The Apostle Paul Writes, "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 the Messiah," Col. 2:16-17.

What are these Scriptures telling us? Are they actually doing away with the law of clean and unclean meats, the holydays, the observance of the new moons and the sabbath days, as many proclaim, or are they verifying their continuation?

Col. 2:16-17 is considered by many to be difficult Scriptures to understand which would be in line with what Peter confessed about Paul’s writings when he wrote, "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Sovereign is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction," 2 Pet. 3:14-16.

When dealing with Scriptures that are difficult to understand, one should also read those Scriptures that come before and after them. That way a clearer understanding of what is meant can be ascertained. However, let’s analyze just what Paul is saying here before getting into Scriptures that are before and after these verses.

Paul says that these things, meat, drink, an holyday, the new moon and the sabbath are "shadows" of things to come. Just what are shadows? Aren’t they outlines or projections of something that is real? If we behold a shadow don’t we usually recognize the thing or item that is casting it because of the outline and the general direction from which it is being cast? If we look at a shadow can’t we follow it until it leads us to the thing that is casting it?

The writer of the book of Hebrews proclaims, "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which YAHWEH pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of Heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of YAHWEH when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, ‘See’, saith he, ‘that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.’ But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises," 8:1-6.

Israel’s earthly priesthood with its sacrifices, tabernacle, etc. was a shadow and example of things in Heaven. YAHWEH was projecting the shadow of His TRUE tabernacle with its priesthood and sacrifice to the earth. Even the law was a shadow for we read, "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 the comers thereunto perfect," Heb. 10:1.

Look at this verse again! The law was a SHADOW of good things to come, but it WAS NOT THE VERY IMAGE! That is the purpose of a shadow. It casts or projects an outline which helps one recognize where it is coming from, but it is not the real thing, it is only an outline, a crude projection which, as stated, will lead one to the thing that is casting the image if properly followed.

Furthermore, the tabernacle, priesthood, law, sacrifices, etc. were patterns of Heavenly things, "It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the Heavens should be purified with these (animal sacrifices); but the Heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For the Messiah is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of YAHWEH for us," Heb. 9:23-24.

The Greek word which is translated as "patterns in verse 23 is "hupodeigma", it means an exhibit for imitation or warning. In the figurative sense it means spaceman or adumbration. This same word was translated as "example" in Heb. 8:5.

The Greek word translated as "figures" in verse 24 is "antitupon" which means corresponding ["an anti-type"], i.e. a representation, counterpart.

Also, the Greek word translated as "pattern" in Heb. 8:5 is "tupos" which means a die (as struck), by impl.) a stamp or scar; by anal. a shape, i.e. a statue, (fig.) style or resemblance; spec. a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning).

Look at the various words and meanings that are employed to describe the priesthood, tabernacle, law, sacrifices, etc. They were shadows, examples, patterns, figures, types, antitypes, models, samples, representations, counterparts, adumbrations, etc., etc.

Hebrews 9 goes even further in the Biblical description of these things, "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of Elohim. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience," vv. 1-9.

The interesting thing about this word "figure" found in verse 9 is that it is translated from the Greek word "parabole" which is elsewhere translated as PARABLE.

The question now is How were parables employed? When YAHshua's disciples asked Him why He always spoke to the people in parables He answered, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear," Mt. 13:11-16. (You may also order our free tract entitled Why Parables?)

All of these things which were shadows, examples, patterns, figures, types, antitypes, models, samples, representations, counterparts, adumbrations, etc. were also PARABLES! They were actually utilized to keep most of the house of Israel, the overall largest percent, blinded to their true meaning. Only the elect were given the true understanding of these things.

Paul confirms this by writing, "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded...For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in," Ro. 11:7, 25.

There is another thing that we should look at in Col. 2:16-17 before examining other Scriptures positioned before and after it. Once again Paul writes, "Let no man therefore judge you...but the body is of the Messiah."

Notice that the word "is" is in italics which means that it was not a part of the original Scriptures but was interjected in order to supposedly make the meaning of the Scriptures clearer. Sometimes this may work, but in this case it only clouds or confuses the true meaning. Therefore, we should read it as, "Let no man therefore judge you...but the body of the Messiah."

This is extremely important to understand because the Scriptures were written to be witnesses of YAHshua, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of YAHWEH in you. I am come in My FATHER'S name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from YAHWEH only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the FATHER: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?," Jn. 5:39-43.

Everything that is given in Scripture as a shadow, a type, a figure, a parable, etc. is actually given as a particular representative of the body of the Messiah. This is a KEY ELEMENT in coming to understand the Scriptures and also being able to recognize the true Messiah for YAHshua did warn them in these words that the Scriptures were written of Him and they didn’t believe it. He also warned His own disciples that many false prophets and messiahs would come in His name deceiving many. If one does not understand the "concept" of shadows, types, figures, patterns, parables, etc. then one can easily become swayed away from the TRUE MESSIAH, and this has been done!

In another place the Apostle Paul wrote, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of YAHWEH. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save YAHshua the Messiah, and Him impaled. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of YAHWEH. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of YAHWEH in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which YAHWEH ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have impaled the Sovereign of glory," 1 Cor. 2:1-8.

Paul says that the truth about YAHshua has been hidden before the world began. Even though YAHWEH has given man the Scriptures which are writings containing His words, they are still held in hidden mysteries.

He confirms this in the book of Colossians, "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the good news, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under Heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of the Messiah in my flesh for His Body's sake, which is the Assembly: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of YAHWEH which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of YAHWEH; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To Whom YAHWEH would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is the Messiah in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in the Messiah YAHshua: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily," Col. 1:23-29.

We see once again that Paul is writing about a mystery which is hidden to the world, but which is revealed only to YAHWEH'S Saints. Paul noted that none of the princes of this world have known this mystery. The princes of this world are the great men of this world. The great men of this world appear to be wise to the world, but the wisdom of this world is foolishness to YAHWEH while the wisdom of YAHWEH is foolishness to this present evil world and its leaders.

Paul continues, "For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of Elohim, and of the FATHER, and of the Messiah; In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. 2:1-3.

Notice it again! The MYSTERY OF ELOHIM concerning the FATHER and the Messiah are hidden treasures. They are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. YAHWEH inspired Solomon to proclaim, "It is the glory of Elohim to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a (the) matter," Prov. 25:2. YAHWEH hides it, we must search it out!

"The fear of YAHWEH is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction," Prov. 1:7. YAHWEH has left His word for us contained in the Scriptures for our instruction. It is through His word that we learn of Him, His Son, His plan of redemption, etc. Anyone who desires true knowledge will study His word for the proper instruction that will be received from it. Remember that YAHWEH has purposely hidden His wisdom and understanding in His word which He only reveals to His Chosen, His Elect.

It is also written, "The fear of YAHWEH is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding," Prov. 9:10. Therefore the fear of YAHWEH is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

Since the wisdom of YAHWEH is foolishness to the world and the wisdom of this world is foolishness to YAHWEH, we will find that those who are seeking to be wise and filled with knowledge in this world will be going opposite to and contrary with YAHWEH'S word. While, on the other hand, those who are seeking YAHWEH'S righteousness, wisdom and understanding will be made to appear as fools by the world.

Look at this world’s governments. They like to promote a situation of separation (division) between church and state so that the government can rule according to its own desires outside of and apart from YAHWEH'S instructions.

While we in America love to proclaim that our nation and government are built upon the Bible, nothing could be further from the truth. We dote on the separation of church and state, take the Bible and prayer out of our schools, colleges, courtrooms, etc. Why? Because the leaders of this world, society and nation hold anything of Scriptural value as foolish and worthless.

YAHWEH'S word prophesies, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against YAHWEH, and against His Anointed (Messiah), saying, ‘Let us break Their bands asunder, and cast away Their cords from us’," Psa. 2:1-3.

It is rather frustrating to see this division of church (Bible) and state. The leaders of the nations turn away from YAHWEH'S word contradicting what it says and casting it behind as worthless. They then force it out of the educational institutions so that their own wisdom, which is FOOLISHNESS to YAHWEH, may be taught.

But what is more frustrating is to see the same division between the churches (religion) and the Bible. A quick review of so many of the religious beliefs and practices in this nation and world reveals that they ARE NOT taken from the pages of the Bible at all!

YAHWEH'S word says, "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth," Prov. 4:1-5.

But all have thrown YAHWEH, His word, His law, His name and His Messiah (Anointed) aside setting themselves against it. While the leaders and princes of this world cast YAHWEH'S word behind as useless, proclaiming their own greatness and ability to rule and solve man’s problems; they also cause their institutions to teach a worthless "evolutionary theory" which, of course, negates the teachings of creation as presented in Scripture.

Then the churches and religions of the world declare that the Scriptures found in what is known as the Old Testament are no longer in effect and are no more than the revelation of an Elohim who was demanding, harsh and merciless.

They proclaim vehemently that the OT Scriptures are done away. We need only to follow the NT Scriptures today. So many of these people even use the Apostle Paul to support their claim that the law is done away, but look at what Paul wrote to Timothy, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in the Messiah YAHshua. All scripture is given by inspiration of YAHWEH, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of YAHWEH may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Tim. 3:14-17.

