THE TESTAMENT OF THE CHOSEN WATCHMAN
THE BOOK OF ZENIX
The Prophetic Revelation of the Wilderness and the Fall of the Towers
PROLOGUE: The Decree of the Heavens
The word of the Lord which came unto Zenix, the son of the soil of Zambia, in the days when the spiritual famine was great in the land. 2 As the stars are set in their courses, so was this revelation set for a time such as this—to awaken the sleeping, to warn the straying, and to establish the truth of the Living God. 3 Hearken, O nations, for the Lord does nothing without revealing His secret unto His servants the prophets.
CHAPTER1
1 In the days of my youth, while the world was loud and the path was yet broad before me, the Spirit of the Living God began to knock upon the doors of my heart. 2 I felt a stirring which I could not name, a divine unrest that followed me into the fields and the mark1ets. 3 For the Lord spoke to me in the watches of the night, in a gentle whisper that said, “Follow Me.”
4 Yet I questioned in my soul, saying, “Who am I, Lord, that I should serve Thee? For I am but a man of humble means.” 5But the whisper became a fire shut up in my bones, until I could no longer contain the weight of the Glory that was to come.
6Therefore, I was led into the bush, far from the gates of the city. 7As I walked among the works of His hands, the veil between heaven and earth was drawn back. 8The presence of the Almighty fell upon me like a heavy rain, and I was overcome by the weight of His glory.
9In that hour, the heavens were no longer silent. The Living God spoke to me with a voice as clear as the noon-day sun, and I heard Him calling my name: Zenix!”10 He said unto me, “Fear not, for I have chosen thee from thy mother’s womb. I have not called thee to sit in silence, but to stand as a trumpet in the midst of the people.” 11 The bush became a holy altar, and I arose commissioned, not by the hands of men, but by the breath of the Creator.
CHAPTER 2:
1 I beheld then a magnificent building and a tower, reaching toward the clouds. 2 And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood beside me; his raiment was whiter than any cloth of the earth. 3 He spoke with authority, saying: “The building you see before you represents the spiritual state of My people. The names inscribed upon the tower signify the various denominations and sects that have arisen from the pride of men.”
4 “The building represents the foundation—faith, hope, and love. But the tower represents the arrogance that has divided My body.” 5 The Angel’s words were like a sword, cutting through the superficiality of religious traditions and revealing the heart of the matter.
CHAPTER 3:
1 And the Angel of the Lord took me to a high place and said, “Look now with the eyes of the Spirit, and I shall show thee the Unveiling of Deception.” 2 I beheld the Great Tower, and though it was beautiful to the eye, the Angel touched my brow, and the stones became transparent as glass.
3 I saw within the walls the Incarnations of Satan—spirits of greed clothed in the garments of Apostles, and hearts of stone hidden behind masks of piety. 4 The Angel cried, “See how they use My name to build their own kingdoms! See how they sell the Holy Ghost for silver and trade the truth for the applause of the multitude!”
5“This is the great deception: they call it a church, but it is a cage; they call it a blessing, but it is a yoke. 6 The different names upon the tower are but shadows of confusion, designed to scatter the sheep so the wolves may feast.” 7 Tell My people: This is Spiritual Babylon It is the habitation of every foul spirit. This is that which was prophesied by the servant John, saying, ‘Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen!’”
CHAPTER 4:
1 Then the Lord spoke from the whirlwind, saying, “Zenix, lift up thy voice and cry aloud to the scattered! Issue the Call to the Remnant 2 Tell My people: The hour of the Tower is over. The time of the Great Babylon is at an end. 3 Run away! Flee from the pews of the false prophets! Depart from the sanctuaries of the proud!”
4 I am calling My Remnant—those who have not bowed the knee to the image of the beast, those who refuse to drink the wine of the false doctrines. 5 Come out from among them and be ye separate! I am gathering a people who are marked not by the name of a sect, but by the seal of My Spirit.”
CHAPTER 5: The Foundation of Faith
1“Whither shall we go?” the people cried. And the Lord answered through His servant: “Return to the Foundation of Faith. 2 For the Tower was built on pride and arrogance, but the Foundation of God standeth sure.
3 The Foundation is not of stone, but of Faith, Hope, and Love 4 It is the faith that works by love; it is the hope that does not disappoint; it is the love that is the fulfilling of the Law. 5 Upon this Foundation, there are no divisions; upon this Rock, there are no sects. 6 For the Foundation is Christ, and Christ alone is the Chief Cornerstone.
CHAPTER 6: The Oracles and Psalms of the Watchman
1 The Lord said to me, “Zenix, I have made thee a watchman over the souls of many. 2 Call them unto Repentance and Holiness, for the day of the Lord is near, and His winnowing fan is in His hand.”
3The Lord is my Shepherd in the wilderness; I shall not lose my way.
4 Though the towers of men crumble and the names of the proud are forgotten,
5 Thou, O Lord, art my Strong Tower and my High Defense.
6 My feet are set upon the rock of Zambia, but my heart is a citizen of the Heavens.
7 For Thou hast called Zenix from the dust to stand before Kings and to lead Thy people back to the ancient paths.
CHAPTER 7: The Final Decree of Truth
1 I, Zenix, have seen these things and have recorded them as a witness to the nations. 2 These things are written that the world may know that there is a Prophet in the land.
