We need the fullness of the Spirit. We hear this everywhere. Churches with uninhibited and vibrant worship services attract an astonishing number of people in a short time. Some people think this is the answer to the serious problems our church is facing. Aren’t these numbers proof that the Spirit is at work here? Where can we find the answer to this?

The Bible promises rain: “You shall not make for yourselves any idols, nor set up for yourselves any carved image or stone pillar, nor place any carved stone in your land to worship it; for I am the LORD your God. Keep my Sabbaths and revere my sanctuary. I am the LORD. If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them, I will give you rain at the proper time, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.” (Leviticus 26:1–4)

If we fulfill these conditions, the LORD will cause the “Holy Spirit” to rain down in due season. If we keep His Sabbaths, the LORD will send the latter rain.

For decades, we have been able to demonstrate that the LORD’s Sabbath is the seventh day, Saturday. We have ready answers, can address all objections, and can explain all the Sunday passages in the New Testament. Every Sabbath morning we attend worship services and rest from our weekly work. Yet the true meaning of the Sabbath all too often eludes us, and that is why we do not know how to keep it “properly.”

What does the Sabbath really mean?

How do we rest on the Sabbath so that the promised rain will come?

Back then, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, the Promised Land. They took possession of it while God did great things to drive out their enemies.

“Thus the LORD gave Israel the whole land He had sworn to their fathers to give them, and they took possession of it and settled there. And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their fathers; and none of their enemies could stand against them, but he delivered all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; they had all come to pass.” (Joshua 21:43–45)

Today we stand at the border of Heavenly Canaan. For although they entered the earthly Canaan, the Israelites did not fully find the rest that God promises His children. This is precisely what Paul writes about in the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews:

“For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day afterward. There remains, then, a rest for the people of God. For whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same disobedience.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of God, to whom we must give account.
Since we have a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God, who has passed through the heavens, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:8–16)

Paul speaks of the Sabbath rest (verse 4): One can find it only by passing the test of God’s Word, which examines even the innermost thoughts and motives. Only those who fully fulfill God’s revealed will find this Sabbath rest and enter the heavenly Canaan. This requires great effort. Indeed, the challenge is far too great. We are not up to the task. It is hopeless. But Paul points us to our only hope: Jesus Christ. He understands our weaknesses because he experienced them firsthand. He can lead us to the throne of grace so that we may find mercy and grace—the promised rest.

Resting in Jesus

This is exactly what Jesus is talking about when He invites us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30) Anyone who wants to find rest in Jesus can do so only by taking up his yoke and learning from him.

What helps us along this path, and what does not? Paul speaks of this: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision [one’s own efforts to achieve something in God’s eyes] nor uncircumcision [blind trust: ‘God’s grace is so great. My works don’t matter here.’], but a new creation”; “but faith working through love”; “but: keeping God’s commandments.” (Galatians 6:15; 5:6; 1 Corinthians 7:19)

To bear Jesus’ yoke and enter into His rest means to become a new creation; it means to have faith that works through love; it means to keep God’s commandments. Indeed, the commandments themselves teach us how to enter into God’s rest.

I. Look only to Him at all times

“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

Whoever enters into God’s rest has given Him his whole heart and has set aside everything that seeks to distract him. He focuses exclusively on honoring and glorifying God. It is interesting that Jesus could find and maintain peace only by walking the path of the cross. In the same way, we too can find peace only when we take up the cross, give up everything, and crucify our own desires in exchange for the most beautiful friendship with Jesus Christ. “Only when we give our whole heart to God can the transformation take place within us that will restore us to His image.” (Steps to Christ, 43)

II. Learning from Him Unfiltered

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: You shall not bow down to them or serve them! For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Exodus 20:4–6)

The pagans did not believe that their idols made of wood, stone, and metal were gods in and of themselves. They merely represented the deities they worshiped. When we set up something in our lives to take God’s place, our conceptions of God become distorted to fit that representation. But nothing must stand between us and Him. We need our own direct, personal connection with God, and no one has the right or the authority to undermine it.

All too often, we allow other people (preachers, teachers, professors) or publications to act as filters between us and God in our lives. In reality, we end up worshiping them. The LORD, however, draws near only to those who truly desire to know His will and who, with a willingness to learn and in prayer, search the inspired Scriptures. He will teach these people. Of course, we continue to treat our brothers and sisters with respect and gratefully accept their advice, without forgetting, however, that we are accountable to God alone and that detours from His throne are dangerous. He Himself wants to show us the way.

