The Rest Is Not Yet (Hebrews 4:8-11)

The Lord God did His work of creating all of creation in six days, and on the seventh day He rested from all His precious works (Genesis 1:31-2:2). He then blessed this day and made it holy, because God had Himself rested on that day (2:3). God knew that man would want to rest.

He gave this rest to the Israelites at Mount Sinai through the man who led them from Egypt- Moses. The Israelites were given a Sabbath rest. They were to remember to observe this day, keeping it holy (Exodus 20:811). None of them were to do any work on this day, nor do any cooking. From that time, some people have claimed to be Sabbath keepers. But do they really understand this rest? Are those claiming to keep this day holy doing it in the right manner? I don’t think so.

We may be aware of the Sabbath but still fail to comprehend this set-apart day. The Israelites were given this day to fully remember how God brought them out of Egypt. But did the Israelites actually rest from their day-to-day troubles? No, spiritually they could not since “The rest is not yet.” So there still remains a true Sabbath rest? Yes, the Jewish Sabbath was just a shadow of what is yet to come, the rest promised to believers by Christ (Colossians 2:16-17). This tells us that the Law of Moses was done away by Christ once-for-all. This includes Sabbath keeping; we are of Christ and look forward to the spiritual rest in the kingdom to come (Hebrews 10:1).

When Jesus returns, he is going to confirm a people of his choice at his resurrection. He will make the world a better place. Good people who will be found worthy to be in his kingdom will then rest from all their works just as God did from His. “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest which is awaiting us” (Hebrews 4:10-11).

What a time it will be, resting from the world’s troubles, from today’s stressful works. Indeed it will be the greatest time, an excellent Sabbath for us.

Bro Chrivious Chimka (Mazabuka, Zambia)