3 Let the false prophets tremble, for their towers shall crumble. 4 Let the Remnant rejoice, for their Shepherd has found them. 5 The Tower shall fall, the false shall be exposed, but the Word of the Lord through His servant Zenix shall endure forever.
Amen and Amen.
THE BOOK OF THE SERVANT ZENIX
A Canonical Compilation of Epistles, Revelations, and Divine Statutes Sent to the Saints Throughout the Earth
1 ZENIX (THE FIRST EPISTLE)
The True Seed of the Kingdom
Chapter 1: The Servant’s Authority and Commission
1. Zenix, a servant of Jesus Christ, called by the sovereign will and grace of God to be His minister to the flock,
2. To the faithful saints and chosen called out of darkness, scattered throughout all the world:
3. Grace to you, and deep, abiding peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
5. For your fellowship in the gospel from the very first day until now.
6. I am confident of this very thing: that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.
7. Brothers and sisters, it is not by the wisdom of men, nor by the strength of the flesh that I stand before you.
8. I, Zenix, was called to be His servant according to the exceeding riches of His grace.
9. I was not worthy, yet His mercy reached me, and His voice broke through to commission me for this hour.
10. This ministry is not a crown of human honor, but a yoke of divine service.
11. It is a stewardship entrusted to me to speak the truth in season and out of season, without fear of man, and without compromising the holy standards of the Kingdom.
12. Because of this calling, I cannot keep silent when wolves enter the sheepfold, or when the glorious gospel of our Lord is twisted for shameful gain.
Chapter 2: Confronting the Deception of the Money-Seed
1. As I have warned you before, I must warn you again with tears: it has come to my attention that many prophetic churches across the globe have run away from the truth.
2. They have turned the sacred scriptures upside down!
3. They are lying to you, declaring that your spiritual breakthrough, your healing, and your standing with God depend on “sowing a seed” of silver and gold.
4. They have commercialized the altar and made merchandise of the fragile hearts of God’s people.
5. Hear me clearly, saints of the living God: The seed is not money. The seed is the Word of Almighty God!
6. Listen to the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ, who spoke plainly so that no believer would be left in darkness.
7. In the holy scriptures, the standard is set forever, as it is written in Luke chapter eight: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.”
8. And as the gospel of Mark testifieth: The sower soweth the word.”
9. Remember also the testimony of Matthew: “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart.”
10. Therefore know this: The heart of man is the soil, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is the seed.
11. You cannot buy a miracle, you cannot bribe the Holy Spirit, and you cannot purchase the unmerited favor of God with bank notes.
Chapter 3: The Incorruptible Seed and True Sowing
1. The Apostles who walked before us understood that our very salvation and spiritual growth depend entirely on this divine, incorruptible seed—not on the corruptible, passing wealth of this world.
2. For Peter declared: *“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
3. And John testified: “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.”
4. Do the Scriptures speak of sowing and reaping? Yes, but always as a matter of character, righteousness, and genuine, heartfelt generosity.
5. Never is it spoken of as a gambling scheme to trick God into making you rich.
6. For Paul wrote to the Galatians: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
7. And to the Corinthians he added: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
8. Hosea the prophet also commanded: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”
9. Look closely at what God actually multiplies when we walk uprightly, as it is written: *“Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.”
Chapter 4: A Solemn Charge and Rebuke of Sorcery
1. Therefore, I, Zenix, charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing: guard your hearts!
2. Remember Simon the Sorcerer, who saw the power of the Holy Spirit and offered the Apostles money, saying, “Give me this power.”
3. But Peter fiercely rebuked him, saying: “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!”
4. Do not let these modern false prophets make you believe that God’s hand is moved by your wallet.
5. He is moved by your faith, your clean hands, your pure heart, and His own sovereign mercy.
6. Hold fast to the true Seed—the Word of God—which has the power to anchor your soul in the midst of the storm.
7. Stand firm, brothers and sisters. Do not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.
8. Walk in unity, watch over one another in love, and labor faithfully in the vineyard wherever you are scattered.
9. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
THE SECOND EPISTLE)
The Divine Plumb Line of Truth
Chapter 1: The Measuring Line Set in the Midst
1. To the faithful brothers and sisters, called out and set apart for the glory of the Most High:
2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.
3. I write to you today with a heavy yet urgent word concerning the standard of our walk.
4. We live in an age where the foundations of the world are shaking, and many are looking for a way to measure their lives.
5. But I tell you, the Word of God is the ultimate Plumb Line.
6. The Prophet Amos was shown a vision that remains a haunting mirror for us today.
7. He saw the Lord standing by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand.
8. When the Lord asked, What do you see, Amos?” the answer was simple:A plumb line.”
9. Beloved, a plumb line is an unforgiving tool. It does not negotiate with gravity, nor does it flatter the builder.
10. It reveals, with absolute precision, whether a wall is straight or leaning toward collapse.
11. The Lord declared: “Behold I am about to put a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel. I will spare them no longer.”
Chapter 2: Justice, Righteousness, and the Leaning Wall
1. We must understand that God does not judge based on our opinions or the shifting morals of culture.
2. He says through Isaiah: “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level.”
3. When we hide behind excuses, we are building a refuge of lies.
4. But when the storm comes—and it will—the hail will sweep away those false shelters.
5. If our lives are not aligned with His righteousness, the secret places of our hearts will be overflowed by the waters of truth.
