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TRUTH ABOUT SIN:

(Some of the Bible verses quoted in this study have had comments added in brackets. The sole purpose of this study technique is to emphasise or introduce a line of thought. All verses KJV unless otherwise stated).

The Ark of the Covenant and earthly sanctuary were made under the pattern of the heavenly.
(Exo 25:8) And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
(Exo 25:9) According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it...
(Exo 25:16) And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee...
(Exo 31:18) And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Can anyone honestly believe that when the heavenly original is presented to man, that it will have been changed?
(Rev 11:19) And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings...

It is by this very law that mankind will be judged.
(James 2:10-13) For whoeverso shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and do so, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgement without mercy...

Jesus' death on the cross wasn't a license for man to live a life of sin. Its purpose was;
1/ to die in place of us, the death due to us for our past sinful life,
2/ to set an example of how to live sin free, and
3/ to give us the power to do so.

The following Biblical truths will make clear the meaning of sin, and how it affects us.

1/ We know there is still sin in the world today.

(Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(Rom 3:9) ... for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

2/ We know what sin is.

(1Jo 3:4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

3/ We know which law, sin is transgression of.

(Jam 2:11) For he (God) that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
(Rom 7:7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
(ie, the 10th commandment. Sin is transgression of the Ten Commandment law).

4/ We know that Jesus made no changes to the Ten Commandment law.

(Matt 5:17-19) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least (by those) in the kingdom of heaven.
(Eccl 3:14) ...whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it...
(Rom 3:31) Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea we establish the law.

5/ Jesus disapproved of changes being made to any of His commandment laws by man.

(Matt 15:3) Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your traditions.
(Mark 7:7-9) Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups...
(Col 2:8) 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 Christ.

6/ We know the purpose of the law is to show us our sin.

(Jam 2:9) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
(Rom 7:7) Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

7/ We know that no one can claim to have not sinned, and therefore not need Jesus.

(1 John 1:8) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
  
8/ We know we are expected to observe God's law.

(Rom 2:12) For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
(Rom 2:13) For it is not merely those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight. No, it is those who do the law, who will be justified.
(Rom 6:12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
(1Co 15:34) Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

9/ We know that transgression of any of the Ten Commandments carries equal penalties.

(Jam 2:10,11) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

10/ We know the result of sin will be death.

(Jam 1:15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(Rom 6:23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

11/ We know that those who continue sinning without repentance are servants of Satan.

(John 8:34) Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
(John 8:35) And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever.
(1John 3:8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

12/ We know that Jesus is soon to separate those who serve Him, from those who serve Satan.

(Mat 25:32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
(Mat 25:33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
(Rom 6:16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants (God's or Satan's) ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, OR of obedience unto righteousness (and eternal life).

13/ We know that those who seek repentance (the desire to turn from sin) will be forgiven their sin, and will be cleansed from sinning again.

(1Jo 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (empower us to sin no more).
(Rom 3:25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are PAST, through the forbearance of God;
(2 Pet 1:9) For the person who lacks these qualities is blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten the cleansing that he has received from his PAST sins.

14/ We know that once the law has shown us our sin, we are not expected to continue there in.

(Rom 6:6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(Heb 10:26,27) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

15/ We know the purpose of Jesus coming was to take away our sins, not leave us in them.

(1Jo 3:5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
(John 1:29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

16/ We know we cannot achieve a sin free state under our own power. The ability to keep all God's commandments is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit & God's Grace, which is given to those who ask through faith and a repentant heart.

(John 14:5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
(Eph 2:8,9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

17/ We know he offers power to those seeking to overcome sin.

(John 1:12) But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God...
(Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

18/ It is only His power that can free us from sin.

(John 8:36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

19/ We know that through His power we can overcome sin.

(1 John 3:6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
(1John 3:9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
(1 John 5:18) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
(1 Peter 2:21,22) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: WHO DID NO SIN, neither was guile found in his mouth...
(1Pe 4:1) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Eternal life is just around the corner.

