Amen Ronald, the Sabbath was merely a shadow of a future reality and which is found in Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17
What exactly is ''resting'' on the Sabbath as to keeping it 'Holy'?
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Colossians 2:16-17
Wrangler
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Welcome to the forum.
A theme I've been harping on lately is the evident over-spiritualization in Christendom, where many have nothing but contempt for our soulful needs, calling it "fleshy", "worldly" or "carnal" AS IF there is something inherently sinful about us having a body that has needs! This is the post you are responding to. The poster re-imagined the Sabbath to be spiritual only, when it always included a soulful, bodily rest.
I'm not saying there are no spiritual verses in Scripture; I'm saying those who are over-spiritualized deny there are soulful verses. For instance, after the resurrection, our Lord was not grilling spiritual fish for his friends at the Sea of Galilee. He was grilling actual, physical fish to tend to his friends physical needs. (As Freud put it, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar).
Science has determined that we need to rest (sleep) more than we need food. And it is foolish to suppose the only rest we need is sleep, especially in light of God's gift to us, the Sabbath. The 1st of the 10 Commandments given to us at Genesis 16:23. Sure, we may be able to physically survive without observing the Sabbath but God never wanted us to merely endure; he wants us to thrive with him as the center of our life and purpose of our actions.
I've alway embraced a body-mind-spirit paradigm. When one is physically exhausted, one cannot think properly and one's spirit cannot be in communion with anyone, including God. Physical needs not being met causes us to close in on ourselves; the Sabbath allows us to expand into the eternity of our Creator. What a divine gift is the Sabbath. Amen.
LawofLove
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I know this is a popular teaching against the Sabbath commandment- but is that really want Paul is teaching- that one can disobey one of the commandments of God forget what God said to Remember?
There's a lot more context in these verses and I believe especially when it comes to Paul as we have such a warning about him being hard to understand we need to very carefully and prayerfully look at all of the context.
There are several different Sabbaths in the Bible that uses the same word, but has very different meanings.
There is the seventh day Sabbath- instituted at Creation Exo20:11 Gen2:1-3, came before sin, reaffirmed in the Ten Commandments Exo20:8-11, written by God personally Exo31:18, placed inside God’s ark Exo40:20 God called it “the holy day of the Lord” Isa58:13
There are the annual sabbath(s) feast days that are always tied to animal sacrifices, they don’t always fall on the seventh day can be on any day and came after the fall and were handwritten by Moses, placed besides the ark of God’s covenant came after sin.
- 1st day of Unleavened Bread
- 7th day of Unleavened Bread
- Pentecost
- Trumpets
- Day of Atonement
- 1st day of Tabernacles
- 8th day of Tabernacles
So I think we are being quick to assume by seeing the word Sabbath that has different meanings and assuming it means the Holy Day of the Lord that comes with God's blessing and sanctification , without looking at the context that Paul carefully gave and we should let the Bible interpret itself.
Col 2:14 KJV Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.
Col 2:14 NASB having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Greek word for handwriting: χειρόγραφον (cheirographon)
Literally: “something written by hand
Ordinances
τοῖς δόγμασιν (tois dogmasin)
Meaning: “decrees,” “regulations,” “legal demands”
It is a legal document that condemns sinners why Paul used the word “against us” and “contrary to us”. The law does not condemn the righteous, it condemns the sinners.
Just from this context that Paul gave we can eliminate the Ten Commandments, but lets let Scripture interpret Scripture.
Who wrote the handwritten ordinances?
2 Chron 33:8 and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers—only if they are careful to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.
What law is the law that was contrary and against?
Deut 31:24-26 So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: 26 “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;
It appears from the text that this is not referring to the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments that was written by God Himself by His finger Exo31:18 placed inside the ark of the covenant, not besides like the annual sabbath(s) connected to animal sacrifices.
This is the law that was taken away at the Cross.
Col 2:16 let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
This is the exact language referring to the annual sabbath(s) that were handwritten by Moses, placed besides the ark that refer to annual feasts days, sacrifices and offerings that some were also called sabbath(s)
Eze 45:17 and it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.
