Why we are not supposed to keep the Sabbath

[BNR32FAN]

So if you believe the Sabbath ended at the Cross That somehow what God blessed and made holy became contrary and against and something God wrote with His own finger became handwritten by Moses. Only God can reverse His blessing on the Sabbath - where is the thus saith the Lord?

The Saturday sabbath wasn’t the only sabbath that God set apart as a holy day. All of the sabbaths were deemed holy days by God Himself, all of them were commanded by God and none of them were abolished by either God The Father or Jesus specifically stating that they would cease. It was revealed thru the apostles by the Holy Spirit that these days were abolished. You have no problem accepting that the rest of the holy sabbath days were abolished according to Colossians 2:16 so why is there a problem with this particular holy day? Why is it that you accept that Paul had the authority to speak on God’s behalf concerning the rest of the sabbath days but not the Saturday Sabbath?

 

[SabbathBlessings]

The Saturday sabbath wasn’t the only sabbath that God set apart as a holy day. All of the sabbaths were deemed holy days by God Himself, all of them were commanded by God and none of them were abolished by either God The Father or Jesus specifically stating that they would cease. It was revealed thru the apostles by the Holy Spirit that these days were abolished. You have no problem accepting that the rest of the holy sabbath days were abolished according to Colossians 2:16 so why is there a problem with this particular holy day? Why is it that you accept that Paul had the authority to speak on God’s behalf concerning the rest of the sabbath days but not the Saturday Sabbath?

There is only one Sabbath that came before sin. It started at Creation Exo 20:11 Gen 2:1-3 when God made everything according to God's perfect plan. This Sabbath God claimed in His own Words as My holy day, the Holy day of the Lord Isa 58:13 God only blessed the seventh day, not any other day. Gen 2:1-3 Exo 20:11 only God can reverse His blessing. Num 23:20 not man. There is no such Text where He did.

God only wrote with His own finger the Ten Commandments and only the Ten Commandments was placed inside the ark of the covenant. God's perfect law written by our perfect Savior.

Exo 34:28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the [a]Ten Commandments.


All other laws, including the annual sabbath feast day ordinances were handwritten by Moses, placed outside the ark of the covenant as a witness against for breaking what was inside the Ten Commandments, where is the weekly Sabbath commandment, written by the finger of God.

Deut 31:24 So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: 26 “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;

So God's Word explains these two different laws that Paul was so careful to give the context that so many choose to ignore.

Plus you did not reconcile it to what Jesus taught. Did Jesus teach the weekly Sabbath commandment would end at the Cross- no of course not and either did Paul -God's people keep God's commandments His version, through love and faith. Rev 14:12 John 14:15 Exo 20:6

 

[BNR32FAN]

There is only one Sabbath that came before sin. It started at Creation Exo 20:11 Gen 2:1-3 when God made everything according to God's perfect plan. This Sabbath God claimed in His own Words as My holy day, the Holy day of the Lord Isa 58:13 God only blessed the seventh day, not any other day. Gen 2:1-3 Exo 20:11 only God can reverse His blessed. Num 23:20 not man.

God only wrote with His own finger the Ten Commandments and only the Ten Commandments was placed inside the ark of the covenant. God's perfect law written by our perfect Savior.

Exo 34:28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the [a]Ten Commandments.


All other laws, including the annual sabbath feast day ordinances were handwritten by Moses, placed outside the ark of the covenant as a witness against for breaking what was inside the Ten Commandments, where is the weekly Sabbath commandment, written by the finger of God.

Deut 31:24 So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: 26 “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;

So God's Word explains these two different laws that Paul was so careful to give the context that so many choose to ignore.

Plus you did not reconcile it to what Jesus taught. Did Jesus teach the weekly Sabbath commandment would end at the Cross- no of course not and either did Paul because God's people keep God's commandments His version, through love and faith. Rev 14:12 John 14:15 Exo 20:6

None of this has anything to do with the discussion. Nowhere does the Bible say that the laws placed inside the ark were more significant than the ones placed outside of it.

