31:13Exodus 31:13

The Lord himself commands his people to keep his Sabbaths as a sign between him and them throughout their generations, so that they may know that he is the Lord who sanctifies them.8T 209.5–210.1+2 The Sabbaths are the seventh day, Saturday, God's holy memorial of creation because in six literal days he made heaven and earth and rested and blessed and sanctified the seventh day, and its sanctity remains forever unchanged by any human authority.9T 17.2–18.1+4 Keeping it is his seal and mark set in mind and heart, distinguishing his loyal, obedient people from the world and proving love to him by obedience to his whole law.CH 237.1+4 That sanctification is true Bible sanctification received through willing obedience by the Spirit, bringing oneness with God in character and likeness to Christ, with pledged blessing, peace and covenant relation to those who keep it holy.6T 350.1+4 A rival first-day sabbath exalted by papal and human authority is a spurious sign that turns the signpost the wrong way, and in prophetic application enforced Sunday observance is the mark of the beast contrasted with God's seal in the last great conflict over worship and loyalty.RH Nov 6, 1913+4

The command was spoken by the Lord himself, by Christ through Moses to the children of Israel, commanding that His Sabbaths be kept as a sign between Him and them throughout their generations that He is the Lord who sanctifies them.8T 209.5–210.1+4 It belongs to the fourth commandment and to the law engraved on tables of stone by the finger of God, requiring implicit obedience.8T 209.5–210.1+3 Its truth is plain from Scripture alone, specifying the seventh day blessed and set apart at creation and not the first day, leaving the day to no personal choice or human authority.Ms 198, 1899, par. 34–36+1 Jesus Christ instituted it, ordained it as a holy day of rest, declares Himself Lord of the Sabbath, and clears away human tradition to reveal its holy spiritual meaning.Ms 198, 1899, par. 34–36+1

It belongs to the moral law written with God's own finger and preserved that His claims might ever be borne in mind, handed to Moses from the cloud with divine hands just before delivery of the ten commandments engraved on two tables of stone.Ms 131, 1907, par. 15–20+2 It stands at the center and heart of the Decalogue, linking the commandments of duty to God with those of duty to fellow people, with reverence for the Sabbath engraved on the first table leading to keeping the first three of duty to God and the last six of duty to fellow man as a golden clasp uniting man to God and to his fellow man.Ms 198, 1899, par. 34–36+1 It was spoken in awful grandeur in the hearing of all the people upon Mount Sinai, unlike the ceremonial, social and political laws given in secret council, and proclaimed by the voice of God for a perpetual covenant forever.Lt 19c, 1874, par. 4–6+1 It is preserved in mind and in the ark in heaven as the foundation of God's government, with none of its binding claim diminished by Satan's effort to make the world believe it is no longer binding.Ms 131, 1907, par. 15–20+1

It was spoken in the wilderness during the forty days and forty nights Moses spent in the midst of the cloud with Joshua present, after six days of putting away common thoughts and sanctifying himself by meditation and prayer to prepare to converse with God.ST May 13, 1880 It was given immediately after and a third time in connection with the directions to build the sanctuary and tabernacle without delay in which the divine presence would be specially manifested.Ms 77, 1900, par. 7–8+2 Because the work was sacred and haste was needed, Israel was in great danger of concluding that the glory of God and great need of a place of worship justified working on the tabernacle on the Sabbath to complete it as quickly as possible.Ms 77, 1900, par. 7–8+1 The verse means that though the work must be carried forward with expedition, the Sabbath must not be employed as a working day, teaching that even sacred and urgent work for God must not infringe upon God's holy rest day and must give way to sacred observance.Lt 19c, 1874, par. 4–6+2

Israel as slaves in Egypt had been compelled to work on the Sabbath and had largely lost knowledge of it, so God guarded His Sabbath in particular when He gave His commandments in awful grandeur upon Mount Sinai.Lt 19c, 1874, par. 4–6+1 After redeeming them from bondage and idolatry with mighty power, strong hand, outstretched arm and great signs and wonders showing His command over nature and over the powers worshiped by the Egyptian oppressors, for the express purpose of worshiping Him, He proclaimed the commandments to impress His majesty and set them apart to keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.Lt 19c, 1874, par. 4–6+2 He promised that if they kept His commandments He would bless them above all other people, free them from sickness and establish them forever in the promised land, to stand throughout their generations as a hope, a light and a deliverance to the end of time.19MR 38.2–39.2+2 He set the Sabbath at the center of the commandments proclaimed at Sinai and repeatedly promised to take those who kept it as His chosen people, while failure brought sorrow and shame, and He enforced its observance even upon the tabernacle work lest zeal for the Lord's work lead to neglect, showing He is jealous for the honor of His memorial of creation.Lt 19c, 1874, par. 4–6+3

God made His Sabbath for a round world controlled by the sun that rules the day, so when the seventh day comes in that round world it is the time in all countries and lands to observe the Sabbath.Lt 167, 1900, par. 3–6 In countries where there is no sunset for months and again no sunrise for months, the period of time is calculated by records kept.Lt 167, 1900, par. 3–6+1 The Lord accepts all the obedience of every creature He has made according to the circumstances of time in the sun-rising and sun-setting world.Lt 167, 1900, par. 3–6 Obedience is the test, and exactness over the precise minutes and hours of the Sabbath is the test of man's obedience to honor and glorify God, while transgression of His law will meet God as a consuming fire.Lt 167, 1900, par. 3–6+1

The Sabbaths are the seventh day, Saturday, not Sunday or the first day, and their continuing force stands confirmed by Christ's declaration that not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law till heaven and earth pass.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11+4 The seventh-day creation Sabbath instituted in Eden and set apart and sanctified and blessed is definitely not Sunday and cannot be removed to any other day.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11+3 God has given men six days to do their work for a livelihood and has reserved the seventh day to Himself as His time and a perpetual covenant and memorial of creation, so when men take the Lord's time and appropriate it to common work and merchandise they are partaking of the forbidden tree just as Adam and Eve did.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11+2 All who observe the Sabbath are honoring God and will themselves be honored, and its observance every Sabbath is the test upon every professed Christian and the sign between him that serves God and him that serves Him not, marking obedience in the face of all the world who worship a false sabbath.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11+1 Those who risk the consequences and transgress the Sabbath have not the sign to distinguish them from the world, for observing Sunday does not replace this sign but obscures the distinction between God's commandment-keeping people and those in rebellion.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11+1 The promise applies to God's people including those grafted into Israel, and the Sabbath is to remain a perpetual memorial of creation and God's rest on the seventh day.Ms 104, 1893, par. 10–14+2 The seventh day is God's Sabbath, and keeping it honors the Creator, while replacing it with the first day dishonors Him and disregards His command.Lt 105, 1903, par. 8–10+2 To disregard His holy Sabbath shows open contempt for His law, numbers a person with unbelievers as a transgressor, and leaves him unsanctified because he refuses to render God His due and refuses the sign that distinguishes God's people.Lt 109, 1899, par. 30–32+1 Sabbathkeeping is a life and death question, and Christ kept the sign in strict obedience to the law.Lt 109, 1899, par. 30–32 The seventh-day Sabbath is God's holy memorial proclaiming Him the Creator of heaven and earth, to be kept holy as a perpetual covenant, and its sanctity and command come from Almighty God, not human authority, so that replacing it with a common workday or a humanly appointed counterfeit defies God's law.Lt 109, 1899, par. 30–32+1 The command is given in light too plain to be misunderstood as a sign throughout their generations forever and a perpetual covenant, while the world's first-day rest is a false rest day that dishonors the Creator of heaven and earth, reverences the false in place of the true, and tramples God's Sabbath underfoot, so that those who put the first day where the seventh should be and make laws compelling its observance stand under God's condemnation for disregarding His commands.17MR 346.1–3

It is God's memorial of creation because He made heaven and earth in six literal days and rested, was refreshed, blessed, sanctified, made holy and declared holy the seventh day.FE 507.2–3+3 Its foundation is God's creation of the heavens and earth in six days and His rest on the seventh day, because in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day rested and was refreshed, with six days for work and the seventh a Sabbath of rest holy to the Lord.FE 507.2–3+2 Keeping it commemorates His creative power and wisdom, goodness, love and authority as Creator and rightful ruler, acknowledging that He is God and none other is like Him.RH Apr 17, 1900+2 It is a memorial of God's love and power, given so people would not forget the true God.RH Apr 17, 1900+1 It is a memorial of creation and a waymark of obedience, and its observance marks the relationship between God and His people.RH Apr 17, 1900 Keeping the Sabbath points back to His making heaven and earth in six days and resting refreshed on the seventh day, keeps the line of demarcation between His people and the world unmistakably plain, and makes known that the Lord sanctifies His people.CH 522.1–2 The Sabbath is holy under God's law, obedience to God's command to keep it outweighs man's supposed necessities, so it must be kept even when obedience causes great inconvenience to those who have no respect for the Sabbath.CH 522.1–2 Much more honor must be given to the Sabbath than is now shown, and God's people must lift up this standard of truth in every place with voice and helping hands and zeal, keeping it as holy and as a perpetual covenant forever.Ms 22, 1901, par. 14–15 The Sabbath is the Lord's memorial of creation, and keeping it marks those who acknowledge God's authority.Ms 1, 1897, par. 15

It was instituted in Eden when the foundations of the earth were laid, before the Jews became a distinct people, given for all mankind and not any particular class with man's spiritual and physical health in view.ST Nov 22, 1899+2 It involves six literal days of work and a particular sanctified seventh literal day and not any day in seven, observed by the patriarchs, proclaimed at Sinai, and emphasized when the commandments were given to Moses.Lt 12a, 1910, par. 3–6+2 God gave the Sabbath to the world to be set apart for His name's glory, and its keeping is a perpetual covenant applying to true Israel, so that all who belong to Christ and are Abraham's seed are enjoined to observe the Sabbath.ST Nov 22, 1899 The Sabbath of Jehovah was instituted in Eden, observed by the patriarchs, proclaimed at Sinai, and remains a sign between God and His people and a sign of God's covenant with His people, and it has lost none of its meaning.Lt 12a, 1910, par. 3–6+1 It remains as a perpetual covenant forever for as long as God has a people on earth, for a thousand generations until His people are in His city, with faithful observers witnessing to it even when the church was in a wilderness state, and keeping it in this life prepares people to keep it in heaven.Lt 214, 1900, par. 5+2 That sign is the observance of the day the Lord has appointed, and establishing that observance is establishing God's memorials, while failure to advance that work is strange neglect and deficient spiritual eyesight and discernment.Lt 214, 1900, par. 5 Keeping the Sabbath is part of a perpetual covenant, grounded in God's creation of heaven and earth in six days and His rest on the seventh day, to be observed with hearts consecrated to obey God, and it is a test of obedience to God's fourth commandment.Lt 45, 1899, par. 10

The Sabbath is holy because God made it holy and put His sanctity upon it by His supreme authority, not human authority.Ms 146, 1906, par. 16–28+2 The command is positive and clear and remains binding because God does not change, and God's words mean what they say and cannot be changed by people.Ms 146, 1906, par. 16–28+1 The Sabbath is distinguished above all other days by God's blessing, and although Satan has succeeded in putting another day in its place, he can never take the sanctity and blessing of the Lord from it.Ms 22, 1895, par. 21 No human power, claim, invention or transgression can make it unholy, transfer its blessing, annul it or set it aside, and a false sabbath cannot replace the seventh day.Ms 22, 1895, par. 21+1 It remains this sign forever for as long as time lasts with none of its meaning, binding claim or sanctity diminished, removed to another day or changed to the first day, for God's law and the Sabbath have not been changed.9T 17.2–18.1+3 Keeping God's Sabbaths remains this sign and a sacred distinction for God's people for as long as time lasts and forever, marking their sacred distinction and to be cherished for as long as time lasts.9T 17.2–18.1+2 The sign is to be recognized through obedience to God's law, and the Sabbath remains holy and binding.Ms 146, 1906, par. 16–28

Keeping it is not mere assent but a life shaped by love, obedience, teaching God's commandments to children and work for the world.HMW 16.4+1 The Sabbath recalls that God created the world in six days, rested on the seventh, and sanctified that day, and no other day was sanctified for this purpose.Ms 139, 1906, par. 27–31 God's law is eternal, unchangeable, immutable, an expression of His high authority, and lays upon human beings the responsibility to obey the word of the highest Potentate in heaven by bringing themselves into entire conformity to His holy law through keeping His Sabbaths as a perpetual sign between Him and them throughout their generations that He sanctifies them.HMW 16.4 Enlisting in Christ's army requires coming out from the world to be separate, loving not the world nor the things of the world, setting affections on things above, seeing by faith Him who is invisible, remembering the cross of Calvary as a perpetual memorial of the nobler world, and representing Christ in character while living as those waiting for that perfection of character which will enable them fully to represent the Saviour.HMW 16.4

Keeping the Sabbaths is a sign between God and His people Israel throughout their generations, by which they may know that He is the Lord who sanctifies them, marking them as His obedient, loyal, distinct, commandment-keeping people, His chosen set apart as His own, His special possession under His control and protection with Christ's righteousness going before them, His appointed stewards and subjects of Christ's kingdom.8T 209.5–210.1+4 The command belongs to the law engraved on tables of stone by the finger of God and calls for implicit obedience, and those who live the new life in Christ and take His word as guide gain clearer understanding of genuine medical missionary work and deeper meaning in it.8T 209.5–210.1+1 Its foundation is God's creation of heaven and earth in six days and His rest on the seventh day, and it remains this sign and a sacred distinction forever for as long as time lasts.9T 17.2–18.1+1 Replacing His appointed seventh-day Sabbath with a false sabbath turns the signpost the wrong way and leads people to mistake disobedience for obedience.RH Nov 6, 1913

The Sabbath is God's seal, sign, mark and memorial, also called His mark, set in the forehead meaning God's law in the mind and written in the heart, God's pledge of perfect security to those He has chosen and claimed as Christ's purchased possession whom no one shall pluck out of His hand, the seal of the living God, the King's sign and mark of His government and kingdom stamped upon the soul showing he has been chosen and set apart to honor God and marking those in contract and covenant relation with Him.Ms 122, 1901, par. 7+4 It is a pledge of the relationship between the Creator and His created beings, kept holy in memory of creation in six days and the Creator's rest on the seventh, by which Israel declares loyalty to the only true and living God, sovereign of the universe.Ms 122, 1901, par. 7+1 It marks them as His chosen people and points to the fact that He sanctifies and makes them holy by authoritative command.Lt 85a, 1899, par. 4–5+1 The seal given in the forehead is God, New Jerusalem.15MR 225.3

