#204 Sabbath

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Q1qr g?qrpqrrb'z Q1qttprl P.O. Box 416, Gravette, AR 72736 501-787-6026 Dr. Arnold Murray, DRE

Newsletter #204 - October 1995

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::y::}, We receive hundreds of letters God. hath not appointed us to wrath, but to and telephone calls a year from Shepherd's obtam salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Chapel listeners asking, "Is sabbath, tt Put on the gospel armour of Ephesians 6. or IS Sunday the true sabbath. We a r e , " God did not create us to receive His anger. going to take a look at what God's Word He created you to receive salvation through states about our sabbath. our Lord Jesus Christ, if you love Him and believe Him.

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God's Word states nothing about the days of the week as we know them today. In fact, the days of the week as we know them were not named as such until approximately 200 AD Obviously, the<;e names were given by man, not by our Father. The word "sabbath" is from the Hebrew prime "shabath" and means to rest, or to repose. In the Greek, this word is from "sabbaton" and likewise means to rest. I encourage you to seek the meaning of sabbath from God's Word. Specifically, we are going to be addressing the meaning of sabbath in relation to the elect. God's elect will be priests and reign with Christ during the millennium. A priest works on the sabbath "any way you want to slice it". Let's tum to His Word. I THESSALONIANS 5:1-2 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you, 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night,

Paul is saying he doesn't need to write to you about dates, because the elect know the events that lead to the second advent. I THESSALONIANS 5:3 For when they shall say, "Peace and safety;" then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape,

As the labor pains of a woman with child become closer and closer, so shall the fulfillment of prophecy marking the end of this age and the birth of a new age. I THESSALONIANS 5:4-5 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Q Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Do not ever forget this. Spiritually, you are children of light. What is your light? Jesus Christ is the light that will keep you in the day and prevent the thief of the night from stealing your salvation. I THESSALONIANS 5: 6-7 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober, Z For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night,

Many today are asleep and in darkness concerning the Bible. Many are drunken with a stupor. I THESSALONIANS 5:8-9 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. ~ For

I THESSALONIANS 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him,

Children of the light are never in darkness, even when we sleep. He is always there for you. He is your rest. Let's document that Jesus Christ is your rest, or your sabbath, by turning to Hebrews. HEBREWS 4:1 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,

Some will fail to enter into His rest because they don't care enough about God's Word to know what prom­ ises have been made and to claim them. HEBREWS 4:2-3 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. 1 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,

Peace of mind and true rest belong to those that hear with understanding. The works of God's rest and salvation were completed before Satan's overthrow in the first earth age. God has a plan. He is in control. HEBREWS 4:4 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."

Don't correlate the seventh day in this verse with any of our current days of the week. It doesn't fit. Remember, one day with the Lord is as a thousand years (II Peter 3:8). HEBREWS 4:5-6 And in this place again, "If they shall enter into My rest." Q Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Those that must enter therein are the elect. They do not have a choice. It was foreordained before the foun­ dation of the world. HEBREWS 4:7-8 Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, "To day," after so long a time; as it is said, "To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." § For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day.

"Jesus" in this verse properly transliterated should be "Joshua". It was Joshua that would eventually lead God's

children into the promise land. Joshua was a shadow, or a type, of the true rest that was to come, Jesus. Christ would become the light that allows you to escape.

COLOSSIANS 2.9-10 For in Him dwelleth all the fulness

of the Godhead bodily. 12 And ye are complete in Him,

Which is the head of all principality and power:

HEBREWS 4.9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to , the people of God. e; For he that is entered unto his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Are you complete? Or, are you trying to struggle

through life on your own? God is the head of all

principality and power, including evil. Do the best you

are able and then enter His rest. He can get it done.

The \vord "rest" in the three previous verses is from the Greek "sabbaton", or sabbath. What must we do to enter that rest'! Labour. How many of you have laboured to bring the sun up to start a new day'? I think none. God's Word is not talking about a day of the week in reference to sabbath. We should labour to increase our belief and faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is our passover (I Cor. 5:7). Jesus is our sabbath. There is no day of the week that is able to save your soul. Jesus is able and He \\ill, if you love Him 'and believe Him.

COLOSSIANS 2:11 In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ:

Paul is not talking about a circumcision of the flesh.

Both men and women must be circumcised of the heart

in Christ to be complete.

COLOSSIANS 2:12-13 Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God Who hath raised Him from the dead. );) And you, being dead in your sins and the un circumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened to-~ HEBREWS 4.12 For the word of God is quick, and gether with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, pierc­ ing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the Spiritually, you are made alive through your faith

thoughts and Intents of the heart. in the strength of God. Just as God raised Christ from

The word "quick" in this verse means "living". The Living Word \\ill help you divide your fleshly thoughts and allow yOU to profit from that \Vord. Remember, we are studying sabbath as it relates to the elect. There is nothing wrong with others setting aside a day of the week; however, the elect should enter the true sabbath, Jesus Christ, everv day of the week. There is further documentation that Jestls is our sabbath in Colossians.

the dead, He is able to raise you from the dead. Sharpen

up for me. This is why we came here.

COLOSSIANS 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of or­ dinances that was against us, which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;

Jesus spilled His blood on the cross and wiped out

the blood ordinances of sacrifice.

COLOSSIANS 2.'15 And having spoiled principalities

COLOSSIANS .-L1-2 For I would that ye knew what and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumph­ great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, ing over them in it.

and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; Z That their hearts might be comforted, being knit to­ Christ triumphed over the principalities and powers

gether IT: love, and unto all nches of the full assurance of Satan by overcoming death. You also may openly

of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mys­ triumph over Satan through salvation.

tery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ,

We have not seen Paul's face: however, God's words through Paul \\ill help you understand the mystery of sahation. Gain knowledge from His Word, and salvation will not be a mystery to you. COLOSSIANS 2.3-4 In Whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdom and know/edge 4 And this I say, lest any man should begUile you with enticing words.

All \\isc\om and knowledge ,'omes from our Father. Enticing words from man may deceive you. How can you guard against heing deceived'! Check out what men say, including this man, against what God's Word says. COLOSSIANS 2.5-8 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Q As ye have therefore recelveC1 Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him, 7 Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished I in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiVing. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you I through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition i of men after the rudiments of the world. and not after Chnst

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The rudiments are the evil ways of the world. Never follow men. Follow Jesus Christ. The traditions of men i will deceive and disappoint you every time. He won't. \

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COLOSSIANS 2.16 Let no man therefore judge you in

meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the

new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Why'? Because Christ nailed these things to the

cross. He did not destroy these things. He became these

things. Again, I emphasize that I am speaking to the

elect's priest work on the sabbath. Don't judge or criti­

cize others that worship on a particular day of the week.

If they have a conviction, it is right for them to follow

that conviction. The elect, on the other hand, have the

freedom to do God's work seven days a week. In fact,

He expects that of us.

COLOSSIANS 2.17 Which are a shadow of things to

come; but the body is of Christ.

The sabbath days were a shadow of things to come.

You have the true Light available to you. You may be

complete in Him. Enter into His rest. Jesus Christ is our

Sabbath.

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