Different Sabbaths in the Bible

There are different Sabbaths in the Bible. We have the seventh day Sabbath, which is part of the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:8-11)

And we have the Ceremonial or Annual Sabbaths which were known as feasts also.

The seventh-day Sabbath is still mandatory today and will always be. (Isaiah 66:23), (Exodus 20:8-11).

Whereas the Ceremonial Sabbaths or Annual Sabbaths were nailed at the cross. They were pointing to Jesus Christ and His Work as a High Priest. (Ephesians 2:15, Colossians 2:14-17).

Thus they are no longer necessary to be kept today by Christians.

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What is the Weekly Sabbath?

The weekly Sabbath was instituted in the Garden of Eden after the six literal creation days.

Genesis 2:2-3 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
KJV Bible

It was instituted before sin entered into this world. The ceremonial sabbaths were instituted after sin entered in our world. More on this later.

Back then, when only Adam and Eve existed, the Sabbath was instituted by God. There were no Jewish nation in existence yet.

God created the Sabbath for all mankind, not for only a specific group of people. (Mark 2:27)

The Sabbath as one of the Ten Commandments

Before the people of Israel arrived at Mount Sinai when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments written in stone with His fingers, they already knew about the importance of the Sabbath.

More about this can be read in Exodus 16:23-30.

The Sabbath of the seventh day was given in written form along with the other nine commandments at Mount Sinai. (Exodus 20; 31:18)

The Sabbath was kept by all faithful people of God throughout the Old and New Testaments. (Nehemiah 13:16-19, Isaiah 58:13-14)

Even Jesus Christ Himself kept the Sabbath while on this Earth. And His apostles too. (Luke 4:16; 23:56, Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Acts 13:42,44, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4).

Annual Ceremonial Sabbaths

These are seven ceremonial Sabbaths. They were instituted after sin entered in this world.

They are separate and not to be confused with the seventh day Sabbath.

They are listed in Leviticus 23:4-44.

Each of the seven feasts is dated according to the month. All seven feasts are dated according to the month.

For example, Leviticus 23:5 tells us that “In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S Passover.”

It has nothing to do with the weekly Sabbath. This could fall on any day of the week – Monday to Sunday.

Another ceremonial sabbath was to fall in the seven month, in the first day of the month. (Leviticus 23:24)

Another one of these seven sabbaths was to fall on the tenth day of the seven month.

Leviticus 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
KJV Bible

Another one of these ceremonial sabbaths was to fall on the fifteen day of the seven month. (Leviticus 23:34)

And so on.

These sabbaths had to do with food and drink offerings.

Leviticus 23:37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
KJV Bible

None of the ceremonial feasts or ceremonial sabbaths were dated according to the week. They were all dated according to the month. This is very important!

The Sabbath of the seventh day is dated according to the week.

The ceremonial sabbaths could fall on every day of the week.

Difference between Sabbath and Sabbaths

The difference between the Sabbath of the seventh day and the Sabbaths is huge.

The Sabbath of the seventh day (Saturday) is still mandatory today to be kept by Christians.

Whereas the ceremonial Sabbaths were nailed to the cross when Jesus died.

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Colossians 2:14-17 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

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:

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
KJV Bible

They were done away with at the cross because they were pointing to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

God tried to focus their minds on Christ and His work and sacrifice with these ceremonies. Once He came and died on the cross, they were to recognize Him as the Messiah. The One whom all those practices and ceremonies pointed to.

When Christ died, the veil of the temple was torn in two representing the earthly ministry of priests were done. Their work is finished. All those ceremonies made by them have been fulfilled in Christ, the Son of God.

Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
KJV bible

Now He was to be our High Priest in Heaven after His ascension to the throne of His Father. (Hebrew 4:14-16)

Conclusion

To conclude, the weekly Sabbath is still mandatory and part of the Ten Commandments of God.

He expects us to honour His day of rest. (Exodus 20:8-11)

The weekly Sabbath starts at Friday sundown and ends on Saturday sundown. (Leviticus 23:32)

On the other hand, the ceremonial or annual sabbaths were done away with at the cross.

There is no longer a need to keep those feasts because they were all pointing to Jesus Christ.

Once He came to this Earth and died for our sins, the goal of those feasts has ended.

Jesus Christ is now in the Heavenly Sanctuary, pleading with His blood before the Father for our sins.

Have you placed your sins on Him by confession and repentance?

The day will come when everyone will have made their decision.

Then, Jesus will finish His work of High Priest and will come the second time on this Earth as the King of Kings with great power and glory to take those faithful to Him in Heaven for 1000 years. (Revelation 22:11-12; 20:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

God loves you so much! Choose Him today while is He still near!

My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary