Expert: Brenda Martin - 7/20/2011

Question
QUESTION: Dear Brenda:
I recently read your responses as to why "Christian" churches no longer honor the 4th Commandment Sabbath, and I would like to follow up with a few questions:
 1.  After a thoughtful reading of Isaiah 56:1-7, do you believe that the Bible teaches that the Sabbath was for the Jewish nation only?
 2.  Was the Sabbath instituted on the seventh day of creation and given to Adam and Eve who antedated Abraham, the "father of the Jews?"
 3.  Isn't the ten commandment law referred to by James as the "law of liberty" by which we shall all be judged?
 4.  Doesn't Revelations 14:12 speak of the Ten Commandment law and the faith of Jesus?
 5   Doesn't Revelations 22:14 refer to the Ten Commandments as a requirement for the redeemed to have access to the tree of life?
 6.  Isn't it the 4th commandment that reminds us that the living God is our creator and creator of all things, and don't you think that the keeping of this commandment, along with the other nine, would have precluded the wholesale adoption of evolutionary theory as doctrine among the masses?
 7.  Why do churches, Protestant and Jehovah's Witnesses, teach the adherence to nine of the Ten Commandments and neglect the 4th Commandment, when James asserts that if we keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all?  Therefore, if one teaches the setting aside of one of God's Commandments, one teaches lawlessness, and, thus, the setting aside of the whole law, is it not?

ANSWER: 1. ISAIAH 56:1-7 THE SABBATH WAS FOR THE JEWISH NATION ONLY?

Isaiah chapter 56 begins with admonition to the Jews; the inhabitants of Judah who sought salvation from God had to obey the Mosaic Law.

The prophecy highlights Sabbath observance because the Sabbath was an important feature of the Mosaic Law. Indeed, one of the reasons why the inhabitants of Judah eventually went into exile was their neglect of the Sabbath. (Leviticus 26:34, 35; 2 Chronicles 36:20, 21)

The Sabbath was a sign of the special relationship Jehovah had with the Jews, and those who observed the Sabbath showed that they valued that relationship. (Exodus 31:13)

Observing the Sabbath also reminded Isaiah’s contemporaries that Jehovah is the Creator. Such observance brought to mind his mercies toward them. (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15)
Finally, keeping the Sabbath provided a regular, structured arrangement for worshiping Jehovah. Resting once a week from their regular work gave the inhabitants of Judah opportunity for prayer, study, and meditation.

In v.3 Jehovah addresses two groups who want to serve him but who under the Mosaic Law are disqualified from coming into the Jewish congregation.

Uncircumcised foreigners are excluded from sharing in worship with Israel. For example, they are not allowed to partake of the Passover. (Exodus 12:43)

Foreigners who do not flagrantly break the laws of the land enjoy justice and hospitality, but they have no permanent ties with the nation.

Of course, some fully embrace the Law, and as a sign of this, the men get circumcised. Then they are proselytes, privileged to worship in the courtyard of Jehovah’s house and considered a part of the congregation of Israel. (Leviticus 17:10-14; 20:2; 24:22) However, even proselytes are not full participants in Jehovah’s covenant with Israel, and they have no land inheritance in the Promised Land. Other foreigners may turn to the temple in prayer, and evidently they may offer sacrifices through the priesthood as long as the sacrifices conform to the Law. (Leviticus 22:25; 1 Kings 8:41-43) But Israelites are not to associate closely with them.

v.4, 5—Eunuchs also shared in a limited way in the worship of the true God.

v.6 These foreigners, although from many nations, races, and languages, are at unity with one another and with the SPIRITUAL Israel of God.

Their whole life (not just one day in seven) becomes one of ‘sabbath keeping,’ one being dedicated to Jehovah; thereby they enter into His rest, as Paul explains at Hebrews 4:1-10.

2. WAS THE SABBATH INSTITUTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CREATION?

Jehovah God proceeded to rest as to his works of material, earthly creation after preparing the earth for human habitation. This is stated at Genesis 2:1-3. But nothing in the Bible record says that God directed Adam to keep the seventh day of each week as a sabbath.

