Sabbath

Lifestyle – Rest

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God has set an example for us in regard to rest. Rest has been built into our very own bodies, by the hand of God. Each organ of the body is designed to rest. We breathe in and then rest as we exhale and pause until the next breath. The heart pumps blood throughout the body, and then rests as it refills with blood. The stomach digests food, sends it into the small intestine and then rests while it waits for the next meal.

The principle of rest is found in the Bible in the weekly rest: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 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. 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.” Genesis 2:1–3.

The disciples were commanded to rest after working intently for some period of time. “And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” Mark 6:31.

The human machinery can experience many problems if it is deprived of adequate amounts and proper rest and sleep to refresh both the body and mind. A lack of or improper rest/sleep can often cause headache, irritability, increased risk of accidents, memory loss, emotional instability, decreased motor skills, impaired immune system, and decreased ability to learn. This is not an inclusive list, but just some of the problems that can be experienced due to rest/sleep deprivation.

Knowing the problems that can occur due to lack of or improper rest, it is important to learn about the different types of rest necessary to promote health. There are four types of rest or rest vitamins.

Recreation—Note that recreation should be re-creation and not wreck-reation.

Meditation and Prayer—Partaking of this type of rest puts us at rest or peace with both God and our fellow man, resulting in freedom from the guilt, which robs the body of rest.

The Sabbath—The rest that we should engage in each week with our Creator. This rest cycle is influenced by the circadian rhythms. It has been found that many organs in the body have a weekly cycle. Many vital signs, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure are actually slower on a weekly basis with the lowest reading being on the Sabbath. These body rhythms support that the Sabbath, not just any day of the week, but the seventh day (see The Seven Day Circle by Eviatar Zerubavel, New York: Free Press; London: Collier Macmillan, © 1985.) should be a day of worship and rest as commanded by the Creator and is a symbol of God’s finished work in both nature and man. It is a weekly invitation by God to recognize the work God is doing in each life and an opportunity to focus on our relationship with God, our family, and our fellow man. Praise the Lord for the Sabbath rest!

To be continued…

My Story

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My life, so far, reveals God’s righteous right hand at work, not-withstanding my unrighteousness. I never really got to see and understand the fact that our ever-living God simply watched and waited for me to present myself for service before He began unfolding Himself to me in various ways. I can only accord to Jesus Christ honor and glory for His loving-kindness and mercies towards me while in sin. Now, I realize all this and praise Him for that.

I was raised well in a Christian home, my parents being members of the N.K.S.T Church, which is the Church of Christ in the Sudan among the Tiv. I hail from Kwande local government area of Benue state in Central Nigeria where Tiv language is widely spoken. I could read and write in Tiv and English language as well as read the Bible in Tiv right from my primary school, much thanks to my parents.

It was at F.G.C. Ogbomoso in Western Nigeria at age 12 during my secondary education that I had a different orientation of Christianity. Here I came face to face with Pentecostalism. I was deeply involved with the tongues-speaking movement. My little knowledge of the Holy Scriptures with regards to speaking in tongues, as taught by my Orthodox Church, was quite different from that of the Pentecostals (fellowship group) in school, such as 1 Corinthians 14 and other texts. I had my reservations with their answers, knowing full well that they were incorrect, but I had no way to counter them.

With the completion of my secondary education, I returned home more confused, because I could observe even more errors with my Orthodox Church practices, not to mention the tongues practice session in school. This had terribly affected my relationship with God, so much so that during my university days in Jos, I drifted further away from God and almost stopped attending church. Parties and all forms of social vices became part of my life; drinking, smoking, you name it and I did it! I simply drifted in and out of churches and found myself attending Eckankar [a cult believing that the soul is multidimensional and shares all the aspects of God—the that part of God that you are] meetings in school. One sure fact is that I always experienced an empty feeling with a desire to know what was missing and how to find it.

With my graduation from the university in 1996 and one-year national service in Benin City in mid-western Nigeria, God decided to start revealing Himself and His truth to me in the most marvelous way ever imagined. However, I must state here categorically that my road to becoming a member of God’s remnant church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, started way back in 1985.

I was home on holidays visiting with my parents who moved to our country home in the village. One Sunday morning, my mother, as usual, asked me to prepare for church. My response was, “Saturday is the right worship day, according to the Bible, and not Sunday.” She laughed and retorted that young men always come out of school with strange thoughts and behaviors. One may wonder how that statement came from one who had not heard of the Sabbath truth, neither did he know that the Seventh-day Adventist church was in existence. This is simply due to the fact that I so much loved history and always read historical accounts of the children of Israel in the Holy Scriptures and I also enjoyed reading world affairs in Time and Newsweek magazines. This is where I got the idea of Saturday being the right day of worship according to the Scriptures, and I was able to confirm from the magazines that in the present day land of Israel, the Jews still keep Saturday as the Sabbath of the Lord.

My question then was, If Christians believe the Bible, why do we refuse to rightly obey Bible doctrines since the seventh day was the fourth amongst the Ten Commandments, which are read every Sunday at worship in churches? This was a question that required an answer, but could not be found at that time.

My service year in Benin did not change much. I still drifted in and out of churches, but they never made any impact in my life! I attended several denominations but still felt empty. The irony was that any church I found myself in, I would come out with something that never demanded my presence therein again, due to their beliefs and doctrines. A friend finally took me to Krishna consciousness. My desire to seek for the unknown led me to read their Bhagavad Ghita and other books of the movement. I began practicing the Yoga, chanting the mantra and attending meetings with the spiritual head in Nigeria. The feeling of dissatisfaction increased in me and I confronted the leader with my questions challenging the reincarnation doctrine. I quoted Hebrews where the Bible says, “It is appointed unto man to die once, but after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

He made efforts to defend the belief, but I was not convinced. After the meeting, I never went there again, returning all the books. Shortly thereafter, I was again invited to the meeting with the Mormons. I received copies of Joseph Smith’s testimony and the Book of Mormon. More confusion came with more unanswered questions.

With the completion of my service year in 1998, I stayed back in Benin with a close friend who was still in service. A discussion ensued between us one day and the subject of the Sabbath came in focus. He pointed out my constant emphasis on Sabbath being Saturday and thereafter offered me a book, which can help explain more on the subject. He pulled out from his bag a booklet entitled Mysterious Answers to Prayers. This book was simply exceptional and wonderful; immediate answers to some questions started unfolding; and my troubled conscience began experiencing peace. This was God-sent. I went over the book twice with my Bible, cross-checking to confirm all the texts that were quoted and was convinced and relieved that I had found the truth at last after years of wandering in spiritual darkness. I simply told my friend that this little book had changed my life.

I left Benin for Lagos in October 1998 to stay with a friend. Within the next four months of business I drifted into a life of criminality, cheating, fornication, and alcoholism because the funds were coming in but also going out the same way they came in. I tried to obtain a Master’s Degree but without success. The cities of Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Abuja, Jos Ilorin, etc., were our business points.

I give thanks to God that I escaped arrests. On one of our business trips a careful thought brought my mind home and my parental care and Christian upbringing came into focus. I left Lagos against my friend’s wish on February 26, 1999, for Makurdi with a decision never to return to such a life again. My return to Makurdi opened my eyes to see truth. My joblessness gave me the opportunity to remain indoors where I again stumbled across the booklet Mysterious Answers to Prayers. Another Bible study session ensued. I was challenged by a friend, whom I had high regard in respect to Bible knowledge while attempting to explain the Sabbath message. He referred me to Hebrews 4 and that the Sabbath simply meant rest and all the apostles kept Sunday and not Saturday. To straighten this out, I resorted to searching the Scriptures for confirmation, reading through the New Testament pocket Bible twice. The revelation was just wonderful, seeing from the Bible that the Sabbath is the seventh day and it will never be changed. Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer, kept it, as did all of the apostles and the early Christian church. I became convinced, but never knew what church or group of believers to join in Makurdi. I simply stopped attending church on Sundays.

It was while riding in a commuter bus within Makurdi one day that I sighted the sign of the Seventh-day Adventist church. I thought that must be the same church I had read about in the booklet. The second Saturday of November 1999 saw me experiencing my first Sabbath worship. The experience cannot be penned down; talk of the joy of fellowshiping in truth and righteousness with special Sabbath blessings! I felt at home at last. Bible studies continued in earnest and soon answers to my questions cleared out all the troubles I had previously with regard to the Sabbath and other doctrines. Today I owe my sincere gratitude to the God of heaven who has been patient with me and for bringing me into the knowledge of the truth in Christ Jesus. It is my earnest and sincere prayer that all earnest seekers for truth find that which sets us at liberty from spiritual blindness and brings us into newness of life by the infinite power of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus.