If any refuse obedience the seal cannot be placed upon them, and those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus receive it, while if members of a family refuse to keep the Sabbath it cannot be placed upon them.15MR 225.3+1 Receiving it now requires laying up treasure in heaven and setting the heart in order ready for the time of trouble, for only those with clean hands and a pure heart will stand that trying time.SLGB 1.9 Worldly thoughts and cares shut present truth out and leave no place in the forehead for the seal, whether reading other exciting books, perplexity over what to eat and drink and wear, loss of love for the holy Bible, or looking too far off for the coming of the Lord and drifting after the world because time has continued longer than expected.SLGB 1.9 Time for Jesus to be in the most holy place is nearly finished and can last but a very little longer, so leisure time should be spent searching the Bible which is to judge in the last day.SLGB 1.9 Breaking God's law and trampling the Sabbath breaks that contract so God cannot work in their behalf, and those who break it have corrupted metal of faith and a spurious faith, prove they have changed leaders and no longer bear the King's sign, cannot be trusted in time of test or trial but will act the traitor's part, and do not draw from the Lord's foundry.15MR 36.1

Keeping the Sabbath distinguishes God's obedient subjects and loyal order from the world, other nations, transgressors, rebels, Sunday observers, idol worshipers and false religionists, keeping the line of demarcation unmistakably plain as a sacred distinction, a plain distinct separating line, a great distinguishing line and a golden chain binding people to their Creator.CH 237.1+4 It marks loyalty, obedience under Christ's banner, allegiance shown by obedience to His word and not mere profession, belonging as subjects of His kingdom and government given and sanctified in Eden, and those who follow the Lamb hold sacred the day He sanctified and blessed as creation's memorial.CH 237.1+2 By Sabbath observance Israel was to be distinguished from all other nations, and firmly maintaining this Sabbath faith is standing in moral power before the world.8T 198.2–4 Obedience to God's command to keep it outweighs man's supposed necessities, so it must be kept even when obedience causes great inconvenience to those who have no respect for the Sabbath.CH 522.1–2

It is God's test of loyalty and distinguishing test between keepers and transgressors of His law, a definite requirement to be kept as He commands rather than replaced by human tests or by tests made by people.Ms 169, 1903, par. 14–17+2 It requires exact obedience rather than following own judgment or letting human example sway, honoring God's law above human requirements, and those who turn aside from God's plain command will be condemned.RH Mar 26, 1908+1 Keeping it truly means respecting the other commands of the Decalogue as well, so that one who obeys the fourth from the heart will obey the whole law, proving love for Christ through faith and works by the inward working of the Holy Spirit and outward practical godliness, while letting human example sway breaks the sign and hardens the conscience.Ms 169, 1903, par. 14–17+1 God has given His people a test in the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and all who bring a heart consecrated to God to its observance find the day He has sanctified to be more to them than they had any idea of.Ms 167, 1897, par. 20–21 It is a central testing truth and important test question to be brought clearly before people rather than obscured by distractions over minor matters.Lt 161, 1910, par. 1–3

It is the means ordained to preserve right knowledge of Himself, the only true and living God above all gods of wood or stone made by hands, Sovereign, Creator and rightful ruler, pointing out who He is and declaring loyalty to Him.CH 388.3–4+4 God gave Sabbath observance to keep His people separate from the world and to preserve a right knowledge of Him, because becoming holy depends on correct views of the Creator.Ms 28, 1900, par. 26–27 By resting from ordinary work they acknowledge Him as Sovereign and Creator, and it gives assurance of His love, kindness and blessing in obedience and testifies that keepers have chosen His service.Ms 28, 1900, par. 26–27+1 It is also a public token that He claims them and will fulfill His promises, His covenant of peace with all who obey Him and His pledge that He will do what He has promised.Ms 28, 1900, par. 26–27 In the last days a work of reformation raises up a people who keep holy the seventh day in obedience to the light given them, who acknowledge His sign and are distinguished from the world as His commandment-keeping people.Ms 33, 1900, par. 8–11

The true and false Sabbath institutions each bear the name of their author, marking whose authority they represent, so keeping God's Sabbath marks His people as belonging to Him while keeping a different rest day acknowledges belonging to the kingdom of rebellion, and the Sabbath is therefore a test of loyalty in the final conflict.ST Mar 22, 1910 The sign borne by Seventh-day Adventists is not something seen but unseen, consisting of the consecrated mind placed wholly on the Lord's side.Lt 107, 1902, par. 11 It is worn by setting aside usual work and keeping the day holy as commanded, striving not to stand highest but to be always obedient to all of God's requirements, counting it a privilege to be loyal and obedient and firm as steel in maintaining the faith, and through that obedience and loyalty to the truth standing before the world as subjects of Christ's kingdom.2MR 197.3+2 Keeping it is an act of obedience and a visible sign of the Christian's stable character whose obedient character can stand as a lasting witness to biblical truth and benefit others.2MR 197.3+1

Conscientiously honoring Him, diligently using every means to obey and taking a decided stand with peculiar faith as dominating power rather than treating it as little consequence calls His people to holiness and covenant relation and brings blessings essential for a severely tried people, for His commandments are life and His sanctifying work shows He is their God and they His people.CH 240.2+1 Sabbath observance is part of honoring God and keeping covenant relation with Him, belonging to the commandments that are the life of His people.CH 240.2 Bearing it as His government mark, signet of the faithful and everlasting covenant between man and his Maker is required for salvation, with none without it passing the pearly gates of the city of God.15MR 36.2–3 Bearing it means cherishing pure principles proceeding from the essence of truth, fastening by golden links to the everlasting power and love of the God of truth, staying loyal to the principles of God's word and to the everlasting covenant, with high and elevated righteousness controlling conduct, character after the likeness of Christ, conscience taught of God, seeing behind every promise the All-powerful One and working with Him as agent to do His will, avoiding shipwreck of faith, keeping the anchor fastened to heaven's unalterable law, and revealing Christ working within in doctrinal precepts and in practical obedience.15MR 36.2–3 Acknowledging the seventh day as true Sabbath and God's sign binding people to their Creator as a golden chain keeps men and women from despising the Word of God, while dishonoring and disobeying it brings instability to the world and refusing it misrepresents His character and locks out of heaven by perversity.Ms 28, 1900, par. 28–29

The sign is certain and knowable, not hidden so none can tell when it comes, being the seventh day God blessed, sanctified, pronounced holy and set as heaven-given creation memorial for obedience with great penalties for violation.Lt 118, 1900, par. 4–7 It is to be faithfully honored in covenant relationship to receive His blessings with the distinction between keepers and non-keepers clear.7T 108.1 Keeping it marks those who accept the message of truth and join the church by baptism, through obedience knowing He sanctifies them unto eternal life, with obedience to God's commandments meaning eternal life.CH 385.5–386.1+2 Keeping it is joined to being sanctified through the truth, with those who accept the message seeking God's grace and sanctification so they can reveal the truth to others.RH Sep 12, 1907 It marks obedient children keeping His law bringing them into unity with heaven and proving they can be trusted in the heavenly courts, and marks His appointed stewards who cooperate with Him and honor Him in walk and work, so He does not direct them to link up in labor with men who do not bear it.7T 108.1+1