Deut. 5:15: “You must remember that you [Israel] became a slave in the land of Egypt and Jehovah your God proceeded to bring you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. That is why Jehovah your God commanded you to carry on the sabbath day.” (Here Jehovah connects his giving of the sabbath law with Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, not with events in Eden

Ex. 16:1, 23-29: - ‘Mark the fact that Jehovah has given you the sabbath.’” (Prior to this, there had been a marking off of weeks of seven days each, but this is the first reference to a sabbath observance.)

3.  ISN'T THE TEN COMMANDMENT LAW REFERRED TO BY JAMES AS THE "LAW OF LIBERTY" BY WHICH WE SHALL ALL BE JUDGED?

Are you referring to James 1;25—“he who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and who persists in [it], this [man], because he has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, will be happy in his doing [it].”

The law of the Christ is repeatedly associated with freedom. (John 8:31, 32) It is referred to as “the law of a free people” and “the perfect law that belongs to freedom.” (James 1:25; 2:12) this law offers far greater freedom than its predecessor, the Mosaic Law.

For instance; no one is born under the law of the Christ. Such factors as race and place of birth are irrelevant. True Christians freely choose in their hearts to accept the yoke of obedience to this law. In so doing, they find that it is a kindly yoke, a light load. (Matthew 11:28-30)

After all, the Mosaic Law was also designed to teach man that he is sinful and in dire need of a ransom sacrifice to redeem him. (Galatians 3:19)

The law of the Christ teaches that the Messiah has come, paid the ransom price with his life, and opened the way for us to be freed from the terrible oppression of sin and death! (Romans 5:20, 21) In order to benefit, we need to ‘exercise faith’ in that sacrifice.—John 3:16.

“Exercising faith” involves living by the law of the Christ. That includes obeying all of Christ’s commands. Does this mean committing to memory hundreds of laws and statutes? No. While Moses, the mediator of the old covenant, wrote down the Mosaic Law, Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, never wrote down a single law. Instead, he lived this law. By means of his perfect life course, he laid down a pattern for all to follow. (1 Peter 2:21) Perhaps that is why the early Christians’ worship was referred to as “The Way.” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:22) To them, the law of the Christ was exemplified in the life of the Christ. To imitate Jesus was to obey this law. Their intense love of him meant that this law was indeed written on their hearts, as prophesied. (Jeremiah 31:33; 1 Peter 4:8) And one who is obedient because of love never feels oppressed—another reason why the law of the Christ may be called “the law of a free people.”

Love was important in the Mosaic Law, & it is the very essence of Christian law. The law of the Christ thus includes a new command—Christians are to have self-sacrificing love for one another. They are to love as Jesus did; he willingly laid down his life in behalf of his friends. (John 13:34, 35; 15:13) So the law of the Christ is an even loftier expression of theocracy than the Law of Moses was.

4.  DOESN'T REVELATIONS 14:12 SPEAK OF THE TEN COMMANDMENT LAW AND THE FAITH OF JESUS?

Revelation 12; 17 also speaks of these ones “who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus.”

A great international crowd of believers is observing the commandments of God as to- separateness from the world, clean morals, and love of their brothers, and they are witnessing to the Messianic Kingdom.

Jesus introduced a “new covenant,” based on the better sacrifice of his own perfect human life. Christians come under this new covenant and are subject to Christian laws. (Hebrews 8:7-13; Luke 22:20) Many of these laws have been taken from the law of Moses. This is not unexpected or unusual. A similar thing often happens when a new government takes over the rule of a country. The constitution under the old government might be canceled and replaced, but the new constitution may keep many of the laws of the old one. In a similar way, the Law covenant came to an end, but many of its basic laws and principles were adopted into Christianity.

5   DOESN'T REVELATIONS 22:14 REFER TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AS A REQUIREMENT FOR THE REDEEMED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE TREE OF LIFE?

