Lesson 24 Part 2
Bible Correspondence Course Lesson 24 Part 2 The Truth About God’s Holy Sabbath Foreshadow of the Millennium
God has ordained a period of 7,000 years in which to accomplish His spiritual creation of mankind. The time pattern for God’s little-known plan is revealed in the first two chapters of Genesis. It is the seven-day week.
Besides being a memorial of creation and an identifier of the Creator and His Spirit-begotten children, the Bible shows that the weekly Sabbath is a type or foreshadow of the coming millennial "Sabbath"—the seventh millennial "day" in God’s 7,000-year "week" for the working out of His plan for mankind. Let’s understand.
1. Is a thousand years as a "day" to God, and vice versa? 2 Peter 3:8.Is the time Christ and the resurrected saints will rule over the earth specifically called a thousand years? Revelation 20:4-6.
COMMENT: In God’s plan for man, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years of human civilization is as one day in His planned "week" of seven 1,000-year "days"!
God intended the weekly Sabbath day to foreshadow or picture the coming 1,000-year period known as the Millennium. ("Millennium" literally means "thousand years.") The Millennium will be a time of rest and peace for the entire world—a 1,000-year "Sabbath" of rest from Satan’s influence and the resultant discontent, strife and warfare.
It is during this thousand-year Sabbath that the knowledge of God’s great purpose for mankind will spread throughout the world (Isaiah 11:9). All mankind then living will be taught God’s ways and given the opportunity to be begotten by God’s Spirit, and the vast majority will eventually be born into the Family of God. The first six days of creation week clearly correspond to the 6,000-year period of human civilization that we are now nearing the end of. Since Adam chose to follow Satan’s way of "get" instead of God’s way of "give," God has allotted mankind 6,O00 years in which to learn that disobedience to Him results in nothing but suffering and death!
God has permitted Satan to exercise dominion over mankind for 6,000 years. "Six thousand years," God said in effect to Satan, "you may labor and do all your work"—in this case Satan’s work of deception and influencing man to sin—"but the seventh thousand-year period is My Sabbath; in it you will not do any work" (compare with Exodus 20:9-10).
Thank God we are near the end of the six working "days" allotted to Satan. God’s thousand-year "Sabbath" is about to begin!
Sabbath Pictures the Kingdom of God In Hebrews 3:1-19 and Hebrews 4:1-16, Christians are exhorted to continue keeping the seventh-day Sabbath in light of an interesting and important analogy. A comparison is drawn between ancient Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land and the Christian’s entrance into the Kingdom of God. We need to understand and be sure we’re heeding God’s warning!
1. What does God warn all His Spirit-begotten children about entering His "rest"? Hebrews 3:7-13,Hebrews 3:16-19;Hebrews 4:1-2.Was rebellion, especially Sabbath breaking. the reason God did not allow an entire generation of Israelites to enter His "rest"? Ezekiel 20:12-13,Ezekiel 20:15-16.
COMMENT: The word "rest" in the above mentioned verses in Hebrews is translated from the Greek word katapausin, which is defined as "rest" or "place of rest." As used in Hebrews 3:11 and Hebrews 3:18, it denotes the ancient Israelites’ rest from their wanderings in the wilderness by entering the Promised Land. The "rest" Israel finally entered (Joshua 1:13)is symbolic of the Christian’s spiritual "rest" (Hebrews 4:1)-- of entering (being born) into the divine Kingdom or Family of God and living forever! The Israelites were headed toward the Promised Land, even as God’s Spirit-begotten children today (spiritual Israelites) are aiming at the goal of entering God’s Kingdom. But because Israel had become rebellious and polluted God’s Sabbaths during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, God did not allow the generation of adults that came out of Egypt to enter the Promised Land.
2. Was it primarily because of their unbelief that the Israelites disobeyed, and therefore were prevented from entering God’s "rest" for them—the land of Canaan? Hebrews 3:19;???Hebrews 4:1-2.
COMMENT: Because the Israelites did not believe God, they "hardened their hearts." They profaned God’s Sabbaths even though He had made Sabbath keeping the very test of their obedience (Exodus 16:4). Therefore God said of that generation, "They shall not enter into my rest" (Hebrews 3:11). And none of that generation, except faithful Joshua and Caleb, entered the Promised Land. But the next generation born during the 40 years in the wilderness, and those under 20 years of age at the Exodus, did enter with those two men. God had originally promised this land to Abraham and his descendants and, whether or not the Israelites obeyed, God was bound to keep His promise.