Daniel Terence is founder and director of Daily Manna Ministries, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Do you have a testimony that you would like to share of how the Lord is working in your life? Because of space limitations, not all submissions can be published, but we would love to hear from you. Please write or email us at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Current Events – Two Sabbaths with Dateline Change

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The substitution of the laws of men for the law of God, the exaltation, by merely human authority, of Sunday in place of the Bible Sabbath, is the last act in the drama.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 141.

On the stroke of midnight Thursday night, December 29, 2011, the date shifted from Thursday to Saturday, December 31, 2011, in Samoa as its position in relation to the International Date Line (IDL) changed. Samoan time moved forward by a whole 24 hours, having skipped Friday, December 30, entirely. This change also marked the division in conviction of Seventh-day Adventists in Samoa—those who will continue to keep Saturday as their Sabbath and others who will now worship on Sunday as the new Sabbath.

Sunday worship will continue uninterrupted for the majority of the Christian community, even though the day Samoans call Sunday will have moved from the first day of the week to the seventh. For Seventh-day Adventists, who observe the biblical Sabbath, the change presented challenges because of the longstanding association of Saturday with the seventh day of the week. As its name suggests, one of the distinguishing features of the Seventh-day Adventist faith is its observance of the biblical Sabbath, which, according to Scripture, is on the seventh day of the week.

Until the change, the seventh day of the week fell on Saturday, as it did everywhere else around the world. When Samoa repositioned the IDL, it also reallocated the days of the week so that the seventh day of the week will fall on Sunday instead of Saturday. The numbering of the weekly cycle remains as before, but the names of the days have changed. In line with biblical precepts, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Samoa will continue to observe the biblical Sabbath on the seventh day of the weekly cycle, irrespective of the change of name to Sunday.

Saturday in Samoa, December 31, 2011, went down in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist church as the beginning for Seventh-day Adventists in Samoa to have two Sabbaths, as the next Sabbath for the Samoa Mission was Sunday, January 1, 2012, while the Samatau Seventh-day Adventist Church, and others that have maintained their conviction, worshiped on Saturday, December 31, 2011, instead. One member of the Samatau church stated, “There is no intention for us to change religion or to set up a new church. The only difference is that, church members at Samatau Seventh-day Adventist Church will continue to worship on Saturday while others in Samoa will now worship on Sundays.”

For many Seventh-day Adventists in Samoa, Sunday will coincide with the biblical Sabbath, the day of worship as commanded by Scripture.

Resources: “Seventh Day Adventists in Samoa will have two Sabbaths with dateline change,” Samoa News, December 28, 2011, www.samoanews.com; “Calendar Shift Doesn’t Alter Seventh Day, Samoan Church Says,” Adventist Review, January 26, 2012, www.adventistreview.org.

Questions and Answers – Attending Sabbath Funerals

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In Life Sketches of Ellen G. White (1915), 252, Sister White describes the death and burial of her husband, James.

“The next morning he [James] seemed slightly to revive, but about noon he had a chill, which left him unconscious. At 5 P.M., Sabbath, August 6, 1881, he quietly breathed his life away, without a struggle or a groan.

“The shock of my husband’s death—so sudden, so unexpected—fell upon me with crushing weight. In my feeble condition I had summoned strength to remain at his bedside to the last; but when I saw his eyes closed in death, exhausted nature gave way, and I was completely prostrated. For some time I seemed balancing between life and death. The vital flame burned so low that a breath might extinguish it. At night my pulse would grow feeble, and my breathing fainter and fainter till it seemed about to cease. Only by the blessing of God and the unremitting care and watchfulness of physician and attendants was my life preserved.

“Though I had not risen from my sick-bed after my husband’s death, I was borne to the Tabernacle on the following Sabbath to attend his funeral. [Emphasis added.] At the close of the sermon I felt it a duty to testify to the value of the Christian’s hope in the hour of sorrow and bereavement. As I arose, strength was given me, and I spoke about ten minutes, exalting the mercy and love of God in the presence of that crowded assembly. At the close of the services I followed my husband to Oak Hill Cemetery, where he was laid to rest until the morning of the resurrection.

“My physical strength had been prostrated by the blow, yet the power of divine grace sustained me in my great bereavement. When I saw my husband breathe his last, I felt that Jesus was more precious to me than He ever had been in any previous hour of my life. When I stood by my first-born, and closed his eyes in death, I could say, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord’ [Job 1:21]. And I felt then that I had a comforter in Jesus. And when my latest born was torn from my arms, and I could no longer see its little head upon the pillow by my side, then I could say, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ And when he upon whose large affections I had leaned, with whom I had labored for thirty-five years, was taken away, I could lay my hands upon his eyes, and say, ‘I commit my treasure to Thee until the morning of the resurrection.’ ”

Though this experience is not advocating for Sabbath funerals, it is clearly seen that it is not wrong. You will notice that there was a whole week for the preparations to be made for the burial before the actual funeral service and the body interred.

Often in Western culture, family and friends bury or cremate the dead in a private service, and then later hold a memorial service, which is often held on Sabbath so many are able to attend.

Heaven

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I want to share with you about heaven. I think it is so wonderful that we are preparing for that place, and we are all doing it together.

I am a lover of poetry and I like to use quite a lot of it:

The Master’s here at Sabbath School and e’er we start our day

Let us thank Him for the order of the day

Which helps us walk throughout the day the narrow way.

The Master’s here at Sabbath School and as we read and study and sing

We ask the Master for the very tool that will shape our lives to please the King.

The Master’s here at Sabbath School, let each countenance beam with joy

As we see with Him the mighty dual over evil in each adult, girl and boy.

The Master’s here at Sabbath School and with love, let each one do our part

To invite the Master into Sabbath School and into every life and heart.

There are many puzzling experiences we go through in this life not knowing which way to turn. But we are so thankful that God has promised to lead and guide us each day with the help of the holy angels and the Holy Spirit.

I am sure there are many who have the same kind of longing that I have, a longing to see Jesus return. We are almost home, but before we get there we have a work to do. We are told, “All heaven was represented to me [Ellen White] as beholding and watching upon the Sabbath those who acknowledge the claims of the fourth commandment and are observing the Sabbath. Angels were marking their interest in, and high regard for, this divine institution. Those who sanctified the Lord God in their hearts by a strictly devotional frame of mind, and who sought to improve the sacred hours in keeping the Sabbath to the best of their ability, and to honor God by calling the Sabbath a delight—these [souls] the angels were specially blessing with light and health, and special strength was given them.” Counsels for the Church, 271.

The Lord has given us the Sabbath as a blessing to help us on our way to heaven. I know that you all realize that sometimes the road is a little harder than that which we had planned, but remember, we are almost home.

“We are homeward bound. He who loved us so much as to die for us hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest. There will be no sadness in the city of God. No wail of sorrow, no dirge of crushed hopes and buried affections, will evermore be heard. Soon the garments of heaviness will be changed for the wedding garment. Soon we shall witness the coronation of our King. Those whose lives have been hidden with Christ, those who on this earth have fought the good fight of faith, will shine forth with the Redeemer’s glory in the kingdom of God.

“It will not be long till we shall see Him in Whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence, all the trials and sufferings of this life will be as nothingness. … Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city of God into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed.” Maranatha, 352.

I am looking forward to that day with excitement. From day to day I think of the love of God and His promises and I think there is nothing in this world worth losing heaven for—no, not one thing. The following is something about the joy of heaven:

Knowest thou the joy of a handclasp of the return of a long, lost friend,

Then you begin to know the joy of eternity, the joy that will never end.

Knowest thou the joy of a mother as she clasps her firstborn babe,

Then you begin to know the joy of heaven, the joy that will never fade.

Knowest thou the joy of the birds, the bride and groom as together they start on their journey to trod,

Then you begin to know the joy, the wonderful joy that is found in the love of God.

The joy of this earth is small and short compared to the joy of our Father’s love,

As a drop in the Ocean is the joy on earth compared to the joy we will have up above.

I contemplate that joy and think of it a lot. I often look up at the clouds and think of that little cloud that starts out the size of a man’s fist. And as it gets bigger and closer, we will recognize it as the realization of all our hopes. It is the Second Coming and we will finally see Jesus and hear Him say, “Awake, awake” and the graves all over the world will open up and the dead in Christ shall rise. Oh how wonderful. This is more than any of us dare miss. It is more than anybody who has had the opportunity to know truth dare think of letting it slip by.

If we are to be saints in heaven we must first be saints on earth. “Those who in heaven join with the angelic choir in their anthem of praise must learn on earth the song of heaven, the keynote of which is thanksgiving.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 244.

