Christmas&Easter

AStudyRevealingtheMixedOriginsof“Christian”HolidaysandHowGod’sRemnantShouldRecognizethem

Presentedby:MarkLaRoseDate:02/13/18DraftFile:ChristmasEaster

RelationshipwithChrist•  TheMostImportantUnderstandingaboutourSalvation:– WebelieveeternallifeisagiftfromGodinChristJesusandwearejustifiedbyHisgraceandHisfaithwhopaidtheprice;death,forourtransgressions

Romans3:21-26;4:4-5,25;6:23;Ephesians2:4-10;Titus3:4-7(Is53;Eze36:25-27;John3:3-8,16;16:8;Rom5:6-10;8:1-4,14-17;1Cor15:3-4,20-22;2Cor5:14-15,19-21;Gal1:4;3:13-14,26;4:4-7;Phil2:6-11;Col1:13-14;Heb8:7-12;1Pet1:23;2Pet1:3-4;1John2:2;4:10)

•  God“senthisangeltoshowhisservants”thefuture(Rev22:6)“Donotdespiseprophecies.”1Thess5:20–  Purpose:TosharethevitalnecessityofacharactertransformingrelationshipwithChrist,namelytheGospelofHissacrificeforallwhocallHimLordandSavior(Ps1:1-2;Matt20:25-28;Luke19:17-20;John20:21;Rom12:2;2Cor3:17-18;Gal5:22-25;Eph5:19-21;6:12-18;Phil3:7-14;Col2:6;1Thess5:16-23;Heb10:25;2Pet2:9;3:18;1John4:4)

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PrinciplesofBibleStudy•  Paul’scounseltoTimothy:

–  16AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness,17thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,thoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.2Tim3:16-17(Ps119:105;Prov30:5-6;Is8:20;John17:17;1Thess2:13;Heb4:12)

–  forprophecynevercamebythewillofman,butholymenofGodspokeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit.2Pet1:21

•  Bibleversions:–  Useversionswiththeclosesttranslationtotheoriginallanguage

•  RecommendcomparingNKJV(usedhere),NASB95,KJV,andESV

–  Concordancesources:www.abibleconcordance.com;www.blueletterbible.org

•  UseofExpositorystudymethods(versusThematicstudy)–  ThismethodexplorestheliteralmeaningofeachwordinScriptureandits

relationshiptootherwordsinitscontext(exegesis)

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OriginofChristmas•  “SolInvictus("UnconqueredSun")wastheofficialsungodofthelater

RomanEmpireandapatronofsoldiers.In274ADtheRomanemperorAurelianmadeitanofficialcultalongsidethetraditionalRomancults.ScholarsdisagreeaboutwhetherthenewdeitywasarefoundationoftheancientLatincultofSol,arevivalofthecultofElagabalusorcompletelynew.ThegodwasfavoredbyemperorsafterAurelianandappearedontheircoinsuntilConstantineI…Thetheorydatingfromthe12thcentury,thatthenear-solsticedateof25DecemberforChristmaswasselectedbecauseitwasthedateoftheRomanfestivalofDiesNatalisSolisInvicti(BirthdayoftheUnconqueredSun)ischallengedbysomeChristianscholars.”“ItwasacustomofthePaganstocelebrateonthesame25DecemberthebirthdayoftheSun,atwhichtheykindledlightsintokenoffestivity.InthesesolemnitiesandrevelriestheChristiansalsotookpart.AccordinglywhenthedoctorsoftheChurchperceivedthattheChristianshadaleaningtothisfestival,theytookcounselandresolvedthatthetrueNativityshouldbesolemnisedonthatday.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus(12/2016)

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OriginofChristmas•  “Constantinedecreed(March7,321)diesSolis—dayofthesun,"Sunday"—

astheRomandayofrest:OnthevenerabledayoftheSunletthemagistratesandpeopleresidingincitiesrest,andletallworkshopsbeclosed.Inthecountryhoweverpersonsengagedinagriculturemayfreelyandlawfullycontinuetheirpursuitsbecauseitoftenhappensthatanotherdayisnotsuitableforgrain-sowingorvineplanting;lestbyneglectingthepropermomentforsuchoperationsthebountyofheavenshouldbelost.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus(11/29/17)

