SEVENTH DAY SABBATH

God, The First Sabbath Keeper

God was the first Sabbath Keeper, setting the standard for us to follow. It was certainly not out of necessity that God rested, he did not require regeneration as we do. We require not only a weekly regeneration but one every night. Rest here implies a cessation of work because of completion. He did it to hollow the day and set an example. By his resting, only on this day, he set it aside from every other day.

Surely we can see that this action is not trivial. Creation is the greatest show of God's power. It is that power that separates him from every false god. These false gods were not creators, they had to be created. God's declaration to Moses "I am that I am" lets us know that Yahweh (Self Existent One) exists of himself. You can also see why a devil that is jealous of that power would attempt to profane, make common the memorial that celebrates it. Don't think that by any means lucifer's choice of Sunday is a coincidence. There is rationale to why lucifer transferred worship to that venerable day of the sun.

SUNday, from Babylonian times, was the day chosen to worship the sun god. Babylon is the origin of every false feast that the world has chosen to call Holy.

Christmas has its origin in Babylon and its founder, Nimrod. History tells us that Nimrod had married his mother and that he died early in his years. His rebellion was carried on by his mother/wife. She declared that after his death he was resurrected as an evergreen tree stump that had sprung up to life overnight.

The people would bring gifts once a year to that tree, to commemorate his re-birth. It was said he would visit at that time.

Nimrod of course was declared Deity. He was declared the mighty Sun God "Saturnus". His festival, the "Saturnalia" soon became a feast which carried down to Rome and was celebrated on December 25th in the Gregorian calendar.

Rome paid homage to Nimrod (Saturnus) weekly by celebrating on the (Venerable Day Of The Sun), SUNday. These are very striking similarities yet the rebellion of man would call them coincidental.

When we worship him on the Sabbath day we are commemorating his great power. We are refusing to accept any other authority but his. We should never fail to remember the omnipotent power of God.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day, God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:1 - 3 (KJV)

Sabbath Origin Not In The Ten Commandments

The Sabbath was not originated in the Ten Commandments of the Law of Moses. It was an expectation of God for his people before the commandments were given to Moses. This indicates that the command was a part of God's moral law not the national law only.

And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. And Moses said, Eat that today; for today is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it, there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that, the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day.  Exodus 16:22 - 30 (KJV)

Scripture would indicate that these moral laws were taught by Abraham to Issac and Ishmael. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who was a priest in Midian, showed an awareness of the move and authority of God. He even advised Moses, speaking to him under God's authority.

{1} Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. Exodus 3:1 (KJV)

{12} And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God. {17} And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. {18} Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. {19} Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: {20} And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. -- Exodus 18:12, 17-20 (KJV)

Laws Of The Nation

These moral laws were incorporated into and became part of the national laws given to Israel after they became a nation. Any nation without laws is by definition, anarchy. So as God chose a people and made them a nation he give them rules to govern themselves. The laws of a nation define the nation. Laws are how people express their morality. That is why murder is against the law in American, it offends the morality of this nation to take innocent lives. However, we see the lack of morality by the ease in which they take the life of the unborn child or allow the elderly to die as un-useful members of society.

And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? -- Deuteronomy 4:8 (KJV)

Remember

The true people of God are offended by the lack of desire to remember the creating power of God. We are commanded to remember (don't forget) to keep (not make) this day Holy (separate/different) from every other day.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it, thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it. -- Exodus 20:8 -11 (KJV)

Sabbath Was Establish To Be Unending

Sabbath is perpetual, meaning never-ending. We as God-led men and women should certainly question when something ordained of God is so easily dismissed by man. We who follow Christ cannot so easily dismiss it. Man cannot just conclude that he will serve God differently than God has sanctioned him to.

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 doth 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 31:13 -17 (KJV)

God has not left Holiness for man to interpret. He defined it for us in scripture. He gave us a plain and explicit direction. Even a fool should not have errors.

