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Keeping The Sabbaths Holy
Part One

Keeping the Seventh Day Holy
(Shabbat)

by D. J. Love, Minister, TSN, SBC

Written 11/24/2003
Updated 3-20-2006
Refined 4-5-2007

Introduction

One would think that "Keeping the Sabbaths Holy" would be an easy observation, but I can tell you, and I will tell you, that it is not. Together, you and I, are going to share in why the Sabbaths are so loved by those who truly love The Eternal Creator, and why the Sabbaths are so despised by those that don't. Additionally, the Sabbaths can not be compromised in as much as no one or no church is or was allowed or given authority by The Eternal YHVH to change His Holy Sabbaths and still be accounted as an "Obedient Child or Bride;" this includes YHVH's appointed Firstborn human Son, Messiah Y'Shua.

Daniel 7:25
And [The Universal Roman Beast] shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times (Sabbath Days) and laws (Commandments, Traditions, Ordinances): and they shall be given into [The Universal Roman Beast's] hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. See The Last Trumpet.


Hebrews 1:2
[YHVH] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his [eldest] Son, whom HE hath appointed "Firstborn (heir)" of all things, for whom also HE made the worlds;


Hebrews 3:1
¶ Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the [man who is both our] Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Messiah Y'Shua;
2 Who was faithful to [YHVH] that appointed him [Firstborn or Heir], as also, Moses was faithful in all his house.

Note: "Firstborn" is not a statement of having been sexually fathered, but is a statement or appointed position of INHERITANCE. Messiah was not physically fathered by YHVH or a Holy Ghost. Messiah was Spiritually (mentally) Fathered by YHVH as a "Righteous (mental) Image." Wherefore we, also, call YHVH "Abba" or "FATHER." Messiah was physically fathered by Joseph.

This is just one more example of the things that were unrighteously altered by the Universal Roman Beast church.

This study will be broken down into "Keeping the Seventh Day (weekly) Sabbath Holy", and "Keeping the Annual Sabbaths Holy." Since legalism is not our goal, we will share in the basic concept of why The Eternal chose the methodology and the symbolic importance of "Keeping The Eternal's Sabbaths Holy." Please try to remember that The Eternal uses anthropomorphisms (allegories or parallel physical examples of Spiritual Truth) as His method of reaching out to mankind. There are varying methods and degrees of this symbolism: The first an easiest to understand are called parables. The second and more difficult to understand are called prophecies. The third and less obvious are revealed through Names with special meaning, Holy Days, Holy Traditions, Statutes, Ordinances, and Laws (of Love),. The fourth and invisible to the eyes of common man are the Physical to Spiritual Parallels of YHVH's Creation (The Eternal's handiwork). Darwinism is a prime example of mankind's inability to see YHVH in His creation(s). Read: "Parables and Parallels"

Romans 1:20

20 For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.

And so .......

The Seventh Day Sabbath
(Shabbat)

First of all, when does The Sabbath Day or any day begin and end? All days whether a Sabbath or not begin and end after sunset (dusk), and not at midnight or dawn (daybreak). In Genesis chapter one, Scripture was very carefully worded to state that a (complete) day was firstly composed of the dark (evening) and then secondly (followed by) composed of daylight (morning).

Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31

. . . . and the evening (H6153, ereb, dusk) and the morning were the __#__ day.

Later in Exodus and Leviticus, we are specifically told that a Sabbath (which may occur on any complete day of the week) begins and ends at "Even" (EVENING, which is dusk, when the day and the night are equal in magnitude or even). The verses below clearly indicate that all Day, Feast, and Sabbath periods of time begin and end at even(ing) (H6153, ereb, dusk). Moreover the symbolism is clear for it is not just days that begin in darkness, but all periods of time (months, our lives, millenniums, the beginning of mankind). Why? So that we may realize that darkness (unrighteousness of man) will always give way to LIGHT (The Righteousness of YHVH).

Leviticus 23:32
It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even(ing) (H6153, ereb, dusk), from even(ing) (H6153, ereb, dusk) unto even(ing) (H6153, ereb, dusk), shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.


Exodus 12:18
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even(ing) (H6153, ereb, dusk), ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even(ing) (H6153, ereb, dusk).


