Rebuilding Walls By Observing The Real Sabbath

Jesus examples recovering a trapped animal and healing as acceptable endeavors on the Sabbath. I really think the idea is that we are not to schedule any normal work on that day. Whatever arises that needs to be done on that day is OK. We should not be doing the standard stuff, the petty needs of sustenance. This is a special catch up day where we primarily seek to Honor God. I don’t think we are prohibited from long term planning things, or even from necessary special jobs so long as the primary intent is to honor God, to do no normal work. Luke 14: 1-7.  But lets take a look at this apparently contradictory passage.

The Appointed Festival

NLT Lev 23:1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. These are the LORD’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly. 3 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the LORD’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live. 4 “In addition to the Sabbath, these are the LORD’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year. Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread 5 “The LORD’s Passover begins at sundown on the fourteenth day of the first month. 6 On the next day, the fifteenth day of the month, you must begin celebrating the Festival of Unleavened Bread. This festival to the LORD continues for seven days, and during that time the bread you eat must be made without yeast. 7 On the first day of the festival, all the people must stop their ordinary work and observe an official day for holy assembly. 8 For seven days you must present special gifts to the LORD. On the seventh day the people must again stop all their ordinary work to observe an official day for holy assembly.”

A few other passages indicate absolutely no work on the sabbath. I think the passage on rebuilding the wall is specifically meant for us today. It concentrates on what we are to do, not what we are to avoid. It says that we are to honor the sabbath with delight with everything we do as the Lord’s holy day, not persuing out own interests or desires and not talking idly.Standing In The Gap; Christ’s Current Assignment

NLT Is 58:12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes. 13 “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. 14 Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

The Lord’s Holy Day is Saturday, If we are going to have a special weekly worship service it should be on that day! That is not the only day that we can worship the Lord, but it must be our primary day.

There are a few scriptures that seem to indicate that Sunday is an acceptable day for our primary worship day, but nothing that is as convincing this counter argument.

1. The Catholic Church claims that they changed the worship day from Saturday to Sunday.
2. The Scriptures predict that the horn of Rome, The Catholic church will attempt to change the times of our worship festivals. [NIV Daniel 7:25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws.]
3. History shows that this actually happened!

http://www.godssabbathtruth.com/catholicchurchchangedsabbathsunday.html

I don’t believe that this error will cost anyone their salvation, but it will be a big deal for those who make heaven.

NLT Matt 5:18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

20“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

So this is not a salvation issue, but God emphasizes it for a reason. I think he really wants us to get it right! The Is 58 passage promises those who obey “I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob“[Gen 27:28 From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvest of grain and bountiful new wine.  May many nations become your servants and may they bow down to you.  May you be the master over your brothers and may your mothers sons bow down to you.  All who curse you will be cursed and all who bless you will be blessed].

Let’s simply re-claim this promise. honoring God by honoring his sabbath, and allowing him to make us a blessing to those around us.

I think that one of the keys to observing a holy sabbath is sitting at Jesus feet, simply seeking him.  This idea is developed in

Prayer For God’s Promised Rest I believe that if we obey the sabbath and keep it holy that we can fin the rest that Moses’ and Joshua’s followers failed to find. Resting In The Lord

Dear God,

Please help us to keep your sabbath day holy, to rebuild your wall of righteousness. Help us to restore your sabbath, the seventh day, as our primary day of worship, honoring you with everything we do, delighting in you, not pursuing our own interests or desires and not talking idly. In Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen.

Glenn

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Rebuilding Walls By Observing The Real Sabbath

Rebuilding Walls By Observing The Real Sabbath

Rebuilding Walls By Observing The Real Sabbath

Rebuilding Walls By Observing The Real Sabbath