Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as it is a vital key to understanding God and His purpose. The seventh-day Sabbath is more than a weekly day of rest; it is a day devoted totally to God, serving as a regulator and barometer of our relationship with Him. God made the Sabbath at Creation, as seen in Genesis 2:2-3, and it was made for all mankind, not just a specific group, according to Mark 2:27. On the seventh day of Creation, God rested after six days of labor, setting an example for us to follow, as noted in Genesis 2:2-3 and Exodus 20:8-11. The Sabbath is distinct from the other six days because God blessed it, making it holy time set apart for His use, as these same verses indicate. To keep the Sabbath holy, we are guided by principles in scriptures such as Leviticus 23:3, Exodus 16:23, and Jeremiah 17:21-22, which prohibit working, cooking, and carrying burdens. Rather than a detailed list of rules, God provides principles for proper and improper Sabbath behavior, leaving us to decide our actions. The Sabbath also serves as a sign identifying God's people, as stated in Exodus 31:12-17 and Isaiah 56:1-7, marking a perpetual covenant with them. Jesus, as its Creator and Lord of the Sabbath, demonstrated its intent through His actions, as recorded in Mark 2:28. If kept properly, the Sabbath becomes a delight and a tremendous blessing each week, enhancing our relationship with God, as expressed in Isaiah 58:13-14.

The Sabbath is holy ground, set apart by God as sacred. Just as God placed His presence in the burning bush, making the surrounding ground holy, and just as the priests entered the Holy Place and Holy of Holies barefoot to show reverence, God has placed His presence in the seventh day, consecrating it. We must show reverence to God by keeping the Sabbath holy and by assembling together to worship on this day. The Sabbath is not an ordinary day; it is special because God sanctified it, distinguishing it from the other days of the week. The Sabbath serves as a special sign of the covenant between God and His people, conveying that we are made special by this relationship. It facilitates our understanding of our Creator, and without knowing God through the Sabbath, there is no eternal life. God commands us to keep the Sabbath sacred, to avoid trampling on His holy time, and to treat it with respect and honor. It is a test commandment, identifying those who have surrendered to God's will by voluntarily obeying what He has made sacred. The Sabbath is not a time for normal weekly work or activities that can be done on the other six days. It is a time to step away from the busy world, to rest physically, and to change our approach from the constant hustle of other days. God designed the Sabbath to serve mankind, making it a delight when kept properly. It is a time for rest, reflection, spiritual growth, and interaction with brethren through sacred assembly, as God summons us to be together every seven days for mutual encouragement and learning.

The Sabbath holds a vital role in God's ongoing creation of His sons and daughters, as it is a day set apart for spiritual work and reflection. God commands us to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy, emphasizing the need to cease from regular work and follow His example from creation, when He rested on the seventh day, blessed it, and sanctified it as different from the other six days. This day is not merely for physical rest, as God does not grow weary, but for refocusing on what is truly important, contemplating accomplishments, and feeling a sense of completion and well-being, just as God did when He finished His physical creation. The Sabbath is a holy convocation, a day when we are summoned to worship God together, learn His way, and fellowship with like-minded individuals. It serves as a sign between God and His people, marking them as separate and reminding them weekly that God is working to sanctify them and make them holy. This spiritual creation is a significant part of God's purpose, and the Sabbath is the primary day carved out for this work, where we join Him in building faith in Christ, free from the distractions of everyday life. God desires our full attention on the Sabbath, a day to focus on knowing Him and growing in holiness, as eternal life is tied to knowing the Father and the Son. Properly keeping the Sabbath facilitates this growth, setting us apart as a distinct people. God promises joy and elevation above worldly cares to those who honor His holy time by restraining from personal pursuits in thought, word, and deed. Keeping the Sabbath holy is a major key to spiritual growth and preparation for God's Kingdom, urging us to evaluate our practices and ensure we devote this time to His work in us.