Did the LORD change Sabbath?

[Linet Kihonge]

Hebrew 4:4-12,

"4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”c 5And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”d

8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his."

So is it optional to rest on a particular day i.e. Saturday/Sunday?

 

[ViaCrucis]

Hebrew 4:4-12,

"4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”c 5And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”d

8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his."

So is it optional to rest on a particular day i.e. Saturday/Sunday?

According to the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews you quoted above, the Sabbath for Christians is today. It's not a specific day of the week, but right now, because our rest is in Christ.

The Sabbath Day, as commanded to the Jews is only for them. The covenant which God made with the children of Jacob is a covenant He made with them and only them. Unless you're a Jew practicing Judaism--ergo, not a Christian--the commandment to rest on the Sabbath day doesn't apply to you, never has and never will.

Sunday has never been the Sabbath, though it is known as the Lord's Day in ancient Christian writing, because it's the day Christ our Lord was raised from the dead, and it's the day Christians have always gathered weekly for worship.

But an important point: The Sabbath was not given to the Jews as a weekly day of worship, but as a day of rest. The act of coming together and meeting in synagogues was a practice that developed late in Jewish tradition, it wasn't something God ever commanded. As such God has never instituted a weekly day of worship, either for the Jews or for us. But as Christians we have always met on the first day of the week--Sunday--for worship. Actually, historically and even for many in modern times, gathered worship is available multiple times throughout the week, not just on Sunday.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Dave Watchman]

"But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day
​

So is it optional to rest on a particular day i.e. Saturday/Sunday?

Hi Linet, it's not for me because I'm a 7th day Sabbath keeper. I started in 2012 and now it has become part of my routine that I enjoy and look forward to very much.

I think that Jesus is coming soon and that He will find us either worshiping the beast and it's image or keeping the commandments of God. I think in many cases the Bible word for worship is "proskuneo" which can mean to "submit to" or to "obey".

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.​

Revelation 12:17

"And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who
keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
​

Revelation 14:12

"Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who
keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.​

Revelation 22:14

"Blessed are those who
do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.​

So in the end time Book of Revelation we read three times:

KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS
KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS
DO HIS COMMANDMENTS

And at the seventh trumpet:

Revelation 11:19

"Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.​

What's kept inside the ark of His covenant?

The Ten Commandments?

And at the first angel's message:

“Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”​

Text from the fourth Commandment during the end time tribulation. It might not be a salvific issue anymore after what Jesus did for us but right now might not be a good time to test what is or is not "nailed to the cross".

Shabbat shalom.

 

[1213]

...
So is it optional to rest on a particular day i.e. Saturday/Sunday?

I recommend people to not do their work/job on Shabbat, because I believe it is God’s will and I believe all God’s commandments are for the best of humans.

However, it is good to notice; it is not the condition for entering Kingdom of Heaven.

"Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Mat. 5:17-19

However, if person loves God, how could he not obey God’s will?

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
1 John 5:3

 

[ewq1938]

Yes God changed the Sabbath. It began as a day you were not allowed to work on, or have a fire or warm food etc etc.....Christ fulfilled this and now he is our Sabbath rest. We now can pick a day not to work and we can have fire and warm food any day of the week. The old Saturday Sabbath limited people, but today we have a Sabbath which frees us and has no limitations or restrictions. Just as the new Covenant was better because it was built upon better promises, so too do we have a better Sabbath. Being a Christian yet honoring or part honoring the old Sabbath is religious confusion.

 

[DamianWarS]

God created the first 6 days then he rested on the 7. This "rest" is a continued thread throughout scripture. It has and always will point to Christ. "Change" is the wrong word Jesus just simply revealed its greater meaning but the meaning was always there. The number is important but Christ is above it all so when we look to Christ and seek rest through him we fulfill the 4th commandment but when we look to a day we miss the mark. Reading Revelation it would appear there is still more to come regarding this "rest".