Proverbs 7:8-9
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening (H6153, ereb, dusk), in the black and dark night:


1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then (following now) face to face (in Spiritual Light): now I know in part; but then (following now) shall I know even as also I am known (fully in the Light of The Eternal will all things be made manifest/known).

So now that we can see The Eternal's deliberate symbolism of dark before light, it is time to move on to the next level of understanding the Sabbath(s) of The Eternal Self-existent Creator of the universe.


Ramses, A Pharaoh of Egypt (a physical to Spiritual type of Satan), said:

Exodus 5:5

"Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens."

Here we can plainly see, as did Pharaoh, that we are to rest (Strong's #H7673 - shabath, "to repose," "desist from exertion," "to suffer to be lacking," "to put away" or "to endure the condition of being without.") on the Sabbath Day. The Sabbath Day is a Holy Day, and therefore, requires that the sin of "Self-centeredness" be put away and obedience to a "G-d centered" life be emphasized.

Exodus 20:8-11

8 "Remember (don't ever forget) the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy.
9 You shall labor six days, and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day (Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset) is a Sabbath to YHVH your G-d. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle (or any beast of burden. Exodus 23:12 ; Deuteronomy 5:12-14), nor your stranger who is within your gates ('within your gates' implies "any who directly receives of your bounty while under your area of authority.");
11 for in six days YHVH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore YHVH blessed the Sabbath day, and made it Holy.

Again, The Sabbath Day is a Holy Day and those who are in authority must not only "Keep it Holy," but must insist that it be kept Holy by those (who by choice or otherwise) remain within or have contact with their areas of responsibility (Relatives/Visitors/Employees). Those areas (permanent or temporary) of responsibility are any personally owned, rented, leased or borrowed property of any kind wherein another may reside, make use of, benefit from or provide a service. This includes, but is not limited to: postal employees, garbage or trash collectors, gas station attendants, hotel/motel maid service, restaurant employees, grocery store personnel, relatives, neighbors, and strangers. In other words, no one is to be working in order to provide a "Sabbath Keeper" (or those under a "Sabbath Keeper's" care) a service, except as a free act of love that is absolutely necessary in order to preserve physical/Spiritual life or prevent physical/Spiritual suffering. Exceptions would be any person or animal that provides a necessary service, such as, emergency medical or necessary medical technicians, doctors, and nurses; "Seeing Eye" dogs; some, but not all policemen; Ministers of YHVH while performing Holy convocations. However, these services should be voluntarily provided without charge, and out of the goodness of their hearts. Otherwise, they don't meet the Spiritual requirement that is imposed by "Love," which is G-d centered or Love Centered and not Self-centered.

Additionally, is there anything that we can do to prevent postal employees from serving us on the Sabbath? Well, maybe. We can send our bill payments, cards, letters, packages out on Sunday nights or Monday mornings (no later than Tuesday evening for local type mail) and normally the mail will be delivered to its destination before the end of the week. However, the one thing we cannot do is protect people from themselves. But IF there were enough of us NOT working or using services on a Sabbath, then our combined witness would become impossible to ignore. You might, also, find a garbage pickup service that will schedule your garbage pickup for another day.

Mark 1:21

21 They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught (not for money, but because of their love for YHVH and mankind).



Isaiah 58:5-14 (true Affliction, true ministry, true sacrifice)
5 Is this the fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it (true affliction) to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to YHVH?

Note: YHVH does not prefer a physical Fast or Affliction, but a Spiritual one. YHVH just uses physical examples to teach Spiritual Truth. However, if we do afflict our soul (living bodies) by means of physical affliction or fasting, then it must be to teach Spiritual Truth OR as a result of Spiritual affliction. This is emphasized by the next verses.

6 Is not this the fast (deny self) that I have chosen? to loose (remove) the bands of wickedness (sin), to undo the heavy burdens (oppression of sin), and to let the oppressed (victims of sin) go free, and that you break (eliminate) every yoke (bondage of sin)?

7 Is it not to deal (selflessly give) your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh (literally give the shirt off your own back)?

8 Then shall your light (when you can perform these acts of Righteous Love) break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of YHVH shall be your reward.