Thankfulness must be learned and practiced. We need to learn to praise the Lord with our very breath and life, because as we learn these things on earth, we are preparing for eternity. As we come closer and closer to the end of time, the conflict between good and evil will become more severe. And though we often think of the outside conflict that will come, the real conflict occurs throughout day-to-day life. It is with those little annoyances, when you can’t get the screw to turn and you need more patience, when you have an appointment and you have to be there at a certain time and somebody knocks on the door and they talk and you can’t get away, or when you are ready to go some place and the phone rings and somebody needs help. It is at those times when we guard our patience and our thoughts and our words that we are being prepared for eternity.

All of the problems of this earth must be laid aside and then readily accept the providence of God and realize that He is leading us on the way. “The conflict in which you have to take an active part is found in your everyday life. Will you not in times of trial lay your desires by the side of the written word, and in earnest prayer seek Jesus for counsel? Many declare that it is certainly no harm to go to a concert and neglect the prayer-meeting, or absent themselves from meetings where God’s servants are to declare a message from heaven. It is safe for you to be just where Christ has said He would be.

“Those who appreciate the words of Christ will not turn aside from the prayer meeting, or from the meeting where the Lord’s messenger has been sent to tell them concerning things of eternal interest.” Messages to Young People, 140, 141.

Man was made a social creature and we need the association of one another. We need to be together and to attend our prayer meetings and other sacred meetings to receive the needed encouragement in order to do all the things necessary to shape up our lives for eternity, for we are on the road to heaven. “Those who enter heaven must learn on earth the song of heaven, the key-note of which is praise and thanksgiving. Only as they learn this song can they join in singing it with the heavenly choir.” The Signs of the Times, November 20, 1901.

My message to you is that Jesus is coming soon—get ready! As we are getting ready, we want to remember that heaven is not only for us but also for others, and we want others to be with us.

I hope to see each one of you there, and I hope that as we gather around that great white throne we will know one another and continue to develop the relationships we started on earth for eternity.

Jesus is coming in the clouds above.

He has told us about it in His book of love.

The Bible describes this glorious event

By the prophets whom to you He has sent.

The soldiers and Pilate heard Jesus say,

They’d see Him in the glorious day.

He promised the disciples there would be mansions for them,

That He would come back and for them to prepare.

The signs of His coming are described in the book

And we are to watch and to be ready and to look.

The nations will be angry and then overcharged with care.

Peace and safety they will cry but none will be there.

As I see these things happening, my heart overflows

And a longing to see Him in my breast grows.

With an urgency that is hard to describe,

The spirit impresses that I must decide.

Oh to meet Jesus, to be ready that day

For there I am longing and for this I pray.

I know there are mansions above in the sky.

I am planning to go to them and to occupy.

And I hope there is a mansion not far away

Where you will be living and planning to stay.

Oh let us be neighbors in that home up above

Where all is peace and joy and love.

Ruth Grosboll, matriarch of Steps to Life, lived a long life in the service of her Master. She served as a missionary nurse in Myanmar, formerly Burma. In her later years she held the position of receptionist and correspondent at Steps to Life Ministry, blessing many people with her heartfelt encouraging letters. She is sadly missed to this day.

Bible Study Guides – The Pot of Manna

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August 5, 2012 – August 11, 2012

Key Text

“There was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.” Hebrews 9:2–4.

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 291–297; Early Writings, 32, 33.

Introduction

“In the holiest I saw an ark; on the top and sides of it was purest gold. … In the ark was the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of stone which folded together like a book.” Early Writings, 32.

1 DELIVERANCE

  • What was one of the most important events in the history of Israel, and how was it commemorated each year? Exodus 12:11.

Note: “The Passover was ordained as a commemoration of the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. God had directed that, year by year, as the children should ask the meaning of this ordinance, the history should be repeated. Thus the wonderful deliverance was to be kept fresh in the minds of all.” The Desire of Ages, 652.

  • How long did it take to go from Egypt to the wilderness of Sin (which is between Elim and Sinai)? Exodus 15:27; 16:1.

Note: “Here they [the people at Elim] remained several days before entering the wilderness of Sin. When they had been a month absent from Egypt, they made their first encampment in the wilderness.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 292.

2 MURMURING

  • Arriving at their next major resting point, what was the very first thing the children of Israel began to do, showing their complete sense of insecurity? Exodus 16:2.

Note: “Their [the Israelites’] store of provisions had now begun to fail. There was scanty herbage in the wilderness, and their flocks were diminishing. How was food to be supplied for these vast multitudes? Doubts filled their hearts, and again they murmured. Even the rulers and elders of the people joined in complaining against the leaders of God’s appointment. …

“They had not as yet suffered from hunger; their present wants were supplied, but they feared for the future. They could not understand how these vast multitudes were to subsist in their travels through the wilderness, and in imagination they saw their children famishing. The Lord permitted difficulties to surround them, and their supply of food to be cut short, that their hearts might turn to Him who had hitherto been their Deliverer. If in their want they would call upon Him, He would still grant them manifest tokens of His love and care. He had promised that if they would obey His commandments, no disease should come upon them, and it was sinful unbelief on their part to anticipate that they or their children might die for hunger.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 292.

  • As we consider all the murmurings during the wilderness sojourn, who was the real target of such grumblings? If we murmur today, who is the real target of our complaints? Exodus 16:6–10.

Note: “God is displeased with the disposition that some have to murmur against those who have fought the heaviest battles for them, and who endured so much in the beginning of the message, when the work went hard. The experienced laborers—those who toiled under the weight and the oppressive burdens when there were but few to help bear them—God regards; and He has a jealous care for those who have proved faithful. He is displeased with those who are ready to find fault with and reproach the servants of God who have grown gray in building up the cause of present truth. Your reproaches and murmurings, young men, will surely stand against you in the day of God.” Gospel Workers, 318.

3 QUAILS FOR A DAY

  • After only a month on their journey, what were the Israelites already lusting for, showing how controlling our evil desires can become? Exodus 16:3.

Note: “In Egypt their [the Israelites’] taste had become perverted. God designed to restore their appetite to a pure, healthy state, in order that they might enjoy the simple fruits that were given to Adam and Eve in Eden. He was about to establish them in a second Eden, a goodly land, where they might enjoy the fruits and grains that He would provide for them. He purposed to remove the feverish diet upon which they had subsisted in Egypt; for He wished them to be in perfect health and soundness when they entered the goodly land.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1102.

  • With what did God supply their needs and wants? Exodus 16:11–15. What should we learn from His step-by-step method of leading?

Note: “We cannot expect worldlings to accept at once that which our people have been years in learning. Even now there are many of our ministers who do not practice health reform, notwithstanding the light they have had. We cannot expect those who do not realize the need of abstemiousness in diet, who have had no practical experiences on this subject, to take at once the wide step between self-indulgence in eating and the most strenuous diet in health reform.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 288.

  • How long were quails provided? Is there a record of any negative results from eating flesh food at that time? Exodus 16:12.

Note: “At the giving of the manna, just before Israel reached Sinai, the Lord had granted them flesh in answer to their clamors; but it was furnished them for only one day.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 378.

“Murmuring and tumults had been frequent during the journey from the Red Sea to Sinai, but in pity for their ignorance and blindness God had not then visited the sin with judgments.” Ibid., 379.

4 LESSONS FROM THE MANNA

  • What was the manna like, how long was it to be used, and why? Numbers 11:7–9; Exodus 16:35; Joshua 5:10–12.

Note: “For forty years they [the children of Israel] were daily reminded by this miraculous provision, of God’s unfailing care and tender love.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 297.

  • What was the main purpose of this miraculous provision? Exodus 16:4, last part; Psalm 105:45; James 1:2–4, 12.

Note: “God’s children are always being tested in the furnace of affliction. If they endure the first trial, it is not necessary for them to pass through a similar ordeal the second time; but if they fail, the trial is brought to them again and again, each time being still more trying and severe. …

“Sorrow and trial must come to all, and is beautiful only as it works to polish, to sanctify, and refine the soul as a fit instrument to do service for the Lord.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1146.

  • How was this a test on the seventh-day Sabbath? Exodus 16:5, 16–20, 22–26.

Note: “A threefold miracle was wrought in honor of the Sabbath, even before the law was given on Sinai. A double quantity of manna fell on the sixth day, none upon the Sabbath, and the portion needed for the Sabbath was preserved sweet and pure, when if any were kept over at any other time, it became unfit for food. Here is conclusive evidence that the Sabbath was instituted at creation.” The Signs of the Times, February 28, 1884.

  • How does this experience show that the children of Israel already understood the law before reaching Mount Sinai? Exodus 16:27–30.

5 A POT PRESERVED AS A MEMORIAL

  • Because of God’s monumental miracle in the dry desert, what did He give for a continual reminder of His miraculous provisions? Exodus 16:32, 33.
  • Where was this pot of manna placed? How then are we to consider healthful diet in relation to the Decalogue? Exodus 16:34; Hebrews 9:3, 4.

