Christmas&Easter

AStudyRevealingtheMixedOriginsof“Chris=an”Holidays

Presentedby:MarkLaRoseDate:08/07/17Dra8File:ChristmasEaster

Rela@onshipwithChrist•  TheMostImportantUnderstandingaboutourSalva@on:– WebelieveeternallifeisagiBfromGodinChristJesusandwearejus=fiedbyHisgraceandHisfaithwhopaidtheprice;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:Tosharethevitalnecessityofacharactertransformingrela=onshipwithChrist,namelytheGospelofHissacrificeforallwhocallHimLordandSavior(Ps1:1-2;Maa20:25-28;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:

–  16AllScriptureisgivenbyinspira=onofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrec=on,forinstruc=oninrighteousness,17thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,thoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.2Tim3:16-17(Ps119:105;Prov30:5-6;Is8:20;John17:17;1Thess2:13;Heb4:12)

–  forprophecynevercamebythewillofman,butholymenofGodspokeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit.2Pet1:21

•  Bibleversions:–  Useversionswiththeclosesttransla@ontotheoriginallanguage

•  RecommendcomparingNKJV(usedhere),NASB95,KJV,andESV

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

•  UseofExpositorystudymethods(versusThema@cstudy)–  ThismethodexplorestheliteralmeaningofeachwordinScriptureandits

rela@onshiptootherwordsinitscontext(exegesis)

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OriginofChristmas•  “SolInvictus("UnconqueredSun")wastheofficialsungodofthelater

RomanEmpireandapatronofsoldiers.In274ADtheRomanemperorAurelianmadeitanofficialcultalongsidethetradi=onalRomancults.Scholarsdisagreeaboutwhetherthenewdeitywasarefounda=onoftheancientLa=ncultofSol,arevivalofthecultofElagabalusorcompletelynew.ThegodwasfavoredbyemperorsaBerAurelianandappearedontheircoinsun=lConstan=neI…Thetheoryda=ngfromthe12thcentury,thatthenear-sols=cedateof25DecemberforChristmaswasselectedbecauseitwasthedateoftheRomanfes=valofDiesNatalisSolisInvic0(BirthdayoftheUnconqueredSun)ischallengedbysomeChris=anscholars.”“ItwasacustomofthePaganstocelebrateonthesame25DecemberthebirthdayoftheSun,atwhichtheykindledlightsintokenoffes=vity.Inthesesolemni=esandrevelriestheChris=ansalsotookpart.AccordinglywhenthedoctorsoftheChurchperceivedthattheChris=anshadaleaningtothisfes=val,theytookcounselandresolvedthatthetrueNa=vityshouldbesolemnisedonthatday.”hXps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus

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OriginofChristmas•  “Constan=nedecreed(March7,321)diesSolis—dayofthesun,"Sunday"—

astheRomandayofrest:OnthevenerabledayoftheSunletthemagistratesandpeopleresidinginci=esrest,andletallworkshopsbeclosed.Inthecountryhoweverpersonsengagedinagriculturemayfreelyandlawfullycon=nuetheirpursuitsbecauseitoBenhappensthatanotherdayisnotsuitableforgrain-sowingorvineplan=ng;lestbyneglec=ngthepropermomentforsuchopera=onsthebountyofheavenshouldbelost.”hXps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus

!  Ar=cledetailingthehistoryofsunworship,Mithraism,andDecember25:hXp://exposingdecep@ons.org/Sun.html

