Thirty Proofs God's Sabbath is Still Not Abolished!

It is truly amazing how people sometimes "change" at the drop of a hat! It seems incredible to me how people who have been Sabbath observers for decades, ostensibly having "proved" to themselves years ago that YEHOVAH God commands Sabbath observance, suddenly jettison YEHOVAH's holy day, and revert to non-observance like the world around them, and have the audacity to claim their new position on the Sabbath is "new truth."

One man, who used to keep the Sabbath, changed jobs and now drives a truck on YEHOVAH's Sabbath every week. He no longer attends any church. Others go golfing, work, play, or do as they please, saying they have been "liberated" and "set free" from bondage to Sabbath observance!

Truly, YEHOVAH God was right when He said to Jeremiah the prophet, "The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgress against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

The most amazing transformation of any church throughout history, as even Protestant churches and cult-watchers admit, has been the total "about face" of the Worldwide Church of God, which in recent years has not only changed their teachings regarding the nature of YEHOVAH God, Bible prophecy, the Trinity, healing, and a host of smaller doctrines, but has also totally rejected the teaching that Sabbath and Holy Day observance are needed to be a church member and to receive salvation. The main change has been a complete endorsement of what they call "GRACE," which seems to be nothing more than "license to sin," and a repudiation of YEHOVAH's Law, in particular, the weekly Sabbath day.

Some Worldwide congregations are even beginning to observe the pagan holidays of Christmas and Easter, and to hold services at least occasionally on Sunday. A questionnaire was sent around to church members, asking when they would prefer to observe the Feast of Tabernacles, which they now refer to as the "festival of faith" -- in late summer, before school starts, when there would be less scheduling conflicts, or at the traditional time. Thus what YEHOVAH God says in His Word no longer matters to them! They are guilty of the very things Jeremiah was told -- "they that handle the law knew me not," YEHOVAH says, and "the pastors also transgressed against me," and "the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit."

Because of this flagrant apostasy, and diabolical deviation from the truth, YEHOVAH has sent His "curse" upon them, and they have had nothing but financial trouble ever since these massive changes began. Layoffs of employees, and ministers, continues, as they turn more and more to an "unpaid," unsalaried "lay ministry." Not only that, but their flagship training program, Ambassador University, no sooner gains accreditation, it seems, and now they have announced it will be closed down in the spring of 1997, and the campus is up for sale! Truly, as the apostle Paul stated: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7). As Hosea prophesied, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" (Hos. 8:7).

Because many today are forsaking the truth of YEHOVAH God, including the Sabbath commandment, it behooves those of us who desire to remain faithful to YEHOVAH God, and not to be deceived, or led off into apostasy, following doctrines of demons newly devised, to carefully re-examine our foundation and the bedrock support of our faith. Why do we keep the Sabbath? Is Sabbath observance required for salvation? Is it a sin, today, to break the Sabbath?

In this article, I will give you 31 reasons or proofs why Sabbath observance is still required of true Christians, YEHOVAH's people, today!

We read in Genesis, after YEHOVAH God finished creating the heavens and the earth: "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. 2:2-3).

It seems perfectly plain to me, and should be to anybody with an open mind, willing to be taught, that YEHOVAH God blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart ["sanctified" it] from all other days! This is a clear statement that the Sabbath is "HOLY" -- or "sanctified." No other days are holy, but YEHOVAH's Sabbath days! And notice! It was made "HOLY" at CREATION -- not some 2,500 years later, during the time of Moses. It was made "holy" at the creation of MANKIND -- not when YEHOVAH brought one nation -- Israel -- out of captivity to Egypt, 2,500 years later!

Since the Sabbath itself was "created" at the end of creation, when mankind was created, and was "blessed" and "sanctified" by YEHOVAH God, and not any other day, this is proof #1 that we should observe it today!

In Exodus 20 we read: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy [i.e., "sanctified"]. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work [even as YEHOVAH God did, at creation]: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God [it belongs to Him -- it is His day!]: in it thou shalt not do any work . . . 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" (Exo. 20:8-11).

Here is a plain "thus-saith-the-LORD" to keep the Sabbath day. YEHOVAH God commands us to remember it, and to "keep" it -- to keep it holy, sanctified, "set apart" from all other days. It is a day we are commanded to REST! We cannot "keep" anything "holy" unless it is already HOLY! YEHOVAH had already made the Sabbath holy at Creation -- and here He commands His people to keep it that way! You cannot "keep holy" a day which was never made "holy" by YEHOVAH God. Therefore, you cannot "keep" Sunday holy (except for the odd occasion when the Sabbath happens to fall on Sunday) -- for it simply is not and never was "holy"!

Notice also, that we are commanded to "rest" on that day, and do no work. How intriguing! Most people I know say they "hate" work. They would much rather rest and relax. They "work" all their lives, so they can "rest" and take vacations, and "relax." But when YEHOVAH says to "rest" on a particular day? Suddenly they all have some excuse, and want to GO TO WORK on that day! Go figure. When YEHOVAH God says "rest," they respond, "NO! I want to WORK!" How perverse is human nature, anyway?

