There Remains A Rest for God’s People

First, let me say that I don’t think this is a salvation issue.

Second, I don’t want to argue with anyone about this.

Third, don’t take my word for it, as Scripture says (Romans 14) that we should each be convinced in our own minds, we are blessed if we do not condemn ourselves by what we approve, and whatever does not come from faith is sin.

In Exodus chapter 20, God said to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy, because God created the world in 6 days, and on the seventh day he rested. Why did God rest on the seventh day? Was it because he needed a break, He was just too tired? I think not. I think He rested because his work was complete and everything (in all of creation) was “very good.” I think this is what is intended by the author of Hebrews in the end of this verse:
Hebrews 4:3
(3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Many say that the Sabbath was kept from creation. I find one problem with this assertion. I do not read one account in all of Genesis, or before Exodus 20 of a Sabbath being kept. I do not even find where God told Adam and Eve to rest with Him. It simply says He rested. Now when I have mentioned this, the return question has been whether I can find a place where it was not kept, and no such place is there either. So it cannot be proven from scripture either way whether or not the Sabbath was kept before Sinai.

Next, I find it interesting to compare the lists of sins in the old and new testament when sinners are condemned. You will find the accusation repeatedly in the old testament prophets that Israel did not keep the Sabbaths. However, you will not find “sabbath breakers” or any such phrase in the lists in the new testament. I think this is significant. Some do not.

How did Jesus treat the Sabbath? John 5:18 says he broke the sabbath. Now people tend to get excited when I say this, I understand. They say I don’t get it. It was the Jews who thought he was breaking the sabbath. However, that is not how it reads. John (the narrator) says the Jews were seeking to kill him for two reasons. First, he broke the sabbath; and second, he made himself equal with God (no argument there, he was indeed making himself equal with God). In addition, look at Jesus’ argument to them. He did not say, “you guys don’t understand, I am keeping the sabbath, you’ve just gotten carried away with your idea of keeping the sabbath” No, he pointed to how He is the judge of all mankind and will one day judge them. He said he is the one who decides who is judged and who is condemned.

Now in case you are thinking I am saying Jesus sinned, I am not. Jesus said that he did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. (Matt. 5:17) So if he appeared to be destroying the sabbath, he must in fact be fulfilling it.

How could he fulfill it? I think it is in the same way that he fulfilled the atonement sacrifice.

Hebrews 9:25-28
(25) Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, even as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies every year with the blood of others
(26) (for then He must have suffered often since the foundation of the world), but now once in the end of the world He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
(27) And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment,
(28) so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And to those who look for Him He shall appear the second time without sin to salvation.

You see, the atonement sacrifice did not do anything to atone for sin, it was only a shadow of the true atonement sacrifice that was yet to come.

I believe in the same way, the sabbath looked back to a time when God rested because all was as it should be, and also looked forward to a time when the work of redemption would be complete and man could rest in God’s presence.

This was fulfilled when Jesus (the man) sat down at the right hand of the Father.

This is what I believe is spoken of here:

Hebrews 4:9-16
(9) So then there remains a rest to the people of God.
(10) For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His.
(11) Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.
(12) For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(13) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
(14) Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
(15) For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin.
(16) Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice in my place, He sits at rest on the right hand of the Father. Since Christ is seated with the Father, I can go boldly to the throne of grace and obtain mercy. This allows me to enter the rest.

The difference between this rest and the Sabbath of the Sinai is that this rest does not end. The seventh day always ended, and the work had to continue. However, now I can enter a rest that does not end.

So as Romans 14 says, some consider every day the same. It is not that I don’t observe the Sabbath. My sabbath never ends, and it is a time where I am holy unto the Lord. It does not matter to me whether it is Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday. My rest does not end.

I believe this is the meaning of Hebrews 4:9
(9) So then there remains a rest to the people of God. (emphasis added)

What do you think?

Craig