Why It's DISHONEST To Claim The Sabbath Commandment Isn't Found In The NT

[Phoneman777]

IN THE KJV, Paul instructs believers in Hebrews 3:11-4:11 on the topic of "spiritual rest". He uses the word "rest" 11 times, and in each case the word is translated from the Greek "kataposis" which means "spiritual rest" - except in the case of verse 9 where it's translated from "Sabbatismos" which clearly refers to the Sabbath and to the "literal rest" of the weekly, seventh day Sabbath which he tells us "remains" for the saints to observe:

[9] There remaineth therefore a rest ("Sabbatismos") to the people of God.​

IN THE PESHITTA (the Bible of Ancient Eastern MSS that is the closest to the Textus Receptus KJV), verse 9 also has "rest" translated from that which refers to the Sabbath, but the entire verse it translated even more forcefully than the KJV:

[9] "It is therefore the duty of the people of God to keep the Sabbath."​

The word "duty" is absolutely an accurate translation - because while the Syriac word "qym" indeed means "remains" as seen in the KJV, it also means "valid" which is defined as "legally binding (contract) due to having been executed in compliance with the law" - which is why it's as much the "duty" of New Covenant (New "Contract") saints to keep the Sabbath commandment as it is for us to keep the other 9 commandments: because it's God's law.

Unfortunately, there are "Christians" who despise God's law for the same reason a swinging bachelor despises marital vows, and they refuse to acknowledge the relevance of the Peshitta or the distinction between "kataposis" and "Sabbatismos" and insist "Sabbatismos" merely refers to the same "spiritual rest in Jesus" Paul refers to in these other verses. This is the height of hermeneutical skulduggery and stubborn ignorance.

HOW CAN "SPIRITUAL REST" BE SOMETHING THAT "REMAINS" FOR THE "PEOPLE OF GOD" TO ENTER INTO, OR BE A "DUTY" FOR THEM TO FULFILL WHEN THE SAINTS - BY DEFINITION, DEFAULT, NATURE AND DISPOSITION, ETC. - ARE THOSE WHO'VE ALREADY ENTERED SPIRITUAL REST?

Therefore, even a blind man can see clearly that the only "rest" that "remains" as a "duty" for the saints to enter into is the "literal rest" of the weekly Sabbath commandment...but, will everyone jump on the bandwagon to fulfill their yet unfulfilled duty and enter into the only rest that remains before them? Will they admit that Hebrews 4:9-10 KJV plainly says it's our duty to keep the Sabbath because those who rest inwardly in Jesus are to demonstrate that by resting outwardly every Sabbath day from our work "as God from His"?

No. Most people will never completely surrender to God. They'll only presumptuously attempt to bargain with Him over the terms of their surrender when the only thing they can bring to the bargaining table is a lost soul. Moody said it best:

"You want power in your Christian life, do you? You want Holy Ghost power? You want the dew of heaven on your brow? You want to see men convicted and converted? I don't believe we shall have genuine conversions until we get straight on this (Sabbath) law of God". - D. L. Moody, On the Ten Commandments, pp. 58​

 

[Randy Kluth]

IN THE KJV, Paul instructs believers in Hebrews 3:11-4:11 on the topic of "spiritual rest". He uses the word "rest" 11 times, and in each case the word is translated from the Greek "kataposis" which means "spiritual rest" - except in the case of verse 9 where it's translated from "Sabbatismos" which clearly refers to the Sabbath and to the "literal rest" of the weekly, seventh day Sabbath which he tells us "remains" for the saints to observe:

[9] There remaineth therefore a rest ("Sabbatismos") to the people of God.​

Heb11 So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’

What is God's "Rest?" Is God observing a 7th Day Commandment, or is this "Rest" simply a cessation of His work of Creation? I think it is the latter because God Himself never said He is personally observing a 7th Day requirement such as was imposed upon the people of Israel.

God was asking Israel to enter into His Rest in a different way entirely, not in the Sabbath Day requirement, but rather, in the way that God Himself ceased working. Israel didn't create the world, and so could not enter into any "rest" from that. But they could enter into God's "Rest" in the sense that they presently work with God in His redemptive program that was promised would ultimately bring rest to Israel and to the world.

The implication in this passage is that there is a work going on in terms of bringing about the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, to establish the Israeli nation, and to bring about Salvation to the whole world. People cannot enter into God's "Rest" in this respect if they are not presently working with God in this task. Those who work with God now can achieve a measure of rest now, after they have worked with God, and can help the world enter into the ultimate promise of eternal rest.

The NT Scriptures teach us that neither Israel nor the Gentiles are under the Law as a covenant. Israel failed to enter into God's "rest" in regard to their cooperation with Him in His program of preparing for Christ's 1st Coming. Therefore, God annulled the old covenant service, which Israel fell short of, making the only legitimate service now participation with Christ and his new covenant. And so, the requirement to "keep the Sabbath" is no longer valid and certainly not NT teaching.