Note: “In the holiest I saw an ark; on the top and sides of it was purest gold. … In the ark was the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of stone which folded together like a book.” Early Writings, 32.

“In the ark, beneath where the angels’ wings were spread, was a golden pot of Manna, of a yellowish cast; and I saw a rod, which Jesus said was Aaron’s; I saw it bud, blossom, and bear fruit. Numbers 17:8.” A Word to the Little Flock, 16.

  • What does this manna preservation also tell us about our obligation to heed the instructions relating to the Sabbath? Exodus 16:23.

Note: “The Lord is no less particular now in regard to His Sabbath, than when He gave the foregoing special directions to the children of Israel. He required them to bake that which they would bake, and seethe (that is, boil) that which they would seethe, on the sixth day, preparatory to the rest of the Sabbath. Those who neglect to prepare for the Sabbath on the sixth day, and who cook food upon the Sabbath, violate the fourth commandment and are transgressors of God’s law. All who are really anxious to observe the Sabbath according to the commandment, will not cook any food upon the Sabbath. They will, in the fear of that God who gave His law from Sinai, deny themselves, and eat food prepared upon the sixth day, even if it is not so palatable. God forbade the children of Israel baking and boiling upon the Sabbath. That prohibition should be regarded by every Sabbath-keeper, as a solemn injunction from Jehovah to them. The Lord would guard His people from indulging in gluttony upon the Sabbath, which He has set apart for sacred meditation and worship.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 225, 226.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1 Why does insecurity over the future too often trigger fear in us, causing us to murmur against God and His chosen leaders?

2 How long was flesh given, compared to manna?

3 How does God lead people in progressive steps of reform?

4 What does the manna experience teach us about Sabbath keeping?

5 What should we learn from the fact that the manna was placed in the ark?

Extra Reading

“Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel. … Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 293.

“God leads His people on, step by step. He brings them up to different points calculated to manifest what is in the heart. Some endure at one point, but fall off at the next. At every advanced point the heart is tested and tried a little closer. If the professed people of God find their hearts opposed to this straight work, it should convince them that they have a work to do to overcome, if they would not be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord. Said the angel: ‘God will bring His work closer and closer to test and prove every one of His people.’ Some are willing to receive one point; but when God brings them to another testing point, they shrink from it and stand back, because they find that it strikes directly at some cherished idol. Here they have opportunity to see what is in their hearts that shuts out Jesus. They prize something higher than the truth, and their hearts are not prepared to receive Jesus. Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness. If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the charge: ‘They are joined to their idols, let them alone’ [Hosea 4:17], and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 187.

© 2005 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – Rest for the Weary

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March 10, 2013 – March 16, 2013

Key Text

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

Study Help: The Desire of Ages, 359–363; My Life Today, 143, 144; Steps to Christ, 46, 47.

Introduction

“Sleep, nature’s sweet restorer, invigorates the weary body and prepares it for the next day’s duties.” The Adventist Home, 289.

“He [Christ] saw, too, that they [the disciples] had become weary in their labors, and that they needed to rest. …

“ ‘And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile’ (Mark 6:31). Christ is full of tenderness and compassion for all in His service. He would show His disciples that God does not require sacrifice, but mercy. They had been putting their whole souls into labor for the people, and this was exhausting their physical and mental strength. It was their duty to rest. …

“The rest which Christ and His disciples took was not self-indulgent rest. …

“Though Jesus could work miracles, and had empowered His disciples to work miracles, He directed His worn servants to go apart into the country and rest. When He said that the harvest was great, and the laborers were few, He did not urge upon His disciples the necessity of ceaseless toil, but said, [Matthew 9:38 quoted.] …

“It is not wise to be always under the strain of work and excitement, even in ministering to men’s spiritual needs; for in this way personal piety is neglected, and the powers of mind and soul and body are overtaxed. Self-denial is required of the disciples of Christ, and sacrifices must be made; but care must also be exercised lest through their overzeal Satan take advantage of the weakness of humanity, and the work of God be marred.” The Desire of Ages, 359–362.

1 GOD GIVETH HIS BELOVED REST

  • What part of life takes up approximately one third of the time you live? Psalm 4:8.
  • What example shows why God gives us sleep? Matthew 26:45.

Note: “Nature will restore their [the children’s] vigor and strength in their sleeping hours, if her laws are not violated.” Healthful Living, 69.

  • What example do we have even in the life of Jesus regarding the physical need of rest? Luke 8:23; Mark 4:38.

Note: “The Saviour was at last relieved from the pressure of the multitude, and, overcome with weariness and hunger, He lay down in the stern of the boat, and soon fell asleep.” The Desire of Ages, 334.

“On the way to Galilee Jesus passed through Samaria. It was noon when He reached the beautiful Vale of Shechem. At the opening of this valley was Jacob’s well. Wearied with His journey, He sat down here to rest while His disciples went to buy food.” Ibid., 183.

“Evening is drawing on as Jesus calls to His side three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John, and leads them across the fields, and far up a rugged path, to a lonely mountainside. The Saviour and His disciples have spent the day in traveling and teaching, and the mountain climb adds to their weariness. Christ has lifted burdens from mind and body of many sufferers; He has sent the thrill of life through their enfeebled frames; but He also is compassed with humanity, and with His disciples He is wearied with the ascent.” Ibid., 419.

2 EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE

  • What inspired counsel do we have regarding sleep? Psalm 127:2.
  • How do we define “early to bed” in a world that is able to stay up all night? Psalm 104:20–23.

Note: “Since the work of building up the body takes place during the hours of rest, it is essential, especially in youth, that sleep should be regular and abundant.” My Life Today, 143.

“They [physicians] should teach that by studying after nine o’clock, there is nothing gained but much lost.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 330.

“I know from the testimonies given me from time to time for brain workers, that sleep is worth far more before than after midnight. Two hours’ good sleep before twelve o’clock is worth more than four hours after twelve o’clock.” Ibid., vol. 7, 224.

“In our schools the lights should be put out at half past nine.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 297.

  • What does God think about mixing up or changing His plan? Job 17:12.

Note: “Some youth are much opposed to order and discipline. They do not respect the rules of the home by rising at a regular hour. They lie in bed some hours after daylight, when everyone should be astir. They burn the midnight oil, depending upon artificial light to supply the place of the light that nature has provided at seasonable hours. …

“Our God is a God of order, and He desires that His children shall will to bring themselves into order and under His discipline. Would it not be better, therefore, to break up this habit of turning night into day, and the fresh hours of the morning into night? If the youth would form habits of regularity and order, they would improve in health, in spirits, in memory, and in disposition.” Child Guidance, 111, 112.

  • What are the exceptions? Luke 6:12; John 3:1, 2; 19:39.

3 WEARINESS WEARS

  • What do we need when we become tired? Genesis 18:4; John 4:6.

Note: “The disciples of Jesus needed to be educated as to how they should labor and how they should rest. Today there is need that God’s chosen workmen should listen to the command of Christ to go apart and rest awhile.” My Life Today, 133.

  • What is the best preventive against weariness? Mark 6:31.

Note: “It is a great mistake to keep a minister constantly at work in business lines, going from place to place, and sitting up late at night in attendance at board meetings and committee meetings. This brings upon him weariness and discouragement.” Gospel Workers, 271.

  • What disturbs the sleep?

Note: “If a third meal be eaten at all, it should be light, and several hours before going to bed. But with many the poor tired stomach may complain of weariness in vain. More food is forced upon it, which sets the digestive organs in motion, again to perform the same round of labor through the sleeping hours. The sleep is generally disturbed with unpleasant dreams, and in the morning they awake unrefreshed. There is a sense of languor and loss of appetite. A lack of energy is felt through the entire system. In a short time the digestive organs are worn out, for they have had no time to rest. Such persons become miserable dyspeptics, and wonder what has made them so. The cause has brought the sure result.” Healthful Living, 165.

  • How can our personal weariness affect others? Deuteronomy 25:18; Exodus 17:11, 12.

4 REST IS NOT JUST SLEEPING

  • What do we need besides cessation from work? Exodus 33:14; Matthew 11:28–30; Luke 10:5, 6.

Note: “God has pledged Himself to keep the living machinery [of our body] in healthful action if the human agent will obey His laws and co-operate with God.” Healthful Living, 31.

  • On what condition can we enjoy Christ’s rest? John 14:27; II Corinthians 12:9, 10. What is Christ’s yoke that gives us rest? Isaiah 48:17, 18; Jeremiah 6:16.