And again you keep on using this absurd argument that Paul was the one undermining God’s commandments. YOU KNOW THATS NOT TRUE AT ALL.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

None of this has anything to do with the discussion. Nowhere does the Bible say that the laws placed inside the ark were more significant than the ones placed outside of it.

And again you keep on using this absurd argument that Paul was the one undermining God’s commandments. YOU KNOW THATS NOT TRUE AT ALL.

It has everything, its the context of the verses in Col 2:14-17. You can't make something God blessed turn into contrary and against. Written by God's own finger, is not handwritten by Moses. God blessed man cannot reverse Num 23:20. God's commandments are not burdensome 1 John 5:3 If one is going to get rid of one of God's personally spoken and written commandments that is holy and blessed by God, that Jesus said would be kept after the cross, I would want a lot more proof that one verse that we are warned people twist his teachings sadly that leads down the wrong path 2 Peter 3:16. Jesus saying it didn't is proof enough for me.

Paul is not countermanding God's commandments, why He faithfully kept every Sabbath decades after the Cross, never teaching anyone anything different. Keeping the commandments of God is what matters 1 Cor 7:19 the Sabbath is a commandment of God thus saith the Lord. Exo 20:8-11 He said Remember for a reason.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I follow God...

God said with His own voice Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Exo 20:8 man says forget
Jesus said: the Sabbath would not end at the Cross Mat 24:20 Isa 66:23 man says it did.
Jesus said: I am Lord of the Sabbath- can you imagine saying I am lord of my house, but visitors come and tell you to tear it down and get rid of it? When did Jesus teach to get rid of the Sabbath that He is Lord of, not once. He taught the opposite.
Jesus said: Follow Me, I am the way, who kept the Sabbath. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love John 15:10 and if we abide in Him, we ought to follow His example 1 John 2:6 man says to follow man.

If it all comes down to Paul's words instead of Christ's, that not where I would want to plant my roots, especially when we are told...

2 Peter 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

All gets sorted out soon enough

 

[Leaf473]

Could there have been both a cow and a sow in the sheet? Would that fit the text?

if yes to the above, is Peter being told to eat both the cow and the sow, @HIM?

Good morning

I don't see your answer to the above two questions, maybe you're still thinking

I'll forge ahead with answering your post #607, following out the idea that Peter was told to eat both the cow and the sow

But keep in mind he only mentions seeing Common and unclean animals.

Just to recap what I wrote in post #610,

What Peter says is that he has never eaten anything common or unclean (koinos or akatharos)

Not that those were the only animals that he saw

Keep in mind in respect to that, that there is no "textual question" in the retelling of the vision in 11:8 or the giving of the actual reason for the vision in 10:28. In both these circumstances there is a distinction being made between what is common and unclean. They are not the same in Peter's eyes.

Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Acts 11:8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

Yes, true, and good follow-up on that

I try not to assume anything.

Cool

Yes. That is why Peter did not see anything that he could eat when all manner of animals were shown him.

It's a possibility, that he saw only unclean animals and those animals which used to be clean but had now touched an unclean animal. But that's not stated in the text.

Following up on the idea that he is told to eat both the cow and the sow, what he is objecting to is being told to eat the sow.