The Holy Scriptures that Paul is referring to are the writings called the Old Testament since the New Testament had not been written and amalgamated (canonized) into any kind of form at that time.

So the world, its leaders and religions have taken counsel to bring YAHWEH'S word to nought. This is a very unwise and foolish thing to do.

But let those of us who are seeking the truth of YAHWEH allow His word, the Holy Scriptures, to make us wise unto salvation and instruction in righteousness. Let us also allow what has been given from Heaven in shadows, parables, mysteries, etc. to bring us to the Savior and Messiah YAHshua.

Paul continues to write in Col. 2, "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in the Messiah. As ye have therefore received the Messiah YAHshua the Sovereign, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after the Messiah," vv. 4-8.

There are many men who have enticed the believers out of the way through their philosophy, vain deceit, traditions of men and the rudiments of the world. This should come as no surprise to any who are familiar with the very words of the Messiah for He warned that many false prophets and false messiahs would come in His name saying that He was the Messiah and would deceive many (Mt. 24).

It is easy to see and understand that the Pharisees and other Jewish people were overthrowing YAHWEH'S word by their traditions, for the Messiah told them so, "Then came together unto Him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, ‘Why walk not Thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?’ He answered and said unto them, ‘Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of YAHWEH, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And He said unto them, ‘Full well ye reject the commandment of YAHWEH, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death’: But ye say, ‘If a man shall say to his father or mother, ‘It is Corban’, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free’. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of YAHWEH of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye’," Mk. 7:1-13.

Another interesting thing about these Scriptures is found in verse 7. YAHshua said, "Howbeit in VAIN do they worship Me..." The word "vain" is #3155 in the Greek Dictionary of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. It is defined as: a der. of the base of 3145 (through the idea of tentative manipulation, i.e. unsuccessful search, or else of punishment); folly, i.e. (adv.) to no purpose.

The people of His day were manipulating the Scriptures in order to continue to maintain their own tradition thus, nullifying, making void, and causing the Scriptures to come to no purpose.

The same thing happened to the New Testament Assembly! There were those who were creeping into the Assembly in the apostle’s day who were twisting, perverting, corrupting and contradicting the Scriptures in order to introduce the traditions of men, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, impious men, turning the grace of our Elohim into lasciviousness, and denying the only Sovereign YAHWEH, and our Sovereign YAHshua the Messiah," Jude 3-4.

The word "turning" can also be translated as "perverting" and the word "denying" can also be translated as "contradicting." Thus, YAHWEH'S grace was being perverted into permissiveness through denyings, contradictions or manipulations in the New Testament Assembly just as it had been done before.

Most people have a tendency to overlook the traditions of men which have crept into the faith down through the centuries and millennia. As we continue on through this treatise we will discover certain "traditions of men" which have been deceitfully utilized to overthrow the commandments of YAHWEH and make His word of none effect. The substitution of Sunday for the Sabbath is one of those "traditions of men". The substitution of holidays for holydays is another of the "traditions of men."

Are you beginning to get the picture concerning what Col. 2 is really saying? I certainly hope so, for your position in YAHWEH'S kingdom and even whether you will be there or not is at stake!

Once again we must look at Paul’s warning, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy...," Col. 2:8. To "spoil" comes from the Greek word "sulagogeo" which also means, to lead away as booty or to seduce. In what manner? Through "philosophy!"

Just what is philosophy? Webster’s New World Dictionary defines philosophy thusly: 1. orig., love of, or the search for, wisdom or knowledge 2. theory or logical analysis of the principles underlying conduct, thought, knowledge, and the nature of the universe: included in philosophy are ethics, aesthetics, logic, epistemology, metaphysics, etc. 3. the general principles or laws of a field of knowledge, activity, etc. [the philosophy of economics] 4. a) a particular system of principles for the conduct of life b) a treatise covering such a system 5. a) a study of human morals, character and behavior b) mental balance or composure thought of as resulting from this; calmness.

The etymology of "philosophy" reveals that it comes from the word "philosopher" which is composed of the words "philos" which means "loving" and "sophos" which means "wise." This means that the ultimate meaning of the word "philosophy" is "one who loves wisdom." However, which wisdom is it that a "philosopher" steeped in "philosophy" loves?

Look at the definition again! It does not say that it is 1. the love of, or the search for wisdom or knowledge of YAHWEH as is revealed from the Holy Scriptures. It does not say 2. included in philosophy are the Holy Scriptures. It does not say 3. the general principles or laws of a field or knowledge, activity, etc. as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. It does not say 4. a) a particular system of principles for the conduct of life as is contained in the Holy Scriptures b) a treatise covering how the system is derived from the Holy Scriptures. It does not say 5. a) a study of human morals, character, and behavior as revealed in the Holy Scriptures b) mental balance or composure which is received from the study and application of the Holy Scriptures in one’s life.

Philosophers, who are engaged in the application of philosophy therefore, are trained in the wisdom of this world, not in the wisdom of YAHWEH. Philosophers are actually "Sophists" who are schooled in the application of "sophism."

Just what is "sophism?" Webster’s New World Dictionary defines "sophism" as, a clever and plausible but fallacious argument or form of reasoning, whether or not intended to deceive; fallacy or sophistry.

Sophist means wise man. Webster’s defines "sophist" as, 1. in ancient Greece, any of a group of teachers of rhetoric, politics, philosophy, etc., some of whom were notorious for their clever, specious arguments 2. a learned person 3. any person practicing clever, specious reasoning.

The question now is, What does "specious" mean? Webster’s defines "specious" as, 1. seeming to be good, sound, correct, logical, etc. without really being so; plausible but not genuine [specious logic] 2. [Obs.] pleasing to the sight —SYN. see PLAUSIBLE.

Under the word "plausible" (page 1091) in the meanings for the synonyms it is said that specious applies to that which is superficially reasonable, valid, etc. but is actually not so, and it connotes intention to deceive [a specious excuse].

Now we can see that "specious" and "sophistry" go hand in hand for "sophistry" is defined as, 1. unsound or misleading but clever, plausible, and subtle argument or reasoning; sophism 2. the methods or practices of the Sophists.

We love to proclaim that we live in a "sophisticated" world today. "Sophisticated" (which comes from sophism/ sophistry, etc.) means, 1. not simple, artless, naive, etc.; urbane, worldly-wise, etc. or knowledgeable, perceptive, subtle, etc. 2. designed for or appealing to sophisticated people 3. highly complex, refined, or developed; characterized by advanced form, technique, etc. (Ibid, emphasis mine).

Finally, to "sophisticate" means, 1. to change from being natural, simple, artless, etc. to being artificial, worldly-wise, urbane, etc. 2. to bring to a more developed, complex, or refined form, technique, level, etc. 3. [Now Rare] a) to make impure by mixture or adulteration b) to alter (a text, etc.) without authority; falsify 4. [Archaic] to corrupt or mislead.

Philosophy, therefore, is nothing more than the love of the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of this world is made to appear sophisticated by the sophists who tender their "specious" arguments which are made to appear as being wise, genuine, good, logical, correct, etc. but are in reality not so. They are actually the very opposite to those things! Paul gravely warns us to "Beware that we be not led away as booty or seduced by PHILOSOPHY! The problem is that this exact thing has been done.

Paul continues by warning us not to be spoiled by "vain deceit" which is nothing more than the empty deceitful "specious arguments" of the sophists or philosophers. He warns us away from the traditions of men "after the rudiments of the world and not after the Messiah."

The "rudiments of the world" simply have to do with the basis, fundamentals and elementary principles that the present evil world is built on. They are almost always opposite and contrary to YAHWEH'S, yet made to appear as if they are Biblical or Heavenly in their outlook. But notice that Paul adds, "...and not after the Messiah." That is, not after the true Messiah.

The true Savior is found in the Holy Scriptures for they are written of Him (Jn. 5:39). He is served by the application of Scriptural commands and practices. The false savior is loved and exalted by the world, yet the practices employed in serving him are not founded and based on Scripture, but rather are employed in his service by a "specious" twisting of the Scriptures.

In other words, there is a command to observe the law of clean and unclean meats whereby the true Savior is served. But the false savior, by specious arguments, leads his followers to forsake that way. The true Savior is served by the observance of the commanded Sabbath day, but the false savior is served by a day that was never commanded, yet made to appear as if a change has been made. The true Savior is served by observance of the annual holy days while the false savior is served by a medley of annual holidays. There are Scriptural commands for holy days, but none whatsoever for holidays. Compare Scriptural months with worldly months and one gets the same effect.

The Sabbath and Holydays were given to be shadows of the body of the Messiah. Furthermore, they reveal YAHWEH'S plan of salvation which He has foreordained in YAHshua. But, believe it or not, Satan’s plan is revealed in his set of holidays.