"It is therefore the duty of the people of God to keep the Sabbath."

The word "duty" is absolutely an accurate translation - because while the Syriac word "qym" indeed means "remains" as seen in the KJV, it also means "valid" which is defined as "legally binding (contract) due to having been executed in compliance with the law" - which is why it's as much the "duty" of New Covenant (New "Contract") saints to keep the Sabbath commandment as it is for us to keep the other 9 commandments: because it's God's law.

The author of Hebrews had just indicated that the people of Israel could not enter into God's Rest, in the sense that they had failed to work with God in His work of preparing for Christ's redemption. The covenant had therefore failed, and the "duty" to keep the Sabbath had now been relegated to the work of Christian redemption, and not to the old covenant of keeping the Sabbath Law.

Heb 3.14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

This was a comparison between Israel under the old covenant and Christians under the new covenant. As Israel failed to enter into God's Work and Rest in the sense of "working with God," so the same issue remains for Christians to "work with God" and so complete the mission of cooperating with God in His redemptive mission.

Heb 3.18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

It was Israel who failed to enter into *God's Rest.* And this related to the "promise" given to Israel that they should be saved as a nation from the effect of their sins, which was exile.

HOW CAN "SPIRITUAL REST" BE SOMETHING THAT "REMAINS" FOR THE "PEOPLE OF GOD" TO ENTER INTO, OR BE A "DUTY" FOR THEM TO FULFILL WHEN THE SAINTS - BY DEFINITION, DEFAULT, NATURE AND DISPOSITION, ETC. - ARE THOSE WHO'VE ALREADY ENTERED SPIRITUAL REST?

The author was referring to Israel's failure, under the old covenant, to work with God in the work of preparing for Christian redemption. It had nothing to do with fulfilling a promise of keeping a 7th Day rule!

The failure of Israel under the old covenant was the duty to "work with God," to "obey God." And it was also to *not* work with God when God is not working. That's why that covenant failed entirely. They refused to work when God was working, when God wanted them to work, and to cease working when God did not want them to work.

That's the "rest" they failed to enter into, namely the rest that follows proper work with God. The reward of obedience is blessing. But Israel entered into a national curse.

Christians also have the responsibility to work with God in His present mission of preaching redemption to the nations. This is what brings about the ultimate promise of international redemption, working with God and thereby bringing "rest" to the world. If Christians do not properly work with God they also will fail to experience God's "rest," and will not properly prepare the world for the rest God promised it.

Heb 4.Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it... 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

 

[Phoneman777]

Heb11 So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’

What is God's "Rest?" Is God observing a 7th Day Commandment, or is this "Rest" simply a cessation of His work of Creation? I think it is the latter because God Himself never said He is personally observing a 7th Day requirement such as was imposed upon the people of Israel.

God was asking Israel to enter into His Rest in a different way entirely, not in the Sabbath Day requirement, but rather, in the way that God Himself ceased working. Israel didn't create the world, and so could not enter into any "rest" from that. But they could enter into God's "Rest" in the sense that they presently work with God in His redemptive program that was promised would ultimately bring rest to Israel and to the world.

The implication in this passage is that there is a work going on in terms of bringing about the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, to establish the Israeli nation, and to bring about Salvation to the whole world. People cannot enter into God's "Rest" in this respect if they are not presently working with God in this task. Those who work with God now can achieve a measure of rest now, after they have worked with God, and can help the world enter into the ultimate promise of eternal rest.

The NT Scriptures teach us that neither Israel nor the Gentiles are under the Law as a covenant. Israel failed to enter into God's "rest" in regard to their cooperation with Him in His program of preparing for Christ's 1st Coming. Therefore, God annulled the old covenant service, which Israel fell short of, making the only legitimate service now participation with Christ and his new covenant. And so, the requirement to "keep the Sabbath" is no longer valid and certainly not NT teaching.


The author of Hebrews had just indicated that the people of Israel could not enter into God's Rest, in the sense that they had failed to work with God in His work of preparing for Christ's redemption. The covenant had therefore failed, and the "duty" to keep the Sabbath had now been relegated to the work of Christian redemption, and not to the old covenant of keeping the Sabbath Law.

Heb 3.14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

This was a comparison between Israel under the old covenant and Christians under the new covenant. As Israel failed to enter into God's Work and Rest in the sense of "working with God," so the same issue remains for Christians to "work with God" and so complete the mission of cooperating with God in His redemptive mission.

Heb 3.18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

It was Israel who failed to enter into *God's Rest.* And this related to the "promise" given to Israel that they should be saved as a nation from the effect of their sins, which was exile.


The author was referring to Israel's failure, under the old covenant, to work with God in the work of preparing for Christian redemption. It had nothing to do with fulfilling a promise of keeping a 7th Day rule!