 

[Linet Kihonge]

I am getting these two arguments, "The Sabbath on Entering His Rest," and "The Sabbath of Keeping the 7th day, Holy." So which sabbath is more crucial to observe, the one that requires me to walk in his ways so that I could enter his Rest, or the 7th day Sabbath that commands us to do so because it's one of the 10 commandments?

Mark 2:24-28, "The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”
25He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”
27Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

 

[Amatorreginae]

There's no doubt that the Sabbath is a special day. Genesis tells us that God hallowed the seventh day, marking it out as distinct and different from the other days, and this before the institution of the Torah, the Law.

It has been argued that Christians are now to observe Sunday as the new Sabbath as the Bible records that Christians once or twice met on this day. Christians can meet on any day of the week; there's no indication in the text to the effect that there has been a change of rest day. Another common argument is that Christ's resurrection on a Sunday means that he somehow sanctified it. There is no evidence for that assumption in the text.

The common adoption of Sunday as the day of rest appears to be Catholic in origin. I have to make it clear that no Pope can change what GOD has sanctified.

 

[bling]

You make a huge distinction between the Saturday Sabbath and the other Sabbaths which I do not find in scripture. The jubilee “Sabbath year” seems to carry the same weight as any other Sabbath, so can you show me differently from scripture?



Jesus said: Matt. 12: 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

In what way were the priests apparently (to the casual observer) desecrating the Sabbath?

So, as Priests today are we “desecrating” the Sabbath in one respect (doing lots of stuff that is work to some) and yet we are innocent?

Under the Christian dispensation we have an expanded holiness time and holy people do not only include the priestly tribe, but every Christian is a priest doing priestly duties and not just one day per week, but every day.

It has gone from “partially in” for the average Jew under the Law to “all in” under the Christian age for Christians.

How did the year of Jubilee point to the coming Savior?

The priest were not to “work” but were to be supported by the other tribes and they only worship (doing everything in obedience to God’s commands).

The priest going to the temple on a Sabbath offering sacrifices on the altar were involved in a very formal part of worship, so today we are the priests, we are that temple, we are the living sacrifice, we are observing the Sabbath Rest and we constantly carry our “altar” around with us constantly offering a sacrifice, so are we constantly involved in formal worship?

Col. 2: 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Ro. 14: 5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Do you have a problem with me considering every day alike?





From what I read of pre-Christ Jewish scholars and my study of the prophets, I see the Christian age we are in is also the Jubilee Age, with everyday being a Sabbath day. We are to be the priest in this age worshipping hard every day at every minute and not “working” by God’s definition of work. Everything we do at every moment is done in obedience to one of God’s commands (not the commands of men [including ourselves]) and thus is offered up as worship.

Christ is our example, so how much time was God, His number one focus?

I worked with Christians that were converted and Baptized in prison. They had to leave the protection of their former gangs, give up their weapons, were repeatedly beaten, and were watch by snitches 24/7 for any sign of weakness (doing anything less than what the snitches felt Christ Himself would do). Any sign of a lack of commitment would bring the bulls to try and make them their slaves, knowing they were not committed enough to die for their cause, so how much time did they spend in “worship”?

Can we really “justify” wasting time not focusing in Christ/God?


The priest “worked” extremely hard especially on Sabbath days, but this was not “work” by God’s definition, since it was done in obedience to God’s commands it was worship. We are to be doing the same. This worshipping can be physically very tiring but it is also a Sabbath rest.



We are to be a “Nation of Priest” and yes, Christ is our High Priest, so when are we not to be involved in worship?

We are that “sanctuary”.

 

[Amatorreginae]

You make a huge distinction between the Saturday Sabbath and the other Sabbaths which I do not find in scripture. The jubilee “Sabbath year” seems to carry the same weight as any other Sabbath, so can you show me differently from scripture?



Jesus said: Matt. 12: 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

In what way were the priests apparently (to the casual observer) desecrating the Sabbath?

So, as Priests today are we “desecrating” the Sabbath in one respect (doing lots of stuff that is work to some) and yet we are innocent?

Under the Christian dispensation we have an expanded holiness time and holy people do not only include the priestly tribe, but every Christian is a priest doing priestly duties and not just one day per week, but every day.

It has gone from “partially in” for the average Jew under the Law to “all in” under the Christian age for Christians.

How did the year of Jubilee point to the coming Savior?

The priest were not to “work” but were to be supported by the other tribes and they only worship (doing everything in obedience to God’s commands).

The priest going to the temple on a Sabbath offering sacrifices on the altar were involved in a very formal part of worship, so today we are the priests, we are that temple, we are the living sacrifice, we are observing the Sabbath Rest and we constantly carry our “altar” around with us constantly offering a sacrifice, so are we constantly involved in formal worship?

Col. 2: 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Ro. 14: 5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Do you have a problem with me considering every day alike?





From what I read of pre-Christ Jewish scholars and my study of the prophets, I see the Christian age we are in is also the Jubilee Age, with everyday being a Sabbath day. We are to be the priest in this age worshipping hard every day at every minute and not “working” by God’s definition of work. Everything we do at every moment is done in obedience to one of God’s commands (not the commands of men [including ourselves]) and thus is offered up as worship.

Christ is our example, so how much time was God, His number one focus?

I worked with Christians that were converted and Baptized in prison. They had to leave the protection of their former gangs, give up their weapons, were repeatedly beaten, and were watch by snitches 24/7 for any sign of weakness (doing anything less than what the snitches felt Christ Himself would do). Any sign of a lack of commitment would bring the bulls to try and make them their slaves, knowing they were not committed enough to die for their cause, so how much time did they spend in “worship”?

Can we really “justify” wasting time not focusing in Christ/God?


The priest “worked” extremely hard especially on Sabbath days, but this was not “work” by God’s definition, since it was done in obedience to God’s commands it was worship. We are to be doing the same. This worshipping can be physically very tiring but it is also a Sabbath rest.



We are to be a “Nation of Priest” and yes, Christ is our High Priest, so when are we not to be involved in worship?

We are that “sanctuary”.

Goodness knows what the Sabbatical Year, kept every seven years, has to do with the weekly Sabbath.

And as for latter-day 'priests', Christians don't offer literal sacrifices, they don't do any literal priestly work, and thus don't profane the Sabbath in any way, shape or form merely by being 'priests'. And yes, St Paul did mention Sabbaths in his letter, and I wouldn't be upset were I to see a Christian, or anyone else, working on the holy day. The Sabbath was ordained to allow a working man to have a day off to unwind and was a loving provision made by a God who knew that Man needed some down-time. I certainly believe that we need to rest. Sometimes of course a man can't keep Sabbath; he may, for example, be a member of the emergency services and has to work on this day. But the day has not lost its sacred character, and if a man can keep it, let him.

 

[ripple the car]

Hey ~ Imho no covenant changes the Sabbath, as it's a Creation thing. Have no problem honoring and praising Christ on the Sabbath, or on Sunday. Either way.

 

[ewq1938]

Hey ~ Imho no covenant changes the Sabbath, as it's a Creation thing.

Not for people it wasn't. The Sabbath was for God on that 7th day, not anyone else. The Sabbath only came to people through the covenant. A new covenant has new laws and the saturday Sabbath is not part of the new covenant.

Have no problem honoring and praising Christ on the Sabbath, or on Sunday. Either way.

Everyday is the Sabbath for me, and without the former restrictions forbidding fire (light, heat, warm food, freshly made food etc)

 

[ripple the car]

Sir ~ Genesis holds that God hallowed the Sabbath as He rested from His work on that day. As the Sabbath is continually Holy, and as Messiah is Lord of the Sabbath, do you consider it appropriate for Christians to in any way acknowledge this day for Christ's sake?

