Before knowing the truth of the Sabbath, I kept Sunday service faithfully, thinking that I could receive many blessings from it. No matter how hectic my schedule was, worshiping God would always be my first priority. In order to reach the worship hall on time, I often prayed for a smooth journey, “Please help me not to miss the bus.” Nevertheless, I always felt bored and empty while listening to the sermons. Whenever the pastors started to talk about philosophy and how to manage interpersonal relationships, I never failed to doze off.
I loved studying the Bible, but the Bible study sessions I had attended were merely presentations of various theological theories proposed by different Biblical scholars. “We, as humans, cannot fathom the Bible. Just love God,” the pastors would always say.
The members of my Church believed that if they were to shake the pastor’s hand, they would receive blessings. After service, people would queue up for the customary handshake. I too, joined in. “The pastor is also an ordinary man like us, will I really be blessed like that? How can I know more about God? How can I truly receive blessings from God?” I often wondered.
One day, a friend of mine shared an astounding truth—the day of worship is the Sabbath on Saturday, not Sunday. I looked closely at the verse she showed me.
Genesis 2:1-3 By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing, so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day by making it holy.
The blessed day, Sabbath is on Saturday. Not Sunday!
She continued to show me Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy…” Sabbath is even set as the fourth commandment among the Ten Commandments.
The record is so clear. Why do general churches still keep Sunday service? What is the origin of Sunday service?
In response to my questions, my friend lent me her book titled ‘My Sheep Listen To My Voice’. I stayed overnight to finish the whole book. Undeniably, the day of worship appointed by God is on Saturday, not Sunday, contrary to popular belief. Historical and biblical evidence clearly testified to this fact. Sunday, on the other hand, is a man-made tradition. In AD 321, Roman Emperor Constantine legalized Sunday worship. He called Sunday—the memorial day of the Sun God. There is not a single verse in the Bible that says we can receive blessings through Sunday service. Instead, by keeping Sunday service, we will commit the sin of breaking the Sabbath and come to worship other gods. How can we enter heaven if we go against the will of God?
Soon after, I attended the Church of God that keeps the Sabbath according to the new covenant. The World Mission Society Church of God delivers the will of God in every sermon, and quotes verses from the Bible. While studying more at the Church of God, I verified from the Bible that the Memorial Day of the Creator is the Sabbath day. It is also a sign between us and God. God promises overflowing blessings through the Sabbath day. The water of life that I received really quenched my thirsty soul. My heart was filled with joy and thanks. Even though it was my first time attending service, all my anxiety vanished when I saw the bright smiles of the members in the World Mission Society Church of God. It was so beautiful that they served one another and continually gave thanks to God. Since then, I looked forward to keeping the Sabbath every week. Which of God’s words will I study on that day? How many more blessings will I store up through the coming Sabbath? My heart flutters whenever I think of the Sabbath.
The best part is that through the Sabbath day, I came to know the Creator God—Elohim God, our Spiritual Father and Mother. As it is written in the Bible “so that you would know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy”. Our dear Heavenly Parents were the reality of the burnt offerings offered on the Sabbath day, to cleanse us of all the sins and give us the precious promise of the everlasting rest in heaven. How can I ever give enough thanks to Elohim God? With a thankful heart, I will keep the Sabbath until the end and boldly preach it to the people around me.
by Tan Yu