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Dear believer:
Some of my family and I are learning to keep the Biblical
Sabbath, which occurs every Friday sundown through Saturday sundown. The transition has, at times, been
difficult, and has taken considerable time.
Being life-long church people, of our problem has not been in
observing the Sabbath, but in just changing our minds about it. We have found that our continuing efforts
have been immeasurably blessed as we are finding victory.
Sabbath observance has become the greatest
witnessing tool we have ever encountered.
And Yahweh tells us through the prophet that it is a sign of the
identity of the Millennial elect.
I have written down the biblical reasons we have
made the commitment to Sabbath observance in hopes that you will be curious
enough to investigate some wonderful truths for yourself. Things you will read in this tract will
surely change your mind at least to a small degree -- and perhaps even steer
your destiny.
Preliminary
Notes:
Bible excerpts are from the Revised
Standard Version or other as marked.
“Yahweh” is the Hebrew name of our Father in Heaven. "The
LORD," as found in the Bible, is a replacement term for the divine name.
“Yahshua” is the Hebrew name translated into English as “Jesus” in the
15th century.
What Does
the Bible Say About the
Sabbath?
Let’s make an assumption
to begin the study. Let’s assume for
the time being that the Law of Yahweh beginning with the Ten Commandments in
Exodus 20 was not “nailed to the cross.”
Perhaps by the end of the study, you will find that what you assume for
my sake
is really the case.
Sabbath Owned and Commanded
Exodus 20: 8.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 11. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the
Sabbath day and hallowed i
The first day of the week is
Sunday. Biblical days run according
to the moon, not the sun. Biblical
days begin at sundown. The Biblical
seventh-day Sabbath runs Friday sundown
to Saturday sundown. The Sabbath observance was originally
commanded by Yahweh, not by Moses. If
Yahweh is your god, then realize that your god commanded ALL his people,
Jewish, Israelite and Gentile to observe a 24-hour period from sundown Friday
to sundown Saturday. Those
commanded in love to observe may include YOU. Study on to find out.
Sabbath Observance for Israel Emphasized
Exodus 31:12. And Yahweh said to Moses, 13. "Say to the people of Israel, 'You shall keep my
Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I,
Yahweh, sanctify you. 14. You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you; every one who profanes it shall be put to death; whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a
Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh."
The Sabbath is an unmistakable, distinguishing sign of the people belonging to and
sanctified by Yahweh. Observance is
so important that there is a ban, and even death, imposed on those who will
not observe it. Why? So that the world may have a witness to
Yahweh through his people. This
passage also maintains that Sabbath observance consists in (a) not working as
a rest and an observance and (b) keeping the time holy unto Yahweh, your god. Notice that it is Yahweh, your god,
which speaks these words, not Moses.
Sabbath Observance also for non-Jews
Isaiah
56: 6. "And the foreigners who join themselves to
Yahweh, to minister to him, to love his name, and to be his servants, every one who keeps the
Sabbath, and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant -- 7. these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
8. I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered."
It has been maintained by most
Christians that Sabbath observance is only obligatory for Jews under the
Mosaic Covenant and of no effect for non-Jews. But this passage speaks of “foreigners” (non-Israelites)
joining themselves to Yahweh.
Moreover, “others” (non-Israelites) have been gathered. His House of Prayer will be for all, not
just Jews, and his servants will be known because they keep the Sabbath as
a sign of his possession. Burnt
offerings were eliminated by Yahshua (Jesus) when he became the last
sacrifice and destroyed the Temple soon after. But the Sabbath has never been eliminated, as we shall see.
Yahshua Kept the Sabbath
Luke 4:16.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered,
as his custom was, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to
read.
Indeed, Yahshua your Savior
observed every Sabbath – this was his habit, his law and his domain. He took a rabbinical part in worship. After all, Yahshua was not only a Rabbi,
but a Raboni, a master Rabbi.
As such, wouldn’t he have taught that which he diligently observed and
observed what he taught? Wouldn’t he
still teach Sabbath observance, if he is the same yesterday, today and
forever? Wouldn't he teach Sabbath is
his Father said that it was the everlasting covenant sign of his
people? Of course he would. It was his custom.
Yahshua Sabbath Master
Mark 2:27.
And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for
the Sabbath: 28. so that the Son of man is master even of the
Sabbath.
Your Savior said that the Sabbath came to be for the sake of humanity. It was “MADE FOR MAN.” This passage is always interpreted as
having Yahshua say, “The Sabbath is not important.” But as LORD of the Sabbath, he meant to show friends and
enemies alike the proper observance of his Sabbath. All his life, Yahshua did two things on the Sabbath: (a) he
rested from his labors and (b) he attended or ministered a holy
convocation. He commented that it was
right to do good on the Sabbath and he demonstrated exactly what
“good” consists of – observance and good works.