Many argue that the Sabbath was only commanded at mount Sinai, and was legislation that was part of the Old Covenant. Therefore, they say, it is now abolished, and we don't have to "rest" on that day -- we can "work" instead! So they change YEHOVAH's "blessing" into a "curse," and bring more work upon themselves. Did the Sabbath command begin at Sinai?

Not at all! Remember, Israel had been in bondage and slavery to the Egyptians for scores of years, working every day of the week in hard toil and forced labor. Because of this, they had forgotten which day of the week was the Sabbath! Therefore, when YEHOVAH God brought Israel out of Egypt, YEHOVAH revealed His Sabbath to them at the first opportunity -- exactly one month from the date they left Egypt, and several weeks before they even came to mount Sinai!

In Exodus 16, we read that Israel came to "the wilderness of Sin" on the fifteenth day of the second month (v. 1). They left Egypt on the 15th day of the first month (Num. 33:3). At this time, YEHOVAH God said He would rain "bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in MY LAW, or no" (v. 4). They were told to eat what they gathered every day, and not to keep it overnight. But some disobeyed, and in the morning it stank (v. 18-20). YEHOVAH sent them twice as much "manna" on the sixth day, enough for two days, and commanded them not to go out to gather any on the seventh day -- the Sabbath. Moses told the people on the sixth day, when they had gathered double, "Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD" (v. 23). That which they gathered on the sixth day and kept overnight till the seventh day did not stink or spoil!

In this manner, by several miracles, YEHOVAH God revealed to His people the true Sabbath -- the seventh day of the lunar week! But some people went out on the seventh day, anyway, to gather. "And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep MY COMMANDMENTS AND MY LAWS? See, for that the LORD hath given you the SABBATH . . . let no man go out of his place on the seventh day" (v. 28-29).

How plain! The Sabbath was a COMMANDMENT and a LAW of YEHOVAH God before mount Sinai was even reached! It was later incorporated into the Old Covenant, but it also existed PRIOR to the Old Covenant! That which the Old Covenant did not bring it could not take away!

YEHOVAH God later told Moses, "Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is A SIGN between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you" (Exo. 31:13). Notice! The Sabbath day is a "sign" between YEHOVAH God and His people. It identifies who they are. As a general principle, therefore, those who do not have this "sign," are not the people of YEHOVAH God! Although there may be a few exceptions down through history due to ignorance and lack of true understanding, as a rule the Sabbath is an identifying sign, a visible characteristic, of those people who truly belong to YEHOVAH God!

YEHOVAH continues: "It is a SIGN between me and the children of Israel FOR EVER: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed" (v. 27).

Do you still possess this identifying SIGN?

Notice another key proof that the Sabbath must be observed by YEHOVAH's true people, even today, in this end-time, twentieth century generation. YEHOVAH God plainly says: "Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations . . ." (Exo. 31:13).

And again, YEHOVAH says: "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, FOR A PERPETUAL COVENANT. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel FOR EVER . . ." (v. 16-17).

That which is "perpetual" is eternal -- it is not a temporary covenant, therefore. This is not the "Old Covenant," which is passing away, according to the apostle Paul (Heb. 8:13). The Sabbath itself is A PERPETUAL, ETERNAL, EVERLASTING COVENANT which identifies the true people of YEHOVAH God!

It is a sign between YEHOVAH God and His people "FOREVER!"

What, dear reader, can be plainer than that? Do you see why YEHOVAH is so angry, so furious, and so vengeful, against those ministers and pastors of His people who exchange His Sabbath, and His laws, for those things (doctrines and teachings) which do not profit?

The patriarch Abraham was known as "the Friend of God" (Jas. 2:23), and is the "father" of the faithful (Rom. 4:1, 11-12). We who are of the faith are "blessed with faithful Abraham" (Ga. 3:9). In fact, Paul declared, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed [children], and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29).

Did Abraham obey YEHOVAH's Law? Did he keep the weekly Sabbath holy? The answer is yes -- undoubtedly he did! For he must have! How do we know this? Simple! Notice what YEHOVAH says of His faithful servant Abraham: "For I know him, that he will COMMAND his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him" (Gen. 18:19).

Did Abraham, in keeping the "way of the LORD," also observe the commandments and statutes of YEHOVAH God, of which the Sabbath was one? Absolutely! Notice once again: YEHOVAH God says to Isaac, the son of Abraham: "And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed: Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, MY COMMANDMENTS, MY STATUTES, AND MY LAWS" (Gen. 26:5). Most people assume, without proof, that YEHOVAH has no "statutes" or "laws" in force in Abraham's time -- that the "Law" did not come till Moses' time, at mount Sinai. However, Abraham, the father of the faithful, kept all YEHOVAH's laws, commandments, and statues, including the Sabbath day which was ordained and created from the very time of Creation itself!

Over and over YEHOVAH God calls the Sabbath His day. It belongs to Him. No other day of the week belongs to Him. He gives them to us, to work, play, or do as we please (within reason). So how it is, then, that people insist on rejecting His day, and worshipping Him as He commands?

"And God blessed the seventh day" (Gen. 2:3), "and sanctified" it -- set it apart as holy, belonging to Him. What makes a day "holy"? YEHOVAH God is Holy. The Sabbath is "holy" because of YEHOVAH God's Presence in that day!