Another possibility is that he is objecting to being told to eat clean animals of unknown provenance. Since Leviticus talks about certain events that can make an otherwise clean food unclean (akatharos), that could be what Peter is objecting to

Leviticus 11:33
καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ὀστράκινον, εἰς ὃ ἐὰν πέσῃ ἀπὸ τούτων ἔνδον, ὅσα ἐὰν ἔνδον ᾖ, ἀκάθαρτα ἔσται, καὶ αὐτὸ συντριβήσεται. 34 καὶ πᾶν βρῶμα, ὃ ἔσθεται, εἰς ὃ ἂν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸ ὕδωρ, ἀκάθαρτον ἔσται·

Λευιτικόν - Κεφάλαιο 11 - Septuagint Text of Leviticus - The Septuagint: LXX

11 ΚΑΙ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν λέγων· 2 λαλήσατε τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραὴλ λέγοντες· ταῦτα τὰ κτήνη, ἃ φάγεσθε ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς· 3 πᾶν κτῆνος διχηλοῦν ὁπλὴν καὶ...

www.septuagint.bible

No two. Common and unclean. There were no clean animals due to the intermingling.

Are you referring to a scripture passage about intermingling of animals? If so, which one?

No. He only mentions cleansing the common. He never mentions cleansing the unclean.

Does the text state what God has cleansed?

Following out the idea that Peter was told to eat the sow, it seems reasonable that God cleansed the sow as well

It looks to me like the purpose of the vision is to tell Peter not to be afraid to go into Cornelius s house. In Acts 10:28, Peter says he has learned not to call any person common or unclean.

Yet Leviticus talks about things that can make a person unclean

Leviticus 15:5
καὶ ἄνθρωπος, ὃς ἐὰν ἅψηται τῆς κοίτης αὐτοῦ, πλυνεῖ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ καὶ λούσεται ὕδατι καὶ ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας·

Λευιτικόν - Κεφάλαιο 15 - Septuagint Text of Leviticus - The Septuagint: LXX

15 ΚΑΙ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν λέγων· 2 λάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἐρεῖς αὐτοῖς· ἀνδρὶ ἀνδρί, ᾧ ἐὰν γένηται ρύσις ἐκ τοῦ σώματος αὐτοῦ, ἡ ρύσις αὐτοῦ ἀκάθαρτός ἐστι. 3 καὶ...

www.septuagint.bible

Thus it seems reasonable to me that God is cleansing not only that which is common, but that which is unclean. And that's true of both animals and humans

Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Right, and I hear what you're saying. I think the right way to read it is that what God has cleansed, don't even call common, much less unclean

Right

Regardless, God said that if something clean touched an unclean thing the clean thing was unclean.

That has nothing to do with the Pharisees and their manmade traditions

The clean thing becomes unclean, or just common?

The same word used for common in Acts 10:14,15,28 is the same word a few translations mistranslated unclean in Romans 14. In Romans 14 Paul is only addressing Animals that were considered common due to defilement not the unclean ones.

In Romans 14:20, Paul writes that everything is clean (καθαρά)

Bible Gateway passage: ΠΡΟΣ ΡΩΜΑΙΟΥΣ 14:20 - SBL Greek New Testament

μὴ ἕνεκεν βρώματος κατάλυε τὸ ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ. πάντα μὲν καθαρά, ἀλλὰ κακὸν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τῷ διὰ προσκόμματος ἐσθίοντι.

www.biblegateway.com

I suppose a person could say that food (βρώματος) there refers only to clean foods. It looks to me like a forced reading. But even if we go with it, the idea that food that had become unclean according to Leviticus was now clean would be a change to what Leviticus said. Thus, a change to the law

Peace be with you, my man!

 

[Jerry N.]

STAFF DELETED

I agree, and I keep the Sabbath the dietary laws as much as possible. However, as a Gentile, I do it by choice, because I find that it is good for my relationship with God. If anybody else wants to do the same, may God bless them. If they don’t feel that the Holy Spirit is leading them to follow the Torah, may God bless them too.

 

[Leaf473]

I agree, and I keep the Sabbath the dietary laws as much as possible. However, as a Gentile, I do it by choice, because I find that it is good for my relationship with God. If anybody else wants to do the same, may God bless them. If they don’t feel that the Holy Spirit is leading them to follow the Torah, may God bless them too.

Yep, "God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit"

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

None of this has anything to do with the discussion. Nowhere does the Bible say that the laws placed inside the ark were more significant than the ones placed outside of it.

