Can We Leave Out the Sabbath? by L. D. SANTEE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 21, 1910

Can We Leave Out the Sabbath?

By L. D. SANTEE

L. D. SANTEE

IN our personal work for others we are often told, “Were it not for the Sabbath, we would unite with your church.” This expression, so often heard, has set us to thinking seriously. God forbid that in the work of leading souls to Christ we should present any unnecessary requirement, any needless sacrifice.

If we can present a gospel that will save men, and leave the Sabbath out, we ought to do it. I am willing to leave it out if God authorizes such an omission. I must decide that by going to his Word.

First, I will notice the character of him whose Word I am to study. In James 1:17 I read, “With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Again, in Eccl. 3:14: “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” The psalmist bears the following testimony: “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right.”

The study, so far, has not been in favor of ignoring one of God’s precepts. The Father and Son have the same nature: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” Then, as their characters are unchangeable, their teaching would be of the same nature. Another thought: anything before the fall could not be a type of redemption, as no gospel was necessary, and there was nothing to prefigure. With these thoughts before us, we begin the study of our subject.

Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man.” Mark 2:27. This refers us back to its “making:” “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Gen. 2:1-3. Everything was just as God purposed it should be, for he had fashioned it himself. There were no types, for sin had not yet made necessary the application of a remedial scheme. Again, men were not yet divided into nationalities, and so the principles enjoined were for the entire race.

Here, then, at the close of the creation week, God expressed his wish by both precept and example, that man should rest on the seventh day. I find this wish repeated in Ex. 16:26: “Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.” This was at the giving of the manna. Here again God was working, and his example gave them no warrant to labor on the seventh day. Those who presumed to do so were met with stern rebuke. A month later, from the flaming summit of trembling Sinai, was spoken and written a law for the race, and the voice of the Almighty said to them in plain and positive language, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work.” Ex. 20:8-10. From that time on, all the inspired writers taught the law of God, and whatever they said of the law was true of the Sabbath, as it was a part of that law.

The women who were instructed by the Saviour did not think it right even to embalm the dead on the Sabbath day. Luke 23:56. Jesus said that not only was he Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28), but that it was more durable than heaven and earth. Luke 16:17. Paul affirmed that the Sabbath-breaker dishonored God. Rom. 2:24. Notice Heb. 4:9: first as to its chronology—A. D. 64, within six years of the destruction of Jerusalem, and but thirty years after the crucifixion. Many churches had been established; the gospel was being preached, and its principles understood. Before God closed the inspired record, he put one more “remember” to his command that they should observe the day on which he rested, and which he sanctified: “There remaineth therefore a rest [margin, “keeping of a Sabbath”] to the people of God.” Heb. 4:9. So, then, there is a Sabbath to be kept by the people of God. Which day is it? “For he that is entered into his rest [keeps the Sabbath], he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Verse 10. Now if I can find out on what day God rested from his work, then I will know which day remains for me to keep, for God is the example. I read in verse 4 of Hebrews 4, “And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.” That settles it for me; I am to rest as God did, on the seventh day.

In conclusion, Inspiration, speaking of the world to come, where God reigns supreme, says: “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isa. 66:22, 23. Here is a fact that I desire every reader to remember, even if he should forget the rest of this article: When God controls the world, the seventh-day Sabbath is observed. Let us never forget that. It was so in the first Eden; it will be so in Eden restored. Therefore, in the new earth, the seventh-day Sabbath will be kept by the redeemed. How could we leave out the Sabbath and preach a gospel that would promise any a place in the new earth? It would be impossible. We would rather teach what the Word of God says. “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.” Ps. 119:6.

Moline, Ill.