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OriginofChristmas•  “AlthoughitisnotknownwhyDecember25becameadateofcelebra=on,

thereareseveralfactorsthatmayhaveinfluencedthechoice.December25wasthedatetheRomansmarkedasthewintersols=ce,andJesuswasiden=fiedwiththeSunbasedonanOldTestamentverse.ThedateisexactlyninemonthsfollowingAnnuncia=on,whentheconcep=onofJesusiscelebrated.Finally,theRomanshadaseriesofpaganfes=valsneartheendoftheyear,soChristmasmayhavebeenscheduledatthis=metoappropriate,orcompetewith,oneormoreofthesefes=vals.”“Variousfactorscontributedtotheselec=onofDecember25asadateofcelebra=on:itwasthedateofthewintersols=ceontheRomancalendar;itwasninemonthsaBerMarch25,adatelinkedtotheconcep=onofJesus;anditwasthedateofaRomanpaganfes=valinhonoroftheSungodSolInvictus.”“AsChristmaswasunknowntotheearlyChris=anwriters,itmusthavebeenintroducedsome=meaBer300.IrenaeusandTertullianomititfromtheirlistsoffeasts,andOrigenwritesthatintheScripturessinnersalone,notsaints,celebratetheirbirthday.Arnobiuscans=llridiculethe"birthdays"ofthegods.ThefirstrecordedChristmascelebra=onwasinRomein336.”hXps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

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OriginofChristmas•  “AsecondelementwhichfundamentallyinfluencestheChris=ancalendar

andwhich,thoughlessprimi=vethantheEastercelebra=ons,isalsoofearlydate,maybedescribedastheNa=vityCycle.OftheoriginandhistoryofthefeastofChristmas,dealtwithinaseparatear=cle,lialeneednowbesaid.WemaytakeitascertainthatthefeastofChrist'sNa=vitywaskeptinRomeon25Decemberbeforetheyear354.ItwasintroducedbySt.JohnChrysostomintoConstan=nopleanddefini=velyadoptedin395.”hXp://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2388

•  “Thewell-knownsolarfeast,however,ofNatalisInvic=,celebratedon25December,hasastrongclaimontheresponsibilityforourDecemberdate.Forthehistoryofthesolarcult,itsposi=onintheRomanEmpire,andsyncre=smwithMithraism…”hXp://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2933–  Mithraism:AmysteryreligioncenteredinRome,inspiredbyPersianworship.

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

–  TheexchangeofgiBshadoriginsintheRomanfes=val,SaturnaliahXps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia8/7/17 7

TruevsFalseWorship•  “HearthewordwhichtheLordspeakstoyou,Ohouseof

Israel.ThussaystheLord:“DonotlearnthewayoftheGen=les;Donotbedismayedatthesignsofheaven,FortheGen=lesaredismayedatthem.Forthecustomsofthepeoplesarefu=le;Foronecutsatreefromtheforest,Theworkofthehandsoftheworkman,withtheax.Theydecorateitwithsilverandgold;TheyfastenitwithnailsandhammersSothatitwillnottopple.Theyareupright,likeapalmtree,Andtheycannotspeak;Theymustbecarried,Becausetheycannotgobythemselves.Donotbeafraidofthem,Fortheycannotdoevil,Norcantheydoanygood.”Jer10:1-5–  ThiscounselwasliterallyforJudah(aBerthenorthernkingdomhad

beenwipedoutbyAssyria),andspirituallydifferen=atestwogroupstoday;thoseclaimingthetrueGod(today’sChris=ans),andthosewhodenyHim

–  Theproblemthenwasfalseworshipviaidols;todayit’sfalseworship8/7/17 8

TruevsFalseWorship•  ThecombiningofpaganholidaysandritualswithChris=anthemeswas

jus=fiedasawayto“convert”paganstoChris=anity–  “WhentheLordyourGodcutsofffrombeforeyouthena=onswhichyou

gotodispossess,andyoudisplacethemanddwellintheirland,takeheedtoyourselfthatyouarenotensnaredtofollowthem,aBertheyaredestroyedfrombeforeyou,andthatyoudonotinquireaBertheirgods,saying,‘Howdidthesena=onsservetheirgods?Ialsowilldolikewise.’YoushallnotworshiptheLordyourGodinthatway;foreveryabomina=ontotheLordwhichHehatestheyhavedonetotheirgods;fortheyburneventheirsonsanddaughtersinthefiretotheirgods.“WhateverIcommandyou,becarefultoobserveit;youshallnotaddtoitnortakeawayfromit.”Deut12:29-32•  Merrymaking:Includedotherwiseillegalgambling,cardplaying,dancing,anddrinking,lavishandelaboratefeastsandpageants,gaming

