My friend Dana and I spoke about born again Believers not being required to observe the 7th day Sabbath, and she wrote this and granted permission for me to share it.
"That is what the Scriptures say, clearly. I would go further, in regard to the Sabbath, however, and state that we who believe *are* keeping Sabbath, not by our physical rest on the 7th day, but by our *Spiritual rest*....resting in the work *Christ* did on the cross.
Hebrews 4:3-10 For we *who have believed* **do** enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";
and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."
Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,
again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts."
For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
**For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.**
And I agree with you, that under this grace we have, we are free to rest on the 7th day, or not. It is a choice. Because the point is, our *faith* keeps the Sabbath. There are many who keep the Sabbath, who do not keep God's Sabbath... That's something to think about.
Also, I wanted to share another Scripture from Hebrews that to me, at least, reads so clear, in regard to the Old Covenant law not being in effect:
Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.
Christ is not of the priesthood of Levi, but from the priesthood of Melchizedek (the eternal priesthood that existed *both ways* in eternity, past (before Levi) and future (in the Kingdom and beyond). The law was given through Moses to Israel because there was a change of the priesthood (from Melchizedek to Levi), but it was always meant to be a *temporary* condition. Now that Christ has come, the law must change again. We cannot hold on to the old law while trusting in the new High Priest. When we try, we deny the power of our Great High Priest and the blessings He bestows, by clinging to a *human* and *fallible* priesthood."
It was a little disappointing reading this OP as it is the same old argument that does not look at all the scriptures of the Old and New Testament and comes to a conclusion that is not based in scripture.
Why? Let's look at little closer then look at what God's Word says............
The OP makes the fatal mistake by not understanding the Old and New Covenant and the Old and New Testament scriptures in relation to;
(1) What the Old Covenant was and
(2) what were the purposes of the different laws in the Old Covenant for identifying SIN and RIGHTEOUSNESS and the laws for remission of Sin should those laws be broken and
(3) then building an interpretation around Hebrews 4 in the New Testament that has no basis in scripture. Let's see what God's Word says.....
(1) What was the Old Covenant..............................
The Old Covenant to Israel included both
(1) God's Law (10 commandments) written on Stone by God and spoken by God himself to His people (
Exodus 34:28; 32:18; 20:1-17) and
(2) the Mosaic laws for remission of sin that were written in a book by Moses (
Exodus 24:5-8; Numbers 25:11-13; Deuteronomy 29:21; 31:24-26). God's Law was placed inside the Ark of the Covenant and the Mosaic book of the law was placed in the side of the Ark (
Deuteronomy 10:5; Deuteronomy 31:26). Together God's Law (10 commandments) written on stone by God and the Mosaic law written in a book by Moses made up the Old Covenant.
Summary;
(1) What was the Old Covenant?
A: the Old Covenant included; (1) God's Law (10 commandments) and (2) the Mosaic laws for the remission of sin.
(2) What was the purpose of God's Law and the Mosaic laws that made up the Old Covenant............................
Both God's Law and the Mosaic laws had different purposes under the Old Covenant, what were they...........................
(1) God’s Law (10 commandments)
Purpose; reveals what sin and righteousness (right doing) is and the describes the penalty for sin (
Romans 3:20; 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23)
. It was never a cure for sin. But it was the work of God which is forever and the foundation of the Old Covenant, the New Covenant and the Judgement to come. (
Exodus 32:16; Exodus 31:18; 31:18; Exodus 20:1-22; Deuteronomy 10:5; Romans 3:20; 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 7:19; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, James 2:10-12, 1 John 3:4, Acts 17:31; Ps 111:7-8; Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14; 1 John 3:5-8; 1 John 2:3-4; Ecclesiastes 3:14)
(2) The laws of Moses (Levitical, ceremonial, sacrificial)
Purpose; was the prescriptive cure for sin with all the Levitical and ceremonial laws, burnt offerings for sin, annual feast days foretelling the plan of salvation which were connected to Feast days with New Moon sabbaths, food and drink offerings and other Holy days. These where all types pointing to Jesus and the plan of salvation and provided a cure for sin through animal sacrifice and food and drink offerings and yearly sin atonement's for God’s people. (
Leviticus 1:1-13; Leviticus 23:1-44; Numbers 28:1-31; 29:1-40; Deuteronomy 24:10-11; Exodus 24:3; Deuteronomy 31:24-26; Colossians 2:16-16; Hebrews 10:1; Ephesians 2:14-15; Leviticus 4; 5; 6; Hebrews 4:14; 9;10; John 1:29; not exhaustive there are many more).
Why were the ceremonial laws of Moses (handwriting of ordinances) nailed to the cross and shadows of things to come......
Jesus was our true sacrifice for our sins and the Savior of the world that the ceremonial laws of Moses all pointed to. When Jesus came and died the old Covenant laws of Moses that pointed to Jesus and the plan of salvation was fulfilled
(John 1:29; 36; Revelation 5:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7; Hebrews 8:2-13; 9:1-28). Jesus is our true Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and our sacrifice for our sins. It is our sins as well as the ceremonial laws of Moses that were nailed to the cross at the death of Jesus (
Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:15; John 3:16).
