What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Why did God institute the Sabbath? Why did He rest?"
Answer
God instituted the Sabbath as a memorial of His creation world, so that people may always remember His eternal origin and power. He rested on the seventh day not out of exhaustion, but as an expression of joy and satisfaction over His perfect work. This divine rest laid the foundation for the blessing and sanctification of the day, which He designated as a day of rest for humanity for spiritual reflection and worship.
A Divine Memorial of Creation
The Sabbath was ordained by God as a memorial of creation. ... The significance of this memorial becomes clear when we learn from Holy Scripture that it is the work of creation, which its Creator claims as the great proof of His eternal power and deity, and as that great fact that distinguishes Him from all false gods.
Rest from Joy, Not from Exhaustion
God looked with satisfaction upon the work of His hands. All was perfect, worthy of His divine Creator, and He rested, not as one who is tired, but as one who gladly looks upon the fruits of His wisdom and goodness and the revelations of His glory.
A Sabbath for the Benefit of Humanity
God saw that a Sabbath was essential for humanity, even in Paradise. One had to set aside one's own interests and occupations for one day a week, so that one could more fully contemplate God's works and reflect upon His power and goodness. One needed a Sabbath to more vividly remind oneself of God and to awaken gratitude...
Protection from Godlessness
If humanity had always kept the day that God blessed and sanctified, there would never have been an unbeliever in our world; for the Sabbath was given as a memorial of the Creator's work; it was given so that on that day a person could especially direct his mind away from earthly things toward the contemplation of God and His mighty power.
The Spiritual Necessity of Rest
It is not the physical, but the spiritual needs of humanity that are the focus of the Sabbath command. It is conceived as a day on which God is to be worshiped—a day of holy remembrance of Him and of contemplation of His works.
- Sabbath as a memorial of creation
- Why God rested on the seventh day
- Meaning of Sabbath rest for humanity
Original Sources (English)
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