Hebrews 4:9 and the Real "Sabbath" - Jesus

[sparkman]

Hebrews 4:9 and the Sabbath​

Addressing Hebrews 4:9 and the Sabbath-rest that it mentions requires looking at the context of the book of Hebrews.The verse cannot be viewed in isolation.

Hebrews is a book that was addressed to Jewish believers who were considering retreating back into Judaism.

The author of Hebrews (probably Paul) was presenting a comparison to these believers to show that the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant.

Here is how the contrast is drawn
·Jesus is a better revelation of truth (Heb 1:1-3)
·Jesus is better than the angels (Heb 1:3-14)
·Jesus is better than Moses (Heb 3:1-6)
·Jesus is better than Aaron (Heb 5)
·Jesus is a better high priest (Heb 6:7)
·The new covenant has a better law (Heb 7:12)
·The new covenant is a better covenant (Heb 8:6)
·The new covenant has better promises (Heb 8:6)
·The new covenant has a greater temple (Heb 9:11)
·The new covenant has better sacrifices (Heb 9:23)
·The new covenant has a better possession (Heb 10:34)
·The new covenant has a better country (Heb 11:16)
·The new covenant has a better resurrection (Heb 11:35)
·The new covenant has something better (Heb 11:40)
·The new covenant has better blood (Heb 12:24)
·The new covenant has a better atonement (Heb 10:1-25)

Hebrews 4:9 and the Sabbath reference needs to be viewed in a similar manner.New Covenant Christians have a better “Sabbath” than the Old Covenant one.

Hebrews 3: 1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice,8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’11 As I swore in my wrath,‘They shall not enter my rest.’” 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’”although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

The author of Hebrews describes first what God’s rest is not, and then he describes what God’s rest is.

In Hebrews 3 and 4, the argument is being made that Jesus is better that Moses, and that Moses did not give ancient Israel “God’s rest” (3:11). So, the rest which is being addressed here is not talking about the Sabbath command, as Moses did give them the Sabbath commandment through God.

Joshua also did not give them true rest even though he brought them into the Promised Land, which was a type of rest as well (4:8). They enjoyed a type of “rest” but it wasn’t the rest that God spoke of in verse 10 (Josh 21:43-45).

Now that the author has identified two things that this true rest is not, he identifies characteristics related to what this true rest or Sabbath is.

From the remarks underlined above, we can discover three things about this rest. One, it involves the good news or gospel message (4:2, 6). Two, it is entered into by faith (4:3). Three, it is related somehow to the creation week (4:3-4). Four, it involves a rest from works by the person who enters into it (4:10). Five, the Greek phrase for “has rested” indicates the aorist tense, which specifies a particular point of time in the past that happened in an instant.

In essence, these verses describe the real Sabbath, which is manifested in Jesus Christ and placing our faith in Him after hearing the Gospel message. We cease trying to work our way into God’s favor andplace our faith in Him (Romans 4). This is the New Covenant “Sabbath” or rest which is better than the Old Covenant Sabbath.

How does the creation work relate in regards to this?Mankind enjoyed an unfettered relationship with God in the Garden of Eden. This relationship was one of peace, rest and unbroken communion with God. The Sabbath day in the Old Covenant pictured this relationship of peace, rest and unbroken communion with God. Believers under the Old Covenant only enjoyed this oasis of peace, rest and unbroken communion with God during these Sabbaths, though.

The New Covenant believer places his faith in Jesus Christ and experience the real thing, not the Old Covenant type. He experiences an unfettered open relationship with God that is similar to what mankind enjoyed before the Fall in the Garden of Eden, which separated him from close communion with God. The New Covenant believer enjoys peace, rest and unbroken communion with God perpetually.

This is how the New Covenant Sabbath-rest is better than the Old Covenant type that the author discusses. Jesus Christ is our New Covenant Sabbath-rest (Matt. 11:28-30) and we enter that rest through placing our faith in Him.

I can provide a more detailed analysis if anyone needs it.

This information is distilled from Sabbath in Christ by Dale Ratzlaff, a former Seventh Day Adventist pastor.