The Ten Commandments are the very foundation of the Covenant between God and His people, representing the heart of His divine law. These commandments were placed within the Ark of the Covenant as a sacred testament to God’s eternal covenant with Israel. The Ark, which was designed to house the most holy and sacred items, became the vessel that carried these divine laws. The Ten Commandments, written by the hand of God Himself, serve as a perpetual reminder of His will for His people.

In Exodus 31:18, it is written:
"And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God."
This act of God inscribing the commandments on stone symbolizes the permanence and immutability of His Law. It is not a mere set of rules, but a divine instruction, engraved in the very fabric of creation, revealing God’s holiness and His desire for His people to walk in righteousness before Him.

The Ten Commandments represent the core of the Law, a law that is holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). These commandments are not transient or negotiable, but they are sacred and eternal. In Matthew 5:18, Jesus Himself affirmed the enduring nature of God's law:
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."
This declaration from Jesus underscores that God's moral law remains unchanged and is binding upon all people, not just Israel, now and forever.

Though the Ten Commandments were initially given to the people of Israel, the chosen nation, they were always meant to point to a universal truth for all mankind. God chose Israel as His special people, through whom He would reveal His holiness and plan of salvation to the world. In Deuteronomy 7:6, we read:
"For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth."
But God's plan was always broader than just one nation. Israel was called to be a light to the nations, reflecting God's truth and law to the world.

With the coming of Jesus Christ, this calling was extended to all believers, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or nation. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, affirmed that God's commandments were not only for Israel, but for all who would follow Him. In Matthew 28:19-20, He commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He had commanded. This includes the eternal moral principles revealed in the Ten Commandments. Jesus also spoke of the law being fulfilled through love, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40:
"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'"
Here, Jesus affirms that love for God and love for others are the essence of the law, and these commandments apply to all who would follow Him.

Through the work of Jesus Christ, the Law was not abolished but fulfilled. Romans 10:4 says:
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
Jesus is the fulfillment of all the righteous requirements of the law, and through faith in Him, all believers, whether Jew or Gentile, are called to live in accordance with the moral principles expressed in the Ten Commandments.

The Apostle Paul further confirms this in Romans 3:31:
"Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law."
In Christ, the law is established, not nullified. As believers, we are not saved by our ability to perfectly keep the law, but we are called to live according to the law’s righteous standard as an expression of our love and gratitude to God for His salvation.

The Ten Commandments represent the core of God's law, a law that is eternal, holy, and good. These commandments are not simply a historical relic, but they continue to have relevance for all people, as God's moral law is the standard by which we are to live. As it is written in 1 John 5:3:
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
The commandments are an expression of God's loving will for His creation, and they serve as a guide for all believers in both the Old and New Covenants.

Therefore, the Ten Commandments, which were originally given to the people of Israel, are now a holy standard for all who are in Christ. The law was meant for Israel, as God’s chosen people, but now, through Jesus Christ, it extends to all believers. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 42:6, where God says:
"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles."

The Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments not only had profound significance on earth, but their spiritual and eternal importance is also highlighted in the book of Revelation. In Revelation, the Ark is seen in heaven, symbolizing both God’s law and His eternal covenant with His people. This heavenly vision affirms the enduring nature of the Ten Commandments and their place in God’s plan of salvation, extending beyond the earthly tabernacle to the very throne of God.

In Revelation 11:19, we read:

"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." (NKJV)

This passage is significant because it shows that the Ark, which was once hidden in the Most Holy Place in the earthly tabernacle, is now visible in the heavenly temple. The appearance of the Ark in heaven is a symbol of the permanence and sanctity of God’s covenant and law. The Ten Commandments, placed within the Ark, were not temporary or merely symbolic; they represent the unchanging, eternal principles that reflect God's holiness, justice, and mercy.

