25 It will come to pass when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' 27 "that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.'" So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 29 And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, "Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the LORD as you have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 33 And the Egyptians urged the people that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead." 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians." 37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, with about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds--a great deal of livestock. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. 40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years--on that very same day--it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. The Evidence & Key Time Details: Rules of Interpretation: To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:20-21

- 49 -

THE FINAL CALL

Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, and line upon line, here a little, there a little . . . . Isaiah 28:10 -In Exodus 12:1-2, the Lord is speaking to Moses on the 1st day of the month of Abib, saying this month is to be the first month of the year. This meant that a new month was beginning on that very day as well as a new year. So, what we have is the first day of the first month of the first year. When the Bible refers to a day of the month, it is literally referring to the count down from the last New Moon. The 4th day of the month simply meant the 4th day since New Moon day. Because New Moon day is day one of the month, it is not and cannot be a seventh-day Sabbath, ever. Strong's Concordance, month = #2320 = chodesh (kho'-desh) = new moon (from OT: 2318 Chadash); the new moon; by implication, a month: month (-ly), new moon. -When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, on the morrow after the Sabbath. Lev 23:9 (Always in the spring as the barley became ripe.)

-Passover Lamb was to be killed at twilight (sunset) on the 14th day of the month. Exodus 12:6 "You shall sacrifice the Passover at twilight, at the going down of the sun. . . ." Deuteronomy 16:1, 6 -Blood was to be placed on the door-posts and lintel at twilight. Exodus 12:7-8 -The lamb was to be both roasted and eaten at night on the 14th while standing and ready to leave at a moments notice. Exodus 12:8 -The death angel was to pass over at midnight on the night of the 14th, the sixth day of the week. Exodus 12:12 and John 19:31 -None shall go out of the door of his house until morning, on the 15th. Exodus 12:22 (They actually stayed put until the night of the 15th, after the holy sabbath hours had passed. -Pharaoh called for Moses & Aaron by night. Exodus 12:31 (They were not to go until the next morning, carefully obeying the command of the Lord).

- 50 -

THE FINAL CALL

-The scriptural day begins at dawn and is twelve hours in length (John 11:9-10). -The following morning began the 15th day of the month, a High Sabbath, and the commencement of the seven-day Feast of Unleavened bread, which would end on the 21st. (John 19:31-32). -This Feast of Unleavened Bread was to be kept as a yearly feast once the Israelites reached the Promised Land, as they only had bread to eat for this first month only. (Exodus 13:5) -From the detailed record that the Lord commanded Moses to document, the Israelites left Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth, at night, on the day after Passover. (Numbers 33:2-4) -Counting from the New Moon, Passover the 14th, is always on the sixth day of the week, also called the preparation day, and the next day is always a seventh-day Sabbath. (John 19:31) -These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord's Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it. But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD for seven days. The seventh day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.' (Leviticus 23:4-8) -Therefore the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is synonymous with the seventh-day Sabbath. This is why it is called a High Sabbath in John 19:31-32. A High Sabbath is when the first day of a Holy Feast day falls on a seventh-day Sabbath. There are only two High Sabbath's, each and every year. -Fifteen hundred years following the first Passover in Egypt, Christ the Messiah, as the Lamb of God, became our Passover. It was to Him that the Passover in types and shadows pointed. As a result, it is possible to gather additional data from this account of the cross as it highlights the Passover in detail: "Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a high day, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away." (John 19:31-32) -The slaying of the Passover lamb was a shadow of the death of Christ. Says Paul: "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." 1 Cor. 5:7. . . . These types were fulfilled, not only as to the event, but as to the time. On the fourteenth day of the first month, the very day and month on which for fifteen long centuries the Passover lamb had been slain, Christ, having eaten the Passover with His disciples, instituted that feast which was to commemorate His own death as "the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world." Great Controversy, p. 399. -The pen of inspiration clarifies Christ's death on Passover to be the sixth day of the week. "On the sixth day of the week they had seen their Master die . . . ." Desire of Ages, p. 794. -And Moses said to the people: "Remember, this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. On this day you are going out, in the month Abib. Exodus 13:3-7 -Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the LORD. And these are their journeys according to their starting points: They departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians. For the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had killed among them. Numbers 33:2-4 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. Deuteronomy 16:1

EACH OF THE FOLLOWING ILLUSTRATIONS DEMONSTRATE THE BIBLICAL FACTS UP TO THIS POINT:

- 51 -

THE FINAL CALL

-It was the Lord who on the first day of the first month, established the first two dates; day 1 and day 14, which make it possible for us to fill in the rest of blanks with the details that establish the 15th day as the seventh-day Sabbath. Once the 15th is established as a Sabbath, then it is possible to count seven more days to the 22nd and seven more days to the 29th making these both Sabbaths as well. Also, from the 15th day counting backwards seven days makes the 8th day of the month, a Sabbath. Counting backwards from the 8th day we end up at day 1, which is either a Sabbath or a New Moon day. But for the very reason this day is day one, it cannot be a seventh-day Sabbath. Of necessity it must be New Moon day, which was the day the Lord spoke to Moses & Aaron in Exodus 12:1, 2. As shown in the example below, the New Moon day is the day of beginnings, and not the seventh day of anything.

-Notice also, how the twelve hours of the Sabbath "daylight time" is sandwiched between two overactive nights. It is not possible from scripture to prove a 24 hour sunset-to-sunset Sabbath with the night preceding the daylight. God would not break His own Sabbath commandment by leading Israel out of Egypt during the Sabbath hours, therefore he made them wait until the holy sabbath hours were past, and then and only then did He get them out of Egypt. Deuteronomy 16:1. *Further evidence will be given that demonstrates this in the second and third month. -And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt.' "It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes that the Lord's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year (Exodus 13:8-10). -Fifteen hundred years after the first Passover, Christ the Messiah laid down His life as the fulfillment of the symbolic Passover Lamb. The story of the cross sheds additional light on details that might easily be missed in the Exodus account of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. Christ's death on the cross was afterall the very culmination of the Passover in types and shadows. He died that we might live. He was raised again as a symbol of the first fruits of the great harvest of the earth. Therefore hope is given that we too will be raised again. Christ Yahushua the Lord and Savior is our blessed hope. A halo of light and glory clustered about the time of Yahushua's death and resurrection, immortalizing the sacred facts that he was the Saviour of the world. Early Writings, p. 197.

- 52 -

THE FINAL CALL

1. Year A.D. 31 2. Season Spring 3. Month Abib/Nisan 4. Date of Month 14th day 5. Day of Week 6th day 6. Preparation Day 6th day 7. Full Moon Day is the 14th or 15th 8. Feast of Passover on the 14th 9. Crucifixion 9th hour of death on 14th 10. Feast of Unleavened bread on 15th 11. High Sabbath Rest in Tomb on 15th 12. Resurrection Day/Wave Sheaf - 16th day of the month/1st day of the week Month #1 Conclusion Outlined above are points that establish the details of the first month of the first year of the Exodus. These points work together as a cohesive unbroken package, the contents of which cannot be separated one from another. They only function well as they operate together. For this package to accurately pinpoint with precision the details of this first month, it had to have been preserved precisely in this same cohesive package for 1500 years from the Exodus to the time of Christ. Christ the Messiah became our Passover Lamb by fulfilling the types and shadows perfectly as to the time and the event in relation to Passover and Feast of Unleavened bread. This testing truth of Passover was set up, and preserved by God over 3500 years ago at the time of Moses, and was done so to confound the uncircumcised of heart, while blessing His faithful truth seekers today at precisely the appointed time. What wonderful and truly amazing foresight the Lord has! In this first month, Yahuwah gave a clear directive as to how to count the days of the month beginning on day one. In Exodus 12:1 "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you." There is more in this sentence than first meets the eye. The Lord is actually speaking to Moses and Aaron on New Moon day, of the first month, of the first year, at the precise time He is restoring His very calendar truths to them. Notice that this was not the first day of the week, but only the first day of the first month of the New Year. This is because the first day of the week began on day 2 of the month always. Yahuwah is being very consistent in this actual restoration of the first 8 events of the creation week. This is demonstrated then in this first month of Abib, when the Lord taught Moses and Aaron to count from the New Moon to Passover, the 14th day of the month, and followed by the 15th day, which is a seventh-day Sabbath. Then reverse the count and it is discovered that New Moon days precede the weeks of each month. All days are not created equal according to Scripture. The Lord has ordained three separate and distinct classes of days that occur monthly: New Moon days, six work days, and seventh-day Sabbaths. The 30th day, known in astronomical terms as translation day, is simply a work day, but is not part of a six day week which is followed by a seventh-day Sabbath. New Moon day is always the first day of the new month. The New Moon day is never a seventh-day Sabbath or one of the six working days, and never a translation day. This first scripture verse below from Exodus identifies only two of Yahuwah's classes of days; the six work days and the seventhday Sabbath: Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. (Exodus 20:9-10) The following scripture verse from Ezekiel identifies three of the Creator's classes of days; the six work days, the seventh-day Sabbath and the additional mention of New Moon day: Thus says the Lord Yahuwah: "The gateway of the inner court that faces toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened. (Ezekiel 46:1-2) Between these two texts, from Exodus 20 and Ezekiel 46, are found the Lord's rules and details for "His days" as outlined on His chosen and divinely appointed calendar. It states that on seventh-day Sabbaths and New Moons the gateway is opened, and that it is closed on the six working days of each week. In this manner the text clarifies that there are three specific kinds of days that never ever overlap. Thus scripture clarifies that New Moons can never be seventh-day Sabbaths and neither can they ever be work days. New Moon day determines that a new month has begun. It is always defined in Scripture as separate from the weeks of seven days. The New Moon day also determines that the first day of the work week will begin the following day. It is impossible to locate seventh-day Sabbaths without first the signal of the New Moon. Therefore it is of paramount importance to understand New Moons, because they are the beacons that declare to us when our month begins and that four successive weeks will begin the following day, according to the Biblical account. All the phases of the moon, give the month its framework for weeks and holy seventhday Sabbaths.

- 53 -

THE FINAL CALL

SUNSET TO SUNSET THEORY DISPROVED! In the Passover account, on the night of the 14th, the Israelites were commanded to roast and eat the Passover lamb. The very fact that the Lord commanded this to be done and called it Passover on the night of the 14th, clarifies that this "night" was connected to the "day of the 14th", and not to the morning of the 15th. This direct command of the Lord is very clear. It shows that that night (which is on the 6th day of the week), could not be part of the seventh-day sabbath, as roasting the meat would be contrary to keeping the sabbath commandment had the sabbath commenced at sunset. Instead, the daylight precedes the night within a complete 24 hour period of any given "calendar date". From this account, it appears that the Lord reckons a 'day' as the "daylight" hours only, and reckons the night as the period of darkness. In this account, the seventh-day Sabbath is identified as the "daylight hours only" of the 15th for this first month of Abib. Daylight is approximately a 12 hour period that fluctuates as the season's progress throughout the year. Even so, sunrise and sunset are the most readily available and definable points in time that cannot be mistaken. It makes logical sense that the dawning of a new morning would be the beginning of the new day. It likewise makes sense that sunset would be the termination of the same day. Certainly, this is contrary to what modern Jews and Saturday Sabbatarians believe. After all, the Rabbinical Jews keep a 24-hour Sabbath from sunset to sunset. Remember though that these are the same Jews that have historically rejected Yahushua the Messiah, and whose probation as a nation ended following the stoning of Stephen in A.D. 34. Their judgment was then executed by God in A.D. 70, at the destruction of Jerusalem. So why would faithful Christians return to them for truth? Rather we must compare all things with Scripture alone. In the creation account found in Genesis, the evening (following) the morning, clarify the two halves of the daylight hours. Morning is the first half of the "daylight", from sunrise to noon. Evening is the second half of the daylight hours from noon to sunset. Therefore, evening following morning were the first day, which is specifically referring to "daylight" and has nothing what ever to do with the night. *Note - Yahuwah did not work at night..."Yahushua answered, are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walks in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walks in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." John 11:9-10. Furthermore, six days in a row the Lord declares "evening following the morning" to be a "day. Genesis 2 states: " Yahuwah ended His work, and rested on the seventh-day from all His work . . . then Yahuwah blessed the seventh day and sanctified it." To be consistent with the definition of "day" as given in Genesis 1, the Sabbath then is the daylight hours only.
Ever since Mrs. Rachel Oakes brought the light of the seventh-day Sabbath to Adventists, it has been assumed that the Sabbath began on Friday. Initially, for a number of years, Adventists kept the Sabbath from 6 p.m. Friday evening until 6 p.m. Saturday night. Later, a text was found that led them to believe the Sabbath should start instead at even. This was startling to Ellen White. I inquired [of the angel] why it had been thus, that at this late day we must change the time of commencing the Sabbath. The angels response is very intriguing. He replied, Ye will understand, but not yet, not yet. The text, from which they extrapolated the idea that the Sabbath was to start at sunset, is found in Leviticus 23:32: . . . from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. Rather than investigating further, we have always just assumed that text applied to the seventh-day Sabbath. However, earlier in the vision, the angel instructed Ellen White: Take the word of God, read it, understand, and ye cannot err. Read carefully, and ye shall there find what even is, and when it is. Had they been correct in believing that the Sabbath began at even, the angel would certainly have confirmed that. He did not. Instead, he redirected them to the Word of Yahuwah, because a careful study of the Word will reveal that what even is, and when it is, is actually not what has been assumed. Truth is progressive. Just because Ellen White did not receive the light on the Creator's calendar, which embodies the holy Sabbath, doesn't mean that we don't have more to learn. Ellen White said more light would be coming after her death. And she gave strong warnings for us not to reject it when it came. Truth is progressive and we must continue learning more as time goes on; and it's interesting to note that during all those years God did not give Ellen White a vision to correct this error. But various people began to question and study the topic to see if their long-standing belief was correct. Elder J. N. Andrews was one of those people. As he studied, He came to the conclusion that the Sabbath was supposed to begin at sunset instead. He wrote a paper which he presented at the Conference in Battle Creek, Michigan, on November 17, 1855. The result was that nearly all were convinced that the Sabbath was to be kept from sunset to sunset. But a few still doubted, and two days later God gave Ellen White a vision concerning what elder Andrews had presented. Following is how she related the vision which she was given two days after elder Andrews had presented his discourse at the Battle Creek Conference: I saw that it is even so: "From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath." Said the angel: "Take the word of God, read it, understand, and ye cannot err. Read carefully, and ye shall there find what even is, and when it is. I asked the angel if the frown of God had been upon His people for commencing the Sabbath as they had. I was directed back to the first rise of the Sabbath, and followed the people of God up to this time, but did not see that the Lord was displeased, or frowned upon them. I inquired why it had been thus, that at this late day we must change the time of commencing the Sabbath. Said the angel: "Ye shall understand, but not yet, not yet." Said the angel: "If light come, and that light is set aside or rejected, then comes condemnation and the frown of God; but before the light comes, there is no sin, for there is no light for them to reject." I saw that it was in the minds of some that the Lord had shown that the Sabbath commenced at six o'clock, when I had only seen that it commenced at "even," and it was inferred that even was at six. I saw that the servants of God must draw together, press together. {1T 116.1}

- 54 -

THE FINAL CALL

In English, the word even is synonymous with evening/twighlight. The same does not hold true in the Hebrew. To the Jews, even was anytime from noon until sunset, just as morning was anytime from dawn until noon. This is why Yahushua, as the anti-typical lamb could die at the 3 oclock in the afternoon as it was indeed during the time of the evening sacrifice. When Leviticus 23:32, the main proof text for sunset to sunset Sabbath keeping, is read in context, a startling contradiction comes to light! In this passage, it is speaking of the manner in which the Day of Atonement is to be kept. The Jews always fasted on the Day of Atonement and they based that practice on this text. Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls . . . And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement . . Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. Did you catch it? It is spelled out right there in the very last sentence. In the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. First of all, in this context, it is speaking strictly of the Day of Atonement. Furthermore, if they were to afflict their souls (fast) starting the evening of the ninth and going until the evening of the tenth, they would be fasting on the ninth and not the tenth! If the day begins at sunset (or even) as has always been assumed, then the ninth day of the month at even would be the sunset following the day of the eighth. In other words, were the day to start at even, then the entire 24-hour day begins at the evening of the day before. Yahuwahs people cannot afford to be inconsistent. If even-to-even is correct, as has been assumed, the text would be saying that they were to begin afflicting their souls on the evening that begins the day of the ninth. The fast would then end on the evening that begins the tenth with no fasting whatsoever on the actual Day of Atonement! This, obviously, cannot be what was meant. The text needs to be interpreted in the way intended: the day begins in the morning with the dawning of a new day. Therefore, the fast would begin on the ninth of the month, starting at evening time (between the after-noon time and sunset), which is the evening before the Day of Atonement, and continue the whole night, then through the whole day of the tenth to finish when evening ended-at the beginning of the night of the tenth. Another inconsistency brought to light in the even-to-even theory is found in the story of the Passover. Jesus, the great anti-typical Lamb, was slain at the time of the evening sacrifice the time when the Passover lambs had been slain for centuries: When the loud cry, It is finished, came from the lips of Christ, the priests were officiating in the temple. It was the hour of the evening sacrifice. The lamb representing Christ had been brought to be slain . . . With a rending noise the inner veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand . . . All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to slay the victim; but the knife drops from his nerveless hand, and the lamb escapes. Type has met antitype in the death of Gods Son. The great sacrifice has been made. The Passover was observed as it had been for centuries, while He to whom it pointed had been slain by wicked hands, and lay in Josephs tomb. Christ perfectly fit all of the types of the sanctuary service, even to dying at the precise time the Passover lamb was slain at the time of the evening sacrifice. Now there is a problem. Back in Egypt at the first Passover, the angel of death went forth at midnight. If Jesus died at 3 p.m. on the sixth day of the week, the preparation day, when the Passover lamb had been slain for centuries, then that means that the angel of death did not pass over the houses of the Israelites on Passover at all. If the new day truly started in the evening, then the angel of death passed over the Israelites at midnight on the 15th of Nisan, not truly on Nisan 14, the Passover. Only if the day starts at dawn does this make sense. The angel of death did not pass-over on the 15th, but rather on the 14th, the Pass-over. He went through Egypt at midnight, following the daylight hours of the 14th. The new day started at dawn, not sunset. Other texts confirm this, too. Matthew 28:1 states: 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 sepulcher. The Sabbath ended, and the new day, the first day of the week, began at dawn. As seventh-day Adventists, we have always believed that the reason the Jews were so anxious to get Yahushua and the thieves off the cross was because Sabbath was coming at evening. But this is not consistent with the Biblical account. If the Sabbath actually began at evening, rather than the morning, they were already breaking it by waiting until evening to begin the work of getting them down. Matthew 27:57-60 tells us: When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb . . . All of this takes time, especially when he first had to go to Pilate to receive permission, then wait while Pilate sent a messenger to Golgotha to see if Jesus was really dead. If the point was to keep the Sabbath, the Sabbath was already being broken by the fact that they did not even begin until even was come. The account in Luke gives even more detail of the lengthy process involved and reveals clearly just when the Sabbath began: And, behold there was a man named Joseph, a counselor; and he was a good man, and a just . . . This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. The account in Matthew reveals that this process did not even start until even was come, while Lukes account clarifies that the hours in which this was accomplished fell on the preparation still the sixth day of the week. The phrase translated drew on in this text, is the Greek word, epiphosko. The definition is startling: to begin to grow light: begin to dawn. It is a form, (epiphauo), which means to illuminate . . . give light. Because they waited until evening to even begin the process of seeking permission to take the body, taking it down, cleaning and wrapping it, etc., it took them the night hours to do their work. They did not finish until the Sabbath began as it started to grow light.

- 55 -

THE FINAL CALL

Did Sister Ellen White believe the Sabbath was to be kept from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday? Yes. Does that in any way affect her standing as a prophet of the Lord? Absolutely NOT! Ellen White must not be held to an unfair standard. Daniel has never been denounced as a false prophet simply because he did not understand everything. To caution against extreme reactions when new light is brought forth, Ellen White wrote: We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and Heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed. Just what have we, as a church, actually unlearned since this statement was made? Yahuwahs people must not stumble over something just because it is new. Rather, study with an open mind, determining to obey if it is true. We must not think, Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge. The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in its increasing light. Hebrew Calender Principles A complete day started at sunrise and continued until the next sunrise (24-hours). Morning was anytime between sunrise tiil noon. Evening (even) was from noon until sunset. Sunset until sunrise was night and was counted as part of the previous day. There were four watches during the night: 1st watch-sunset to 9:00 2nd watch-9:00 to midnight 3rd watch-midnight to 3:00 4th watch-3:00 to sunrise.

MONTH 2: HEAVENLY MANNA Within the parameters of this second month in a row, the Lord further demonstrates to the infidel Hebrew people, in a gentle, beautiful, and unassuming way, additional insight and confirmation of His calendar system. Having been 430 years in pagan Egypt, they had many things to learn about the Lord of creation, and many things to unlearn. With the falling of the heavenly manna, their lessons had only just begun. Exodus 16:1-36 1 And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt. 2 Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 And the children of Israel said to them, "Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."

- 56 -

THE FINAL CALL

4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. 5 And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily." 6 Then Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, "At evening you shall know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 And in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD; for He hears your complaints against the LORD. But what are we that you complain against us?" 8 Also Moses said, "This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD." 9 Then Moses spoke to Aaron, Say to all the congregation of the children of Israel, 'Come near before the LORD, for He has heard your complaints.' 10 Now it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. 11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 "I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'"

13 So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. 14 And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 'Let every man gather it according to each one's need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.'" 17 And the children of Israel did so and gathered some more, some less. 18 So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one's need. 19 And Moses said, "Let no one leave any of it till morning." 20 Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 So they gathered it every morning, every man

according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. 22 And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 Then he said to them, "This is what the LORD has said: 'Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.'" 24 So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. 25 Then Moses said, "Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, there will be none." 27 Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. 28 And the LORD said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? 29 See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. 31 And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. 32 Then Moses said, "This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 'Fill an omer with it, to be kept for your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.'" 33 And Moses said to Aaron, "Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations." 34 As the LORD

- 57 -

THE FINAL CALL

commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 35 And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. 36 Now an omer is one-tenth of an ephah. The Evidence and Key Time Details The purpose of Month #2 is to define the second month of the Exodus, when the Lord sent manna from heaven, which will present the second detailed calendar layout in a row. What this means is that the Lord has given us two months in a row for comparison, each of which established details for the Creator's monthly calendar, with its weekly cycles, New Moon, and seventh-day Sabbaths. The story of the heavenly manna presents some unique details that will, step by step, reveal an otherwise hidden calendar system. Then a comparison will be drawn between the "Passover" events of Month 1, and the "Heavenly Manna" details of Month 2 for added clarification and confirmation... From the New King James Version above it is not entirely clear at first glance, that the Israelites had arrived at the Wilderness of Sin on the 14th, then murmured and complained of hunger on the 15th, which incidentally was also a seventh day sabbath. It is well known that during translation, punctuation is placed in Scripture at the discretion of the translators. On occasion punctuation has been discovered to be in error, and has a significant impact on the meaning of a sentence. Below is a case in point of a clearer rendering of the same event, the arrival at Mt. Sinai, from the Septuagint translation. Here a semicolon is placed at the natural change in thought in the Hebrew sentence structure known as an "atnach." "And they departed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai; atnach and on the fifteenth day, in the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt, all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron. Exodus 16: 1, 2

-On the 15th day of the second month of the year, after departing from Egypt, the people murmured and complained of hunger. Exodus 16:1-3 -"At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread." Exodus 16:12. Twilight means sunset according to Deuteronomy 16:6, 7, "there you shall sacrifice the Passover at twilight, at the going down of the sun, at the time you came out of Egypt.

- 58 -

THE FINAL CALL

-Deuteronomy 16:1 says, "for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night." -The Lord told Moses and Aaron that He would send quail that very night on the 15th, but on the next morning He would send bread from heaven, clearly identifying the 16th of the month as the first day of the week. The 1st & the 15th days of the month are the calendar markers given for this second month. From these two markers we can lay out the entire calendar month in both directions. Exodus 16:6-7; 12, 13 -The Israelites were to gather one omer (measure) per person per day for five days, but on the sixth day they were to gather a double portion for that day and the seventh-day, for the seventh-day was the Sabbath, a Holy day of rest unto the Lord. Once we established that the first day the manna fell was on the 16th day of the month, it is easy to add six more days to calculate that the seventh-day Sabbath is on the 22nd of the month. Exodus 16:16-26 -A point that is often missed in the daily count of the heavenly manna is that each day the manna was given in the morning, not during the night hours. Notice how each new day begins with the manna at dawn. -An additional point is that none of the manna was to be kept over until the next morning. If they did, it bred worms and stunk. Exodus 16:19, 20. This is a detail that must not be overlooked, because the Lord was not choosing an arbitrary time to illustrate the beginning of each new day. He was being very specific that each day began at dawn followed by the darkness of night, and was illustrated by fresh manna each morning. God's plan was to use this manna illustration as a continual test of the Israelites faithfulness to Him. If this manna illustration is His test, then the smallest details must not be overlooked. "They shall gather a certain quota every day, so that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law." Ex 16:4. -By using the manna illustration the Lord shed light on the parameters of a month, the parameters of a week, the parameters of a day, and the parameters of His holy and true seventh-day Sabbath as He had ordained each of them at Creation. Then He used this truth of the Sabbath to test the people's faithfulness to Him. Keeping it holy on the correct days of the month, counting from New Moon was to be the test and sign of their faithfulness. Regularly keeping Holy the correct Sabbath day was to be a revealer of the heart. In the exact same manner, God uses the true Sabbath as a test of our faithfulness to Him today. His true Sabbath is only found, by following the same principles as outlined in this manna story as well as the Exodus story. Exodus 16:4, 5; Exodus 31:13

So the people rested on the seventh-day. The date of this first Sabbath of resting from gathering manna would have been the 22nd day of the month (Iyar) counting from the day following the 15th when they complained of hunger. Exodus 16:29-30. Evidence for Two Months in a Row The purpose of this section is to illustrate the unique way the Lord has defined His Holy Sabbath day, yet a second month in a row. Also, it is important to notice that these first two months as recorded in Exodus 12 and 16 are in fact identical to each other. -In Month 1 the Lord declared that this was to be the first day of the first month of the first year, to Moses &

- 59 -

THE FINAL CALL

Aaron. Notice that the Lord did not say it was the first day of the week. Did He simply forget to mention it, or was the absence of it's being mentioned part of His clarification, as He unfolded the details of His calendar to the Hebrew people? Exodus 12:1 -New month means "New Moon" and is day 1 of the month. -In the 1st month (Abib) on the 14th day of the month, is the Passover of the Lord. Passover is also the sixth day of the week, also known as the preparation day, each and every year, forever. Exodus 12:6-11; John 19:31-32; Desire of Ages, p. 794. "And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning." -The morning referred to had to be the morning of the 15th, because this was the date following the 14th. Because of this command of God, we can know with certainty that He did not lead the people out of Egypt on the night of the 14th after the death angel passed over. Exodus 12:22 -Additional confirmation that shows the Hebrew people did not leave Egypt on the night of the 14th, was that after the death angel had passed over and killed the entire first born of Egypt, Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron by night. He was sending for them to tell them they had his permission to leave and to do so quickly. However, God had commanded that no one was to go out of the door of his house until morning. Therefore Moses and Aaron waited until the morning of the 15th to go to Pharaoh where they received permission to leave. Exodus 12:31 -The Lord commanded that the Passover lamb was to be slain, roasted and eaten after sunset during the night hours of the 14th. This was to be done "with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand." To all appearances it seemed they would be leaving that night, the night of the 14th or at the very least in the morning. Remember, we have previously established that the 14th day is also the preparation day for Sabbath. Could it be that God simply was having them be prepared to leave in advance, knowing that the Sabbath was drawing on at day break, wherein they would then be unable to "prepare" for their journey out of Egypt? Because God would not break His own Sabbath, He had the people be prepared on the night of the 14th so they would not have to do any work on His Holy Sabbath, of which He outlined and ordained as only the "daylight" hours, on the 15th. In this way they would be prepared in advance. Therefore we have definitive evidence that the sacred hours of the seventh-day Sabbath began at dawn on the 15th of both the months of Abib and Iyar. Exodus 12:11; Genesis 1:3, 6, 13, 19, 23, 31; Genesis 2:2, 3 -The 15th of Abib is always a High Sabbath, as it is the commencement of the Feast of Unleavened Bread on a seventh-day Sabbath, each and every year, forever. Fifteen hundred years later at the cross of calvary, we receive some added details: "Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away." John 19:31-32 -The Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt by night on the 15th of Abib, when the Sabbath was over. Deuteronomy 16:1. Compare this with the second month of Iyar, when the quail were sent by the Lord on the night of the 15th, after sunset. Exodus 16:1-13. -The seventh-day Sabbath is roughly a 12 hour period from sunrise to sunset. The Genesis account defines the day as evening and morning, which are the two parts of "daylight", and have nothing at all to do with the night. In the first month of the Exodus account, on the 15th, the Lord waited until after sunset to lead the Israelites out of Egypt; and in the second month He waited until after sunset to send quail for them to eat. Therefore we have definitive evidence that the sacred hours of the seventh-day Sabbath ended at sunset on the 15th of both months of Abib and Iyar. Thus clarifying that there are only twelve sacred hours for the Sabbath. -In the 1st month (Abib) the Lord gives us three specific dates: the 1st, the 10th, and the 14th. From these dates and the details surrounding them we are able to establish the 15th day as a seventh day Sabbath. Simple math then places a seventh-day Sabbath also on the 8th, 22nd, and 29th; it also places New Moon as day 1, which was the day God spoke to Moses and Aaron, giving them an introduction to the complete layout of the Creator's calendar month. MONTH 1: EXODUS

- 60 -

THE FINAL CALL

In the 2nd month (Iyar), the Israelites had run out of food and complained to Moses and Aaron. The Lord Yahuwah said He would bring quail for them that very night, which was the 15th day of the month, a seventhday Sabbath. Yahuwah was not about to start breaking His own Sabbath at the very time He is trying to teach Israel to keep it Holy. Therefore He waited until the seventh-day Sabbath "daylight" hours were over before sending the quail for food. The Lord defined that the 15th was indeed the Sabbath by beginning the illustration of the manna the very next morning as the first day of the week, making the previous day (the 15th) a seventh-day Sabbath. This clarified that this 15th day in which they complained of hunger and God sent quail at night, was indeed a seventh-day Sabbath. God had taken special care to only send the quail when the sacred hours of the Sabbath were passed. -The 22nd day was designated a seventh-day Sabbath, because on that day no manna fell. The people were to keep it as a Holy Sabbath day of worship. The people were to show their faithfulness to Yahuwah by their obedience, in gathering a double portion of manna on the sixth day, and by not seeking to gather it on the seventh-day, each and every week. This is another way that the Lord Yahuwah established the sixth day as the day of preparation. For the second month in a row, simple math then places a holy seventh-day Sabbath on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th, giving us a complete layout of the 2nd calendar month of Iyar! Intriguing, isn't it? Month #2 Conclusion The Creator's primary focus with the "lesson of the manna" in this second month, was to identify how the six work days and the true seventh-day Sabbath relate to each other, and to the New Moon days. The reason this is so vital, is because, without first establishing New Moons, it is impossible to locate seventh-day Sabbaths. This was accomplished first by repeating one of the directives that had been given for the first month, such as identifying the first day of the month. The simple fact that in Exodus 16:1 it states that it was the 15th day of the 2nd month, confirmed to the Israelites exactly when each month was to begin. The evidence was in counting the 15th day from New Moon day, the first day of each month, as beaconed from the heavens. The Lord's secondary focus for giving the "lesson of the manna" appears to be ordained for this last generation. By recording the dates as well as the events for these two months in a row, demonstrates that the modern Roman Gregorian calendar and its modern Jewish counterpart are both not in harmony with the Biblical account of the Creator's ordained calendar identifiers. Could it be then, that, He has once again begun to teach His timely lessons of the manna as He continues to lead His faithful out of the false calendar of "Babylon" and into the truth of His calendar? He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it. Revelation 2:17

- 61 -

THE FINAL CALL

Month 3: At The Mountain

Mt. Sinai is the blackened peak in the left background. Exodus 19:1-8 1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. 3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. 7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. KJV The Evidence for Month 3 The intended meaning of Exodus 19:1, 2 is more clearly stated in the New International Bible Version: In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt--on the very day--they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Exodus 19:1, 2 NIV Evidently, it was significant to the Lord to have Moses record this event as being the exact same day on the third month since they had left Egypt. Since it was important to God, it was for a purpose and likely did not happen by chance, but rather was an ordained and appointed arrival at Mt. Sinai. The Israelites never broke camp heading for parts unknown under their own leadership. Rather the Lord used the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night to lead them. Sometimes they traveled by day and sometimes by night, but always led by God according to His timing. Because it is stated to be the exact same day as the day they left Egypt, then by default, it must be the date of the 15th though of the 3rd month. The date of the 15th would include both daylight and night counting from the New Moon day. If it can be established which day of

- 62 -

THE FINAL CALL

the week the 15th fell on, then it is possible to connect all the other dates of that month with the proper days of the week. Unfortunately, there is no statement in the entire book of Exodus that states upon which day of the week the 15th falls. It should not be assumed that this third month in a row is identical to the preceding two months simply on the basis that it is mentioned. To be conclusive, the third month like the two before it, must be established entirely on its own inherent attributes as given in the Scriptural narrative.

In Yahuwah's divine providence, He provided the evidence and key necessary to unlock this third month in a row, in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 23:15-22 declares an annual feast day in the 3rd month of Sivan, known as the Feast of Pentecost. It is this timely and unique puzzle piece that sheds light on which day of the week the 15th falls. While the details of Pentecost had not yet been given to the people at the time of their arrival at Mt. Sinai, they were given shortly afterward, following the giving of the Ten Commandments. Using our principle for interpreting scripture: Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, and line upon line, here a little, there a little . . . . Isaiah 28:10, we shall start to unravel this unique puzzle piece. This is the sweetness of Yahuwah's word! In order to count the 'omer' (50 days) to Pentecost, first, the correct calendar must be established upon which to calculate it. It cannot be assumed that the modern Gregorian calendar is the one to use, because it did not exist at that time, neither is it correct to use the modern Jewish calendar, as this too is in apostasy. Establishing the correct calendar from the evidence, in the first two months in a row, will make all the difference in the outcome. Second, a clue is found in the name of the feast itself. Pentecost means "fifty" which stood for "fifty days". From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD. Leviticus 23:15-17 Yahuwah was very specific as He clarified to only count seven "Sabbaths complete." This literally includes 7 sets of "full weeks", which is 7x7=49 days. Full weeks consist of six work days followed by their respective seventh-day Sabbaths. Next a qualifying statement is given that states that the total is 50 days, which is an extension of the 49 days, by adding one day after the seventh Sabbath. It was not God's intention that every single day of the month was to be counted. If simply counting 50 days was all that was necessary, no other specific details would have been necessary. Thirdly, Pentecost was also called "Feast of Weeks" by the Jews because of the very nature of only counting full complete weeks. Sabbaths Complete: Six work days plus one day (Sabbath) equals one Sabbath complete. This was the template that God ordained at Creation. These will never include New Moon days or translation days, because they are not the days specified in the equation. 0 (New Moon days are not to be counted) 0 (Translation days, the 30th day of the month, are not to be counted) 6 work days + 1 seventh day Sabbath = 7 (6 work days + 1 Sabbath) -> 1 Sabbath Complete (perfect) Count to Pentecost: Begin counting on the 16th day of the first month of Abib, which is the day after the Sabbath. Count seven "Sabbaths complete", and then add a day, because the text says to "count off fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath". All of the Creator's feasts consistently fall on the same date when calculated upon His calendar because it is a fixed calendar and the feast days are also fixed. This is done by divine design to insure that each new month does not begin with an arbitrary day following the month before, but always begins with the sighting of the crescent New Moon. And you shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you. You shall do no customary work on it. It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. Leviticus 23:21 KJV

- 63 -

THE FINAL CALL

Using this illustration above of the first three months in a row, begin counting from Abib 16th which is always the day of the Wave Sheaf Offering. Count for seven Sabbaths complete and then add one day>Pentecost falls on Sivan 9 each and every year. Because the Creator's calendar is fixed to the phases of the moon, the 9th day of Sivan will always be on the first day of the week, thus making the 15th day of the same month a seventh-day Sabbath! For the third month in a row the Scriptures have established the structure of the Creator's calendar. Once again, it begins with a New Moon day and is followed by four successive seven day cycles with the seventhday Sabbaths rendered on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th of each and every month since creation. Each new month is refreshed with the first visible appearance of the crescent New Moon, which beacons a new line up of four successive weeks. As stated previously, it is impossible to locate the true seventh-day Sabbaths without first the signal of the crescent New Moon. According to the "weight of evidence" as given here by these "three identical months in a row", unbroken chains of successive weeks do not exist in the Scriptural calendar as given by the Lord at creation. This belief that a continuous and unbroken chain of weeks began at creation, and has continued until now on the modern Roman calendar, as on the modern Jewish calendar, is based wholly on assumption. The evidence from Scripture tells a far different story. These "three months in a row" are identical by divine design and demonstrate that unbroken successive weeks do not exist nor ever have existed on the Creator's calendar. The reason that this can be established as the very calendar since the time of creation is in the fact that God was restoring to the Israelites what had been lost. What had been lost was two-fold; the Law and the time keeping system of creation. Both of these are light from heaven that dispels the darkness of error. These truths brought to the hearts and minds of the Israelites gave them courage to be truly free from the pagan ties of Egypt that would eagerly beset them. These same truths brought to the hearts and minds of people today give them strength and courage to break the ties of the many voices of symbolic Egypt and Babylon that would entrap them as well. Yahuwah's remnant will faithfully worship Him using His ordained and appointed calendar, and observe His Holy Feast days, His New Moon days and His true seventh-day Sabbaths here on earth and throughout eternity! Remember Moses wrote both the books of Genesis and Exodus, and Yahuwah would not contradict Himself in giving the two accounts of His calendar detailsrather the two accounts are coherent. The creation account of six work days followed by a Sabbath (1 week) is complemented by the Exodus accounts of the Passover, the giving of the Manna and the arrival at Mt. Sinai, all of which confirm Yahuwahs perfect calendar with its new moons and Sabbaths. Month #3 Conclusion By way of the count to Pentecost, the 15th day of Sivan has been established as a seventh-day Sabbath. With this in mind a question one might ask is, did the Lord cause His people to break the Sabbath by traveling and pitching tents, during the very time He was sending them manna from heaven each morning except Sabbath? Traveling on the Sabbath as well as setting up camp would certainly have been more work than gathering manna or preparing food, which the Lord strictly forbade. So there appears to be an inconsistency. From both Deuteronomy and Numbers it is evident that God led the Israelites on several occasions through the wilderness, not only by day, but also by night... Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day. Deuteronomy 1:33 And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. Numbers 9:21 These two examples verify that traveling at night from one location to another did occur. It is likely that the Israelites both traveled and arrived at Mt. Sinai on the night of the 15th of Sivan. In this way God protected His Sabbath, and Moses and the Israelites were able to keep it holy unto the Lord. Remember, it was only two months previously that the Lord had waited until sunset to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, by night on the 15th of Abib, to protect His Holy Sabbath. The very next month the Creator protected His Sabbath hours by

- 64 -

THE FINAL CALL

waiting until sunset on the 15th of Iyar to send the quail for food. Both of these previous examples of God's mighty providence began at night after the Sabbath hours were passed. He certainly could have and would have repeated the pattern in the exact same manner in their arrival at Mt. Sinai, which was also at night to protect His Holy Sabbath hours. The Lord changes not. All three of these "after sunset" events demonstrate the sacredness of His Holy seventh-day Sabbath. They show that God will go to great lengths to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath hours. If God had led the Israelites to travel from Rephidim to Sinai, a short distance of one to three miles, during the daylight hours of the 15th, there would have been instant confusion among the people in regard to acceptable Sabbath keeping. They would have wondered why just the day before they had gathered a double portion of manna so as not to break the Sabbath by doing any work on it, and now it was "OK" to travel and pitch tents, creating much confusion. This was yet another reason for God's consistency. Should we not follow His example and seek to keep His calendar as it is defined in Scripture, not only in precept but also in His timely details? There are several points regarding the New Moons that should be considered. -It must be clarified that New Moons are never seventh-day Sabbaths. -There is however, a New Moon Feast Sabbath one time per year in the fall known as Feast of Trumpets. -New Moon days are the first day of the count of each month, but are not part of the count of week days (Ezek 46:1). -There is no directive from heaven with a "thus saith the Lord" on how manna was to be gathered for New Moons. We know however, that, manna fell for 40 years while the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. Simply because it is not clearly identified as to how to approach the New Moon days by gathering manna or not gathering manna, does not mean New Moon days were not used to designate the weekly cycles and Sabbaths. One thing is certain: there was never a command that this newly restored week was not to be governed by the New Moon. Of equal importance, there is also no scriptural command stating that weeks were to cycle in a successive unending chain. The unbroken chain of successive weeks has been assumed to be true, as it has been in harmony with the only calendar followed or wondered after by the whole world...the calendar of Rome! Since New Moons are not seventh-day Sabbaths, it is possible that they would have gathered manna on New Moon days. A parallel point to consider is that scripture gives exactly the same amount of direction for how to gather manna for New Moons, as it does for all of the Holy Feast days, which is none. Yet there is no question that the holy appointed Feast days were kept at their appointed times beginning that very first month of Abib. And it cannot be overlooked that the Feast days boldly declare in detail the Creator's calendar layout, including New Moons, work days, and seventh-day Sabbaths. There were four Holy Feast days that were designated to be Sabbaths that never fell on seventh-day Sabbaths. These would include Nisan 21st, which is the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread; Sivan 9, which is the day of Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks; Tisrei 1, which is Feast of Trumpets, and finally Tisrei 10, which is the Day of Atonement. As to whether the Israelites were to gather manna for any New Moon days or Feast days other than on the seventh-day Sabbath, the inclination is toward their not gathering a double portion on the previous day to a New Moon day and the other feasts as it would have been for the seventh day sabbath. From the evidence provided by Moses, it is apparent that these first three months in a row had an identical calendar, and should be a signal that the calendar of the Bible and the Roman Gregorian calendar are not one and the same. After all, two identical months in a row rarely happen on our modern calendar, but never three, for it is an impossibility. You simply cannot add up the date and time details in each of these three months and come up with any other calendar structure other than that of the Creator's calendar design. It is too divinely unique to be of a man made origin. Man-made calendation tends toward human convenience, and sets up holidays that are not the Lord's. The Creator's calendar proactively teaches man the ways of God, His Holy feast days instruct us on His detailed plan to restore mankind into His image. The Creator's true seventhday Sabbaths are by their very design, a sign of allegiance to our Creator and His true calendar. Genesis 1, Exodus 12, 16 and 19 all demonstrate that days are the daylight hours, while nights are the darkness. As evening follows morning, it makes up the two halves of the twelve daylight hours, while the nights are not defined by hours, but by an altogether different system of measurement known as the four watches. Hours can only be calculated by reason of the sun casting a shadow over an hour measurement object/instrument such as a sun-dial whereas night time, for obvious reasons cannot (there is no sunshine). The "day" was divinely ordained by the Creator to begin at sunrise by the giving of the manna, and was to end at sunset as God demonstrated by sending the quail after the Sabbath hours had passed. God was particular and detailed as He restored to Moses and the Israelites His calendar details, of which the foundations had been appointed at creation. His ordained time system had been lost over the years of Egyptian captivity. This was not a new time system God introduced to Moses, but a restoration of the original. The same is true today, as this is not an introduction to a new calendar system, but rather it is a restoration of the Creator's ordained and sanctified calendar system borne out in scripture. It has been said, "a picture is worth a thousand words", and below are three amazingly harmonious illustrations for comparison of the Creator's three identical calendar months in a row. The New Moons and

- 65 -

THE FINAL CALL

Sabbaths all line up in their appointed order. These three illustrations represent the weighty evidence that the Creator's calendar is grafted from a different vine than that of the modern Roman calendar: one is man made, and the other divine... Month 1 (Abib/Aviv) Passover & The Exodus

Month 2 (Iyar) Heavenly Manna

Month 3 (Sivan) Arrival at Mt. Sinai (Additional data obtained from Pentecost)

If the Lord of Creation restored the exact timing of the creation week to Moses and the Hebrew people, then perhaps His people today should take notice. When a thing is restored, by definition, it is being brought back to its original state. Additionally, it would only make sense that God would choose to do His restoring in perfect rhythm with the time signature of His creation week. It is an undisputable fact that God taught all of these truths to Moses, because it was Moses who gave us our written record for both the Genesis/Creation account as well as the Exodus account. Weighty and detailed evidence has been gathered from these three identical months in a row, and they stand united as a witness confirming the Creator's calendar. Today, the Lord is restoring His time signature as demonstrated in His calendar to His faithful followers, as He prepares to deliver them from the bondage and slavery of sin in this world, and prepare His remnant for the true Promised Land. Just like the Hebrews of old, the final generation will in haste have many truths to learn, and many false teachings to unlearn...

Was Yahushua crucified on a FRIDAY, and resurrected on a SUNDAY?

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) Scripture has provided 12 criteria which pinpoint the precise time of the crucifixion. This is vital information because when the true day of the crucifixion is discovered, another fact revealed is that Saturday is not the correct seventh-day Sabbath nor Sunday the original day of the resurrection. It is impossible to find the crucifixion date, the true Bible Sabbath and the real day of the resurrection using either a Gregorian or a Julian solar calendar, for these calendars are founded in pagansim. In order to find the accurate date of the crucifixion, as well as the true Biblical seventh-day Sabbath, the original luni-solar calendar established by God at Creation must be used. Twelve Criteria of the True Crucifixion Sir Isaac Newton discovered it in the late 1600's. The Roman Catholic Church discovered it shortly thereafter. William Miller and Samuel Snow discovered it in 1844. Grace Amadon and the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Research Committee discovered it in 1938-39.

- 66 -

THE FINAL CALL

What did they discover? They found that it was impossible to harmonize the "Twelve Criteria" of Christ's crucifixion date with the Julian/Gregorian calendar. ("Criteria" a standard, rule or test on which a judgment or decision can be based.) However, all of them found the Twelve Criteria fit perfectly using the Creator's luni-solar calendar, the one God designed at creation to rule time (see Genesis 1:14-19). The Creator's calendar utilizes the dual action of both sun and moon working together to determine days, weeks, months and years. As a result of this discovery, the Roman Catholic Church applied only five, somewhat skewed criteria, to an altogether different year (A.D.33) of their Julian/Gregorian calendar so they could still have a Sunday resurrection. William Miller and Samuel Snow, as a result of their discovery, were able to connect all the dots (dates) of the 2300 day/year prophecy. Grace Amadon and the General Conference Committee of SDA's documented their 10 year research with over 3000 pages to and from astronomers all over the world, and presented their findings to the General Conference President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is important to understand the twelve criteria of Christ's crucifixion date because these same criteria establish when the true seventh-day Sabbath occurs and it is not on Saturday! The prophecies of Daniel pinpoint A.D. 31 as the year Christ was crucified, so that is the year under consideration in this study. Traditionally, it has been assumed that, since the dawn of Creation 6000 years ago, successive weeks (the cycle of six days followed by a Sabbath rest), has never been broken to this very day. In addition, it has been said that our seven-day cycle is a tribute to a seven-day creation week, rather than the popular evolutionary process of millions of years. After all, who can argue this point when the Jews still keep this same unbroken weekly cycle today, as well as a Saturday Sabbath? But do they really keep the Sabbath? One of the secrets that unlock this mystery lies in the "twelve criteria" that identify the true crucifixion and resurrection days. Why is the crucifixion week so important to understand? The reason that this last week in the life of Christ Yahushua is so very important to all who are seeking truth, is that these consecutive few days clarify in detail, at the very pinnacle of time, the harmonious connection of God's appointed history; past, present and future. Our Creator's ordained system of time keeping, and His alone, bears the seal of the cross of Yahushua. This makes it impossible for man to alter or manipulate His historic and prophetic calendar. Therefore, this study aims to expose the truth that has too long been hidden. The goal is to identify a calendar that harmonizes all the "twelve criteria" that act as the Creator's ordained GPS in the sky to pinpoint the exact year, day and hour on His true calendar system. "From the days of Ezra and Nehemiah to the present time, a long series of historical and astronomical source materials now offer a complete picture of the new moon and her phases. Every detail of her performance is described either on tablets, stone, or parchment, or in books of ancient and modern astronomy. Thus has the way been prepared for effective chronological study with reference to Jewish luni-solar time, and its bearing upon the death-year of Christ." (Grace Amadon, Collection 154, Center for Adventist Research, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.) "He shall insult the Most High, he shall torment/wear out the holy ones of the Most High, and he shall attempt to change the calendar and the ordinance." Daniel 7:25 (Knox translation, 20th Century.) "Sabbath and New Moon (Rosh Hodesh), both periodically recur in the course of the year. The New Moon is still, and the Sabbath originally was, dependent upon the lunar cycle." Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, p. 410. If the evidence born out in this study is true, then successive weeks as we have known them on the Julian/Gregorian calendar "have been broken" since the time of creation. Secondly, Saturday as we know it today cannot be the true seventh-day Sabbath of the Lord. If this is true, and if you are a truth seeker, would it not be a real joy to discover the true seventh-day Sabbath of our Creator? "And the times of this ignorance God winked at. . . ." Acts 17:30 But now is the light come to us, therefore let us rejoice and be glad, for His mercy endures forever! Therefore also, "since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it . . . . Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts . . . .' Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:1, 7, 11-13 While this study only scratches the surface of this important and weighty subject, you will be able to see for yourself the discrepancies between the two calendars as we attempt to overlay them upon each other. "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Acts 17:10-11 Below is the basic Julian/Gregorian calendar followed by the Creator's luni-solar calendar as they would appear for April of A.D. 31. Following these, you will find two calendar overlays which show the discrepancy

- 67 -

THE FINAL CALL

between the two calendars, specifically as it relates to the seventh-day Sabbath. Using the "Twelve Criteria" that are listed further in this study, you will see that it is impossible to conclusively pinpoint the preparation day (crucifixion), Sabbath in the tomb, and resurrection day on this Gregorian calendar.

Biblical Hebrew practice was to begin the month on the day following the first visible crescent moon. According to astronomical charts, the first visible crescent was seen on the night of April 11 (in Gregorian calendar terms) therefore, the 12th was observed as New Moon day. The Millerites were clear . . . that the first day of the new month always followed the moon's first appearance, and did not precede it. (Grace Amadon, Collection 154, Center for Adventist Research, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.) The days of the Hebrew month were numbered from 1 to 29 or 30. New Moon day is called Day 1 (this is the first day of the month, but not the first day of the work week); the first seventh-day Sabbath is the 8th day of the month, yet it is also the 7th day of the week; the second Sabbath is day 15th; the third Sabbath is day 22nd; and the last Sabbath is day 29th of the month.

- 68 -

THE FINAL CALL

As you look at the following calendar overlay, ask yourself four questions: Is the New Moon day also the first day of the Julian/Gregorian calendar? Counting from the New Moon day, is the 14th day of the Creator's luni-solar calendar on the 6th day of the Julian/Gregorian calendar week as well? Is the day following the 14th day the Sabbath? If the succession of weeks as we have known them have never been broken, then all the Sabbaths will line up, the Creator's luni-solar calendar with the Julian/Gregorian calendar. Do they overlay each other perfectly? As you proceed to establish the facts of the crucifixion of Christ, it will be beneficial to begin at the top with the year, followed by the season, the month and, finally, the day.

- 69 -

THE FINAL CALL

Below you will see that the Julian/Gregorian calendar is the framework of squares and dates in brown, but the Creator's luni-solar calendar as an overlay in blue, is represented by the phases of the moon. It will appear that the Creator's luni-solar calendar floats thru the Julian/Gregorian calendar, but in fact the opposite is true. Here you will see the discrepancy between the two calendar systems, specifically as it relates to the seventhday Sabbath. This clearly reveals how the twelve criteria acts as the God-ordained GPS in the sky to pinpoint the exact year, day and hour as well as the true calendar system, to show when Christ was crucified and resurrected.

- 70 -

THE FINAL CALL

Below you will see the reverse of the above calendar. Here the Creator's luni-solar calendar is the framework in blue, with the Julian/Gregorian calendar as an overlay in gold lettering. You will notice that the Julian/Gregorian calendar floats through the Creator's luni-solar calendar.

The first visible crescent New Moon announces that the following day is New Moon Day, and that a new month will begin. The first visible crescent New Moon also announces New Year's Day to begin on the first day of Abib in spring. The Full Moon was visible on the night of the 13th. New Moon Days, although kept as a sabbath, are never seventh-day Sabbaths because they are the first day of the month and never the seventh-day of anything. They are also never counted in the days of the week. Comparing the Biblical calendar with the Julian calendar clearly shows that the months did not line up nor do the weeks cycle the same. The next point will discuss the first six of twelve criteria that must be met, in order to establish the true date of the crucifixion, the real seventh-day Sabbath, and the correct day of Christ's resurrection... The Scriptures outline the "Twelve Criteria" as a complete package bundle, the contents of which cannot be separated one from another. They only function well as they function together, like a GPS unit (Global Positioning unit, used in cars, planes, boats and for surveying.) Listed below are the specific points of this package according to Scripture and endorsed by Sister Ellen White. For this package of "Twelve Criteria" to accurately pinpoint with precision the details of Christs death, rest in the tomb and resurrection, they had to have been preserved precisely in this same package bundle for 1500 years prior to Christs death. His death on Passover proves this point. This testing truth was set up, and preserved by God, and was done so to

- 71 -

THE FINAL CALL

confound the uncircumcised of heart, but to bless His faithful truth seekers at precisely His appointed time. What wonderful and truly amazing foresight our God has! "A halo of light and glory clustered about the time of Jesus' death and resurrection, immortalizing the sacred facts that he was the Saviour of the world." Early Writings, p. 197. This "halo cluster of twelve stars," is the self-same one described in Revelation 12:1. It is this unbroken cluster of truth that adorns the head of this faithful and pure woman. She alone is symbolic of Gods faithful at the end of time, and is represented as standing on the moon, clothed with the sun and with this halo of twelve stars above her head. Notice that the sun, moon and stars are each elements of time that make up the Creators luni-solar calendar, as given in Genesis 1:14 as well. 1. Year A.D. 31 2. Season Spring 3. Month Abib/Nisan 4. Date of Month 14th day 5. Day of Week 6th day 6. Preparation Day 6th day 7. Full Moon Day is the 14th or 15th 8. Feast of Passover on the 14th 9. Crucifixion 9thhour of death on 14th 10. Feast of Unleavened bread on 15th 11. High Sabbath Rest in Tomb on 15th 12. Resurrection Day/Wave Sheaf -16th day of the month/1st day of the week Criteria 1THE YEAR: A.D. 31 First day of the year begins with a New Moon each and every year. Messiah is cut off in midst of the week as established in the seventy-week Prophecy of Daniel and proclaimed by William Miller in 1843. And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed." Daniel 8:14 Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. Great Controversy, p. 327: In the autumn of A.D. 27 Christ was baptized by John and received the anointing of the Spirit. The apostle Peter testifies that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power" . . . After His baptism He went into Galilee, "preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, the time is fulfilled." Mark 1:14, 15 . . ."In the midst of the week (seven prophetic years), He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." In A.D. 31, three and a half years after His baptism, our Lord was crucified. Great Controversy, p. 327 Criteria 2THE SEASON: SPRING This was the first month of spring following the barley harvest. If the Barley Harvest was not ready for the harvest then an additional month was added, postponing the New Year for the duration of 1 full lunar cycle (1 month). Thus that particular year it was a 13 month year. Leviticus 23:5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lords Passover. (The first month was always the first month of spring.) Leviticus 23:9 When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, on the morrow after the Sabbath. (This was always in the spring just as the barley was ready to be harvested.) In the autumn of A.D. 27 Christ was baptized . . . . In A.D. 31, three and a half years after His baptism, our Lord was crucified. [Thus making this the spring of the Year.] Great Controversy, p. 327: See also: Acts 10:38; Mark 1:14, 15

- 72 -

THE FINAL CALL

Criteria 3THE MONTH: ABIB-AVIV/NISAN The first day of each month is New Moon day, each and every month, and the first month of the year is called Abib/Nisan, each and every year. Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. Deuteronomy 16:1 On the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, the very day and month on which for fifteen long centuries the Passover lamb had been slain . . . Great Controversy, p. 399 See also: Exodus 23:15; Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 486. Criteria 4THE DATE/DAY OF THE MONTH): 14th This is the 14th day after first sighting of the crescent New Moon, each and every year. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lords Passover. Leviticus 23:5 On the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, the very day and month on which for fifteen long centuries the Passover lamb had been slain. . . Great Controversy, p. 399: See also: Great Controversy, p. 399; Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 486. Criteria 5THE DAY OF THE WEEK): 6th This is the 6th day of the week each and every year. Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a high day, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. John 19:31-32 The Preparation Day here mentioned is the sixth day of the week, because the following day was a High Sabbath. A High Sabbath was the term used when a yearly appointed Feast Sabbath landed on a regular seventh-day Sabbath. On the sixth day of the week they had seen their Master die. . . Desire of Ages, p. 794 Also see: Desire of Ages, p. 769-774; Psalms 81:3 Criteria 6THE PREPARATION DAY: 6th This is always the 6th day, followed by the seventh-day Sabbath each and every week. Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' "Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." Matthew 27:62 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of Yahuwah, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Yahushua. Mark 15:42-44 These six criteria alone prove the impossibility of a Friday crucifixion. In the next section, the final six criteria establish this truth beyond any shadow of doubt... Criteria 7FULL MOON DAY: 14th or 15th This day follows first sighting of full moon in the Eastern Sky. It falls on the 14th or 15th day of the month because the moon is on an elliptical cycle, each and every month. This is a process of deduction as the day of the Full Moon is always 14-15 days counting from the New Moon day. If the New Moon was first seen in the night sky on the night of April 11th (Gregorian calendar), then the 12th was called New Moon day. The 12th being day 1, count fourteen days to arrive at the true Passover day, which is also Full Moon Day. You should have arrived at April 25. (We are only using Gregorian month names and day numbers for clarification.) Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob. Psalms 81:3 (NIV) In company with His disciples, the Saviour slowly made His way to the garden of Gethsemane. The Passover moon, broad and full, shone from a cloudless sky. The city of pilgrims' tents was hushed into silence. Desire of Ages, p. 685

- 73 -

THE FINAL CALL

Criteria 8FEAST OF PASSOVER Passover falls on the 6th day of the week and the 14th day of the month, each and every year. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover. Leviticus 23:5 The slaying of the Passover lamb was a shadow of the death of Christ. Says Paul: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.' 1 Corinthians 5:7 . . . . These types were fulfilled, not only as to the event, but as to the time. On the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, the very day and month on which for fifteen long centuries the Passover lamb had been slain, Christ, having eaten the Passover with His disciples, instituted that feast which was to commemorate His own death as "the Lamb of Yahuwah, which takes away the sin of the world. Great Controversy, p. 399: See also: Desire of Ages, p. 571, and Selected Messages, Vol. 3, p. 225. Criteria 9HOUR OF HIS CRUCIFIXION Placed on the Cross at the third hour (9:00 A.M.): Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. Mark 15:25-26 Darkness over all the land between sixth and ninth hour (12:00 Noon - 3:00 P.M): Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. Matthew 27:45-46 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. Mark 15:3334 Nature itself was in sympathy with the scene. The sun shone clearly until midday, when suddenly it seemed to be blotted out. All about the cross was darkness as deep as the blackest midnight. This supernatural darkness lasted fully three hours. Christ Died at the ninth hour (3:00 P.M). Jesus The Final Hours, Ellen White And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!" Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him." And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!" Matthew 27:46-55 Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 3, p. 165: At the ninth hour the darkness lifted from the people, but still wrapped the Savior as with a mantle. The lightning seemed to be hurled at Him as He hung upon the cross. It was then that He sent up the despairing cry: Suddenly the gloom was lifted from the cross, and in clear, trumpet-like tones, that seemed to resound throughout creation, Jesus cried: "It is finished." John 19:30 Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Luke 23:46 A light encircled the cross, and the face of the Savior shone with a glory like the sun. He then bowed His head upon His breast and died. The multitude about the cross stood paralyzed, and with bated breath gazed upon the Savior. Again darkness settled upon the earth, and a hoarse rumbling like heavy thunder was heard. This was accompanied with a violent earthquake. The people were shaken into heaps by the earthquake. The wildest confusion and terror followed. In the surrounding mountains, rocks were torn asunder, and went crashing down into the plains below. Tombs were broken open, and many of the dead were cast out. Creation seemed to be breaking into atoms. Priests, rulers, soldiers, and people, mute with terror, were lying face down upon the ground. Jesus The Final Hours by Ellen White: At the time of the death of Christ, some of the priests were ministering in the temple at Jerusalem. They felt the shock of the earthquake, and at the same moment the veil of the temple, which separated the holy from the most holy place,was torn in two from top to bottom by the same bloodless hand that wrote the words of doom upon the walls of Belshazzar's palace. The most holy place of the earthly sanctuary was no longer sacred. The Lamb of God, in dying, had become the sacrifice for the sins of the world. When Christ died upon the cross of Calvary, the new and living way was thrown open to Jew and Gentile alike. Satan was defeated, and he knew that his kingdom was lost.

