The 7th Day Sabbath is The Lord's Day, and a day of rest and spiritual significance. It is a day to pause, reflect, gather for a holy convocation, and worship the Lord our God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and it holds special meaning in the biblical narrative. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, and begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. In this blog, we will explore the origin and meaning of the Sabbath, the shift from christians observing the 7th day Sabbath to the 1st day Sunday worship, and the different interpretations of the Sabbath in various religions. We will also delve into the theological implications of the Sabbath, its importance in today's churches, and the challenges and practical applications of observing the Sabbath in our modern lives. Join us in unraveling the rich tapestry of the Sabbath and uncovering God's seal, His day of rest, holy convocation, and rejuvenation.
The Origin of Sabbath in Genesis
The Sabbath is first mentioned in the book of Genesis (Genesis 2:1-3). In the book of Genesis 2:1–3, it describes God creation and introduces a 7 day week, and on the 7th day, God rested from His 6 days of labors and then pronounced the 7th day Holy. This day man and woman spent together with God in rest and in worship, instituting the 7th Day Sabbath as a pattern. This special reference to the seventh day sets it apart from the other days of the week and designates it as a day of rest and worship. God's rest on the seventh day is the first mention of the Sabbath in the biblical tradition. Sabbath rest is a day of spiritual matters and special reference to God's work in the creation. Observance of the Sabbath in Genesis is rooted in the biblical tradition and serves as a day of rest, reflection, and spiritual renewal. God's command to keep the Sabbath day holy is an important aspect of the Old Testament law and spiritual practice. It was instituted by God from the very beginning, before the fall of man in the garden. Sabbath rest is a day to cease from work, engage in spiritual activities, and worship the Lord, our God.
The Commandment in Exodus
The Sabbath observance is also the fourth of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God at Mount (Exodus 20:8-11).
8Â Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9Â Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 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:
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
In the book of Exodus, God's command to keep the Sabbath day holy is significant. It is a day when God's people are called to honor the Lord and set aside secular activities, to honor Him, and remember the work of God in creation.
Written By The Finger of God
In Exodus 31:12-18 12, the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign (also meaning seal) between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God."
Was There a Shift from 7th Day Sabbath to Sunday?
Many christians today think Sunday, the first day of the week is the sabbath the Lord speaks about in Exodus 20:8-11. That is a misconception. The shift from christians 7th Day Sabbath to 1st day Sunday worship was instituted by the Roman Catholic Church. On March 7, 321, however, Roman Emperor Constantine I issued a civil decree making Sunday a day of rest from labor, stating: All judges and city people and the craftsmen shall rest upon the venerable day of the sun. This act was done by man, not by God. This is why God said to us in Exodus 20:8 to remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy. God knows the end before the beginning. He knew there would be evil men seeking to change times and laws, and due to it, people would forget and need to be reminded.
This transition took place over the course of several centuries and was influenced by various factors. Emperor Constantine's Sunday law made Sunday a day of rest. This law, known as the Edict of Constantine, was a significant milestone in the shift from Sabbath to Sunday worship. Sunday, known as the venerable day of the sun, became the new day of rest and worship, replacing the Sabbath in many Christian communities. However, there is no reference or scripture in the Bible that states God, our Creator shifted the solemnity of 7th Day Sabbath to Sunday, and the Bible scriptures people use to uphold Sunday as the Sabbath are taken out of context and misconstrued.
Influence of Sun Worship
The influence of sun worship in the Roman Empire played a role in the transition from Sabbath to Sunday worship. Sun worship was prevalent in Roman culture, and the day of the sun, Sunday, held special significance. Emperor Constantine's decision to establish Sunday as the day of rest and worship in the Roman Empire was influenced by the venerable day of the sun and its association with sun worship. This influence, along with Constantine's Sunday law, contributed to the adoption of Sunday as the new day of rest and worship, replacing the Sabbath in many Christian communities. The shift from Sabbath to Sunday worship reflected the merging of Roman culture and Christianity in the early centuries of the church.
Judaism and the Sabbath
In Judaism, the Sabbath is observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. It is a day of rest, prayer, and family time. Observance of the Sabbath is rooted in the Hebrew calendar and is a time for spiritual reflection and connection with God. The Sabbath is marked by the lighting of Shabbat candles, the observance of special meals, and the refraining from work. Sabbath rest in Judaism is a time to cease from work, engage in spiritual activities, and honor the commandments of the Torah. It is a day when Jewish people gather in synagogues to worship and study, and it is a day when families come together to celebrate and rest in God's presence.
Christianity and the Sunday Worship
Unfortunately, the Roman Catholic Church named themselves the first church, causing confusion to some about who the first early christian church actually was. However, in Christianity, the early christians (called Gentiles) did observe the 7th Day Sabbath along with the Jews at the first christian church in Bible history, known as the Church of Antioch (Acts 11:26).
26Â And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
These early christians observed the 7th Day as the Sabbath (Act 13:14-15)
14Â But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15Â And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
After Christ's crucifixion, many christians gathered on the first day (Sunday) due to fear and they were in hiding; they break bread, and this they did daily (Acts 2:42, 46). In Acts 20:7, the disciples came together again breaking bread and The Apostle Paul preached unto them. The Apostle Paul continued his speech until midnight meaning he continued upon the first day. This means Paul began on the 7th Day Sabbath, and continued to midnight, bringing them into the first day of the week which is Sunday, as Genesis 1 explains the mark of a new day is from evening to evening. Thus proving that a shift from Sabbath to Sunday worship in Christianity is not reflected in any Biblical examples, in old or new testaments.