Note: “When temptations assail you, when care, perplexity, and darkness seem to surround your soul, look to the place where you last saw the light. Rest in Christ’s love and under His protecting care. When sin struggles for the mastery in the heart, when guilt oppresses the soul and burdens the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, remember that Christ’s grace is sufficient to subdue sin and banish the darkness. Entering into communion with the Saviour, we enter the region of peace.” The Ministry of Healing, 250.

  • What keeps us from entering His rest? Romans 6:20; Psalm 95:9–11; Hebrews 3:17, 18.

Note: “Many attend religious services, and are refreshed and comforted by the word of God; but through neglect of meditation, watchfulness, and prayer, they lose the blessing, and find themselves more destitute than before they received it. Often they feel that God has dealt hardly with them. They do not see that the fault is their own. By separating themselves from Jesus, they have shut away the light of His presence.” The Desire of Ages, 83.

  • How can I enter His rest? Hebrews 4:11, 16.

Note: “Accept the Holy Spirit for your spiritual illumination, and under its guidance follow on to know the Lord. Go forth where the Lord directs, doing what He commands. Wait on the Lord, and He will renew your strength.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 230.

5 THE SEVENTH DAY CYCLE

  • What weekly blessing has God given us that we may have physical and mental rest? Exodus 20:10, 11.
  • How is the Sabbath rest related to our redemption? Exodus 31:13; I Thessalonians 5:23; Mark 2:27, 28.

Note: “To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him. The Sabbath points them to the works of creation as an evidence of His mighty power in redemption. While it calls to mind the lost peace of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Saviour. And every object in nature repeats His invitation, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28.” The Desire of Ages, 289.

“The Sabbath is a golden clasp that unites God and His people.” Maranatha, 244.

  • Are we to catch up on our lost sleep on the Sabbath day? What does it mean to rest on the Sabbath? Isaiah 58:13; Matthew 12:12; Acts 16:13.

Note: “None should feel at liberty to spend sanctified time in an unprofitable manner. It is displeasing to God for Sabbathkeepers to sleep during much of the Sabbath. They dishonor their Creator in so doing, and, by their example, say that the six days are too precious for them to spend in resting. They must make money, although it be by robbing themselves of needed sleep, which they make up by sleeping away holy time. They then excuse themselves by saying: ‘The Sabbath was given for a day of rest. I will not deprive myself of rest to attend meeting, for I need rest.’ Such make a wrong use of the sanctified day. They should, upon that day especially, interest their families in its observance and assemble at the house of prayer with the few or with the many, as the case may be. They should devote their time and energies to spiritual exercises, that the divine influence resting upon the Sabbath may attend them through the week. Of all the days in the week, none are so favorable for devotional thoughts and feelings as the Sabbath.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 704.

PERSONAL REVIEW

1 How would you establish a proper balance between activity and rest?

2 Am I getting enough sleep? If not, what will I change in order to do so?

3 How does lack of sleep affect me and those around me?

4 Am I taking times of relaxation so that I can be refreshed physically, mentally, and spiritually?

5 Am I gaining the blessings that God wants me to have on a weekly basis?

A Bustling Danger

“In the estimation of the rabbis it was the sum of religion to be always in a bustle of activity. They depended upon some outward performance to show their superior piety. Thus they separated their souls from God, and built themselves up in self-sufficiency. The same dangers still exist.” The Desire of Ages, 362.

Time for Spiritual Reflection

“Though time is short, and there is a great work to be done, the Lord is not pleased to have us so prolong our seasons of activity that there will not be time for periods of rest, for the study of the Bible, and for communion with God. …

“When Jesus said the harvest was great and the laborers were few, He did not urge upon His disciples the necessity of ceaseless toil. … He tells His disciples that their strength has been severely tried, that they will be unfitted for future labor unless they rest awhile. … In the name of Jesus, economize your powers, that after being refreshed with rest, you may do more and better work.” My Life Today, 133.

Rest and Stomach Problems

“If this practise [sic] [of eating late, just before going to sleep] is indulged in a great length of time, the health will become seriously impaired. The blood becomes impure, the complexion sallow, and eruptions will frequently appear. You will often hear complaints of frequent pains and soreness in the region of the stomach; and while performing labor, the stomach becomes so tired that they are obliged to desist from work, and rest. They seem to be at a loss to account for this state of things; for, setting this aside, they are apparently healthy. … After the stomach, which has been overtaxed, has performed its task, it is exhausted, which causes faintness. Here many are deceived, and think that it is the want of food that produces such feelings, and without giving the stomach time to rest, they take more food, which for the time removes the faintness.” Healthful Living, 165.

© 2007 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Conquering Problems

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There are many interesting things in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy dealing with trouble. When the children of Israel were returning from Babylon and they were commissioned to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, the Bible says, “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.” Daniel 9:25.

Jerusalem was desolated with the wall broken down and the city in total ruin. The children of Israel were captives in foreign lands, but the prediction was that a time was coming when the streets and the wall were to be rebuilt, but it would be in times of trouble.

After a period of time in captivity, the children of Israel were given an opportunity to go back home. Out of over a million Israelites that were in Babylon and Medo-Persia at the time, just a handful returned, and because of the small number, they had trouble.

Another Babylonian captivity was predicted, not for 70 years, but for 1260 years. Daniel speaks of this, and in the prophecies of Revelation, John speaks of it six or seven times. Just as when, at the end of the 70-year captivity, the people needed to go back and rebuild the city, the street and the wall, at the end of the 1260-year captivity, the church that had been driven into the desert would also need to do some rebuilding.

Isaiah speaks about it. “Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach.” Isaiah 58:12.

To understand the meaning of the breach you need to understand the meaning of the wall. When God established His people, He put a wall around them for their protection. This wall, the Ten Commandments, hedged His children in to protect them from destroying themselves by sin.

A breach was made in that wall during the Babylonian captivity that lasted from A.D. 538 to A.D.1798. That breach was the fourth commandment. It was torn down so thoroughly that the people were unaware they were disobeying it. But the prophecy predicted that at the end of the captivity, there would come repairers of the breach to raise up the foundation of many generations and build the old waste places.

Isaiah said, “You shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 58:12–14.

Just as Nehemiah’s workers had to deal with trouble when they built the wall and the streets in their day, there has been trouble in the attempt to repair the breach in God’s law today.

The devil has created unbelievable antipathy or hatred against God’s law, particularly the Sabbath. Millions of Christians claim to love Jesus, but mention the Sabbath and you will most often get a vehement response that they want nothing to do with that Jewish Sabbath. The devil has created this hatred to hinder the work of rebuilding. It will be done, but in troublous times.

In the days of Christ people knew all about the justice of God and His law, but they rejected His Son. Today, people want only to hear about the mercy of God and not His justice, which includes His law containing the Sabbath. The wall is to be rebuilt, but it will be in trouble.

The Bible has a lot to say about how to deal with trouble.

Number 1 – You need protection and help that will not fail.

The Bible writers knew that we, as human beings, would need this help and protection, so they address it.

You might believe that the law of God is for our protection, and if all human beings kept it at all times, we would not be in the trouble that we are. This fact is true even in our own personal lives. Often the reason that we find ourselves in trouble is because at some point in the past we have broken one of the Ten Commandments. So, the wall is for our protection, but not everybody in the world keeps the law. What do we do when we are in trouble?

David addresses this: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. This whole chapter is about the help that God has promised His people.

Isaiah says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

God has promised help to people that are in trouble. One of my favorite texts in this regard is in Psalm 89:19: “Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, and said: ‘I have given help to one who is mighty.’ ” It is so encouraging to know that God is bigger than we are. We cannot make bigger trouble than God is able to provide a solution. Nebuchadnezzar thought he could get the three Hebrew worthies into a situation where it would be too much for the Lord. He had the furnace heated up so much that the soldiers fell down dead at the front of it while throwing the men in. But Jesus was there in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo. (See Daniel 3.) There is no situation so severe that God can’t deal with it.

As a child, I often wondered why the Lord allowed the martyrs to be burned at the stake. Read this account of one man who died for his faith:

“Brother Andrews related an instance of a faithful Christian about to suffer martyrdom for his faith. A brother Christian had been conversing with him in regard to the power of the Christian hope—if it would be strong enough to sustain him while his flesh should be consuming with fire. He asked this Christian, about to suffer, to give him a signal if the Christian faith and hope were stronger than the raging, consuming fire. He expected his turn to come next, and this would fortify him for the fire. The former promised that the signal should be given. He was brought to the stake amid the taunts and jeers of the idle and curious crowd assembled to witness the burning of this Christian. The fagots were brought and the fire kindled, and the brother Christian fixed his eyes upon the suffering, dying martyr, feeling that much depended upon the signal. The fire burned, and burned. The flesh was blackened; but the signal came not. His eye was not taken for a moment from the painful sight. The arms were already crisped. There was no appearance of life. All thought that the fire had done its work, and that no life remained; when, lo! amid the flames, up went both arms toward heaven. The brother Christian, whose heart was becoming faint, caught sight of the joyful signal; it sent a thrill through his whole being, and renewed his faith, his hope, his courage. He wept tears of joy.

