Questions About the Sabbath? Ask Me.

[AskAnAdventist]

Hi, I'm a Seventh-day Adventist who keeps sunset Friday to sunset Saturday every week as the Sabbath day. If you have questions about the sabbath and want to know more about it, please ask them below or private message them and I will answer them to the best of my knowledge, and give you links to websites if you want more information or a question is about something that is beyond my scope of knowledge.

 

[ChicanaRose]

What do you think about working on Sabbath, if one needs to provide for his family (please see example in the link below):

Is it OK to work on Sunday?

PS I realize your Sabbath is not Sunday, but my question is about working on Sabbath. (Thank you : ) )

 

[miamited]

What do you think about working on Sabbath, if one needs to provide for his family (please see example in the link below):

Is it OK to work on Sunday?

PS I realize your Sabbath is not Sunday, but my question is about working on Sabbath. (Thank you : ) )

Hi CR,

Sunday is not the Sabbath. The Sabbath has always been from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Christians have, for the most part, turned from the Sabbath, which is yet another reason why we need Jesus. We can't keep the law. Never have been able to and never will be able to. According to the Scriptures, we weren't ever really intended to keep the law as far as using such obedience to provide our salvation. For by obedience to the law shall no flesh be saved.

Yes, we should be mindful of the law and strive for the righteousness of God through obedience to the law, but we won't ever be able to keep it perfectly. That's why Jesus came. If mankind could ever keep the law, then there would have been no necessity for Jesus. God would just save all those who kept the law.

So, as I understand the Scriptures, if you want to keep the Sabbath, then from dusk Friday until dusk Saturday you nor anyone in your household, not your man servant or your maid servant or anyone living visiting your household should do whatever it is that they regularly do for work. However, Jesus was clear that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. That means that God gave us the law of the Sabbath for our own emotional and physical health. We need to rest and God commanded it.

God bless,
In Christ, ted

 

[AskAnAdventist]

What do you think about working on Sabbath, if one needs to provide for his family (please see example in the link below):

Is it OK to work on Sunday?

PS I realize your Sabbath is not Sunday, but my question is about working on Sabbath. (Thank you : ) )

Hi ChicanaRose

The commandment is actually very clear on this and answers your question directly.

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

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."
Exodus 20:8-11

It's very straight-forward that we are not to do common work on the Sabbath (pastors and elders ministering in the church is lawful on the Sabbath though as sacred work is permitted.)

Jesus tells us not to worry about what we eat or with what we shall be clothed, because he loves us and will care for us, and to "seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you." If we honor Him and worship Him, he promises to take care of us.

There has to be faith in our hearts that He is our Father and will meet our needs if we put him first.

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:31-34

Remember that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. (Matthew 22:37) If we give God first place in our hearts and in our life, He will take care of us and our families.

 

[Bob S]

Please explain why SDAs revert back to the old covenant when it is so plain that the prophecy in Jeremiah of a new covenant happened at Calvery where Jesus with His own blood ratified the new and better covenant, the one with better promises. Paul makes it clear that we are not under the laws of the now-defunct covenant given only to the Israelites. Eph 2:15, Col 2:16-17, 2Cor 3:6-11, Gal 3:19 for a start. 1Jn3:19-24 tells us we are of the truth when we believe in Jesus and love others as Jesus loves us. Jn 15 Jesus tells us He kept His father's commandments and asks us to keep His. The Father's commandments were found in the old covenant and Jesus new covenant command is to love our fellow mand as He loves us.

 

[D.A. Wright]

Please explain why SDAs revert back to the old covenant when it is so plain that the prophecy in Jeremiah of a new covenant happened at Calvery where Jesus with His own blood ratified the new and better covenant, the one with better promises. Paul makes it clear that we are not under the laws of the now-defunct covenant given only to the Israelites. Eph 2:15, Col 2:16-17, 2Cor 3:6-11, Gal 3:19 for a start. 1Jn3:19-24 tells us we are of the truth when we believe in Jesus and love others as Jesus loves us. Jn 15 Jesus tells us He kept His father's commandments and asks us to keep His. The Father's commandments were found in the old covenant and Jesus new covenant command is to love our fellow mand as He loves us.

You know very well why. The ten commandments were written by the finger of God long before the Bible itself was written. They are immutable. If they were not then Christ needn't have died at all. The devils believe in Jesus, and tremble, because they know they have but a short time left to do their worst. "Believing in Jesus" seems to have many definitions these days. Antinomianism seems to be prominent among them.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)

 

[Bob S]

You know very well why. The ten commandments were written by the finger of God long before the Bible itself was written. They are immutable. If they were not then Christ needn't have died at all. The devils believe in Jesus, and tremble, because they know they have but a short time left to do their worst. "Believing in Jesus" seems to have many definitions these days. Antinomianism seems to be prominent among them.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)

Your argument is not really with me D. A.. it is with Paul the ambassador of our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one that wrote that the ministry of death written on tables of stone were temporary (transitory) and are done away. 2Cor3:6-11 NIV and King James Version. Also, Paul wrote in Gal 3:19 that the law was until Jesus and in Eph 2 he wrote that Jesus did away with the law that separated Jew from Gentile. Again, go argue that all that is wrong and you are correct with Jesus and His ambassador Paul.