- 74 -

THE FINAL CALL

Criteria 10FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD COMMENCES This is a seven day feast which begins on the 15th day of the Month of Abib; it is always a seventh-day Sabbath, each and every year. Feast of Unleavened Bread commences on the 15th day of Abib, lasts seven days and ends at the end of the 21st day of the month which is also the 6th day of the week and designated a Feast Sabbath. The 21st is a Feast Sabbath and the 22nd is the regular seventh-day Sabbath for the month of Abib. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel. . . .Exodus 12:18 The Passover was followed by the seven days' feast of unleavened bread. The first and the seventh-day were days of holy convocation, when no servile work was to be performed. On the second day of the feast, the first fruits of the year's harvest were presented before God. Barley was the earliest grain in Palestine, and at the opening of the feast it was beginning to ripen. Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 539 Criteria 117th DAY SABBATH REST IN THE TOMB & HIGH SABBATH: This particular Sabbath was a High Sabbath, this is when a Feast Sabbath begins or ends on a regular seventh-day Sabbath, such as the case here with the Feast of Unleavened Bread beginning on the seventhday Sabbath, which is always on the 15th day of the month counting from the New Moon. (Notice this is the same seven-day cycle as that of Creation and the Sanctuary.) The Julian eight-day calendar had not yet been legislated upon the Hebrew people, which took place when they lost their sovereignty as a nation. Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. Matthew 28:1-2 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" Mark 16:1-3 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a high day, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. John 19:31-32 At last Jesus was at rest . . . He rested through the sacred hours of the Sabbath day . . . In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after their work of creation, when heaven and earth were finished . . . With this scene the day upon which Jesus rested is forever linked . . . The creation Sabbath, the day on which Jesus lay at rest in Joseph's tomb, will still be a day of rest and rejoicing. Desire of Ages, p. 769 Criteria 12WAVE SHEAF OFFERING & RESURRECTION DAY: This is the first day of the following week and occurs on the 16th day of the month following the seventh-day Sabbath, each and every year. When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, on the morrow after the Sabbath. Leviticus 23:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:9-16 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 The sheaf of first fruits, which at the time of the Passover was waved before the Lord, was typical of the resurrection of Christ. Paul says, in speaking of the resurrection of the Lord and of all His people: "Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. Great Controversy, p. 399 Like the wave sheaf, which was the first ripe grain gathered before the harvest, Christ is the first fruits of that

- 75 -

THE FINAL CALL

immortal harvest of redeemed ones that at the future resurrection shall be gathered into the garner of Yahuwah . . . And as the antitype of the wave sheaf our Lord was raised from the dead on the third day, "the first fruits of them that slept," a sample of all the resurrected just, whose "vile body" shall be changed, and "fashioned like unto His glorious body. 1 Corinthians 15:23 Desire of Ages, p. 794: . . . on the first day of the next week they found themselves deprived of His body, and they were accused of having stolen it away for the sake of deceiving the people. YOU DECIDE THEN! These twelve criteria are Heaven's gift to mankind today. They provide us with facts which, when understood properly, allow us to clearly establish the correct day of the crucifixion and thus the true seventh day sabbath as well. From these "twelve criteria" we receive the time centric details which exclude all false calendars or claims. Clearly, the "twelve criteria" are inclusive only of the true calendar of Gods creation. As a banner waving high above, it declares the glory and honor that He sheds upon His luni-solar calendar. If the above "twelve criteria" could have been reconciled to the Julian/Gregorian calendar, they would have been. But in the seventeenth century, following the documentation of Sir Isaac Newton, the Pope of Rome was forced to seek an alternate year that would reconcile some of the criteria to their Roman calendar. This is History. This is why to this day the Catholic Church, as well as many Protestant churches, teach that Christ was crucified in the year A.D. 33 instead of A.D. 31. This is no small matter! Perhaps you feel that since Sister Ellen White did not teach that the entire calendar had been removed and replaced by the Gregorian calendar, then this message must be FALSE? While Ellen White was given truth by the Lord, whose Name is Yahuwah, that the seventh day was the Sabbath, is it possible, that an assumption was made that the seventh day was Saturday of the Julian/Gregorian calendar? After all, it does not appear that Ellen White understood that William Miller and Samuel Snow had used a calendar other than the Julian/Gregorian, to pin-point the commencement of the anti-typical Great Day of Atonement. The Gregorian calendars was the only calendar of which she knew. If so, why did Yahushua not correct her? Could it be that the Lord was saving the discovery of the correct calendar for the end time? Could it be that it was to be the distinguishing feature of the remnant of Yahuwahs people? In the following quote from Early Writings, p. 255, Mrs. White has just been describing events connected to 1844, and the great disappointment, but perhaps because of preconceived ideas of ours, we have always thought that the following passages were describing the people of her era. However, notice the first line is referring to the remnant following Jesus into the Most Holy place. The people of 1844, had the opportunity to be the remnant, but we also know that the term remnant is referring in particular to the faithful at the very end of time. With this in mind, also pay special attention to the part where they see that they (the remnant) have been trampling upon the fourth commandment, observing a day handed down by the heathen and papists, instead of the day sanctified by Yahuwah. Is it possible that Saturday, in addition to Sunday, is also a day that has been handed down by the heathen and papists? "It was represented to me that the remnant followed Jesus into the Most Holy place, and beheld the ark, and the mercy-seat, and were captivated with their glory. Jesus raised the cover of the ark, and behold! the tables of stone, with the ten commandments written upon them. They trace down the lively oracles; but they start back with trembling when they see the fourth commandment living among the ten holy precepts, while a brighter light shines upon it than upon the other nine, and a halo of glory is all around it . . . . It reads as when spoken by the mouth of God in solemn and awful grandeur upon the mount, while the lightnings flashed and the thunders rolled, and when written with his own holy finger in the tables of stone. . . . They are amazed as they behold the care taken of the Ten Commandments. They see them placed close by [Yahuwah], overshadowed and protected by His holiness. They (the remnant) see that they have been trampling upon the fourth Commandment of the Decalogue, and have observed a day handed down by the heathen and papists, instead of the day sanctified by [Yahuwah]. They humble themselves before [Yahuwah], and mourn over their past transgressions. I saw the incense in the censer smoke as [Yahushua] offered their confessions and prayers to his Father. And as it ascended, a bright light rested upon [Yahushua], and upon the mercy-seat; and the earnest, praying ones, who were troubled because they had discovered themselves to be transgressors of Yahuwah's law, were blest, and their countenances lighted up with hope and joy. They joined in the work of the third angel, and raised their voices and proclaimed the solemn warning. But few at first received the message, yet they continued with energy to proclaim the warning.

- 76 -

THE FINAL CALL

Then I saw many embrace the message of the third angel, and unite their voices with those who had first proclaimed the warning, and they exalted Yahuwah and magnified him by observing His sanctified Rest-day. Many who embraced the third message had not an experience in the two former messages. Satan understood this, and his evil eye was upon them to overthrow them; but the third angel was pointing them to the Most Holy place, and those who had an experience in the past messages were pointing them the way to the heavenly Sanctuary. Many saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels' messages, and gladly received it. They embraced them in their order, and followed [Yahushua] by faith into the heavenly Sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to hold the body. And as individuals receive and understand them, they are shielded against the many delusions of Satan." Early Writings, p. 255, (emphasis supplied). Remember, the key to finding the true Sabbath is in using the correct calendar of the Scriptures. The Creators true Sabbath cannot and will never be found on a false or pagan calendar. Therefore, wrong calendar = wrong Sabbath. Its that simple! In a similar sense, imagine yourself finding a treasure map that takes you around the world on a high sea adventure only to discover, after years of searching and losing all that you hold dear, that the treasure map you trusted in was a fake. As you well know, the map holds the key to finding the treasure, and in this case the calendar is the map to the treasure of our Creators true Sabbath. One calendar is the true, while the other is a fake. One can be verified Biblically, historically and astronomically. On the other hand, is a calendar manufactured by man in utter defiance of Yahuwah that clearly does not harmonize with the Biblical creation calendar that was in use at the time of the crucifixion.

Is it possible that the Creators luni-solar calendar and seventh-day Sabbath will be understood and embraced as "the long lost truth" by Yahuwahs remnant at the very end of time? Perhaps at the time appointed, these faithful witnesses will sound the alarm just as the whole world prepares to embrace the "New World Calendar" scheduled for 2012, 2017 or 2022. Is it possible that the Creators luni-solar calendar along with the lunar seventh-day Sabbath could be the final test for Yahuwahs people? Certainly this is in harmony with what Ellen White said regarding the Sabbath being the final test. After all, the Biblical calendar confirms that Yahushua is indeed the Messiah, due to the fact that He did actually fulfill all the types and shadows, right down to the time and day. The papal calendar on the other hand, clearly does not! Doesn't that ring some alarm bells? Well, it certainly does. According to the details of the passover and the crucifixion, we can clearly see that the Papal calendar infact dethrones Yahushua our Passover! The details of the crucifixion do not match the calendar of Rome. In many ways than one, the calendar of Rome tells us that "Yahushua is not the Messiah!" With that thought in mind, what was Johns warning to believers concerning the spirit of antichrist? Every spirit that confesseth not that [Yahushua] is come in the flesh is not of [Yahuwah]: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world (1 John 4: 3); Who is a liar but he that denieth that [Yahushua] is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22). There you have it, the issue is frighteningly serious, down to the identification of [Yahushua] as our true Passover and as demonstrated, the two calendars are simply incompatible. One is false yet the other is TRUE. Simple! The simple fact is that the papal calendar robes [Yahushua] of His glory through the Easter festival which was instituted by Rome in place of the Passover. The papal calendar pretends to honor Christ's death and resurrection, yet in truth in the Messiah's place, a false Messiah is honoured. The secret lies in the calendar used to identify Christ as the Messiah! So the question is asked, is it His blood on your door posts and lintel, or that of another? There has never been a command given by Yahuwah to keep another day Holy other than our Creators seventh-day Sabbath. In the very same manner, there has never been a command for mankind to manufacture a new method of time keeping outside of what He has already established at creation. Therefore,

- 77 -

THE FINAL CALL

the final test for Yahuwahs remnant appears to be much larger than simply choosing between Saturday and Sunday. Ultimately those who worship on either Saturday or Sunday will discover, only too late, that they are in fact on the same side. The final battle, the battle of Armageddon (worship war) appears to be a battle of the true and false sabbath, according to their respective calendars the Creators or mans. Which will you choose? Whom will you serve?

"Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of Yahuwah, will decree that "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of Yahuwah enjoining the Creator's rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts. With the issue thus clearly brought before him, whoever shall trample upon Yahuwah's law to obey a human enactment receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of Yahuwah. The warning from heaven is: "If any man worship the beast [605] 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 Yahuwah, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Revelation 14:9, 10. But not one is made to suffer the wrath of Yahuwah until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. He who reads every heart and tries every motive will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to Yahuwah, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to Yahuwah's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of Yahuwah. Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel's message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of Yahuwah, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has beenthe defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before." The Great Controversypge. 603.
THE SIGN OF JONAH

This text has been a subject of conjecture for students of Scripture "Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we want to see a sign from You. But he answered and said to them, 'An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish; so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.."' Matthew 12:38-40 Careful examination of the text will show that Yahushua did not intend it to lead to a labourious reckoning of the date of His crucifixion, but rather to a study of its spiritual implications. The immediate context throws light on this point: "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it;

- 78 -

THE FINAL CALL

because they repented at the preaching of Jonas, and behold, a greater than Jonas is here." What was it in Jonas' warning that led the people of Nineveh to repent? It was, no doubt, the peculiar conditions that attended his mission. The message he bore was, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." But what was there to convince them that his message was indeed from Yahuwah? Jonah 1:10 says that the sailors on the boat sailing for Tarsus "knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them." Thus Jonah spoke freely of his past to the heathen, so he must also have related his unusual experience in the whale's belly to the Ninevites. The acid burns on his skin, caused by the digestive fluids of the whale, testified to the truthfulness of his story. The power which moved the Ninevites to repent was doubtless the Holy Spirit, but the dramatic story which attended the warning had an electrifying effect on the hearers, who were convicted that this was a divine warning. What was Yahushuas purpose in drawing this parallel between Jonah and Himself? Yahushua's purpose was to lead us not to arithmetic calculations, but to serious contemplation of His great sacrifice. We are to study the identity of Nineveh, whose "wickedness is come up before [Yahuwah]," and the "evil and adulterous generation" which sought after a sign. Of Nineveh the prophet Nahum wrote, "Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery... Because of the multitude of the whoredom of the well favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredom, and families through her witchcrafts." Nahum 3:1-4. To such a wicked city Yahuwah sent Jonah to preach a warning, and they repented in sackcloth and ashes. But now the "evil and adulterous generation" does not repent, even when confronted by the greater sign of one "greater than Jonas." This is the main thrust of "the sign of Jonas." The "evil and adulterous generation" required a sign of Yahushua in the same spirit as Satan challenging Him to perform a miracle to prove His divinity. In reply Christ cited the "sign of Jonas" as His most convincing proof. It consists not in the "magic" of a dead man coming back to life; for the miracle of Christ raising Lazarus, who had been dead four days, was more sensational than His own resurrection, and should satisfy the simple minded who argue, "Nay, father Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent." Abraham replied, "If they hear not Moses and prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31. Is this the key to the "sign of Jonas?." Yes. Christ's "three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" will persuade only those who hear Moses and the prophets, because they alone can truly appreciate the saving truths revealed in Christ's sufferings and be drawn to Him in love. In comparing Yahushuas experience with Jonas' we note three more parallels: (1) Voluntary sacrifice. For the safety of his fellow mariners, Jonas said, "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you." Yahushua said, "I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself." John 10:17,18. (2) Submission to Yahuwah's will: Jonas prayed, "I will pay what I have vowed." Jonah 2:9. Yahushua prayed, "not My will, but Yours be done." Luke 22:42. (3) Jonas' prayer was offered in the whale's belly, Yahushua's in Gethsemane. This last analogy points to another prophetic figure: the dragon that stood "before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born." Rev 12:4. We are not told whether the child was devoured before it was "caught up to [Yahuwah], and to his throne." We surmise that the child was actually swallowed like Jonas, but the dragon had to "vomit out" Yahushua after three days, who was then caught up to Yahuwah and to His throne. A very striking parallel! The parallel is no coincidence. Since Yahushua cited Jonas' experience as a prophetic type of Himself, and said it was the only sign given to an "evil and adulterous generation," we take this correlation as Yahushua's design to help us better to appreciate His plan of salvation. What is called "a great fish" in Jonah's story is elsewhere called "Leviathan." Job 41:34 says "he is king over all the children of pride." In Isaiah 27:1 we read, "In that day the Lord with his severe sword, great and strong, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; and he will slay the reptile [KJV-dragon] that is in the sea." Revelation 12:9 says, "So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world: he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." What scriptural basis exists for saying that Satan actually swallowed Yahushua and then vomited him out after three days just like Jonah and the whale? Let us first study Matt. 12:40, "so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the

- 79 -

THE FINAL CALL

earth." In the New Testament, "heart" (kardia) consistently refers to the seat of the passions, not to a geometric point in space. If we took "heart of the earth" simply to mean the place of Christ's burial, the analogy does not exactly fit. For in the tomb Christ was resting peacefully, while Jonas, after he was swallowed, was in great agony. The analogy would be truer to compare Jonas' three-day ordeal to Christ's final three-day encounter with Satan. From the time Judas closed the deal to betray his Master, the tempter, who had repeatedly failed to cause Yahushua to sin, was now ready to launch his last offensive. Said the Lord, "The rule of this world coming, and he has nothing in me." John 14:30. When Christ entered Gethsemane, He began to be "sorrowful and deeply distressed, and said, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.'" Matt. 26:37,38. "And an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:43,44. Then on the cross Yahushua cried in despair, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" Matt 27:46. So is it more fitting to apply the "three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" to these last hours of Christ's supreme agony? From all appearances, the devil had everything going his way in that brief space of time. The world exulted, as Christ had foretold, "You will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice." John 16:20. Because He had apparently fallen victim to their murderous designs. Leviathan had swallowed the "male child." For those three days and three nights the dragon vented all his hatred on the Son of God. Said Yahushua, "When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not try to seize Me, but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." Luke 22:53. Here we equate "your hour, and the power of darkness" to the three-day period of Satan's seeming supremacy. As far as externals were concerned, he had complete mastery over Yahushua, even to the extent of taking His life. But spiritually, Yahushua was Victor over this power of darkness; for He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." In the turbulent sea of hatred and the tempest of human passion, Christ retained His divine serenity and perfect mastery over all things. It is ever true that "all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven. And among the inhabitants of the earth, no one can restrain His hand or say to him, What have You done?" Dan. 4:35. However, in Christ's humanity Yahuwah risked the honor of His name, as in the case of Job, whose life is on record to help us fathom the purposes of Yahuwah. The Job drama discloses all that is at stake in the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Unwittingly, Job suffered to vindicate his Redeemer. The character of Yahuwah was on trial. Before the whole universe Satan accused God of selfishness--that He secured the loyalty of Job through bribery. By this Satan sought to undermine the very foundations of Yahuwah's government of love and righteousness. For selfishness is sin, and Satan's challenge was an attempt to prove the sinfulness of Yahuwah. If Job failed the test, Yahuwah would have been proven to be sinful, and Satan would have won the right to coexist with Yahuwah. Yes, he would have been vindicated as wiser than Yahuwah---having deeper insight than the Creator into human nature. So when Christ came to dwell among men, Satan had another chance to prove his case. If he could make Christ sin, he would have proven the perpetuity and supremacy of evil? Yes. So you see, the very character and the sovereignty of Yahuwah were at stake. It was a contest of moral power, not of physical might. And because the intrusion of sin was a new, mysterious factor in God's universe, all creation must fully appreciate its inimical nature before it can be forever banished. Therefore Yahuwah gave to Satan---the author of sin---every opportunity to prove his claims. In the meantime Yahuwah presented Christ as His first and last answer to the challenge of sin. In the ensuing conflict the adversary has resorted to every form of evil and deception to win his case, but Yahuwah cannot deny himself. He is the embodiment of love and truth, therefore by love and truth alone He must conquer. "I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath." Isa. 45:23. The very essence of sin--the transgression of law--is irreconcilability with Yahuwah. Its intrusion has alienated the human race from its Creator. Christ came to live a life of true harmony with His Father--being "obedient to to the point of death, even the death of the cross." He thereby revealed to man the love and truth of Yahuwah, which has the power to break man's slavery to sin and lead to reconciliation with Yahuwah. Here is a contrast between Yahushua and Jonas: Jonas' ordeal in the belly of the whale was the result of his refusal to obey, while Yahushua's agony in Gethsemane and on Calvary resulted from His willing and resolute obedience. That is a precious thought---there is a parallel between Yahushua and Jonah, and also a contrast. Yet in both cases Yahuwah was vindicated. Now listen to these words written by Ellen White: "Few give thought to the suffering that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ's agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in

- 80 -

THE FINAL CALL

humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of [Yahuwah]. Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him. When there came upon Israel the calamities that were the sure result of separation from [Yahuwah]---subjugation by their enemies, cruelty, and death---it is said that 'His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.' 'In all their affliction He was afflicted; . . . and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.' Judges 10:16; Isaiah 63:9." "His Spirit 'makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.' As the 'whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together' (Rom 8:26,22), the heart of the infinite Father is pained in sympathy. Our world is a vast lazar house, a scene of misery that we dare not allow even our thoughts to dwell upon. Did we realize it as it is, the burden would be too terrible. Yet [Yahuwah] feels it all. In order to destroy sin and its results He gave His best Beloved, and He has put it in our power, through cooperation with Him, to bring this scene of misery to an end." Education 263, 264. This is the message in the sign of Jonas, who said, "I know that You are a gracious and merciful [Yahuwah], slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm." This is the spirit of [Yahushua], who came to seek and save that which is lost. "For the Son of man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Luke 9:56. And this is the message of love which Christ hoped would lead the "wicked and adulterous generation" to repent. In Jonas' episode the Ninevites were impressed with God's determination to warn them of their peril. It was God's goodness that led them to repentance. So they shall indeed rise in judgment with this generation if we are not impressed with the much greater spectacle of the crucified Christ. Now to summarize the analogy of the three days and three nights. We should stress the three days and three nights as the duration of Christ's last period of agony, not the time He rested in the tomb. For His sufferings have much to do with His saving power. "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Heb. 2:10. So our understanding of the Son of man being in "the heart of the earth" means that for three days and three nights He was physically the victim of the evil designs of the wicked world. (Deut. 32:1) If one must fix the limits of Yahushua's agony, we submit Matthew 26:2-15, when Judas received the silver, as the beginning, and John 19:30, when "Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit." as the termination of His struggle on earth. For the moment He died, He was forever free from the temptation of the "power of darkness." His coming forth from the tomb was but an inevitable sequel to this final victory. The fact that Christ cites the sign of Jonah as the only sign given to this generation indicates that He attaches great importance to it. In the agonies of Christ the love and justice of Yahuwah are vindicated; the price for our redemption is paid, and the true features of Satan are unmasked. "For offenses must come, but woe be to that man by whom the offence comes!" Matt. 18:7. Yahuwah is absolved of all responsibility for the existence of sin; for now it is seen that He is its greatest victim and sufferer. "But we see [Yahushua], who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He, by the grace of [Yahuwah], should taste death for everyone." Heb. 2:9 This is Yahuwah's answer to those who quibble that since Christ took back His life after He gave it (See John 10:17), He didn't really die. This text says that He was made flesh "for the suffering of death." His vicarious suffering is measured by its intensity, not duration. Christ's infinite capacity for suffering made it possible for Him--only Him--to "taste death [the second death] for every man." This is Yahuwah's message of love in the sign of Jonah; the gospel of salvation in a nutshell.

- 81 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE ANNUAL FEASTS & THEIR SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM)

Sister Ellen G. White, co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in her writings, advocated the observance and remembrance of the Lord's Annual Feasts, in the Church. For example, she comments on Acts 20:6 ("We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread"), "At Philippi Paul tarried to keep the Passover. . . . The Philippians were the most loving and truehearted of the apostles converts, and during the eight days of the feast he enjoyed peaceful and happy communion with them." Ellen White acknowledges also the importance of Pentecost for Paul when she writes that he shortened his stay at Ephesus, because "he was on his way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost." The implication of these statements is clear. Ellen White believed that Paul celebrated the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread and Pentecost. Sister White says some interesting things about the Feast Days. Please read this article and then decide for yourself what it means. Anciently the Lord instructed His people to assemble three times a year for His worship. To these holy convocations the children of Israel came, bringing to the house of [Yahuwah] their tithes, their sin offerings, and their offerings of gratitude. They met to recount Yahuwah's mercies, to make known His wonderful works, and to offer praise and thanksgiving to His name. And they were to unite in the sacrificial service which pointed to Christ as the Lamb of Yahuwah that taketh away the sin of the world. Thus they were to be preserved from the corrupting power of worldliness and idolatry. Faith and love and gratitude were to be kept alive in their hearts, and through their association together in this sacred service they were to be bound closer to Yahuwah and to one another. In the days of Christ these feasts were attended by vast multitudes of people from all lands; and had they been kept as Yahuwah intended, in the spirit of true worship, the light of truth might through them have been given to all the nations of the world. With those who lived at a distance from the tabernacle, more than a month of every year must have been occupied in attendance upon these holy convocations. The Lord saw that these gatherings were necessary for the spiritual life of His people. They needed to turn away from their worldly cares, to commune with Yahuwah, and to contemplate unseen realities. If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict! And if the people of the world then needed the light which Yahuwah had committed to His church, how much more do they need it now? {6T, 39-40} There you have it, Sister White said we need these holy convocations even more than ancient Israel did! I was amazed when I read this quote. I didn't know that she said that! It sounds to me like these Holy convocations or seasons, known in the Hebrew as Moadim (Gen 1:14, Lev 23), that Yahuwah gave are very important! What do you think? In her book Patriarchs and Prophets, Ellen White devotes a whole chapter to "The Annual Feasts." Reflecting on their value for Israelites and Christians today, she writes: "Well would it be for the people of [Yahuwah] at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernaclesa joyous commemoration of the blessings of [Yahuwah] to them. As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that [Yahuwah] had wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeying from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and truth." In this statement Ellen White clearly recommends the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles by the church today. Consequently, we were wrong in assuming that the annual Feasts came to an end with the sacrifice of Christ, simply because they were connected with the sacrificial system of the Temple. If the Feasts had typified only the redemptive accomplishments of Christs first Advent, then obviously their function would have terminated at the Cross. But, if the Feasts foreshadow also the consummation of redemption to be accomplished by Christ at His second Advent, then their function continues in the Christian church, though with a new meaning and manner of observance. The significance of the Jewish economy is not yet fully comprehended. Truths vast and profound are shadowed forth in its rites and symbols. The gospel is the key that unlocks its mysteries. Through a knowledge of the plan of redemption, its truths are opened to the understanding. Far more than we do, it is our privilege to understand these wonderful themes. We are to comprehend the deep things of [Yahuwah]. Angels desire to look into the truths that are revealed to the people who with contrite hearts are searching the word of [Yahuwah], and praying for greater lengths and breadths and depths and heights of the knowledge which He alone can give. (Christs Object Lessons, p. 133). The Jewish economy is indeed rich in beauty and spiritual lessons which bring us to a closer walk with [Yahuwah] in our relationship with Him.

- 82 -

THE FINAL CALL

As with the realization of the true sabbath according to the Creator's calendar, it has also come as a pleasant surprise to discover that the typology(types & shadows) and function of the Jewish Feasts reach beyond the cricifixion to the ultimate consummation of redemption. The typology of Passover, for example, was initially fulfilled when Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, was sacrificed to deliver us from the bondage of sin. Yet there is still a future and ultimate fulfillment of Passover at the End, when Christ will deliver His people from the great tribulation and invite them to participate in "the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9). Christ Himself pointed to this future fulfillment of Passover when He said: "I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you I shall not eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of [Yahuwah]" (Luke 22:16). In this statement Christ makes it clear that the ultimate fulfillment of Passover will be at the End with the establishment of Gods kingdom. Another curious discovery is the typology of Pentecost which was initially fulfilled, when Christ was resurrected as the first fruits of redeemed humanity on the 16th of Abib/Nisan, and poured out the early rain of the Holy Spirit after the full count of seven complete sabbaths/weeks + 1 day (50 days), on the day of Pentecost to launch the Christian mission. This is why the 120 believers were "in one place, and in one accord." It was not by coincidence that the holy spirit was given in the power of the former rain on the day of Pentecostit was divinely appointed that way, and the believers knew the exact timing of this out-pouring. By simply observing the Lord's Feasts at their appointed times, Yahuwah's people will cooperate with the divine plan of salvation. Yet, like Passover, Pentecost will be ultimately fulfilled at the end, when the Lord will pour out the Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit for the final harvest of the earth (Rev 14:15-16). The principle of "fulfilled and yet-to-be fulfilled" applies to the Sabbath as well. The Old Testament Sabbath typologies of rest and liberation will be ultimately fulfilled at the consummation of redemption to be accomplished at Christ's Second Coming. In His inaugural address in the synagogue of Nazareth (Luke 4:18), Christ proclaimed Himself to be the fulfillment of the Sabbath typology of redemption (Luke 4:21). Yet Sabbath keeping "remains for the people of [Yahuwah]" (Heb 4:9), because the ultimate fulfillment of the Sabbath rest and liberation will take place at Christs second Advent. The realization that the typology of the Feasts, was initially fulfilled at Christs first Advent, but will be ultimately realized at His second Advent, has caused us to take a fresh look at the continuity and desirability of Israels Festivals for the church (spiritual Israel) today. This new inquiry has been spurred also by the realization that the Feasts of Israel were organized in two cycles around the Spring wheat harvest and the Fall fruit harvest. The Spring Festivals of Passover and Pentecost foreshadow the redemption accomplished by Christs first Advent. On the other hand, the Fall Festivals of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles point to the ultimate restoration to be realized at the second Advent. Since the Fall Festivals typify such End-time events as the preparation for the final judgment announced by the Feast of Trumpets, the final cleansing and disposition of sins accomplished figuratively on the Day of Atonement, and the final celebration of Gods salvation by the redeemed at the Feast of Tabernacles, their meaning and function must of necessity continue, because their antitypical fulfillment still lies in the future. These considerations have led us to reexamine the meaning, value, and relevance of the Feasts of Israel for the remnant today. Let it be known at the outset that our concern is not to resurrect a legalistic observance of the annual Feasts according to outdated Jewish rituals, but to enrich the remnant's worship by proposing a calendar that focuses during the course of the year, on the redemptive accomplishments of Christs first and second Advents, and none other calendar does this as perfectly as the Creator's calendar. We cannot preach the whole Bible in one sermon. We cannot celebrate the whole story of redemption in one Sabbath. A church calendar patterned after the calendar of the Creator can help us to do justice to all the important redemptive acts of Yahuwah. We propose a worship life which takes us through the central truths of the history of redemption: the life, suffering, and death of Christ; His resurrection, ascension, inauguration of His heavenly ministry, and sending of the Holy Spirit; His pre-Advent judgment in heaven and His executive judgment on earth at the second Advent; the punishment of unpenitent sinners and the final restoration of this world. A church calendar patterned after the religious calendar of the Lord challenges us every year to explore more fully each of these fundamental truths of the plan of salvation. It can also serve as a deterrent against the temptation to use the Sabbath religious services to promote various kinds of secular agendas. At a time when many churches are seeking to bring about worship renewal by introducing into their church services jazzy music, drama, theatrical preaching...etc, a calendar that focuses on the great truths of salvation challenges us to foster worship renewal by seeking for a deeper understanding and experience of what Christ has done, is doing, and will do for us. The celebration of the great saving acts of Yahuwah commemorated by the annual Feasts can bring about worship renewal by making our worship experience Yahuwah-centered rather than self-centered. Value of Adopting the Biblical Calendar To develop a church calendar patterned after the Biblical calendar is not as difficult as one may think. Religious observances can be made to coincide with the date of the Biblical Festivals. For example, the Spring and Fall "Spiritual Emphasis Weeks" which Adventists observe at about the time of the Feasts of Pentecost and Tabernacles could be made to coincide with the observance of these two important Biblical Festivals. On both occasions, Yahuwah's people could be decorated with some of the produce of the season, as the Jews decorated their synagogues and homes. Seeing the fruits of the season in the church as an object lesson for

- 83 -

THE FINAL CALL

our worship experience during the Feasts of Pentecost and Tabernacles can serve as a forceful incentive to thank Yahuwah for His bountiful blessings. The spring "Spiritual Emphasis Week" could be observed during Pentecost and be called "Pentecost Renewal Week." Connecting the spring "Spiritual Emphasis Week" with the celebration of Pentecost would add to the week Biblical timing, authority, and meaning. The disciples preparation for Pentecost can serve as a model for the Pentecost Renewal Week by reminding us of the need to prepare our hearts as did the disciples of old. Today we sing, pray, preach, and talk about the need for a new Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Why not follow the example of the disciples, who spent ten days preparing themselves for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14) by spending at least a week seeking for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit? The Biblical celebration of Pentecost provides a basis for celebrating the blessings of the agricultural Spring harvest and of the spiritual gifts God has bestowed upon us. We can find in the feast the incentive to express our gratitude to Yahuwah for His material and spiritual blessings through a special thanksgiving offering of our total devotion to His cause in the divine plan of salvation. I saw that the remnant were not prepared for what is coming upon the earth. Stupidity, like lethargy, seemed to hang upon the minds of most of those who profess to believe that we are having the last message. My accompanying angel cried out with awful solemnity, "Get ready! get ready! get ready! for the fierce anger of the Lord is soon to come. His wrath is to be poured out, unmixed with mercy, and ye are not ready. Rend the heart, and not the garment. Early writings p.119 Then my eyes were taken from the glory, and I was pointed to the remnant on the earth. The angel said to them, "Will ye shun the seven last plagues? Will ye go to glory and enjoy all that [Yahuwah] has prepared for those who love Him and are willing to suffer for His sake? If so, ye must die that ye may live. Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye must have a greater preparation than ye now have, for the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it. Sacrifice all to God. Lay all upon His altarself, property, and all, a living sacrifice. It will take all to enter glory. Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where no thief can approach or rust corrupt. Ye must be partakers of Christ's sufferings here if ye would be partakers with Him of His glory hereafter." Early Writings p.66 I saw that those who of late have embraced the truth would have to know what it is to suffer for Christ's sake, that they would have trials to pass through that would be keen and cutting, in order that they may be purified and fitted through suffering to receive the seal of the living [Yahuwah], pass through the time of trouble, see the King in His beauty, and dwell in the presence of [Yahuwah] and of pure, holy angels. As I saw what we must be in order to inherit glory, and then saw how much [Yahushua] had suffered to obtain for us so rich an inheritance, I prayed that we might be baptized into Christ's sufferings, that we might not shrink at trials, but bear them with patience and joy, knowing what [Yahushua] had suffered that we through His poverty and sufferings might be made rich. Said the angel, "Deny self; ye must step fast." Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again. Those who would not receive the mark of the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision now to say, Nay, we will not regard the institution of the beast. Early Writings p.67 I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully. I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of "refreshing" and the "latter rain" to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it and no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. Before this time the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Early Writings p.71 The Lord has often given me a view of the situation and wants of the scattered jewels who have not yet come to the light of the present truth, and has shown that the messengers should speed their way to them as fast as possible, to give them the light. Many all around us only need to have their prejudices removed and the evidences of our present position spread out before them from the Word, and they will joyfully receive the present truth. The messengers should watch for souls as they that must give account. Theirs must be a life of toil and anguish of spirit, while the weight of the precious but often-wounded cause of Christ rests upon them. They will have to lay aside worldly interests and comforts and make it their first object to do all in their power to advance the cause of present truth and save perishing souls. They will also have a rich reward. In their crowns of rejoicing those who are rescued by them and finally saved will shine as stars forever and ever. And

- 84 -

THE FINAL CALL

to all eternity they will enjoy the satisfaction of having done what they could in presenting the truth in its purity and beauty, so that souls fell in love with it, were sanctified through it, and availed themselves of the inestimable privilege of being made rich, and being washed in the blood of the Lamb and redeemed unto God. Early Writings p.61 In view of this, A revival of these truths is needed in order for the necessary reformation to take place. The Papal calendar, which is a round of false sabbaths, pagan festivals and feasts instituted by the Roman Catholic Church, as indicative of the apostasy into which the churches have fallen, must by shear necessity be discarded. To rid the church of all the pagan rites and superstitions which have become part of popular piety of today, we must certainly do away with all the holidays of "Babylon."(Rev 18:4). The Feasts of the Old Testament, however, do not detract from the weekly Sabbath, but add importance to it, since they are patterned after it, and this an important aspect to remember when considering the reintroduction of the Creator's calendar amongst the remnant. All of these; which celebrate, not Gods saving acts, but national heroes or events: Birthdays, Independence Days, Mothers Day, Father's Day etc, must be cleansed from the sanctuary of God. By making our primary celebrations inherently "us-centered," rather than Yahuwahcentered, we have fallen into a cultural pattern which subordinates man in the place of Yahuwah. We are to stand in the sight of Yahuwah, blameless and covered with the robe of the righteousness of Yahushuathis necessitates a thorough reformation, after the order which is unto holiness! We do not need to fear the Spring and Fall Feasts of the Old Testament, because it is good and proper to thank the Lord of the harvest. More important still, we do not need to fear the remembrance or observance of Biblical Feasts, because they provide us with a marvelous opportunity to rejoice in the specific works of Yahuwah and Christ for our redemption. The fact that Yahuwahs calendar was perverted and replaced with the calendar that venerates the worship of saints, Mary, and pagan practices, is in itself a valid reason for rejecting its use among Yahuwah's people today. For some Protestants, it seems more important to be unlike Rome than to be true to the Bible, which is indicative of total blindness! To respect the Biblical Feasts as they occur upon the Creator's calendar, does not expressly mean we are falling into legalism, but rather we are listening to the teachings of the Word of Yahuwah. To appreciate the value of the Biblical Festivals for today, it is important to remember that the heart of the Biblical message is that Yahuwah has revealed Himself in human time by creating, redeeming , and ultimately restoring His creatures to a harmonious relationship with Him. The Christian faith is rooted in the belief that God has acted in human history. The Biblical calendar recognizes this fact and seeks to relate all time to the redemptive purposes of Yahuwah. The major events of the first Advent of Christ are commemorated by the Spring Festivals and those related to the second Advent by the Fall Festivals. As the major redemptive accomplishments of Christ pass in review perennially during the course of the year, it keeps us constantly mindful of all that the Lord has done and is doing for our sakes. While it is true that Yahuwah does not reserve the communication of His grace to specific days, it is also true that He uses time to reveal Himself. He invites us to make ourselves free and available for Him at certain times so that we can experience more freely and fully the awareness of His presence, peace, and grace in our lives. The Biblical calendar is more than an annual cycle of recurring festivals. It provides an opportunity to experience afresh what Yahuwah has done in the past, is doing in the present, and will do in the future. It enables us to take the time which Yahuwah has created and offer it back to Him through Yahushua who has redeemed us. The redemptive acts of Yahuwah are commemorated in the the Bible weekly through the Sabbath and annually through the Feasts. The latter fulfilled three basic functions which are still relevant for Christians today. First, the Feasts commemorated the past mighty works of Yahuwah. Second, they anticipated the future divine deliverance. Third, they motivated the people to live in the present obediently before Yahuwah. These functions are still relevant for Christians today. Commemoration of the Great Works of Yahuwah The Feasts offered to the Israelites an opportunity to commemorate specific saving acts of Yahuwah which revealed unique attributes of His character. On the Sabbath, the Israelites acknowledged Yahuwah as their Creator (Ex 20:11) and Redeemer (Deut 5:12-15). At Passover, they especially praised Yahuwah as their Deliverer from Egyptian oppression (Deut 16:1;Ex 12:13). At Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), they thanked Yahuwah for being their Provider of the material blessings of the harvest (Lev 23:10, 18, 19). At the Feast of Trumpets, they acknowledged Yahuwah as their Judge who would decide their destiny ten days later on the Day of Atonement (Num 29:7; Lev 23:29). On the Day of Atonment, they would celebrate the fact that Yahuwah was their Vindicator and Restorer who had forgiven and cleansed them of their sins (Lev 16:14-15, 21). At the Feast of Tabernacles, they rejoiced that Yahuwah had been their Protector throughout their pilgrimage to the Promised Land (Lev 23:43). The commemoration through the annual Feasts of the saving acts and attributes of Yahuwah can enhance the worship experience of Christians today as it did that of ancient Israel. There is a prevailing skepticism today about Yahuwah being the Creator, Redeemer, Provider, Judge, Vindicator, and Restorer. Many think that Yahuwah is dead or at least indifferent to what is happening in this world. This prevailing skepticism has its roots in the widespread abandonment of the Sabbath and annual holy days.

- 85 -

THE FINAL CALL

Skepticism can be an outgrowth of forgetfulness. Neglecting the Sabbath, the memorial of creation, can lead people to become skeptical about their divine origin and destiny. Neglecting Passover, the memorial of redemption, can lead people to become forgetful and skeptical about Gods provision of salvation through Christs atoning sacrifice. Neglecting Pentecost, the memorial of the ourpouring of the early rain of the Holy Spirit to launch the Christian mission, can lead people to become skeptical about the outpouring of the latter rain to complete the Christian mission. Neglecting the Feast of Trumpets, the reminder that we must all appear before the judgment seat of God (2 Cor 5:10), can lead people to live morally irresponsibly. Neglecting the Day of Atonement, the reminder of the final redemptive act of Christ who will cleanse His people and dispose of their sins at His second Advent (Heb 9:28), can lead people to despair of any solution to the sin problem that affects mankind. Neglecting the Feast of Tabernacles, the reminder of Gods past providential leading, can lead people to doubt Gods ability to lead us to the Promised Land. The celebration of the Feasts was for the Israelites also a joyous anticipation of future deliverance. For example, the commemoration of the past Exodus at Passover served to nourish the hope and strengthen the faith in a future Exodus, when Israel will be finally and completely free (Is 43:15-21; 52:1-12; 55:12). At that time, the Lord will reign over all the nations who will go up in pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (Zech 14:16-19). The joy of that final pilgrimage to Jerusalem can be sensed by reading some of the "Psalms of Ascent" (cf. Ps 118; 122). "When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad" (Ps 126:1-3). John the Revelator saw in vision the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, when the countless multitude of the redeemed stood before Yahuwahs throne "with palm branches in their hands" (Rev 7:9), as at the Feast of Tabernacles, singing: "Salvation belongs to our Yahuwah who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb" (Rev 7:10). By reminding us of the consummation of redemption, the Feasts can help us experience in the present a joyous anticipation of the future. Motivation for Holy Living in the Present The Feasts were also designed to motivate the Israelites to live in the present obediently and uprightly before Yahuwah. Even the Psalms of joy sung on occasion of the Feasts (Ps 81:3) reminded the people of their ethical relationship with Yahuwah. "O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!" (Ps 81:13). The ethical implications of the Feasts are especially evident in the Feast of Trumpets and Atonement. The "blast of trumpets" (Lev 23:23) on the first day of the seventh month ushered in a period of repentance which lasted ten days, that is, until the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:27). During this period, the people were asked to "afflict" themselves (Num 29:7), that is, to repent and confess their sins. The outcome was the moral cleansing and elimination of sin through the ritual of the Day of Atonement, which restored the people to a new covenant relationship with Yahuwah. The prophets protested against the ostensible security provided by the dry formalism offered by unfaithful hearts: "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies" (Amos 5:21; Hosea 2:13; Isaiah 1:13). These rebukes were intended to appeal, and not for the suppression of the Feasts, but for the moral reformation demanded by their true observance. If the Feasts were needed in ancient Israel to constantly remind the people of their ethical relationship with Yahuwah, they are also very much needed today when Christianity has become for many more of a profession than a practice. The Feast of Trumpets, for example, which summoned the Israelites to repent and confess their sins in preparation for the final judgment and cleansing of the Day of Atonement, should in reality serve today to call upon Christians to "Fear [Yahuwah] and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come" (Rev 14:7). The annual celebration of the Fall Feasts of the Trumpets and Atonement can give substance to our faith by reminding us that our relationship to God is based, not only on the profession, but also on the practice, of our faith. At the final judgment, Christ will invite into His kingdom "not every one who says to me Lord, Lord, . . . but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt 7:21). By summoning us to prepare for the final judgment, these Feasts can give seriousness to our living. They remind us that our thoughts, words, deeds, and attitudes count for eternity. They teach us that the final judgment will reveal whether we have lived self-centered lives, ignoring Yahuwahs moral principles, or God-centered lives, reflecting His moral values. Christians today need to be reminded of the message of the final judgment, and the Fall Feasts of Trumpets and Atonement can effectively meet this need. The Fall Feasts of Trumpets and Atonement should be of particular interest to Seventh-day Adventists, who believe that judgement is currently going on in heaven, and has been since the Fall of 1844, prior to Christs Return. The call of the first angel of Revelation 14:7 to "Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come" is in essence the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets. As the ancient Israelites were summoned by the blast of the trumpets on the first day of the seventh month to prepare for the final judgment executed ten days later on the Day of Atonment, so God is calling us today to proclaim to all that "the hour of his judgment has come" in preparation for the final executive judgment to be executed by Christ at His coming. The observance of the Feast of Trumpets can serve as a constant reminder of our mission to proclaim to the world that we are living in judgment time. Soon Christ "will appear a second time" (Heb 9:28),

- 86 -

THE FINAL CALL

as the high priest appeared before the people of the Day of Atonement, "to save those who are eagerly waiting for him" (Heb 9:28). Feasts Keyed to Agricultural Seasons It is significant that the Feasts of Israel, though commemorative in nature and purpose, they were keyed to the Spring and Fall harvest seasons. Passover could not be celebrated until at least some of the barley was ready to be harvested (aviv), and waved before the Lord. If because of weather conditions no barley was ripe, another month was intercalated, or added at the end of the lunar year, meaning Passover would be observed a month later. When Passover was moved up one month, all the other Feasts moved accordingly, because the ripening of the barley and the Passover marked the beginning of the calendar year. Yahuwah placed the celebration of the annual Feasts in conjunction with the Spring and Fall harvests, because these seasons could fittingly represent great spiritual truths. Physical experiences are used by Yahuwah to help us conceptualize and internalize spiritual realities. The physical rest of the Sabbath, for example, helps us to apprehend and experience the spiritual rest of the Savior. The bread and wine of the Lords Supper enables us to symbolically accept the broken body and shed blood of Yahushua. One cannot help but appreciate divine wisdom in planning for Passover, the Feast of Redemption, to occur at springtime. The reviving of the earth at springtime provides the ideal setting to celebrate Passover, which commemorates the Springtime of Israels history, when Yahuwah delivered the people from Egyptian oppression, and the Springtime of grace, when Yahushua was sacrificed to deliver us from the bondage of sin. Every year at Passover, Yahuwah reminds us of the new life that has come to us through Christs death by setting before our eyes the spring when nature, which had been seemingly dead, bursts into bloom. Similarly the completion of the harvest season in the Fall, provides a fitting occasion to celebrate the Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles, all of which point to the future spiritual harvest of the redeemed that Christ will gather in at His second Advent. We can say that the Spring and Fall Festivals are like a compass whose needdle always points to Christ. Today, most people no longer live in an agrarian society like that of the ancient Israelites, yet all are still responsive to seasonal changes. Spring is still the time of new beginnings which can remind us through Passover and Pentecost of the new life that has come to us through the redemptive accomplishments of Christs first Advent. Similarly, the Fall is still the completion of the harvest season, which can remind us through the Fall Feasts of the consummation of redemption to be accomplished by Christs second Advent. In His wisdom, Yahuwah has keyed the unfolding of the plan of salvation to the Spring and Fall harvest seasons for intrinsic purposes. The beginning of the harvest in the Spring and the completion of the harvest in the Fall can serve as constant reminders of the redemption accomplished at the first Advent and yet to be consummated at the second Advent. Sadly though, these truths are completely buried underneath the rubble of man-made calendars. Yahuwah's remnant people must study, learn and restore His Calendar parallel to their individual lives, if they are to have a true experience of eternal realities demonstrated through the appointed annual feasts of the Lord. As a means of education an important place was filled by the feasts of Israel. In ordinary life the family was both a school and a church, the parents being the instructors in secular and in religious lines. But three times a year seasons were appointed for social intercourse and worship. First at Shiloh, and afterward at Jerusalem, these gatherings were held. Only the fathers and sons were required to be present; but none desired to forgo the opportunities of the feasts, and, so far as possible, all the household were in attendance; and with them, as sharers of their hospitality, were the stranger, the Levite, and the poor. (Education, pp. 41-42) Yahuwahs Holy Days were designed to educate the people in spiritual matters. By getting His people together three times a year Yahuwah was able to have everyone taught the same spiritual truths, keeping them unified in their beliefs. Taken from: God's Festivals in Scripture & History. Vol.1: Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D., Andrews University (Paraphrased by ADSRM) It is impossible to enumerate the advantages the Lord prepared for the world in making the Jewish nation the repository of His rich treasures of knowledge. They were the subjects of His special favor. As a people who knew and worshiped the true God, they were to communicate the principles of His kingdom. They were instructed by the Lord. He withheld from them nothing favorable to the formation of characters which would make them fit representatives of His kingdom. Their feasts, the Passover, the Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, and the ceremonies attending these gatherings, were to proclaim the truths that [Yahuwah] had entrusted to His people. At these gatherings the people were to show gladness and joy, expressing their thanksgiving for their privileges and the gracious treatment of their Lord. Thus they were to show to a world that knew not God that the Lord does not forsake those who trust in Him. With joyful voices they were to sing, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in [Yahuwah]: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my [Yahuwah] (Ps. 43:5). (The Upward Look, p. 232)

- 87 -

THE FINAL CALL

SABBATH REFORM NECESSITATES CALENDAR REFORM! The system of Jewish economy was the gospel in figure, a presentation of Christianity which was to be developed as fast as the minds of the people could comprehend spiritual light. Satan ever seeks to make obscure the truths that are plain, and Christ ever seeks to open the mind to comprehend every essential truth concerning the salvation of fallen man. To this day there are still aspects of truth which are dimly seen, connections that are not understood, and far reaching depths in the law of [Yahuwah] that are uncomprehended. There is immeasurable breadth, dignity, and glory in the law of [Yahuwah]; and yet the religious world has set aside this law, as did the Jews, to exalt the traditions and commandments of men. (Fundaments of Christian Education, p. 238) Let not man mock the ancient Jewish economy, of which Christ was the Originator, and the One to whom the types and shadows pointed. In these types and shadows is revealed the everlasting Gospel. (Signs of the Times, January 13, 1898) I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and his Son Yahushua The Messiah. I gazed on Yahushuas countenance and admired his lovely person. The Fathers person I could not behold for a cloud of glorious light covered him. I asked Yahushua if his Father had a form like himself; He said he had, but I could not behold it; for, said he, if you should for once see the glory of his person, you would cease to exist. Before the throne was the Advent people, the Church, and the world. I saw a company bowed down before the throne, deeply interested while most of them stood up disinterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Yahushua, then he would look to his Father and appeared to be pleading with him. Then a light came from the Father to his Son and from him to the praying company. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it. Others were careless and did not cherish the light and it moved off from them. Some cherished it and went and bowed down before the throne with the little praying company. This company all received the light, and rejoiced in it as their countenances shone with its glory. Then I saw the Father rise from the throne and in a flaming chariot go into the Holy of Holies within the vail, and did sit. There I saw thrones which I had not seen before. Then Yahushua rose up from the throne, and most of those who were bowed down rose up with him. And I did not see one ray of light pass from Yahushua to the careless multitude after he rose up, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who rose up when Yahushua did, kept their eyes fixed on him as he left the throne, and led them out a little way, then he raised his right arm and we heard his lovely voice saying, wait ye, I am going to my Father to receive the Kingdom. Keep your garments spotless and in a little while I will return from the wedding, and receive you to myself. Early Writings. Falmouth Mass., Feb., 15, 1846. There is no excuse for any one in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. Review and Herald, Dec. 20, 1892 (RH 623:1:1); CWE 37

- 88 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE TRUE MEANING OF "PASSOVER"

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM)

Ever wondered where suffering and death came from? Better still, have you ever thought and wondered why if Yahuwah is such a loving God, how come there is so much suffering, sadness and death in this world that He created? Is there really a point to this brief existence of ours? Simply seems as though we are born; we live to suffer and then we die! How can such a sorry state of affairs exist under the watchful eye of Him who is regarded as Omnipotent and all-powerful? Seeing the turbulent state of our world today, perhaps like many, the guess is you might have pondered upon some of these perplexing questions, and yet all you have are more questions than answers The good news though is that, there certainly is a definative answer to these questions. For many generations, Christians have believed and taught that this world, with all its dilemmas and sorrows will one day come to a cataclysmic end, and Yahushua will return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and shall gather His people, to take them to a land that is fairer than day; where suffering and death shall be no more. This is the whole gospel message that; although sin, an intruder into the plans of Yahuwah to prosper humanity, entered our world and severed the relationship which man had enjoyed with his Creator up to that time by separating us from Yahushua and ushering in a protracted era of suffering, sadness and death, Yahuwah through His only begotten Son Yahushua was reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19), and forever putting an end to sin with all its inevitable consequences. The very nature of sin meant that it could not dwell in the presence of Yahuwah, and by partaking in sin, humanity unwittingly separated itself from the Divine and Holy Yahuwah in whom only is life and naturally, anything that separates us from the source of life, inevitably makes us weak and vulnerable; and eventually leads to death. Yahuwah however, was not content with that kind of odd situation, being sepearated from mankind whom He loved so dearly that He had made them as a crowning work of His work of creation, even making them in His own likeness. Yahuwah could not bear leaving us to our own devices, though of course to a certain extent, because of the inevitable consequences of sin, this was arguably now the case. Yahuwah, who is merciful and kind saw the course that man had taken in partaking in sin and His heart was grieved, and so there had to be a way to reverse this course... There had to be a way to redeem His precious jewel from the cruel jaws of eternal death. To that end, Yahuwah in the glory of His wisdom had lovingly and mercifully pre-arranged a reconciliatory plan for the objects of his love and compasion. So that, in the event that man was ever to sin, Yahuwah would intervene for mans redemption. The Almighty Yahuwah instituted this Great Plan of Salvation before He created man! Such is the essence of Yahuwahs amazing love and regard for us, that while we were yet sinners and did not know Him, Yahushua died for us! But what does it all mean to say Christ died for your sins and mine? Doesnt it make you curious that Christians seem to place a lot of emphasis on the cross? What does Christs death on a cross have much to do with anything anyway? Well, the answer lies in the very fact that Yahuwah Himself had stated the obligation of the law of righteousness, which required the death of a righteous and perfect life in order to spare the life of the sinner... In that regard, Yahuwah through His Son Yahushua, would sacrifice His perfect and righteous life, as a ransom for our sins. And to illustrate this great redemptive plan by bringing it to the full understanding of His created beings, became the primary work of the Gospel on this earth. This is the story of our redemption...