“As Brother Andrews spoke of the blackened, burned arms raised aloft amid the flames, he, too, wept like a child.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 657, 658.

God is a very present help in trouble; He is more powerful than the fire. The devil and his agents can never put you in a position where God cannot give you all the help you need. “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.” Psalm 37:39, 40.

Psalm 33:20 says, “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” In Nahum 1:7 we read, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Do you trust Him? God knows how to give you all the help you need, and He is waiting and watching over you, looking for an opportunity to bless you when you are in trouble.

Number 2 – When in trouble we need wise counsel.

People have found themselves in a lot more trouble than they ever should because they would not listen to counsel. This is one of God’s biggest problems. God said, concerning the children of Israel right after He gave the Ten Commandments, “Oh, if there was just a heart in them to listen to Me, then it could be well with them and their children forever.” Deuteronomy 5:29, literal translation.

God says of the wicked, “They would have none of My counsel and despised My every rebuke.” Proverbs 1:30. If you are not willing to take counsel from the Lord, you are getting ready to get into more trouble than you are in already. “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4.

Isaiah called Jesus the wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). When in trouble, you need counsel from somebody who knows you or you could end up in more trouble. When a colleague of mine faced a problem, he would enquire from his superiors if they knew of any counsel from the Lord on the subject either in the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy.

When in trouble and you need counsel, seek it from somebody who knows and is able to give you wise counsel. There are many people in other churches that scoff at the writings of Ellen White, but I have so much confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy and have personally tested the writings over and over again when I’m in trouble. In it you will find wise counsel every time, and if you follow that counsel, the Lord will show you the way to lead you out of the trouble you are in.

Number 3 – You need direction.

When people get in trouble, they often get bewildered. I remember the story of a man who was a leader of young people. One Sabbath afternoon he led a group on a hike, but they became lost. Finally some people found them and led them back to the camp, and on returning they described seven fences that they had crossed. In fact, there was only one fence there, and the group had been circling. The leader needed direction and guidance.

Proverbs 3:5 and 6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This is a promise!

The Lord wants to direct you. If you are going to receive His direction and guidance, it would be a good thing to ask for it. Ellen White wrote great encouragement to a widow who had just lost her husband and was in deep trouble because she had children to raise: “There is not a single instance in which God has hidden His face from the supplication of His people. When every other resource failed He was a present help in every emergency.” This Day with God, 194.

Jesus said that if you ask, you will receive. If you seek, you will find. If you knock, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7). God is waiting with myriads of angels that are at His command to help you and to give direction and guidance, even if you think you are in too much trouble and think your case is hopeless. The Bible tells us that David had that experience several times. If you are willing to accept counsel from the Lord, you will be surprised to find that the situation you thought was forever was just temporary because you accepted the counsel.

Number 4 – You need comfort just to get through the day.

I well recognize that even if you come to the Lord there may be some difficulty that is not going to leave you in one day but may take longer than a day, even a week or a month. Immediate help is available.

“At all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all afflictions, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone, the Comforter will be sent in answer to the prayer of faith. Circumstances may separate us from every earthly friend; but no circumstance, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is always at our right hand to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer.” The Desire of Ages, 669, 670. That is good news!

In II Corinthians 1:4 Paul says, “God has comforted us. We were in so much trouble in Asia, we despaired of life itself, but God comforted us so we could comfort others that are in trouble.” Literal translation.

Jesus said to His disciples, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15–18. The comfort provided is through the Holy Spirit.

Number 5 – Do not yield to despondency and give way to mourning.

If you do, your trouble could very easily get a lot worse. I was disturbed for many years, trying to figure out what the Bible meant when Paul said, “Rejoice always.” I Thessalonians 5:16. I wondered had the apostle Paul read the book of Job? No matter what happens, you can refuse to give way to discouragement, despondency or mourning. To go around with a cloud over your head will depress your immune system and things will tend to worsen and look darker.

The person who talks faith will have faith. Recently, at a funeral of a very dear friend, we talked about the good things that we remembered about the person’s life and of the future. His disciples were bound down with despair when Jesus told them He was going to leave, and He told them, “Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many permanent dwellings. If it wasn’t so, I would have told you. I’m going to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 4:1–3, literal translation.

The disciples did not know that within the next 24 hours Jesus would be led to the cross, but they couldn’t even bare the thought of Him being gone. Jesus did not dwell upon that thought; He directed their minds to the wonderful future. If you are a Christian, you have a wonderful future, and you must never let the devil get you into such a frame of mind to think only about your troubles. Keep your mind on the future and on what God is going to do for you. The Bible clearly illustrates that any trouble that you find yourself in is only temporary. David understood it. (See Psalm 42.) Paul talked about it over and over again. (See Philippians 4; Colossians 3:15–17.)

Number 6 – Have patience.

If you are in trouble, read Romans 2:7 which says, “Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.” If you will patiently continue in doing good and in doing what is right, God will lead you through this dark world of sorrow and strife to glory, honor, and eternal life. Do not make your situation worse by using your troubles to excuse wrong behavior.

Number 7 – You are not alone.

We need to remember when we are in trouble, that we are never alone. Guardian angels protect each child of God all the days of his or her life. Not only is your guardian angel with you in this life, but if you should die before Jesus comes, he marks and guards the place where you are buried. God never forgets His own. You are not alone and never will be alone, because you are God’s child. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ” Hebrews 13:5. Paul quotes there from Deuteronomy. So, we boldly say: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6. It is a very comforting thought to know that you are never alone. God has promised to be with you.

An Experience

A man returned home after serving in World War II. He was physically uninjured, but like so many others who have come back from war, he could not free his mind of the death and carnage that he had witnessed in Europe. He became so discouraged that early one morning he decided to get his gun and take his own life, ending his misery. God knew what he was about to do, and suddenly a light appeared that distracted him. He never pulled the trigger. Later, this man became a Seventh-day Adventist minister. Recalling the story, he said he could never figure out what that light was, except that maybe an angel just decided to light up right then to distract him so he would not kill himself. God had a bigger plan for his life.

The Lord will never leave you alone. The apostle Paul told the Athenians, “We need to grope after Him, if perhaps we might find Him, though He is not far from every one of us. In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:27, 28, literal translation. He’s right there. He’s not somewhere else. You are not alone.

Number 8 – The school of life.

The Christian life is one of meaning, including all of the trials and troubles. Life in this world is actually a school of discipline and training, and all of the experiences, including the troubles, form a Christian character.

When trials come, ask yourself what it is that the Lord is trying to teach you through it. Sometimes I’ve been tempted to say to the Lord, “I wish I could learn the lesson I need to learn without going through this.” But the Lord knows; He is out to save you. I used to tell my students, when I taught at Southwestern Adventist College in Keene, Texas, “If the Lord knows that the only way He can save you is to allow you to go through a suffering experience, you might be surprised how much suffering He may allow you to go through, because He wants to save you.” We need to think about that when we are in trouble.

When Jesus got in trouble, He remained courteous. He still told the truth, even when He was going to be crucified because of it. This world is a school. I learned a long time ago, as a teacher, that students do not like tests. But a student cannot achieve and get to where he wants to be without tests. Tests are a necessary part of all education that is worth anything.

God is conducting a school, and He has an objective to reach. How can God expect somebody that is a wretch like me to become “like Christ”? I don’t know; I just say, “Lord, You’ve told me what You are going to do in my life and I’m trusting that You can do it.” But sometimes, God has to allow me to have some trouble, so I will learn the lessons He knows I need. If you pray about it, God might teach you a lot of lessons right in the midst of the troubles that you’re going through.

The Bible says that when Jesus comes, we are going to be like Him, so in order to achieve that we must develop His mind. Paul said that, “We have the mind of Christ.” I Corinthians 2:16. He said to the church in Philippi, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5.

This world is a school of discipline and training, and through all of our experiences, including our troubles, we are to form characters like the character of Christ, and to acquire the habits and the language of the higher life.

Different people have different lessons to learn. But we all are to acquire the habits and the language of the higher life. Enoch learned to do it. Ellen White says that while he was living on this earth he, by faith, dwelt in the abodes of light. He learned how to talk, think, and live the way heavenly beings lived, so God took him. “Enoch’s heart was upon eternal treasures. He had looked upon the celestial city. He had seen the King in His glory in the midst of Zion. His mind, his heart, his conversation, were in heaven. The greater the existing iniquity, the more earnest was his longing for the home of God. While still on earth, he dwelt, by faith, in the realms of light.” Heaven, 99.