Just what does Sunday worship reveal to us? In the first place Sunday was never ordained as holy by YAHWEH. He ordained (hallowed) the seventh day of the week. Even the Catholic Church admits, "Sunday is a Catholic institution, and its claims to observance can be defended only on Catholic principles...From beginning to end of Scripture there is not a single passage that warrants the transfer of weekly public worship from the last day of the week to the first." (The Catholic Press, Sydney, Australia, August, 1900.)

The authority for Sunday observance was commanded by Constantine the Great, Emperor of Rome, in 321 C.E. The Roman Catholic Church issued its command for Sunday observance over Sabbath observance FIFTEEN years later!

Worshipping on Sunday rather than the Sabbath serves to "confuse." Look at your calendar. The calendar explicitly shows that the Sabbath (called Saturday by today’s world) is the end, the seventh day of the week. The Sabbath is the true "week end." Sunday is the week’s beginning and yet we include it in the "week end" making Monday the beginning of the work week. Isn’t this confusing? YAHWEH is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). Then who is? Satan the Devil! Satan deceives the whole world (Rev. 12:9). Lies and deceit confuse.

Sunday worship is a "tradition of men." YAHWEH'S commandment is to keep, observe, remember the seventh day Sabbath. The tradition of men has made the word of YAHWEH of none effect!

Even the Sunday advocates, after substituting Sunday for the Sabbath, maintain that the Sabbath law is not done away for they then instituted strict laws to govern the observance of Sunday as the Jews had done for the Sabbath.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Revised (ISBE) has this to say about Sunday observance in its article entitled "Lord’s Day," Volume 3, pp 158-160, "Christians worshiping on the first day not of the month but of the week indicates that the church, as the "new Israel," accepted the sabbatical rhythm of time revealed to Israel through Moses. (NOTE: They didn’t accept the sabbatical rhythm revealed through Moses, but another rhythm that will be discussed shortly)...It is clear, however, that while the Christians universally observed the sabbatical rhythm of time, they did not specifically or primarily observe the sabbath (= seventh) day. Thus the apostolic church spoke both a "yes" and "no" to the fourth command-ment...Christians, therefore, are free from the Sabbath in that they can gather on the first day, and at the same time stand under the sign of the Sabbath in that they gather every seventh day.

"The unique relationship of the Jewish Sabbath to the Christian Lord’s Day bears on the ethical question of how Christians should observe the Lord’s Day. The English Puritan tradition requires that one refrain from all labor and recreation (except "works of mercy and necessity"), and spend the whole day in private and public devotion. Proponents have appealed to the OT proscription of all labor on the Sabbath and traditionally have preferred the term "Sabbath Day" to designate the Christian day of worship.

"The colonists enforced observance of the day by civil legislation, now popularly called "blue laws"...One rightly observes the day who does so in a faith that renounces all self-confidence and trust in one’s own works and rests only in G-d for deliverance from sin (NOTE: Sin is the transgression of the law [1 Jn. 3:4]. The seventh day Sabbath is YAHWEH'S law. Modern Day Christianity seeks to observe its Sabbath through rest, even forcible rest on a seventh day that is NOT the commanded day of the law.)

"One rightly observes the day who meets with G-d’s people for worship. The "rest" of the Lord’s Day is not idleness but a gathering in which believers have fellowship with one another and with the risen Lord. The Lord’s Day is not a private day; it belongs to the church...From the end of the 4th century onward a trend very naturally developed toward the fuller equation of the Lord’s Day with the OT Sabbath, which it was now in fact to a large extent supplanting in Christian circles...Alcuin, toward the end of the 8th century, specifically transferred the Sabbath command to the Lord’s Day. Peter Alphonsus in the 12th century capped the whole development by describing the Lord’s Day as the Christian Sabbath." (End of excerpt)

Isn’t it incredible! Sunday worship had not supplanted the seventh day to a large extent until the end of the 4th century! From these writings it is obvious that the Christian Church knew that the seven day rhythm begun at creation and commanded by the law was still in effect then as is the case even today!

Efforts to enforce the seven day cycle were made by civil legislation. But the effort was made to enforce a different seven day cycle than the commanded.

The truth about this cycle is revealed by Albert Pike, a 33rd Mason who wrote, "We learn from Celsus, in Origen; who says that the symbolical image of the passage among the Stars, used in the Mithraic Mysteries, was a ladder, reaching from earth to Heaven, divided into seven steps or stages, to each of which was a gate, and at the summit an eighth, that of the fixed stars. The first gate, says Celsus, was that of Saturn, and of lead, by the heavy nature whereof his dull slow progress was symbolized. The second of tin, was that of Venus, symbolizing her soft splendor and easy flexibility. The third of brass, was that of Jupiter, emblem of his solidity and dry nature. The fourth of iron was that of Mercury, expressing his indefatigable activity and sagacity. The fifth of copper, was that of Mars, expressing his inequalities and variable nature. The sixth, that of silver, was that of the Moon: and the seventh of gold, that of the sun. This order is not the real order of these Planets; but a mysterious one, like that of the days of the week consecrated to them, commencing with Saturday, and retrograding to Sunday. It was dictated, Celsus says of certain harmonic relations, those of the fourth. (Morals And Dogma, p. 414).

As we previously discovered, the seven day week with the Sabbath rest was a sabbatical rhythm of time revealed to Israel through Moses. It was the rhythm revealed at the creation of the world. But the so-called Apostolic Church adopted its own sabbatical rhythm in Sunday worship.

Mr. Pike reveals that this Sunday rhythm is in retrograde (retiring or retreating, in other words, counting backwards) rather than advancing or progressing. To retrograde also means to degenerate.

Mr. Pike further reveals, "The true name of Satan, the Kabalists say, is that of YAHWEH reversed; for Satan is...the negation of G-d. The Devil is the personification of Atheism or Idolatry". (Morals And Dogma, p. 102)

Herein lies the true nature of Sunday and its worship. It is contrary to, opposite to, a negation of YAHWEH'S command, YAHWEH'S nature. Sunday worship is anti-YAHWEH, anti-Messiah.

Sunday is Satan’s sabbath. It represents the sun and gold. Mr. Pike says, "Gold, to the eyes of the initiates is Light condensed. They style the sacred numbers of the Kabalah "golden numbers", and the moral teachings of Pythagoras his "golden verses." (IBID p. 102)

Mr. Pike says of the Devil; "For the initiates (into Masonic Mysteries), this is not a Person, but a Force, created for good, but which may serve for evil. It is the instrument of Liberty or Free Will. They represent this Force, which presides over the physical generation, under the mythologic and horned form of the God Pan; thence came the he-goat of the Sabbat, brother of the Ancient Serpent, and the Light-bearer or Phosphor, of which the poets have made the false Lucifer of the legend." (IBID p. 102)

The very first effort made to enforce Sunday observance rather than the Sabbath by civil legislation came from Constantine the Great in 321 C.E. Constantine decreed that all "judges, city-people, and craftsmen" should "rest on this venerable day of the sun (Sunday, the first day of the week)," but allowing farmers to attend to agriculture when natural conditions made it advisable. (ISBE, p. 160)

NOTICE: how unlike YAHWEH'S commandment is Constantine’s. Not only is the day different, but Constantine provided for agricultural exception to the rule while YAHWEH did not (see Ex. 34:21).

Constantine’s choice of words is interesting for "venerable" means, to venerate, revere or worship. His words mean that all should rest in order to worship, venerate and revere the very thing that the day was dedicated to THE SUN!

Just who was Constantine? Constantine became sole emperor of the Roman Empire in 325 C.E. He is highly regarded by all Christian groups for he is the one who is instrumental in making Christianity the accepted religion of the Roman Empire.

Just before his battle with the superior forces of Maxentius at Milvian Bridge, he is said to have seen a vision of a flaming cross in Heaven with the words "En Touta Nike" (by this conquer). He adopted the cross as his device or sign and his troops carried it into the battle and were victorious. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Volume 6, p. 298, article; Constantine)

Hislop reveals that the standard was the letter "X" which is the first letter in the title "Chr-st." He reveals that, "...the X may have been intended to have one meaning to the Christians and another to the Pagans. It is certain that the X was the symbol of the god Ham in Egypt, and as such was exhibited on the breast of his image." (The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop, p. 298)

That Constantine’s motives were to fuse Christianity and Paganism into one religion is demonstrated by careful examination into his subsequent actions and church history during his life and following his death.

The battle of Milvian Bridge took place on Oct. 28, 312. "His edict of Toleration (A.D. 313)...granted to "Christians and to all others Full Liberty of following that Religion which each may choose," the first edict of its kind in history. He went further. He favored Christians in every way: filled chief offices with them: exempted Christian ministers from taxes and military service; encouraged and helped in building churches: made Christianity the religion of his court: issued a general exhortation (A.D. 325), to all his subjects, to embrace Christianity." (Halley’s Bible Handbook, by H. H. Halley, p. 759)

Until the reign of Constantine the new found religion eventually termed "Christianity" had been severely persecuted throughout the Roman Empire, yet even with the harsh persecution and the resulting death of many, their numbers grew.