- 89 -

THE FINAL CALL

WHAT IS SIN? From The Great ControversyEllen G. White To many minds, the origin of sin and the reason of its existence are a source of great perplexity. They see the work of evil, with its terrible results of woe, desolation and death, and they question how all this can exist under the sovereignty of One who is infinite in wisdom, in power and in love! Here is a mystery of which they find no explanation. And in their Uncertainty and doubt they are blinded to truths plainly revealed in Yahuwahs word and essential for salvation. There are those who, in their inquries concerning the existance of sin, endeavour to search into that which Yahuwah has never revealed; hence they find no solution for their difficulties; and such as these are actuated by a desposition of doubt, and cavil upon this as an excuse for rejecting the words of the Holy Scriptures. Others, however, fail to obtain a satisfactory understanding of the great problem of evil, simply because traditional beliefs and misinterpretation have obscured the teaching of the Bible concerning the character of Yahuwah itself, the nature of His Government, and the principles of His dealing with sin. It is impossible to explain the origin of sin so as to give a reason for its existence, yet enough may be understood concerning both the origin and the final deposition of sin, to make fully manifest the justice and benevolence of Yahuwah in all His dealings with evil. Nothing is more plainly taught in the Scriptures than that Yahuwah was in no wise responsible for the entrance of sin; that there was no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, no deficiency in the divine government, that gave occasion for the uprising of rebellion. Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is to defend it. Could excuse for it be found, or cause be shown for its existence, it would henceforth cease to be sin. Our only definition of Sin is that which is given in the Word of Yahuwah; it is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4. It is the outworking of a principle that is at odds with the great principle of lovewhich is the foundation of the divine government of Yahuwah. That is why Yahushua said, If you love me, keep my commandments. (See 1 John 2:3-5; 3:24; 5:2-3) THE ORIGIN OF EVIL It is a mystery how a created being would dare to challenge the authority of its Creator. Yet the Bible records that there was a great rebellion in heaven! Lucifer transgressed the law of Yahuwah and was eventually expelled from heaven together with a third of heavens angels who had conspired together with Lucifer in open rebellion against the authority of Yahuwah, and thus entered the mysterious element of iniquity into the universe of Yahuwah. But before the entrance of evil there was peace and joy throughout the universe. All was in perfect harmony with the Creators will. Love for Yahuwah was supreme, love for one another impartial. Yahushua the Word, the Only Begotten of Yahuwah, was one with the Eternal Father, -- One in nature, in character, and in purpose, -- the only being in the entire universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of Yahuwah. By Christ, the Father created all the heavenly beings. By Him were all things created, that are in heaven... whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. Colosians 1:16; and to Christ, equally with the Father, all heaven gave allegiance. The law of love , which is the foundation of the government of Yahuwah; the happiness of all created beings depended upon their perfect accord with its great principle of righteousness. Yahuwah desires from all creatures the service of love--homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced allegience and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render him voluntary service. But there was one that chose to pervert his freedom. Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honoured of Yahuwah and who stood highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Before his fall, Lucifer was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled. Thus saith the Lord Yahuwah; thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in eden the garden of Yahuwah; every precious stone was thy covering. Thou art the annointed cherub that covereth, and I have set thee so; thou wast upon the holy mountain of Yahuwah; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Ezekiel 28:12-15. Lucifer might have remained in favour with Yahuwah, beloved and honoured by all the angelic host, exercising his noble powers to bless others and to glorify his Maker. But says the prophet, Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.(verse 17). Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge a desire for exhaltation. Thou has set thine heart as the heart of Yahuwah. Thou has said,...I will exhalt may throne above the stars of Yahuwah; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation...I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most high. (verse 6; Isaiah 14:13-14). Instead of seeking to make Yahuwah supreme in the affections and allegience of His creatures, it was Lucifers endeavour to win their service and homage to himself. And coveting the honour which the infinite Father had bestowed upon His Son Yahushua, this Prince of Angels aspired to power which it was the prerogative of Yahushua alone to wield. All heaven had rejoiced to reflect the Creators glory and to show forth His praise. And while Yahushua was thus honoured, all had been peace amd gladness. But a note of discord now marred the celestial harmony. The service and exhaltation of self, contrary to the creators plan, awakened forebodings of evil in minds to whom Yahuwahs glory was supreme. The heavenly counsels pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of Yahuwah presented before him the greatness, the goodness, and the justice of the Creator, and the sacred, unchanging

- 90 -

THE FINAL CALL

nature of His Law. Yahuwah Himself had established the order of heaven; and in departing from it, Lucifer would dishonour his Maker, and bring ruin upon himself. But the warning, given in infinite love and mercy, only aroused the spirit of resistance. Lucifer allowed jealousy of Christ to prevail, and he became the more determined. Pride in his own glory nourished the desire for supremacy. The high honours conffered upon Lucifer were not appreciated as the gift of Yahuwah and called forth no gratitude to the Creator. He gloried in his own greatness and exaltation and aspired to be equal with Yahuwah. He was loved and reverenced by the heavenly host. Angels delighted to execute his commands, and was clothed with wisdom and glory above them all. Yet the Son of Yahuwah was the acknowledged sovereign of heaven, one in power and authourity with the Father. In all the consells of Yahuwah, Christ was a participant, while Lucifer was not permitted thus to enter into the divine purposes. Why, questioned this mighty angel, should Christ have the supremacy? Why is He thus honoured above Lucifer? Leaving his place in the immediate presence of Yahuwah, Lucifer went forth to diffuse and induce the spirit of discontent among the angels. Working with mysterious secrecy, and for a time concealing his real purpose under an appearance of reverence for Yahuwah, he endevoured to excite dissatisfaction concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings, intimating that they imposed a an unneccesary and unfair restraint. Since their natures were holy, he urged that the angels should obey the dictates of their own will, which would always guide them right. He sought to create empathy for himself by falsely representing that Yahuwah had dealt unjustly with him in bestowing supreme honour uopn Christ. He claimed that in aspiring to greater power and honour he was not aiming to securing an exalted position in heaven for himself, but was seeking to secure liberty for all the inhabitants of heaven, that by this means they might attain to a higher state of existence. Yahuwah in His great mercy bore long with Lucifer. He was not immediately degraded from his exhalted station when he initially indulged a spirit of discontent, nor even when he began to present his false claims before the loyal angels. For a long time he was retained in heaven. Again and again he was offered pardon on condition of repentence and submission. Such efforts as only infinite love and wisdom could devise were made to convince him of his error. The spirit of discontent had never before been known in heaven. Lucifer himself did not see whither he was drifting; he did not understand the real nature of his feelings. But as his dissatisfaction was proved to be without cause, Lucifer was convinced within himself that he was wrong, that the divine claims were just, and that he ought to acknowledge them as such before all heaven and put a stop to the spreading negative influence of his deluded claims. Had he done this, he might have saved himself and many angels. He had not at this point fully cast off his allegiance to Yahuwah. Though he had forsaken his position as the covering cherub, yet if he had been willing to return to Yahuwah, acknowledging the Creators wisdom, and satisfied to fill the place appointed to him in Gods great plan, he would have been reinstated in his office. But pride forbade him to submit. Inspite of himself he persistently defended his own course, maintaining that he had no need of repentence, and thus fully committed himself in rebellion against his Maker and Master All the powers of his master mind he now summoned to the work of deception, to secure the sympathy and support of the angels that had been under his command. Even the fact that Chist had warned and counselled him was perverted to serve his traitorous designs. To those whose loving trust bound them most closely to him, Lucifer had represented that he was wrongly judged, that his position was not respected, and that his liberty was being censored. From misrepresenting of the words of Christ he passed to prevarication and direct falsehood, accusing the Son of Yahuwah of a conspiracy to humiliate him before the inhabitants of heaven. he sought also to raise a false issue between himself and the loyal angels. All whom he could not subvert and bring fully to his side he accused of indifference to the interests of heavenly beings. The very work which he himself was doing he charged upon those who remained true to Yahuwah. And to sustain his charge of Yahuwahs injustice toward him, he resorted to misrepresentation of the words and acts of the Creator. It was his policy to perplex the angels with subtle arguments concerning the purposes of Yahuwah. Everything that was simple he shrouded in mystery, and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the plainest statements of Yahuwah. His high position, in such close connection with the divine administration, gave greater force to his representations, and many were induced to unite with him in rebellion against Heavens authority. Yahuwah in His wisdom permitted Satan to carry forward his work, until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. It was necessary for his plans to be fully develped, that their tue nature and tendency might be seen for waht they are by all. Lucifer, as the annointed cherub, had been highly exalted; he was greatly loved by the heavenly beings, and his influence over them was strong. Yahuwahs government included not only the inhabitants of heaven, but of all the worlds that he had created; and Satan thought that if he could carry the angels with him in rebellion, he could carry also other worlds. He had artfully presented his side of the question, employing sophistry and fraud to secure his objectives. His power to deceive was very great, and by disguising himself in a cloak of falsehood he had gained an advantage. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character or see to what his rebellious work was leading. Satan had been so highly honoured and all his acts were so clothed with mystery, that it was difficult to disclose to the angels the true nature of his work. Until fully developed, sin would not appear the evil thing it is. Heretofore, it had had no place in the universe of Yahuwah, and holy beings had no conception of its nature and malignity. They could not discern the terrible consequences that would result from setting aside the divine law. Satan had, at first, concealed his work under a specious profession of loyalty to Yahuwah. He claimed to be seeking to promote the honour of Yahuwah, the stability of His government, and the good of all the

- 91 -

THE FINAL CALL

inhabitants of heaven. While instilling discontent into the minds of the angels under him, he had artfully made it appear that he was seeking to remove dissatisfaction. When he urged that changes be made in the order and laws of Yahuwahs government, it was under the pretense that these measures were necessary in order to preseve harmony in heaven. In His dealing with sin, Yahuwah could only use righteousness and truth. Satan could use that which Yahuwah could not-- flattery and deceit. He had sought to falsify the word of Yahuwah and misrepresented His plan of government before the angels, claiming that Yahuwah was not just and fair in laying restricting laws and rules upon the inhabitants of heaven; that in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of Himself. Therefore it must be demonstrated before the inhabitants of heaven, as well as of all Yahuwahs created worlds, that Yahuwahs government is just, and His law perfect. Satan had made it appear that he himself was seeking to promote the good of the universe. The true character of the usurper, and his real objective, must be understood by all. He must have time to manifest himself by his wicked works. This discord which his own course had caused in heaven, Satan charged upon the law and government of Yahuwah. All the evil he declared to be the result of the divine administration. He claimed that it was his own object to improve upon the statutes of Yahuwah. Therefore it was necessary that he should demonstrate the nature of his claims, and show the working out of his proposed changes in the divine law. His own work must condemn him. Satan had claimed from the first that that he was not in rebellion. The whole universe must see the deceiver unmasked. Even when it was decided that he could nolonger remain in heaven, infinite wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since the service of love can alone be acceptable to Yahuwah, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of other worlds, being unprepared to comprehend the nature and consequences of sin, could not then have seen the justice and mercy of Yahuwah in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted from existence, they would have served Yahuwah from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. Evil must be allowed to come to maturity. For the good of the entire universe, through ceaseless ages Satan must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, that the justice and mercy of Yahuwah and the immutability of His law might forever be placed beyond all question. Satans rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages, a perpetual testimony to the nature and terrible results of sin. The working out of Satans rule, its effects upon both man and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authourity. It would testify that with the existence of Yahuwahs government is bound up the well-being of all creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy intelligencies, to prevent them from being deceived as of the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin and suffering its punishments. To the very close of the controversy in heaven the great usurper continued to justify himself. When it was announced that with all his sympathisers he must be expelled from the abodes of bliss, then the rebel leader boldly avowed his contempt for the Creators law. He reiterated his claim that angels needed no control, but should be left to follow their own will, which would ever guide them right. He denounced the divine statutes as a restiction of their liberty and declared that it was his purpose to secure the abolition of Yahuwahs law; that, freed from this restraint, the hosts of heaven might enter upon amore exalted, more glorious state of existence. With one accord, Satan and his host threw the blame of their rebellion wholly upon Christ, declaring that if they had not been reproved, they would have never rebelled. Then there was war in heaven. Michael (who is Jesus the Archangel), and his angels fought against the dragon (who is Satan the arch-deceiver), and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and he angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon--ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world--was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Revelation 12:7-9. Thus stubborn and defiant in their disloyalty, seeking vainly to overthrow the government of God, yet blasphemously claiming to be themselves the victims of oppresive power, the archrebel and all his sympathisers were at last banished from heaven. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our [Yahuwah], and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night! Revelation 12:10. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:12. The same spirit that prompted rebellion in heaven still inspires rebellion on earth. Satan has continued with men the same policy which he pursued with the angels. His spirit now reigns in the children of disobedience. Like him, they seek to break down the restraints of the law of God and promise men liberty through transgression of its precepts.

- 92 -

THE FINAL CALL

ADAM & EVE With the earliest history of man, Satan began his efforts to deceive our race. He who had incited rebellion in heaven desired to bring the inhabitants of the earth to unite with him in his warfare against the government of Yahuwah. The Lord Yahuwah had planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, an good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:8-9). And the Lord Yahuwah commanded the man saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it (Genesis 2:15-17). Yahuwah commanded the duo and warned them that, In the day that thou eatest of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden thereof, thou shalt surely die (Verse 17). Adam and Eve were perfectly happy in obedience to the law of Yahuwah, and this fact was a constant testimony against the claim which Satan had urged in heaven, that Yahuwahs law was oppressive and imposed an unfair restriction to the good of his creatures. And futhermore, Satans envy was excited as he looked upon the beautiful home prepared for the sinless pair. He determined to cause their fall, that, having separated them from Yahuwah and brought them under his own power, he might gain possession of the earth and here establish his kingdom in opposition to the Most High. Had Satan revealed himself in his real character, he would have been repulsed at once, for Adam and Eve had been warned against this dangerous foe; but he worked in the dark, concealing his purpose that he might more effectually accomplish his objective. Employing as his medium the serpent, which then was a creature of fascinating appearance, he addressed himself to Eve, hath Yahuwah said, Ye shall not eat of every tree in the garden?Genesis 3:1. Had Eve refrained from entering into argument with the tempter, she would have been safe; but she ventured to parley with him and fell a victim to his wiles. The woman said to the serpent, Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Yahuwah said, Ye shall not eat it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said to the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for Yahuwah knows that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing both good and evil. Genesis 3:2-5. He declared that they would become like Yahuwah, possessing greater wisdom than before and being capable of a higher state of existence. Eve yielded to temptation; and through her influence, Adam was led into sin also. They accepted the words of the serpent that Yahuwah did not mean what He said; they distrusted their Creator and imagined that He was restricting their liberty and that they might obtain great wisdom and exaltation by transgressing His law. Yet the only one who promised Adam and Eve life in disobedience was the great deceiver. In this manner, sin was introduced into the world and then pain, suffering and death followed as a fatal consequence of sin. God declared that as a penalty for his sin, man should return to the ground whence he was taken: Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:19. In the midst of Eden also grew the tree of life, whose fruit had the power to perpetuate life. Had Adam remained obedient to God, he would have lived forever and enjoyed free access to this tree. But when he sinned he was cut off from partaking of the tree of life, and he became subject to death. Had man after his fall been allowed free access to the tree of life, he would have lived forever, and thus sin would have been immortalized with him. But cherubim and a flamming sword kept the way of the tree of life (Genesis 3:24), and not one of the family of Adam has been permitted to pass that barrier and partake of the life-giving fruit. Therefore there is no immortal sinner because immortality, promised to man on condition of obedience, had been forfeited by transgression. Adam could not transmit to his posterity that which he did not possess; and there could have been no hope for the fallen human race had not Yahuwah, by the sacrifice of His Son, brought immortality within their reach. While death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Christ hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Romans 5:12; 2 timothy 1:10. And only through Yahusua can immortality be obtained. Said Yahushua: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. John 3:36. Everyone may come into possession of this priceless blessing if he will comply with the conditions. All who by patient continuance in well-doing seek glory and honour and immortality, will receive eternal life Romans 2:7. THE PROMISE by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) Yahushua is the rescue plan for Adam and Eve and the whole of humanity. He would fulfill a number critical salvation roles to open the gates of heaven to the human family once more. This plan was outlined to Adam and Eve in the first gospel sermon ever preached (Genesis 3:15). Jesus would become the seed of the woman and rise to crush the serpents head. Through the roles of Messiah, Priest, Judge and King; He would overthrow Satans kingdom and reclaim those who place their faith in Him. The human family were locked into the despair of Satans kingdom. Only Yahuwah could deliver them. Their minds were now hostile to Yahuwah (Romans 8:7), and there was nothing to prevent them from becoming frontline members of Satans plans to

- 93 -

THE FINAL CALL

remove Yahuwah as the King of the universe. How was Yahuwah to reach Adam and Eve? Breaking down the barrier between them would be an immense task. Their recovery and the recovery of their children would require a number of things which can be summarized as follows: A means of giving the human race the wisdom to recognise their desperate situation along with a way for them to be influenced in the right direction without violating their freedom of choice. A way of showing them that they had a wrong perception of Yahuwahs character and kingdom and to somehow show them that He really loves them. A way to remove their guilt and insecurity and to restore their true identity and value as children of Yahuwah. A way to reclaim their sense of purpose, their reason for existence and their destiny. All of the above needed time. Adam and Eve had forfeited their own lives, so they needed a life support system to give them time to choose and decide. While doing all this, Yahuwah must maintain a sense of justice. He cant ignore their rebellion and say it is OK. There must be a penalty for rebellion. This penalty is completely separate from the consequences of sin. Being removed from the Garden of Eden was not a punishment for sin it was a consequence of their choice. The Word of Yahuwah teaches us that, The wages of sin is death Romans 3:23, and we know that neither Adam nor Eve died on the very day that they ate the forbidden fruit. So, wait a minute--Does this mean that Yahuwah lied on this particular matter? Yahuwah had said, In the day that thou eatest of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden thereof, thou shalt surely die. If Yahuwah is righteous and true, how come it seems then, that He bended the rules on this occasion? The word of Yahuwah also says that, when Adam and Eve finally came face to face with their Maker, they suddenly realized that they were naked, and to cover the shame of their nakedness, the Lord made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife (Genesis 3:21). To somebody who does not yet understand the principle of atonement, this looks like an open and shut case--they were naked and Yahuwah clothed them, and so what? Well, the fact that the Lord made clothing from animal skins, serves in verity as conclusive proof that Yahuwah acted in justice and also in mercy on behalf of the pair. This is how: The shedding of blood and the subsequent death of an animal fulfilled the penalty for sin! Although that in itself was symbolic in that, the blood of lambs and bulls does not take away sins, Yahuwah in this way desired to demonstrate to Adam and Eve the sure price of their disobedience, through the death of an innocent animal. Thus was opened to them the great plan of redemption that Yahuwah had instituted on their behalf ages before He had formed them. So in a sense, the blood of a righteous soul was shed mercifully in their place and that poor innocent soul did infact die in the day Adam and Eve sinned, thereby satisfying the righteous requirement of the law. In this way, Adam and Eve were given an opportunity to repent of their dreadful sin, and were offered the priviledge of pardon. Yahuwah taught them to place their faith in a promised saviour (represented by the sacrificial animals), who would come to die for the sins of humanity. YAHUSHUATHE LAMB OF GOD by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) It is this promised redeemer, Yahushua, who was represented or symbolised by the death of the innocent animals. Adam and Eve must have been awestricken by this revealing realisation, that; due to their great sin, their loving Father who had desired only the best for them, would on one certain day have to offer up His innocent Son, as a sacrifice for the remission of their sins! This enduring thought must have unsettled something within them at the very core of their consciences as they contemplated the nature and evil extent of sin, because not only were they now separated from Yahuwah, but Yahuwah was also promising to reconcile them to Himself by paying on their behalf the debt He did not owe. Yahuwahs steadfast love for them was wondrously portrayed to them in that, in order to save them, He was willing to offer up His Only Begotten Sons life in exchange for theirs. Adam and Eve longed so much to be reconciled to their Father, and so with keen anticipation, they looked for the appearing of this promised redeemer. Yahuwah granted pardon to Adam and Eve, on condition that they persisted to place their faith in the promised redeemer, and it became their lifes duty to teach this important lesson to their children, and their childrens children for as long as they lived. Then was born Cain, the first born of the first human parents. When the boy was born, Adam with joyous expectation exclaimed, I have gotten a man from the Lord! (Genesis 4:1). This was most probarbly because he thought the promise Yahuwah had made to him of a redeemer to come through his off-spring, had now been fulfilled in the birth of his son Cain. So when Eve gave birth to another son, whom they named Abel; they continued to place their hopes in their first-born son Cain, as their promised redeemer who would one day offer up his life as a sacrifice for the remission of their sins. This is reflected in the meaning of Abels

- 94 -

THE FINAL CALL

name, which literary means a breath or vapour, in this particular context meaning, that which exists only briefly, and disappears the very next moment. They obviously did not expect this second-born son to have much significance in the great plan of their salvation, and did not percieve him in any way as such, to be the possible fulfillment of the promise. Adam lived a staggering 930 years, during which time he taught (by example) the great plan of redemption and its great principle of atonement to his sons and daughters, teaching them to do the same for their children and their childrens children. Cain and Abel, the first two of Adam and Eves off-spring, were taught by their parents how sin had entered this world and how it had separated them from the glorious presence of their God and Father. They were also enlightened as to how one day, Yahuwah would reconcile the human race to Himself by offering up the life of His own Son, as a sacrifice for the remission of the sins of humanity. The two boys were also instructed on how, by shedding the blood of an innocent animal, as a ritual and token of sacrifice, they were to place their faith in the promised redeemer; because it is Him who would take away the sins of the world by shedding of His blood through death. In the process of time, however, both Cain and Abel brought their offerings of first friuts, and firstlings of flock, respectively. (Genesis 4:3-4). But Cain some how decided to disobey Yahuwahs righteous requirement. Instead of presenting an offering of sacrifice, by shedding an animals blood as a token denoting his acceptance of the fact that he too was a sinner needing divine pardon through the remission of his sins; for indeed, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of Yahuwah, Romans 3:23; Cain presented an offering of his produce instead, since he was a tiller of the land. Subsequently, the word of Yahuwah says, But unto Cain and to his offering He (Yahuwah) had no respect. Genesis 4:5. Many wonder why Cains offering was not honoured, and yet Abels offering was gladly accepted? They suppose unfair preferential treatment on the part of Yahuwah towards Abel, and perhaps thats exactly how Cain felt too at that point, because the word of Yahuwah says, Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:5. However, there certainly is a real reason why Yahuwah had it so, and it is based on the question of atonement. If Cain had seriously believed in the plan of salvation as promised by Yahuwah, and continued to partake of that hope through repentence, confession of his sins and shedding the animals blood while placing his faith in the promised saviour; his sacrifice would have surely been acceptable thus, in the sight of Yahuwah. By aknowledging that he was a sinner needing divine grace, he would have most certainly freed himself from the guilt and power of sin, yet the offering he brought as a sacrifice before the Lord could not afford him that privilege. A Question of Faith & Obedience There had to be a shedding of blood to be done, by faith, in order for such a sacrifice to be acceptable to Yahuwah. The Creator intended to demonstrate to all humanity just how he would deal with the problem of sin, and that it takes faith and obedience (See James 2:17-18) for the process of reconcillation to take place. Without faith it is impossible to please Yahuwah (Hebrews 11:6). During this sacrificial ritual, the sinner would place his hands on the head of the sacrificial animal, and there confess his sins. This meant that his sins had been (symbolically) transferred onto the sacrificial animal, and so he would slay the animal, thereby shedding its blood. Then, placing faith in the promised saviour who was pre-figured by the sacrificial animal, he had to believe that his sins had in this way been pardoned. And so, by confessing his sins upon the sacrificial animal and shedding its blood, Cains sins would have been (symbolically) covered, and his propensity to want to sin would have been gracefully taken away. With the result that he would have been freed from the burden of sin. Consequently, Cain would not have been led by the wiles of his sinful nature, to murder his brother Abel. Cain denied himself the only opportunity afforded mankind, to be made free from sin and be reconciled to Yahuwah the Father. Notice what Yahuwah says to him after his muderous act: Will you not be accepted if you do what is right? But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. Genesis 4:7. In contrast, Abel demonstrated his obedience to Yahuwahs righteous requirements with an acknowledgement of his sins by bringing a sacrificial lamb (thereby shedding its blood), whilst placing his faith in the promised redeemer who would one day come and give up his life as a sacrifice for the atonement of his (Abel) sins. By faith Abel offered unto Yahuwah a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous (Hebrews 11:4). This is the only reason why Abels offering was accepted, and Cains offering was rejected, because there was a shedding of blood that needed doing. Yahuwah in His mercy desires to reconcile to Himself even the vilest of offenders by offering the means by which he can pardon their sins, and replace the guilt of sin with an abiding sense of peace which emanates from the knowledge that one has been made right with Yahuwah. Cain could have simply acknowledged his error and upon realising his need for forgiveness, he could have simply done the right thing; yet he was led to shed his brothers blood, thinking perhaps that Yahuwah would somehow accept this as a sacrifice. But he was unquestionably wrong! He had been motivated to murder due to disobedience, envy and anger. The shedding of Abels blood could in no wise be made honourable before Yahuwah, since it was not based on faith. Neither indeed could it be accepted because, the same Yahuwah who said, without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness of sins, (Hebrews 9:22), also said, Thou shalt not murder. Exodus 20:13

- 95 -

THE FINAL CALL

Sometimes, we too may be tempted to think that Yahuwah needs our wealth, abilities and all those other things as a means by which he may save us, that he simply must accept these as a form of service to him, although most of these things that we possess may actually be barriers to our own salvation. In the last days, there will be two classes of believers: the one class, representedby faithful Cain are those who have allowed themselves to be sanctified by the truth through faith, which works by obedience to Yahuwahs revealed will; and the other class represented by Cain who will maintain a semblence of zeal for Yahuwah, though their religiousness and faith is founded upon disobedience and error. This story is an admonition to us that, although Cain may have been well-meaning in bringing fourth the fruit of his labours as an offering before the Lord; Yahuwahs only desire was to save him from eternal death, which is the sure consequence of sin. All that Yahuwah requires from us is faith and obedience. That my friend, is our reasonable service to Yahuwah (Romans 12:21). How does blood make atonement for sin possible? For without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9: 22). The life of any creature is in its blood. I have given you the blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is blood, representing life, which brings you atonement (Leviticus 17: 11). Yahushua said, I am the way the truth and the life (John 14: 6). When offered with the right attitude, which is faith and obedience--faith in Yahushua and obedience to Yahwahs will, the sacrifice and blood shed from it made forgiveness of sin possible. It meant an exchange of one life for another. On the one hand, blood represented the sinners life, infected by his sins and headed for death. On the other hand, the blood represented the innocent life of the animal that was sacrificed in place of the guilty person making the offering. The death of the animal (of which the blood was proof), fullfilled the penalty of death. Yahuwah in this way therefore granted forgiveness to the sinner. It is Yahuwah who forgives based on the faith of the one sacrificing. The same can be seen in the story of the Israelite Exodus from Egypt, which also details how animal blood posted on each door, was a sign that a death had already taken place, and so the angel of death passed over. Exodus 12:13. Was the sacrifice of animals sufficient to make the sinner guiltless? No, not entirely, but Yahusha does! For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to Yahuwah, You did not want animal sacrifices or sins offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or rather offerings for sins. Then I said, Look, I have come to do your will, O Yahuwah--as is written about me in the Scriptures. Although a necessary and very important part in the ritualistic aspect of the lives of Yahuwahs people in all generations from Adam right up to when Yahushua made the ultimate sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary, the shedding of the blood of bulls and lambs acted only as a type, shadow, symbol or token of the real sacrifice. It was not sufficient in itself unless the sinner by so doing placed his faith in the promised redeemerwho is Yahushua. ALL the people generally understood this important fact: FAITH was and is the key, and the blood was symbolic of the blood of Yahushua that He would shed, to make atonement possible on behalf of mankind. Not only did Yahushua sacrifice his life for the remission of our sins, but it is Him who possesses the divine power and quickening spirit to make sinners righteous by virtue of the merit of His ultimate sacrifice should they so choose to place their faith in Him, to accomplish this in them. He is and has always been the one through whom all of humanity, by placing our faith in Him, we can be afforded the pardoning of our sins and invariably granted the propensity not to sin, also called righteousness. In certain instances where the practice of shedding animals blood was done without the element of faith, the ritual itself became null and void, useless to cleanse the sinner from the stain of sin; and useless to empower the sinner to live rightly before the sight of a righteous Yahuwah. That is why Cain could not resist the temptation to murder His brother, because he had placed himself out of reach for the grace of Yahuwah to suffice for his sinfulness. By deciding not to shed an animals blood, which had he done so would have worked out to his own good, and presenting in its stead an offering of his fresh farm produce, Cain denied himself the only means by which he could have been saved from the incredible power of sin. ABRAHAM, THE FATHER OF FAITH In presenting the altar of sacrifice and the sacrificial system to the human race, Yahuwah desired to demonstrate exactly how he would deal with the problem of sin. He gave to Adam and Eve the symbols of the altar and the lamb to represent the work of Yahushua on their behalf. As the story goes, Abraham who was also a believer in the gospel of salvation which had been passed down to him through preceding generations via oral tradition, was told by Yahuwah that the promised redeemer would come through his off-spring (Genesis 17). Seeing as it is that the man Abraham and his wife were already in their old age, the message although strange, that his wife Sarah would bare a child, was true. At hundred years of age, Abraham conceived a Son and named him Isaac. Could this be the promised Messiah? This must have been the enquiry that Abraham made to himself at his sons birth because he too just like Adam, with keen anticipation looked for the appearing of the promised Saviour. From the context of the story

- 96 -

THE FINAL CALL

however, it can be clearly seen why Abraham is called The Father of Faith, in that Abraham clearly understood the principle of atonement. He understood how Yahuwah intended to deal with the problem of sin and thereby bring salvation to all. This is shown in that although Isaac was the son that he loved most dearly, he was willing to sacrifice him as an indication of his faith and obedience. His greatest hope in life was that the promise of a Saviour would certainly be fulfilled. And so it came to pass, that Yahuwah told Abraham to take his only son into the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering. To any other person, this request would have probarbly seemed ridiculous. How then could Yahuwahs covenant be substantiated? Yahuwah had said that, I will make thee exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of thee and kings shall come out of thee. How could that part of the agreement be fulfilled if now Yahuwah was asking Abraham to sacrifice his son? Abraham being obedient, did not spare his son because by faith he trusted in the promise that Yahuwah had made to him and to all generations of believers before him, that a redeemer would come to die for the sins of all. He understood that by confessing his sins and shedding his only sons blood, and placing his faith in the promised redeemer, he would be accounted righteous and worthy of salvation. His primary concern was to obey Yahuwah. How Yahuwah would make a great nation out of his offspring, he left that up to Yahuwah. For he knew that the Yahuwah who gave him a son, could also raise him up from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19). Yahuwahs covenant with Abraham was based on obedience and faith, and Abraham demonstrated the highest form of faith and obedience by not sparing his son upon the request of Yahuwah, to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Notice the difference between Cains murderous act and Abrahams righteous intentions. Abraham explained to his son in one sentence that, Yahuwah will provide HIMSELF (as) a Lamb for the burnt offering. Genesis 22:8. (KJV) That was a prophecy, to say; Yahuwah through his Son Yahushua, would offer His life as a ransom for the sins of all humanity. This is why Paul explaining to the Hebrews says, Abraham saw the day of God afar off in his day. He saw the day when Yahuwah would offer His own life, in the person of His only begotten Son as a ransom for the sins of humanity, and for that reason Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son as a symbol of his faith in that hope, just as the ritual required. YAHUWAHS PROMISE TO ABRAHAM IS TO BE FULFILLED While on the one hand, Yahuwahs promise to Abraham was conditional, based on whether Abraham would obey His voice; on the other hand Abraham had faith in Yahuwahs promise, for he believed in Yahuwahs promise of Redemption: And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:5-6). As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations...and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice (Genesis 17:4, 22:17-18). This promise was a prophecy, which will meet its ultimate fulfilment at the final harvest of the earth, and John the Revelator saw this fulfillment in vision when he said: After this, I beheld, and, lo, a great mulitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb (Revelation 7: 9-10). THE PASSOVER & THE EXODUS
The sacrificial system, committed to Adam, was perverted by his descendants. Superstition, idolatry, cruelty, and licentiousness corrupted the simple and significant service that Yahuwah had appointed. Through long intercourse with idolaters, the people of Israel had mingled many heathen customs with their worship. Satan was eager to destroy the plan of salvation. He sought to smother it while the Israelites were in Egypt. In order for Israel to serve Yahuwah properly again, they had to separate themselves from the Egyptians so they could regain a knowledge of the plan of salvation and keep His commandments. Yahuwah delivered His people through His servant Moses. He then gave the children of Israel a great deal of instructions concerning the plan of salvation and on appropriate lifestyle practices. He gave the Israelites the Sanctuary tabernacle, which is patterened after the great original Sanctuary in heaven, as a model to illustrate the truths of salvation to all humanity here on earth. The Ancient Hebrew Sanctuary, its services and its furnishingsall these contain the golden key that unlocks the understanding of the great mysteries of the plan of Redemption. It opens to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmoniousIt demonstrates exactly how Yahuwah intends to put an end to sin and restore humanity to its intended destiny, as King David puts it: Until I went into the Sanctuary of Yahwah, then I understood the end of iniquity (See Psalms 73:17) KJV. The Feast of Passover, is one of these oracles of Yahuwah, which teaches the lesson of atonement in a most awesome manner:

Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from

- 97 -

THE FINAL CALL

the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. 8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire--its head with its legs and its entrails. You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat--that only may be prepared by you. So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. It will come to pass when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' "that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.'" So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, "Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the LORD as you have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians urged the people that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead." So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians." Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, with about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herdsa great deal of livestock. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years--on that very same day--it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. The time of the Passover corresponded to the close of [the Gregorian month] of March or the beginning of April, and the whole land was bright with flowers, and glad with the song of birds. All along the way were spots memorable in the history of Israel, and fathers and mothers recounted to their children the wonders that God had wrought for His people in ages past. They beguiled their journey with song and music, and when at last the towers of Jerusalem came into view, every voice joined in the triumphant strain,--Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. . . .Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. Ps. 122: 2-7. (Desire of Ages, pp. 75-76). As you read this quote imagine in your mind the Israelites traveling with their children through the countryside bright with spring flowers, singing songs of praise to Yahuwah, as

- 98 -

THE FINAL CALL

they traveled to Jerusalem. What a wonderful time they must have had, spending extra time with friends and family while they learned wonderful spiritual truths. Would you like to have this wonderful experience as well? Since the Feast of Passover is "a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations," does it mean then that it was meant for the Jews ONLY? Or rather, it is a perpetual celebration for ALL of Yahuwah's people throughout all subsequent generations since it represents the salvation of all humanity? Passover has great value for Christians TODAY because of Christs atoning death in fulfillment of all the types and shadows represented by the Passover Feast. The hope of redemption which was nourished by the Passover ritual finds its realization in the sacrifice of Yahushua on the cross at the exact time, day and date when Passover lambs were sacrificed for 1500 years after the first passover in Egypt. The death and resurrection of a human being means little by itself, unless there is an explanation that gives meaning to it. An explanation of the meaning of Christs death is provided by the sacrificial system of the Sanctuary and the Temple, in general, and by the Passover sacrifice, in particular. The earliest Christians were Jews. They were familiar with Jewish institutions, including Passover, and explained especially the meaning of Christs death by means of Passover symbolism and allusions. We know for certain that Yahushua is indeed the Messiah, because He fulfilled all the types and shadows that were represented by the Feast of Passover. During His ministry, Christ participated in several Passovers, the last being the occasion in which He instituted the Lords Supper and offered Himself as the true Paschal Lamb for our redemption. A problem exists as to the date of the Last Supper, the exact date of which affects not only the nature of the meal, but also confirms the fact that Jesus did in fact die and was resurrected on the exact date and day God had pre-ordained. According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, The Jews ate the Passover meal on the same day as the Passover sacrifice and the start of the Feast of Unleavened BreadNisan 14. However, Jesus partook of this meal with His disciples a day in advance (Nisan 13), of the day when "they sacrificed the passover lamb" (Mark 14:12; Luke 22:7; Matt 26:17). He was crucified the following day, Nisan 14. According to the Gospel of John, Yahushua was crucified on the day the Passover lamb was sacrificed (John 19:14; 18:28) Nisan 14. This means He ate the Last Supper with His disciples before the day of the official Passover meal. In this case, Yahushuas last meal with His disciples may have been either a specially arranged Passover meal or a farewell fellowship meal unrelated to Passover, because it was partaken of the evening before the Crucifixion. The Last Supper was a special paschal meal eaten the evening before the official Passover meal. The anticipation of the paschal meal could have been motivated by the fact that Yahushua knew He would suffer death at Passover in fulfillment of the type provided by the slaying of the paschal lamb on Nisan 14. He knew He could not possibly eat of the paschal lamb at the usual time and Himself be sacrificed as the true Paschal Lamb when the lambs were slain. It was more important that Christs death should synchronize with the death of the Passover lambs than that His eating of the Passover meal synchronize with the official time of the Passover meal. In view of this legitimate concern, Yahushua anticipated His eating of the Passover with His disciples to the evening before the official Passover so that the types of the slaying of the lamb and the offering of the first fruits would be fulfilled "not only as to the event, but as to the time." Support for this assumption can be found in the time references to Passover in Matthew 26:2, 18 and John 13:1. In Matthew 26:2, Jesus says to the disciples: "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of man will be delivered up to be crucified." Clearly this indicates that Christ knew that His death would occur at Passover which was two days away. Christs awareness that His death would occur on Passover day could have caused Him to anticipate His last paschal meal with His disciples a day earlier. Christ could not have instructed His disciples to prepare the Passover at the official time (Nisan 14) when He had just informed them that He would be crucified at that time. This explains the sense of urgency in the instructions Yahushua gave to His disciples: "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples" (Matt 26:18).4 The phrase "My time is at hand" presumably refers to the short time left to Passover when the "Son of man will be delivered up to be crucified." Because of such shortness of time, hasty arrangements had to be made for a special Passover meal. Yahushua knew in advance of His impending death at Passover and, consequently, He showed His love toward His disciples by arranging for an early paschal supper, at which, among other things, He washed His disciples feet. John often attributes to Christs foreknowledge the reason for His actions (see John 12:7, 23; 13:3, 11, 18; 18:4; 19:28). In this case it was the foreknowledge of the occurrence of His death at the very time of the slaying of the Passover lambs (Nisan 14) that could have led Yahushua to arrange for an early paschal meal with His disciples. It must be granted that "there is no historical evidence of anyone else having ever eaten the Passover early," but there is also no historical evidence of anyone else who ever foreknew that he would be crucified on Passover day as the antitype of the paschal lambs being sacrificed at the Temple. Christs actions cannot be evaluated strictly on the basis of cultural norms, because often He acted on the basis of His divine wisdom and foreknowledge. And so, if the Lords Supper was instituted in the context of a Passover Supper, anticipated a day early on account of Christs death at Passover, then the Lords Supper is inextricably connected to the annual Passover

- 99 -

THE FINAL CALL

Feast. In this case, Passover continues as a Christian Feast though with a new "ritual" and meaning. In the light of this dilemma, it is important to determine the connection between the Last Supper and Passover. The synoptic Gospels consistently and repeatedly speak of the Last Supper as "the Passover." The disciples ask Jesus, "Where will you have us to go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" (Mark 14:12; cf. Matt 26:17; Luke 22:7-9). In Luke 22:15, Jesus Himself declares: "I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer." The phrase "to eat the passover," which occurs again in Jesus instructions to His disciples (Mark 14:15; Matt 26:18; Luke 22:11), refers exclusively to the Passover meal, which was the essence of the celebration of the festival. The eating of the Passover meal was a sign of unity with Yahuwah and dependence on divine care. It served to establish a bond of unity between Yahuwah and His people. Passover to be fulfilled in the Kingdom of Yahuwah It is important to note that in Luke, Yahushua gives the reason for His earnest desire to eat Passover with His disciples before His death, namely, "for I tell you I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of Yahuwah" (Luke 22:16). Two significant points should be noticed in this statement. First, the phrase "I shall not eat it until" implies that Christ expected the eating of the Passover to continue during His absence until He would partake of it again at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). The Passover that Christ expects to eat again consists of the emblems of His sacrifice, since the following verse says, "I shall not drink again of the fruit of the wine until the kingdom of God comes" (Luke 22:18). Second, the phrase "until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God" implies that for Christ the ultimate fulfillment of Passover was still in the future. If Yahushua viewed Passover as being completely fulfilled with His death, He would not have spoken of its future fulfillment in the kingdom of Yahuwah. The reference to fulfillment in the kingdom of Yahuwah indicates that the Feast Passover has symbolic significance. It commemorated a deliverance indeed, but it also points forward to a greater deliverance, which will be seen in the kingdom of Yahuwah. Christs statement gives us a crucial criterion to determine whether or not Old Testament Feasts such as Passover continue beyond the Cross. Is their symbology ultimately fulfilled at the Cross or at the Return of Christ? In the case of Passover, Christ made it clear that the feast will be fulfilled in the kingdom of Yahuwah. All of this goes to show that Christ viewed His Last Supper with His disciples as a Passover meal whose observance would continue until His Return. The present observance of Passover sustains our hope and faith in the future Passover Supper that we will celebrate with Christ at the consummation of Yahuwahs kingdom. The Last Supper began in the evening and lasted into the night because, the Passover had to be eaten at night ever since its institution in Egypt. At the Last Supper, Yahushua and His disciples "reclined," because at the Passover, as a symbol of liberty, it was the duty of the people present to recline (relax) at the table, even for the poorest man in Israel. Finally, after the meal Yahushua did not return to Bethany as He had done the preceding nights. He walked to the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1-2). The Ordinance of Foot-washing The Apostle John mentions an important detail of the Passover meal, namely, the foot-washing service that Yahushua rendered to His disciples. Yahushua "rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded" (John 13:4-5). After performing this service, Yahushua explained to His disciples that He wanted them to follow His example: "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you" (John 13:12-15). The foot-washing service is generally called "the ordinance of humility," implying that its primary purpose is to teach humility by requiring His followers to perform the menial task of washing someone elses feet. This service, however, is much more than a lesson in humility. It represents the spiritual cleansing that Christ offers to those who accept His atoning sacrifice for their sins by partaking of the emblems of the bread and wine. This meaning is implied in Christs answer to Peters request to be washed all over. Yahushua said: "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean" (John 13:10, NIV). A person who is bathed is clean, but walking on dusty roads cause open-sandaled feet soon to become dusty and in need of washing again. Similarly, the disciples were clean ("you are clean," John 13:10) because their sins had been washed away through baptism, but as they walked on the miry soil of sin, they had been tempted to nourish pride and jealousy; thus they needed Christs grace to cleanse their hearts again from selfishness and pride. The spiritual cleansing typified by foot-washing could well be the Christian counterpart to the removal of all leaven from the Jewish homes before Passover. This interpretation would provide an additional indication of the paschal nature of the Last Supper. The correspondence is brought out in Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . . : "Custom demanded that in celebrating the Passover Jewish families remove all leaven, sin, from their homes before the first day of the Week of Unleavened Bread (Ex 12:15, 19, 20). So believers must confess and repent of all sinincluding pride, rivalry, jealousy, resentful feelings, and selfishnessbefore they can be

- 100 -

THE FINAL CALL

in the right spirit to have communion with Christ at this deepest level. To this end Christ instituted the ordinance of foot-washing. . . . This ordinance, preceding the Lords Supper, fulfills the injunction that all should examine themselves so as not to participate in that meal in an unworthy manner (1Cor 11:27-29)." The meaning of the foot-washing appears broader than an invitation to a preparatory cleansing prior to the reception of the Lords Supper. It includes also the reassurance of cleansing resulting from partaking of the emblems of Christs atoning death. This is suggested by the fact that the foot-washing took place either during or after the Lords Supper. In this case, foot-washing could be both an invitation to cleanse our hearts in preparation for the Lords Supper and a reassurance of the cleansing from sin Yahuwah offers us as we participate in the Lords Supper. The Last Supper and the Paschal Lamb. However, this conclusion that the Last Supper was an early Passover meal, eaten a day earlier on account of Christs death the following day at Passover, poses a problem: How could the disciples prepare the Passover meal with a lamb a day before the actual slaying of the lambs in the afternoon of Nisan 14 at the Temple? Was there a provision for slaying lambs on the day before? Or did the disciples prepare a special Passover meal without the lamb? Passover Meal Without the Lamb Yahushua knew His crucifixion would take place at the time of the slaying of the paschal lambs, and so the Last Supper was a special Passover meal not only because it was partaken of a day earlier, but also because the item which gave the most significance to the meal, the paschal lamb, was lacking. Prior to the destruction of the Temple in A. D. 70, it was unthinkable for a Jew to celebrate Passover without the lamb, because it was the blood of the lamb, the symbol of divine deliverance from Egyptian bondage, that gave meaning to the feast. For Christians, however, the paschal lamb is not needed to celebrate Passover, because Yahushua Himself is the true Paschal Lamb whose blood delivers us from the bondage of sin. Yahushua wanted His last Passover Supper with His disciples to be eaten without the lamb to impress upon them the fact that He was their Paschal Lamb. Therefore, He planned that they celebrate Passover not by eating the flesh of a lamb and pouring out its blood at the Temples altar, but by partaking symbolically of His own flesh and blood their true Paschal Lamb. Yahushua instructed His disciples to prepare the Passover meal without the lamb because He wanted to impress upon them that He Himself was their Paschal Lamb that would be sacrificed the next day. He wanted to institute a new Passover to commemorate deliverance from the bondage of sin through the sacrifice of Himself, the true Paschal Lamb. As such, there was no need of a roasted lamb for the new Passover meal. The bread and wine, symbols of His body and blood, were sufficient. The reference in John 6 to eating of the flesh and drinking of the blood of the Messiah has sense only in the context of the Passover meal. Emblems of the Christian Passover (The Bread & Wine) The symbolic partaking of the body and blood of Yahushua through the elements of the bread and wine (Mark 14:22-24) can be understood best as the replacement of the paschal lamb. Until that moment, Passover had been celebrated by eating a lamb and pouring out his blood at the foot of the altar. Now the new Passover was to be celebrated symbolically by partaking of the very body and blood of the Messiah, the true Paschal Lamb: just as the Israelites were saved by the blood of the Passover and participated in the first Exodus, so the believers in the Messiah are saved by the sacrifice on the Cross to participate in the second and greater Exodusfrom the slavery of sin to the freedom of the children of Yahuwah. Yahushua instituted a new Passover meal to commemorate His redemption of believers from sin, not through the flesh and blood of a lamb, but through bread and wine, the new symbols of His own body and blood, soon to be offered "for the forgiveness of sins" (Matt 26:28). There was no need of a lamb because the Lamb of Yahuwah was there in person, giving Himself as food and offering for the sins of the world. He wanted to impress His disciples with the truth that He was the Lamb "who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). His followers no longer needed to sacrifice a lamb at Passover; their Passover Lamb "had been sacrificed" (1 Cor 5:7). The sacrifice of Yahushua on the cross brought to an end the sacrifice of all animals, including that of the Passover lamb. Had Christ chosen flesh and blood from a lamb to represent His atoning sacrifice, He would have perpetuated the sacrificial system which was designed to come to an end with His death on the Cross (Matt 27:51). By choosing instead the bread and wine (non-sacrificial elements of the Passover meal) as the emblems of His atoning death, Yahushua detached the new Passover from the sacrificial system and transformed it into a fitting memorial of His redemption. In the cup of blessing of the paschal meal which becomes the cup of salvation: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Cor 10:16). By these few words, Paul shows that though some of the elements of the Jewish Passover survive, their meanings have changed. The sacrifice of Yahushua is the new reality commemorated by the remaining ancient symbols. The Meaning of the Christian Passover At His Last Supper, Yahushua instituted a simple but profoundly meaningful ceremony to celebrate His atoning sacrifice for sin. He instructed His disciples to celebrate Passover henceforth by partaking of unleavened bread and wine in remembrance of His body and blood. The four texts that give us the account of

- 101 -

THE FINAL CALL

the institution of the Lords Supper are Mark 14:22-25; Matt 26:26-29; Luke 22:15-20, 27-30; 1 Cor 11:2326. The Christian Passover looks back at what has already happened. It is a proclamation of the death of Yahushua (1 Cor 11:26), a death which took place for all participants. The fruit of salvation wrought by Christs death is granted to all who symbolically partake of His broken body and shed blood. Through the emblems of the bread and wine, we appropriate the benefits of Christs death as a death suffered for us. It is a memorial feast of the Person and redemptive work of the Messiah. The remembrance goes beyond historical events and becomes a proclamation and appropriation by the believer of the benefits of Christs death. In many ways this was true also of the Israelite Passover. Through the feast, the people reenacted and reexperiened the events on which their existence as an independent nation was based. Year-by-year, Israel called out of the past into the present the experience of the Exodus deliverance and reentered into the covenant with its blessings and obligations. Parents were to take time during the Passover meal to recount to their children the events of the Exodus deliverance, so that the original meaning and potency of the event would remain continually active (Ex 12:24-27). In the same way the Christian Passover is an act of remembrance: "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19; cf. 1 Cor 11:24). We remember Yahushua as the Paschal Lamb who was sacrificed for us by partaking of the emblems of His broken body and shed blood. This simple and yet dramatic ritual enables the believer not only to conceptualize but also to internalize and appropriate the reality of Christs vicarious death. This truth can be understood best through the typical sanctuary services of the redemptive sacrifice of the lamb of Yahuwah. Through the ritualistic death of sacrificial animals, the Israelite accepted the provision of forgiveness and salvation. Similarly, through the sacrificial death of Christ, the Christian accepts the provision of His redemption. As the blood of the Passover lamb kept Yahuwah from killing the firstborn of the Hebrews, so the blood of Yahushua shed on the Cross keeps Yahushua from punishing with eternal death the repentant sinner. The Christian Passover points to the present. Each celebration is a new confirmation of Yahuwahs covenant with His church. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many" (Mark 14:24). The covenant is Gods commitment to love and save His people : "The Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands" (Deut 7:7-9). The covenant is at the core of the Passover account. On the eve of the Exodus, Yahuwah revealed Himself as the God who remembered His Covenant to the Fathers (Ex 2:24; 3:15). The Passover lamb whose blood was struck with a bunch of hyssop over the lintel and doorposts of the houses (Ex 12:7, 22) represented the outworking of Yahuwahs covenant to protect and deliver the Israelites. Similarly, on the eve of His Crucifixion, Christ reaffirmed His covenant by His willingness to shed His blood. At the Lords Table, believers enter into fellowship with the exalted Lord. Paul describes this fellowship as "a participation in the blood . . . [and] body of Christ" (1 Cor 10:16). The benefits of Christs atoning death are mediated to believers in the present when they partake of the emblems of His blood and body. Thus the Christian Passover reaffirms the eternal Covenant that God promised to the fathers (Jer 32:40; 50:5; Is 55:3; Ez 16:60) and seals it in the blood of the Messiah (Heb 13:20). The Christian Passover also looks toward to the future. It is a rehearsal in anticipation of the future heavenly banquet. This expectation is expressed in the Gospels by Christs words: "I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God" (Mark 14:25; cf. Matt 26:29; Luke 22:16, 18).27 In Pauls letter to the Corinthians the future expectation is expressed by the phrase "you proclaim the Lords death until he comes" (1 Cor 11:26).28 This expectation gives a sense of joy and jubilation to the Christian Passover and is reflected even in the daily breaking of the bread in the homes of the early Christians, who "partook of food with glad and generous hearts" (Acts 2:46). Though taken for granted in its timing details, the Christian Passover essentially points to the past, present, and future. It points to the past by commemorating the suffering and death of Christ. It points to the present by confirming Gods covenant with His church. It looks forward to the future by nourishing the hope of the happy reunion with the Savior at the celebration of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). As Christians we joyfully partake of the Lords Supper, because for us it represents the redemption that Christ has already provided. While for Jews the deliverance from Egypt foreshadows the final Messianic redemption, for Christians Messianic redemption is already an accomplished fact. Furthermore, while the historic Exodus was limited to the experiences of one people; the Christian Exodus is open to all the peoples of the world. The Christian Passover is the beginning of a joyful journey leading to a happy reunion with the Savior at the celebration of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). The observance of Passover serves as a model for the Christian life-style by challenging believers to clean out the sinful ways, just as the Jews removed leaven from their houses before the feast, and to live a new (unleavened) life of sincerity and truth, in the love of Yahuwah. This is why the Creator's calendar is important, because it shows us exactly when these solemn feasts occur according to their appointed times. It is a doctrine of "Babylon" to fit these feasts as well as Sabbath days on any day of man's choosing. The times and seasons are divinely appointed to be kept and observed as they were given by the Creator.

- 102 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Feast of Unleavened Bread Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast (Passover and Unleavened Bread), not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. [Parentheses inserted] (1 Corinthians 5:7-8) And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto the LORD; seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work thereinIn the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. (Leviticus 23:6-8). This feast went from the 15th to the 21st day of Nisan. The first and last days of this feast are Sabbaths when no work is to be done and Yahuwahs people are to gather together for a special congregation (Leviticus 23:614). In the Bible leavening represents sin. On Passover, in preparation for this feast, every household was to search their house and remove all leavening from the house, which represented removing sin from the heart. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a special week to examine ones self to make sure that their lives were free of sin. Every meal eaten with unleavened bread was a reminder of this fact. Says Paul, Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast (Passover and Unleavened Bread), not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. [Parentheses inserted] (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). The type was carnal, the bread made of grain, the antitype spiritual, the bread is truth, the Word of Yahuwah received in sincerity. The bitter herbs with which it was eaten seem fitly to typify the afflictive trials of Christians in this state. As they began on the 14th at the Passover to eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs, so the afflictive trials of the church began when the Shepherd was smitten and the sheep scattered; but they will end and the Bible be superceded when the Chief Shepherd shall appear and gather the flock of slaughter with joy to our beloved Zion. (O.R.L. Crosier, Day-Star Extra, February 7, 1846) Why are the first and last days of this feast Sabbaths? The first day of this feast is the day that Yahushua spent resting in the grave. Remember that the year that Yahushua died on Passover was on Preparation day, or the sixth day of the week. He rested in the grave on "High Sabbath," because the seventh-day coincided with the first day of Unleavened Bread, and He rose from the grave on the first day of the week, which was First fruits. Notice that the last day of Unleavened Bread falls on the sixth day, which Yahuwah has also proclaimed to be a Sabbath. This means we have two back-to-back Sabbaths, since the following day is also a weekly seventh-day Sabbath. Of any Sabbath in the year, the First Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is the most solemn. It is the anniversary of the day on which Christ lay in the tomb. What a long day it is as one remembers the despair the disciples felt that day so many years ago! They did not understand that the Messiahs mission was to die, so at His death, their despair and sorrow, their heartbreak and discouragement knew no bounds. As the hours of this anniversary pass, one cannot help but think, again and again, of the desolation, the anguish and utter hopelessness felt by the first disciples. It is a memorial of the desolation and misery the whole world would feel if it were not for the love of the Father. Without a Saviour, the entire world would be lost without any hope. It is a very sober time and one begins to have a faint grasp of the immensity of sin. While the days of the feast are not all Sabbaths, the last one is, although it falls on Preparation Day. Thus, the close of Feast of Unleavened Bread provides one of only two back-to-back Sabbaths in the entire year. The Law of Yahuwah is perfect. It is a written-out transcript of the very character, thoughts and feelings of the Eternal One. To change it would be to admit that there was some fault in the One whose character it described. This was why Yahuwahs holy law could not be changed to excuse sinners. However, because that holy law is the law of Love, Infinite Love found a way to save sinners: the sacrifice of His own Son to pay the price of the guilty. Satan in heaven had hated Yahushua for His position in the courts of Yahuwah. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion, Yahuwah permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet lifes peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss. It was a very real battle onto which Yahushua entered and one which He really could have lost. Had Yahushua, just once, consented to sin, even in His mind, the battle would have been lost. Satan would have won, and sin would have spread throughout the universe. The Sont and the Father risked Yahushuas own eternal existence in this fight. Had Yahushua sinned, He would also have earned the wages of sin: which is eternal death. The heart of the human father yearns over His Son. Yet He looks into the face of His little child (You & Me), and trembles at the thought of lifes peril. He longs to shield his Dear One from Satans power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, Yahuwah gave His only begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for us. Herein is love. Wonder, O heavens! And be astonished, O earth! The Father risked everything to save us! We do not see the enormity of sin. We are comfortable with it. That Sabbath is an anniversary of our recognition of what it cost Yahuwah and His Son to save us. Yahushua did not see through the portals of the tomb. The sense of guilt from the combined weight of the sins of the world was so great that He felt that He would never again be

- 103 -

THE FINAL CALL

accepted back into His Fathers presence. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Fathers wrath upon Him as mans substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of Yahuwah. The love

of the Almighty, Holy and Eternal Father was such that He was willing to risk everything to save sinners betrayed and deceived into sin. The love of Yahushua was such that He was willing to risk His own eternal existence to cooperate with His Father in this grand, expensive and risky venture. The stillness, the despair of the day on which Yahusha lay in the tomb is a faint representation of what the whole world would feel without its Saviour. Such love, so great and pure, melts the stony sinful heart. As we realize the depths and heights of His selfsacrificing, divine love, we realize that it is safe to fully surrender to the control of His eternal love, that would rather cease to exist than exist without us.