Yahshua's Supporters kept the Sabbath as Commanded
Luke 23:55.
And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after,
and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid. 56. And they returned,
and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath they rested
according to the commandment.
Your Savior kept the seventh-day Sabbath
all his life and taught his friends to do the same. Here is an instance in which, even under
the tremendous stress of the death of a family-head, those who
followed Yahshua (his servants) rested according to the commandment:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: the fourth of ten
commandments.
Paul Kept the Sabbath
Acts 17:1.
Now when they … came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue: 2.
and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures.
It was Paul
who is often misquoted as though he wrote that the commandments of Yahweh
“were nailed to the cross.” If
Yahshua nailed the Sabbath and the other nine commandments to cross, why is
Paul continuing the “custom” of seventh-day Sabbath observance? And why does he say he hastens to
Jerusalem to keep the feast? This
is one of many, many instances in Scripture purposefully recorded through
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to show that these early evangelists
kept the commandments of Yahweh, particularly the Sabbath. They did so because they knew that the
Savior taught them (a) to keep “every word that comes from the mouth of
Yahweh,” and that (b) the Sabbath was the sign of their union with
Yahweh to an unbelieving world.
Sabbath to be Observed in the Millennium
Isaiah
66:22. "For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before me, says
Yahweh; so shall your descendants and your name remain. 23. From new moon to new moon, and from
Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me.
If Yahweh
and Yahshua annulled Sabbath observance for the so-called “Church Age,” then why do we herein find seventh-day Sabbath
observance instituted in the Millennium rule of Yahshua? All flesh will not only keep the Sabbath but also the prescribed feasts of Yahweh (“new moons”). For me, this was the most convincing
passage of all: that if Yahshua were
indeed raising up a people for his name and for his Kingdom on earth,
shouldn’t Kingdom members (you and I) begin living as though we were in the
Kingdom? Indeed, we are in the
Kingdom! A Kingdom has laws, and
among the laws of the Millennial Kingdom will remain the worship of Yahweh
and the keeping of Yahweh’s Sabbath.
Feast of Tabernacles Also Observed in the Millennium
Zechariah 14:16.
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the
nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship
the King, Yahweh Sabaoth, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17.
And it shall be, that whoso of all the families of the earth go not
up unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh Sabaoth, upon them there shall
be no rain.
Indeed, in the Millennium, all the
earth will be required to send dignitaries to Jerusalem and keep the
Feast of Tabernacles. The judgment
upon the nations that do not do so is clear – drought. Shouldn’t we be keeping the Feast of
Tabernacles and the Sabbath now?
Don’t you think that when Yahshua’s return is made public, he will
commend those who are already observing Kingdom living? It is so clear in this inspired word that
it will be required! And it is
required even now. We are, at this writing, in year 1 of the last thousand
years (of seven thousand) in Bible history. If the seventh thousand
year period is supposed to be the Millennium of the Messiah, then he must be
making his public appearance soon. Time has run out. Don’t you
think that when Yahshua’s return is made public, he will demand to know why
'believers' are not keeping the words of his Father?
Yahweh's Sabbath Commandment Remains
Hebrews
4:9.
There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of Yahweh. 10. For he that is entered into
his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as G-d did from
his. 11. Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that
no man fall after the same example of disobedience.
In fact, Sabbath observance is here plainly prescribed for the people of Yahweh, even
in the so-called “Church Age.” How
much more plain can the importance of it be?
Sabbath observance is a command that is a sign of your
god’s ownership,
a joyful blessing, and a mark that sets you apart from the world. Isn’t obedience to the Ten Commandments
desirable and commanded? And how
can we say that they are written on our hearts if we so blatantly
disregard this special command (not to mention the others)?
What are
the Objections to Christians Keeping the Biblical
Sabbath?
Sabbath is for Jews Only
This
argument is clearly destroyed in Isaiah 56:6, 66:22 and many other passages from
the mouth of Yahweh himself. The Sabbath is for "all flesh."
Law Passed Away
Indeed,
something is passed away in the New Covenant, but not the words of Yahweh. The Son of Yahweh, Yahshua, has said,
“Though heaven and earth shall pass away, my words will not.” This is all the more true for the Father,
whose words Yahshua spoke continually.
What has passed away is the sacrificial system, as demonstrated in two
historic occurrences:
(a) the resurrection of Yahshua after he was
sacrificed, and
(b) the destruction of the only place of sacrifice, the
Temple in Jerusalem.
Yahshua was a
perfect example of the law – and that is how he fulfilled it. (That means he kept it completely.) He did not destroy it, therefore it could
not have possibly passed away.
The Sabbath was Transferred to Sunday by the
Apostles
There is
absolutely no scripture to make this claim.
