Recently on some secular forums, people have been pooh-poohing the idea that the 7th day Sabbath is considered of any great importance by God.
And I admit, that the other 9 Commandments seem pretty obvious to most Christians, but the 4th one doesn't.
Does anybody have any good ideas on what to say to Sunday-keepers who just can't believe God would make such a big issue out of what day (or any day) to keep holy, that he would actually send people to hell for not keeping it?
The Bible says that the seventh-day Sabbath is a sign of God's creative and redemptive power (Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12, Ezekiel 20:20).
The Sabbath commandment contains the three elements of an official seal -- the name, title, and jurisdiction of the person represented by the seal (Exodus 20:8-11).
It's straightforward to show historically that this commandment has been changed by humans, so that another day is observed in its place, and the SOP says many places that this is what makes the Sabbath the great test at the end (see the quote below).
The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God. {GC 605.2}
It is interesting that the last 6 commandments can be agreed on as "good" by just about everybody in the world, according to their native-born conscience, even if they don't wish to keep them.
The first 3 commandments can be agreed on as "good" by most Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Even Atheists can agree logically, that the first 3 commandments make sense.
However, there is nothing about the 4th commandment that can be logically deduced, or that can be naturally accepted with our native-born conscience.
Why would something that is SO important to God, not be able to be understood with our native-born conscience (I understand that is implanted by the Holy Spirit), or by logic?
Actually, if it wasn't for what we read in the Bible, it would be impossible to know that the 7th day Sabbath is important at all, let alone be THE GREAT DECIDING TEST FOR ALL SOULS at the end time.
I mean, if God is looking to save as many people as possible, it seems like he would have made this commandment more obvious - like having the onset of the Sabbath marked with a blue sun, or some special phenomena to signify that this is special time to God. Wanting to save as many as possible, it just seems like he would have made this commandment special in some way that people could readily understand.
I mean, if God is looking to save as many people as possible, it seems like he would have made this commandment more obvious - like having the onset of the Sabbath marked with a blue sun, or some special phenomena to signify that this is special time to God. Wanting to save as many as possible, it just seems like he would have made this commandment special in some way that people could readily understand.
Astronomical concepts such as the solar year and lunar month are observable in nature, but not the weekly cycle.
In the quote below, the SOP says that this cycle has been preserved from the Garden of Eden, and I think this is the whole point of doing things this way -- it's a test of our faith in God. This is hardly the only test of this sort; see Hebrews 11:6.
The weekly cycle of seven literal days, six for labor and the seventh for rest, which has been preserved and brought down through Bible history, originated in the great facts of the first seven days. {1SP 85.1}
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is not assent to incontrovertible evidence. Love is not setting yourself up as a god deciding right and wrong, love + faith is obeying from the heart what God has said. A life style of righteousness by faith in the sayings of God + His inward power in the life to write His presence there, and God's Presence typified by the ShewBread baked hot every Sabbath and placed there; in modern fulfillment allowing His Presence within and seeking His Presence where-in He has put His Name , S-ABBA-TH (sign of the Father) and Jesus says HE is Lord of the Sabbath.
Then there is the power on Earth saying He is God, and has setup a competing Sabbath, a sign or mark of his lordship and power in the highest sense, and a religious political civil power, has taken that competing day and proclaimed it a replacement for Scripture's Sabbath, thus the ancient war is ripening into a head over divine ownership, divine authority, divine symbol of such is either the competing sabbath or Scripture's Sabbath of Creation.
The great question thus decided by who you obey when civil power obeys church ruling - Who is your God, Who owns you, is answered by whom you obey, in other words which Sabbath do you keep ? Scripture's Sabbath, or the competing Sabbath - would you like to learn Sabbath's history from the time of the Apostles to the present day ?
Agreed wholeheartedly that the Sabbath is "a test of our faith in God".
But in times past, it was more about the other commandments. As far as I know, God never punished any nation in the Bible for breaking the Sabbath, except that he did give the breaking of the land sabbath as one reason he put the Israelites in captivity for 70 years.
There were many times he destroyed whole nations for their violence, and various sins and abominations, and of course the main reason given for the Israelites losing their nation to the Assyrians and Babylonians was their breaking the 1st and 2nd commandments.
So why at the end time, is it suddenly the 7th day Sabbath that is the main test?
Sabbath is the designated symbol of creation and redemptions sanctification ( harmony / agreement ) with God.
Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
Ezekiel 20:12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
Ezekiel 20:20 And hallow my sabbaths ; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
Knowing God, being sanctified by God - is holiness and unity with God - and the receiving and having refined the image of God - the end of probation must be nearing as the conflict is getting hotter. Sabbath presents God in such a way as to lift Christ up as our only hope and cast Satan down . Satan's activities are ramping up faster and faster, something big is getting ready to break upon us, like an avalanche, society is cracking apart and starting to move, and while it goes down, Sabbath knowledge is rising world wide.
Evolution raises Satan up as god, Sabbath raises up Christ up as being God.
Yes, that is great that Sabbath knowledge is rising worldwide.
God has made that the most important test at the end time for some reason, I guess known only to himself, and we need to be aware of it, and tell others about it.
Maybe when we get to heaven he will tell us why he chose the 7th day Sabbath as his greatest test?
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