Linking the old testament Mosaic Shadow laws for remission of sin to the New Covenant....
ISAIAH 1 [10] Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.[11] To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I AM FULL OF THE BURNT OFFERINGS of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.[12] When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?[13] BRING NO MORE VAIN OBLATIONS; incense is an abomination unto me; THE NEW MOONS AND SABBATHS, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.[14] Your new moons and your APPOINTED FEASTS my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
HEBREWS 10 [7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. [8] Above when he said, SACRIFICE AND OFFERING AND BURNT OFFERINGS AND OFFERING FOR SIN THOU WOULDEST NOT, NEITHER HADST PLEASURE THEREIN; WHICH ARE OFFERED BY THE LAW; [9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. HE TAKETH AWAY THE FIRST, THAT HE MAY ESTABLISH THE SECOND. [10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [11] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: [12] But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10 explains exactly what
Isaiah 1 was speaking about. He takes away the 1st covenant {the meat and drink offerings} and established the 2nd covenant {the body of Christ}
LUKE 22 [19] And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. [20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, THIS CUP IS THE NEW TESTAMENT IN MY BLOOD, which is shed for you.
New testament...blood
HEBREWS 9 [1] Then verily THE FIRST COVENANT HAD ALSO ORDINANCES of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. [9] Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;[10] WHICH STOOD ONLY IN MEATS AND DRINKS, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.[12] NEITHER BY THE BLOOD OF GOATS AND CALVES, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
old covenant...blood of goats.....The meat and drink offerings
HEBREWS 10 [4] FOR IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND OF GOATS SHOULD TAKE AWAY SINS.[5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:[6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.[7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.[8] Above when he said, sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;[9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. HE TAKETH AWAY THE FIRST, THAT HE MAY ESTABLISH THE SECOND.
EPHESIANS 2 [15] HAVING ABOLISHED in his flesh the enmity, even the LAW OF COMMANDMENTS CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;[16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
HEBREWS 13 [9] Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be ESTABLISHED WITH GRACE; NOT WITH MEATS, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. [10] We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. [11] For THE BODIES OF THOSE BEASTS, WHOSE BLOOD is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. [12] WHEREFORE JESUS ALSO, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY THE PEOPLE WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, suffered without the gate.
HEBREWS 8 [2] A MINISTER OF THE SANCTUARY, AND OF THE TRUE TABERNACLE, WHICH THE LORD PITCHED AND NOT MAN. [3] For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. [4] For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: [5] WHO SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE AND SHADOW OF THE HEAVENLY THINGS, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. [6] But now hath HE HAS OBTAINED A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY, by how much also he is the mediator of a BETTER COVENANT, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED ON BETTER PROMISES . [7] For if that FIRST COVENANT HAD BEEN FAULTLESS, THEN NO PLACE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOUGHT FOR A SECOND. [8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITHE THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH: [9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND WRITE THEM IN THEIR HEARTS and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: [11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. [12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. [13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.
Yep lots of scripture and many more not in this post that identify what the shadow law was that is fulfilled in Christ. It has never been God's Law which the scriptures say are forever and the very standard of the Old and New Covenants and the Judgement to come.............
God's Law (10 Commandments) are forever.................
The Law of God (10 commandments) which includes the 4th commandment is the work of God (
Exodus 32:16) whatsoever God does is forever nothing can be added to it or taken away (
Ecclesiastes 3:14). God's Law is perfect converting the soul (
Psalms 19:7). It is the very standard of the Old and New Covenants (
Exodus 20:1:17, Hebrews 8:10-12). God's Law was spoken by God himself to His people (
Exodus 20:1-22). Jesus says Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (
Matthew 25:35). Gods Law is still in force today (
Psalms 111:7-8, Revelation 12:17, 14:12, 22:14, 1 John 3:5-8, 1 John 2:3-4 etc.). The Law of God reveals sin to us so we can see ourselves as we truly are sinners in need of a Saviour (Romans 3:20; 1 John 3:4). It is the great standard of the judgement (
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, James 2:10-12, 1 John 3:4, Acts 17:31). God's Law is our teacher revealing sin and the character of God and brings us to Christ at the foot of the cross that we might be saved by faith by Him who loves us and washed us in His own blood (
Galatians 3:24; Revelation 1:5).
Summary;
(2) What was the purpose of God's Law and the Mosaic laws that made up the Old Covenant?
A. God's Law (10 commandments) were the standard of SIN and RIGHTEOUSNESS and gave a knowledge of good and evil. The Mosaic laws written in the book were the laws for forgiveness and the remission of sin pointing to Jesus and fulfilled in CHRIST!