The Encyclopedia Britannica says, "From his accession Constantine had shown himself the friend of the Christians; and when his victory over Licinium (A.D. 323) gave him undisputed possession of the crown, he adhered to this religious policy, distributing and fortifying the Christian cause by gratuities and grants of privilege. This propitiatory attitude originated in the fact that he recognized Christianity which had successfully braved so many persecutions—as the most vital and vigorous of religions, and as the power of the future. Consequently he directed his energies toward the establishment of a positive relationship between it and the Roman State." (14th Edition, Volume 16, p. 410, article "Council of Nicea")

Halley’s Bible Handbook adds, "Under Constantine, Christianity was virtually made the State Religion of the Roman Empire. The Church immediately became an institution of vast importance in World Politics. Constantine regarded himself as Head of the Church. He called the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325). and presided over it, the First World Council of the Church." (p. 769)

The Encyclopedia Britannica further states, "It has been said by Stanley that Constantine was entitled to be called "Great" in virtue rather of what he did than of what he was; and it is true that neither his intellectual nor his moral qualities were such as to earn the title. His claim to greatness rest mainly on the fact that he divined the future which lay before Christianity, and determined to enlist it in the service of his empire, and also on his achievement in completing the work begun by Aurelian and Diocletian, by which the quasi-constitutional monarchy or "principate" of Augustus was transformed into the naked absolutism sometimes called the "dominate"...he not only identified himself more openly than ever with Christianity but showed a determination to assert his supremacy in ecclesiastical affairs, holding no doubt that, as the office of pontifex maximus gave him supreme control of religious matters throughout the empire, the regulation of Christianity fell within his province...Like Diocletian, Constantine believed that the time had come for society to be remodelled by the fiat of despotic authority, and it is significant that from henceforth we meet with the undistinguished assertion that the will of the emperor is the sole fountain of the law. Constantine, in fact, embodies the spirit of absolute authority which both in church and state, was to prevail for many centuries." (14th Edition, Volume 6, pp. 298-299, article; "Constantine")

Recently the autobiography of Constantine was aired on the A&E television channel. The statement was made that Constantine, when he became the Caesar, also inherited the office of Pontifex Maximus over all paganism. Once he converted to Christianity, he then became Pontifex Maximus over it.

The historical records and facts of these statements reveal the subtle nature of Constantine. All emperors before him revealed the true nature of Rome. It was the enemy of YAHWEH and His Son, YAHshua the Messiah. It was the stronghold of paganism and emperor worship. Constantine devised a new system or device to conquer this new virulent religion. Pretend to give in, make friends, grant favors and flatter. He caught the assembly totally off guard, pretended to enter their fellowship, lulled them to sleep and then seized their power and authority for himself.

If one will trace the book of Daniel chapters 2 and 7 Scripturally and historically, they will come to the conclusion that Rome is the fourth kingdom spoken of in both chapters. Daniel 7 reveals that Rome is the beast power. Daniel 2 and 7 reveal that this fourth kingdom will continue its rule until the Messiah returns to set up the Kingdom of Elohim. Constantine was a principal head of the Roman Empire, the beast power. It is impossible for him to be the head of the true assembly of YAHWEH, its Pontifex Maximus (high priest), nor can he be its law giver.

The ISBE admits that the Jewish Christians had the Sabbath as a day of rest. (Article; "Lord’s Day", p. 159.) But it states that the gentile Christians had no mandatory weekly day of rest and were thus forced to worship early in the morning or late in the evening. Such cannot be the case for the book of Acts reveals that the Gentile converts observed the Sabbath, Acts 13:14-44; 15:1-21: 16:13: 17:1-4; 18:4.

The same article in the ISBE admits, "The next step came with the accession of Constantine and his recognition and favoring of the Christian Church. Hitherto the Roman Empire had had no firmly established week, although Mithraism had observed the first day as the day of the sun and the seventh day had often been made a special day for feasting. In A.D. 321 Constantine, who also had some attachment to the sun-god, made the first day a regular public holiday, decreeing that all ‘judges, city-people, and craftsmen’ should ‘rest on this venerable day of the sun.’" (p. 160)

When they say that Constantine had some attachment to the sun-god, they are understating the point. He was Pontifex Maximus (high priest) of all paganism. This means that he was Pontifex Maximus (high priest) of Mithraism.

"Mithraism, a religion of Persia, first entered Rome around the time of Pompey and Julius Caesar. Towards the end of the second century the cult had begun to spread rapidly through the army, the mercantile class, slaves and actual propagandists, all of which classes were largely composed of Asiatics...Mithras, identified with Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun), thus became the giver of authority and victory to the imperial house. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Volume 15, p. 620)

Do you get that? Mithras, the unconquered sun became the giver of authority and VICTORY to the imperial house! Sunday, the venerable day of the sun, the day of Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun) was the holy day of Mithraism.

Sunday is associated with ancient pagan mystery worship. The Encyclopedia Britannica confesses, "...the general service tended to grow more elaborate, the missa fidelium tended to take on the character of the current GREEK MYSTERIES...Thus the early idea of the services, as occasions for mutual edification through the interchange of spiritual gifts, gave way in course of time to the theory that they consisted of sacred and mysterious rites by means of which communion with G-d is promoted...In the Eastern Church the religious interest concerned itself more keenly with the mystic rites of divine worship than with dogma." (14th Edition, Volume 5, p. 677-679, article; "Church History")

Constantine thought like a Greek. Remember the conquest of Troy? The Greeks besieged and attempted unsuccessfully to destroy the city for years. Finally they came up with the idea of the Trojan horse.The Greeks made it look as if the Trojans were triumphant and they were leaving a monument to the victory of the Trojans. When the fleet sailed away, the unsuspecting Trojans moved the horse inside the city and began their victory celebration. When the crowds were sleeping off their drunken stupor, the Greek soldiers hidden in the horse opened the gates of the city to the invading Greek armies and Troy became history.

Constantine made it to appear as if the New Testament Assembly had conquered Rome. He faked humility, was allowed to enter the assembly and then took over considering himself the Pontifex Maximus, the sole head of the assembly and its law-giver.

Halley’s Bible Handbook, under "Paganization of the Church", has this to say, "Emperor Constantine (A.D. 306-337), when he became a Christian, issued an Edict granting Everybody the right to choose his own Religion.

"Emperor Theodosius (A.D. 378-398), made Christianity the State Religion of the Roman Empire, and made Church Membership Compulsory. This was the Worst Calamity that has ever befallen the Church. This Forced Conversion filled the Churches with Unregenerate People.

"Not only so, Theodosius undertook the Forcible Suppression of all other Religions, and Prohibited Idol Worship. Under his decrees Heathen Temples were torn down by mobs of Christians, and there was much bloodshed.

"Chr-st had designed to conquer by purely Spiritual and Moral Means. Up to this time Conversion was Voluntary, a Genuine Change in Heart and Life.

"But now the Military Spirit of Imperial Rome had entered the Church. The Church had Conquered the Roman Empire. But in reality the Roman Empire had Conquered the Church, by Making the Church over into the Image of the Roman Empire.

"The Church had Changed its Nature, had entered its Great Apostasy, had become a Political Organization in the Spirit and Pattern of Imperial Rome, and took its Nose-Dive into the millennium of Papal Abominations.

"The Imperial Church of the 4th and 5th centuries had become an entirely different institution from the persecuted church of the first three centuries. In its ambition to Rule it lost and forgot the spirit of Chr-st.

"Worship, at first very simple, was developed into elaborate, stately, imposing ceremonies having all the outward splendor that had belonged to heathen temples." (p. 760)

Constantine and his successors had overcome the corrupted remnants of the New Testament assembly. The Pontifex Maximus’ of all paganism no longer needed the heathen temples to officiate over. They simply brought their heathenistic practices into the assembly, brought forth a mixed or blended faith and then forced it on pain of death on all of the Roman Empire (both east and west).

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Would to Elohim ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with pious jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to the Messiah. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in the Messiah," 2 Cor. 11:1-3.

Just as Eve was lied to and deceived by the serpent Satan in the garden of Eden and as the ancient nations of Israel and Judah also came under Satan’s influence and had to be destroyed, even so, modern-day Christianity has been deceived into going the way of the corrupter, the degenerate one.

Satan the devil, the serpent, the rebel, the apostatizer, the deceiver, the degenerate, the one who retrogrades, the negation of YAHWEH, the anti-YAHWEH, the anti-Messiah, deceived Eve through a lie. Man took of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil coming under the penalty of death.

We can read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and nothing has changed. In Rev. 12:9 we read, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, WHICH DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Revelation is written to reveal the last days. Satan is still deceiving mankind at the end of the age. YAHWEH had warned Adam concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, "Ye shall not eat of it: for in the day that ye eat thereof thou shalt surely die," Gen. 2:17. (The actual Hebrew says, "dying, ye shall die.") In other words, the process of death began which is a process of degeneration, of corruption of retrograding.

Man is under the influence of the corruptor, the degenerate, the retrogrador for YAHWEH said, "Do not eat", and man ate. He said, "Observe My law", and man says the law is done away. He says, "Keep the Sabbath", which is a sign of going forward, progression, regeneration, but man observes Sunday, a sign of retrograding, going backward, degeneration, apostatizing, corruption, etc.

