The general consensus of men is that God created six days and rested on the seventh. This has been taught both in Judaism and in Christianity. Yet in addition to these beliefs the Scriptures clearly reveal additional creative acts of God on the seventh day you may not have been taught. As we look into the creation recorded in Genesis, firstly notice that with the beginning of each day we find a phraseology “And God said” recorded in verses 3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24 of Genesis chapter one. This is found at the beginning of each day of creation days one through six. On the seventh day we also find this same phraseology The “And God blessed (said) the seventh day, and sanctified it.”  The definition of the Hebrew words blessed (bârak), and of sanctified (qâdâsh), strongly imply creative action on God's part to create.  Jesus had said that “the sabbath was made for man,” Mark 2:27.  In the Greek definition of made we find creative activity of God for the benefit of man. Made is ginŏmai, which is: to cause to be, to become (come into being), hence created. “And God blessed the seventh day,” Gen. 2.3.  In Hebrew blessed is bârak, baw-rak', which definition is “to kneel, and bless God in adoration,” now finish the sentence, “the seventh day.” This is a clear revelation that God said that man should come before Him, kneel, and bless God in adoration of his Creator on the seventh day.  This through Moses was revealed as an “holy convocation”, Lev. 23:1-3. King David knew this concept and kept it joyfully. "O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker." Ps. 95.6 (Ps. 42:4; 122:1). In the latter part of that sentence we see the phraseology “and sanctified it".

 

Gen. 2:3. In Hebrew sanctified is qâdâsh, kaw-dash’, which definition is to create, to be, make, pronounce, appoint, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, be holy, proclaim, purify, sanctify wholly. Hence, God spoke holiness to and upon the seventh day, and becoming by creation ‘the LORD's day’. See Isaiah 58:13, where God proclaims the sabbath "My holy day", and "the holy of the LORD". These acts of God were done as a result of resting on the seventh day, Gen. 2:3, and He was refreshed. Ex-31:17. These truths amazingly are not being taught by Rabbis, Clergy, Pastors, or laymen, or Teachers of the law of God, yet it is the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth; John 16:13, who makes known the words of God. Prov. 1:23. God had commanded Israel after their exodus out of Egypt to keep the seventh day holy as a result of sanctification of the Sabbath (Rest) day. Ex. 20:8-11 (Jer. 17:24, on how to keep it holy), and to come and attend the holy convocation on the seventh day Sabbath, Lev. 23:1-3, and Ex: 31:12-17, Gen. 2:3 (blessed). The command to Israel was a direct commandment in keeping God's holy Sabbath.  “Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary; I am the LORD,” Lev. 19:30. The sabbath is for worship and adoration, thanksgiving, praise, and ministering unto the LORD. Gen. 2:3; Ex. 31:13-17; Lev. 23:3; Deut. 6:13-15; Josh. 24:14; 1 Sam. 7:3; Ps. 95:1-6; 100:1-6; Matt. 4:10. “And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep for [because] it is a sign (Hebrew is owth, in the sense of appearing, an ‘appearance’) between me and you throughout your generations that ye may know that I am the LORD (Ezek. 20:20) that doth sanctify you,” Ex. 31:13. Sanctify or qâdâsh in this reference is the exact same word and definition as used in Genesis 2:3, where God spoke holiness to and upon the seventh day, yet here in this sense, it is "you" He is sanctifying or speaking holiness to and upon.  God is very adamant in impartation of His own holiness to and upon you by proclaiming His name in Revelation as the LORD that doth sanctify, as Yahweh Macadesh, the LORD our sanctifier.  This is our weekly refreshing of sanctification of the spirit bestowed to each soul gathered unto the LORD on His holy convocation of the 7th day Sabbath. Ex. 31:13; 2 Thess. 2:13; Lev. 23:3.  This gathering on the sabbath is to be observed as a perpetual covenant, Ex. 31:16, an appearance between God and Israel forever, Ex. 31:17.  Paul the Apostle said that this was a shadow of things to come, Col. 2:16, 17, yet in the millennium reign of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah) all people will attend this holy convocation in the new moons and sabbaths to worship our God, Ezek. 46:1-3; Isaiah 66:22, 23. This same customary attendance of the holy convocation was obeyed by Christ Jesus, Luke 4:16, and by Paul the Apostle after the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua, and His ascension into the heavenlies to atone for our sins, and make intercession. (Isaiah 53:12; Heb. 7:25) Acts 17:2. This convocation was also attended both by the Jews, and the Greeks (Gentiles), Acts 13:14-44; 17:2; 18:4.  “And he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks”. Paul had also taught the Thessalonians to hold the traditions that they had been taught. 2 Thess. 2:15 [the traditional teachings of the Rabbis and customs).  And since God had rested on the seventh day, He instructed Israel to also rest on the seventh day, He referred to as the sabbath. Ex. 20:8-11.  The fourth commandment of the Ten, instructs us to cease from  our weekly labour and to keep it holy.  Jeremiah advises Israel how to keep the sabbath holy as the commandment requires, to refrain from work, Jer. 17:24, which is how we hallow the sabbath.  The keeping of the sabbath was to be observed as a perpetual covenant, Ex:31:16. The rest of God was observed by Christ's followers at the time of Christ's death and burial, Luke 23:56, and that same sabbath rest remains for the people of God, Heb. 4:8-11. To every soul that faithfully keeps the sabbath, God has promised to reward them, as shown through Isaiah: “... everyone that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant: even them will I BRING to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.  The LORD GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him." Isa. 56:6-8. As God revealed through King David, and the prophet Isaiah, His Counsel to man is eternal.  “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations," Ps. 33:11.  “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips,” Ps. 89:34, “thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever," Ps. 119:160; “Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever," Ps. 119:152; “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall Not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it,” Isa. 55:11; “Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven,” Ps. 118:89. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever,” Isa. 40.8; see I Peter 1:25; "Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah) the same yesterday, and today, and forever," Heb. 13:8.  The worship of God during the holy convocation of the sabbath day is given by angelic admonition in his presentation to every person on earth to “fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and warship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters,” Rev. 14:6,7. This is an heavenly appeal to all of mankind to come worship the Creator.  In the covenant the call was for all Israel, Ex: 31:17, yet in God's grace and mercy, the call is for all men to come and worship God both in spirit and in truth for the father seeks such to worship him. John 4:22-24.  Think of this in the light that it is given through Scripture.  God desires that you should enter His covenant and come on the seventh day (Saturday) and lovingly kneel before God in attendance of His holy convocation, and worship Him in adoration who made Heaven and Earth as He so ordained and created for you from the foundation of the world.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” Rev. 3:22, even so, Amen.  Come with joy unto the house of God on holyday! Ps. 122:1; Ps. 42:4, which is righteousness!

 

In Jesus Christ,

 

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James McCauley, Author