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THE SABBATH REST OF THE GOSPEL
NOT THE OBSERVANCE OF ANY PARTICULAR DAY
"Sabbath" means "rest." Sabbatarians
admit this. Hear Uriah Smith (leading Adventist),
"The word 'sabbath' means 'rest.' That is the one
sole idea it conveys, first, last, and all the way
between."—What Was Nailed to the Cross, page 11.
Granted. Now we have but to inquire what the rest of God's
people in the new covenant consists of, and we have the
Sabbath of this dispensation. Here is the answer:
"Let us therefore fear, lest,
a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of
you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the
gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word
preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith
in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter
into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if
they shall enter into my rest: although the works were
finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in
a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God
did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this
place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing
therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and
they to whom it was first preached entered not in because
of unbelief: again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in
David, Today, after so long a time, as it is said, Today
if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if
Jesus [Joshua, margin] had given them rest, then would he
not afterwards have spoken of another day. There remaineth
therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is
entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own
works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to
enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same
example of unbelief" (Heb. 4:1 11).
The whole Epistle to the Hebrews is
a powerful treatise on the high and lofty privileges
extended to God's people through Christ's atonement.
Christian perfection is a golden thread that runs from one
end to the other. Into this deeper, richer, sweeter
experience to be found "within the vail," in the
"holiest of all," the Hebrews are urged by the
blood of Jesus "to enter." This happy state
enjoyed by those who are sanctified the writer calls
"rest." He urged the Hebrew brethren "to
enter that rest." Nor is this rest deferred till a
future millennium; but "we which have believed do
enter into rest." A present experience. This is
denominated "his [Christ's] rest," "my
rest." A rest we find in Jesus Christ. We inquire,
What is it? The answer is clear: "Come unto me, all
ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.
And ye shall find rest unto your
souls" (Matt. 11:28, 29). The Sabbath rest of the
gospel is a rest of the soul. This rest we find in the
bosom of his love. "I will give you rest." Oh,
how sweet! He who calmed the raging storm, and said,
"Peace be still," speaks to the storm tossed
soul on the mad billows of sin, saying, "I will give
you rest." This blessed rest is found in Christ's
redeeming love. It is enjoyed in perfect holiness. It is a
rest that gives "quietness and assurance
forever." Isaiah speaks of it thus: "And in that
day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for
an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek:
and his rest shall be glorious" (Isa. 11:10). A
glorious rest. "Ye shall find rest for your
souls" (Jer. 6:16). And this sweet tranquil rest we
that have believed "do enter." It is the Sabbath
of the new covenant.
This spiritual Sabbath rest was
never fully realized under the law. The seers of old
prophesied concerning it, but never possessed it. "If
Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward
have spoken of another day." The law day was one of
types and shadows. So God "limited a certain
day," "another day," wherein he would give
the people rest in Christ. The writer to the Hebrews
plainly tells us that it is "today'' this gospel day
of salvation In this day all the shadows of the law reach
the substance in Christ.
In Hebrews 4, reference is made to
both the old and the new sabbaths, and that with which the
former stood in typical relation. In verse 4 the seventh
day is mentioned as a rest, and then immediately the
writer conveys the mind of the reader to the spiritual
rest that "we which have believed do enter."
"If they shall enter into my rest."
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