The vision in Revelation shows that God's law is still honored and upheld in His heavenly kingdom, affirming that the Ten Commandments continue to hold a central place in His divine plan. The lightning, thunder, and earthquake that accompany the unveiling of the Ark emphasize the awe and majesty surrounding God's holiness and His righteous judgment. These phenomena remind us that God’s law is not only a guide for living on earth but a reflection of His eternal nature, which will endure in the heavenly realms.

In Revelation, we also see the fulfillment of what the Ark pointed to: the ultimate covenant through Jesus Christ, who has perfectly fulfilled the law. As we look to the Ark in heaven, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is the true fulfillment of the law, having taken the punishment for our sin, which the law reveals, upon Himself. The eternal presence of the Ark in heaven highlights both the importance of the law and the greater grace and salvation offered through Christ, as it is written in Matthew 5:17:
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."

Thus, the Ark seen in heaven in Revelation demonstrates the ongoing significance of God’s law, the Ten Commandments, in the heavenly realm, and serves as a reminder that God's holiness and His covenant with His people are eternal. It also points to the fulfillment of God’s promises through Christ, showing that His law and His grace are inseparable. The Ark in heaven and the Ten Commandments within it remind believers of the holy standard by which God governs His kingdom and the grace He offers to all who trust in Him.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

The Importance of the sabbath, part of the covenant, part of the 10 commandments was also highlighted and We should not forget that he jar of manna placed in the Ark of the Covenant is a very significant element in the story of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The act of placing the manna inside the Ark carries deep theological meaning, especially in connection with the Sabbath and God’s provision for His people. To understand this, we must first look at the context and the significance of manna in the biblical narrative, and then consider the deeper spiritual lessons that are linked to both the Sabbath and God's covenant with Israel.

The Manna: God’s Provision in the Wilderness​

The manna was a miraculous food that God provided for the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. In Exodus 16, we read the account of how God provided this sustenance. The manna came down each morning, covering the ground like dew, and the Israelites gathered it for food. However, there were specific instructions regarding how they were to collect and use the manna, and these instructions are key to understanding the significance of the manna in the Ark.

Exodus 16:4-5 (NKJV) says:​

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.'"​

Exodus 16:19-20 (NKJV):​

"And Moses said, 'Let no one leave any of it till morning.' Notwithstanding, they did not heed Moses; but some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them."​

This passage illustrates that the manna was to be collected daily, and on the sixth day, the people were to gather twice as much, as no manna would fall on the Sabbath day (the seventh day). This teaches them that God is both their Provider and their Sovereign, and that they are to obey His commands and trust in His provision, especially concerning the Sabbath.

The Significance of the Jar of Manna in the Ark​

The specific command to place a jar of manna in the Ark of the Covenant is given in Exodus 16:32-34:

"Then Moses said, 'This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: Fill an omer with it to be kept for your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.' And Moses said to Aaron, 'Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generations.' As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept." (Exodus 16:32-34, NKJV)

This jar of manna was preserved for future generations as a reminder of God’s miraculous provision for Israel in the wilderness, and more importantly, a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His covenant. The manna in the Ark serves as a memorial of God’s sustaining grace, but also as a teaching tool for the Israelites to learn the deeper spiritual truths embedded in their history.

The Manna and the Sabbath​

The relationship between the manna and the Sabbath is profound. God’s provision of manna itself pointed to a fundamental truth about the Sabbath: it was a day of rest and trust in God. The command to gather double the amount of manna on the sixth day and none on the seventh was a clear instruction that pointed to the Sabbath as a special day set apart by God, in which His people were to rest from labor and trust in His sufficiency.

Exodus 16:23-26 (NKJV):​

"Then he said to them, 'This is what the Lord has said: "Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning."’ So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. Then Moses said, 'Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.'"​

Here we see the divine connection between the Sabbath and the provision of manna. On the Sabbath, no manna would be gathered from the field, and this was an intentional command from God to demonstrate that He is the true Provider. His people were to rest from labor on the seventh day and trust that God would sustain them. In doing so, they would learn to depend on God, not just for their daily food but for all their needs. This foreshadowed the spiritual rest and trust in God that Jesus would later invite His followers into.

