E. J. Waggoner“Lord of the Sabbath”

Part 2

Lord of the Sabbath

When accused of Sabbath-breaking at Bethesda, Jesus defended Himself by affirming His Sonship to God, and

declaring that He worked in harmony with the Father. (DA 284.3)

The object of God’s work in this world is the redemption of man; therefore that which is necessary to be done on the

Sabbath in the accomplishment of this work is in accord with the Sabbath law. Jesus then crowned His argument by declaring Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath,”—One above all

question and above all law. (DA 285.3)

“Because the Sabbath was made for man, it is the Lord’s day. It belongs to Christ. . . .By Him it was set apart as a memorial of the work of creation.

It points to Him as both the Creator and the Sanctifier. It declares that He

who created all things in heaven and in earth, and by whom all things hold

together, is the head of the church, and that by His power we are reconciled to

God.

For, speaking of Israel, He said, “I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that

sanctify them,”—make them holy. Ezekiel 20:12. Then the Sabbath is a sign of Christ’s power to make us holy. And it is given to all whom Christ makes holy. As a sign of His sanctifying power, the Sabbath is given to all who through Christ

become a part of the Israel of God” (DA 288.2).

God designed that its observance should designate

them as His worshipers. (DA 283.3)

• It’s the Lord’s day. It belongs to Christ, for he made it.

• It’s a memorial of creation; it points to Christ as both the Creator and the Sanctifier.

• The Sabbath declares that Christ is head of the church and by his power we are reconciled to God.

• It is a sign that we may know that Christ sanctifies us and of his power

Made for Man

When questioned, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?” Jesus answered, “What man

shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.” Matthew 12:10–12. (DA

286.3)

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the

Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)

The Sabbath on Patmos

The Sabbath was as sacredly observed by John on Patmos as when he was preaching to the

people in the towns and cities of Judea. (AA 581.4)

Richly favored was this beloved disciple. He had seen his Master in Gethsemane, His face marked with the blood drops of agony, His

“visage ... marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Isaiah

52:14. He had seen Him in the hands of the Roman soldiers, clothed with an old purple robe and crowned with thorns. He had seen

Him hanging on the cross of Calvary, the object of cruel mockery and abuse.

(AA 582.1)

Now John is once more permitted to behold his Lord. But how changed is His appearance! He is no longer a Man of

Sorrows, despised and humiliated by men. He is clothed in a garment of heavenly brightness. “His head and His hairs” are “white like wool, as white as snow; and

His eyes ... as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a

furnace.” Revelation 1:14, 15, 17.

His voice is like the music of many waters. His countenance shines as the sun. In His hand are seven stars, and

out of His mouth issues a sharp two-edged sword, an emblem of the

power of His word. Patmos is made resplendent with the glory of the

risen Lord. (AA 582.1)

“And when I saw Him,” John writes, “I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not.” Verse

17.John was strengthened to live in the

presence of his glorified Lord. Then before his wondering vision were opened the

glories of heaven. He was permitted to see the throne of God and, looking beyond the

conflicts of earth, to behold the white-robed throng of the redeemed.

He heard the music of the heavenly angels and the triumphant songs of those who had overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the

word of their testimony. In the revelation given to him there was unfolded scene after scene of thrilling interest in the experience of the people of God, and the history of the church foretold to the very close of time.

(AA 582.2, 3)

We are living in the closing scenes of these perilous times. The Lord foresaw the

unbelief that now prevails respecting His coming; and again and again He has given

warning in His word that this event will be unexpected. The great day will come as a

snare “on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Luke 21:35.

But there are two classes. To one the apostle gives these encouraging words: “Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that

that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4. Some will be ready

when the Bridegroom comes, and will go in with Him to the marriage.

How precious is this thought to those who are waiting and watching for His appearing! Christ

“loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or

wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27.

Those whom God loves enjoy this favor because they are lovely in character. (6T 129.1)

As long as we sail with the current of the world we need neither canvas nor oar. It is when we turn squarely about to stem the current that our labors

begin. Satan will bring in every kind of theory to pervert the truth. The work will go hard, for since the fall of Adam it has been the fashion of the world to

sin.