An interesting statement is made in the book of Hebrews, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul," Heb. 10:38-39.

"Perdition" means ruin, waste, destruction, perish, die, to shrink, apostasy, withdraw. In other words, we are not of them who corrupt, apostatize, degenerate, retrograde to death and destruction, but we believe unto salvation (regeneration, renewal, relief, go forward, progress to life).

In the spirit of the subtle serpent Satan, Constantine deceived the NT Assembly into believing that he was one of them when, in reality, his actions and the results prove otherwise. Under his subtle, skillful manipulations paganistic idolatry was introduced into the assembly causing degeneration, retrograding instead of progression and regeneration.

Remember Mr. Pike’s statement that the Devil was the power which led to idolatry and atheism? Look about you and see the idols of the religion today called Christianity. How is it that the western world, supposedly the fortress of Christianity, is also the fortress of evolution and atheism? It is because modern day Christianity is corrupted, degenerate, has retrograded and stands in danger of death and destruction.

If you are a modern-day Sunday worshiping Christian then you need to read Revelation 12:9, admit that you have been deceived by the ultimate deceiver, repent and turn to the true ways of YAHWEH. The Devil has deceived the whole world. That includes modern-day Sunday worshiping Christianity and it can also include Sabbath worshipers if the true Messiah is denied.

Sunday worship has been a tool of Satan to completely confound, confuse and deceive the world. Sunday worship is a mystic rhythm that retrogrades, counts backwards thereby nullifying the very commands of the Mighty Elohim YAHWEH. Sunday worship is anti-Sabbath. We are to count forward to the seventh day Sabbath, which is progression, going forward, regeneration, not count backwards and therefore nullify the holy command.. May YAHWEH open your eyes to see the truth of the matter.

Satan has led the world to begin its year on January 1st, in the "dead" of winter. Isn’t it interesting that his year begins and ends in a period when most vegetation and many animals are "asleep?"

Sleep is a type of death. When the Messiah heard that His friend Lazarus was sick (Jn. 11:1-3), He tarried yet two more days (v. 6). He then told His disciples that Lazarus was "asleep" (v. 11) meaning that he was dead (v. 14).

The approaching year’s end and a new year beginning is observed with much partying, celebration, eating, drinking, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, other forms of illicit sex, crime, revelry, etc.

The Apostle Paul warned against such things, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim," Gal. 5:19-21.

Therefore, another part of Satan’s plan is revealed here isn’t it? Satan wants to keep man out of YAHWEH'S kingdom through the works of the flesh which not only are the works of death, but causes the ones imbibing in such revelry to lose out on the precious inheritance of the kingdom.

The next holiday Satan has inspired to be observed is Valentine’s Day. Many cards with hearts, little Cupids with bow and arrow, the hearts shot through with an arrow, cute little sayings generally always ending with the words "be my Valentine" are exchanged by young and old alike.

What do these "hearts" and "Cupids" really mean? Alexander Hislop has this to say, "The ‘Heart’ was one of the sacred symbols of Osiris when he was ‘born again’, and appeared as Harpocrates, or the infant divinity, born in the arms of his mother Isis. Therefore the fruit of the Egyptian Persea was peculiarly sacred to him, from its resemblance to the HUMAN HEART. Hence this infant divinity was frequently represented with a heart, or the heart-shaped fruit of the Persea in one of his hands.’... ‘Thus the boy-god came to be regarded as the ‘god of the heart,’ in other words, as CUPID, or the god of love. To identify this infant divinity with his father ‘the mighty hunter’ (Nimrod), he was equipped with ‘bow and arrows;’ and in the hands of the poets, for the amusement of the profane vulgar, this sportive boy-god was celebrated as taking aim with his gold-tipped shafts at the heart of mankind. His real character, however, as the above statement shows, and as we have reason already to conclude, was far higher and of a very different kind. He was the woman’s seed. Venus and her son Cupid, then, were none other than the Madonna and the child.’... ‘How came it that the ‘heart’ became the recognized symbol of the child of the great mother? The answer is, ‘the heart’ in Chaldee is ‘BEL’; and as, at first, after the check given to idolatry, almost all the important elements of the Chaldean system were introduced under a veil, so under that veil they continued to be shrouded from the gaze of the initiated.’... ‘Now, the worship of the ‘Sacred Heart’ was just, under a symbol, that mighty one of Babylon, who had died a martyr for idolatry; for Harpocrates, or Horus, the infant god, was regarded as Bel, born again." (The Two Babylons, pp. 188-190)

Valentine’s Day is steeped in pagan idolatrous origins! People are annually rehearsing idolatrous superstitions and customs without even knowing it! Idolatry utilized illicit sex to propagate its teachings. Valentine’s Day represents advances of men and women, boys and girls for sexual purposes or intentions!

Valentine’s Day is a VEILED worship of the Babylonian sun god Bel known in Canaan as Baal. YAHWEH ever condemned Baal worship. It was because of unrepentant Baal worship that the Northern kingdom of Israel under the Ephraimite kings had to be overthrown and removed from the land of promise.

If such practices resulted in the destruction of the kingdom of Israel, then how can one take part in this veiled worship of Baal and still receive the inheritance of YAHWEH'S kingdom? The answer is HE CAN’T!

While Valentine’s Day represents the advances of men and women, boys and girls for sexual purposes, Easter is the time when these sexual intentions are realized or consummated for the word "Easter" comes from the ancient Assyrian goddess of fertility "Ishtar" and is observed with the fertility symbols of eggs and rabbits!

Nine months from Easter comes Christmas (almost exactly to the day in most years, count it on your calendar) when the little child or infant god is born. This child is supposedly the Messiah. He who is worshiped as King, Lord, Savior, etc., but it isn’t. More information on this later.

Do you see how Valentine’s Day, coupled with Easter and Christmas is steeped in ancient pagan sex worship? We all know that they used sex, temple prostitutes, both men and women, to accomplish their means. We just never gave much thought to that religion (ancient pagan worship) being given a ‘cloak’ of Christianity to ‘hide’ under. But that’s Satan’s plan, deceive, confuse, involve man in the bright, glittering, flashy, glamorous pageantry of paganism, make it look so innocent, so simple, so much fun for the "whole family." Get them to partying, drinking, celebrating under "false" pretenses and man is trapped and shut out of YAHWEH'S kingdom.

But there is more concerning Easter and what it represents in the deceptive plan of Satan. YAHWEH appeared in vision to the prophet Ezekiel who was a captive of Babylon by the river Chebar, Ezek. 1:1. He took Ezekiel, in vision, to Jerusalem to show him the abominations being committed by the Jews of that day (Chapter 8).

Ezekiel is first shown an "image of jealousy" at the door of the inner gate toward the north, (vv. 3-5). He is next shown the door of the court to the temple but a hole is in the wall of the court (v. 7). Ezekiel digs through the hole, finds a door, goes in to behold all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about and seventy elders of Israel burning incense to these images.

One is reminded of what Paul was inspired to write in Ro. 1:18-25, "For the wrath of YAHWEH is revealed from Heaven against all impiety and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of YAHWEH is manifest in them; for YAHWEH hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and headship; so that they are without excuse: because that when they knew YAHWEH, they glorified Him not as Elohim, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible Elohim into AN IMAGE made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things (serpents, reptiles) wherefore YAHWEH also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves (paganistic sex rites leading to promiscuity, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, etc.): who changed the truth of Elohim into a lie (Satan uses lies and deceit to lead man, seduce him, away from YAHWEH), and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amein."

Ezekiel is then taken to the door of the gate of YAHWEH'S house which was toward the north; and behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz, Ezek. 8:14. Who was Tammuz?

Alexander Hislop has this to say about Tammuz, "The original of that mother, so widely worshiped, there is reason to believe was Semiramis, already referred to, who it is well known, was worshipped by the Babylonians, and other eastern nations, and that under the name of Rhea, the great Goddess "Mother."

"It was from the son, however, that she derived all her glory and her claims to deification. That son, though represented as a child in his mother’s arms, was a person of great stature and immense bodily powers, as well as most fascinating manners. In Scripture he is referred to in Ezek. viii. 14) under the name of Tammuz, but he is commonly known among classical writers under the name of Bacchus, that is, "The Lamented one" (from Bakhah "to weep" or "lament." Among the Phenicians, says Hesychius, "Bacchos means weeping," p. 179. As the women wept for Tammuz. so did they for Bacchus.). To the ordinary reader the name of Bacchus suggests nothing more than revelry and drunkenness, but is now well known, that amid all the abominations that attended his orgies, their grand design was professedly "the purification of souls," and that from the guilt and defilement of sin. This lamented one, exhibited and adored as a little child in his mother’s arms, seems, in point of fact, to have been the husband of Semiramis, whose name, Ninus, by which he is commonly known in classical history, literally signified "The Son." As Semiramis, the wife, was worshipped as Rhea, whose grand distinguishing character was that of the great goddess "Mother," the conjunction with her of her husband, under the name of Ninus or "The Son," was sufficient to originate the peculiar worship of the "Mother and Son," so extensively diffused among the nations of antiquity; and this, no doubt, is the explanation of the fact which has so much puzzled the inquirers into ancient history, that Ninus is sometimes called the husband, and sometimes the son of Semiramis. This also accounts for the origin of the very same confusion of relationship between Isis and Osiris, the mother and child of the Egyptians; for as Bunsen shows, Osiris was represented in Egypt as at once the son and husband of his mother; and actually bore, as one of his titles of dignity and honour, the name "Husband of the Mother." This still further casts light on the fact already noticed, that the Indian God Iswara is represented as a babe at the breast of his own wife Isi, or Parvati. (The Two Babylons, pp. 21-23.)

