It's not about works - Salvation in the Sabbath

[Tom Wetmore]

Focus on the difference between the commandments as written in Deuteronomy 5 vs. Exodus 20. A few wording changes, but in substance they are essentially the same. Or are they?

At the heart of these two recitals of the commandments there is a very significant difference. It is found in the Sabbath commandment. The directive part in both is essentially the same - to remember something and to stop doing something. But the reason given for why to do those two things is very different. But are they really?

The Sabbath is an object lesson about salvation. It is a participatory metaphor of our role vs. God's role.

At creation God stopped because he was done. He had done everything. His work was perfectly complete. Man's role was to maintain and live in that completed work. The Sabbath was a note to remember that God did it, not man. The way to remember that was to stop our own efforts to keep ourselves alive and remember that God did it all for us to enjoy life. It is not about our works but His.

The timing of the recital of the commandments in Deuteronomy came after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness because the people forgot something. They forgot that God's work saved them. They choked at the border of the promised land because they thought they couldn't take the land themselves. But God told them that He would give it to them - He would do it all for them.

Even though the two versions sound different, like a new command, they are the same. God did it all for us, so we are to remember to rest our own efforts, to put aside our own works we do in order to live and celebrate that God has already finished His work for us.

And Jesus said he gave us a new commandment. But is it really new? Or just renewed? He said he completed his work for us. So we should stop working for our own selves.

Sabbath is about salvation by faith, not work. Remember that. Rest easy.

[teresaq]

Nice post. I understand it in one way, perhaps not the way you meant, I don't know...but I think others would see it in another light.

Too me it is resting on the promises of God. He said He could save me to the uttermost. My "work" is to stay in the Word, pray/commune and submit.

[teresaq]

And believe and trust that He will do what He says He will do.

[Tom Wetmore]

What does this say about the Adventist idea of the Sabbath as the seal of God?

[teresaq]

Well the way I see it, if indeed that sanctuary model in the wilderness was prophetic...

That 1844 was the revealing, or re-revealing of the character of God, since the 10c are a transcript of God's character. At the moment anyone attending church on the 7th-day, or professing belief in the 7th-day is not sealed on that basis, just as Sunday keepers are not "marked" yet.

Maybe the Sabbath-Sunday issue is the "symbol", sign or mark, of character vs character. Which character we are developing now regardless of which day we are keeping.

Maybe Rev 3:7 and 8 is the revealing of God's true character. Maybe it started in 1844, stalled into legalism, revived in 1888, stalled again, and now this is it. Last call.

Who we choose to be like, W/whose character we are attracted to, when push comes to shove decides whether we will receive a seal or a mark.

[phkrause]

Some very interesting thoughts teresaq

[teresaq]

Thanks PK.

[teresaq]

I wonder what it would be like if the people had trusted in God...

It has been pointed out that the Israelites left Egypt without weapons. If they hadn't looted the bodies of the Egyptian army they would have had to completely trust in God...scary indeed as I think about it.

[Neil D]

Regarding the proposal-"What does this say about the Adventist idea of the Sabbath as the seal of God? "

Say like...As opposed to the concept that the Holy Spirit is the seal of God for Christians?

I'm not sure how I feel that those who keep the Sabbath are the only ones who are sealed with the Holy Spirit.....I'm not totally comfortable with that idea....

[CoAspen]

Good topic to talk about...my brain is still on vacation from 'below the surface' thinking and posting!!

Like where you are going! Hope more comments are posted.

[Gibs]

Well Tom, Can't totally agree as that is comiing close to working around becoming overcomers. He didn't do it all for us. There is something we must do and that is fall on Him the Rock and be broken. Our will broken to do His Will and Our Love Broken to to do His Love and then those 10 commandments are in our hearts the same as His which are a transcript of His character. We are not our own, we have been bought with a terrible high price which most have no realization of just how great that price is or all would be surrendered without question and not a tick withheld and that is what is our part.

I admit I have been made very sensitive on this subject as this is one that put me out of the church and many others. Some call it a "new theology", well may be but I must state this, now is when we become the overcomers He requires of us. You bet I am of the old school SDAdventism, but not back to when it was the law, the law until it was as dry as the hills of Gilboa. We of ourselves can never do it but Christ in you and you can and must have the victory. One of my favorite verses and want to have it laid soon as I find how at the end of all posts and comments I make here. The thing will only allow 30 characters. It is 1 John 4:4.

[Bird's Eye View]

Hi Gibs,

Keep sticking to that "old school" gospel truth!

That's the message that got my life turned back around and gave me victory in Christ where before I had been on way-too-friendly terms with this world!

That's why I obey the Sabbath,because that is "old school",too,and it sets us apart from going along with mere tradition.

I,too,experienced that "brokenness" you speak of,and came away stronger because of it,because I saw where my own will was taking me,and it wasn't good!

[Gail]

Welcome, Sandie!!

