10/28/2005 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 14:6 - Yahushua saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

...

2Thessalonians 2:9 - Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2Thessalonians 2:10 - And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

John 8:44 - Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Truth?

Or lies?

Which will we love? To which will we cling?

We must love the truth.. or we will believe a lie.

The children of this age, from the time they are very small are taught to believe a lie

We enter a time of year when the children of this age rejoice

They rejoice that their god, Santa is going to fulfill their covetous desires for the world's goods

And money, another one of the gods of this world, will be spent in abundance

We are nearing a time of year when the world fills its buildings with Christmas decorations, their homes and stores with Christmas music, its streets and homes with decorated trees

And for those of us who do not participate, it can be very oppressive

What does Yahweh think of these practices?

After all, isn't it supposed to be honoring His Son?

As is commonly known, the celebration of Christmas is a 'tradition'

Christmas is an observance which the men of this generation has inherited from their fathers

It is something that is celebrated even by some atheists and others who are not a part of the Christian religion

Interestingly, modern pagans hail it as the time of the winter solstice

Now sometimes tradition is acceptable and perhaps even pleasing in the sight of Yahweh

But there are other traditions which clearly transgress the commmandments of Yahweh

The need to reject tradition which transgress Yahweh's commandments was one of the key teachings of Yahushua the Messiah:

Matthew 15:1 - Then came to Yahushua scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

Matthew 15:2 - Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Matthew 15:3 - But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of YAHWEH by your tradition?

Here we see that the people of Yahushua's day were not pleased that Yahushua's disciples 'transgressed the tradition of the elders'

And today, I hear people ask me this (though with different wording)..Why do you transgress the traditions of our elders?

My answer would be the same as Yahushua's except I would apply it to Christmas. Why do ye also transgress the commandment of YAHWEH by your tradition??

As we will see, this is exactly what is taking place with the tradition of Christmas

What does Yahushua think about this?

Matthew 15:7 - Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

Matthew 15:8 - This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 15:9 - But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Christmas is honoring with the lips but its heart is in materialism, falsehood, idolatry and vanity

You may search from Genesis to Revelation, but you will not find a single scripture in the bible that tells us to celebrate the birth of Yahushua the Messiah.

Let alone in a way that imitates the idolators

So yes, we must question these traditions and the origin of these traditions that have been handed down to this generation even though few dare to.

Many Christians speak against Catholic traditions which have their roots in idolatry, but then fail to recognize that the same types of pagan festivals exist in the celebration of Christmas and Easter

How did the observance of Christmas get its start?

The following is a quote from my 1991 Encyclopaedia Brittanica, Volume 11 ; page 390.

"During the later periods of Roman history, sun worship gained in importance and ultimately led to what has been called a 'solar monotheism.' Nearly all the gods of the period were possessed of Solar qualities, and both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities. The feast of Sol and Victus (open unconquered Sun) on December 25th was celebrated with great joy, and eventually this date was taken over by the Christians"

As you can see, the "feast of Sol and Victus" crept into the Christian faith many years ago

Notice how it says "both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities"?

Does that set off any alarm bells?

It should!

The "Christmas" holi-day is nothing more than a "Christianized" pagan holiday

The Christians were apparently trying to get more converts so they bascially tried to "paganize" the Messiah to make Him more attractive to pagans. And those who were idol worshipers didn't want to give up their practices/way of life

But the real question is, "Who converted who?"

It appears to me that the world converted the Christians

Yes, idolators had their way with the Christians

Just as it is today

Satan has been trying to creep his lies into the worship of Yahweh ever since the Garden of Eden

We need to be far from any practice that he invents or inspires men to invent

Our children need to be taught purity, truth and the ways of life; not profane things, lies and the ways of satan!

1John 5:21 - Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

And so we are to keep ourselves far from idols or from idolatrous practices... not mix them into our worship of Yahweh!

It is true that by 336AD, many of the mainstream beliefs of Christianity were already far from the truth the apostles taught. However, true believers should be teaching the unbelievers the true way of Yahweh rather than the unbelievers teaching believers these pagan customs and practices!

Ephesians 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

2Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

We should never take something that is a total abomination to Yahweh and then try to honor Him with it. He recieves no honor in doing such a thing!!