•  GiBgiving:“SantaClaus”•  Greentrees/wreaths:Symbolofeternallife(fes=valofSaturnalia)•  Holly:Aprotec=onagainstpagansandwitches•  Mistletoe•  Yulelogs

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Mistletoe•  “WhilemistletoeplayedanimportantpartinsomelaterGreekandNordic

mythsandlegends,itsrela@onshipwiththeancientCelts,wholivedinancientGaul,Britain,andIreland,isoneoftheearliestknownexamplesoftheimportanceofmistletoe.TheDruids,whowerethepriestsofaCel=creligiousorder,regardedtheleafymistletoesashavingmys=calproper=esandworshipedthem.Thisbeliefinmys@calproper@eswasdue,atleastinpart,tothefactthatmistletoesoBengrewonthebranchesofthereveredoaktree.Intheautumn,asthelengthofthedaydecreased,religioussignificancewasfocusedonthewintersols=ce,theshortestdayoftheen=reyear.Thepeopleobservedthatthemistletoeplantsgrowingontheoaksretainedtheirleaveswhileatthesame@metheoakslosttheirs.Duringthewinter,thegoldenboughsofthemistletoeplant,withitsyellow-greenleavesandlargewhiteberries,seemedtobearemarkablephenomenon,andthus,themistletoeplantwasbelievedtohavemys@calproper@es.”hXp://www.apsnet.org/publica@ons/apsnedeatures/Pages/Mistletoe.aspx

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YuleLogs•  “TheeventsofYulearegenerallyheldtohavecenteredonMidwinter…and

feas@ng,drinking,andsacrificewereinvolved.ScholarRudolfSimikcommentsthatthepaganYulefeast“Hadapronouncedreligiouscharacter”andcommentsthat“itisuncertainwhethertheGermanicYulefeasts@llhadafunc@oninthecultofthedeadandinthevenera@onoftheancestors…”hXps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_log

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TheWaronChristmas•  Thefollowinglinkprovidesasummaryofabook,“TheWaronChristmas:

TwoThousandYearsofDenouncingandDefendingtheWorld’sMostCelebratedHoliday,”confirmingthespirituallyflawedtradi=onsofChristmas:hap://www.popmaaers.com/review/christmas-in-the-crosshairs-by-gerry-bowler/

!  ItseemsplausiblethatGod’sremnantpeoplewill,increasingly,finditdifficulttodefend“celebra=on”ofsocalled“Chris=anholidays”basedonhistoricalfactsshowingtheblendingofpaganritualswithChris=antradi=on

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OriginofEaster•  “Easterisn'taChris=anordirectlybiblicalterm,butcomesfromaformof

thenameAstarte,aChaldean(Babylonian)goddessknownas"thequeenofheaven."(Sheismen=onedbythat=tleintheBibleinJeremiah7:18and44:17-19,25andreferredtoin1Kings11:5,33and2Kings23:13bytheHebrewformofhername,Ashtoreth.So"Easter"isfoundintheBible—aspartofthepaganreligionGodcondemns!”hXp://exposingdecep@ons.org/easter.html

!  “InvaintheyworshipMe,teachingasdoctrinesthecommandmentsofmen.”Maa15:9

!  1stCouncilofNicaea(AD325)agreedonauniformobservanceofEaster.Originofsymbolismofeggs,pigs,andrabbitsiswithNimrod(founderofBabylon)whotradi=onallybecamethesungod,Baal(therisingsun).IshtarclaimedBaalimpregnatedherandshebirthedTammuz.Sun(day)worshiphaspermeatedmanyreligionsalongwithfacingeastduringworship.Theearthlytabernacleentrancewasontheeastside(Ex27:13)toposi=onthebackofmentothesun.(Eze8:14-16)

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TruevsFalseWorship•  “Rather,thatthethingswhichtheGen=lessacrificetheysacrificetodemons

