What Is True Sabbath Rest? A Brief Bible Study

Here is a look at the issue of Sabbath Rest. So just what is this rest anyway?

1.  Sabbath Rest is about Relationship. Hebrews 4:4 Says “For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.” The phrase ‘rested from His works is a direct quote from Genesis 2:2. Resting often conveys an idea of passivity. According to Tonstad, A better fit is the word “desisted or ceased”. A good mental picture of “cease is that of a ship gliding into harbor after a long voyage or a train coming to a halt at the train station. It is the anticipation of being with someone you love!  Ceasing points to the joy of being with someone very special. This is exactly what I believe is meant in Hebrews 4:10 that “God ceased from His works” which is to say God had eager anticipation of being with His creation!  The Prophet Ezekiel 12:12,20 plainly says that The Sabbath is a relational marker.

2. So Sabbath Rest is a “ceasing” from all activity of trying to save myself and anticipating an intimate saving relationship with Jesus. “And this is life eternal that they might know you”! John 17:3  Hebrews 4:4,10 Jesus is the only source for true rest and Salvation. He wants us to “cease” completely trying to save ourselves. Matthew 11:28-30. If we would only come to Him He then will Justify us, Sanctify us, and make us Holy just like Jesus. 1John 3:2  1Corinthians 1:29-31.

3. So how do I enter God’s rest?

We enter God’s rest by believing fully in Jesus! Hebrews 4:3.

And the converse is also true, we don’t enter God’s rest because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:19

In other words, we have the “assurance” of entering God’s rest when we “trust” Jesus with our lives, that’s it. It’s all about Jesus! He is the only one who can save us.  Romans 3:26,5:10. The truth is we need to stop  all efforts of trying to save ourselves! Jeremiah 13:23, John 15:5

We enter His rest when we consider Jesus Hebrews 3:1

We enter His rest when we listen to His voice Hebrews 3:7,15,4:7

We enter His rest when we cease completely from our own efforts to earn Salvation Hebrews 4:10.

All of these admonitions are  saying the same thing, so Let me say it again, we have the “assurance” of entering God’s rest and obtaining Salvation when we “trust” Jesus with our lives, that’s it.

Hold firmly to Jesus my friend and never ever let go of your grip!

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:22-25.

HAPPY SABBATH — SHABBAT SHALOM