The Sabbath day is "a sabbath unto the LORD" (Exo. 16:25). It belongs to Him! "But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God" (Exo. 20:10). YEHOVAH says of it, "Verily MY sabbaths ye shall keep" (Exo. 31:13). It is the only weekday which is described in the Bible as "holy to the LORD" (Exo. 31:15).

For this reason, therefore, since the Sabbath is the day which BELONGS TO YEHOVAH GOD, which He claims ownership and rulership over, and it is HOLY to Him, how dare people say it is done away, abolished, no longer significant, and unimportant, and need not be observed? How dare they insult YEHOVAH God, and trample on His holy time -- His holy day!

Lest we overlook it, I should also point out that the Sabbath is the only Holy Day of YEHOVAH God for which the mandatory penalty for non-observance is the death penalty!

In Exodus we read: "Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death" (Exo. 31:14). And the very next verse states: "whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, that soul shall surely be PUT TO DEATH" (Exo. 31:15).

Did you know that the weekly Sabbath day is the only day for which the death penalty is incurred by those who refuse to observe it? It is in that sense even more important to observe than the annual holy days. Many people consider Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, to be the "holiest" day of the year. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance for sins committed throughout the year -- a day of becoming "at one" with YEHOVAH God through prayer, repentance, and purging one's life of fleshly interests. Nevertheless, violation of this holy day did not automatically incur the death penalty, but rather excommunication from Israel! We read in Leviticus 23, regarding the Day of Atonement: "For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people" (Lev. 23:29).

Excommunication! Disfellowshipment! Banishment! But not the death penalty. Yet YEHOVAH God considers the weekly observance of the Sabbath by His people so important, that the penalty for willful non-observance is DEATH! While Moses and the Israelites were camped in the wilderness, "they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day." The leaders put him in ward, to see what judgment YEHOVAH would have him face. "And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall surely be put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp" (Num. 15:32-36).

This is serious business. Do you want to take the risk of incurring the wrath of YEHOVAH God for refusing to obey His Sabbath commandment? I don't! As Paul wrote, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31).

Those who refuse to keep YEHOVAH's Sabbaths, and who "pollute" them by working on them, and doing their own personal activities, are under the divine curse of YEHOVAH God, and subject to His divine judgment. Notice what YEHOVAH Himself says about those who refuse and who adamantly resist obeying His Sabbath commandment:

YEHOVAH continues: "I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and HALLOW MY SABBATHS; and they shall be a sign between me and you , that ye may KNOW that I am the LORD thy God. Nothwithstanding the children of Israel REBELLED against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man d, he shall even LIVE in them; they polluted my SABBATHS: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them . . ." (Ezek. 20:19-21).

Because ancient Israel, the northern kingdom of ten tribes, rejected YEHOVAH's commandments, and broke the Sabbath, and turned to worship the idols of the nations around them, and observed their pagan religious customs, "the LORD rejected the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight" (II Kings 17:20). "For the children of Israel walked in the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day" (v. 22-23).

YEHOVAH God means what He says! His punishments, and curses, for Sabbath disobedience, are clear and palpable. YEHOVAH forbid that we should take His Word lightly, and neglect His Sabbaths!

Some might object, saying, "Well, that is just Old Testament stuff. We are living in New Testament times. So those old curses don't apply to us anymore!"

Is that reasoning true? Is our God a fickle God, who changes His mind, who creates a holy day, and then says it is a "perpetual covenant," and must be observed "FOREVER" -- but then turns right around, and changes His mind, and abolishes it? Such a belief makes YEHOVAH out to be not only "fickle," and "changeable," but also a LIAR!

Yet, as the apostle Paul wrote: "God . . . cannot lie" (Titus 1:2). It is impossible for YEHOVAH God to lie. Therefore, when He says something is ordained "FOREVER," then we had better believe it -- and obey it!

Malachi makes this truth plain. YEHOVAH God says through the prophet Malachi, in the last book of the Old Testament: "For I am the LORD, I CHANGE NOT; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" (Mal. 3:6).

YEHOVAH does not change! Therefore, when He establishes a Law, and says it is a perpetual, everlasting law, He means it -- period! Thus saith the LORD! And woe unto those who seek to change that which He says is unchangeable and everlasting!

Further proof that the Sabbath is still in force today is found in the book of Psalms, where king David wrote under divine inspiration: "Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments" (Psalm 119:21). "So shall I keep thy law continually FOR EVER AND EVER" (v. 44). "And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved" (v. 47). "Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law" (v. 53). "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments" (v. 60). David did not procrastinate, or put off, obeying YEHOVAH God -- he "made haste" to keep YEHOVAH's commandments -- including, obviously, the Sabbath commandment!

David asserted, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies" (Psa. 119:97-98). David shows that obedience to YEHOVAH God's law is the way to SAFETY! He declared, "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually [i.e., "forever"]. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood" (v. 117-118). YEHOVAH's Law is a "place of safety" to those who obey it faithfully. But the wicked will be trodden under foot in the wrath and fury of YEHOVAH God, the Creator of the Sabbath day, because they "err" from His Law, and depart from observing His statutes and commandments! Do you want to be one of them?

