Northern Ireland political leader attacked for attending soccer game on a Sunday
Yet ancient Irish Christians worshiped on the seventh-day Sabbath
"Because Northern Ireland is divided in so many ways, it's difficult for the various factions to find common ground on any level. This has been especially highlighted in the religious censure aimed at Foster.
But religious division goes back a long way on the Emerald Island. Research indicates that the Celts were first evangelized in the region of Galatia in Asia Minor by the apostle Paul and later the apostle John. These first-century Christians shared their new faith with Celts in Gaul (modern France) and then carried the light of the gospel to their fellow clansmen in the isles of Briton and Ireland.
While Patrick, the famous saint of Ireland, was not the first to bring God’s Word to the ancient Celts, he was one of the early leaders in building a system of schools in Ireland. Taken as a slave from Briton, he learned the Celtic language and later returned to bring the light of the gospel to his former persecutors. He found other believers on the island and worked with them to evangelize the country. His beliefs were strictly based on the Scriptures; for instance, the schools he founded followed the example of Christ in observing the seventh-day Sabbath.
Subsequent war and political intrigue with the Papacy resulted in the transition of the Christian day of worship from the seventh day to the first day. Nearly five hundred years later, Mary, the Catholic Queen of Scotland, was still attempting to bring Scotland into line with Sunday worship. However, the island maintained “the traditional usage of the ancient Irish Church, which observed Saturday instead of Sunday as the day of rest” (Barnett, Margaret of Scotland: Queen and Saint, p. 97).
As time went on, the Catholic Church eventually claimed Patrick as one of its own, despite the fact that he stood against many of its key doctrines. ...Today, Patrick is honored as the patron saint of Ireland, but few realize that he worshiped faithfully on the seventh-day Sabbath.
The Sabbath has been a key identifier of God’s faithful people for thousands of years, and the recent attention of Christian writers and news outlets on this issue is evidence that Bible prophecy is fast fulfilling. Scripture foretold the attempt to change the day of the Sabbath. The prophet Daniel wrote, “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25). This apostate power would appear to be successful in trampling upon God’s law—for a time.
The book of Revelation expands on these exciting events as the prophet identifies the distinguishing characteristics of God’s people at the end of time. “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14)."
SabbathTruth