What was this period of lamenting and weeping called? "The forty days abstinence of Lent was directly borrowed from the worshipper’s of the Babylonian goddess. Such a Lent of forty days, "in the spring of the year," is still observed by the Yezidis or Pagan Devil-worshippers of Koordistan, who have inherited it from their early masters, the Babylonians. Such a Lent of forty days was held in spring by the Pagan Mexicans, for thus we read in Humboldt, where he gives account of Mexican observances: "Three days after the vernal equinox...began a solemn fast of forty days in honour of the sun." Such a lent of forty days was observed in Egypt, as may be seen on consulting Wilkinson’s Egyptians. This Egyptian Lent for forty days, we are informed by Landseer, in his Sabean Researches, was held expressly in commemoration of Adonis or Osiris, the great mediatorial god. At the same time, the rape of Proserpine seems to have been commemorated in a similar manner; for Julius Firmicus informs us that, for "forty nights" the "wailing for Proserpine" continued; and from Arnobius we learn that the fast which the Pagans observed, called "Castus" or the "sacred" fast, was, by the Christians in his time, believed to have been primarily in imitation of the long fast of Ceres, when for many days she determinedly refused to eat on account of her "excess of sorrow", that is, on account of the loss of her daughter Proserpine, when carried away by Pluto, the god of hell. As the stories of Bacchus, or Adonis and Proserpine, though originally distinct, were made to join on and fit in to one another, so that Bacchus was called Liber, and his wife Ariadne, Libera (which was one of the names of Proserpine), it is highly probable that the forty days fast of Lent was made in later times to have reference to both. Among the Pagans this Lent seems to have been an indispensable preliminary to the great annual festival in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Tammuz, which was celebrated by alternate weeping and rejoicing,...To conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, Rome, pursuing its usual policy, took measures to get the Christian and Pagan festivals amalgamated, and, by a complicated but skilful adjustment of the calendar, it was found no difficult matter, in general, to get Paganism and Christianity—now far sunk in IDOLATRY—in this as in so many other thing, to shake hands." (The Two Babylons, pp. 104-105)

Isn’t this 40 days of weeping and fasting during the Lenten season interesting since the Messiah was forty days tempted of the Devil (Lk. 4:2), whom He overcame, defeated and qualified to cast him out (Jn. 12:37).

The Lenten season begins with ASH Wednesday. What happens on ASH Wednesday? "Ash Wednesday, in the Western church, the first day of LENT, so-called from the ceremonial use of ashes, as a symbol of penitence, in the service prescribed for the day. The custom is still retained in the Roman Catholic Church, the day being known as "dies cinerum" (day of ashes). The ashes, obtained by burning the remains of the palms blessed on the previous Palm Sunday, are placed in a vessel on the altar and consecrated before High Mass. The priest then invites those present to approach and, dipping his thumb in the ashes, MARKS them as they kneel with the sign of the CROSS on the FOREHEAD (or in the case of clerics on the place of the tonsure [the top of the head where it has been shaved bare]). (NOTE: The book of Revelation reveals that a beast "causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads," Rev. 13:16.)...These people receive their mark in their foreheads on Ash Wednesday with the words, "Remember man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." He himself (the priest) receives the ashes from the priest of highest dignity present, or puts them on his own head in SILENCE,’" (The Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Volume 1, article; "Ash Wednesday.")

The Lenten season is preceded by a period of time called CARNIVAL (We know it as Mardi Gras). The same edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica has this to say about CARNIVAL, "Carnival, the last three days preceding Lent, which in Roman Catholic countries are given up to feasting and merrymaking. Anciently the "carnival" began on the morrow of Epiphany (Jan. 7) and lasted until Shrove Tuesday. It probably represents the Roman Saturnalia. Rome has ever been the headquarters of carnival, and though some popes made efforts to stem the tide of Bacchanalian revelry, many of the others were great patrons and promoters of carnival keeping; notably Paul II., who instituted a great variety of races. Under Julius III. we have long and vivid accounts of bull-baits in the forum. Even the austere and rigid Paul IV. (d. 1559) used to keep carnival by inviting all the Sacred College to dine with him. Sixtus V. (1585-1590) set himself to the restraint of excesses and the repression of lawlessness. For the warning of offenders he set up gibbets in conspicuous places. The later popes mostly restricted the carnival to the last six or seven days before Ash Wednesday. The municipal authorities of the city now allow ten days."

Look at the various expressions to describe CARNIVAL, the Saturnalia, Bacchanalian revelry, excesses, lawlessness. These are all paganistic practices. They have no place in the Assembly of the righteous Elohim YAHWEH nor His Son YAHshua! Carnival means "Flesh farewell!" or "Farewell to the flesh!" This period of feasting, revelry and merrymaking just before ASH Wednesday is suggestive of the works of the flesh ending in the lake of fire! Paul says that those who do such things "...shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim!"

The books of Malachi and Revelation disclose the fate of those who imbibe in such things, "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith YAHWEH of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ASHES under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith YAHWEH of hosts," Mal. 4:1-3.

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet were, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and Him That sat on it, from Whose face the earth and Heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before YAHWEH: and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the SECOND DEATH. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire...But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the SECOND DEATH," Rev. 20:10-15; 21:8.

YAHWEH reveals that the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. It leaves them neither root nor branch. What does this mean? In Isaiah 40:6-8 we read, "The voice said, ‘Cry.’ And he said, ‘What shall I cry?’ ‘All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of YAHWEH bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our Elohim shall stand for ever."

The Apostle Peter wrote, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of YAHWEH, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of YAHWEH endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the good news is preached unto you," 1 Pet. 1:22-25.

Look at what happens with the grass of the field. When there is plenty of water (a type of the spirit), the grass is beautiful, alive, green and growing. But during the heat and dryness of summer or the cold blast of winter the grass dies. However, it has a root in the earth that causes it to come back to life again when the right conditions of water and temperature are extant.

YAHshua the Messiah is the Root and Offspring (Branch) of David (Rev. 22:16). He also is the "Word of YAHWEH" (Rev. 19:11-13; Jn. 1:1-3, 14). YAHshua is our Saviour, Redeemer, Deliverer from death.

The Apostle Paul writes, "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please YAHWEH. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of YAHWEH dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of the Messiah, he is none of His. And if the Messiah be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of HIM That raised up YAHshua from the dead dwell in you, HE That raised up the Messiah from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by HIS Spirit That dwelleth in you," Ro. 8:8-11.

We are flesh. Our flesh is as grass. The grass dies under harsh conditions, but when the conditions are right it has a root that will cause it to be regenerated to life. It is through YAHshua the Messiah, Who is also the Word of YAHWEH which abides (lives) for ever, that we must have the Branch of Life and the power of resurrection to eternal life. If we are His then we will take part in the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4). If we are not His then we will not be resurrected again until the time spoken of in Rev. 20:11-13, "And I saw a great white throne, and HIM That sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the Heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before YAHWEH; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

All flesh (the grass) has been revived and must stand before the throne of judgment. All flesh (grass) will be judged according to their works. All flesh (grass) which has not the works of righteousness will be cast into the lake of fire, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the SECOND DEATH, and whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire," Rev. 20:14-15.

Notice it again, this is the SECOND DEATH, not life. Death is the cessation of life. Those who are cast into the lake of fire, as Malachi says, will be left with neither root (ability to be resurrected to life again), nor branch (the Messiah, the Branch, through Whom is the power of resurrection). They shall be burned to ashes under the feet of the righteous and will cease to exist for ever.

But Satan, the liar and father of lies (Jn. 8:44) teaches through his days of Carnival, Lent and Easter not to fear the fire, for Easter, which is the final day culminating this whole season represents the resurrection of the sun-god, the false Saviour Tammuz, or Nimrod, or Bacchus.

What does YAHWEH say about Easter sunrise services? "And He brought me into the inner court of YAHWEH'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of YAHWEH between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of YAHWEH, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. 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 My nose. 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," Ezek. 8:16-18.

