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Lesson # 11: Sunday Observance and the Book of

Revelation

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Since Revelation is a book for the last days, and since it centers

on Jesus and His resurrection, one would expect to find some

exciting comments in the book in regard to the church custom of keeping Sunday as a holy day in

honor of His resurrection.

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But, strangely, the day itself is not even mentioned. Stranger yet, though

the day is mentioned eight times in other books of the New Testament, in no case is a command given to keep it

holy. Since millions of sincere and loving Bible believing Christians

worship on Sunday, why is the Bible so strangely silent on this subject?

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Could it be that more is involved here than appears on the surface? The answer is “Yes!” One of the greatest prophecies

of the book of Revelation involves the subject of Sunday worship. One of our

seminar lessons will consider this crucial topic in detail.

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However, it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to understand this

important prophecy unless the topic in this lesson becomes crystal clear. So, let

us examine the eight scripture references in the New Testament which

mentions the first day of the week. Obviously, if there is a command to

keep Sunday holy, we should find it in one of these Bible passages.

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1. Do these three resurrection texts 1. Do these three resurrection texts say Sunday is holy? say Sunday is holy?

Mark 16:9:Mark 16:9: “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene …”

Matt. 28:1:Matt. 28:1: “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week …”

John 20:1:John 20:1: “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early … “

Answer: No! No!No!

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2. Does this fourth text say the 2. Does this fourth text say the day is holy?day is holy? Mark 16:1,2Mark 16:1,2..

Answer: No! Note: This New Testament text tells us

something very interesting. Sunday is not the Sabbath, because the Sabbath is past when Sunday comes.

Note: Note:

The Bible always calls Sunday the first day of the week.The Bible always calls Sunday the first day of the week.

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3. Does this fifth passage say 3. Does this fifth passage say Sunday is holy?Sunday is holy? Luke 24:1. Luke 24:1.

““Now upon the first day of the week, very Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, …”sepulchre, …”

Answer: NO!Answer: NO!Note:Note: The book of Luke was written by a The book of Luke was written by a

Gentile Christian, thirty years after Gentile Christian, thirty years after Christ’s ascension, but no change in the Christ’s ascension, but no change in the

day of worship is mentioned.day of worship is mentioned.

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4. Does this sixth text reveal a 4. Does this sixth text reveal a regular Sunday meeting?regular Sunday meeting? John 20:19John 20:19

Answer: Answer: They assembled “for fear of the Jews.”They assembled “for fear of the Jews.”Note: This could not have been a regular Note: This could not have been a regular meeting to honor the resurrection, because meeting to honor the resurrection, because

until Jesus appeared in their midst they until Jesus appeared in their midst they refused to believe He was raised! refused to believe He was raised!

(Mark 16:14) (Mark 16:14)

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5. The seventh text answers a 5. The seventh text answers a number of questions.number of questions. 1 Cor. 16:1,21 Cor. 16:1,2

a. Does this passage say the first day is holy? Answer: NO!

b. Does it say, “Give money when the collection plate is passed in your church on the first day?” Answer: NO!

verse 2:“let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

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6. What is the significance of “lay by 6. What is the significance of “lay by him”?him”?

Answer:Answer: Do it privately Do it privately at homeat home!!Note:Note:

The New Testament, in the language of The New Testament, in the language of today says, “Each of you should at home today says, “Each of you should at home lay aside some money he makes, and save lay aside some money he makes, and save

it.” Paul was requesting money for the it.” Paul was requesting money for the Jerusalem Christians, who were suffering Jerusalem Christians, who were suffering

famine and hardship famine and hardship (Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26).(Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26).

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So, Paul wrote ahead to the churches he would visit, asking each believer to

save money at home weekly, so it would be ready when he arrived.

These Christians kept Sabbath holy and usually reviewed their weekly financial accounts on Sunday. So it

was an ideal time to plan their giving.

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7. The eighth and final New Testament 7. The eighth and final New Testament text istext is Acts 20:7 - 11Acts 20:7 - 11..

Does it say to observe Sunday as a holy day? NO!

Does it say the Sabbath was changed to Sunday? NO!

Does it say they met every Sunday for worship? NO!

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Paul was on a farewell trip to the Paul was on a farewell trip to the churches. Acts 20 & 21 mention at least churches. Acts 20 & 21 mention at least five other churches Paul visited on this five other churches Paul visited on this

same farewell trip. This meeting at same farewell trip. This meeting at Troas was a special farewell meeting. Troas was a special farewell meeting. That is why it lasted until midnight. That is why it lasted until midnight.

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8. Would Paul have told us if the 8. Would Paul have told us if the Sabbath had been changed?Sabbath had been changed?

Yes! Yes!

Acts 20:27Acts 20:27 says Paul gave us all of says Paul gave us all of God’s counsel!God’s counsel!

