I took the Sabbath Challange

The Challenge:

$10,000 CASH is yours if you can find just one verse in the Bible, using either the Old or New Testament that says God changed the Seventh day Sabbath to the First day of the week for the Bible believing Christian.

Click here for more information

I took this challenge and went to the Greek Lexicon. I was doing research on the word Sabbath and I amazed myself by what I found. The New Testament does in fact teach that the Sabbath did get changed from the end of the week to the first of the week. Four verses: Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 14:1 and John 20:1. The link to the challenge has been disabled by me. The man I conversed with didn't want to accept the findings from the Greek Lexicon and kept insisting that I need to repent. When I would not bite he cut me off and asked me to not email him any further. For me the money was never the issue, only to correct an albeit error in translation.
Here are my findings:

Matthew 28:1


In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (KJV)

http://bible.cc/matthew/28-1.htm


This verse is incorrectly translated, as indicated by the Greek Lexicon the word σαββατων or Sabbath is written in two positions the 3rd word and the 8th word. So first day of the week is not correctly translated. It should translate the first New Sabbath

Greek Lexicon
οψε δε σαββατων τη επιφωσκουση εις μιαν σαββατων ηλθεν μαρια η μαγδαληνη και η αλλη μαρια θεωρησαι τον ταφον

In the end +__ of the sabbath as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre


σαββατων of Hebrew origin (shabbath); the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications

sabbath (day), week.

So in Matt 28:1, both times the word sabbath must be translated sabbaths, and then we can see exactly what it is God had in veiw when he placed this statement in the Bible. Literally this verse should read, "At the end of the sabbaths, as it began to dawn toward the New sabbath...

Mark 16:2
http://bible.cc/mark/16-2.htm

Greek Lexicon
και λιαν πρωι της μιας σαββατων ερχονται επι το μνημειον ανατειλαντος του ηλιου

And very early in the morning the first day of the week they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun
Again this should be translated: And very early in the morning the first New Sabbath...


Luke 24:1
http://bible.cc/luke/24-1.htm

Greek Lexicon
τη δε μια των σαββατων ορθρου βαθεος ηλθον επι το μνημα φερουσαι α ητοιμασαν αρωματα και τινες συν αυταις

Matthew 28:1


In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (KJV)

http://bible.cc/matthew/28-1.htm


This verse is incorrectly translated, as indicated by the Greek Lexicon the word σαββατων or Sabbath is written in two positions the 3rd word and the 8th word. So first day of the week is not correctly translated. It should translate the first New Sabbath

Greek Lexicon
οψε δε σαββατων τη επιφωσκουση εις μιαν σαββατων ηλθεν μαρια η μαγδαληνη και η αλλη μαρια θεωρησαι τον ταφον

In the end +__ of the sabbath as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre


σαββατων of Hebrew origin (shabbath); the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications

sabbath (day), week.

So in Matt 28:1, both times the word sabbath must be translated sabbaths, and then we can see exactly what it is God had in veiw when he placed this statement in the Bible. Literally this verse should read, "At the end of the sabbaths, as it began to dawn toward the first sabbath...

Mark 16:2
http://bible.cc/mark/16-2.htm

Greek Lexicon
και λιαν πρωι της μιας σαββατων ερχονται επι το μνημειον ανατειλαντος του ηλιου

And very early in the morning the first day of the week they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun
Again this should be translated: And very early in the morning the first Sabbath...


Luke 24:1
http://bible.cc/luke/24-1.htm

Greek Lexicon
τη δε μια των σαββατων ορθρου βαθεος ηλθον επι το μνημα φερουσαι α ητοιμασαν αρωματα και τινες συν αυταις

Matthew 28:1


In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (KJV)

http://bible.cc/matthew/28-1.htm


This verse is incorrectly translated, as indicated by the Greek Lexicon the word σαββατων or Sabbath is written in two positions the 3rd word and the 8th word. So first day of the week is not correctly translated. It should translate the first Sabbath

Greek Lexicon
οψε δε σαββατων τη επιφωσκουση εις μιαν σαββατων ηλθεν μαρια η μαγδαληνη και η αλλη μαρια θεωρησαι τον ταφον

In the end +__ of the sabbath as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre


σαββατων of Hebrew origin (shabbath); the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications

sabbath (day), week.

So in Matt 28:1, both times the word sabbath must be translated sabbaths, and then we can see exactly what it is God had in veiw when he placed this statement in the Bible. Literally this verse should read, "At the end of the sabbaths, as it began to dawn toward the first sabbath...