One who bears this sign must not dishonor it by any dishonest transaction but must follow the compassionate methods Christ revealed, with the Sabbath as the sign of God's government stamped upon the soul who keeps it, the King's mark showing that he has been chosen and set apart to honor God.15MR 35.2–4 Whether a person truly has this mark can be known by closely examining the Word of God and by thoroughly studying the Ten Commandments to see if the very day specified is being kept, counting loyal obedience a privilege.Ms 120, 1909, par. 11–12+1 The commandments rewritten the second time are preserved and will be brought forth at the last great judgment, for all are to be judged according to the commandments God has given.Ms 120, 1909, par. 11–12 Keeping His sabbaths is a sign given to His people, kept before the Lord as their obedience when they obey His commandments and reverence His holy day.Ms 120, 1909, par. 11–12

Keeping it is an act of obedience to God's command to be taken seriously, showing a person has taken the Lord as leader.7T 123.2 It distinguishes God's people from the world as a sign and a test of loyalty, a truth for which martyrs have suffered for the truth's sake.Lt 72, 1886, par. 2–4

The sanctification connected with the verse is the only true sanctification in Scripture, Bible sanctification received from God by the Spirit through willing obedience to principles that express His character.Lt 8, 1898, par. 6–9+2 It is harmony and oneness with God in character, inward peace that the world can neither give nor take away, strength to take God at His word as Sin-Bearer and stronghold, and likeness to Christ through habitual communion, prayer and daily godly living.6T 350.1+2 The same power that created the world re-creates the soul in God's likeness, and keeping the Sabbath holy teaches what sanctification is and makes people like Christ.6T 350.1+1 Those who keep it holy come to know the Lord as the One who sanctifies them through the Spirit's work on heart and character, through sanctification by the Holy Spirit and through the truth, cleansing themselves from sin in Christ and growing in holiness.Ms 68, 1899, par. 11–12+3 Keeping it in truth is more than legal observance and more than an outward badge, for its spiritual meaning is to shape every part of life, to shine in good works, and to keep faith, doctrine and experience genuine.Ms 68, 1899, par. 11–12+1

The Sabbath is essential to genuine sanctification, which cannot come through error but must be grounded in the open Bible.Ms 150, 1899, par. 50–51+1 God sanctifies His people as they obey and keep it holy, sanctifying the whole person in soul, body and spirit as evidence of genuine conversion, faith, new birth and loyalty to His government.Ms 150, 1899, par. 50–51+2 This sanctification is bestowed only upon those who honor Him by obeying His commands, and those convinced that the presented truth is God's truth must yield to its claims by obeying the Sabbath, pleading for the grace of Christ to be revealed in them and praying for sanctification through the truth so they are enabled to reveal truth in all its beauty to others.Ms 63, 1897, par. 9–10+1 Claiming sanctification while ignoring His holy rest day for a spurious sabbath and continuing in transgression is spurious and false, and God does not sanctify those who know the truth but dishonor His day.Ms 163, 1897, par. 24–26+2 To trample God's law and enforce human laws for Sunday keeping out of blindness and error rejects that divinely instituted Eden memorial of the six-day creation and seventh-day rest, and to turn away from this plain word for the contrary sayings of men forfeits that sanctification.Lt 8, 1898, par. 6–9+1

The verse gives a pledge and covenant of peace, an authoritative command and pledge of relationship between Creator and created beings, a pledge and sign of relationship with God the Creator who sanctifies His people.Ms 28, 1900, par. 26–27+1 It is evidence of His kindness, mercy and love and a token by which His people are distinguished from all false religionists, with positive and definite words given to keep His people separate from the world and to preserve right knowledge of Him, because becoming holy depends on correct views of the Creator.Ms 28, 1900, par. 26–27+1 God pledges Himself to bless them in obedience, to accept, to sanctify for service, to take them into covenant relation with Himself, to show Himself that He is their God, and to fulfill His promise to all that are obedient.Ms 28, 1900, par. 26–27+2 True worshipers who keep the Sabbath holy according to His directions as a memorial of creation in six days and the Creator's rest on the seventh may claim sanctification, may claim the rich blessings of God on the little companies assembled to worship on the day He blessed and made holy, and may claim special blessing in assembled worship.Lt 8, 1898, par. 6–9+2 That promise is to be pleaded in prayer for the presence of Jesus to bless His commandment-keeping people for a perpetual covenant, repeated twice, and honoring the Sabbath is a pledge that God will recognize and fulfill His covenant.Lt 66, 1900, par. 6–9+1

Its sacredness allows God to reveal Himself to His people in a marked way, for the Sabbath is holy, consecrated time whose every moment and whose hours, sacred and sanctified and holy, are to be respected.Lt 8, 1898, par. 6–9+1 God meets worshipers by His Spirit, and the Sabbath is a special occasion for remembering creation and celebrating its memorial, for communion with Him and one another, and for worshiping together when He is in the assembly in a special manner to bless and sanctify.Lt 8, 1898, par. 6–9+1 Neglecting it keeps people from its sanctifying power and the peace and rest and refreshing God intends, while worshiping in spirit and truth may bring refreshing from the Lord, valuable spiritual experience, and a deeper experience than expected for a heart consecrated to God.Lt 22, 1897, par. 11–13+2 John on Patmos treasured and claimed the promise, and the Sabbath assured him that God was his.Ms 150, 1899, par. 13–15

Every deliverance from Satan's power is a manifestation of God's power to save and a demonstration in the present day that the Sabbath is still that sign by which His commandment-keeping people are distinguished and known as His, preserving among them the knowledge of God as Creator who sanctifies them.Ms 14, 1901, par. 31–33+1 Those who sincerely believe the third angel's message reveal in their lives all that message comprehends, whose fruits are grace and righteousness, engaging as converted witnesses in God's service whose changed lives practically witness that God is the strength and defense of His people and will exert unlimited power to make His truth and righteousness triumphant.Lt 91, 1900, par. 26 Obedience to the commandments and to the Sabbath is the remedy for the leprosy of strife and dissension and gives unity to the church, with those who keep God's law one with Him in the great controversy between God and Satan commenced in heaven, while disloyalty means contention and strife against the principles of His law.Ms 14, 1901, par. 31–33

Only the seventh day carries God's blessing and sanctity, and no replacement with another day can take that sanctity away, for God does not change while human beings devise changes.STE 157.1+1 Keeping God's appointed seventh-day Sabbath is obedience to Him, while resting on a false sabbath is not, and the attempt to replace it does not change His law or its appointed meaning, for He remains jealous for His law.RH Nov 20, 1913+1 To exalt the first day and put it in the place of the Lord's Sabbath opposes His positive and clear command under Satan's direction, just as Nebuchadnezzar set up an image on the plain of Dura and commanded all to worship it, and to substitute a false sabbath turns the signpost the wrong way so that disobedience is mistaken for obedience.RH Nov 6, 1913+1 That substitution seeks to destroy the sign commanded to endure for a thousand generations, destroys the sacredness of the memorial, and obscures the identity of the true God.RH Nov 6, 1913+4

Satan has worked with masterly power to make the fourth commandment null and void so that God's sign would be lost sight of and have no effect, and the Christian world has trodden underfoot the Lord's Sabbath and observes a sabbath instituted by the enemy.7T 105.2 He finds a co-partner in the papal power that seeks to change times and laws, with the false sabbath exalted by princes and rulers while the true Sabbath is trodden underfoot, and the whole Christian world led to depreciate the seventh day and exalt the idol sabbath.Lt 120, 1899, par. 25–26 He interposes himself between man and God so that man will not bear the sign God said should exist between Him and His people.Lt 120, 1899, par. 25–26 Yet God has a loyal people who bear His sign, and their churches stand as memorials continually proclaiming the treason of Satan and the genuineness of the Eden Sabbath instituted when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy, with the present work being to undeceive the world and carry the work forward in right lines through them.7T 105.2+1

