My endeavour in writing this is to reveal, with God’s help, the beauty and the depth of what God’s true Sabbath is for us. Some groundwork is required to help us understand where various traditions have come from overtime on this subject – so do bear with me through this journey. As two main doctrines are carried over from the law of Moses into Christendom, one around the Sabbath, the other around tithing, both are discussed here where they relate to each other.

Hunger & Thirst After Truth

When first starting out on my journey in seeking the truth at 19 years of age, I consumed all and sundry teachings from many sources and beliefs. One source stood far above the rest – the Holy Bible. From the moment of opening the scriptures for the first time as a true seeker, I started using it to measure all other belief systems and teachings – even those taught in the different Christian sects/denominations I gradually met over time. Initially I had no contact with any organisation, church or guide as such, just consumed various readings whilst living in a party house enjoying life – though experiencing deep emptiness within.

Slowly I abandoned all the mystical and occultic principles I held dear as I soaked in the scriptures – like a sponge soaking in water. One glaring beam of light that smacked me in the face shining straight out of the scriptures was the issue of sin in my life – it is as though I could not move forward in my search for truth without addressing it. Strange enough, so many church teachers would tell me later that we cannot overcome sin, but we are simply forgiven. Thankfully I didn’t meet them until much later, after starting to deal with sin in my life. I challenged one such person after he insisted, we cannot overcome sin – I asked him which sin can Christ not deliver me from now in this life? He went silent. I also said, I’m not interested in a religion that cannot overcome sin

(Note: the subject of sin, including forgiveness and overcoming it, is a major subject on its own – but put simply here, I’ve found God’s purpose is to refine us like precious metal during this life before entering into eternity with Him. As with metal being refined in a furnace, impurities keep rising to the surface as the slag from the refining process is scraped off – this is ongoing for our entire life whilst in this earthly frame)

Not wanting to displease God (I cared little about displeasing people) I started keeping the Jewish law the best I could – as I thought that was needed. One such law that comes with massive curses in the Old Testament is around keeping the Sabbath day. So, I started keeping it every week, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. To a young party animal like myself in those days, that time was precious – we all lived for the weekend and especially Friday night pleasures on until the early hours of Saturday morning.

Old and New Covenants

Later, after fully reading the New Testament, I realized that such laws were fulfilled in Christ, since Christ’s death hailed the beginning of a new covenant in His blood, with God writing His laws on our hearts – in our conscience, rather than on tablets of stone. The apostles themselves declaring that the Gentiles were not to be yoked around the neck with Moses’s law that they, nor their fathers, could bear. Specifically, they judged the only laws from Moses’s teaching to be carried over to us were:

…that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from [drinking/eating] blood.

Acts 15:19-20

This short paragraph is the full extent of what has been passed over to us from Moses’s law – though the whole law and prophets are summed up in this, that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves, as Christ taught.

Sabbath Keeping Without Law

Knowing this, I decided to still keep the Sabbath as it was a great time of spiritual growth for me (I now kept it, not as a requirement by law, but as my time to simply consume God Himself). I told no one about this Sabbath keeping, I just did it alone and made no fuss about it. Often, I would fast and pray on these days consuming the scriptures. It was like a fortress for my spiritual life – like bridge beams holding me above the onslaught of the waves of my old life rising up each week.

For example, one Friday night my old acquaintances come over to take me out parting with them – as I was always good to supply the needed substances for such fun (I was the person their parents warned them about). They found me sitting reading the scriptures on the front verandah. After letting them know I won’t be joining them, one of them said, just do what you would do if we’re not here. So, reaching for the scriptures I sat silently reading. He yelled out, you’re boring, we’re out-a-here. I’ve never seen or heard from them since.

Sabbath Day Changed?

Slowly I started fellowshipping with various church groups, specifically the ones that proclaimed to be bible believers. What caught my ear was the teaching by all these churches (except the Seventh Day Adventists, which I visited one Saturday) is that God had changed the Sabbath day to be on the 1st day of the week, not the 7th, so we must keep Sunday now as the Sabbath. Also, I heard from many that the curses in the Old Testament of not paying 10% to God (slip in the church here) were still valid. Many a time – even to this day – I heard many a preacher proclaiming a curse from the Old Testament over their congregation if they did not pay 10% of their income to their church.