The Apostles all, without exception, kept the Sabbath. One time, Paul had a carry-in dinner and
took an offering on the first day, but that passage in no way infers
that he tried to change the Sabbath of Yahweh. In fact, one of the marks of Antichrist is that he will
change days and times.
Paul Preached Against Sabbath-keeping
Two passages from Paul are often quoted
as proving that the seventh-day Sabbath is no longer binding. On the contrary, both passage affirm rather than deny
Sabbath-keeping. The
first:
Romans 14:4. Who are you to pass judgment on the
servant of another? ... 5. One man esteems one day as better than
another, while another man esteems all days alike. ... 6. He who observes the
day, observes it in honor of the Lord... (RSV)
The passage above may or may not refer
to the Sabbath. Either way, it does not annul the Ten Commandments.
The other passage is:
Colossians 2:13. And you ... G-d made alive together
with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14. having canceled the bond
which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it
to the cross. ... 16. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions
of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
17. These are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to
Christ. (RSV)
"Legal demands" refers to
blood atonement -- sacrifice of animals for the remission of sins. This
passage is affirming Sabbath-keeping rather than denying it.
Assuming Paul is writing to the Gentile believers at Colossae -- he is saying
that the legal demands of the sacrificial system were nailed to the
cross, not the fourth commandment. Yahshua died as the last sacrifice,
but by his own word, it was never his intention to destroy Law but fulfill it
in all points. Although sacrificing animals is distasteful and
forbidden by Yahweh, righteous living and commandment-keeping is
not.
Indeed, these Gentile (or Jewish)
converts were living righteously counter to their culture by
following the commandments and hailing Yahshua as Sovereign.
That's why unbelievers (the majority) were passing judgment on
these new believers -- because they were keeping the Sabbath and the sacred
holidays of Yahweh. Paul is admonishing them to continue in the
right despite others passing judgment for these acts of devotion, for,
after all, Sabbath- and Feast-keeping are earthly shadows of the heavenly
substance of something that belongs to Messiah.
No passages may be taken out of the
context of the entire Bible corpus to prove certain doctrines, especially
those that run against the grain of the whole.
Every day is Sabbath
In order to disobey Yahshua with a
clear conscience, I chose this notion as the best justification for
not keeping the Sabbath. Every day is
indeed Sabbath, for “when we enter his rest we cease from our labors.” But this scripture is found in the same
place as the one I quoted above, “So there remains a Sabbath rest
for the people of Yahweh.”
Taken altogether, this is a clear injunction to keep Yahweh’s Sabbath, not a loophole to disregard it.
I Choose Whatever Day is Convenient
I have
heard all these reasons for not observing the Sabbath: “I can’t keep the Sabbath because I
have to work.” “I will lose
my job.” “That is my only day.” “I’ll choose any day I want” or "The Lord will honor any day
I choose."
Dear friend, you haven’t the authority
to set your personal law above Yahweh’s command established forever. If you can’t be obedient to this simple
injunction today, how will you ever be found worthy to rule and reign with
Yahshua in the Millennium? No, your
will cannot be the overarching law. The classic term for this viewpoint is anomianism (lawlessness). If you have to work on the Sabbath (as I
did when this truth became clear to me), then you may diligently pray
to be released from Sabbath labor.
And Yahweh Almighty, who makes the rules and governs the universe, will
annul your employer’s rules in favor of His in due time. Try that
prayer and see if it isn't answered. When it is, it should be proof
enough.
Yahshua
/ Jesus Was Resurrected on Sunday
A quote:
“Because
Yahshua was resurrected on the first day of the week, Christians are to hold
that day (Sunday) as the day of worship and, in some understandings, as the
‘Christian Sabbath.’” I was shocked
to find that, after years of preaching “Easter “ Sunrise services, that the Greek of the New Testament teaches that Yahshua was NOT resurrected
on the first day (Sunday). Behold the
literal translation of the Greek of Scripture:
Matthew 28:1. Now late on the
Sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,
came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.
Clearly, Yahshua came back to life on
the Sabbath. The phrase, “as it
began to dawn toward the first day of the week,” means that this was Saturday
evening just before sundown. He was
already resurrected by the time they returned to the tomb on the first
day! Remember, the first day of the week begins
on Saturday night at sundown. The women
honored the Sabbath, and when it ended on Saturday evening, they came forth to
the tomb. The
phrase “dawn toward” is a loose translation of
epifwskoush eiV mian
(epiphoskousē
eis mian),
which literally means
“drawing on
toward one” (“one” means “day one”).
The
word "dawn" is not in there.
This same teaching is reiterated in Luke.
Most Bible “translations,” in order to conform with religious
tradition, intentionally mistranslate this passage to read, “After
the Sabbath on the first day of the week.”