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

•  “PriortotheVictorianera,ChristmasintheUnitedStateswasprimarilyareligiousholidayobservedbyRomanCatholics,Episcopalians,andLutherans.Itsimportancewaso8enconsideredsecondarytothatofEpiphanyandEaster.AswasthecasewithotherChris@anholidays,Christmasborrowedelementsfrompaganpeoples,includingyulelogsanddecora@onssuchascandles,holly,andmistletoe.Christmastreeswereseenaspaganinorigin.DuringthevariousProtestantreforma@ons,thesepaganizingelementswereasourceofcontroversy.Somesects,suchasthePuritans,rejectedChristmasasanen@relypaganholiday.OthersrejectedcertainaspectsofChristmasaspaganizing,butwantedtoretainthe"essence"oftheholidayasacelebra@onoftheChrist'sbirth.Thistensionputinmo@onanongoingdebatewithinsomeProtestantdenomina@onsabouttheproperobservanceofChristmas.”hXps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy

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TruevsFalseWorship•  “Chris@ansectsandcommuni@esthatrejecttheobservanceofChristmasfor

theologicalreasonsincludeJehovah’sWitnesses;someadherentsofMessianicJudaism;mostSabbatariandenomina@ons,suchastheTrueJesusChurchandtheChurchofGod7th-Day);theIglesianiCristo;theChris@anCongrega@oninBrazil;theChris@anCongrega@onintheUnitedStates;andcertainreformedandfundamentalistchurchesofvariouspersuasions,includingsomeIndependentBap@st,Holiness,ApostolicPentecostal,andChurchesofChristcongrega@ons.”hXps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy

–  Aclearminorityofreligionshaveconcernwiththeoriginsof“Christmas”

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Sabbath…Holy&Delighdul

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

!  TheLordcommandsIsaiahin58:1-2totellthepeoplehowtheyhaveturnedawayfromGod,whiletheys0llseekhim!

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

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OurMissionastheRemnant

•  “WorshipGod!Forthetes=monyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”(Rev19:10)–  Theunderstandingofprophecyisacalltoac=on;tosharethegospelof

everlas=nglifethrougharela=onshipwithJesus,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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Addi@onalInforma@onForanexcellentversebyversecommentarysee:hXp://www.bibleexplained.com

EllenGouldWhitewasaprolificauthorandanAmericanChris@anpioneer.AlongwithotherSabbatarianAdven@stleaderssuchasJosephBatesandherhusbandJamesWhite,sheformedwhatbecameknownastheSeventh-dayAdven@stChurch.TheSmithsonianmagazinenamedEllenG.Whiteamong100MostSignificantAmericansinanacknowledgementofherinfluenceonreligion.hXps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_G._White

ForadiscussionaboutEasterbyauthor,GeorgeReid:hXps://www.adven@stbiblicalresearch.org/materials/theology-fes@vals/note-about-easter

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Thetwenty-fi8hofDecemberissupposedtobethedayofthebirthofJesus

Christ,anditsobservancehasbecomecustomaryandpopular.ButyetthereisnocertaintythatwearekeepingtheveritabledayofourSaviour’sbirth.Historygivesusnocertainassuranceofthis.TheBibledoesnotgiveustheprecise@me.HadtheLorddeemedthisknowledgeessen=altooursalva=on,hewouldhavespokenthroughhisprophetsandapostles,thatwemightknowallaboutthemaaer.ButthesilenceoftheScripturesuponthispointevidencestousthatitishiddenfromusforthewisestpurposes.Inhiswisdom,theLordconcealedtheplacewhereheburiedMoses.Godburiedhim,andGodresurrectedhim,andtookhimtoheaven.Thissecrecywastopreventidolatry.Heagainstwhomtheyrebelledwhilehewasinac@veservice,whomtheyprovokedalmostbeyondhumanendurance,wasalmostworshipedasGoda8erhissepara@onfromthembydeath.FortheverysamepurposehehasconcealedtheprecisedayofChrist’sbirth;thatthedayshouldnotreceivethehonorthatshouldbegiventoChristastheRedeemeroftheworld,—onetobereceived,tobetrusted,tobereliedonashewhocouldsavetotheuXermostallwhocomeuntohim.Thesoul’sadora@onshouldbegiventoJesusastheSonoftheinfiniteGod.”{RHDecember9,1884,par.2}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Thereisnodivinesanc=tyres=nguponthetwenty-fiBhofDecember;andit

