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A Sign that Distinguishes God’s People, August 24
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and
them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.
Ezekiel 20:12
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As the Sabbath was the sign that distinguished Israel when they came out
of Egypt to enter the earthly Canaan, so it is the sign that now distinguishes
God’s people as they come out from the world to enter the heavenly rest.
The observance of the Sabbath is the means ordained by God of pre-
serving a knowledge of Himself and of distinguishing between His loyal
subjects and the transgressors of His law.
It [the Sabbath] belongs to Christ.... Since He made all things, He made
the Sabbath. By Him it was set apart as a memorial of the work of creation.
It points to Him as both the Creator and the Sanctifier. It declares that He
who created all things in heaven and in earth, and by whom all things hold
together, is the head of the church, and that by His power we are reconciled
to God. For, speaking of Israel, He said, “I gave them my sabbaths, to be a
sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that
sanctify them”—make them holy. Then the Sabbath is a sign of Christ’s
power to make us holy. And it is given to all whom Christ makes holy. As
a sign of His sanctifying power, the Sabbath is given to all who through
Christ become a part of the Israel of God....
To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and redeem-
ing power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves
in Him. The Sabbath points them to the works of creation as an evidence
of His mighty power in redemption. While it calls to mind the lost peace
of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Saviour. And every object
in nature repeats His invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
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The Sabbath is a golden clasp that unites God and His people.
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