“Redemption Greater Than Creation”
WHEN the Sabbath question is discussed, this argument is presented in support of Sunday holiness: Creation was finished on the seventh day, and the seventh-day Sabbath is a memorial of Creation. Redemption was finished on the first day of the week, and as Redemption is greater than Creation, we should observe the first day of the week instead of the seventh. And sometimes, the more and more rarely, as modern geology and evolution have won their way, is quoted, “’Twas great to speak a world from naught,
’Twas greater to redeem.” And many seem to think that the mere statement is both argument and evidence. Let us see: 1. It is a fact that both Creation and Redemption are infinite works, which none but an infinite God could effect; and therefore man knows nothing of this relative greatness unless God reveals it. This He has nowhere done. 2. If Redemption were greater than Creation, this would in no way affect Sunday holiness; for Sunday as a day of the week, according to Divine Revelation, has no part in the scheme. In fact, “the first day of the week” of the Bible is not synchronous with the Sunday as usually observed. The Bible first day of the week begins and ends at sunset, while the Sunday begins and ends at midnight. 3. We are not said to be redeemed by our Lord’s resurrection, but by His blood, His life. Eph. 1:7; Rev. 5:9. He died in our behalf. He gave His life for us. But His blood was shed on the sixth day; and on that day He declared, “It is finished.” John 19:30. The height of His great sacrifice was reached. Surely, if a day were to be kept to commemorate His redemption, it should be the day on which He paid the fulness of the purchase price. 4. The work of redemption for individual souls is not complete, however, and will not be, till our Lord shall come again. Luke 21:28. 5. The redemption, the salvation, the sanctification of sinners, is simply the working of the creative power of God through Jesus Christ,—“created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Eph. 2:10. See also 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10. 6. The Sabbath is the sign of this very work; for thus saith the Lord: “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.” Eze. 20:12. The Sabbath is therefore not only a memorial of Creation, but a sign between God and His children of His redeeming love and sanctifying power in the soul. 7. The proper expression is not Redemption versus Creation; nor is it, Redemption and Creation, but Redemption is Creation.