The Sabbath and Its Divine Purpose
made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2 : 27. 12. In what sense is the word “man” here used?—In the sense of “the human race; mankind; the totality of men.”—Webster. 13. Did the Saviour mean that the Sabbath belongs to man?
“But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; 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.” Ex. 20 : 10. 14. Then is it proper to speak of the seventh day as the Sabbath of any particular class of people?—Certainly not; it is God’s own property. 15. Did God bless the Sabbath institution or the Sabbath day?
“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Ex. 20 : 11. 16. What is the great design of the Sabbath?
“Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” “And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” Eze. 20 : 12, 20. 17. How is the true God distinguished from false gods?
“For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made the heavens.” Ps. 96 : 4, 5.
“But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King; at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.” Jer. 10 : 10-12. 18. From what may we learn the power and glory of God?
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” Ps. 19 : 1.
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Rom. 1 : 19, 20. 19. Then how does the Sabbath serve as a sign to remind people of the true God?
“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. 20. Does the Lord wish to be remembered by only a few?
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” Ps. 33 : 8. 21. Then how extensively should the Sabbath be kept?—By “all the inhabitants of the world.”