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About Sal
Expertise
I am privileged to be able to offer an alternative insight into the complicated world of Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA) theology. I will rely heavily on the Bible, but will also consider history and use logic in exposing deficiencies in SDA teachings. I would ask anyone who is considering becoming a SDA or if you are already in the SDA church, but are searching for the truth, to please allow me to offer a different explanation for the claims of the SDA. Remember : "The truth will set you free" (John 8:32). I can answer your questions pertaining to the beliefs and history of the SDA. I am not able to answer questions concerning spirituality or church discipline.

Experience
I have extensively studied the theology of the Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA) for a number of years. I have many books and tape sets produced by experts in this field of study. I have debated current members of the SDA church. I have a great desire to help these people see the truth.

Education/Credentials
M.S. degree in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics

You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Protestantism > Seventh-Day Adventists > Sabbath is forever

Seventh-Day Adventists - Sabbath is forever

Expert: Sal - 10/25/2009

Question
Dear Sal:

The Sabbath is said to be forever, So how do you say it is not forever?

Thanks, Michelle

Answer
Dear Michelle:

Yes, it does say that the Sabbath is forever such as in Exodus 31: “So shall the Israelites observe the Sabbath, keeping it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant (v. 16). However, so is circumcision forever. “Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17:13). Passover is also to be observed forever. “Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance” (Exodus 12:14). The Day of Atonement is likewise forever. "Now you shall have this as a permanent statute, to make atonement for the sons of Israel for all their sins once every year. And just as the LORD had commanded Moses, so he did” (Leviticus 16:34). Do you observe all these forever things? There are many more things that God says are to be observed forever. Do you observe all those also? You don’t observe those forever things because they were forever so long as the covenant to which they were attached lasted. They were all Old Covenant forever things that have become obsolete with that covenant. “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear” (Hebrews 8:13). Paul under inspiration notes that the entire Old Covenant is obsolete for Christians. So are all the things that were mentioned above.

The Old Covenant physical laws were cancelled at the cross, but the spiritual significance or symbolism is fulfilled in Christ. Jesus did not come to abolish but to fulfill (cf. Matthew 5:17). Jesus is our circumcision. “In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ” (Col. 2:11; see also Romans 2:28-29 and Galatians 6:15). Jesus is our Passover. “Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed “ (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus is our Atonement. “When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order. When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:6-12). Jesus is our Sabbath. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; cf. Galatians 4:9-11; Hebrews 4:1-10).

As a side note the sign of circumcision did begin with Abraham before the Old Covenant, but it was incorporated into the Old Covenant as the entrance sign into that covenant. Thus it became obsolete with the Old Covenant.

We are forever observing the spiritual significance of the Sabbath when we rest from our work and accept Christ by faith. Then we enter into God’s eternal rest (Hebrews 4:3-11) which the Old Covenant Sabbath only foreshadowed.

God Bless You,
Sal

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