Prophets and Kings 57 Reformation (with slight edits)
The word of Elohim abounds in sharp and striking contrasts. Sin and holiness are placed side by side, that, beholding, we may shun the one and accept the other. The pages that describe the hatred, falsehood, and treachery of Sanballat and Tobiah, describe also the nobility, devotion, and self-sacrifice of Ezra and Nehemiah. We are left free to copy either, as we choose. The fearful results of transgressing Elohim’s commands are placed over against the blessings resulting from obedience. We ourselves must decide whether we will suffer the one or enjoy the other.
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The work of restoration and reform carried on by the returned exiles, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, presents a picture of a work of spiritual restoration that is to be wrought in the closing days of this earth’s history. The remnant of Israel were a feeble people, exposed to the ravages of their enemies; but through them Elohim purposed to preserve in the earth a knowledge of Himself and of His law. They were the guardians of the true worship, the keepers of the holy oracles. Varied were the experiences that came to them as they rebuilt the temple and the wall of Jerusalem; strong was the opposition that they had to meet. Heavy were the burdens borne by the leaders in this work; but these men moved forward in unwavering confidence, in humility of spirit, and in firm reliance upon Elohim, believing that He would cause His truth to triumph. Like King Hezekiah, Nehemiah “clave to Yehovah, and departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments. . . . And Yehovah was with him.” 2 Kings 18:6, 7.
The spiritual restoration of which the work carried forward in Nehemiah’s day was a symbol, is outlined in the words of Isaiah: “They shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities.” “They that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” Isaiah 61:4;58:12.
The prophet here describes a people who, in a time of general departure from truth and righteousness, are seeking
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to restore the principles that are the foundation of the kingdom of Elohim. They are repairers of a breach that has been made in Elohim’s law–the wall that He has placed around His chosen ones for their protection, and obedience to whose precepts of justice, truth, and purity is to be their perpetual safeguard.
In words of unmistakable meaning the prophet points out the specific work of this remnant people who build the wall. “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of Yehovah, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself on Yehovah; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for The Mouth of Yehovah hath spoken.” Isaiah 58:13, 14.
In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. The breach made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, is to be repaired. Elohim’s remnant people, standing before the world as reformers, are to show that the law of Elohim is the foundation of all enduring reform and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand as a memorial of creation, a constant reminder of the power of Elohim. In clear, distinct lines they are to present the necessity of obedience to all the precepts of the Decalogue. Constrained by the love of The Messiah, they are to co-operate with Him in building up the waste places. They are to be repairers of the breach, restorers of paths to dwell in. See verse 12.
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Exodus 20:8 breached
Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8 repaired
Mark even day, the New Moon to consecrate It.
He calls It, “My Holy Day” or “My Qodesh Day”.
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White 12 The Sabbath of Yehovah
But Yehovah gave me a view of the heavenly sanctuary. The temple of Elohim was open in heaven, and I was shown the ark of Elohim covered with the mercy seat. Two angels stood one at either end of the ark, with their wings spread over the mercy seat, and their faces turned toward it. This, my accompanying angel informed me, represented all the heavenly host looking with reverential awe toward the law of Elohim, which had been written by the finger of Elohim.
Yehoshua raised the cover of the ark, and I beheld the tables of stone on which the ten commandments were written. I was amazed as I saw the fourth commandment
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in the very center of the ten precepts, with a soft halo of light encircling it. Said the angel, “It is the only one of the ten which defines the living Elohim who created the heavens and the earth and all things that are therein.”
When the foundations of the earth were laid, then was also laid the foundation of the Sabbath. I was shown that if the true Sabbath had been kept, there would never have been an infidel or an atheist. The observance of the Sabbath would have preserved the world from idolatry.
The fourth commandment has been trampled upon, therefore we are called upon to repair the breach in the law and plead for the desecrated Sabbath. The man of sin, who exalted himself above Elohim, and thought to change times and laws, brought about the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. In doing this he made a breach in the law of Elohim Just prior to the great day of Elohim, a message is sent forth to warn the people to come back to their allegiance to the law of Elohim, which antichrist has broken down. Attention must be called to the breach in the law, by precept and example.
I was shown that the precious promises of Isaiah 58:12-14 apply to those who labor for the restoration of the true Sabbath.
I was shown that the third angel proclaiming the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yehoshua, represents the people who receive this message, and raise the voice of warning to the world to keep the commandments of Elohim and His law as the apple of the eye; and that in response to this warning, many would embrace the Sabbath of Yehovah.
LS15 Life Sketches of Ellen G. White 13 Marriage and United Labors (97)
Scriptures, some have been desolated, and some verses need to be restored.
Genesis Chapter 1:2
And the earth became without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit Moon of Elohim floated upon the surface of the waters.
(total darkness of the moon is conjunction, when the plumbob swings as the sun and moon together close close in the east, indicating, “Marking” or “Zawkar”. This event “Marks the day” to be consecrated as The Qodesh of Yehovah.