"In Vain ... All in Vain!"

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Introduction

The above caption is not simply intimidating cult jargon, as it may appear at first sight,  but is the clear statement of the Messiah Himself in Mark 7:7, regarding True Worship "In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

An alternative translation in the Jerusalem Bible renders it this way: "The worship they offer Me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations."

Alarming statements, by the Saviour of Mankind Himself, Who is also the coming Judge (2 Cor.5:10; Matt. 25:31-33).

Do we truly comprehend the meaning of the term 'in vain'?  It denotes complete failure, notwithstanding much sincere effort;  comforting self-assurances suddenly stripped naked;  bitter self-reproach unable to soothe the piercing heartaches. Fear, oh fear! What have I done?

Too late ... ALL IN VAIN!  Dreams lie shattered and all that remains is the bitter disappointment that all had been merely a waste of time and effort - all because of stubborn erring along the way.

This is the staggering implications that Mark 7:7 brings home to us! This is how futile man's hope is in the Heavenly Promises, if he is not prepared to accept the Plan of Salvation and do not live by every Command of the Creator and Saviour.

"How ingeniously you get round the Commandment of God in order to preserve your own traditions"(Mark 7:9).

Listen further to the Word of God:  "Why call ye Me 'Lord, Lord' and do not the things that I say?" (Luke. 6:46). Won't you refrain from stubbornly trusting in human traditions and rather follow this advice of the Almighty?

Divine Authority is meticulous and precise and does not hesitate to proclaim:  "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." (Matt. 7:21).

Open your heart also to the divine Promise in Ex. 20:6. "I show kindness (mercy) to thousands of those who love Me and KEEP My Commandments." A solemn Promise based upon a Divine Condition, and confirmed by Messiah in John 14:15-21. "If you love Me, keep My Commandments ... anybody who receives My Commandments and keeps them. will be one who loves Me . . . and I shall love him and show Myself to Him" (John. 8:51). "Verily, verily, I say unto you (a divine oath) if a man keep My saying (Word,  Commandment), he shall never see death (eternal)."

Are you fulfilling your part of the Bargain - that is, of His Covenant? (Lev. 26:15). Can you lay claim to His Promises?  Do you want Him to love you and show Mercy and Blessings toward you?  Do you comply with His Conditions?  Have you submitted yourself totally to His Will and do you obey Him implicitly?

We have no reason for any doubts, though,  One may easily affirm for oneself, whether one is truly in the right, by conforming to God's Test Commandment - the FOURTH Commandment - the SABBATH Command (Ex. 16:4, 26, 29; Ex. 20:8-11).

You may be under the impression that you are already obeying Him and keeping His Commandments, but unless you comply with this Test Commandment, then you fail the Divine Test and run the risk of "worshipping Him in vain!"  There are many Faiths, the majority in fact, which explicitly teach that the Almighty has done away with His Laws and that the "Jewish Sabbath has been nailed to the Cross"

Do you observe the divinely ordained Seventh-day-Sabbath, or do you abide in the futile struggle to observe the MAN-made Rest day on the FIRST day of the week, Sunday?

Be sure, Mark 7:7 does away with all human additions and substitutions, classifying them as futile, in vain!

Humanity has now come to the end of a long road - the End is in sight - rather the Beginning of something beyond our imaginations, "which He has prepared for those who wait for Him (prepared)" (lsa. 64:4). NOW is the time to prepare; to search out the "worthless man-made teachings"  in our customs, lest we serve Him IN VAIN!

You may reason that your church teaches differently; that the whole world keeps Sunday.

According to the Word of God and His Eternal Covenant; according to the Original True Faith, they are WRONG!  For the highest authority, the Word of the Almighty, does not teach observance of the FIRST day of the week;  neither did it foresee any such Change, as many believers teach!  You will not find a Bible text which authorises the first day, Sunday, to be the Holy Sabbath - it is merely 'traditions of mankind'!

You shall therefore be wise to make a safe choice; to abide by the unfailing Word of God,  or to build on the sand of human innovations;  foolish theories invented to excuse their disobedience and stubbornness!  Won't you read Matt. 7:13-27 and give the Spirit of the Most High a chance to speak to your heart and mind?

You may reason that you are truly converted, reborn;  you may even have proved your obedience by going through the waters of Baptism.  You may feel completely self-assured in the fact that you have experienced "the Baptism of the Holy Spirit"

Friend, that is the very reason why you should then also continue to observe all things,  "whatsoever He has commanded you."  (Matt. 28: 19). You will be wise to take the advice of the Saviour to the rich young man in Matt. 19:17,  "If you wish to enter into (eternal) life, KEEP the Commandments!"  If you are willing to accept this, and live by it, you no doubt will qualify according to Rev. 14:12, "Here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the faith of YAHU'SHUAH".

The Angel's Message of Rev. 14:6, 7 certainly is the Message for our time: "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 water."

Like in the time of the prophet, Elijah, the time has come to choose on which side we wish to be. "If YHVH (the Lord) be God, follow Him, but if Baal, then follow him!"- (1 Kings 18:21). What a great challenge to professing believers! Prepare now to meet your God!  "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." (2 Cor. 6:17).

Are you ready to be weighed by the Almighty,  on His scale of righteousness?  Will you be able to stand the Test?  Or do you faintly hear the dooming announcement, "You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting!" (Dan. 5:27). Do you read this notice on the walls of your congregation, your heart, or your life?  Does your conscience prick when you are alone with the Truth; just you and Truth?  Do you hear His Voice, softly . .. pleading:; . . . plaguing?  YOU will know - only you!

WHAT are you going to do about the matter?

Flee into the Rock of your Salvation, where you may enjoy the safely with your Saviour by following the road to Righteousness and abiding in the Truth, as clearly proclaimed in His Word.  Truth that is mighty to save and protect; Truth that shall free you; untangle you from the lies of Satan,  lies which could bind you for eternal destruction! (Jo. 8:32, 38). Truth, that will annihilate the barrier between you and your Creator!

“O, what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you DO them.” (Jo. 13:17).

Related Topics

• The eternal covenant

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