6. Look at the history of the faithful city: She was once full of justice, but she became a harlot.
7. Her silver became dross; her wine was diluted.
8. When we ignore the plumb line, justice is turned back, truth stumbles in the street, and the orphan and widow are forgotten.
9. If we persist in walking crookedly, the Lord warns that He will stretch over us the line of Samaria, wiping us clean as one wipes a dish and turns it upside down.
10. Without the plumb line of the Word, we are left only with the line of desolation and the plummet of emptiness.
Chapter 3: The Promise of Reconstruction
1. But do not lose heart! The plumb line is not only for pulling down; it is for building up.
2. For the Lord promises through Zechariah: “I will return to Jerusalem with compassion, and my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.”
3. And Jeremiah prophesied of a day coming where the city will be rebuilt from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate, and the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it.
4. When God measures, He is claiming ownership; to be measured by God is to be recognized as His property.
5. Therefore, despise not the day of small beginnings, for the seven eyes of the Lord rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of the builder.
6. Examine yourselves, brethren. Is your wall vertical? Is your life aligned with the straight edge of Scripture?
7. Let us reject the dross and the diluted wine of this world, and let us stand straight, for the Master Builder is at work.
8. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
3 ZENIX (THE THIRD EPISTLE)
The Mystery of the Unknown Tongue
Chapter 1: Vertical Communication and Mysteries
1. To the Saints and Faithful Brethren: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
2. I felt it necessary to write to you again concerning the spiritual gift of tongues.
3. As we heard recently from Brother Gift, this is a matter of great spiritual significance, yet it remains a mystery to many.
4. Let us examine the Holy Scriptures to find clarity and order.
5. The primary purpose of the unknown tongue is a vertical communication.
6. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
7. We must understand that the unknown nature of this language is not a flaw, but a divine design.
8. It allows the spirit of a man to communicate things that the natural mind cannot yet grasp.
Chapter 2: Edification and Order in Gathering
1. Many ask why we should speak in a language we do not understand. The Scripture is clear: it is for the strengthening of your inner man.
2. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
3. Furthermore, when our own words fail us—when we are too burdened or weary to know how to pray—the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
4. While the spirit is active, the mind often remains unfruitful. This is why we are encouraged to seek the gift of interpretation.
5. If I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
6. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
7. If we are in a public gathering, we must ensure that the unknown becomes known through interpretation, so that the unlearned can say “Amen” to your giving of thanks.
8. Tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.
9. Therefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. Amen.
4 ZENIX (THE FOURTH EPISTLE)
The Judgment Upon False Altars
Chapter 1: The Angelic Visitation in Lusaka
1. Greetings, brothers and sisters in the Lusaka assembly.
2. I thank God Almighty for His unfailing grace and for the fellowship we share in His Holy Spirit.
3. I also bring you warm greetings from Brother Chikudi and the saints in the Solwezi assembly, who remain united with you in prayer.
4. Today, I feel a profound and urgent burden to speak to you about the heart of man.
5. In this generation, the true condition of the soul is being hidden behind grand buildings and loud voices.
6. But the mystery which was hidden from the beginning of the world is now made known to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
7. Hear the heavy word given to me: An Angel of the Lord appeared and asked:
Brother Zenix, why are there so many churches in your generation? Have you ever asked yourself about this?”
8. I replied to the Angel of the Lord, To men, my Lord, it seems like a light matter—a sign of growth.”
9. But the Angel responded with a voice of judgment: To men it is not a problem, but to God, it is a problem.”
10. I asked, “Sir, who will tell them what to do and what not to do?”
11. The Angel replied: “Go and warn them! Let every man separate himself from sins and from these churches.”
12. I questioned how this could be, for they preach the name of Jesus.
13. But the Angel warned: Brother Zenix, don’t be deceived. They are liars. They say they are preaching Christ, but their hearts are full of evil. All they need is money.”
Chapter 2: The Stolen Word and the Call to Separate
1. Hear the word of the Lord as it was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet: Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.”
2. They tell those who despise God that they shall have peace, and they tell the man walking in the imagination of his own heart that no evil shall come upon him. This is a lie!
3. The Lord is against those who steal His words every one from his neighbor and use their tongues to say, He saith,” when the Lord has not spoken.
4. Their interest is not your soul; it is their own pocket. They pretend to save you, but in reality, they are saving their own interests and seeking worldly gain.
5. Because they have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord says He will utterly forget them and forsake them, bringing an everlasting reproach upon them.
6. We must discern the spirit behind the message, for some preach Christ out of envy and strife, seeking only contention.
7. The heart of man in this generation has become a theater of pretension; they wear the robe of a shepherd but have the heart of a hireling.
8. Therefore, separate yourselves from the love of money and from institutions that treat the Gospel as a business.
9. Examine the fruit, not just the words. What is the chaff to the wheat?
10. Come out from among them and be separate. Purify your hearts, for the whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury.
11. May the peace, discernment, and strength of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
5 ZENIX (THE FIFTH EPISTLE)
Concerning Dreams and Visions
Chapter 1: The Distinction of Night and Day Operations
1. Zenix, an apostle and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the sovereign will and grace of God, to the brothers and sisters who are sanctified in the truth:
2. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied unto you from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
3. This morning, brethren, I would not have you ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts and the diverse manners in which the Almighty communicates with His children.