• Exodus 16:29 (NKJV):
  "See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."
  This emphasizes that the Sabbath was a gift from God, a day of rest where His people could experience His faithfulness and peace.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Manna and the Sabbath​

The manna placed in the Ark is rich with spiritual symbolism. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of Himself as the true Bread from Heaven, fulfilling the symbolism of the manna.

John 6:31-35 (NKJV):​

"Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' Then Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' Then they said to Him, 'Lord, give us this bread always.' And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.'"​

Jesus is the true manna, the bread of life, who sustains and gives eternal life to those who trust in Him. Just as the Israelites were sustained by the physical manna in the wilderness, believers today are sustained spiritually by Christ. The manna in the Ark is pointing to the spiritual nourishment that God would provide through His Son.

The Sabbath as a Sign of the Covenant​

In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and his people. It was a day of rest, but more than just physical rest—it symbolized spiritual rest in God. The Israelites were to rest from their own works, acknowledging that it was God alone who provided for their needs. By observing the Sabbath, they were acknowledging their dependence on God’s provision and trusting that He would take care of them.

Exodus 31:13-17 (NKJV):​

"Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.'"​

The placement of the manna in the Ark serves as a physical reminder of God’s provision and the spiritual rest He offered, foreshadowing the rest that would come through faith in Jesus Christ. The manna in the Ark was a symbol of God’s faithfulness, just as the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between God and His people.

The Manna, the Ark, and the Sabbath​

The jar of manna in the Ark of the Covenant serves as a powerful symbol of God's faithful provision, His covenant with Israel, and His commandment of rest. The manna was a tangible reminder to the Israelites of how God had provided for them in the wilderness and taught them to trust in Him, particularly concerning the Sabbath. The relationship between the manna and the Sabbath shows that the Sabbath is not merely a day of physical rest but a spiritual rest in God’s sufficiency. Ultimately, the manna in the Ark points to Jesus Christ, the true Bread of Life, who offers eternal nourishment and rest to all who come to Him.

May we, learn to rest in God’s provision, trusting Him for our daily bread, and may we find our ultimate rest in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the manna from heaven.

Blessings.

 

[Leaf473]

The Ten Commandments are the very foundation of the Covenant between God and His people, representing the heart of His divine law. These commandments were placed within the Ark of the Covenant as a sacred testament to God’s eternal covenant with Israel. The Ark, which was designed to house the most holy and sacred items, became the vessel that carried these divine laws. The Ten Commandments, written by the hand of God Himself, serve as a perpetual reminder of His will for His people.

In Exodus 31:18, it is written:
"And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God."
This act of God inscribing the commandments on stone symbolizes the permanence and immutability of His Law. It is not a mere set of rules, but a divine instruction, engraved in the very fabric of creation, revealing God’s holiness and His desire for His people to walk in righteousness before Him.

The Ten Commandments represent the core of the Law, a law that is holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). These commandments are not transient or negotiable, but they are sacred and eternal. In Matthew 5:18, Jesus Himself affirmed the enduring nature of God's law:
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."
This declaration from Jesus underscores that God's moral law remains unchanged and is binding upon all people, not just Israel, now and forever.

Though the Ten Commandments were initially given to the people of Israel, the chosen nation, they were always meant to point to a universal truth for all mankind. God chose Israel as His special people, through whom He would reveal His holiness and plan of salvation to the world. In Deuteronomy 7:6, we read:
"For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth."
But God's plan was always broader than just one nation. Israel was called to be a light to the nations, reflecting God's truth and law to the world.