But Christ is on the field of action. The Holy Spirit is at work. Divine agencies are combining with the human in reshaping the character according to the perfect pattern, and man is to work out that

which God works in. Will we as a people do this God-given work? Will we carefully

heed all the light that has been given, keeping constantly before us the one

object of fitting students for the kingdom of God?

If by faith we advance step by step in the right way, following the Great Leader,

light will shine along our pathway; and circumstances will occur to remove the difficulties. The approval of God will give

hope, and ministering angels will co-operate with us, bringing light and grace,

and courage and gladness. (6T 129.2)

Then let no more time be lost in dwelling on the many things which are not essential

and which have no bearing upon the present necessities of God’s people. Let no

more time be lost in exalting men who know not the truth, “for the time is at

hand.”

There is no time now to fill the mind with theories of what is popularly called “higher

education.” The time devoted to that which does not tend to assimilate the soul to the likeness of Christ is so much time lost for eternity. This we

cannot afford, for every moment is freighted with eternal interests. Now, when the great work of

judging the living is about to begin, shall we allow unsanctified ambition to take possession of the

heart and lead us to neglect the education required to meet the needs in this day of peril?

(6T 130.1)

John was in the Spirit

John was in the pneuma.

Pneuma occurs 379 times in the NT.

Only 3 times does it unequivocally mean its original sense—a strong wind or breeze.

47 times means the human spirit (Acts 17:15),

38 times an evil spirit (Matt 8:16).

Angels are ministering spirits (Heb 1:14).

275 times for God’s Spirit (Mk 1:12)

• God is a spirit (John 4:24)

• We are to test the spirits (1 John 4:1)

• It is a way of thinking or an attitude (Gal 6:1)

• Spirit of life (Rev 11:11)

• To breathe out, expire (Matt 27:50)

• in the spirit of Christ

• renewed in the spirit of your mind

• in the spirit of meekness, gentleness, & tender love

• in the spirit and power of Elijah

• in the spirit of the master

• supplication made in the Spirit

• walk in the Spirit

• in the spirit and love of God

But John was in the Spirit . . .

The Sabbath was as sacredly observed by John upon the Isle of Patmos as when he

was among the people, preaching upon that day. By the barren rocks surrounding him, John was reminded of rocky Horeb, and

how, when God spoke his law to the people there, he said, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” (RH March 1, 1881, par. 12)

While John was contemplating the scenes of Horeb, the Spirit of God, who sanctified the

seventh day, came upon him. He contemplated the sin of Adam in

transgressing the divine law, and the fearful result of that transgression. The infinite love of God, in giving his Son to redeem a lost race, seemed too great for language to

express.

It was a mystery to John that God could give his Son to die for rebellious man. And he was lost in amazement that the plan of salvation, devised at such a cost to Heaven, should be

refused by those for whom the infinite sacrifice had been made. (RH March 1, 1881, par. 14)

John was shut in with God. As he learned more of the divine character, through the works of creation, his reverence for God increased. He often asked himself, Why do not men, who are wholly dependent upon

God, seek to be at peace with him by willing obedience? He is infinite in wisdom,

and there is no limit to his power.

He controls the heavens with their numberless worlds. He preserves in perfect

harmony the grandeur and beauty of the things which he has created. Sin is the

transgression of God’s law; and the penalty of sin is death. There would have been no

discord in Heaven or in the earth, if sin had never entered. Disobedience to God’s law has brought all the misery that has existed among his creatures. Why will not men be reconciled to God? (RH March 1, 1881, par.

15)

As John meditated upon the glory of God displayed in his works, he was

overwhelmed with the greatness and majesty of the Creator. Should all the inhabitants of this little world refuse

obedience to God, he would not be left without glory. He could sweep every mortal from the face of the earth in a

moment, and create a new race . . .