God's Law is forever and the standard of SIN and RIGHTEOUSNESS in both the Old and New Covenant and the Judgement to come! The Mosaic laws written in the book were temporary Shadows of things to come pointing to the plan of salvation in the New Covenant.
(3) What is Hebrews 4 really talking about?
No that we have looked at the scriptures from both the Old and New Testament let's bring Hebrews 4 into the picture. It is very simple to see from the scriptures presented in this post that it was the Mosaic priesthood and laws for remission of SIN that is now done away in the perfect sacrifice of Christ and his new ministration as our great HIgh Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary (Hebrews 8; 9; 10). WHile God's Law is still the standard of SIN and RIGHTEOUSNESS under the New Covenant and as described as God's Word as being FOREVER (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
HEBREWS 4 (suggest also reading Hebrews 3 for context)
1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 And in this
place again, If they shall enter into
my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7 Again, he limited a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a
rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God
did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God
is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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.
Key Scripture points
* Fear that the promise being left us any of us should fall short of entering God’s rest (v1)
*
The Gospel was preached to the people in the Wilderness as well as us. The Word did not profit those in the wilderness because of their unbeliefit (v2)
* For we which have
believed do enter into His Rest. The people in the wilderness that did not believe God did not enter into His Rest even though works were finished from the foundation of the world (v3)
* Speaking of the
7th Day Sabbath and the last day of the creation week (Gen 2:1-3) (v4)
* God’s rest (Gen 2:1-3), those that believe enter into God’s 7th Day Sabbath rest those that do not believe do not enter into God’s 7th Day Sabbath rest (v5-6)
*
Harden not your heart in unbelief (v7-8)
*
There is a rest for the people of God (v9)
* Those that enter into God’s rest cease from works as God did v10
* We should labour to enter into God’s rest (Gen 2:1-3) faith in God’s Word (rest through believing God) v11
* The Word of God is powerful. v12
Please go back and look at the Greek meaning of the word
"rest" used in Heb 4:9 its meaning is
resting through keeping of a Sabbath or Sabbath observance. (I have provided Greek links below)
“There remaineth therefore a
Sabbath rest 4520 to the people of God.” (
NAS;
Heb 4:9)
The Greek word literally means “
Sabbath keeping” or “Sabbath observance.” (links below)
Strong's Concordance 4520
sabbatismos: a sabbath rest
Original Word: σαββατισμός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: sabbatismos
Phonetic Spelling: (sab-bat-is-mos')
Short Definition: a Sabbath rest
Definition: a keeping of the Sabbath, a Sabbath rest.
Strong's Greek 4520
σαββατισμὸς — 1 Occ.
Hebrews 4:9N-NMS
GRK: ἄρα ἀπολείπεται σαββατισμὸς τῷ λαῷ
NAS: there remains a Sabbath rest for the people
KJV: therefore a rest to the people
INT: Then remains a sabbath rest to the people
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4520: σαββατισμός
σαββατισμός, σαββατισμου, ὁ (σαββατίζω to keep the sabbath); 1. a keeping sabbath. 2. the blessed rest from toils and troubles looked for in the age to come by the true worshippers of God and true Christians (R. V. sabbath rest):
Hebrews 4:9. (Plutarch, de superstit. c. 3; ecclesiastical writings.)
So let’s pull Hebrews 4:1-12 all together.........................
Summary;
(3) What is Hebrews 4 really talking about?
A. The context is God’s rest from the week of creation on the 7th Day of the creation week (Heb 4:1-5). Those that did not enter into God’s rest (7th Day Sabbath) did not enter in because of their unbelief and disobedience (sins) to God’s Word. The Gospel was preached unto them but they did not believe it (Heb 4:2). God did not give them His true rest (Heb 4:5-8). This is the same warning for those that disobey Him and do not follow His Word. Only those that believe and obey God’s Word enter into his 7th Day Sabbath rest (Heb 4:6, 9, 10-12). So you can see Jesus is not a Sabbath. The Sabbath is the 7th Day of the Week. Jesus is Lord of this Day because he is the creator of this day (Heb 4:4; Mark 2:28-29). There is no scripture in all of God’s Word that says that Jesus is a Sabbath only that he is the Lord of the Sabbath and he made it for all of mankind and commands us to keep it as a holy day as a memorial of creation (Mark 2:27-28; Gen 2:1-3; Ex 20:8-11)
Overall Summary
So there it is and there are the scriptures that pull the OP down to the ground........
God's 4th commandment is one of the ten (
Exodus 20:8-11) If we knowingly break it when God asks us not to we stand guilty before God of committing sin (
James 2:8-12). If we do not seek him in repentance and forgiveness we are in danger of the Judgement (
Hebrews 10:26-27)
Sunday worship is a tradition and teaching of man that has lead many to break the commandments of God. Jesus says that if we follow the traditions of man that break the commandments of God we are not following God (
Matthew 15:3-9)
Who should we follow the teachings and traditions of men or the Word of God? Who should we believe the Words of men or the Word of God?
May God bless you as you seek him through His Word.
God bless