With the coming of Jesus Christ, this calling was extended to all believers, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or nation. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, affirmed that God's commandments were not only for Israel, but for all who would follow Him. In Matthew 28:19-20, He commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that He had commanded. This includes the eternal moral principles revealed in the Ten Commandments. Jesus also spoke of the law being fulfilled through love, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40:
"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'"
Here, Jesus affirms that love for God and love for others are the essence of the law, and these commandments apply to all who would follow Him.

Through the work of Jesus Christ, the Law was not abolished but fulfilled. Romans 10:4 says:
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
Jesus is the fulfillment of all the righteous requirements of the law, and through faith in Him, all believers, whether Jew or Gentile, are called to live in accordance with the moral principles expressed in the Ten Commandments.

The Apostle Paul further confirms this in Romans 3:31:
"Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law."
In Christ, the law is established, not nullified. As believers, we are not saved by our ability to perfectly keep the law, but we are called to live according to the law’s righteous standard as an expression of our love and gratitude to God for His salvation.

The Ten Commandments represent the core of God's law, a law that is eternal, holy, and good. These commandments are not simply a historical relic, but they continue to have relevance for all people, as God's moral law is the standard by which we are to live. As it is written in 1 John 5:3:
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
The commandments are an expression of God's loving will for His creation, and they serve as a guide for all believers in both the Old and New Covenants.

Therefore, the Ten Commandments, which were originally given to the people of Israel, are now a holy standard for all who are in Christ. The law was meant for Israel, as God’s chosen people, but now, through Jesus Christ, it extends to all believers. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 42:6, where God says:
"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles."

The Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments not only had profound significance on earth, but their spiritual and eternal importance is also highlighted in the book of Revelation. In Revelation, the Ark is seen in heaven, symbolizing both God’s law and His eternal covenant with His people. This heavenly vision affirms the enduring nature of the Ten Commandments and their place in God’s plan of salvation, extending beyond the earthly tabernacle to the very throne of God.

In Revelation 11:19, we read:

"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." (NKJV)

This passage is significant because it shows that the Ark, which was once hidden in the Most Holy Place in the earthly tabernacle, is now visible in the heavenly temple. The appearance of the Ark in heaven is a symbol of the permanence and sanctity of God’s covenant and law. The Ten Commandments, placed within the Ark, were not temporary or merely symbolic; they represent the unchanging, eternal principles that reflect God's holiness, justice, and mercy.

The vision in Revelation shows that God's law is still honored and upheld in His heavenly kingdom, affirming that the Ten Commandments continue to hold a central place in His divine plan. The lightning, thunder, and earthquake that accompany the unveiling of the Ark emphasize the awe and majesty surrounding God's holiness and His righteous judgment. These phenomena remind us that God’s law is not only a guide for living on earth but a reflection of His eternal nature, which will endure in the heavenly realms.

In Revelation, we also see the fulfillment of what the Ark pointed to: the ultimate covenant through Jesus Christ, who has perfectly fulfilled the law. As we look to the Ark in heaven, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is the true fulfillment of the law, having taken the punishment for our sin, which the law reveals, upon Himself. The eternal presence of the Ark in heaven highlights both the importance of the law and the greater grace and salvation offered through Christ, as it is written in Matthew 5:17:
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."

Thus, the Ark seen in heaven in Revelation demonstrates the ongoing significance of God’s law, the Ten Commandments, in the heavenly realm, and serves as a reminder that God's holiness and His covenant with His people are eternal. It also points to the fulfillment of God’s promises through Christ, showing that His law and His grace are inseparable. The Ark in heaven and the Ten Commandments within it remind believers of the holy standard by which God governs His kingdom and the grace He offers to all who trust in Him.

Hi JesusFollowerForever

The Old Covenant was based on a set of external rules

In the New Covenant, those rules are internalized

Some will say that they are exactly the same. But if that's the case, the rules would have to be put in our mind and hearts in Hebrew

if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law
Galatians 5

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

Hi JesusFollowerForever

The Old Covenant was based on a set of external rules

In the New Covenant, those rules are internalized

can you tell me Leaf what are these rules under the new covenant are? I would like to know what you think on this.

