Dec 26, 2018
Notes on the Sabbath
Comment from H. P. Blavatsky
That the word “Sabbath” had a mystic significance is shown in the contempt shown by Jesus for the Sabbath day, and by what is said in Luke xviii. 12. Sabbath is there taken for the whole week. (See Greek text where the week is called Sabbath. “I fast twice in the Sabbath.”) Paul, an Initiate, knew it well when referring to the eternal rest and felicity in heaven, as Sabbath; “and their happiness will be eternal, for they will ever be (one) with the Lord and will enjoy an eternal Sabbath.” (Hebrew iv. 2.) Secret Doctrine Vol 1 Pg 240
It is interesting that the Greek word from when the English translation comes did not always refer to a certain day. Take note of these scriptures where the Greek SABBATON is used which is the same translated as Sabbath throughout the New Testament.
Luke 18:12: I fast twice in the week (SABBATON), I give tithes of all that I possess. 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week (SABBATON), when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Now upon the first day of the week, (SABBATON), very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. Luke 24:1
Upon the first day of the week (SABBATON), let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. I Cor 16:2
Here it sounds like Paul is referring to three consecutive days as three Sabbaths.
Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
Maybe the variety of uses of the word is the reason Paul told us to not judge people on how they interpret their Sabbath days:
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. Col 2:16
Some think the early Mormons recognized Saturday as the Sabbath, but the record reveals otherwise:
We found a number in the neighborhood still believing, and now anxious to be baptized. We appointed a meeting for the Sabbath, and on the afternoon of Saturday we erected a dam across a stream of water, which was convenient, for the purpose of there attending to the ordinance of baptism; but during the night a mob collected and tore down our dam, which hindered us from attending to the baptism on the Sabbath. We afterward found out that this mob had been instigated to this act of molestation by certain sectarian priests of the neighborhood, who began to consider their craft in danger, and took this plan to stop the progress of the truth; and the sequel will show how determinedly they prosecuted their opposition, as well as to how little purpose in the end. The Sabbath arrived, and we held our meeting. DHC 1:86
There are many references in Joseph’s recorded history in his own words referring to Sunday as the Sabbath. Here are three of many I could present if necessary.
October 5.–I started on a journey to the east, and to Canada, in company with Elders Rigdon and Freeman Nickerson, and arrived the same day at Lamb’s tavern, in Ashtabula; and the day following, the Sabbath, (Sunday, Oct 6) we arrived in Springfield DHC 1:416
On the 2nd, (Sunday, March 2, 1834) which was the Sabbath, Brother Parley P. Pratt preached, and I spoke in the evening; we had a good meeting. DHC 2:41
August 2nd, (1835) being the Sabbath, I preached a part of the day. (Aug 2, 1835 was on a Sunday) DHC 2:239
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