Changes

<small>''This article is about the [[Christian]] day of rest. For the Sabbath in [[Judaism]] see [[Shabbat]].''</small><br>The '''Sabbath''' ([[Hebrew]]: שַׁבָּת‎ ''shabbat'' "the day to cease/rest") is a weekly [[religion|religious]] day of rest as ordained by [[God]] in the [[Ten Commandments]]: <blockquote>''Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.'' ([[Exodus]] 20:8-11)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020:8-11&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref></blockquote>

<small>''This article is about the [[Christian]] day of rest. For the Sabbath in [[Judaism]] see [[Shabbat]].''</small><br>The '''Sabbath''' ([[Hebrew]]: שַׁבָּת‎ ''shabbat'' "the day to cease/rest") is a weekly [[religion|religious]] day of rest as ordained by [[God]] in the [[Ten Commandments]]: <blockquote>''Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.'' ([[Exodus]] 20:8-11)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020:8-11&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref></blockquote>

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is a Protestant denomination founded in America in the 1860s during the [[Second Great Awakening]]. The basic tenets of Adventism were based on a version of [[premillennial]] evangelical Protestantism and focused on the prophecy that Christ would return in 1844. They also strongly held the belief that the [[Sabbath'' was Saturday (the 7th day), so they opposed laws making Sunday the Sabbath.  

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is a Protestant denomination founded in America in the 1860s during the [[Second Great Awakening]]. The basic tenets of Adventism were based on a version of [[premillennial]] evangelical Protestantism and focused on the prophecy that Christ would return in 1844. They also strongly held the belief that the Sabbath was Saturday (the 7th day), so they opposed laws making Sunday the Sabbath.  

==Bible==

==Bible==

The seventh day was sanctified by God following the [[Creation]]:

The seventh day was sanctified by God following the [[Creation]]:

{{Bible quote|And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.|book=Genesis|chap=2|verses=2-3|version=KJV}}

{{Bible quote|And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.|book=Genesis|chap=2|verses=2-3|version=KJV}}

That the Sabbath was already known and observed as man's day of rest before it was "set in stone" in the Commandments is confirmed by events several weeks ''before'' God gave the Ten Commandments to the nation of [[Israel]], when they first entered the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula. Within a matter of days the Israelites' food supplies, which were limited to all they could carry with them from [[Egypt]], had been exhausted. They said to [[Moses]]: "Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger." (Exodus 16:3)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2016:3;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref> However, God promised to send [[manna]], a miraculous substance to nourish and sustain them, but He would provide it only for six days out of every seven. On the sixth day there would be twice as much as usual, but none on the seventh day. Moses explained that "Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the '''sabbath''', in it there shall be none." (Exodus 16:26)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2016:26;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>

 

During the Exodus God promised to send [[manna]], a miraculous substance to nourish and sustain them, but He would provide it only for six days out of every seven. On the sixth day there would be twice as much as usual, but none on the seventh day. Moses explained that "Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the '''sabbath''', in it there shall be none." (Exodus 16:26)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2016:26;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>

God considered that the Sabbath observance was ''already'' His law: some of the Israelites disobeyed Moses and went out looking for manna on the seventh day "but they found none" (Exodus 16:27)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2016:27;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref> God's Word regarding this disobedience, and that seventh-day Sabbath observance was ''already'' a commandment was unequivocal:

God considered that the Sabbath observance was ''already'' His law: some of the Israelites disobeyed Moses and went out looking for manna on the seventh day "but they found none" (Exodus 16:27)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2016:27;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref> God's Word regarding this disobedience, and that seventh-day Sabbath observance was ''already'' a commandment was unequivocal:

{{Bible quote|And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.|book=Exodus|chap=16|verses=28-29|version=KJV}}

{{Bible quote|And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.|book=Exodus|chap=16|verses=28-29|version=KJV}}

Through the prophet [[Ezekiel]], God said:<blockquote>''Moreover also 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. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.''(Ezekiel 20:12, 13, 16)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2020:12,%2013,%2016;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref></blockquote>

Through the prophet [[Ezekiel]], God said:<blockquote>''Moreover also 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. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.''(Ezekiel 20:12, 13, 16)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2020:12,%2013,%2016;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref></blockquote>

[[Matthew]], in his [[Olivet Prophecy]], reaffirms that [[Christian]]s at the [[Second Coming]] should still observe God's commanded seventh-day Sabbath<ref>''"But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day"'' Matthew 24:14-20 [[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024:14-20;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref> and Isaiah prophesied that it will be observed afterwards.<ref>''"And 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."'' Isaiah 66:23 [[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2066:23;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>

[[Matthew]], in his [[Olivet Prophecy]], reaffirms that Christians at the [[Second Coming]] should still observe God's commanded seventh-day Sabbath<ref>''"But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day"'' Matthew 24:14-20 [[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024:14-20;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>.

==The purpose of the Sabbath==

==The purpose of the Sabbath==

On the Sabbath all members of a household were to rest from labor, including servants, guests and even animals. All were to "cease" from their normal, routine work, and should spend much of the Sabbath with other family members as a family or household. God's Law was not directed merely to the Israelites: it applied even to the "stranger that is within thy gates", "it is the Sabbath of the Lord in '''all''' your dwellings." [[Jesus Christ]] Himself pointed out that "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." ([[Mark]] 2:27)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:27;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref> It was sanctified when mankind was made, with God creating [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] on the sixth day of Creation week and creating the Sabbath on the following day (Genesis 1:26-31; 2:1-3).