Number 9 – Ask for help.

When you are in trouble, one of the things that you should be asking is, Lord, is there a way for me to overcome this problem? Some people wait for somebody else to solve everything. But the Lord is looking for people who will ask Him. In fact, Ellen White says that part of the work of true education is to teach the students to overcome obstacles. (See Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 199, 200.)

I once knew a conference president who would not allow any pastor to say that he had a problem. He would say, “We do not have problems in this conference; we only have challenges. You are welcome to tell me whatever your challenge is, but we do not have problems here and I don’t want you to use that word, because we do not have them. Any problem we have here, we are going to overcome.”

The Bible talks about people who conquer or overcome. The Lord expects you to call on Him, and say, “Lord, help me. You promised me that I could overcome by Your grace, and I’m depending on You to help me.” Remember the glory that is awaiting the overcomer. The one who overcomes will be clothed in white raiment. Jesus says, in Revelation 3:5, “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” The Father says, “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.” Revelation 21:7.

Allow God to control your mind. Keep Christ always in view, and consider what the Lord would do in your place. Jesus did not just look at the trouble, He worked out a solution. The Devil presented a problem that he thought God Himself could not solve, but the Lord solved it. It required Jesus to go to the cross, but in that act, God was able to solve the sin problem. Because of it, He is able to solve whatever trouble you experience.

Number 10 – God’s promises are for all who receive Him.

“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12.

Disobedience must and will be punished. In Christ your weakest point can become your strongest if only you go to the Lord and ask for help.

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23. “He that believes on Him has eternal life, but he that is disobedient to the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.” John 3:36, literal translation. If you believe, victory is certain, and all of your troubles will be temporary.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Free Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

The Sabbath

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A clear understanding of the origin and purpose of the seventh-day Sabbath and the part it occupies in the lives of God’s faithful people is necessary in the closing scenes of the great controversy between Christ and Satan.

The Sabbath was set apart on the seventh day of creation and is also the fourth commandment, which is evidence that the law of God was given to Adam and Eve on the very day of creation and was in effect at creation. The seventh-day Sabbath has also been a very prominent commandment all through the history of the controversy between Christ and Satan. It says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8–11 NAS.

The sojourner and the Gentile are also advocated to keep the commandments, and if they are in your home, they are to keep the Sabbath with you. All ten commandments are for everybody, not just the Jews.

The Sabbath was introduced at creation. It has been in effect and will be in effect throughout eternity, “from one new moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23. All will gather from one new moon to another in the new earth, from one Sabbath to another.

The only ones that do not want to keep the Sabbath are the rebellious of this earth who are the minority in this universe. Sabbath keepers belong to the great majority of people in the universe. On this earth it looks like you are the outcasts, but in comparison to the whole universe and with God and with His Son, we are the great majority of Sabbath keepers. So be of good courage.

In Genesis 2:2 we are told that God rested on the seventh day. “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.”

In Patriarchs and Prophets, 47, it says, “The great Jehovah had laid the foundations of the earth; He had dressed the whole world in the garb of beauty and had filled it with things useful to man; He had created all the wonders of the land and of the sea. In six days the great work of creation had been accomplished. And God ‘rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. 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’ (Genesis 2:2, 3). God looked with satisfaction upon the work of His hands. All was perfect, worthy of its divine Author, and He rested, not as one weary, but as well pleased with the fruits of His wisdom and goodness and the manifestations of His glory.”

This is a very clear statement of where the Sabbath came from and its purpose. So it was on the seventh day of creation that He set aside the Sabbath day as a day of rest.

We are told in Genesis 2:3 there were three things that God did for the seventh-day Sabbath that He did not do for the other six days. It says, “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.”

God blessed the seventh day; He sanctified it and then He rested on it.

Often some people will say that they worship every day of the week, or they keep every day holy. Nobody can keep a day holy that God has not sanctified or made holy. But the seventh-day Sabbath He sanctified and therefore you can keep it holy because it is a holy day. The other six days do not have that blessing; they were not made holy. You cannot keep holy something that is not holy.

Many people recognize the association of the seventh day with the seventh-day Sabbath, but to avoid it they worship on Sunday in honor of the resurrection as justification. It is up to us to strive for holiness each and every day of the week, but there is only one Sabbath day. We are preparing for heaven, and in heaven the occupants keep the seventh-day Sabbath, and we want to fit into that heavenly environment. We need to understand the depth of meaning in the Sabbath.

God told us to remember. It is man’s duty to rest on the seventh-day Sabbath; he is to reflect upon God’s great work of creation and to behold the evidences of God’s wisdom and goodness. As we do this, we will be filled with love and reverence for our Maker. By observing the seventh-day Sabbath we acknowledge that God is our Creator and that we are the work of His hands and are subject to His authority.

The fourth commandment points to God as the Maker of the heavens and the earth, and it also gives the law its authenticity and binding force because it contains the seal of God which shows His authority as Creator and His claim to reverence and worship above all others. This seal gives the name of the Lawgiver, which is the Creator, and it identifies His territory, which is the heavens and the earth.

In Patriarchs and Prophets, 307, we are told: “God has given men six days wherein to labor, and He requires that their own work be done in the six working days. Acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for; but unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided. ‘Turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and … honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure.’ Nor does the prohibition end here. ‘Nor speaking thine own words’ (Isaiah 58:13), says the prophet. Those who discuss business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character. And the commandment includes all within our gates. The inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business during the sacred hours. All should unite to honor God by willing service upon His holy day.”

We find specific principles showing us that we are not to get involved in things that involve our worldly needs. We are to turn our thoughts heavenward.

  • We are not to do our own ways.
  • We are not to find our own pleasure; this includes sports and things like that.
  • Man’s own work is not to be done on the seventh-day Sabbath.
  • Unnecessary labor is strictly forbidden.
  • We are not to discuss business matters or lay plans.
  • Our minds are not to dwell upon things of a worldly character.

One of the big snares that Satan has introduced into God’s remnant people is the Saturday night entertainment, because many times the thoughts, especially with young people, are, throughout the Sabbath hours focused on “What is going to happen tonight?” Having parties for children and showing films are the talk of the day, and it is very hard for them to keep their minds upon things of eternal value when those kinds of incentives or plans are made for their entertainment. This does much to desecrate the Sabbath in the lives of the youth and the adults.

Looking at the law of God in a positive manner is a blessing to us. If we followed His commandments we would have a very safe society; we would not need police or jails because society would be living at peace with everybody and respectful toward each other’s needs. The law of God is a blessing to us, and we need to approach it as God would like us to. It is a wonderful blessing for the people of God and to all who observe the seventh-day Sabbath.

In The Desire of Ages, 285, we are told: “Christ would teach His disciples and His enemies that the service of God is first of all. The object of God’s work in this world is the redemption of man; therefore that which is necessary to be done on the Sabbath in the accomplishment of this work is in accord with the Sabbath law. Jesus then crowned His argument by declaring Himself the ‘Lord of the Sabbath’—One above all question and above all law. This infinite Judge acquits the disciples of blame, appealing to the very statutes they are accused of violating.”

Looking at the positive side of the law, this is to be a blessing to the fallen race. The whole purpose of God is to restore man to freedom from sin and to restore him to the kingdom of glory. Anything that can further that objective is appropriate to do on the Sabbath. That is another principle, and God leaves it up to us to decide the actual things we should or shouldn’t do in light of that principle. The things necessary to be done on the Sabbath for the accomplishment of the redemption of man is in accord with the Sabbath law. The law is a positive blessing.

“They were performing those rites that pointed to the redeeming power of Christ, and their labor was in harmony with the object of the Sabbath. But now Christ Himself had come. The disciples, in doing the work of Christ, were engaged in God’s service, and that which was necessary for the accomplishment of this work it was right to do on the Sabbath day.” Ibid., 285.

Isaiah 58:13 tells us, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.”

There are also several other things that are appropriate to do on the Sabbath.

  • Acts of necessity and mercy. Ask yourself if this is something that is a necessity to help somebody in their physical needs, etc.
  • The sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for.
  • We are to call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and honor Him in His character, doing those things that He would like to see us doing to help in the plan of redemption.
  • All should unite to honor God by willing service.

We do not want to get into the area of making statements for what to do and what not to do. The Jews got into that and became all mixed up and then missed the true meaning of the Sabbath. We need to look at the general principles and ask ourselves if this can help in the plan of redemption or help somebody in their necessity or needs. We need to understand what can be done on the Sabbath, because someday we will be tested. Many are watching us, and we may need to give a reason for the things we do and not do. We need to stand with the principle that it is lawful to do good and to promote the plan of redemption and to work with Jesus in the saving of souls.

