The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah
Presents
Jahshuwah the Messijah is the Master of the Sabbath
Jahoshuwah the Messijah, the Ben (Son) of JAH, came to teach us how to live. He said during His temptations and trials from Satan, “It is written, That man shall not live by bread (food) alone, but by every word of Jah.” (Luke 4:4). Here we can see that the Messijah knew the importance of Jah's Word, it is even more important than food itself.
Now think about it, the importance of food. We well know that the neglect of food can lead to weakness, faintness and ultimately death. Well it is the same with the Holy Scriptures, the Word of Jah. The Almighty Jah of Jahzrael's (Israel's) words are very powerful and are our spiritual nourishment.
JAH created Light, the heavens, the earth, the lunah (moon), sun and stars by His word (Genesis 1:3-31). Lack of Jah's word will just as well lead to weakness, faintness in spirit, and eventually spiritual death. We must obey in every way, every day. We must nourish ourselves with His spiritual nutrients, which is the reading of Jah's Holy Scriptures.
The King of Zion stated that the 7th day is the SABBATH OF JAH THY ADONAY (Master) (Exodus 20:10). The 7th day Sabbath belongs to the Maker of the universe. It does not belong to man at all; it is one day out of the 7-day week that belongs explicitly to Him. That 24-hour period is exclusive to the Abbah (Father), of which no human or angel can change, alter or abolish. It is the Sabbath of JAH, and not of man.
Jahoshuwah was confronted on many occasions in regards to the observance, or lack thereof, of the Sabbath day. And on a couple of those instances He made a bold statement and said “For the son of man is Master even of the Sabbath day.” (Matthew 12:8: Luke 6:5). Jahshuwah is letting us know that He is also the Boss of the Sabbath, and it is He who will let us know what is acceptable to do on His Holy day.
In Mark 2:4-5, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Master also of the Sabbath.” These verses are the same verses that many in Christendom try to use to show why the Sabbath day should not be kept. But they distort these verses to their own destruction, as they do with much of the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
Their reasoning is that if Jahoshawah is Adonay (Master) of the Sabbath, then they don't have to keep it because they have faith in the Saviour and are complete in Him. This is a dangerous fundamental of doctrine that could well be decisive in one's eternal life or death.
First of all, as we earlier said, the 7th day is the Sabbath of the Adonay. This is the same Jah from creation (for He changes not), walking in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) nearly 2000 years ago, and He said He is “Master of the Sabbath”. The Sabbath is the Adonay's, and He is Master of the Sabbath. There is no difference, the day is His and He will tell us how to observe it; not self-righteous religious leaders. So, as we know, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. If Jahoshuwah is our Master and our example, then we should follow His footsteps and learn to observe the True Sabbath day.
The True Sabbath Day
The seventh day of the week, the day commonly known as Saturday, is the Sabbath day of Jah, the Jah of Jahzrael. It was ordained of Jah as a day of physical rest for all mankind, and the obligation to observe it arises from:
1.Jah's own example.
2.His act of blessing and sanctifying the seventh day.
3.And His explicit command to keep it holy.
The word “Sabbath” implies rest, peace, tranquility and refreshment. And who will doubt but that in this turbulent and confused world, every soul on earth is in need of spiritual rest and refreshment. Consequently, those who faithfully remember the Sabbath of the Most High and draw apart from the world each weekend to worship Him on His holy day, will receive the spiritual blessings promised in His Holy Word; blessings that will find full scope in the ages to come. Here are 12 Scriptural facts about this Holy Day, be sure to read the Scripture quotes to fully appreciate these Truths:
The seventh day Sabbath according to the Scriptures, was blessed, sanctified and set apart for Holy use by the Almighty JAH at the creation of the world, and on that memorable occasion it was first observed by JAH the Master Himself. (Genesis 2:2-3)
Furthermore, all mankind is required by Holy law to keep Holy the seventh day of the week. The Sabbath command is one of the Ten Commandments, a law that is not only scheduled to outlast this universe but which every soul on earth is obliged to observe. Therefore as long as heaven and earth shall last, the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath day. Disobedience of Jah's law, of which the Sabbath commandment is merely a part, is sin. These unequivocal facts cannot be rejected without serious consequences. Read Exodus 20:8-11, Matthew 5:17-19 and 1 John 3:4.