Best,

 

[HIM]

I don't see your answer to the above two questions, maybe you're still thinking

No busy

 

[Leaf473]

can you tell me Leaf what are these rules under the new covenant are? I would like to know what you think on this.

It's the same Torah (which means way, path, law). God promised that he would put it in our minds and write it on our hearts

Of course, it's not letters, then it would be Hebrew

If you're looking for a handy way to discuss it, I'd say that what I see put in my mind is along the lines of love other people like Jesus loves me

Best,

May the peace that Jesus gives be always with you

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

It's the same Torah (which means way, path, law). God promised that he would put it in our minds and write it on our hearts

Of course, it's not letters, then it would be Hebrew

If you're looking for a handy way to discuss it, I'd say that what I see put in my mind is along the lines of love other people like Jesus loves me


May the peace that Jesus gives be always with you

I like what you say, it is true the same but in out hearts. Just to mention , but you already know this, Jesus spoke love god with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself, Paul's version is a little short he just mention to love your neighbour as yourself, just want to make the point that Loving God is the most important commandment and I hope you agree,

Blessings, and may Peace be with you also.

 

[Leaf473]

I like what you say, it is true the same but in out hearts. Just to mention , but you already know this, Jesus spoke love god with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself, Paul's version is a little short he just mention to love your neighbour as yourself, just want to make the point that Loving God is the most important commandment and I hope you agree,

Blessings, and may Peace be with you also.

Do you believe Paul's version is incorrect? Or incomplete?

I believe Paul said the right thing, but it's a paradox

 

[Diamond72]

And again you keep on using this absurd argument that Paul was the one undermining God’s commandments.

2 Peter 3:16 Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

In Romans Paul says: Romans 3:10: "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one.'" This is a reference to: Psalm 14:3 "All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one."

David is easier to understand than Paul. David says we can be GOOD under the law but only through faith can we be right or righteous. The point is the law is not enough. The phrase "Depart from me" is famously found in the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. It appears in different contexts, often highlighting the importance of true faith and righteous living.

The Sabbath is a special day meant for rest and rejuvenation. It provides an opportunity to pause from the busyness of everyday life and connect more deeply with God, our families, and our communities.

David tells us that the law and the commandments of God were given for our benefit. God loves us and God wants what is best for us.

Psalm 19:7-8: "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

That is absurd to say that God does not want the best for us. Even as a parent wants the best for their child.

 

[Diamond72]

Jesus spoke love god with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself

Jesus said: Heart, Mind, Soul & Strength. Moses said Heart, soul and strength. Jesus is allowed to add to Moses and Moses tells us that He would. Deuteronomy 18:15: Moses speaks of a future prophet like himself: "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him."

Sermon on the Mount: In passages like Matthew 5-7, Jesus expands on the teachings of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the spirit and intent behind the commandments, not just their letter.

 

[Yarddog]

Premises:
1. The Sabbath was a part of the Mosaic Law and of the Mosaic Law only.
2. The Law was only for Jews, since Moses till Christ.
3. Even the book of Genesis was a theological part of the Mosaic Law and is not literal (namely in its creation account).

If these premises are all true, we are not supposed to keep the Sabbath.

We, children of God, are alive in the Sabbath, God's rest. There is no work for us to do because it has been completed through Jesus.

We live everyday in God's rest and surrender to his Holy Spirit so that the Spirit works within us.

 

[Leaf473]

We, children of God, are alive in the Sabbath, God's rest. There is no work for us to do because it has been completed through Jesus.

We live everyday in God's rest and surrender to his Holy Spirit so that the Spirit works within us.

Going along with what you were saying,

1 Corinthians 6:20 came to my mind, "You have been bought for a price 

Since we have been bought, there is no "our work"