The papacy thought to change times and laws and through Satan's working turned people from the true Sabbath to the spurious first-day Sabbath accepted by human authorities and presented to the Protestant world as the true Sabbath, from which ministers turn to fables and to a human thus saith because obedience involves a cross.Ms 52, 1900, par. 30–32 The man of sin tramples the true Sabbath underfoot by setting up a common working day as a rival to be sacredly observed and worshiped, bringing human will into direct collision with God's government and assailing His divine rule, and everyone accepting the rival in place of the true exalts the man of sin and joins marked hostility against God.Ms 147, 1897, par. 43–44 The sign has been broken down by taking a day that has no sacredness and exalting the spurious first-day sabbath, the child of papacy nourished by the Protestant world, which God does not accept.Ms 11, 1894, par. 25–29 Sunday observance is that rival, spurious, false Sabbath, an institution originated with Rome which she claims as the sign of her power, jurisdiction and authority, while the change of the Sabbath is the sign or mark of the authority of the Romish church, repeating what Satan attempted in heaven to prove God's law faulty and the Lawgiver fallible.GC 449.1+2

To ignore the seventh-day Sabbath in order to keep the first day as holy is to offer strange fire like Nadab and Abihu, offering a strange sabbath He commanded not, putting the common in place of the sacred and clothing a common working day with sacred prerogatives it does not possess.Ms 63, 1897, par. 6–8 Such a human institution dishonors God and He will not accept it, and transgressing the Sabbath command and exalting a common working day brings the penalty of death, as death fell upon Aaron's sons for dishonoring Him.Ms 63, 1897, par. 6–8 Honoring a substitute first-day sabbath instead sets aside God's memorial of His authority and exalts human authority above the Creator, opposes His law, separates people from Him, and turns them away from the day He declared holy.ST Feb 22, 1910+2

In prophetic application the Sabbath sign of loyalty and God's seal is contrasted with the mark of the beast, which is enforced Sunday observance identifying allegiance to human, papal authority rather than to God.ST Mar 22, 1910 The Sabbath is to be kept holy through all generations as a perpetual covenant, and understanding this sign shows what the mark of the beast is not and how to escape worshiping the beast and drinking the unmixed wrath of God.Ms 88, 1897, par. 13–14 It is Bible-testing truth in the third angel's message of God's commandments and Jesus' testimony, the sign of distinction from the world and of relationship to God by which He distinguishes His obedient subjects, and in the final conflict it is where His tested people find strength to stand securely against deception and persecution.9T 15.5–16.1+1 Keeping it distinguishes those who serve God from those who accept a human institution in its place and identifies those who have God's seal, and its observance every Sabbath is the test upon every professed Christian marking obedience in the face of a world worshiping a false sabbath, unlike particular dietary practices such as eating butter, meat or cheese which are not to be presented as such a test.Ms 27, 1899, par. 3–5+1

Those who understand the claims of the fourth commandment yet choose to observe the false Sabbath in place of the true thereby pay homage to that power, and keeping the counterfeit Sabbath is receiving the mark of the beast.4SP 281.2 When people know the true Sabbath obligation but reject it in favor of Sunday observance enforced by human law, they reject God's sign and give allegiance to Rome instead, and this choice constitutes receiving the mark only when the issue has been clearly presented and they knowingly choose human precepts over God's command.GC 449.1 That mark was not received by Christians of past generations who observed the first day supposing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath, nor by many honest Christians today in every church not excepting the Roman Catholic communion who believe Sunday is of divine appointment.4SP 281.2 The test comes only when Sunday observance is enforced by law and the world is enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath so the issue of God's commandments versus men's commandments is plainly set before them, and only those who then continue in transgression receive the mark.GC 449.1+1 Whether one who does not keep the Sabbath will be lost cannot be answered apart from the light permitted to reach that person, for judgment is according to that light and according to the commandments God has given, which rewritten the second time are preserved and will be brought forth at the last great judgment.Lt 120, 1886, par. 1–6+1

God has never changed His rest day to the first day, and a false Sabbath with no sanctity will be promoted and made a test of worship and loyalty.Lt 38, 1909, par. 5–10 Sunday observance enforced by law is a false substitute that exalts a spurious rest day and leads people to regard Sabbath keepers as disloyal, though they are honoring God's true Sabbath brought from Egyptian bondage as a sign of His favor.Ms 85, 1899, par. 14–16 People will treat God's sign as worthless and despise it while exalting a rival sabbath, and oppressive laws will compel worship of that rival.Ms 32, 1898, par. 11–12 God sanctified and blessed the seventh day and set it apart to keep holy, and human rulers cannot rightfully replace His command with human laws or compel people to disregard it.Ms 63, 1899, par. 30–31+1

The movement in the United States to secure state support for church institutions and usages, whose principal object is the enforcement of Sunday observance, exalts that rival sign against God's Sabbath.GC88 573.1+1 Sunday is a rival sign originated with Rome which she claims as the sign of her authority, and Protestants urging state enforcement follow in the steps of papists and open the door for popery to regain in Protestant America the supremacy she has lost in the Old World.GC88 573.1+1 In this papists and Protestants are united against the Sabbath and its defenders in the soon-coming contest.4SP 390.2–3

In the last days keeping the Sabbath of creation tests loyalty amid persecution, and the oppressive power of persecution comes upon the church militant for keeping the Sabbath God sanctified and blessed when the morning stars sang together and the sons of God shouted for joy.18MR 30.3–31.2+1 A work of reformation raises up a people who keep holy the seventh day in obedience to the light given them, who acknowledge His sign and are distinguished from the world as His commandment-keeping people, making earnest efforts to exalt the Lord God of heaven.18MR 30.3–31.2+1 The breach made when human and papal authority tore down that memorial, changed the holy day into a common working day, and set apart the first working day without any sanction from God must be repaired by exalting the trampled foundation and refusing any plan that treads the Sabbath underfoot, restoring His moral image in humanity.Ms 35, 1900, par. 7–12+1 The Sabbath of the law is the breach in the wall that has been broken down, and keeping the seventh day repairs the breach and raises up the foundation of many generations, so that those who do this work are called repairers of the breach and restorers of paths to dwell in.Ms 11b, 1894, par. 26–28+1 Upon the Sabbath will come the last great conflict between truth and error and the last determined battle between darkness and light, in which all professing His law should stand united in sacred observance and become ever more distinct from the world.18MR 30.3–31.2+2

In the hour of trial over enforced Sunday observance God will preserve those who keep the Sabbath as His sign, who know by actual experience that He sanctifies them and grants them His seal of approval as commandment keepers.Ms 153, 1902, par. 7+1 As the blood struck upon the doorpost in Egypt marked Israel inside for protection when the destroying angel passed to smite the firstborn, so Sabbath keeping marks God's people for protection when the destroying angel is again to pass with judgments, and He will pass over keepers in the day of final destruction so it will not fall on them.Ms 3, 1885, par. 8–9 God tests faith by giving a part to act in connection with His interposition, where what looks unimportant is of highest consequence for life and salvation, and those who comply are hidden with their children in the secret of the Lord's pavilion when the overflowing scourge passes.Ms 3, 1885, par. 8–9 Those who follow their own will, make the Sabbath common, and allow children a worldly Sabbath-breaking education cannot have His seal and are left to be destroyed, and parents who make the Sabbath ordinary for children prevent them from receiving it.HSFM 216.4–217.2+1 Sabbath keeping is the test of honoring God's law above human requirements by exact obedience rather than following own judgment, and parents who faithfully teach the commandments and commit children to God by faith and prayer will have God work with their efforts.HSFM 216.4–217.2+1

