Counsel #7 — Come Out Of Babylon

Picture: Counsel #7 — Come Out Of BabylonCCW 99.1

Because a monthly sequence of lunar sabbaths is not found in the Bible, lunar sabbaths are traced back to a more recent origin. Just as ancient Babylon had its own sanctuary and religious calendar, including a lunar sabbath, modern Babylon—a system of false doctrines — has its own sacred days other than what is mandated in the 4th Commandment. As followers of the Bible, Seventh-day Adventists reject any alternative holy days, including not only Sunday observance but also the lunar cycles. We believe that the biblical Sabbath is a gift from God, a constant reminder of His creation and redemption. By adhering to the weekly 7th day Sabbath, we distance ourselves from the influences of false religious systems. The Bible calls us to keep only the Sabbath of the Ten Commandments holy,^{[155]Exodus 20:6} not later alternatives created by human devising.^{[156]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/confusion-babylon/}CCW 99.2

“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4 NKJVCCW 99.3

“The enemies of God's law, from the ministers down to the least among them, have a new conception of truth and duty. Too late they see that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God. Too late they see the true nature of their spurious sabbath…. They find that they have been fighting against God.” Ellen White in The Great Controversy p. 640CCW 99.4

Reflect: How does the connection between lunar sabbaths and ancient Babylon suggest a potential influence of false religious systems?CCW 99.5