Sabbath and "Three Days and Three Nights"

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Sabbath and "Three Days and Three Nights"

Subject: Re: Sabbath
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 09:02:20 -0500
From: Mahlon <bible@tk7.net>
To: "Nelson, Brenda, and Matthew Minica" <Minica@concentric.net>
References: 1

Nelson, Brenda, and Matthew Minica wrote:

Mahlon,

Just because the phrase "seventh day of the week" is not mentioned in the Bible is irrelevant. The word week is only mentioned 12 times anyways, 5 of which describe when the tomb was found empty. Matt 28:1 confirms the sabbath was not the first day of the week. I believe the bible tells us that Jesus rose at sundown of the Sabbath. When the women arrived at the tomb early on the first day of the week, it is important to note: Jesus was already gone.

You said, "finished work of Jesus Christ in securing our redemption for us, which was all accomplished and done on the first day of the week."

Well, I certainly believe that I am justified only by Christ's blood, there is no way I can ever earn salvation. I think the second part is in error, and would be more accurate if you said accomplished and done *by* the first day of the week.

All the above aside, I keep the Sabbath to honor God who created in six days then rested. The Catholic church changed the Sabbath to Sunday in 321, and have come full circle now to saying that the creation story is on a myth, and evolution is a proven fact. What a dishonor to God.

Whatever you believe Mahlon, make sure you are fully convinced. Romans 14:5 "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." We can never earn our salvation, justification for our sins only comes through Christ. We must be obedient and make him Lord of our lives though, so be fully convinced in all you do.

I do understand your feeling about the mentality of many Sabbathkeepers, to me it often seems they have made an idol of the Sabbath and put it before God. Just because they are wrong does not make the Sabbath wrong though.

In Christ's love,

Nelson Minica

Minica@concentric.net

PS There is a good online tract you should read at the following location: http://www.denver.net/~cofgsd/ > Literature Why Observe the Seventh-Day Sabbath?

Hi,
     Thank you for the reply. I see that the original message was dated in June, and am wondering why the long delay in responding? I do not want to be judgmental regarding the Sabbath. As you explained to me (and as the Bible also states) that we should all be fully persuaded in our own mind. However I want to bring one thought to your attention if you don't mind. You mentioned to me that it is irrelevant that the phrase "seventh day of the week" is not found in the Bible. If it is irrelevant why do Saturday Sabbath keepers defend their position that the Sabbath is the "seventh day of the week"? As a matter of fact they will say without hesitation that the Sabbath is the "seventh day of the week". Keep in mind this is the very premise of their Sabbath keeping. I maintain that if this is indeed the correct biblical premise for Sabbath keeping why does not the Bible say that it is? For what its worth to you, I want to send you two attached files. These are e-mail discussions that I saved in Msworks as Text documents. If you cannot open and read these attached files please let me know and I will send them as part of the message. I really do want you to read this information because this will explain my understanding of the Sabbath. Thank you kindly for your time, and may God bless you. Until next time.

http://www.tk7.net/users/bibletruths

In His Service, Mahlon

-----Original Message-----
From: Mahlon <bible@tk7.net>
To: minica@cris.com <minica@cris.com>
Date: Friday, June 05, 1998 9:35 AM
Subject: Sabbath

Sir,
     I came across your email address on a web site, and am assuming you keep the Saturday Sabbath. For what its worth, I am taking the liberty of sending you an attached file entitled; "Letters Regarding the Sabbath Question". If you are not able to open and read it, please let me know and I will send as TEXT. If you are interested, you also might want to click on the "The Seventh Day" link in my web page. Thank you kindly for your time.

http://www.tk7.net/users/bibletruths

In His Service, Mahlon Wickey

Subject: Re: Sabbath
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 1998 09:53:28 -0500
From: Mahlon <bible@tk7.net>
To: "Nelson, Brenda, and Matthew Minica" <Minica@concentric.net>
References: 1

Nelson, Brenda, and Matthew Minica wrote:

Mahlon,

The long delay was due to many things keeping me busy. I also wanted to respond as the Lord directed, and not defensively as is so easy to do. You also gave me a lot of things to think about. I went back and read the 4th commandment, and it does just say to work six days and rest the seventh. It is easy to see why people accept Sunday so readily, especially since it has been tradition since ~312 AD.