New Sprinkled with Old

Coming from my background of deep-diving into the scriptures and learning the difference between the Old and New covenants (actually trying to keep the old, and experiencing the freedom on understanding the new), I found it sad that out of one side of the mouth of these preachers they would proclaim the free gift of salvation, but out the other side of the same mouth they used the Old Testament to assign me a specific day I needed to attend and what payments were required from me to hear such teaching. In contrast, the bible they proclaimed to be teaching from says:

…to the thirsty I [Christ] will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

Revelations 21:6

These preachers, to me, seemed to be cherry picking certain aspects of Moses’s law that benefited them personally – as they needed people locked into their church and they needed secure income to support their profession. For example, after attending a Baptist church for a period, the only time the pastor ever stepped foot into my house – or reached out personally to me – was to have me sign to become a member and for me to pay 10% of my income to his church. I politely said that that sounded a lot like law and declined. He never visited me again or checked in on my wellbeing – though I still fellowshipped there (as well as many other churches) and built some great friendships over time. This revealed the hidden agenda of such preachers – clearly, he didn’t care for my soul – he didn’t go seeking to save the lost sheep like a true Sheppard would. On the other hand, he just wanted to lock me in his pen each Sunday to shear money from me week by week – and feed me chaff, on repeat, in return.

Tour de Dark Ages

Throughout Europe during the dark ages (500 to 1500 CE) all lands within these countries were divided into parishes. People were assigned to a specific parish church depending on where they lived. If anyone didn’t attend their parish church on Sunday (the new Sabbath) or did not pay 10% to that church, severe penalties were enforced by the ecclesiastical authorities – including jail and/or plundering of their possessions. These ecclesiastical authorities had all power in regard to matters of religion – their judgement was usually final; they could even declare the death penalty (very much like the pharisees in Jesus’s day).

Even after the Protestant reformation from after 1500 CE, these powers still existed throughout England and other European countries for some time: the power just shifted from one ruling church (the Catholic Church) to another (various Protestant churches and/or kings). Complete with the same severe punishments if church attendance and paying of tithes was neglected. For example, during the 1600s, England’s jails were often housing many Quakers who refused to attend such churches or pay tithes to them – some died in prison under extremely harsh treatment. Even their possessions were raided by the English clergy to compensate the church for the lack of tithes received. Some early quaker’s where even hanged (including a grandmother) by the Puritans in America simply due to their different religious beliefs.

Present Day

I mention such history as these churches (both Catholic and Protestant) formed the foundations of most of the Christian denominations we have today throughout the world – with foundational forming doctrines teaching that Sunday is the new Sabbath for Christians – with many also teaching we need to pay 10% of our income to them to be blessed of God (or don’t want to be cursed of God). Thanks to the rule of law – plus the separation of church and state – people are not hauled off to jail or their houses raided if they don’t follow such doctrines. But, as mentioned, today many preachers profess curses over their congregation if they don’t follow such teachings (especially not paying 10%).

A sad truth about most churches is that they use Sunday as their main source of income. I’ve witnessed friends struggling to pay their bills being instructed on such days to pay their leaders 10% of their income so God will bless them – basically they’re struggling because they don’t pay them 10% is the logic. Very little instructions, if any, on using the day to spend in God’s presence in prayer, fasting, scripture reading and seeking God’s face. Also, I rarely hear taught that if we give to the poor God will repay (Proverbs 19:17) or that they should sell all that they have, give to the poor and come, follow Christ (Mark 10:21). Or again, he who gives to the rich will surely come to poverty (Proverbs 22:16).

The Poor Praised

Also, these same preachers loudly proclaim wealth building principles by tithing through their Sunday messages – yet ignore that the only church in the Apostles’ time the Lord was fully pleased with (mentioned in Revelations) was the poorest church of them all. Christ does not instruct them on how to become rich by various tithing techniques or other means – but encourages them to hold fast to their faith as the Devil will throw some into prison and for them to be faithful until death (Revelations 2:8-11).

Strang fact, during the dark ages and for many years beyond, this also happened to many Christians (by the ruling churches of the day) who refused to meet at their assigned parish church on Sundays or pay them 10%. These two teachings were the foundation of much violence, corruption and control. It’s only due to the separation of church and state that this doesn’t happen today – which maybe reunited in the future.