9 Then shall you call, and YHVH shall answer; you shall cry, and He shall say, I am here. If you take away from the midst of yourself the yoke (of selfish sin), the putting forth of the finger (as an accuser), and speaking vanity (self-centerness);

10 And if you draw out your soul (living sacrifice or personal loss) to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul (at your own expense); then shall your light (Righteous Example) rise out of obscurity, and your darkness become as the noonday:

11 And YHVH shall guide you continually (with His Holy Spirit or pneuma), and satisfy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones: and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

12 And they that shall be of you (follow you) shall build the old waste places: You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called, "The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

13 If you turn away your foot during the sabbath from doing your (own) pleasure on my Holy Day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the Holy of YHVH, honorable; and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways (self-seeking), nor finding your own pleasure (self-seeking), nor speaking your own words (self-absorbed):

14 Then shall you delight yourself in YHVH; and I will cause you all to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed you all with the heritage of Jacob (Israel or seed of Abraham) your father: for the mouth of YHVH has spoken it (a done deal).



Exodus 31:12-17 (This refers to both physical and Spiritual Israel)

12 YHVH spoke to Moses, saying,
13 "Speak also to the children of Israel (physical and Spiritual seed of Abraham), saying, 'Most assuredly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign (of True Faith) (Shema) between Me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am YHVH who sanctifies you.
14 You shall keep the Sabbath (not do away with, substitute or forget) therefore; for it is Holy to you. Everyone (without exception) who profanes it shall surely be put to death (will not receive eternal life and will die the second death); for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his (her) people (The Children of G-d).
15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, Holy to YHVH. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death .
16 Therefore the children of Israel (physical and Spiritual seed of Abraham) shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations (forever), for a perpetual covenant (an eternal marriage between YHVH and His Spirit Filled Children).
17 It is a sign (Shema), between me and the children of Israel (YHVH's Children) forever; for in six days YHVH made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.'"



Exodus 35:2-3 (This basically refers to cooking or burning)

2 'Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a Holy Day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to YHVH: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death (will not receive eternal life and will die the second death).
3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the (weekly) Sabbath day.'"

Here we can see that the use of fire is prohibited. Now we can either be satisfied with this in a literal sense, and thus, not kindle a fire or we can seek a greater understanding. However, what is missing here is a reason we should not kindle a fire. So what are the reasons that one might kindle a fire? Well, I can think of seven: ^1. To cook uncooked food (work) or reheat food (not work). ^2. To keep warm. (preserve life) ^3. For a burnt offering (ritual of Fire). ^4. To forge metal. (work) ^5. Various other forms of manufacturing. (work) ^6. As a weapon (various methods) to destroy, eliminate or defend (to preserve life and/or to take life). ^7. For light (various types).

So how many of these involve work for physical gain? Answer: Cooking food, forging metal, as an offensive weapon, and manufacturing. These things must be accomplished in six days, but not on a Sabbath Day. So how about keeping warm OR as a defensive weapon OR for light? These things must be discerned with the understanding of whether or not it is lawful and it is an act of love to do good on the Sabbath. We should however cook our meals in advance (Friday is a Preparation Day). Even though we in general do not use fire anymore to cook, to make burnt offerings, to provide light, and in some cases provide warmth; we still need to understand that the intent of the Sabbath is to take our inward thoughts from ourselves and redirect them outwardly (first) towards YHVH and (secondly) to our neighbors. So kindle a fire only when absolutely necessary to preserve physical life, which is basically to provide warmth in cold climates, etc... . Having said that, I must admonish those who place themselves unnecessarily in a position of breaking the Sabbath, as a result of seeking personal goals. YHVH expects us to behave in a responsible manner, and in doing so, to take care of personal business and make preparations in advance. Furthermore, He doesn't want us taking unnecessary chances that might lead us into a situation where we may break YHVH's Holy Sabbath. Keeping The Sabbath Holy actually requires us to plan and think (to act responsibly), which is something we won't do if we don't Love The Eternal more than we Love ourselves.