Sabbath desecration is strongly condemned by the true prophets of Jah and their inspired messages have been recorded in the Scriptures for the benefit of succeeding generations of readers, from every nation under heaven. Dare we ignore their warnings? (Ezekiel 20:19-24, Ezekiel 22:8,26,31, Jeremiah 17:27)
In recognition of the Sabbath commandment, Jahoshuwah the Messijah kept holy the seventh day of the week (Saturday) and the Scriptures testify to the fact that it was His custom to do so. (Luke 4:16)
Like his Adonay (Master), it was also the custom of the Apostle Paul and his companions to observe the seventh day Sabbath, the day commonly known as Saturday. The disciples were still observing the true Sabbath day some sixteen to twenty years after the resurrection of the Messijah. (Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4)
In addition to the above, new converts, both Jews and Gentiles alike, regularly attended the synagogue for worship on the Saturday Sabbath, and the fact that interested Gentiles in Antioch requested further instruction of Paul “on the next Sabbath”, is irrefutable evidence that no separate Sunday meetings were being held there by those early Messijahns (followers of the Messijah). In other words, the Gentiles were willing to wait a full week, till the next Saturday, for a meeting. Why? Because they knew that Paul and his companions did not normally meet for Holy worship on a Sunday, but would instead be available for discussion again on the next Sabbath. On the next Sabbath (Saturday), almost the whole city arrived for the meeting. (Acts 13:42-44)
In his prophecy concerning the destruction of Jahoshalem (Jerusalem), the Adonay advised His followers to pray that their flight from the city “be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” This passage is also strong proof that Jahoshuwah the Messijah had absolutely no intention whatsoever of doing away with the Sabbath commandment at the crucifixion. On the contrary it shows his high regard for the Sabbath day, in that he advised his followers - who were mostly Jews - to even go to the extent of praying to Jah about it, that He would make it possible for them to keep the Sabbath day some 40 years after the crucifixion! (Matthew 24:20)
The Seventh day Sabbath is also the holy Sign, which the Mighty One of Jahcob places in the minds of His people. It is Jah's Signature, which He inscribes on the believer's mind to commemorate Him and His work of creation, sanctification and salvation through Jahoshuwah . The Sabbath is, in fact, the eternal memorial token of the perpetual covenant between Jah and His Assembly. It will continue to be so even in the new heavens and the new earth. (Exodus 20:12&20, Isaiah 66:22-23)
The Sabbath rest is a token or sample of the Holy Rest of Jah, which the Most High is eagerly looking forward to. Many believers are going to be excluded from that holy rest because of their deliberate and persistent disobedience of the Sabbath commandment. (Psalm 95:10-11, Hebrews 4:9-11)
Students are therefore advised to “Remember the Seventh day to keep it holy.” If they do this, they will, according to the holy declaration, feast on the heritage of Jahcob and be made welcome in the Holy Mountain of Jah. (Isaiah 56:2-7, 58:13-14)
In some strange way the Most High values His Sabbath days more than any human mind can appreciate. They are to Him a unique, spiritual treasure of inestimable worth. Try to understand His pleadings in these amazing words:
Ezekiel 20:11-12 - And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. 12: Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am JAH that sanctify them.
Note how the Sabbath is given a special place of honour, far above the other statutes and judgments, important as they obviously are. Jah's Sabbath is an eternal token (sign) of sanctification; the Holy sign that sets the obedient believer apart from all the other peoples of the earth. It is His SIGN, His Signature on the true believer's mind. We trust that you dear reader are not missing out on this vital commandment.
In addition to the weekly Sabbath day, the Holy One of Jahzrael has 5 annual Sabbaths. Every one of them is a memorial of a great event in the Plan of Salvation. The explanatory book entitled “The Revelation of Jah's Calendar” will reveal the deep and prophetic meanings of the Festivals of JAH.
Keeping the Sabbath
To break the Sabbath is sin and sin is death. The Sabbath is Jah's holy day.
In Exodus 20:8-11 we are commanded to refrain from doing our own work on the seventh day of every week, which is Saturday. The Sabbath, however, is not to be a day of idleness. Jah set it aside for doing His work. Devoting the day to Jah's work, is translated by the Messijah as, `doing good on the Sabbath day.' (Matthew 12:12, Mark 3:4) It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.