I think saying that "Sabbath is the seventh day of the week" is like many other wisdoms we learn from the Bible by the teaching of the Holy Spirit. The Bible doesn't specifically say looking at pornograhy is wrong, but we can clearly understand through the Holy Spirit that it is.

And Sabbath is a case not of what is wrong, but what is right. I believe it gives more glory and honor to God who created in six days then rested the seventh. It is about Truth. I could say to you that the Jews all over the world have kept track of the seventh day since creation, but I can never prove it. For all we both know, the proper Sabbath could be Tuesday or any other day of the week.

I believe I can show to you the lie though. The Catholic church readily admits that Sabbath was Saturday, but they claim they had the power and authority to change it to Sunday. It began with pope Constantine in about 312 AD if memory serves me correctly. The Holy Roman Catholic Church was trying to incorporate the pagans into their congregation, so they moved their services to Sunday (I think when the pagans worshipped the sun or some thing like that.) I don't know if you credit the "authority" of the pope, but I do not.

Well, its midnight, and I should join my wife in bed. Tommorow we have an Experiencing God study, Wednesday I'll play basketball, Thursday I have a John bible study with a new Christian, Friday we have a youth bible study, Saturday the youth have the worship service in church, and Saturday night we are planning an alternative place for kids to go. Last Saturday we went through the neighborhood passing out invitations and some information on Halloween. Another busy week!

God bless you,

Nelson

Hi again Nelson,
     Thank you kindly for your warm response to my message. I generally do not receive messages of this nature regarding the Sabbath question. Again thank you, and I praise God. I want to discuss with you in Christian love a major point that you related to me. You mentioned the Catholic church changing the day of worship to Sunday. I believe this is a misunderstanding, because it was not a question of changing anything. It is very true that Saturday has been recognized throughout all of history as the "Jewish" Sabbath and the seventh day of the week. You see, Nelson, this is not (I repeat, not) the issue that needs to be understood. The Catholic church put into law as a decree (or tried to enforce) the day that Christians were already keeping. According to the early Church Fathers, and yes, also the New Testament; the day that believers kept was the "first day of the week" (Sunday). This is all explained in detail in my "Seventh Day" booklet. Saturday Sabbath keepers believe, and have assumed all along, that there is no biblical evidence for the "first day of the week" to be set aside for "God's time" for believers to assemble and fellowship.

It has always been a mystery to me as to why so many sincere Christians so readily will base Sabbath keeping on a "Jewish" calendar that came into existence in 329 AD. This is due to yet another misunderstanding, which is what is known as the "Jews" being God's chosen people. Why does modern Christianity believe this lie, when there is absolutely no biblical evidence to support this? Nelson, I truly believe this is the deception that the world will be taken in, which will make it possible for the man of sin to deceive the world into believing "the lie" that he will be the returned Jesus Christ. This is explained by the apostle Paul in the book of Thes., as you are aware. It is common knowledge, and it is incredible that even our news media will say the "Jews" are expecting their messiah; which of course will be the false messiah. It is also incredible that it is never discussed among Christian churches the agenda of deception the "Jews" have toward the true Israel of God. It is very obvious they will never (and cannot) be converted to righteousness and acceptance of the Christ of the Bible.

I must close for now, and I only hope and pray these comments will not be taken lightly. If you would please take the time to carefully read the booklets "The New Jerusalem", "Lost Israel and the Gentiles", and the pamphlets, "The Man of Sin" and "Who Are the Modern Day Israelites?". Also please read my booklet, "The Seventh Day" very carefully. These are only forty page booklets, therefore do not take that long to read; and they will explain my understanding on certain theological topics. I do want you to know my position on what I have explained to you, and why and how I biblically arrived to this understanding. If you would be interested, I would be glad to send you hard copies (at no cost) of all my written material upon you sending me your mailing address. May the Great God of Israel be with you.

http://www.tk7.net/users/bibletruths

In His Service, Mahlon

-----Original Message-----
From: Mahlon [mailto:bible@tk7.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 1998 8:49 PM
To: Nelson Minica
Subject: Re: Sabbath

Mahlon,

Looks like I cannot show you the lie, because you say the lie was actually truth, the pope just didn't know it. Who are "Church Fathers" anyway? I cannot find any evidence that early Christians met on the first day of the week. That phrase is used eight times, five of which describe the visits of the women to Jesus' tomb. Another is a directive from Paul to collect food on the first day of the week (which was considered working, btw). Even if believers gathered on the first day of the week that does not mean they rested. In my opinion a person can go to church on Sunday and still be a Sabbathkeeper because the Sabbath is about resting and spending time with God, not going to church.

