Hebrews 4:9-11 Sabbath Rest

Hebrews 4:9-11  “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.  Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.” (NASB)

Yesterday we looked at the account of creation in Genesis and particularly the seventh day when God rested and set aside that day, sanctifying it for our rest.  Mosaic Law set up the Sabbath day, the day of rest and remembrance.  We observe Sunday in the Church era as the day of rest and remembrance, a day to worship our Lord.  This passage further develops our view of the “Sabbath rest”.

The writer of Hebrews tells the reader “There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”  This passage follows a longer section of warning that contains the following, “For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.”  Hebrews 4:3  Clearly then the “Sabbath rest” is sanctified (set aside) by God but not for everyone.  It is set aside for "We who have believed".  So the Sabbath day of rest is actually symbolic of THE “Sabbath rest” reserved for believers.  As is common in Scripture we are given an earthly view of the heavenly reality.  It becomes clear the “Sabbath rest” is what comes after.

Verse 10 says it is, “For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.”  Well, when is it we rest from our works?  We rest from our works when we die; when this life on earth is complete.  However, not all will enter this rest, “…He has said, ‘AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST…’" Hebrews 4:3, the "Sabbath rest" is set aside, sanctified for believers and believers only.

The bottom line then is that not only did God create the seventh day setting it aside for rest, He did this for us.  He did this for us for eternity.  When our work is done, our six days on earth complete, we look forward to our “Sabbath rest” on the seventh.  Those who believe in Jesus will enter His "Sabbath rest".  Are you a believer in Jesus today?  His “Sabbath rest” is given to all who are irresistibly called to faith in Him.  AMEN!

If you would like to know more about faith in Christ leading to the “Sabbath rest” leave a comment for me to make contact with you.