He could marshal the starry hosts of heaven, the millions of worlds above, to

raise a song of honor and praise and glory to his name. (RH March 1, 1881,

par. 17)

John calls to remembrance the wonderful incidents that he has witnessed in the life of Christ. In imagination he again enjoys the

precious opportunities with which he had once been favored, and is greatly

comforted.

Suddenly his meditation is broken in upon; he is addressed in tones distinct and clear. He

turns to see from whence the voice proceeds, and lo! he beholds his Lord, whom he had

loved, with whom he had walked and talked, and whose sufferings upon the cross he had

witnessed.

But how changed is the Saviour’s appearance! He is no longer “a man of sorrows, and

acquainted with grief.” He bears no marks of his humiliation. His eyes are like a flame of fire; his feet like fine brass, as it glows in a furnace. The tones of his voice are like the musical sound of many waters. His countenance shines like the

sun in its meridian glory. In this hand are seven stars, signifying the ministers of the churches. Out of his mouth issues a sharp, two-edged

sword, representing the power of his word. (RH March 1, 1881, par. 18)

John, who had so loved his Lord, and who had steadfastly adhered to the truth in the face of imprisonment, stripes, and threatened death, cannot endure the excellent glory of Christ’s majesty, but falls to the earth as one stricken

dead. Jesus then lays his hand upon the prostrate form of his servant, saying, “Fear not. I am He that

liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore.” John was strengthened to live in

the presence of his glorified Lord; and then were presented before him in holy vision the purposes of God for future ages. (RH March 1, 1881, par.

19)

“And now, behold,” Paul continued, “I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city,

saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so

that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel

of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God,

shall see my face no more.” Paul had not designed to bear this testimony; but, while he

was speaking, the Spirit of Inspiration came upon him, confirming his fears that this would be his last meeting with

his Ephesian brethren. (AA 393.2, 3)

The carnal mind finds no pleasure in contemplating the word of God, but he who is renewed in the spirit of his mind, sees new charms in the living oracles; for divine beauty and celestial light seem to shine in every passage. That which was to the carnal mind a desolate

wilderness, to the spiritual mind becomes a land of living streams. That which to the unrenewed heart appeared a barren waste, to the converted soul

becomes the garden of God, covered with fragrant buds and blooming flowers. (CE 79.2)

. . . where supplication is made in the Spirit. The yearning soul becomes

agonized and groans after God. The spirit wrestles as did Jacob and will

not be at rest without special manifestations of the power of God. This is as God would have it. (CCh

292.3)

The Lord’s Day

• Many times EGW says the Lord’s day is the Sabbath because:

• The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath (Mk 2:27; Matt 12:8)

• Since he made all things, he made the Sabbath (Ex 20:11)

• Eze 20:12—I gave them my sabbaths as a sign that they might know that I sanctify them

Sunday

Robertson’s Word Pictures of the NT states that it has been proven from inscriptions and papyri that the

word κυριακος [kuriakos] was in common use for the sense “imperial” as imperial finance and imperial

treasury and from papyri and ostraca that Augustus Day was the first day of each month, Emperor’s Day,

on which money payments were made (see 1 Cor. 16:1, 2). It was easy, therefore, for the Christians to

take this term, already in use, and apply it to the first day of the week in honour of the Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection on that day. In the N. T. the word occurs

only here and 1 Cor. 11:20.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not

come to destroy, but to fulfil. (Matthew 5:17)

Lesson #6

• Which commandment is related to creation? Text?

• Which day does the Bible call the Lord’s day? Texts?

• For whom was the Sabbath made? Text?

• What distinguishes the true God from false gods? Jeremiah 10:10–12

• Who is our Redeemer? Romans 5:8, 9

• Is the Creator also the Redeemer? Isaiah 43:1

• We are God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus unto ____ ____.” Ephesians 2:10

• What is the Creator able to give to those without strength? Isaiah 40:26–29

• How is the eternal power and Godhead of the Lord revealed? Romans 1:20

• Besides creation, of what is the Sabbath a sign? Ezekiel 20:12

• Is sanctification God’s will for us? Thessalonians 4:3