The failure of Israel under the old covenant was the duty to "work with God," to "obey God." And it was also to *not* work with God when God is not working. That's why that covenant failed entirely. They refused to work when God was working, when God wanted them to work, and to cease working when God did not want them to work.

That's the "rest" they failed to enter into, namely the rest that follows proper work with God. The reward of obedience is blessing. But Israel entered into a national curse.

Christians also have the responsibility to work with God in His present mission of preaching redemption to the nations. This is what brings about the ultimate promise of international redemption, working with God and thereby bringing "rest" to the world. If Christians do not properly work with God they also will fail to experience God's "rest," and will not properly prepare the world for the rest God promised it.

Heb 4.Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it... 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Sorry, but I don't see how anything you've written disproves anything I've written. It seems the common premise of you, BB, and David is that broader concept of "spiritual rest" overshadows our need to enter into literal seventh day Sabbath rest. It's true that Messiah came to "magnify the law and make it honorable".

Yet, does keeping ourselves from hate, lust, and deceitful behavior abolish the 5th, 7th and 9th commandments?

Then why argue that entering into "spiritual rest" abolishes the 4th commandment?

Can you see your entire premise rests on a foundation of flawed reasoning?

 

[Randy Kluth]

Sorry, but I don't see how anything you've written disproves anything I've written.

I wasn't proving what I said. It's orthodox doctrine that we are *not under the Law of Moses.* We are saved exclusively by the redemption of Christ, which is a *new covenant.* How is that not in itself a rebuttal to your claim that we must honor the Sabbath Day?

It seems the common premise of you, BB, and David is that broader concept of "spiritual rest" overshadows our need to enter into literal seventh day Sabbath rest.

Of course it's the common premise that God's Rest has nothing to do with our keeping the 7th Day holy! God's Rest has to do with our need to work when God works and rest when He rests. God doesn't just work Sunday through Friday. And He doesn't just rest on Saturday!

It's true that Messiah came to "magnify the law and make it honorable".

No he didn't. He came to fulfill the Law, which was a testimony as to the reality of Man's sin, and to his inability to save himself. He did that by dying for Man's sin, and then rising from the dead so that we could join him in spirit, qualifying us to rise, as well.

Yet, does keeping ourselves from hate, lust, and deceitful behavior abolish the 5th, 7th and 9th commandments?

What abolished the 10 Commandments was Israel's failure to remain true to the Covenant of Moses. If we are to observe rules of love today, it must be under the New Covenant of Christ.

Then why argue that entering into "spiritual rest" abolishes the 4th commandment?

Can you see your entire premise rests on a foundation of flawed reasoning?

No, can't you see that you're advocating for an expired Law?

 

[Phoneman777]

I wasn't proving what I said. It's orthodox doctrine that we are *not under the Law of Moses.* We are saved exclusively by the redemption of Christ, which is a *new covenant.* How is that not in itself a rebuttal to your claim that we must honor the Sabbath Day?

Randy, it's catastrophic hermeneutical error to ignore the Biblical distinction between the Moral Law of Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law of ceremonies and sacrifices - the Scriptural evidence abounds:

• Mosaic Law was "nailed to the Cross" - the Ten Commandments "stand fast forever and ever".
• Mosaic Law was a "carnal commandment" - the Ten Commandments are "holy, just, and good".
• Mosaic Law was "against us" - the Ten Commandments contain "blessings" for us
• circumcision is optional - to "kill" or "commit adultery" makes the Christian a "transgressor of the law"

Many other examples prove this distinction and any doctrine that ignores it is defective before it leaves the factory.

Of course it's the common premise that God's Rest has nothing to do with our keeping the 7th Day holy! God's Rest has to do with our need to work when God works and rest when He rests. God doesn't just work Sunday through Friday. And He doesn't just rest on Saturday!

Common only to those who are willfully ignorant to the Biblical distinction between the Moral and Mosaic.

No he didn't. He came to fulfill the Law,

"He (Jesus) will magnify the law and make it honorable". - Isaiah 42:21 KJV

Didn't Jesus say "lust" is just as bad as "adultery"?
Didn't Jesus say "hate" is just as bad as to "kill"?
That's "magnifying" the law.

Did He make it "honorable" aka "make it possible for us to honor it"?
Yes, because we "can do all things through Christ".

Did He fulfill the Law?
Yes, to show us that we, too, can fulfill it, and to be our Lamb without spot of blemish - not to abolish it.

What abolished the 10 Commandments

If you truly believe that, I challenge you to publicly declare which of the following we are at liberty to do:

[] worship Satan​

[] bow down to images​

[] blaspheme​

[] work all 7 days of the week​

[] dishonor parents​

[] kill​

[] commit adultery​

[] steal​

[] lie​

[] covet​

If you're only willing to check the 4th box, you're theology is DOA and in desperate need of an overhaul.

