Fact Tract: The Sabbath

An Amazing Fact: The U.S. flag is a deeply respected symbol of freedom, which is why a code of etiquette has been devised for handling it: It must never be dipped to another person, should not be used in decoration, advertising, on a non-military uniform, or as a receptacle for holding something. It should also remain clean and no part should touch the ground. Yet while most agree that the U.S. flag should be respected, many Christians have forgotten about the very special symbol that God instituted at Creation!


Question: What day is the Bible Sabbath, and who made it?
The Bible says:

  • "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" (Genesis 2:2, 3).
  • "The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God" (Exodus 20:10).

The Bible Sabbath is actually the seventh day (Saturday) of the week — and not the first (Sunday), as many believe. After making the world, God “rested” on the seventh day and sanctified it for humanity to keep forever. God blessed the Sabbath, and when God blesses something, it is blessed forever (1 Chronicles 17:27) and no man can "reverse it" (Numbers 23:20).

Question: Why did God make the Sabbath; why should we keep it?
The Bible says:

  • "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. … 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).
  • "Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10).
  • "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).

God gave the Sabbath as a sign that He created the world in six 24-hour days and of His power to redeem and sanctify mankind. In Isaiah 58:13, 14, God says all who would be blessed must first get their feet off His Sabbath. Moreover, the deliberate breaking of any one of the Ten Commandments is a sin. Christians should gladly follow Christ's example of Sabbath-keeping. Jesus’ custom was to worship on Sabbath, as well as His apostles. See Luke 4:16.

Question: Does Sabbath-keeping really affect me personally?
The Bible says:

  • "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
  • "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).
  • "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14).

Yes! The Sabbath is your Sabbath. God made it for you to rest and to draw closer to Him. The Scriptures also teach that we will continue to keep the Sabbath in the new earth (Isaiah 66:23)! So why not make the decision now to receive the blessings of the Sabbath and choose to obey Him?

Want to Know More?
We've just scratched the surface of this exciting, eye-opening topic. We hope you'll investigate further if this is the first time you've heard about the Bible Sabbath or have more questions about it. Here are some resources to get you started:

Sign up for our free Bible studies today.

Order the sharing book Why God Said Remember!

Visit www.SabbathTruth.com

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32 Comments
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2 months ago
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amazing facts
"created the world in six days" should be updated to something like "formed (as to give shape) to everything there is in the world in 6 days" Because, it is written - "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (period emphasis). And the world was formless and void (meaning it already existed, as He created it, "in the beginning")
2 years ago
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cybercat919
This is beautiful about the Sabbath. I'm learning so much from this. Thank you Amazing Facts. God bless you abundantly.
1
3 years ago
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Leola
I truly love the amazing facts I’m a new Christian and want to learn as much as I can before the end times
4
3 years ago
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chuck
We are all charged with sharing the light we have received from GOD. We appreciate your tireless efforts in doing so., All glory ,worship , and love to our FATHER in heaven,through JESUS our lord, and savior. Amen.
1
4 years ago
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Gina
My friend wants to understand if man made the calendar days how do we know that Saturday is the seventh day?
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3 years ago
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chuck
Although the calendar has changed many times , the actual days have not. It has always been the first,sec., third, or sun,Mon,tue,we'd,Thur Fri sat.I hope this answered your friends question.
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4 years ago
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Moderator
Amazing Facts
We have an article that should answer that question here: https://www.sabbathtruth.com/free-resources/article-library/story/id/912/t/which-day-of-the-week-is-the-sabbath-
5 years ago
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Anonymous
In “The Truth about The Truth” sermon, near the end (I think about six minutes from the end, Doug makes the remark that he reads through his Bible 6 days a week, but not Saturday. I thought the sabbath was for testing and worshipping. Is this because Doug is a pastor and reading the Bible is his “work”? Or is the sabbath truly about only resting? If so, why do we attend church on Saturday’s?
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5 years ago
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Amazing Facts
Most pastors spend extra time in prayer and preparation for their sermon on Sabbath mornings. It does sound like Pastor Doug is implying that he doesn't read the Bible on Sabbath, but what he meant to say is that he doesn't read it like he does during the daily readings. He usually follows a Bible reading plan, but on Sabbath he takes a pause in that plan to spend more time focusing and preparing for the sermon that day. For most people, Sabbath is actually the best day to read and dig deeper in the Bible since they don't have to worry about getting to work or school or whatever the typical day requires of them. So by all means, please do read the Bible every day , especially on Sabbath! If you would like to receive a free Bible reading plan, you can do so here: https://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/free-gift/s/afpweb/o/read Pastor Doug also wrote a book you can read for free: "How to Keep the Sabbath Holy" https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/26000/t/how-to-keep-the-sabbath-holy and you can also check out our website dedicated entirely to understanding the Sabbath: www.sabbathtruth.com
5 years ago
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Anonymous
In regards to the Sabbath. I don't get caught up on what day is what because my mission is building up the kingdom of GOD through Christ Jesus who died for the sins of the world. We need to focus more on saving souls! Everyday is a day of worship and praise, Everyday is a day of thanksgiving.....