III. Being Authentic

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.” (Exodus 20:7)
Do you often utter God’s name thoughtlessly? Do you curse and often vent your feelings with words that have no deeper meaning? Then this is directed at you. But there is another aspect to this commandment. Anyone who bears the name of the LORD—that is, a “child of God” or a “Christian”—must also let Him into their life. “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: … Let everyone who calls on the name of the LORD turn away from wickedness.” “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father in heaven.” (2 Timothy 2:19; Matthew 7:21) In the name of Jesus lies the power that seeks to save us from all inherited and cultivated inclinations toward evil; we must not misuse this name.
“The true Christian leads a life of faith that brings holiness. In his conscience there is no trace of guilt, and in his soul there is no hint of corruption. The spirituality of God’s law, with its fundamental principles, is brought to life. The truth illuminates our spirit with its light. A strong love for the Savior dispels the veil of poison that has come between man and God. His will now merges with God’s will, becoming pure, ennobled, refined, and sanctified. The light of heaven is clearly written on his face. His body is fit to be a temple for the Holy Spirit. His being is adorned with holiness. God can communicate with him, for his soul and body are in harmony with Him.” (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary 7, 909)

IV. Being Closely United with Him

When we enter into fellowship and harmony with God (by dedicating ourselves wholly to Him, establishing a direct, personal connection with Him, and allowing His power into our lives), we find true Sabbath rest, both here and in the heavenly Canaan.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.” “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” “For you must remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” “Keep my Sabbath; for it is a sign between me and you from generation to generation, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” (Exodus 20:8; 23:13; 20:11; Deuteronomy 5:15; Exodus 31:13)

Here, three acts of God’s creation are commemorated: the creation of a perfect world; the creation of a human being capable of obedience (deliverance from Egyptian slavery); and the creation of God’s image within that human being (sanctification). These acts of God culminate in rest for His people.

The day of rest follows the six days, during which we are told: “Do all your work.” Jesus says: “Take my yoke upon you, … and you will find rest for your souls.” Paul exhorts us: “Strive to enter that rest, so that you may not fall by the same disobedience” as the children of Israel, “whose bodies fell in the wilderness.” (Hebrews 4:11; 3:17) Peter says: “Therefore, dear brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do this, you will never stumble, and you will be granted abundant entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10–11)

Only when our work is done will we find Sabbath rest—only when we are washed, clothed in the snow-white linens of the saints, and ready to meet the Lord. “To let Jesus into our hearts, we must stop sinning.” (Signs of the Times 2, 363) This is the meaning behind taking a bath, brushing our shoes, ironing our clothes, and laying them out before the Sabbath hours begin. That is why, as far as it is up to us, we settle all differences with our brothers and make amends for all our mistakes before we defile the Sabbath hours with the impurity of our hearts. The Sabbath characterizes redeemed and sanctified people who keep all the commandments—for whoever has found God’s rest learns how to love his neighbor as Jesus does. He finds this rest and can then pass it on to all who open themselves to his influence. In this way, it becomes evident that the last six commandments are written on the tablets of his heart. “…you shall rest, so that your ox and donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave and the stranger may be refreshed.” The Sabbath shows that God has been merciful to us. It is to become a sign of mercy for all.

However, the Sabbath cannot distinguish those who, out of “compassion” for their neighbor, withhold from them the warning regarding the demands God places on His people. People who think well of evil will soon think ill of good as well. (See *The Great Controversy*, 571) They do not seek righteousness but lull themselves into a false sense of security in their sins. The Sabbath, however, distinguishes those who are fully committed to ensuring that God is always honored and glorified.

When we realize that the Sabbath connects us to God, it is no longer a day for socializing and entertainment during which we forget God. Rather, we can observe how “those who fear the Lord comfort one another: The LORD observes and hears it, and a book of remembrance is written before Him for those who fear the LORD and remember His name. “They shall be mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day I make it my own; I will spare them, just as a man spares his son who serves him. “In the end, you will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” (Malachi 3:16–18)

Where Jesus Lives in People

We are approaching the last days of this world’s history, and the difference between right and wrong is becoming increasingly difficult to discern—until finally, all who do not love truth and righteousness are caught in the trap. Even within our own church, truth and error are growing side by side. We cannot discern the right side by miracles. What, then, distinguishes the righteous from the unrighteous? The sign of true Sabbath observance.

“Satan studies the Bible intensively. He knows that he has little time left and constantly tries, everywhere, to sabotage the Lord’s work on this earth. It is impossible to convey even a glimpse of the experience of God’s people living on earth when heavenly glory and a revival of medieval persecutions merge. They will walk in the light that shines down from God’s throne. Through angels, heaven and earth are in constant, active contact. Meanwhile, surrounded by evil angels, Satan masquerades as God and performs all kinds of miracles to deceive even the elect, if possible. But God’s people do not find their security in the working of miracles, for Satan will imitate the miracles that are performed. God’s tested and tried people find their strength in the sign described in Exodus 31:12–18. They take their stand on the side of the living Word: “It is written”—the only foundation on which they can stand securely. Whoever has broken his covenant with God is, on that day, godless and without hope.” (Testimonies 9, 16)

The LORD promises: “Keep My Sabbaths, and I will give you rain in due season.”
Let us therefore strive to enter that Sabbath rest, which remains for God’s people, so that none of us may fall by the same unbelief.

From: Our Firm Foundation, September 1990

First published in German in *Unser festes Fundament*, Special Edition 1998