Not for people it wasn't. The Sabbath was for God on that 7th day, not anyone else. The Sabbath only came to people through the covenant. A new covenant has new laws and the saturday Sabbath is not part of the new covenant.




Everyday is the Sabbath for me, and without the former restrictions forbidding fire (light, heat, warm food, freshly made food etc)

 

[ewq1938]

Sir ~ Genesis holds that God hallowed the Sabbath as He rested from His work on that day.

I am aware of that.

As the Sabbath is continually Holy, and as Messiah is Lord of the Sabbath, do you consider it appropriate for Christians to in any way acknowledge this day for Christ's sake?

Nope. We are to acknowledge how he fulfilled the original Sabbath and enter into the Sabbath rest he offers which is not limited to a single day. The saturday Sabbath was part of Judaism not a part of Christianity.

 

[ripple the car]

Sir ~ Respectfully, I have to disagree. Christ testifies that the Sabbath was made for man. As opposed to being made for Israel, specifically. While I agree that it is unnecessary to completely rest on the Sabbath, as per Moses, some kind of respect given to the seventh day which God hallowed seems permissible. For acknowledging the One who gives us a continuing Sabbath rest. A specific prayer of thanks, at least, as appropriate, and allowed.

I am aware of that.



Nope. We are to acknowledge how he fulfilled the original Sabbath and enter into the Sabbath rest he offers which is not limited to a single day. The saturday Sabbath was part of Judaism not a part of Christianity.

 

[ewq1938]

Sir ~ Respectfully, I have to disagree.

Fair enough. Would you know of any post-crucifixion/new covenant scripture that speaks that a Christian should keep the original Sabbath from Judaism?

 

[Linet Kihonge]

So in one sense it is important to rest at least once a week or whenever possible (there seems to be a leeway on keeping the weekly Sabbath) but I would also like to believe that the LORD's Sabbath of entering his rest would be the test of Christianity to every man around the world regardless of race, tribe, nationality, gender, color, physical capabilities etc.

Let me ask this, Is it good or right to observe weekly sabbath?

 

[ewq1938]

So in one sense it is important to rest at least once a week or whenever possible (there seems to be a leeway on keeping the weekly Sabbath) but I would also like to believe that the LORD's Sabbath of entering his rest would be the test of Christianity to every man around the world regardless of race, tribe, nationality, gender, color, physical capabilities etc.

Let me ask this, Is it good or right to observe weekly sabbath?

In a religious sense it is wrong to add something to a religion that God does not command. That's how the Jews perverted Judaism by adding all these things and traditions when God did not command them. The weekly Sabbath is not a part of Christianity so this would be an addition from Judaism that God does not say to do. And that is why most Christians, not to mention the early church, did not keep the Sabbath. They knew that the Sabbath was now fulfilled by Christ and a Saturday was no more holy than the day before it.

 

[ripple the car]

Hey, Sir ~

Should, no. Is free to if they desire to for the sake of Christ, yes. Seems like the tenor is, if you observe the Sabbath day to honor Christ, good. If you observe not the day to honor Christ, good. There's liberty as long as no New Covenant commandmants are being broken, and as long as no one man's convictions or preferences are presented as binding on all. If Christians feel lead to rest on the seventh day, no one should call them Judaizers. Neither should they call those who feel lead to carry on as usual on the seventh day pagans.

But to in some way give thanks to God and to His Son, for whom all things were created, on the Sabbath feels right to me. Even just a special prayer of thanks and acknowledgement. To give glory to the God who hallowed the seventh day, and to His Messiah and our Lord.

Fair enough. Would you know of any post-crucifixion/new covenant scripture that speaks that a Christian should keep the original Sabbath from Judaism?

 

[Linet Kihonge]

So it is great to observe weekly sabbath but it's not a sin not to observe it... even though I feel somewhat indebted to see it as an important thing to do or observe.... I know guys who make it sound like "it's a call of damnation" and I'm caught between breaking a commandment and freedom to chose how I would like to honor my Sabbath day!!!