I must admit I know little of the Jewish calendar, so I cannot base Sabbath keeping on that. The Jews at one time may have been God's chosen people, but they rejected Christ and salvation was given to everyone. I know anyone can be converted to righteousness and accept Christ as Savior, even Jews.

I have read your booklet on the Seventh Day, at least back in June. From what I read, it didn't seem in line with what the Holy Spirit was telling me. I'll try to read the others some time. I was thinking last night about some logic and I was wondering what you would say.

1. Assume the phrase "first day of the week" mentioned in the Bible is Sunday. 2... Assume Sunday is the Sabbath. 3. We know the Sabbath is the "seventh day". 4... This indicates a fallacy in the Bible by calling Sabbath the "seventh day" and also "first day of the week". 5... The Bible proclaims itself to be infallible, which we know to be true. 6... Therefore assumption 1 or 2 must be incorrect.

You might accept this proof if the Bible said "the women went to the tomb on the first day" instead of "first day of the week". Now I'd like to address your belief that Christ arose on Sunday.

1. Assume Christ arose on Sunday morning at dawn. 2... Assume that when the Bible says Christ would be in the grave 3 days and 3 nights it meant it, not 3 days and 2 nights or 3 nights and 2 days, etc. 3... We know a day is 12 hours. (John 11:9 - "Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day?...") 4... So Jesus would be in the grave 72 hours. 5... Which means he was placed in the grave Thursday at dawn. 6... We know Jesus was placed in the grave near sunset. (Mark 15:42 "And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,"). 7... Which means Jesus was not placed in the grave Thursday at dawn, and assumption #1 or #2 is invalid.

Here's what I believe happened: 1... Wednesday Jesus was crucified, and placed in the tomb near sunset. 2... Thursday was a Jewish High Day Sabbath, Passover. (John 19:31 "...the next day was to be a special Sabbath...") 3... Friday the women prepared the spices with which to annoint the body. 3... Saturday the women rested. Luke 23:56. 4... Jesus arose on Saturday Sabbath near sunset. (Praise God, He AROSE!!!:) 5... The women went very early Sunday morning (first day of the week) to the tomb, and Jesus was already gone. (Matthew 28:1, NIV "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week...") 6... Unless you tell me the first day of the week is Monday, then Christ arose on Saturday, which the Bible proclaims as the Sabbath.

Remember that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. I in no way doubt your salvation even if you still believe Sunday to be the proper Sabbath. Jesus Christ is the way, and his mercy and grace are the only way we can ever be justified.

May the Holy Spirit teach us wisdom,

Nelson

Nelson,
     The issues and points that you bring up are all addressed in my booklets, especially the "Seventh Day booklet". I want to point out however that it is recorded (fourteen times to be exact) that Christ rose on the "third day". If Christ was in the "heart of the earth" a total of seventy two hours, then he would have had to be resurrected one split second of time into the "fourth day". Therefore this would directly contradict fourteen scriptures. Is this not true? "Three days and three nights" is biblically interpreted in Esther 4:16 and 5:1. This truth is also explained in my booklet "How Did Jesus Christ Die?". You mentioned the Wed. crucifixion of Christ, therefore I am sending you a letter at the end of this message which addresses this.