There are literally hundreds of Bible passages that have been
altered to conform to popular religious notions; this is just one. But because it is status quo does
not mean it is correct. Yahshua returned from death on the
seventh-day Sabbath.
Who Instituted Sunday?
The Roman
Emperor Constantine, a worshiper of the sun god Helios, consolidated his
empire by calling the Christian bishops together in Nicaea (325 AD) and
establishing a Christian Church based upon the superstitions and rituals of
the pagans. This was the origin of
the Roman Catholic Church. In this
synthesis of Christian and pagan, the day of the sun god Helios, Sun-day, was
established as the Christian Sabbath and December 25, the birth of Helios, as
Christmas, the birth of Yahshua. The
bishops who were compelled to come to the council all too willingly submitted
to the Emperor’s authority. The few
bishops who dared to keep the faith or were not invited to the
Council were exiled or killed.
Through the rest of his life, Constantine continued his reinvention of
Christianity in the image of sun worship, forcing it on the corrupt
hierarchy. He wrote the Nicene
Creed, which is still recited in many churches every Sunday. On his deathbed, after finishing his
creation of the Roman Catholic Church, he converted to it through
baptism. Constantine, not Jesus Christ,
was the founder of the modern-day church.
His mark, and the mark of Helios the sun god, remains in every church
in the world through the creeds and through the observance of Christian
holidays steeped in paganism, such as Christmas and Easter.
A Remnant
Today the
worship prescribed by Yahweh, practiced by Yahshua and recorded in the Bible
is still mostly hidden behind pagan holidays, symbols, titles, rituals and
mistranslations created so many years ago by this Roman Emperor and his
successors, the Popes and their cronies.
Today old pagan traditions, beliefs and practices are even more
prevalent than in times past within Christian churches. Only a remnant of Messianic Sabbath-observers survived through the “Church Age” of the last two
millennia Most of the followers of
the Messiah were wiped out through ongoing persecutions, carried out in
the name of the Church, just as Scripture had predicted all along. Yet, even today when history is clear and
correct translations of the words of Yahweh and Yahshua are accessible, those
who would be believers remain under a strong delusion.
What To Do About the Sabbath
The
overarching concern of the believer should be (a) what would please Yahweh
and his Son, Yahshua, and (b) what is expected of me in the Millennium
Kingdom, which, according to a universal timeline, is soon to be upon
us. It boils down to obedience to
what and to who is right; obedience is a valued characteristic in this world,
an essential one in the next. So here
is what to do:
(1)
Pray to Yahweh for a revelation of truth in the matter of the Sabbath and the
holy days that Yahweh has already established, especially the Feast of
Tabernacles, which scripture says was especially established for non-Jews and
will be observed by all in the Millennium.
(2)
Study the passages above in more detail using a correct literal translation
of the text.
(3)
If you find yourself intellectually convinced of the value of Sabbath observance (if for no other reason than to be obedient), then challenge
Yahweh to make a way for you to actually become observant.
What to do on the Sabbath
Like you, I
am a pilgrim in Sabbath observance. I
still go to church on Sunday – there is certainly no prohibition against
worshiping on any day. (I do this to
participate in Communion, even though I am increasingly disturbed by the pagan
symbols and practices of the church.)
But starting Friday night at sundown, I do not work at a job for pay
until after Saturday sundown. Yahweh
made it possible for me to have this time off as an answer to prayer. On Saturday morning, we get together as a
family to study the Bible based on a systematic plan to help us learn more
about Yahweh and Yahshua from a Biblical rather than a traditional (church)
perspective. We study for an hour or
more, and it is a delight – a wonderful time of sharing the things of our
Father and learning what we shall soon become. Then we pray. Then we
listen. Then we spend several hours
doing recreational activities, like walking in the forest. Often, we receive the body and blood of
our Savior. And that is all it takes
to fulfill the Sabbath.
We have
found that there is no bondage to it; rather, we are blessed in being
obedient, knowing it is the right and obedient thing to do. And we find that when we are obedient in a
few things, we begin to believe we can be obedient in greater things. AND, as I mentioned before, it is the
greatest tool for evangelism that we have ever had.
Try a
test: Just say to a fervent Christian
that you observe the commandment of Yahweh and honor the Sabbath day and see
what ridicule comes forth! It
hardly ever fails to provoke a time for “reasoning together.”
We pray you
great blessings as you seek that which is good and holy. Thank you for taking your time to read
this tract. May Yahweh bless it to
your good through his marvelous Son, Yahshua Messiah.
Exodus 20: 8. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it
holy. 9. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; 10.
but the seventh day is a Sabbath unto Yahweh thy Almighty One: in it
thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is
within thy gates.
Jackson Snyder
Sacred
Name / The Millennium is Here
Snyder Free Sermon
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