What did Jesus say He would come to put an end to? (compared to magnifying another law- by placing it in our hearts Isa42:21 Heb8:10)
Dan 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
Col 2:17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ
What are the shadows laws? Lets let the Scriptures define what they are
Heb 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once []purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’ ”
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, []O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been []sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all
This fits the context of this passage perfectly and makes the Bible harmonize because we see Sabbath-keeping (every Sabbath) 30+ years after the Cross just as Jesus Himself indicated Isa 56:6-7 Acts 13:42, Acts 13:44 Acts 15:21 Acts 18:4 and up to His Second Coming Mat24:20-30 and forever Isa66:22-23
LawofLove
Member
Can you point to one verse that says Jesus is the 4th commandment so we do not need to keep it? I can see why this sounds good, I have my Saturdays - God's holy day Exo20:10 Isa58:13 to do whatever I want, but this kind of thinking is what actually prevented an entire generation from entering their promised land they were promised. Eze20:15-16 In the NT we are told not to follow in the same example of disobedience Heb4:11
LawofLove
Member
There is nothing in this world that can replace God's Sabbath, people do not understand the spiritual blessing God is trying to give us. My life completely changed since I started keeping it. There is no shopping, sporting event, home project or whatever it is that prevents people from spending holy time with the LORD on the only day He set aside blessed and sanctified to spend holy time with His children that will be worth it in the end.Welcome to the forum.
A theme I've been harping on lately is the evident over-spiritualization in Christendom, where many have nothing but contempt for our soulful needs, calling it "fleshy", "worldly" or "carnal" AS IF there is something inherently sinful about us having a body that has needs! This is the post you are responding to. The poster re-imagined the Sabbath to be spiritual only, when it always included a soulful, bodily rest.
I'm not saying there are no spiritual verses in Scripture; I'm saying those who are over-spiritualized deny there are soulful verses. For instance, after the resurrection, our Lord was not grilling spiritual fish for his friends at the Sea of Galilee. He was grilling actual, physical fish to tend to his friends physical needs. (As Freud put it, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar).
Science has determined that we need to rest (sleep) more than we need food. And it is foolish to suppose the only rest we need is sleep, especially in light of God's gift to us, the Sabbath. The 1st of the 10 Commandments given to us at Genesis 16:23. Sure, we may be able to physically survive without observing the Sabbath but God never wanted us to merely endure; he wants us to thrive with him as the center of our life and purpose of our actions.
I've alway embraced a body-mind-spirit paradigm. When one is physically exhausted, one cannot think properly and one's spirit cannot be in communion with anyone, including God. Physical needs not being met causes us to close in on ourselves; the Sabbath allows us to expand into the eternity of our Creator. What a divine gift is the Sabbath. Amen.
View attachment 84205
LawofLove
Member
I understand that's your view, you are free to do what you want but I believe if we are speaking for Jesus we should at least have a verse where He says it Pro30:5-6, but we are granted free will
Take care.
Thank you for the reply,
As you point out that there are many different Sabbaths, yes there are. And in Colossians the plural is used here - Sabbath's
Jesus IS our Sabbath rest and besides, we were NEVER even invited to the law.
Colossians 2:16–17
16 "So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a 1festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."If one follows the sabbath, then one must also observe the rest of their 613 laws.
This is what I understand to be true all from the plain written word.
Thanks and have a lovely day!
LawofLove
Member
Would you care to respond to the context that Paul gave? All you did is repeat yourself without responding to any context. What are the ordinances that were handwritten against man? Can you please point to the Scripture because the Bible tells us and its not what God wrote with His own finger- God's Testimony Exo31:18 Are you claiming that God who made the Sabbath at Creation Exo20:11 who Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man Mark2:27 made it against man? So God was against man after He just made man in His image? God is against what He made holy, blessed and sanctified? This is one of the reasons I believe we have this warning about Paul's writings 2Peter3:16 because if we ignore all of the context we can come up with strange things against the LORD.
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Brakelite
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Why is it that so many people stubbornly refuse to consider that true obedience is impossible without God's help? And if is with God's help, then obedience comes after justification, not as a component of it.
Yeah I’ll never be perfect fleshly. I can be mature (perfect - mature Spiritually) in faith if my decision is to abide in Christ.
You take care too. I don’t like to talk to people who believe in sinless perfection… if that is your own deal.
I just like it be known. I hate the sinless perfection performative mentality of religious sections that push that stuff…
Everyone falls short. Don’t care when you do, but all people do.
" What are the ordinances that were handwritten against man?" They are simply a record of our sin. Jesus nailed them all to the cross...why is there a need to prove yourself here? Not going to go verse by verse of all you posted, I do not have the time or the inclination but thanks anyway. You will not change anyone's mind.
Wrangler
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The Sabbath reminds me that we are a human being not a human doing. The biggest liberating revelation that I ever received is that my value does not come from what I do but who I am. And who are we? (The world often asks that question as a means to emasculate.)