You implied that Paul said it is all right to work and collect food on the "first day of the week". Please understand, I could not agree more! I want to ask you; what is wrong with collecting food for poor saints in need; even if done supposedly on a "rest" day? The early New Testament saints understood that this form of "Jewish legalism" on Sabbath keeping had ended with the death of Christ. Indeed, Christ himself was accused several times of breaking the Sabbath, as you know. True Sabbath keeping and the grace of God under the old covenant would allow for this type of good "work" to be done for others in need, which is also why Christ healed many people on what could be called the "Jewish" Sabbath. He even had a man take up and carry his bed after he had been healed. Why would Christ do that, if he was not exposing the wrong in the "Jewish Sabbath"? This was "working" according to the Jews, which is why they were very angry with Christ. These things are all covered in my "Seventh Day" booklet. Please read it again. The apostle Paul simply wanted to assemble in fellowship with the Corinthian brethren on the "first day of the week", and he instructed that this gathering of food was to be done before he arrived. 1 Cor. 16:2 plainly explains this, and please believe exactly what this scripture is saying.

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (KJV)

I do not want to go in a lengthy debate with you on the points that you have made. As I stated these points are all addressed in my booklets, therefore please read them carefully. These booklets can stand on their own and are self-explanatory. I am fully aware that you might not agree with some conclusions, which is why I would like your input and possible suggestions you feel I should know about. I am more than willing to make corrections if things are not biblically correct.

I now have your mailing address, and will send you my material as soon as possible. Let me know when you receive them. You will find my mailing address is on the inside of the cover of my booklets. Until next time, and may God bless you.

http://www.tk7.net/users/bibletruths

Your brother in Christ, Mahlon

Subject: Re: Sabbat
Date: Wed, 04 Nov 1998 00:30:03 -0500
From: Mahlon <bible@tk7.net>
To: Nelson Minica <Minica@concentric.net>
References: 1

Nelson Minica wrote:

Brother Mahlon,

I have still not received the booklets, but I just wanted to confirm what I think you believe about the time element in the crucifixion and resurrection. If the outline below is not what you believe then I want to know where I have misunderstood. I believe the true Sabbath can be found in this study, whether I'm right or wrong. If I understand correctly you believe: 1) Christ was put in the earth near sunset on Friday. The piece of the daylight between then and sunset was the 1st day.2) Friday night was the 1st night.3) Saturday day was the 2nd day.4) Saturday night was the 2nd night.5) Sunday morning soon after dawn Christ arose. The piece of the daylight between then and dawn was the 3rd day. I hope you also put the enthusiasm you have about truth into introducing and guiding people into a relationship with Jesus. Christ is not only the Truth, but he is the Way and the Life! I have found that for most of my life I have been concerned only with doctrine, but I was ignoring the more important matters, for one reason or another. Tell me, have you ever read A Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren? Or have you been in a small group study of Experiencing God by Blackaby & King? Jesus Christ changed my life and attitude at a Promise Keepers event, but the above resources I have found to be a great help. Thanks for your time.

Nelson Minica

Hi Nelson,
     You should be receiving the booklets any day. I do not believe the true Sabbath (as you put it) is determined as the correct day of the week. It should be stated as true Sabbath keeping (not a correct day). However it must be understood by the New Testament example of the apostles assembling on the first day of the week (Sunday), that Christ gave his peace and blessing on them after his resurrection. This custom has been maintained in the book of Acts, and also according to true history and the writings of the Church Fathers. True Sabbath keeping is simply to cease from our own work and pleasure, and assemble and fellowship on the seventh day of the weekly cycle to build the Church of God. This is the true intent (and always has been) of the fourth commandment (Sabbath).

I believe the term "three days and three nights" biblically means a span of time that ends sometime on the third day, which of course covers parts of three days or three nights (which ever fits). When Christ was crucified he died on the "preparation day", which was the first day. Christ's body lay in the tomb on the second day, which was a Sabbath (first day of unleavened bread). Keep in mind the days started at sundown, therefore Christ rose from the dead the third day; which was sometime in the night hours of what we would call today as Saturday night. As you are aware, and as Mark 16:2, 9 plainly explained, Christ "was risen" (past tense) very early (at sunrise) on the first day of the week when the women arrived at the grave. What I have explained to you fits very well with the chronology of these events recorded in the New Testament.