 

[BobRyan]

Please explain why SDAs revert back to the old covenant when it is so plain that the prophecy in Jeremiah of a new covenant happened at Calvery .

The New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-33 makes it very clear that the "law" written on the heart - was the one that Jeremiah and his readers knew about from Exodus 20 as Christ reminds us in Matthew 19 and so that covenant is unchanged as we find it again in Hebrews 8.

You already knew that - but ... nice to have yet another chance to state the point.

 

[BobRyan]

1 Cor 7:19 "what matters is keeping the commandments of God"
Rev 14:12 the saints "keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus"

So, as I understand the Scriptures, if you want to keep the Sabbath, then from dusk Friday until dusk Saturday you nor anyone in your household, not your man servant or your maid servant or anyone living visiting your household should do whatever it is that they regularly do for work. However, Jesus was clear that the Sabbath was made for man

 

[Bob S]

The New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-33 makes it very clear that the "law" written on the heart - was the one that Jeremiah and his readers knew about from Exodus 20 as Christ reminds us in Matthew 19 and so that covenant is unchanged as we find it again in Hebrews 8.

You already knew that - but ... nice to have yet another chance to state the point.

Bob Ryan, welcome back to the forum. Long-time no see.
I know what SDAs teach which is not true to the Bible Bob. Your interpretation of Matt 19 has to support your preconceived ideas yet you and the church do not live your lives according to the laws given to Israel. Not one jot nor one tittle will pass from the law until According to you Jesus didn't fulfill all He came to do so the law is still enforce except the laws you deem to be fulfilled. You say the Sabbath is still enforced, but the feast days are not. You can cut your sideburns because that law was done away. The fact is that Jesus said not one jot....till ALL is fulfilled.

I believe that Jesus fulfilled all the Law. Fulfill means to bring to an end according to my dictionary. The old Law has ended, all of it.

 

[Albion]

Your argument is not really with me D. A.. it is with Paul the ambassador of our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one that wrote that the ministry of death written on tables of stone were temporary (transitory) and are done away. 2Cor3:6-11 NIV and King James Version.

I appreciate the point you've made. One cannot genuinely believe in the Bible as the inspired word of God and then dismiss the New Testament with the comment that the OT is immutable.

 

[D.A. Wright]

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[D.A. Wright]

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[Albion]

Well, the point you've made is ridiculous and borders on slanderous. I would never dismiss the New Testament. I simply do not believe that Old Testament content is selectively nullified by the absence of its reiteration in the New. I must say you've got your nerve.

Ah. First, I'd recommend getting used to reading points of view that do not agree with your own if you are interested in discussion boards. That kinda comes with "discussion," don't you know?

But on the main point, I appreciate the way you put your POV this time ("...do not believe that Old Testament content is selectively nullified by the absence of its reiteration in the New").

That's a lot different from raving about antinomianism and calling the Old Testament immutable, especially since the New specifically updates the day of worship and does not simply omit to reiterate the OT standard that was in effect before the Son of God had come.

 

[D.A. Wright]

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[Albion]

Out of the 500+ posts I've made I've used the term "antinomianism" exactly 4 times:

You used it in the post I was quoting, right? Then what I said was correct.

 

[D.A. Wright]

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[Bob S]

Ah. First, I'd recommend getting used to reading points of view that do not agree with your own if you are interested in discussion boards. That kinda comes with "discussion," don't you know?

But on the main point, I appreciate the way you put your POV this time ("...do not believe that Old Testament content is selectively nullified by the absence of its reiteration in the New").

That's a lot different from raving about antinomianism and calling the Old Testament immutable, especially since the New specifically updates the day of worship and does not simply omit to reiterate the OT standard that was in effect before the Son of God had come.