4. For while the Spirit is one, His operations are many.
5. We have spoken previously of how God opens the ears of men to instruct them, yet many among you have questioned, saying, *“Zenix, what is the difference between a dream and a vision?”*
6. Therefore, I write this chapter to give you understanding, that you may discern the movements of the Spirit with a clear mind.
Chapter 2: The Speech of the Slumbering Eye
1. Hearken first to the nature of a dream.
2. A dream is a divine communication given by God when the natural body is at rest, the senses are quieted, and the consciousness of this world is suspended in sleep.
3. In a dream, the Lord bypasses the analytical mind of man, which so often doubts Him by day, and speaks directly to the spirit while the flesh slumbers.
4. This is the very operation described by Elihu in the Book of Job: *“In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction.”
5. Remember also the father of the nation of Israel. When Jacob fled from his brother, he lay down to sleep with a stone for his pillow.
6. It was in a dream—while he was fully asleep—that he saw a ladder reaching to heaven and the angels ascending and descending.
7. Likewise, in the New Covenant, when Joseph thought to put away Mary secretly, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, *“Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife.”
8. Joseph was asleep, yet his spirit was awake to the command of God.
Chapter 3: The Revelation to the Awake Spirit
1. But look now, brothers and sisters, to the nature of a vision. A vision is an altogether different operation.
2. It does not require a man to be asleep on his bed.
3. Rather, a vision occurs when a person is wide awake, or in a state of deep prayer, and their spiritual eyes are suddenly opened to see into the supernatural realm.
4. In a vision, the natural surroundings may fade away, or the physical eyes may look directly through the veil of this world into the reality of God’s kingdom.
5. Consider the prophet Isaiah, who was wide awake in the temple when his eyes were opened to see the majesty of God.
6. He recorded: In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”* This was no sleep-dream; it was a waking vision of heaven.
7. Consider also the Apostle Peter. He went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour, and he became very hungry.
8. But while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him.
9. Peter’s physical body was awake and hungry, yet his spirit was caught up in a vision to receive a new commandment from the Lord.
Chapter 4: The Shared Decree of the Spirit
1. Therefore, understand the distinction, my beloved brethren: A dream is received in sleep; a vision is received while conscious.
2. Yet, because both proceed from the selfsame Spirit, the Scriptures often couple them together to show the fullness of God's prophetic voice.
3. For the Lord declared the order of both operations in the book of Numbers: “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.”
4. And in the great prophecy of the last days, which we now behold fulfilled in our midst, the Lord declares: “Your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”
5. Whether by day through an open vision, or by night through a prophetic dream, the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
6. Now that you know the difference, brothers and sisters, do not be deceived by idle imaginations.
7. If you receive a dream in your sleep, search out its interpretation through the Word.
8. If you receive a vision while you pray, test the spirit behind it, for even Satan transforms himself into an angel of light.
9. Let your hearts be pure, your minds sober, and your eyes fixed upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
10. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, who reveals all mysteries, be with your spirit, and with all the saints gathered with you.
Amen.
The Epistle of Brother Zenix to the Saints
Greeting
To the brothers and sisters, called to be saints, and to all the faithful who walk in the light of our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Concerning the Heavenly Commission
Brethren, it has come to my attention that I must write this epistle unto you all. I do not write of my own accord, but concerning this very thing which the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded me to write: namely, the coming of the apostles and prophets of our Lord Jesus Christ in these last days.
First of all, brothers and sisters, understand this truth: any true prophet or apostle must be announced and established in the Scriptures of Truth, confirming their arrival, their presence on the scene, and the divine timing of their ministry.
The Witness of the Word
You may ask, Who has announced you?”
Behold, John the Revelator announced my coming into this dispensation when he wrote:
”And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”(Revelation 14:6)
This is the very work that God Almighty is doing in our midst today. The everlasting gospel is being proclaimed, and the sovereign hand of God is moving across the earth.
A Call to Discernment, Not Judgment
Furthermore, you may ask, ”Brother Zenix, are you the only prophet in our generation?”
No, brothers and sisters, by no means! I steadfastly believe that we have many prophets and apostles whom God Almighty is using mightily in this hour. Therefore, I charge you: test the spirits to see whether they are of God.
Do not be overzealous to judge men or condemn them hastily, unless they openly disagree with these sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let charity and divine wisdom guide your discernment.