!  Articledetailingthehistoryofsunworship,Mithraism,andDecember25:http://exposingdeceptions.org/Sun.html

!  DocumentaryVideo,“ChristiansShouldNOTCelebrateChristmas/SaturnaliaThePaganHoliday”(53:43):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA8m6Lo7PBM

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OriginofChristmas•  “AlthoughitisnotknownwhyDecember25becameadateofcelebration,

thereareseveralfactorsthatmayhaveinfluencedthechoice.December25wasthedatetheRomansmarkedasthewintersolstice,andJesuswasidentifiedwiththeSunbasedonanOldTestamentverse.ThedateisexactlyninemonthsfollowingAnnunciation,whentheconceptionofJesusiscelebrated.Finally,theRomanshadaseriesofpaganfestivalsneartheendoftheyear,soChristmasmayhavebeenscheduledatthistimetoappropriate,orcompetewith,oneormoreofthesefestivals.”“VariousfactorscontributedtotheselectionofDecember25asadateofcelebration:itwasthedateofthewintersolsticeontheRomancalendar;itwasninemonthsafterMarch25,adatelinkedtotheconceptionofJesus;anditwasthedateofaRomanpaganfestivalinhonoroftheSungodSolInvictus.”“AsChristmaswasunknowntotheearlyChristianwriters,itmusthavebeenintroducedsometimeafter300.IrenaeusandTertullianomititfromtheirlistsoffeasts,andOrigenwritesthatintheScripturessinnersalone,notsaints,celebratetheirbirthday.Arnobiuscanstillridiculethe"birthdays"ofthegods.ThefirstrecordedChristmascelebrationwasinRomein336.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas(12/2016)

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OriginofChristmas•  “AsecondelementwhichfundamentallyinfluencestheChristiancalendar

andwhich,thoughlessprimitivethantheEastercelebrations,isalsoofearlydate,maybedescribedastheNativityCycle.OftheoriginandhistoryofthefeastofChristmas,dealtwithinaseparatearticle,littleneednowbesaid.WemaytakeitascertainthatthefeastofChrist'sNativitywaskeptinRomeon25Decemberbeforetheyear354.ItwasintroducedbySt.JohnChrysostomintoConstantinopleanddefinitivelyadoptedin395.”http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2388(12/2016)

•  “Thewell-knownsolarfeast,however,ofNatalisInvicti,celebratedon25December,hasastrongclaimontheresponsibilityforourDecemberdate.Forthehistoryofthesolarcult,itspositionintheRomanEmpire,andsyncretismwithMithraism…”http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2933–  Mithraism:AmysteryreligioncenteredinRome,inspiredbyPersianworship.

Archaeologicalfindsshow“Mithrasbeingbornfromarock,slaughteringabull,andsharingabanquetwiththegodSol.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism

–  TheexchangeofgiftshadoriginsintheRomanfestival,Saturnaliahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia(12/2016)2/11/18 7

TruevsFalseWorship•  “HearthewordwhichtheLordspeakstoyou,Ohouseof

Israel.ThussaystheLord:“DonotlearnthewayoftheGentiles;Donotbedismayedatthesignsofheaven,FortheGentilesaredismayedatthem.Forthecustomsofthepeoplesarefutile;Foronecutsatreefromtheforest,Theworkofthehandsoftheworkman,withtheax.Theydecorateitwithsilverandgold;TheyfastenitwithnailsandhammersSothatitwillnottopple.Theyareupright,likeapalmtree,Andtheycannotspeak;Theymustbecarried,Becausetheycannotgobythemselves.Donotbeafraidofthem,Fortheycannotdoevil,Norcantheydoanygood.”Jer10:1-5–  ThiscounselwasliterallyforJudah(afterthenorthernkingdomhad

beenwipedoutbyAssyria),andspirituallydifferentiatestwogroupstoday;thoseclaimingthetrueGod(today’sChristians),andthosewhodenyHim