Annual High Sabbaths and the use of Fire

For everything there is a season and a purpose unto heaven, and it appears that fire is prescribed for some of The Annual Sabbaths, but not necessarily for use on The Annual Sabbaths. This will be discussed in greater detail in later chapters. The following will give you insight as to why YHVH chose FIRE as part of the ritual of His Annual Sabbaths. Remember YHVH chose the physical as an example of Spritual Truth. The Annual High Sabbaths teach YHVH's "Plan of Salvation."

Luke 3:16
16 John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he (Messiah) comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize (Spiritually Emmerse) you in the Holy Spirit and fire,


1 Corinthians 3:11-17
11 For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Messiah Y'Shua.
12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble;
13 each man's work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man's work is.
14 If any man's work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.
15 If any man's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
16 Don't you know that you are a temple of The Eternal, and that The Eternal's Spirit (Righteous mentality) lives in you?
17 If anyone destroys the temple of YHVH, YHVH will destroy him; for YHVH's temple is Holy, which you are.


Malachi 3:1-3
Behold, I send my messenger (Aggelos in Greek, and Malak in Hebrew; Strongs #H4397; a messenger, deputy, angel, teacher, priest, ambassador, king), and he (Messiah Y'Shua) will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant (marriage supper / vow), whom you desire, behold, he comes!" says YHVH of hosts.
2 "But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like launderer's soap;
3 and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi (the chosen are priests or ministers; Exodus 19:5-6, Revelation 5:9-10), and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to YHVH offerings in righteousness.

Supporting Verses
for
Keeping The Weekly Sabbath Holy

Exodus 16:22-30

22 It happened that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one, and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.
23 He said to them, "This is that which YHVH has spoken, 'Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a Holy Sabbath to YHVH. Bake (cook with fire) that which you want to bake, and boil (with fire) that which you want to boil; and all that remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept until the morning."

24 They laid it up until the morning, as Moses asked, and it didn't become foul, neither was there any worm in it.

25 Moses said, "Eat that (leftovers or previously prepared food) today, for today is a Sabbath to YHVH. Today you shall not find it in the field.
26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none."
27 It happened on the seventh day, that some of the people went out to gather (or go shopping in modern terms), and they found none.
28 YHVH said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?
29 Behold, because YHVH has given you the Sabbath, therefore he gives you on the sixth day the bread of two days. Everyone stay in his place. Let no one go out of his place on the seventh day (for personal gain)."

30 So the people rested on the seventh day.



Isaiah 1:Read All (especially verse 13) The Sabbath is not dead, but does not provide favor (grace) when followed by idolators.



Ezekiel 20:10-13 (Read All)

10 So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt (Symbolic of Sin), and brought them into the wilderness (to Spiritually search for their Creator).

11 I gave them My statutes, and shown them My ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live (eternally) in them.

12 Moreover, also, I (YHVH) gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign (Shema) between me and them, that they might know that I am YHVH who sanctifies them.

13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they didn't walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I (YHVH) said, I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.

The physical children of Israel (physical seed of Abraham) suffered and still suffer many things because of their lack of obedience and love for their Creator, YHVH. Do not be deceived, the physical children of Israel had a purpose, and that purpose was to serve as a Physical to Spiritual Parallel or example in the form of a WARNING for YHVH's Spiritual Children. If you are to be one of YHVH's Spiritual Children and receive eternal life, then you had better be YHVH Centered and not self-centered. You will not find Grace (favor) in YHVH's eyes if you do not love him enough to lose or deny your self-centered life and gain your obedient G-d Centered way of life.

Matthew 16:24-27

24 Then Y'Shua said to his disciples, "If any man desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross (figure of speech for self sacrifice), and follow me (imitate me or believe as I believe and do as I do).

25 For whoever desires to save his (self-centered) life will lose it, and whoever will lose his (self-centered) life for my sake will find it (eternal life).

26 For what will it profit a man, if he will gain the whole (physical) world, and forfeit his (eternal) life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?

27 For the Son of Man (Y'Shua) will come (return to the Earth) in the glory of his Father (Glorified by YHVH) with His (YHVH's) angels, and then will he (by YHVH's Authority) render to every man according to his deeds.

YHVH's Annual Sabbaths

(Part 2)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

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