 

[crossnote]

It is interesting that the Sabbath Command is the only one of the 10 that is amoral while the other 9 are moral and not ceremonial.
So we ask How is it that God's moral Commands are written in our heart without seperating the ceremonial Sabbath.
Answer..In Christ God's rest (Sabbath) is fulfilled and we enter that rest by faith in His Work.

 

[Joidevivre]

It is interesting that the Sabbath Command is the only one of the 10 that is amoral while the other 9 are moral and not ceremonial.
So we ask How is it that God's moral Commands are written in our heart without seperating the ceremonial Sabbath.
Answer..In Christ God's rest (Sabbath) is fulfilled and we enter that rest by faith in His Work.

I wonder sometimes if God is saying, " Give it a rest - all these laws about the Sabbath that people try to put on people."
And I wonder why this becomes such an extreme focus to some people.

But the saddest thing is that all these people who do not believe in the Sabbath rest provided by Christ really can't enter because of unbelief. Why not choose to believe?

This place of rest must be received.

 

[crossnote]

I wonder sometimes if God is saying, " Give it a rest - all these laws about the Sabbath that people try to put on people."
And I wonder why this becomes such an extreme focus to some people.

But the saddest thing is that all these people who do not believe in the Sabbath rest provided by Christ really can't enter because of unbelief. Why not choose to believe?

This place of rest must be received.

Personally I think Sabbath keeping springs from pride...it is something they can do as well as the outward aspects of the other moral laws like coveting. (They say 'I don't steal anything'. ..but they sure covet morally)

 

[Joidevivre]

Personally I think Sabbath keeping springs from pride...it is something they can do as well as the outward aspects of the other moral laws like coveting. (They say 'I don't steal anything'. ..but they sure covet morally)

Yes, I see what you mean. It is an easy thing to do to go to church on a specific day. And not so easy to live out love and mercy from the heart.

 

[sparkman]

Pride is a big part of it. Thinking you have a special relationship with God that others don't appeals to human pride. You know "the truth" and others do not. Groups that teach Sabbathkeeping sometimes couple it with other doctrines that also appeal to pride. The group I was a part of (Armstrongism) claimed that believers who were resurrected were born into the family of God as a literal God being. Satan finds a way to thwart or hinder seekers and believers in any way he can. With some, it is sexual immorality. With others, it is pride. Many Sabbathkeepers have pride issues.

Personally I think Sabbath keeping springs from pride...it is something they can do as well as the outward aspects of the other moral laws like coveting. (They say 'I don't steal anything'. ..but they sure covet morally)

 

[sparkman]

It is interesting that the Sabbath Command is the only one of the 10 that is amoral while the other 9 are moral and not ceremonial.
So we ask How is it that God's moral Commands are written in our heart without seperating the ceremonial Sabbath.
Answer..In Christ God's rest (Sabbath) is fulfilled and we enter that rest by faith in His Work.

I wouldn't use the word amoral. I would say that the Sabbath is ceremonial or ritualistic.

By the way I have nothing against those who observe the Sabbath as long as they don't consider it a condition or requirement of salvation, or a necessary fruit of salvation. Some Sabbathkeepers consider it to be meaningful for them, and there is nothing wrong with dedicating that time for extra prayer and study.

My concern is with those who essentially deny others are saved or claim that others are spiritually inferior due to the Sabbath. As an ex Sabbathkeeper that was my position, and it is not an uncommon one.

 

[TMS]

​

In Hebrews 3 and 4, the argument is being made that Jesus is better that Moses, and that Moses did not give ancient Israel “God’s rest” (3:11). So, the rest which is being addressed here is not talking about the Sabbath command, as Moses did give them the Sabbath commandment through God.

