AI understands the Sabbath and Col 2:16

[guevaraj]

God did not say the morning and the evening he said the evening and the morning.

Sister, actually those two orders you mentioned are two different halves of the first day that God called by name as follows.

1. From morning to evening is the illuminated half of the first day God called "day," where God tells us what He did during the light.
2. From evening to morning is the dark half of the first day God called "night," where God has nothing to report because He does nothing during the nighttime half that ends each day of the creation week.

What has been missed is that the first day ends in the "night" half from evening to morning where God has nothing to report because He stops creation during the night after having created during the first half of light of each week day of creation. The first day is from first light to light again in the "morning" and subsequent days from morning to morning.

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and MORNING came, marking the first day. (Genesis 1:3-5 NLT)​

The first day ends on a "morning" just as we are retold in the following passage.

The meat of the peace offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the same day it is offered. None of it may be saved for the next morning. (Leviticus 7:15 NLT)​

The reason Judaism thinks differently since Joshua is because they misinterpreted the earlier Sabbath, given in Jerusalem, as a new seventh day of the week, when God had not changed the days of the week, since they were established from morning to the next morning, and it is the Sabbath that falls before the seventh day in Jerusalem. In other words, the Sabbath given by God in Jerusalem is not the seventh day of the week in Jerusalem, but half a day before, and Joshua misinterpreted this earlier Sabbath as a new seventh day of the week, when the Sabbath is separate from the seventh day of the week in Jerusalem.

Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. (Hebrews 4:8 NLT)​

United in our hope for the soon return of Jesus, Jorge

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Sister, actually those two orders you mentioned are two different halves of the first day that God called by name as follows.

1. From morning to evening is the illuminated half of the first day God called "day," where God tells us what He did during the light.
2. From evening to morning is the dark half of the first day God called "night," where God has nothing to report because He does nothing during the nighttime half that ends each day of the creation week.

What has been missed is that the first day ends in the "night" half from evening to morning where God has nothing to report because He stops creation during the night after having created during the first half of light of each week day of creation. The first day is from first light to light again in the "morning" and subsequent days from morning to morning.

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and MORNING came, marking the first day. (Genesis 1:3-5 NLT)​

The first day ends on a "morning" just as we are retold in the following passage.

The meat of the peace offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the same day it is offered. None of it may be saved for the next morning. (Leviticus 7:15 NLT)​

The reason Judaism thinks differently since Joshua is because they misinterpreted the earlier Sabbath, given in Jerusalem, as a new seventh day of the week, when God had not changed the days of the week, since they were established from morning to the next morning, and it is the Sabbath that falls before the seventh day in Jerusalem. In other words, the Sabbath given by God in Jerusalem is not the seventh day of the week in Jerusalem, but half a day before, and Joshua misinterpreted this earlier Sabbath as a new seventh day of the week, when the Sabbath is separate from the seventh day of the week in Jerusalem.

Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. (Hebrews 4:8 NLT)​

United in our hope for the soon return of Jesus, Jorge

Please I have asked this of you before this thread is not about time zones. Please create a new thread to discuss this.

Thanks

 

[Studyman]

Great question — Colossians 2:16 is often cited in discussions about whether Christians are still required to keep the Sabbath commandment (the Fourth Commandment). Let's look at the verse carefully, in its full context, and then assess whether it refers to the weekly Sabbath from the Ten Commandments or ceremonial sabbaths in the Law of Moses.

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Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)​

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Key Questions:​

1. What kind of “sabbaths” is Paul talking about?​

Let’s break the phrase down:




This phrase appears in many places in the Old Testament, often in this same order, and always refers to ceremonial observances:

• 1 Chronicles 23:31
• 2 Chronicles 2:4
• 2 Chronicles 31:3
• Nehemiah 10:33
• Ezekiel 45:17
• Hosea 2:11

These texts link festivals, new moons, and sabbaths as ceremonial observances — part of the Mosaic (Levitical) system, not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath of the Ten Commandments.


That’s why Paul says in Col. 2:17:




In other words, these ceremonial laws pointed forward to Christ and found their fulfillment in Him.