Hi Albion, I pretty much understand SDA because I came out of Adventism after nearly forty years. True SDAism teaches that all other churches are lacking the real truth and only Adventism is the "remnant" church teaching the truths of the early church. The prophet wrote over and over that the ten commandments are the transcript of the character of God. The flock, to be in line with the prophet has to believe the same thing.
From the pen of inspiration, Ellen White the SDA Prophet we read from her book Christ in His Sanctuary:
"The law of God in the sanctuary in heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch were an unerring transcript. Those who arrived at an understanding of this important point were thus led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law. They saw, as never before, the force of the Saviour’s words: “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” Matthew 5:18. The law of God, being a revelation of His will, a transcript of His character, must forever endure, “as a faithful witness in heaven.” Not one command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. Says the psalmist: “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.” “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever.” Psalm 119:89; 111:7, 8." {CIHS 165.1}
(Bold mine)

Jesus in Matt 5 was referring to the whole law yet Ellen reduces it down to the 10 commandments. Then down the line tithing and unclean meat laws were added from the book of the law. She quoted the Psalmist and the Psalmist was referring to all of the laws of the Torah yet SDAs because Ellen taught that all they needed to really take from the old covenant was the twelve laws that are what is upheld by them today.

The word forever is used in scripture many times. In the case of the 10 commandments, they were part of the commandments of the old covenant. That covenant was an "IF" covenant and was broken so the rules of that covenant are no longer binding. It stopped being binding at Calvary. When Paul wrote that the ten commandments were done away and that they were transitory SDAs cannot accept that fact.

 

[Albion]

Hi Albion, I pretty much understand SDA because I came out of Adventism after nearly forty years. True SDAism teaches that all other churches are lacking the real truth and only Adventism is the "remnant" church teaching the truths of the early church. The prophet wrote over and over that the ten commandments are the transcript of the character of God. The flock, to be in line with the prophet has to believe the same thing.
From the pen of inspiration, Ellen White the SDA Prophet we read from her book Christ in His Sanctuary:
"The law of God in the sanctuary in heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch were an unerring transcript. Those who arrived at an understanding of this important point were thus led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law. They saw, as never before, the force of the Saviour’s words: “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” Matthew 5:18. The law of God, being a revelation of His will, a transcript of His character, must forever endure, “as a faithful witness in heaven.” Not one command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. Says the psalmist: “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.” “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever.” Psalm 119:89; 111:7, 8." {CIHS 165.1}
(Bold mine)

Jesus in Matt 5 was referring to the whole law yet Ellen reduces it down to the 10 commandments. Then down the line tithing and unclean meat laws were added from the book of the law. She quoted the Psalmist and the Psalmist was referring to all of the laws of the Torah yet SDAs because Ellen taught that all they needed to really take from the old covenant was the twelve laws that are what is upheld by them today.

The word forever is used in scripture many times. In the case of the 10 commandments, they were part of the commandments of the old covenant. That covenant was an "IF" covenant and was broken so the rules of that covenant are no longer binding. It stopped being binding at Calvary. When Paul wrote that the ten commandments were done away and that they were transitory SDAs cannot accept that fact.

Well, D A Wright was correct when saying that you are the one who can bring us up to speed. Yours was a very welcome post. I am not completely unfamiliar with SDA history and theology, but your post was really helpful and well-constructed. Thanks.

 

[Bob S]

Thanks Albion, I love my SDA friends. There is a comradery within Adventism that I still miss today. For the most part, Adventists are always there to help others.

It is the theology that is so destructive for many SDAs. We were taught by the writings of the prophet never to say we are saved. They believe in an investigative judgment meaning Jesus has been in a compartment since 1844 sorting out those who are saved and the ones that didn't make the grade. Since 1844 only Adventists and those who have never heard of the Sabbath have a chance.
The following statement is very troubling to SDAs and many just give up, quit attending or go out the back door:
"Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above, are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14."{HS 234.3}
(bold mine)
These statements are troubling to SDAs because their non-SDA families and friends are not going to be saved according to the prophet.

"But if we turn aside from the fourth commandment, so positively given by God, to adopt the inventions of Satan, voiced and acted by men under his control, we cannot be saved. We cannot with safety receive his traditions and subtleties as truth." {RH, July 6, 1897 par. 4}

"No one who disregards the fourth commandment, after becoming enlightened in regard to the claims of the Sabbath, can be held guiltless in the sight of God." {RH, July 6, 1897 par. 14}

"All will be judged according to the light that has shone upon them. If they have light upon the Sabbath, they cannot be saved in rejecting that light."{LSMS 114.2}
(bold mine)

She also wrote that not one in twenty SDAs are ready to be translated. "It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner. They are professedly serving God, but they are more earnestly serving mammon. This half-and-half work is a constant denying of Christ, rather than a confessing of Christ. So many have brought into the church their own unsubdued spirit, unrefined; their spiritual taste is perverted by their own immoral, debasing corruptions, symbolizing the world in spirit, in heart, in purpose, confirming themselves in lustful practices, and are full of deception through and through in their professed Christian life. Living as sinners, claiming to be Christians! Those who claim to be Christians and will confess Christ should come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing, and be separate...." {ChS 41.1}
These are a few of the things that many SDAs try to hide under the rug. They certainly would not bring up such things in their evangelistic campaigns. I was part of the church for several years before I learned the "truths" Adventists teach.