Here is love vast as the ocean, Loving kindness as the flood! When the prince of life, for our ransom, shed for us His precious blood! Who His love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise? He can never be forgotten Through out heavens eternal days. On the mount of crucifixion, Fountains opened deep and wide. Through the floodgates of Yahuwahs mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide! Grace and love like mighty rivers Poured incessant from above! And heavens peace...and perfect justice Kissed a guilty world in love!
THE WAVE SHEAF OF FIRST FRUITS And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave itAnd ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (Leviticus 23:9-11, 14) Firstfruits comes on the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Leviticus 23:11 states that Firstfruits is on the morrow after the Sabbath. The context is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Firstfruits begins on the day after the first Sabbath in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is the second day of this feast. Passover comes on the 14th day of Nisan, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread comes on the 15th of Nisan, and Firstfruits comes on the 16th of Nisan. The Passover was followed by the seven days feast of unleavened bread. The first and the seventh day were days of holy convocation, when no servile work was to be performed. On the second day of the feast, the first fruits of the years harvest were presented before God. Barley was the earliest grain in Palestine, and at the opening of the feast it was beginning to ripen. A sheaf of this grain was waved by the priest before the altar of God, as an acknowledgment that all was His. Not until this ceremony had been performed was the harvest to be gathered. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 539) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christs at His coming (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders; and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God (Revelation 14:3-5). The preceding several quotes give three fulfillments for Firstfruits. The first antitype, or fulfillment, is when Jesus rose from the grave. The second fulfillment is when the 144,000 are chosen. They are the leaders who bring in the great multitude during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:9-14). The third fulfillment is when, at the Second Coming, all those who have died in Jesus are resurrected and they come forth from the grave with their new natures. The first fulfillment is past but the last two fulfillments are yet future. First Fruits. This was a handful of the first ripe fruit or grain. 1 Cor. 15:4, 20, 23; Ac. 16:23, show that Christ rose again the third day according to the scriptures, the first fruits of them that slept, thus laying the foundation of the resurrection to life. (O.R.L. Crosier, Day-Star Extra, February 7, 1846).

- 104 -

THE FINAL CALL

A GUIDE TO PASSOVER
THE PASSOVER SERVICE (Communion) Date: 14th Abib/Nisan Time: at even (3 p.m) 1. Welcome to Passover. A few introductory remarks should explain the meaning and importance of celebrating Passover as the Feast of Redemption. 2. Opening Prayer. The prayer should express gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate another Passover, when we can show anew our gratitude to Christ for His willingness to be sacrificed as the Paschal Lamb for our redemption. 3. Paschal Hymns. A selection of hymns or choruses focusing on the suffering and death of Yahushua. These hymns can be sung between Scripture readings. Some examples of suitable hymns are: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross O Sacred Head Now Wounded The Old Rugged Cross Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? At the Cross, at the Cross, Where I First Saw the Light Amazing Grace 4. Paschal Readings and Reflections. A selection of passages from the Old and New Testaments should focus on redemption. These passages can be read by different family members between hymns and can be followed by brief comments on some relevant points. A sample of appropriate readings and brief comments are. Feasting for Freedom: Exodus 12:1-27. Some points to ponder: * Passover was the beginning of months (v. 2). Likewise receiving Yahushua is the beginning of a new life. * The lamb was to be without blemish (v. 5). Yahushua, the Lamb of Yahuwah (John 1:29), was without spot or blemish (1 Pet 1:18-20). * A lamb for each house (vv. 3-4). Yahushua offers salvation to every member of the family (Acts 16:15, 31; 18:3,8). * The lamb must be eaten (vv. 8-10). We partake of the body and blood of Yahushua through the emblems of the bread and wine (Mark 2:22-24) and by feeding on His words (John 6:63). The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53. Some points to ponder: * "Who has believed what we have heard?" (v. 1). The story of the Saviors selfless love, humiliation, suffering, and vicarious death is truly unbelievable. It is the greatest Good News. * "He had no form or comeliness" (v. 2). Christ did not attract people by the display of his supernatural glory but by the beauty of His righteous life. * "A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (v. 3). By taking our human nature Christ became sensitive to all our pains, sorrows and disappointments. What a comforting thought! * "He was wounded for our transgressions" (v. 5). Nine times Isaiah emphasizes in verses 4-6 that Christ suffered and died for us. "Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves."34 * "All we like sheep have gone astray" (v. 6). Our human condition without Christ is like that of lost sheep, lost without knowing it. * "[He shall] make many to be accounted righteous" (v. 11). By His vicarious suffering and death, Christ is able to offer us His righteousness, which is the greatest human need. Agony in Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-46. Points to ponder: * "My soul is very sorrowful" (v. 38). It is impossible for us to understand the intensity of our Saviors anguish caused

- 105 -

THE FINAL CALL

by His awareness that He was bearing the sins of the world. * "Watch with me" (v. 38). This is Christs plea for human sympathy in His struggle with the powers of darkness. Tonight we are here to watch, that is, to appreciate and appropri- ate the Saviors suffering and death for us. * "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me" (v. 39). In His supreme agony, Christ submitted Himself to the will of the Father. What a perfect example for us to follow! * "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation" (v. 41). Instead of reproving His disciples for failing to support Him, He showed sympathy for their weaknesses and con- cern for their ability to endure the test which would come upon them. Trial and Crucifixion: John 18:28-40; 19:1:30. Points to ponder: * The composure of Yahushua (18:19-38). Amidst the shouts and false accusation, Yahushua retained His composure before the high priest and Pilate. He bore insult and mockery without retaliation. * Christs concern for Pilate (18:34, 36, 37). Jesus took time to answer Pilates questions because He knew that Pilate desired to know the truth. But Pilate chose expediency rather than truth. * The duplicity of Pilate (18:38-40; 19:4, 15,16). Repeatedly, Pilate acknowledged the innocence of Christ, and yet he handed Him over to be crucified. "Rather than lose his worldly power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life."35 We all face similar choices. * The flogging of Yahushua (19:1). Yahushua, who was moved with compassion when He saw the multitude (Matt 9:36), was scourged to elicit sympathy from the multitude. What a contrast of attitudes! * "We have no king but Caesar" (19:15). To destroy Christ, the Jews professed loyalty to the ruler they hated. "By choosing a heathen ruler, the Jewish nation had withdrawn from the theocracy."35 * Yahushuas concern for His mother (19:26-27). In His dying hour, Yahushua remembered His mother and entrusted her to John, His loving disciple. Yahushua gave us a perfect example of filial love. * "It is finished" (19:30). It is a cry of satisfaction, not of desperation. Creation was finished with the Sabbath rest of Yahuwah and redemption was finished with the Sabbath rest of the Savior in the tomb. 5. Thanksgiving Prayers and Testimonies. After reading and meditating about Christs vicarious suffering and death, it would be well to take time to express our gratitude to the Savior for His willingness to suffer and die for our redemption. This can be done through a season of prayer followed by personal testimo- nies of how different members of the family (or congregation) have experienced divine deliverance from sin. 6. The Foot Washing: John 13:3-20. Passover invites us to prepare ourselves to receive Christ, our Paschal Lamb, not only by spring-cleaning our homes but also by cleansing our hearts. * The Jewish Ritual. The Jewish Passover meal begins with the consecration (kiddush) of the first cup of wine, which is followed by the ceremonial washing of the hands. A pitcher of water, a basin, and a towel are brought to the table for the head of the house to wash and dry his hands. This imitates the priests who washed before entering the Holy Place. * The Christian Ritual. Yahushua used this occasion to institute the foot-washing service (John 13:12-15), which contains an invitation and a promise. The invitation is to "examine" ourselves (1 Cor 11:27) and cleanse our hearts before we receive the emblems of Christs atoning sacrifice. The promise is that just as the water washes our feet, so Christ washes away our sins as we accept the provision of His salvation. As family members participate to- gether in the foot-washing service, they can experience mutual reconciliation and cleansing. 7. The Passover Meal: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. After the cleansing of the foot-washing service, the family or families gather around the table for the Holy Communion and the Love Feast. The table can be set with both the bread and wine of the Holy Communion and the agape meal,so that the two meals can follow in smooth succession. * Reflections on the Emblems of Sacrifice. In teaching us the truth of His salvation, Christ did not leave us to grapple with abstraction. He took two elements of the Passover meal, the unleavened bread and wine, to represent the sacrifice of Himself for our redemption. He told the disciples not just to look at the emblems of His sacrifice, but to eat them (1 Cor 11:24-25). At the Holy Commun-

- 106 -

THE FINAL CALL

ion salvation is not only taught, but caught by eating it. This is a dramatic way to help us internalize and appropriate the reality of Christs vicarious death. * Consecration of the Emblems. The prayer of consecration of the emblems should express thanksgiving for Christs willingness to be sacrificed as our Paschal Lamb, and our willingness to accept His forgiveness and cleansing. * Distribution of the Emblems. Before partaking of the unleavened bread and wine, each participant should remember that through these emblems Christ is symbolically mediating to us the benefits of His atoning death (1 Cor 10:16) and is inviting us to fellowship with Him (Rev 3: 20). 8. The Commitment/Consecration. A fitting conclusion to the celebration of Passover is a commitment to live in the present the new way of life that Passover demands while awaiting for the future Paschal Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). The paschal commitment is typified by the eating of unleavened bread for seven days after Passover. Every spring the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread is a time when Christians symbolically renew their resolve to live in harmony with Yahuwahs way of life. The closing prayer could be an appeal to renew our behavioral and eschatological commitment. * The Behavioral Commitment. Our behavioral commitment in the closing Passover prayer can be expressed as follows: "Thank you, Father, for granting us the opportunity on this Passover night to celebrate the cleansing from sin (old leaven) offered to us through the sacrifice of Christ, our Paschal Lamb, and to commit ourselves to live a new life, described in Thy Word as "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor 5:6-8). May the unleavened bread we ate tonight and that we shall be eating for the next seven days, impress upon our minds the truth that You have called us to live a new life of sincerity and purity because we have cleansed and redeemed by the Paschal Lamb." * Jews still conclude their Passover with the following prayer: Holy One, who dwells in our hearts Restore the countless congregation. Speedily lead the children of Thy people Redeemed, to Zion in joyful song. Next year in Jerusalem. Our commitment can be expressed in the closing Passover prayer as follows: "Tonight we are reminded of the promise Christ made at the Last Supper that He will eat Passover again with the redeemed of all the ages when He comes to establish His kingdom. We look forward to the fulfillment of Christs promise and we pray that this Blessed Hope may inspire each one of us to live upright and godly lives while we are awaiting His glorious appearing and invitation to participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb." 9. Closing Hymn. Yahushua concluded the Paschal Supper with His disciples by singing a hymn: "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives" (Matt 26:30). An appropriate closing hymn can be: God be with you till we meet again; By His counsels guide, uphold you, With His sheep securely fold you: God be with you till we meet again. The Agape Meal. Following the Passover Meal, the early Christians partook of a fellowship meal known as agape, that is, love feast. We, too, can follow this arrangement since the love feast provides an opportunity to express our gratitude for the sacrificial love of Christ commemorated through the emblems of His broken body and shed blood. Since Passover is the Spring festival, celebrated with the unleavened bread from the first wheat of the new harvest, it seems fitting that the love feast should consist especially of natural produce such as fruits, nuts, salad, vegetables, unleavened bread, cheese, and, possibly, soup; but this is only a suggestion. What is important to keep in mind is that the primary purpose of the love feast is not the eating and drinking, but the expressing of gratitude to the Lord by partaking with thankful hearts of the produce of the earth. A simple meal made up mostly of natural produce can more effectively remind us of the thanksgiving purpose of our fellowship. The conclusion of the celebration of Passover marks the beginning of the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. While Passover typifies how Yahuwah has delivered us from the bondage of sin through the sacrifice of His Son, the

- 107 -

THE FINAL CALL

Feast of Unleavened Bread represents how we accept Yahuwahs provision of salvation by living new lives of purity and sincerity. In a sense this Festival points to the heavenly ministry of Yahuwah, who is actively working in our behalf to cleanse us from the presence and power of sin (Heb 7:25). The Feast of Unleavened Bread assures us that Yahuwah is still setting His people free from the bondage of sin, just as He freed the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Conclusion. Our observance of Passover has its bearing in Scripture and the continuity of its observance in the Christian church, has never been annulled, even though a new meaning and ritual were established by Christ Himself at His last Passover Supper. Christ clearly envisaged the continuity of Passover when he said, "For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God" (Luke 22:16, NIV). The statement suggests that Christ expected His followers to continue eating of the Passover during His absence until its eschatological fulfillment at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9), when He would partake of it again with the redeemed. The fact that the ultimate fulfillment of Passover still lies in the future shows that Passover, like the Sabbath, remains for the people of Yahuwah. Its observance can aliments our hope and strengthen our faith in the future Passover Supper that we will celebrate with Christ at the consummation of Yahuwahs kingdom.

THE TRUE MEANING OF "PENTECOST"

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) THE FORMER & LATTER RAIN

The meaning of Pentecost depends largely upon its connection to the Biblical "Feast of Weeks," in the Old Testament. As with the Passover, its true meaning and fulfillment grew out of the "types and shadows" of the Jewish Feasts. This is also true of Pentecost. And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete; Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty daysAnd ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. (Leviticus 23:15, 16, 21) Fifty days after Firstruits, the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, was Pentecost. Fifty days from the offering of first fruits, came the Pentecost, called also the feast of harvest and the feast of weeks. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 540). Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, had no fulfillment before the cross. The first fulfillment was when the early rain of the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles at Pentecost shortly after Yahushuas ascension to heaven. The timing of the first Christian Pentecost is given by Luke. In introducing the events that occurred on the day of Pentecost, Luke says: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come" (Acts 2:1). Literally speaking, the Greek verb "sumpleroustai" means "was being fulfilled." This awkward verb seems to be intentionally chosen by Luke to make the point that the momentous events associates with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred at the very time when the celebration of Pentecost was in progress, as a fulfillment of that festival. There is no question, then, that whatever is the meaning of the events, they occurred while the Jewish Feast of Weeks, was in progress. It is evident that for Luke it is significant that the events associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred not before, not after, but on the very day of Pentecost. When the day of Pentecost was fully come, the Holy Ghost, the principle of life, came upon the disciples. This, which is the only thing recorded as the antitype of the feast of weeks, is to abide with the church till it shall quicken the bodies of the saints at his coming." (O.R.L. Crosier, Day-Star Extra, February 4, 1846). Count to Pentecost The believers at the time of the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost appear to have been aware of its intricate timing and therefore "they were all with one accord in one place." They were in-sync with Yahuwah's timing, and with one heart and one purpose, they were gathered in one placeexpectant of the fulfillment of the promised Comforter. This has a direct implication on all who are agonizing in prayer for this special spiritual bestowment. Leviticus 23:15-22 declares an annual feast day in the 3rd month of Sivan, known as the Feast of Weeks. In order to count the 'omer' (50 days) to Pentecost, first of all, the correct calendar must

- 108 -

THE FINAL CALL

be established upon which to calculate it. It cannot be assumed that the modern Gregorian calendar is the one to use, because it did not exist at that time, neither is it correct to use the modern Jewish calendar, as this too is in apostasy. Establishing the correct date will make all the difference in the outcome. A clue is found in the name of the feast itself. Pentecost means "fifty" which stood for "fifty days." From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD. Leviticus 23:15-17. God was very specific as He clarified to only count seven "Sabbaths complete." This literally includes 7 sets of "full weeks", which is 7x7=49 days. Full weeks consist of six work days followed by their respective seventh-day Sabbaths. Next a qualifying statement is given that states that the total is 50 days, which is an extension of the 49 days, by adding one day after the seventh Sabbath. It was not Yahuwah's intention that every single day of the month was to be counted. If simply counting 50 days was all that was necessary, no other specific details would have been necessary. Thirdly, Pentecost was also called "Feast of Weeks" by the Jews because of the very nature of only counting full complete weeks. Sabbaths Complete: Six work days plus one day (Sabbath) equals one Sabbath complete. This was the template that Yahuwah ordained at Creation. These will never include New Moon days or translation days, because they are not the days specified in the equation: 0 (New Moon days are not to be counted) 0 (Translation days, the 30th day of the month, are not to be counted) 6 work days + 1 seventh day Sabbath = 7 (6 work days + 1 Sabbath) -> 1 Sabbath Complete (perfect) Begin counting on the 16th day of the first month of Abib, which is the day after the Sabbath. Count seven "Sabbaths complete", and then add a day, because the text says to "count off fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath". All of the Creator's feasts consistently fall on the same date when calculated upon His calendar because it is a fixed calendar and the feast days are also fixed. This is done by divine design to insure that each new month does not begin with an arbitrary day following the month before, but always begins with the sighting of the crescent New Moon.>Pentecost falls on Sivan 9 each and every year. Because the Creator's calendar is fixed to the phases of the moon, the 9th day of Sivan will always be on the first day of the week. And you shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you. You shall do no customary work on it. It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. Leviticus 23:21 One wonders, "Why was Christ sacrificed as true Lamb on the very day when the Jews sacrificed their Passover lambs? Also, Why did Yahuwah pour out the Holy Spirit to harvest the first fruits of the spiritual harvest procured by Christs redemptive mission on the very day when the Jews celebrated Pentecost?" The answer is to found in Yahuwahs concern to prove that Christ was indeed the fulfillment of the hope of redemption that had been typified and nourished by the celebration of these annual feasts at their appointed times, according to His calendar for generations. By timing Christs redemptive acts in accordance with the feasts that foreshadowed them, believers could more easily recognize and accept the reality of salvation that had been accomplished by Christs death, resurrection, and inauguration of His heavenly ministry.

The Manner of Pentecost The manner in which the coming of the Holy Spirit manifested itself on the day of Pentecost is also significant. Luke reminds us of Yahuwahs cataclysmic manifestation when he describes the phenomena of the day of Pentecost as "a sound . . . like the rush of a mighty wind," and "there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them," and all "began to speak in other tongues , as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:2-4).

- 109 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Crowning of Christs Passover The Jewish pilgrimage Feast of Weeks gained new significance for Christians because it coincided with the birthday of the Church as an institution. On that day, the Holy Spirit baptized 120 disciples of Yahushua as they awaited His coming in an upper room (Luke 24:53). This event was the crowning of Christs sacrifice, for by sending forth the Holy Spirit after His ascension, Christ fulfilled the "promise" of the Spirit (Acts 1:4) which had been predicted by John the Baptist (Acts 1:5). John the Baptist said to those who came to receive the baptism of repentance, "I have baptized you with water; but he [who is coming after me] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:8). Before His ascension, Yahushua promised that Johns words would soon be fulfilled: "John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5). This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Peter proclaimed that Gods promise had been fulfilled because the Holy Spirit had been given, in accordance with the prediction of the prophets (Joel 3:1-5; Ezek 36:27). When Yahushua ascended to heaven following His resurrection, He presented Himself to the Father as the first fruits of a coming harvest. On that occasion He took into the Holy Place "not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption" (Heb 9:12). In this sense, Pentecost represents the climax of Christs sacrifice that was celebrated in heaven. When the Father accepted His sacrifice "for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2) and exalted Him (Acts 2:33), the Father and the Son sent forth the Spirit. Pentecost is then the crowning of Christs Passover in heaven, which was manifested on earth with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32-33). "By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost," writes Ellen White, "thousands were to be converted in a day. This was the result of Christs sowing, the harvest of His work." The Inauguration of Christs Heavenly Ministry Pentecost celebrates not only the crowning of Christs sacrifice, but also the inauguration of His heavenly ministry. The ascension constituted the transition from Christs redemptive work on earth to His intercessory work in heaven, as the Great High Priest. Upon His ascension, Christ was exalted to a position of honor and dignity by being seated at the right hand of Yahuwah (Acts 2:33; 5:31; 7:55). As the seating of delegates represents their official installation, so the seating of Christ at the right hand of the Father represents His official enthronement. He himself predicted this exaltation when He appeared before the Sanhedrin: "From now on the Son of man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of Yahuwah" (Luke 22:69). In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter explained that the Christ who had been crucified, had been raised from the dead and "exalted at the right hand of Yahuwah" (Acts 2:33). The "right hand" is a symbol of the supreme honor, power, and authority with which Jesus was invested. By being invited to sit at the right hand of Yahuwah (Acts 2:34; Eph 1: 20; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3, 13), Christ was installed to His heavenly ministry. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is evidence of the official enthronement of Christ to His heavenly ministry (Acts 2:33). "When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was heavens communication that the Redeemers inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people." The meaning of "sitting" as it refers to Christ's intercessory ministry is explained especially in Hebrews 8:1-2, where Christ is presented as the "high priest, . . . seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent." Through His intercessory ministry, Christ sustains the Church (Rev 1:13, 20), mediates repentance and forgiveness to believers (Acts 5:31; 1 John 2:1-2; 1:9), makes our prayers acceptable to God (John 16:23-24; Rev 8:3), provides us with the invisible and yet real asistance of His angels (Heb 1:14; Rev 5:6; 1:16, 20), and bestows upon us the essential gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). Inauguration of Christs Ministry in Revelation The inauguration of Christs ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is also demonstrated in the throne scenes of Revelation 4 and 5. The scenes in a sense, are a celebration of Pentecost in heaven, which results in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on earth. Christ, the Lamb that "had been slain" (Rev 5:6), is welcomed back to heaven by four living creatures, twenty-four elders, and myriads of angels who praise Him, saying: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" (Rev 5:12). The immediate result of the Lambs sacrifice is intercession (Rev 5:8) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit represented by the "seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth" (Rev 5:6).

- 110 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Lamb, by virtue of the sevenfold Spirit, opened all revelation, and when the day of Pentecost was fully come, he poured it on his servants in prophetic Spirit. Today many Christians are wondering, what on earth is Yahushua doing in Heaven? Some think that He is on vacation in heaven, recovering from His exhaustive earthly mission. Pentecost reassures us that Jesus is not on vacation. He has not taken a leave of absence. He has not forgotten us. On the contrary, Pentecost teaches us that as soon as Yahushua ascended to heaven, He was officially enthroned at the right hand of Yahuwah (Acts 2:32; Rev 5:9-12) and began His intercessory ministry on behalf of believers on earth: "Yahuwah exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31). The New Testament uses several human analogies to describe the heavenly ministry of Christ which began at Pentecost when He poured out the Holy Spirit upon His expectant disciples. He is described as "Priest" (Heb 7:15; 8:4), "High Priest" (Heb 2:17; 3:1), "Mediator" (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6), "Intercessor" (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). This gives us reason to believe that Yahushua is working hard to bring to completion at the day of His coming the good work that began on the day of Pentecost with the inauguration of His heavenly ministry. The Founding of the Christian Church Pentecost celebrates also the founding of the Christian church as an organized body of believers with a message and a mission. The institution of the Church began when Christ called the twelve disciples and trained them to become His witnesses. But the constitution of the Church occurred at Pentecost when the disciples were qualified for their calling by the power of the Holy Spirit. On that day, Christs followers were consolidated into a new body with the conviction and courage to preach the Gospel to the ends of the world. Pentecost marks the initial fulfillment of the prophetic vision of the ingathering of Yahuwahs people from all the nations to the uplifted temple in Zion and the going forth of the Law to teach all the nations (Is 2:2-3; Mic 4:1-2; cf. John 2:19; 12:32). A new people of Yahuwah (the Church) was formed on the day of Pentecost, consisting not only of Jews but of "all that are far off, every one whom the Lord Yahuwah calls to him" (Acts 2:39). The loving acceptance of one another and the selfless sharing (koinonia) among the members of the new community of faith reflected the universalization of Yahushua ministry by the Spirit in and through each member. They expressed their spiritual oneness by devoting "themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). Their mutual commitment to Christ was expressed by sharing their means with "all, as any had need" (Acts 2:45). Pentecost reminds us that our commitment to Christ finds expression in loving service to others. Pentecost celebrates also the birthday of the mission of the Church. After His resurrection, Christ instructed His disciples about "the kingdom of Yahuwah (Acts 1:3) and promised them that, after being energized by the Holy Spirit, they would become His witnesses from Jerusalem "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Peters proclamation "standing with the eleven" (Acts 2:14) was the first manifestation of Christian obedience to this missionary task. Throughout the book of Acts, we are reminded that Christians became witnesses as a result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. "We all are witnesses" (Acts 2:32). "We are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem" (Acts 10:39; cf. 3:15; 5:32; 10:41; 13:31). The gift of tongues that were intelligible (understandable) to "devout men from every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5) underscores the universal scope of the Christian mission. In view of the fact that most of the Jews who had come to Jerusalem for Pentecost understood Aramaic or Greek, the linguistic abilities given by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost may be indicative of Yahuwahs desire that each language group should hear the Gospel in its native language, the one most meaningful to the individual heart. It should be noted that the Spirit was given at Pentecost not merely to enrich the corporate worship and fellowship of Christs followers, but primarily to energize them for missionary activity. Acts frequently refers to the role of the Spirit in the evangelistic activity of the Church (Acts 4:8; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6). The initial Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit is to be distinguished from the subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit that empowered Christians to share the knowledge of Yahushua (Acts 13:52; 14:1; 15:28). Pentecost reminds us that the Christian Church was founded by Christ, not to perpetuate itself as a self-serving organization but to extend the divine provision of salvation to men and women everywhere. The speaking in tongues at Pentecost for a moment set off in bold relief Yahuwahs redemptive purpose for the whole world. The missionary outreach of the Church, which unites people of different languages and cultures as one body in Christ, represents the reversal of the scattering and hostility of the nations that followed Yahuwahs judgment at Babel (Gen 11:1-9). The Bestowal of Spiritual Gifts Pentecost marks the beginning of the bestowal of spiritual gifts on all the redeemed so that each may participate in the life and mission of the Church. Before His death, Christ reassured His disciples that He would bestow upon His followers the gift of the Holy Spiritthe gift that would bring within their reach the boundless resources of His grace. "I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you" (John 14:16-17). Christ was pointing to a day when the Holy Spirit would come to do a mighty work as His representative. That day came on Pentecost, when His disciples "were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4) and "great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33). In a

- 111 -

THE FINAL CALL

sense, Pentecost represents not only the fulfillment of Christs promise but also Yahuwahs answer to Moses prayer: "Would that the Lords people were prophets, that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29). From the day of Pentecost onward, all Christians are called to the full-time task of proclaiming "the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet 2:9). All Christians can receive the spiritual gifts that "equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12). From the Day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service. To all who have accepted Christ as a personal Savior, the Holy Spirit has come as a counselor, sanctifier, guide, and witness. . . . The men and women who through the long centuries of persecution and trial enjoyed a large measure of the presence of the Spirit in their lives, have stood as signs and wonders in the world. Before angels and men they have revealed the transforming power of redeeming love. The mission of the Holy Spirit will continue until the Gospel has been preached to all nations (Matt 24:14). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is likened to the "former rain" that ripened the Spring harvest that was gathered in at the beginning of Christianity. "But near the close of earths harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest in the time of the latter rain. In response, the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain. He will cause to come down . . . the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain (Zech 10:1; Joel 2:23)." The celebration of Pentecost invites us to seek for the outpouring of the latter rain by putting away all differences and by coming closer together in Christian fellowship. It challenges us to pray daily for a special endowment of spiritual power to become fit to be laborers together with Yahuwah in the final harvest of the earth. The First Fruits of Christs Redemption Pentecost was known as the Feast of the First Fruits because, the first fruits of the Spring wheat harvest were offered on the first and last day of the Feast as an expression of thanksgiving to Yahuwah. The Christian Pentecost also celebrates the first fruits of Christs redemptive mission, which are manifested in a variety of ways. In the first place, Christ Himself is the first fruits of Pentecost because He rose as the first fruits of redeemed humanity on the very day when the first sheaf of barley was presented at the Templethe event that marked the beginning of Pentecost. Paul alludes to the connection between the two events when he writes: "Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor 15:20). As the first fruits offered on the first day of Pentecost pointed to the harvest to come, so Christs resurrection is the first fruits that points to the harvest of believers to be resurrected at His coming. As Paul puts it, "Each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ" (1 Cor 15:23). But Pentecost reminds us not only of the final resurrection harvest, but also of our present privilege to receive the first fruits of the Spirit while we await the resurrection harvest. "We ourselves," Paul says, "who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Rom 8:23). The meaning of the Feast of Pentecost is lived out every day in our life as our inward being is renewed daily by Yahuwahs Spirit (2 Cor 4:16). As we receive the fruit of the Spirit, we bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in our life, namely, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal 5:22). These in turn enable us to become the first fruits of Yahuwah. Since Pentecost, Yahuwah has been picking out those who respond to the Gospel invitation and calling them to be His first fruits. James brings out this truth, saying: " Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures" (Jam 1:18). Ultimately, those who have been redeemed from mankind, are "as first fruits for Yahuwah and the Lamb" (Rev 14:4). The various applications of the first fruits symbol of Pentecost to Christs resurrection, the reception of the Holy Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit in the life of the believer, the Christian calling to be Yahuwahs first fruits in this world, and the redeemed as the first fruits of mankind show the importance of the Feast in Christian thought and practice. In a sense, Pentecost is a feast that celebrates what Christ has already accomplished through His earthly redemptive mission, what He is doing in heaven by making intercession for us (Heb 7:25), what the Holy Spirit does on earth as a counterpart to Christs heavenly ministry, and what Christ will ultimately do when He comes to reap the harvest of the redeemed. THE OBSERVANCE OF PENTECOST In the New Testament, only three references to Pentecost occur. We have seen the first reference in Acts 2:1, where Luke informs us that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred "when the day of Pentecost was fully come" (KJV). We notice the close connection Luke establishes between the time and manner of the Jewish Feast of Weeks and Pentecost. Luke saw in the Pentecost the fulfillment of the events typified by the Jewish Feast of Weeks. By emphasizing that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which gave birth to the Christian church occurred at the very time when the Jewish Feasts was in progress, Luke is pointing out the fact that the believers understood the import of Pentecost, being a fulfillment of the Jewish Feast of Weeks. How this event relates to the plan of redemption is found in the indirect indication of the observance of Pentecost by the vision of Yahuwahs throne in Revelation 4-5, which is cast in the setting of Pentecost with Christ standing

- 112 -

THE FINAL CALL

as a slaughtered Lamb sending His seven spirits into all the earth. At the inauguration of the heavenly sanctuary, the throne-scene of Revelation 4-5 is fittingly associated with Pentecost. This vision of the celebration of Pentecost in heaven suggests that the feast is significant in heaven as on earth. John the Revelator could hardly have described the celebration of Pentecost in heaven if the feast had no significance on earth. The second reference to Pentecost is found in 1 Corinthians, where Paul says: "I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has been opened to me" (1 Cor 16:8-9). This is a surprising time reference, since both the Ephesian and Corinthian churches were predominantly Gentile. Pentecost was not connected to any of the pagan feasts of the Roman and Greek society. Paul could hardly have used "Pentecost" as a time reference unless the feast was known in Gentile Christian churches. Pauls casual mention of "Pentecost" in a letter written to a predominantly Gentile church suggests that the feast was well known to the Corinthians. "Hastening to Be at Jerusalem." The third New Testament reference to Pentecost is found in Acts 20:16, where Luke informs us that Paul sailed directly from Assos to Miletus, bypassing Ephesus, "for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost." This text raises an important question: Why was Paul eager to reach Jerusalem in time for Pentecost? Perhaps Paul was eager to observe Pentecost in Jerusalem to prove to Jewish Christians his respect for Jewish traditions. Paul was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible on the day of Pentecost, probably because he wished to vindicate his loyalty in the eyes of Jewish Christians who would be attending the feast. It is possible, however, that Paul was eager to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost, not only to vindicate his loyalty to Jewish traditions in the eyes of his Jewish brethren, but also because he found profound meaning in the feast itself. Ellen White acknowledges the importance of Pentecost for Paul when she writes that he shortened his stay at Ephesus, because "he was on his way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost." In this statement Ellen White explicitly speaks of Paul "on his way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost." The implication is clear. Ellen White believed Paul celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. The same view is expressed by The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary: "Even Paul, least interested in observances as such (Rom 14:5), was eager to celebrate Pentecost at Jerusalem in spite of his missionary journeys in Asia and Greece (Acts 18:21; 20:16). If the Feast of Pentecost was important for Paul, known for his indifference to observances as such (Rom 14:5), we have reason to believe that it also must have been important for Christians at large. The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the crowning of Christs Paschal sacrifice in heaven. It was manifested on earth with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32-33), which was the first fruit of the spiritual harvest (Rom 8:23; James 1:18) procured by Christs redemptive mission. It commemorates the inauguration of Christs ministry of intercession in heaven and the founding of the Christian church on earth. It teaches us that the Christian church came into existence not to be a self-serving organization, but to fulfill the mission of making Christ known, loved, and served throughout the world. It reassures us of another Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit (the Latter Rain) to enable the Church to complete the spiritual harvest that began on the day of Pentecost. It challenges us to seek daily the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to prepare ourselves and others for the final harvest of Christs coming. THE LATTER RAIN by Ellen G. White And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. (Joel 2:28) Peter quoted these words when he preached on the Day of Pentecost, the day that the Holy Spirit fell upon them, and directly applied this text to the early rain of the Holy Spirit they had just experienced. See Acts 2:16-21. This text will have its ultimate fulfillment at the latter rain, which will fall during the time of trouble. The whole book of Joel is about the time of trouble and in the middle of this book it speaks about the latter rain (Joel 2:23). This verse says that the Latter Rain comes during the first month; however the word month is italicized meaning that the Bible translators added this word. The commencement of that time of trouble, here mentioned does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. (Early Writings, pp. 85-86). The Work of the Spirit Likened to Rain "He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain." In the East the former rain falls at the sowing time. It is necessary in order that the seed may germinate. Under the influence of the

- 113 -

THE FINAL CALL

fertilising showers the tender shoot springs up. The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle. The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. [See ZECHARIAH 10:1; HOSEA 6:3; JOEL 2:23, 28] As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of Yahuwah's grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of Yahuwah is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ. The latter rain, ripening earth's harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.--TM 506 (1897). The Early Rain Came in A.D. 31 at Pentecost In obedience to Christ's command, they [the disciples] waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father--the outpouring of the Spirit. They did not wait in idleness. The record says that they were "continually in the temple, praising and blessing Yahuwah." (Luke 24:53). . . . As the disciples waited for the fulfilment of the promise, they humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbelief. . . . The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship.--AA 35-37 (1911). It was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit was poured out.--8T 20 (1904). The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church.--AA 54, 55 (1911). Consequences of the Early Rain at Pentecost Under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence and confession mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven. . . . Thousands were converted in a day. . . . The Holy Spirit . . . enabled them to speak with fluency languages with which they had heretofore been unacquainted. . . . The Holy Spirit did for them that which they could not have accomplished for themselves in a lifetime.--AA 38-40 (1911). Their hearts were surcharged with a benevolence so full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of the earth, testifying to the power of Christ.--AA 46 (1911). What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the uttermost parts of the inhabited world. . . . The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were reconverted. . . . The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's character and to labour for the enlargement of His kingdom.--AA 48 (1911). The Promise of the Latter Rain The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was "the former rain," and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant.--8T 21 (1904). Near the close of earth's harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain.--AA 55 (1911). Before the final visitation of Yahuwah's judgements upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of Yahuwah will be poured out upon His children.--GC 464 (1911). The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the "former rain" was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the "latter rain" will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest.--GC 611 (1911).

- 114 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Latter Rain Will Produce the Loud Cry At that time the "latter rain," or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.--EW 86 (1854). I heard those clothed with the armour speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. . . . I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, "It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel."--EW 271 (1858). While the Early Rain Produces Conversion; The Latter Rain Develops a Christlike Character At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings received under the former rain are needful to us to the end. . . . As we seek Yahuwah for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon Yahuwah for the perfecting latter rain.--TM 507, 509 (1897). The Holy Spirit seeks to abide in each soul. If it is welcomed as an honoured guest, those who receive it will be made complete in Christ. The good work begun will be finished; the holy thoughts, heavenly affections, and Christlike actions will take the place of impure thoughts, perverse sentiments, and rebellious acts.--CH 561 (1896). We may have had a measure of the Spirit of Yahuwah, but by prayer and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit. It will never do to cease our efforts. If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door. . . .The convocations of the church, as in camp meetings, the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal labour for souls, are Yahuwah's appointed opportunities for giving the early and the latter rain.--TM 508 (1897). When the way is prepared for the Spirit of Yahuwah, the blessing will come. Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from descending upon God's people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain cannot come upon the earth.--1SM 124 (1887). We Should Pray Earnestly for the Descent of the Holy Spirit We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the Day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today.--5T 158 (1882). The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is looked forward to as in the future, but it is the privilege of the church to have it now. Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and Heaven is waiting to bestow it.--Ev 701 (1895). The measure of the Holy Spirit we receive will be proportioned to the measure of our desire and the faith exercised for it, and the use we shall make of the light and knowledge that shall be given to us.--RH May 5, 1896. We are not willing enough to trouble the Lord with our petitions, and to ask Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to trouble Him in this matter. He wants us to press our petitions to the throne.--FE 537 (1909). We Must Humble Our Hearts in True Repentance A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. But it is our work, by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfil the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us His blessing. A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer.-1SM 121 (1887). I tell you that there must be a thorough revival among us. There must be a converted ministry. There must be confessions, repentance, and conversions. Many who are preaching the Word need the transforming grace of Christ in their hearts. They should let nothing stand in the way of their making thorough work before it shall be forever too late.--Letter 51, 1886.

- 115 -

THE FINAL CALL

Reformation Must Accompany Revival A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganisation, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.--RH Feb. 25, 1902. We Must Put Away All Strife and Dissension When the labourers have an abiding Christ in their own souls, when all selfishness is dead, when there is no rivalry, no strife for the supremacy, when oneness exists, when they sanctify themselves, so that love for one another is seen and felt, then the showers of the grace of the Holy Spirit will just as surely come upon them as that Yahuwah's promise will never fail in one jot or tittle. But when the work of others is discounted, that the workers may show their own superiority, they prove that their own work does not bear the signature it should. Yahuwah cannot bless them.--1SM 175 (1896). If we stand in the great day of the Lord with Christ as our refuge, our high tower, we must put away all envy, all strife for the supremacy. We must utterly destroy the roots of these unholy things, that they may not again spring up into life. We must place ourselves wholly on the side of the Lord.--TDG 258 (1903). Let Christians put away all dissension and give themselves to Yahuwah for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come.--8T 21 (1904). Love One Another Christianity is the revealing of the tenderest affection for one another. . . . Christ is to receive supreme love from the beings He has created. And He requires also that man shall cherish a sacred regard for his fellow beings. Every soul saved will be saved through love, which begins with Yahuwah. True conversion is a change from selfishness to sanctified affection for Yahuwah and for one another.--1SM 114, 115 (1901). The attributes which Yahuwah prizes most are charity and purity. These attributes should be cherished by every Christian.--5T 85 (1882). The strongest argument in favour of the gospel is a loving and loveable Christian.--MH 470 (1905). Total Surrender Required Yahuwah will accept nothing less than unreserved surrender. Half-hearted, sinful Christians can never enter heaven. There they would find no happiness, for they know nothing of the high, holy principles that govern the members of the royal family. The true Christian keeps the windows of the soul open heavenward. He lives in fellowship with Christ. His will is conformed to the will of Christ. His highest desire is to become more and more Christlike.--RH May 16, 1907. We cannot use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use us. Through the Spirit Yahuwah works in His people "to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). But many will not submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is why they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait humbly upon Yahuwah, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given.--DA 672 (1898). Clearing the Way for the Latter Rain I saw that none could share the "refreshing" unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should therefore be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.--EW 71 (1851). It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.--5T 214 (1882). There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of Yahuwah shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church. . . . Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zech. 4:6).--1SM 124 (1887).

- 116 -

THE FINAL CALL

The latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord--fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.--1SM 191 (1892). Become Active Labourers in Christ's Service When the churches become living, working churches, the Holy Spirit will be given in answer to their sincere request. . . . Then the windows of heaven will be open for the showers of the latter rain.--RH Feb. 25, 1890. The great outpouring of the Spirit of Yahuwah, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be labourers together with Him. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognise the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not labourers together with Yahuwah.--ChS 253 (1896). When the reproach of indolence and slothfulness shall have been wiped away from the church, the Spirit of the Lord will be graciously manifested. Divine power will be revealed. The church will see the providential working of the Lord of hosts.--9T 46 (1909). "Keep the Vessel Clean and Right Side Up" We need not worry about the latter rain. All we have to do is to keep the vessel clean and right side up and prepared for the reception of the heavenly rain, and keep praying, "Let the latter rain come into my vessel. Let the light of the glorious angel which unites with the third angel shine upon me; give me a part in the work; let me sound the proclamation; let me be a colabourer with Yahushua." Thus seeking Yahuwah, let me tell you, He is fitting you up all the time, giving you His grace.--UL 283 (1891). The answer may come with sudden velocity and overpowering might, or it may be delayed for days and weeks, and our faith receive a trial. But Yahushua knows how and when to answer our prayer. It is our part of the work to put ourselves in connection with the divine channel. Yahuwah is responsible for His part of the work. He is faithful who hath promised. The great and important matter with us is to be of one heart and mind, putting aside all envy and malice and, as humble supplicants, to watch and wait. Yahushua, our Representative and Head, is ready to do for us what He did for the praying, watching ones on the Day of Pentecost.--3SP 272 (1878). I have no specific time of which to speak when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will take place--when the mighty angel will come down from heaven and unite with the third angel in closing up the work for this world. My message is that our only safety is in being ready for the heavenly refreshing, having our lamps trimmed and burning.--1SM 192 (1892). Not All Will Receive the Latter Rain I was shown that if Yahuwah's people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting.--1T 619 (1867). Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will never come. There are persons in the church who are not converted, and who will not unite in earnest, prevailing prayer. We must enter upon the work individually. We must pray more, and talk less.--1SM 122 (1887). We may be sure that when the Holy Spirit is poured out, those who did not receive and appreciate the early rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain.--TM 399 (1896). Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognise the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.--TM 507 (1897). Those who make no decided effort, but simply wait for the Holy Spirit to compel them to action, will perish in darkness. You are not to sit still and do nothing in the work of Yahuwah.--ChS 228 (1903).

- 117 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM)

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein. (Leviticus 23:23-24) But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand (Ezekiel 33:6). Searching the word trumpets through the Bible, we find the trumpets of Revelation in chapters 8 and 9. The Feast of Trumpets depicts nothing less than the return of Yahushua to earth to deliver the saints into the Kingdom of Yahuwah! The book of Revelation reveals a sequence of earth-shaking events depicted by angels sounding a series of seven trumpet blasts. The seventh angels sounding of the last trumpet signifies that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15). The return of Yahushua stands as the final and most significant event associated with the blowing of the prophetic trumpets. The book of Revelation speaks of the Seven Trumpets as judgments sent by Yahuwah upon this earth (Revelation chapters 8-11). In the Bible trumpets are used for three purposes: to praise Yahuwah (Psalm 98:6), to make an announcement (Leviticus 25:9-10, 1 Kings 1:34), and as a warning (Ezekiel 33:3). Since the Bible interprets itself, to understand the Trumpets of Revelation one must do a word study through the Bible about trumpets. Doing so leads us to the following text: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein. (Leviticus 23:2324) The feasts, or Holy Days listed in Leviticus chapter 23, are all prophetic, showing us the future. For instance, on Passover a lamb was slain which pointed forward to the death of Yahushua, our Savior, who died as the Lamb of God, paying the penalty of sin for all who repent and accept His death as their substitute. Yahshua the Messiah, in fulfillment of Passover, died on the very date, day of Passover, at the very hour the Passover lamb was slain! The Feast of Trumpets spoken of in Leviticus chapter 23 also points forward to future events. One of these events is the Seven Trumpets of Revelation. Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us. (Maranatha, p. 257). The Feast of Trumpets was also a signal for Yahuwah's people, to notify them of the Day of Atonement which came ten days latter. It was a warning and an announcement of the coming day of judgement. During this time period of ten days the Jews were to search their hearts and repent of all sin so that on the Day of Atonement, or Judgment Day, they would be cleansed (Leviticus 23:29). Interestingly, just as there were ten days of repentance, so there are Ten Commandments. Could it be that Yahuwah wants us to take one day to look at our lives according to each commandment during this time, to compare our life with that commandment, so that when Judgment Day comes we are not found wanting? The Bible admonishes us to periodically examine our lives. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves (2 Corinthians 13:5). So in the same way, the Seven Trumpets of Revelation are an announcement and a warning of impending judgement. We know that the first part of the anti-typical day of Atonement started on the 10th day of Tishrei (October, 22) in 1844 with the judgement of the saints who are asleep by way of death (Revelation 11:18-19); and so with the blowing of the Seven Trumpets, we are warned of the impending judgement of the living saints (Revelation 15:5) and the destructive judgements of Yahuwah, which are without mercy. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living Yahuwah: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our Yahuwah in their foreheads (Revelation 7:1-3). These verses show that the earth, sea, and trees are not hurt until Yahuwahs servants are sealed. The harm to the earth, the sea, and the trees must not occur until after the sealing of the 144,000. The 144,000 are

- 118 -

THE FINAL CALL

Yahuwahs end-time people who convert the great multitude during the time of trouble spoken of in Revelation 7:9-14. The 144,000 are sealed first, then they convert this great multitude who are then also sealed during the time of trouble. THE SEALING OF YAHUWAHS PEOPLE Understanding the Seal of Yahuwah is critical to understanding the Trumpets of Revelation. Revelation 7:1-4 states that the harm to the earth, sea, and trees cannot occur until after the sealing of the 144,000. After the 144,000 are sealed, the harm to the earth, sea, and trees comes under the first two Trumpets of Revelation. "So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed." (Revelation 8:6-8). Under these first two Trumpets the harm is done to the earth, the sea, and the trees. Since these first two trumpets cannot occur until after the sealing of the 144,000, and the sealing of the great multitude spoken of in Revelation 7:9-14 begins during the time of trouble, then the Trumpets of Revelation will begin during the time of trouble. Just as soon as the people of Yahuwah are sealed in their foreheadsit is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be movedjust as soon as Yahuwahs people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. 4BC 1161. The Lord has shown me that precious souls are starving, and dying for want of the present, sealing truth, the meat in due season; and that the swift messengers should speed on their way, and feed the flock with the present truth. I heard an Angel say, speed the swift messengers, speed the swift messengers; for the case of every soul will soon be decided, either for Life, or for Death. The Present Truth, vol. 1, No. 4. Let us strive with all the power that Yahuwah has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. Review and Herald, March 9, 1905. A LIFE OR DEATH MESSAGE The prophecy of Isaiah 58:12, 13 is very important because it foretells a work of restoration of the breach made in the law of Yahuwah. For many centuries the Sabbath truth has been cast down, but it is to be exalted and observed by the true people of Yahuwah in these last days of the history of the world. The prophecy reads: And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 58:12, 13. The Sabbath reform started in the early days of the Advent movement, and the pioneers understood the importance of this message. Though they could not see its close connection with the third angels message, they understood that it predicted the Sabbath reform. The servant of the Lord speaks of their early experience: When we began to present the light on the Sabbath question, we had no clearly defined idea of the third angels message of Revelation 14:9-12. The burden of our testimony as we came before the people was that the great second advent movement was of Yahuwah, that the first and second messages had gone forth, and that the third was to be given. We saw that the third message closed with the words: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and the faith of Yahushua. And we as clearly saw as we now see that these prophetic words suggested a Sabbath reform. 1T 78, 79. In the above statement it can be seen that the Sabbath reform is connected with the third angels message. One is as important as the other. This is the message that should be preached to the world. The third angels message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and this truth must be brought before the world; but the great center of attraction, Yahushua, must not be left out of the third angels message. 1SM 383. The third angels message and the heavenly sanctuary are two subjects which are always connected:God had committed to His people a work to be accomplished on earth. The third angels message was to be given, the minds of believers were to be directed to the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ had entered to make atonement for His people. The Sabbath reform was to be carried forward. The breach in the law of Yahuwah must be made up. The message must be proclaimed with a loud voice, that all the inhabitants of earth might receive the warning. 1SM 67, 68. The third angel closes his message thus: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and the faith of Yahushua. As he repeated these words, he pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. . . . After Yahushua opened the door of the most holy, the light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of Yahuwah were tested, as the

- 119 -

THE FINAL CALL

children of Israel were tested anciently, to see if they would keep Gods law. EW 254. It is evident that the Sabbath reform which is the message of the third angel is also the sealing message. Compare the above Testimony with EW 42, 43. These messages are important because the destiny of souls hangs upon their understanding and acceptance: I was shown three steps the first, second, and third angels messages. Said my accompanying angel, Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received. I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of Yahuwah had purchased their experience. EW 258, 259. The Spirit of Prophecy emphasizes the fact that the third angels message, which points to the Sabbath or the seal of the living God, should be preached with great power. Decided efforts should be made to bring the message for this time prominently before the people. The third angel is to go forth with great power. Let none ignore this work or treat it as of little importance. . . .There is to be no change in the general features of our work. It is to stand as clear and distinct as prophecy has made it. We are to enter into no confederacy with the world, supposing that by so doing we could accomplish more. If any stand in the way, to hinder the advancement of the work in the lines that Yahuwah has appointed, they will displease Yahuwah. No line of truth that has made the Seventh day Adventist people what they are is to be weakened. We have the old landmarks of truth, experience, and duty, and we are to stand firmly in defense of our principles, in full view of the world. 6T 16, 17. The precious truths that constitute the old landmarks should remain firm and we have to defend them. For us they are a sacred principle. The sealing or Sabbath message is one of these truths. It ought to be preached in clear and distinct lines as prophecy has revealed it to us. We are Yahuwahs commandment-keeping people. For the past fifty years every phase of heresy has been brought to bear upon us, to becloud our minds regarding the teaching of the Word especially concerning the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, and the message of Heaven for these last days, as given by the angels of the fourteenth chapter of Revelation. Messages of every order and kind have been urged upon Seventh-day Adventists, to take the place of the truth which, point by point, has been sought out by prayerful study, and testified to by the miracle-working power of the Lord. But the waymarks which have made us what we are, are to be preserved, and they will be preserved, as Yahuwah has signified through His Word and the testimony of His Spirit. He calls upon us to hold firmly, with the grip of faith, to the fundamental principles that are based upon unquestionable authority. 1SM 208. The commandment-keeping people of Yahuwah are those who will have in their foreheads the seal of the living God. (Compare Rev. 14:1, 12; 7:2-4.) The Spirit of Prophecy tells us: The worshipers of Yahuwah will be especially distinguished by their regard for the fourth commandment, since this is the sign of Yahuwahs creative power and the witness to His claim upon mans reverence and homage. The wicked will be distinguished by their efforts to tear down the Creators memorial and to exalt the institution of Rome. In the issue of the conflict all Christendom will be divided into two great classes, those who keep the commandments of Yahuwah and the faith of Yahushua, and those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark. 9T 16. In the issue of the great contest two parties are developed, those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark, and those who receive the seal of the living God, who have the Fathers name written in their foreheads. This is not a visible mark. 7BC 980. (See GC 450). The ninth chapter of Ezekiel reveals the importance of being sealed in the forehead. The class that will not have the seal of Yahuwah in their foreheads will be destroyed. The destiny of each person depends upon the acceptance or rejection of this message. He will be protected in the day of slaughter only if he is sealed. Otherwise he will be destroyed. It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. . . .What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before Yahuwah and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of Yahuwah in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. Now is the time to prepare. The seal of Yahuwah will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, worldloving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before Yahuwahcandidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour. 5T 215, 216 The day of Yahuwahs vengeance is just upon us. The seal of Yahuwah will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. . . .Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons. Ibid., 212. The Lord has shown me that precious souls are starving, and dying for want of the present, sealing truth, the meat in due season; and that the swift messengers should speed on their way, and feed the flock with the present truth. I heard an Angel say, speed the swift messengers, speed the swift messengers; for the case of every soul will soon be decided, either for Life, or for Death. The Present Truth, vol. 1, No. 4.