No; the faithful 144,000 followers of Christ who have heavenly hopes and who have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and have by faith been loosed from their sins by means of his blood so that they may appear free from sin in God’s sight. (Rev. 1:5; 1 John 1:7) He says: “Happy are those who wash their robes, that the authority to go to the trees of life may be theirs and that they may gain entrance into the city by its gates.” (Rev. 22:14)

This is a heavenly city. These who have remained faithful to the end, becoming conquerors, have been baptized into Christ and into his death and have completed that baptism, dying a death of integrity like his and being resurrected in the spirit. The paradise here spoken of is, of course, not literal, but symbolic. The faithful overcomers are granted to eat of the “trees of life.” This denotes their being given the right and title to enjoy immortal life forever in the heavenly paradise of God.—1 Cor. 15:44, 52-54.

The city into which they enter, the holy city New Jerusalem, has twelve angels on guard at its twelve gates of pearl. These angelic guards recognize who these 144,000 faithful spiritual Israelites are and let them enter into the golden city Rev. 21:12, 13, 18; Gen. 2:9; 3:24.

6.  ISN'T IT THE 4TH COMMANDMENT THAT REMINDS US THAT THE LIVING GOD IS OUR CREATOR AND CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, AND DON'T YOU THINK THAT THE KEEPING OF THIS COMMANDMENT, ALONG WITH THE OTHER NINE, WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED THE WHOLESALE ADOPTION OF EVOLUTIONARY THEORY AS DOCTRINE AMONG THE MASSES?

The Sabbath was very beneficial for the Israelites. Physically the weekly rest was good for them. More importantly, the Sabbath provided an opportunity for activities that renewed the spirit, such as reading and discussing God’s Word. The Sabbath was good for families as well, affording opportunity for parents to teach their children about God.

After Jesus’ death however profound changes took place. Under the guidance of God’s spirit the early Christians realized that they were no longer under the Law and that “Christ is the end of the Law.” (Rom. 10:4; 6:14, 15) Hence, they were no longer bound to make animal sacrifices, pay tithes, be circumcised or keep the Sabbath. The apostle Paul wrote: “By means of his flesh he [Christ] abolished . . . the Law of commandments.”—Eph. 2:15.

Again and again the Bible makes it clear that Christians are not under the Law, that it was ‘taken out of the way,’ nailed to Christ’s torture stake. “Therefore let no man judge you in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival . . . or of a sabbath.”—Col. 2:13-16.

But the Sabbath was admittedly a beneficial law. If Christians don’t have to keep it, are they not going to miss out on the benefits? Not at all.

By stopping their other activities on the Sabbath, God’s ancient faithful people showed that His worship was the most important thing in their lives. As they read and discussed God’s Word on that day they showed their belief that “man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.”—Matt. 4:4.

Really, shouldn’t Christians show they believe these things every day of their lives? If a Christian refuses to let his secular job interfere with his service to God, is he not keeping the spirit of the Sabbath? How about the Christian who buys out time every day to read God’s Word and apply its principles to his daily conduct?

Jesus healed people on the Sabbath as well as on other days, so isn’t every day a good day to apply the exhortation, “Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all”? (Gal. 6:10) Sincere Christians doing these things may not keep a special day—but they truly honor God’s Sabbath.

7.  WHY DO CHURCHES, PROTESTANT AND JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, TEACH THE ADHERENCE TO NINE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND NEGLECT THE 4TH COMMANDMENT, WHEN JAMES ASSERTS THAT IF WE KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL?  THEREFORE, IF ONE TEACHES THE SETTING ASIDE OF ONE OF GOD'S COMMANDMENTS, ONE TEACHES LAWLESSNESS, AND, THUS, THE SETTING ASIDE OF THE WHOLE LAW, IS IT NOT?

If the ten commandments were still in force Yes, but they are not.

Although Christians are not commanded to keep a weekly Sabbath, we learn something from that arrangement. The Israelites rested in a literal way, but Christians must rest in a spiritual way. How? Because of faith and obedience true Christians leave off doing selfish works. These selfish works include efforts to establish their own righteousness. (Hebrews 4:10)

This spiritual rest is observed not only one day a week but for all seven days. The requirement of the literal Sabbath law to set aside one day for spiritual interests protected the Israelites from selfishly using all their time to seek their own material advantage. Applying this principle every day in a spiritual way is an even more effective guard against materialism.