No, can't you see that you're advocating for an expired Law?

Can't you see the Ten Commandments "stand fast forever and ever" (Psalms 111:7-8 KJV) which is why it will always be wrong to check any of the those boxes?

 

[Randy Kluth]

Randy, it's catastrophic hermeneutical error to ignore the Biblical distinction between the Moral Law of Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law of ceremonies and sacrifices - the Scriptural evidence abounds:

• Mosaic Law was "nailed to the Cross" - the Ten Commandments "stand fast forever and ever".
• Mosaic Law was a "carnal commandment" - the Ten Commandments are "holy, just, and good".
• Mosaic Law was "against us" - the Ten Commandments contain "blessings" for us
• circumcision is optional - to "kill" or "commit adultery" makes the Christian a "transgressor of the law"

No, it's not only *not catastrophic," but it's purely anti-Reformation and anti-orthodoxy. Pelagianism said that one is able to keep commandments to the effect that redemption is self-achieved.

Keeping even one commandment implies there is no inherent Sin in Man to dislodge him from Paradise. That is patently untrue, according to the Scriptures.

You will not be able to quote the Scriptures to undo what the Scriptures teach in this regard. There is *no law* that Man can keep to achieve acceptance in God's sight apart from the exclusive work of Christ. And he did not have to "keep the Sabbath" because the entire Law was given on behalf of "sinful Man," and not on behalf of Christ, who was sinless.

Please see my response to Barney on the false sense that the "Law is carnal." It was only "carnal" in the sense it dealt with earthly realities and sinful men--the commandments themselves were not tainted with sin!

The 10 Commandments were a testimony against human sin as much as the entire Law was. Have you kept the 10 Commandments perfectly? Of course not.

The Law was given to show us that we are flawed and have need of a perfect priest, well beyond the Levitical priesthood. At the same time, the Law was given to give the world hope in a coming perfect Redeemer, whose priesthood would work in heaven, and not fall short on earth.

Did He make it "honorable" aka "make it possible for us to honor it"?
Yes, because we "can do all things through Christ".

Of course the Law was "honorable." And it was honorable when saints under that system succeeded in obeying it--not perfect obedience but generally living by it. It was given as a kind of "truce" between God and Man. In keeping the Law, faith was expressed in God's mercy, that He would supply the lamb of sacrifice that Abraham could never supply.

Did He fulfill the Law?
Yes, to show us that we, too, can fulfill it, and to be our Lamb without spot of blemish - not to abolish it.

Yes, I've tried to explain this. Jesus gave Israel the Law prior to his Incarnation. He certainly would not abolish what he had given--at least, not until the Law had accomplished what it had set out to do, not until Christ had completed what it had started.

At the same time, he provided the Law on a temporary basis until it could be fulfilled. It did that on the cross.

The righteousness of the Law was therefore fulfilled *apart from the Law* in Christ, because sinful Man could never be permanently justified under a Law that exposed them as sinful.

When we live in Christ we live in *his* righteousness, and not in the righteousness of the Law, which condemns all of humanity apart from Christ. We must live *in Christ* to be saved.

If you truly believe that, I challenge you to publicly declare which of the following we are at liberty to do:

[] worship Satan​

[] bow down to images​

[] blaspheme​

[] work all 7 days of the week​

[] dishonor parents​

[] kill​

[] commit adultery​

[] steal​

[] lie​

[] covet​

I tried to show the fallacy of this argument in another post. It is as follows, and is non-sequitur....

1) Moral Law is in the Law of Moses.
2) The Law of Moses was annulled.
3) Therefore, the Moral Law was annulled.

This argument is fallacious. The Moral Law preexisted the Law of Moses, and continues for eternity after the Law of Moses has ended. Please stop using that argument. It is utterly worthless to me!

 

[Bob Estey]

IN THE KJV, Paul instructs believers in Hebrews 3:11-4:11 on the topic of "spiritual rest". He uses the word "rest" 11 times, and in each case the word is translated from the Greek "kataposis" which means "spiritual rest" - except in the case of verse 9 where it's translated from "Sabbatismos" which clearly refers to the Sabbath and to the "literal rest" of the weekly, seventh day Sabbath which he tells us "remains" for the saints to observe:

[9] There remaineth therefore a rest ("Sabbatismos") to the people of God.​

IN THE PESHITTA (the Bible of Ancient Eastern MSS that is the closest to the Textus Receptus KJV), verse 9 also has "rest" translated from that which refers to the Sabbath, but the entire verse it translated even more forcefully than the KJV:

[9] "It is therefore the duty of the people of God to keep the Sabbath."​

The word "duty" is absolutely an accurate translation - because while the Syriac word "qym" indeed means "remains" as seen in the KJV, it also means "valid" which is defined as "legally binding (contract) due to having been executed in compliance with the law" - which is why it's as much the "duty" of New Covenant (New "Contract") saints to keep the Sabbath commandment as it is for us to keep the other 9 commandments: because it's God's law.