- 120 -

THE FINAL CALL

LIGHT ON THE SEALING MESSAGE A small company of brethren and sisters were assembled in a meeting in Dorchester, near Boston, Massachusetts. Before the meeting commenced, some of us were examining some of the points in the sealing message. Some difference of opinion existed about the correctness of the view of the word ascending, et cetera. . . . After some time spent in earnest prayer for light and instruction, Yahuwah gave Sister White the following in vision. Joseph Bates, A Seal of the Living God, p. 24. At times Ellen White, while in vision, spoke in short exclamations of what she was viewing. These gave clues to her companions as to the scenes passing before her. It was so in this case, and Joseph Bates, with pencil and paper in hand, noted the words as she spoke. Here are significant portions of Batess notes: Where did the light break out? Let thine angel teach us where the light broke out! It commenced from a little, when Thou didst give one light after another. The testimony and commandments are linked together; they cannot be separated.That comes first, the ten commandments by Yahuwah. . . .He was well pleased when His law began to come up in strength, and the waste places began to be built up. Out of weakness it has become strong from searching His Word. The test upon it has been but a short time. . . . Its the seal! Its coming up! It arises, commencing from the rising of the sun. Like the sun, first cold, grows warmer and sends its rays. When that truth arose, there was but little light in it, but it has been increasing. O the power of these rays! It grows in strength. The greatest weight and light is on that truth; for it lasts forever, when the Bible is not needed. It arose there in the east. It began with a small light, but its beams are healing. O how mighty is that truth; its the highest after they enter the goodly land, but it will increase till they are made immortal. It commenced from the rising of the sun, keeps on its course like the sun, but it never sets. Ibid, pp. 24, 25. In Europe at this time there was confusion among the nations, and war seemed inevitable. There had been considerable discussion among the early believers as to the significance of the turmoil. With that background, these exclamations were significant: The angels are holding the four winds. It is Yahuwah that restrains the powers. The angels have not let go, for the saints are not all sealed. . . .When Michael stands up, this trouble will be all over the earth. Why, they are just ready to blow. Theres a check put on because the saints are not sealed. Yea, publish the things thou hast seen and heard, and the blessing of Yahuwah will attend. Look ye! That rising is in strength and grows brighter and brighter.Ellen White later wrote about the sequel to the vision: After coming out of vision, I said to my husband: I have a message for you. You must begin to print a little paper and send it out to the people. Let it be small at first; but as the people read, they will send you means with which to print, and it will be a success from the first. From this small beginning it was shown to me to be like streams of light that went clear round the world. (LS 125.) 1BIO 150, 151. In Life Sketches, p. 116 (footnote) the following account is given on the same subject by elder James White: We all felt like uniting to ask wisdom from Yahuwah on the points in dispute; also Brother Batess duty in writing. We had an exceedingly powerful meeting. Ellen was again taken off in vision. She then began to describe the Sabbath light, which was the sealing truth. She said: It arose from the rising of the sun. It arose back there in weackness, but light after light has shone upon it until the Sabbath truth is clear, weighty, and mighty. Like the rays are warming and powerful; so the light and power has increased more and more until its rays are powerful, sanctifying the soul; but, unlike the sun, it will never set. The Sabbath light will be at its brightest when the saints are immortal; it will rise higher and higher until immortality comes. She saw many interesting things about this glorious sealing Sabbath, which I have not time or space to record. She told Brother Bates to write the things he had seen and heard, and the blessings of Yahuwah would attend it. But the Adventists who had clung to their confidence in the fulfillment of prophecy on October 22 and who were now accepting the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the sign or seal of the living God were devising ways and means of presenting their message to the world. You are too late with your sealing message, their fellow believers of earlier days asserted, for the battle of the great day and the Lords actual coming are right upon us. 1BIO 153, 154. ANGELS HOLDING THE WINDS And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Rev. 7:1. These angels standing on the four corners of the earth are at the cardinal points of the earth, restraining or holding back the winds. Winds in the Bible represent commotions among the nations, wars, political movements, strife, etc. Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind; and will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about. Jer. 51:1, 2. (Read also Jer. 25:32; 49:36). We read also in the Spirit of Prophecy: John sees the elements of nature earthquake, tempest, and political striferepresented as being held by four angels. These winds are under control until Yahuwah gives the word to let them go. There is the safety of Yahuwahs church. The angels of Yahuwah do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of Yahuwah should be sealed in their foreheads. TM 444. I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He shewed me that it was Yahuwah that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth, and that the four angels had power from Yahuwah to hold the four winds, and that they

- 121 -

THE FINAL CALL

were about to let the four winds go, and while they had started on their mission to let them go, the merciful eye of Yahushua gazed on the remnant that were not all sealed, then He raised His hands to the Father and plead with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold until the servants of Yahuwah were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads. The Present Truth, vol. 1, No. 3. This last Testimony was written on January 5, 1849. At that time the winds were about to blow when the angel who had the seal of the living God bade the four angels to hold them until the sealing was finished. Around the year 1848 there was a commotion among the nations in Europe, namely Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. While this was taking place, the Adventists studied the seventh chapter of Revelation and understood that the winds would be restrained until the sealing work was completed. A vision was given Sister White about these events, and the words spoken while in vision were: The angels are holding the winds. It is Yahuwah that restrains the powers. The angels have not let go, for the saints are not all sealed. The time of trouble has commenced. It has begun. The reason why the four winds are not let go, is because the saints are not all sealed. It (the trouble) is on the increase more and more: that trouble will never end until the earth is rid of the wicked. Why, they (the winds) are just ready to blow. There is a check put on because the saints are not all sealed. Yes, publish the things thou has seen and heard and the blessing of God will attend. Questions on the Sealing Message, p. 16, by J. N. Loughborough.The winds were restrained because the saints were not all sealed. The four angels are holding the four winds that a special work may be accomplished: the saints of God are to be sealed in their foreheads. Brethren, how long before you will be ready for the seal of Yahuwah? RH June 7, 1887. Men cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining the four winds that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed; but when Yahuwah shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture. 6T 408.I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Yahushua work was done in the sanctuary. EW 36. Angels are belting the world, refusing Satan his claims to supremacy, made because of the vast multitude of his adherents. We hear not the voices, we see not with the natural sight the work of these angels, but their hands are linked about the world, and with sleepless vigilance they are keeping the armies of Satan at bay till the sealing of Yahuwahs people shall be accomplished. In Heavenly Places, p. 98. THE SEALING ANGEL And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelation 7:2, 3. This sealing angel is the same one mentioned in Revelation 14, where he not only warns the people against receiving the mark of the beast but also points to the commandments of Yahuwah, one of which contains the seal. The third angel of Revelation 14, therefore, is the sealing angel. The Spirit of Prophecy confirms this as follows: I saw a little company traveling a narrow pathway. All seemed to be firmly united, bound together by the truth, in bundles, or companies. Said the angel, The third angel is binding, or sealing, them in bundles for the heavenly garner. EW 88, 89. I then saw the third angel. Said my accompanying angel, Fearful is his work. Awful is his mission. He is the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner. These things should engross the whole mind, the whole attention. EW 118 .The mighty angel is seen ascending from the east (or sunrising). This mightiest of angels has in his hand the seal of the living God, or of Him who alone can give life, who can inscribe upon the foreheads the mark or inscription, to whom shall be granted immortality, eternal life. TM 444, 445. Elder Uriah Smith states: We conclude, then, that the angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, is a divine messenger in charge of a work of reform to be carried on among men in reference to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. . . .In Revelation 14 we find the same work again brought to view under the symbol of an angel flying in the midst of heaven with the most terrible warning that ever fell upon the ears of men. . . . The angel with the seal of the living God is therefore the same as the third angel of chapter 14.DR 443, 444. If the sealing angel is the third angel, his work must have begun when he entered in the field of action, and began to warn the people against the mark of the beast. He also inscribes the seal of the living God in the foreheads of Yahuwahs people. Without any doubt this work began in 1844. The Sabbath is the great test question. It is the line of demarkation between the loyal and true and the disloyal and transgressor. This Sabbath Yahuwah has enjoined, and those who claim to be commandment keepers, who believe that they are now under the proclamation of the third angels message, will see the important part the Sabbath of the fourth commandment holds in that message. It is the seal of the living God. 3SM 423. I was shown that the third angel, proclaiming the commandments of Yahuwah and the faith of Yahushua, represents the people who receive this message and raise the voice of warning to the world, to keep the commandments of Yahuwah as the apple of the eye, and that in response to this warning many would embrace the Sabbath of the Lord. 1T 77. The third angels message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and this truth must be brought before the world. Ev 184. Since 1844, in fulfillment of the prophecy of the third angels message, the attention of the world has been called to the true Sabbath, and a constantly increasing number are returning to the observance of Yahuwahs holy day. 4SP 286. The proclamation of the third angels message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. GW 156. The third angels message was to be given, the minds of believers were to be directed to the heavenly sanctuary, where

- 122 -

THE FINAL CALL

Christ had entered to make atonement for His people. The Sabbath reform was to be carried forward. The breach in the law of Yahuwah must be made up. Maranatha, p. 61. THE SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD In order for a law to be in force it must bear the signature of the lawgiver, otherwise it has no authority. A few examples: [I]n the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the kings ring. Esther 3:12. For the writing which is written in the kings name, and sealed with the kings ring, may no man reverse. Esther 8:8. The law of Yahuwah must have the seal, or stamp, of the great Lawgiver. In this seal three specific elements must appear: The name, the authority and the territory of His dominion. In the time of the great apostasy the man of sin attempted to remove the seal from the law; but in these last days it will be restored by the true people of Yahuwah. The prophet says: Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. Is. 8:16. Where do we find the seal in the law of Yahuwah? In the first four commandments we find our duties toward Yahuwah, and in the last six our duties toward our neighbors. In the first three commandments we do not find the seal. The last six do not reveal it to us either. The only place where we find it is in the fourth commandment. It reads:Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 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: 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. Exodus 20:8-11.
In the fourth commandment we find:

a) the name: YAHUWAH, THY GOD; b) His power: CREATOR (the Lord made); c) the territory of His dominion: HEAVEN AND EARTH, THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IN THEM IS. If we take the fourth commandment away, the law has no authority, because there would be no indication of the lawgiver. The Bible confirms that the fourth commandment is the seal, or sign of the living God: 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. Ezek. 20:12. And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Ezek. 20:20. 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. . . . Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 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. Ex. 31:13, 16, 17. The Spirit of Prophecy also confirms this very truth: The fourth commandment alone of all the ten contains the seal of the great Lawgiver, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Those who obey this commandment take upon themselves His name, and all the blessings it involves are theirs. 6T 350. The seal of Yahuwahs law is found in the fourth commandment. This only, of all the ten, brings to view both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It declares Him to be the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and thus shows His claim to reverence and worship above all others. Aside from this precept, there is nothing in the Decalogue to show by whose authority the law is given. GC 452. The sign, or seal, of Yahuwah is revealed in the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the Lords memorial of creation. 8T 117. The keeping of the Sabbath is declared to be a sign of the loyalty of Yahuwahs people. 8T 94. Too late they see that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God. GC 640. The Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God. It points to Yahuwah as the Creator, and is the sign of His rightful authority over the beings He has made. Those who obey this law will bear the seal of Yahuwah, for He has set apart this day as a sign of loyalty between Himself and His people. ST March 22, 1910. What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of His people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption. 4BC 1161. The Sabbath is a sign of creative and redeeming power; it points to Yahuwah as the source of life and knowledge; it recalls mans primeval glory, and thus witnesses to Yahuwahs purpose to re-create us in His own image. Ed. 250. The Sabbath was placed in the decalogue as the seal of the living God, pointing out the Lawgiver, and making known His right to rule. It was a sign between Yahuwah and His people, a test of their loyalty to Him. ST May 13, 1886. The Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God. It points to Yahuwah as the Creator, and is the sign of His rightful authority over the beings He has made. ST Nov. 1, 1899.

- 123 -

THE FINAL CALL

The sign or seal of God is the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, and the Lords memorial of his work of creation. RH April 27, 1911. THE FEASTS OF THE LORD Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quartersAnd it (Feast of Unleavened Bread) shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thy eyes, that the Lords law may be in thy mouth. (Exodus 13:7, 9) The word sign in this text also means mark. The above text is saying that the Feast of Unleavened Bread will be Yahuwahs sign, or mark, upon our foreheads. Our foreheads are where the seal of Yahuwah is placed (Revelation 7:3); thus the Feast of Unleavened Bread must be part of the seal of Yahuwah. If one Holy Day is part of the seal of Yahuwah then by implication, all of the Holy Days will be as well. The Seventh-day Sabbath, the first feast day in Leviticus chapter 23, is part of Yahuwahs seal. Here is a text used to prove this fact: And I gave them My statutes, and shewed them My judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. 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 hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. (Ezekiel 20:11, 12, 20). Notice that the word Sabbaths is plural, which is a reference to all of the Feasts mentioned in Leviticus chapter 23. Ezekiel 20:20 makes this point even more clear, And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. Notice again that Sabbaths are plural and that they (plural) are Yahuwahs sign. The word sign in these texts is the same original word used for sign in Exodus 13:9. To recap, in Ezekiel 20:12, 20, the Bible says that Yahuwahs Sabbaths are His sign or mark upon His people, and in Exodus 13:9 the Feast of Unleavened Bread is also His sign or mark upon His people. In Revelation 7:4 where it speaks of Yahuwahs people being sealed, the word sealed also means marked. In the scriptures the words sign, seal, and mark are interchangeable (See Romans 4:11). THE FINISHING OF THE SEALING WORK Before the close of the time of probation the sealing work will be finished. Though many of Yahuwahs children have been already sealed beforehand, at that time, under the final test, the children of Yahuwah who are still in the fallen churches will be called out to take their stand for the truth. The seal of Yahuwah or the mark of the beast will be urged upon the people according to their choice. All Christendom will have to make their decision. The Lord Yahuwah is a jealous God; yet He bears long with the sins and transgressions of His people in this generation. If the people of Yahuwah had walked in His counsel, the work of Yahuwah would have advanced, the message of truth would have been borne to all people that dwell on the face of the whole earth. . . . But because the people are disobedient, unthankful, unholy, as were ancient Israel, time is prolonged that all may hear the last message of mercy proclaimed with a loud voice. The Lords work has been hindered, the sealing time delayed. Many have not heard the truth. But the Lord will give them a chance to hear and be converted. FLB 288. In a little while every one who is a child of Yahuwah will have His seal placed upon him. O, that it may be placed upon our foreheads! Who can endure the thought of being passed by when the angel goes forth to seal the servants of Yahuwah in their foreheads? RH May 28, 1889. We may talk of the blessings of the Holy Spirit, but unless we prepare ourselves for its reception, of what avail are our works? Are we striving with all our power to attain to the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever pressing toward the mark set before us, the perfection of His character? When the Lords people reach this mark, they will be sealed in their foreheads. Filled with the Spirit, they will be complete in Christ, and the recording angel will declare, It is finished. RH June 10, 1902. Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of Yahuwah, will decree that, all both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond (Rev. 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of Yahuwah enjoining the Creators rest day demands obedience, and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts. With the issue thus clearly brought before him, whoever shall trample upon Yahuwahs law to obey a human enactment receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of Yahuwah. . . .But not one is made to suffer the wrath of Yahuwah until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. He who readsevery heart and tries every motive will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty; for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve Yahuwah and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to Yahuwah, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to Yahuwahs law, is an evidence of

- 124 -

THE FINAL CALL

loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other, choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of Yahuwah. GC 604, 605. By these statements we see that the final test is the enforcement of the Sunday law. The people of God who have finished their work of preparation, and have received the latter rain, will give the message in a loud cry, calling Yahuwahs children out of Babylon to receive the seal. The latter rain will come before the finishing of the sealing work. This is understood from the following Testimonies: Before the work is closed up and the sealing of Yahuwahs people is finished, we shall receive the outpouring of the Spirit of Yahuwah. 1SM 111. The living righteous will receive the seal of Yahuwah prior to the close of probation. Maranatha, p. 211. Those who are faithful to the commandments of Yahuwah (TM 234) but who are not yet a part of the remnant church, receive the seal of the living God as soon as they join the remnant (EW 261; 5T 505). Then the angel represented by the man with the inkhorn by his side (Eze. 9:11), returns from the earth. The Testimonies say: I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writers inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Yahushua that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Yahushua, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censor. EW 279. Notice the words, the saints were numbered and sealed. When the final test is brought, all faithful Sabbath keepers will be numbered and sealed. This work will be finished before the slaughtering work starts. (See Ezek. 9:4-6). When probation closes, the sealing work is completed. We read thus: Yahushua is in His holy temple and will now accept our sacrifices, our prayers, and our confessions of faults and sins and will pardon all the transgressions of Israel, that they may be blotted out before He leaves the sanctuary. When Yahushua leaves the sanctuary, then they who are holy and righteous will be holy and righteous still; for all their sins will then be blotted out, and they will be sealed with the seal of the living God. EW 48. When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense. 5T 213. Just before we entered it (the time of trouble), we all received the seal of the living God. Then I saw the four angels cease to hold the four winds. 7BC 968. Four important points should be taken into consideration in this study about the sealing of the 144,000: The third angels message will prepare a people described thus: For as the result of the threefold message it is announced, Here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and the faith of Yahushua. GC 453, 454.2. And the commandment-keeping people of Yahuwah are the sealed ones: But as he looked with intense interest, he beheld the company of Yahuwahs commandment-keeping people. They had upon their foreheads the seal of the living God, and he said: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and the faith of Yahushua. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. 6T 15.3. These overcomers having the seal of the living God in their foreheads are called the remnant. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lambs book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragons roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempters devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. A fair miter is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto Yahuwah. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God. 5T 475. 4.
The 144,000 sealed with the seal of the living God are not a group of faithful people within the church but the remnant church itself in its ultimate triumph: In holy vision the prophet saw the ultimate triumph

of Yahuwahs remnant church. He writes: I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory . . . stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of Yahuwah. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of Yahuwah, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord Yahuwah Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Fathers name written in their foreheads. Rev. 14:1. In this world their minds were consecrated to Yahuwah; they served Him with the intellect and with the heart; and now He can place His name in their foreheads. AA 590, 591. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Fathers name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. . . . Now indeed are the remnant men wondered at, as the tears and humiliation of their pilgrimage give place to joy and honor in the presence of Yahuwah and the

- 125 -

THE FINAL CALL

Lamb. 5T 475, 476. The warning of the third angel reads: 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 Yahuwah, 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. Rev. 14:9, 10. The wrath of Yahuwah will be poured out on those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. This wrath is the outpouring of the seven last plagues. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. Rev. 15:1. The great mass of professing Christians will meet with bitter
disappointment in the day of Yahuwah. They have not upon their foreheads the seal of the living God.

7BC 970. The people left without the seal of the living God (GC 605; 5T 211) are not sheltered in the time of the plagues (see EW 44). They will be destroyed during the slaughter (GC 656) because they have a counterfeit seal, the mark of the beast (5T 216). The first plague will be poured out on them: And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. Rev. 16:2. The seven plagues will last for a period of approximately one year. (See Rev. 18:8; Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6.) When the seventh plague is poured out Yahuwahs voice declares: It is done. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. Rev. 16:17, 18. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of Yahuwah like the sound of many waters, saying, It is done. Rev. 16:17. That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. GC 636, 637. At the beginning of the seventh plague there is a mighty earthquake. Some of the people of Yahuwah who were in prison are set free, as prison walls are rent asunder. By this earthquake graves are opened and the partial resurrection takes place. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Dan. 12:2. Who are these raised from their graves then? This is what we read in the Spirit of Prophecy about the resurrection of Daniel 12:2:Graves are opened, and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth . . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angels message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear Yahuwahs covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. GC 637. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angels message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law. EW 285. All faithful Adventists who passed away, keeping the Sabbath, will be resurrected in the partial resurrection at the beginning of the seventh plague. They are raised glorified but still mortal, to hear Yahuwahs covenant of peace, or everlasting covenant. Elder James White understood that those who are raised at the partial resurrection are not raised immortal. He wrote: Those who die under the third angels message are a part of the 144,000; there are not 144,000 in addition to these, but these help to make up that number. They are raised to mortal life shortly before Christ comes, and . . . are changed to immortality when Christ appears. RH September 23, 1880. Those who are raised at this special or partial resurrection, and go to everlasting contempt are those who condemned and pierced Christ, and were the strongest enemies of Yahuwahs truth and people, as we see hereunder: Yahushua saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Matt. 26:64. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall seehim, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Rev. 1:7. They also which pierced Him (Rev. 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christs dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient. GC 637. There are those who mocked Christ in His humiliation. With thrilling power come to their minds the Sufferers words, when, adjured by the high priest, He solemnly declared, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Matt. 26:64. Now they behold Him in His glory, and they are yet to see Him sitting on the right hand of power. GC 643.After this special or partial resurrection, the following events take place: a) Thick clouds still cover the sky; yet the sun now and then breaks through, appearing like the avenging eye of Yahovah. Fierce lightnings leap from the heavens, enveloping the earth in a sheet of flame. Above the terrific roar of thunder, voices, mysterious and awful, declare the doom of the wicked. . . . b) Through a rift in the clouds, there beams a star whose brilliancy is increased fourfold in contrast with the darkness. It speaks hope and joy to the faithful, but severity and wrath to the transgressors of Yahuwahs law. GC 637, 638. c) Then there appears against the sky a hand holding two tables of stone folded together. Says the prophet, The heavens shall declare His righteousness: for Yahuwah is judge Himself, Psa. 50:6. That holy law,

- 126 -

THE FINAL CALL

Yahuwahs righteousness, that amid thunder and flame was proclaimed from Sinai as the guide of life, is now revealed to men as the rule of judgment. The hand opens the tables, and there are seen the precepts of the decalogue, traced as with a pen of fire. The words are so plain that all can read them. Memory is aroused, the darkness of superstition and heresy is swept from every mind, and Yahuwahs ten words, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, are presented to the view of all inhabitants of the earth. It is impossible to describe the horror and despair of those who have trampled upon Yahuwahs holy requirements. The Lord gave them His law; they might have compared their characters with it and learned their defects while there was yet opportunity for repentance and reform; but in order to secure the favor of the world, they set aside its precepts and taught others to transgress. They have endeavored to compel Yahuwahs people to profane His Sabbath. Now they are condemned by that law which they have despised. With awful distinctness they see that they are without excuse. They chose whom they would serve and worship. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth Yahuwah and him that serveth Him not. Mal. 3:18. The enemies of Yahuwahs law, from the ministers down to the least among them, have a new conception of truth and duty. Too late they see that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God. GC 639, 640. THE 144 000: CHURCH OF THE OVERCOMERS Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 3:10 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. Here is the prayer of Christ as the high priest praying as they are one. Here is the introduction of the judgement. This generation will not meet the terrible time in which we live in. What was the true condition of the remnant in the period of Philadelphia? Yahuwahs people were then accepted of Him. Yahushua looked upon them with pleasure, for His image was reflected in them. They had made a full sacrifice, an entire consecration, and expected to be changed to immortality. {EW 239.1} Here in the Philadelphian period is a commitment to Yahuwah which we must gain. The Christian life is constantly an onward march. Yahushua sits as a refiner and purifier of His people; and when His image is perfectly reflected in them, they are perfect and holy, and prepared for translation. A great work is required of the Christian. We are exhorted to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of Yahuwah. Here we see where the great labor rests. There is a constant work for the Christian. Every branch in the parent vine must derive life and strength from that vine, in order to yield fruit. {1T 340.4} We are to be in the spiritual condition of Philadelphia which is why some people get this period mixed up with the Laodicean period. They say we need to go back to the Philadelphia period. No, we are to come into the condition of Yahushua seeing his character perfected in them. We must be like those in Smyrna, like those who rejected the high brow attitude in Thyatira. I cant regard you any higher than anyone else in the church. We must be like the Smyrna people dressed in white. All though this was their position that Yahushua would be reflected in them, there was still some overcoming needed there. Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name. Even though Yahushua saw himself reflected in them, they had some overcoming to do. Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name. These people of Philadelphia would have the name of Yahuwah written in them. Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Fathers name written in their foreheads. The Philadelphian people will be included in the 144,000. The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, Yahuwah, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Yahushuas new name. {EW 15.1} To be an overcomer, to be among them, what was required of them? The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that Yahuwahs hand had directed the great advent movement and revealing present duty as it brought to light the position and work of His people. {GC 423.1} This is the remnant church, which does the finishing work of Christ on earth. Its members are a little flock and few in number, one or two here and two or three there, a few in this district and a few in that. These are they that shake the universe; who change the fortune of kingdoms by their prayers; these are they who are the active workers for spreading the pure gospel, true and undefiled; these are the life blood of the world, the

- 127 -

THE FINAL CALL

shield, the defense, the stay and the support of any nation to which they belong...these are they which keep the commandments of YAHUWAH, and have the faith of YAHUSHUA. What is our present duty? But the people were not yet ready to meet their Lord. There was still a work of preparation to be accomplished for them. Light was to be given, directing their minds to the temple of Yahuwah in heaven; and as they should by faith follow their High Priest in His ministration there, new duties would be revealed. Another message of warning and instruction was to be given to the church. {GC 424.4} Philadelphia had more to learn. Now we come to that terrible disappointing statement, "you must go and prophesy again." There is more to learn before Yahushua comes... Since the purpose of the Feast of Trumpets in Leviticus chapter 23 was to announce that Yahuwahs people had ten days to prepare for The Day of Atonement, or Judgment Day, so the Trumpets of Revelation are warnings that Yahuwah sends upon this earth to announce that the Judgment of the Living (saints) is about to begin on the Day of Atonement, and that the destructive judgements of the world (without mercy) is near. These trumpets of Revelation are the seven "first plagues" that Yahuwah sends on the earth. The Seventh Trumpet signals the close of human probation or the close of mercy. The close of human probation (time alloted for humanity to repent and accept the gift of salvation), occurs when the Judgment of the Living saints ends and every persons destiny, whether they are to inherit eternal life or not, has been forever decided and Yahuwah's mercy for the wicked ends. Then the seven "last plagues" spoken of in Revelation chapters 15 and 16 occur. (Note that the Bible calls these plagues seven last plagues. If there are seven last plagues, there must be seven first plagues. These seven first plagues are the Trumpet warnings of Revelation. Since the Trumpets of Revelation occur before the close of mercy, or probation, then these Trumpets are judgments that are mixed with mercy, and therefore are warnings of the coming judgementboth investigative (for the living saints) and destructive (for the wicked who will not repent). "The time of God's destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have had no opportunity to learn what is truth...He is holding back His judgments, waiting for the message of warning to be sounded to all." (Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 97). Yahuwah sends these seven "trumpet plagues" in love to wake up those who have not had opportunity to learn the truth. However, the seven "last plagues" are the judgments of Yahuwah poured out with no mercy on those who have rejected Yahuwah's offer of mercy and have instead been deceived into accepting the mark of the beast. Sister White, in the book Great Controversy, p. 629, states, All the judgments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been mingled with mercy. The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy. To properly interpret the Trumpets of Revelation we must use a basic rule of Biblical interpretation which is to let the Bible interpret itself. We must read the Bible literally, unless the literal meaning is illustrated in symbolism. We then take the key words of the passage thought to be symbolic and look up all texts in the Bible containing these key words and the symbolism will be interpreted. "The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed. (Great Controversy, p. 599) In studying through the Trumpets of Revelation we find a combination of literalism and symbolism. With prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit we believe that their meaning will be made clear. THE TIME OF TROUBLE

For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? Wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacobs trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." Jeremiah 30:57. The time of trouble such as never was, is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal." (The Great Controversy, p 622). The little time of trouble occurs prior to the close of probation and will be experienced by all the living saints. When they receive the latter rain, they give the loud cry with divine power, warning all the inhabitants of the earth that they must make a final decision for or against Yahuwah.

- 128 -

THE FINAL CALL

Then probation will close and immediately the great time of trouble will commence. "And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully." Early Writings, 33. There is no question. When the little time of trouble begins, the latter rain falls, the saints are sealed and the loud cry is given. This is made positively clear in the following quotation. "The commencement of that time of trouble, here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel." Early Writings, 85. "Papists, Protestants, and the worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a great movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the longexpected millenium." The Great Controversy, 588."Calamities will comecalamities most awful, most unexpected; and these destructions will follow one after another. If there will be a heeding of the warning that Yahuwah has given, and if churches will repent, returning to their allegiance, then other cities may be spared for a time. But if men who have been deceived continue in the same way in which they have been walking, disregarding the law of Yahuwah and presenting falsehoods before the people, Yahuwah allows them to suffer calamity, that their senses may be awakened." Evangelism, 27. It is during this little time of trouble that Yahuwah gives a last chance to the world to accept His law. "Soon strife among the nations will break out with an intensity that we do not now anticipate. The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element. And they realize that something great and decisive is about to take place, that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis." Maranatha, 174. This is why we will finish the work under the most dire circumstances during this little time of trouble. "While the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues will be poured out." Early Writings, 85. "Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as Yahuwah allows. While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land; in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast." The Great Controversy (1888 edition), 589. Satans purpose in such destruction will be to blame Yahuwahs faithful for these terrible judgments. "As men depart further and further from Yahuwah, Satan is permitted to have power over the children of disobedience. He hurls destruction among men. There is calamity by land and sea. Property and life are destroyed by fire and flood. Satan resolves to charge this upon those who refuse to bow to the idol which he has set up. His agents point to Sabbath keepers as the cause of the trouble. These people stand out in defiance of law, they say. They desecrate Sunday. Were they compelled to obey the law for Sunday observance, there would be a cessation of these terrible judgments. " Maranatha, 176. Such wicked plans will draw the attention of the honest in heart, to the belief and teaching of Yahuwahs remnant church in such a way as is now thought impossible. In fact, the attention of the entire world will be riveted on our beliefs. "Every position of truth taken by our people will bear the criticism of the greatest minds; the highest of the worlds great men will be brought in contact with truth and therefore every position we take should be critically examined and tested by the Scriptures." Evangelism, 69. The divine standard is being presented and the temple, the altar, and them that worship therein are being measured. (Rev. 11:1; 7T 219). God has given a message to His witnesses (Rev. 11:3), and they are beginning to prophesy in sackcloth (4T 594). His true church- the faithful souls (A.A 11), are coming into line and putting on the armour of Christs righteousness as they prepare to enter upon their final conflict. (P.K. 725). Meanwhile, the accusations hurled against this little company which is found scattered throughout the world are too numerous and revolting for words. Only the malignant scheming of the arch-fiend could put such falsehoods, misrepresentations, and malicious insinuations into the minds of those who oppose the message. They will be bent on destroying the influence and work- if not the lives- of these humble instruments and they care not what means they will use to accomplish their purpose. The little flock will be charged with selfishly desiring to gain a following, start some new organization in which they could occupy the highest place. (We are reminded of one in another age who was suspected by the leaders of His own church and nation of establishing a rival kingdom. He who is guilty of wrong is the first to suspect wrong. M.B 181) But we know this to be false, for they will have steadfastly refused worldly honour or position or recognition. They had declined to accept the homage even of those whom they had brought to Christ. Their oneness with their Lord and His power by which they were enabled to witness for Him, had cost- as it had the Apostle Paul- the loss of all things dear to them on earth- family, friends, home, position, reputation, and a life

- 129 -

THE FINAL CALL

of comfort and ease. And it had bestowed in the place of these, sorrow, suffering, hardship, the hatred and reproach of their brethren, and an agonizing burden for the lost souls for whom Jesus lived and died. And it was yet to bring them bitter persecution, torture, and possible death. These faithful workers will have no smooth message to give and no position or human honour to bestow upon those who should accept the light from heaven which they now bring. They are not popular with the world nor with world-loving churches. Nor is it a vision of financial gain that inspired them for they labour in an entirely self-supporting manner as did the great apostle to the gentiles. It is a love for the truth and for their sin-pardoning Saviour that constrains both the giver and the receiver of the message. Far from striving for a following, when the messengers see that too much honour and attention are being focused on them, they quietly withdraw to labour in another place. After this conflict having continued with increasing ferocity for many months these troublesome elements will become so numerous that they will be found in nearly every church and community. All conference and church workers will then be warned regarding them. No distinction will made concerning these "lunarsabbatarians," and no real effort will to be made to try the spirits (1 John 4), to see if it might not be that God was endeavouring to bring about a work of revival and reformation within the church. All who would not readily submit to he arbitrary demands of the church leaders and accept their claim to the right to interpret the word of God and dictate to all the church members as to their Christian duty, will be disfellowshipped and denounced as off-shoots. Any word that tends to arouse the carnal slumbers of either laymen or minister is to be looked upon with suspicion and promptly dealt with as dangerous. (R.H. Nov. 7, 1918). The leaders of the people are being taught to ignore the principle that vital present truth causes dissension (T.M. 106) persecution (G.C. 48) and a sword. (Matt. 10:34) They crave only unity in the church even if it be at the cost of compromise with the kingdom of darkness. (R.H., Apr. 19, 1906). By means of this message which constitutes the final call, the shaking or sifting of the church will finally be gloriously completed. Yahuwah has demanded and promised a pure church. The rebels having been purged out (T.M. 372-3), and the true people of Yahuwah, so very few in number, are a united people giving the final warning with power. Here is the nucleus of the Remnant church with membership written in heaven and known only to Yahuwah. Meanwhile, the Laodicean church will continue to operate pompously. (5T 210; Isa. 2:6). Having united fully with the world by not acknowledging the abominable character of the calendar of Rome, claiming its continued use bares no significant impact on the spirituality of the church, the Laodicean church will lay claim that "certainly Yahuwah is with us," since the church will be multiplying its membership in the most astounding manner (Micah 4; Isa. 2). However, with the power and presence of Yahuwah lacking, it will require no cross for a worldling to unite with the church. The Laodicean Church will congratulate itself for the apparent marvelous success and prosperity. Calling it "the blessing of Yahuwah" and with flattery declare that at last the great revival has come! The straight testimony of the True Witness will be no more heard rebuking sin and calling people to repentance. The leaders having represented to the people that the shaking, was to separate from the Laodicean organization all who were out of harmony with its spirit and practices. These were the tares and how glad will the leaders of the church be, now that "with Yahuwahs help" they have gotten rid of them. Now the church could prosper! But Yahuwah views things in an entirely different light. His chosen messengers who had faithfully given the Laodicean message to His professed people have been cast out by men, but their names have been registered indelibly in the book of life. The sifting so long debated and anticipated was accomplished and we will see clearly that to be shaken out meant to be separated in Yahuwahs reckoning from the faithful souls, who from the beginning have constituted His true church. (A.A. 11). To be retained in good and regular standing with the Laodicean organization meant to be shaken out from the true translation church the true Remnant (Rev:3:7-17). How they fought all through the closing work to convince the people that the church was "going through" with all those who stayed on board the ship, and to be cast out of membership with the denomination was equivalent to having ones name blotted out of the book of life! They will find this to be the most effective whip to hold over their constituency for it drives them to any lengths of blind submission and compromise, rather than suffer the disgrace of being disfellowshipped or run the risk of losing eternal life. The involvements of excommunications will be little less than those practiced by the church of Rome. (G.C. 141) Since the destiny of the Laodicean church hung on the attitude taken toward the Laodicean message, when this message has completed its work, it will be evident that the church has been judged, it has sealed its destiny! Near the close of this period of witnessing in sackcloth (Rev. 11:3; 4T 594), a sudden and unlooked for calamity (C.O.L 412) occurs, a series of events revealing that Yahuwah is master of the situation. (9T 96). We will now see that the vast majority of the church, who rose up against this solemn call to repentance and humility, did not endure the final test and they are companions in agony as the judgments of Yahuwah are now falling upon unprotected heads. Thus commences the little time of trouble when the Holy Spirit will be poured out in the latter rain before the last plagues begin to fall. (E.W. 33, 85-6) This catastrophic occurrence will inevitably involve the proper observance of the Seventh-day Sabbath of the holy law of Yahuwah. Both wise and foolish virgins, (C.O.L. 406-413) both Laodiceans and Philadelphians, will be brought face-toface with death in this supreme test over the question of whether they would obey Yahuwah or man. Only

- 130 -

THE FINAL CALL

those who have followed on in the light and who have gained an experience with the Holy Spirit (C.O.L. 412) are able to endure the test and retain their position of loyalty to their Creator. (E.W. 33, 85-6) The people saw the issue and sensed the need, and they began to see how far apostasy had carried them in opposing Yahuwah and His faithful servants, but now they have no power to act. (Spec. to Min., No. 7, 54-5) To preserve their own lives and retain their positions, they will issue an order to the worldwide membership that, Just for the emergency, all loyal Seventh-day Adventists are expected to comply with the demands of their governments in regard to their attitude toward Sabbath (which in their reckoning is Saturday) observance. Having previously persuaded themselves that in this act they would not be violating the Sabbath command, they would be but carrying out the inspired admonition to obey the powers that be. (Rom. 13:1). This will be the crowning abomination of the Ancient Men seen by the prophet before the slaughter began. (Ezek. 8:16). Then through malice and treachery and to save their own lives, they will of necessity betray the little company, their former brethren-even their closest friends and relatives-into the hands of the state to be abused, tortured, or even put to death, for non-compliance with the laws of the land, contrary to the requirements of Yahovah. (G.C. 608-610). Thus begins the days of trial and persecution for the feeble remnant. The members of the true body of Christ will be drawn close together in tender sympathy and love as souls in all the religious bodies respond to the loud cry of the third angel, and come out to unite with the little company who are in the light, and they will endure the persecution with them. (6T 401) A GREAT EARTHQUAKE And I saw the seven angels who stand before Yahuwah, and to them were given seven trumpets. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the alter. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden alter before the throne.Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the alter, and hurled it on the Earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightening and an earthquake. (Rev 8: 2,3,5) This event (a great earthquake) will be a precursor to the beginning of the implementation of Universal Calendar Reform (the abomination of desolation) which commences the time of trouble. This universal calendar reform will be spearheaded by the three-fold union of the Government of United States of America, the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant Churches of the World. THE FIRST TRUMPET

The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Revelation 8:7) The Bible does not mention hail very many times, but every time "hail" is mentioned it is in connection with judgments of God. For instance, in Exodus God sent upon hail upon the Egyptians during the ten plagues. Here are some additional texts. "I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me, says the Lord." (Haggai 2:17) "Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand." (Isaiah 28:2) "Have you entered the treasury of snow, or have you seen the treasury of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? (Job 38:22, 23) Note that this last text states that God has reserved hail for the time of trouble. Since the Seven Trumpets of Revelation occur during the time of trouble, then most likely this text in Job is speaking of the first Trumpet. The Bible depicts fire as an instrument of Yahuwahs wrath upon the wicked: For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24); At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. (Psalms. 18:12-15); In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not Yahuwah, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8); But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap. (Malachi 3:2); And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received

- 131 -

THE FINAL CALL

the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20). Interestingly, Sister White was given a vision of exactly this scenario: "In the vision of the night a very impressive scene passed before me. I saw an immense ball of fire fall among some beautiful mansions, causing their instant destruction. I heard someone say; 'We knew that the judgments of Yahuwah were coming upon the earth, but we did not know that they would come so soon.' Others, with agonized voices, said, 'You knew! Why then did you not tell us? We did not know.' On every side I heard similar words of reproach spoken." (Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 28. "Last Friday morning, just before I awoke, a very impressive scene was presented before me. I seemed to awake from sleep but was not in my home. From the windows I could behold a terrible conflagration. Great balls of fire were falling upon houses, and from these balls fiery arrows were flying in every direction. It was impossible to check the fires that were kindled, and many places were being destroyed. The terror of the people was indescribable. After a time I awoke and found myself at home." (Evangelism p. 29). Psalms 18:13-14 states, The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave His voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, He sent out His arrows, and scattered them; and He shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. This text sounds very similar, even using the same word arrow as in the above vision. The following are some more Bible texts speaking of the hail during this first Trumpet. Notice also that some of these texts speak of both hail and fire. Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the handand the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place (Isaiah 28:2,17) (The waters overflowing are referring to the next Trumpet). And the LORD shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of His arm, with the indignation of His anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. (Isaiah 30:30). The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave His voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, He sent out His arrows, and scattered them; and He shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. (Psalms 18:13-14) The following is a beautiful promise of comfort for Yahuwahs people during this time. And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; when it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low as a low place. (Isaiah 32:18-19) THE SECOND TRUMPET

"Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed." (Revelation 8:8). Sister White describes what sounds like part of this trumpet. "Thousands of ships will be hurled into the depths of the sea. Navies will go down, and human lives will be sacrificed by millions." (Messages to Young People, p. 89). The National Geographic in the June, l989 issue p. 686, p. 681, speaking of the effects of a cosmic impact as that of an asteroid, states that an asteroid would turn red-hot from the friction it encounters when it impacts earth's atmosphere, and this would give it the impression that it is burning. On impact, "If the impact occurred...at sea, huge tsunamis (tidal waves) could destroy coastal habitats across the globe." These tidal waves would also destroy all the ships over a very large part of the ocean. The seas would look like the aftermath of a global red tide--dead animals floating everywhere." So the sea creatures would die. Scientists state that a hot asteroid impact into the ocean would boil the oxygen out of a large area of the ocean. This red tide is a plant that grows in anoxic (oxygendeficient) water which turns the water blood-red. So the sea creatures would die. This scenario is an exact description of Revelation 8:8. We believe that Yahushua was speaking in part, of this second Trumpet when he stated, And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. (Luke 21:25). Certainly tidal waves destroying coastal areas fits the description of the sea and the waves roaring. The following text is a beautiful promise for Gods people during this second Trumpet. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. (Psalms 32:5-7). The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. (Psalms 93:3) The following is an interesting quote about Psalms chapter 93. Read the 99th, 19th, 91st, 92nd and 93rd Psalms. My attention has been called to these matters. Shall we not consider the Word of the Lord? These things were written for our

- 132 -

THE FINAL CALL

admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come, and should they not be the objects of study in our schools? (Manuscript 96, 1899). THE THIRD TRUMPET

"Then the angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water; and the name of the star is Wormwood: and a third of the waters became wormwood: and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter." (Revelation 8:10, 11). This text describes an asteroid impact on land. National Geographic, June 1989, p. 686 states, "If the impact occurred on land, earthquakes would rock the continent for days." These earthquakes would sheer wells and septic tanks and would also cause all the underground wastes (including nuclear) to pollute the water supply. These indeed would make many men die from the water, again fitting the description of Revelation 8:10, 11. Yahuwah has a promise for His people during this time as well. He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16) THE FOURTH TRUMPET "Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened; and a third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night." (Revelation 8:12). Notice one difference between this trumpet and the first three. The first three trumpets state the cause of the troubles. For instance, the first states that "hail and fire" cause a third of the trees and all the green grass to be burned up. This fourth trumpet states the effect but not the cause. "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine." (Isaiah 13:10). And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. (Luke 21:25). "December 16, 1848, the Lord gave me a view of the shaking of the powers of the heavens. I saw that when the Lord said "heaven," in giving the signs recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, He meant heaven, and when He said "earth," He meant earth. The powers of heaven are the sun, moon, and stars. They rule in the heavens. The powers of earth are those that rule on the earth. The powers of heaven will be shaken at the voice of Yahuwah. Then the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of Yahuwah. Dark heavy clouds came up, and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back; then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of Yahuwah. The holy city will come down through that open space" {CET 111.2}. So Yahuwah the Father announces to the 144 000 the day and hour of Yahushua's Second Coming at the sounding of this fourth trumpet. (Revelation 14:1-2). "It was not long after the passing of the time, in 1844, that my first vision was given me. I was visiting Mrs. Haines at Portland, a dear sister in Christ, whose heart was knit with mine; five of us, all women, were kneeling quietly at the family altar. While we were praying, the power of God came upon me as I had never felt it before. I seemed to be surrounded with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, "Look again, and look a little higher." At this, I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were traveling to the city which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the "midnight cry." [See Matthew 25:6.] This light shone all along the path, and gave light for their feet, so that they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on Yahushua, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. Then Yahushua would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the advent band, and they shouted "Alleluia!" Others rashly denied the light behind them, and said that it was not Yahuwah that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Yahushua, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below. Soon we heard the voice of Yahuwah like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Yahushuas coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When Yahuwah spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the Glory of Yahuwah, as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai. The 144,000 were all sealed, and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, "Yahuwah, New Jerusalem," and a glorious star containing Yahushu's new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth

- 133 -

THE FINAL CALL

the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that Yahushua had loved us who could wash one another's feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet." Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, pp. 57-59. Thus saith the Lord Yahuwah; the gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened. And the Prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without (Ezekiel 46:1-2) The Bible tells us that this Prince is Jesus (Daniel 9:25). Notice that the gate that looks towards the east is shut the first six days of the week, but this gate opens on the Seventh-day Sabbath, this gate as it was on earth has its heavenly counterpart. The gate in Ezekiel 46:1 which looks to the east is a type of the gate that separates heaven and earth because of sin (Genesis 3:24). When Jesus is ready to come back for His people this gate separating heaven and earth is opened for Him. Notice that this verse states that the gate is opened both on the Seventh-day Sabbath and on the day of the New Moon. The Feast of Trumpets is the only yearly Feast that falls on the new moonwhich is also observed as a Sabbath. It occurs on the first day of the seventh month. Yahuwah announces the day and hour of the Second Coming at the Feast of Trumpets. The voice of Yahuwah is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Yahushuas coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. Like peals of loudest thunder His words roll through the earth. The Israel of Yahuwah stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with His glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked cannot look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have honored Yahuwah by keeping His Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory. Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a mans hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of Yahuwah know this to be the sign of the Son of man. In solemn silence they gaze upon it as it draws nearer the earth, becoming lighter and more glorious, until it is a great white cloud, its base a glory like consuming fire, and above it the rainbow of the covenant. Yahushua rides forth as a mighty conqueror. (Great Controversy, pp. 640-641).

The Orion is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world in the eastern sky. It is one of the most conspicuous, and most recognizable constellations in the night sky. The open space in Orion is said to be in the shape of a trumpet and the end of the trumpet is pointed right at Planet Earth. On the Feast of Trumpets Yahuwah is going to speak through this "trumpet" and announce the day and hour of Yahushua's coming! THE FIFTH TRUMPET

The fifth Trumpet encompasses Revelation 9:1-12. (Please read these verses before proceeding). This trumpet describes a fallen star opening the key to the bottomless pit which releases a deadly swarm of locusts. These locusts are given power to harm only those who do not have the seal of Yahuwah. We are given a clue as to who these locusts are in Revelation 9:11. "And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon." Both of these names have the same meaning of Destroyer. The destroyer of this earth is Satan, the devil. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." The word locusts is used to denote the agency used or allowed by Yahuwah to destroy His enemies and the enemies of His people, in the book of Judges it is used to describe the enemies of Yahuwah's people: The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. (Judges 7:12). In Luke 8:26-

- 134 -

THE FINAL CALL

39 we read the story of the demoniac whom Jesus healed. When Jesus was ready to cast the demons out, they begged Him not to make them go into the bottomless pit (or abyss). The abyss appears to be the abiding place of spirits of demons (the fallen angels). Under the fifth trumpet the devil and his angels are released to physically appear upon the earth. Sister Ellen White confirms this in Great Controversy, p. 624. "As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation (Revelation 1:13-15). The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: 'Christ has come! Christ has come!' The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion." Satan and his angels physically appear on the earth and this is the greatest deception ever to come upon the world. Yahushua also tells us, in Matthew 24:23 that Satan will attempt to appear as Christ. "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it." The reason is because at the Second Coming of Yahushua His feet will not touch the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:1617) and His Coming will be universally witnessed by everyone on earth (Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:27). Therefore if any being appears on earth claiming to be Yahushua we know that this being is an imposter, which is why Yahushua tells us not to believe it or even to go to see or hear him (Matthew 24:26). At Yahushuas third coming to this earth, at the end of the Millennium, Yahushua feet will touch the ground (Zechariah 14:4). Besides attempting to deceive men into believing that he is Yahushua, Satan and his evil angels will torment those who do not have the seal of Yahushua. "And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. And their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them." Rev. 9:5,6. Exactly how evil angels will torment men we are not told, but it must be quite severe as men would rather die than endure this torment. The Bible also depicts the 5th, 6th & 7th Trumpets as WOES, meaning their severity will be far much worse than the preceding four trumpet judgements. (See Revelation 9 vs 12) THE SIXTH TRUMPET

The Sixth Trumpet is global warfare and is found in Revelation 9:13-21. This trumpet speaks of an army composed of two hundred million who kill a third of mankind. No nation on earth currently has an army that large; therefore, this army is an army of many nations involved in a conflict on a global scale. Eventually, this war will be turned against Yahuwahs people. "I saw the sword, famine, pestilence, and great confusion in the land. The wicked thought that we had brought the judgments upon them, and they rose up and took counsel to rid the earth of us, thinking that then the evil would be stayed." (Early Writings, p. 33, 34). For the first time, weapons of mass destruction will be employed on a much wider scale (Revelation 9:17,19). Although these trumpet judgements are intended to warn the world about the coming totally destructive judgements of Yahuwah, "the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." (Revelation 9:20-21). The people of the world will instead combine to enforce a false Sabbath, and also decree that those who will not observe that false Sabbath should be killed. Finally the Sunday violators will be declared to be the cause of all that is taking place in this little time of trouble. "Satan puts his interpretation upon events, and they [leading men] think, as he would have them, that the calamities which fill the land are a result of Sunday-breaking. Thinking to appease the wrath of Yahuwah, these influential men make laws enforcing Sunday observance. They think that by exalting this false rest day higher, and still higher, compelling obedience to the Sunday law, the spurious sabbath, they are doing Yahuwah service. Those who honor Yahuwah by observing the true Sabbath are looked upon as disloyal

- 135 -

THE FINAL CALL

to Yahuwah, when it is really those who thus regard them who are themselves disloyal, because they are trampling under foot the Sabbath originated in Eden." Maranatha, 176. Thus the entire world under the papal power will turn against Yahuwahs people. Sabbath-keepers will be hated and plans will be made to utterly destroy them. "The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against Sabbath keepers, because they will not yield homage to the papacy, by honoring Sunday, the institution of this antichristian power. It is the purpose of Satan to cause them to be blotted from the earth, in order that his supremacy of the world may not be disputed." Testimonies to Ministers, 37. THE SEVENTH TRUMPET The Seventh Trumpet is the close of probation, which is the close of Yahuwahs mercy and the end to the time alloted for humanity to accept the gift of salvation through faith and obedience to Yahushua his Son. At this time Yahuwahs offer of salvation by means of the gospel of grace ends to every person on earth. The destiny of all has been decided in the Judgment (Revelation 15:4-8). Revelation 10:7 says, "But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of Yahuwah would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets." What is the mystery of Yahuwah? Ephesians 6:19 says, "that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel." If the mystery of Yahuwah is the gospel, then this seventh trumpet is the close of probation when the message of Yahuwahs gospel of grace ends. In quick succession the trumpets have sent their chilling warnings, and those who have heeded the warning have repented and received to seal of the living God while those who have not, are doomed to destruction. Now closes the judgement tribunal in heaven. The cases of all who have at some point in their lives professed faith in the atoning sacrifice of the Messiah have at last been decidedfor eternity. The final irrevocable statement is made in heaven: He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.(Revelation 22:11). This solemn announcement is heard when Yahushua stops his work of presenting His blood on behalf of confessing sinners, for everyone has made their final decisionthose who would ever repent of their sins and give their lives fully to Yahuwah have done so, never to choose to sin again, and those who would not repent up to this time have fully hardened their heart. Now those who have chosen to keep their loyalties on Satans side feel the wrath of Yahuwah: When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when Yahuwah was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of Yahuwahs people. Says the revelator, in describing those terrific scourges: A foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. The sea became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. And the rivers and springs of water . . . became blood. Terrible as these inflictions are, Gods justice stands fully vindicated. The angel of God declares: You are righteous, O Lord, . . . because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due. Revelation 16:2-6. By condemning the people of Yahuwah to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. In like manner Christ declared the Jews of His time guilty of all the blood of holy men which had been shed since the days of Abel; for they possessed the same spirit and were seeking to do the same work with these murderers of the prophets. In the plague that follows, power is given to the sun to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat. Verses 8, 9. [See also Joel 1:10-12, 17-20; Amos 8:3.] These plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the earth would be wholly cut off. Yet they will be the most awful scourges that have ever been known to mortals. All the judgments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been mingled with mercy. The pleading blood of Christ has shielded the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the final judgment, wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy. The Great Controversy, p. 627-629. The seventh angels sounding of the last trumpet signifies that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15). Dear friends, now is the day of salvation, now is the time to get ready for the close of the gospel. We must not lose any time, for we never know at what moment our lives on this earth will end and our probation will close. During the coming time of trouble, although this time will not be easy for the righteous, Yahuwah will protect His people. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. (Psalms 27:5) Although many wicked will be starving, Yahuwah will provide the basic needs for His people. He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16) Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity (Isaiah 26:20-21). Yahuwah promises that if we put Him first in our lives, He will make sure our needs are provided. (Matthew 6:31-33) Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold, your God will come with vengeance, even Yahuwah with a recompence; He will come and save you. (Isaiah 35:4) Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. (Psalms 50:15) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Him will I trust. (Psalms 91:1-2) Be not

- 136 -

THE FINAL CALL

afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (Proverbs 3:25-26) The trumpets of Revelation are judgments that Yahuwah sends on the earth before the close of probation to wake this earth up to the fact that the judgment of the living is about to begin and the close of probation is near. The fact that Yahuwah has to send judgments of destruction to get the attention of this world shows the depraved state that the wicked have fallen into. "My imagination anticipated what it must be in that period when the Lord's mighty voice shall give commission to His angels, 'Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of Yahuwah upon the earth. Terrible are the judgments of Yahuwah revealed. The seven angels stood before Yahuwah to receive their commission. To them were given seven trumpets. The Lord was going forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth..." (Maranatha, p. 284) "Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us." (SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 982). As we have seen, timing is crucial because Yahuwah ordained it so. Every solemn feast must follow its Biblical timing details because Yahuwah never changed it. Here are some more quotes, which show the rich blessings the Israelites received while they celebrated Yahuwahs Holy Days. The journey made three times a year to the annual feasts at Jerusalem, the week's sojourn in booths during the Feast of Tabernacles, were opportunities for outdoor recreation and social life. These feasts were occasions of rejoicing, made sweeter and more tender by the hospitable welcome given to the stranger, the Levite, and the poor. (Ministry of Healing, p. 281). These Holy Days were also times of hospitality where Yahuwahs people received a greater opportunity to share the blessings that Yahuwah had given them. Imagine a place where all are made to feel welcome and no one is turned away. Those who have been blessed financially share with those who are in need while all participate in a rich spiritual experience. Christ was here repeating the instruction He had given to Israel through Moses. At their sacred feasts the Lord had directed that the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat, and be satisfied. Deut. 14:29. These gatherings were to be as object lessons to Israel. Being thus taught the joy of true hospitality, the people were throughout the year to care for the bereaved and the poor. And these feasts had a wider lesson. The spiritual blessings given to Israel were not for themselves alone. God had given the bread of life to them, that they might break it to the world. (Christs Object Lessons, pp. 220-221). Gods Holy Days were also to be the means of sharing the gospel with the world. The Lord desires us to make mention of His goodness and tell of His power. He is honored by the expression of praise and thanksgiving. He says, Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me. Ps. 50:23. The people of Israel, as they journeyed through the wilderness, praised Yahuwah in sacred song. The commandments and promises of the Lord were set to music, and all along the journey these were sung by the pilgrim travelers. And in Canaan as they met at their sacred feasts, Yahuwah's wonderful works were to be recounted, and grateful thanksgiving was to be offered to His name. Yahuwah desired that the whole life of His people should be a life of praise. Thus His way was to be made known upon earth, His saving health among all nations. Ps. 67:2. (Christs Object Lessons, pp. 298-299).

THE GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM)

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a Day of Atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your soulsAnd ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a Day of Atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath. (Leviticus 23:26-32)

- 137 -

THE FINAL CALL

Ten days after the Feast of Trumpets comes the Day of Atonement. This typical feast is most solemn because it represents the antitypical Judgment Day. The first fulfillment of this feast was on the Day of Atonement in 1844 when the judgment of the dead began. Knowing this, is it not reasonable to expect that the judgment of the living will also begin on the Day of Atonement? To understand the Day of Atonement, we first need to understand the sanctuary. The sanctuary is a representation of Yahuwahs people. Know ye not that ye are the temple of Yahuwah, and that the Spirit of Yahuwah dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) That temple, erected for the abode of the divine Presence, was designed to be an object lesson for Israel and for the world. From eternal ages it was Yahuwah's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for Yahuwah. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of Yahuwah, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. Yahuwah dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple. Yahuwah designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness to the high destiny open to every soul (Desire of Ages, p. 161). The entire sanctuary represents us and how Yahuwah is going to transform us, unblemished with the guilt of sin, into a pure white temple for Him. When a person entered the sanctuary, the first article of furniture he saw in the outer courtyard was the altar where the lambs were slain. This altar represented the cross where Yahushua, the Lamb of God, died for our sins. When we confess our sins, repent, and accept Yahushuas death for our sins we are justified. Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life (Steps to Christ, p. 23). The word justify means to pronounce free from guilt or blame. Yahushuas blood covers our sins and Yahuwah gives us righteousness as it is in Christ. We are not yet righteous, but He counts us as though we are righteous because Yahushuas blood is covering us. This altar is where justification occurred. The next article of furniture in the courtyard was the laver where the priests washed before entering the temple. This laver represented baptism. After we accept Yahushua into our lives we need to be baptized. After washing at the laver the priests entered the Holy Place of the sanctuary. Here was the table of shewbread with the twelve loaves of bread, the altar of incense, and the candlestick made of gold. The bread represented Yahushua, the Bread of Life. This bread also represented the Word of Yahuwah, because Yahushua is the Word (John 6:48, John 1:1). The altar of incense represents the prayers of Yahuwahs people ascending to heaven (Psalm 141:2). The candlestick represents Yahushua, the Light of the world (John 8:12). The oil in the candlestick represents the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1-13). In the Scripture, oil is used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Signs of the Times, August 6, 1894). The Holy Place represented sanctification and to sanctify means to free from sin. The work of sanctification is the work of a lifetime. (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 317). We are sanctified through studying the Word of Yahuwah represented by the bread, through prayer, represented by the incense, through Yahushua, represented by the light, and through the Holy Spirit, represented by the oil. The next part of the sanctuary was the Most Holy Place where the priest entered only once a year on the Day of Atonement, or Judgment Day. The Most Holy Place represents purification. At the judgment Yahuwah will cleanse, purify, or perfect His children. The word perfect means being without fault or defect. And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you. For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. (Leviticus 16:29,30) When I was shown the present condition of man in physical, mental, and moral power, and what he might become through the merits of Christ, I was astonished that he should preserve such a low level. Man may grow up into Christ, his living head. It is not the work of a moment, but that of a lifetime. By growing daily in the divine life, he will not attain to the full stature of a perfect man in Christ until his probation ceases. (Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 366-367) Our probation ceases either when we die, or, for the last generation who are translated to heaven without seeing death, at the judgment. Thus it is at the judgment (close of our own probation) that Yahuwah perfects His people. The judgment is a wonderful message of hope. The reason why we should look forward to the judgment with joy is because the judgment is when Yahuwah perfects us. The temple in Yahushuas day was covered with pure white marble. The sanctuary in the wilderness had a wall around the courtyard made of white linen. This white represents glorification, which occurs at the Second Coming. At the judgment our minds are perfected, but at the Second Coming our bodies are perfected and we are given the gift of immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). At that time, in both body and mind, Yahuwahs people completely reflect the image of Yahushua. Now that we have had a brief overview, let us go back and look at what occurs at the judgment in greater depth. And the serpent saith unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die; For Yahuwah doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:4-5) When Satan told Eve that when she ate the fruit of the tree she would gain knowledge of evil, he was right. The only knowledge they gained by their disobedience was a knowledge of sin and its results. (SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, p. 1083). The knowledge of sin through experience is the definition of a sinful nature. When this experiential knowledge is removed from our minds then we are purified, or perfected. Removing sin from our minds is the work of the judgment. For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make

- 138 -

THE FINAL CALL

the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (Hebrews 10:1-2). The subject of this text is obtaining perfection. The sacrificial system was not sufficient to make anyone perfect. This text goes on to say that when Yahuwahs people are perfected (purged) they would have no more conscience of sins. The word conscience, can also mean knowledge. This text is saying that when we are cleansed (perfected, purged) then we will have no more knowledge of sin because our sins have been removed from our minds. Ellen White says the same: So, in the time of trouble, if the people of Yahuwah had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with Yahuwah for deliverance. But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them to remembrance. (Great Controversy, p. 620) Note that they cannot remember any of their sins. In the Bible the words blot out, purge, and cleanse all mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. Here is the evidence. Have mercy upon me, O Yahuwah, according to thy loving kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:1-2,7) When Yahuwah cleanses us from all sin, which happens on our judgment day, then we are perfected. What wonderful news! This is the message of the Day of Atonement. One key to understanding the Bible is to make sure we understand the correct definitions of prominent words. The word clean means free from dirt or stains, free from foreign matter or pollutants, morally pure. The word cleanse means to clean or purify. Purge means to rid of impurities, to clear of imputed guilt. Purify means to make pure, to free from guilt or evil. Perfect means conforming absolutely to an ideal type, excellent or complete beyond improvement, without flaws, accurate in every detail. All of these words are very similar and can mean one and the same. So when the Bible says that on the Day of Atonement we are cleansed of all sin, this means that sin has been completely eliminated from our lives; in other words, sin has no more part in our lives. Blot means a spot or stain, a blemish on a persons reputation. Seal means an emblem or symbol used as evidence of authenticity, anything that serves as assurance or confirmation, to decide irrevocably. We are told that during the judgment our sins are blotted out, we are cleansed from all sin, and we are sealed. When Yahushua leaves the sanctuary, then they who are holy and righteous will be holy and righteous still; for all their sins will then be blotted out, and they will be sealed with the seal of the living God. (Early Writings, p. 48) The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord. Since the dead are to be judged out of the things written in the books, it is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the judgment at which their cases are to be investigated. But the apostle Peter distinctly states that the sins of believers will be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Yahushua. Acts 3:19, 20. When the investigative judgment closes, Christ will come, and His reward will be with Him to give to every man as his work shall be. (Great Controversy, p. 485) Acts 3:19 states that our sins are blotted out during the latter rain of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 44:3, Psalm 72:6, Hosea 6:3, Deuteronomy 11:14). The latter rain occurs during the time of trouble before probation closes. Since we are judged and sealed when our sins are blotted out, this means that the judgment of the living begins during the time of trouble. (Early Writings, pp. 48, 85, 86). When we are sealed our names are put into the Book of Life and our case is closed forever; we are eternally saved. After that point we will not sin again because if we did, then Yahuwah would have to re-decide our case. The Bible never speaks of being judged a second time; thus Yahuwahs people will not sin after they are judged. The only way Yahuwahs people will not sin is if they have been given the perfect nature, because currently all our righteousness is as filthy rags, as seen in the following quote: "The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with Yahuwah. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at Yahuwah's right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to Yahuwah. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before Yahuwah wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned." (Selected Messages, Vol.1, p. 344) This quote is speaking of the state of Yahuwahs true believers while praying. These people are not willfully sinning, yet they are so corrupt that their prayers have to be purified with the blood of Yahushua before they can be presented to the Father. Our very being is corrupt and rotten to the inner core. As long as we are in the sinful nature our every act and thought has some selfishness buried in it somewhere. Here are some more quotes that give more light into the sinful nature we now have. when the light from Christ shines into our souls, we shall see how impure we are; we shall discern the selfishness of motive, the enmity against Yahuwah, that has defiled every act of life. Then we shall know that

- 139 -

THE FINAL CALL

our own righteousness is indeed as filthy rags, and that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from the defilement of sin, and renew our hearts in His own likeness. (Steps to Christ, pp. 28-29). The cleansing process of our minds begins when we come to Yahushua and confess our sins (justification), continues as we grow in Yahushua (sanctification), and is completed when we are cleansed of all sin and sealed at the judgment (purification). At the Second Coming our bodies will be changed and we will be given immortality (glorification) See 1 Corinthians 15:51-54. It is possible under sanctification to come to the point where we no longer willfully sin; however, our very nature and being is still sin. By nature we are alienated from Yahuwah. (Steps to Christ, p. 43) Even when we are not willfully sinning, we are in a state of sin which pervades our every act of life. because of his (Adams) sin our natures are fallen, and we cannot make ourselves righteous. (Steps to Christ, p. 62) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). This is why Paul exclaimed, O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24). Paul answered his question, I thank Yahuwah Yahushua our Lord (Romans 7:25). Yahushua delivers us from this body of death in the judgment when He blots out all our sins and seals us for eternal life. Jones & Waggoner presented the message of Righteousness by Faith, which was rejected at the 1888 Minneapolis Conference. At least part of their message was what happens when our sins are blotted out in the judgment and we are sealed. Consider the following quote written by Waggoner. "We need to be on our guard against the idea that the blotting out of sin is merely as the passing of a sponge over a slate, or an entry in a ledger to balance the account. This is not the blotting out of sin. An ignorant man who saw a thermometer for the first time thought to lessen the heat by breaking it. But how much effect did this have upon the weather? Just as much as the wiping out of the record of his sin has upon the sinner. The tearing of a leaf out of a book, or even the burning of the book containing the record, does not blot out the sin. The sin is not blotted out by blotting out the account of it, any more than throwing my Bible into the fire abolishes the Word of Yahuwah. There was a time when all the Bibles that could be found were destroyed; but the Word of Yahuwah--the truth--remained just the same, because truth is Yahuwah Himself; it is His life...The blotting out of sin is the erasing of it from the nature, the being, of man. The blood of Yahushua cleanses from all sin. Our bodies are but the channel, the border, the sand upon the shore, of the river of life...The erasing of sin is the blotting of it from our natures, so that we shall know it no more. 'The worshipers once purged'--actually purged by the blood of Christ--have 'no more conscience of sin,' because the way of sin is gone from them. Their iniquity may be sought for, but it will not be found. It is forever gone from them,--it is foreign to their new natures, and even though they may be able to recall the fact that they have committed certain sins, they have forgotten the sin itself--they do not think of doing it any more. This is the work of Christ in the true sanctuary, which the Lord pitched, and not man--the sanctuary not made with hands, but brought into existence by the thought of God." (E.J. Waggoner, Review & Herald, Sept. 30, 1902). We used to think that the cleansing of the sanctuary was merely the removal of the sins of Yahuwahs people from the heavenly sanctuary. If Yahushua is removing the sins of His people from the records of heaven, how does that impact us personally? When we discover that the cleansing of the sanctuary also means cleansing us of all sin and perfecting us as Waggoner stated in 1888, then we begin to realize that what Yahushua is doing in the sanctuary is of great importance to us. The following quote states that when Yahushua cleanses the sanctuary in heaven He is also cleansing us from all sin. You will talk and we will not be thinking of ourselves and what others are doing, but what Yahuwah and Yahushua are doingWhat are they doing? They are cleansing the sanctuary of our souls of all unrighteousness, that our names may be written in the Lambs book of life, that our sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Lift Him Up, p. 216). The times of refreshing, or the latter rain, comes during the time of trouble before probation closes. The commencement of that time of trouble, here mentioned does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. (Early Writings, pp. 85-86). The Bible tells us the same in the book of Joel. The fulfillment of the book of Joel occurs during the time of trouble before probation closes. Joel 2:1-11 states that the time is the Great Tribulation, and Joel 2:32 tells us that salvation is still open. In between these two texts Joel speaks of the latter rain in verse 23. God also uses the latter rain to seal or perfect His people. As we seek Yahuwah for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon Yahuwah for the perfecting latter rain. (Last Day Events, p. 187). What does it take to have our sins blotted out? The following is are representative quotes showing that our sins must be confessed and repented of: In the typical service, when the work of atonement was performed by the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary, the people were required to afflict their souls before Yahuwah, and confess their sins, that they might be atoned for and blotted out. Will any less be required of us in this antitypical day of atonement, when Christ in the sanctuary above is pleading in behalf of His people, and the final, irrevocable decision is to be pronounced upon every case? (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 125). Repentance includes sorrow for sin, and a turning away from it. (Steps to Christ, p. 23).

