Sermon: Watch, Pray, and Be Ready

Author: Will Helton

Mark 13:33 — “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”

Mark 13:33 is a simple verse, but it carries deep urgency. Jesus speaks with love, but He also speaks with warning. He tells us to take heed, to watch, and to pray, because we do not know the time. We do not know the exact hour of His return. We do not know when certain moments of testing will come. We do not know when life will suddenly change. But because we do not know, we are called to live ready.

So many people live spiritually asleep. They go through the motions of life, busy with worries, distracted by pleasure, weighed down by the world, and slowly their hearts drift from God. But Jesus calls His people to a different life. He calls us to be watchful. To watch means to stay awake in the spirit. It means to keep our hearts sensitive to God. It means to not let sin grow comfortable in us. It means to not become dull to truth, careless in faith, or cold in love.

The image of the watchman on the wall is powerful. In biblical times, a watchman had to stay alert while others slept. He could not afford to be careless. His eyes had to stay fixed on the horizon. His duty was serious because what he saw, and how faithfully he watched, affected everyone behind the walls. In the same way, believers are called to spiritual alertness. We are not meant to live carelessly. We are meant to stand watch over our hearts, our choices, our homes, and our walk with God.

Jesus also said to pray. Watching without prayer can turn into fear, strain, or self-reliance. But watching with prayer keeps us anchored in God. Prayer keeps the soul awake. Prayer keeps the heart soft. Prayer reminds us that readiness is not just about discipline, but about relationship. We stay ready by staying close to the Lord. A praying heart is a listening heart. A praying heart is a guarded heart. A praying heart is a heart that is expecting God.

There is something beautiful about the early morning in the spirit. Before the full light appears, there is a quiet hour where darkness is still present, but dawn is beginning to break. That is often how God works in our lives. We may be in a season where everything is not yet clear, where answers have not fully come, where the road ahead feels uncertain. But even there, Jesus says, watch and pray. Stay faithful in the dim light. Stay on your knees while waiting. Keep trusting when the sky is still dark blue and the sun has not fully risen. God is still moving, and His timing is always perfect.

The disciples on the hillside, the servant at the door, the lone figure praying at dawn—each of these pictures reminds us of the same truth: faithfulness is often quiet. Readiness is often hidden. Spiritual endurance is built in moments nobody else sees. It is built when you pray and no one applauds. It is built when you resist temptation in secret. It is built when you keep trusting God in silence. It is built when you keep your lamp burning in the night.

The faithful servant stands at the doorway with his lamp, ready for his master’s return. He is not panicked. He is not distracted. He is simply ready. That is the posture Jesus wants in us. Not fear, but faithfulness. Not obsession, but obedience. Not anxiety about the future, but steady devotion in the present. Jesus is teaching us that readiness is not about trying to predict the hour. It is about living each day in such a way that if He came today, our hearts would be turned toward Him.

The world tells us to live for the moment. Jesus tells us to live prepared. The world tells us to chase comfort. Jesus tells us to stay awake. The world fills our minds with noise, but prayer teaches us how to hear the voice of God again. We do not know when the Lord will move in power, when He will answer a prayer, when He will open a door, when He will call us home, or when Christ will return. But we do know how we are to live while we wait: alert, prayerful, faithful, and surrendered.

This verse is not meant to make us afraid. It is meant to make us faithful. Jesus is not trying to trouble His people. He is trying to prepare them. He is saying, “Stay close to Me. Keep your eyes open. Keep your heart awake. Keep praying. Do not drift. Do not sleep through holy moments. Do not let the fire go out.”

Today, God is calling us to lift our eyes again. Maybe you have grown tired. Maybe you have become distracted. Maybe your prayer life has grown quiet. Maybe your spiritual watchfulness has faded. But the Lord in His mercy calls you back. He says, watch and pray. Return to the place of dependence. Return to the place of expectation. Return to the place where your heart is listening again.

Blessed is the person who is still watching when others have fallen asleep. Blessed is the servant who still has oil in the lamp. Blessed is the believer who still prays in the night and trusts at dawn. And blessed is the one who lives each day ready, because their hope is not in this world, but in the Lord.

