Is Redemption Greater Than Creation ?
By Harry Mathew
MANY Sunday-keepers say that redemption is greater than creation; therefore the day of Christ’s resurrection should be observed instead of the day of the Creator’s rest. But this proposition is open to the fatal objection that the Bible says nothing of the kind. Who, then, knows that it is true? When the Creator gave existence to our world, did He not foresee the fall of man? And, foreseeing that fall, did He not entertain the purpose of redeeming him? Does it not follow from this that the purpose of redemption was entertained in that of creation? Who, then, can affirm that redemption is greater than creation? But as the Scriptures do not decide this point, let it be granted that redemption is greater. Who knows that a day should be set apart for its commemoration? The Bible is also silent on this point. But granting that a day should be set apart for this purpose, what day should have the preference? It is said, that day on which redemption was finished. It is not true that redemption is finished. The resurrection of the saints and the redemption of our earth from the curse, are included in that work. See Luke 21 : 28; Rom. 8 : 23; and Eph. 1 : 14. But granting that redemption should be commemorated before it is finished, by setting apart a day in its honor, the question again arises, What day shall it be? The7Bible here again is silent. If the most memorable day in the history of redemption should be selected, undoubtedly the day of the crucifixion, on which the price of human redemption was paid, must surely have the preference. Which is the more memorable day,—that on which God gave up His only well-beloved Son to die an ignominious death on the cross, for a race of sinners who had broken His law, or that day on which He restored that Son to life? The latter event, tho of thrilling interest, is the most natural thing in the world. Yet the day of the crucifixion of the Son of God, for rebellious men, may be safely pronounced the most wonderful event in the annals of all eternity. The crucifixion day is, therefore, beyond all comparison, the more memorable day to keep. “We have redemption through His blood.” Eph. 1 : 7; Gal. 3 : 13. If, therefore, any day should be observed in memory of redemption, unquestionably the day of the crucifixion should have the preference in the eyes of Christians. But it is needless to pursue this point further. The Holy Spirit has said nothing in behalf of either of these days, but it has taken care that the event in each case should have its own appropriate memorial. Would you commemorate the crucifixion of the Redeemer, dear Christian? You need not change the Sabbath to the crucifixion day, for our Maker has given a divinely appointed memorial of the crucifixion. See 1 Cor. 11 : 23-26. It is the death of the Redeemer, therefore, and not the day of His death, that the Holy Spirit has thought worthy of commemoration. Would you also commemorate the resurrection of our blessed Lord? You need not change the Sabbath of the Lord for that purpose. God has never authorized such an act; but He has given an appropriate memorial of that event also. See Rom. 6 : 3-5; Col. 2 : 12. Redemption, therefore, furnishes no plea for a change of the Sabbath, its own memorials being quite sufficient, without destroying the memorial of the great Creator. This you will see furnishes no ground for the sacredness of the first day set apart as a memorial.