- 140 -

THE FINAL CALL

Only those who, in their attitude before Yahuwah, are filling the position of those who are repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical day of atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of Yahuwahs protection. The names of those who are steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Saviourmore earnestly and wishfully than they who wait for the morningwill be numbered with those who are sealed. (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 445). In the judgment, when our sins are blotted out, we are sealed. This sealing places us beyond the power of Satan. "I saw Satan would work more powerfully now than ever he has before. He knows that his time is short and that the sealing of the saints will place them beyond his power." (Manuscript Release, Vol. 8, p. 220) How does the sealing place us beyond the power of Satan? If we are given the new nature when we are sealed, then Satans temptations will have no more power over us. In a sinful nature it is easier to do evil than to do good; however in a perfect nature it is easier to do good than to do evil (which is why Yahuwah says it is a mystery as to how sin ever started). If it is easier to do good than evil, and after Yahuwahs people have personally witnessed over and over what evil has done to this world, is sin going to have any more allurements for them? Absolutely not! Yahushua is in His holy temple and will now accept our sacrifices, our prayers, and our confessions of faults and sins and will pardon all the transgressions of Israel, that they may be blotted out before He leaves the sanctuary. When Yahushua leaves the sanctuary, then they who are holy and righteous will be holy and righteous still; for all their sins will then be blotted out, and they will be sealed with the seal of the living God. But those that are unjust and filthy will be unjust and filthy still; for then there will be no Priest in the sanctuary to offer their sacrifices, their confessions, and their prayers before the Father's throne. Therefore what is done to rescue souls from the coming storm of wrath must be done before Yahushua leaves the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. (Early Writings, p. 48) As long as we are in this sinful nature we need a Mediator. If even our best prayers need the mediatorial work of Yahushua before these prayers can be presented to the Father, then our sinful nature has to be changed before Yahushua leaves the sanctuary and probation closes forever. After Yahushua leaves the sanctuary, He will no longer mediate for sin. Yahushuas people will not sin during the time of the seven last plagues since there is no Mediator, otherwise they will be forever lost. We are corrupt channels and even our best prayers are also corrupt because they ascend not in spotless purity. (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 344). Our corrupt channels, or sinful natures, have to be changed or we will not be able to stand for one moment after the close of probation without sinning, because our very being is sinful. Our best efforts are as filthy rags. Our only hope to be able to stand during this time without a mediator is to have these corrupt channels removed and to be given the new nature. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received the seal of the living God. Then Yahushua ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, It is done; and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. (Great Controversy, p. 613) If Yahushua has the power to give us the new nature at the Second Coming as so many believe now, then He has the power to give us this new nature in time to help us when He will no longer mediate for us, which happens before His Second Coming. It is inconceivable for Yahushua to tell us we must not sin during the time of the seven last plagues because He is no longer mediating for us, and then leave us in our sinful nature. Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of Gods commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. (SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 1118) There is no change of character when Christ comes. (Review and Herald, August 25, 1885) If we will reach the condition of sinlessness that Adam had before the fall, and if our characters are not changed at the Second Coming, then we must reach Adams pre-fall nature before the Second Coming. Our character is our nature, and our nature is our character. We cannot separate the two. Since there is no change of character when Christ comes, then there is no change of nature when Christ comes, since the two words mean one and the same. The dead are given this gift of perfection when they sleep in the grave so that when they rise up at the resurrection they are perfect. This happens during the judgment of the dead, which is now going on and has been since the Day of Atonement commenced in 1844. Some believe that the teaching that we receive the new nature at the judgment is the holy flesh doctrine that Ellen White warned us against. Not so. The people who believed in this holy flesh doctrine believed that it was impossible for them to sin and hence they would never die. (Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 31) Since it was impossible for them to sin, they could do whatever they felt like and it would not be sin. They then began to follow their own desires and soon fell into gross immorality. What these people were teaching was false because we are never removed from being able to sin. If having a perfect nature means that it is impossible for us to sin then Lucifer, who was created perfect (Ezekiel 28:15), would not have been able to sin and neither would Adam and Eve. Throughout eternity Yahuwahs people will still have the power of choice. They could still choose to sin. To remove this power of choice would be tantamount to making Yahuwahs people more like machines rather than free people. However, Yahuwahs people will not choose to sin (Nahum 1:9). Why? Should anyone ever be tempted, one of us from earth will explain that this terrible experiment has already been tried. We are Yahuwah's "insurance plan" or testimony, that sin shall never rise again. In

- 141 -

THE FINAL CALL

reference to this holy flesh doctrine, Ellen White wrote, And while we cannot claim perfection of the flesh, we may have Christian perfection of the soul. (Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 32) The perfection of our souls begins with justification at the foot of the cross, carries on through sanctification during the work of the lifetime, and ends with being perfected on the Day of Atonement, at which time Yahushua declares us righteous and holy. (Revelation 22:11). Our bodies will become perfected and receive immortality only at the Second Coming (1 Corinthians 15:53, 54). The Prophet Zechariah also speaks of the cleansing, or purification, that happens on the Day of Atonement. And He shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan: even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments (sinful nature), and stood before the angel. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment (new nature)And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. (Zechariah 3:1-4, 9) [Parentheses inserted]. Our iniquity is removed on judgment day. Zechariahs vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of Yahuwahs people in the closing up of the great day of atonementThe people of Yahuwah are sighing and crying for the abominations done in the land. With tears they warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they humble themselves before the Lord on account of their own transgressions. The wicked mock their sorrow, ridicule their solemn appeals, and sneer at what they term their weakness. But the anguish and humiliation of Yahuwahs people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, and their eyes are fixed upon His perfect purity, that they so clearly discern the exceeding sinfulness of sinAs the people of Yahuwah afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, Take away the filthy garments from them, and the encouraging words are spoken, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. The spotless robe of Christs righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of Yahuwah. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lambs book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragons roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempters devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. A fair miter is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto Yahuwah. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living GodAnd it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in Jerusalem. (Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 472-476). If Yahuwahs remnant people are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world, then they will no longer sin after this point or else they would be defiled. As long as we have a sinful nature, we are defiled; therefore, when Yahuwahs people are sealed the sinful nature must be removed from them. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. (Christs Object Lessons, p. 69) Have you ever wondered how this would happen? Look around and see the elderly who have had many years in this world to perfect their characters and you will not see any of them perfect. The obvious question is, How then can I ever become perfect so that Yahushua may come? The answer is that Yahushua gives us this gift of perfection at the judgment and He gives this gift to all who are in the process of being sanctified. (See Hebrews 10:14.) The following are additional Bible texts that speak of the blotting out of sins and the perfecting of Yahuwahs people. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins; return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest and every tree therein; for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel. (Isaiah 44:22, 23) The blood of Yahushua his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:16, 17) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18) I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25) Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19) I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. (Isaiah 13:12) These texts are beautiful promises of what Yahuwah is going to do or is doing for us in the judgment. Just as the Bible clearly tells us when the judgment of the dead began (October 22, 1844), so the Bible also clearly tells us when the judgment of the living will begin. The message announcing the judgment given by the first angel in Revelation 14:6-7, will be again repeated with greater power just before the judgment of the living begins, because Yahuwah does not let such important dates go by unnoticed.

- 142 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Day of Atonement also teaches us other lessons. Some say that the Bible does not forbid the wearing of jewelry and cite such texts as the parable of the prodigal son in which the Father (who represents Yahuwah), puts a ring on His sons finger when His son returns. In heaven before his fall, Lucifer wore jewelry (Ezekiel 28:13). We will wear crowns of gold in heaven, which is also jewelry. When we truly understand the meaning of the Day of Atonement, we learn the real reason why we should not wear jewelry now. We have been living in the antitypical Day of Atonement since 1844, which started with the judgement of the dead (those who have professed faith in Yahuwah and His Son Yahushua). Leviticus 16:30 says that on the Day of Atonement we are to be cleansed. In studying the words cleanse and clean through the Bible we find Genesis 35:1-4, where part of being clean meant to remove jewelry. Isaiah 3:16-23 says the daughters of Zion have become "haughty" and then lists out all the jewelry they are wearing as a result of their haughtiness. Just a few verses later, in Isaiah 4:4, Yahuwah says that He will wash away the filth (part of which is their wearing of jewelry) of the daughters of Zion by the spirit of judgment. The judgment of the dead began on the Day of Atonement on 22 October, 1844. Yahuwah is telling us that while living in the Day of Atonement we are not to wear any jewelry! In Isaiah 3:24-25 the fate of those who refuse to remove their jewelry is stated as thus: And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. Sister Ellen White has a very interesting comment about the verses just quoted. The prophecy of Isaiah 3 was presented before me as applying to these last days, and the reproofs are given to the daughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display. Read verse 25: Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. I was shown that this scripture will be strictly fulfilled. (Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 270). The reason why Yahuwah does not want us to wear jewelry now is because the last generation has to face the greatest of Satans deceptions and the most difficult times of earths history while still remaining faithful to Him. The only purpose for jewelry is for love of appearance. Apart from display and appearance, jewelry has no real practical purpose. In a sinful state the love of appearance fosters pride. In a perfect state we will be able to handle wearing jewelry without being tempted to sin....and the saints of Yahuwah say, Amen!

THE CONSECRATED WAY

Using the Sanctuary Tabernacle Model as a guide for Prayer and Devotion
The following works as a guide for those who may want a deeper meaning and experience from the Sanctuary message, which by implementing it into our daily lives we may enhance our Christian experience. However, you need to first of all understand the tabernacle and its sanctuary services as presented in Scripture, as all the items (furnishings) and services of the sanctuary have a real spiritual bearing in their import and meaning in the great plan of salvation. We must learn how to appropriate these into the sanctuary prayer model: THE DAILY SANCTUARY SERVICE (Compare with Daniel 8: 11-12) In the earthly sanctuary, the sinner would bring to the officiating priest a lamb without spot or blemish, and then he would lay his hands upon the lamb's head and there confess his sins. He would plead for mercy and pardon for his iniquities and BY FAITH believe that his sins had been pardoned him. The confession of his sins meant they would have (in figure) been transfered onto the lamb. The priest would then offer the lamb as a sacrifice by slaughtering it and then collect its blood (the lamb was offered as a burnt offering to Yahweh). The Priest would then take this blood into the Holy Place of the Sanctuary and dipping his finger, he would then sprinkle it before the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy place. In this way the CONFESSED sins of the sinner would have been transferred (in figure) from the sinner, onto the lamb & then into the Sanctuary. This service took place twice a day everyday...at the 3rd hour of the morning sacrifice, and at the 9th hour of the evening sacrifice. Now, all this was a shadow or type which pre-figured the Priestly ministry of Yahushua, who came to live and die for the sins of humanity as "the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world," that all who place their faith in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life...He has ascended to heaven where He now pleads on our behalf, presenting our sins in the heavenly Sanctuary as would happen in the earthly sanctuary. Having entered into the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, we have the assurance that when we confess our sins to Him BY FAITH, we shall obtain pardon and one day at the appointed time, all our sins will be blotted out, supposing we have repented of them. BY FAITH, we are to behold our Saviour performing this service on our behalf, and with this in mind we then offer our petitions in co-operation with what He is doing for us to cleanse us from all iniquity: So you will need to "visualize" these things BY FAITH. You will need to be in an environment which can foster quiet, focused meditation and contemplation; and as you practice this prayer model you will notice that you need more and more time to accommodate all your petitions to Jehovah. A good start would be to read and write down a few devotional Psalms so you can behold the promises made by Yahweh, which in turn should give you the courage to claim these promises as

- 143 -

THE FINAL CALL

you offer the sanctuary prayer. Keep a note pad, and jot up your requests on one side and on the other side leave space to write when you get the conviction of answered prayers. This is a powerful prayer toola restoration of the "DAILY," which was taken away when apostasy was allowed into the church. THE SANCTUARY PRAYER by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM) Time: Morning & Evening (3rd hour9am & 9th hour3pm) 1) At the Altar of Sacrifice, meet the Messiahbruised & crucified to save you. There at the altar, confess your sins BY FAITH to Yahushua, pleading for forgiveness and the strength for renewal so that you will not continue in sin. Ask also for the Holy Spirit to bring back to memory forgotten (hidden/cherished) sins...and these too confess. Give thanks to the Father for giving you His son, as a sacrifice for your sins.

2) At the Laver of washing (regeneration), ask for a baptism (of the spirit), that BY FAITH you may be made fit to stand in the presence of Yahuwah before His throneholy and undefiled. Ask for a new deeper experience in the things of Yahuwah.

3) Enter by the door into the Holy Place (1st apartment). Remember, Yahushua said, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE" and "No one comes to the Father except by me." This statement is true, as we can only stand in the presence of Yahuwah not by our own righteousness which is filthy rags, but by the covering of Yahushua's righteous merits of an obedient life and willful sacrifice.

- 144 -

THE FINAL CALL

4) As you enter through the door, on the southern side of the Holy Place, is the Golden Candlestick with the seven branches. It represents the Light of the GospelYahushua is the light of the world. The oil used to continually light up the Golden candlestick represents the Holy Spirit. Here you ask for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes so you may see the Light (Present Truth). Plead for the anointing of the Holy Spirit so you may bear fruit that testifies to holiness and noble good deeds of love and charity. Ask also for the gifts of the Spirit (Prophecy, Love, Healing, Tongues etc), and most importantly for the outpouring of the Latter Rain.

5) On the northern side of the Holy Place sits the Table of Shewbread. 12 Loaves of Bread (6 in a row) were placed on the table. Yahushua said "I am the bread of life." This represents the Word of Yahwah and the Testimony of Yahushua, which is the living Spirit of Prophecy. Here you ask to be given the hunger (and thirst) for the life-giving bread (and water). Plead for revelation, for enlightenment. Ask to be fed with the bread of heaven till you want no more. Here you can also present the needs of life: Food, Clothing, Shelter, Health etc. Here you can BY FAITH claim all those promises you wrote down.

6) Further on, standing in front of the veil which covers the entrance to the Most Holy Place, you encounter the Altar of Incense. Here the priest offers the prayers of the saints (your prayers), mingled with sweetsmelling essences which go before the presence of Yahuwah. Yahushua mingles the sweet essence of His righteous sacrifice with our prayers and then He presents them to the Father on our behalf. Here you intercede on behalf of fallen humanity. You pray for your friends, family, relatives, neighbours, the sick, those who morn, the orphans, those in prison, Yahuwah's special people and the world at large, and any special prayer requests you may have received. Remember we have been called to be Princes and Priests before the throne of Yahuwah, so this intercessory prayer is in fact a fulfillment of your role. You may also include your own personal petitions...(e.g relationships, knowing the will of Yahuwah, careers etc).

7) Now you are ready to stand through Yahushua (BY FAITH), before the throne of mercy. As you enter (BY FAITH) within the veil, you meet the throne room of the Father. There, before you is the Ark of the Covenant. This ark houses the Law of Yahuwah (10 Commandments). This law is the standard of Judgement...it is a reflection of what we ought to be, because this is exactly the definition of Yahuwah's character. In the ark is also found the Manna, which is a testimony of how Yahuwah proves whether we walk in His law or not (Sabbath keeping); and also Aaron's rod that budded (representing the resurrection of the saints from death). Here you look upon the law of Yahuwah precept by precept. As you do so, ask yourself: "Is my life condemned by the law or I am reflecting the rule of law fully?" Since you are standing BY FAITH before the mercy sit (judgement throne) of Yahuwah, look BY FAITH upon Yahushua, who has paid the penalty for sin fully....plead with Him to present you guiltless, according to His own righteousness as you can

- 145 -

THE FINAL CALL

see clearly that the LAW of Yahuwah points out the sins in your life. Ask to be clothed with Yahushua's righteousness so you may remain in the presence of Yahuwah, to reign with Him FOREVER!

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES

by ADVENTIST SABBATH REFORM MOVEMENT (ADSRM)

YAHUWAH WITH US While much of the world celebrates the birth of Yahushua on the 25th of December, can the actual day of Yahushua's birth be determined from scripture? This question will be explored in some detail, and will yield a result that is quite intriguing, and lies in the Biblical calendar. Many people think that Yahushua was born on the 25th December; and to most Christians, this is a holiday known as Christmas. But surprisingly, there is neither Biblical nor historical evidence to confirm this date, on the contrary, there are indications in the scriptures that show that Yahushua was born on other than this date. Historical facts also prove that December 25th is the day observed by pagans as the birthday of some of their gods. Flocks in the Field The month of December in the northern hemisphere, and in the land of Palestine where Yahushua was born, is the winter season when the climate is rainy and very cold. According to the Song of Solomon 2:11 and Ezra 10:9, 13, during the winter the shepherds kept their flocks in barns to be protected from the rain, cold and wind. Now let us see what the Bible says about the time of the year when Yahushua was born. Luke 2:8 says: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping 'watch over their flocks by night." This verse obviously proves that at the time of the birth of Yahushua the shepherds were in the field tending their flocks at night. It is impossible for the flocks to be in the field in the month of December when the temperature was at its lowest of the year. The last week of December corresponds to the tenth month of the Biblical calendar known as Teveth, when there is frequent frosts and occasional snow florishes in Jerusalem. Therefore, at this time the shepherds corral their flocks in order to protect them from the rain and cold weather. This chronological fact proves that Yahushua was not born in winter. No Room in the Inn The second proof that Yahushua was not born on December 25th is Luke's narration that Yahushua was born in a manger, because there was no room in the inns. Every year the Jews celebrate the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles in the seventh Hebrew month of Tishri. These festivals

- 146 -

THE FINAL CALL

are observed in Jerusalem and its outskirts towns in the autumn (fall) season. At this time, Jerusalem and its surrounding towns are overcrowded with Jews who come to celebrate, that all inns are filled with people. Mary and Joseph as Jews, used to go to Jerusalem every year to observe these Holy Days. Luke 2:41 says that "His (Yahushuas) parents went to Jerusalem every year." Nevertheless, every Jew must pay taxes in the month of Tishri in the early autumn. Here we have the second proof that at the time of taxation Joseph took Mary with him to Bethlehem. We read in Luke 2:5-7 that Joseph went to Bethlehem "with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was not room for them in the inn." Mary and Joseph could not get a room in the inn because all inns were filled with Jews who had come to Jerusalem and its surrounding towns by the thousands in order to pay taxes and observe the Holy Days which are in the month of Tishri at the end of the civil year in the early autumn. It was at this time Yahushua was born in the early autumn and not in December which is in winter. Again, they were accommodated in the manger where there was room since the flocks were out in the fields. When was Yahushua born? In the days of Yahushua, the Jewish priests continued to follow the course or division of serving the Temple of the Lord which was set up by David. Every priest used to serve the Temple by turn once a week, day and night. There were 24 courses, each named after the priest of the descendant of Aaron. Each priest was assigned by David to serve the Temple for a one-week period every six months. (see I Chronicle 24: 7-24). Therefore, it took 24 weeks to conclude the 24 courses of the service of the priests in the Temple of the Lord. The first course known as Jehoiarib began on the Sabbath day in the month of Nisan of the Hebrew calendar. Nisan is in the spring season. The course of Maaziah is the twenty forth and the last course. The first course Jehoiarib is repeated in the week of the civil year. Therefore the courses came twice a year during 48 weeks. After knowing this division of the courses, we can know when John the Baptist was born, so that we can easily know the birth day of Yahushua. The first passage we will consider begins with the father of John the Baptist, Zacharias: Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. Luke 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before Yahuwah in the order of his course, ... Luke 1:23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. Luke 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, ... The clue given to us here is that Zacharias was of the "course" of Abia. What is this "course" referring to? The 24 Courses of the Temple Priesthood King David on Yahuwah's instructions (1 Chr 28:11-13) had divided the sons of Aaron into 24 groups (1 Chr 24:1-4), to setup a schedule by which the Temple of the Lord could be staffed with priests all year round in an orderly manner. After the 24 groups of priests were established, lots were drawn to determine the sequence in which each group would serve in the Temple. (1 Chr 24: 7-19). That sequence is as follows: 1 Chr 24:7 1. Jehoiarib 2. Jedaiah 1 Chr 24:8 3. Harim 4. Seorim 1 Chr 24:9 5. Malchijah 6. Mijamin 1 Chr 24:10 7. Hakkoz 8. Abijah 1 Chr 24:11 9. Jeshuah 10. Shecaniah 1 Chr 24:12 11. Eliashib 12. Jakim

- 147 -

THE FINAL CALL

1 Chr 24:13 13. Huppah 14. Jeshebeab 1 Chr 24:14 15. Bilgah 16. Immer 1 Chr 24:15 17. Hezir 18. Aphses 1 Chr 24:16 19. Pethahiah 20. Jehezekel 1 Chr 24:17 21. Jachim 22. Gamul 1 Chr 24:18 23. Delaiah 24. Maaziah 1 Chr 24:19 These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him. Now each one of the 24 "courses" of priests would begin and end their service in the Temple on the Sabbath, a tour of duty being for one week (2 Chr 23:8, 1 Chr 9:25). On three occasions during the year, all the men of Israel were required to travel to Jerusalem for festivals of the Lord, so on those occasions all the priests would be needed in the Temple to accommodate the crowds. Those three holy feasts were Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Deut 16:16). The Yearly Cycle of Service in the Temple

The Biblical calendar begins in the spring, with the month of Nisan, so the first "course" of priests, would be that of the family of Jehoiarib, who would serve for seven days. The second week would then be the responsibility of the family of Jedaiah. The third week would be the feast of Unleavened Bread, and all priests would be present for service. Then the schedule would resume with the third course of priests, the family of Harim. By this plan, when the 24th course was completed, the general cycle of courses would repeat. This schedule would cover 51 weeks or 357 days, enough for the lunar Biblical calendar (about 354 days). So, in a period of a year, each group of priests would serve in the Temple twice on their scheduled course, in addition to the 3 major festivals, for a total of about five weeks of duty. The Conception of John the Baptist Now back to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. Luke 1:23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. Luke 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, ... Beginning with the first month, Nisan, in the spring, the schedule of the priest's courses would result with Zacharias serving during the 10th week of the year. This is because he was a member of the course of Abia (Abijah), the 8th course, and both the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15-21 Nisan) and Pentecost (6 Sivan) would have occurred before his scheduled duty. This places Zacharias' administration in the Temple as beginning on the second Sabbath of the third month, Sivan. Having completed his Temple service on the third Sabbath of Sivan, Zacharias returned home and soon conceived his son John. So John the Baptist was probably conceived shortly after the third Sabbath of the month of Sivan.

- 148 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Conception of Yahushua Now the reason that the information about John is important, is because according to Luke, Yahushua was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the sixth month of Elisabeth's pregnancy: Luke 1:24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Luke 1:25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Note that verse 26 above refers to the sixth month of Elisabeth's pregnancy, not Elul, the sixth month of the Biblical calendar, and this is made plain by the context of verse 24 and again in verse 36: Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for the last 3 months of her pregnancy, until the time that John was born. Luke 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Luke 1:57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. Now working from the information about John's conception late in the third month, Sivan, and advancing six months, we arrive late in the 9th month of Kislev for the time frame for the conception of Yahushua. It is notable here that the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated on the 25th day of Kislev, and Yahushua is called the light of the world (John 8:12, 9:5, 12:46). This does not appear to be a mere coincidence. In the book of John, Hanukkah is called the feast of dedication (John 10:22). Hanukkah is an eight day festival, celebrating the relighting of the menorah in the rededicated Temple, which according to the story, stayed lit miraculously for eight days on only one day's supply of oil. The Birth of John the Baptist Based on a conception shortly after the third Sabbath of the month of Sivan, projecting forward an average term of about 10 lunar months (40 weeks), we arrive in the month of Nisan. It would appear that John the Baptist may have been born in the middle of the month, which would coincide with Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is interesting to note, that even today, it is customary for the Jews to set out a special goblet of wine during the Passover Seder meal, in anticipation of the arrival of Elijah that week, which is based on the prophecy of Malachi: Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. Jesus identified John as the "Elijah" that the Jews had expected: Mat 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? Mat 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. The angel that appeared to Zacharias in the temple also indicated that John would be the expected "Elias": Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. So then, the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th day of the 1st month, Nisan, and this is a likely date for the birth of John the Baptist, the expected "Elijah".

- 149 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Birth of Yahushua Since Yahushua was conceived six months after John the Baptist, and we have established a likely date for John's birth, we need only move six months farther down the Biblical calender to arrive at a likely date for the birth of Yahushua. From the 15th day of the 1st month, Nisan, we go to the 15th day of the 7th month, Tishrei. And what do we find on that date? It is the festival of Tabernacles! The 15th day of Tishri begins the third and last festival of the year to which all the men of Israel were to gather in Jerusalem for Temple services. (Lev 23:34) Immanuel Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Immanuel means "Yahuwah with us". The Son of Yahuwah had come to dwell with, or tabernacle on earth with His people. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The word in the Hebrew for dwelt is succah and the name of the Feast of Tabernacles in Hebrew is Sukkot, a festival of rejoicing and celebration: Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Yahushua the Messiah. Why was there no room at the inn? Bethlehem is only about 5 miles from Jerusalem, and all the men of Israel had come to attend the Feast of Tabernacles. Every room for miles around Jerusalem would have been already taken by pilgrims, so all that Mary and Joseph could find for shelter was a stable. Also of note is the fact that the Feast of Tabernacles is an eight day feast (Lev 23:36, 39). An infant was dedicated to Yahushua by performing circumcision on the eighth day after birth, on a Sabbath: Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called YAHUSHUA, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. So the infant Yahushua would have been circumcised on the eighth and last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a Sabbath day. if you have followed the above illustration, based on the scriptural evidence, we can clearly see that Yahushua was born on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei, on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which is only found on the Biblical calendar! Once again, we can clearly see how the man-made calendars of Rome completely hide the fact that Yahushua is indeed Immanuel, by placing His birth in the Biblical month of Kislev (25th December). Which means He has not fulfilled the prophecy of Immanuel "Yahuwah with us." Away with the false calendar of Rome!

- 150 -

THE FINAL CALL

Feast of Tabernacles Future Fulfillment It symbolizes the gathering or harvest of Yahuwah's people, who leave earth for the marriage supper of the Lamb, to be celebrated in heaven after the second coming of Yahushua. Thus begins the millennium. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work thereinOn the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto youit is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work thereinBesides the Sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD. Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a Sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a Sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 23:3336, 38-43). Well would it be for the people of Yahuwah at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernacles--a joyous commemoration of the blessings of Yahuwah to them. As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that Yahuwah had wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt, so should we gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised for bringing us out from the world, and from the darkness of error, into the precious light of His grace and truth. (Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 540-541) The Feast of Tabernacles began five days after the Day of Atonement, from the fifteenth through the twentysecond day of the seventh month, and lasted eight days. The first and last days of this feast are Sabbaths. It is a typical feast which will meet its anti-typical fulfillment at the second coming. For at the time appointed the end shall be. (Daniel 8:19) The phrase appointed time in this text reffers to mo'ed, or feast. Daniel is telling us that the Second Coming will be on a feast day! In Great Controversy, p. 399, we are told that the Passover Feast was fulfilled not only to the event, but as to the time, and in like manner the Second Coming will occur according to the appointed time on a feast day. In other words, since Yahshua was born and died on the very feast days that pointed forward to His birth and His death, He will also come back on the very feast day that points forward to His second coming. The Feast of Tabernacles is the feast which points back to His first advent and also points forward to the second coming. The Feast of Tabernacles is also called the Feast of Harvest because it comes just after the fall harvest has ended. "And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field." (Exodus 23:16). Yahshua said, in the parable of the wheat and the tares, The harvest is the end of the world. (Matthew 13:39) The end of the world is the second coming. "The Feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative but typical (pointing forward). It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner. At that time (Feast of Tabernacles) the wicked will all be destroyed." (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 541) Note* The text found in 2 Chronicles 7: 8-10, speaks of Solomons service of the dedication of the altar which was combined (2 Chronicles 7: 8-9) with the Feast of Tabernacles (2 Chronicles 5:3). This was an eight-day Feast, which commenced on the 7th-day Sabbath of the 15th of the 7th month of Tishrei, and ended on the 7th-day Sabbath of the 22nd of the same month, And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he (Solomon) sent the people away into their tents. Notice how Yahuwah came and tabernacled (See Isaiah 7:14, John 1:14), with His people on this solemn Feast (2 Chronicles 7:1-3). In the book The Cross and Its Shadow, pp. 239-244, Haskell states the same: "The wicked are destroyed at the Second Coming (Revelation 19:11-21, Matthew 13:39-42), are resurrected at the end of the millennium to receive their final punishment, and destroyed the final time (Revelation 20:5-10). Both of these destructions of the wicked will be at the Feast of Tabernacles with exactly one thousand years between them." Proverbs chapter 7 contains a prophecy which tells us that the second coming will occur on a full moon (middle of the month). Proverbs 7:6-27 tells an account of a harlot luring a young man to her bed. In verses 18-20 she states, Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the Goodman is not at home, He is gone a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with Him, and will come home at the day appointed. In the Bible a woman represents a church ( Jeremiah 6:2). The woman in this story is a harlot, representing those who claim to be Yahuwahs children, but are in a state of apostasy (an apostate church). This harlot is saying that her Goodman, who is Yahshua, has gone on a long journey (to heaven for the last two thousand years), and while He is gone she has gone after other lovers (false religious practices). She also says that when He went away (to heaven), the man of the house took with Him a bag of

- 151 -

THE FINAL CALL

money. Yahuwahs people are also represented as jewels (Malachi 3:17). When Jesus went to heaven He took with him righteous people who had been resurrected at the same time as Him (Matthew 27:52-53, Ephesians 4:8). These people were the jewels, or the bag of money, that He took back to heaven with him. Then, although this harlot is in a state of apostasy, she does know that her bridegroom will come home at the day appointed. The word appointed in this text refers to the respective Feast day, on which His coming shall be. Time-setting is wrong, but time study is not wrong. There is a difference. No man knoweth the day nor the hour was the argument most often brought forward by rejecters of the advent faith. The scripture is: Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:36. A clear and harmonious explanation of this text was given by those who were looking for the Lord, and the wrong use made of it by their opponents was clearly shown. The words were spoken by the Messiah in that memorable conversation with His disciples upon Olivet after He had for the last time departed from the temple. The disciples had asked the question: What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world? Jesus gave them signs, and said, When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verses 3, 33. Though no man knoweth the day nor the hour of His coming, we are instructed and required to know when it is near. We are further taught that to disregard His warning, and refuse or neglect to know when His advent is near, will be as fatal for us as it was for those who lived in the days of Noah not to know when the flood was coming. (Great Controversy, pp. 370-371). We have all heard the text, For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2) However, we tend to stop there. Notice what the Bible says right after this. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 4:4-6) This text is telling us that the Second Coming will not come as a thief in the night for His people. Furthermore, this text admonishes us to watch for the second coming. Revelation 3:3 states, If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Yahuwahs people will know when the Second Coming is near. They will not be in darkness! But until Yahuwah announces the day and the hour we will not know the exact time for the Second Coming, but we will know that it is very near. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7). James White makes an interesting statement. "Concerning the time of that coming, he says, of Mark 13:32, 'But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' It is thought by many, that this passage proves that men are never to know the time. But if it proves this, it likewise proves, that the Son of God, himself, is never to know the time; for the passage declares precisely the same concerning Him, that it does concerning angels and men. But can any person believe that our glorious Lord, to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, is, and will remain ignorant of the time until the very moment that He comes to judge the world? If not, then certainly this text can never prove that men may not be made to understand the time. An original English rendering of the passage reads, 'But that day and hour no man maketh known, neither the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.' This is the correct reading according to several of the ablest critics of the same age." (Word to the Little Flock, p. 5). This text in Mark can then be correctly translated as saying, But of that day and that hour tells no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. In other words, neither man, angels, or Jesus Himself will announce the day and hour of the Second Coming, but the Father will announce it! Rather than this text saying we will never know the day and the hour, this text is saying that when Yahuwah the Father announces the day and the hour, we will know when the Second Coming is. Sister Ellen White affirms that Yahuwah will announce the day and the hour in the following awesome quote. And as Yahuwah spoke the day and the hour of Yahuwah coming and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. The Israel of Yahuwah stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah, and rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder. It was awfully solemn. And at the end of every sentence the saints shouted, Glory! Alleluia! Their countenances were lighted up with the glory of Yahuwah; and they shone with the glory, as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked could not look on them for the glory. And when the never-ending blessing was pronounced on those who had honored God in keeping His Sabbath holy, there was a mighty shout of victory over the beast and over his image. (Early Writings, p. 34). In Great Controversy, pp. 399-400, Sister White states that Yahuwahs Holy Days are prophetic, pointing out not only what is going to happen in the future but on what day of the year it will happen. The following quote uses the word types to refer to Yahuwahs Holy Days. These types (feasts) were fulfilled, not only as to the event, but as to the time. On the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, the very day and month on which for fifteen long centuries the Passover lamb had been slain, Christ, having eaten the Passover with His disciples, instituted that feast which was to commemorate His own death as the Lamb of Yahwuah, which taketh away the sin of the world. That same night He was taken by wicked hands to be crucified and slain. And as the antitype of the wave sheaf our Lord was raised from the dead on the third day, the first fruits of them that slept, a sample of all the resurrected just, whose vile body shall be changed, and fashioned like unto His glorious body. Verse 20; Philippians 3:21. In like manner the types (feasts) which relate to the

- 152 -

THE FINAL CALL

second advent must be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service. For fifteen centuries the Jews had sacrificed the lamb on the sixth day of the week, on the 14th of Nisanthe Passover. If the Jews had understood the spiritual meaning of the Holy Days, they would have known that this would be the very day that the Messiah would die for the sins of the world. First, Yahuwah told the Jews the day of the year Messiah would die when He first directed that they slay the Passover lamb on this day (Exodus 12:1-13), then years later Yahuwah revealed to Daniel the very year this would happen (Daniel 9:24-27), and we know that prophecy pointed to A.D 31. "The prophecy of Daniel pointed so unmistakably to the time of Messiah's coming, and so directly foretold His death, that they discouraged its study, and finally the rabbis pronounced a curse on all who should attempt a computation of the time." (Great Controversy, p. 378). Here, Sister White says that just as the prophecy of Daniel and the feasts pointed out when the First Advent would occur, the Feasts also point out when the Second Advent will occur. Yahuwah wants us to know these things! Notice that those in Holy Office were said to forbid this knowledge, they discouraged its study to the extent of pronouncing a curse on those who made calculations based on the propheciesDo we not see the same spirit exhibited amongst Yahuwah's professed people today? He is not coming as a thief in the night for His people. "At the time of Christ's first advent the priests and scribes of the Holy City, to whom were entrusted the oracles of Yahuwah, might have discerned the signs of the times and proclaimed the coming of the Promised One. The prophecy of Micah designated His birthplace; Daniel specified the time of His advent, Yahuwah committed these prophecies to the Jewish leaders; they were without excuse if they did not know and declare to the people that the Messiah's coming was at hand. Their ignorance was the result of sinful neglect...With profound and reverent interest the elders of Israel should have been studying the place, the time, the circumstances, of the greatest event in the world's history--the coming of the Son of Yahuwah to accomplish the redemption of man....Oh, what a lesson is this wonderful story of Bethlehem! How it rebukes our unbelief, our pride and self-sufficiency. How it warns us to beware, lest by our criminal indifference we also fail to discern the signs of the times, and therefore know not the day of our visitation." (Great Controversy, pp. 313-315). The preceding quotes compare the First Advent of Yahushua with the Second Advent. God revealed exactly when and where the Messiah would appear at the First Advent. This is how the wise man from the east knew about it and hence followed the bright star which marked the Messiah's place of birth. Surprisingly, the chief priests and scribes of the people only knew where the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:1-12). If the religious leaders had been studying like they should have been and had a close walk with God, they would have also known these things down to the date, day, and year. We should beware lest the same happens to us and we fail to know when Yahushua is coming back the second time! We know that the Holy Days that point forward to the events relating to the Second Advent are the fall feasts, and in particular the Feast of Tabernacles. Yes, we believe that the Second Coming will occur at the Feast of Tabernacles; although the Father has not yet revealed the year... If by that time we know the day and date, why then does Yahuwah announce it? Sister Ellen White tells us that at the end time the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. Since the timing of the Sabbaths and Holy Days on the Biblical calendar is reckoned from the appearing of the new moon, and if the moon has been moved out of its place, then we will not be able to predict when the new moon will occur, which determines the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles on the 15th of Tishrei. December 16, 1848, the Lord gave me a view of the shaking of the powers of the heavens....The powers of heaven will be shaken at the voice of Yahuwah. Then the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of Yahuwah. (Early Writings, p. 41). Yahshua said that as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:37) Jesus is telling us to study Noah and the flood and we will learn more about the Second Coming. God told Noah, when he began building the ark, that the flood would be in 120 years (Genesis 6:3). As Noah built the ark, he would have been preaching, 120 years until the flood, 119 years until the flood, and so on down through the years. One week before the flood God told Noah that the flood would be in seven days (Genesis 7:4). Notice the pattern. Yahuwah first told Noah the general time frame of the flood, but it was not until just before the flood that He told Noah exactly what day it would be. So it is with the Second Coming. We now know the time frame of the year the Second Advent will occur on, but Yahuwah has not yet revealed the year. (The typical 120 years of Genesis 6:3, are also prophetic of the antitypical 6000 years allocated by God, for the reign of sin, based on Jubilee year cycles of fifty years each (Leviticus 25:8-12), hence 120 x 50=6000). The Bible also tells us that the Second Coming will occur on a Seventh-day Sabbath. Thus saith the Lord Yahuwah; the gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened. And the Prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without (Ezekiel 46:1-2) The Bible tells us that this Prince is Yahushua (Daniel 9:25). Notice that the gate that looks towards the east is shut the first six days of the week, but this gate opens on the New Moon and on the Seventh-day Sabbath, this gate as it was on earth has its heavenly (anti-typical) counterpart. The gate in Ezekiel 46:1 which looks to the east is a type of the gate that separates heaven and earth because of sin (Genesis 3:24). When Yahushua is ready to come back for His people this gate separating heaven and earth is opened for Him. Notice that this verse states that the gate is opened both on the Seventh-day Sabbath and on the day of the New Moon. The Feast of Trumpets is the only yearly

- 153 -

THE FINAL CALL

Feast that falls on the new moonwhich is also Sabbath. It occurs on the first day of the seventh month and we have established that this is the day Yahweh will announce the day and hour of Yahshua's coming, during the blowing of the fourth trumpet. We also know that the day of Atonement or judgement follows ten days after the Feast of Trumpets, and then five days latter, on the 15th of Tishreia seventh day sabbath, begins the seven-day long Feast of Tabernacles. From the pen of inspiration, we are told that, "Something great and decisive is about to take place... and the final movements will be rapid ones" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 11). These final movements not only refer to events on earth but heavenly events as well. The final warning is given on earth under the final proclamation of the message of the third angel (Revelation 14:9-10), which is a dire warning against worshipping the beast via the use of his calendar, which embodies the keeping of Sunday or Saturday as a sabbath and the false feast days: 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 Yahuwah. The third angel represents the messengers of Yahuwah who shall warn the world about the consequences of worshipping the beast, thus fulfilling the Feast of Trumpets. "The angels are represented as flying in the midst of heaven, proclaiming to the world a message of warning, and having a direct bearing upon the people living in the last days of this earths history. No one hears the voice of these angels, for they are a symbol to represent the people of Yahuwah who are working in harmony with the universe of heaven. Men and women, enlightened by the Spirit of Yahuwah and sanctified through the truth, proclaim the three messages in their order. 2SM chapter 50... The judgement of the living will follow immediately, in heaven. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand (Ezekiel 33:6). Yahuwah announces the day and hour of the Second Coming at the Feast of Trumpets. The trumpets of Revelation are judgments that Yahuwah sends on the earth before the close of probation to wake this earth up to the fact that the judgment of the living is about to begin and the close of probation is near, whereafter the fierce destructive judgements will follow... At the appointed time, the King of kings and Lord of lords will come to gather His people and take them to heaven with Him. "Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days." (Levitucus 23:39-40). The trip back to heaven takes exactly one week, and on the eighth daythe Last Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles is when we will enter heaven. We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought along the crowns and with his own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. (Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2, p. 33). The last day of the Feast of Tabernacles is called the Last Great Day. It was on this day that Yahushua made an important statement: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Yahushua stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37) Yahushua chose this very day to make this announcement because He knew that on this day we would enter heaven and drink of the water of life for the first time. When Yahushua comes back to earth to take His people, He comes from the east, because heaven is in the east. Ezekiel 46:1 says that the gate that looks to the east is the one that is opened so (Messiah) the Prince can come. Other texts tell us the same. And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. (Ezekiel 43:2) 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. (Matthew 24:27) And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. (Revelation 7:2). Yahuwah's people are "at midnight" delivered from the death sentence (Early Writings p. 285), which corresponds to the night the destroying angel "passed over" the dwellings of the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 29: 30), and events from that hour happen rapidly until, according to The Great Controversy, p 640, "soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man's hand." Interestingly, the constellation orion is very strikingly in the East during the the Fall season, at the time of the fall feasts, just above the horizon right after sunset. Heaven is through Orion: The atmosphere parted and rolled back; then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of Yahuwah. (Maranatha, p. 279). Orion is the only constellation that can be seen from both northern and southern hemispheres. THE FINAL HARVEST & THE HARVEST SICKLE While the spring harvest feasts were fulfilled to the very letter in Christ Yahshua's day, they will, along with the fall feasts, have their final fulfillment at the end of time. Yahuwah's Holy Feast days are truly prophetic of the threefold, great and final harvest of the earth. Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe (Joel 3:12-13). But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come (Mark 4:29).

- 154 -

THE FINAL CALL

Is it possible that the first fruits harvest of the Passover week, will be the sealing of the 144,000 who will be the first to wake up to the knowledge of the bridegroom's coming? These are they who are willing to follow the lamb whithersoever he goes. These are they who would be willing to keep all of Yahuwah's laws and statutes that incorporate His Holy feast days on His calendar. These are they who would be the first to unlearn false theories of calendation and be restored to Yahuwah's true principles of time keeping as He ordained at creation. These are they who would see the light, that the Sabbath had been removed from Yahuwah's luni-solar calendar by man's implantation of an entire counterfeit calendar and its unbroken chains of successive weeks. These are they who would see the light, that the Crescent New Moon beacons the Creator's signs, seasons, days, and years, as it receives its light from the sun, thus working in orchestrated unison as ordained (Genesis 1:14). These are they who when they see the light are willing to walk in that light and teach others to do likewise in preparation for Yahshua's grand and glorious second coming. Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him who handles the sickle at harvest time (Jeremiah 50:16). Is it possible that the second harvest phase represented by Pentecost, will be the sealing of the great multitude that no man can number? Would it be truly possible for concepts of this magnitude to be accepted by so many in so little time, literally a period of seven weeks complete? You shall count seven weeks for yourself; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain. (Deuteronomy 16:9).

Is it possible that the third and last harvest of the earth is the final judgment of the unrighteous, the gathering of the tares into bundles to be burned? Is it possible that this represents the closing of probation's door forever? Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. Revelation 14:14-16 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of Yahuwah. Revelation 14:17-20 NKJV It has been said that the final issue that brings about the ripening of the harvest will be a National Sunday Law. Is it possible that the final conflict will not be simply a Saturday vs. Sunday issue. Rather a battle waged by mankind and the prince of darkness over Yahuwah's luni-solar calendar and its holy days in which Saturday does not even exist? Surely no one will be untouched by the impact of this great conflict The signal that the harvest has begun is when the sickle is put forth, and the first fruits of the barley harvest were determined at the new moon to start the new year. Yahuwah's faithful are waking up and recognizing that the great harvest sickle in the heavens is His CRESCENT NEW MOON. These are they who discern that during the dark ages, Yahuwah's calendar and festivals were lost and forgotten under the rubble of false teachings and the counterfeit sun calendar. Now His statutes and true time keeping system are being fully restored to His faithful followers. These are they who recognize for the first time in nearly 1800 years, that it was the moon all along, which had been removed from their understanding of timekeeping.

- 155 -

THE FINAL CALL

Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him who handles the sickle at harvest time (Jeremiah 50:16).

This verse is profound with regards to its prophetic application. The sower and he who handles the sickle are Yahuwah's faithful. They alone are to be removed from the tares, as they are the harvest of great value to the heavenly Father. It is the sickle that causes the faithful to be truly removed from the tares of Babylon. The

first visible crescent New Moon is Yahuwah's sickle that he uses to separate the wheat from the tares. It is the crescent New Moon that defines His years, months, weeks, sabbaths and calendar dates,
including all His holy Feast days. What more fitting, and visible sign could a loving Yahuwah use to test His would be faithful children? Only by placing the moon back in its ordained and appointed honorary role to rule in orchestration with the sun, is it possible for Yahuwah's people to stand together with Him on Mount Zion, His holy mountain of time. It is only then that His faithful are in perfect harmony with the algorithms of heaven. In Conclusion: The Crescent New Moon, beacons the beginning of each new month according to Scripture, and were designed at creation to designate by its changing phases exactly when the true seventh-day Sabbaths will fall. Among all the lunar phases, the New Moon, according to Scripture, is the most significant lunar phase and of great importance to Yahuwah's calendation principles. This is because it beacons that a new month is to begin the following morning at sunrise, and begins the count for the entire month, as well as for the entire year. The Creator's luni-solar month and its corresponding weeks has been the ongoing target of Lucifer's unending attacks. For if the real truth were leaked out regarding the importance Yahuwah places on the "New Moon", Lucifer's mask would come off, and he would be exposed for the imposter and mastermind of deception that he is. The count beginning at New Moon locates all the Lord Yahuwah's Holy appointed Feasts. According to Genesis 1, Exodus 12 and 16, and Leviticus 23, His Feasts are divided into two categories; the four weekly Sabbaths each month, and the annual appointed Feasts. Yahuwah's faithful will recognize that it was Moses who recorded all three of these vitally important accounts in Scripture. His faithful will discover that Exodus contains the pivotal record and time centric key that unlocks His calendation principles of both Genesis and Leviticus. It is in Moses' record of Exodus 12, 16, and 19 that the application of Yahuwah's "seven-day week" is made with regards to His months and years. It is only in the restoring of Yahuwah's calendation truths to Israel at the Exodus that the full calendation picture is given which presents the details of exactly how the Creator placed His ordained and holy seventh-day Sabbath as His most precious gem within the framework of His lunar cycle setting. If you do not now fully recognize yourself and your doctrinal beliefs in the illustration and symbology of this pure woman of Revelation as she stands as a witness upon the moon, then prayerfully ask the Lord Yahuwah to help you change your predicament. The only other choice will be to belong to the symbolic harlot woman who continues to ride the seven headed beast. Formerly, as Saturday Sabbatarians, we have long held that we have never ridden the beast. However, Revelation 13:3 states otherwise as it says that, "all the world wondered after the beast." Saturday is not the antidote to wondering after the beast because Saturday Sabbatarians are included in the term ALL. Certainly all the world has wondered after the beast, but Yahuwah is now calling His faithful to come out from among her. . . . And all the world wondered after the beast. Revelation 13:3

- 156 -

THE FINAL CALL

The heavenly Father has ordained His sickle to separate the wheat from the tares. It is His sickle that separates the sower and reaper from Babylon, when the heavenly Father calls His faithful to come out of her. It is none other than His sickle that is portrayed as the beacon of Yahuwah's sacred time system that is displayed each month with the first visible crescent New Moon. No other lunar phase can qualify as the true sickle of the Lord of Hosts, as if it were held in His right hand. At a time when it is not popular to believe in the Creator's luni-solar calendar, its crescent New Moons, its Holy appointed Feasts days, or its sacred seventh-day Sabbaths, the Lord Yahuwah's still small voice is calling... He is now making up His number of faithful followers who will be willing to stand by faith upon His sure foundation. Amidst great opposition from all sides, these will take up their cross and walk in this light from His oracles of Scripture. FOOD FOR THOUGHT "It was not long after the passing of the time, in 1844, that my first vision was given me. I was visiting Mrs. Haines at Portland, a dear sister in Christ, whose heart was knit with mine; five of us, all women, were kneeling quietly at the family altar. While we were praying, the power of God came upon me as I had never felt it before. I seemed to be surrounded with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, "Look again, and look a little higher." At this, I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were traveling to the city which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the "midnight cry." [See Matthew 25:6.] This light shone all along the path, and gave light for their feet, so that they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on Yahushua, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. Then Yahushua would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the advent band, and they shouted "Alleluia!" Others rashly denied the light behind them, and said that it was not Yahushua that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Yahushua, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below. Soon we heard the voice of Yahuwah like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Yahushuas coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When Yahuwah spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of Yahuwah, as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai. The 144,000 were all sealed, and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, "Yahuwah, New Jerusalem," and a glorious star containing Yahushua's new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that Yahuwah had loved us who could wash one another's feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet." Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, pp. 57-59 THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION Who commits the abomination? Jer 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it. Jer 32:32 Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Jer 32:33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction. Jer 32:34 But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it. Ezek 8:6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary?

- 157 -

THE FINAL CALL

Ezek 16:1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Ezek 16:2 Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, ... Ezek 16:15 But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was. Ezek 16:16 And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so. Ezek 16:17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them, ... Ezek 16:30 How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman; ... Ezek 16:35 Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD: The people of Yahuwah, symbolized by Jerusalem, have committed the abominations, and as a result are called a harlot. What is the result of committing these abominations? Jer 7:34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate. Jer 9:11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. Jer 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. Jer 12:11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart. Jer 18:15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; Jer 18:16 To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. Ezek 33:28 For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. Ezek 33:29 Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. Hosea 13:16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up. Hosea 14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Micah 7:13 Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings. What abominations have been committed? Prov 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Deu 17:2 If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, Deu 17:3 And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; Deu 17:4 And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel: Deu 17:5 Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die. Ezek 8:1 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me. Ezek 8:2 Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. Ezek 8:3 And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of Yahuwah to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

- 158 -

THE FINAL CALL

Ezek 8:4 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain. Ezek 8:5 Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. Ezek 8:6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? Ezekiel was shown an idolatrous image/idol of a pagan god within the temple courts, which is described as a great abomination. But there is even more to see: Ezek 8:6 ... but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. Ezek 8:7 And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall. Ezek 8:8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. Ezek 8:9 And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. Ezek 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about. Ezek 8:11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. Ezek 8:12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. Ezekiel is shown elders of Israel offering incense to images of pagan gods on the walls of a secret temple chamber. But there is worse to come: Ezek 8:13 He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. Ezek 8:14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Tammuz was the Babylonian god of crops and vegetation who "died" every year with the summer drought, and was therefore mourned. But the greatest abomination was next to be revealed: The Greatest Abomination Ezek 8:15 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. Ezek 8:16 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. The greatest abomination shown to Ezekiel, and committed by Israel, was worshipping the sun! Ezek 8:17 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. Ezek 8:18 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. Yahuwah's people played the harlot with pagan gods, and committed the rankest abomination of sun worship. The presence of Yahuwah was even shown to Ezekiel departing the temple, leaving it desolate: Ezek 11:22 Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. Ezek 11:23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city. Yahuwah promised to punish Israel's apostasy. For their abominations, Yahuwah promises the punishment of desolation of their land. Ezek 7:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Ezek 7:2 Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.