A Looking Forward
Take heed to these things, beloved. In my next epistle, I shall write to you concerning false doctrines and those who propagate them, so that you may clearly discern them and keep yourselves unspotted from their errors.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
EPISTLE: REBUILD THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST
_Theme Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11 – “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”_
Greeting & Purpose
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. _Romans 1:7_
Beloved, I write to you concerning a matter that is urgent for this season: Rebuilding the Foundation Many things have shifted, but the foundation must not move. For “when the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” _Psalm 11:3_ The Only Foundation is ChristHear this clearly: No other foundation can be laid._1 Corinthians 3:11_
Jesus Himself said, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” _Matthew 7:24-25_ He is the “cornerstone, chosen and precious” _1 Peter 2:6_. Without Him, all building is in vain. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” _Psalm 127:1_. What the Foundation Looks LikeThe foundation of Christ is built on these unshakable truths:
Repentance from dead works – Turn from sin and self. _Hebrews 6:1_
Faith toward God Trust Him fully. _Hebrews 11:6_
Doctrine of baptisms
New birth in water and Spirit. _John 3:5_
Laying on of hands Impartation and ministry. _Acts 8:17_ Resurrection of the dead Our hope is not just for this life. _1 Corinthians 15:20_
Eternal judgment – We all stand before Him. _2 Corinthians 5:10_
This is the “elementary doctrine of Christ” that we must not abandon. _Hebrews 6:1-2_The Call to Rebuild
Zerubbabel was told: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” _Zechariah 4:6_
Nehemiah rebuilt the broken walls of Jerusalem with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other. _Nehemiah 4:17_ So today, rebuild:
1. Rebuild your altar of prayer – “Pray without ceasing” _1 Thessalonians 5:17_
Rebuild your love for the Word“Man shall not live by bread alone” _Matthew 4:4_
Rebuild holiness“Be holy, for I am holy” _1 Peter 1:16_ Rebuild unitil Be of one mind” _Philippians 2:2_ Rebuild witness“You shall be my witnesses” _Acts 1:8_
Warning Against Shifting Foundations
“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings” _Hebrews 13:9_
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit” _Colossians 2:8_
If we remove Christ from the center, the building will collapse in the storm. _Luke 6:49_ The Promise of Rebuilding
“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house” _Haggai 2:9_
God says, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” _Joel 2:25_
He is “able to build you up and to give you the inheritance” _Acts 20:32_ Benediction & Charge
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be strong. Stand firm. Let all you do be done in love. _1 Corinthians 16:13-14_
Rebuild the foundation. Rebuild on Christ. Rebuild with the Word. Rebuild in the Spirit. And now may “the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will” _Hebrews 13:20-21
To Him be glory forever. Amen.
Your servant in Christ,
Zenix bwengo
*AN EPISTLE CONCERNING THE JUST PAYMENT OF WORKERS*
To the brethren, overseers, employers, and all who labor with their hands,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
*1. The Heart of the Matter*
Beloved, God cares deeply about justice in the workplace. He sees every laborer, every hour worked, and every wage delayed. To pay a worker is not just business — it is an act of righteousness. To withhold pay is not just delay — it is sin before the Lord.
*2. What Scripture Commands*
Hear the Word of the Lord concerning workers:
*Old Testament Foundation*
1. *Leviticus 19:13*
_“You shall not oppress your neighbor nor rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.”_
God commands: Pay daily laborers on time. Their wages are their daily bread.
2. *Deuteronomy 24:14-15*
_“You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets, for he is poor and counts on it, lest he cry against you to the Lord, and you be guilty of sin.”_
Note this: Delaying pay makes the worker cry out to God. And God hears.
3. *Malachi 3:5*
_“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against... those who oppress the hired worker in his wages.”_
God Himself will stand as witness against anyone who withholds wages.
*New Testament Affirmation*
4. *James 5:4*
_“Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.”_
Unpaid wages don’t just disappear. They cry out to heaven.
5. *Luke 10:7*
_“For the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.”_
Jesus Himself said it: The worker is worthy of his pay. Period.
6. *1 Timothy 5:18*
_“For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’”_
Paul quotes Deuteronomy and Luke to teach the church: Pay those who work for you.
7. *Colossians 4:1*
_“Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”_
Employers are also under a Boss. God watches how we treat those under us.
*3. Principles to Walk By*
From these Scriptures we learn:
1. *Pay on time* - “Before the sun sets” Deut 24:15. Delay is disobedience.
2. *Pay fully* - Don’t rob, don’t defraud, don’t “muzzle the ox” 1 Tim 5:18.
3. *Pay justly* - Fair wages, not taking advantage because someone is poor or desperate.
4. *Remember God sees* - He is “a swift witness” Mal 3:5. Unpaid wages “cry out” James 5:4.
*4. An Exhortation*
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, let us be known as people of integrity. Let the world see that the people of God do not delay wages, do not make excuses, and do not oppress the worker. When we pay, we reflect the character of our Father who is just.
To employers: Honor your workers. Their sweat built what you enjoy.
To workers: Work “as for the Lord” Col 3:23, knowing your Master in heaven rewards faithfulness.
To all: Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24
May the God of justice establish us in every good work.
Amen.
Written in love and truth,
The church of Jesus Christ
*THE BOOK OF AZUSA*
_A Remembrance for the Church in This Generation_
*Chapter 1: The Humble Place*
1. In the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and six, in the city of Los Angeles, there was a street called Azusa.
2. And on that street stood a building, broken and low, once a house of prayer, then a stable for beasts, then a dwelling for the poor.