- Image bearers of God. Genesis 1:26
- Children of almighty God. John 1:12
- Our lord said we are gods. John 10:34-36
- With authority to judge this (soulful, fleshy, carnal, worldly) life and even angels. 1 Corinthians 6:3
- And authority to judge the 12 tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28
- Given a divine assignment, to reconcile others to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18
- THE PURPOSE OF LIFE that the world pretends is unknowable.
- But all in good time. Ecclesiastes 3:1
That is right Nancy, Im thankful we did not have to live like the Isrealites did though it was beautiful outwardly - materially and everything.
It was the impureness of the peoples hearts which needed to be restored and Jesus came to do that, and destory the works of the devil.
And if people wanna celebrate a sabbath or whatever festivals they can do so as long as they dont condemn themselves for what they do or condemn other people for not doing that.
I recon.
LawofLove
Member
The handwritten ordinances were what Moses wrote- not what God wrote- that were besides the ark of God's covenant.
This is what Paul was quoting:
“So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished
that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying
“Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you” — Deuteronomy 31:24–26 (NKJV)
“and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers—only if they are careful to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.”” — 2 Chronicles 33:8
(NKJV)
This contained everything but the Ten Commandments that were not handwritten by a human, but written divinely by the finger of God Exo31:18 where the God of the Universe tells us how to love Him Exo20:6- the book that Moses wrote that contained the ordinances that contained the annual feast days, that some were also called sabbath(s) that had to do with food and drink offerings the context of Col2:14-17. The annuals sabbaths came after sin- the Sabbath written by God Himself came before sin Exo20:11 the annual sabbaths always included an animal sacrifices- these are the shadow laws Heb10:1-17- not Gods Ten Commandments that God personally wrote that defines what sin is when we break 1John3:4 breaking one we break them all, that God's saints keep until the end of time Exo20:6 Rev14:12 Rev22:14
I understand these Scriptures won't convince everyone, only the Holy Spirit can change ones heart if we hear Him and allow Him to Heb3:7-19 I am just pointing out the context to these passages, what someone does with them its up to them.
God bless!
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Brakelite
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Absolutely correct that there are different sabbaths. Basically feast days but a step up in importance. Passover for example was a week long and was bookended by sabbaths. The day of Atonement... Sabbath. And as Colossians says, those sabbaths Paul was referring to, and the feast days and new moon observations etc we designated at the time of their being instituted, as shadows of the coming Messiah. In haft, all of them were intimately associated with the services of the sanctuary which was a pictorial and ritualistic depiction of thy gospel to Israel. Through it, Israel learned what God expected of them, as well as what He was doing for them. All of those things were added to the law because of transgression. Sin. The first law was given in Eden. Don't eat of the tree. Because that was transgressed and God's command disobeyed, the sacrificial system set up. After the Exodus when God was establishing a nation, the sacrificed system was more formalised with a priesthood and a tabernacle for the presence of God.
However. The 7th day Sabbath was not instituted because of sin. It rang a shadow pointing to Christ as were the other sabbaths. The weekly Sabbath was instituted at creation, before sin had infected humanity, therefore was not a part of the sacrificed system of the law of Moses that was added"because of transgression".
“Wherefore then serveth the law? (what law do you think Paul is treferring to here?) It was added because of transgressions, (according to John sin, is transgression against the law... think about that)till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. ”
Galatians 3:19 KJV
Rockerduck
Well-Known Member
Jesus did away with the Mosaic law. it is over and done. However, God blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it in Genesis, and that one is to Keep. Do nothing on the Sabbath because God rested on that day. Genesis 2:2-3
Thank you Brakelite,Absolutely correct that there are different sabbaths. Basically feast days but a step up in importance. Passover for example was a week long and was bookended by sabbaths. The day of Atonement... Sabbath. And as Colossians says, those sabbaths Paul was referring to, and the feast days and new moon observations etc we designated at the time of their being instituted, as shadows of the coming Messiah. In haft, all of them were intimately associated with the services of the sanctuary which was a pictorial and ritualistic depiction of thy gospel to Israel. Through it, Israel learned what God expected of them, as well as what He was doing for them. All of those things were added to the law because of transgression. Sin. The first law was given in Eden. Don't eat of the tree. Because that was transgressed and God's command disobeyed, the sacrificial system set up. After the Exodus when God was establishing a nation, the sacrificed system was more formalised with a priesthood and a tabernacle for the presence of God.