---

2. Is the weekly Sabbath also a shadow?​

There’s a strong distinction between:

Type of Law	Description	Shadow of Christ?	Abolished in Christ?
Moral Law (10 Commandments)	Eternal moral principles (Ex. 20)	❌ No	❌ No
Ceremonial Law	Feasts, sacrifices, rituals, sabbaths tied to festivals (Lev. 23)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

• The weekly Sabbathwas:
  • Given at Creation (Genesis 2:2–3)
  • Reinforced in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8–11)
  • Not instituted as a shadow, but as a memorial of creation
• The ceremonial sabbaths(e.g., Day of Atonement, Feast of Trumpets) are:
  • Called sabbaths too (see Leviticus 23)
  • Fall on various days, not necessarily the seventh day
  • Shadows pointing to Jesus' work

Therefore, when Paul talks about “sabbaths which are a shadow”, he refers to these ceremonial sabbaths, not the weekly Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment.

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3. Did Jesus or the Apostles abolish the weekly Sabbath?​

• Jesus kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16)
• The disciples kept the Sabbath after Jesus' death (Acts 13:42, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4)
• Hebrews 4:9 says:

---

✅ Conclusion:​

Colossians 2:16 does not cancel the weekly Sabbath commandment.
It refers to ceremonial sabbaths, along with food and drink offerings, and religious festivals that were shadows pointing to Christ.


The Fourth Commandment Sabbath is not a shadow, but a memorial of creation and a sign of God’s sanctifying work (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12).

2. But Which Commandment Does God Emphasize Most in the Bible?​

✅ The Fourth Commandment (Sabbath) is the only one God:​

• Calls "My holy day" (Isaiah 58:13)
• Links to Creation (Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:11)
• Uses to test Israel's obedience before Sinai (Exodus 16)
• Commands to remember as a sign between Him and His people (Ezekiel 20:12, 20)
• Institutes as a covenantal sign (Exodus 31:13–17)

The Fourth Commandment is the most directly spoken about by God throughout the Bible. It is personally claimed by Him, reaffirmed repeatedly, and tied to His identity as both Creator and Sanctifier.

The Holy Weekly Sabbath, "of the Bible" was most certainly, and still is a Shadow of things yet to come. We work 6 days a week in a wicked world, surrounded by evil influence, but at the end of the week, this work ends. For me, it signifies that our life of working, toiling and battling against the "course of this world" will come to an end. I am encouraged and strengthened by this Truth of God every week. I meditate on His Word every day, but the 7th Day is Holy. It foreshadows a life in a world "Wherein Righteousness dwells". A world where the toils and trials of this mortal life are over. This is the purpose of the most Holy Feast of the Lord, His Weekly Sabbath.

This is why it is included as the first Holy Feast of the Lord given by God to His People. (Lev. 23) It is most certainly a shadow of a time for God's People, "Yet to come".

Also, it is written in Scripture that God doesn't dwell in Temples made of wood and stone. Even Solomons Temple was "Cast off" by God long before God sent the Prophesied Messiah into the City of David, and God warned Solomon of this very thing. Spiritually Speaking, God's Temple on earth has always existed in the mind of men. The "sacrifices", free will and "burnt offerings" also have significant Spiritual meaning that are just as relevant today and they were in Cain and Abel's time. God's Salvation plan, spelled out to His People through His Holy Feasts, also represent "Shadows" of things yet to come. Passover, signifying the "life" of Christ shown in our thoughts (Lintel) and works/walk (two door posts), is the beginning of God's Salvation plan. When Christ returns, not as a Lamb for the slaughter, but as the Judge, HE will see His "Blood" (Life) in the minds and heart of the Faithful, and His Wrath will Passover over them. Feast of Unleavened Bread, symbolizes the journey of the "New Man", "Which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness". Each of these Holy Feasts represents an important part of God's Salvation and were created to keep the person "Who is a Jew Inwardly, Circumcises of heart" in remembrance of "The Way of the Lord". This serves as part of God's armor, as a refuge to protect us from the religions and influences of this world, "who profess to know God". As the Jesus "of the bible" teaches, "Salvation is of the Jews".