Yet, that is what took place when the Christians took over the feast of Sol/Victus

Therefore we should not join with those who participate in the celebration of such things

Often we as believers will be invited to "Christmas parties" at work or with relatives

We should have no part with such things, as we should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them

It is true that today, Christmas is a very popular holiday. However, as is often the case, what is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular.

Christmas means 'mass for christ', but the name of the holiday is much newer than the holiday itself.

The customs associated with christmas, in one form or another, have been celebrated for thousands of years

It is historical fact that even though the same festival from which Christmas originates was celebrated by pagans during the first 300+ years, it was not celebrated by believers.

But they eventually succumbed

If they had only heeded the scriptures, we wouldn't be dealing with this issue today

Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of YAHWEH.

There is no doubt that the customs that are associated with christmas are of pagan origin. One must only look to an encyclopaedia or even the local newspaper in December to find this truth.

Nearly all modern day preachers and ministers of Christianity will admit that its roots are in idolatry, not the scriptures

At issue is whether or not we should walk in these customs

"What is so bad about it?" they say

Is it just for the children?

Many wonder how they could "neglect" their children by letting them be the "oddball" and not permit Christmas celebrations in their home

To this I say.. What should we be teaching our children? Truth or lies?

Conformity to the world, or a life transformed by the renewing of the mind?

Follow a crowd to do evil, or follow Yahushua the Messiah?

Exodus 23:7 - Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

We need to be "far from a false matter"

The truth is that the Messiah was not born on December 25th.

December 25th is the alleged "birthday" of the sun god(s), not Yahushua the Messiah. In fact, the pagan customs associated with Christmas are clearly condemned in the scriptures.

Jeremiah 10:1 - Hear ye the word which YAHWEH speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

Jeremiah 10:2 - Thus saith YAHWEH, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

First of all, Yahweh is telling us in this verse "Learn not the way of the heathen"

Don't even learn it, let alone practice it and incorporate it into the worship of Yahweh!

Secondly, it says that the Gentiles were dismayed at the signs of heaven. History tells us that when the sun began to go further away from the northern hemisphere and the days grew shorter in the winter, the sun worshipping Gentiles were "dismayed", and feared that the sun would not return.

So they held certain festivals just after the time of the Winter Solstice when it did begin to return. This return of the sun is why December 25th is the birthday of so many solar deities.

Jeremiah 10:3 - For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Jeremiah 10:4 - They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

"vain custom" indeed. Remember what Yahushua said about "vain worship"?

One of the customs the pagans had was to decorate a tree that they had cut down and fasten it so that would not topple.

Yahweh tells us not to learn the way of the heathen. And here He even goes so far as describe a custom that is a way of the heathen. Yet, we see this same custom exist even today which is called the Christmas tree. People cut down a tree and deck it with silver and gold.. fasten it and set it up so it will not topple

This custom, along with other pagan customs like it are clearly condemned in this passage. We don't need a prophet to come and tell us today that this custom is wrong. Jeremiah said so a long time ago!

Other customs include Mistletoe, the Yule log and Santa Claus. If you seek, you will find that these things are rooted in idolatry also.

However, one need not do any research into the idolatrous roots of Santa. Santa Claus already is "God" to the children of the world (move the n to the end of Santa). Others say 'Father Christmas'

Parents purposely and deliberately lie to their children and tell them that they should fear "Santa Claus" because "he knows if you've been bad or good".

These same parents also lie to their children about the "Easter Bunny" and "Tooth Fairy". Then they wonder why their children become liars and don't believe the Messiah is real later on in life.

This is clearly a total abomination to Yahweh. You don't have to look very far in the word of Yahweh to find out how much he loathes idolatry and lies. Yahweh is the only true Mighty One.

Why would we teach our children that it is "Santa Claus" who knows if we have been 'naughty or nice'? And that it's Santa Claus who is omnipresent and knows when you are sleeping or awake?

Our children look to us and believe every word we say. Do they not deserve the truth?

Yes

It is an absolute abomination for a believer to teach their children to fear Santa Claus--and in so doing--creep an idol into the conscience of a child!

Matthew 18:6 - But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

People of this world, take away the stumbling block! You have been warned!!

Lies, lies everything is lies :(

The very foundation of the Christmas holiday is a lie

The Messiah was not born December 25th.

He did not ask us to celebrate his birthday.