Unfortunately, there are "Christians" who despise God's law for the same reason a swinging bachelor despises marital vows, and they refuse to acknowledge the relevance of the Peshitta or the distinction between "kataposis" and "Sabbatismos" and insist "Sabbatismos" merely refers to the same "spiritual rest in Jesus" Paul refers to in these other verses. This is the height of hermeneutical skulduggery and stubborn ignorance.

HOW CAN "SPIRITUAL REST" BE SOMETHING THAT "REMAINS" FOR THE "PEOPLE OF GOD" TO ENTER INTO, OR BE A "DUTY" FOR THEM TO FULFILL WHEN THE SAINTS - BY DEFINITION, DEFAULT, NATURE AND DISPOSITION, ETC. - ARE THOSE WHO'VE ALREADY ENTERED SPIRITUAL REST?

Therefore, even a blind man can see clearly that the only "rest" that "remains" as a "duty" for the saints to enter into is the "literal rest" of the weekly Sabbath commandment...but, will everyone jump on the bandwagon to fulfill their yet unfulfilled duty and enter into the only rest that remains before them? Will they admit that Hebrews 4:9-10 KJV plainly says it's our duty to keep the Sabbath because those who rest inwardly in Jesus are to demonstrate that by resting outwardly every Sabbath day from our work "as God from His"?

No. Most people will never completely surrender to God. They'll only presumptuously attempt to bargain with Him over the terms of their surrender when the only thing they can bring to the bargaining table is a lost soul. Moody said it best:

"You want power in your Christian life, do you? You want Holy Ghost power? You want the dew of heaven on your brow? You want to see men convicted and converted? I don't believe we shall have genuine conversions until we get straight on this (Sabbath) law of God". - D. L. Moody, On the Ten Commandments, pp. 58​

We all need a day of rest each week to function properly.

 

[Randy Kluth]

We all need a day of rest each week to function properly.

Based on what? Science or your interpretation of Scripture?

And what is it to "function properly?" I should think there are functioning people on earth who do *not* observe a 7th day of rest, who get their rest daily by working less?

That we need rest there is no question. We need sleep, we need rest. But I'm not sure science has determined just how we have to get this rest, ie in what arrangement?

 

[Phoneman777]

We all need a day of rest each week to function properly.

"a" is an "indefinite article". "Bring me a chair" refers to no specific chair.

"the" is a "definite article". "Bring me the chair" refers to a specific chair.

"..but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord."

 

[Bob Estey]

"a" is an "indefinite article". "Bring me a chair" refers to no specific chair.

"the" is a "definite article". "Bring me the chair" refers to a specific chair.

"..but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord."

You seem to take a simple concept and make it complicated.

 

[JohnDB]

Ummmm
There's a LOT of things that go into scripture construction that never were intended as literal. Just figurative and metaphoric.

For example..."The 12 tribes of Israel "
In truth there are 13 tribes as there was no tribe of Joseph. But Moses said 12 and it's always with what Moses said. Even in the New Testament....the number is always 12 even after the inclusion of Paul, who was the 13th Apostle.

So....unless every Christian and Judaism adherent failed kindergarten....there's something else going on.

 

[Phoneman777]

You seem to take a simple concept and make it complicated.

I can understand why one who engages in oversimplification would feel that way.

 

[Phoneman777]

Ummmm
There's a LOT of things that go into scripture construction that never were intended as literal. Just figurative and metaphoric.

For example..."The 12 tribes of Israel "
In truth there are 13 tribes as there was no tribe of Joseph. But Moses said 12 and it's always with what Moses said. Even in the New Testament....the number is always 12 even after the inclusion of Paul, who was the 13th Apostle.

So....unless every Christian and Judaism adherent failed kindergarten....there's something else going on.

I think it's safe to say when it comes to the Ten Commandments, the message conveyed is anything but figurative: He didn't trust a man to write it for Him, He wrote it down twice to make sure we retained it, and He wrote it in stone to demonstrate the permanence of it.

 

[Bob Estey]

I can understand why one who engages in oversimplification would feel that way.

I don't remember the Lord stating that Saturday was the last day of the week, but many insist it is. Does that make it the last day of the week?

 

[Phoneman777]

I don't remember the Lord stating that Saturday was the last day of the week, but many insist it is. Does that make it the last day of the week?

He didn't. In fact, the only name He gave to a day was the one He made "holy" and commanded us to keep "holy" - the "Sabbath".