David continues, "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law" (Psa. 119:136). He says, "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth" v. 142). Notice! "Everlasting" righteousness! And what is the "definition" of righteousness? "All thy commandments are righteousness" (v. 172). And YEHOVAH's law, including the Sabbath law, are "truth." What is "truth"? "Thy word is truth," Yeshua the Messiah declared (John 17:17). And Peter writes, "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever" (I Pet. 1:25). Therefore, YEHOVAH God's Law -- which is His "truth" -- is also His "word" -- and it ENDURES FOREVER!

Notice! David writes, "Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes" (Psa. 119:155). These modern false teachers, and false churches, which haughtily proclaim that the Sabbath is abolished, and who claim they teach the "gospel of salvation," may not even realize it, but they are FAR OFF FROM TRUE SALVATION! They believe in a lie. True salvation comes only through Yeshua the Messiah, who OBEYED YEHOVAH God's Law, which is ETERNAL!

David wrote in very plain language: "ALL his commandments are sure. They stand fast FOR EVER AND EVER, and are done in truth and uprightness" (Psalm 111:7-8). Tell me, those of you who insist YEHOVAH God's Laws are abolished -- particularly the Sabbath day? Haven't you ever read these words? Are you so blind? Truly, "There is none so blind as those who will not see!" Or as another favorite expression of mine has it: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink!"

Are you willing to drink of the everlasting waters of YEHOVAH's Law, a well-spring of eternal life? YEHOVAH's Law and salvation go together, hand in glove. They are a perfect fit, for the righteous, who love the ways of YEHOVAH God!

Now notice another Scripture which those who deny YEHOVAH God's Sabbath seem to read right over, and consistently ignore. The prophet Isaiah wrote: "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and FROM ONE SABBATH TO ANOTHER, shall ALL FLESH come and worship before me, saith the LORD" (Isa. 66:22-23).

Notice! Even in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, in the time of the new heavens and new earth, YEHOVAH God says ALL NATIONS will come up to Jerusalem to worship Him, from Sabbath day to Sabbath day!

How plain can you get? The Sabbath will be observed by ALL NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD during the soon-coming Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, when YEHOVAH God Himself and His Messiah will rule the nations! All peoples everywhere will observe YEHOVAH's holy, beautiful, wonderful Sabbath day, and enter into YEHOVAH's Sabbath "rest"!

If the Sabbath is going to be observed in the future Kingdom of YEHOVAH God -- then how can some claim and doggedly insist that it is done away, abolished, today?

Interestingly, if you noticed, the preceding verses not only show that the Sabbath will be observed during the "new heavens and new earth," that is, during the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God -- they also show that not just the children of Israel, but ALL NATIONS -- ALL FLESH -- will observe the Sabbath day!

That means Gentile nations, as well! ALL peoples! Does leave much room for doubt, does it? YEHOVAH's Sabbath is a SIGN between Him and ALL His people -- Jews and Gentiles alike!

Further proof of this is found in Isaiah, chapter 56. Here YEHOVAH God addresses the sons of "strangers," that is, alien nations, or Gentiles, who join themselves to the LORD, who worship the true God. Notice!

How clear! The Sabbath day was made and ordained for ALL MANKIND!

Many so-called "Christians" believe that Yeshua did away with YEHOVAH God's Law because he taught "grace" instead. But is this true? What did Yeshua himself say about this? Even in the famous "Sermon on the Mount," where Yeshua revealed the keys to the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, he himself stated in no uncertain terms, plainly, for all to see, hear, and understand:

Isn't that plain as day? Who could misunderstand those words?

Yet many professing Christians ignore and repudiate these very words of the Messiah!

At one point during His ministry, the Messiah was asked by a young rich man what he must do to inherit eternal life. In response, Yeshua said, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matt. 19:17). The young rich man replied, "Which?" And Yeshua answered him, listing a number of the Ten Commandments, the basis of YEHOVAH God's Law, as examples. He said, "Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and they mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (v. 18-19).

These were five of the Ten Commandments, showing clearly what Law Yeshua had in mind -- the law of YEHOVAH God. The Sabbath command is the fourth commandment. So when Yeshua said "keep the commandments," He was basically using the Ten Commandments as an example, and included in them is the commandment to observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy! Therefore, if we wish to inherit eternal life, we must keep the commandments -- and that includes the Sabbath commandment!

In the book of Mark, we read of an occasion where the disciples of the Messiah went through a wheat field, plucking kernels of wheat to eat. The Pharisees rebuked them for doing an act which they considered a violation of the Sabbath, since they had added many do's and don'ts to the Sabbath commandment, making it a yoke of bondage and a legalistic burden.

Yeshua, in reply to their accusation, declared, point-blank, "The Sabbath was MADE FOR MAN" -- that is, ALL MANKIND! He went on, "and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27-28).

Here is plain evidence that the Sabbath is to be kept by all mankind -- it was MADE, or created, for ALL of us to observe! What could be plainer? Read it again! And Yeshua went on, saying HE was the "LORD of the Sabbath" -- that he is in charge of the Sabbath, he is its Master, Lord, Ruler, and "Owner." It belongs to HIM. Since he has authority over the Sabbath day, and says it was made for "MAN," then shouldn't we out of respect for him observe and honor and uphold his Sabbath day?

Yeshua doesn't say he is "Lord" of any other day of the week -- not the first day of the week, not the second, not the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth. But He does say He is "Lord of the SABBATH!" Therefore, let us observe his Sabbath -- since he is also our Lord!

