The Sabbath of To-Day by William Covert

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 10, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 44.

The Sabbath of To-Day

By William Covert

It Was Made for All Men—Prophecies of the Foreigners Who Would Keep It—A Reformation Predicted

By WILLIAM COVERT

As the Sabbath was made for man, we must logically conclude that it was primarily made for all men, and therefore we believe that it was to be observed by all men as long as God's arrangement for men and days should last. Such a plan would be in eloquent harmony with the character of God, which never changes. This would be so entirely like the eternal way, that we surely believe God wanted it to be the way.

THE GRAMMAR OF IT

A noun used without a limiting word, as the noun "man" is used in the text that says, "The Sabbath was made for man" (Mark 2:27), usually applies to every person or thing belonging to the class to which it refers. The Sabbath was not made for any specific man, but for all mankind. This text is like the one which says, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days." Job 14:1. This statement is made regarding all men. So in the text that says, "The Sabbath was made for man," we have language that in its construction includes all men. What God did in making the Sabbath was without question done for all men.

The Sabbath then made was given to the man who was made when the world was created. And the day of the week upon which the Lord rested when the world was made, was assigned to man for the Sabbath day. Therefore the conclusion is unavoidable that the Sabbath was to be as widely extended over the earth as was the dwelling-place of men. The Sabbath is to abide on the earth as long as man dwells on it. Then the nature of the blessing associated with the Sabbath day is of a character to bless all men alike, without any distinction as to race, dispensation, or place.

HERE BEFORE SIN CAME

The Sabbath was here before sin came; and therefore it will be here after sin is gone. There is a prophetic chapter on the Sabbath question (Isaiah 56) which tells of Sabbath-keeping foreigners, or strangers, who will join themselves to the Lord, and get an everlasting name that shall never be cut off. Then that people will keep the Sabbath everlastingly.

That chapter also tells of a people who, in their preparation to meet the Lord at His coming, will keep the Sabbath, and will refrain from doing any evil. Isa. 56:1, 2.

The same class of commandment keepers is described in Rev. 14:5, 12. The promises in these predictions are made to those who obey God, both Jews and Gentiles.

One verse says, "Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." Isa. 56:2. The proffered blessing is to the man who meets the requirements, regardless of race or country. The conditions specified are Sabbath keeping and refraining from doing any evil. The chapter describes a people and a work at a time when Sabbath keeping is a distinguishing mark of loyalty to God, and it is therefore blended in a special message for that time.

GIVEN FOR A SIGN

God anciently called the attention of His wavering people to the Sabbath commandment, and said, "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. He is doing the same thing again; and some portions of Isaiah 56 describe a reformation on the Sabbath question, that is to precede the coming of the Lord. Yet the chapter also has a general application, in which it refers to God's work in saving men, from the time it was given, to the end of this age. It makes special mention of the "sons of the stranger," that join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him," and says of these strangers, or Gentiles: "Every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine altar; for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him." Verses 6-8.

THE CALL OF THE GENTILES

This scripture foretells the call of the Gentiles and their acceptance of Christianity. Christ, in giving John 10:16, adopted Isa. 56:6-8, and said: "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

Christ does not mention the Sabbath keeping as does Isaiah; but Christ is speaking of the same work that Isaiah is describing. God's people are to constitute one fold, although they are to be gathered from every nation, tongue, and people when Jesus comes. Rev. 14:6, 12.

The devout worshiper of God, until the time when Christ caused the sacrifices and the oblations to cease (Dan. 9:27), offered through the typical system; but since the sacrifice of Christ, the instructed worshiper comes to the Father by way of the cross.

PREDICTED SABBATH REFORMATION

The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is another Old Testament Scripture which speaks prophetically about Sabbath keeping in the Christian age. In this chapter, the prophet tells of the great need of a reformation in Sabbath observance. The remedy advised is for God's people to get in line with the good way which prevailed many generations ago. So to them he says: "Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. 58:12-14.

THE SABBATH DISREGARDED

There is a fearful lack concerning Sabbath sacredness in the church, which nothing short of the divine presence can restore. The right day should be chosen—the seventh day; and it should be kept according to the commandment. Not only should the true Sabbath day be observed, but the keeping of it should be according to the commandment. The real object of the Sabbath is to give honor to God in keeping it. And the heart must be so warm that there will be a delight in the soul, while we are filled with the presence of God, which blesses the hallowed memorial of the Creator.

True Sabbath keeping is not an irksome task, but a divine joy, which refreshes the soul, and makes the obedient long for the return of the blessed rest day.