The others were simply 1 - 6 with day 6 eventually coming to be known as "preparation day" which means even the other days recognize the preeminence of the Sabbath

 

[Hobie]

IN THE KJV, Paul instructs believers in Hebrews 3:11-4:11 on the topic of "spiritual rest". He uses the word "rest" 11 times, and in each case the word is translated from the Greek "kataposis" which means "spiritual rest" - except in the case of verse 9 where it's translated from "Sabbatismos" which clearly refers to the Sabbath and to the "literal rest" of the weekly, seventh day Sabbath which he tells us "remains" for the saints to observe:

[9] There remaineth therefore a rest ("Sabbatismos") to the people of God.​

IN THE PESHITTA (the Bible of Ancient Eastern MSS that is the closest to the Textus Receptus KJV), verse 9 also has "rest" translated from that which refers to the Sabbath, but the entire verse it translated even more forcefully than the KJV:

[9] "It is therefore the duty of the people of God to keep the Sabbath."​

The word "duty" is absolutely an accurate translation - because while the Syriac word "qym" indeed means "remains" as seen in the KJV, it also means "valid" which is defined as "legally binding (contract) due to having been executed in compliance with the law" - which is why it's as much the "duty" of New Covenant (New "Contract") saints to keep the Sabbath commandment as it is for us to keep the other 9 commandments: because it's God's law.

Unfortunately, there are "Christians" who despise God's law for the same reason a swinging bachelor despises marital vows, and they refuse to acknowledge the relevance of the Peshitta or the distinction between "kataposis" and "Sabbatismos" and insist "Sabbatismos" merely refers to the same "spiritual rest in Jesus" Paul refers to in these other verses. This is the height of hermeneutical skulduggery and stubborn ignorance.

HOW CAN "SPIRITUAL REST" BE SOMETHING THAT "REMAINS" FOR THE "PEOPLE OF GOD" TO ENTER INTO, OR BE A "DUTY" FOR THEM TO FULFILL WHEN THE SAINTS - BY DEFINITION, DEFAULT, NATURE AND DISPOSITION, ETC. - ARE THOSE WHO'VE ALREADY ENTERED SPIRITUAL REST?

Therefore, even a blind man can see clearly that the only "rest" that "remains" as a "duty" for the saints to enter into is the "literal rest" of the weekly Sabbath commandment...but, will everyone jump on the bandwagon to fulfill their yet unfulfilled duty and enter into the only rest that remains before them? Will they admit that Hebrews 4:9-10 KJV plainly says it's our duty to keep the Sabbath because those who rest inwardly in Jesus are to demonstrate that by resting outwardly every Sabbath day from our work "as God from His"?

No. Most people will never completely surrender to God. They'll only presumptuously attempt to bargain with Him over the terms of their surrender when the only thing they can bring to the bargaining table is a lost soul. Moody said it best:

"You want power in your Christian life, do you? You want Holy Ghost power? You want the dew of heaven on your brow? You want to see men convicted and converted? I don't believe we shall have genuine conversions until we get straight on this (Sabbath) law of God". - D. L. Moody, On the Ten Commandments, pp. 58​

Well thought out explanation. It seems Satan gives every excuse for why to not obey God, and many take it hook, line, and sinker...

 

[mailmandan]

These folks who are absolutely obsessed with the sabbath and relentlessly push sabbath keeping as a 'legalistic prescription' for salvation on Christians just cannot seem to get it through their heads that sabbath keeping with all its rules and regulations, was part of a covenant with Israel (Exodus 16:23, 29; 31:12-18; 35:1-3; Leviticus 19:30; 23:2-3, 32; Numbers 15:32-36; 28:1-10; 29:39-40; I Chronicles. 23:30-31; II Chronicles 31:2-4; Isaiah 1:13; Amos 8:5; Nehemiah 10:31) that is not binding on the Church/Christians under the new covenant. (Colossians 2:16-17)

These folks still have not found their 'sabbatismos' (word found nowhere else in the Bible) rest in Christ (Hebrews 4:9) in contrast with trying to find their rest in keeping the weekly sabbath day under the law. (Exodus 31:16-17; 35:1-3; Deuteronomy 5:15)

Sabbath rest (4520) sabbatismos - Sermon Index

Is the Sabbath Still Required for Christians?​

Sabbatismos Ministries: Finding Our Rest in Christ - Is the Sabbath Still Required for Christians?

Sabbatismos is a website ministry for questioning Seventh-day Adventists and Christians who want to learn more about Adventist doctrines, by former-Adventists, Joe and Jennifer Rector.

www.sabbatismos.com

Seventh-day Adventists even teach that the near the end of time the "mark of the best" of Revelation 14 will be placed upon those who worship on Sunday instead of Saturday.