So Christians are urged to “fulfill the law of the Christ,” rather than to keep the Ten Commandments. (Galatians 6:2) Jesus gave many commands and instructions, and by our obeying THEM we are keeping or fulfilling his law. In particular, Jesus stressed the importance of love. (Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34, 35) Yes, to love others is a Christian law. It is the basis of the entire law of Moses, as the Bible says: “The entire Law stands fulfilled in one saying, namely: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’”—Galatians 5:13, 14; Romans 13:8-10.

All the best
Brenda


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Brenda:

Thank you for your prompt response.

My follow up question relates to the distinction of the Ten Commandment Law, written with the finger of God, from the Mosaic laws transcribed by Moses from the mouth of God.  Again, it appears that you cast the 4th Commandment into the mix of the myriad of laws and ordinances of the Torah, but exclude the other nine of the Ten Commandments from similar deletion.  You, for example, might not assert that it is no longer necessary to "Honor thy father and thy mother," or, that it is now okay to steal, kill or commit adultery, yet these principles are part and particle of the Ten Commandment Law written with the finger of God and handed to Moses at Sinai.  Secondly, I spoke of James 2:12, "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." And of Revelations 22:14, "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." And, lastly, you did not address the matter of the impact of setting aside the Sabbath on the knowledge of the Creator God.  The fourth of the Ten Commandments begins "Remember," yet it is the only one that churches seem eager to forget, while they lament the contemporary tendency towards evolutionary thought.  Therefore, I will ask you directly: Do you believe that Jesus Christ created all things, including man, in six literal days and rested on the seventh-day from his work?
Do you believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father, Jehovah, and that none will be saved except they come to God through Jesus?

Thank you, again, for your patience and timely responses.

ANSWER: Your welcome by the way :¬)


THE TEN COMMANDMENT LAW DIFFERENT FROM THE MOSAIC LAWS

Some persons say that the Law is divided into two parts: The Ten Commandments, and the rest of the laws. The rest of the laws, they say, are what ended, but the Ten Commandments remain. Yet this is not true. In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus quoted from the Ten Commandments as well as other parts of the Law and made no distinction between them. Jesus thus showed that the law of Moses was not divided into two parts.—Matthew 5:21-42.

Notice what Jesus included in his comments. “You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not murder [Ex. 20:13; the Sixth Commandment]’ . . . If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar [Deut. 16:16, 17; NO part of the Ten Commandments] . . . You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery [Ex. 20:14; the Seventh Commandment].’ Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce [Deut. 24:1; NO part of the Ten Commandments].’ You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth [Ex. 21:23-25; NO part of the Ten Commandments].’”

So, Jesus mixed together references to the Ten Commandments and other parts of the Law, making no distinction between them. Should we treat them differently?

Note Paul’s words in 2 Cor. 3:7-11: “If the code which administers death and which was ENGRAVED in letters in STONES came about in a glory, so that the sons of Israel could not gaze intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, a glory that was to be done away with, why should not the administering of the spirit be much more with glory? . . . For if that which was to be done away with was brought in with glory, much more would that which remains be with glory.”

Reference is made here to a code that was “engraved in letters in stones” Exodus 34:1, 28-30 these were the commandments engraved on stone. Obviously these are included in what the scripture here says “was to be done away with.”

YOU CAST THE 4TH COMMANDMENT OUT, BUT EXCLUDE THE OTHER NINE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FROM SIMILAR DELETION.  

Many of the moral standards set out in the Ten Commandments were restated in the inspired books of the Christian Greek Scriptures. There was, however, no restating of the sabbath law.

However there is “a sabbath resting” that Christians share in every day- Hebrews 4:4-11;Genesis 2:2 ;Psalm 95:11;Psalm 95:7, 8]

The “sabbath resting” that true Christians share is not limited to a 24-hour day. By exercising faith and obeying the Bible’s counsel, they can enjoy it every day, and especially will they do so in God’s new system.