Bearing the sign marks true and faithful witnesses who keep God's commandments even when persecuted, scattered and driven into dens and caves, and their obedience and influence are not destroyed.Lt 86, 1900, par. 29–32 When Christ comes to take vengeance God will judge every person who had the truth and turned from the light because obedience required self-denial and the cross, and following false shepherds and pleading ignorance of Scripture will not screen them from His indignation.Lt 86, 1900, par. 29–32 In the day of judgment when the dead stand before God and are judged out of the books according to their works, those who refused the sign and led others to honor the false Sabbath will fully see the virtue of His sign, see Satan's course in causing transgression and deception to their ruin, see the Father's sacrifice in giving His only begotten Son and Christ as the light of the world rejected and killed, and understand they might have been saved had they accepted mercy.Ms 27, 1900, par. 35–37 The words about the Sabbath were spoken to Moses from the cloudy pillar and entrusted to God's chosen people to give to the world, but they have been discarded as human laws are exalted, and those who keep God's memorial Sabbath are hated and subjected to invented charges.Ms 71, 1896, par. 8

Refusing God's sign means disregarding and transgressing the law, claiming authority over conscience, turning from truth, refusing light, and rejecting His message of mercy to a fallen world.Ms 27, 1900, par. 35–37 It tears down His sacred rest day and memorial, trains people to disregard it, teaches that His law is abrogated as a yoke of bondage, rejects allegiance to God and exalts human authority in its place, with guilt upon those who know the command but refuse it.ST Nov 22, 1899+1 The churches have refused God's sign and thereby misrepresented His character, tearing down His rest day and exalting a spurious sabbath in its place, locking themselves out of heaven by perversity.Ms 28, 1900, par. 28–29 Dishonoring and disobeying the Sabbath brings instability to the world.Ms 28, 1900, par. 28–29

The Sabbath question will become a point of controversy, but those who obey God's commandments take His Word as their guide.Ms 32, 1898, par. 15–17 In the close battle between the prince of darkness and the Prince of Light over the Sabbath of the fourth commandment against the exalted false sabbath and enforced Sunday observance, God's people must take strengthening Bible diet and Bible duty to brace the soul for the coming conflict.Ms 6, 1889, par. 24–26 Leaders must keep step where Jesus leads and advance with the increasing light of the third angel's message or become blind leaders of the blind, standing as brave men with the whole armor of God in a united front.Ms 6, 1889, par. 24–26 They must hold the law more precious and show it more respect in proportion as it is made void around them, reaching high advancement when love for the commandments grows with the contempt shown to that law.Ms 6, 1889, par. 24–26

God gave the Sabbath to man to be a blessing and an everlasting memorial of His creative power.Ms 51, 1890, par. 3–9 But the sign was perverted and entirely misinterpreted when loaded with man's thou-shalt and thou-shalt-not inventions until its sacred character was lost.Ms 51, 1890, par. 3–9 Self-righteous priests made it an exacting arbitrary curse and yoke none could keep because of exactions, as Satan wanted, and the farther people departed from God the more self-made traditions were added which God never specified.Ms 51, 1890, par. 3–9

The seventh day is God's memorial of creation which He hallowed, blessed and gave to man to be observed forever, identifying the true living God and His sanctifying work, in contrast to the idol Sunday sabbath God has not blessed but men exalted above God instituted.14MR 90.3–91.4 Keeping the true seventh-day Sabbath acknowledges belonging as a subject of God's kingdom, while keeping a different rest day acknowledges belonging to the kingdom of rebellion, and careful study of His word exposes the mistake, so it is vital to know which mark one bears.15MR 33.1–2 Tearing down the memorial, voiding the law, trampling the Sabbath and compelling false worship by imprisonment and death opposes the sign, while keeping it marks loyalty when everyone sides between true and spurious.15MR 33.1–2+1

The Sabbath is to be kept as holy to the Lord and as a perpetual covenant forever, a lasting sign between God and Israel throughout their generations by which they may know that He is the Lord who sanctifies them.FE 507.2–3+4 Its foundation and positive origin is that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day rested and was refreshed, with six days appointed for work and the seventh as the Sabbath of rest holy to the Lord.Ms 22, 1901, par. 14–15+2 It is the seventh day, not the first, specified as appointed by the Lord of heaven and earth, blessed and sanctified as the day of rest.Ms 116, 1902, par. 28+1 The verse forbids doing any work on the Sabbath day as a lesson and evidence for God's people, and profaning it by work carries the stated penalty of death.Ms 64, 1899, par. 12

Keeping it holy requires ceasing common, secular, ordinary and unnecessary work and resting the seventh day as holy to the Lord for honoring and serving God, with spiritual refreshing and physical rest.Ms 30, 1903, par. 16–17+1 God has given men six days to do their work for a livelihood and has reserved the seventh day to Himself as His consecrated time, so every moment of it is to be respected.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11+1 Food for the Sabbath is to be prepared on the sixth day, self is to be denied with the cross lifted and one's own way given up, and spending its hours on one's own work and merchandise robs Him.Ms 30, 1903, par. 16–17+1 When men take the Lord's time and appropriate it to common work and merchandise they are partaking of the forbidden tree just as Adam and Eve did, showing open contempt for His law, numbering themselves with unbelievers as transgressors, and remaining unsanctified because they refuse to render God His due and refuse the sign that distinguishes His people.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11+1 All who observe the Sabbath honor God and will themselves be honored, cheerful and happy in assurance of blessing, bearing holiness to the Lord as their badge, while its observance every Sabbath is the test upon every professed Christian and the sign between him that serves God and him that serves Him not.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11

Proper keeping brings holy use of the sacred hours, rest and refreshment as God rested and was refreshed, worship, Scripture, spiritual reflection, religious conversation and meditation, good works letting light shine, and consecrated service and spiritual refreshment rather than useless idleness.21MR 293.3–295.2+2 It shows true regard for its holiness and trust in the special grace He gives that day, and all who bring a heart consecrated to God to its observance find the day He sanctified to be more to them than they had any idea of.Ms 167, 1897, par. 20–21 As God rested on the seventh day and was refreshed, He desires His people to rest and be refreshed on the Sabbath, and by keeping it holy they bear testimony to the nations that they are His chosen people set apart.RH Oct 28, 1902+1 Man's observance of the Lord's day of rest now again causes joy among the angels of heaven, as at creation when the morning stars sang together and the sons of God shouted for joy.18MR 30.3–31.2

Proper observance means honoring the seventh day in conversation with a heart opened in a special manner from beginning to close, shining forth the bright beams of the Sun of righteousness, giving rest and peace with God without sad thoughts and distress upon the soul.Ms 173, 1903, par. 15 Its strict observance each week is a silent sermon witnessing to God and identifying it as His Sabbath, while treating it as an ordinary workday or desecrating it erases that sign and dishonors God.10MR 212.4–213.6+1 Keeping the Sabbath is not enough if its value is not appreciated, since treating it carelessly fails to honor the sign God gave.Ms 146, 1906, par. 58 Read together with Isaiah 58:1-3, Isaiah 56 and Isaiah 55, the passage stands against outward show, mere pretense and mock humility in ceremony and fasting while objectionable traits of character are retained, hearts remain unhumbled and uncleansed, and dealings remain unjust, selfish and oppressive, calling for true repentance, cleansing from spiritual defilement, and faith that works by love and purifies the soul.Ms 48, 1900, par. 1–4