Tagging on to the sanctuary idea, I'm seeing Jesus through the whole process:

1) Outer court- represents what Jesus does FOR us

2) Holy Place- what Jesus does IN us

3) Most Holy- what Jesus does THROUGH us (shows His character through His people)

Our part is to repent and to come to Him, offering ourselves up.

I see the Sabbath and all the 10 Commandments as a harmony thing. As they were inside the Ark of the Covenant and represent God's character, they will be reflected in the lives of His people, not as a checklist to keep but a reflection of Who God is.

Great discussion, BTW!

[Bird's Eye View]

Thanks,Gail!

I jumped the gun a bit there! I meant to write a little Introduction before I jumped in!

Your comment was beautiful,by the way. Nice way to look at it.

[Overaged]

That sounds like a great line of work to be in terasaq!

[Overaged]

Tom; the commandment is "new" only to the person who has not done it before. Kind of like me, when I tell someone I got a "new" car, it is usually a nice old Ford or Chev cargo van - atleast ten years old.

One of the ways we can know this too is the fact that the NT "new commandment of love" can also be found way back in Leviticus, so it's not literally "new."

You are certainly right. God did it all for us a long time ago - and an even longer time ago than that this was prophesied in the Bible! It doesn't get any more exciting than that. Why? because it gives us the incentive to quit working for our own selves, so that we can work WITH God, and FOR others.

[Gibs]

The Sabbath is a test for all who know it must be kept and has been presented to them. But the trouble today is all are being taught we can't overcome sin and sin is breaking of the law. Well when you realize that you are dead in sin then like Paul said, I was alive till the law came and then I died. The law stands so when we fall out of grace it revives and condemns again. (See Ro 6:1,2)

There is not many out there in the world today but what the Sabbath is a test. Continue in disobedience after the light is come one condemns themselves.

[Gibs]

I suppose it can be done for or against and here is a reference from EGW that rings right to me. - The Faith I Live By, p 287.7.

Don't you think that many are just as sealed and settled into the false doctrine they have taken and will never change. As she states above it is intellectually and spiritually and would it not be possible either way.

We all must humble ourselves to ever be ready to receive the truth and let it in and move us. That is the only thing we should ever set to be unmoved.

[Overaged]

I wanted to just note too, that the Sabbath is much more than just a "test." it is a sign between us and God ...

In other words, the reason Sabbath has anything to do with salvation is not because of a test of any kind, it's because of Jesus, and the relationship we can have with Him. The Sabbath is a part of that relationship.

[Gibs]

Overaged,

I understand all the signifigance of the Holy Sabbath far more than most I assure you. Those who Truly keep it Holy and not desecrate it He marks as His own and it is a mark, sign or seal all the angels can see but not man. Satan and his also can see it. They also can see if Christ dwells in you and man cannot. He comes each Sabbath to tabernacle with us the Holy Sabbath day, it is His Sanctuary in time with us and the Holy angels also come and worship and praise Him also as we are sync with heaven in keeping the seventh day Sabbath.

We do not keep it to obtain merit but we want to come and be with Him in a festive spirit of worship and praise to Him. He sheds a special light, peace and a rest that only can be experienced if truly His and His only for He is a Jealous Bridegroom.

[Overaged]

Thanks for the reply Gibs. Would you mind if I ask you to be specific about what you mean when you referenced people who desecrate the Sabbath? What would be several examples in your mind of people in the church doing this?

[teresaq]

I came across this on another forum today. I was all set to respectfully argue with the lady til I checked, and sure enough, the Day of Atonement is a day of rest! (All the Sabbaths were days of rest.) Resting from our works to get to heaven and trusting "solely in the merits of Christ", as Skyblue1888 would say.

I can't quote what she said here, so hopefully the references will be sufficient.

(To Sister Harriet, August 11, 1851.) {6MR 316.4}

Leviticus 25:8-10

Leviticus 23:32

[Gibs]

Doing our own pleasures mostly and now it's popular to go out and eat, ball games, TV and many things of that order that has gotten so common place it's not thought of anymore. It's a day that is to be given to the Lord in time spent with Him.

[teresaq]

Brother Gibbs, this is a no-quote forum. That means that we respond without clicking on the quote button. The reply button will lead back to the post you are responding to.

See the top,

http://clubadventist.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/322/1/Townhall_Original_thoughts.html

[Gibs]

teresaq,

I hope I got your user name right, it is hard for me to read it on the background, sight is poor these days.

Yes I am learning the quirks here and it has many that other forums don't have and I work on 4 now and what is strange here is we can't paste in a signature verse but those that have paid for "perks" it is laid automatically. I've read Toms forum rules and here if a quote has doubles in it and you try it you got to delete most of it and then it don't come down right. Yes I know that is not for here, leaves you doing different but not bothered by putting out things of my own but do like to use Bible and EGW.

Thanks for the guidance.