(,:{':' Q1qr g?
qrpqrrb'z Q1qttprl
fttt~!t!itii; P.O. Box 416, Gravette, AR 72736
501-787-6026
i'r:':~ Dr. Arnold Murray, DRE
[(/:::f
;'.{.;..:;'
::y::}, We receive hundreds of letters
and telephone calls a year from Shepherd's
saturday?~~e
Chapel listeners asking, "Is sabbath,
I
tt ~
b b n tq
or IS Sunday the true sabbath. We a r e , " God did not create us to receive His anger.
going to take a look at what God's Word
states about our sabbath. our Lord Jesus Christ, if you love Him and believe Him.
God's Word states nothing about the days of the
week as we know them today. In fact, the days of the
week as we know them were not named as such until
approximately 200 AD Obviously, the<;e names were
given by man, not by our Father. The word "sabbath"
is from the Hebrew prime "shabath" and means to rest,
or to repose. In the Greek, this word is from "sabbaton"
and likewise means to rest. I encourage you to seek the
meaning of sabbath from God's Word. Specifically, we
are going to be addressing the meaning of sabbath in
relation to the elect. God's elect will be priests and reign
with Christ during the millennium. A priest works on
the sabbath "any way you want to slice it". Let's tum
to His Word.
I THESSALONIANS 5:1-2 But of the times and the
seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto
you, 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the
Lord so cometh as a thief in the night,
Paul is saying he doesn't need to write to you about
dates, because the elect know the events that lead to
the second advent.
I THESSALONIANS 5:3 For when they shall say, "Peace
and safety;" then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape,
As the labor pains of a woman with child become
closer and closer, so shall the fulfillment of prophecy
marking the end of this age and the birth of a new age.
I THESSALONIANS 5:4-5 But ye, brethren, are not in
darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Q Ye are all the children of light, and the children of
the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Do not ever forget this. Spiritually, you are children
of light. What is your light? Jesus Christ is the light
that will keep you in the day and prevent the thief of
the night from stealing your salvation.
I THESSALONIANS 5: 6-7 Therefore let us not sleep,
as do others; but let us watch and be sober, Z For they
that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken
are drunken in the night,
Many today are asleep and in darkness concerning
the Bible. Many are drunken with a stupor.
I THESSALONIANS 5:8-9 But let us, who are of the
day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and
love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. ~ For
Newsletter #204 - October 1995
I
God. hath not appointed us to wrath, but to
obtam salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Put on the gospel armour of Ephesians 6.
He created you to receive salvation through
I THESSALONIANS 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether
we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him,
Children of the light are never in darkness, even
when we sleep. He is always there for you. He is your
rest. Let's document that Jesus Christ is your rest, or your
sabbath, by turning to Hebrews.
HEBREWS 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise
being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should
seem to come short of it,
Some will fail to enter into His rest because they
don't care enough about God's Word to know what prom­
ises have been made and to claim them.
HEBREWS 4:2-3 For unto us was the gospel preached,
as well as unto them: but the word preached did not
profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard
it. 1 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as
He said, "As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter
into My rest:" although the works were finished from the
foundation of the world,
Peace of mind and true rest belong to those that hear
with understanding. The works of God's rest and salvation
were completed before Satan's overthrow in the first earth
age. God has a plan. He is in control.
HEBREWS 4:4 For He spake in a certain place of the
seventh day on this wise, "And God did rest the seventh
day from all His works."
Don't correlate the seventh day in this verse with any
of our current days of the week. It doesn't fit. Remember,
one day with the Lord is as a thousand years (II Peter
3:8).
HEBREWS 4:5-6 And in this place again, "If they shall
enter into My rest." Q Seeing therefore it remaineth that
some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first
preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Those that must enter therein are the elect. They do
not have a choice. It was foreordained before the foun­
dation of the world.
HEBREWS 4:7-8 Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying
in David, "To day," after so long a time; as it is said,
"To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."
§ For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not
afterward have spoken of another day.
"Jesus" in this verse properly transliterated should be
"Joshua". It was Joshua that would eventually lead God's
 children into the promise land. Joshua was a shadow, or COLOSSIANS 2.9-10 For in Him dwelleth all the fulness

a type, of the true rest that was to come, Jesus. Christ of the Godhead bodily. 12 And ye are complete in Him,

Which is the head of all principality and power:

would become the light that allows you to escape.

