The Bible teaches us that God created the world within the span of a literal seven-day week. In fact, the seven-day week we all take for granted today has its origins in the Bible and the Bible alone.
While the month follows the waxing and waning of the moon, the day the revolution of the earth around itself and the year the trajectory of the earth around the sun, the only evidence for the division of days, months, and years into weeks is found in the Bible
The Bible tells us that after God created the world and everything in it, within the span of seven literal days, He rested. God didn’t rest because He was tired, instead He paused to appreciate the work He had completed.
Let’s take a quick look at what the Bible has to say about this pause for peace and its significance for us today.
Fact number 1. The basis for all worship is God’s creative power.
The Bible says: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11.
Fact number 2. Jesus was the active agent in creation.
The Bible says: “To me, who am less than the least of all saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:8,9.
Fact number 3. The Sabbath is a memorial of Jesus’ work as our Creator.
The Bible says: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: … For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11.
Fact number 4. The Sabbath was made for all of mankind.
The Bible says: “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.’” Mark 2:27,28.
Fact number 5. God blessed the seventh day and set it apart for holy use.
The Bible says: “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3.
Fact number 6. The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people.
The Bible says: “Hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.” Ezekiel 20:20.
Fact number 7. Jesus kept the Sabbath holy.
The Bible says: “So 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 to read.” Luke 4:16. b)
Fact number 8. Following His example, the apostles kept the Sabbath.
The Bible says: “For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him … So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath … On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.” Acts 13:27-44.
Fact number 9. The Sabbath is the Lord’s Day.
The Bible says: For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:8.
And finally, fact number 10. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week.
The Bible says: “That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid, Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. (Luke 23:54-24:1)
So, here they are – 10 important facts about the Bible.
1. The basis for all worship is God’s creative power.
2. Jesus was the active agent in creation.
3. The Sabbath is a memorial of Jesus’ work as our Creator.
4. The Sabbath was made for all of mankind.
5. God blessed the seventh day and set it apart for holy use.
6. The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people.
7. Jesus kept the Sabbath holy.
8. Following His example, the apostles kept the Sabbath.
9. The Sabbath is the Lord’s Day.
10. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week.
The Sabbath is a sign of both creation and redemption. It reminds us that God made us and then, when we fell into sin, He reached out His hand and saved us. The purpose of keeping the Sabbath is to enter into fellowship with Jesus.
Would you like to experience the joy and blessing of worshipping Jesus as your Creator and redeemer on the Sabbath day?