3. If New Testament Christians believe and obey God, may they enter their "rest"—eternal life in God’s Kingdom? Hebrews 4:3,first nine words. What does Hebrews 4:4 refer to? Genesis 2:1-3.
COMMENT: Hebrews 4:4 plainly speaks of God’s rest after finishing His work of creation. This verse refers directly to the first weekly Sabbath day as a type of the "rest" Hebrews 3:1-19 and Hebrews 4:1-16 in Hebrews are speaking of. And so the Sabbath day was symbolic of God’s "rest" for ancient Israel—the Promised Land they entered. And both are symbolic of true Christians entering the Kingdom of God at Christ’s return!
4. Will God’s Spirit-begotten children be keeping His Sabbath day as a weekly foreshadow of their future "rest" in His Kingdom? Hebrews 4:9-10.
COMMENT: The meaning of Hebrews 4:9 has been obscured by the word "rest" in the King James Version. Everywhere else in Hebrews 3:1-19 and Hebrews 4:1-16 the word "rest" is translated from the Greek word katapausin. However, in Hebrews 4:9, "rest" is translated from sabbatismos, which literally means "keeping of a Sabbath"!
Most English translations have correctly translated Hebrews 4:9.Even the margin of the King James Version renders it: "There remaineth therefore a keeping of a Sabbath to the people of God." The Moffatt translation renders this verse: "There is a Sabbath-Rest, then, reserved still for the People of God." The Lamsa translation really makes it clear: "It is therefore the duty of the people of (God to keep the Sabbath." So there still remains a sabbatismos—the KEEPING of the Sabbath day— for God’s people today. And Spirit-begotten Christians (spiritual Israelites) will enter the future "rest" (katapausin) of God’s Kingdom even as they now keep the weekly Sabbath, which points to it! But why would the Kingdom of God be pictured as a "rest"? Because being a divine member in God’s Family will be a rest from sin. When born of God’s Spirit, we will be free of our present struggles against sin. We will then possess the fullness of the mind and character of God and thus be able to remain sinless forever! (1 John 3:9.) And when born into God’s Kingdom—when we become eternal members of God’s divine Family—we will each possess the same kind of gloriously radiant and powerful spirit body that Christ and the Father now have. We will no longer be limited by our present weak, mortal bodies that tire so easily. We’ll then possess the capacity for tireless, never-ending accomplishment (Isaiah 40:28,Isaiah 40:31). This is what we can look forward to when we enter God’s "rest"—when born into the eternal Family of God!
Results of Polluting God’s Sabbath The Sabbath is so important to God that He included Sabbath keeping as one of His Ten Commandments—as part of the first four, which explain what our relationship to God should be.
Let’s understand just how important Sabbath keeping really is in God’s sight.
1. After delivering His people Israel from slavery in Egypt, did God promise them tremendous blessings if they would keep His commandments? Read Leviticus 26:3-12.Which commandments did God specifically mention? Leviticus 26:1-2. How else would God bless Israel for obedience to Him? Read Deuteronomy 28:1-13.
2. But what terrible curses would result if the Israelites would not keep God’s commandments? Read Leviticus 26:14-39.Was national defeat and captivity one of the curses? Leviticus 26:31-33, Leviticus 26:38-39. What else would God do to the Israelites if they would not obey Him? Read Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
COMMENT: God warned that tragic curses would befall the people if they would not keep His commandments, especially the Fourth, which was the great sign identifying Him as their God and them as His chosen people!
3. Did the house of Israel obey God? 2 Kings 17:16-17.What did God eventually do to the people because of their disobedience? 2 Kings 17:18. Were they removed to a foreign land? 2 Kings 17:23.
COMMENT: In the days of their last king, Hoshea, the northern ten tribes were invaded by Assyria, conquered, removed from their land and made slaves! The reason for that punishment was the same reason God punished Israel in the wilderness—for rebelling against Him, and specifically for polluting His Sabbaths! (Review Ezekiel 20:12-24.) They also committed idolatry, which would not have happened had they kept the Sabbath.
4. But the house of Judah also polluted God’s Sabbaths and therefore came under His curse. Over 100 years after the house of Israel went into captivity, what did God do to Judah for not keeping His holy Sabbaths? 2 Chronicles 36:5-7,2 Chronicles 36:16-19, 2 Chronicles 36:21. What happened to those who were not killed? 2 Chronicles 36:20.