While on earth, Jesus mercifully performed some of his most amazing works of healing on the Sabbath, thus demonstrating the kind of relief that he will bring to people out of all nations during his Millennial Reign. (Luke 13:10-13; John 5:5-9; 9:1-14) Those who appreciate the real meaning of the Sabbath will have opportunity also to benefit from that “sabbath” rest.

NO LONGER NECESSARY TO "HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER,"

Ephesians 6 1-3 this law was restated.

OKAY TO STEAL

Ephesians 4; 28 this law was also restated

KILL

After noting that the Law says, “You must not murder,” Jesus adds: “However, I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice.”

Jesus added to the law of “do not kill”; being wrathful with an associate, as it could lead to murder.

COMMIT ADULTERY

Turning attention to the seventh of the Ten Commandments, Jesus continues: “You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’” However, Jesus condemns even the steady attitude toward adultery. “I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

All 9 were restated, the Sabbath law was not.

JAMES 2:12

The law of the Christ is repeatedly associated with freedom. (John 8:31, 32)

It (Christ’s Law) is referred to as “the law of a free people” and “the perfect law that belongs to freedom.” (James 1:25; 2:12)

This law offers far greater freedom than its predecessor, the Mosaic Law.

REVELATIONS 22:14

“Happy are those who wash their robes, that the authority [to go] to the trees of life may be theirs and that they may gain entrance into the city by its gates”

This verse is describing-the holy city New Jerusalem (heavenly); faithful SPIRITUAL Israelites are allowed to enter into the golden city.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST CREATED ALL THINGS, INCLUDING MAN, IN SIX LITERAL DAYS AND RESTED ON THE SEVENTH-DAY FROM HIS WORK?

Yes Jesus Christ was used by Jehovah to create all things, but not in 6 literal days-

The Bible does not teach that. The book of Genesis was written in Hebrew. In that language, “day” refers to a period of time. It can be either a lengthy one or a literal day of 24 hours. Even in Genesis all six “days” are spoken of collectively as one lengthy period—‘the day in which Jehovah made earth and heaven.’ (Genesis 2:4; compare 2 Peter 3:8.) The fact is, the Bible reveals that the creative “days,” or ages, encompass thousands of years.

We can see this from what the Bible says about the seventh “day.” The record of each of the first six “days” ends saying, ‘and there came to be evening and morning, a first day,’ and so on. Yet, you will not find that comment after the record of the seventh “day.”

And in the first century C.E., some 4,000 years downstream in history, the Bible referred to the seventh rest “day” as still continuing. (Hebrews 4:4-6) So the seventh “day” was a period spanning thousands of years, and we can logically conclude the same about the first six “days.”

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER, JEHOVAH, AND THAT NONE WILL BE SAVED EXCEPT THEY COME TO GOD THROUGH JESUS?

Yes –(John 3;16; John 6;44

“Your forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness and yet died… I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and, for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.” 6;48-51

All the best
Brenda




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Again, Thank you for your timely response:

It appears that we are reading from different translations of the Greek and Hebrew Texts.  I am quoting form a received textual translation, the King James Version, and I presume that you are quoting from the New World Translation.  Nevertheless, I hope that we can continue our discussion, understanding that there are distinctly different premises upon which these two translations are based.
1.  Isn't it true that Jesus Himself denied any declination in the binding nature of the Law during his earthly sojourn?  See Matthew 5:17-18 KJV ("Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.).

2. Without a belief in a literal six-day creation, how can one know the seasons and times as appointed by God?  God appointed the Sun and the Moon to count off the days and nights, and thus they acted in creation.   God then asserted that he created the "heavens and earth and all that within them is in six days and rested the seventh day"  and moreover, God promises that for those who enter into His kingdom, in the earth made new, they too will keep the Sabbath: Isaiah 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD."
Furthermore, as a physician who loves serving God and His people, I am aware of the many benefits of the Sabbath day and see the effect of failing to keep it in the lives of suffering humanity.  Also, while you assert, as do many protestant preachers and teachers assert that we are to rest every day, God has not said so, but rather, "six days shall ye labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God, in it thou shall do not work..." Exodus 20:9.  Now if man "rests" every day, when shall he labor and "do all his work?"  No, the Sabbath's rest is literal and of practical and real benefit, not ideological and esoteric.  So is the coming of the Lord Jesus back to this earth, once, literal, physical and climactic.