When Yeshua called his disciples, he told them, "Follow me" (Matt.4:19). When he encountered Philip, the next day, he said to him as well, "Follow me" (John 1:43). Have you ever played the children's game, "Follow the Leader"? Wherever the leader goes, those who are playing the game must follow him, imitate him, do as he does, go where he goes, climb the fence he climbs, climb the tree he climbs, go up the hill he goes up, follow the path he takes, perfectly -- or they become disqualified!

Yeshua tells each one of us, "Follow me." Where does he lead us? What kind of example does he set for us? We read in the gospel of Luke: "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue ON THE SABBATH DAY, and stood up for to read" (see Luke 4:16-21). Yeshua observed the weekly Sabbath day. It was his "custom"! Therefore, we also ought to observe the Sabbath day, as we strive to "follow our leader," Yeshua the Messiah!

If our leader tells us to follow him, and then he leads us to the Sabbath day, and he observes it, how clear it is that we also should observe the Sabbath day, as he does!

Peter puts it even more plainly. He writes: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an EXAMPLE, that ye should FOLLOW HIS STEPS: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (I Pet. 2:21-23).

Not only was Yeshua's custom to keep the Sabbath day, but we as Christians here are commanded to FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE -- follow in his footsteps!

Are you obeying this straight-forward and simple command?

The apostle John also comments on this principle. He wrote: "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him. . . He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to WALK, even as he WALKED" (I John 1:4-6).

If we keep his commandments, and walk as he walked, then our walk also will take us to the Sabbath day, to observe it and honor it and keep it holy -- just as he did, setting us an example that we should follow him, imitate his steps, and even imitate his "walk." Once again, this all points to faithful Sabbath observance!

Did the apostle Paul also observe the Sabbath day? Remember, he was he "apostle to the Gentiles." If anyone had a chance to tell the Gentiles the Sabbath was abolished, Paul did -- time and time again. But did he ever do so? What kind of example did Paul set?

In the book of Acts, we read that Paul and his company with him, as they journeyed through Asia Minor and Europe, observed the Sabbath day in city after city. When they came to Antioch in Pisidia, they "went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down" (Acts 13:14). Paul preached a sermon showing Yeshua is the Messiah, quoting from the Old Testament. Afterwards, we read, "the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached unto them the next sabbath . . . And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God" (v. 43-44).

Later, in Philippi, Paul and his company gathered at the usual sabbath gathering place, to speak to certain women there about Yeshua the Messiah. "And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made" (Acts 16:13). Later, in Thessalonica, "Paul, as his manner was, when in unto them [the Jewish people] and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scripture" (Acts 17:2). And in the cosmopolitan city of Corinth, Paul also did not deviate from his customary practice: "And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks" (Acts 18:4). Notice that observing the Sabbath was Paul's regular "customary practice." It was customary for him to observe the Sabbath, and to preach the true gospel of the Messiah at the synagogues on the sabbath day!

In four different places in the book of Acts, we discover the apostle Paul -- the apostle who was sent to the Gentiles -- observing YEHOVAH's holy Sabbath day! This was his regular custom.

Are you willing to follow the example of Paul?

Paul set us an example, in keeping YEHOVAH's Sabbath day, even as the Messiah set us an example. He observed the Sabbath, and he taught his listens to observe it as well. Paul declared, in a letter to the Corinthian church, which had grown numerous over the years:

Are you willing to imitate Paul, and he imitated the Messiah? Are you willing to observe his holy Sabbath day? Moffatt has this verse, "Copy me, as I copy Christ." The New International Version has this verse: "Follow my EXAMPLE, as I follow the EXAMPLE of Christ."

Paul's example was to keep the Sabbath. So was the Messiah's. Are you following their example? What is your example, that you are setting for others?

The apostle Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, stated in the book of Romans, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the DOERS of the law shall be justified" (Rom. 2:13).

The Sabbath is part of the law of YEHOVAH God. It is an eternal law. Therefore, if we merely "hear" it, but fail to observe it, we are condemned in YEHOVAH's sight. The apostle James puts it this way: "For whosoever shall keep the WHOLE LAW, and yet offend in one point" -- such as the point of the Sabbath -- "he is guilty of all" (Jas. 2:10).

James goes on, describing what law he is talking about -- the Ten Commandments, which includes the Sabbath commandment. He says, "For he that saith, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou are become a transgressor of the law" (Jas. 2:11). Or, to put it another way, if you do not steal, but if you break the Sabbath day commandment, then you have broken one point of YEHOVAH God's Law, and you are guilty of breaking the whole thing -- the whole system of law -- and are designated as a "transgressor of the law"!

Merely talking about the Sabbath, and saying it is a good thing, is not enough. We must be DOERS of the Law! As James said, "Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead, being alone" (Jas. 2:17). Faith in the Messiah, in other words, without obedience, is dead -- worthless, useless, of no spiritual value, meaningless, empty, and vain.

Again, James explains: ""But be ye DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a DOER of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (Jas. 1:22-25).