However. The 7th day Sabbath was not instituted because of sin. It rang a shadow pointing to Christ as were the other sabbaths. The weekly Sabbath was instituted at creation, before sin had infected humanity, therefore was not a part of the sacrificed system of the law of Moses that was added"because of transgression".
“Wherefore then serveth the law? (what law do you think Paul is treferring to here?) It was added because of transgressions, (according to John sin, is transgression against the law... think about that)till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. ”
Galatians 3:19 KJV
It has been some time since I have looked into this subject and, it's hard to understand that if you are keeping a law given to Israelites (yes, I know we are all one in Christ) and, what does Paul mean when he say's not to judge anyone of sabbath days? Jesus is our rest. Hebrews in chapters 3 and 4 redefines the Sabbath rest not merely as a physical day, but as an ongoing spiritual rest that believers enter through faith in Jesus Christ.
I will think on this further.
Thanks!
LawofLove
Member
I believe Hebrews re-enforces the physical day of rest, but its never been only physical- just as Jesus magnified the law Isa42:21 and showed examples of it lust with adultery, anger with murder which was always His true intent, obedience from the heart, its the same with the Sabbath, but not in a way that its no longer being kept the way God said.
For example in Hebrews 4 we are told:
“For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”” — Hebrews 4:4 (NKJV)
So its not just spiritual God rested on the seventh day from all His works and this passage is quoting the 4th commandment that God spoke in this way of the seventh day Exo20:8-11
And we see by verse 10 there are two rests in this passage, not one.
“For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” — Hebrews 4:10 (NKJV)
Those who enter Christ's rest also, which means in addition, they also cease from their works as God did. When did God cease from His works? Only one day and this very passage re-enforces this:
“For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works
Those resting in Christ also rest from the physical day the seventh day as Christ did from all their works- they rest from their works Exo20:10 to keep the Sabbath day holy, its a day of holy communion with God and our fellow man. Exo20:8-11 Lev23:3 Isa58:13 Luke 4:16 Acts 13:44 Acts 15:21 Isa66:23 etc
Why the Sabbath-rest remains for the people of God as shown in verse 9
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God” — Hebrews 4:9
and the rest in this verse literally means keeping the Sabbath
Original Word: σαββατισμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: sabbatismos
Pronunciation: sab-bat-is-mos'
Phonetic Spelling: (sab-bat-is-mos')
sabbatismos: Sabbath rest
Definition: Sabbath rest
Meaning: a keeping of the Sabbath, a Sabbath rest.
God never changed His Sabbath commandment- man did Dan7:25 and the church who changed God's Sabbath admit they did so based on their own sense of authority over God's, they claim this change is a mark of their authority over God.
God is calling His people out of this system:
“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” — Revelation 18:4 (NKJV)
And back to worship the God of Creation
“saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”” — Revelation 14:7 (NKJV)
“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” — Exodus 20:11 (NKJV)
For example in Hebrews 4 we are told:
“For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”” — Hebrews 4:4 (NKJV)
So its not just spiritual God rested on the seventh day from all His works and this passage is quoting the 4th commandment that God spoke in this way of the seventh day Exo20:8-11
And we see by verse 10 there are two rests in this passage, not one.
“For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” — Hebrews 4:10 (NKJV)
Those who enter Christ's rest also, which means in addition, they also cease from their works as God did. When did God cease from His works? Only one day and this very passage re-enforces this:
“For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works
Those resting in Christ also rest from the physical day the seventh day as Christ did from all their works- they rest from their works Exo20:10 to keep the Sabbath day holy, its a day of holy communion with God and our fellow man. Exo20:8-11 Lev23:3 Isa58:13 Luke 4:16 Acts 13:44 Acts 15:21 Isa66:23 etc
Why the Sabbath-rest remains for the people of God as shown in verse 9
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God” — Hebrews 4:9
and the rest in this verse literally means keeping the Sabbath
Original Word: σαββατισμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: sabbatismos
Pronunciation: sab-bat-is-mos'
Phonetic Spelling: (sab-bat-is-mos')
sabbatismos: Sabbath rest
Definition: Sabbath rest
Meaning: a keeping of the Sabbath, a Sabbath rest.
God never changed His Sabbath commandment- man did Dan7:25 and the church who changed God's Sabbath admit they did so based on their own sense of authority over God's, they claim this change is a mark of their authority over God.
God is calling His people out of this system:
“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” — Revelation 18:4 (NKJV)
And back to worship the God of Creation
“saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”” — Revelation 14:7 (NKJV)
“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” — Exodus 20:11 (NKJV)
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