COMMENT: The sacking and destruction of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, which began in 604 B.C., and the captivity of those who survived, was the fulfillment of God’s warning to Judah (Jeremiah 17:21-25,Jeremiah 17:27). God was patient with the houses of Israel and Judah, but after their persistent disobedience, He finally allowed them to be militarily defeated and taken into captivity!
5. Was Nehemiah well aware that the main reason Judah had been punished was for breaking God’s Sabbath, which the Jews were beginning to profane again in his day? Nehemiah 13:15,Nehemiah 13:17-18.
COMMENT: The punishments that befell ancient Israel and Judah were types of the same punishments prophesied to befall their modern descendants, who will be punished for the same sins—Sabbath breaking and idolatry. The curses God brought upon His chosen people are dual in fulfillment! The Sabbath-rejecting modern-day nations descended from ancient Israel, and this entire Sabbath-rejecting world, will also be punished for their disobedience!
Great Blessings for Obedience When God made the Sabbath by resting on the seventh day of creation week, He intended His holy Sabbath to be a blessing to all mankind. Not only would people be refreshed physically by keeping God’s commanded rest day, they would also be blessed materially and spiritually.
1. Does God promise to bless the individual who keeps His Sabbath? Isaiah 56:1-2.What did Jesus say a true Christian will inherit? Matthew 5:5.What does He, as Lord of the Sabbath, promise those who keep His Sabbath properly? Isaiah 58:13-14.
COMMENT: The "heritage of Jacob" is the inheritance God originally promised to Jacob’s grandfather, righteous Abraham. God promises us— if we have become Abraham’s obedient spiritual "seed" through Christ (Galatians 3:16,Galatians 3:29) -- eternal inheritance of the earth (Romans 4:13), as well as great spiritual blessings! Let’s notice further.
2. Recall the tremendous physical blessings God promised the ancient Israelites if they would keep His Sabbath and other commandments. Are the blessings of Leviticus 26:11-12 also promised to Spirit-begotten Christians? 2 Corinthians 6:16-18.Upon what conditions? 2 Corinthians 6:17.
COMMENT: These blessings are clearly conditional, both for the ancient Israelites and for spiritual Israelites—God’s Church today. God’s blessings come as a result of obedience to Him, not rebellion or apathy.
2 Corinthians 6:18 shows us one of the greatest of God’s blessings: becoming Spirit-born members in the divine Family of God! Those who obediently keep God’s Sabbath spiritually draw closer to their Creator. They are reminded of and grow in the understanding of God’s great purpose for them. They are cooperating with God in perfecting the spiritual character He is creating within them in preparation for their eventual birth into His Family.
3. In the very next verse, what is the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to all Christians, which they must follow before they can receive God’s spiritual blessings? 2 Corinthians 7:1.
COMMENT: It is not possible to perfect holiness by profaning God’s holy Sabbath day!
4. What name does God promise to give those who obey Him, faithfully observing His Sabbath every week? Isaiah 56:4-6.Will God make them His joyful Sons with positions of rulership in His own house, His Temple—the headquarters of His world government? Isaiah 56:5 and the first part of Isaiah 56:7; also Revelation 3:12.
COMMENT: God specifically promises that if we do not pollute His Sabbath, but keep it as He commands, we will inherit an everlasting name— the family name GOD! Our incredible potential, as we learned in God’s Word through previous lessons, is to become sinless, powerful, Spirit-born members in God’s divine Family! Our spiritual birth into God’s Family will make us GOD BEINGS just like the Father "and Jesus Christ!
Tremendous spiritual blessings await those who have the sign of obedience to God that distinguishes them—sets them apart—as ones destined to inherit God’s incomprehensible riches—glorious eternal life filled with never-ending joy and accomplishment in the universe-ruling Kingdom of God! The Faith to Obey
Keeping the Sabbath sometimes requires considerable faith. It is not always easy to obey God in a world that lives diametrically opposite to God’s way. But as we have just seen, the blessings are very great for those who have the courage to step out in faith and obey God, regardless of any pressures or seemingly insurmountable obstacles that appear to be preventing them from keeping the seventh-day Sabbath.
Let’s review a few facts about the help God promises to give us if we sincerely desire to obey Him in all things.