He did not say to set up a tree in our house and decorate it and our houses with anything.

Santa Claus does not exist.

He doesn't have reindeer that fly and he isn't going to come on December 25th and leave any gifts. It is a waste of time to leave cookies because he will not be coming down anyone's chimney. It's a lie!

Revelation 22:14 - Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:15 - But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

But the world loves and practices its lies!

The whole holiday is a lie, so the world loves it!

But is Yahweh the originator of this holiday? Or is it the father of lies?

Yahushua condemned the leaders of that generation for teaching lies:

John 8:44 - Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

John 8:45 - And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Yahushua speaks the truth

The adversary speaks lies, and inspires others to speak them

"You shall not surely die!" satan said. A liar from the beginning indeed!

Beware of lies O people of Yahweh!

Jeremiah 16:19 - O YAHWEH, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.

Jeremiah 16:20 - Shall a man make elohim unto himself, and they are no elohim?

Jeremiah 16:21 - Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is YAHWEH.

David said:

Psalms 101:7 - He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

Like David, we should not have any part of lies.. they are from the father of lies. We should keep ourselves from idols and keep ourselves from every false matter

The "little lies" are in many ways the most dangerous. It is the "Truth mixed with lies" that is downright deadly

Of course, the world will naturally follow lies

The book of Revelation predicts that those who hate Yahweh will be glad when the two witnesses of Yahweh die, for they will make merry and have a gift exchange

Revelation 11:9 - Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.

Revelation 11:10 - And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

As I shared a while ago, the pagan practices of Christmas are also creeping into the Hanukah holiday

Now there are gift exchanges and even a "Hanukkah bush"

But Yahweh says:

Deuteronomy 12:29 - When YAHWEH thy Elohim shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;

Notice now.. Yahweh's people are about to be brought into a land where there are idol worshipers

Deuteronomy 12:30 - Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their elohim, saying, How did these nations serve their elohim? even so will I do likewise.

Deuteronomy 12:31 - Thou shalt not do so unto YAHWEH thy Elohim: for every abomination to YAHWEH, which he hateth, have they done unto their elohim; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their elohim.

Deuteronomy 12:32 - What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Very CLEAR, yes?

"Thou shalt not do so unto YAHWEH thy Elohim:" Yes, it is abundantly clear. Do not worship Yahweh in that way, the way of the heathen! Do not add to His commandments and do not take away from His commandments. Both Christmas and Easter take pagan festivals and traditions and apply them to the worship of Yahweh. This is clearly condemned here

Scripture says we shouldn't be walking as the Gentiles walked. We should be walking as Yahushua walked!

1John 2:6 - He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Would it be right to take a Satanic holiday that Satanists have invented and then incorporate that holiday into the worship of Yahweh? Surely not.

Yet, the truth is: All paganism is Satanism

Satan is behind all pagan worship. And whatever god the idolaters worship, they are actually worshipping Satan.

1Corinthians 10:20 - But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to Elohim: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

In the above verse, we see that the Gentiles who worshiped idols were actually unknowingly worshiping the Devil and sacrificing to him

But it is very obvious from scripture that you cannot mix the doctrines and practices of satan worship into the worship of Yahweh and still remain pure!

We need to return to the pure faith that was once delivered to the saints in the first century by Yahushua Himself! They had no part with such things!

So let's set aside all these vain, satanic, "religion mixing" traditions

Let's set aside our desire to please man and let's be fools in the eyes of the world for the Messiah's sake

And let's set aside any and all desire to conform to the world!

Rather, let's conform ourselves to the image of Yahushua the Messiah.. who is the way the TRUTH and the life

Let's conform ourselves to the TRUE observances found in scripture.. the ones He observed!

For there is no doubt that He not only hates the way of the heathen, but he really hates them being applied to HIM

1Corinthians 10:21 - Ye cannot drink the cup of YAHWEH, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of YAHWEH's table, and of the table of devils.

Let's cease from the mixing of cups & tables....

Let's return the the way of LIFE, and Righteousness...

peace and TRUTH...

Removing ourselves from every false matter...

Fleeing from idolatry...

Refusing conformity to the world..

And embracing the ways of truth.

Let's have no part with lies.. let's have our part with Yahweh!

Which table will you choose?

Which cup will you drink?

May Yahweh be your choice.. from this time forth.. and forevermore!

May Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!