3. Yet the Lord does not despise small places, for He said, “I will dwell with him who is humble and contrite in spirit.” Isa 57:15
4. And the world passed it by, but God marked it for glory.
*Chapter 2: The Humble Servant*
1. There came a man named William, son of those once in chains, a preacher of holiness and of the Spirit.
2. He was sent to teach for a season, but the doors of men were shut against him.
3. So he went to the houses of the faithful, and there he broke bread and taught the Word night after night.
4. For the Lord said, “Where two or three gather in My name, there am I among them.” Matt 18:20
*Chapter 3: The Waiting and the Fasting*
1. And the people gathered at a place called Bonnie Brae, both bond and free, rich and poor, of every tongue and color.
2. For five weeks they heard the Word, and for three days they humbled themselves with fasting.
3. They cried out, “Lord, do it again! Fill us as You filled them in the upper room!” Acts 1:14
4. And they did not cease, until heaven answered.
*Chapter 4: The Fire Falls*
1. Then on the ninth day of the fourth month, the Spirit of God came down like a rushing wind.
2. One spoke in a new tongue, then six, then many, and the sound went out into the streets.
3. Men and women fell under the power of God, and the porch shook, yet none were harmed, for the Lord was there.
4. And on the twelfth day, after a night of prayer, the servant William himself was filled, and his tongue was loosed to praise.
5. And the city was stirred, and the nations heard.
*Chapter 5: The Testimony of the Saints*
1. For three years the fire burned without ceasing in that mission house at 312 Azusa Street.
2. And all who came out had one testimony on their lips: “I am saved, I am sanctified, I am filled with the Holy Ghost.”
3. The sick were healed, the bound were set free, and worship rose day and night like incense. Rev 8:4
4. And from that place the flame spread to every nation under heaven.
*Chapter 6: The Word to This Generation*
1. Hear, O church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and remember.
2. For the God of Azusa is your God; He changes not. Mal 3:6
3. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Heb 13:8
4. If He filled a stable with His glory, He can fill your home.
5. If He healed the sick there, He will heal the sick here.
6. If He baptized them with the Holy Ghost, He will baptize you also. Luke 11:13
*Chapter 7: The Charge*
1. Therefore, do not despise humble places, nor small beginnings. Zech 4:10
2. Tear down the walls that divide you, for in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free. Gal 3:28
3. Pray without ceasing, fast with a whole heart, and make room for the Spirit. 1 Thess 5:17
4. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall see His works again in your day. John 14:12
5. Let your testimony be the same as theirs: “We are saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost!”
6. And to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask, be glory forever. Eph 3:20-21. Amen.
SERMON: “REBUILD THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST”
Text: 1 Corinthians 3:11 – “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Romans 1:7
Can I talk to your spirit for a minute, Church? Beloved, I’m not here to preach to your head today. I’m here to reach your heart. Because there’s something urgent for this season.
Many things have shifted around us. Politics have shifted. Money has shifted. People have shifted. But hear me: *THE FOUNDATION MUST NOT MOVE!*
The Bible asks a painful question in Psalm 11:3: _“When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”_
If the foundation is gone, the whole house falls. And I came to tell you today — we’re not going down. We’re going to
REBUILD THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST!
THE ONLY FOUNDATION IS CHRIST
Hear this clearly, Church: No other foundation can be laid! 1 Cor 3:11
You can build with money. You can build with fame. You can build with programs. But if Jesus Christ is not the foundation, you’re building sandcastles.
Jesus Himself said it in Matthew 7:24-25: _“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it was founded on the rock.”_
Church, storms are coming. Rain is falling. Winds of confusion, winds of false doctrine, winds of compromise are blowing. But if you’re built on Jesus Christ — you will not fall!
He is the “cornerstone, chosen and precious” 1 Peter 2:6.
And Psalm 127:1 warns us: _“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”_
Can I ask you honestly: What foundation are you building your life on? Your business? Your relationship? Your ministry? If it’s not Jesus Christ, tear it down and start again!
WHAT THE FOUNDATION OF CHRIST LOOKS LIKE –
Hebrews 6:1-2 calls this “the elementary doctrine of Christ.” We cannot skip it. We must not abandon it. This is what the foundation looks like:
Repentance from dead works – Hebrews 6:1
Turn from sin and self! Dead works are religious activity without life. Church, you can come to church every Sunday and still be dead inside. God is calling us to repent — not just feel sorry, but turn around!
Faith toward God – Hebrews 11:6
Trust Him fully! Not 70%. Not “if He comes through.” Full trust. The just shall live by faith!
. Doctrine of baptisms – John 3:5
New birth in water and Spirit! Jesus said: _“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”_
Acts 2:38 — Repent, be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! This is foundation, Church!
Laying on of hands – Acts 8:17
Impartation and ministry! God still lays hands. He still fills. He still sends. Don’t rob people of this!
Resurrection of the dead – 1 Corinthians 15:20
Our hope is not just for this life! We serve a risen Savior! The grave could not hold Him, and it will not hold us!
Eternal judgment – 2 Corinthians 5:10
We all shall stand before Him! There’s coming a day when every foundation will be tested by fire. Only Christ will stand.
THE CALL TO REBUILD –
Zerubbabel was told: _“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”_ Zechariah 4:6
Nehemiah rebuilt broken walls with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other. Nehemiah 4:17
That’s you today, Church! Sword of the Word in one hand. Trowel of prayer in the other. Rebuild!
*1. Rebuild your altar of prayer* – 1 Thess 5:17 _“Pray without ceasing”_
Your prayer life is leaking. Patch it up! Get back on your knees! The early church prayed until the room was shaken! Acts 4:31
*2. Rebuild your love for the Word* – Matthew 4:4 _“Man shall not live by bread alone”_
You’re feeding your body 3 times a day but feeding your spirit once a week. No wonder you’re weak! Open that Bible!