isnotpleasingtoGodthatanythingthatconcernsthesalva=onofmanthroughtheinfinitesacrificemadeforthem,shouldbesosadlypervertedfromitsprofesseddesign.Christshouldbethesupremeobject;butasChristmashasbeenobserved,thegloryisturnedfromhimtomortalman...”{RHDecember9,1884,par.3}

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

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Youthathavemeans,whohavebeeninthehabitofmakingdona@onstoyour

rela@vesandfriendsun@lyouareatalosstoknowwhattoinventthatwillbenewandinteres@ngtothem,seektoputyouringenuitytothetest,aswellasyourinfluence,toseehowmuchmeansyoumaygathertoadvancetheworkoftheLord.Letyourskillandyourcapaci@esbeemployedtomakethecomingChristmasoneofintenseinterest,payingyouraddressestotheGodofheaveninwilling,gratefulofferings.Follownolongertheworld’scustoms.Makeabreakhere,andseeifthisChristmascannotshowthousandsofdollarsflowingintothetreasury,thatGod’sstore-housemaynotbeempty.Youmaynotberecompensedonearth,butyouwillberewardedinthefuturelife,andthatabundantly.LetthosewhohavesolongplannedforselfnowbegintoplanforthecauseofGod,andyouwillcertainlyhaveincreasedwisdom.Lettheconsciencebeenlightened,andtheloveoftruthandofChristtaketheplaceofidolatrousthoughtsandloveofself.Willyounotarise,myChris@anbrethrenandsisters,andgirdyourselvesfordutyinthefearofGod,soarrangingthismaXerthatitshallnotbedryanduninteres@ng,butfullofinnocentenjoymentthatshallbearthesignetofHeaven?Iknowthepoorerclasswillrespondtothesesugges@ons.Themostwealthyshouldalsoshowaninterest,andbestowtheirgi8sandofferingspropor@onatetothemeanswithwhichGodhasintrustedthem.LetthereberecordedintheheavenlybookssuchaChristmasashasneveryetbeenseen,becauseofthedona=onswhichshallbegivenforthesustainingoftheworkofGodandtheupbuildingofhiskingdom.”{RHDecember9,1884,par.16}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Wearenownearingthecloseofanotheryear,andshallwenotmakethese

festaldaysopportuni@esinwhichtobringtoGodourofferings?Icannotsaysacrifices,forweshallonlyberenderingtoGodthatwhichishisalready,andwhichhehasonlyintrustedtous@llheshallcallforit.GodwouldbewellpleasedifonChristmas,eachchurchwouldhaveaChristmastreeonwhichshallbehungofferings,greatandsmall,forthesehousesofworship.LeXersofinquiryhavecometousasking,ShallwehaveaChristmastree?willitnotbeliketheworld?Weanswer,Youcanmakeitliketheworldifyouhaveadisposi@ontodoso,oryoucanmakeitasunliketheworldaspossible.Thereisnopar=cularsininselec=ngafragrantevergreen,andplacingitinourchurches;butthesinliesinthemo=vewhichpromptstoac=on,andtheusewhichismadeofthegiBsplaceduponthetree.”{RHDecember11,1879,par.15}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Ourbirthdayanniversaries,andChristmasandThanksgivingfes@vals,aretoo

o8endevotedtoselfishgra@fica@on,whenthemindshouldbedirectedtothemercyandloving-kindnessofGod.GodisdispleasedthatHisgoodness,Hisconstantcare,Hisunceasinglove,arenotbroughttomindontheseanniversaryoccasions.”—TheReviewandHerald,December23,1890.{CSW143.2}