On the Sabbath all members of a household were to rest from labor, including servants, guests and even animals. All were to "cease" from their normal, routine work, and should spend much of the Sabbath with other family members as a family or household. God's Law was not directed merely to the Israelites: it applied even to the "stranger that is within thy gates", "it is the Sabbath of the Lord in '''all''' your dwellings." Christ Himself pointed out that "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." ([[Mark]] 2:27)<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:27;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>  

 

Immediately after repeating the Ten Commandments in [[Deuteronomy]] 5, God commanded the Israelites: "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up ([[Deuteronomy]] 6:6-7).<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206:6-7;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>

The Sabbath is a day for teaching and learning of God's wondrous acts and laws, and God's great miracles are to be remembered on this day. "Thus the spirit of the Sabbath was joy, refreshment and mercy, arising from remembrance of God's goodness as Creator and as the Deliverer from bondage. The Sabbath was a perpetual sign and covenant, and the holiness of the day is collected with the holiness of the people; "that ye may know that I am Jehovah that doth sanctify you." (Exodus 31:12-17;<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206:6-7;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref> [[Ezekiel]] 20:12<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2020:12;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>) Joy was the key-note Of their service. Nehemiah commanded the people, on a day holy to Jehovah ''Mourn not, nor weep: eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared.'' ([[Nehemiah]] 8:9-13<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%208:9-13;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>)"<ref>''Sabbath'' [http://www.bible-history.com/smiths/S/Sabbath/ Smith's Bible Dictionary]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref> This also shows that the Sabbath is a day to focus on [[charity]] to the less fortunate.  

The Sabbath is a day for teaching and learning of God's wondrous acts and laws, and God's great miracles are to be remembered on this day. "Thus the spirit of the Sabbath was joy, refreshment and mercy, arising from remembrance of God's goodness as Creator and as the Deliverer from bondage. The Sabbath was a perpetual sign and covenant, and the holiness of the day is collected with the holiness of the people; "that ye may know that I am Jehovah that doth sanctify you." (Exodus 31:12-17;<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206:6-7;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref> [[Ezekiel]] 20:12<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2020:12;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>) Joy was the key-note Of their service. Nehemiah commanded the people, on a day holy to Jehovah ''Mourn not, nor weep: eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared.'' ([[Nehemiah]] 8:9-13<ref>[[King James Version]] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%208:9-13;&version=9; BibleGateway]</ref>)"<ref>''Sabbath'' [http://www.bible-history.com/smiths/S/Sabbath/ Smith's Bible Dictionary]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref> This also shows that the Sabbath is a day to focus on [[charity]] to the less fortunate.  

==Seventh day==

==Seventh day==

Many churches observe Sunday as their day of rest and worship, and most Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday. However, according to Jewish tradtion Saturday is the seventh day of the week, and Sunday is the first day of the week. Despite many modifications of calendars through the centuries, the seven-day weekly cycle has remained intact throughout history. The days of the week have always remained in their proper order, with Sunday as the first day of the week and Saturday as the seventh.<ref>''Which Day Is the Sabbath?'' [http://www.ucg.org.uk/UCG_BI_Literature/booklets/SS/daysabbath.htm UCG]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>  

Many churches observe Sunday as their day of rest and worship, and most Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday. However, according to Jewish tradition Saturday is the seventh day of the week, and Sunday is the first day of the week. Despite many modifications of calendars through the centuries, the seven-day weekly cycle has remained intact throughout history. The days of the week have always remained in their proper order, with Sunday as the first day of the week and Saturday as the seventh.<ref>''Which Day Is the Sabbath?'' [http://www.ucg.org.uk/UCG_BI_Literature/booklets/SS/daysabbath.htm UCG]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>  

 

When the [[Julian calendar]] was replaced by the [[Gregorian calendar]] in 1582 AD, ten days were deleted in order to bring the calendar in synchronism with the seasons. But the sequence of the days remained the same. Thus, 1582-OCT-4 (a Thursday) was followed by 1582-OCT-15 (a Friday), and the Sabbath of 1582-OCT-16 happened exactly 7 days after the previous Sabbath of OCT-9.<ref>''Has the Calendar been Changed?'' "Christian holy days: The weekly Sabbath: is it to be Saturday or Sunday?" [http://www.religioustolerance.org/sabbath.htm#move Religuious Tolerance.org]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>

When the [[Julian calendar]] was replaced by the [[Gregorian calendar]] in 1582 AD, ten days were deleted in order to bring the calendar in synchronism with the seasons. But the sequence of the days remained the same. Thus, 1582-OCT-4 (a Thursday) was followed by 1582-OCT-15 (a Friday), and the Sabbath of 1582-OCT-16 happened exactly 7 days after the previous Sabbath of OCT-9.<ref>''Has the Calendar been Changed?'' "Christian holy days: The weekly Sabbath: is it to be Saturday or Sunday?" [http://www.religioustolerance.org/sabbath.htm#move Religuious Tolerance.org]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>

Even in the 21st century Judaism still observes the seventh-day as the Sabbath - from sunset (the end of the day) Friday until sunset on the end of Saturday.  

Even in the 21st century Judaism still observes the seventh-day as the Sabbath - from sunset (the end of the day) Friday until sunset on the end of Saturday.