It means eternal salvation to keep the Sabbath holy, with the definite day God commanded deciding justification or condemnation because eternal interests are at stake and there is no second probation.Lt 109, 1899, par. 30–32+1 God set the seventh day at the end of six working days for men to stop and reflect what they gained in preparation for the pure kingdom admitting no sin, reckoning weekly whether there was spiritual gain or loss and withdrawing mind as well as body from worldly business.Lt 170, 1899, par. 13–15 Keeping it is holy because He made it holy, with desecrating it as sin tested during probation bringing precious reward for obeyers and loss of heaven's bliss for tramplers, since human traditions do not outweigh His Word.Ms 78, 1897, par. 67–69 Receiving this truth brings life that measures with the life of God and an unfailing treasure in heaven while rejecting it brings death, and trampling the Sabbath of the Lord while exalting an institution of the Papacy places souls in danger of death.Lt 231, 1899, par. 10–14

Profaning the Sabbath by work carries the stated penalty of death and being cut off from among His people.Ms 64, 1899, par. 12+1 Knowing the law God spoke from Sinai in awful grandeur and yet desecrating the Sabbath by working on that day despises the Word of the Lord and merits the severest punishment, even death and being cut off.Ms 131, 1907, par. 15–20 Those who knowingly transgress it after light has come are cut off from among His people, and those who set God's law aside as of no consequence and make it a dead letter will certainly bear the consequence of their sin, though God bears long with them.Ms 85, 1899, par. 9–11+1 Rejecting His command brings death, and His statutes must be reverenced rather than treated as unimportant, with the seventh day kept and Sunday not exalted as the Sabbath lest the law of Jehovah be made void.Lt 60, 1898, par. 8–13+1

The command governs whether work, including restaurant and sanitarium work, may be done on that day.Ms 114, 1902, par. 17 Proper observance means not depriving oneself and helpers of the Sabbath by making it a day of taxing labor such as preparing and serving meals for large numbers in a restaurant, but closing business on that day and resting, refusing trade and commerce and refraining from unnecessary work to devote the day to worship.7T 122.1+2 Food is to be prepared Friday and taken home, giving workers rest to recruit physical and spiritual strength, closing restaurants so the sign is not obscured and publicly declaring the seventh day holy.CH 522.1–2 Closing on the Sabbath gives opportunity to proclaim the truth when people ask why the business is closed, to give reasons for keeping the Sabbath, to give reading matter to those interested, and thus to sow seeds of truth, even though to many it will be a great mystery.Lt 183, 1902, par. 1–3 Opening even for a few when patrons ask for food violates God's law and weakens the witness-mark that must never be erased, while necessary care such as feeding patients and staff may still be provided with as little labor as possible, and amusement and games on sanitarium grounds violate the commandment and bring judgment unless repented of.CH 237.1+1

Relieving real suffering does not desecrate the Sabbath, and a physician may travel on the Sabbath when necessary to relieve real suffering, but unimportant cases should be deferred until after the Sabbath.Ms 159, 1899, par. 15–18+1 In medical work ordinary treatment and operations that can wait should be deferred, and physicians should plan their work to obey the Sabbath.Ms 162, 1897, par. 23–25 Keeping the sign in health work means laying aside ordinary duties for one day of rest and so far as possible planning work to allow rest and attendance at devotional services, giving instruction on its sanctity and setting a right example for patients and helpers, while never neglecting the needs of suffering humanity.7T 106.1–2

Its binding claim is to be acknowledged before believers and unbelievers, and its light allowed to shine openly and clearly without being presented offensively or shaped by worldly policy.21MR 288.2–4+2 Sabbath observance must be upheld in sanitariums and other institutions by setting aside work as far as possible without neglecting those who suffer, with proper observance by everyone connected making this sign prominent before the world and exerting an influence for good rather than obscuring it to conform to the world's policies.21MR 288.2–4+1 Institutions must remain denominational and openly bear Seventh-day Adventist character rather than declaring themselves undenominational or cutting the Sabbath question out of publications to increase circulation, for Sabbath keeping is the sign marking God's denominational people set apart to stand now and ever as distinct and peculiar, free from worldly policy and confederacy with those who do not discern His claims.Lt 128, 1902, par. 19–22

Honoring the Sabbath means refusing to work on it even when doing so risks losing employment or money, as an act of loyalty to God and obedience from the heart valued above earthly gain.Lt 80, 1900, par. 14 Obedience to it takes precedence over human convenience even when keeping it inconveniences others who have no respect for it, outweighing man's supposed necessities.CH 522.1–2+1 Keeping it involves self-denial and self-sacrifice, which many refuse.Lt 86, 1900, par. 19–21 A whole family wearing that sign is expressed through practical godliness in the home where the Lord presides, rather than mere religious sentiment or pretense.Ms 235, 1902, par. 15

The Sabbath is to be kept in obedience to the Lord's command so long as there is liberty to keep it, but if believers are placed in the chain gang they may be compelled to work on the Sabbath or suffer penalty that may be death, especially colored believers in the South, so existing conditions must be considered with sanctified common sense.Ms 93, 1902, par. 54–58 No one should disobey this command in order to escape persecution, for forcing Sabbath work is opposition to God inspired by Satan and the spirit of antichrist.Ms 9, 1900, par. 1 Duty under this command is to avoid coming into the power of such oppressors when possible, to flee to another place, and to pay a fine if payment will deliver brethren, so that everything possible is done to save those willing to suffer for the truth from being forced to break the Sabbath and from oppression and cruelty.Ms 9, 1900, par. 1 Refraining from work on Sunday where it will advance the cause is not receiving the mark of the beast.Ms 93, 1902, par. 54–58

Those who keep the Sabbath have a mighty work to present its truth in clear lines, making God's law their platform and dwelling on the evidence of its origin and perpetuity.HMW 39.2+2 The truth is to be taught clearly in a way that enlightens rather than offends, acknowledged before believers and unbelievers and allowed to shine without being presented offensively.21MR 288.2–4+1 It is to be urged in terrible earnest because salvation is at stake and there is no second probation, proclaimed trusting Christ's all-powerful presence to impress hearts despite opposition, falsehood and deception from false teachers.Lt 193, 1901, par. 19–20+1 Keeping the day holy requires denying self, lifting the cross and giving up one's own way, which those who love error more than truth refuse even when evidence is clear and convincing, and the command is given in plainest and most weighty language as Bible-testing truth in the third angel's message, the sign of distinction from the world and of relationship to God by which obedient subjects are known.Lt 193, 1901, par. 19–20+1 Directing readers to God's commandments including the Sabbath belongs to the call to believe and obey, for the seventh day is His memorial of creation to be upheld by setting aside work as far as possible without neglecting sufferers.21MR 288.2–4+1