1. Does God plainly show that we must have faith before He will give us eternal "rest"—membership in His Kingdom? Hebrews 4:1-3,Hebrews 4:6. (Notice the words "faith" in Hebrews 4:2, "believed" in Hebrews 4:3 and "unbelief" in Hebrews 4:6.)
COMMENT: "Unbelief" is a lack of faith, resulting in disobedience to God. We are exercising faith when we obey God by resting on His Sabbath day. Notice further.
2. Must obedience accompany one’s faith to make it acceptable to God? Romans 3:31.Also read James 2:14-26.How does one demonstrate his faith? James 2:18.What does one’s faith become if not accompanied by works? James 2:17, James 2:20, James 2:26.
3. What further encouragement are Christians given about entering God’s eternal "rest"? Hebrews 4:10-11.Where may they go for the help—the faith— needed to obey God? Hebrews 4:14-16.
COMMENT: This whole chapter is about keeping God’s Sabbath. And it closes by telling us to go to Christ for the help we need in overcoming all obstacles in our path that may be hindering us from obeying God.
4. Is the faith through which we are to please God and receive salvation a gift from God? Ephesians 2:8.Is this faith an attribute of the Holy Spirit that all true Christians must possess? Galatians 5:22.Whose faith, in reality, is it? Revelation 14:12.
COMMENT: In Revelation 14:12 is a description of the true Church of God. Those in God’s Church have the "faith of Jesus." It is not just their faith in HIM, but His faith placed in them and acting in them!
God’s Spirit can impart to your mind real saving faith. That faith—the very faith of Jesus Christ by which He Himself obeyed God—will enable you to obey God! (Be sure to review in Lesson 12 the section "You Can Overcome!" It explains in much greater detail the faith necessary to obey God, and how we can receive it.) Rejoice in God’s Sabbath Day!
1. Is the keeping of God’s Sabbath commandment a grievous burden to Christians? 1 John 5:3.
COMMENT: God’s Ten Commandments, including the Fourth, are a blessing to keep, not a burden! Through a complete misunderstanding of the Scriptures, some people have tried to make the Sabbath command appear as a "yoke of bondage." They talk as if the Sabbath is a great curse to mankind! Let’s completely dispel this myth.
2. Was man made for the Sabbath, or was the Sabbath made for man? Mark 2:27.
COMMENT: The Sabbath, as we have learned, is holy time. Yet, it was made for man—to be a great BLESSING to all mankind. The Sabbath is one of the greatest blessings the Creator has bestowed upon the human family! The true observance of the Sabbath would keep man in contact with God. Without that contact, he cannot know the tremendous purpose for his existence or understand the laws that govern success in life. He is cut off from the understanding of what he is, where he is going and how to get there.
However, as a result of God having caused the house of Judah to be taken into Babylonian captivity for polluting His Sabbaths, many of the Jews who were allowed to return to Jerusalem 70 years later became very strict in observing it. Therefore the Pharisees of Jesus’ day had a list of about 65 activities defined as "work" that they prohibited. These uninspired prohibitions made Sabbath observance a "yoke of bondage."
These additions went far beyond the spirit and intent of the Fourth Commandment. Jesus Christ rebuked the self-righteous Pharisees for their traditions and swept those human regulations aside!
3. Did Jesus show it is permissible to obtain food on the Sabbath if one is hungry? Matthew 12:1-8;Mark 2:27.How did He show it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath? Mark 3:1-5.
4. Did the Lord of the Sabbath acknowledge that it was proper to rescue an animal that had fallen into a ditch on the Sabbath, and thus by implication handle other genuine emergencies that cannot wait until after the Sabbath to be resolved? Luke 14:5;Matthew 12:9-13.Could one water an animal, and by implication feed it, on God’s day of rest? Luke 13:10-17,especially Luke 13:15.
COMMENT: God wants us to use honest, sound judgment in applying the spirit and intent of what we can or should not do on His Sabbath day. Christ taught balance and wisdom and having the right attitude in observing the Sabbath. The Jews, steeped in physical rituals, could not understand the spiritual application of the Sabbath commandment. They would rescue an animal from a ditch on the Sabbath, but condemned Christ for healing an unfortunate human being on that day! By adding their own traditions and interpretations, they had made the Sabbath a burden to keep.