So let us be people who watch. Let us be people who pray. Let us be people who do not merely speak of faith, but live in readiness. Let our hearts stay turned toward heaven. Let our lives reflect holy expectation. And let us trust that whether in the dark of night or the breaking of dawn, God is faithful, present, and worthy of our constant devotion.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your Word that calls us to watch and pray. Thank You for loving us enough to warn us, prepare us, and draw us closer to You. Forgive us for the times we have become spiritually sleepy, distracted, careless, or cold in heart. Forgive us for letting the concerns of life take our eyes off of You.

Lord, awaken us again. Stir our hearts to seek You more deeply. Teach us to live with spiritual alertness and holy expectation. Help us to watch over our hearts, our thoughts, our choices, and our walk with You. Keep us from drifting. Keep us from becoming dull to Your voice. Let Your Spirit make us sensitive, faithful, and ready.

Father, teach us to pray with sincerity and persistence. In the quiet places, in the late-night hours, in the early morning light, draw us near to You. Let prayer become our strength, our peace, and our lifeline. When we feel weary, strengthen us. When we feel uncertain, steady us. When we feel surrounded by darkness, remind us that Your light is already breaking through.

Make us like the faithful watchman, alert and reverent. Make us like the praying disciple, enduring and sincere. Make us like the servant at the door, obedient and ready. Make us like the lone figure on the hill, trusting Your timing even before the full dawn appears.

Lord Jesus, keep our lamps burning. Keep our hearts ready. Let us live each day in faith, love, purity, and obedience. And whether You move suddenly, answer unexpectedly, or return at an hour we do not know, may You find us watching, praying, and faithful.

We trust You, Lord. We wait for You. We belong to You.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Author: Will Helton
2 Corinthians 5:21 reveals one of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Jesus was completely sinless, pure, and holy, yet He willingly took upon Himself the weight of our sin. He stood in our place. He bore what we deserved so we could receive what only He deserves—grace, forgiveness, and righteousness before God.

This is the great exchange. Our guilt was placed on Christ, and His righteousness is given to those who trust in Him. That means we do not have to live crushed by shame, chained to our past, or condemned by failure. In Christ, we are forgiven. In Christ, we are cleansed. In Christ, we are made new. The cross is not only where sin was judged—it is where mercy triumphed, where love was proven, and where broken people were offered new life.

So when the enemy reminds you of your past, remember the cross. When your heart feels unworthy, remember the righteousness of Christ has been placed over you. Jesus did not just carry your sin away—He gave you a new standing before God. Walk in humility, gratitude, and hope, because what He has done is enough.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me enough to take my place. Thank You for bearing my sin, my shame, and my guilt on the cross. You were holy and innocent, yet You willingly suffered so I could be forgiven and made righteous before God. Help me to truly understand the depth of Your grace and the power of Your sacrifice.

Teach me not to live in condemnation or fear, but in the peace and freedom You have given me. Cover my heart with the truth of Your love when I feel weak, ashamed, or unworthy. Let my life reflect gratitude, humility, and faithfulness to You. Thank You for the great exchange, for mercy instead of judgment, and for hope instead of despair. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Every step, every sacrifice, every moment of pain was part of the redemption story, so that we could be forgiven, restored, and brought back to God.

#JesusLovesYou #TheCross #HolyWeek #GraceAndMercy #FaithInChrist #Redeemed

THE FIRST 15.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20

Revelation 3:20 reveals amazing insight into the relationship God desires with us, his crown of creation. In it Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Do you know that God wants to be friends with you? Just as a friend would ask you out to a meal, God longs to spend time with you. Every day God is knocking on the door of your heart. If you are willing to open your heart to him and listen, you can spend time with God in ways more boundless and satisfying than you could with any other friend.

Where in your life do you need God’s friendship today? John 15:15 says, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” The story of the gospel is God losing relationship with the crown of his creation, you and me, and through the death of Jesus gaining restored relationship with us. He has been working tirelessly from the very first sin just to be able to call you and me friends again. What you desire from friends around you is completely available to you in God and to even greater depths!

If you need a friend to talk to, God is standing at the door of your heart asking to come in and listen—“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” If you need advice, the Holy Spirit who authored Scripture is waiting to reveal to you the wisdom of God—“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13). If you need to laugh, God longs to bring you unfathomable joy—“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” (Psalm 126:1-3).

