Eternal Sabbath

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Enjoying sabbath in our backyard!



Scripture:

Rev. 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Messiah,
and he will reign forever and ever.”

Observation:

When the trumpet is sounded, there is the revelation of a new day. This is the final, and eternal Sabbath when the Lord and his Christ will reign together, for eternity. It is the celebration of the victory and dominion of the one who is the true King of all things. Now, He will reign forever and ever and ever. There is an affirmation here of the unity of the Father and the Son, for in their oneness, they will reign. This is the answer to the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). Christ has already won the victory over death and now his ascension to the throne becomes eternal. 

Application:

This vision from Revelation is one in which we see the final and ultimate rule of God on the throne. It is a place where all of creation will enter into an eternal sabbath rest. This is truly beyond our comprehension as in this eternal sabbath there is complete and entire harmony between the Creator and all of creation. Humans and nature live together in peaceful harmony, basking in the beauty and holiness of God. 

Sometimes theologians talk about the “already, and not-yet,” of the kingdom of God. We are living in a unique time where the kingdom of God is “already” present, but it is “not-yet” here in totality. By Jesus’ activity we are all invited into the “already” of the kingdom and should try to live in this space in its fullness. We are to be active participants in the kingdom which is already present. That means that our lives are to reflect a glimpse of what it may be like when the kingdom is entirely here. 

This brings us to the idea of sabbath. If Christ’s final reign means that the earth will enter into an eternal sabbath, it also means that the practice of sabbath today is a reflection of the kingdom of God. We are invited into the rest of sabbath in ways which can be transformative to us and to those around us. 

I’ve been reflecting on sabbath lately, because I lead a rather hectic life and finding a rhythm for sabbath is not easy. At the same time, I’ve learned that if I don’t practice sabbath there will be a negative impact on my life, relationships and work. There is something about slowing down, putting the work aside: finding joy in laughing, playing, soaking in the beauty of nature, and relationships in a way that makes you appreciate the precious gifts that we have been given. 

I’m reading and writing this morning from the deck out behind our house. I can hear the birds singing and I see the beauty of the trees with their new spring leaves and the flowers that are reaching to bloom. I have a little granddaughter that can’t wait to help me water the flowers later in the day. There is something calming and peaceful about all of this that helps me absorb all of the other. Here I can sense God’s presence and in the quiet, hear the voice of the Lord. This is sabbath and it’s a foretaste of what is to come. The invitation is for us to hear the trumpet blow, and follow the creatures into the throne room of God where we can praise our Lord, saying, 
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Messiah,
and he will reign forever and ever.”

That will be the eternal sabbath. Let’s practice our own presence in the sabbath that is already here, ushering in that which will become eternal. 

Prayer:

Lord, I need the reminders of sabbath rest. I praise you today as I have the blessing of enjoying your presence in the beauty of your creation. Amen. 

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