No one is going to HELL because of the sabbath but if they don't receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior and die in that state then they are loss forever. We are here to tell the good news to the loss. Let's get busy spreading the GOOD NEWS here on the earth.
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3 years ago
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Bible Reader
You don't get caught up on what day to worship? Every day is a day of worship? How can you build the kingdom, and you don't even know God's word? The Bible is not a cookie jar...you can't just pick and choose which scriptures to consume and which to throw back.
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3 years ago
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Kelly1
Christ's words were verily to the ruler the invitation, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Joshua 24:15.
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4 years ago
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Mia-Monique
If you want to save people from the eternal death, you have to teach them to keep Gods commandments. Thats is the prove of love we give to Gud. You can not talk to people about recieve Him as their Savior without teach them about the commandments thats including the sabbath
bedst regards, Mia
2
4 years ago
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MayMay
That's not right, the bible is very clear that those who are saved are those who keep the 10 commandments Revelation 22:14, Jesus also said in John 14:15 that if you love Me, keep my commandments, I'm sure He was referring to the whole 10, we can't pick and choose which ones we like and ignore the rest...
How can you save souls if you are in error yourself, God gave us the Sabbath, it matters very much which day you keep... Please study more as you are leading others to break God's law as well, and that will not end well Revelation 22:19
1
5 years ago
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Braulio Reynoso Muños
Thanks for the space and time. I too love the Sabath. I know about the solstice worship or Christmas worship or the Sunday worship, this are things the world created. Get inspired to know the truth that the Bible can bring to you. Get inspired to learn. Get inspired to find yourself, to know God. And live with peace in your heart.
5 years ago
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Braulio Reynoso Muños
It is the beginning of 2021. I am a 45 year old man who has become in contact with the Christlike within. (If you know about this you'll know what I mean. Times are all tough for all at some point in life. Mine came when I most look for God, and was in search for the truth. Some said I was lost..
I said on the contrary. I was in search for him. My creator. Ifound him in the deepest part of self. Not only did I find him; but have had the misfortune of finding all the evil that hid inside me as well. I spent 8 years from my 32nd birth year til my 40th. Knowing I will die one day. Has given me the chance to repent, ask for forgiveness to those I hurt and those that hurted I forgiven. Praying, fasting, worshiping no idols and loving my kin and the less fortunate. Creating communion around me to love God and each other while they still can, because as I see it, I am chosen and so are you. We are chosen to spread the spirit that brought us together, to live in peacefull harmony not only with others but with ourselves too, so that later we can share it when the Lord God takes us apart to himself, and brings us to live in his presence having no stain being holy being transparent and clean to take part in his wonderous world.
Not that many people believe the end will come.
Not that many people believe there is evil in the world.
Not that many people believe in God, or are afraid to come close to him.
Because the Devil has his strings attached to them.
Also, not that many people are willing to die for God like myself.
Now right now, As we speak.
I have a 21 month old baby who I love with all my heart.
I have a beautiful wife who I know since I was 12 years old.
And I will go through hell on Earth to keep them from being harmed.
But as the Good Lord said. You can only do so much.
I will in the coming future interseed in prayer and fasting communion to be at pease with the world with the people's of all nation and with God, until he puts me to rest.
6 years ago
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Rexford
Thanks for the teachings love it all
6 years ago
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God4gaveme
How can we prove Biblically that the Sabbath starts at sunset Friday and lasts until Saturday sunset?
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6 years ago
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Amazing Facts
Thank you for your question! We just want you to know that we're unable to answer Bible questions here. So if you'd like to get an answer directly from the team at Amazing Facts, please fill out this form here: https://www.amazingfacts.org/about-us/bible-questions
9 years ago
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reneebigtime
God Rested the Sabbath day not rested on sabbath God does not need to rest He did it for us! The Sabbath is a gift! Check your Bible! Thats a common mistake!
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8 years ago
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lawrencenervais
Gen 2:2 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.
The Hebrew word for rested is "shâbath". God did rest on the seventh day but like you well said he didn't do it because he was tired. He did it as an example for us.
Gen 2:3 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.
The very act of God resting on the seventh day bestowed a special blessing on that day.
13 years ago
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Anonymous
Confused about the sabbath teaching. If we are to obey the sabbath,shouldn't we start the sabbath at sunset on friday through saturday to dusk?
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5 years ago
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Rebekah
It’s from sunset to sunset; yes that’s correct
7 years ago
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Anonymous
Yes that's exactly what's happening.
13 years ago
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Anonymous
yes thats what we must be doing,We are sinners that is why we keep sinning,but i personally think we should repent,Its the same even with stealing,adultery or lying,We must not do it but we keep doing it.We must pray for that and try to live a righteous life dear.
13 years ago
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Anonymous
Yes, we observe the Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset just like the Bible indicated during the creation week.
14 years ago
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Anonymous
Good comments Joseph and Steve. The Sabbath was created long before any Jew or Hebrew walked the earth. It's why Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. The use of the word "man" is glaring. The Jews aren't commanded to keep the Sabbath - man is. It is interesting to me that Scripture is so very clear about which day the Sabbath is, and yet most Christians "hold to the traditions of men." A (secular) study of the subject: the day of worship was not changed by God.
14 years ago
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Anonymous
Man was created on the sixth day and then our Creator rested on the seventh day to remind Adam and everyone since then that they exist because He created them and everything else that makes up this world ..."and worship Him who made heaven and earth..". Notice that this Fourth Commandment does not say just the Jews were to worship Him. "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath..." Mark 2:27 MAN? Sounds all encompassing to me.
14 years ago
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Anonymous
at Pst J L
14 years ago
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Anonymous
I just have a question in regards to the Sabbath.
14 years ago
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Anonymous
I love the Lord of the Sabbath as well as the blessed and best day. It has saved me from an early grave and increased my knowledge and love for God. If more people would obey God's Word what a different place this world would be.
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6 years ago
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Anonymous
"if more people would obey God's word, what a different place this world would be." Amen and amen 🤲