You have a best friend in God. He is not distant. What was true for the psalmist in Psalm 73:23-26 is true for us, “I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Spend time in God’s presence today. Listen to him knocking on the door of your heart and invite him to come in and meet with you. Let his friendship heal the broken places of your heart that need his love. He offers himself freely to you today. He’s gone to unimaginable lengths to be able to simply spend time with you. Lay the table of your heart bare before him, and let his smile restore to you the joy of your salvation.

1. Spend some time meditating on God’s desire for friendship with you.

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15

2. Open your heart to God and receive his presence. Receive the peace and joy that comes from being in the presence of your heavenly Father.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

3. Spend time simply enjoying your friendship with God. Talk to him about anything you desire. Receive his joy over you.

“…I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:23-26

Friendships aren’t built in a day, but over lifetimes. You have all of eternity to spend getting to know God. After spending consistent time with him, he truly will become your best friend. He will be the person you run to when you have a problem. He will be the source of your joy, peace, and life. Every day, you have the choice to do life with God or on your own. And you have an enemy working to lead you to choose the latter. The more consistently you spend time with God, the easier that decision will become. Once you know the goodness and reality of God there is no going back. Enjoy God today. Walk in the abundant life of restored relationship with him. Answer his call whenever he knocks on the door of your heart. There is no better way you could choose to spend your days and no better friend than God.

Extended Reading: John 15

THE 28 FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS.
28 Beleifs # 17

SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND MINISTRIES

God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts that each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functons. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement of people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God’s varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love.

NEED TO KNOW.
THE POWER OF MUSIC.

Music is one of the Most powerful agencies in existence, as a matter of fact, when KING SAUL was being harrassed by evil spirits in [1 Samuel 16:24] David played music for him and Saul was refreshed and the Evil spirits departed from him.

And on one occasion when prophet Elisha was going to prophesy in 2 KINGS 3:15 He requested for a musician and it came to pass that when the minstrel played that the hand of the Lord came upon him.

This simply means the spirit of God took possession of him, which let us know that when we listen to sacred music it invites the holy Spirit to inhabit us and causes the evil spirits to depart from us.

But when we chose to listen to worldly music it causes the holy Spirit to depart from us and invites the Evil spirits to posses us.

So you need to be cautious about the music you are choosing to listen to , because it has a direct impact on what spirit is possessing you.

A NUGGET OF TRUTH.
IS SATAN IN CHARGE OF HELL?

“2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Have you heard people say there’s a keeper that torment those who are dead and put them in the hell fire? This agenda is pushed by Hollywood. Their movies depict these scenes, a underworld where people are burning and being tortured. It is also portrayed that when a person dies and was a sinner, the devil and his angels throw him into the burning flames. These are even a few description of the distorted view and misconceptions propagated by the Jesuits and Hollywood. Are these true? Is hell controlled by Satan? Is Satan subjected to hell or in charge?

The Bible Is the only armor against all the devil’s falsehoods and all the Hollywood movies portraying burning hell and the devil being its keeper are all lies. It is doctrine of devils. These are all from the father of lies. He(Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44

The truth: Satan is a creature and he’s under the power of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, God Almighty. No one is in charge of hell as portrayed by Hollywood and popular belief. The devil himself is subjected to the lake of fire and he’s not the keeper. The lake of fire is purposely meant for the devil and his angels and not for humans but because of disobedience many shall go down with him(Matthew 25:41). And it’s his earnest effort to send many humans into the lake of fire together with him so he has perverted God’s word and all who are not firmly anchored in God’s truth will be blown away by the devil’s deceptions.

The Bible clearly shows that God will destroy Sin(Nahum 1:9). Satan is the root of sin and sinners are the branches(Malachi 4:1). There’s no burning hell now. It is when Satan and sinners surround the Holy City, New Jerusalem to invade it, That God will rain fire and brimstone to destroy them all(all will burn and turn into ashes). Satan and sinners will be destroyed and sin will never rise up again(Nahum 1:9). Don’t be deceived that Satan is the keeper of hell. He’s rather a subject of the lake of fire that’ll come. Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The day has come that shall burn as an oven. The elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein are burned up. Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10. The earth’s surface seems one molten mass—a vast, seething lake of fire. It is the time of the judgment and perdition of ungodly men—“the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.” Isaiah 34:8. DD 59.3