Mark 16:2
http://bible.cc/mark/16-2.htm

Greek Lexicon
και λιαν πρωι της μιας σαββατων ερχονται επι το μνημειον ανατειλαντος του ηλιου

And very early in the morning the first day of the week they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun
Again this should be translated: And very early in the morning the first Sabbath...


Luke 24:1
http://bible.cc/luke/24-1.htm

Greek Lexicon
τη δε μια των σαββατων ορθρου βαθεος ηλθον επι το μνημα φερουσαι α ητοιμασαν αρωματα και τινες συν αυταις
Greek Lexicon
Now upon the first day of the week very early in the morning +__ they came unto the sepulchre bringing the spices which they had prepared and certain others withthem

Same σαββατων is translated first day of the week but it should translate "first Sabbath"

John 20:1
http://bible.cc/john/20-1.htm

Greek Lexicon
τη δε μια των σαββατων μαρια η μαγδαληνη ερχεται πρωι σκοτιας ετι ουσης εις το μνημειον και βλεπει τον λιθον ηρμενον εκ του μνημειου

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre

Same σαββατων is translated first day of the week but it should translate "first Sabbath"

Now upon the first day of the week very early in the morning +__ they came unto the sepulchre bringing the spices which they had prepared and certain others withthem

Same σαββατων is translated first day of the week but it should translate "first Sabbath"

John 20:1
http://bible.cc/john/20-1.htm

Greek Lexicon
τη δε μια των σαββατων μαρια η μαγδαληνη ερχεται πρωι σκοτιας ετι ουσης εις το μνημειον και βλεπει τον λιθον ηρμενον εκ του μνημειου

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre

Same σαββατων is translated first day of the week but it should translate "first Sabbath

Now upon the first day of the week very early in the morning +__ they came unto the sepulchre bringing the spices which they had prepared and certain others withthem

Same σαββατων is translated first day of the week but it should translate "first Sabbath"

John 20:1
http://bible.cc/john/20-1.htm

Greek Lexicon
τη δε μια των σαββατων μαρια η μαγδαληνη ερχεται πρωι σκοτιας ετι ουσης εις το μνημειον και βλεπει τον λιθον ηρμενον εκ του μνημειου

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre

Same σαββατων is translated first day of the week but it should translate "first Sabbath"
Greek Lexicon
οψε δε σαββατων τη επιφωσκουση εις μιαν σαββατων ηλθεν μαρια η μαγδαληνη και η αλλη μαρια θεωρησαι τον ταφον

In the end +__ of the sabbath as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre


σαββατων of Hebrew origin (shabbath); the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications

sabbath (day), week.

So in Matt 28:1, both times the word sabbatwn must be translated sabbaths, and then we can see exactly what it is God had in veiw when he placed this statement in the Bible. Literally this verse should read, "At the end of the sabbaths, as it began to dawn toward the first sabbath...

Mark 16:2
http://bible.cc/mark/16-2.htm

Greek Lexicon
και λιαν πρωι της μιας σαββατων ερχονται επι το μνημειον ανατειλαντος του ηλιου

And very early in the morning the first day of the week they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun
Again this should be translated: And very early in the morning the first Sabbath...


Luke 24:1
http://bible.cc/luke/24-1.htm

Greek Lexicon
τη δε μια των σαββατων ορθρου βαθεος ηλθον επι το μνημα φερουσαι α ητοιμασαν αρωματα και τινες συν αυταις

Now upon the first day of the week very early in the morning +__ they came unto the sepulchre bringing the spices which they had prepared and certain others withthem

Same σαββατων is translated first day of the week but it should translate "first Sabbath"

John 20:1
http://bible.cc/john/20-1.htm

Greek Lexicon
τη δε μια των σαββατων μαρια η μαγδαληνη ερχεται πρωι σκοτιας ετι ουσης εις το μνημειον και βλεπει τον λιθον ηρμενον εκ του μνημειου

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early when it was yet dark unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre

Same σαββατων is translated first day of the week but it should translate "first Sabbath"

key to revival

Excerpts taken from The way of the Master by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort
According to numerous reports, all is not well in the contemporary Church. There are millions who insinuate that they belong to Jesus Christ, but whose lives don’t match their claims. Equally disheartening are results of America’s evangelism efforts. Alarm bells should go off when we see statistics like this:
In one year a major U.S. denomination claimed to have obtained 294,784 decisions for Christ. Unfortunately, they could find only 14,337 in fellowship.
A mass crusade reported 18,000 decisions, yet tragically, 94 percent failed to ever become incorporated into a local church.
Less than five percent of those who responded to an altar call during a public crusade are living a Christian life one year later.
Here is the dilemma: Up to 95 percent of the evangelistic crop is failing, both in mass crusades and in local churches. It withers and dies as soon as the sunlight of tribulation, persecution, and temptation shines on it. And those who do occupy our churches often fail to grow into vibrant witnesses for Jesus Christ. This tragic problem has come about simply because we have lost the precious key to revival. Jesus wasn't afraid to shake people up. He spoke openly of their sinful nature and the righteousness of God. Not the philosophy that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life or the rest of the four spiritual laws. Jesus forced people to confront their sin head-on, and He brought them face-to-face with their need for salvation; because He loved them! He confronted their sin by reminding people of the ten commandments. In John 4, the woman at the well, she committed committed adultery the seventh commandment, In Matthew 19, Jesus confront the young rich ruler about his coveting his wealth the tenth commandment. John 8:4-11 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground."