You are really twisting it. God gave the Sabbath rest at creation.
Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
(Notice before Sin ever entered Given to perfect people)

Yes it is true the old covenant is gone and the new one is better, but could the Ten commandments be part of the new one? You will say NO. but i say yes because the old covenant had the same principles and concepts but in an symbolic earthly way. It was a shadow of the heavenly, which was based on Jesus, the Gospel, and the Heavenly sanctuary (better everything). On Earth all the ceremonies and laws given to Gods people where to point them to Jesus and when He came we could see the real thing. How did Jesus fulfil the ten commandments or replace the Ten commandments? Remember the daily scarifies and the high priest are no longer needed because Jesus is the lamb and the high priest. The Ten commandments are principles of love that God wrote with his own finger. If they were part of the old where do they fit into the new? There are lots of things were God has hidden messages that point to Jesus (The manna in the wilderness). Can i find rest in Jesus and keep the Sabbath as well? If Jesus convicts my heart to not steal my neighbours car, and i steal it anyway i find i don't have rest with my Lord until i repent and sort it out. If i am convicted about the Sabbath does that mean i'm keeping it to be saved? No keeping any law will not save me, faith in Jesus alone is where i find peace and rest from my guilt and shame. If the Sabbath helps me to rest physically and mentally so i can find Jesus in a deeper way i find it is a blessing for me and i come closer to Jesus as a result. Why should i stop keeping the Sabbath rest when it helps me to have spiritual rest in Jesus?

 

[sparkman]

I have no issue with those who observe the Sabbath and do not claim it is a condition, requirement, or necessary fruit of salvation. Once a person steps into that realm, they are a Judaizer.

The reasoning behind my analysis of those verses is solid. I was a Sabbathkeeper for over a decade so I know both sides of the arguments.

Concerning the Sabbath, God rested in the creation week, but there is no evidence of any human being resting on the Sabbath until Moses. Believers are obedient to the laws that apply to them, and the Sabbath applied to ancient Israel, not Christians.

What is your position regarding the Sabbath? Is it a requirement or condition of salvation? Is it a necessary fruit of salvation? Can a non-Sabbathkeeper be a faithful, spiritual Christian who is as converted as you, even if he never keeps the Sabbath?

These are questions that many Sabbathkeepers won't answer honestly as they do think it is requirement or condition of salvation, or a necessary fruit of salvation. They know these questions betray their contempt for others and their assertions of spiritual superiority.

You are really twisting it. God gave the Sabbath rest at creation.
Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
(Notice before Sin ever entered Given to perfect people)

Yes it is true the old covenant is gone and the new one is better, but could the Ten commandments be part of the new one? You will say NO. but i say yes because the old covenant had the same principles and concepts but in an symbolic earthly way. It was a shadow of the heavenly, which was based on Jesus, the Gospel, and the Heavenly sanctuary (better everything). On Earth all the ceremonies and laws given to Gods people where to point them to Jesus and when He came we could see the real thing. How did Jesus fulfil the ten commandments or replace the Ten commandments? Remember the daily scarifies and the high priest are no longer needed because Jesus is the lamb and the high priest. The Ten commandments are principles of love that God wrote with his own finger. If they were part of the old where do they fit into the new? There are lots of things were God has hidden messages that point to Jesus (The manna in the wilderness). Can i find rest in Jesus and keep the Sabbath as well? If Jesus convicts my heart to not steal my neighbours car, and i steal it anyway i find i don't have rest with my Lord until i repent and sort it out. If i am convicted about the Sabbath does that mean i'm keeping it to be saved? No keeping any law will not save me, faith in Jesus alone is where i find peace and rest from my guilt and shame. If the Sabbath helps me to rest physically and mentally so i can find Jesus in a deeper way i find it is a blessing for me and i come closer to Jesus as a result. Why should i stop keeping the Sabbath rest when it helps me to have spiritual rest in Jesus?

 

[sparkman]

It is interesting that the Sabbath Command is the only one of the 10 that is amoral while the other 9 are moral and not ceremonial.
So we ask How is it that God's moral Commands are written in our heart without seperating the ceremonial Sabbath.
Answer..In Christ God's rest (Sabbath) is fulfilled and we enter that rest by faith in His Work.

On second thought, amoral is a good word because it is morally neutral. My mistake.

It is ceremonial or ritualistic in nature, not a moral absolute, like circumcision.