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Note:The book of Acts covers a period of 23 years after Jesus’

ascension and mentions the Sabbath in eight different

chapters, but without any hint of change.

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9. Could the disciples have changed the day 9. Could the disciples have changed the day if they wanted to?if they wanted to?

Matt. 5:18Matt. 5:18 “Till heaven “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law”.pass from the law”.

Deut. 4:2Deut. 4:2 “Ye shall not “Ye shall not add unto the word which add unto the word which I command you, neither I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought shall ye diminish ought from it…”from it…”

Answer:Answer: NO. NO.

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10. Satan’s strategy is to get us to break just one of God’s commandments! Why?

James 2:10-12James 2:10-12 When you offend in When you offend in

one point you are one point you are guilty of all. guilty of all.

Note:Note: God’s law is God’s law is like a 10-sided like a 10-sided

fortress. Only one fortress. Only one side needs to be side needs to be

broken down for the broken down for the enemy to enter.enemy to enter.

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11. John speaks of the Lord’s day - 11. John speaks of the Lord’s day - which day is it?which day is it? Rev. 1:10Rev. 1:10

““I was in the I was in the Spirit on the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” Lord’s day.” Exo. 20:10Exo. 20:10

““But the seventh But the seventh day is the day is the

Sabbath of the Sabbath of the Lord thy God…”Lord thy God…”

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Which day is the Lord’s day?Which day is the Lord’s day? Isa. 58:13Isa. 58:13 “If thou turn away “If thou turn away

thy foot from the Sabbath, thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on from doing thy pleasure on my holy day..”my holy day..”

Mark 2:28:Mark 2:28: “…the Son of “…the Son of man is Lord also of the man is Lord also of the Sabbath”.Sabbath”.

Answer:Answer: The Sabbath is the Lord’s day.The Sabbath is the Lord’s day. Note:Note: People sometimes call People sometimes call

Sunday the Lord’s Day, but the Sunday the Lord’s Day, but the Bible calls the Sabbath the Lord’s Bible calls the Sabbath the Lord’s Day.Day.

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Memorial of Jesus’ ResurrectionMemorial of Jesus’ Resurrection12. What does the Bible call Sunday?12. What does the Bible call Sunday?Ezekiel 46:1:Ezekiel 46:1: Answer:Answer: One of the six days. One of the six days.13. Where did the Sunday sacredness 13. Where did the Sunday sacredness

come from?come from? Matt. 15:3-9:Matt. 15:3-9: Answer:Answer: From the tradition and From the tradition and

commandments of men.commandments of men.Note:Note: Misguided men have substituted Misguided men have substituted

another day of worship for the Sabbath.another day of worship for the Sabbath.

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14. What did Jesus give us to honor His death, 14. What did Jesus give us to honor His death, burial and resurrection?burial and resurrection? Rom.6:3-6, Col.2:12Rom.6:3-6, Col.2:12

Answer: Baptism and the

Lord’s Supper.

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Note:Note: Neither Neither Jesus nor His Jesus nor His disciples gave any disciples gave any command command whatsoever to whatsoever to honor Sunday as honor Sunday as a memorial to the a memorial to the resurrection. resurrection. Rather, He gave Rather, He gave us Baptism and us Baptism and the Lord’s Supper the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of as a memorial of His death, burial His death, burial & resurrection.& resurrection.

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Calendar Change ExplainedCalendar Change Explained15. Have calendar changes made it 15. Have calendar changes made it

impossible to find the Sabbath?impossible to find the Sabbath? Answer:Answer: No! No!

The seventh day on our calendar is the The seventh day on our calendar is the same 7th day that was on the calendar same 7th day that was on the calendar

when Jesus was here.when Jesus was here.

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The Romans who ruled in Jesus’ day gave us our The Romans who ruled in Jesus’ day gave us our modern calendar. Only one change has been made modern calendar. Only one change has been made

and it did not affect the weekly cycle. In October of and it did not affect the weekly cycle. In October of 1582, ten days were removed. Thursday the 4th was 1582, ten days were removed. Thursday the 4th was followed by Friday the 15th. Therefore the seventh-followed by Friday the 15th. Therefore the seventh-day Sabbath on our calendar today is the very same day Sabbath on our calendar today is the very same

seventh-day that Jesus kept.seventh-day that Jesus kept.

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Nailed to the CrossNailed to the Cross

16. Which 16. Which Sabbaths are no Sabbaths are no longer binding longer binding

since the cross?since the cross? Col. 2:14-17.Col. 2:14-17. Answer: Answer:

Those that were a Those that were a “shadow of things to “shadow of things to

come”.come”.

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Note: The annual or yearly feast days were also called sabbaths, and were part of the

CEREMONIAL LAWS which foreshadowed some aspect of Christ’s ministry in the plan of salvation. They came on different days of the

week each year and symbolized Jesus’ coming sacrificial death and priestly ministry (Heb. 10:1).

