What is the purpose of the Sabbath?


Some Adventist say rest, and sleep all day, some say go to a concrete box which is called a church and then sleep at church, some say go and convert by passing out pamphlets and magazines and make it their salvation, and others truly understand the purpose of the Sabbath and God is pleased......

What is the Sabbath for, and do we understand its purpose.........



Mark 3:1-4
1Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."

4Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.

John 5:1-47
The Healing at the Pool

1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.[b] 5One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"
7"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

8Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." 9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."

11But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' "

12So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"

13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Life Through the Son
16So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. 17Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 18For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. 21For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

24"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

28"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. 30By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Testimonies About Jesus
31"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. 32There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
33"You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36"I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. 37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You diligently study[c] the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

41"I do not accept praise from men, 42but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God[d]?

45"But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

Did it exist before the creation of our planet?

Gods love did my brother, and this is the key to understanding the purpose...

Amen! The love of God is associated with everything He commands. But did the obligation to keep the Sabbath exist before our planet was created? If it didn't, then it would bear on our understanding of the purpose of Sabbath keeping.

God may have set up other planets with a day of rest, but they are still in contact with God directly like Adam before the fall, while we were the only ones that fell and lost that. So the Sabbath for man is a connection to Gods love that we cannot let go.....

Interesting. Do you know any quote where it is says God gave the Sabbath to beings on other planets?

Also, why did God create a day of sabbath rest? If He gave it to us, and not to beings on other planets, what does it say about Sabbath keeping?

Here are some interesting insights concerning the law and how it relates to men and angels and other beings.

The following quote offers insights as to one of the purposes Sabbath keeping serves:

Every man has been placed on trial, as were Adam and Eve in Eden. As the tree of knowledge was placed in the midst of the garden of Eden, so the Sabbath command is placed in the midst of the decalogue. In regard to the fruit of the tree of knowledge, the restriction was made, "Ye shall not eat of it, . . . lest ye die" [Gen. 3:3]. Of the Sabbath, God said, Ye shall not defile it, but keep it holy. . . . As the tree of knowledge was the test of Adam's obedience, so the fourth command is the test that God has given to prove the loyalty of all His people. The experience of Adam is to be a warning to us so long as time shall last. It warns us not to receive any assurance from the mouth of men or of angels that will detract one jot or tittle from the sacred law of Jehovah (RH Aug. 30, 1898). {1BC 1106.2}

Mountain Man, you are sharp with those 'insights' my brother. If I had the gift of memory it would help, but that is one gift I lack. Looks like I have to go over what you have presented and study what God has given in His Word before I can give a answer......

My thinking is that God set a test in all the worlds, like the tree of good and evil in Eden. So its logical that God also set a connection in all the worlds like the day of rest on earth, but it could be that he knew which world would be the one that Satan would make man fall, so God instituted the Sabbath knowing what was coming and making a day to rest and allow us to focus on God and His love for us.....

Regarding the test on other planets:


It's hard for me to imagine God creating the Sabbath to be a test of loyalty during the final crisis.

Looking at it from the angle of true Sabbath rest as resting in God's love and accomplishments, it seems that even the unfallen worlds would have a Sabbath.

It is not and never was a test of loyalty, just like a newly engaged beloved doesnt have to ask that you let go of your old flings or lovers. You do it out of love.....

Richard, are you referring to the tree or the Sabbath? Actually, I guess it doesn't matter, in the beginning the tree was a test of loyalty and in the end the Sabbath will be a test of loyalty. The point I intended to make above regarding the Sabbath is that I doubt Jesus created it in order to be a test at the end of time.

Yes, I was refering to the tree, but thats OK....I feel that in the end of time, the Sabbath will not be so much a test, but more of a outgrowth of understanding, as the truth is fully unveiled for all to see (and choose)...

Do the following insights explain what you mean?

The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God. {GC 605.2}

The Sabbath will be a banner that is visible to all, and allows those who truly love Christ and want to follow what He asks to rally to His banner. Somehow when Satan tries to come to deceive at the end, he will focus the people on chosing between his day of worship and the Sabbath that Christ is Lord of from Creation. It will be a clear choice as Satan presents himself as a false christ with all the people being told they must worship him and his day of face the consequences, and then Christ will come....

why do people have an issue with Gods sabbath law or any other law he has given.why do we chastise our children,because we love them,and thats what God does.if we did not rest say for instance after doing twelve hour stints day after day,we would end up ill.so rest is there,God says resy on my day and love me give me yourself with all of the family and i will give you everything you requir.and i know he does this because i went away from God and ended up a mess.then i found God and gave myself to him,and i must say i feel the love in myself that he has gave me.thank the Lord.every other law we seem to obey but many have a issue with the seventh day.they go to church i think just for show,and rush the sabbath hours out.they look at the clock and they then do their normal thing,so in reality they are not worshipping in a true manner,and of course they are expecting eternal life.sabbath worship is an holy way of living giving God true obedience is what we look for off our children and thats what we are Gods children.love and obey for theres no other way,than to be happy in Jesus is to love and obey.brian

Brian, you're right. The joy of Jesus involves joyful obedience, joyfully imitating His example in living in harmony with the will of God. Nothing is more peaceful, more joyful. Living for Jesus is the abundant life. Everyday is a day of rest; whereas, the Sabbath is particularly blessed. Not having to do unnecessary work, unnecessary buying and selling, is a positive advantage, a positive plus, especially for people who work hard in less than ideal environments, with less ideal people.

It is as you say, until someone who works as a professional driver, lets say a taxi, and therefore does not use a car on the Sabbath decides that since not driving a car is Sabbath rest for him it must also be Sabbath rest for everyone else. Thus he starts a campain to get everyone in his congregation to use other means of transportation during the Sabbath or if they will not or can not do that, then non the less be crushed by guilt for doing that which is forbiden on the Sabbath day.

Interesting point, Thomas.

we have to be careful about being leagalistic about this,for i cannot see Christ condeming driving your own car,you see you have already filled it and the car is roadworthy,yes.so why is that breaking Gods law.if you charge people for taking them well i cant you doing that being a christian.but when it comes to the bus or train having to pay a fare then we stop there.but what about the person who have no car,well if a member can give a lift all well and good.if the person decides to the bus etc,let it be on his/her concious,but there is no harm whatsoever driving ones own car,in my eyes that is.God be with you all.but we must not be leagalistic,brian.s.wales uk

I used to live where a toll bridge stood in the way of my house and church. We had no problem paying the toll to go to church on Sabbath.

The Bible says 2Cor:8:12: For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

and so I believe God expects us to do our best and doesnt hold us accountable for what we cannot help.

Just as the thief on the cross couldnt come down and get baptised.