Today marks twenty-one days of counting the Omer—three full weeks of preparing my heart for Shavuot.
The Messianic Sabbath readings for today contained a scripture I hold very precious: Ezekiel 20:20.
About two years ago, I was trying to come up with ways to memorize where different scriptures were located in the Bible. I had come across a Psalm I really liked and wondered, "How am I going to remember this and where it’s located?" Then, it came to my heart: "Look in the Book."
I picked up the Bible beside me, let the Holy Spirit do the talking, and let my fingers do the walking. I opened it directly to Ezekiel 20:20:
"Sanctify My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God."
I couldn’t believe it. It was the answer to what I had just asked. It was as if God was saying it would be an easy task to remember if I looked at it with "20/20 vision"—by sanctifying the Sabbaths our Father set aside as holy.
I made a conscious decision right then and there that I was going to do my very best to do as He asked. However, sanctifying the Sabbaths has not been easy.
I thought it would be simple. I had been raised to sanctify Sunday as the Sabbath, so how could it be so difficult to switch the day to the actual Sabbath—the seventh day of the week? Let me tell you, it’s been a big surprise. I have never faced so much temptation to not properly observe the Sabbath in my life. Chores can sit there for a week or two, and suddenly, once the Sabbath comes, they feel incredibly important to get done. Then, as soon as the Sabbath is over, that urgency disappears. Pretty weird, eh?
This experience has shown me that there must be something vital about observing the Sabbath as set out in Scripture; otherwise, I wouldn’t be facing such a difficult time doing it.
Who Changed the Sabbaths?
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| Constantine - The Pagan Roman Priest Behind Sunday Worship |
Have you ever wondered why people worship on Sunday and not on the seventh day?
I knew the change happened in the early days of the church, but after the days of the Apostles. When I did a little digging, I was surprised to find who actually outlawed Sabbath services. They were outlawed by a Roman leader who was a sun worshipper claiming to have converted to Christianity. This leader did some horrible things during his lifetime and resisted being baptized until he was on his deathbed.
Here are some of the horrible things that he did:
- Megalomaniacal Acts: Even while claiming to be a Christian, he remained High Priest of the pagan sun worshipers. He even set up a statue in his new capital that depicted himself with the features of the sun god. He built a city in his own honour, Constantinople, and littered the empire with colossal statues of himself.
- Execution of His Eldest Son: In 326 AD, Constantine ordered the execution of his son and heir, Crispus. He then had his son’s name and image erased from all public records to scrub him from history.
- The Brutal Killing of His Wife: Shortly after his son's death, he had his second wife, Empress Fausta, killed by suffocating her in an overheated bath—some historical accounts say she was essentially boiled alive.
- Betrayal of Family and Allies: He ordered the execution of his brother-in-law, Licinius, after promising him safety when he surrendered. He didn't stop there; he also had his own young nephew, Licinius II (the 11-year-old son of Licinius), killed to prevent any future challenge to his throne.
- Ruthless Political Murders: Throughout his reign, he was known for being an absolute autocrat who would eliminate anyone—including close advisors and friends—whom he perceived as a threat or who simply displeased him.
In addition to this, he set about trying to get rid of anyone who chose to follow the laws set out by the Creator after decreeing all Sabbath worship be moved to Sunday
What boggles my mind is how anyone in their right mind would think it is a good idea to follow what this man decreed. It boggles my mind even more that in this day and age—where the truth is so readily available—we continue with traditions established by such a person.
I have to ask you: Do you really want to follow the decrees set out by a man who was so clearly demon-possessed?
Today, I challenge you to look at your own traditions with "20/20 vision." Open the Book for yourself, let the Holy Spirit do the talking, and see if it’s time to stop following the man-made rules of the past and start sanctifying the days our Father actually set aside as holy.
About the Author
Sister Su is a survivor through her Saviour and has been blessed to see many miracles in her life. Currently digging her way out from under a mountain of debt while battling chronic illness, she dreams of one day earning her doctorate in practical theology.
For more information, visit her Linktree- Sister_Su.
