A Sign that Distinguishes God's People

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for August 24
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A Sign that Distinguishes God's People

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them,
that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. Eze. 20:12. 


As the Sabbath was the sign that distinguished Israel when they came out
of Egypt to enter the earthly Canaan, so it is the sign that now
distinguishes God's people as they come out from the world to enter the
heavenly rest. 

The observance of the Sabbath is the means ordained by God of preserving
a knowledge of Himself and of distinguishing between His loyal subjects
and the transgressors of His law. 

It [the Sabbath] belongs to Christ. . . . Since He made all things, He
made the Sabbath. By Him it was set apart as a memorial of the work of
creation. It points to Him as both the Creator and the Sanctifier. It
declares that He who created all things in heaven and in earth, and by
whom all things hold together, is the head of the church, and that by
His power we are reconciled to God. For, speaking of Israel, He said, "I
gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might
know that I am the Lord that sanctify them"--make them holy. Then the
Sabbath is a sign of Christ's power to make us holy. And it is given to
all whom Christ makes holy. As a sign of His sanctifying power, the
Sabbath is given to all who through Christ become a part of the Israel
of God. . . . 

To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ's creative and
redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight
themselves in Him. The Sabbath points them to the works of creation as
an evidence of His mighty power in redemption. While it calls to mind
the lost peace of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Savior.
And every object in nature repeats His invitation, "Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.


The Sabbath is a golden clasp that unites God and His people.

>From Maranatha - Page 244