I often hear from SDAs and other sabbatarians that they are not saved by keeping the sabbath, but they keep it because they are saved.
Well they are very right, they are not saved by keeping the sabbath. The Bible tells us we are only saved by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. But did He say that we should keep the sabbath to show we are saved? Well no. But He did say in the New commandment (John 13:34,35) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Nothing about keeping sabbath here, but quite a bit about love, and how to.
In fact the bar has been raised pretty high, to love as He loved us. He gave His all for us. How many of us would do that for Him, or for anyone?
But the sabbath is the sign! What of? The Bible says the sabbath is the sign of the covenant between the children of Israel and God. Read Exodus 31:12-17 which says a lot about the importance of the sabbath to the old covenant people. It talks about, amongst other things, death for breaking the sabbath, so it’s pretty heavy. But it says in verse 13: ….observe My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
It is not addressed to the people of the new covenant. It is addressed to the people of Israel, in the shadow of Mt Sinai, given to them by their prophet Moses. But the new covenant is greater, and it is given to those who follow Christ, who is greater than Moses, and they are enjoying the freedom of Mt Zion!
And what has happened to the old covenant? Heb 8:13 By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
The sabbath was given for many reasons. It pointed the Israelites forward to Christ; it meant rest and redemption. That’s why they were to remember it. They were rescued (redeemed) from Egypt, and they were given rest, after all those years of slavery. They were to remember their Heavenly Father ceased creating (rested) on the seventh day and they were to rest, to do no work on that day, as He ceased. All this pointed to Christ their Saviour, their Rock, who offered them rest for their souls. This sort of rest is astounding, and surpasses the physical rest that God told them they must have.
Nowhere and at no time during His life on earth did Jesus give us any sort of instruction to keep any day “holy”. Matt 11; 28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” There is no mention of a day. This is always we can come to Him for rest.
Most Christians have corporate worship and many have Holy Communion on Sundays. Because Jesus said we must? No. But it is a commemoration of the day He rose again…the first day of the week. And there is record in the Bible several times of Jesus appearing to His disciples on that day. (Luke 24). It is also a celebration. The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! We love the Lord, we love to worship Him. We do not need a commandment to worship Him and celebrate His resurrection and victory over death!
So…if you want to go to church on sabbath…go to church, and enjoy worshipping the Lord. If you feel it is right to do, go for it. But don’t tell us who worship on Sunday that we are doomed, we have the mark of the beast, we belong to the daughters of Babylon. Concentrate on the REAL sign of Christianity…loving one another as He loved us. That is really important.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
Light of Christ 