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. -- Isaiah 35:8 (KJV)

Sabbath Is A Sign Of Believers

Sabbath is the sign between God and the true believers he has chosen. This, along with the New Covenant sign of receiving the Holy Ghost, identify that we are his.

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. -- Ezekiel 20:12 (KJV)

It Is A Refresher

We the people of God are in constant warfare as we complete our daily walk with Christ. We are going to be persecuted, just as he was. Sabbaths are God's ordained time that the enemy is prevented from approaching us to battle. Therefore, we are refreshed and can reenter the vineyard and do the Lord's work.

For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year. Exodus 34:24 (KJV)

Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh-day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. -- Exodus 23:12 (KJV)

The New Gentile Converts Kept The Sabbath

It is said that this blessed day was only intended for those natural Israelites. However, gentile converts kept the Sabbath. Only pagan worshippers used other days.

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declares it unto you. And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. -- Acts 13:41- 45 (KJV)

It Remains For Us Today

Even today, unbelief is the cause that keeps us from the Sabbath. Once we have faith, a conviction to holiness, we will never be prevented from the blessing associated with this day of rest.

Let us, therefore, fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing, therefore, it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:1 -16 (KJV)

Sabbath Is The Ordained Time New Converts Learn Righteousness

If we don't learn of God's way's, we will be inclined to dwell in the unrighteousness of what we already are rather than build on our faith.

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. -- Acts 15:21 (KJV)

Sabbath Is A Good Thing

The day was made for our benefit not God's. Nor were we made to serve the day. The Holy Scriptures never declare that this day is against us. It is our blessing, which God made just for us.

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the showbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. -- Mark 2:23 - 28 (KJV)

Sabbath Keeping Doesn't Prevent Us From Doing Good

It has always been lawful to do good on this day. It is for our benefit. We should never use being a Sabbath Keeper as an excuse to ignore those in need of our help. His love is exemplified in this day and we honor it by showing his love to all.

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. -- Matthew 12:1- 8 (KJV)

Jesus Was A Sabbath Keeper

It was the custom of Jesus to worship on this day.

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. -- Luke 4:16 (KJV)

And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. -- Luke 4:31 (KJV)

Paul Was A Sabbath Keeper

It was the custom of Paul, even after his conversion, to worship on this day.

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, -- Acts 17:2 (KJV)

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. -- Acts 18:4 (KJV)

Sabbath Unlike Every Other Day

We are warned not to make it common, or treat it like any other day. So never listen to the one saying; "I keep every day holy". You can't keep holy what God has not made holy. Even though their saying sounds good, what they really mean is that they live holy every day. You can only live holy every day if you do as God commands on the Sabbath day.

Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. -- Ezekiel 23:38 (KJV)

Not A Day For Working

We are not to work on this day. This is to our benefit.

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest. -- Exodus 34:21 (KJV)

No Buying Or Selling

We are not to buy or sell on this day. Our minds should remain focused on the rest that the Lord has given us. This way we can receive the full and complete benefit of the Lord's Sabbath.

And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. -- Nehemiah 10:31 (KJV)

What A Blessing

We are blessed in this day. The feelings of joy are incomplete until we receive them completely from God.

Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. -- Isaiah 56:2 - 7 (KJV)

Oneg Shabbath (Sabbath Delight)

Keeping this day allows us to delight in the Lord. The Sabbath anointing and blessing are our Oneg Shabbath.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. -- Isaiah 58:13 - 14 (KJV)

Sabbath Keeper's Promise

We need to be commandment keepers, in order to receive the promise of salvation.

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. -- Revelation 22:14 (KJV)

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. -- Revelation 22:15 (KJV)

Sabbath Completely Given By Christ

This day was fulfilled by Christ because he kept it. We now have it completely. In Christ it has a deeper spiritual purpose. Rest is not just physical. It represents that we have ceased from the work of sin. We find rest under the blood of Christ and because of this rest, we sin no more.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. -- Matthew 5:17 - 18 (KJV)

Transgression Is Sin

We are sinners if we transgress this commandment.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. -- 1 John 3:4 (KJV)

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. -- James 2:10 (KJV)