What is the purpose of YEHOVAH's Law, anyway? Why did YEHOVAH God create the Sabbath? Of course, everything YEHOVAH made was "good" -- and that includes the Sabbath. YEHOVAH's Law, too, is "good," according to the apostle Paul, who wrote: "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Rom. 7:12).

The Sabbath, we already saw in Genesis 2:1-3, is "holy" to YEHOVAH God. It was made holy, or "sanctified," at creation. Here Paul says the entire Law of YEHOVAH God is "holy," "just," or fair, equitable, and "good." There is nothing evil or bad about YEHOVAH's Law -- or, for that matter, His Sabbath day. It is PERFECT! As David wrote, "The law of the LORD is PERFECT, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7).

Since the Sabbath is good, and part of YEHOVAH's perfect Law, therefore it, too, must be PERFECT! And Yeshua the Messiah says to us, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt.5:48). YEHOVAH's Law is perfect, and His Sabbath is perfect, and we become perfect by obedience to His perfect Law. How can we do this? Through the indwelling power and authority and might of YEHOVAH God's Holy Spirit! As Paul wrote, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in the Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:1-2). As Paul continued, "But if ye through the Spirit do mortify [put to death] the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Rom. 8:13-14).

Since YEHOVAH's Law is just, and good, and holy, and perfect, including the Sabbath law -- should we break it? To do so, would mean we are NOT "just," or "good," or perfect" -- or "holy." To break it would mean we are guilty of transgression -- SIN -- "And the wages of sin are death" (Rom. 6:23).

Stop and consider. James compares the law to a mirror or looking glass. Paul, also, says, "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known [or, recognized or understood what sin was] sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet" (Rom.7:7). The Law of YEHOVAH God points out what constitutes "sin." It tells us what actions are sinful, and which are not. In other words, the law defines "sin" for us -- it tells us what is "sin."

John tells us very simply: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin IS the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4).

This is the simple Bible definition of "SIN." Why do men run around trying to invent their own definitions, and refuse to heed and hear the simple testimony of the Word of YEHOVAH God? "Sin IS the transgression" -- that is, the breaking and violation of -- "the law" of YEHOVAH God!

John could not have made it plainer. Since the Law tells us what sin IS, and the Law tells us to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, then to VIOLATE this commandment would constitute SIN -- transgression of the law -- in YEHOVAH God's sight!

Every time people break YEHOVAH's Sabbath day, then, they are committing SIN! And remember: "The wages of sin is DEATH" (Rom. 6:23)! Do you want to die, and be dead, for all eternity? Obey YEHOVAH God's Law -- and His Sabbath -- and you won't have to! But how can we mortal, carnal human beings obey such a wonderful, perfect law?

Again, the answer is by accepting Yeshua the Messiah as personal Saviour and receiving YEHOVAH God's Holy Spirit -- the Spirit of power! As Paul wrote, "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him" (Acts 5:32). "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (II Tim. 1:7).

"For we know that the law is SPIRITUAL: but I am carnal, sold under sin," Paul wrote to the Romans (Rom. 7:14). YEHOVAH God Himself is Spirit. Yeshua said to the Samaritan woman, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Yeshua also told his disciples: "It is the spirit that quickeneth [makes alive!]; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are life" (John 6:63).

Since YEHOVAH God's Law is spiritual, and life-giving -- life itself -- then the Sabbath Law also is spirit -- and is life-giving. Obedience to it imparts LIFE. It is the way of LIFE!

Also, Paul wrote that those things which are spiritual are eternal. YEHOVAH God is eternal. His Word is eternal (I Pet. 1:25). And YEHOVAH's law, being spiritual, is also eternal. As Paul explained, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal [temporary, transitory, evanescent, fleeting]; but the things which are not seen [i.e., spiritual things] are ETERNAL" (II Cor. 4:18).

YEHOVAH God's Sabbath day, then, is spiritual -- and it is eternal.

So often modern ministers attempt to teach that faith in the Messiah abolishes the law, and the need to keep YEHOVAH God's commandments. This is the prevailing opinion in the world, today. So millions are deceived, and misled, and refuse to keep the Sabbath day.

But does "faith" abolish YEHOVAH's Law? Is faith contradictory to Law?

The apostle Paul wrote: "Do we then make VOID the law through faith?" What was his answer to this question? Paul replied, to his own question: "GOD FORBID! Yea, we establish the law" (Rom. 3:31).

Thus faith and law go together, hand in glove. There is no contradiction. The Christian has faith in Yeshua the Messiah, and that faith leads him to follow the Messiah, and to keep his commandments, through the power of the Holy Spirit, which YEHOVAH God gives to us. We do not achieve salvation through our own works, and struggles, alone; all our works would be useless, without the atoning sacrifice of the Messiah, and without YEHOVAH's Holy Spirit to enable us to keep the Law in spirit, as we should! And faith in the Messiah leads us to confess our sins willingly, when we fall short of the mark, knowing that he will forgive us (I John 1:9), and restore us to his grace, and continue working with us, helping us to be overcomers.

So through faith in the Messiah we don't "make void" or negate YEHOVAH God's Law -- rather, we ESTABLISH IT -- we set it on a firm foundation! We "uphold" it, as the Moffatt translation says. The Jewish New Testament has it: "Does it follow that we abolish Torah by this trusting? Heaven forbid! On the contrary, we confirm Torah." As the Jewish New Testament Commentary states: "On the contrary, we confirm Torah (or 'uphold' it, 'establish' it or 'place' it 'on a firm foundation'). Why does trusting, which is the exact opposite of mechanical rule-keeping, 'confirm Torah'? Because trusting YEHOVAH God is what Torah is all about."

