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First, what is religion?  To answer that, we need a common understanding of the word “religion”, especially in contemporary vernacular.

Merriam-Webster says -

Religion - noun
the service and worship of God or the supernatural
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of beliefs, and practices
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Religious  - adjective
1 : relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity
2 : of, relating to, or devoted to beliefs or observances
3 a : scrupulously and conscientiously faithful b : FERVENT, ZEALOUS

Typically, the word religion is used to mean a BRANCH of “Christianity”.  Christianity is typically subdivided into 2 general categories.  Those categories are Catholics and non-Catholics, also known as Protestants (those who protest Catholics).  The Protestants are further divided into sub-categories.  The Protestants categories are known by names such as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecost, and more.

The Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecosts and the others are RELIGIONS.  Each has a doctrine which is the foundation or premise for their beliefs.  Usually, the doctrine is centered around a few precepts, which are less than the whole of the Bible.

It is important to know that the Protestants are all splinter groups from Catholic (with their origins in Catholicism).  They maintain many of the same principles, customs and practices.  They may lack the structure, but most everything else remains essentially Catholic – with all its failings.

Now, to answer the question of what religion we are, we say we are of no common established religion, such as those referenced above.

There is at least one major distinction between the “religions” referenced above and us (and those like us).  That one major distinction is observance of the Sabbath and Holy Days (aka Feast Days).  Those of the above referenced religions are Sunday keepers, and we (and those like us) are Sabbath keepers.

A principle element of these is that those Sunday keepers blindly follow what their mystery preaching corporate leaders say, while Sabbath keepers generally try following what Scripture says, and not blindly, realizing there are few or no mysteries.

Generally, Sunday keepers are corporate stockholders of unlawful organizations.  Generally, Sabbath keepers are free followers of Scripture with free will and participation.

Before, you take exception to this notion about Sunday keepers, consider that most all are incorporated and licensed, and their preachers, pastors, ministers and leaders are customarily licensed.

This is important in that, by law, religious organizations are NOT taxable in the united States of America, while corporate agencies are taxable, but may acquire tax exempt status.  The distinction here is that “not taxable” means simply what it says – NOT taxable, while tax exempt is voluntarily taxable, with special privileges and with strings attached, to be allowed to evade paying tax – but they are taxable.

Another element is that of “license”.  The Sunday keepers are generally licensed both of the church and the leaders thereof.  Now, you must understand that “license” is a tool of legal contemplation for circumventing the Law.  Licenses raise revenue, by tribute.  Before you take exception in your ignorance, let me present legal/law evidence.

Tribute.  A contribution which is raised by a prince or sovereign from his subjects to sustain the expenses of the state.  A sum of money paid by an inferior sovereign or state to a superior potentate, to secure the friendship or protection of the latter.

License: The permission by competent authority to do an act which, without such permission, would be illegal, a trespass, or a tort. (Black's 5th)

Illegal.  Against or not authorized by law. (Black's 5th)

Trespass: An unlawful interference with one's person, property, or rights. (Black's 5th)

Equity: is a body of jurisprudence, or field of jurisdiction, differing in its origin, theory and methods from the common law...  A system of jurisprudence collateral to, and in some respects independent of law.  (Black's 5th)

Lawful is generally defined as:

Lawful:  The principal distinction between the terms "lawful" and "legal" is that the former contemplates the substance of law, the latter the form of law.  To say of an act that it is "lawful" implies that it is authorized, sanctioned, or at any rate not forbidden, by law.  To say that it is "legal" implies that it is done or performed in accordance with the forms and usages of law, or in a technical manner.  Further, the word "lawful" more clearly implies an ethical [moral] content than does "legal".  (Black's 5th)

Sunday keeper’s leadership are typically incorporated and this is a matter of not trusting the Creator.  Incorporating is a matter of creating a fictional entity to take responsibility for the actions/conduct of the people involved.  So, rather than trusting the Creator, they trust the state to protect them.

We are Sabbath Keepers who study Scripture, and practice following it, even (or especially) if it runs contrary to accepted doctrines of the Sunday keepers.  We are not licensed, we are not incorporated.

Keeping the Sabbath and the Holy Days (aka Feast Days) greatly assists in understanding all of Scripture.  When the Messiah says or does something and he references a Sabbath or Holy Day, you can not understand his message unless you also at least have knowledge of the Sabbath and Holy Days.

Scripture tells us that it is a remnant or elect who will inherit the Kingdom, so whatever the majority is doing is probably not where we want to be, or is at least a reason not to follow them.

It seems important to try avoiding making doctrines.  To avoid clichés, platitudes, catch phrases, bus words/phrases.

Much of what makes many religions, espescially the varied "christian" sects troubling, is that they are big on using and quick to use clichés, platitudes, catch phrases, bus words/phrases.

It seems if you can be "pegged" or identified as a certain named group, then you can be dispensed.

More importantly, the use of clichés, platitudes, catch phrases, bus words/phrases by the sheeple who do not adequately understand the meanings or origins.  When challenged, they can only re-iterate the same clichés, platitudes, catch phrases, bus words/phrases, but almost never able to explain or debate.

All of scripture is about the RELATIONSHIP between "I AM" (Israel) and his people (Israel).  To understand this relationship is to understand a relationship between a man, a father, and his children.  While the his children are baby, the father protects his children till they show their own ability to do things for themself.  The more the children show their development and maturity the more the father lets them manage their own lives, untill one day the children actually leave home.  But, that is not the end, for the father will always be there for his children and will help them till one of them dies.

The people of Israel ("I AM") were handled a lot like pre-teen children till the time they were brought out of Egypt.  Until that time, "I AM" rewarded them and punished them as they needed it.

As you are probably aware, children, as teenagers usually express their desire to mange their own live, even though they are not yet ready to do so.  This is akin to what Israel did some time during the time after they came out of Egypt and demanded of "I AM" a king be put over them, like all the other peoples.  This is peer pressure and Israel was acting like a spoiled teenager.

Now during the past couple thousand years, Israel (the people) as the people of Israel ("I AM") have been treated much like adults.

At all stages of the growth and maturity of the people Israel, they have had a relationship with Israel (the Lord "I AM").  Never does "I AM" or his word require or request of his people Israel to be religious are treat him religiously.

So, as a RELATIONSHIP with Israel ("I AM") we are Sabbath Keepers.  Sabbath keeping shows that "I AM" (Israel) is your God.  Exodus 31:13-17 tells us that the keeping of the Sabbath is a sign between you (and your descendents) so you will know He is your God who sanctifies you.  Sanctify means to set apart and for a special purpose.

Naturally, not all Sunday keepers practice and believe EXACTLY the same thing or way, which helps explain the MANY “religions” of their ilk.

The same is true of Sabbath Keepers.  A difference is that Sabbath Keepers have not generally gone and made a big BUSINESS of their beliefs, building icons to themselves (rather than the Creator).  Sabbath Keepers are generally close knit, and generally are truly interested in learning and following the Scripture (rather than some man or group), and will gladly teach/talk with any who inquire, but generally do not PUSH their beliefs.

For the moment, we have a Scriptural RELATIONSHIP with "I AM" as Sabbath Keepers.
 

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
 9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
 11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Romans 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 31:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the
LORD that doth sanctify you.
14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from
among his people.
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
 

Tribble
April 2003
revised: September 2003
revised January 2004 (for new website)
revised: July 2005

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