The Sabbath

When does the Sabbath start? That may seem like a no-brainer, but from Creation through Bible times, the days did not begin and end at midnight as they do today. Genesis 1:5 says, “The evening and the morning were the first day.” A day began when the preceding day closed, at sunset. The dark part of the day came first, then the light part.

In describing how to honor one of the feast days, God instructed the Israelites, “From evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath” (Leviticus 23:32). “Evening” is when the sun becomes even with the horizon, what we call sunset. “In the evening, at the going down of the sun …” (Deuteronomy 16:6). “That evening, after sunset …” (Mark 1:32).

When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, Nehemiah had to teach them how to observe the Sabbath. To prevent the Israelites from carrying on their usual day-to-day business on Sabbath, Nehemiah commanded that the gates of Jerusalem be shut “when the evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath” (Nehemiah 13:15-19).

When the sun goes down on Friday evening, Sabbath begins. It is this creation memorial that we are to remember and keep holy (Exodus 20:8).

– See more at: http://www.sabbathtruth.com/free-resources/article-library/id/915/when-does-it-start

Very few realize that the word “Sabbath” and the concept of resting from work on the seventh day of the week (Saturday) is common to most of the ancient and modern languages of the world

– See more at: http://www.sabbathtruth.com/free-resources/article-library/id/912/which-day-of-the-week#sthash.fAZ4RhK6.dpuf

Rest In God – Keeping the Sabbath Holy

Bible Principles: While this list of Bible principles on keeping the Sabbath holy is not comprehensive, it should help you as you search the Bible to learn how to be like Jesus and “do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:22

– See the list at: http://www.sabbathtruth.com/faq/advanced-topics/rest-in-god-keeping-the-sabbath-holy#sthash.IxOgCcAz.dpuf

– Emily Thomsen