–  Theproblemthenwasfalseworshipviaidols;todayit’sfalseworship2/11/18 8

TruevsFalseWorship•  ThecombiningofpaganholidaysandritualswithChristianthemeswas

justifiedasawayto“convert”paganstoChristianity–  “WhentheLordyourGodcutsofffrombeforeyouthenationswhich

yougotodispossess,andyoudisplacethemanddwellintheirland,takeheedtoyourselfthatyouarenotensnaredtofollowthem,aftertheyaredestroyedfrombeforeyou,andthatyoudonotinquireaftertheirgods,saying,‘Howdidthesenationsservetheirgods?Ialsowilldolikewise.’YoushallnotworshiptheLordyourGodinthatway;foreveryabominationtotheLordwhichHehatestheyhavedonetotheirgods;fortheyburneventheirsonsanddaughtersinthefiretotheirgods.“WhateverIcommandyou,becarefultoobserveit;youshallnotaddtoitnortakeawayfromit.”Deut12:29-32•  Merrymaking:Includedotherwiseillegalgambling,cardplaying,dancing,anddrinking,lavishandelaboratefeastsandpageants,gaming

•  Giftgiving:“SantaClaus”•  Greentrees/wreaths:Symbolofeternallife(festivalofSaturnalia)•  Holly:Aprotectionagainstpagansandwitches•  Mistletoe•  Yulelogs

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Mistletoe•  “WhilemistletoeplayedanimportantpartinsomelaterGreekandNordic

mythsandlegends,itsrelationshipwiththeancientCelts,wholivedinancientGaul,Britain,andIreland,isoneoftheearliestknownexamplesoftheimportanceofmistletoe.TheDruids,whowerethepriestsofaCelticreligiousorder,regardedtheleafymistletoesashavingmysticalpropertiesandworshipedthem.Thisbeliefinmysticalpropertieswasdue,atleastinpart,tothefactthatmistletoesoftengrewonthebranchesofthereveredoaktree.Intheautumn,asthelengthofthedaydecreased,religioussignificancewasfocusedonthewintersolstice,theshortestdayoftheentireyear.Thepeopleobservedthatthemistletoeplantsgrowingontheoaksretainedtheirleaveswhileatthesametimetheoakslosttheirs.Duringthewinter,thegoldenboughsofthemistletoeplant,withitsyellow-greenleavesandlargewhiteberries,seemedtobearemarkablephenomenon,andthus,themistletoeplantwasbelievedtohavemysticalproperties.”http://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Pages/Mistletoe.aspx(12/2016)

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YuleLogs•  “TheeventsofYulearegenerallyheldtohavecenteredonMidwinter…and

feasting,drinking,andsacrificewereinvolved.ScholarRudolfSimikcommentsthatthepaganYulefeast“Hadapronouncedreligiouscharacter”andcommentsthat“itisuncertainwhethertheGermanicYulefeaststillhadafunctioninthecultofthedeadandinthevenerationoftheancestors…”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_log(12/2016)

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TheWaronChristmas•  Thefollowinglinkprovidesasummaryofabook,“TheWaronChristmas:

TwoThousandYearsofDenouncingandDefendingtheWorld’sMostCelebratedHoliday,”confirmingthespirituallyflawedtraditionsofChristmas:http://www.popmatters.com/review/christmas-in-the-crosshairs-by-gerry-bowler/

!  ItseemsplausiblethatGod’sremnantpeoplewill,increasingly,finditdifficulttodefend“celebration”ofsocalled“Christianholidays”basedonhistoricalfactsshowingtheblendingofpaganritualswithChristiantradition

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OriginofEaster•  “Easterisn'taChristianordirectlybiblicalterm,butcomesfromaformof

thenameAstarte,aChaldean(Babylonian)goddessknownas"thequeenofheaven."(SheismentionedbythattitleintheBibleinJeremiah7:18and44:17-19,25andreferredtoin1Kings11:5,33and2Kings23:13bytheHebrewformofhername,Ashtoreth.So"Easter"isfoundintheBible—aspartofthepaganreligionGodcondemns!”http://exposingdeceptions.org/easter.html

!  “InvaintheyworshipMe,teachingasdoctrinesthecommandmentsofmen.”Matt15:9

!  ShouldAdventistsCelebratePassoverOrEaster?SamueleBacchiocchi,Ph.D.http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/eti_67.pdf