Question, What did Jesus write on the ground? If any one of you is without sin" is key to answering this. Jesus was writing the ten commandments. Jesus probably wrote, the first time, where is the man who was also caught in the act of adultery. Perhaps it was her accuser, perhaps it was a prominent figure, perhaps it was a religious Pharisee. The second time of writing on the ground He probably wrote out the 10 commandments. Slowly all of the accusers departed. Therefore Jesus confronted sin with God's commandments. We should likewise utilize the commandments in witnessing the Good News of the Cross.

What about Dinosaurs and the Bible?

http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/dinos.shtml

The Bible refers to many the common animals we know today. The list includes lions, wolves, bears, sheep, cattle and dogs along with various kinds of birds, rodents, reptiles, and insects. What is interesting is that this extensive list includes three animals that we no longer recognize. These three are (in the original Hebrew language) tanniyn, b@hemowth (yes, it’s spelled correctly—at least as close as we can get in Roman characters), and livyathan.

Although we alter the spelling of behemoth and Leviathan slightly, we still use those same words in bibles today. However, tanniyn is always translated into another word when we write it in English. Tanniyn occurs 28 times in the Bible and is normally translated “dragon.” It is also translated “serpent,” “sea monster,” “dinosaur,” “great creature,” and “reptile.” Behemoth and Leviathan are relatively specific creatures, perhaps each was a single kind of animal. Tanniyn is a more general term, and it can be thought of as the original version of the word “dinosaur.” The word “dinosaur” was originally coined in 1841, more than three thousand years after the Bible first referred to “Tanniyn.” To make things clearer, we constructed the following table comparing the scientific names with the Biblical names tanniyn, behemoth, and Leviathan.
“Dinosaur” Names, Then and Now
Name and date first written in the Bible Scientific Name (best estimate) and date the name appeared
tanniyn (dragon) before 1400 BC dinosaur 1841 AD
behemoth before 1400 BC brachiosaurus 1903 AD
Leviathan before 1400 BC kronosaurus 1901 AD

So were dinosaurs on Noah's Ark?

http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/dinos_on_ark.asp

In Genesis 6:19–20, the Bible says that two of every sort of land vertebrate (seven of the 'clean' animals) were brought by God to the Ark. Therefore, dinosaurs (land vertebrates) were represented on the Ark.

What happened to the Dinosaurs?

More than likely, the dinosaurs could not live in the new emvironment. Since the flood, collasped the protective canopy surrounding the Earth, depressuring the greenhouse like environment. So the dinosaurs died off. Or you could conclude that Noah's family really liked dinosaur omlettes.

Bad Language

Bad Language
www.bibleinfo.com

What should characterize our way of speaking? It's in the Bible, Ephesians 5:4, TLB. "Dirty stories, foul talk and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead remind each other of God's goodness and be thankful!"

One of the commandments forbids the misuse of God's name. It's in the Bible, Exodus 20: 7, TLB. "You shall not use the name of Jehovah your God irreverently, nor use it to swear to a falsehood. You will not escape punishment if you do."

God asks us to rid ourselves of foul language. It's in the Bible, Colossians 3:8, NIV. "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."

What we believe is reflected in what we say. It's in the Bible, Proverbs 13:3, NIV. "He who guards his lips guards his soul, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin."

Jesus' followers are to speak with care. It's in the Bible, Colossians 4:6, NIV. "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Our manner of speech will influence others. It's in the Bible, I Timothy 4:12, NIV. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

Orphan Girl Becomes Queen

Orphan Girl Becomes Queen
from http://www.kidsbibleinfo.com/

Esther 2:2-17

There must have been a lot of excitement in Persia those days. Every girl from India to Cush, in all the 127 provinces of the empire, was talking about the king’s search for a new queen. Everyone hoped she would be the one to be chosen. And you may be sure that every mother was certain her daughter was the most worthy for this high honor.

By the king’s command, beauty contests, or something similar, were held in every province, and the loveliest girls were given a free trip to Susa for the king’s inspection.