Doing Jah's work (preaching His Word, visiting the sick, helping the aged, the wounded, the lonely, studying Jah's handiwork in nature etc.) is permitted on the Sabbath day. All these activities can be described as `doing good.' The Pharisees didn't understand this fine distinction between doing one's own work and doing Jah's work; but the Messijah did.
Jahoshuwah's healing work on the seventh day of the week is proof that doing good on the Sabbath is perfectly in order. That is why it is perfectly in order for doctors and nurses etc. to work on the Sabbath. They are doing good, they are saving lives, who might otherwise die. Seeking one's own economic advancement (normal secular work, business deals, debt collecting etc.) is not recommended on the Sabbath day.
These things (secular work), though perfectly acceptable on other days of the week, should not be done on the Sabbath day. In short, we should rest from our own work on Jah's Sabbath and concentrate on His work. Jahoshuwah the Adonay set us a perfect example in this matter of Sabbath keeping. He went out of his way to heal on the Sabbath day - of doing good - even though the Pharisees didn't agree.
Further definition of these broad principles is not an area on which we wish to pontificate. A lot of hot air has been spoken about `how to keep the Sabbath.' I do not wish to add to the confusion, but to help make straight the path's to dwell in. Each believer will need to learn for himself how to keep the Sabbath day Holy, but be sure to go by the Messijah's standard, which is Scripture. Just thinking about it, even the Saviour's performance was not up to the standards of the religious leaders of His day.
Let each believer examine the issue carefully and learn for him/herself. Going beyond the plain statements of Scripture is a dangerous occupation I can assure you. More people have rejected the vital issue of `faith in Jahoshuwah' because of incorrect opinions about how the Sabbath should be kept, than any other issue. No doubt you may know what I mean.
In Matthew 12:1-9 the Pharisees thought that the disciples were breaking the law when they plucked a few ears of corn (wheat) on the Sabbath and ate the grains. But the Pharisees were wrong. That act was not a violation of the Sabbath law. The disciples were `guiltless' as the Messijah pointed out in verse 7.
In Mark 2:27-28, Jahoshuwah states that “the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.” This passage is given to show that Jah made the Sabbath for all mankind and that He didn't make Humans for the Sabbath. It also shows us that to save life, certain actions - which under normal circumstances would not be acceptable - are permissible. For example: rescuing an ox from a pit, helping to put out a fire that is endangering life, feeding someone with sacred bread who might otherwise die of hunger. These actions are excusable in certain circumstances. In the same way laboring to save life on the Sabbath is doing good. It is not a sin.
In Luke 6:6-11, the same principle was demonstrated in the healing of the man with a withered hand. To restore him on the Sabbath day was perfectly in order; so the Saviour healed him. The Pharisees were furious; but somehow they couldn't see that the Sabbath was given for mankind's good: rest from toil, healing, companionship, instruction in Jah's Word and all the other blessings this world so desperately needs. The Pharisees had misunderstood this beautiful command; and burdened it with restrictions that made it more of a curse than a blessing. Jahoshuwah went out of his way to tear away their man-made restrictions.
When does the Sabbath begin?
The weekly Sabbath begins at evening on Friday and ends at evening on Saturday. Notice that in regards to keeping Atonement, that JAH commands the Jahzraelites (Israelites) to observe it from evening until evening.
Leviticus 23:32 - From evening unto evening shall you celebrate your Sabbath.
The evening is the time between the completion of a day and the beginning of another. The Saviour spoke some interesting words in regards to time keeping that I feel is very relevant to this issue. In the Jahspel (gospel) of John, the Messijah said “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.” (John 11:9-10).
The Messijah said there was twelve hours in the day. The 24-hour day is divided into two parts - daylight and daynight, both having 12 hours each. Days begin at evening, which is 6:00 pm, and end 24 hours later at 6:00 pm the following day, which is a complete 24-hour day.
During the fall and winter seasons, we keep the Sabbath at 6:00 pm Friday evening until 6:00 pm Saturday evening. During the summer seasons we rest from 7:00 pm. Friday evening until 7:00 pm Saturday evening. We do this because of the “daylight savings time” which moves the clock an hour ahead. But it's still truly 6:00 pm. Jah's Time is Standard Time and Daylight Savings Time is the heathens fictional time. In the Land of Jahzrael (Israel), the sun sets around the same time all year which is around 6:00 pm or so.