God calls the Sabbath a “sign between me and you.” “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.” Exodus 31:13.

Keeping the seventh-day Sabbath is a sign that we believe in the new covenant and that Jesus is ministering in the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary of the new covenant in heaven. Here is the reason this is true. To keep the Sabbath holy the individual must be holy himself. We are all sinners, unholy. To become holy we must have our sins removed. We can be freed from our sins in one way only. That way is to go to Jesus in the Most Holy Place, confess our sins and plead with our Redeemer to atone for these confessed sins with His blood. Jesus is just and will cleanse us from these sins and also give us strength to keep from committing sin. He then presents this humble one to the Father as if he had never sinned. God the Father now sees him as one “of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:12 NIV. The sinner is now free from sin and can keep the Sabbath holy because he is holy.

The Sabbath is a time to spend with the Lord. How are you going to know that He is the Lord and how are you to know that He is holy unless you spend time with Him in His word and keep your thoughts on things of eternal value? You will not know unless you observe the Sabbath.

Maurice Hoppe is Director of the Steps to Life training programs and a member of the Steps to Life Board. The Training Program for Ministers and Church Leaders is a correspondence course that prepares individuals to serve as a pastor or Bible worker. Preparing for the Final Conflict is a correspondence course for the laity. Both of these courses teach present truth that will be an anchor for the soul during the storm of opposition and persecution just ahead. He and his wife also have a correspondence course offered through Revelation Ministry. He can be contacted at: mauricehoppe@stepstolife.org.

The Sabbath a Sign

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“Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’ ”
Exodus 31:13

“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Of what do you first think when you hear these words?

What do these words of the first sentence of the fourth commandment really mean? I would like to begin by considering some important but solemn information from the past. We need to really think about the following questions, not just rehearse the words on auto pilot. God calls us to dig deep, to think and to reason. Did the Jews believe that the true day of worship was on the seventh day of the week? Did they have guidelines as to what the Sabbath was about and how to keep it? Yet, and here is a thought that is staggering to my mind, with this Sabbath doctrine, or truth, and their dedication to this truth, they crucified the Messiah, the Lord and Creator of the Sabbath, and the very central figure of their religious beliefs. Then, in consequence, they were completely and utterly destroyed as a nation. The question is, What happened? What went wrong? How is it they could keep the seventh day Sabbath and yet be utterly lost and destroyed? Does that situation startle and alarm you? It should. It pertains directly to us.

In our quest for an answer let’s first go to the fourth commandment itself. The very first sentence says, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 KJV. I propose to you that here is the very heart of the matter. The very first sentence of the fourth commandment is just that, a command. It says of the Sabbath that we are “to keep it holy.” Understanding and acting upon this command is essential to our salvation. God didn’t just say, “Remember the Sabbath day to go to church,” or “Remember the Sabbath day to catch up on your rest” or “Remember the Sabbath and don’t go to work on that day.” He said, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Just what does that mean in terms of personal and practical application?

The Desire of Ages, 283 gives a very short, succinct explanation. “In order to keep the Sabbath holy, men must themselves be holy.” We need now to ask ourselves a question in order to rightly comprehend the significance of our situation in relation to God’s command to “keep the Sabbath day holy.” The question is this, Are we holy? Are you holy? Am I holy? Just in case there is any doubt about that, let’s turn to several texts and see what God has to say about that.

Jeremiah 13:23 says, “Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.” Jeremiah 17:9 KJV adds, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” These texts and many others decisively answer that question. We are not and cannot be holy of ourselves. It is impossible.

If God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy (and He does have the right and the authority to do so, does He not?) and we have no hope of being holy, it sounds like He is requiring something of us that we cannot do. But is this our situation, our predicament? No, it is not. God does not require something of us that is not possible for us to do. So how do we reconcile this situation? God requires us to keep the Sabbath holy. In order to keep the Sabbath holy, we must be holy. We are not holy and have no way to make ourselves holy. So what is the solution to this problem in which we find ourselves?

In Exodus 31:13 we read, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’ ” Here is our answer. God says, “I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Isn’t that a wonderful promise? Consider the following beautiful and profound statement: “The Sabbath given to the world as the sign of God as the Creator is also the sign of Him as the Sanctifier. The power that created all things is the power that re-creates the soul in His own likeness.” God’s Amazing Grace, 156.

Do you or I have the power to bring ourselves back to a likeness of the image of God? No. Adam and Eve, after their sin, “were told that their nature had become depraved by sin.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 61. Later in the same book, on page 595, it says, “Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man.” And The Review and Herald, February 4, 1890, says, “Man cannot possibly meet the demands of the law of God in human strength alone. His offerings, his works, will all be tainted with sin.”

We are not holy. It is impossible for us to make ourselves holy. But God, in His love, in His mercy has provided the solution. Since we have no power or capability whatsoever to change our state of degradation, of having a depraved nature, He created the plan of salvation to rescue us from this dilemma. Patriarchs and Prophets, 595, says it this way: “It was to restore this [the image of God—holiness] that the plan of salvation was devised.”

The Father and His Son devised the great and wonderful plan of salvation on our behalf such that we can have God’s image, His holiness, recreated in our souls. So in order to really keep the Sabbath holy we must understand and implement in our lives the great plan of salvation, the new covenant. It is impossible to obey the fourth commandment without the plan of salvation, or the new covenant. Is it any wonder that under Inspiration these words were spoken, “Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour’s mediation should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God. The precious hours, instead of being given to pleasure, to display, or to gain seeking, should be devoted to an earnest, prayerful study of the word of truth. The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God.” The Great Controversy, 488. It is only through the plan of salvation, carried out in the heavenly sanctuary, that we can obey God’s command to keep the Sabbath day holy, because there is no other way that we can become holy.

Let’s review what we have covered so far.

1 God says, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”

2 In order to keep the Sabbath holy, we must be holy.

3 We are not holy. Our natures are depraved by sin.

4 We cannot meet the demands of the law of God in human strength alone.

5 God has devised a plan whereby our natures can be recreated in His image; whereby we can become holy. It is known as the plan of salvation, the new covenant.

6 As we accept this plan of salvation in our lives, we can now obey God’s command to keep the Sabbath holy.
Let’s go back to our example of the Jews. We left our earlier discussion of the Jews without answering the question, Did they keep the Sabbath day holy?” Let’s look at that now. Remember first, that in order to keep the Sabbath day holy we must ourselves be holy. We just learned that it is through Christ alone and the plan of salvation carried out in the sanctuary of heaven that we can become holy. How do we become holy? We become holy by going to Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary. It is there that we confess our sins and overcome them in the strength of Jesus.

Now, did the Jews as a nation accept this plan and go to Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary? No. Rather than transfer their confession from the “shadow,” that is the ceremonies of the earthly sanctuary, to the true “High Priest” in the “true tabernacle” in heaven, the very next morning after Jesus’ death they resumed their sacrifices in their earthly temple. They continued these useless sacrifices for the next 40 years. By doing this they rejected the One true Sacrifice, the offer of the only One who could make them holy. So did they have the slightest hope of being holy? Not the least. Could they and did they keep the Sabbath holy? No, they could not, and they did not. They rejected and crucified the very One who gave His life to secure for them forgiveness, pardon, and a holy character, and then rejected His ministry on their behalf in the sanctuary in heaven! Therefore, they could not become holy, and since they were not holy, they could not obey God’s command to “keep the Sabbath holy.”

Now, what connection is there between the Jews and what they did and us today? In the book Counsels for the Church, 262, it says, “To us as to Israel the Sabbath is given ‘for a perpetual covenant’ (Exodus 31:16). To those who reverence His holy day the Sabbath is a sign that God recognizes them as His chosen people. It is a pledge that He will fulfill to them His covenant. In other words, He will sanctify us, or make us holy. Every soul who accepts the sign of God’s government places himself under the divine, everlasting covenant [also known as the plan of salvation].”

So if we truly keep the Sabbath holy, it is a sign that we have accepted God’s plan, God’s covenant for the “restoration in the human soul of the image of God.” Education, 371.

It is impossible to keep the Sabbath day holy if we do not connect to the great plan of salvation, the new covenant, made by God the Father and Jesus and which is carried out in the “true tabernacle” (Hebrews 8:2), the sanctuary in heaven. We do not want to repeat the fatal mistake made by the Jews in rejecting the ministration of Jesus, our great High Priest in heaven. This plan of salvation is our only option for obeying God’s command to “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”

I invite you to make the commitment to “permit nothing to interfere with [your] their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God” (The Great Controversy, 488), and thereby fulfill the command of God, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New International Version.)

Brenda Douay is a staff member at Steps to Life. She may be contacted by email at: brendadouay@stepstolife.org.