[Sabbath Controversy #2] The Seventh Day Sabbath, A Perpetual Sign (2nd Ed.)

PREFACE TO THE LITTLE FLOCK

“REMEMBER the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” “Six days work may be done, but the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work.” This commandment I conceive to be as binding now as it ever was, and will be to the entering into the “gates of the city.” Revelation 22:14 SC2 53.1

I understand that the SEVENTH day Sabbath is not the LEAST one, among the ALL things that are to be restored before the second advent of Jesus Christ, seeing that the Imperial and Papal power of Rome, since the days of the Apostles, have changed the seventh day Sabbath to the first day of the week! SC2 53.2

Twenty days before God re-enacted and wrote the commandments with his finger on tables of stone, he required his people to keep the Sabbath. Exodus 6:27, 30 Here he calls the Sabbath “MY COMMANDMENTS AND MY LAWS.” NOW the SAVIOR has given his comments on the commandments. See Matthew 22:35, 40 “On these two (precepts) hang ALL the law and the prophets.” Then it would be impossible for the Sabbath to be left out. A question was asked, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Says Jesus, “If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments” -Matthew 19:17 Here he quotes five from the tables of stone. It is still clearer in Luke 10:25, 28 “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” Here he gives the Saviour’s exposition in 22 Matt. as above. Jesus says, “Thou hast answered right, this do and live.” See also Matthew 5:17, 19, 21, 27, 33 PAUL comments thus. “The law is holy, and the commandments holy, just and good.” “Circumcision and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping the commandments of God.” “All the law is fulfilled in one word: thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” JOHN says, “the old commandment is the WORD from the beginning.” - 2,7 - Genesis 2:3 “He carries us from thence into the gates of the city.” Revelation 22:14 Here he has particular reference to the Sabbath. JAMES calls it the PERFECT, royal law of liberty, which we are to be doers of, and be judged by. Take out the fourth commandment and the law is imperfect, and we shall fail in one point. SC2 53.3

The uncompromising advocate for present truth, which feeds and nourishes the little flock in whatever country or place, is the restorer of all things; one man like John the Baptist, cannot discharge this duty to every kindred, nation, tongue and people, and still remain in one place. The truth is what we want. Joseph Bates FAIRHAVEN, AUGUST.1846 SC2 53.4