Those who keep Sabbath at the sunset, may find themselves observing Sabbath as early as 3:00 p.m. in the winter and as late as 11:00 p.m. in the summer, depending on their global location. Let me remind you that the first 3 days of creation operated without the sun or lunach (moon), and yet we still had the evening and morning, which is a 24-hour day (Genesis 1:5).
In some countries the sun sets more or less at a regular time - about 6 pm, as it does in Jahoshalem (Jerusalem). We use Jahoshalem and the 24-hour clock as a standard. In short, the Sabbath starts at evening on Friday and ends at evening on Saturday.
Kindling fires on the Sabbath
Let's go to the matter of lighting fires (Exodus 35:3). In ancient days, and perhaps even for some in these modern times, the lighting of a wood fire was quite a laborious task. It involves collecting, cutting and carrying wood; and this time-consuming work frustrated the main object of Sabbath keeping; it came in the way of increasing holiness.
It was a laborious task and was therefore forbidden - and still is. If, however, the lighting of a fire, (e.g. an electric fire, an electric bulb, a torch or an electric or gas cooker) can be accomplished without such laborious effort, and most modern fires are lit with virtually no effort at all, then in my judgment it is not Sabbath breaking to light such a fire or lamp on the Sabbath or even to heat a meal prepared the day before.
Indeed in our part of the world (Canada), it gets dark much earlier in the day during winter; the sun is up for only 9 hours and it is very cold too. So we use our electric, oil and gas heaters and fires. Also remember that in the extreme north others have an even worse time - the winter nights are very long and there is sometimes no daylight for 3 months in the year. For these people, as for us, the lighting of a fire or lamp on the Sabbath is an absolute necessity - if the day is to be a joy.
So you can see that there is some difference between the ancient Jahzraelite in the desert who would spend a lot of time gathering and cutting wood to light a fire and the modern believer living in a world where a simple flick of a switch can put on a fire or light. It is for this reason that we emphasize that the commandment is firstly - Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy when advising believers to obey Jah.
The other activities are secondary - and we leave it to the individual congregations and believers to decide for themselves, by weighing up local conditions whether or not the lighting of a fire is wrong or right. At all costs we would hate to put off a potential Sabbath-keeper by insisting that he/she mustn't light a fire or lamp by using a switch on the Sabbath day. Some believers, I am told, do not even use their electric or gas fires on the Sabbath, but I have not met any of them - and I doubt if they live in the distant north or south of this world. Nevertheless, if such individuals do exist, and perhaps they do, then I would be the last to judge them; for their stand - which would appear to be more correct than my own - is praise worthy to say the least.
I will try to present the truth as best I understand it: and speaking for ourselves in Canada, all I can say is that we use electricity, and gas to heat and light our homes on the Sabbath day.
Transport
Those who live some distance from the assembly and who would find a walk exhausting should drive to the assembly, either in their own cars or by public transport (bus or train). A three-kilometer walk to a young person is easy; but to an elderly person it can be a great distance. It's not only the distance that counts, but also the fitness and health of the person walking. Traveling long distances, however, is not advised. But believers must decide for themselves. If they can drive or walk without become tired, fair enough, but if not, then better to stay at home.
But always remember, `The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.' (Mark 2:27)
Does Sabbath-keeping save a person?
The answer is No. Salvation is a free gift. It comes to a believer through faith in Jahoshawah the only begotten Ben of the Most High. No man or woman can earn salvation. It is a free gift. Keeping a particular commandment will, in itself, not earn salvation any more than being honest will obliterate past lies, or being thrifty cancel existing debts.
Persistent sin can, however, jeopardize salvation - even though faith is verbally expressed. For Faith to be acceptable unto Jah it must be followed by obedience, or else it is dead. The book of James makes this point abundantly clear. In short, a person who deliberately breaks the Sabbath commandment, after being convicted about it, is on extremely dangerous ground. This of course applies to every one of the 10 Commandments.
Persistent refusal to acknowledge and obey Jah's law is the sure path to destruction. But faith and obedience - even though they both may be feeble - is the best policy. In other words: trust & obey JAH.