HEBREWS 4.9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to Are you complete? Or, are you trying to struggle

, through life on your own? God is the head of all

the people of God. e; For he that is entered unto his

rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God principality and power, including evil. Do the best you

did from His. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that are able and then enter His rest. He can get it done.

rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
The \vord "rest" in the three previous verses is from
the Greek "sabbaton", or sabbath. What must we do to
enter that rest'! Labour. How many of you have laboured
to bring the sun up to start a new day'? I think none.
COLOSSIANS 2:11 In Whom also ye are circumcised
with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off
the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision
of Christ:
Paul is not talking about a circumcision of the flesh.

God's Word is not talking about a day of the week in

Both men and women must be circumcised of the heart

reference to sabbath. We should labour to increase our

in Christ to be complete.

belief and faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is our passover (I

Cor. 5:7). Jesus is our sabbath. There is no day of the COLOSSIANS 2:12-13 Buried with Him in baptism,
week that is able to save your soul. Jesus is able and wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith
He \\ill, if you love Him 'and believe Him. of the operation of God Who hath raised Him from the
dead. );) And you, being dead in your sins and the
HEBREWS 4.12 For the word of God is quick, and un circumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened to-~
powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, pierc­ gether with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
ing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the Spiritually, you are made alive through your faith

thoughts and Intents of the heart. in the strength of God. Just as God raised Christ from

the dead, He is able to raise you from the dead. Sharpen

The word "quick" in this verse means "living". The up for me. This is why we came here.

Living Word \\ill help you divide your fleshly thoughts

and allow yOU to profit from that \Vord. Remember, we COLOSSIANS 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of or­
are studying sabbath as it relates to the elect. There is dinances that was against us, which was contrary to us,

nothing wrong with others setting aside a day of the and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;

week; however, the elect should enter the true sabbath,

Jesus Christ, everv day of the week. There is further Jesus spilled His blood on the cross and wiped out

documentation that Jestls is our sabbath in Colossians. the blood ordinances of sacrifice.

COLOSSIANS 2.'15 And having spoiled principalities

COLOSSIANS .-L1-2 For I would that ye knew what

and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumph­
great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea,
ing over them in it.

and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

Z That their hearts might be comforted, being knit to­
gether IT: love, and unto all nches of the full assurance Christ triumphed over the principalities and powers

of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mys­ of Satan by overcoming death. You also may openly

tery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, triumph over Satan through salvation.

We have not seen Paul's face: however, God's words COLOSSIANS 2.16 Let no man therefore judge you in

through Paul \\ill help you understand the mystery of meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the

sahation. Gain knowledge from His Word, and salvation new moon, or of the sabbath days:

will not be a mystery to you. Why'? Because Christ nailed these things to the

COLOSSIANS 2.3-4 In Whom are hid all the treasures cross. He did not destroy these things. He became these

of Wisdom and know/edge 4 And this I say, lest any things. Again, I emphasize that I am speaking to the

man should begUile you with enticing words. elect's priest work on the sabbath. Don't judge or criti­

cize others that worship on a particular day of the week.

All \\isc\om and knowledge ,'omes from our Father. If they have a conviction, it is right for them to follow

Enticing words from man may deceive you. How can you that conviction. The elect, on the other hand, have the

guard against heing deceived'! Check out what men say, freedom to do God's work seven days a week. In fact,

including this man, against what God's Word says. He expects that of us.

COLOSSIANS 2.5-8 For though I be absent in the flesh, COLOSSIANS 2.17 Which are a shadow of things to

yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your come; but the body is of Christ.

order, and stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Q As ye

have therefore recelveC1 Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk The sabbath days were a shadow of things to come.

ye in Him, 7 Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished You have the true Light available to you. You may be

I in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein

with thanksgiVing. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you complete in Him. Enter into His rest. Jesus Christ is our

I through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition Sabbath.

i of men after the rudiments of the world. and not after

U;;SSe< 7i.l?J~/
V
!I Chnst
I The rudiments are the evil ways of the world. Never
follow men. Follow Jesus Christ. The traditions of men
i will deceive and disappoint you every time. He won't.
\
~I r- --- ()
\-_-­