 

[Biblelogic01]

Hebrews 4:9 and the Sabbath​

Addressing Hebrews 4:9 and the Sabbath-rest that it mentions requires looking at the context of the book of Hebrews.The verse cannot be viewed in isolation.

Hebrews is a book that was addressed to Jewish believers who were considering retreating back into Judaism.

The author of Hebrews (probably Paul) was presenting a comparison to these believers to show that the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant.

Here is how the contrast is drawn
·Jesus is a better revelation of truth (Heb 1:1-3)
·Jesus is better than the angels (Heb 1:3-14)
·Jesus is better than Moses (Heb 3:1-6)
·Jesus is better than Aaron (Heb 5)
·Jesus is a better high priest (Heb 6:7)
·The new covenant has a better law (Heb 7:12)
·The new covenant is a better covenant (Heb 8:6)
·The new covenant has better promises (Heb 8:6)
·The new covenant has a greater temple (Heb 9:11)
·The new covenant has better sacrifices (Heb 9:23)
·The new covenant has a better possession (Heb 10:34)
·The new covenant has a better country (Heb 11:16)
·The new covenant has a better resurrection (Heb 11:35)
·The new covenant has something better (Heb 11:40)
·The new covenant has better blood (Heb 12:24)
·The new covenant has a better atonement (Heb 10:1-25)

Hebrews 4:9 and the Sabbath reference needs to be viewed in a similar manner.New Covenant Christians have a better “Sabbath” than the Old Covenant one.

Hebrews 3: 1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice,8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’11 As I swore in my wrath,‘They shall not enter my rest.’” 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’”although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

The author of Hebrews describes first what God’s rest is not, and then he describes what God’s rest is.

In Hebrews 3 and 4, the argument is being made that Jesus is better that Moses, and that Moses did not give ancient Israel “God’s rest” (3:11). So, the rest which is being addressed here is not talking about the Sabbath command, as Moses did give them the Sabbath commandment through God.

Joshua also did not give them true rest even though he brought them into the Promised Land, which was a type of rest as well (4:8). They enjoyed a type of “rest” but it wasn’t the rest that God spoke of in verse 10 (Josh 21:43-45).

Now that the author has identified two things that this true rest is not, he identifies characteristics related to what this true rest or Sabbath is.

From the remarks underlined above, we can discover three things about this rest. One, it involves the good news or gospel message (4:2, 6). Two, it is entered into by faith (4:3). Three, it is related somehow to the creation week (4:3-4). Four, it involves a rest from works by the person who enters into it (4:10). Five, the Greek phrase for “has rested” indicates the aorist tense, which specifies a particular point of time in the past that happened in an instant.

In essence, these verses describe the real Sabbath, which is manifested in Jesus Christ and placing our faith in Him after hearing the Gospel message. We cease trying to work our way into God’s favor andplace our faith in Him (Romans 4). This is the New Covenant “Sabbath” or rest which is better than the Old Covenant Sabbath.

How does the creation work relate in regards to this?Mankind enjoyed an unfettered relationship with God in the Garden of Eden. This relationship was one of peace, rest and unbroken communion with God. The Sabbath day in the Old Covenant pictured this relationship of peace, rest and unbroken communion with God. Believers under the Old Covenant only enjoyed this oasis of peace, rest and unbroken communion with God during these Sabbaths, though.

The New Covenant believer places his faith in Jesus Christ and experience the real thing, not the Old Covenant type. He experiences an unfettered open relationship with God that is similar to what mankind enjoyed before the Fall in the Garden of Eden, which separated him from close communion with God. The New Covenant believer enjoys peace, rest and unbroken communion with God perpetually.

This is how the New Covenant Sabbath-rest is better than the Old Covenant type that the author discusses. Jesus Christ is our New Covenant Sabbath-rest (Matt. 11:28-30) and we enter that rest through placing our faith in Him.

I can provide a more detailed analysis if anyone needs it.

This information is distilled from Sabbath in Christ by Dale Ratzlaff, a former Seventh Day Adventist pastor.

