There are certain facts pertaining to God’s people that are to be clearly understood by all those who enter into a covenant relationship with The Lord Jesus. This bond between ourselves, and the God-Head through Christ must not be taken lightly, for it involves very much more than some may know. The knowledge of God through Christ must mean something tangible, that can be seen and observed by even the casual onlooker, which in turn would lead them to enquire about how they too can join the fold, since Christ died for all.
When Christ refers to His people as witnesses, that does not mean someone who has merely seen the love of God; instead it refers to all those who are actively engaged in an on-going relationship with The Lord Jesus, and who, as a direct result, have a peculiar set of characteristics and identifying factors that are not to be found in the general public. If a solid relationship with Christ does not result in a marked difference across the entire spectrum of our life experience then something is missing that needs to be urgently addressed.
The scripture makes very plain some of these differences and special features so that any observer will know. The religion of Christ was meant to attract as many as are willing to know and obey Christ, and be saved eternally, and therefore, if it only results in a run of the mill experience that does not make a difference, there won’t be any attraction for those who do not know God to say “I’ll like to do that too”. In other words, the “Herd” mentality never applies to God’s people.
Thus, these attractive differences in the scriptures should be understood by all, for our relationship with Christ must have meaning and credibility, if we are to be effective witnesses, who have not only seen, but have heard, and handled that which is to be found in Christ. Let’s read:
Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior. 12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore, ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.
Numbers 23:5 And the Lord put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. 7 And he took up his parable, and said; 8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.
1st Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
For purposes of this Bible study, the word “Peculiar” begs a detailed explanation. Let’s Google it and see what comes up. Peculiar: strange, unusual, particular, distinctive, special, curious, odd, weird. The only words one could say after reading such a meaning from Google, is “have mercy”. God has not called us to be popular, but to be peculiar, so that a marked attractive difference would appeal to those who observe.
Thus, if after observing us keenly, one comes away with the impression that there isn’t any difference between Christians and non-believers, then there is a missing link in the chain that needs to be found. Abraham understood this difference and peculiarity when He asked God concerning the wicked and the righteous living in Sodom. At that time, righteous Lot was residing in the midst of the city’s citizens, and thus, before judgements were to be meted out, Abram became quite puzzled, as observed by those questions he then asked. Let’s read:
Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
Exodus 11:6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it anymore. 7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe and do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
But, let’s go back to Google for a moment, because the meanings given for the word peculiar are pretty disturbing to say the least. Let’s read: Peculiar: strange, unusual, particular, distinctive, special, curious, odd, weird. One of the most prominent “Odd” features about God’s peculiar people is that they keep the seventh day Holy. Now, there are other people across the globe who recognize the Sabbath as God’s sacred day, who may not have a relationship with Christ, but nevertheless, they also are viewed as being odd.
As the Friday evening sun sets in the western sky, those who honor God are seen closing up shop, and putting aside their daily duties, refraining from work and hastening to enter into God’s haven of rest, and for an entire day and night cycle the ordinary duties of life take a back-seat to eternal interests. Pretty odd, as far as the rest of the world is concerned. The pursuit of gain is held subservient to God’s law, and temporal pursuits are laid aside so that worship to God and fellowship with like-minded believers can take precedence.
But this does not cause them to be oblivious to the needs of suffering humanity. However, their focus is not on the temporal, but on the spiritual. Thus, this singular characteristic of proper Sabbath keeping is what God refers to as the main sign of differentiation between the general public, and His peculiar people, and wherever it is cherished, and obeyed in sincerity, God’s special favor would be certainly found. Let’s read:
Exodus 31:13 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 the Lord that doth sanctify you. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
The phrase “The children of Israel” has been highlighted for a special reason, because many in Christendom have taken that to mean that the 7th day Sabbath was only for the Jewish people. That interpretation will be permanently put to rest now, by the following scriptures. Let’s read:
Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4 For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
However, over the centuries, the sabbath has been severely obscured by the teaching of evolution, for it removes The Creator from His created works, and thus a serious breach has been made in the keeping of the Sabbath, in so much, that most Christians nowadays have come to accept the first day of the week, as being God’s sacred day. In addition, there have been numerous distortions, and misinterpretations that have insidiously crept in over the years that have blurred the lines between what is done over the sacred hours, and what God originally intended.