Nothing that we do, or think is important in this world; is worth us risking our ONE opportunity of eternal life. It seems to be, that for many people, it is only one commandment, the Sabbath, which they disbelieve is still binding today.
For many, the disbelief of ONE commandment could keep them out of God's kingdom.

(Heb 4:1-11) Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them (ie, the same criteria for salvation given to us, as the Hebrews): but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it (lack of faithfulness to His Word resulted in disobedience).
For we which have believed do enter into rest (our obedience demonstrates our faith), As he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest (if we come into harmony with God's Sabbath rest): although the works were finished from the foundation of the world (although it's establishment was completed at creation). For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works (God established the Sabbath). And in this place again, IF they shall enter into my rest (the same offer of accepting His Sabbath).
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein (many are rebelling against God's Sabbath commandment), and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day (only the seventh day), saying in David, Today, after so long a time (since creation); as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest (ie. an alternative to the seventh day established by God), then would he not afterward spoken of another day.
There remaineth therefore a rest (Greek = Sabbath observance) to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest (by ceasing from working on the Sabbath day), he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest (observe His Sabbath), lest any man fall under the same example of unbelief
(that generation of Hebrews did not get to see the Promised Land as a result of their disobedience).

There is no hidden meaning or private interpretation to be taken from any of the above verses; they mean what they say.
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

Many Pastors and their followers, who twist around the meaning of Scripture to suit what they want to believe, are doing so to their own demise.
(2Peter 3:15,16) ...even as our beloved brother Paul...hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles...in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (twist around), as they do also the other Scriptures, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION.

Ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse;
(Act 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (of sin against the Ten Commandments).

Satan is well pleased with the false teaching promoted by many churches that the Ten Commandments were abolished. He knows that those who are misled or choose to remain sinning, are his servants, and we know what will ultimately happen to Satan's servants when Jesus returns. Through the general acceptance of this false teaching, it is understandable why Jesus said;
(Matt 7:14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.

Until one experiences honouring God's Sabbath day, they won't understand the change it can make to your life, in so many ways. 
We have not experienced the inner strength, peace and joy of fully surrendering to our Lord. Only through total surrender to Jesus, and co-operation with His Spirit, communicating through our conscience, can we achieve His will for us. God has used His Sabbath day as a test of His true followers through Biblical history. He is soon to use the same test again.
(Ex 16:4) Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law, or not.
(Ex 16:27,28) And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

The many tests God gave man in the Old Testament, were given as examples for us;
(1Co 10:11) Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The Sabbath is the sign between man and God, that we recognise Him as our true God;
(Exo 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.
(Exo 31:16) Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
(Exo 31:17) It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Now some say that we are not descendants of the generations of Abraham, and this doesn't apply to us. All those seeking God's kingdom, using the language of the Bible, ARE from the seed of Abraham;
(Gal 3:29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Note the verse taken from the sabbath commandment;
(Exo 20:11) 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.

Notice how it ties in with the 1st angels message;
(Rev 14:7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Obedience to God's Sabbath may soon become the test for mankind, and whether man made tradition will be accepted over God's law;
(Mark 7:7-9) For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men...

Our test, soon to come, can also be related to the 3 Hebrews in the book of Daniel, who refused to bow down to the golden 'Image' made by King Nebuchadnezzar;
(Dan 3:6) And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

The 3 Hebrews were made to choose between mans law (to bow down to the Image), or God's law, (to not bow down to false God's). They had a choice to dishonour mans law and face death by man; or to dishonour God's law and face eternal death by God.
All mankind are soon going to be given a similar choice.

The Law of God is the basis on which man will ultimately choose between the seal of God, and the mark of the beast. Referring to the Ten Commandments it was said;
(Deu 6:6) And these words (the Ten Commandments), which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. (ie. forehead).

Notice how God's law is the key;
(Rev 14:9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast (Babylon; crisis religo-political government) and his image (Satan's 'new world order'), and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,...
 
You have to admit, Satan is a master of deception. We can only pray that man will turn back to God's true commandments before it is too late.

(Eccl 12:13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear GOD, and keep HIS commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
(Rev 22:14) 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.

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