Lastly, please respond to the association of setting aside the Sabbath and evolutionary thinking and the rise of atheism.

Answer
MATTHEW 5:17-18
  
True, Jesus did say: “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17) But what does the expression “to fulfill” mean? To illustrate: A builder fulfills a contract to complete a building, not by ripping up the contract, but by finishing the structure. However, once the work has been completed to the client’s satisfaction, the contract is fulfilled and the builder is no longer under obligation to it. Likewise, Jesus did not break, or rip up, the Law; rather, he fulfilled it by keeping it perfectly. Once fulfilled, that Law “contract” was no longer binding on God’s people.

LITERAL SIX-DAY CREATION

Then how do you explain?-- more than 4,000 years after the seventh day, or God’s rest day, commenced, Paul indicated that it was still in progress. At Hebrews 4:1-11 he referred to the earlier words of David (Ps 95:7, 8, 11) and to Genesis 2:2 and urged: “Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest.” By the apostle’s time, the seventh day had been continuing for thousands of years and had not yet ended.

Added to that fact is--Genesis 2:4 speaks of all the creative periods as one “day.”

Peter says--“one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.” (2Pe 3:8)

Lastly Ascribing not just 24 hours but a longer period of time, thousands of years, to each of the creative days better harmonizes with the evidence found in the earth itself.

ISAIAH 66:22 ,23

This prophecy was initially fulfilled when faithful Jews returned to Jerusalem in 537 B.C.E. after their 70-year exile in Babylon. In that restoration, they formed a cleansed society, “a new earth,” under a new governmental system, “new heavens.” The apostle Peter, however, pointed to a further application of the prophecy, saying: “But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.” (2 Peter 3:13) John now shows that this promise is fulfilled during the Lord’s day. “The former heaven and the former earth,” Satan’s organized system of things with its governmental structure influenced by Satan and his demons, will pass away. The turbulent “sea” of wicked, rebellious mankind will cease to exist. In its place will be “a new heaven and a new earth”—a new earthly society under a new government, God’s Kingdom.—Compare Revelation 20:11.

Showing the need for regularity in meeting together to worship, Isaiah prophesied: “‘It will certainly occur that from new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath all flesh will come in to bow down before me,’ Jehovah has said.” (Isaiah 66:23) This is happening today. Regularly, every week of every month, dedicated Christians come together to worship Jehovah. They do this by, among other things, attending Christian meetings and engaging in the public ministry.
Isaiah 66:23 will fully apply to life in Jehovah’s promised new world. At that time, “all flesh will,” in a literal sense, week by week and month by month, “come in to bow down before,” or worship, Jehovah throughout eternity. Meeting together to worship Jehovah will be a permanent feature of our spiritual lives in the new system of things.

New moon to new moon and sabbath to sabbath”  merely means; regularly, every week of every month Christians come together to worship Jehovah.

by the way; If you practice the Sabbath today, do you also practice the new moon?

EXODUS 20:9.  

The expression “sabbath resting” is translated from a Greek word meaning “sabbathing.” (Kingdom Interlinear) Professor William Lane states: “The term received its particular nuance from the Sabbath instruction that developed in Judaism on the basis of Exodus 20:8-10, where it was emphasized that rest and praise belong together . . . [It] stresses the special aspect of festivity and joy, expressed in the adoration and praise of God.”

So, then, the promised rest is not simply a release from work. It is a change from tiresome, purposeless labour to joyful service that honours God.

SETTING ASIDE THE SABBATH HAS LED TO EVOLUTIONARY THINKING AND THE RISE OF ATHEISM.

Satan is the “ruler of this world” the “god of this system of things”, that fact & the fact we are living in the “last days” has led to many wrong things, including evolution & Atheism. So whether people kept the Sabbath or not we would still be in this mess, as this mess was prophesied in scripture.

all the best
Brenda