Yesterday we saw that the everlasting gospel is far better than we have been told.
Today we will see that the Sabbath is far better than we have been told also.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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. 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. 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. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 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. Exodus 31:12-17
Let us ask ourselves a few questions firstly -
For 6000 years, as the sun sets each Friday, the Sabbath has been a memorial of the creation of this world and of the rest and absolute dependence that we are to have in our God moment by moment and while it is also one of the 10 Commandments, the only one that we are told to "Remember", and the one that has the Name, Title and Realm - the Seal of God identified within in it; can you see that history and the present events in the world demonstrate to us that the obedience of the law of God is going to be the focal point of interest very soon and that you will need the “faith of Jesus” to come victoriously through "the impending conflict" which is developing at this time?
Are you allowing Christ's creative power to recreate you as He sanctifies you, and resting in Him every moment all week, the holy Sabbath being a perpetual reminder of both?
Is each Sabbath now a triumphant Day due to the eternal victories that Christ has effectuated, as He lives His life each day in you?
Do you understand that it is impossible to keep the Biblical Sabbath holy unless you are holy, and that this is possible only by having the Holy One continually dwelling in you?
Having entered His Rest, have you ceased from your own works and now allow only Him to work His works in and through you every moment, every day, out of pure love for your Beloved and His law?
Do you now appreciate that only as Christ lives His perfect life in and through you is it possible to actually obey any, or all, of the Ten Commandments?
You may like to do a search in the EGW Writings App for “Sabbath”.
Now we will give the 1888 “boys” another chance today, to show us what the Sabbath is really all about, here are a few quick quotes from them -
The Christ/Sabbath connection – acknowledge His divinity and the true spiritual rest of the Sabbath. Only in Christ.
We cannot compel someone to keep the Sabbath or to be saved.
The Sabbath is a sign of perfect creation, the seal of a perfect new creation in Christ. The sign of rest for eternity with God.
Before man accepts the word of God everything is self.
Stop our own works and allow God to do the work in us. “To will and to do of His good pleasure.”
All our works are wrought in Him and they are right – that is indeed rest.
Keep it holy, it is.
Impossible for us to make it holy, only God can. We can't make ourselves holy to keep it holy. The only way to keep it holy is if we have The Holy One dwelling continually in us.
The same power that sanctified the day, sanctifies us.
We come and rest on the word that upholds the universe. A little piece of Eden preserved.
Identical to the rest enjoyed by the saints through all eternity.
We can have Heaven now and that is a delight.
The Sabbath is a sign of perfect creation, the seal of a perfect new creation in Christ.
Christ has the same honour due to God, He is God.
The rightful place of Christ is set forth in order that His power to redeem might be better appreciated. He is not among all created things, He is above all creation and not part of it.
All things have origin from Him.
It is a comfort that the Head of the church is Creator of all. Anything that keeps before us the creative power of Christ must tend to renew our spiritual strength and courage. This is just the design of the Sabbath. The greatest reinforcement in the battle.
The Sabbath is the grand fulcrum for the lever of faith. It lifts the soul to the heights of heaven, God's throne, to hold communion with Him.
It is His ability to create that measures the power of God. The gospel tells of the same power that He uses to create and bring worlds into existence is now exerted for the salvation of men. Redemption is creation. “Commit the keeping of your soul to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19.
The Sabbath is absolute rest in Him and His word. Everything placed in subjection to the plan as long as he is in subjection to God.
Everyone who measures their progress by feeling is an evolutionist.
Unless I recognise His creative power in my life, moment by moment, my Sabbath keeping is a fraud. Unless I am resting in Him every moment, all week, my Sabbath keeping is a farce.
May it be a blessed and holy Day of Rest and gladness for you.