Mark of the Beast

Bible Truth Versus SDA Doctrine - Mark of the Beast

nonsda.org

 

[Pearl]

I believe the rest mentioned by Jesus in the NT is more to do with resting in Him/Christ:
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

 

[Phoneman777]

These folks who are absolutely obsessed with the sabbath and relentlessly push sabbath

Get it straight - every Christian should be obsessed with the things of God, Sabbath included, which is the "sign" between the Christian and his God according to God.

keeping as a 'legalistic prescription' for salvation

True Christians demonstrate they've been saved through faith by keeping God's commandments, while those who claim to know Him but refuse to keep them are liars who will split hell wide open.

on Christians just cannot seem to get it through their heads that sabbath keeping with all its rules and regulations, was part of a covenant with Israel (Exodus 16:23, 29; 31:12-18; 35:1-3; Leviticus 19:30; 23:2-3, 32; Numbers 15:32-36; 28:1-10; 29:39-40; I Chronicles. 23:30-31; II Chronicles 31:2-4; Isaiah 1:13; Amos 8:5; Nehemiah 10:31) that is not binding on the Church/Christians under the new covenant. (Colossians 2:16-17)

Every one of your "proof" texts proves nothing - because the Ten Commandments existed BEFORE the Old Covenant and "stand fast forever and ever".

The only thing proved by people who claim the Christian doesn't need to keep the Ten Commandments but refuse to publicly declare which ones we're allowed to break is that they're cowards.

These folks still have not found their 'sabbatismos' (word found nowhere else in the Bible) rest in Christ (Hebrews 4:9) in contrast with trying to find their rest in keeping the weekly sabbath day under the law. (Exodus 31:16-17; 35:1-3; Deuteronomy 5:15)

"Kataposis" refers to "rest in Christ".
"Sabbatismos" refers to "weekly Sabbath rest".

To say otherwise is simply satanic theological skulduggery.

Is the Sabbath Still Required for Christians?

Yes, as are every one of the Ten Commandments.

Seventh-day Adventists even teach that the near the end of time the "mark of the best" of Revelation 14 will be placed upon those who worship on Sunday instead of Saturday.

Absolutely - because as in the time of the Israelite babies and the Nile River, the Three Hebrew Worthies and the fiery furnace, Daniel and the lion's den, Esther and the death decree, etc., in the end times the "throne of iniquity" shall "frameth mischief by a law" as plainly stated in Psalm 94 which any scholar worth his salt knows is an end times apocalyptic Psalm.

So, since Revelation 14:12 KJV says those who keep God's law do not get the Mark of the Beast - which means those who get the Mark of the Beast will be breaking it - which law will Satan convince everyone is OK to break? Not "thou shalt not murder" or "thou shalt not steal" or "thou shalt have no other gods before Me". It's the very law the papal antichrist Beast claims as its "Mark of authority":

"Sunday is our MARK of authority...The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact". - The Catholic Record​

 

[mailmandan]

Phoneman777 said: Get it straight - every Christian should be obsessed with the things of God, Sabbath included, which is the "sign" between the Christian and his God according to God.

Exodus 31:16 - Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and (Christians? NO) the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed. You need to get that straight. In regard to Christians under the new covenant, see Colossians 2:16-17.

True Christians demonstrate they've been saved through faith by keeping God's commandments, while those who claim to know Him but refuse to keep them are liars who will split hell wide open.

1 John 2:3 - By this we know that we have come to know Him, (already know Him/already saved/demonstrative evidence) if we "keep" (Greek word "tereo" - guard, observe, watch over) His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep (guard, observe, watch over) His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Strong's Greek: 5083. τηρέω (téreó) -- to watch over, to guard

This does not mean flawlessly obey the 10 commandments under the old covenant of law. (2 Corinthians 3:6-9)

Every one of your "proof" texts proves nothing - because the Ten Commandments existed BEFORE the Old Covenant and "stand fast forever and ever".

You remain under the old covenant of law. It's impossible to prove anything to someone who's mind is already made up. Show me where God gave the 10 commandments engraved in stone to someone prior to Moses.

Exodus 34:28 - So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Look at Deuteronomy 5:1-15 which gives the commandments to Israel. 2 The Lord our God made a covenant with US in Horeb. 3 The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with US, those who are here today, all of us who are alive.

Nehemiah 9:13 - “Then You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven; You gave them just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments. 14 “So You made known to them Your holy sabbath, and laid down for them commandments, statutes and law, through Your servant Moses.

The only thing proved by people who claim the Christian doesn't need to keep the Ten Commandments but refuse to publicly declare which ones we're allowed to break is that they're cowards.

You sound very arrogant and your arguments revolve around the idea that you confidently (and self-righteously) believe that you have sufficiently obeyed the 10 commandments (with a heavy emphasis on the 4th commandment) and will receive eternal life based on that standard, while NT believers who understand that keeping the weekly sabbath day is not binding on Christians under the new covenant (Colossians 2:16-17) and do not set out to keep the weekly sabbath day have not kept His commandments and will be condemned. I am often reminded of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) whenever I read posts by folks like you.

"Kataposis" refers to "rest in Christ".
"Sabbatismos" refers to "weekly Sabbath rest".