This is why, in my understanding, Paul instructs the Body of Christ, both Jew and Gentile, not to let men Judge them or beguile them of God's Promises to them for their voluntary humility and obedience to God in these Holy Feasts that the religions of the world has rejected or polluted.

God is worthy of our most treasure possession, Spiritually symbolized and the best of our herd, a bull calf with no blemish. And the fiery trials, "burnt offerings" we endure and offer to God as "a sweet savour before the LORD"

It's all a wonderful study and brings understanding to Paul's instruction;

Rom. 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies (Voluntary humility) a living sacrifice, "holy", acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: (Including it's religions) but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

When a man places his trust in this God, he comes to understand that the "handwriting of ordinances" that was against Jesus, Paul and the Body of Christ in Col. 2, was not God's Holy Sabbaths and Feasts, as this world's religions promote, rather, the religious philosophies, traditions and Commandments of men that Paul said to "Beware of", that the religions of this world God placed us in, teach for doctrines and have deceived so many by.

Truly it is good to have discussions such as these.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

The Holy Weekly Sabbath, "of the Bible" was most certainly, and still is a Shadow of things yet to come. We work 6 days a week in a wicked world, surrounded by evil influence, but at the end of the week, this work ends. For me, it signifies that our life of working, toiling and battling against the "course of this world" will come to an end. I am encouraged and strengthened by this Truth of God every week. I meditate on His Word every day, but the 7th Day is Holy. It foreshadows a life in a world "Wherein Righteousness dwells". A world where the toils and trials of this mortal life are over. This is the purpose of the most Holy Feast of the Lord, His Weekly Sabbath.

I am going to have to respectfully disagree. I do not believe God made a mistake at Creation and the weekly Sabbath at Creation was a shadow of things to come when God at Creation made everything according to His perfect plan and there was no sin in the world so no need for a plan of salvation. The Sabbath never pointed forward to anything because God is the Creator Exo 20:11 and the Substance so no need to point forward, why God said Remember in the Sabbath commandment Exo 20:8-11 and pointed back to Creation Exo20:11, because it is and always will be God perfect plan for mankind. Why we are told to get back and worship this God Rev 14:7 in the last days.

I won't continue debating this, the Scriptures are too clear, but wish you well.

 

[Studyman]

I am going to have to respectfully disagree. I do not believe God made a mistake at Creation and the weekly Sabbath at Creation was a shadow of things to come when God at Creation made everything according to His perfect plan and there was no sin in the world so no need for a plan of salvation. The Sabbath never pointed forward to anything because God is the Creator Exo 20:11 and the Substance so no need to point forward, why God said Remember in the Sabbath commandment Exo 20:8-11 and pointed back to Creation Exo20:11, because it is and always will be God perfect plan for mankind. Why we are told to get back and worship this God Rev 14:7 in the last days.

I won't continue debating this, the Scriptures are too clear, but wish you well.

I appreciate that humans are steadfast in their religious understanding, and that many do not wish to discuss them in consideration of ALL that is written. And I too do not believe God makes mistakes. And therefore you are free to disregard my reply. And I wish you well also.

But for those reading along, it seems prudent to point out that the God, "of the Bible", who created the Holy Sabbaths, is said to know the end from the beginning. And it is also taught in the same Holy Scriptures that the Jesus of the bible, "was slain from the foundation of the World". The implication that God didn't know men would disobey Him when HE created them, or that HE didn't know later, when HE created His Holy Sabbath "For man", that men would Sin and need Salvation, is certainly worthy of discernment or at least caution.

In like manner, the teaching that God didn't know that satan, who HE placed in the Garden, would deceive Eve when HE placed him there. And the teaching that when God created His Holy Sabbath "for man", HE didn't know Adam and Eve would need Mercy and Salvation, is just a bridge to far for me.

At the very least, these teachings are worthy of caution, which is in line with the instructions of Paul to "Beware of the Philosophies and traditions of men", spoken of in Col. 2, and also in line with Paul's instruction to "Prove all things" and "Test the spirits".

Lastly, it seems also prudent to point out that in Col. 2, Paul doesn't distinguish between the Sabbaths of God at all.

"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:

There are Holy Days that are not Sabbaths, like Passover, and 5 days of the 7 days of Unleavened bread. There are also "New Moons" that are neither Holy Days, nor Sabbaths. But all Sabbaths are Holy Days.

