Filter by Categories
God's Rest and the Millennium
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Greek word *anapausis* (G372) carries a distinct meaning related to rest, differing from other terms used for cessation or stopping. Unlike *katapausis*, which implies a neutral or negative cessation, *anapausis* conveys a positive, uplifting sense of rest or repose, suggesting a beneficial outcome from stopping work. This is evident in Matthew 11:29, where Jesus Christ uses *anapausis* to promise rest for the soul, indicating a refreshing relaxation that comes from ceasing labor. Similarly, in Revelation 4:8, *anapausis* is used to describe beings who never rest, emphasizing that they never experience repose as they continuously praise God. This word enriches the understanding of rest as not merely stopping but as a restorative and uplifting state, integral to the broader concept of God's rest, which encompasses both cessation of certain activities and the positive engagement in godly works.
Psalms: Book Four (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the discussion of rest within the biblical context, the Greek term *anapausis* (G372) is significant for its positive connotation of repose and comfort. Unlike *katapausis*, which emphasizes ceasing or stopping with a neutral or negative tone, *anapausis* conveys a sense of peace and rest, as seen in Matthew 11:29 where Jesus Christ offers rest for the soul. This term suggests a desirable state of tranquility, contrasting with the mere act of stopping work. While *katapausis* focuses on the cessation of labor, *anapausis* highlights the refreshing outcome of that cessation, pointing to a deeper, more fulfilling rest that aligns with God's ultimate purpose for His people. This rest, characterized by *anapausis*, remains a future goal, a state of spiritual repose that follows the completion of earthly labors and the embracing of God's work.
The Sabbath: Rest
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Greek word *anapausis* (G372) carries a positive connotation of rest, repose, or comfort, distinguishing it from the more neutral or negative tone of *katapausis*, which signifies a cessation or stopping of activity. Derived from the root *pauo*, meaning to cease or stop, *anapausis* incorporates the prefix *ana-*, meaning up, which imbues it with an uplifting sense of rest as a beneficial and comforting state. In contrast, *katapausis* uses the prefix *kata-*, meaning down, suggesting a mere ending of activity without the positive implication of refreshment. In Matthew 11, Jesus Christ employs *anapausis* when speaking of taking His yoke upon ourselves, promising an up-cessation, a rest for our souls. This rest is portrayed as a deeply positive outcome, a comforting state achieved by aligning with His way and bearing His burden. Similarly, in Revelation, the absence of *anapausis* for the four living creatures highlights their ceaseless activity, underscoring that true rest, as conveyed by *anapausis*, involves a positive state of repose rather than mere inactivity. Thus, *anapausis* encapsulates a rest that is not just a pause but a fulfilling and uplifting experience, integral to the spiritual promise offered by Jesus Christ.