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

!  “LetuscelebrateChristmasbyrememberingGod,insteadofrememberingourfriendsandrela=veswithgiBswhichtheydonotneed.”{RHDecember11,1888,Art.A,par.20}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Ineverychurch,howeversmall,specialeffortsshouldbemadetoshowour

gra@tudetoGodbybringingourofferingsforhiscause.LetthosewhodesireaChristmastreemakeitsboughsfruiwulwithgiBsfortheneedy,andofferingsforthetreasuryofGod.AndletthechildrenlearntheblessednessofgivingbybringingtheirlialegiBstoaddtotheofferingsoftheirparents.”{RHDecember26,1882,par.15}

!  “WhileurginguponallthedutyoffirstbringingtheirofferingstoGod,Iwouldnotwhollycondemntheprac=ceofmakingChristmasandNewYearsgiBstoourfriends.ItisrighttobestowupononeanothertokensofloveandremembranceifwedonotinthisforgetGod,ourbestfriend.WeshouldmakeourgiBssuchaswillprovearealbenefittothereceiver.IwouldrecommendsuchbooksaswillbeanaidinunderstandingthewordofGod,orthatwillincreaseourloveforitsprecepts.”{RHDecember26,1882,par.18}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “Thisspiritofself-sacrificehasbecomefeebleintheheartsofChrist’s

professedfollowers.Insteadofgratefullyinquiring,“WhatshallIrenderuntotheLordforallhisbenefitstowardme?”howmanyofthosewhoclaimtohavebeenredeemedbythebloodofChrist,seembentonself-pleasing.EvenChristmas,thedayobservedprofessedlyinhonorofthebirthdayofChrist,hasbeenmadeamosteffec=vemeansofturningthemindawayfromChrist,awayfromhisglory.IfChristmasiskeptatall,itshouldbekeptinawaythatwillbeinharmonywithitssignificance.Christshouldberemembered,hisnamehonored;theold,oldstoryofhisloveshouldberecounted.Insteadofsayingbyourac@onsthatwearepuxngChristoutofourmindsandhearts,weshouldtes@fytomen,toangels,andtoGod,thatwerememberourRedeemer,byfollowinghisexampleofself-sacrificeforothers’good.ButthedaychosentohonorChristisdevotedbythemanytohonoringandpleasingthemselves.AppointedtokeeptheSaviourinremembrance,itisspentincausinghimtobeforgoaen.”{RHDecember9,1890,Art.A,par.3}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “LetyourChristmastreebededicatedtoGod,andletitsboughsbeladen

withofferingsforChrist.Donotgiveasthoughitwereatask,dolingoutyourdona@onswithaniggardlyhand.Goodworksarenodrudgery.IngivingtoushisSon,GodhaspouredouttousallHeaveninonegi8.Letuswithanoverflowingheart,withgra@tudeandjoybecauseofChrist’smatchlesslove,bringhimourofferings.TeachyourchildrenbyyourownexampletheblessednessofdoingforChrist.Trainthemtogoonerrandsofloveforhim,andinalltheirgi8storememberthegraciousGiver.”{STDecember8,1887,par.16}

!  “WedonotwantthecauseofGodtogocripplingalongforwantofmeansthatareneededupontherighthandanduponthele8.WewanttheliXlerivuletstobeturnedintothetreasury.LeteveryonebringinanofferingtoGod.Don’tyouthinkthatthisisthewaytoobserveChristmas?Don’tyouthinkitisthebestway,ratherthanthatmeansshouldgointothetreasuriesoftheungodly?”{Ms8-1880.17}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “YesterdaywasChristmas.Didyoudoasthewisemendidbyofferingyour

giBstoJesus?Orhastheenemychangedtheorderofthingsanddirectedtheworshiptohimself?Thegi8sarenowbestoweduponfriendsinsteadofHimwhohasmadesogreatasacrificeforus.AllthegiBsshouldflowinanotherchannel,wheretheycouldbeusedinthesalva=onofmen.”{Ms60-1886.22}