Strong's Concordance
katapausis: rest
Original Word: κατάπαυσις, εως, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: katapausis
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ap'-ow-sis)
Definition: rest
Usage: (in the Old Testament of the rest attained by the settlement in Canaan), resting, rest, dwelling, habitation.

Strong's Greek: 2663. κατάπαυσις (katapausis) -- rest

Sabbath rest (4520) (sabbatismos from sabbatízo = keep the Sabbath) literally means a keeping of a sabbath or a keeping of days of rest. It is used in this passage not in the literal sense (meaning to keep a specific day, the "Sabbath" day) but to describe a period of rest for God’s people which is modeled after and is a fulfillment of the traditional Sabbath.

W E Vine adds that...

sabbatismos (σαββατισμός), “a Sabbath-keeping,” is used in Heb 4:9, rv, “a sabbath rest,” kjv marg., “a keeping of a sabbath” (akin to sabbatizo, “to keep the Sabbath,” used, e.g., in Ex 16:30, not in the NT); here the sabbath-keeping is the perpetual sabbath “rest” to be enjoyed uninterruptedly by believers in their fellowship with the Father and the Son, in contrast to the weekly Sabbath under the Law. Because this sabbath “rest” is the “rest” of God Himself, He 4:10, its full fruition is yet future, though believers now enter into it. In whatever way they enter into divine “rest,” that which they enjoy is involved in an indissoluble relation with God. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)

SermonIndex.net Audio Sermons - Sermon Index

Founded in 2002. The mission of SermonIndex is the preservation and propagation of classical Biblical preaching and the promotion of Christ-centered revival to this generation.

www.sermonindex.net

God's ultimate, true rest did not come through Joshua or Moses, but through Jesus Christ. Joshua led Israel into the promised land, which was merely the earthly rest which was but a shadow of what was involved in the heavenly rest. The rest in Christ that God offers is spiritual and is superior to that which Joshua obtained. Israel's earthly rest was filled with conflict and attacks from their enemies and the daily cycle of work. The "sabbatismos" rest (Hebrews 4:9) enjoyed uninterruptedly by believers in their fellowship with the Father and the Son is in contrast with keeping the weekly Sabbath day under the Law. The new covenant takes the focus off the shadows of the Old Testament shadows and reveals their spiritual substance -- the fulfillment/reality—in the person of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)

To say otherwise is simply satanic theological skulduggery.

I can see that the SDA church has really done a number on you.

Yes, as are every one of the Ten Commandments.

Since the old covenant has been made obsolete, does this leave us with no moral direction? Absolutely not. God made obsolete the old covenant to legally put into place the new covenant. (2 Corinthians 3:6-9; Hebrews 8:6-13) The life of discipleship flows out of the new command, to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34), which Paul refers to as the "law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) Love fulfills the law (Romans 13:8-10) and out of this single command comes other commands, including references for the moral aspect of 9 of the 10 commandments which are reiterated under the new covenant, yet the command to keep the sabbath day is not binding on Christians under the new covenant.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me. - Acts 14:15
2. You shall make no idols. - 1 John 5:21
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. - 1 Timothy 6:1; James 2:7; James 5:12
4. Keep the sabbath day holy. - Not binding on the Church - Colossians 2:16-17
5. Honor your father and your mother. - Ephesians 6:1-2
6. You shall not murder. - Romans 13:9-10; 1 John 3:15
7. You shall not commit adultery. - Romans 13:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
8. You shall not steal. - Romans 13:9-10; Ephesians 4:28
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. - Romans 13:9-10; Colossians 3:9-10
10. You shall not covet. - Romans 13:9-10; Ephesians 5:3

2 Corinthians 3:6 - who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

The law on our heart and mind is the love of the Spirit, not the law of the letter. This is why Paul tells us that the new covenant is a covenant of the Spirit, and not of the letter.

Absolutely - because as in the time of the Israelite babies and the Nile River, the Three Hebrew Worthies and the fiery furnace, Daniel and the lion's den, Esther and the death decree, etc., in the end times the "throne of iniquity" shall "frameth mischief by a law" as plainly stated in Psalm 94 which any scholar worth his salt knows is an end times apocalyptic Psalm.

So, since Revelation 14:12 KJV says those who keep God's law do not get the Mark of the Beast - which means those who get the Mark of the Beast will be breaking it - which law will Satan convince everyone is OK to break? Not "thou shalt not murder" or "thou shalt not steal" or "thou shalt have no other gods before Me". It's the very law the papal antichrist Beast claims as its "Mark of authority":

"Sunday is our MARK of authority...The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact". - The Catholic Record​

This article below clearly refutes your ludicrous arguments about worshipping on Sunday instead of Saturday and the mark of the beast.

Mark of the Beast

Bible Truth Versus SDA Doctrine - Mark of the Beast

nonsda.org