The wicked receive their recompense in the earth. Proverbs 11:31. They “shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 4:1.Some are destroyed as in a moment, while others suffer many days. All are punished “according to their deeds.” The sins of the righteous having been transferred to Satan, he is made to suffer not only for his own rebellion, but for all the sins which he has caused God’s people to commit. His punishment is to be far greater than that of those whom he has deceived. After all have perished who fell by his deceptions, he is still to live and suffer on. In the cleansing flames the wicked are at last destroyed, root and branch—Satan the root, his followers the branches.The full penalty of the law has been visited; the demands of justice have been met; and heaven and earth, beholding, declare the righteousness of Jehovah. DD 59.4

Creation Delivered from Sin

Satan’s work of ruin is forever ended. For six thousand years he has wrought his will, filling the earth with woe and causing grief throughout the universe. The whole creation has groaned and travailed together in pain. Now God’s creatures are forever delivered from his presence and temptations. “The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they [the righteous] break forth into singing.” Isaiah 14:7. And a shout of praise and triumph ascends from the whole loyal universe. “The voice of a great multitude,” “as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings,” is heard, saying: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:6. DD 60.1

While the earth was wrapped in the fire of destruction, the righteous abode safely in the Holy City. Upon those that had part in the first resurrection, the second death has no power. While God is to the wicked a consuming fire, He is to His people both a sun and a shield. Revelation 20:6; Psalm 84:11. DD 60.2

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.”Revelation 21:1. The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin. DD 60.3 (DD: Dark Before Dawn)

MORNING AND EVENING.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Morning.

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered."
Hebrews 5:8

We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of his own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dryshod in silver slippers? No, our Master's experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ's "being made perfect through suffering"--it is, that he can have complete sympathy with us. "He is not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." In this sympathy of Christ we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, "I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and he suffers in me now; he sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as you follow in his steps. Find a sweet support in his sympathy; and remember that, to suffer is an honourable thing--to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ, just so far does he honour us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honoured. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him."

Evening.

"I called him, but he gave me no answer."
Song of Solomon 5:6

Prayer sometimes tarrieth, like a petitioner at the gate, until the King cometh forth to fill her bosom with the blessings which she seeketh. The Lord, when he hath given great faith, has been known to try it by long delayings. He has suffered his servants' voices to echo in their ears as from a brazen sky. They have knocked at the golden gate, but it has remained immovable, as though it were rusted upon its hinges. Like Jeremiah, they have cried, "Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through." Thus have true saints continued long in patient waiting without reply, not because their prayers were not vehement, nor because they were unaccepted, but because it so pleased him who is a Sovereign, and who gives according to his own pleasure. If it pleases him to bid our patience exercise itself, shall he not do as he wills with his own! Beggars must not be choosers either as to time, place, or form. But we must be careful not to take delays in prayer for denials: God's long-dated bills will be punctually honoured; we must not suffer Satan to shake our confidence in the God of truth by pointing to our unanswered prayers. Unanswered petitions are not unheard. God keeps a file for our prayers--they are not blown away by the wind, they are treasured in the King's archives. This is a registry in the court of heaven wherein every prayer is recorded. Tried believer, thy Lord hath a tear-bottle in which the costly drops of sacred grief are put away, and a book in which thy holy groanings are numbered. By and by, thy suit shall prevail. Canst thou not be content to wait a little? Will not thy Lord's time be better than thy time? By and by he will comfortably appear, to thy soul's joy, and make thee put away the sackcloth and ashes of long waiting, and put on the scarlet and fine linen of full fruition.

MORNING AND EVENING.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Morning.

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered."
Hebrews 5:8

We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of his own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dryshod in silver slippers? No, our Master's experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ's "being made perfect through suffering"--it is, that he can have complete sympathy with us. "He is not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." In this sympathy of Christ we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, "I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and he suffers in me now; he sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as you follow in his steps. Find a sweet support in his sympathy; and remember that, to suffer is an honourable thing--to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ, just so far does he honour us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honoured. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him."

Evening.

