The Sabbath Day
The Day To Acknowledge God's Finished Work
Did GOD need rest? No! GOD is all mighty and never gets tired. The Bible says He rested, only as an expression, so that we would know that GOD was finished with creating all that He created.
Exod 20:8-11 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.
The seventh day was given to Israel so that they would know and not forget that God created all that there is. The sabbath was given to Israel as a continual reminder to worship God and not to worship the creation as they often did. The Christian does not need the sabbath day to remind him that there is only one God and that He is the Creator of all things, because the Christian believes in Jesus Christ, the true God of creation. The Christian also has the indwelling Holy Spirit as a seal to keep him from unbelief and from worshiping the creation.
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
The Word of God is the Son of God, the Creator of all things, and we believe in Him.
Col 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
If a person claims to be a Christian and does not believe that Jesus Christ is God and that He created all things, that person is not a true Christian. Because the true Christian knows that Jesus Christ is God and the Creator of all things, he does not need the sabbath day to remind him that there is only one God and that He created all things.
Exod 31:12-14 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.
The sabbath was given to Israel so that they would know that the Lord is the one who sanctifies them. The sabbath was a continuous reminder for them. and not for the Christian. The true Christian knows that he has been sanctified by the body of Christ. As Christians we know that we are in Christ, and thereby identified with Him as perfect.
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Jesus Christ offered Himself for us once for all and when we partake of the bread and the wine, at the Lord’s supper, we are reminded of His finished work on our behalf.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ we have been made perfect, we have been sanctified for all time. Jesus Christ is perfect and because we are in Christ, we are perfect. It is impossible to make that which is perfect more perfect. Our perfection is complete.
Exod 31:15-17 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.
The sabbath was given as a sign between God and the sons of Israel, a sign of the old covenant. As long as they kept the sabbath they were under the covenant.
Exod 31:14 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.
If a person did not keep the sabbath it was because he did not believe in the true God of Creation. The true believer kept the sabbath as a sign of his faith in the true God.
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Jesus died in order to establish a new covenant by which we may all be saved. Both Old Testament and New Testament believers are saved by believing in Jesus Christ, not by keeping any law.
Heb 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
We are no longer under the old covenant; we are under a new and eternal covenant in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, we are not subject to the old covenant and its rules; we are under grace not under law. Because Jesus lives we shall live for all eternity.
Lev 16:29-31 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.
The day of atonement was a sabbath day for Israel, a day when the priest would offer sacrifice for the sins of the people. Since Jesus Christ has made atonement for us we are not to keep the sabbath day of atonement; if we did so, we would be denying the atonement made for us by Jesus Christ. The work of our redemption is complete, the sacrifice of atonement was made for us by Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for all the sins of everyone who believes in Him. He has made atonement for all our sins and we receive the atonement by believing in Him.
Matt 12:1-8 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 shewbread, 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.
Since we are in Christ and Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, we are not required to keep the sabbath.
1 Cor 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
A person cannot boast in the Lord and boast in keeping the sabbath at the same time, a person can only boast in one or the other. Boasting in the Lord means you are trusting in the Lord, and in the Lord’s faithfulness. Boasting in the sabbath means you are trusting in yourself,and in your faithfulness to keep the sabbath; you are not resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Heb 3:18-19 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
They did not enter His rest, they did not enter the promised land, because they did not believe God. They did not obey because they did not believe. Jesus Christ has completed His work of redemption and if you believe in Him you will rest in His finished work. If you don’t believe in Him you will continue to work for your salvation and will never be able to enter His rest.
Heb 4:1-11 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, To day, 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 own 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.
If we don’t rest in His work, believe He has completed all that has to be done for our salvation, we don’t have any part in His redemption. As the Old Testament saints were to rest on the seventh day to acknowledge God’s finished work of creation, the New Testament saints are to rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ to acknowledge His finished work of redemption.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Jesus Christ sat down after He completed the work of purification of sins. When God finished His work of creation He rested, and when Jesus Christ finished His work of purification of sins He rested, which means His work is finished. As a result, the people of God are to rest every day in the finished work of Jesus Christ and not only on the seventh day of the week.
Col 2:13-17 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
God has completed His work of redemption. The sabbath rest for the people of God speaks of resting in His finished work of redemption. The Old Testament was full of laws concerning food and drink, festivals, and sabbath days. They were only a shadow; Christ is the substance. They were given to lead God’s people to Christ, not to make people perfect through religion. We are perfect in Christ Jesus and that which is perfect cannot be made more perfect. No amount of good works or religion can improve on our perfection in Christ Jesus. So we should not allow anyone to place any kind of religious duty on us. Religion says, I have done this to find favor with God; therefore, religion appeals to the pride of the flesh, and God is opposed to the pride of men. Faith says, I have found favor with God because of what Jesus Christ has done for me; therefore, faith gives glory to God. The way to please God and to give glory to Him is to rest in His finished work of salvation.
All Scripture taken from King James Bible
* Bible Studies by Max Swan
Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. (NAS) Jer 9:23-24