The plain Thus saith the Lord specifying the seventh day after six days of creation is to be gathered from Scripture and read before congregations and before those determined to enact Sunday laws, with no controversy and no words of men.Lt 408, 1907, par. 3–8+1 So presented, the burden of responsibility rests on rejecters whose controversy is with God and not with the speaker, and men who urge a Sunday law show they do not respect it.Lt 408, 1907, par. 3–8+1 Those who read the command now and obey it will not have to read it with self-condemnation in the day when the books are opened and everyone is judged out of the things written therein.Ms 27, 1900, par. 32–34 That law reveals God's character and will, sets out the principles of His government for all nations, serves as the standard of righteousness at the judgment, and makes obedience a prerequisite of salvation by which sentence of life or death is given.Ms 27, 1900, par. 32–34+1 Exalting the first day and putting it in the place of the Lord's Sabbath opposes this command under Satan's direction, as when Nebuchadnezzar set up an image on the plain of Dura and commanded all to worship it, and the Sabbath must be kept as holy sign and perpetual covenant grounded in God making heaven and earth in six days and resting refreshed on the seventh, not made void or trampled but set forth as testing truth for the last days in clear straight lines.Ms 27, 1900, par. 32–34+2

Much more honor must be given to the Sabbath than is now shown, and God's people must lift up this standard of truth in every place with voice and helping hands and zeal.Ms 22, 1901, par. 14–15 It is holy, to be kept as perpetual covenant forever because in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh rested and was refreshed, with six days for work and the seventh a Sabbath of rest holy to the Lord.Ms 22, 1901, par. 14–15 Parents are to teach children to obey the Sabbath commandment so they may be numbered among God's people, and keeping the commandments keeps His people connected with Him to follow His principles rather than worldly customs or policies including in business.Ms 152, 1901, par. 29–31+1 Those who bear His specified mark are to know how to state in a few words in plain simple language the reasons of their faith.Ms 106, 1902, par. 23 The message about the Sabbath must be borne earnestly and untiringly lest time pass and people be left unwarned, as a great test and testing truth for this time to be exalted as a standard in missionary work entering new fields, with keepers carrying responsibility to do mercy and benevolence, binding medical missionary work with gospel ministry in united work sealed with God's seal.HMW 39.2+1

God's people are to stand now and ever as a distinct and peculiar denominational people, separate from the world, free from all worldly policy and unembarrassed by confederacy with those who have not wisdom to discern the claims of God plainly set forth in His law.Lt 110, 1902, par. 20–21+1 Keeping His Sabbaths is the distinguishing sign between God and His people throughout their generations, declaring that He sanctifies them and setting them apart from the world by observance of His commandments.19MR 38.2–39.2+1 It means entering into no confederacy with those upon whom light has shone for years but who have not walked in it, conscientiously honoring God and diligently using every means of keeping in covenant relation with Him to receive blessings essential for a severely tried people.Lt 110, 1902, par. 20–21 Observance marks a clear distinction between God's people and the world, requires correct religious influence in His work including medical institutions remaining denominational rather than becoming undenominational, and openly owning Seventh-day Adventist character rather than hiding it.19MR 38.2–39.2+2 The Sabbath is nothing to be ashamed of but a distinguishing part of Seventh-day Adventist identity, part of the commandments distinguishing God's people, marking them as distinct and teaching that the Lord sanctifies them.Ms 169, 1902, par. 5–7+1

The charge as leader and teacher to keep His Sabbaths as a sign means not connecting with those who do not acknowledge God but connecting with those who honor Him by keeping His commandments.Lt 140, 1909, par. 4 Counting worldly education as essential for success dishonors God because it declares the influence the world gives superior to the influence God gives, and He has full knowledge of the faith and trust and confidence His professed people have in His providence.Lt 140, 1909, par. 4 True higher education fastens mind and soul to the Word of God just as it reads in living obedience including Sabbath keeping, and it cannot be obtained by committing to be educated by leading men who do not keep the Sabbath.Ms 84, 1910, par. 40–41 Keeping the Sabbath means depending wholly upon the true God rather than acknowledging dependence upon men who transgress His law or upon worldly institutions to gain influence, education or advantage, because He Himself gives His people influence and advantages far beyond what union with the world can give.Ms 72, 1909, par. 1–3+1 Those who do not keep His Sabbath are not submitted to God and do not obey His commandments, while the Sabbath as great distinguishing line separates a distinct, sanctified, holy, commandment-keeping people connected with God so He can work with them.Ms 84, 1910, par. 40–41+1

In the last days those who bear that sign are to extend knowledge of the truth in missionary lines and do a great grand work, and failing to be wide awake to see and advance that work is deception.Ms 14, 1901, par. 1 God's people are to establish and raise memorials of the Sabbath throughout the world, showing returned loyalty to Him and firm stand for the principles of His law.RH May 2, 1912+2 Publishing houses established at various points in missionary lands serve for this purpose as centers of effort and influence to give character to the work, attract attention, develop talents and capabilities of believers, unify new churches, and help workers by readier communication and more rapid spread of the message.PMMEP 8.2–4 Churches raised in cities and towns serve as memorials of truth and righteousness upholding the seventh day as His sign and seal with every stroke telling for it, and sanctuaries and meetinghouses in villages, towns and cities constantly bear witness that after creating the world in six days He gave the seventh day as rest, representing a people who keep His law and acknowledge Him as supreme ruler.Ms 99, 1902, par. 12+1 The sign is the seventh-day Sabbath whose holiness dates from creation as memorial of His love and power, and while efforts to change His law and substitute a false Sabbath seek to make His sign ineffective, loyal keepers and their churches proclaim its holiness.Ms 99, 1902, par. 12

Living the new life in Christ and taking His word as guide gives much clearer understanding of what constitutes genuine medical missionary work and gives that work deeper meaning when obedience to the command engraved on tables of stone by the finger of God is rendered with implicit obedience.8T 209.5–210.1+1 Keeping His Sabbaths as sign throughout generations forever, a perpetual covenant by which they know He sanctifies them, means obedience to all His commandments honoring Him in word and deed and magnifying His law.CH 555.4–556.1+1 Medical missionaries especially are to bear this distinguishing sign without shame by maintaining strong religious influence.7T 104.3–105.1 Those who keep the Lord's Sabbath carry responsibility to do mercy and benevolence, binding medical missionary work with gospel ministry as united work sealed with God's seal, and the physician who bears this sign is to live by God's principles rather than selfishness and extortion.Ms 22, 1901, par. 9–10+1 Physicians who bear it yoke with Christ as restorers of health to body, mind, heart and soul, acting as He would act and refusing selfish avaricious extortion and robbery of the afflicted, working with new methods and discarding drugs while watched with jealous eyes, for all who have this sign in perfect and entire obedience loving God supremely and neighbor as self are a distinct holy people unto the Lord.15MR 38.2–4

Those who understand the sign represent God's government by cherishing His words, obeying His will, and living out the principles of His law which Christ writes in their hearts.Ms 68, 1899, par. 18–19 When believers keep themselves in His love and bear witness by precept and example of the power of truth and grace upon the heart, that witness commends this truth about the Sabbath to others.Lt 35, 1898, par. 9–10 Keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy marks a people who love and fear God, who have not changed faith and who work in harmony with heaven in preparing the way of the Lord, to be held decidedly before the world as witness to all nations with full faith that the Lord is soon to come in the clouds.Lt 128, 1902, par. 25 Through such a distinct people separate in habits and practices, God works to gather a people for Himself from all nations.7T 109.3 As He brought Israel from Egyptian bondage and gave the Sabbath as sign of favor and belonging to remain a hope, light and deliverance through generations, so honoring it from its Eden origin distinguishes loyalty from disloyalty.Ms 85, 1899, par. 14–16