the "sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,
as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." We are to follow the Lord
and obey him, not this power that has risen up in opposition to him.

The angel's interpretation in this chapter does not leave the apostasy
triumphant:

"The judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to
consume and to destroy it unto the end."

Then the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of the Most
High, "and all dominions shall serve and obey Him."

"O, how shall we stand that moment of searching,
When all our sins those books reveal?
When from that court, each case decided,
Shall be granted no appeal?"

[Illustration: CHRIST AND THE SCRIBES

"In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
men." Matt. 15:9.]

[Illustration: CREATION

"In six days the Lord made heaven and earth,... and rested the seventh
day." Ex. 20:11.]

THE BIBLE SABBATH

"He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not
planted, shall be rooted up." Matt. 15:13.

The scribes had come to Jesus with the complaint, "Why do Thy disciples
transgress the tradition of the elders?" Jesus answered them with
another question, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by
your tradition?"

They had thought that Christ was introducing novelties, preaching new
things, contrary to established church custom and practice. He showed
them that He really stood for the old and established things of God's
Word, and that their own religious customs, however old, were really the
novelties, without divine authority. He said,

"In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
men." And finally He added the words quoted above, "Every plant, which
My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up."

Let the principles be applied to the question of Sabbath observance.
Sometimes in our day those who preach the word of God regarding the
abiding holiness of the seventh-day Sabbath are accused of preaching new
doctrines, contrary to the traditions and customs of the church. But
really, the observance of Sunday, the first day, is the innovation; the
seventh-day Sabbath is of ancient foundation.

Is the Seventh-day Sabbath a Plant of Our Heavenly Father's Planting?

Which of these two institutions has our heavenly Father planted? It is
possible to ascertain to a surety; for every plant of