5. Should we pursue our own interests and pleasures on the Sabbath? Isaiah 58:13.
COMMENT: The Sabbath belongs to God. He made this 24-hour period holy time! Employment, shopping, mowing the lawn and home maintenance are to be done on the previous six days of the week. Neither is the Sabbath the appropriate time for indulging in hobbies, sports and other special interests. Such activities take our minds away from God and the entire purpose for His Sabbath.
6. In His instruction to ancient Israel, what principle does God reveal for Christians today in regard to preparing for the Sabbath? Exodus 16:22-23.
COMMENT: The Sabbath is intended to free us from as many physical labors and job-related mental activities as possible. God told the Israelites to prepare ahead by doing any heavy cooking or baking the day before the Sabbath. Christians today should plan to have their work completed before sunset on the evening of the sixth day (Friday). The house should be cleaned, the dishes washed, and any heavy cooking or baking done before sunset so that the entire family can begin the Sabbath in an atmosphere of rest and worship—that it may be a day truly kept HOLY to God!
7. Are we to delight in God’s holy Sabbath day? Isaiah 58:13.How do we do this? Same verse.
COMMENT: The Sabbath will be a day of gladness and joy—a delight to those who honor and worship God. Resting from our work and mundane pleasures on God’s day gives us an opportunity to spend much more time in prayer to God, and in studying, discussing and meditating upon His Word— filling our minds with the thoughts and character of our heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Sabbath is also a time for real family togetherness that may not otherwise be possible—a special time and opportunity to teach our children about God and His ways. It is also time when we can, with some leisure, observe and appreciate the beauties and marvels of God’s creation—whether flowers, bees or any other part of His creation conveniently accessible.
Keeping the Sabbath as God instructs will give us the spiritual lift and inspiration we need to help us work the next six days with joy and purpose. It will help us realize that our everyday experience of putting God’s Word into practice in our lives is helping to build His character in us!
Thus the Sabbath will become a great delight to us as we learn the way of God on His weekly Holy Day. We will be "schooling" ourselves—preparing ourselves for the great work we are to perform in the Millennium and beyond after being born into the ruling Family of God.
If you are one of God’s Spirit-begotten children and keep His Sabbath as He commands, then you will have God’s sign in the true and saving sense. You will be preparing to enter the Kingdom of God as a priest (teacher) and ruler (Revelation 5:10)capable of tremendous service in tomorrow’s world!
Fellowship on the Sabbath The Sabbath is a day of physical rest and spiritual refreshing. It is also a day for holy convocation and fellowship with other Christians, with God the Father and with Jesus Christ. It is very important that we understand the truth about Christian fellowship.
1. Did God command the Israelites to meet together for worship on the weekly Sabbath? Leviticus 23:3.Did Jesus obey this, His own command? Luke 4:16.
COMMENT: Jesus Christ, who set the example of how we should live, taught by His own life and practice that a holy convocation—a commanded assembly—of God’s people is to be held on every Sabbath. It is a day for the united worship of God by His called and chosen people. It is a time for God’s ministers to preach and expound the principles of God’s living laws from His inspired Word (Ephesians 4:11-13).
2. What are New Testament Christians admonished regarding the assembling of themselves? Hebrews 10:24-25.Just how important is Christian fellowship within the body of believers that comprises the Church of God? 1 John 1:3,1 John 1:6-7.
COMMENT: Christ’s presence is in His Sabbath day, making it holy. When the Father’s own obedient children, each joined to Christ (John 15:1-5)-- each walking with Christ in harmony—assemble on His Holy Day, they actually have fellowship with Christ. He is there, in their midst, in spirit! And Christ joins them together through God’s Spirit in fellowship with Him and the Father!
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Those who assemble to worship the Father and Christ in any way contrary to the way or the time God’s Word commands are NOT worshipping them in spirit and in truth. God simply will not accept such worship because it is in vain! (Mark 7:7-9.)
Often, when people learn the truth about the Sabbath, they seek some religious group to assemble with. But it is not enough to meet with just any group because it may accept the Sabbath. This does not necessarily mean it is the Church of God. As we learned in our studies with Lesson 19, Jesus said He would build His Church (Matthew 16:18). He built only ONE Church! (Ephesians 4:4.)