Sports on the Sabbath
Sports should not be engaged in, on the Sabbath. Ball games, swimming, long hikes and cycle rides etc. may be engaged in on weekdays. The Sabbath is a rest day; a day set apart for Jah's work - not man's sport.
Buying & Selling
The Scriptures lets us know that there is to be no buying and selling on the Sabbath. (Nehemiah 13:15-22)
Burials on the Sabbath
Burials, as you can imagine, call for a lot of physical labour: preparing and carrying the corpse and digging graves. This particular matter is not dealt with in the Scriptures; but Jahzrael as a nation did not bury their dead on the Sabbath. Speaking for myself, I would not attend a burial on the Sabbath. If at all possible you should try to persuade people to bury their dead on the other six days of the week: as this would not threaten life or cause undue hardship. We must respect Jah over anything else.
What can we do on the Sabbath?
New Sabbath-keepers, or even children of Sabbath-keeping parents often ask this question. I will list some things that can be done on the Sabbath.
You can eat dinner with your family in an unhurried fashion, giving thanks to Jahoshawah.
You can go to bed a little earlier and sleep in a bit later. Be aware that this can be overdone, so be sure not to slumber on Jah's Sabbath. I tend to go to bed at around 10:00 p.m. or earlier and usually on weekdays I go to bed at midnight or so. I wake up no more than an hour later than I normally wake up during the week on the Sabbath. Again be sure not to sleep the day away, a short after-noon nap for about an hour (no more) can be taken, but if you don't need one don't take one.
Take short walks in the outdoors with your family, not to stores or malls, but in the nature of Jah, beholding His beautiful creation that expresses His character and Power.
Teach your children about JAH THE MAKER, read a story from the Scriptures, or sing or read psalms to each other.
Pray to the Abbah giving much thanks and making few requests
Read, read, and read. It seems throughout the week that we never have time for reading Jah's Word. We should always try and devote some time to reading the Holy Scriptures daily, but Satan will have many of us working hard doing our worldly business and then we end up too tired at the end of the day to read. We must pray for strength to read and we must read to know, not for just entertainment, but to see what our Abbah has to say to us, teach us, and correct us in. The Sabbath is the perfect time for us to learn.
We can study various topics, write about certain Scripture truths, create Scripture readings for others, or just read to learn of the Abbah and of the Ben.
We can further the Good News of Jah, called the Jahspel, by engaging in missionary activities, or publishing the good news.
But beware of assembling with groups that:
Keep the false festivals of the world (Christmas, Easter and Valentines etc.)
Teach the law is done away with.
Don't observe the dietary law.
Don't keep the seventh day Sabbath.
Don't obey Jahshuwah the Messijah's teachings.
The groups that teach not according to law and the testimony of Jahoshuwah, have no fellowship with them; for we should have no fellowship with iniquity (lawlessness). I would worship alone than to be seen by Jah worshiping with the unjahly.
In conclusion by Remembering the Sabbath remember not to:
Work, read newspapers, magazines or other worldly books, drink alcohol, watch TV, listen to the radio or secular music, buy or sell, business transactions, sports, socials, parties, funerals, or anything else that is our own pleasure. We must find pleasure in Jah and be available for His spiritual blessings that He has promised to us.
Glory be to JAH, for His mercy endureth Forever!
Here is a very brief Scriptural Study on the topic of the Sabbath
All you need for this Scriptural study is your Holy Scriptures (Simply look up the listed Scripture texts and find the answer.)
1. Which day is the Scriptural Sabbath? (Exodus 20:10)
2. When was it given? (Genesis 2:1-2)
3. Why was it given? (Genesis 2:3)
4. To whom was it given? (Exodus 31:16-17)
5. Was it just for the Jews only? (Mark 2:27)
6. In what way is the Sabbath a special sign? (Exodus 31:12-13)
7. Did Jahoshuwah the Messijah keep the Sabbath? (Luke 4:16)
8. What about the Apostles? (Acts 17:2)
9. Did Jahshuwah change the Sabbath? (Matthew 5:17-18)
10. What advantages come from Sabbath keeping? (Isaiah 58:13-14)
Peace to All.
For more info contact:
The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
5 Kanarick Crescent
Toronto Ontario
M3M 1P3 Canada
647-231-9466
|