!  1stCouncilofNicaea(AD325)agreedonauniformobservanceofEaster.Originofsymbolismofeggs,pigs,andrabbitsiswithNimrod(founderofBabylon)whotraditionallybecamethesungod,Baal(therisingsun).IshtarclaimedBaalimpregnatedherandshebirthedTammuz.Sun(day)worshiphaspermeatedmanyreligionsalongwithfacingeastduringworship.Theearthlytabernacleentrancewasontheeastside(Ex27:13)topositionthebackofmentothesun.(noteapostasy/rebellioninEzekiel8:14-16)2/11/18 13

TruevsFalseWorship•  “Rather,thatthethingswhichtheGentilessacrificetheysacrificetodemons

andnottoGod,andIdonotwantyoutohavefellowshipwithdemons.YoucannotdrinkthecupoftheLordandthecupofdemons;youcannotpartakeoftheLord’stableandofthetableofdemons.”1Cor10:20-21

•  “PriortotheVictorianera,ChristmasintheUnitedStateswasprimarilyareligiousholidayobservedbyRomanCatholics,Episcopalians,andLutherans.ItsimportancewasoftenconsideredsecondarytothatofEpiphanyandEaster.AswasthecasewithotherChristianholidays,Christmasborrowedelementsfrompaganpeoples,includingyulelogsanddecorationssuchascandles,holly,andmistletoe.Christmastreeswereseenaspaganinorigin.DuringthevariousProtestantreformations,thesepaganizingelementswereasourceofcontroversy.Somesects,suchasthePuritans,rejectedChristmasasanentirelypaganholiday.OthersrejectedcertainaspectsofChristmasaspaganizing,butwantedtoretainthe"essence"oftheholidayasacelebrationoftheChrist'sbirth.ThistensionputinmotionanongoingdebatewithinsomeProtestantdenominationsabouttheproperobservanceofChristmas.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy(12/2016)

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TruevsFalseWorship•  “ChristiansectsandcommunitiesthatrejecttheobservanceofChristmasfor

theologicalreasonsincludeJehovah’sWitnesses;someadherentsofMessianicJudaism;mostSabbatariandenominations,suchastheTrueJesusChurchandtheChurchofGod7th-Day);theIglesianiCristo;theChristianCongregationinBrazil;theChristianCongregationintheUnitedStates;andcertainreformedandfundamentalistchurchesofvariouspersuasions,includingsomeIndependentBaptist,Holiness,ApostolicPentecostal,andChurchesofChristcongregations.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy(12/2016)

–  Aclearminorityofreligionshaveconcernwiththeoriginsof“Christmas”

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Sabbath…Holy&Delightful

•  Is58:13-14“IfyouturnawayyourfootfromtheSabbath,FromdoingyourpleasureonMyholyday,AndcalltheSabbathadelight,TheholydayoftheLordhonorable,AndshallhonorHim,notdoingyourownways,Norfindingyourownpleasure,Norspeakingyourownwords,ThenyoushalldelightyourselfintheLord;AndIwillcauseyoutorideonthehighhillsoftheearth,AndfeedyouwiththeheritageofJacobyourfather.ThemouthoftheLordhasspoken.”

!  TheLordcommandsIsaiahin58:1-2totellthepeoplehowtheyhaveturnedawayfromGod,whiletheystillseekhim!

!  Isaiah58:3-5describeswhatthepeopleweredoing!  Isaiah58:6-10indicateswhatGodasksHispeopletodo

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OurMissionastheRemnant

•  “WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”(Rev19:10)–  Theunderstandingofprophecyisacalltoaction;tosharethegospelof

everlastinglifethrougharelationshipwithJesus,proclaimingthe3angels’messageofRev14:6-12

•  “…obeyGod’scommandments”(Rev12:17)and“Worshiphimwhomadetheheavens,theearth,theseaandthespringsofwater.”(Rev14:7)

•  “…EveryonewhokeepsfromdefilingtheSabbath,AndholdsfastMycovenant—EventhemIwillbringtoMyholymountain,AndmakethemjoyfulinMyhouseofprayer.(Is56:6-7)

•  “Beholy…blameless”(1Pet1:16-19;2Pet3:10-14)

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AdditionalInformationForanexcellentversebyversecommentarysee:http://www.bibleexplained.com