- 159 -

THE FINAL CALL

Ezek 23:2 Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother: ... Ezek 23:4 And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah. ... Ezek 23:33 Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria. Ezek 23:34 Thou shalt even drink it and suck it out, and thou shalt break the sherds thereof, and pluck off thine own breasts: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel is shown in vision that not all of Yahuwahs's people are guilty of abomination, and they are to be spared the wrath of Yahuwah, but the wicked would all be slain: Begin at my Sanctuary Ezek 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. Ezek 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Ezek 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. The fulfillment of Ezekiel's vision is recorded in Zechariah: Zec 7:5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? ... Zec 7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Zec 7:12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Zec 7:13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: Zec 7:14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. The fulfillment is also recorded in 2nd Chronicles: 2 Chr 36:14 Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. 2 Chr 36:15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 2 Chr 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 2 Chr 36:17 Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. 2 Chr 36:18 And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. 2 Chr 36:19 And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 2 Chr 36:20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: 2 Chr 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten [70] years. Jeremiah had also prophesied the desolation of the land by Babylon: Jer 25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Jer 25:10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. Jer 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the

- 160 -

THE FINAL CALL

king of Babylon seventy years. But before this happened, the people were warned. The punishment of desolation could be avoided: Jer 6:8 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. Jer 17:27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched. This was a warning they had heard before, after being freed from bondage in Egypt: Lev 19:30 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. Lev 26:2 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. Ezek 20:12 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. Ezek 20:13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. Ezek 20:19 I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; Ezek 20:20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. Ezek 23:38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. The punishment of desolation for sabbath breaking is clearly set forth: Lev 26:27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; Lev 26:28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. Lev 26:29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. Lev 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. Lev 26:31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. Lev 26:32 And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. Lev 26:33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Lev 26:34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. Lev 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. Lev 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes. It is a warning for the end of time too: Zep 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. Zep 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. Isa 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. Isa 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

- 161 -

THE FINAL CALL

Jer 4:23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. Jer 4:24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. Jer 4:25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. Jer 4:26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger. Jer 4:27 For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end. Jer 4:28 For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it. Note this very carefully: Isa 24:5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance [set time, Job 14:13], broken the everlasting covenant. Isa 24:6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. Jer 44:22 So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day. Jer 44:23 Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day. It is a transgression of the law of Yahuwah, a changing of Yahuwah's law that breaks the everlasting covenant, that brings desolation. So just what is the everlasting covenant? The Everlasting / Perpetual Covenant Psa 111:7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. Psa 111:8 They stand fast for ever and ever: holy and reverend is his name. Exo 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a covenant. Exo 31:17 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. Isa 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. The everlasting or perpetual covenant of Isaiah 24:5 is identified in Exodus 31:16 as the Sabbath commandment of Yahuwah's law. Changing that commandment so as to break it, brings desolation according to Isaiah 24:6. Daniel prophesies about the abomination that makes desolate: Dan 7:25 And he [the little horn-the Papacy] 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: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Dan 8:11 Yea, he [the little horn-the Papacy] magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Dan 8:12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. Dan 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? The word sacrifice in the above passage is supplied by the translators, it is not in the original text. Also the word translated daily can also have the meaning perpetual. (Exo. 30:8, Lev. 6:20) The word host can mean an appointed time (Job 7:1, 14:14, Dan. 10:1). So the passage can be correctly translated as follows: Dan 8:11 Yea, he [the little horn] magnified himself even to the prince of the appointed time (Lord of the Sabbath, Matt 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5), and by him the perpetual covenant [Isa 24:5, the Sabbath] was

- 162 -

THE FINAL CALL

taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Dan 8:12 And an appointed time was given him against the perpetual covenant [Isa 24:5, the Sabbath] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. Dan 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the perpetual covenant [Isa 24:5, the Sabbath], and the transgression of desolation [Sun worship, Deu. 17:2-5, Ezek. 8:15-16], to give both the sanctuary and the appointed time to be trodden under foot? (see Isa 58:13) So, the above translation change demonstrates a distinct linking of the little horn thinking to "change times and laws" in Dan 7:25, to the transgression / abomination that brings desolation in Daniel 8, 9, 11, and 12: Dan 9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; ... Dan 9:9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; Dan 9:10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Dan 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of Yahuwah, because we have sinned against him. ... Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Dan 11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. (Lord of the Sabbath, Matt 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5) ... Dan 11:28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. Dan 11:29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. Dan 11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. Dan 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength (Zep 3:4), and shall take away the daily sacrifice (perpetual covenant, Isa 24:5, the Sabbath), and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (... they have done violence to the law Zep 3:4) Dan 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God (1 John 2:3) shall be strong, and do exploits. Dan 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice [perpetual covenant, Isa 24:5, the Sabbath] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. The keeping of the sabbath day was also a major factor in the crucifixion and desolation of the second temple: Mat 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? Mat 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Mat 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Mat 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their

- 163 -

THE FINAL CALL

hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mark 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Yahushua, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. In an amazing repeat of Ezekiel 11:23, Yahushua leaves the temple and sits on the mount of Olives to the east, and then speaks to his disciples of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel: Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Mat 24:1 And Yahushua went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. Mat 24:2 And Yahushua said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? ... Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: ... Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: Mark 13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: Mark 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. Mark 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! Mark 13:18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Luke 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. The Jewish historian Josephus made the following observations regarding Herod the Great placing a Roman eagle over a temple gate, and the later siege of Jerusalem by Titus and the armies of Rome: "...he was accused by Judas and Matthias; for the king had erected over the great gate of the temple a large eagle, of great value, and had dedicated it to the temple." - The Antiquities Of The Jews, Book 17, Chapter 6, Section 2. "These lamented those that were put to death by Herod, because they had cut down the golden eagle that had been over the gate of the temple." - The Wars Of The Jews, Book 2, Chapter 2, Section 5. NOW, as Titus was upon his march into the enemy's country, the auxiliaries that were sent by the kings marched first, having all the other auxiliaries with them; after whom followed those that were to prepare the roads and measure out the camp; then came the commander's baggage, and after that the other soldiers, who were completely armed to support them; then came Titus himself, having with him another select body; and then came the pikemen; after whom came the horse belonging to that legion. All these came before the engines; and after these engines came the tribunes and the leaders of the cohorts, with their select bodies; after these came the ensigns, with the eagle; and before those ensigns came the trumpeters belonging to them; - The Wars of The Jews, Book V, Chapter II, Section 1. "Then came the ensigns encompassing the eagle, which is at the head of every Roman legion, the king, and the strongest of all birds, which seems to them a signal of dominion, and an omen that they shall conquer all against whom they march..." - The Wars Of The Jews, Book 3, Chapter 6, Section 2.

- 164 -

THE FINAL CALL

Note this from Jeremiah: Jer 7:33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. Jer 7:34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate. So the symbolic eagle of the Roman ensigns, a sign of Rome's power and authority, gathered together around Jerusalem at the fall and desolation of apostate Israel in 70 A.D., is symbolic imagery that repeats at the end of time with the fall of the apostate church: Mat 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. Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Luke 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife. Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Luke 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Luke 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Luke 17:37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; Rev 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. In the first angel's message men are called upon to worship Yahuwah, our Creator, who made the world and all things that are therein. They have paid homage to an institution of the Papacy, making of no effect the law of Yahuwah, but there is to be an increase of knowledge on this subject. {2SM 106.1} The Sign to Leave Large Cities When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains. Matt. 24:15, 16. The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation [the United States] in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath {the ensign of papal Rome's power and authority} will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. {Mar 180.1} {5T 464-465} As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God's forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation's iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of Yahuwah will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob's trouble. The cries of the faithful, persecuted ones ascend to heaven. And as the blood of Abel cried from the ground, there are voices also crying to God from martyrs' graves, from the sepulchers of the sea, from mountain caverns, from convent vaults: "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" {5T 451.2} The Saviour's prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint shadow. In the fate of the chosen city we may behold the doom of a world that has rejected God's mercy and trampled upon His law. Dark are the records of human misery that earth has witnessed during its long centuries of crime. The heart sickens, and the mind grows

- 165 -

THE FINAL CALL

faint in contemplation. Terrible have been the results of rejecting the authority of Heaven. But a scene yet darker is presented in the revelations of the future. {GC 36} Prophecy has been fulfilling, line upon line. The more firmly we stand under the banner of the third angel's message, the more clearly shall we understand the prophecy of Daniel; for the Revelation is the supplement of Daniel. The more fully we accept the light presented by the Holy Spirit through the consecrated servants of God, the deeper and surer, even as the eternal throne, will appear the truths of ancient prophecy; we shall be assured that men of God spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. Men must themselves be under the influence of the Holy Spirit in order to understand the Spirit's utterances through the prophets. These messages were given, not for those that uttered the prophecies, but for us who are living amid the scenes of their fulfillment. {17MR 19.1 (1896)} Strict integrity should be cherished by every student. Every mind should turn with reverent attention to the revealed word of Yahuwah. Light and grace will be given to those who thus obey Yahuwah. They will behold wondrous things out of his law. Great truths that have lain unheeded and unseen since the day of Pentecost, are to shine from Yahuwah's word in their native purity. To those who truly love Yahuwah the Holy Spirit will reveal truths that have faded from the mind, and will also reveal truths that are entirely new. Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Yahuwah will bring from the books of Daniel and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the minds of men. The Lord has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. {RH, August 17, 1897 par. 19} Among the leading causes that had led to the separation of the true church from Rome was the hatred of the latter toward the Bible Sabbath. As foretold by prophecy, the papal power cast down the truth to the ground [Dan. 8:12]. The law of Yahuwah was trampled in the dust, while the traditions and customs of men were exalted. The churches that were under the rule of the papacy were early compelled to honor the Sunday as a holy day. Amid the prevailing error and superstition, many, even of the true people of Yahuwah, became so bewildered that while they observed the Sabbath, they refrained from labor also on the Sunday. But this did not satisfy the papal leaders. They demanded not only that Sunday be hallowed, but that the Sabbath be profaned; and they denounced in the strongest language those who dared to show it honor. It was only by fleeing from the power of Rome that any could obey Yahuwah's law in peace. {GC 65.1 and GC88 64.2} THE COUNCIL OF LAODICEA IN PHRYGIA PACATIANA, 343-381 A.D. CANON XXIX:CHRISTIANS must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honouring the Lord's Day; and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema (acursed/banished) from Christ. The Lord has a controversy with his professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the [pagan] week. There are calamities on sea and land: and these calamities will increase, one disaster following close upon another; and the little band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will be pointed out as the ones who are bringing the wrath of Yahuwah upon the world by their disregard of Sunday. The church of today has followed in the steps of the Jews of old, who set aside the commandments of Yahuwah for their own traditions. She has changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant, and now, as then, pride, unbelief, and infidelity are the result. Her true condition is set forth in these words from the song of Moses: "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?" {RH, March 18, 1884} Dan 7:25 And he [the little horn - v.8] shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times (appointed times - Levitucus 23) and laws [of the most High]: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. The points presented above are: Blasphemy (great words) Persecution of faithful saints for 1260 years Little horn thinks to change the times (appointed prophetic times, in particular the pre-advent judgment) of Yahuwah, and the laws of Yahuwah (the Sabbath in particular). Judgment begins

- 166 -

THE FINAL CALL

Note that these exact same points are presented and explained in Daniel 8:9-14: Dan 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. Dan 8:10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Dan 8:11 Yea, he [the little horn] magnified himself even to the prince of the appointed time (Lord of the Sabbath, Matt 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5), and by him the perpetual covenant [Isa 24:5, the Sabbath] was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Dan 8:12 And an appointed time (counterfeit calendar and sun-day observance) was given him against the perpetual covenant [Isa 24:5, the Creators calendar and the Sabbath] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground [Psa. 119:142, 151-152, Great Controversy, 65.1]; and it practiced, and prospered. Dan 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the perpetual covenant [Isa 24:5, the Creators calendar and the Sabbath], and the transgression of desolation (false calendar and sun-day exaltation), to give both the sanctuary (judgment) and the appointed time (the Creators calendar and the Sabbath) to be trodden under foot? (see Zep 3:4, Isa. 58:13) Dan 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. [judgment begins and the Creators calendar and the Sabbath is restored - Isa. 58:12]. In clear terms, that then reads: Dan 8:11 Yea, the Pope exalted himself even to the Lord, and by the papacy the Lord's calendar and His Sabbath were taken away, and the place of the Lord's sanctuary (true worship) was cast down. Dan 8:12 And another appointed time was set forth by the papacy against the Sabbath by the papacy's transgression (the counterfeit calendar and sun-day worship) and so the papacy cast down the law of Yahuwah to the ground; and the papacy practiced, and prospered. Dan 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the Sabbath, this transgression of desolation that causes both the Lord's sanctuary and Sabbath to be trodden under foot? Dan 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. The study of the cleansing of sanctuary on the Day of Atonement (judgment), inevitably led to the standard for judgment, the Ten Commandments contained in the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, and the Sabbath commandment in particular. The Ark of the Covenant contained, in addition to the two tables of the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna (Exo. 16:33, Heb 9:4). What did the manna represent? Deu 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Matt. 4:4, Luke 4:4) Yahuwah only provided the manna the first 6 days of the week: Exo 16:26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. For 40 years in the wilderness, the manna pointed out the Sabbath day to the people of Yahuwah. This is why a pot of manna was placed in the Ark of the Covenant. It symbolizes the word of Yahuwah calling attention to the seventh day Sabbath in Yahuwah's law! (Aaron's rod that budded, also placed in the Ark, represents resurrection from the dead of our high priest Yahushua, and a true understanding of the state of the dead). That the "daily" can only now be seen to be the perpetual covenant [Isa 24:5, the appointed times (the calendar) and in paticular the Sabbath], serves as a remarkable confirmation that the Adventist restoration of the Sabbath and the Day of Atonement Sanctuary teaching, also called the Investigative Judgment, were both providential, because both were directly prophesied in Daniel 8:13-14 and sealed until the time of the end (Dan 8:26 & 12:4). John the Revelator saw this exact same message understood and proclaimed to the world by the 3 angels of Revelation 14:6-12 after the 2300 years had passed in 1844. The Seal of Yahuwah Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth (cf. Eze 7:2), holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads (cf. Eze 9:4-6).

- 167 -

THE FINAL CALL

Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. First Angel's Message Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters (Exo. 20:8-11). These two points are the same two points that the little horn thinks to change in Daniel 7:25, Dan 8:11-14, Dan 11:30-31, Dan 12: 11. The proclamation of the first angel's message exposes the work of the little horn to obscure the everlasting gospel as it relates to judgment and the seventh day Sabbath. Second Angel's Message Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. The lifting of the mask of false religion causes the lofty false system of worship (Babylon) to collapsethus giving way to the restoration of lost truths. Third Angel's Message - Mark of the Beast Rev 14:9 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, Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Yahuwah, 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: Rev 14:11 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. Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and the faith of Yahushua. The first angel's message proclaims the warning that Yahuwah's judgment is underway and calls mankind to worship Him as the creator by referring to the Sabbath commandment, and observing it according to its appointed time upon the creators calendar. The second angel's message declares that Babylon is found guilty in the judgment, and the third angel's message describes the punishment those in Babylon will receive for having the mark of the beast (continued false religion). Note that the saints of verse 12, who persevere and heed the first angel's message, do not receive the mark of the beast! This characteristic of commandment keeping by the saints is also mentioned in Revelation 12: Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and have the testimony of Yahushua. Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Yahushua: worship Yahuwah: for the testimony of Yahushua is the spirit of prophecy. Rev 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship Yahuwah. Those who have the seal of Yahuwah keep the Ten Commandments and have a true understanding of Bible prophecy. Daniel 7:25 referred to these as the times [prophetic] and laws [of the most High]. The mark of the beast is the abomination that will bring about the desolation of apostate Mystery Babylon and her apostate daughters: Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she

- 168 -

THE FINAL CALL

made desolate. Isa 24:5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance [set time - Job 14:13], broken the everlasting covenant. Isa 24:6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. Jer 44:22 So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day. Jer 44:23 Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes [appointed times], nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day. If we also now apply the refined definitions of "times and laws" of Dan 7:25 provided to us by Revelation 12:17, 14:7 and 19:10, and read them into Isaiah 8, notice the result: Isa 8:16 Bind up the testimony (of Yahushua, the spirit of prophecy), seal the law (10 Commandments) among my disciples. ... Isa 8:20 To the law (10 Commandments) and to the testimony (the spirit of prophecy): if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. In conjunction with Exodus 31:16-17, this clearly confirms the 7th day Sabbath as found on the Creator's calendar, to be the sign or seal of Yahuwah, the perpetual covenant of Daniel 8. Therefore, the (appointed) "times & laws" changed by the "man of sin" is: the Creators calendar which contains the Holy Sabbath & Holy Feasts of Yahuwah. THE ABOMINATION ENTERS THE GATES OF ZION "The night of trial is nearly spent. Satan is bringing in his masterly power because he knoweth that his time is short. The chastisement of Yahuwah is upon the world, to call all who know the truth to hide in the cleft of the Rock, and view the glory of Yahuwah. The truth must not be muffled now. Plain statements must be made. Unvarnished truth must be spoken in leaflets and pamphlets, and these must be scattered like the leaves of autumn.." Testimonies For The Church, vol 9, p. 230. Exodus 23:13: and in all things that I have said to you take heed: and make no mention of other gods, neither let it be heard out of your mouth. The phrases--"Abomination of desolation" and "Abomination that maketh desolate" are found in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament it is found in Daniel 11:31 and 12:11. In the New Testament it is found in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14. First, let us look at these parallel phrases and their meanings to ascertain what kind of abomination it is that brings the desolation. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for "abomination" is "shiqquts," meaning "disgusting, idolatrous or an idol, abominable filth, detestable." In the New Testament the Greek word for "abomination" is "bdelugma," meaning "detestable idolatry." Both these meanings apply to idolatry. But what kind of detestable idolatry is being spoken of? For this we need to look at how these words are used in the Bible, and then we can know what kind of idolatry is meant. In the New Testament we find "bdelugma" used in Luke 16:15 and Revelation 21:27; stating that this detestable and disgusting "idolatry" is highly esteemed among men, but those who do such work will not enter heaven. In the Old Testament we find "shiqquts" used in 1 Kings 11:5-7 and 2 Kings 23:13 stating that Solomon worshipped Ashtoreth (the abomination of the Zidonians), Milcom (the abomination of the Ammonites), and Chemosh (the abomination of Moab). Sister Ellen G. White states that Yahuwah's chosen people today are considered to be His modern Israel. As such we can pose the question: Is there any significance of these gods that Solomon worshipped to Yahuwah's modern Israel of today--His Seventh-day Adventist people? To find the answer, let us first look at these false gods and what they stood for. The goddess Ashtoreth symbolized the moon. The god Milcom or Moloch symbolized the star or the blazing sun. The god Chemosh, meaning "the powerful subduer" also symbolizes the sun. In ancient Babylonian times the sun and the constellation Orion represented Nimrod. The moon, Venus (which was thought to be a star), and the constellation Cancer (the crab) represented Nimrod's wife--Semiramis, who was also known as the "queen of heaven" and the "mother of the gods." And the blazing star, as well as the constellation Aires (the ram) represented Tammuz, the son of Semiramis--which was believed to be Nimrod reincarnated. Tammuz means "the purifying burner." These three were the pagan trinity, and their symbols were also represented in the worship of Baal. The priests of Baal would sacrifice to the sun, moon, and stars. But what did these symbols, especially the sun, symbolize? Lucifer! Nimrod

- 169 -

THE FINAL CALL

symbolized Lucifer; Tammuz--the son of Semiramis--represented Lucifer; and, in fact, even Semiramis symbolized Lucifer--as Venus "the star of the morning!" Yahuwah had warned Israel not to worship the sun, moon, or stars. But Israel refused to listen, left the worship of the true Yahuwah, and joined themselves to Baal, thereby worshipping Satan. Even Solomon neglected the warnings of Yahuwah and led Israel into the worship of the hosts of heaven. So the word "abomination" means disgusting idolatry; but more precisely--Baal (Devil) worship! But what significance is Baal worship to Yahuwah's modern Israel today? The main symbol of Baal worship is the sun. Sun worship has been around since the origin of Babylon and Nimrod. The main day to worship the sun is Sunday or Baal's day--the day of the sun. We know that Solomon, the king of Israel, worshipped Baal and the sun. He was the wisest king that ever lived on this earth before Christ, and yet Solomon fell into idolatry. But how did he fall into sun worship, and under what circumstances? "While Solomon exalted the law of heaven, Yahuwah was with him, and wisdom was given him to rule over Israel with impartiality and mercy....But after a morning of great promise his life was darkened by apostasy....he who had led others to ascribe honor to the Yahuwah of Israel, turned from the worship of Jehovah to bow before the idols of the heathen.... "In seeking to strengthen his relations with the powerful kingdom lying to the southward of Israel [which was Egypt], Solomon ventured upon forbidden ground....But in forming an alliance with a heathen nation...Solomon rashly disregarded the wise provision that Yahuwah had made for maintaining the purity of His people....Solomon had begun to lose sight of the Source of his power and glory. As inclination gained the ascendancy over reason, self-confidence increased, and he sought to carry out the Lord's purpose in his own way....he entered into unholy alliance with nation after nation....The commands of Jehovah were set aside for the customs of surrounding peoples.... "So gradual was Solomon's apostasy that before he was aware of it, he had wandered far from Yahuwah. Almost imperceptibly he began to put confidence in his own strength. Little by little he withheld from Yahuwah that unswerving obedience which was to make Israel a peculiar people, and he conformed more and more closely to the customs of the surrounding nations....The money which should have been held in sacred trust for the benefit of the worthy poor and for the extension of principles of holy living throughout the world, was selfishly absorbed in ambitious projects....the king overlooked the need of acquiring the beauty and perfection of character.... "More and more the king came to regard luxury, self-indulgence, and the favor of the world as indications of greatness. Beautiful and attractive women were brought from Egypt, Phoenicia, Edom, Moab, and many other places....Their religion was idol worship...His wives exerted a strong influence over him and gradually prevailed on him to unite with them in their worship. Solomon had disregarded the instruction that God had given to serve as a barrier against apostasy, and now he gave himself up to the worship of false gods.... "Solomon's course brought its sure penalty. His separation from Yahuwah through communication with idolaters was his ruin. As he cast off his allegiance to Yahuwah, he lost the mastery of himself. His moral efficiency was gone....He mistook license for liberty. He tried--but at what cost!--to unite light with darkness, good with evil, purity with impurity, Christ with Belial....Yahuwah can do little for men who lose their sense of dependence upon Him. "During these years of apostasy, the spiritual decline of Israel progressed steadily. How could it be otherwise when their king had united his interests with satanic agencies? Through these agencies the enemy worked to confuse the minds of the Israelites in regard to true and false worship, and they became an easy prey....Refusing to follow the path of obedience, they transferred their allegiance to the enemy of righteousness....the Israelites rapidly lost their abhorrence of idol worship." Prophets and Kings, p 51-59. This actually happened to ancient Israel and their wisest king. Could it also happen to the Seventh-day Adventist church--Yahuwah's modern Israel, who have had much privileges and light of truth? "There is a lesson for us in the history of Solomon....He might have gone from strength to strength, from character to character, ever approaching nearer the similitude of the character of Yahuwah, but how sad his history; he was exalted to most sacred positions of trust, but he proved unfaithful....Association with idolaters corrupted his faith; one false step led to another; there was a breaking down of the barriers which Yahuwah had erected for the safety of His people; his life was corrupted...and at last he gave himself to the worship of false gods....

"Oh, how can Yahuwah bear with the misdeeds of those who have had great light and advantages, and yet follow the course of their own choosing, to their eternal harm! Solomon...chose his own way, and in his heart separated from Yahuwwah....Solomon dishonored himself, dishonored Israel, and dishonored Yahuwah. "Looking upon this picture, we see what human beings become when they venture to separate from Yahuwah. One false step prepares the way for another, and every step is taken more easily than the last. Thus souls are found following another leader than Christ.

- 170 -

THE FINAL CALL

"All who occupy positions in our institutions will be tested. If they will make Christ their pattern, He will give them wisdom and knowledge and understanding; they will grow in grace and aptitude in Christ's way; their characters will be molded after His similitude. If they fail of keeping the way of the Lord, another spirit will control the mind and judgment, and they will plan without the Lord and will take their own course and leave the positions they have occupied. The light has been given them; if they depart from it, let no man present a bribe to induce them to remain. They will be a hindrance and a snare." Testimonies, vol 7 p 217-19. We are also told: "Let the sad memory of Solomon's apostasy warn every soul to shun the same precipice. His weakness and sin are handed down from generation to generation." SDA Bible Commentary, vol 2, p 1031. What would happen if the SDA church leadership would prove to be unfaithful and follow the apostasy of Solomon? "The candlestick was removed out of its place when Solomon forgot Yahuwah. He lost the light of Yahuwah, he lost the wisdom of Yahuwah, he confounded idolatry with religion." SDA Bible Commentary, vol 2, p 1032. As we have discovered, the hosts of heaven were worshipped by Solomon and Israel, which constituted Baal worship. The main symbol in Baal worship is the sun, and the day to worship Baal is on Sunday--Baal's day. We have also discovered that the word "abomination" in Daniel, Matthew, and Mark means disgusting idolatry, or more accurately: Baal worship, or even more accurately: Sun-day worship. Now lets look at the meaning of the words "desolate" and "desolation" in the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew word for "desolate" in Daniel 11:31 and 12:11 is "shamem," meaning "to stun, astonish, destroy, devastate, desolate." The Greek word for "desolation" of Matthew 24:15 is "eremosis," meaning "despoliation, or desolation." Websters states "despoliation" means "to strip, to deprive of something." The word "desolation" of Mark 13:14 is the Hebrew word "shimamah," meaning "devastation, astonishment, desolation." Putting all these meanings together we come to the correct meaning of the word "desolation": it means something or some event occurs which stuns in astonishment, something is stripped away, and then destruction, devastation, and desolation follows. What were Christ's words to His true followers? "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand); Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains" Matthew 24:15-16. In Mark 13:14 He says; "standing where it ought not." In Luke 21:21 He says; "Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it [Jerusalem] depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance." By putting these texts together[scripture upon scripture] we get a more perfect picture of Christ's words. He states that when the abomination of desolation stands where it ought not, in the holy place, then let His followers which be in Jerusalem and Judea come out and flee into the mountains, and let none return. "For these be the days of vengeance." These are strong words of warning from our Saviour. Yet this warning saved the lives of those Christians that escaped before Jerusalem was destroyed. From history we know that Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., but the abomination of desolation occurred in 66 A.D. The Roman army, under command of general Cestius, surrounded Jerusalem in A.D. 66. But just before it fell, he unexpectedly withdrew his forces and, while retreating, he planted the abomination of desolation--the banner of Rome--in the holy ground. About three years later another Roman general named Titus resumed the assult, keeping up a siege until Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70. Thus there was absolutely no excuse for any of Christ's followers to lose their lives when Jerusalem was destroyed. The only people who did lose their lives were those who chose not to follow Christ's warnings but remained within Jerusalem. And it was only the mercy of Yahuwah that Jerusalem was not destroyed sooner. Christ's warnings were extremely important--life dependant--to His true followers back then, but can it be as important to Christ's followers now? Will the abomination and the desolation that follows occur again, in our time? "Christ presented before them an outline of the prominent events to transpire before the close of time. His words were not then fully understood; but their meaning was to be unfolded as His people should need the instruction therein given. The prophecy which He uttered was twofold in its meaning: while foreshadowing the destruction of Jerusalem, it prefigured also the terrors of the last great day"Yahushua declared to the listening disciples the judgments that were to fall upon apostate Israel, and especially the retributive vengeance that would come upon them for their rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah. Unmistakable signs would precede the awful climax. The dreaded hour would come suddenly and swiftly....When the idolatrous standards of the Romans should be set up in the holy ground, which extended some furlongs outside the city walls, then the followers of Christ were to find safety in flight. When the warning sign should be seen, judgment was to follow so quickly that those who would escape must make no delay. Throughout the land of Judea, as well as in Jerusalem itself, the signal for flight must be immediately obeyed....They must not hesitate a moment, lest they be involved in the general destruction." Great Controversy, p 25-26.

- 171 -

THE FINAL CALL

Many scholars believe that the standard or banner of Rome, which was set up in the holy ground of Jerusalem, was a lion-faced sun--its mane pictured as the alternating sun-rays. So the sign for flight was when the idolatrous standard of Rome--the banner of the sun--was set up or exalted in the holy place of Jerusalem. Christ's words of warning have a more serious implication for us-- His modern Israel. Since pagan Rome was replaced with papal Rome, what then is the idolatrous Roman standard of today? The banner[image] of Roman Catholicism is undoubtedly the CALENDAR OF ROME, which embodies sun--or Sun-day worship [mark of the beast!] And what would be the setting up of the abomination of desolation of today, which would be a sign for Christians to flee to the mountains? It will be the exaltion of Sunday worship through the introduction of a NEW UNIVERSAL CALENDAR by civil law enforcement! The establishment of this universal calendar will precede the Sunday law decree... and those who, knowing the establishment of the UNIVERSAL CALENDAR to be the sign for them to flee, do exactly that these will be saved. Yet those who wait for the Sunday law decree will be caught in the mayhem that will ensue. What constitutes the abominable calendar of Rome? "A large company of heathen idolaters bore a black banner, upon which were the figures of the sun, moon, and stars." Early Writings, p 211. Exodus 23:13: And in all things that I have said to you take heed: and make no mention of other gods, neither let it be heard out of your mouth. Days of the week Pagan people of ancient times believed in astrology; they worshiped the sun and the moon, and the five known planets that they named after pagan gods: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn; the other three planets of the solar system, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, to which modern-day scientists gave pagan names, were not discovered until after telescopes became available. The days of the week in English originated from the Latin and Germanic names for those pagan gods. SundaySun-day (Dies Solis) Venerable Day of the Sun. Sun worship was marked by the use of the halo, or nimbus, which originated with the pagan Greeks and Romans to represent their sun god, Helios. Later it was for use in Christian images. MondayDies lunae (from which comes the word lunar), means moon day. TuesdayDies Martis, means mars day, after Mars, the Roman god of war. The day was known to the pagan Germans after their own god of war, Tiw (pronounced too) as Tiw's (pronounced tooz) day, from which we get Tuesday. WednesdayDies mercuri, means mercury day. Woden (pronounced woe-den) was the Germanic version of the pagan god mercury, and they named the day Woden's day, from which we get Wednesday. ThursdayDies Jovis means Jove's day, or Jupiter's day. Thor was the Germanic version of the god Jupiter, so they called the day Thor's Day, from which we got Thursday. FridayDies Veneris means Venus Day. The Germanic version of this female god was Frigg, or Freyja (pronounced fry-yah), so they called the day Freyja day, from which we got Friday. SaturdayDies Saturni means Saturn's day, from which came Saturday. The pagans also observed their Saturnalia festival in the last week of December, a time when WORK CEASED, gifts were exchanged, and slaves feasted with their masters. This has been passed on to Sabbatarians the world over as the "holy Sabbath," of which clearly it is NOT! Months of the Year JANUARY: Named for Janus, the Roman mighty one of portals and patron of beginnings and endings, to whom this month was sacred. He is shown as having two faces, one in front, the other at the back of his head, supposedly to symbolize his powers. FEBRUARY: This name is derived from Februa, a Roman festival of purification. It was originally the month of expiation. MARCH: It is named for Mars, the Roman mighty one of war. APRIL: This name comes from the Latin APRILIS, indicating a time of Fertility. It was believed that this month

- 172 -

THE FINAL CALL

is the month when the earth was supposed to open up for the plants to grow. MAY: This month was named for Maia, the Roman female deity of growth or increase. JUNE: This name is sometimes attributed to June, the female mighty one of the marriage, the wife of Jupiter in Roman mythology. She was also called the "Queen of heaven" and " Queen of mighty ones." The name of this month is also attributed to Junius Brutus, but originally it most probably referred to the month in which crops grow to ripeness. JULY: Named for the Roman emperor Julius Caesar, this is the seventh month of the Gregorian year. AUGUST: Named for Octavius Augustus Caesar, emperor of Rome; the name was originally from augure, which means, "to increase." SEPTEMBER: This name is derived from the Latin septem, meaning "seven." OCTOBER: This name comes from the Latin root octo, meaning "eight." NOVEMBER: This name is derived from Latin novem, meaning "ninth." DECEMBER: This name is derived from the Latin decem, meaning "ten." RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS Christmas Saturnalia was a festival held between 17th and 24th December, which began in the days of the Roman Empire. This was a week of feasting, gift-giving and an excuse for an orgy during the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice. The objective of the debauchery and dancing around (carol) was to give the Sun a nudge and send a message to Mother Earth to begin reproducing for the Spring. This seemed to work quite well because sure enough, in Spring things started growing again. Celebrating the winter solstice was forbidden by the early church, but customs survived anyway and it didn't take much to tempt Christians to join in the solstice feast in honour of the Pagan god Mithra (Easter). So the church provided an alternative with a festival in honour of the birth of Christ and celebrations were definitely in order. In the 2nd century, the winter solstice was 6th January and apostatized Christians celebrated both the birth and the appearance of God's Son on that day, Epiphany Day. By the 4th century, the date for the winter solstice was moved to 25th December and Pope Julius I declared that Jesus' birthday celebrations would also be on that day. (The appearance of Jesus to the Magi continued to be celebrated on 6th January.) This effectively transformed the Pagan occasion into a Christian holy day (holiday). This was not, however, merely a convenient way to 'Christianize' a Pagan celebration. There is no historical nor biblical evidence to prove that Jesus was born at this time of the year. (Certainly winter seems unlikely because we read that the shepherds were watching over their flocks, and sheep are brought inside during the winter.) The important thing for Christians is to celebrate the birth of Jesus because that showed God's love for us (God with us). The supposed premise of apostatized Christianity is,"It doesn't really matter a hoot when the birth is celebrated; the important thing is to celebrate it." So since the 'why' is much more important than the 'when', 25th December has been good enough for apostate Christians ever since. Easter Easter is without doubt, the most significant event on the Papal calendar. It is the time "Christians" remember the death and resurrection of Yahushua. But the first Easter celebrations didn't start with those events. Unlike Christmas, which is always December 25th, Easter is a moveable celebration where the date is set by the Roman Church and computed according to the cycle of the moon. Lunar deities have been worshipped by Pagans for thousands of years, but referencing this Pagan almanac is about the closest thing that the "Christian" Easter celebrations get to any Pagan roots. 'Easter' is an Anglo-Saxon word derived from the Germanic calendar month Eastre (West Saxon) or Eostre (Northumbrian), reputedly named after the goddess Eostregoddess of the dawn, was called Eastre since the Sun rises in the East. Dawn brings a new day, just as April (the month of Eastre) brings a new Spring. As the abomination of desolation--the banner of the sun--was set up in a holy place of Jerusalem, could it also be set up in the place of worship of Yahuwah's modern Israel--the Seventh-day Adventist church? Could Jerusalem prior to 70 A.D. be a representation of the SDA church today? Could the church repeat the same sins of Jerusalem that brought its destruction?

- 173 -

THE FINAL CALL

"Jerusalem is a representation of what the church will be if it refuses to walk in the light that Yahuwah has given....By rejecting Yahuwah's warnings in this our day, men are repeating the sin of Jerusalem." Testimonies, vol 8, p 67-68. So Jerusalem could represent the SDA church if she refuses to follow Yahuwah's truth. As such, what would be the holy place that the abomination of desolation, the pagan calendar (sun-day worship)--would stand in? Undoubtedly it would stand in the holy place of Yahuwah's seventh-day Sabbath and the holy Feasts of the Lord. If the SDA church repeats the same sins of Solomon by disregarding the warnings and counsels of Yahuwah, then they will also confound idolatry with the true religion of Yahuwah. And if they repeat the same sins of Jerusalem by refusing to walk in Yahuwah's truth and rejecting His warnings, then the abomination of desolation, which is the exaltation of sun-day worship through the acceptance of the SUN CALENDAR OF ROME, in the holy place of Yahuwah's Calendar; will also occur in the Seventh-day Adventist church! This would signify that the SDA church has departed from the worship of the true God. If this were to occur, then the sign for all of Yahuwah's people to flee to the mountains would be clearly seen... Could the Seventh-day Adventist church actually fall as did Jerusalem? "But the Israel of our time have the same temptation to scorn reproof and hate counsel as had ancient Israel....Neglect to repent and obey His word will bring as serious consequences upon Yahuwah's people today as did the same sin upon ancient Israel. There is a limit beyond which He will no longer delay His judgments. The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel, that the corrections given through His chosen instruments cannot be disregarded with impunity." Testimonies, vol 4, p 165-67. We are also told: "If they will continue to disregard the reproofs He sends them, and act contrary to His declared will, ruin must follow; for Yahuwah's people are kept in prosperity only by His mercy, through the care of His messengers. He will not uphold and guard a people who disregard his counsels and despise His reproofs." Testimonies, vol 4, p 176. "The Lord has declared that the history of the past shall be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work." Selected Messages, book 2, p 390. ADVENT PEOPLE ARISE! TURN AWAY FROM THE SINS AND ERRORS OF BABYLON! The symbol of the CROSS Before entering the land of Canaan, God told the Israelites, . . . 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, "How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise." 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. (Deuteronomy 12:30-31) The followers of Tammuz also marked the forehead with a cross! A pagan sign of the mystic 'Tau' cross of the Chaldeans and the Egyptians, this cross was a symbol of the Roman god Mithras and the Greek Attis, and their forerunner Tammuz, the Sumerian solar god, consort of the goddess Ishtar. Conveniently, the original form of the letter 'T' was the initial letter of the god of Tammuz. During baptism ceremonies, this cross was marked on the foreheads by the pagan priest. After the Egyptian/Greek/Roman pagans "converted" to Christianity, these different signs of the cross were united into one religion such as we have now. That which is now called the Christian cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic "Tau" symbol of the Chaldeans and Egyptians -- the true original form of the letter T -- the initial of the name of Tammuz. That mystic Tau was marked in baptism on the foreheads of those initiated in the Mysteries, and was used in every variety of way as a most sacred symbol. The Vestal virgins of Pagan Rome wore it suspended from their necklaces, as the Catholic nuns do now. The Egyptians did the same. There is hardly a Pagan tribe where the cross has not been found. Crucifixion and the Cross Does the cross, the sign of Tammuz, truly represent the manner in which Yahushua died? The word "cross" appears 28 times in the New Testament, and in all cases, it is translated from the Greek word stauros. The original meaning of this word was not "a cross" but "an upright stake." A tradition of the Church which our fathers have inherited, was the adoption of the words "cross" and "crucify." These words are nowhere to be found in the Greek of the New Testament. These words are

- 174 -

THE FINAL CALL

mistranslations, a "later rendering," of the Greek words stauros and stauroo. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says, "STAUROS denotes, primarily, an upright pole or stake...Both the noun and the verb stauroo, to fasten to a stake or pole, are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two-beamed cross. The shape of the latter had its origin in ancient Chaldea (Babylon), and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name)...By the middle of the 3rd century A.D. the churches had either departed from, certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the pretige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau or T, in its most frequent form, with the cross piece lowered, was adopted... Originally staurs designated a pointed, vertical wooden stake firmly fixed in the ground. Such stakes were commonly used in two ways. They were positioned side by side in rows to form fencing or defensive palisades around settlements, or singly they were set up as instruments of torture on which serious offenders of law were publicly suspended to die (or, if already killed, to have their corpses thoroughly dishonored). (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 825) Commonly, crucifixion was carried out in one of two ways: Two methods were followed in the infliction of the punishment of crucifixion. In both of these the criminal was first of all usually stripped naked, and bound to an upright stake, where he was so cruelly scourged with an implement, formed of strips of leather having pieces of iron, or some other hard material, at their ends, that not merely was the flesh often stripped from the bones, but even the entrails partly protruded, and the anatomy of the body was disclosed. In this pitiable state he was reclothed, and, if able to do so, was made to drag the stake to the place of execution, where he was either fastened to it, or impaled upon it, and left to die. (The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., 1910, Vol. 7, p. 506) The second method of crucifixion involved a stake with a crossbar to which the condemned individual's hands were tied or nailed. In such a case, after the scourging at the stake, the criminal was made to carry a gibbet, formed of two transverse bars of wood, to the place of execution, and he was then fastened to it by iron nails driven through the outstretched arms and through the ankles. Sometimes this was done as the cross lay on the ground, and it was then lifted into position. In other cases the criminal was made to ascend by a ladder, and was then fastened to the cross. (ibid.) The Bible does not specifically state which method the Romans used in the crucifixion of Christ. Most other sources suppose that they used a crossbar because they nailed an inscription above Yahushua's head and that both His hands had been pierced by nails (John 20:25-27). Does it matter? We must also consider if it is even appropriate to use the very tool that was used to kill our Savior as an emblem of our faith. If Yahushua had been killed by hanging, would we use a gallows or a noose as a symbol of our faith? If He had been beheaded, would we use a guillotine? Why should we parade the instrument of shame and death before the world and be proud of it? But did Paul not state that he gloried in the cross of Christ? In Galatians 6:14 Paul writes, "But Yahuwah forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Yahushua, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." In this scripture, Paul addresses the same issue that the entire book of Galatians is all about, namely, how we are justified. The Galatians had been led away from faith in Christ and had begun trusting in various physical works, like circumcision, for justification. Paul underscores his point that we cannot boast about any works of the flesh. We can only boast in Christ paying the penalty for our sins by giving Himself to be crucified. Because of His voluntary sacrifice, Yahuwah has imputed Yahushuas righteousness to those who have faith in that sacrifice. Paul in no way glories in a pagan symbol, but rather in what Christ's death accomplished! Satan the devil knew long before Yahushua was born that He would die by crucifixion (Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14; Psalm 22:16). In an attempt to deceive the world and lead people into worshipping a false Christ, the Devil made the cross a popular pagan symbol of worship. Yahuwah instructs His true followers to worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23). When He called us, Yahuwah told us to forsake all of this world's false religions, rituals and false, pagan symbols of worship. As we look forward to the soon coming, glorious return of our Savior to this earth, those who are true to the calling of Yahushua must divest themselves from anything that is impure or unclean. Yahuwah desires the remnant church, to be found "not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27) at His coming.

- 175 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE CORPORATE IDENTITY OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Since 1997 the Seventh-day Adventist Church has used a standard international logo. The Open Bible: The Bible forms the base of the design and represents the Biblical foundation of our beliefs. It is portrayed in a fully open position suggesting a full acceptance of God's word. The Flame: This shape is formed by three lines encircling an implied sphere. The lines represent the three angels of Revelation 14 circling the globe and our commission to take the gospel to the entire world. The overall shape forms a flame symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The lines at the top of the design suggest a continued upward momentum symbolizing the resurrection and ascension to heaven at Christ's second coming, the ultimate focus of our faith.

The Cross: The symbol of the cross, representing the gospel of salvation, is positioned in the centre of the design to emphasize Christ's sacrifice, which is the central theme of our faith. It is also significant that the Bible - representing the law, and the flame - representing the Spirit, come together at the cross. The Church's logo was created by graphic designer Bryan Gray, a graduate of The Design School in Pasadena, California. Bryan, a former business professor of art and design at Montemorelos University, now runs his own design business in Boise, Idaho. As the " father" of the Church's corporate image, Bryan has been given exclusive rights to develop high-quality materials that will tastefully display the new logo. However, the CROSS in our church was not a coincidence; it did not happen by chance!

That night I dreamed that I was in Battle Creek looking out from the side glass at the door and saw a company marching up to the house, two and two. They looked stern and determined. I knew them well and turned to open the parlor door to receive them, but thought I would look again. The scene was changed. The company now presented the appearance of a Catholic procession. One bore in his hand a cross, another a reed. And as they approached, the one carrying a reed made a circle around the house, saying three times: "This house is proscribed. The goods must be confiscated. They have spoken against our holy order." Terror seized me, and I ran through the house, out of the north door, and found myself in the midst of a company, some of whom I knew, but I dared not speak a word to them for fear of being betrayed. I tried to seek a retired spot where I might weep and pray without meeting eager, inquisitive eyes wherever I turned. I repeated frequently: "If I could only understand this! If they will tell me what I have said or what I have done!" Testimonies for The Church Vol. 1 p. 578, January 29, 1867 Fulfillment: It took 130 years since the giving of this prophecy, for the Church to adopt an official, worldwide corporate identity. Unfortunately, the warning went unheeded and the symbol of the cross is now an officially recognized part of corporate SDA identity. Positive ID is the officially licensed supplier for the Seventh-day Adventist logo accessories so we can guarantee that your signage complies with the strict global identity standards required by the General Conference. Ministry Magazine July 1997 {back cover]. The years 1996 and 1997 will go down in Seventh-day Adventist church history as the era during which our church adopted and Implemented a unified corporate image. Ministry Magazine p. 31, July 1997.

- 176 -

THE FINAL CALL

Actually the portrayal of a cross in an engraved gold medallion as a symbol of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that was given to the pope did already exist in 1977...The book presented was the Adventist missionary book, Faith in Action, and the medallion was a gold-covered symbol of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The medallion is an engraved witness to the Adventist faith in Christ as Creator, Redeemer, and sooncoming Lord, in the cross and Bible Adventist Review August 11, 1977. But it was not until 1996 when it was finally implemented and adopted as a world wide, corporate identity. The explanation of the church's corporate (logo) identity is on our web site at www.adventist.org. It was voted several years ago (1996) by the Executive Committee of the General Conference during its Annual Council. It expresses our beliefs and has been discussed by several focus groups before it was taken for a decision Nobody required anybody to do what we did. Representatives from the world church, in council, discussed the logo, which, by the way, includes a full name of the church, and agreed that this is what we will do. Letter of Ray Dabrowski, Communication Director of SDA Church World Headquarters, Wed, 27 June 2001. There it is, the exact fulfillment of Ellen G. White's dream in Testimonies for the Church Volume 1, page 578 ( 1867). That this [SDA] Church will carry or raise-up the standard of Rome that portrays a pagan cross thus following the track of Romanism. 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. Great Controversy page 568 The cross was associated with the power of Rome. Desire of Ages page 416 The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. Ministry of Healing page 470 The cross is recognized as one of the most important symbols of the Roman Catholic Church. It is displayed on top of roofs and towers. It is seen on altars, furnishings, and ecclesiastical garments. The floor plan of the majority of Catholic churches is laid out in the shape of the cross. Catholic homes, hospitals, and schools have the cross adorning the walls. Everywhere the cross is outwardly honored and adored hundreds of ways! Babylon Mystery of Religion pages 39-40 What does the spirit of prophecy say the standard for Yahushua's church is? "...a pure white banner, upon which was written, `Purity and holiness unto the Lord.'" Early Writings, p 211. "This distinctive banner, described in the words, `Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus...' [Revelation 14:12]" Testimonies, vol 6, p 144. But Babylon the harlot is the mother of daughters who follow her example of corruption. Thus are represented those churches that cling to the doctrines and traditions of Rome and follow her worldly practices Spirit of Prophecy Vol. 4 p. 233 A virtuous woman represents a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church. Babylon is said to be harlot... Spirit of Prophecy Vol. 4 p. 233 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4

- 177 -

THE FINAL CALL

MARK OF THE BEAST

They shall not "buy or sell" on the Sabbath, they whose names are written in the book of life, for the law of Yahuwah is written in their hearts, that they should not sin against Him who has ransomed them with His precious blood. (Amos 8:5-14; Ps 119:11; Rev 13:15,17; 14:1-5,12). But they shall buy and sell on the Sabbath, they whose names are not written in the book of life, for they make void the law of Yahuwah, and thereby deny Him who has ransomed them with His precious blood. (Rev 13:12-18; Rev 14:9-11 ) The third angels message (Revelation 14:9-10), is a dire warning against worshipping the beast via use of his calendar, which embodies the keeping of Sunday (or Saturday) as a sabbath. 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 Yahuwah. The fact that there is a distinction made between the beast and his image would indicate that there are two distinct entities which bear a surface similarity. The seal of the true God, the mark of allegiance to Him, is in keeping holy His Sabbath... which can only be identified by using His own calendar, as it is detailed in Scripture. The mark of the beast is the same but opposite thing: a pledge of allegiance to the beast by keeping his worship day(s), calculated by his calendar. Since the Catholic church is herself responsible for changing the Creator's calendar, (and His Sabbath)... by replacing it with Sunday (and consiquently Saturday) as worship days according to the Gregorian calendar we use today, an image then, indicates yet another calendar... A one-world religious and political system (the beast), will soon trample upon the rights of conscience and limit the religious and civil rights of Yahuwahs people who prefer to worship Him according to His. The contest even now will be centered on the issue of the Sabbath! The agencies of evil are actively combining their forces and consolidating for the time of trouble, commonly known today as the "new world order." They are strengthening for the last great crisis. This will be a church dominating the civil power. In other words, it will be a union of church and state and it will enforce its religious dogmas by the civil power, under the pain of confiscation of goods, imprisonment and death. Under the leadership of Satan, the sole purpose of this apostate religio-political power will be to induce the Governments of the world as far as possible, to set up a universal standard (image of the Beast), in the form of a Universal Calendar which exalts religious observances of the Roman Catholic Churchespecially those which relate to the "sacredness" of Sunday (falsely called "the Lord's Day"), the Eucharist and in particularEaster Sunday. Religious and political powers, combined, controlled and inspired by the spirit of Satan, will involve all people in doing those acts which are contrary to the commandments of the Creator, such as trampling upon His holy Sabbaththe true Lord's day! Any who shall refuse to do as they are commanded by the powers that be, will lose the rights of citizenship, and become outlaws in the land. They must do that which constitutes worshiping the beast and his image, or forfeit their lives. But before that can happen, Yahuwah is sending forth a message just a little while before this fearful crisis comes to bare upon the people, declaring that all who do any of these things shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Yahuwah, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation. Revelation 14: 9-12. Those who honor the law of Yahuwah will be accused of bringing judgments upon the world, and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men, that are filling the earth with woe. The power attending this last warning will enrage the wicked; their anger will be kindled against all who will receive the message, and Satan will excite to still greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution. The forms of religion will be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of Yahuwah has been finally withdrawn; and the satanic zeal with which the prince of evil will inspire them for the accomplishment of his malignant designs, will bear the semblance of zeal for Yahuwah. Therefore he who refuses to comply with the express demands of earthly powers, will expose himself to the severest penalties which human beings can inflict. This, then, is the issue to which we are soon to be called upon to face, according to prophecy. Once again, Yahuwah will intervene for the deliverance of His people. As the Sabbath will be the special point of controversy, religious and secular authorities will combine to enforce the observance of the false Sabbath. The persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. Yet he who does comply, exposes himself to the most terrible threatenings of divine wrath ever to be found in the word of Yahuwah! The question whether they will obey Yahuwah or man

- 178 -

THE FINAL CALL

is to be decided by the people of the present age under the heaviest pressure from both sides, that has ever been brought to bear upon any generation since the world began... The third angel warns all against observing the false Sabbath according to the counterfeit calendar. The fact that the mark of the beast can be received in either the forehead or in the hand reveals another distinction... Those who receive the mark of the beast in the forehead, like those who receive the Seal of Yahuwah in the forehead, are trully convinced of the legitimacy of the calendar and its appointed times. Those who receive the mark of the beast in the hand are people who go along with the papal calendar for temporal security. An example of the last class is a pastor who said, Youre right. When the Sabbath is calculated by the Biblical calendar, it will fall differently. However, all Yahuwah requires is that we worship on the seventh-day of whatever calendar society is using! This is a fearful assumption to make, especially considering the high stakes involved- even the eternal destiny of souls! The third angel explicitly states what will be the punishment of receiving the mark of the beast by worshipping him: "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 Yahuwah, 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 forever 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." The very next chapter, Revelation 15, tells exactly what that wrath of Yahuwah is, and it is the most dreadful threatening ever presented to man. By contrast, those who worship the Creator by keeping ALL His commandments, including keeping His holy Sabbath (according to His calendar) are described: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and the faith of Yahushua. All who desire to honor their Creator, shunning the punishment of the wicked, will choose to worship Him on the day which He has never changed: the seventh-day Sabbath, which can only be identified by using His calendar, established from the very beginning, at creation. Prophecy is always understood at the time of its fulfillment. We have already been admonished through the Spirit of Prophecy of the times to come, and now more light is streaming from heaven concerning the Sabbath question. Now we can go and proclaim the Sabbath "more fully." The genuine calendar of Creation provides the key to unlock the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. Every student of scripture should re-examine the prophetic books because great light is now being made available. The fact that these prophecies are finally being opened for the understanding of all reveals that the time for their complete fulfillment has finally come... THE PERPETUAL UNIVERSAL CALENDAR What an enormous benefit there would be for the whole world if an unchanging, perpetual calendar could be adopted which would fix all days, weeks and months in such a way that they would NEVER change. New Years Day would always be on a Sunday, Christmas Day would always be on a Monday and all other dates and anniversaries would be fixed in perpetuity. Persons married on a Saturday would celebrate their anniversary on a Saturday for the rest of their lives. The United States Presidential election would always be held on Tuesday, 7 November every 4 years. This would still comply with the U.S. Constitutional requirement for it to be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Tuesday, 7 November would also be the fixed date for holding the Melbourne Cup in Australia every year - the greatest horse race in the southern hemisphere. Churches, schools, universities, employers, workers, commerce, industry and every other form of human endeavour throughout the world could confidently plan ahead many years in advance, with the certainty of an absolutely fixed calendar. People would have to buy only one calendar - which would last a lifetime! Statement from:The Benedictine Perpetual Calendar Movement. On 21 October 1930, Elisabeth Achelis (1880-1973) founded a movement in the United States to promote a new world calendar. The proposal was considered by the United Nations after World War II but the idea was officially torpedoed by the United States on 21 March 1955 in a memorandum forwarded to the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations See article here: http://personal.ecu.edu/mccartyr/Lodge.html. The Benedictine Perpetual Calendar, with a possible launch date of January 2012 or 2017, is now being promoted by Councillor Paul Tully of Ipswich, Australia in his capacity as Convenor of the BENEDICTINE PERPETUAL CALENDAR MOVEMENT. His proposed calendar retains the key essential features of the current Gregorian Calendar. As with the naming convention for the Gregorian Calendar, the Benedictine Perpetual Calendar is named after the current Pontiff Pope Benedict XVI (1927- ) who has the power and authority to oversee its introduction. This plan is confirmed on the Vatican website: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vatii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html

- 179 -

THE FINAL CALL

*The APPENDIX Reads: A DECLARATION OF THE SECOND ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF THE VATICAN ON REVISION OF THE CALENDAR The Second Ecumenical Sacred Council of the Vatican, recognizing the importance of the wishes expressed by many concerning the assignment of the feast of Easter to a fixed Sunday and concerning an unchanging calendar, having carefully considered the effects which could result from the introduction of a new calendar, declares as follows: The Sacred Council would not object if the feast of Easter were assigned to a particular Sunday of the Gregorian Calendar, provided that those whom it may concern, especially the brethren who are not in communion with the Apostolic See, give their assent. The sacred Council likewise declares that it does not oppose efforts designed to introduce a perpetual calendar into civil society. But among the various systems which are being suggested to stabilize a perpetual calendar and to introduce it into civil life, the Church has no objection only in the case of those systems which retain and safeguard a seven-day week with Sunday, without the introduction of any days outside the week, so that the succession of weeks may be left intact, unless there is question of the most serious reasons. Concerning these the Apostolic See shall judge. Source: Vatican website:CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY (SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM)SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED BY POPE PAUL VI, ON DECEMBER 4, 1963 A letter was sent to Pope Benedict XVI on 30 December 2005 requesting him to give consideration to the introduction of the Benedictine Perpetual Calendar with effect POSSIBLY from 1 January 2012 or 2017. A copy of the letter, can be found on this website: http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/mayor_and_councillors/division_2/perpetual_calendar/ The Benedictine Perpetual Calendar has 12 months based on 4 identical quarters comprising 31, 30 and 30 days with each quarter commencing on a Sunday. Therefore, each quarter has 91 days with the total number of days in the 4 quarters being 364. There would be an extra day - a public holiday to be known officially as New Years Eve - between Saturday 30 December and Sunday 1 January. This would bring the total number of days in each Benedictine Calendar year to 365, which is the same as the standard non-leap year in the current Gregorian Calendar. New Years Eve would always fall over a weekend and would always be a public holiday. A Leap Year would still occur every 4 years and the extra day would fall between Saturday June 30 and Sunday 1 July in the Benedictine Perpetual Calendar. It would also be a public holiday. New Years Eve and the quadrennial Leap Year Day would not be allocated to a specific day of the week but would be designated for official and all other legal purposes as 31 December and 31 June respectively. Pope Benedict XVI, who is the 265th head of the Roman Catholic Church, now has an opportunity to adopt the Benedictine Perpetual Calendar - the first review of our modern day calendar in more than 400 years since Pope Gregory XIII authorised the current Gregorian Calendar. Pope Benedict XVI, who is an accomplished scholar of theology, could go down in world history as the reformer of the modern calendar - the spiritual leader who brought common sense to the current calendar of confusion. As in 1582, the authority of the Pope is all that is needed to make the Benedictine Perpetual Calendar a reality. THE CONTROVERSY UNFOLDS The subject regarding Pope Benedict and the new Benedictine World Calendar is of paramount importance, because it is an identical repeat of what happened 1938. What happened in 1938? CRISIS IN ZION!!! The year is 1938.... The world is precariously balanced on a powder keg and most people know it. The United States is still struggling with the financial fall-out of Black Thursday that has plunged the country into the Great Depression. Europe is jittery because no matter how accommodating British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain is, Adolph Hitler still wants more and more and more.