By this means he taught Israel the gospel (Heb. 4:1-2). For example, the annual Sabbath of the Passover foreshadowed Christ’s suffering and death (1 Cor. 5:7). All of these yearly sabbaths

came to an end at the cross.

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The yearly The yearly Sabbaths were Sabbaths were

not a part of not a part of God’s perfect Ten God’s perfect Ten

Commandment Commandment Law which will Law which will

stand forever and stand forever and tells us to observe tells us to observe the seventh-day the seventh-day

Sabbath Sabbath

(Psalm 19:7; (Psalm 19:7; 111:7,8; Isa. 111:7,8; Isa. 66:22,23).66:22,23).

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17. What do Sunday churches say 17. What do Sunday churches say about this problem?about this problem?

Baptist: “There is no scriptural evidence

of the change of the Sabbath institution from the seventh to the

first day of the week” - Baptist Manual

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Catholic: “You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you

will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of

Sunday”. - James Cardinal Gibbons, The Faith of Our

Fathers

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Catholic: Catholic Services Appeal, 1995, St. Catherine Catholic Church, St. Clair

Boulevard: “…the holy day, the Sabbath, was changed from Saturday to Sunday, the day of the Lord (not

based on scriptural authority, but) …from the church’s sense of it’s own

power.”

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Catholic Catechism:Catholic Catechism:

“People who think the scripture should be the sole authority should logically

become Seventh-day Adventists and keep Saturday holy”.

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Christian: “There is not in any place in the Bible any intimation of such

a change.” - First Day Observance

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Church of Christ: “I do not believe that the Lord’s

day … was changed from the seventh to the first day.” -

Alexander Campbell, Washington Reporter,

October 8, 1821

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Episcopal: “Is there any command in the

New Testament to change the day of weekly rest from

Saturday to Sunday? None!” - Manual of Christian

Doctrine

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Methodist: “Take the matter of Sunday …

there is no passage telling Christians to keep the day.”

- Harris Franklin Rall, Christian Advocate,

July 2, 1942

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Lutheran: “The observance of the Lord’s Day (Sunday) is not founded on

any command of God.” - Augsburg Confession of

Faith

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Presbyterian: “The Christian Sabbath (Sunday) is not in the

scriptures.” - Dwight’s Theology, vol. 4

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My Love and ObedienceMy Love and Obedience18. Does Revelation say God’s 18. Does Revelation say God’s

people keep his people keep his commandments?commandments?

Answer: Yes - three times! 1. Rev. 12:17 2. Rev. 14:12 3. Rev. 22:14

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Rev 12:17And the dragon was

wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the

remnant of her seed, which keep the

commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ

(KJV).

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Rev 14:12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that

keep the commandments of God, and the faith of

Jesus (KJV).

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Rev 22:14Rev 22:14Blessed are they that Blessed are they that

do his commandmentsdo his commandments, , that they may have right that they may have right

to the tree of life, and may to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates enter in through the gates

into the city(KJV).into the city(KJV).

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Hebrews 5:9Hebrews 5:9And being made perfect, And being made perfect, he became the author of he became the author of eternal salvation unto all eternal salvation unto all

them that them that obey himobey him (KJV);(KJV);

Why?Why?

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Note: Jesus, in Revelation, is stressing that

salvation is provided for the obedientsalvation is provided for the obedient and not for the disobedient. Matthew

7:21-23 makes it clear that many active church members will be shocked when

they are shut out of heaven for disobedience, in spite of the fact that

they did many wonderful things in the Lord’s name.

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Matt 7:21 - 23:Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that

doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have

cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I

profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (KJV).

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19. What does Jesus say to us about 19. What does Jesus say to us about this problem? this problem? Matt. 15:3Matt. 15:3

““Why do ye also transgress the Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your commandment of God by your

tradition?”tradition?”

47““If ye love me keep my If ye love me keep my

commandments.” commandments.” John 14:15John 14:15

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Note:Note:We serve whomever we obey We serve whomever we obey

((Romans 6:16Romans 6:16). Will we serve ). Will we serve Jesus and worship on his holy day Jesus and worship on his holy day or will we serve, and thus worship, or will we serve, and thus worship, misguided men who were led by misguided men who were led by satan to replace God’s holy day satan to replace God’s holy day

with a substitute? with a substitute?

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20. Do you want to be on the side of 20. Do you want to be on the side of tradition and lose, or do you want to tradition and lose, or do you want to

be on the side of truth and win?be on the side of truth and win?

TruthTruth

(of God)(of God) TraditionTradition

(of men)(of men)

?

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21. Do you want the blessings God 21. Do you want the blessings God gives those who keep the Sabbath?gives those who keep the Sabbath?

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