The Signs of the Times, vol. 7

September 15, 1881

“Which Day?” The Signs of the Times, 7, 35.

E. J. Waggoner

“The question of obedience, and the observance of the Sabbath is a real question with us, far more than whether we should keep the first, third, or seventh day of the week as the Sabbath.” SITI September 15, 1881, page 415.1

Such are the closing words of a recent article on the Sabbath question. It has been said that words are used to conceal ideas, and it must be the case in the above instance; for if the writer had any idea in his mind, he most effectually concealed it. A great amount of study on the paragraph has failed to show the logical connection of its two parts. SITI September 15, 1881, page 415.2

“The question of obedience, and the observance of the Sabbath is the real question.” That is plain enough. It is correct too. Just such a statement as any one might make, who earnestly desires to obey God. What next? We will therefore consult the word of God, to see how the Sabbath should be kept? We should expect that, but we are disappointed. “Obedience and the observance of the Sabbath is the question with us, far more than whether we should keep the first, third, or seventh day of the week is the Sabbath.” If he had said, “The observance of a Sabbath is the real question with us,” there would be nothing inconsistent in what follows. Since “Sabbath” simply means “rest.” A Sabbath may be kept on the first or the third day of the week. But he says “the observance of the Sabbath,” and the only Sabbath the Bible recognizes is the seventh day. See Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 16:4, 5, 19-30; 20:8-11; Luke 23:54-56; 24:1. SITI September 15, 1881, page 415.3

And yet, our friend seems to have the idea that the Sabbath may be kept on any day of the week. It is as if he had said: “Patriotism, and the celebration of our independence anniversary, is the real question with us, more than whether we should observe the first, third, or fourth day of July.” SITI September 15, 1881, page 415.4

The amount of fog that hangs around questions of Bible truth and religious duty is perplexing to the seeker for truth, and would be truly wonderful did we not remember that just such a state of things has been predicted. Paul said that in the latter days men would not endure “sound doctrines,” it would “turn away their ears from the truth and be turned unto fables.” Our Lord himself said to his disciples, “If they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also,” plainly intimating that the manner in which his teaching was received would be an index of the manner in which the truth would be received in subsequent times. When we consider the skepticism, the blind, and reasoning disbelief, and the cavils that opposed Christ’s teachings even when accompanied by the most wonderful miracles, we cannot wonder that so few nowadays receive “the love of the truth that they might be saved.” The “god of this world” has blinded the minds of men in all ages, and will continue to do so until the end. And it is a fact that the same reason that hindered so many from believing on Christ eighteen hundred years ago, still operates to keep men from observing the Sabbath, viz., self-interest,-the immediate result upon themselves, and their own convenience. SITI September 15, 1881, page 415.5

These considerations are very weighty. It does not take much argument to persuade a man that a certain course is right, if his inclination is in that direction. And so the idea obtains to a greater or lesser extent, that it doesn’t make so much difference what a man does if he is only sincere. Thus men get the idea that the rest is the all-important point in the fourth commandment, regardless of when that rest is taken. In other words the principle or spirit of the law is to be kept, and not the letter. This course of proceeding may be illustrated as follows: A farmer tells his son that he wishes him on the next day to go to a certain village five miles to the east, in order to buy some necessary articles. On the following day John mounts his horse, and deliberately rides off to a town five miles to the west, and there makes his purchases. His father calls him to account for his disobedience. He replies that although he did not strictly obey the letter of his instructions, he did obey the spirit-the essential part. He claims that the principle contained in his instructions was to get the articles, and that although the place where he should get them was definitely specified, yet this was not necessary to obedience to the requirement. Anyone can see that the boy disobeyed his father, by going west when he was told to go east, yet many who would so decide, claim that men may go as far as possible in the opposite direction from the requirement of the fourth commandment, and still be obedient. SITI September 15, 1881, page 416.1

A good illustration of how strict God is in his requirements is found in the case of Nadab and Abihu recorded in Leviticus 10:1, 2. God had specified the fire that should be used in the services of the Sanctuary. Certain fire was set apart for this use and called holy. None other was to be used. Nadab and Abihu could not perceive the difference between the fire that was holy and that that was unsanctified, and came before the Lord with strange fire. For this rash act they were instantly slain. They might have reasoned thus: “The spirit of the Lord’s requirement is that fire should be used. It makes no difference what fire we use if we only do it in the right manner. There is no difference in the fire.” Precisely the same language is used now in regard to the Sabbath. But God showed his displeasure, and taught the people that he was particular to have them “put difference between the holy and unholy, and between the unclean and clean.” Is it possible that God is less particular now than he was then? Several hundred years later than that event that we find him using similar language to the above, and in regard to the Sabbath, speaking by the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel, he says: “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy thing; they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them..... Therefore I have poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their own way have I recompensed upon their own heads, saith the Lord.” Ezekiel 22:26-31. God testifies of himself thus: “I change not,” therefore we are not justified in assuming that he will look with any degree of favor upon any deviation from the letter of his requirements. Indeed, if we consider carefully the context of the above passage, we shall find that while the words were addressed to the Jews, and were applicable to them, they have a special application to these last days. The words of Christ were addressed to his disciples and the Jews who were with him, but they apply to all men even to the close of time. So it is with the words of the prophet. But men were careless of their duty to God in the days when they saw visible manifestations of his displeasure, and it is to be expected that they will be so still, when his judgments are reserved. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Nevertheless the long-delayed punishment will surely come. SITI September 15, 1881, page 416.2

“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” SITI September 15, 1881, page 416.3