As more and more girls arrived at the palace, Mordecai had an idea. Why, his Esther was far more beautiful than any of these young ladies from Aram, Egypt, Arabia, and other parts of the country. They didn’t stand a chance beside his precious little star. They weren’t in the same class. Esther was far and away the best-looking girl in the world.
Queen Esther

“I’m sure you could win,” he told her one day, after seeing some of the latest arrivals. “You’re so much lovelier than any of the others. Why not try and see what happens? It could be that God wants you to be queen.”

Finally Esther agreed, and she “was taken to the King’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem.” As Mordecai told her goodbye, he added one word of caution. “Don’t tell anyone you are a Jewess,” he said. “That might spoil everything.”

“I won’t,” said Esther, and she was gone.

When Hegai saw Esther, he was so struck with her beauty that he felt sure she would be chosen queen. So he gave her the best rooms in the house of the women and seven maids to wait on her.

This was encouraging, but it didn’t mean that Esther would be queen. After all, the king had to see all the other girls before he could make up his mind; and there might be someone else prettier than she.

As for poor Mordecai, he waited impatiently for news about his precious daughter. He felt certain that the king would choose her. How could he do otherwise? But if he didn’t what would happen to her? Would she be allowed to come home again?

“Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.” Can’t you see him pacing back and forth, looking up at the barred windows, hoping to get a glimpse of her face or a wave of her hand?

“O Esther, Esther, where are you?” I can hear him calling. “What has happened to you, my little star?”

Twelve months passed. Then one day Esther was called to meet the king. How excited she must have been! How hard she must have tried to look her very best! How she must have prayed for God’s help and guidance on this greatest day of her life!

Mordecai was waiting outside, you can be sure. And when Esther walked from the women’s house to meet the king, dressed in the finest robes the Persian court could supply and attended by all her lovely maidens, I can imagine he almost burst with pride. Such a beautiful dream she was! Onlookers in the corridors gasped in wonder as she passed by. Indeed she “won the favor of everyone who saw her.”

At last she came into “the royal residence,” and the king was overcome by her breathtaking beauty. It was a case of love at first sight. “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen.”

Esther 2:2-17

There must have been a lot of excitement in Persia those days. Every girl from India to Cush, in all the 127 provinces of the empire, was talking about the king’s search for a new queen. Everyone hoped she would be the one to be chosen. And you may be sure that every mother was certain her daughter was the most worthy for this high honor.

By the king’s command, beauty contests, or something similar, were held in every province, and the loveliest girls were given a free trip to Susa for the king’s inspection.

As more and more girls arrived at the palace, Mordecai had an idea. Why, his Esther was far more beautiful than any of these young ladies from Aram, Egypt, Arabia, and other parts of the country. They didn’t stand a chance beside his precious little star. They weren’t in the same class. Esther was far and away the best-looking girl in the world.
Queen Esther

“I’m sure you could win,” he told her one day, after seeing some of the latest arrivals. “You’re so much lovelier than any of the others. Why not try and see what happens? It could be that God wants you to be queen.”

Finally Esther agreed, and she “was taken to the King’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem.” As Mordecai told her goodbye, he added one word of caution. “Don’t tell anyone you are a Jewess,” he said. “That might spoil everything.”

“I won’t,” said Esther, and she was gone.

When Hegai saw Esther, he was so struck with her beauty that he felt sure she would be chosen queen. So he gave her the best rooms in the house of the women and seven maids to wait on her.

This was encouraging, but it didn’t mean that Esther would be queen. After all, the king had to see all the other girls before he could make up his mind; and there might be someone else prettier than she.

As for poor Mordecai, he waited impatiently for news about his precious daughter. He felt certain that the king would choose her. How could he do otherwise? But if he didn’t what would happen to her? Would she be allowed to come home again?

“Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.” Can’t you see him pacing back and forth, looking up at the barred windows, hoping to get a glimpse of her face or a wave of her hand?

“O Esther, Esther, where are you?” I can hear him calling. “What has happened to you, my little star?”

Twelve months passed. Then one day Esther was called to meet the king. How excited she must have been! How hard she must have tried to look her very best! How she must have prayed for God’s help and guidance on this greatest day of her life!

Mordecai was waiting outside, you can be sure. And when Esther walked from the women’s house to meet the king, dressed in the finest robes the Persian court could supply and attended by all her lovely maidens, I can imagine he almost burst with pride. Such a beautiful dream she was! Onlookers in the corridors gasped in wonder as she passed by. Indeed she “won the favor of everyone who saw her.”

At last she came into “the royal residence,” and the king was overcome by her breathtaking beauty. It was a case of love at first sight. “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen.”