So God changed His mind when He said follow these through all generations? Even if it only pertains to Jews. God said to oberserve it/ keep it holy/ however you want to word it God said through all generations. So even though Hebrews is to the Jews, I do not believe Paul would say something that God said to follow forever is to be stopped. Because then either that makes God contradicting, or it makes Paul wrong (I do not think God is contradicting, and I do not believe Paul is wrong).

So which do you think it is? Is Paul saying you don't have to observe Sabbath, or are you saying God is a contradicting God?

 

[Biblelogic01]

Now that is a rhetorical question. And the position on it is, that a lot of people will state that when God say follow/oberserve it through all generations, a lot of people will say, "well that's for Israel" or, "that's for the Jews". And that's where I'm coming from. That is if that is the case of that "it's for just Israel, or Jews". Why would Paul teach of not observing Sabbath as a Holy day on the 7th day of the week? Which I don't think he was doing.

 

[Grandpa]

You are really twisting it. God gave the Sabbath rest at creation.
Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
(Notice before Sin ever entered Given to perfect people)

Yes it is true the old covenant is gone and the new one is better, but could the Ten commandments be part of the new one? You will say NO. but i say yes because the old covenant had the same principles and concepts but in an symbolic earthly way. It was a shadow of the heavenly, which was based on Jesus, the Gospel, and the Heavenly sanctuary (better everything). On Earth all the ceremonies and laws given to Gods people where to point them to Jesus and when He came we could see the real thing. How did Jesus fulfil the ten commandments or replace the Ten commandments? Remember the daily scarifies and the high priest are no longer needed because Jesus is the lamb and the high priest. The Ten commandments are principles of love that God wrote with his own finger. If they were part of the old where do they fit into the new? There are lots of things were God has hidden messages that point to Jesus (The manna in the wilderness). Can i find rest in Jesus and keep the Sabbath as well? If Jesus convicts my heart to not steal my neighbours car, and i steal it anyway i find i don't have rest with my Lord until i repent and sort it out. If i am convicted about the Sabbath does that mean i'm keeping it to be saved? No keeping any law will not save me, faith in Jesus alone is where i find peace and rest from my guilt and shame. If the Sabbath helps me to rest physically and mentally so i can find Jesus in a deeper way i find it is a blessing for me and i come closer to Jesus as a result. Why should i stop keeping the Sabbath rest when it helps me to have spiritual rest in Jesus?

Does pretending to work at the law cause us to be obedient to it?

We already know flesh and the carnal mind can't obey the law. So the best the flesh and carnal mind can do is mimic actions. The Spirit doesn't need to mimic actions. The Spirit acts because He is the cause of Righteousness. He is the cause of our Obedience.

At some point you would have to ask yourself the same question that Paul asked the Galatians.

Galatians 3:3-5
[SUP]3 [/SUP]Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?


There is nothing wrong with resting in Christ. I just wonder why people would only want to rest in Him on saturdays. Whats wrong with sundays and mondays? Tuesdays and wednesdays? Thursdays and fridays?

Can i find rest in Jesus and keep the Sabbath as well?

Well, no you can't. You either work or you rest. You can't do both at the same time.

Its like asking if you can sleep while you are awake. No. You do one or the other. Never both at the same time.

You can't receive a gift and work for it at the same time. Either it will be received as a gift or as a payment.

If it is really just a choice, wouldn't you rather receive His Gift, than the payment for your work?

 

[Biblelogic01]

Does pretending to work at the law cause us to be obedient to it?

We already know flesh and the carnal mind can't obey the law. So the best the flesh and carnal mind can do is mimic actions. The Spirit doesn't need to mimic actions. The Spirit acts because He is the cause of Righteousness. He is the cause of our Obedience.

At some point you would have to ask yourself the same question that Paul asked the Galatians.

Galatians 3:3-5
[SUP]3 [/SUP]Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?


There is nothing wrong with resting in Christ. I just wonder why people would only want to rest in Him on saturdays. Whats wrong with sundays and mondays? Tuesdays and wednesdays? Thursdays and fridays?




Well, no you can't. You either work or you rest. You can't do both at the same time.

Its like asking if you can sleep while you are awake. No. You do one or the other. Never both at the same time.