Thus faith does not abolish or negate the Sabbath law! "God forbid," as Paul would say. "On the contrary, it confirms, establishes, and places on a firm footing and secure foundation the Sabbath LAW!"

In the book of Hebrews we read these astonishing words: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). The Messiah does not change. He kept his Father's law when he walked on this earth, and "as His custom was" he celebrated the Sabbath day.

Since the Messiah is the same, always, and forever, this means that he would never abolish the Sabbath Law -- to the contrary, he observes it today! According to the apostle Paul, "Christ IN you [is] the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). He wrote, "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Gal. 4:19). He also wrote, "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom. 8:9). We are in the process of being "conformed to the image of his Son [Christ]" (Rom. 8:29).

What are these Scriptures telling us? Since the Messiah is always the same, yesterday, today, and forever, this means that if he is in you, through the Holy Spirit, then he will be living the SAME LIFE IN YOU HE LIVED 2,000 YEARS AGO -- he will be observing the same commandments today that he observed then -- he will be keeping the SAME SABBATH DAY, TODAY, AS HE KEPT THEN, "AS HIS CUSTOM WAS"!

Yes, the Messiah is eternal -- and he is the same in character and obedience to the Laws of YEHOVAH God, FOREVER! He will never deviate from or spurn or disobey YEHOVAH's holy, righteous, spiritual, good, and perfect LAW, including the Sabbath Law, one of the Ten Commandments!

What will it take for us to get this straight, and to really understand it?

One of the least understood Scriptures on this whole Sabbath issue is found in Hebrews, chapter 4. Reading this chapter in context, we find that the apostle Paul exhorts us all to fear lest we come short of receiving YEHOVAH's "promise" and entering into YEHOVAH's "rest" (Heb. 4:1). There is a duality through this chapter. The "rest" YEHOVAH God is speaking of is the "rest" we will receive in His Kingdom -- the "Millennial Sabbath-Rest." However, YEHOVAH is also speaking in this chapter of the weekly Sabbath rest!

In verse 2 Paul shows that the message preached to the Israelites, as they came out of Egypt, did not profit them, "not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." YEHOVAH God gave the nation of Israel His commandments, as they came out of Egypt, but they rebelled and transgressed against Him, and that whole generation of people wandered in the desert for 40 years as a result and died in the wilderness (Num. 14). One of the laws which they specifically disobeyed was the Sabbath (Exo. 16).

Notice! In verse 4 Paul writes, "For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest" (v. 4-5). He shows that the offer from YEHOVAH God is still open -- it was open in David's day (v. 7), and also today (same verse). The rest YEHOVAH God is talking about was not the "rest" Israel received when they entered the Promised Land under Joshua (v. 8).

Now notice the key verses, beginning with verse 9: Paul declares, "There remaineth therefore a REST to the people of God." The marginal rendering of this verse says "rest" is more accurately translated, "KEEPING OF A SABBATH." The Moffatt translation has it, "There is a SABBATH-REST, then, reserved still for the People of God" (v. 9). The New International Version has the same. The Jewish New Testament says: "So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God's people." The New Revised Standard Version has: "So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God."

Verse 10 goes on: "For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." Verse 11: "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest [that is coming, our future inheritance], lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."

Notice the duality here! First, YEHOVAH's people today should be observing the Sabbath-rest day, and cease from their own works on that day, even as YEHOVAH God ceased from His on the seventh day of Creation. Secondly, we are to labor to enter the "rest" which is the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God -- the "Promised Land" -- salvation and eternal life!

We are to BEWARE lest we fail, lest we come short, like the Israelites in the wilderness, who rebelled, broke the Sabbath, disobeyed YEHOVAH's commandments, and were banished to die in the wilderness after wandering for forty years. How did they fail? They did not have faith, mixed with obedience to YEHOVAH's law! They did not have the FAITH to keep the Sabbath day! They did not have the FAITH to enter the Promised Land under Joshua. They cowered in fear before the Canaanites, and fled from before them (Num. 14).

Faith in the Messiah coupled with obedience to YEHOVAH's Law is the ONLY way to salvation and eternal life! Faith alone will not do it! As James wrote, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith BY my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the demons also believe, and tremble." He then discusses the "works" of Abraham, and Rahab the harlot, and summed up the situation thus: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:18-26).

Plainly, faith, without obedience to YEHOVAH God's Law -- including the Sabbath commandment -- is "dead." Dead as a door-nail! Dead as a dog named Rover -- dead all over. Dead, dead, dead!

In the book of Revelation, YEHOVAH God identifies His people -- true believers in the Messiah -- by a very clear and visual description. He describes then in a unique way. In Revelation 12 a great "woman" is described, travailing in birth (v. 1-2). She brought forth a child (v.5) who was to rule all nations -- Yeshua the Messiah.

