WHAT IS THE SABBATH REST?

Is Saturday or Sunday the real Sabbath day of rest? After 2000 years of teaching about the Sabbath rest, Christians still have a misunderstanding of what the true meaning is and what is important to us. Does Satan have people confused about what is God’s Sabbath rest and what is man’s Sunday rest? Is man’s Sunday rest in opposition to God’s Sabbath rest?

First, let us look at what Genesis 2:1-3 of the KJV says:

1. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2.And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested 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 rested from all his work which God created and made.

The word rested in the above verses does not have the same meaning as it does in Hebrews Chapter 4. It does not mean what we often think it means. Here it means God ended His activity. His creation work came to an end. We must come to realize that the true meaning of rest is very crucial to our Christian walk. What does it mean? It can be summed up in one word, FAITH.

I ask you, should we be observing the Sabbath rest today as many Christian groups still believe we should? If you do not follow their line of thinking that you must keep the Sabbath or you must not be a true Christian. Look at the following Scripture.

Colossians 2:16 (KJV) 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.

In The Gospel of John, Chapter 5, Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. The Jews were upset over this act. The Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. Jesus answered them by saying, My Father is working until now, and I am working. Jesus was imitating His Father in actions of love and mercy.

Now, let us look at what Hebrews, Chapter 4 says: So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God for whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his. This rest is available to us now.

The true Sabbath rest comes when you cease from your own labors, your own efforts, your own activity, and from your own works. The secret of a true Christian’s life is to cease from depending on your own activity and to rest on the dependence of God. Look at what Paul says in Galatians 2:20: Not I, but Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Jesus said in John 14:10, The Son can do nothing by himself. It is the Father who dwells in me who does the work. Through our very best efforts we only accomplish a minimum of activity. Why? Because we continue to look upon ourselves as the resource instead of looking upon the One who can do all things. As long as you deny the truth and continue to blow your own horn or ego, you will never enter into the rest God has provided.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Rest is the secret of any success you may have. How can you have such success?

Look carefully at what John 12:24 (KJV) says: Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit. If you consent to death of self, great things will begin to happen and one of the great things is you will find rest. Rest is the secret of our Christian life.

Hebrews Chapter 4 is a chapter that will define Jesus as your Sabbath rest. Are you ready to enter into His rest? When you do you will hear Jesus say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”  When you learn to whatever degree you surrender to, the keeping of the Sabbath is intended to be kept as God’s Sabbath is to be kept.

Jesus Christ came in order that you may find the true meaning of rest in Him and not of self-fulfillments. The writer of Hebrews encourages you to enter into the Sabbath rest that Jesus Christ provides.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.