I believe the "Promise keepers" are very sincere people, and also have good intentions. However I also believe this movement is a simply a "symptom", and came about because of a major failure on the part of the denominational Church system to provide the answers to this life. The Churches however (along with the "promise keepers") do provide the "emotional" and "feel good" fulfillment that people are seeking. What is lacking on both sides is something called a sincere desire to seek and understand the truth of the Bible. Nelson, I can agree with you in that it is not necessarily a sin if we innocently do not understand truth and correct doctrine. The sin comes about when we knowingly lack a desire for truth, and therefore will easily dismiss sound doctrine. It is required that we seek the truth of God, which is why we are to grow in the correct knowledge and grace of God as the apostle Peter explained in 2 Pet. 3:18. It is very important to become child-like in accepting correct doctrine, and not to reject knowledge. Hosea 4:6 explains that God will reject us if we reject knowledge. The requirement is therefore that we must be mentally on guard never to dismiss sound doctrine if it can be supported by the bible. If we maintain a teachable child-like attitude, the Spirit of God will lead us in all truth as Christ explained. Keep in touch, and let me know when you receive the booklets. May God bless you.

http://www.tk7.net/users/bibletruths

Mahlon

Subject: Re: Sabbath
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 16:15:18 -0500
From: Mahlon <bible@tk7.net>
To: "Nelson, Brenda, and Matthew Minica" <Minica@concentric.net>
References: 1

Nelson, Brenda, and Matthew Minica wrote:

Glad to hear from you Mahlon. You always respond so promptly. I eagerly look forward to and enjoy your letters. I like your attitude about Sabbath keeping. I thought you were trying to tell me that Sunday was the true Sabbath. You did say "true Sabbath keeping" in your last letter though. Maybe I read it some other of your material. So then, if I understand you correctly you believe people can keep the Sabbath on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, as long as they are following the principles of true Sabbath keeping. You believe it doesn't matter which seventh day of the weekly cycle we choose, just so long as we do it. It seemed to me that what you were saying before, is that Sunday was a more appropriate day to choose than any other day of the week. Was I wrong, or do you believe Sunday is a more appropriate day? You keep capitalizing "Church Fathers". Who do you mean and what significance do they hold in your mind? I think I understand what you believe about 3 days and 3 nights. You believe Jesus was in the grave before Friday sundown, so that counts as the day of Thursday sundown to Friday sundown. Then Jesus was in the grave the day of Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. Then Jesus arose sometime before dawn on Sunday, which was the day of Saturday sundown to Sunday sundown. I must admit I have hard time accepting this since the bible states?? times that Jesus would be in the grave for 3 days and for 3 nights. At least now I understand what you are believing. I hope you understand my problem with what appears to be a biblical inaccuracy, since it would have been much more accurate to say 36 hours, or 2 nights and 1 day, or even 3 days leaving out the part about 3 nights (you only believe he was in the grave during 2 nighttime periods). I don't believe we should make scripture fit our belief, but instead make our belief fit scripture. I was just saying the Jesus used a Promise Keepers event to get a hold of me. No church or organization is perfect, but God can use them all. He used them to reach me because they speak openly about sexual sin like I have heard no other speak. My heart belonged to pornography, and not to the Lord. I have changed so much since I began surrendering all my life to Jesus. And now, I believe the Holy Spirit has laid it on my heart to challenge you about witnessing. You seem to be very concerned with truth and doctrine, but leave out the more important task of introducing the lost the Jesus. Forgive me if I speak presumptuously, but I believe that God led you to write to me not so I could convince you of my beliefs, but so that I could challenge you to share the good news. I have noticed in my church that people focus too much on doctrine, and almost completely ignore evangelism. I believe that God wants every Christian to experience the joy of introducing a sinner to Christ, then nurturing the newly reborn with the milk of the Word. If you have children, I think it is very much the same joy as having a baby then watching him grow. They are both some of the best experiences we have in this life. I'll let you know when I receive the tracts.

With Love, Nelson

Hi again Nelson,
      Thank you for your perception you have regarding my belief in Sabbath keeping. It is so easy for some to put the spiritual emphasis on a certain day, therefore making an idol out of the day instead of serving the Creator of every day. However do not forget the New Testament example is to set aside the first day of the week (Sunday) for assembly and fellowship. As for me I choose to personally follow the New Testament example in which Christ gave his blessing. Did you get the booklets yet?

Sincerely, Mahlon

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