Once again we can see how Satan has deceived the whole world into disbelieving YAHWEH and has seduced, lead away, spoiled man into believing him. Satan teaches man to "feed the flesh," and not to fear death in the lake of fire. "Shrove Tuesday", also known as "Fat Tuesday", is the last day of the Lenten season before ASH WEDNESDAY. Unsuspecting revelers have observed their Lenten fast, weeping for Tammuz. They have then revelled in the Mardi Gras (Carnival, [flesh farewell]) making themselves fat for the slaughter. They have entered into the fire on ASH WEDNESDAY, trusting that they will be resurrected and renewed to life at sunrise on Easter Sunday. But Scripture reveals that if you enter into the fire, there is no resurrection therefrom. Those who enter the fire are reduced to ashes, left without root and branch. This is the deceptive plan of Satan revealed in his holiday season of Lent, Carnival and Easter Sunday.

Hallowe’en is the next observance in Satan’s scheme of things. On this night people allow their children to dress up as witches, goblins, skeletons, demons and many other evil spirits and then send them on their way to "trick or treat" their neighbors, etc. But where did this tradition come from and should true believers observe such a custom in today’s world?

The Encyclopedia Britannica has this to say about Hallowe’en, "Hallowe’en or All Hallows Eve, the name given to Oct. 31, as the vigil of Hallowmas or All Saint’s Day, now chiefly known as the eve of the Christian festival. It long antedates Christianity. The two chief characteristics of ancient Hallowe’en were lighting of bonfires and the belief that this is the one night in the year during which ghosts and witches are most likely to wander abroad. History shows that the main celebrations of Hallowe’en were purely Druidical, and this is further proved by the fact that in parts of Ireland Oct. 31 is still known as Oidhche Shamhna, "Vigil of Saman." This is directly connected with the Druidic belief in the calling together of certain wicked souls on Hallowe’en by Saman, lord of death. On the Druidic ceremonies were grafted some of the characteristics of the Roman festival in honour of Pomona held about Nov. 1, in which nuts and apples, representing the winter store of fruits, played an important part. The custom of lighting Hallowe’en fires survived until recently in the highlands of Scotland and Wales." (14th Edition, Volume 11, pp. 102-103)

The world Book Encyclopedia says, "Hallowe’en or Hallow Even, on October 31, a night to play at being witches, ghosts, and fairies. It is the eve of the Christian festival of All Saints. The name means Holy Eve, a time originally set apart to honor the memory of all saints. The building of bonfires, cracking of nuts, bobbing for apples floating in tubs of water, and telling of fortunes and ghost stories, which are now Hallowe’en customs, are all relics of paganism. About thirteen centuries ago, pagans celebrated November 1 as All Spirits’ Day, when spirits, both good and evil, were believed to be on earth. The Druids also celebrated their harvest festival about that time, and many strange ceremonies were performed. Even after the pagans adopted Christianity, they still observed many of their old customs, including those which have survived as the Hallowe’en diversions of to-day. In past years the ceremonies peculiar to the occasion in Scotland were of a highly superstitious nature."

What does the true faith of the Messiah have to with witches, wicked spirits, fairies, or the lord of death, etc.? YAHWEH had commanded Israel, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live," Ex. 22:18. "When thou art come into the land which YAHWEH thy Elohim giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter (fortune teller) with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these thing are an abomination unto YAHWEH: and because of these abominations YAHWEH thy Elohim doth drive them out from before thee," Dt. 18:9-12.

Witches, ghosts, evil spirits, etc. are an abomination to YAHWEH. The Messiah came to fulfill YAHWEH'S law (Mt. 5:17), not to disobey it. He left an example for us that we should walk in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21). The lord of death is Satan and he has no part with the true Messiah YAHshua.

Hallowe’en is simply another period of time inspired by Satan to lead the masses astray in abominable practices that YAHWEH hates.

Christmas and its season is the final holiday of the year in the plan of Satan. Like New Year’s, Carnival and Easter it is observed with much celebrating, partying, drunkenness, pageantry, revelry, and other works of the flesh.

Alexander Hislop has this to say about Christmas; "Indeed, it is admitted by the most learned and candid writers of all parties that the day of our L-rd’s birth cannot be determined, and that within the Christian Church no such festival as Christmas was ever heard of till the third century, and that not till the fourth century was far advanced did it gain much observance. How, then, did the Romish Church fix on December the 25th as Christmas-day? Why, thus: Long before the fourth century, and long before the Christian era itself, a festival was celebrated among the heathen, at the precise time of the year, in honour of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of Heaven; and it may fairly be presumed that, in order to conciliate the heathen, and to swell the number of the nominal adherents of Christianity, the same festival was adopted by the Roman Church, giving it only the name of Chr-st. This tendency on the part of Christians to meet Paganism half-way was very early developed; and we find Tertullian, even in his day, about the year 230, bitterly lamenting the inconsistency of the disciples of Chr-st in this respect, and contrasting it with the strict fidelity of the Pagans to their own superstition. ‘By us,’ says he, ‘who are strangers to Sabbaths, and new moons, and festivals, once acceptable to G-d, the Saturnalia, the feasts of January, the Brumalia, and Matronalia are now frequented; gifts are carried to and fro, new year’s day presents are made with din, and sports and banquets are celebrated with uproar; oh, how much more faithful are the heathen to their religion, who take special care to adopt no solemnity from the Christians.’ Upright men strove to stem the tide, but in spite of all their efforts, the apostasy went on, till the Church, with the exception of a small remnant, was submerged under Pagan superstition. That Christmas was originally a Pagan festival, is beyond all doubt. The time of the year, and the ceremonies with which it is still celebrated, prove its origin....

"The Christmas tree, now so common among us, was equally common in Pagan Rome and Pagan Egypt. In Egypt that tree was the palm-tree; in Rome it was the fir; the palm-tree denoting the Pagan Messiah, as Baal-Tamar, the fir referring to him as Baal-Berith. The mother of Adonis, the Sun-God and great mediatorial divinity, was mystically said to have been changed into a tree, and when in that state to have brought forth her divine son. If the mother was a tree, the son must have been recognized as the ‘Man the branch.’ And this entirely accounts for the putting of the Yule log into the fire on Christmas-eve, and the appearance of the Christmas-tree the next morning. As Zero-Ashta, ‘The seed of the woman,’ he has to enter the fire on ‘Mother-night,’ that he may be born the next day out of it, as the ‘Branch of G-d,’ or the Tree that brings all divine gifts to men. But why, it may be asked, does he enter the fire under the symbol of a Log? To understand this, it must be remembered that the divine child born at the winter solstice was born as a new incarnation of the great god (after that god had been cut in pieces), on purpose to revenge his death upon his murderers. Now the great god, cut off in the midst of his power and glory, was symbolised as a huge tree, stripped of all its branches, and cut-down almost to the ground. But the great serpent, the symbol of the life restoring Aesculapius, twists itself around the dead stock, and lo, at its side up sprouts a young tree—a tree of an entirely different kind, that is destined never to be cut down by hostile power—even the palm-tree, the well-known symbol of victory. The Christmas-tree, as has been stated, was generally at Rome a different tree, even the fir; but the very same idea as was implied in the palm-tree was implied in the Christmas-fir; for that covertly symbolised the new-born G-d as Baal-Berith, ‘Lord of the Covenant,’ and thus shadowed forth the perpetuity and everlasting nature of his power, nor that after having fallen before his enemies he had risen triumphant over them all. Therefore, the 25th of December, the day that was observed at Rome as the day when the victorious god reappeared on earth, was held at the Natalis Invicti Solis, ‘The birth-day of the unconquered sun.’ Now the yule log is the dead stock of Nimrod, deified as the sun-god, but cut down by his enemies; the Christmas-tree is Nimrod redivivus—the slain god come to life again." (The Two Babylons, pp. 92-93, 97-98)

Once again, we can notice the deceptive device of Satan concerning the fire. The Yule log is placed in the fire and reduced to ashes, but the appearance of the Christmas-tree the next morning yields the idea of resurrection from that fire. This is entirely contrary and contradictory to the very word of YAHWEH. YAHWEH says that those who are burnt in the fire are reduced to ashes having neither root nor branch (no power of resurrection and no saving branch [Messiah]).

Notice also the tremendous tendency by man to paganize and heathenize everything, even YAHWEH'S word of truth. This is an abominable practice that must be repented of. YAHWEH hates the abominable practices of the heathen.

Another common practice associated with Christmas observance has to do with the Mistletoe. Once again Hislop comments, "Let the reader look at the singular practice still kept up in the South on Christmas-eve, of kissing under the mistletoe bough. That mistletoe bough in the Druidic superstition, which, as we have seen, was derived from Babylon, was a representation of the Messiah, ‘The man the branch.’ The mistletoe was regarded as a divine branch—a branch that came from Heaven, and grew upon a tree that sprang out of the earth. Thus by the engrafting of the celestial branch into the earthly tree, Heaven and earth, that sin had severed, were joined together, and thus the mistletoe bough became the token of Divine reconciliation to man, the kiss being the well-known token of pardon and reconciliation." (The Two Babylons, pp. 98-99)

Do you get that? The mistletoe was taken to be a type of the Mediator between Heaven and earth! The Apostle Paul writes, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of YAHWEH; that we might know the things that are freely given us of YAHWEH. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual," 1 Cor. 2:12-13.

