Why is the Sabbath important and a prominent fixture in SDA teaching?
- The Three Angels' Messages (Revelation 14:6-12)
- First Angel's Message—Worship God
- Revelation 14:6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
- Second Angel's Message—Babylon is Fallen
- Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
- Third Angel's Message—False Worship and the Mark of the Beast
- Revelation 14:9-11 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Just what does the Three Angels' Messages have to do with the Sabbath?
The first angel's message:
Revelation 14:6 ...and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
The Sabbath commandment:
Exodus 20:11 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.
Further, the Sabbath is a sign:
Exodus 31:17 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.
We are grafted in to Israel, thus we are also the Israel spoken of as observing the Sabbath for ever. We will be obeying the Sabbath in heaven.
Isaiah 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
Conclusion
The Three Angels' Messages point to the Sabbath as the key worship issue that determines whether you receive the mark of the beast or the Seal of God. Indeed, as per the above colored text, the Sabbath is linked as the sign and seal of the living God. All who are grafted into Israel are indeed to keep the Sabbath.
Why is it so prominent in the SDA message? Because the Three Angels' Messages are urgent and are meant for these end times and should be preached, as per Revelation 14:6.
I grew up in the SDA church, so I've attended multiple SDA churches for a good part of my life. The Sabbath was not a weekly sermon, in my experience. However, the urgency of the message is readily apparent in the above.