EllenGouldWhitewasaprolificauthorandanAmericanChristianpioneer.AlongwithotherSabbatarianAdventistleaderssuchasJosephBatesandherhusbandJamesWhite,sheformedwhatbecameknownastheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.TheSmithsonianmagazinenamedEllenG.Whiteamong100MostSignificantAmericansinanacknowledgementofherinfluenceonreligion.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_G._White

ForadiscussionaboutEasterbyauthor,GeorgeReid:https://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/theology-festivals/note-about-easter

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Thetwenty-fifthofDecemberissupposedtobethedayofthebirthofJesus

Christ,anditsobservancehasbecomecustomaryandpopular.ButyetthereisnocertaintythatwearekeepingtheveritabledayofourSaviour’sbirth.Historygivesusnocertainassuranceofthis.TheBibledoesnotgiveustheprecisetime.HadtheLorddeemedthisknowledgeessentialtooursalvation,hewouldhavespokenthroughhisprophetsandapostles,thatwemightknowallaboutthematter.ButthesilenceoftheScripturesuponthispointevidencestousthatitishiddenfromusforthewisestpurposes.Inhiswisdom,theLordconcealedtheplacewhereheburiedMoses.Godburiedhim,andGodresurrectedhim,andtookhimtoheaven.Thissecrecywastopreventidolatry.Heagainstwhomtheyrebelledwhilehewasinactiveservice,whomtheyprovokedalmostbeyondhumanendurance,wasalmostworshipedasGodafterhisseparationfromthembydeath.FortheverysamepurposehehasconcealedtheprecisedayofChrist’sbirth;thatthedayshouldnotreceivethehonorthatshouldbegiventoChristastheRedeemeroftheworld,—onetobereceived,tobetrusted,tobereliedonashewhocouldsavetotheuttermostallwhocomeuntohim.Thesoul’sadorationshouldbegiventoJesusastheSonoftheinfiniteGod.”{RHDecember9,1884,par.2}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Thereisnodivinesanctityrestinguponthetwenty-fifthofDecember;andit

isnotpleasingtoGodthatanythingthatconcernsthesalvationofmanthroughtheinfinitesacrificemadeforthem,shouldbesosadlypervertedfromitsprofesseddesign.Christshouldbethesupremeobject;butasChristmashasbeenobserved,thegloryisturnedfromhimtomortalman...”{RHDecember9,1884,par.3}

!  “Now,brethren,letusonChristmasmakespecialeffortstocomebeforetheLordwithgiftsandgratefulofferingsforthegiftofJesusChristasaRedeemertotheworld.Letnothingnowbespentneedlessly;butleteverypennythatcanbesparedbeputouttotheexchangers.Satanhashadhiswayinmanagingtheseoccasionstosuithimself.Nowletusturnthecurrentheavenwardinsteadofearthward.Letusshowbyourofferingsthatweappreciatetheself-denialandsacrificeofChristinourbehalf.LetGodbebroughttoremembrancebyeverychildandparent;andlettheofferings,bothsmallandlarge,bebroughttothestore-houseofGod.”{RHDecember9,1884,par.15}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Youthathavemeans,whohavebeeninthehabitofmakingdonationstoyour

relativesandfriendsuntilyouareatalosstoknowwhattoinventthatwillbenewandinterestingtothem,seektoputyouringenuitytothetest,aswellasyourinfluence,toseehowmuchmeansyoumaygathertoadvancetheworkoftheLord.LetyourskillandyourcapacitiesbeemployedtomakethecomingChristmasoneofintenseinterest,payingyouraddressestotheGodofheaveninwilling,gratefulofferings.Follownolongertheworld’scustoms.Makeabreakhere,andseeifthisChristmascannotshowthousandsofdollarsflowingintothetreasury,thatGod’sstore-housemaynotbeempty.Youmaynotberecompensedonearth,butyouwillberewardedinthefuturelife,andthatabundantly.LetthosewhohavesolongplannedforselfnowbegintoplanforthecauseofGod,andyouwillcertainlyhaveincreasedwisdom.Lettheconsciencebeenlightened,andtheloveoftruthandofChristtaketheplaceofidolatrousthoughtsandloveofself.Willyounotarise,myChristianbrethrenandsisters,andgirdyourselvesfordutyinthefearofGod,soarrangingthismatterthatitshallnotbedryanduninteresting,butfullofinnocentenjoymentthatshallbearthesignetofHeaven?Iknowthepoorerclasswillrespondtothesesuggestions.Themostwealthyshouldalsoshowaninterest,andbestowtheirgiftsandofferingsproportionatetothemeanswithwhichGodhasintrustedthem.LetthereberecordedintheheavenlybookssuchaChristmasashasneveryetbeenseen,becauseofthedonationswhichshallbegivenforthesustainingoftheworkofGodandtheupbuildingofhiskingdom.”{RHDecember9,1884,par.16}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Wearenownearingthecloseofanotheryear,andshallwenotmakethese

