By: Randlall E. Pickens, Sr.
Lame arguments:
In my time as a Pastor I have heard many lame attempts to justify defiling the Sabbath. The title of this article represents one of the most common responses. The point of this article is to put those who might attempt to debate this subject with me on notice that; you are talking to the wrong person! I chose a picture to accompany this article that makes my point loud and clear. For those who think they are at odds with me, I must point out that the commandment to keep the Sabbath Holy is directly from God! If you think for a moment that I can or would deny this requirement you are in serious error. You need to understand, you are defying a direct order from God! I would be in serious breach of trust to allow you to think differently. Don’t try to involve me in your rebellion. You are solely responsible for the repercussions of such rebellion.
It is true, you don’t have to honor the Sabbath but you need to understand that you are rejecting the Lord of the Sabbath in doing so. You will be solely responsible for the consequence. We see the consequence of defiling the Sabbath throughout history. The judgements on Israel for their rebellion are severe and numerous. The consequences play out throughout the ages and are well documented. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel are clear about the cause of the judgments on Israel are due to their rebellious actions. They have paid dearly for the right to defile the commandments. The two Jewish diasporas (exiles) were a result of Israels rebellion and defiling of the Sabbath and Jubilees. The results of sin are not always swift but sure!
A view of the results of rebellion:
In Daniel chapter 9 we are told that the duration of time assessed for the Babylonian exile was determined specifically based on the corresponding number of defilement’s of the sabbath and Jubilees. God is well aware of our sins and what is required to remedy. Malachi states it best, Mal 3:9 “would you rob God”? These scriptures in Daniel are the single most recognized prophecy used to correlate the times of God’s dealings with mankind’s past, present and future. The prophecies of Daniel accurately prophesied the rise and fall of secular kingdoms, the diaspora of the Jews, the return and rebuilding of Jerusalem and the second temple, the 1st coming of messiah, and the 70th week of end time events culminating in the Millennial Kingdom. All of these events are the result of the rebellious acts of Israel of which defiling the Sabbath was one.
I find it hard to understand how any true christian would reject the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus deserves our respect and we need to honor his sacrifice and the blessings we receive from being identified with him as our Lord. We would not have any hope of salvation from our sins without Jesus.
Understanding the Sabbath:
Do you even really know the origin and purpose of the Sabbath? I can’t help but believe if one really understands it’s origin and purpose they would never consider rejecting the commandment to observe it as HOLY. God rested from his works of creation on the seventh day. God was not tired! He didn’t need to rest or relax. He stopped what he was doing! The last activity He was engaged in was the creation of MAN on the 6th day! This point is critical to understanding the purpose of the Sabbath. Rev. 4:1 tells us we were “created for his good pleasure“! Gen. 3:8 reveals His walks in the garden with man. Another point to grasp is that the days were referenced as numbers, 1 through 7. He didn’t assign a name to the Sabbath but a description, the seventh day Sabbath (rest). He did not assign “pagan” names to each day to confuse us. He made it simple, start counting and (Sabbath), rest or cease and desist from your personal agenda on the 7th day. How much simpler can you make it! The menorah is a constant reminder of the seven days of creation. The seventh day being set apart as holy for God and man to commune, to contemplate the holy relationship between God and man. A relationship that was and is the envy of angels. This relationship actually became a jealous motivation for Satan’s attack on God’s beloved man. It is all about relationship!
The ten commandments are all about relationship. First with God then family and friends. The Lords prayer is all about relationship, Jesus teaches us to pray to our FATHER! OUR FATHER! The 7th day is set aside to be a day of relationship building with God and family! Relationship, relationship, relationship!
Jesus speaks to His purpose to restore man to the intimate relationship that He himself has with Father God in the book of John 17.
Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
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