The Sabbath Universal by R. H. Brock

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 22, 1914

The Sabbath Universal

By R. H. Brock

R. H. BROCK

THE Holy Scriptures very forcibly teach that the seventh-day Sabbath, made at creation, is of universal application, and that the whole world is under perpetual obligation to observe it. In the very beginning the Sabbath was made, and sanctified, or set apart for holy use. God blessed the seventh day; he blessed it for man, that on that day above any other day of the week man might receive rich blessings, and in return honor his Creator. In grateful praise man would say, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

In Ex. 31: 16 the Sabbath is called a perpetual covenant. It is a perpetual reminder of God's rest. The only reason given in all the Bible for the origin and existence of the Sabbath is that God rested upon that day. It is God's rest day. It belongs to God only. It is the Lord's day. "Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Mark 2: 28.

At Sinai God said, "The seventh day is [present tense] the Sabbath of the Lord." Some eight hundred years later we hear him say, "For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths." Isa. 56: 4. In Isa. 58: 13 (698 B. C.) God says, "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day."

Christ says, "The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Mark 2: 28. The apostle John says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." Rev. 1: 10. Thus from Genesis to Revelation the Lord claims one day. He calls it "the Sabbath of the Lord," "my Sabbaths," "my holy day," "the Lord's day."

The apostle, in Heb. 4: 4, says, "And God did rest the seventh day from all his works."

As the Sabbath is a memorial of the Creator's rest at creation, a monument erected in honor to him who created all things, it is evident that all created intelligences ought to render the utmost respect to this most sacred and holy institution made for man. The slightest disrespect by any living being to this blessed and holy day would be equally disrespectful to him who made it.

Not one of God's intelligent creatures is excused from rendering to him all honor, glory, and praise, in time or eternity. "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." Eccl. 3: 14.

Before the law was given on Mt. Sinai, the children of Israel were reprimanded by the Lord for disregarding the Sabbath. Ex. 16: 27, 28. The apostle Paul argues that the law was in existence before it was written at Sinai. He says, "For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law" (Rom. 5: 13); "for where no law is, there is no transgression [or sin]." Rom. 4: 15. But sin did exist. Sin was imputed, and transgressors were punished for sin. Hence there was a law. The sin of Sodom was grievous, and God destroyed both the city and its inhabitants seven hundred years before Sinai.

In Noah's time "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth." Gen. 6: 5. Wickedness is lawlessness. Why were the antediluvians condemned and destroyed with a flood? "And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." Verse 12. Noah was a just man, a "preacher of righteousness." "All thy commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119: 172.

Jesus said, "The Sabbath was made for man." No man can add to God's word nor take from it.

Lake City, Fla.