Rebuild holiness– 1 Peter 1:16 _“Be holy, for I am holy”_
We’ve watered down holiness. We’ve called it legalism. But without holiness, no one sees the Lord! Hebrews 12:14
Rebuild unity* – Philippians 2:2 _“Be of one mind”_
Stop the divisions. Stop the gossip. We’re one body with one foundation: Christ!
Rebuild witness Acts 1:8 _“You shall be my witnesses”_
Lusaka is waiting. Zambia is waiting. Your neighbor is waiting. Tell them about Jesus Christ!
WARNING AGAINST SHIFTING FOUNDATIONS
Hebrews 13:9 _“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings”_
Colossians 2:8 _“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit”_
If we remove Christ from the center, the building will collapse in the storm. Luke 6:49
I’d rather have a small church built on Christ than a mega church built on sand!
THE PROMISE OF REBUILDING –
Don’t cry over what you lost. Haggai 2:9 says: _“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house!”_
Joel 2:25 — _“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten!”_
Acts 20:32 — He is _“able to build you up and to give you the inheritance!”_
God is not finished with you. God is not finished with this church. If you rebuild on Christ, the best days are ahead!
Stand up with me, Church. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
_“Be strong. Stand firm. Let all you do be done in love.”_
Rebuild the foundation. Rebuild on Christ. Rebuild with the Word. Rebuild in the Spirit.
And now may _“the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will”_ Hebrews 13:20-21
To Him be glory forever. Amen.
Your servant in Christ
ALTAR CALL / REVIVAL RESPONSE:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them…” Matthew 7:24
If your foundation has cracks — if you’ve drifted, if you’ve compromised — come now. Let’s rebuild together on Jesus Christ.
Those ready for baptism according to Acts 2:38, come. Those ready to rededicate, come. The foundation is Christ!
### *AN EPISTLE TO THE CHURCH OF THIS GENERATION*
*Concerning: The Difference Between the Old Testament Church and the New Testament Church*
*Greetings, brothers and sisters,*
I write to you this epistle the same the apostle Paul did in his time. I will do the same if God be my helper. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7.
*1. MY PURPOSE IN WRITING*
*Galatians 1:11* _“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.”_
I write not to bring strife, but that you may know the truth and be free, John 8:32. For many are bound today under shadows while the Substance stands before them, Colossians 2:17.
*2. THE OLD TESTAMENT CHURCH: GOD’S SHADOW AND SCHOOLMASTER*
*Acts 7:38* _“This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina.”_
*A. The Sanctuary of the Old*
*Exodus 25:8-9* _“Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle.”_
Three parts it had: Outer Court with altar of sacrifice, Holy Place with bread and light, Holy of Holies with the Ark. But Hebrews 9:9 declares _“Which was a figure for the time then present.”_ It was a shadow, not the reality.
*B. The Priesthood of the Old*
*Exodus 28:1* _“Take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother... that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.”_
Only one tribe, one family, one man could enter. The people stood afar off, Exodus 20:21. Access was limited by a thick veil, Exodus 26:31.
*C. The Sacrifice of the Old*
*Hebrews 10:11* _“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.”_
Daily lambs, Exodus 29:38. Weekly Sabbath sacrifices, Numbers 28:9. Yearly Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16:34. Blood of bulls and goats covered sin, but could not cleanse conscience, Hebrews 10:4.
*D. The Commandments of the Old*
*Exodus 20:3-17* - The Ten Commandments written on stone, 2 Corinthians 3:7 _“ministration of death, written and engraven in stones.”_
1. No other gods
2. No graven images
3. Not take His name in vain
4. *Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy* - Exodus 20:8-10 _“the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God”_
5. Honor father and mother
6. Not kill
7. Not commit adultery
8. Not steal
9. Not bear false witness
10. Not covet
Plus 603 more laws concerning food, feasts, and flesh, Leviticus 23. *Galatians 3:24* _“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.”_ It was good, Romans 7:12, but weak through the flesh, Romans 8:3.
*E. The Feasts of the Old – Prophetic Shadows*
*Leviticus 23:2* _“These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.”_
Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles. All pointed forward, but none could perfect, Hebrews 10:1.
*3. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH: GOD’S SUBSTANCE AND SONSHIP*
*Matthew 16:18* _“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”_
*A. The Sanctuary of the New*
*Hebrews 8:2* _“A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”_
*1 Corinthians 3:16* _“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”_
God moved from tent to temple, from stone to spirit, from among us to IN us, 2 Corinthians 6:16.
*B. The Priesthood of the New*
*1 Peter 2:9* _“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.”_
*Revelation 1:6* _“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father.”_
No more Aaron. Every believer is a priest with boldness to enter, Hebrews 10:19 _“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”_
*C. The Sacrifice of the New*
*Hebrews 10:12* _“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”_
*John 1:29* _“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”_
No more daily lambs. Christ is the Lamb slain once, Revelation 5:6. Our sacrifice now is Romans 12:1 _“present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”_
*D. The Commandments of the New – The Law of Christ*
*John 13:34* _“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”_
*Matthew 22:37-40* _“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart... and thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”_
*Other New Testament commands:*
1. *Believe on Christ* - 1 John 3:23 _“that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ”_
2. *Be baptized* - Matthew 28:19
3. *Remember Him in communion* - 1 Corinthians 11:24 _“this do in remembrance of me”_
4. *Walk in the Spirit* - Galatians 5:16 _“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh”_
*Concerning the Sabbath*: God gave NO command to the New Testament church to keep a day. *Colossians 2:16-17* _“Let no man therefore judge you in... sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”_ *Romans 14:5* _“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike.”_
Instead Jesus said: *Matthew 11:28* _“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”_ He is Lord of the Sabbath, Mark 2:28, and He IS our rest, Hebrews 4:3.