For instance, when Christ was on earth, He explicitly stated that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath, but that rendering has been stretched to its limits in many instances, and now incorporates many secular occupations, and business which thrive off of those exemptions ordained by God. Where it so desired, the term essential services can actually be stretched to the limit to include almost every job that is done during the six working days.
It used to be the case that those who were working in the medical field would be able to do so, giving that they are engaged in humanitarian work. But now in our day, several other professions are tethered to such humanitarian work, and they run the entire gamut, from accountants to cooks, from cleaners, to billing. The array of “essential” services have now come to include mechanics who service ambulances and other medical vehicles, plumbers, air-conditioning technicians, and so-forth.
The issue has also been further exacerbated by the fact that the authorities have now stepped into the fray to designate what is an essential service, due to the corona virus, and who knows where the words of Christ will be brought to a stop. The following is a list of goods and services now being deemed as “Essential” in the sunshine state:
Healthcare providers: Including, but not limited to, hospitals, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, urgent care centers, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapists, mental health professionals, therapists, and pharmacies. Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products).
The authorization includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences. The sale of alcoholic beverages is included. Food cultivation: Including farming, livestock, and fishing. Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals.
Media: Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services. Gas stations; new and used automobile dealerships; auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities. Banks and related financial institutions. Hardware stores, Contractors and other tradesmen: Including appliance repair personnel. Exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other structures.
Mailing and shipping: Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes. Private colleges, trade schools, and technical colleges, but only as needed to facilitate online or distance learning. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but subject to the limitations and requirements of the order.
Basically, that includes a very wide swath of goods and services now being designated as “Essential” and as we have seen, individuals who work in those industries could be ordered to work under the defense production act. But the designations did not stop there, for lo and behold, on the 14th of April, another so-called “essential” service was added to the mix. Let’s read:
v The New York Times Published 04/14/2020
By Mihir Zaveri
The WWE Is Now Considered an ‘Essential Service’ in Florida. In Florida, World Wrestling Entertainment has found itself among the services considered essential according to Mayor Jerry L. Demings of Orange County, where the sports entertainment business has a sizable training facility and has held recent events.
Basically speaking, all roads are currently leading to Revelation 13, sooner than later. All technological roads, all financial roads, all commercial roads, all food chain roads and all information highway roads. The question is, what did Jesus mean when He said it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day? Is it what the authorities say is lawful, or is it what God says is lawful?
Therefore, God’s “Peculiar” people have a distinct and particular mission, to repair the breach, but in doing so they themselves must be certain, that in their own households a breach is not being made. Wherever this is the case, and wherever it may be countenanced, for any reason, the “Peculiar” status will become non-existent. Let’s read:
Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. 13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Therefore, as the repairers of the breach examine their peculiar status, it will be discovered that some members of our households may not be abiding by God’s explicit instructions, and for one reason or another, some have permitted those within their gates to violate the sanctity of the Sabbath.
Great changes must therefore be made, and even though sound wisdom and discretion would need to be exercised in repairing our own breaches, at the end of the day, God’s will must be fulfilled in our homes, if the blessing of His presence is to abide with us. Thus, we will enter with solemn tread into the Bible study for today, which would address the sensitive issue of “The Stranger Within Thy Gates”. Some of the words will be highlighted so as to make lain their importance, and we’ll explain as we go. Let’s read:
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.
Question: What if family members or friends refuse to comply? What if, after using kind entreaties, and reasoning, and after clearly explaining to them the requirements of God, the stranger within thy gates refuses to comply? What should the next move be? To answer this question, we must turn first to the scriptures, so that clarity on the matter might be given. Our individual relationship with Christ was purchased at infinite price, and therefore it is to be always valued and esteemed high above any other relationship.