Notice what he says carefully. We are to take of the things that are FREELY GIVEN US OF YAHWEH. The Holy Spirit leads us to compare these spiritual things with spiritual. YAHWEH has given us His word. We are to take His word and learn of Heavenly things by comparing the things from His word with the Heavenly things, specifically His Son YAHshua, His power and headship, etc. Nowhere does YAHWEH'S word speak of mistletoe. Nowhere does YAHWEH'S word present mistletoe as a type of a mediator, or as a type of divine reconciliation. The use of mistletoe as such comes from man’s wisdom, which is foolishness to YAHWEH. It does not come from YAHWEH'S wisdom at all.

The customs of the pagans and heathen are degrading, to say the least. Let’s take mistletoe, for instance. It is spread by bird dung! It is a parasite that literally lives off of its host. It will eventually replace the natural branches and, when prolific enough, will drain its host of its vitality and life. Furthermore, its berries are poisonous! This IS NOT anywhere near a true representation of the true Messiah! Although it is a perfect representation of the false messiah as are also Christmas with its traditions, Hallowe’en with its traditions, Lent, Carnival and Easter with their traditions, New Year’s day with its traditions and Sunday with its traditions.

Now that we have seen Satan’s plan to deceive, promote idolatry, enslave, corrupt and destroy through his system of "holidays," let’s look at the days YAHWEH commanded, for they reveal His plan of salvation.

All of YAHWEH'S commanded days and feasts are recorded in the book of Leviticus, chapter 23. Verses 1-3 establish the seventh day Sabbath, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying, ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts of YAHWEH, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of YAHWEH in all your dwellings."

There is no confusion here as to the "week-end." YAHWEH emphatically states that we shall have a seven day week. The first six days are to be work days, the seventh day a day of rest. Notice also that it is to be observed as a holy convocation. This means that YAHWEH'S people are to hold a holy gathering, to gather together for a holy purpose.

What does the sabbath reveal to us about YAHWEH? The first thing it reveals is that in six days YAHWEH created the Heavens and the earth. When He had finished that work which was performed in six days, He rested on the seventh day and hallowed it [made it holy]. (Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-3, Ex. 20:8-11)

Thus the seventh day Sabbath is a memorial to the creative powers of YAHWEH. If one arranges his week to be in conjunction with YAHWEH'S then he is, in effect, following YAHWEH'S example and, therefore reminded of and brought to understand YAHWEH as Creator.

We read in Heb. 4:9-10, "There remaineth therefore a rest (Gk. = sabbatismos = keeping of the sabbath) to the people of YAHWEH. For he that is entered into HIS rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as YAHWEH did from HIS." Do you get what this is saying in reality? It is saying that when YAHWEH'S people keep or observe the sabbath, they are following the example of the great Creator YAHWEH. Notice verse 10 again which says, "For he that is entered into HIS rest..." Whose rest? YAHWEH'S! "...he also hath ceased from his own works, as YAHWEH did from HIS." If we enter into the same rest that YAHWEH entered into, then we are following HIS example. That is what is being said here.

One thing to notice is that the seventh day was hallowed (made holy) in the beginning of creation. Over two thousand years later, YAHWEH revealed it to Israel in the wilderness through the giving of the manna (Ex. 16). When YAHshua appeared in the flesh, the seventh day Sabbath was still being observed and the New Testament Scriptures verify that He and His disciples observed it. This was a period of around 4,000 years wherein the Sabbath day had not been changed nor done away. Even the Roman Catholic and Protestant scholars will admit that there is no Scriptural authority for a change from Sabbath observance to Sunday in the entirety of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

YAHshua said that He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets, rather He came to fulfil (keep, perform, do [Mt. 5:17]). How is it that anyone should think that YAHWEH'S weekly cycle has been changed? Especially since the first 4,000 years of records reveal that it had continued until that time! Then there is YAHWEH'S own statement in Mal. 3:6 that He changes not! The truth is that the Sabbath continues as a memorial to YAHWEH and His creative powers until this day, and will continue as a memorial until the present Heavens and earth are no more.

We find in Ex. 31:12-17, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily MY sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am YAHWEH that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to YAHWEH: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 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 YAHWEH made Heaven and earth, and on the seventh day HE rested, and was refreshed"

Therefore, we learn that the Sabbath is a sign (mark) between YAHWEH and His people that He is their Elohim Who does sanctify (hallow) them and they are His people to all generations, a perpetual covenant.

But it doesn’t stop there. We found in Colossians 2 that the Sabbath days are a shadow of things to come. What is it that is coming that the Sabbath day pictures?

The Apostle Peter writes, "But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with YAHWEH as a thousand years and a thousand year’s as one day," 2 Pet. 3:8. Every day of the week is representative of a thousand years. YAHWEH has a 7,000 year plan, one thousand years for each day of the week, in which He will accomplish all of His pleasure.

For almost 6,000 years now most men have been allowed go their own way, doing their own work. But during this time YAHWEH has also been working out His own plan of redemption through those whom He has elected to call out of this world. Man’s work has been rather wearisome and tiring. The earth has become polluted, there is corruption on every level and is in need of refreshing. Man has sought to work out his own plan for peace and rest, but there has been none. There has been a 6,000 year period of general unrest, but the Sabbath pictures a 1,000 year period of rest.

YAHshua was to be a Governor (ruler) over the children of Israel, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My People Israel," Mt. 2:6. After He had overcome Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, YAHshua came proclaiming, "Repent; for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand," Mt. 4:17. The book of Revelation reveals that those who are resurrected in the first resurrection will live and reign with the Messiah for a thousand years (20:4, last part).

Isaiah foresaw and prophesied of this time when he was inspired to say, "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to It shall the Gentiles seek: and HIS REST shall be glorious," Isa. 11:10.

YAHshua is revealed as, "The Alpha and Omega (This should be the Hebrew letters Aleph and Tav), the Beginning and Ending, WHICH IS and WHICH WAS and WHICH IS TO COME, the Almighty," Rev. 1:8. How much the Sabbath is similar to this for it reminds us of things past (creation), things present (we are His people) and things future (the coming kingdom of Heaven).

In Lev. 23:4 YAHWEH had Moses write, "These are the feasts of YAHWEH, even HOLY CONVOCATIONS, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. These days were to be observed annually, in their seasons, not weekly like the Sabbath. However, while the Sabbath brings to mind the overall 7,000 year plan of YAHWEH, 6,000 years of man’s rule with the 7th period of 1,000 years being ruled by the Son of YAHWEH and those whose are His, the feast days present the plan that YAHWEH has initiated in bringing the kingdom to reality.

The first month of the new year was called "Abib." Abib means "green ears" and the month was coordinated to begin when the barley grain was full in the ear. Of course, YAHWEH was the One Who did the coordinating, but this first month was coordinated to begin in Spring when things are "springing" to life.

YAHWEH spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you," Ex. 12:2. We know that this was getting close to the time of the barley harvest for after the 7th plague brought upon Egypt, which consisted of hail and fire mingled with the hail, we read, "And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up," Ex. 9:31-32.

Historical records indicate that the barley comes to a mature head sometime in the months of March or April according to today’s reckoning. This would have occurred around the vernal equinox which is normally appointed to be the first day of Spring.

Another thing that we should point out is that the moon was the instrument which was utilized to begin and end the months. The waxing crescent moon was the beginning of the month. A month would generally consist alternately of 29 days or 30 days since it takes a little over 29 days (approximately 29-1/2 days) to go through its phase of waxing, waning and conjunction.

A quick look at a dictionary should reveal that the word "month" actually comes from "moon." Therefore, the very word "month" has to do with a phase of the moon. However, the Ceasars (Julius and Augustus) rearranged the calendar to begin in the winter also removing the month from the control of the moon as originally intended by YAHWEH. Because of the actions of the Ceasars and Pope Gregory, our modern day world does not realize the root origin of the word month is "moon."

YAHWEH originally set the sun, moon and stars in the Heavens for signs, seasons, days and years (Gen. 1:14). "HE appointed the moon for seasons...", Psa. 104:19

The word "seasons" is translated from the Hebrew word "moed". Moed also means an appointed time, an assembly, a signal (as appointed beforehand), a feast, place of meeting, etc. In other words, it is the moon that is utilized to set the appointed annual meetings and festivals. The new moon of Abib (green ears) in conjunction with the barley and the constellations of the stars was to set the beginning of the year.

It was not to be an arbitrary time appointed by some uninspired man in the "dead of winter", but it was set to correspond with the springing forth of life for YAHWEH, Himself, is the great Lifegiver.

The first appointment mentioned is YAHWEH'S Passover, "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is YAHWEH'S Passover," Lev. 23:5.

Initially, while in Egyptian bondage, Israel was commanded, "Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is YAHWEH'S passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite 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 YAHWEH. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt," Ex. 12:3-13.

In YAHWEH'S scheme of things, the first month, the beginning of the year, also contained the sacrifice which began His plan of deliverance, the salvation of His people.

Israel was in bondage to Egypt. Egypt was a type of sin and death. A sacrifice had to be made to deliver YAHWEH'S people out of this b