Series 1 - Lesson 4 - Annotation 19
Explain the "Sabbath."
19. The word sabbath means "restoration, completion, perfection, oneness, rest." The true Sabbath is conscious atonement with Spirit within and around us. The Sabbath is first mentioned in Gen. 2:2-3, "And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." The plans were finished in God consciousness, and the creative principle rested within the soul of man as His image, taking it for granted that the creations would come forth into expression and manifestation in due season. Then follows the pause, the rest, after which the Son moves into the expression and manifestation of the divine potentialities inherent within Him.
All manifest life is carried on in cycles. This corresponds to the periodic method in which Spirit works; there is the inflow, the pause (rest), then the outflow into expression and manifestation. With manifest man the Sabbath is a pause in the midst of his outer activity. In the pause he realizes that Spirit is working in and through him to accomplish its purpose. Man prays (speaks the Word) and then rests in perfect faith knowing that the law of God is bringing into manifest form the perfect result.
Even as God rests in the soul of man, so does man rest in God consciousness, knowing that all is well and that the Father is doing His perfect work. Every day is a Sabbath day if at some time during that period we turn away from our interests in the outer and seek Spirit within us for rest and refreshment. "In returning and rest shall ye be saved." -- Isa. 30:15. Eventually the Sabbath is that eternal rest which comes to regenerated man when all that is unlike the Christ has been denied, and man awakes in the likeness of God.
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Preceding Entry: What relation is there between food and the redemption of the body?
Following Entry: Why does man ever seek to exercise dominion?