festaldaysopportunitiesinwhichtobringtoGodourofferings?Icannotsaysacrifices,forweshallonlyberenderingtoGodthatwhichishisalready,andwhichhehasonlyintrustedtoustillheshallcallforit.GodwouldbewellpleasedifonChristmas,eachchurchwouldhaveaChristmastreeonwhichshallbehungofferings,greatandsmall,forthesehousesofworship.Lettersofinquiryhavecometousasking,ShallwehaveaChristmastree?willitnotbeliketheworld?Weanswer,Youcanmakeitliketheworldifyouhaveadispositiontodoso,oryoucanmakeitasunliketheworldaspossible.Thereisnoparticularsininselectingafragrantevergreen,andplacingitinourchurches;butthesinliesinthemotivewhichpromptstoaction,andtheusewhichismadeofthegiftsplaceduponthetree.”{RHDecember11,1879,par.15}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Ourbirthdayanniversaries,andChristmasandThanksgivingfestivals,aretoo

oftendevotedtoselfishgratification,whenthemindshouldbedirectedtothemercyandloving-kindnessofGod.GodisdispleasedthatHisgoodness,Hisconstantcare,Hisunceasinglove,arenotbroughttomindontheseanniversaryoccasions.”—TheReviewandHerald,December23,1890.{CSW143.2}

!  “AsapeoplewehavebacksliddenfromGod;letusreturnuntohim,andhewillreturnuntous,andwillhealallourbackslidings.Letus,uponthecomingChristmasandNewYear’sfestivals,notonlymakeanofferingtoGodofourmeans,butgiveourselvesunreservedlytohim,alivingsacrifice.”{RHDecember26,1882,par.4}

!  “LetuscelebrateChristmasbyrememberingGod,insteadofrememberingourfriendsandrelativeswithgiftswhichtheydonotneed.”{RHDecember11,1888,Art.A,par.20}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Ineverychurch,howeversmall,specialeffortsshouldbemadetoshowour

gratitudetoGodbybringingourofferingsforhiscause.LetthosewhodesireaChristmastreemakeitsboughsfruitfulwithgiftsfortheneedy,andofferingsforthetreasuryofGod.Andletthechildrenlearntheblessednessofgivingbybringingtheirlittlegiftstoaddtotheofferingsoftheirparents.”{RHDecember26,1882,par.15}

!  “WhileurginguponallthedutyoffirstbringingtheirofferingstoGod,IwouldnotwhollycondemnthepracticeofmakingChristmasandNewYearsgiftstoourfriends.ItisrighttobestowupononeanothertokensofloveandremembranceifwedonotinthisforgetGod,ourbestfriend.Weshouldmakeourgiftssuchaswillprovearealbenefittothereceiver.IwouldrecommendsuchbooksaswillbeanaidinunderstandingthewordofGod,orthatwillincreaseourloveforitsprecepts.”{RHDecember26,1882,par.18}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Thisspiritofself-sacrificehasbecomefeebleintheheartsofChrist’s