Foundation of the Apostles

When New Jerusalem was revealed to Apostle John in the book of revelations – the spiritual city that is also called the bride of the Lamb – which city we are part of now if we are in Christ – we are told that this city is based on the foundational stones of the 12 Apostles:

Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

Revelations 21:14

And again, Apostle Paul shows that God’s people, the true followers of Christ, are called to fellowship within this heavenly city – the church of the firstborn – now, although unseen at present:

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Hebrews 12:22-24

Therefore, we are to base our faith on the foundational teaching of Jesus Christ (the chief corner stone) and the Apostles – which are recorded for our benefit. We are not to base our faith on the traditions just because they’ve been passed down for hundreds of years, as Christ warns us:

In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men

Matthew 15:9

And again, Paul sounds the warning bells:

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:8

Continuing on, Apostle Paul reveals that we are the temple of God and teachers that we must be careful what we build on the foundations already laid:

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1 Corinthians 3:9:17

Moving Forward

We have shown the cruelness of the ruling powers during the dark ages and on through the reformation, in how they used old testament concepts as a rod of iron to force people to church on Sundays (as the new Sabbath) and to pay their tithes. They went much further actually than what Moses instructed in these matters, especially around plundering peoples possessions or imprisonment for not paying tithes. Like all things revealed in the scriptures, the carnal mind does not comprehend the spiritual truths hidden in plain sight. Before discussing the depths of the true Sabbath let’s discuss one important topic first.

So Which Day is the Sabbath?

Just to clarify one very important matter before continuing: the concept or the argument around if the Sabbath has been changed to Sunday or not is not the core purpose of this writing. As just a quick perusal of ‘The Acts of the Apostles’ will quickly show that they met together both in the synagogues on traditional Sabbath days and also met together on the first day of the week (plus many days and nights throughout the week). There is no teaching around the Sabbath being changed to the first day of the week in the Apostles time. First day of the week gatherings were not orchestrated because the Sabbath day was changed – which was clearly demonstrated by them still gathering in the synagogues as mentioned – but were a natural celebration of the day that Christ rose from the dead. In short, God rested on and blessed the seventh day and that day has not changed in that context.

However, the Apostle Paul reveals the freedom they, and we, have in Christ in saying:

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it...

Romans 14:5:6

Therefore, we are free to esteem any day we believe suitable – there is no law about days that has been carried over from the Old Testament into the New Testament; but there is strong encouragement to meet together with God’s people often – and the first day of the week works for most. But when mixing with all these groups and people, we must not be tricked into believing that there is a hierarchy of control in God’s Kingdom, as we are accustomed to within our secular society, as Christ teaches us:

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Matthew 20:25-28

Therefore run fast (well, walk quickly at least) if various so called apostles, pastors or leaders etc. attempt to lord it over you in the same manner as secular powers do. Remember, it’s mentioned of the great Apostle Paul that, “For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. that his letters were weighty, but his physical presence was weak.” (2 Corinthians 10:10).

The Last Sabbath Interlude

God rested on the seventh day from all his work when he created this world, the heavens, and all that is in them, along with man and woman – this rest day was the very first Sabbath. Within the new creation that God is presently working on (which includes us). God started His creative work again – in rising His only begotten Son from the dead, as the last Adam that has become a life-giving spirit – that cannot die. God’s plan is to form us into the image of His Son during this earthly life – we have born the image of the first Adam outwardly, now we are to bear the image of the Last Adam inwardly, which image is presently hidden in jars of clay for now, but will be fully revealed in the next world.

It seems God has reversed the order of things in creating the new creation (somewhat like a mirror image): He has started with the new Adam (Christ) and His offspring, and will end with creating a new heavens and new earth. Just like Abraham, we are wondering around waiting for this promised land (new creation) whilst in this world – true sojourners, knowing that God is preparing for us a new city, eternal in the heavens. Before God creates the new heavens and the new earth there is one final Sabbath for his people – an interlude between the two creations – the thousand years reign with Christ on this earth. Remember, one day is as a thousand years with God. Those who bear the image of the firstborn (Christ) will partake in this last Sabbath.