Family and friends we may have but if they interfere with our relationship with God, the matter has to be addressed. Every repairer of the breach will reach a tipping point, where individuals will have to choose between serving God according to His revealed will, or allowing friends, and family ties to rule the day. Let’s read:
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 305] “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Jehovah, the eternal, self- existent, uncreated One, Himself the Source and Sustainer of all, is alone entitled to supreme reverence and worship. Man is forbidden to give to any other object the first place in his affections or his service. Whatever we cherish that tends to lessen our love for God or to interfere with the service due Him, of that do we make a god.
The owner, or the head of the household will have to take proactive and remedial steps to bring his or her domain into compliance with the requirements of God, even though at times this may cause some level of friction between family members. Firmness and kindness are not necessarily mutually exclusive characteristics of love, because, in Christ we behold the two elements blended harmoniously. Thus, if after speaking kindly to the one at fault, no remedial action is taken, then, by the guidance of God, the matter will have to be taken to the next level.
Eventually, an ultimatum may have to be issued, for the law of God must be held supreme, even if other members of one’s household might not hold similar views. Furthermore, God would have us understand that any stand for the right will in most cases cause the obedient to be subject to misunderstanding. Whatever the situation or the ramifications may be, the bottom line is this, if persons continue to permit violations of the fourth commandment within their habitations, they will eventually lose their peculiar status with the attendant blessings and protections which come with it.
This is the reason why in many cases the blessing of God seems to be missing in some homes, because the stranger within thy gates is often held in higher esteem than the commandments of God. In other words, love is often misconstrued into allowing that which God has prohibited. This was the great error committed by Eli, who had permitted family ties to take precedence over the commands of God. Instead of taking those remedial actions necessary to correct the evils, he allowed his sons to do as they pleased because he abhorred the confrontation that would certainly arise if and when the issues in question were to be brought up for a resolution.
Therefore, he lost his peculiar status with God, and as a direct result, all of the attendant blessings and protections were permanently removed, and Eli’s family was left to reap the fruits of their own doing, which is exclusion from the new earth when Christ comes the second time. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus, saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? 29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honorest thy sons above me? 30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 32 And there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
God does not bless disobedience, and therefore, as we move into unchartered territory, now and in the future, it would become even more urgent for every repairer of the breach to be found in compliance. It was observed that there was only one missing link in the chain of obedience with Moses, but it would be sufficient to endanger his life as he went to do battle against pharaoh.
Similarly, as the pressure mounts and as the heat of the furnace will be increased as it pertains to proper sabbath-keeping in a hostile world, it will become a matter of grave and urgent importance for repairers of the breach to be walking in obedience to all of God’s commandments for when He sees obedience, He will pass over. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 255>256] On the way from Midian, Moses received a startling and terrible warning of the Lord's displeasure. No explanation was given; but Moses remembered that he had disregarded one of God's requirements. Yielding to the persuasion of his wife, he had neglected to perform the rite of circumcision upon their youngest son. He had failed to comply with the condition by which his child could be entitled to the blessings of God's covenant with Israel.
In his mission to Pharaoh, Moses was to be placed in a position of great peril; his life could be preserved only through the protection of holy angels. But while living in neglect of a known duty, he would not be secure for he could not be shielded by the angels of God. In the time of trouble just before the coming of Christ, the righteous will be preserved through the ministration of heavenly angels; but there will be no security for the transgressor of God's law. Angels cannot then protect those who are disregarding one of the divine precepts.
Very great changes are coming our way, and even greater changes would have to be made in our understanding, and implementation of what God has commanded in His word. It will not be easy to do so in some cases, but we must be faithful in that which is least, as well as that which is much. We therefore end with a passage that will help us to understand the serious import of the study today, and by God’s grace to make the necessary changes and adjustments, wherever they may be warranted. Let’s read:
Revelation 22: 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
God Bless!