professedfollowers.Insteadofgratefullyinquiring,“WhatshallIrenderuntotheLordforallhisbenefitstowardme?”howmanyofthosewhoclaimtohavebeenredeemedbythebloodofChrist,seembentonself-pleasing.EvenChristmas,thedayobservedprofessedlyinhonorofthebirthdayofChrist,hasbeenmadeamosteffectivemeansofturningthemindawayfromChrist,awayfromhisglory.IfChristmasiskeptatall,itshouldbekeptinawaythatwillbeinharmonywithitssignificance.Christshouldberemembered,hisnamehonored;theold,oldstoryofhisloveshouldberecounted.InsteadofsayingbyouractionsthatweareputtingChristoutofourmindsandhearts,weshouldtestifytomen,toangels,andtoGod,thatwerememberourRedeemer,byfollowinghisexampleofself-sacrificeforothers’good.ButthedaychosentohonorChristisdevotedbythemanytohonoringandpleasingthemselves.AppointedtokeeptheSaviourinremembrance,itisspentincausinghimtobeforgotten.”{RHDecember9,1890,Art.A,par.3}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “LetyourChristmastreebededicatedtoGod,andletitsboughsbeladen

withofferingsforChrist.Donotgiveasthoughitwereatask,dolingoutyourdonationswithaniggardlyhand.Goodworksarenodrudgery.IngivingtoushisSon,GodhaspouredouttousallHeaveninonegift.Letuswithanoverflowingheart,withgratitudeandjoybecauseofChrist’smatchlesslove,bringhimourofferings.TeachyourchildrenbyyourownexampletheblessednessofdoingforChrist.Trainthemtogoonerrandsofloveforhim,andinalltheirgiftstorememberthegraciousGiver.”{STDecember8,1887,par.16}

!  “WedonotwantthecauseofGodtogocripplingalongforwantofmeansthatareneededupontherighthandandupontheleft.Wewantthelittlerivuletstobeturnedintothetreasury.LeteveryonebringinanofferingtoGod.Don’tyouthinkthatthisisthewaytoobserveChristmas?Don’tyouthinkitisthebestway,ratherthanthatmeansshouldgointothetreasuriesoftheungodly?”{Ms8-1880.17}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “YesterdaywasChristmas.Didyoudoasthewisemendidbyofferingyour

giftstoJesus?Orhastheenemychangedtheorderofthingsanddirectedtheworshiptohimself?ThegiftsarenowbestoweduponfriendsinsteadofHimwhohasmadesogreatasacrificeforus.Allthegiftsshouldflowinanotherchannel,wheretheycouldbeusedinthesalvationofmen.”{Ms60-1886.22}

!  “Whyarechildrenandthoseofmatureageeducatedtoputtheirinventivepowerstoworktocontrivegiftsforoneanother,whiletheLordGodofheaven,whohasmadethegiftofHimselftotheworldinHisonlybegottenSon,isleftoutofthequestion?HowtheLordisdishonoredinthecelebrationofChristmas!HowHeisrobbed,bothoftalentsofmeansandofthanksgivingandpraisewhichshouldwellupineveryheartandflowforthfromeveryvoice!Letthethankofferingscomein,smallandlarge.Letthetreasurybewellfilled.”{Ms52-1890.12}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “asasatisfactionforallthisworldliness,Christiansaremakingagreatdeal

ofLentandEasterandchurchornamentation.ItistheoldtrickofSatan.TheJewishchurchstruckonthatrock;theRomishchurchwaswreckedonthesame;andtheProtestantisfastreachingthesamedoom.”{GC88386.3}

!  “TheCouncilofNice,“outofcomplaisancetoConstantinetheGreat,orderedthesolemnityofEastertobekepteverywhereonthesameday,afterthecustomofRome.”[Bower’sHistoryofthePopes,Vol.1,pp.18,19.]Thisdecree,“backedbytheauthorityofsogreatanemperor,”wasdecisive;“nonebutsomescatteredschismatics,nowandthenappearing,thatdurstopposetheresolutionofthatfamoussynod.”[Hevlyn,HistoryoftheSabbath,part2,chap.2,secs.4,5.]{GC88686.2}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Isawthatourholidaysshouldnotbespentinpatterningaftertheworld,

