“There is no day of the week that is able to save your soul”
By Pastor Arnold Murray of the Shepherd's Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/
Is Saturday the Sabbath or is Sunday the true Sabbath?
Hundreds of you in Christendom ask this question on a yearly basis. We are going to take a look at what God's Word states about our Sabbath. God's Word states nothing about the days of the week, as we know them today. In fact, the days of the week as we know them were not named as such until approximately 200 AD. Obviously, these names were given by man, not by our Father. The word Sabbath is from the Hebrew prime “shabath”:
G4521
σάββατον
sabbaton
sab'-bat-on
Of Hebrew origin [H7676]; the Sabbath (that is, Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension a se'nnight, that is, the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications: - sabbath (day), week.
H7676
שׁבּת
shabbâth
shab-bawth'
Intensive from H7673; intermission, that is, (specifically) the Sabbath
H7673
שׁבת
shâbath
shaw-bath'
A primitive root; to repose, that is, desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causatively, figuratively or specifically)
KJV Usage: (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away.
And it means to rest, or to repose. In the Greek, this word is from “sabbaton” and likewise means to rest. I encourage you to seek the meaning of sabbath from God's Word. Specifically, we are going to be addressing the meaning of Sabbath in relation to the elect. God's elect will be priests and reign with Christ during the millennium. A priest works on the Sabbath any way you want to slice it. Let’s turn to His Word.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Paul is saying he doesn't need to write to you about dates because the elect know the events that lead to the Second Advent.
1 Thess 5:3 For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
As the labor pains of a woman with child become closer-and-closer, so shall the fulfillment of prophecy marking the end of this age and the birth of a new age.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Do not ever forget that! Spiritually, you are children of light. What is your light? Jesus Christ is the light that will keep you in the day and prevent the thief of the night from stealing your salvation.
1 Thess 5:6-7 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
Many today are asleep and in darkness concerning the Bible. Many are drunk with a stupor.
1 Thess 5:8-9 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Put on the gospel armour written of in Ephesians chapter 6. God did not create us to receive His anger. He created you to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, if you love Him and believe Him.
1 Thess 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Children of the light are never in darkness, even when we sleep. He is always there for you. He is your rest. Let's document that Jesus Christ is your rest or your Sabbath, by turning to Hebrews.
Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Some will fail to enter into His rest because they don't care enough about God's Word to know what promises have been made and to claim them.
Hebrews 4:2-3 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter to rest, as He said, As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Peace of mind and true rest belongs to those that hear with understanding. The works of God's rest and salvation were completed before satan's overthrow in the first earth age. God has a plan. He is in control.
Hebrews 4:4 For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works.
Don't correlate the seventh day in this verse with any of our current days of the week. It doesn't fit. Remember, one day with the Lord is as a thousand years (II Peter 3:8).
Hebrews 4:5-6 And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Those that must enter therein are the elect. They do not have a choice. It was foreordained before the foundation of the world [in that first earth age.]
Hebrews 4:7-8 Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day.
Jesus in this verse properly transliterated should be Joshua. It was Joshua that would eventually lead God's children into the promise land. Joshua was a shadow, or a type, of the true rest that was to come, Jesus. Christ would become the light that allows you to escape.
Hebrews 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest
As you learned, the word rest in the three previous verses is from the Greek sabbaton, or sabbath. What must we do to enter that rest? Labor. How many of you have labored to bring the sun up to start a new day? I think none. God's Word is not talking about a day of the week in reference to sabbath. We should labor to increase our belief and faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Passover (I Cor. 5:7). Jesus is our sabbath. There is no day of the week that is able to save your soul. Jesus is able and He will, if you love Him and believe Him.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The word quick in this verse means living. The Living Word will help you divide your fleshly thoughts and allow you to profit from that Word. Remember, we are studying sabbath as it relates to the elect. There is nothing wrong with others setting aside a day of the week; however, the elect should enter the true sabbath, Jesus Christ, every day of the week. There is further documentation that Jesus is our sabbath in Collosians.
Collosians 2:1-2 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.
We have not seen Paul's face; however, God's words through Paul will help you understand the mystery of salvation. Gain knowledge from His Word, and salvation will not be a mystery to you.
Collosians 2:3-4 In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
All wisdom and knowledge comes from our Father. Enticing words from man may deceive you. How can you guard against being deceived? Check out what men say, including this man, against what God's Word says.
Collosians 2:5-8 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him; Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
The rudiments are the evil ways of the world. Never follow men. Follow Jesus Christ. The traditions of men will deceive and disappoint you every time. Christ won't.
Collosians 2:9-10 For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, Which is the head of all principality and power:
Are you complete or are you trying to struggle through life on your own? God is the head of all principality and power including evil. Do the best you are able and then enter His rest. He can get it done.
Collosians 2:11 In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ:
Paul is not talking about a circumcision of the flesh. Both men and women must be circumcised of the heart in Christ to be complete.
Collosians 2:12-13 Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God Who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Spiritually, you are made alive through your faith in the strength of God. Just as God raised Christ from the dead, He is able to raise you from the dead. Sharpen up now, this is why we came here.
Collosians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;
Jesus spilled His blood on the cross and wiped out the blood ordinances of sacrifice.
Collosians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Christ triumphed over the principalities and powers of Satan by overcoming death. You also may openly triumph over Satan through salvation.
Collosians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:
Why? Because Christ nailed these things to the cross. He did not destroy these things, He became these things. Again, I emphasize that I am speaking to the elect's priest work on the sabbath. Don't judge or criticize others that worship on a particular day of the week. If they have a conviction, it is right for them to follow that conviction. The elect, on the other hand have the freedom to do God's work seven days a week. In fact, He expects that of us.
Collosians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
The sabbath days were a shadow of things to come. You have the true Light available to you. You may be complete in Him. Enter into His rest. Jesus Christ is our Sabbath.
In His service, Arnold Murray.