The Sabbath - Into His Rest

THE SABBATH

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The Sabbath - Into His Rest

Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested H5117 the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath H7676 day, and hallowed it.

Exodus 31:17 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 H7673, and was refreshed. H5314

Genesis 2:2-3 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he restedH7673 on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. (3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had restedH7673 from all his work which God created and made.

H7673 sha?bath shaw-bath' A primitive root; to repose, that is, desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causatively, figuratively or specifically): - (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.

H7676 shabba?th shab-bawth' Intensive from H7673; intermission, that is, (specifically) the Sabbath: - (+ every)

H5117 nu?ach noo'-akh A primitive root; to rest, that is, settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, intransitively, transitively and causatively (to dwell, stay, let fall, place, let alone, withdraw, give comfort, etc.): - cease, be confederate, lay, let down, (be) quiet, remain, (cause to, be at, give, have, make to) rest, set down. H5314 na?phash naw-fash' A primitive root; to breathe; passively, to be breathed upon, that is, (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a current of air): - (be) refresh selves (-ed).

2 Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, H7673 to fulfil threescore and ten years (seventy years).

Day of rest or God's Rest, Sabbath Day or Sabbath, Seventh Day or day of refreshing, are all speaking the same words but different events. These Sabbaths are treated differently when that day or moment or 70 years, is in, or out, of the "LAW". Plus you see clearly who God says this is between, Him and the children of Israel, not Him and mankind.

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (9) 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.

New Testament teaching on the "Sabbath" Hebrews 4:1-11 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. (2) 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. (3) For we which have believed do enter into 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. (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. (5) And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. (6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (7) 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. (8) For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. (9) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (10) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. (11) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.*

Believing or trusting in God is "ceasing from your own work"(believing and trusting in one's own self)

God proclaims that the Children of Israel would NEVER enter into His rest (Sabbath), both in the Old and New Testament. Psalms 95:7-11 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: (8) "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, [87] As in the day of trial in the wilderness, (9) When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. (10) For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.' (11) So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest. "

Psa 95:7-11 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (9) When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. (10) Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: (11) Unto whom I swore in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Heb 3: (11) So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) (12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God

The NT redefines the Sabbath as the Sabbath of God NOT the Sabbath of the law, This Sabbath is described as "? the Presence of the Lord". Acts 3:19-20 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (20) And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Colossians 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:

The Pharisees try to judge Christ and His followers by Moses' Law NOT by the standards that Christ is teaching. Jesus is repeatedly accused of BREAKING the Sabbath, yet the Scriptures say He never sinned. So what is it then? Is Christ a sinner or is this law NOT a real law at all? (Read The Changing of the Priesthood..) Luke 6:2-5 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? (3) And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; (4) How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? (5) And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Luke 6:6-11 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. (7) And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. (8) But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. (9) Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? (10) And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. (11) And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Mark 2:24-28 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? (25) And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? (26) How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? (27) And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: (28) Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Matthew 12:2-8 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. (3) But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; (4) How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? (5) Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? (6) But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. (7) But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. (8) For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Matthew 12:10-14 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. (11) And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? (12) How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. (13) Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. (14) Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

The Sabbath of Christ - Believers Sabbath - Into His Rest

God rested or Sabbathed on the Seventh Day and still is Sabbathing. (But not under the Law). At Mount Sinai the Law codified the "Sabbath as 1 day" and God said that the Hebrews would never enter into the "Real Sabbath" but the Gentiles later would enter into that "Certain Place," which was NOT a Day, God calls "His Rest". If the Hebrews under the Law observed "the Sabbath Day" for thousands of years yet "Never Entered In" what were they observing? It was the Sabbath of the Law, NOT the Sabbath of God. The Scriptures clearly state that God was never pleased with the Law. The Law did not have any Faith mixed with it. (Hebrews 4:2 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. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: ?... )

Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Isa 28:11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. (12) To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Heb 3: (9) When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. (10) Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. (11) So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) (12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God (17) But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? (18) And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? (19) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Act 3:19-20 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (20) And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Col 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (The word "DAY" does not appear in the Greek in verse 16)

Paul specifically teaches that adherence to the Mosaic law is bondage.

Galatians 5:1-4 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: The James Gang

God created the Place called Sabbath so that whenever we wanted we could enter in and be refreshed by it. A Place where the cares of the world would fade away and be swallowed up in Love, Peace, Joy, Patience, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance. Where there is NO LAW. "NO RULES, JUST RIGHT"

Psalms 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Luk 6:5-9 (5) And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Mat 12:2-8 (5) Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless (6) But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. (7) But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. (8) For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Mar 2:27-28 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: (28) Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Christ uses the words "son of man" and many assume he is referring to himself but these same words were used by David and the Prophets over 108 times referring to himself and humanity, not God or the "Son of God". In verse 27 it clearly states that the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around and that man decides when he Sabbaths with God.

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Job 25:6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

Christ uses the words "son of man" to say we the believers in God are the Lord of the Sabbath. Lord means "controller". We are the ones that decide when to enter into His rest, not the calendar or the clock or other people. We decide when to press in to the presence of Almighty God and enter into that place called "His Rest". I believe that it would be Biblically incorrect to have a Sabbath imposed on any one, because it is their choice if and when to commune with God. Isn't it interesting that Jesus uses David (and his men) as an example of someone else that broke the Law, by entering the Temple and eating the show bread. The Bible says he was a man after God's own heart. God never condemned him and neither did man.

The Old Testament teachings and even The Law, are called "A Shadow of things to come" but not the Real Thing. What is a Shadow? It is an image that completely lacks definition, clarity, depth, even deceiving for lack of perspective. Strong's Concordance describes Shadow as a "darkness of error or vagueness"

Colossians 2:16-17 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: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body* is of Christ.

Hebrews 10:1-5 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (2) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (3) But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. (4) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (5) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The "Law" and "The Handwriting of Ordinances" were never a substitute for Grace through Jesus Christ, it was just a pacifier, empty and un-nourishing, but just enough to keep man thinking he was accomplishing something in the activity. The Sabbath of the Law likewise was unfulfilling and the observers of it never entered into "His Rest". That was a "place" reserved for those who were "justified by faith" who "worship God in Spirit and in Truth".

Do we really believe that the Orthodox Jewish Sabbath observer who has purchased elaborate machines to automatically turn on and off lights and appliances on the Sabbath is observing "The Sabbath Law"? It is always about as W.C. Fields would say, the "loopholes" and the exceptions, never about communing with God. Do you think God was offended when Jesus and his disciples ate without washing, picked corn on the Sabbath, and broke other Sabbath ordinances? I don't think so. Why? Can a shadow in itself inflict bodily injury? Can it hate or love? Can it forgive or have ought? Can it save your soul? No, only the real Jesus can. What can a shadow do? It makes the observer aware that something or someone is there. God made Himself known to the Hebrews, delivering them out of bondage with many signs and wonders and took the opportunity when asked for laws to set into motion something that would remind them daily that He was there watching. If you aren't obedient because you love me then I will make you obedient because you fear me. God's complaint about the Hebrews was that they were always murmuring against Him. He used the Law as a reward - punishment system to bring them back under control. The carrot and the stick are not needed if the relationship is based on love. In the Old Covenant it was; as long as you do or don't do, then I will do or not do?. In the New Covenant it is "if you love me you will"?.. It becomes a joy to commune with God not a ritual observance. Observance of the Law is not an act of free men. It is a statement of bondage.

Galatians 3:10-13 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Galatians 5:1-4 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.