yettheyshouldnotbepassedbyunnoticed,forthiswillbringdissatisfactiontoourchildren.…Letseveralfamilieslivinginacityorvillageuniteandleavetheoccupationswhichhavetaxedthemphysicallyandmentally,andmakeanexcursionintothecountrytothesideofafinelakeortoanicegrovewherethesceneryofnatureisbeautiful.Theyshouldprovidethemselveswithplain,hygienicfood,theverybestfruitsandgrains,andspreadtheirtableundertheshadeofsometreeorunderthecanopyofheaven.Theride,theexercise,andthescenerywillquickentheappetite,andtheycanenjoyarepastwhichkingsmightenvy.Onsuchoccasionsparentsandchildrenshouldfeelfreefromcare,labor,andperplexity.Parentsshouldbecomechildrenwiththeirchildren,makingeverythingaspleasantforthemaspossible.Letthewholedaybegiventorecreation.Exerciseintheopenairforthosewhoseemploymenthasbeenwithindoorsandsedentarywillbebeneficialtohealth.Allwhocan,shouldfeelitadutytopursuethiscourse.Nothingwillbelost,butmuchgained.Theycanreturntotheiroccupationswithnewlifeandnewcouragetoengageintheirlaborwithzeal,andtheyarebetterpreparedtoresistdisease.”{1T515.1-3}2/11/18 29

CalltoPersonalAction

•  “24Andletusconsideroneanotherinordertostiruploveandgoodworks,25notforsakingtheassemblingofourselvestogether,asisthemannerofsome,butexhortingoneanother,andsomuchthemoreasyouseetheDayapproaching.26Forifwesinwillfullyafterwehavereceivedtheknowledgeofthetruth,therenolongerremainsasacrificeforsins”Heb10:24-26(Repent:2Chron6:37-39;Eze14:6;Matt3:2;Luke24:47;Acts17:30)

•  TheBridegroomofMatt25:1-13isreturningfromthewedding,soon.Preparebystoringoil(TheSpirit)inourlampsnow:1.  AcceptandinviteJesusdaily(theAltarofSacrifice)

2.  WashinthebaptismoftheSpirit(theLaver)

3.  Keepaprayerinmind,constantly(theGoldenAltarofIncense)

4.  ReadGod’sWorddaily(theTableofShowbread)

5.  SharethegospelofJesus;the3angels’message(theLampstand)6.  DwellonthegoodnessofHislaw(theArkofHisCovenant)2/11/18 30

CalltoPublicAction

•  The4thangelofRev14:15,theilluminatingangelofRev18:1-3,istheproclamationoftheinterpretationofthemysteryofRev17:8-11.God’sremnantwillrepeatthe2ndand3rdangelmessages(Rev14:8-13)withmuchgreaterpowerthanduringthe“midnightcry”in1844.(Hab2:14)–  1AfterthesethingsIsawanotherangelcomingdownfromheaven,

havinggreatauthority,andtheearthwasilluminatedwithhisglory.2Andhecriedmightilywithaloudvoice,saying,“Babylonthegreatisfallen,isfallen,andhasbecomeadwellingplaceofdemons,aprisonforeveryfoulspirit,andacageforeveryuncleanandhatedbird!3Forallthenationshavedrunkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication,thekingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornicationwithher,andthemerchantsoftheearthhavebecomerichthroughtheabundanceofherluxury.”Rev18:1-3

–  ThisisawarningforallofGod’speopletocomeoutofspiritualBabylon,thecounterfeittrinity(spiritualism,thepapacy,apostateProtestants/falseprophet)(theabyssbeast,theseabeast,theearthbeast)

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FinalPleabeforeMichaelStands

•  The5thangelofRev14:18(Jesus,Himself),correspondswiththewarningvoiceofRev18:4:–  AndIheardanothervoicefromheavensaying,“Comeoutofher,my

people,lestyoushareinhersins,andlestyoureceiveofherplagues.”Rev18:4Thisplea,notheardbymany(notaloudvoice),isforHispeopletoleavethegreatcityBabylontoescapetheplagues.

–  Speakingofthe2Witnesses,“…Andtheyascendedtoheaveninacloud,andtheirenemiessawthem.”Rev11:12•  TheWord/witnessoftheOldandNewTestaments,includingthelawandtheprophets,areknowntoall,sothateachonewillmakeaninformeddecisiononWhomtoWorship

–  ThisistheverylastwarningtoacceptsalvationthroughJesusChristbeforethepre-advent“investigative”judgmentcloses(Dan12:1),followedbytheplaguesofRev16(Rev14:17-20;Eze9:5-10)

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