"I called him, but he gave me no answer."
Song of Solomon 5:6

Prayer sometimes tarrieth, like a petitioner at the gate, until the King cometh forth to fill her bosom with the blessings which she seeketh. The Lord, when he hath given great faith, has been known to try it by long delayings. He has suffered his servants' voices to echo in their ears as from a brazen sky. They have knocked at the golden gate, but it has remained immovable, as though it were rusted upon its hinges. Like Jeremiah, they have cried, "Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through." Thus have true saints continued long in patient waiting without reply, not because their prayers were not vehement, nor because they were unaccepted, but because it so pleased him who is a Sovereign, and who gives according to his own pleasure. If it pleases him to bid our patience exercise itself, shall he not do as he wills with his own! Beggars must not be choosers either as to time, place, or form. But we must be careful not to take delays in prayer for denials: God's long-dated bills will be punctually honoured; we must not suffer Satan to shake our confidence in the God of truth by pointing to our unanswered prayers. Unanswered petitions are not unheard. God keeps a file for our prayers--they are not blown away by the wind, they are treasured in the King's archives. This is a registry in the court of heaven wherein every prayer is recorded. Tried believer, thy Lord hath a tear-bottle in which the costly drops of sacred grief are put away, and a book in which thy holy groanings are numbered. By and by, thy suit shall prevail. Canst thou not be content to wait a little? Will not thy Lord's time be better than thy time? By and by he will comfortably appear, to thy soul's joy, and make thee put away the sackcloth and ashes of long waiting, and put on the scarlet and fine linen of full fruition.

A NUGGET OF TRUTH.
SUNDAY WORSHIP IS A MAN MADE INSTITUTION, NOT GOD'S.

Sunday sabbath is an institution of man, NOT of God. Nowhere in God's Word is the first day of the week exalted. Nowhere in God's Word is the 7th day Sabbath (our Saturday) replaced with any other day. In fact, the Word of God UPHOLDS the 7th day Sabbath, explicitly stated for all to understand in the 4th commandment. But instead of following a 'thus saith the LORD,' the leaders are pushing for the traditions of man to be exalted above the express commands of Jehovah. And this was all prophesied to take place in God's Word. Daniel 7 told us of a 'little horn' power (Papal Rome) which would seek to 'change time and laws.' What time and laws? God's time and laws of course. And Revelation speaks of the same power (first beast of Revelation 13) which would have its mark enforced around the world. What is the Roman Catholic's professed mark of authority?

"And they make this Sunday institution the seal or mark of their power and authority that renders valid their laws and enactments among Protestants Says Cardinal Gibbons, who is at the head of the Catholic Church in the United States:- "Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act. . . . And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters." (American Sentinal, Feb.10, 1898, p.86)

Sunday is NOT the Sabbath of Jehovah. Our Saturday (the 7th day of the week) is the holy day of our Creator.

God's remnant church have been proclaiming for over 150 years that Protestant America would set up an image to Papal Rome, uniting church with state to enforce religious laws, including a Sunday law. And what will this bring about? Persecution, just like in the dark ages of Papal supremacy.

That religious laws, enforced by the state, including SUNDAY LAWS, would be the only hope for recovery from all the world's troubles. This is EXACTLY what God's remnant have been proclaiming would take place, look:

"The spirit of the papacy ... the veneration for human traditions above the commands of God,--is permeating the Protestant churches, and leading them on to do the same work of Sunday exaltation which the papacy has done before them ... Yet this very class put forth the claim that the fast-spreading corruption is largely attributable to the desecration of the so-called 'Christian Sabbath,' and that the enforcement of Sunday observance would greatly improve the morals of society ... Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of Spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. Protestantism will yet stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; she will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, our country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience." (The Spirit of Prophecy, p.390-405)

The movement we are seeing take place in America right now is a response to the decline in society. But just as God never forced man to keep His laws, due to the free will that He gave us all, neither should any church or government force man to keep God's laws. Because as history shows, it only ends in persecution. God will judge all before the return of Jesus Christ, and all who choose not to serve Him, will lose out on eternal life and be destroyed in the final lake of fire. All mankind are to FREELY CHOOSE to serve God and keep His laws or not. Forced obedience will NEVER make a saint out of anyone! It HAS to be a free choice.

1 Kings 18:21 ...'And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.'

Joshua 24:15 ...'And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.'

Do you see? FREE CHOICE! But that choice will determine your future!

What we see taking place now was prophesied to happen. America will unite church and state and the church leaders will use the state power [TRUMP SAID THE CHURCH WILL HAVE POWER LIKE NEVER BEFORE], [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XxJpt2UNIeM] to cause the world to bow to the Sunday sabbath and false trinity god of Rome. It's coming! And we need to be ready. Our lives need to be fully surrendered to Jesus, so that He can get us through the persecution, the no buying and selling and the time of trouble coming. Get ready!