In like manner, God Himself didn't distinguish between His Holy Sabbaths in Lev. 23. Clearly combining His weekly Sabbath with the same importance as the First Day of Unleavened Bread. And all Expressed by God as follows.

Lev. 23: 1 And "the LORD spake" unto Moses, saying, (I believe this was the Christ, the Holy One of Israel)

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts "of the LORD", which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.

3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an "holy convocation"; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even "holy convocations", which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

7 In the first day ye shall have an "holy convocation": ye shall do no servile work therein.

44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the "feasts of the LORD".

So as can be clearly seen, neither Paul nor God distinguished between the Sabbaths, nor did HE esteem one Sabbath Day above another.

And because Paul called them all "Shadows of things yet to Come", I find no evidence in Scriptures which contradicts Paul, to imply that "some" of God's Sabbaths are NOT shadows of things yet to come.

Given all the warnings about false teachings, philosophies of men, deceivers who come in Christ's Name, etc., it seems prudent to consider all these Inspired Words of God before adopting any philosophy.

And what better way to discern these things than to discuss among the brethren, what is actually written in scriptures?

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I appreciate that humans are steadfast in their religious understanding, and that many do not wish to discuss them in consideration of ALL that is written. And I too do not believe God makes mistakes. And therefore you are free to disregard my reply. And I wish you well also.

But for those reading along, it seems prudent to point out that the God, "of the Bible", who created the Holy Sabbaths, is said to know the end from the beginning. And it is also taught in the same Holy Scriptures that the Jesus of the bible, "was slain from the foundation of the World". The implication that God didn't know men would disobey Him when HE created them, or that HE didn't know later, when HE created His Holy Sabbath "For man", that men would Sin and need Salvation, is certainly worthy of discernment or at least caution.

In like manner, the teaching that God didn't know that satan, who HE placed in the Garden, would deceive Eve when HE placed him there. And the teaching that when God created His Holy Sabbath "for man", HE didn't know Adam and Eve would need Mercy and Salvation, is just a bridge to far for me.

At the very least, these teachings are worthy of caution, which is in line with the instructions of Paul to "Beware of the Philosophies and traditions of men", spoken of in Col. 2, and also in line with Paul's instruction to "Prove all things" and "Test the spirits".

Lastly, it seems also prudent to point out that in Col. 2, Paul doesn't distinguish between the Sabbaths of God at all.

"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:

There are Holy Days that are not Sabbaths, like Passover, and 5 days of the 7 days of Unleavened bread. There are also "New Moons" that are neither Holy Days, nor Sabbaths. But all Sabbaths are Holy Days.

In like manner, God Himself didn't distinguish between His Holy Sabbaths in Lev. 23. Clearly combining His weekly Sabbath with the same importance as the First Day of Unleavened Bread. And all Expressed by God as follows.

Lev. 23: 1 And "the LORD spake" unto Moses, saying, (I believe this was the Christ, the Holy One of Israel)

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts "of the LORD", which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.

3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an "holy convocation"; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even "holy convocations", which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

7 In the first day ye shall have an "holy convocation": ye shall do no servile work therein.

44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the "feasts of the LORD".

So as can be clearly seen, neither Paul nor God distinguished between the Sabbaths, nor did HE esteem one Sabbath Day above another.

And because Paul called them all "Shadows of things yet to Come", I find no evidence in Scriptures which contradicts Paul, to imply that "some" of God's Sabbaths are NOT shadows of things yet to come.

Given all the warnings about false teachings, philosophies of men, deceivers who come in Christ's Name, etc., it seems prudent to consider all these Inspired Words of God before adopting any philosophy.

And what better way to discern these things than to discuss among the brethren, what is actually written in scriptures?

There was no feast days, no sacrifices at Creation, that came as a result of sin after the fall. The annual feast days that some were annual sabbaths is not the same as the weekly Sabbath in the Ten Commandments that started at Creation before sin. Exo20:11

If you have a verse where Lambs were sacrificed before the fall and yearly feast days/and the yearly sabbaths were instituted at Creation, you are free to provide Biblical support.