There is only one body of true believers—Spirit-begotten Christians— empowered by God and carrying out God’s great commission to preach the true Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14). It is faithfully keeping all the commandments of God (Revelation 12:17)with the help of His Holy Spirit. It is, as Jesus said it would be, a "little flock," persecuted, despised by the world. We think you already know and understand which church God is in and working through today.
Today’s people of God attend weekly Sabbath services of the Worldwide Church of God in more than 50 nations around the world! Every Sabbath, they meet together to receive spiritual instruction from the Bible as taught by the ministry of God’s Church.
God’s people truly rejoice in His Sabbath and enjoy fellowshipping with each other on His weekly Holy Day. They are learning what a pleasure and great blessing it is to keep God’s Sabbath holy—the day that reminds us of the Creator God and His stupendous purpose for mankind!
Properly understood and properly observed, God’s holy Sabbath day is one of God’s greatest blessings given to mankind. It is an identifying SIGN between true Christians and their Creator. "Remember" it—"keep it holy."
If, after completing this study and reading our free booklet on the Christian Sabbath, you have further questions about the Sabbath or about how it should be kept today, please feel free to discuss your questions with one of God’s ministers. You may write or call our local office nearest you to learn how to contact a minister of the Worldwide Church of God in your area.
[Editor’s note: The WCG is now antithetical to the Sabbath and Sabbathkeepers. The present leader of the church, Joseph Tkach, Jr. was quoted as saying that "a person who keeps the Sabbath minimizes Christ’s sacrifice", which is a veiled damnation of Sabbathkeepers. It is strongly suggested that a person wishing to fellowship with other likeminded Sabbathkeepers to seek out the various Churches of God who still support the Sabbath. To confuse the issue, many WCG congregations continue to meet on the Sabbath, but no longer "observe" or "keep" the Sabbath as outlined in this Course.]
TEST This multiple choice test is designed to help you review the preceding lesson. It’s an enjoyable way of putting to use some of the vital knowledge and understanding you have gained through this lesson.
Select one of the four choices given under each question or incomplete statement. The other three are incorrect—unless stated or indicated otherwise.
Take sufficient time to understand each question or statement, as well as the choices. Try to do as many as you can without referring to the lesson. If you have difficulty deciding on the correct answer, then review the part of the lesson in question.
1. After renewing the face of the earth and creating all life upon it in six days, the Word (Christ) A. made the first Sabbath by resting on the seventh day. B. sanctified the seventh day of creation week, setting it and every future Sabbath apart for a holy use. C. set the seventh day apart for man’s physical and spiritual rejuvenation. D. All of the above.
2. For whom was the Sabbath made? A. For all mankind, regardless of race or nationality. B. Just for the ancient Israelites, particularly the Jews. C. For New Testament Christians only. D. For those who need time to catch up on work around the house.
3. Which statement is FALSE? A. The word "sabbath" means rest in the Hebrew language. B. The seventh-day Sabbath is the true "Lord’s day" because Christ made it. C. Sunday, the first day of the week, is the "Lord’s day." D. God’s holy Sabbath day is the time from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
4. Keeping God’s Sabbath holy A. reminds us of the Creator and Ruler of all things. B. allows us more time to think and study about God and His awesome purpose for mankind. C. enables us to worship God in private and in fellowship with others. D. All of the above.
5. Righteous men such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob A. knew nothing about God’s Sabbath. B. observed Sunday faithfully. C. kept God’s commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath. D. kept God’s Law, but not His Sabbath.
6. Shortly after delivering the Israelites from Egypt and before they arrived at Mt. Sinai, God A. changed the Sabbath to Sunday. B. made it absolutely clear to them which day is His Sabbath by miraculously providing manna every day except the Sabbath. C. did not test their obedience to His Sabbath commandment. D. told them that He did not care if they kept His Sabbath.
7. In the special Sabbath covenant God made with ancient Israel, He said that Sabbath keeping would A. be a sign identifying Him as the Creator God. B. be a sign only to the Jews showing that they were His people. C. be necessary only until Christ’s First Coming. D. not be required forever.
8. Keeping the Fourth Commandment is a crucial test of our obedience to God because A. most people want to be different from the world. B. most people want to obey all of God’s commandments. C. it identifies those who have truly surrendered to God—who strive to obey all of His commandments. D.it is the only commandment we must keep.
9. God’s people today are spiritual Israelites (Galatians 3:28-29), and therefore A. keep God’s Law in the spirit, not in the letter. B. are not required to keep the Sabbath as did Abraham and Jesus Christ. C. do not need to keep any of God’s laws. D. keep the Sabbath as a sign they are His people.