You can't receive a gift and work for it at the same time. Either it will be received as a gift or as a payment.

If it is really just a choice, wouldn't you rather receive His Gift, than the payment for your work?

I think the blessing from keeping the sabbath are quite nice.

 

[Grandpa]

So God changed His mind when He said follow these through all generations? Even if it only pertains to Jews. God said to oberserve it/ keep it holy/ however you want to word it God said through all generations. So even though Hebrews is to the Jews, I do not believe Paul would say something that God said to follow forever is to be stopped. Because then either that makes God contradicting, or it makes Paul wrong (I do not think God is contradicting, and I do not believe Paul is wrong).

So which do you think it is? Is Paul saying you don't have to observe Sabbath, or are you saying God is a contradicting God?

Its really really simple.

The law is a requirement under Moses. The flesh and the carnal mind attempting to work to fulfill Gods Law.

It is a provision under the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the cause of our Love of God. The cause of all our Love. The cause of all of our Rest and Obedience.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Given by Christ.

Matthew 11:28-29
[SUP]28 [/SUP]Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.


John 14:16-17
[SUP]16 [/SUP]And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

[SUP]17 [/SUP]Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.


Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

 

[Biblelogic01]

Its really really simple.

The law is a requirement under Moses. The flesh and the carnal mind attempting to work to fulfill Gods Law.

It is a provision under the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the cause of our Love of God. The cause of all our Love. The cause of all of our Rest and Obedience.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Given by Christ.

Matthew 11:28-29
[SUP]28 [/SUP]Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.


John 14:16-17
[SUP]16 [/SUP]And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

[SUP]17 [/SUP]Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.


Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

So the quotation of "Through all generations." is just a jest?

Got it.

 

[Grandpa]

I think the blessing from keeping the sabbath are quite nice.

What blessing is that?

 

[Grandpa]

So the quotation of "Through all generations." is just a jest?

Got it.

No.

It is a provision in Christ.

You know God is a provider, right?

 

[Biblelogic01]

What blessing is that?

Dueteronomy 28 is where I believe the blessings are located.
I know a farmer who about 10-15 years ago he had what he called a spiritual revelation.
1 he started sabbath observance of resting on the 7th day.
2 he started farmer according to how it states to take care of your fields according to Torah.
Within a year he started having more produce on his farm than what he knew what to do with (which for a farmer that is a good thing, I'd call it being blessed).

Now my personal experience is when I started sabbath observance I worked retail at a mall (i was 18). I ended up getting 2 jobs there and I had more hours than everyone (except managers), even though I had just started. I also didn't have debt or financial issues.
There was a point where I decided personally to start sabbath observance (about 2 years after starting) because I was struggling spiritually (not with following sabbath, but with faith issue because there was stuff going on with my brother and I was also hanging out with the wrong group of people). When I stopped sabbath observance I both jobs within 2 months. And due to this I also started have financial issues.
after about 2-3 years of this I decided to get back on path with my walk. I didn't immediately go into observing sabbath, but when I did within a month I was offered a pretty good job (which I'm still happily working).
Now to me I concider these things blessings.

Now am I saying people have to follow sabbath? No, I'm not. I'm just defending the fact that sabbath is the 7th day of the week and it's not wrong to observe it, and there just so happens to blessing that I've notice come along with it. And to be clear I'm not saying that someone who does not follow the observance is unblessed. I know many people who are blessed and they do not observe sabbath, but they also do not teach against following/observing it either.

 

[Biblelogic01]

And also along with it, it is a heart situation. If someone follows/observes sabbath and their heart is not in it, they might as well not follow/observe it. God is always looking at the heart of things.

Even though it's a different topic, I did hear a story on the heart and tithing.
The was an assisstant pastor who when the offering plate came around he want to put $5 in. Well he only had a $20, he placed it in the plate and grunted.
His wife turned over and asked what was wrong.
He said, "I wanted to give $5, but I only had a $20"
The wife replied, "Well then you only still gave $5."

So even though that's about tithing, I think the same applies to sabbath observance as well.
Again God is always looking at the heart of things.