7th Day Sabbath: The Seal of God
The 7th Day Sabbath is the Seal of God. When something is sealed, it cannot be changed. An example of this is in the book of Esther, when King Ahasuerus' ring was used to seal the Jew's death decree. Once sealed, it could not be undone. However, God intervened to save the Jews through Queen Esther.
On a king's ring, his seal has three distinct things, his name, his title, and his territory. In the United States of America, the president's seal also includes three things, his name, title, and territory. For example, the current president's seal says, Joe Biden, President of the United States. In the Bible, it identifies the 7th Day Sabbath as the the seal of the Lord, with all three parts of a seal. It identifies the Lord our God as his name, his title as Maker because He made heaven and earth, and identifies his territory as the 7th day. This is the Lord's holy day, for a day of worship. There is no wonder the devil would want to imitate this by instituting a false day of worship on the first day of the week. God's seal is closely tied to the Sabbath, representing rest and holiness. The Sabbath itself serves as God's seal, a special symbol of His authority and sanctification. It is a powerful reminder of our connection with God and His commandments. Remember keeping Gods Commandments is being free from sin this is how we become sealed by God.
Today's Churches and Their Sunday "Sabbath"
The transition some have made from observing the Sabbath on the seventh day to the first day can be traced back to the influence of Roman Emperor Constantine and the shift in Christian Sabbath practices. Additionally, significant changes such as the celebration of the Sabbath coinciding with the new year and sports events further altered the perception of the Sabbath in different regions like South Africa and North America. The Middle Ages saw ongoing debates regarding the Sabbath, while the LDS prophets reinforced the observance of the Sabbath on the first day. Notably, the initial divergence in Sabbath practices among Jewish Christians is attributed to the Julian calendar. The Sabbath has undergone substantial transformation over time, influenced by figures like Hippolytus of Rome and the eventual standardization through the Gregorian calendar adopted by the Church of Jesus Christ.
Is Sunday Worship a Violation of God's Commandment?
Is Sunday Worship a Violation of God's Commandment? Sunday worship has been a topic of debate among religious communities. Some argue that Sunday worship goes against the commandment to observe the Sabbath on the seventh day, while others believe it is a valid expression of worship. This article examines both perspectives and by letting the Bible speak for itself. Deuteronomy 5:12-15 says,
12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.
13Â Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:
14 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, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
The above Bible scripture from Deuteronomy 5:12-15 clearly explains that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord which we are to keep and sanctify it, further proving that replacing it with Sunday worship instead is a violation of God's commandment. There are many people that keep Sunday worship in ignorance and is not aware of the truth. To them, the Lord winks at their ignorance, but to those who know the truth but rejects the truth, to him it is a violation and a sin (Acts 17:30-31).
30Â And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31Â Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
How to get right with God
Aligning oneself with God's commandments and teachings involves honoring and observing the 7th Day Sabbath. It is a sacred time set apart for spiritual pursuits, for faith, for seeking alignment with God's will. Observing the Sabbath is not only a way to establish and maintain a close relationship with God but also a means to seeking healing, direction, and righteousness in God. The Christian Sabbath has a rich history. In order to get right we God, we have to do what Jesus did. Christ observed the 7th day Sabbath (Luke 4:16), he was baptized, and he fasted and prayed to resist Satan's temptation.
The Sabbath is a sacred time set apart for spiritual pursuits in various faiths. The benefits of the Sabbath provides spiritual and practical insights. The observance yields abundant blessings, enriching spiritual comprehension. Grasping the various approaches to embracing the blessings of the Sabbath enhances spiritual and religious devotion. Delving into the numerous blessings of the Sabbath presents opportunities for spiritual advancement and fulfillment. These blessings extend across spiritual, emotional, and relational dimensions, enriching the lives of believers.
How can we honor God and keep the Sabbath today?
In today's fast-paced and secular world, keeping the Sabbath day holy can pose challenges with some employment options. Believers must find work options that don't impose on our beliefs and refrain from secular activities and the pressures of daily life that could impede the observance of this sacred day. Maintaining its sanctity in the modern era can be quite a test of our faith, especially with technology and societal expectations. We must abstain from technology and societal expectations, and plan and get ready ahead of time for the day of rest, and participate in spiritually uplifting and restful endeavors. Use the day to bond with family and friends, nurturing spiritual and emotional connections. Honoring God and observing the Sabbath in today's world involves spiritual devotion, rest, and worship. By dedicating time to connect with God and His teachings, we show reverence and obedience to His commandments. Sabbath observance is the way to honor God and nurture our spiritual connections with Him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all churches are responsible to make people aware of God`s true day of worship, the 7th Day Sabbath (Saturday not Sunday), and read the King James Version of the Bible, as other versions have altered the original meaning of God's word (See Gail Riplinger's video on New Age Bible Versions). A person cannot pick another day as their Sabbath or say that everyday is the Sabbath. If you truly serve God, you will recognize the true Sabbath and his fourth commandment that He established.
Throughout history, there have been various interpretations and practices surrounding the Sabbath, including the false shift from Sabbath to Sunday worship by Roman Emperor Constantine. However, understanding the true meaning and purpose of the Sabbath can bring rest and renewal to our lives. It is a sign of holiness and sanctity, and observing the Sabbath can have a positive impact on our spiritual well-being. While there may be obstacles presented to prevent us from in keeping the Sabbath day holy, God's faithful commandment keeping people must remain faithful. There are practical tips and applications that can help us honor God and maintain Sabbath observance into our daily lives. Let us embrace the Sabbath as a gift from God and experience the blessings it brings, for Mark 2:27-28 explains "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
If you didn't know the truth before, now you know the truth. Please share this so that others can learn the truth too.
Also See: Gail Riplinger's video on New Age Bible Versions
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