*E. The Feasts Fulfilled in Christ*
1. *Passover* - 1 Corinthians 5:7 _“Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”_
2. *Unleavened Bread* - 1 Corinthians 5:8 _“with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”_
3. *Firstfruits* - 1 Corinthians 15:20 _“Christ... the firstfruits of them that sleep.”_
4. *Pentecost* - Acts 2:4 _“they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”_
5. *Trumpets* - 1 Thessalonians 4:16 _“with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”_
6. *Atonement* - Hebrews 9:12 _“by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place”_
7. *Tabernacles* - Revelation 21:3 _“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men.”_
*4. THE PROPHETIC DIFFERENCE SUMMARIZED*
*Hebrews 8:13* _“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”_
Old Testament ChurchNew Testament Church
**Nation**: Israel only, Exodus 19:5**Nation**: All nations, Galatians 3:28
**Dwelling**: God among them, Exodus 25:8**Dwelling**: God in us, 1 Cor 6:19
**Priest**: Aaron’s sons only, Exodus 28:1**Priest**: All believers, 1 Peter 2:9
**Sacrifice**: Repeated animals, Hebrews 10:11**Sacrifice**: Christ once, Hebrews 10:12
**Access**: Veil closed, Leviticus 16:2**Access**: Veil torn, Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:20
**Law**: Stone, external, 2 Cor 3:7Law Heart, Spirit, Hebrews 8:10
Rest: One day Sabbath, Exodus 20:10: Christ daily, Matthew 11:28
“Do and live” Leviticus 18:5 “Believe and live” John 3:16
. CONCERNING THOSE WHO TEACH SABBATH BONDAGE
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”_
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”_
To teach that all must keep Saturday Sabbath according to the Gregorian calendar is to deny the Hebrew calendar of moon and stars, Genesis 1:14. It is to put the shadow above the Substance. This doctrine is a lie from hell, for it makes the day greater than the Lord of the day.
Romans 7:4 _“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead.”_
We are not lawless. We are under the Law of Christ, Galatians 6:2. And the Law of Christ is fulfilled in us as we walk in the Spirit, Romans 8:4.
Hebrews 10:22-23_“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith... Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.”_
Therefore I pray for all to understand what God is doing in your generation. God is not calling you back to Sinai. He is calling you to Zion, Hebrews 12:22. Not to a day, but to a Person. Not to a building, but to become His building, 1 Peter 2:5.
Come out from the shadow, beloved. Worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, John 4:23. For Jesus Christ is our Passover, our Sabbath, our Sanctuary, our High Priest, and our Eternal Rest.
Amen and Amen.
Written by your brother in Christ,
If God be my helper, as Paul wrote, so I write.
[23/06, 7:33 am] Get Zambia: ### *A LETTER EXPLAINING NUMBERS 15:32-36 & THE SABBATH TO OUR SDA FRIENDS*
*Greetings in Christ,*
I write to you as fellow believers in Jesus, John 17:21 _“that they all may be one.”_ The story of the man gathering sticks in Numbers 15:32-36 is serious, and we must understand what God was teaching Israel then, and what He teaches the church now.
*1. WHAT HAPPENED IN NUMBERS 15:32-36*
*Numbers 15:32-36* _“And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day... And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death.”_
*Why so strict?*
*Exodus 31:13, 16-17* _“Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations... Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever.”_
Under the Old Covenant, Sabbath was a national sign, a covenant mark for Israel only. Breaking it was breaking covenant, like adultery. The punishment was death because Israel was a theocracy – church + nation together.
*2. THE PROBLEM THE LAW COULDN’T FIX*
*Romans 8:3* _“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh.”_
Stoning that man didn’t stop Israel from breaking Sabbath again. The law exposed sin but gave no power to obey, Romans 3:20 _“by the law is the knowledge of sin.”_
*3. WHAT CHANGED AT THE CROSS*
*Matthew 27:50-51* _“Jesus... yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain.”_
That veil kept people out of God’s presence. When it tore, the Old system ended. *Hebrews 8:13* _“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”_
*Jesus’ own teaching on Sabbath:*
*Mark 2:27-28* _“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”_
*Matthew 12:1-8* His disciples picked grain on Sabbath. Pharisees accused them. Jesus defended them and said _“I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.”_ He healed on Sabbath, John 5:8-9. If He was breaking His own law, then He sinned. But He didn’t. He showed Sabbath was about mercy, not rules.
*4. NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH INSTRUCTION ABOUT DAYS*
The apostles never commanded Gentile churches to keep Saturday Sabbath.
*Colossians 2:16-17* _“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”_
*Romans 14:5* _“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”_
*Galatians 4:9-11* Paul feared for Galatians who turned back to _“days, and months, and times, and years.”_
*5. OUR REST NOW IS CHRIST, NOT A DAY*
*Matthew 11:28* _“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”_
*Hebrews 4:3* _“For we which have