!  “Whyarechildrenandthoseofmatureageeducatedtoputtheirinven@vepowerstoworktocontrivegi8sforoneanother,whiletheLordGodofheaven,whohasmadethegi8ofHimselftotheworldinHisonlybegoXenSon,isle8outoftheques@on?HowtheLordisdishonoredinthecelebra=onofChristmas!HowHeisrobbed,bothoftalentsofmeansandofthanksgivingandpraisewhichshouldwellupineveryheartandflowforthfromeveryvoice!Letthethankofferingscomein,smallandlarge.Letthetreasurybewellfilled.”{Ms52-1890.12}

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EllenWhiteComments!  “asasa=sfac=onforallthisworldliness,Chris=ansaremakingagreatdeal

ofLentandEasterandchurchornamenta=on.ItistheoldtrickofSatan.TheJewishchurchstruckonthatrock;theRomishchurchwaswreckedonthesame;andtheProtestantisfastreachingthesamedoom.”{GC88386.3}

!  “TheCouncilofNice,“outofcomplaisancetoConstan=netheGreat,orderedthesolemnityofEastertobekepteverywhereonthesameday,aBerthecustomofRome.”[Bower’sHistoryofthePopes,Vol.1,pp.18,19.]Thisdecree,“backedbytheauthorityofsogreatanemperor,”wasdecisive;“nonebutsomescaaeredschisma=cs,nowandthenappearing,thatdurstopposetheresolu=onofthatfamoussynod.”[Hevlyn,HistoryoftheSabbath,part2,chap.2,secs.4,5.]{GC88686.2}

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CalltoPersonalAc@on

•  “24Andletusconsideroneanotherinordertos@ruploveandgoodworks,25notforsakingtheassemblingofourselvestogether,asisthemannerofsome,butexhor@ngoneanother,andsomuchthemoreasyouseetheDayapproaching.26Forifwesinwillfullya8erwehavereceivedtheknowledgeofthetruth,therenolongerremainsasacrificeforsins”Heb10:24-26(Repent:2Chron6:37-39;Eze14:6;Maa3:2;Luke24:47;Acts17:30)

•  TheBridegroomofMaa25:1-13isreturningfromthewedding,soon.Preparebystoringoil(TheSpirit)inourlampsnow:1.   AcceptandinviteJesusdaily(theAltarofSacrifice)

2.   Washinthebap=smoftheSpirit(theLaver)

3.   Keepaprayerinmind,constantly(theGoldenAltarofIncense)

4.   ReadGod’sWorddaily(theTableofShowbread)

5.   SharethegospelofJesus;the3angels’message(theLampstand)6.   DwellonthegoodnessofHislaw(theArkofHisCovenant)8/7/17 29

CalltoPublicAc@on

•  The4thangelofRev14:15,theillumina=ngangelofRev18:1-3,istheproclama=onoftheinterpreta=onofthemysteryofRev17:8-11.God’sremnantwillrepeatthe2ndand3rdangelmessages(Rev14:8-13)withmuchgreaterpowerthanduringthe“midnightcry”in1844.(Hab2:14)–  1ABerthesethingsIsawanotherangelcomingdownfromheaven,

havinggreatauthority,andtheearthwasilluminatedwithhisglory.2Andhecriedmigh=lywithaloudvoice,saying,“Babylonthegreatisfallen,isfallen,andhasbecomeadwellingplaceofdemons,aprisonforeveryfoulspirit,andacageforeveryuncleanandhatedbird!3Forallthena=onshavedrunkofthewineofthewrathofherfornica=on,thekingsoftheearthhavecommiaedfornica=onwithher,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

–  Thisistheverylastwarningtoacceptsalva=onthroughJesusChristbeforethepre-advent“inves=ga=ve”judgmentcloses(Dan12:1),followedbytheplaguesofRev16(Rev14:17-20;Eze9:5-10)

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