- 180 -

THE FINAL CALL

In this time of intensity, the Seventh-day Adventist church was confronted by a theological crisis unlike any it had ever before faced. The danger level was on a par with the Kellogg led alpha of apostasy nearly 40 years before, but this time the threat came from without and it wasnt pantheism. The stakes:- October 22, 1844; the Spirit of Prophecy; and the seventh-day Sabbath. The enemy:-The majority of the governments of the world. It was a proposed Sunday law, but it did not bear the slightest resemblance to any Sunday law ever dreamt up by Seventh-day Adventists. It was a calendar change that would affect the Sabbath. At a time when Seventh-day Adventists were already struggling with labor unions for the right to keep Saturday as their rest day, it promised disaster to the church. The movement for a change of calendars started in the 1920s, but really gained momentum in the 1930s. This was not some hare-brained idea supported by a handful of visionaries. It was well-organized, well-financed and had supporters highly placed in the Roman Catholic Church and in the League of Nations (present day United Nations). Let it not be thought that the effort to do this (put into place a new calendar) is insignificant and unimportant. Rather is it true that a world-wide and powerful organization has come into existence which has this as its objective. It is spending many thousands of dollars yearly for propaganda to obtain the approval of commercial, governmental, and civic bodies for the World Calendar. It has numerous subsidiary organizations throughout the world working for the adoption of the new calendar. Under different names there are similar organizations working for the same objective. The threat to the church was immediately clear. Unlike the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, the proposed World Calendar would affect the continuous weekly cycle. The result would be that the first year of the change, the Sabbath would remain on Saturday; the following year, however, the new Saturday would fall on the old Friday. The year after that, Saturday would fall on the old Thursday. The year this was to go into effect was 1945. The reason was simple: It is best to choose a day, date, month, and year when both the old retiring and the new incoming calendars glide smoothly together. In the propaganda widely distributed by the World Calendar Organization, it was stated that the last four months of 1944 were identical to the last four months of the new calendar, so that would be a good time to make the switch. It was a deceptive statement. There was one glaring difference between the two calendars a blank day! The way the calendar worked was this: the whole of the Gregorian year would remain the same until December 31. December 30, 1944, was a Saturday; December 31 was a Sunday. Under the new calendar, the day following Saturday, December 30, would not be Sunday, December 31, but simply World Day. It would not have a date (that is, a number) nor would it be part of the weekly cycle of Sunday through Saturday. Instead of being recognized as Sunday, which it is, instead of being called a Sunday, or being observed as Sunday, it is set aside as an extra Saturday, December W, and counted a blank day, or zero day. Instead of going to church that day Sunday observers would celebrate a holiday, an extra Saturday. They would go to church the next day, Monday, the 2nd day of the week, now rechristened Sunday, and moved up, on paper, to be the 1st day. They would be asked to keep Monday during all of 1945 . . . In 1949 Saturday, the 7th day, under this arrangement, would be called Sunday, and made the 1st day, and observed by Sunday keepers . . . Thus the historical Sunday would be detached from its fixed place in the week and set to wandering through the weekly cycle, its own name removed and another name applied. Those who observe it as a religious day would be plunged into hopeless and endless confusion, groping about to discover their lost day of worship. Seventh-day Adventists suddenly found themselves uneasy bed-fellows with Jews, Muslims and Sunday keeping Protestants who did not want a calendar change that would affect the only weekly cycle they had ever known a continuous weekly cycle. The advantages claimed for the reformed calendar are avowedly commercial, economic, statistical. It will, we are told Fix the year in perpetuity Retain and largely equalize the twelve months. Retain and equalize the quarter years. Group the months uniformly within the quarters. Provide 13 complete weeks within each quarter and uniformly group these weeks. Reduce the inequality between months from three days to one day, and establish an equal working month.

In summary, the year would always begin on a Sunday and end on a Saturday. Specific dates would no longer float through the weekly cycle, but would forever be fixed to one day. So, under the new calendar, if a child were born on Tuesday, January 10, 1947, her birthday would always fall on Tuesday because January 10 would always be a Tuesday. Opponents to this change quickly denounced it as a deceptive calendar. The Gregorian calendar is based on the solar year how long it takes the earth to revolve around the sun. The solar year is 365.2422 days long. The World Calendar, on the other hand, while officially claiming to be a solar calendar would be only 364 days long (World Day, previously known as December 31, not being counted as a day.) Every four years, leap day would be handled the same as World Day. The World Calendar reformers would have us observe that this calendar divides the twelve months of the year into four equal quarters, 91 days in each, 364 days in all. But as there are 365 days in ordinary years, and 366 days in leap years, they would have these taken care of by calling the 365thday Year End Day, or December

- 181 -

THE FINAL CALL

W, or an extra Saturday, and have it follow December 30, not to be counted in the calendar, but considered and used as a holiday, a blank day, or zero day. Likewise would they have us provide for the 366thday in leap years, this becoming Leap Year Day, by placing the old February 29 in midyear following June 30 as another extra Saturday, and calling it June W, but not counting it in the calendar, just nonchalantly banishing it as another blank day. They cheerfully tell us that both December W and June W are the stabilizing days in the calendar the World Holidays. Within the Seventh-day Adventist church, rumblings of problems with calendation principles first appeared some years earlier. Elder J. H. Wierts had learned from his Hebrew teachers, Jewish rabbis, that the rabbinical Day of Atonement for 1844 had been observed on September 23, not October 22. Wierts determined to investigate the issue. Taking advantage of a contact within the United States Naval Observatory, he searched for the truth. Wierts discovered inconsistencies in calendrical science principles that affected the date of the crucifixion. This was vital, because a correct (or incorrect) understanding of the calendar affects the interpretation of various prophecies as well as the seventh day Sabbath doctrine. He felt it was imperative that the church acknowledge and reconcile these discrepancies before our adversaries could challenge us on them. He finally wrote his findings up in a manuscript 283 pages in length. In 1932, he began appealing to various officials in the General Conference for an investigation of his findings. The General Conference did not see the necessity for official research and he had no success in getting them to look into the topic for some time. Finally, on November 7, 1938, the General Conference appointed a committee of ministers, scholars and respected theologians to address the issues raised by Wierts. Membership on the Research Committee reads like a veritable Whos Who of Seventh-day Adventist leaders: Elder L. E. Froom chaired the committee; Dr. Lynn Harper Wood was secretary. Other members included Dr. M. L. Andreasen, F. C. Gilbert, and Professors M. E. Kern, Albert W. Werline, and W. Homer Teesdale. In January of 1939, Miss Grace Amadon, the granddaughter of Adventist Pioneer John Byington, was also invited to join. At this time, nearly 70 years later, it is impossible to definitively state which reason prompted the General Conference to appoint the Research Committee: Elder Wierts persistent questioning, or the increasing agitation for a World Calendar. They did study Wierts findings. It is also clear that they were very aware of the increasing support, world-wide, for a change in calendars, as references to that appear in their research and correspondence. The Research Committee confirmed that October 22 was indeed the Day of Atonement for 1844, even though it conflicted with the rabbinical date of September 23. As such, the status of Ellen White as a prophet remained safe and secure (phew!). The one unwelcome and completely unexpected element brought to light was that the Biblical calendar used to establish October 22, 1844, as the great antitypical Day of Atonement also appeared to affect when the Sabbath fell! This caused unprecedented confusion. For a time, the committee considered implementing the luni-solar calendar as church policy. In an undated letter to fellow-committee member,Grace Amadon, M. L. Andreasen expresses his fear that adopting the calendar used by the Millerites would only result in confusion (or would it?). He did not see,"how such a calendar could be adopted by a worldwide church or how it could be explained to the church members, let alone, the world. It would not be easy to explain to the people that the God who advocated and instituted such an arrangement would be very concerned about the exact seventh day. If an explanation were possible, and the people were at last adjusted to the shift in the feast day and the stability of the seventh day, it might be supposed that in time they would get used to the arrangement. But they would no sooner have become accustomed to this, till another shift is made. Now they shift back to where they were before. But neither is this settled or stationary. Another shift comes, and another and another . . . There is no uniformity and just as the people get used to a certain arrangement, the day is changed again. Such is more than the common people can understand, and if we go to the people now with such a proposition, we must expect that confusion will result. And our enemies will not be slow to point out the difficulties and ring the changes on them . . . If in the new calendar scheme we are considering adopting it should be admitted that local communities have the right of making their own observations [of the moon] that would determine the new year, it would yet remain a question if the proper men competent for such observation would be available . . . The seventh-day Sabbath is clear and distinct. A child can understand its computation. Let not the people observing Gods holy day sponsor a calendar that means confusion, and make our work unnecessarily hard. For while the proposed scheme does not in any way affect the succession of the days of the week, and hence does not affect the Sabbath, nevertheless if the people observing the Sabbath also advocate the new scheme of calendation, the resulting confusion will not be of any help to us . . . The committee has done a most excellent piece of work. The endorsing, unreservedly, of the plan now before us seems to me . . . in its implications so loaded with dynamite, with TNT, that we might well beware. I would most earnestly warn the committee in this matter. I am afraid that the repercussions of such endorsement at this time will be felt in wide circles . . . Seventh-day Adventists will soon have enough matters on their hands so that it will not be necessary to make trouble for ourselves before the time. The blank day may yet confront us. We cannot afford to start trouble of our own. To the world it will look that the present proposed calendar is advanced for a specific purpose not for the purpose of adoption, for we will find that it is impossible of

- 182 -

THE FINAL CALL

universal application, but for the purpose of supporting the 1844 date. I do not believe that we are under that necessity. It must be possible to establish October 22, 1844 without resorting to such devices. A possible solution: I suggest that we make a report to Brother McElhaney of what the Millerites believed and how they arrived at their conclusions, without, at this time, committing ourselves upon the correctness of their method. Let Brother McElhaney publish this report in any way it may be thought best, and let us await the reaction. This, of course, would be only a preliminary report, and would be so designated. We will soon [see] what fire it will draw. In the mean time let us study further on the final report. The reaction to the preliminary report may determine the form of the final." THE PROBLEM The confusion arises over the fact that the Gregorian calendar has a continuous cycle of weeks, while the lunisolar calendar does not. Therefore, when the solar Gregorian calendar is super-imposed over the luni-solar Biblical calendar, the luni-solar dates seem to float through the Gregorian week. The true seventh-day Sabbath of the luni-solar calendar only rarely falls on the Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. The Committee saw the full affect of their findings on the Sabbath. Various statements are quite ambiguous and could be interpreted either way. Definitely some of the members chose to ignore certain scientific proof that did not agree with their preconceived ideas of when the Sabbath occurs. Yahuwahs people today cannot afford to repeat their mistake. The Creators invitation to His people is: Come now, let us reason together. The word translated reason is ykach which means to be correct, to justify or convict; to reason together. While it is true that there will always be hooks on which to hang doubts for those who wish to do so, it is also true that Yahuwah does not require blind faith. Pure faith, yes; blind faith, no. He always gives sufficient reason to believe for those who are willing to be convinced. This must be understood. A Laodicean who discovers apparent contradictions in the Bible, can be shaken. Rather than digging deep in the mine of truth to discover the underlying principle that will reconcile the two apparently contradictory points, he will instead choose to believe the one that agrees with his belief system because it suits the tenor of his feelings and reject the other. Anything new is seen as unnecessary knowledge. Laodiceans, after all, are increased with goods (knowledge) and have need of nothing. When something comes up that he does not know, the Laodicean feels, I dont need to know that. If it were important to know, Id already know it, because what I already know is sufficient for salvation. A true student of the Word, on the other hand, will never reject something simply because it contradicts a preconceived idea or cherished opinion. To him, the truth is more important than anything else. He realizes that not knowing the truth does not change the reality of what is truth. So, he would always rather know the truth. Understanding that feelings are not a reliable indication of what is truth, he has chosen to follow the light wherever it leads, even if it means giving up his most cherished beliefs. He has chosen to obey if it can be proven from the Bible to be correct. The pioneers of the Advent movement understood this point very well. Listed in The Midnight Cry of November 17, 1842, are their Rules of Interpretation. Rule 4 states: To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know; then let every word have its proper influence, and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in an error. The Research Committee would have done well to heed this inspired rule of Biblical interpretation. Instead, rather than studying until they could reconcile the contradictions, they chose to cling by faith to their errors. The last generation will need to dig down to bed-rock for their foundation. No amount of sand can be allowed in to weather the storms soon to break upon the church. Yahuwah is leading His people on to that rock solid foundation. Along the way, they may encounter differing truths which seem to contradict each other. At such times they must remember that the Father does not require blind faith. He has invited His people to come and reason with Him. Yahuwahs children dont need to fear that which they do not understand. If they are willing to obey, no matter what the cost, if they are willing to follow the light wherever it leads, He has pledged Himself well capable of providing them with sufficient ykach-- sufficient reasons to convict them of what is truth. The calendar established by Yahuwah at creation is a workable, understandable calendar. It should be diligently studied by the remnant TODAY. Isaiah 66:23 reveals that it is the calendar to be used in the New Earth and it is this truth Heaven is restoring to the final generation to enable them to go out and preach the Sabbath more fully. Let us learn from the lessons of the past. Let us praise our Heavenly Father for the increase of knowledge He is pouring out. Let us trust that He who has led us thus far, is capable of revealing His truth to us!

- 183 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE PROPOSED WORLD CALENDAR In the description of The World Calendar, an extra day each year is spoken of. This extra day stands alone and is not placed on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc., but is placed between the last day (Saturday) of each year and the first day (Sunday) of the following year. This will have a direct impact on all who hold a Saturday or a Sunday to be an ordained Holy Sabbath day. The first whole year that The World Calendar is in place nothing will be different. However, in the 2nd year, what in previous years had been Saturday followed by Sunday will now be Friday followed by Saturday on this new calendar. The next year what was once a Saturday Sabbath is now on Thursday, then the next year it is Wednesday, then the next Tuesday. Then there is a skip because a leap year day is inserted every four years following the last day of June. Now what was once the Saturday Sabbath is on Sunday. This will create utter chaos within all churches as they struggle over when to hold church worship. As the final rapid movements of the great controversy unfold, with regard to the coming Sunday laws, which will be disguised beneath a cloak of calendar reform and enforced by civil law, will Sabbath keepers seek to remain faithful to Yahuwah by keeping the true original Sabbath holy, according to the luni-solar calendar or will they go along with the whole world in order to keep their jobs and feed their families? Seventh-day Adventists were shocked in 1938 by this same World Calendar Associations agenda to promote this controversial calendar. The reason this is so critical for Seventh-day Adventists and truth seekers of all denominations, is that key to correct calendar reckoning and to the correct seventh-day Sabbath lies in the original luni-solar calendar. Therefore, CHOOSE TODAY who you will worship. Yahuwah's remnant people must have nothing to do with the things of darkness. Remember also, the 144 000 are said to have "no guile in their mouths" (Rev 14:5) even the mention of pagan deities found in the names of days & months on the Gregorian calendar is an abomination to Yahuwah! See Exodus 23:13) Away with the false calendar (appointed times) of Rome! Yahuwah is truly waking up His people with the light of His truthIt may be that in the near future, your choice of calendar will determine your eternal destiny! THE TIME IS FAST APPROACHING - ARE YOU READY TO SUFFER FOR TRUTH'S SAKE? The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church. He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power. . . . Man is Satans captive and is naturally inclined to follow his suggestions and do his bidding. He has in himself no power to oppose effectual resistance to evil. It is only as Christ abides in him by living faith . . . that man may venture to face so terrible a foe. Every other means of defense is utterly vain. It is only through Christ that Satans power is limited. This is a momentous truth that all should understand. Ellen G. White,Maranatha, p. 64 ESTHER AND THE LAST DAY EVENTS The decree of death prepared to exterminate the Jews under the Persian government in Esther's time is a type or a prophecy of the final death decree to be written against those who refuse to worship the Beast and its image at the time of the end. The book of Esther depicts a crisis in the fortunes of Yahuwah's people that threatened them with annihilation. The instrument of deliverance was a Jewess (Hadassah, meaning: myrtle), elevated from a quiet life with her cousin and foster parent, Mordecai, to be queen of a world empire. The narrative displays Esther (her persian name meaning star ), as a woman of clear judgment, remarkable self-control, and noble selfsacrifice. The challenge of Mordecai, "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14), projected the youthful queen to the heights of heroic action. In solemn dignity, her spirit rose to answer the demand of the hour in the courageous and thrilling words, "If I perish, I perish." When at the critical moment the scepter was held out to her she did not immediately identify the villain, but with remarkable restraint and deliberate care guided the king and Haman into a situation calculated to be most favorable to her purpose. Fiction could not conceive of a more dramatic and surprising series of coincidences than those that led up to the exposure and death of Haman. In Purim, the Feast of Lots, the Jews ever commemorate Heaven's disposal of Haman's evil plan, which a "lot" had presumably indicated would succeed (Ester 3:7)."

- 184 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE KING, ESTHER, MORDECAI, HAMAN, THE DECREE THE KING OF PERSIA: A union of church and state on a particular issue. ESTHER: A Jew, an Israelite, a pure woman often represents a type of the pure church in the Bible, the 144 000 at the end. MORDECAI: A type of counselor, guide to Esther the queen, as the Holy Spirit, the Word and the Spirit of Prophecy (testimony of Yahushua) guide the remnant through the final events. HAMAN: Second to the king, a prime minister of government, a type of those elected at the end who will urge the universal calendar reform with its Sunday Laws. They will hate all those who will not want to abide by their decree and will push for a death decree to destroy the "dissidents." THE DECREE: An official decree with the king's seal was sent out to destroy the Jews on a certain day. Enacted on the thirteenth day of the first month of Nisan on the Biblical calendar (Esther 3:12), the decree was in force one year later, on the thirteenth day of the twelve month which is Adar (Esther 3:13). HAMAN IS A TYPE OF THOSE WHO WILL HATE ALL TRUE SABBATH KEEPERS Through Haman the Agagite, an unscrupulous man high in authority in Medo-Persia, Satan worked at this time to counterwork the purposes of God. Haman cherished bitter malice against Mordecai, a Jew. Mordecai had done Haman no harm, but had simply refused to show him worshipful reverence. Scorning to "lay hands on Mordecai alone," Haman plotted "to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai." (Esther 3:6). MISLED BY THE ENEMY, THE NEW WORLD ORDER GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT UNIVERSAL CALENDAR REFORM & ENACT A SUNDAY LAW CULMINATING IN A DEATH DECREE AGAINST YAHUWAH'S PEOPLE Misled by the false statements of Haman, Xerxes was induced to issue a decree providing for the massacre of all the Jews "scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces" of the Medo-Persian kingdom. Verse 8. A certain day was appointed on which the Jews were to be destroyed and their property confiscated. Little did the king realize the far-reaching results that would have accompanied the complete carrying out of this decree. Satan himself, the hidden instigator of the scheme, was trying to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God. UNIVERSAL SUNDAY LAW BY A CHURCH-STATE GOVERNMENT WILL BRING PERSECUTION AND DEATH "In every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes." (Esther 4:3). The decree of the Medes and Persians could not be revoked; apparently there was no hope; all the Israelites were doomed to destruction. CHRIST OUR INTERCESSOR STILL PLEADS FOR US IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE BUT FOR HOW LONG? But the plots of the enemy were defeated by a Power that reigns among the children of men. In the providence of God, Esther, a Jewish woman who feared the Most High, had been made queen of the MedoPersian kingdom. Mordecai was a near relative of hers. In their extremity they decided to appeal to Xerxes in behalf of their people. Esther was to venture into his presence as an intercessor. "Who knoweth," said Mordecai, "whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Verse 14. MORDECAI AND ESTHER A TYPE OF THE 144000 READY TO LIVE OR PERISH TO VINDICATE THE HEAVENLY FATHER The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action; but both she and Mordecai realized that unless Yahuwah should work mightily in their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing. So Esther took time for communion with Yahuwah, the source of her strength. "Go," she directed Mordecai, "gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." Verse 16.

- 185 -

THE FINAL CALL

AT LAST THE SAINTS ARE DELIVERED BY THE VOICE OF YAHUWAH The events that followed in rapid succession,--the appearance of Esther before the king, the marked favor shown her, the banquets of the king and queen with Haman as the only guest, the troubled sleep of the king, the public honor shown Mordecai, and the humiliation and fall of Haman upon the discovery of his wicked plot,--all these are parts of a familiar story. Yahuwah wrought marvelously for His penitent people; and a counter decree issued by the king, allowing them to fight for their lives, was rapidly communicated to every part of the realm by mounted couriers, who were "hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment." "And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them." (Esther 8:14, 17). ANGELS THAT EXCEL IN STRENGTH WERE COMMISSIONED TO PROTECT HIS PEOPLE On the day appointed for their destruction, "the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people." Angels that excel in strength had been commissioned by Yahuwah to protect His people while they "stood for their lives." (Esther 9:2, 16). THE TRYING EXPERIENCES OF ESTHER ARE FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE LAST DAYS OF EARTH HISTORY The trying experiences that came to God's people in the days of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone. The revelator, looking down the ages to the close of time, has declared, "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and have the testimony of Yahushua." (Revelation 12:17). Some who today are living on the earth will see these words fulfilled. The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute Yahuwah's people, will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God. Even now preparations are being made for this last great conflict. THE SABBATHKEEPERS ARE A TYPE OF MORDECAI AT THE GATE KEEPING ALIVE THE LAW OF YAHUWAH The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of Yahuwah will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of Yahuwah's people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath. AS IN THE DAY OF ESTHER AND MORDECAI THE LORD WILL VINDICATE HIS TRUTH AND HIS PEOPLE Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of Yahuwah. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, men will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a "Thus saith the Scriptures" to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who fear Yahuwah, cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people." Prophets and Kings, p. 598-606. Having waited to the extreme limit of time given for mercy, Yahuwah calls at last from the temple, to the seven angels having the seven vials full of the wrath of Yahovah, and bids them go forth. The seven angels come to the earth one at a time; that is, Yahuwah's overruling Spirit is withdrawn from one element after another, until utter destruction results. The plagues shall come in one day, the prophet says, or one year of literal time. The death decree under Esther was sealed on the 13th day of the 1st Month, that is Nisan or Abib, (March-April, according to Gregorian calendar reckoning), and lasted until the 13th day of the 12th month, that is Adar which corresponds to February-March of the Gregorian calendar. (Esther 3:12, 13). It is interesting to note that, supposing another month is not intercalated at the end of the 12th month of the death decree, there will be approximately a month from the day the death decree comes into force, to the 14th of Nisan/Abib, on which day Yahuwah's people will be delivered (from the death decree) at midnight (the Passover).

- 186 -

THE FINAL CALL

THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDONSATAN DECLARES WAR! Long before this world was created there was an attempted coup in heaven by one of Yahuwahs most trusted angels. Lucifer was the angel that covered Yahuwahs throne. We read the sad story in Isaiah 14:12-15. Lucifer was the most exalted angel in Yahuwahs kingdom, but pride in his beauty became his downfall. He decided to exalt himself above Yahuwahs throne and to convince the universe to worship him rather than Yahuwah. We just read in Isaiah 14:13 that Lucifer said, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Yahuwah: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. In this text the original Hebrew word for congregation is moed, which can be translated as appointed times, feasts, or festivals. We can see from this passage that Lucifer decided to not only take over Yahuwahs government, but that he would set up his own appointed festivals in opposition to Yahuwahs appointed festivals. The issue now became on whose appointed festivals would each individual in Yahuwahs universe choose to worship? The bottom line was and still is loyalty. Who would you choose to worship, Yahuwah or Lucifer? Lucifer committed the highest treason in the universe and unfortunately carried his war to our world. Lucifer (Satan) is competing with Yahuwah for your loyalty which is what this section will exposethe great battle between Yahuwah and Satan for your soul. Who are you going to choose to serve? Now that we have established what the war is over, let us take a look at what comprises Armageddon and then we will take a look at the details of this war. The word Armageddon appears only one time in the Bible in Revelation 16:16. Armageddon is correctly understood by many to mean Satans last battle against Yahuwah, in the person of His people. The first part of the word comes from the Hebrew word har, which means mountain. The second part of the word mageddon coming from the Hebrew word mo'addim, which means feasts, congregation, assembly. Yahuwahs people congregate to have a festival or assembly as described in Leviticus chapter 23. Combined, the two terms bring out the collective term harmoa'ddim, and on the basis of its use in Isaiah 14:13, it refers of the great contest between Christ and Satan. The word Armageddon means mount of the mo'addim, which is the same meaning as mount of the congregation in Isaiah 14:13. Both mean the appointed festivals, referring to Leviticus 23. This is telling us that Armageddon is a battle over whose Holy Days you are going to keep Yahuwahs or Satans. It is the final battle of the age-long cosmic controversy, as the calendar used to worship on the appointed feast days reveals the deity you worship. In Isaiah 14:13, Satan is declaring that he is going to invent his own holy days in opposition to Yahuwahs Holy Days. Remember that the word congregation in this text means mo'addim or appointed feasts. Revelation 16:16 tells us that the calendar which reveals the Holy Days is what the last great battle is fought over. The issue is indeed over loyalty to Yahuwah or loyalty to Satan. It was because the law was changeless, because man could be saved only through obedience to its precepts, that Yahushua was lifted upon the cross. Yet the very means by which Christ established the law Satan represented as destroying it. Here will come the last conflict of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. That the law which was spoken by Yahuwahs own voice is faulty, that some specification has been set aside, is the claim which Satan now puts forward. It is the last great deception that he will bring upon the world. He needs not to assail the whole law; if he can lead men to disregard one precept, his purpose is gained. (Desire of Ages, p. 763). Satan is marshaling his forces for the last great battle; and the great question at issue is the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 6, 1897) The Seventh-day Sabbath is the first Holy Day listed in Leviticus chapter 23. Armageddon, the last great battle, will be over the calendar and its Holy Days, and in particular the Sabbath question. WARNINGS AND REPROOFS
"We want to understand the time in which we live. We do not half understand it. We do not half take it in. My heart trembles in me when I think of what a foe we have to meet, and how poorly we are prepared to meet him. The trials of the children of Israel, and their attitude just before the first coming of Christ, have been presented before me again and again to illustrate the position of the people of God in their experience before the second coming of Christhow the enemy sought every occasion to take control of the minds of the Jews, and today he is seeking to blind the minds of Gods servants, that they may not be able to discern the precious truth." 1SM 406. "When a doctrine is presented that does not meet our minds, we should go to the word of God, seek the Lord in prayer, and give no place for the enemy to come in with suspicion and prejudice. We should never permit the spirit to be manifested that arraigned the priests and rulers against the Redeemer of the world. They complained that He disturbed the people, and they wished He would let them alone; for He caused perplexity and dissension. The Lord sends light to us to prove what manner of spirit we are of. We are not to deceive ourselves." GW 301-302. "Prejudice is a terrible thing in the sight of God. It was prejudice that crucified the worlds Redeemer. Let us as a people put away all prejudice; for it blinds the mind, and makes men incapable of doing justice to those they imagine blameworthy." RH, Oct. 24, 1893. "The adversaries of Christ claimed to be just and holy men, but they regarded him with suspicion, because his teachings did not harmonize with their preconceived ideas. The good works which testified that Christ was the light

- 187 -

THE FINAL CALL

of the world, they would allow to have no weight with them. He bore with him divine credentials; but their eyes were so blinded by prejudice that they could not discern the voice of the True Shepherd." YI 09-22-98. "Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind against the reception of truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment. Yet, when a view of Scripture is presented, many do not ask, Is it truein harmony with Gods word? but By whom is it advocated? and unless it comes through the very channel that pleases them, they do not accept it. So thoroughly satisfied are they with their own ideas that they will not examine the Scripture evidence with a desire to learn, but refuse to be interested, merely because of their prejudices. "The Lord often works where we least expect Him; He surprises us by revealing His power through instruments of His own choice, while He passes by the men to whom we have looked as those through whom light should come. God desires us to receive the truth upon its own meritsbecause it is truth." TM 105-106. "We are to be ever searching for the truth as for hidden treasures. I entreat you, close not the door of the heart for fear some ray of light shall come to you. You need greater light, you need a clearer understanding of the truth which you carry to the people. If you do not see light yourselves, you will close the door; if you can you will prevent the rays of light from coming to the people. Let it not be said of this highly favored people, Ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered (Luke 11:52). All these lessons are given for the benefit of those upon whom the ends of the world are come." 1888, p. 166-167. "One matter burdens my soul; the great lack of the love of God, which has been lost through continued resistance of light and truth, and the influence of those who have been engaged in active labor, who in the face of evidence piled upon evidence, have exerted an influence to counteract the message God has sent. I point them to the Jewish nation and ask, Must we leave our brethren to pass over the same path of blind resistance, till the very end of probation? If ever a people needed true and faithful watchmen, who will not hold their peace, who will cry day and night, sounding the warning God has given, it is the Seventh-day Adventists. Those who have had great light, blessed opportunities, who like Capernaum have been exalted to heaven in point of privileges, shall they, by nonimprovement, be left to darkness corresponding to the greatness of the light given?" PC 349. "There are many honest souls in these valleys; but they do not understand the truth for this time, and it is not merely by argument that they are to learn it. There is a work to be done of feeding these hungry, starving sheep with spiritual food. Many of the professed teachers of the people are perfectly content to set their stakes and make no advancement themselves, and they are much disturbed when others are induced to seek for truth. When new light is presented, they feel as the Pharisees felt when Christ came with new light for the Jewish nation. They want to stop the increase of light. They not only refuse to search the Scriptures for themselves, but they do all in their power to prevent others from searching." RH, June 29, 1886. "It is a grievous sin in the sight of God for men to place themselves between the people and the message that He would have come to them as some of our brethren are now doing. There are some who, like the Jews, are doing their utmost to make the message of God of none effect. Let these doubting, questioning ones either receive the light of the truth for this time, or let them stand out of the way, that others may have an opportunity of receiving the truth, that the wrath of God may not come on them because they are bodies of darkness, when He desires them to be bodies of light. "Those who live just prior to the second appearing of Christ may expect a large measure of His Holy Spirit. If God has ever spoken by me, some of our leading men are going over the same ground of refusing the message of mercy as the Jews did in the time of Christ. If they turn away from the light, they will fail to meet the high and holy claims of God for this important time. They will fail to fulfill the sacred responsibility that He has entrusted to them. "The character and prospects of the people of God are similar to those of the Jews, who could not enter in because of unbelief. Self-sufficiency, self-importance, and spiritual pride separated them from God, and He hid His face from them. . . . "The Jews despised the good that was proffered them in the time of Christ, and after the long forbearance of God, the things that were for their peace were hidden from their eyesthat which, if received, would have been to them their greatest blessing became their stumbling block. Thus it is today among us. . . . "The light of truth is shining upon us as clearly as it shone upon the Jewish people, but the hearts of men are as hard and unimpressible as in the days of Christ, because they know not what they oppose. Many who claim to be standing in the light are in darkness, and know it not. They have so enshrouded themselves in unbelief that they call darkness light, and light darkness. They are ignorant of that which they condemn and oppose. But their ignorance is not such as God will excuse, for He has given them light, and they reject it. They have before them the example of the past, but they will not be warned, and unbelief is enclosing them in impenetrable darkness. They refuse to accept the testimonies they ought to believe, and are ready to accept tidbits of gossip and testimonies of men, showing their credulousness and readiness to believe that which they want to believe." 11MR 286-287. "As professed followers of Christ, we have much to learn. There is with many an icy chilliness, a reserve like that of the Pharisees, that must be broken down. They are not willing to become learners, but, like the Pharisees, desire to be dictators, teachers. God sent his Son to give his people a better knowledge of the truth, to show them the best

- 188 -

THE FINAL CALL

way to help their fellow-men. But the Pharisees refused to receive the divine instruction. They thought that Christ was too liberal. His ways did not agree with theirs; and instead of seeking to come into harmony with Christ, they sought to bring Christ into harmony with them. While he differed from them so widely, his influence would, they thought, lessen theirs, and would counteract their teachings. In order to carry out their own purposes, they set themselves in opposition to Christ, and thus brought darkness upon themselves." GW92, 320. "No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it with the meekness of Christ. But many do not do this. When a controverted point is presented, they pour in question after question, without admitting a point when it is well sustained. O, may we act as men who want light! May God give us His Holy Spirit day by day, and let the light of His countenance shine upon us, that we may be learners in the school of Christ." GW 301. "But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from Gods word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion." GW 297-298. "Even Seventh-day Adventists are in danger of closing their eyes to truth as it is in Jesus, because it contradicts something which they have taken for granted as truth but which the Holy Spirit teaches is not truth." TM 70-71. In the days of Christ there were many who incurred deep guilt because they denounced His teaching without carefully investigating its claims to their attention." 11MR 292. "Sin lies at the door of those who do not allow their ignorance to be expelled by the rays of light from Gods word. They are doing what the Jews did in the days of Christ, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. By their actions they say, We do not wish to be disturbed. Let us alone. Do not disturb our peace. To Gods messengers, sent to them with words of warning and reproof, they say, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? " RH, Aug. 9, 1898. "Those who do this are like the impenitent Jews, who had eyes but saw not, ears had they, but they heard not, neither would they understand. Why? Lest they should be converted and have to acknowledge that not all their ideas were correct. This they were too proud to do, and therefore persisted in rejecting Gods counsel and the light and evidence which had been given. Thus they deluded their own souls and the souls of others. "This is the ground over which some of our leading brethren are traveling now, notwithstanding the example of resistance and refusal of the Jewish nation to receive the evidence plainly revealed before them, and to be convinced and yield their ideas. The warnings of the Spirit of God are received in the same spirit by many today." 1888, p. 522. "I entreat you, brethren, be not like the Pharisees, who were blinded with spiritual pride, self-righteousness, and selfsufficiency, and who because of this were forsaken of God. For years I have been receiving instructions and warnings that this was the danger to our people." 1888, p. 166. "Those who have not tasted of the rich blessing of God will make little of the blessings that others have received. The light which God is giving to His people may be slighted, refused, rejected, but it is thus treated at great peril to men's souls. Brethren, God is working for us, and I feel deeply in earnest that not one ray of heaven-sent light may be regarded with indifference. God's communication to man is to be appreciated and cherished. If we do not appreciate the light of heaven, it will be our condemnation; our position will be similar to that of the Jews when they rejected the Lord of life and glory." Sermons and Talks Volume One, p. 89. "I have been shown that Jesus will reveal to us precious old truths in a new light, if we are ready to receive them; but they must be received in the very way in which the Lord shall choose to send them. With humble, softened hearts, with respect and love for one another, search your Bibles. The light may not come in accordance with plans that men may devise. But all who reverence the Word of God just as it reads, all who do His will to the best of their ability, will know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, notwithstanding the efforts of the enemy to confuse minds and to make uncertain the Word of God. God calls every mans attention to His living Oracles. Let no one quench the Spirit of God by wresting the Scriptures, by putting human interpretations upon His inspired Word; and let no one pursue an unfair course, keep in the dark, not willing to open their ears to hear and yet free to comment and quibble and sow their doubts of that which they will not candidly take time to hear. "When the Jews took the first step in the rejection of Christ, they took a dangerous step. When afterward evidence accumulated that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, they were too proud to acknowledge that they had erred. So with the people of our day who reject the truth. They do not take time to investigate candidly, with earnest prayer, the evidences of the truth, and they oppose that which they do not understand. Just like the Jews, they take it for granted they have all the truth, and feel a sort of contempt for anyone who should suppose they had more correct ideas than themselves of what is truth. All the evidence produced they decide shall not weigh a straw with them, and they tell others that the doctrine is not true, and afterward, when they see as light evidence they were so forward to condemn, they have too much pride to say I was wrong; they still cherish doubt and unbelief, and are too proud to acknowledge their convictions. Because of this, they take steps that lead to results of which they have never dreamed." 1888, p. 169. "Will they do as did the self-righteous Pharisees? Will they meet argument with ridicule, jest, and sarcasm? Will they say of the light-bearer as the Pharisees did of the worlds Redeemer, He hath a devil? Will they be ready to forbid

- 189 -

THE FINAL CALL

his message, because he followeth not with us? Will the messenger whom the Lord shall send with special light be treated with ridicule and contempt, as Paul was treated by the heathen, who said, Let us hear what this babbler hath to say?" HM, Sept. 1, 1894. "There is danger that when the Lord shall send his people special light, they will also place themselves on the side of the Pharisees." HM, Sept. 1, 1894. "The same spirit of resistance is to be found even among those who claim to believe the truth for this time." 9MR 183. "You know not the time of your visitation. The great sin of the Jews was that of neglecting and rejecting present opportunities. As Jesus views the state of His professed followers today, He sees base ingratitude, hollow formalism, hypocritical insincerity, pharisaical pride and apostasy." 5T 72. "Satan is working that the history of the Jewish nation may be repeated in the experience of those who claim to believe present truth." 2SM 111. "But very few of those who have received the light are doing the work entrusted to their hands. There are a few men of unswerving fidelity who do not study ease, convenience, or life itself, who push their way wherever they can find an opening to press the light of truth and vindicate the holy law of God. But the sins that control the world have come into the churches, and into the hearts of those who claim to be Gods peculiar people. Many who have received the light exert an influence to quiet the fears of worldlings and formal professors. There are lovers of the world even among those who profess to be waiting for the Lord. There is ambition for riches and honor. Christ describes this class when He declares that the day of God is to come as a snare upon all that dwell upon the earth. This world is their home. They make it their business to secure earthly treasures. They erect costly dwellings and furnish them with every good thing; they find pleasure in dress and the indulgence of appetite. The things of the world are their idols. These interpose between the soul and Christ, and the solemn and awful realities that are crowding upon us are but dimly seen and faintly realized. The same disobedience and failure which were seen in the Jewish church have characterized in a greater degree the people who have had this great light from heaven in the last messages of warning. Shall we, like them, squander our opportunities and privileges until God shall permit oppression and persecution to come upon us? Will the work which might be performed in peace and comparative prosperity be left undone until it must be performed in days of darkness, under the pressure of trial and persecution?" 5T 456-457. "Many give a bare assent to truth when they are not sanctified through the truth. They do not in Spirit represent Christ. They are surface workers, and delude themselves with the idea that they are christians. So effectually does this delusion take possession of heart and mind that the sharp arrows of the Lord fail to penetrate the armor of self righteousness in which they are encased. The spell is so strong that they will listen to the truth, the most earnest and powerful, even to the very portraying of the delusions which are upon them without any thought of selfexamination to see if it means them. This is the class our Saviour found most difficult to arouse. The most authoritative teachings were heard and listened to as if they heard not. Thus it is with many, many in this generation." 1888, p. 796. "The remnant church is called to go through an experience similar to that of the Jews; and the True Witness, who walks up and down in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, has a solemn message to bear to His people." Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Book 1, p. 387. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:14-23 I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God's people.--1T 181 (1857). There are those among us who will make confessions, as did Achan, too late to save themselves.. . . They are not in harmony with right. They despise the straight testimony that reaches the heart, and would rejoice to see everyone silenced who gives reproof.--3T 272 (1873).

- 190 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Lord calls for a renewal of the straight testimony borne in years past. He calls for a renewal of spiritual life. The spiritual energies of His people have long been torpid, but there is to be a resurrection from apparent death. By prayer and confession of sin we must clear the King's highway.--8T 297 (1904). I saw that the remnant were not prepared for what is coming upon the earth. Stupidity, like lethargy, seemed to hang upon the minds of most of those who profess to believe that we are having the last message. My accompanying angel cried out with awful solemnity, "Get ready! get ready! get ready! for the fierce anger of the Lord is soon to come. His wrath is to be poured out, unmixed with mercy, and ye are not ready. Rend the heart, and not the garment. Early writings p.119 Then my eyes were taken from the glory, and I was pointed to the remnant on the earth. The angel said to them, "Will ye shun the seven last plagues? Will ye go to glory and enjoy all that God has prepared for those who love Him and are willing to suffer for His sake? If so, ye must die that ye may live. Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye must have a greater preparation than ye now have, for the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it. Sacrifice all to God. Lay all upon His altarself, [67] property, and all, a living sacrifice. It will take all to enter glory. Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where no thief can approach or rust corrupt. Ye must be partakers of Christ's sufferings here if ye would be partakers with Him of His glory hereafter." Early Writings p.66 I saw that those who of late have embraced the truth would have to know what it is to suffer for Christ's sake, that they would have trials to pass through that would be keen and cutting, in order that they may be purified and fitted through suffering to receive the seal of the living God, pass through the time of trouble, see the King in His beauty, and dwell in the presence of God and of pure, holy angels. As I saw what we must be in order to inherit glory, and then saw how much Jesus had suffered to obtain for us so rich an inheritance, I prayed that we might be baptized into Christ's sufferings, that we might not shrink at trials, but bear them with patience and joy, knowing what Jesus had suffered that we through His poverty and sufferings might be made rich. Said the angel, "Deny self; ye must step fast." Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again. Those who would not receive the mark of the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision now to say, Nay, we will not regard the institution of the beast. Early Writings p.67 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. Early Writings p.68 At Oswego, New York, September 7, 1850, the Lord showed me that a great work must be done for His people before they could stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. I was pointed to those who claim to be Adventists, but who reject the present truth, and saw that they were crumbling and that the hand of the Lord was in their midst to divide and scatter them now in the gathering time, so that the precious jewels among them, who have formerly been deceived, may have their eyes opened to see their true state. And now when the truth is presented to them by the Lord's messengers, they are prepared to listen, and see its beauty and harmony, and to leave their former associates and errors, embrace the precious truth and stand where they can define their position. Early Writings p.69 I saw that those who oppose the Sabbath of the Lord could not take the Bible and show that our position is incorrect; therefore they would slander those who [70] believe and teach the truth and would attack their characters. Many who were once conscientious and loved God and His Word have become so hardened by rejecting the light of truth that they do not hesitate to wickedly misrepresent and falsely accuse those who love the holy Sabbath, if by so doing they can injure the influence of those who fearlessly declare the truth. But these things will not hinder the work of God. In fact, this course pursued by those who hate the truth will be the very means of opening the eyes of some. Every jewel will be brought out and gathered, for the hand of the Lord is set to recover the remnant of His people, and He will accomplish the work gloriously. Early Writings p.70 I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully. I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of "refreshing" and the "latter rain" to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it and no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. Before this time the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Early Writings p.71

- 191 -

THE FINAL CALL

The Lord has often given me a view of the situation and wants of the scattered jewels who have not yet come to the light of the present truth, and has shown that the messengers should speed their way to them as fast as possible, to give them the light. Many all around us only need to have their prejudices removed and the evidences of our present position spread out before them from the Word, and they will joyfully receive the present truth. The messengers should watch for souls as they that must give account. Theirs must be a life of toil and anguish of spirit, while the weight of the precious but often-wounded cause of Christ rests upon them. They will have to lay aside worldly interests and comforts and make it their first object to do all in their power to advance the cause of present truth and save perishing souls. They will also have a rich reward. In their crowns of rejoicing those who are rescued by them and finally saved will shine as stars forever and ever. And to all eternity they will enjoy the satisfaction of having done what they could in presenting the truth in its purity and beauty, so that souls fell in love with it, were sanctified through it, and availed themselves of the inestimable privilege of being made rich, and being washed in the blood of the Lamb and redeemed unto God. Early Writings p.61 It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walktherein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16 To every soul will come the searching test: Shall i obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God's immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus? None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. I urge you my brothers and sisters to search the scriptures and read the truth about what God wants us to do. Many claim that it matters not what one believes, if his life is only right. But the life is moulded by the faith. If light and truth is within our reach, and we neglect to improve the priviledge eof hearing and seeing it, we virtually reject it;we will be choosing darkness rather than light. God has given us His Word that we may become acquainted with its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us. "There are some who indulge in levity, sarcasm, and even mockery toward those who differ with them. Others present an array of objections to any new view; and when these objections are plainly answered by the words of Scripture, they do not acknowledge the evidence presented, nor allow themselves to be convinced. Their questioning is not for the purpose of arriving at truth, but was intended merely to confuse the minds of others." {GW92 128.1} THE TRUTH IS NOT CHANGING; RATHER, IT IS BEING REVEALED

In these last days the Lord Yahuwah continues to penetrate the hearts of those who would be faithful to His ever progressive new light on old truths. No matter what church organization or creed we are from, we have all been steeped in the darkness of error. For such a time as this, the Lord Yahuwah is calling His own to come out of error that has manifest itself in these organized churches and creeds, that He may equip them with His present truth. He is preparing a people that can stand alone with Him, unfettered by the errors and traditions of men. This is simply the modern version, or anti-type, of the age old story of Yahuwah leading His people out of the captivity of Egypt, but instead this time He is leading them into the Heavenly Promised Land. It is the Lord Yahuwahs plan to restore all of His truths to a people who are willing to stand alone. These are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. (Revelation 14:4) Today, more than ever before, Yahuwahs faithful believers are called upon to examine all new light with the Word of Yahuwah. All can have confidence that Yahuwah will lead them into all truth, as long as they are willing to be taught of Him, and remain obedient to walk in the new light. All are held accountable to the faithful Berean model, to study the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so. This means being willing to first hear the message, and secondly to compare it with rock solid Scriptural evidence. After all the evidence is gathered for and against, it must be decided upon which side lies the weight of evidence. Since the dark ages, as truth has progressed, men and women have at times been faithful to walk in new light, but usually only to a point. Once a new church was organized and a creed developed, they would stop seeking or receiving new light. This basic process has taken place over and over with each new truth. Generally, these organizations established a creed, and then built a wall around that creed to protect it from the darts of the enemy. However, in most cases this same wall has only made it nearly impossible to receive new light. Thus, we have many Protestant churches today with creeds cast in cement, with no new light considered necessary to sustain the life of their organized assemblies. Many have, as had Moses, very much to unlearn in order to learn the very lessons that they need to learn. Moses had need to be self-trained by severest mental and moral discipline, and Yahuwah wrought with him before he could be fitted to train others in mind and heart. He had been instructed in the Egyptian courts. Nothing was left as unnecessary to train him to become a general of armies. The false theories of the idolatrous Egyptians had been instilled into his mind, and the influences surrounding him, and the things his eyes looked upon, could not be easily shaken off or corrected. Thus it is with many who have had a false training in any line. All the idolatrous rubbish of heathen lore must be removedbit by bit, item by itemfrom Moses mind. Jethro helped him in many things to a correct faith, as far as he himself understood. He was working upward toward the light where he could see Yahuwah in singleness of heart. Yahuwah was revealed to him. This thorough intellectual training in Egypt, and as a shepherd among the mountains, in the pure air, made him a strong thinker and a strong doer of the Word of Yahuwah. Many have typically believed that it is

- 192 -

THE FINAL CALL

the people in the other churches who have many lessons to learn, and many more to unlearn. We simply have not believed this also applied to us, especially doctrinally. Yet, Ellen White states over and over that she did not have all the light that was to be given especially in regards to the true Sabbath. However, since that time, we have all but dismissed her statements regarding new light to come. We have assumed that these statements specifically refer how to be a better Christian, or the correct manner in which one must faithfully keep the Sabbath holy. Many people have gone to their graves believing this. We have all been certain of this truth because Ellen White herself was given a direct revelation from Yahuwah that the seventh-day is the Sabbath. As a result we have all assumed two things. The first assumption is that Saturday is the true seventh-day Sabbath. The second assumption is that any new light regarding the Sabbath would have nothing whatsoever to do with a change of the day, because that truth was previously nailed down, or so it appeared. Remember the assumptions of the ancient Hebrew people in regards to the Messiah. They assumed that the Messiah would come as a King in splendor and majesty and deliver them from their enemies. While it is true that Christ will one day come as a King, it was to be the third step, rather than the first step of the Saviours three fold ministry. It was in Yahushuas life and death and resurrection that He fully disclosed to His faithful the first two of His three part system for the saving of souls. Even then, the third step of His three fold ministry was yet to be disclosed in is fullness, as happened in the Great Advent Awakening of 1844. Taking all things into consideration therefore, is it possible that Yahuwah can give new light on a subject as only the first step toward a full disclosure, and still have it accomplish His timely purposes? Yes it is. As a result, an entire church organization sprang up over the new light of the seventh-day Sabbath, fully assuming it to be Saturday! This first step regarding the seventh-day being the Sabbath was indeed a huge revelation for its appointed time. This most assuredly accomplished a grand purpose for the Lord. However, if this was not His full disclosure to Ellen White and the S.D.A Church people, wouldnt it be considered dishonest of Him to raise up an entire denomination, only for them to discover 160 years later that they have been wrong all along? Not at all! Isnt this exactly how we raise our own children? The first time they ask where babies come from, we begin with the first step of a full disclosure by giving them only as much as they can handle at that time. Later, as they grow and mature and demonstrate a readiness to understand, then and only then is an extended revelation given. As parents we do exactly what the heavenly Father does in giving our children the second step of a full disclosure, only when they demonstrate they are ready for it. As you may recall, in the 1880s Ellen White openly challenged and chastised the growing S.D.A organization for not continuing on to follow the light and the leading of Yahovah. She stated they would have already been in the kingdom had they remained faithful. Is it possible that their lack of faithfulness in walking in the previous light may have had an impact on Yahuwahs decision? Is it possible that the church simply did not meet the growing and maturing requirement for receiving the second step of new light? Do we believe the Heavenly Father would be any less wise in educating His children than us earthly parents? Heaven forbid! In fact, it is a Scriptural principle that if we are faithful in little things, He will make us rulers of big things. This means that if we are faithful to the light He has given, growing and maturing in spiritual strength, then He will reward these faithful few with more light that will continually come in the form of step two, step three, and full disclosures. Is this not exactly what takes place in the process of sanctification? When the truth regarding Scriptures true calendar is revealed, most people will find it especially detestable, because they are more concerned with what others might think of them than in walking in the light that Yahuwah has revealed to them. Peer pressure and pride will be the most difficult obstacles. However, the final step of the full disclosure is divinely designed to be a most thorough revealer of the heart. Just as in the days immediately following October, 22, 1844, when Christ did not appear, the heart of the truly sorrowful was revealed. Those who had prepared heart and soul and longed to see Yahushua come in the clouds and take them to their heavenly home were bitterly disappointed. Most however, who had joined the Advent Movement were not nearly as disappointed as they were embarrassed by what others might think or say. Soon these very ones ridiculed those who had been trully disappointed. Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of Yahuwah, and striving to conform their lives to its precepts. . . . Yahuwah calls for a revival and a reformation. Prophets and Kings, p. 626. What could be a more overwhelming surprise to Seventh day Adventists than to discover that Saturday is, after all, not the true seventh-day Sabbath? What could be a more overwhelming surprise than for the whole world to discover that for the past 1700 years they have all been wondering after the beast by following through choice and action the Papal counterfeit calendar? I ask you, what could be a more overwhelming surprise?

- 193 -

THE FINAL CALL

More Ellen G. White Quotes to Ponder:

Different periods in the history of the church have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the necessities of Gods people at that time. Every new truth has made its way against hatred and opposition. . . . The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands His servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at the peril of their souls. Christs ambassadors have nothing to do with the consequences. They must perform their duty and leave the results with God. Great Controversy, p. 609. The laws of Yahuwah and the time of Yahuwah were to be changed by this antichristian power . . . In the prophecy it is plainly shown that this papal power would with deliberate intention change the law of Yahuwah . . . . Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 11/19/1894. I saw that Yahuwah had children, who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They had not rejected the light on it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth [Hosea. 6:2, 3.] and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the church, and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time, Yahuwahs chosen, all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us. Word to the Little Flock, p. 18. There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. Councils to Writers and Editors, p. 35. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven. As the people go to their former teachers with eager inquiry, Are these things so? The ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men and demand a plain Thus saith the Lord, the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will denounce the message as of Satan and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it. Great Controversy, p. 606. It is to the thirsting soul that the fountain of living waters is open. Yahuwah declares: I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. To souls that are earnestly seeking for light and that accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His holy word, to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that Yahuwah will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory. Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 729. In conclusion, it is imperative that none of Yahuwahs faithful become confused by the many side issues that can be formulated to attack or undermine what is clearly and definitively written in Scripture. Under the guise of being a faithful Berean, multiple smoke screens can be readily created to muddy the truths of Scripture as they shine forth from Gods Word purely and clearly. Ellen White defines the qualifications that the Spirit of the Lord will use at the very end: The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which Yahuwah gives them. Great Controversy, p. 606. Let any man or woman who determines that the above revelations are false, demonstrate from Scripture alone that all of the points listed above are in error. Let all be faithful to take their stand upon the solid truth. Whether a person keeps the holy Feast days at their appointed times or not, does not negate the time centric application they make in demonstrating the true luni-solar calendation principles that rule in the heavens. The count of each Scriptural month begins at New Moon and locates all the Lord Yahuwahs Holy appointed festivals, which according to Genesis 1, Exodus 12 and 16, and Leviticus 23, include His seventh-day Sabbaths as well. At the close of earths history, Yahuwahs faithful will recognize that it was Moses who recorded all three of these vitally important accounts in Scripture. These are they who will discover that it is the pivotal record of the Exodus that reveals the time centric key that unlocks the Creators calendation principles of both Genesis and Leviticus. It is in Moses record of Exodus 12; 16; and 19 that the application of Yahuwahs seven-day week is made with regards to His months and years. It is only in the restoring of Yahuwahs calendation truths to Israel at the Exodus that the full calendation picture was given. This full disclosure presents the details of exactly how the Creator placed the seven-day week directly within the framework of His ordained luni-solar calendar month at Creation. The same is true today at the closing of earths history that Yahuwah is calling all of His faithful to come out of the counterfeit religions of spiritual Babylon. He is

- 194 -

THE FINAL CALL

restoring to spiritual Israel all His Laws, statutes and calendation principles, just as He did in Exodus 12, 16, and 19. Our role in preparation is that we fully partake of the bread of life, His heavenly manna, and stand clothed in His garments, with staff in hand. It is necessary that our unity today be of a character that will bear the test of trial. . . . We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and Heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed. When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position, and every minister should search the Scriptures with the spirit of candor to see if the points presented can be substantiated by the inspired word. The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if Yahuwah peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:24, 25. Again and again I have been shown that the people of Yahuwah in these last days could not be safe in trusting in men, and making flesh their arm. The mighty cleaver of truth has taken them out of the world as rough stones that are to be hewed and squared and polished for the heavenly building. They must be hewed by the prophets with reproof, warning, admonition, and advice, that they may be fashioned after the divine Pattern; this specified work of the Comforter --to transform heart and character, that men may keep the way of the Lord. Ellen White, Home Missionary, Nov. 1, 1893 In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. Prophets and Kings, p. 678 And they that shall be of thee, shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14 For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 37:32 NIV

Who is on the Lords side?

The great tribulation coming, will be a terrible crisis unparalleled in the history of the world. Remember Waco? The Waco (Texas) Massacre of the early 90s was but a dim omen of the things which are to befall all who will stand alone in their perculiar beliefs in the coming contest. Who will brave the consequences and take a bold and fearless and uncompromising stand for present truth? Will you answer the call now and come up to the help of the Lord? Now I see that the end of all things is at hand and I want to be found ready to receive my Lord Yahushua when He comes...what should I do? Our Heavenly Father desires through the observance of the Sabbath to preserve among men a knowledge of himself. He desires that the Sabbath shall direct our minds to Him as the true and living God, and that, through knowing Him we may have life and peace. In the very near future we shall find that our only safety will be in the Word: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:20. That is why today the Bible must be our only infallible guide and rule. Gods word is our sole safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness that enshroud the world today. Satan can most readily control the minds of those who are unconscious of his influence. That is why the word of God gives us so many examples of his malignant work, unveiling before us his secret forces, and thus placing us on our guard against his assaults. That is why Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining true knowledge of the Bible, for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At every revival of Yahuwahs work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By the Word of Yahuwah every testimony, every statement and every miracle must be tested. Those who endeavour to obey all the commandments of Yahuwah will be opposed and derided. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of Yahuwah as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand

- 195 -

THE FINAL CALL

through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey Yahuwah rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of Gods immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of Yahuwah and the faith of Yahushua? Yahuwahs love for His children is seen clearly in His revealing the future before us, so that none of us needs to be taken unprepared by surprise. Christs grace is all-sufficient to cleanse us from all sin, and to fit us to withstand the impending conflict, that we may be found righteous when He appears the second time. The time for this glorious desired end is measured today in months rather than years: And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans13:11-14. If you become alarmed for your own soul, if you seek Yahuwah diligently, He will be found by you; but He will accept no half-hearted repentance. If you will forsake your sins, He is ever ready to forgive. Wont you just now surrender to Him? Wont you look to Calvary and inquire: Did Yahushua make this sacrifice for me? Did He endure humiliation, shame, and reproach, and suffer the cruel death of the cross because He desired to save me from the sufferings of guilt and the horror of despair, and make me unspeakably happy in His kingdom? Look upon Him whom your sins have pierced, and resolve: The Lord shall have the service of my life. I will no longer unite with His enemies; I will no longer lend my influence to the rebels against His government. All I have and am is too little to devote to Him who so loved me that He gave His life for me His whole divine self for one so sinful and erring. Separate from the world, be wholly on the Lords side, press the battle to the gates, and you will win glorious victories. Will you resolve to obey Him, as of this very minute, no matter what the price for such obedience? Will you resolve to share this light with others, so that we can truly hasten our Lords second coming? Blessed is he who heeds the words of eternal life. Guided by the Spirit of truth, he will be led into all truth. Though he will not be loved, honoured, and praised by the world, yet he will be precious in the sight of heaven: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of Yahuwah: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. I John 3:1. If we find no pleasure now in the contemplation of heavenly things; if we have no interest in seeking the knowledge of Yahuwah, no delight in beholding the characteristics of Christ; if holiness has no attration for us, then we may be sure that our hope of heaven is vain! Perfect conformity to the will of Yahuwah is the high aim to be constantly before the Christian. He or She will love to talk of Yahuwah, of Yahushua, of the home of bliss and purity which Christ has prepared for them that love Him. The contempletion of these themes, when the soul feasts upon the asurances of God, the apostle represents as tasing the powers of the world to come. If you are right with Yahuwah TODAY, you are ready if Christ should come today. Therefore, pray and confess all your sins to Yahushua, repent before time runs outeach morning consecrate yourselves and your children to Yahuwah for that day. Make no calculation for months or years; these are not yours. One brief day is given to you. As if it were your last day on earth, work during its hours for the Master, who Yahushua. Lay all your plans before Yahuwah, to be carried out or given up, as His providence shall indicate. Our safety is in doing our work for each day as it comes, working, watching, waiting, every moment relying on the strength of Him who was dead and who is alive again, and lives forevermore!

Even so... MARANATHA!

- 196 -