The picture then drops down to the last days, depicting a great battle raging in heaven, with the devil and his angels being cast out, and thrown down to the surface of the earth (v. 7-13). Seeing himself cast down to the earth, the devil persecutes the woman -- a symbol for the true Christians, the true believers in the Messiah (compare Gal. 4:22-29; Eph. 5:23-27; Rev. 19:7-8).

Now who are these true Christians? How are they described? Notice the key verse, describing these people, the true saints of YEHOVAH God: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 12:17).

Since the saints are they who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS, this shows us that they are Sabbath-observant people, for the Sabbath day is one of YEHOVAH God's very Ten Commandments!

Notice! This clear-cut description of YEHOVAH's true saints is repeated in chapter 14. Here John sees three angels descending from heaven, each with a message for mankind. The first commands people to worship YEHOVAH God and fear Him (Rev. 14:6-7). The second angel predicts and describes the destruction of modern Babylon the great, this present world civilization (v.8). The third angel warns men not to follow the Antichrist by receiving his mark, or worshipping his image, because those who do will suffer the wrath of the fury of YEHOVAH God (v. 9-11).

Now we come to an inset verse, describing the true saints of YEHOVAH God, once again. Notice! "Here is the patience of the SAINTS [holy ones]: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12).

The end-time saints are pictured in the book of Revelation as COMMANDMENT-KEEPERS! They are shown as keeping the commandments of YEHOVAH God -- which include the Sabbath command -- in the very last days of this generation, before the return of Yeshua the Messiah and YEHOVAH God!

Notice that these saints are also said to be the ones who have "the faith of Jesus" -- that would be the very same FAITH he had. His faith led him to obey YEHOVAH God's laws and commandments, and to keep every one of them -- even the most minute, tiniest commandment!

Yeshua showed how faith and obedience must be mixed together in our lives. Stirred together, they make a mighty powerful potion! "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also: and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). Notice -- this is not an "empty faith," an "empty belief." This belief is accompanied and demonstrated by good works -- and is attested to by even greater works than those the Messiah did, in some cases. That's what Yeshua said! See? Faith without works is nothing -- nothing at all! It is dead as a rabbit run over by an 18-wheeler on the Arizona highway!

Yeshua continued: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS" (John 14:13-15).

So those who really have the "faith" of Yeshua will be the ones keeping YEHOVAH's commandments! They will be, or should be, observing the Sabbath commandment as well!

In Rev.12:17, John reported that the true saints also are the ones who have the "testimony of Jesus." The word testimony is the Greek word marturia and means "evidence, record, report, witness. It is from the word martus, meaning "a witness" -- by analogy, a "martyr," -- "martyr, record, witness."

The testimony of Yeshua -- his "record," or "report" -- his "evidence" -- is the witness he gave, his Word -- his teachings and commandments. The true saints therefore are those living by his every word -- and bearing witness in their lives to corroborate his witness. Like him, they will be witnesses for the truth of YEHOVAH God -- that is, the Word of YEHOVAH God, which is truth (John 17:17; 10:35). And the word and truth of YEHOVAH God are also the LAW of YEHOVAH God (Psa. 119:142).

By their witness, therefore, they will certify that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of YEHOVAH God, and they will live as he lived, follow his example, keep the Sabbath just as he did, and do the very works that he did when he was on earth. They will follow him wherever he goes (Rev. 14:4), for they are "the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb" (same verse).

Yeshua testified that he did not come to abolish YEHOVAH God's law, but to fill it full to the brim (Matt. 5:17). He added, "Whosoever therefore shall BREAK one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you unless your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:19-20).

In the broadest sense, the "testimony" is the word of YEHOVAH God. As Isaiah wrote: "To the LAW and to the TESTIMONY: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). Part of that "testimony" is the testimony about the holy Sabbath day!

The final proof and "witness" that we must observe YEHOVAH's Sabbath day, today, is a remarkable Scripture in the very last chapter of Revelation: "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have right to the TREE OF LIFE, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without [outside the Kingdom!] are dogs [homosexuals], and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters [Sabbath breakers fall in this category, for they are idolizing some other "god" than the true Creator God, whose sign is the Sabbath!], and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie [any deception, distortion, twisting of the truth, heresy, false teaching, false prophecy, such as the lie that the Sabbath is abolished!]" (Rev. 22:12-15).

Do you want to have part of the "tree of life"? Do you desire eternal life in the kingdom of YEHOVAH God? Then right here in the very last book of the Bible, as if to sum it all up, YEHOVAH tells us that we must KEEP -- DO -- HIS COMMANDMENTS! ONLY those who KEEP the commandments AND have the FAITH of Yeshua will be REWARDED when he comes, and will be "BLESSED" -- and have permission to partake of ETERNAL LIFE -- symbolized by the "tree of life."

These are in essence, YEHOVAH God's "final words" on the subject, contained in His very own "Witness" -- the Bible! They constitute a final warning -- a final exhortation -- a final admonition.

Study these 31 "proofs" that YEHOVAH God's Sabbath is still in force, today! Meditate on them, and make them part of your very inner being and heart. Unless we study and pray earnestly, so we can rightly "divide" the word of truth (II Tim. 2:15), we could end up deceived, as Yeshua the Messiah warned. There are many false prophets out there, so that if it were possible, even the "very elect" could be deceived! May YEHOVAH God help you to stand firm -- rock solid -- in His truth!