10. Which statement is FALSE? A. If the Israelites had obeyed God, they would have become a nation of kings and priests. B. Keeping God’s Sabbath has no connection with a Christian’s responsibilities in God’s Kingdom. C. Keeping the Sabbath is part of God’s teacher-training program. D. Obedient Christians will become a spiritual nation of rulers and teachers when born into God’s Family.
11. Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath A. in obedience to His own command, setting an example for us to follow. B. because that was the day His friends and neighbors kept. C. because it was Jewish. D. only to follow family tradition.
12. The many references to the Sabbath in the New Testament show that the A. apostles were observing Sunday. B. Gentile Christians never did keep the Sabbath. C. apostles did not teach Sabbath keeping. D. true Church kept the seventh-day Sabbath decades after Christ’s crucifixion.
13. The Apostle Paul taught the Gentiles A. not to follow his example of Sabbath keeping. B. that the Sabbath was for Jewish Christians only. C. to imitate His example of obedience to God. D. to keep Sunday.
14. Which statement is FALSE? A. God made sure that the knowledge of when to keep His holy Sabbath has been preserved. B. God used the Jews to preserve the Old Testament Scriptures and His calendar. C. The Jews have faithfully retained the knowledge of the correct day for God’s Sabbath. D. Time was "lost" between A.D. 70 and now, breaking the weekly cycle.
15. The seventh-day Sabbath A. does not picture the coming millennial "Sabbath." B. pictures the coming 1,000-year period known as the Millennium. C. pictures the rest and peace of Christians in heaven. D. will be observed only during the Millennium.
16. God did not allow an entire generation of Israelites to enter His "rest"—the Promised Land—because they A. obeyed but did not believe Him. B. believed but did not obey Him. C. rebelled and broke the Sabbath. D. obeyed all His commandments except the Fourth.
17. What must Spirit-begotten children of God do today to be born into His Family? A. Accept Jesus as their Savior and observe Sunday faithfully. B. Keep all His commandments, including the Sabbath, with the help of His Spirit. C. Only keep the seventh-day Sabbath faithfully. D. Just fellowship with true believers on the Sabbath.
18. Which statement does Not show why the Kingdom of God is pictured as a "rest"? A. Being a divine member in God’s Family will be a rest from sin. B. When born of God’s Spirit, we will be free of our struggles against sin. C. As members of God’s Family, we will have nothing to do for eternity. D.Members of God’s Family possess the capacity for tireless, never-ending accomplishment.
19. What blessings has God promised to those who keep all His commandments? A. The "heritage of Jacob"—eternal inheritance of the earth. B. Becoming Spirit-born members in God’s divine Family. C. An everlasting name—the family name "God." D. All of the above.
20. Which statement is FALSE? A. It is usually convenient and easy to keep God’s Sabbath in today’s world. B. Keeping God’s Sabbath sometimes requires considerable faith. C. The blessings are great for those who have the courage to obey God in faith. D. We must ask Christ for the faith we lack.
21. The faith we need to keep God’s commandments, including the Fourth, A. comes from within ourselves. B. is the very faith of Jesus Christ. C. is not a gift from God. D. is not an attribute of the Holy Spirit.
22. Keeping God’s Sabbath as He commands A. is a great blessing to those who obey Him. B. is a "yoke of bondage" to be endured. C. requires avoiding the activities defined as "work" by the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. D. is impossible today.
23. How can we keep the Sabbath holy? A. By pursuing our own interests and pleasures on this day. B. By not preparing for it in advance. C. By using honest, sound judgment in applying the spirit and intent of the Fourth Commandment. D. Simply by thinking spiritual thoughts while continuing our regular activities.
24. Why is it so important for Christians to assemble on the Sabbath? A. To hear God’s ministers expound the principles of Christian living from the Bible. B. To worship God in spirit and truth. C. To have united fellowship with Christ and the Father through God’s Spirit. D. All of the above.
25. Based on what we’ve learned from the Bible, how can we identify the one and only Church Jesus built? A. It is faithfully observing Sunday. B. Merely by the fact it emphasizes observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. C. By the fact it is faithfully keeping all of God’s commandments, including the Fourth, and is proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world. D. It cannot be clearly identified today.