WHY SABBATH (PART II)

What does the Bible have to say about Sabbath?

One of the Favorite Tools I have to study the Bible in my arsenal is BlueLetterBible.com a Web Based application you can download upon your cellular phone; or, accessible via Desktop.

I also use E-Sword which is likewise both accessible via Cellular Application or Desktop.

Both of these programs have strengths; and, weaknesses.
Both allow me to search via English; Hebrew; and, Greek.

Below I'm going to give you an example of how each program renders search results so you can see the differences. First I will show you How E-Sword Renders these search results. THEN I will show you Blueletterbible's.

E-Sword offers me many bibles to choose from. In the Very first image at the top if you click on it; the image will open in another screen where you can count just how many versions I have on my laptop.

Notice that both programs offer me the 137 Matches
and 116 Occurrences in the KJV.

This particular feature sets the two programs apart.

Notice how BlueLetterBible.com software offers us a snapshot view of EACH VERSION.

A  good student will do their best to intentionally locate all passages regarding subject material in their studies.  Below here is a screenshot of the Results by Book. This tells us what books this material shows up in; and, how frequently. 

Now. We also need to take into consideration where this word "Sabbath" in English also shows up in its plural form "Sabbaths." Let's use Blueletterbible.com and see how/where this plural form shows up, shall we? Friend this is the very first stage of studying out what the Bible has to say about "Sabbath(s)." 

Notice here that BLB (Blueletterbible.com) declares that "Sabbaths" (plural) shows up a total of 35 times.

Notice here ABOVE how the NKJV (New King James Version); which is what I use as my daily text, only lists 35 passages; however, the YLT (Young's Literal Translation) shows there are 50. Because of this I'm inclined to read; and, identify all the passages from the YLT text as well as the NKJV. 

We don't want to miss out on any of these passages. I want to most complete understanding of what the Bible's text is declaring to us about Sabbath / Sabbaths. 

Friend. We are engaging in what is called a "Topical Study."

However we are only utilizing right now the 66 books of the Bible's text and ignoring anything the Apocryphal books have to say about Sabbath / Sabbaths. 

We are also ignoring anything "Jewish Writings" (Mishnah, Gemara, Talmud) have to say about Sabbath / Sabbaths. 

So what IS the Sabbath? 

In Biblical Judaism there is a Sabbath (seventh day of rest) each week. 

Many Christian's will assert this is a "Jewish" thing. However Sabbath wasn't instituted by Jews. In fact there weren't even any "Jews" around when the Creator instituted the Sabbath. We can find it's mention in the Book of Genesis at the End of the Creation Week when the Creator himself rested.

There are 52 Weeks in a year. Meaning there are 52 Weekly Sabbaths.

However, the Weekly Sabbath's aren't the only "Sabbaths" in Biblical Judaism. 

There are also "High Sabbaths" which are connected to the Feasts themselves. 

Biblical Judaism (What Jesus practiced) contains a total of seven (7) commanded "feasts." These are detailed within Leviticus 23. The symbolism of the Menorah (A Seven Branched Golden Lampstand) that sat within the Temple itself (in the Holy of Holies) in Israel before the Destruction in 70AD allude to these seven (7) feasts called Moed'im in Hebrew. 

Art by Sefira Lightstone

Moed (singular)

Moed'im (plural)

The "im" at the end makes the term plural.

These Biblical feasts (MOED'IM) are (in order)

• Festival of Lots (Purim)
• Passover (Pesach aka "Unleavened Bread"). First and Last days are "Sabbaths."
• Pentecost (Shavu'ot)
  This particular "Feast" give us the timing of the year when the Written Torah was actually given at Mt. Sinai by YHVH. By the Messenger. By the one who was SEEN. We cannot see the Father. Nor can we see the Holy Spirit. But we CAN see the Image of the Invisible God. The Image that would become flesh; and, die for His people. This also happens to be the time of year when the Holy Spirit Descended upon the Apostles in the New Testament; and, they spoke in Tongues.
  
• Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) aka Rosh Ha Shannah (Head of the New Year)
• The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) 
• The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)
• Chanukah (Not a Commanded Feast) 

I grew up in a "Christian" (Episcopalian/Methodist/Protestant) home long before I had ever studied Judaism vs. Biblical Judaism. When I began to study Judaism; I didn't really understand the significance of these feasts. Nor was I able (at the time); to initially see how they are all about Messiah. They are all about Him; and, His sacrifice. 

Even Chanukah (a National Holiday -Not a commanded Feast) itself is prophesied to connect to Blessings upon the Nation of Israel. From the first day of Chanukah the LORD shall Bless. 

"And now, carefully consider from this day forward: From before stone was laid upon stone in the Temple of the LORD -- Consider now from this day forward; from the twenty fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the LORD's Temple was laid --consider it: Is the seed still in the barn ? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate; and, the olive tree have not yielded from this day I will bless."

HAGGAI 2:15-20

*** HINT *** 

If you use the 24th day of the 9th month
(CHISLEV)
As the conception day for Yeshua. 
It gives you a BIRTHDATE
in the 7th month TISHRI. 
The Holiest Month of the Hebrew Calendar.
Falling in between the 1st and the 10th.
 

*** *** ***

When I say "Israel" I mean those whom YHVH calls Israel; not necessarily what the WORLD calls Israel. They are not the same. Being ethnically Jewish benefits one nothing if they reject the Messiah. Being ethnically Jewish offers us no leg up over the gentile in having a relationship with Messiah if we reject His instructions. He is the Messenger of YHVH. If we reject His Messenger. We reject Him. 

Here is an Example I think you can grasp. 

Jeffrey Epstein (a pedophile who has blood on his hands) is technically "Jewish." His allegiance isn't to America. His Allegiance is to BAAL. A bloodthirsty deity who demands the blood of the most innocent and defenseless. The blood of Children. Epstein's lifestyle; and, actions reveal that he isn't Messiah's.

His lifestyle; and, actions deny the True and Living God. He has committed abominations deserving of death. Not just once either. He deserves for his very consciousness, his light, and his spirit, to be permanently extinguished for eternity. 

Those who commit abomination; and, teach others to do so WILL NOT, WILL NOT, WILL NOT be counted within those who are WITHIN MESSIAH'S KINGDOM. 

*** *** ***

I tell you the truth Haggai 2 teaches us that the first day of Chanukah is attached to the laying of the foundation of the Lord's Temple. (ADONAI'S TEMPLE). Neither the first; nor, the second temple had their foundation stones laid in Chislev; the month of Chanukah. Both were laid in ZIV (the second month). So this prophecy, this riddle MUST be about another temple. It is not referring to Solomon's Temple; nor, to Herod's Temple.

Friend's there is a riddle in Haggai 2 that has great attachment to the laying of the very foundation of Messiah's body. The double Helix knitted together in Miriam's womb. The "temple" of the Lord (ADONAI). I tell you the truth. Yeshua is Adonai. The Living God. The one whose voice was heard from Sinai. The one who delivered the stones to Moses. Written by His own fingers. This is just a small clue to help you see Him as He is.   

"But he was speaking of of the Temple of His Body." John 2:21

Your body is the temple.

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"

1 Corinthians 6:19

*** *** *** 

So. Friends. What I ask that you do. Is to utilize bible study software to identify; and, read all passages that have anything to do with the Sabbath; and, the term "Sabbaths." Please keep a notebook; and, look at all evidence. A good detective; just like a good scientists examines all evidence. ALL of it. 

In part III we will begin to look at these together. 

In the mean time. Shalom!

What does it mean to be "Jewish?"