Ellen Chat Conversation

The Sabbath serves as a vital sign of the relationship between God and His people, acting as a distinguishing mark that identifies those who are loyal to His law. This sacred institution was ordained as a primary means of preserving a knowledge of the true and living God among humanity (8T 198.3). By observing the seventh day, believers acknowledge God's creative authority and stand in moral power before the world, refusing to compromise their faith or diminish the distinction between the true Sabbath and its substitutes (13MR 69.1). True Sabbath observance requires careful preparation and a scrupulous regard for the sacredness of the day. God provided specific directions for its keeping, emphasizing that while six days are given for human labor, the seventh is reserved exclusively for Him (2TT 184).

This preparation begins before the Sabbath arrives, ensuring that secular duties are suspended so that the family can enter the sacred hours without haste or loss of self-control (CSW 54). When the day is approached with a devotional frame of mind, it becomes a source of spiritual delight and invites the special blessing and protection of heavenly angels (CCh 271). While the fourth commandment strictly forbids ordinary labor for worldly profit or secular employment, it does not prohibit acts of compassion. The Sabbath is dedicated to rest and religious worship, yet works of mercy and benevolence are entirely in harmony with its purpose (2SP 193).

Relieving the afflicted and comforting those who sorrow are considered labors of love that bring honor to the day, demonstrating that the Sabbath is intended to bring life, peace, and a deeper connection to the Creator (LDE 77).

You might also want to explore:
What specific preparations did Ellen White recommend for the "preparation day" on Friday?
How should parents make the Sabbath a delight for their children according to her writings?
What did Ellen White teach regarding the types of medical work or emergencies that are permissible on the Sabbath?

📚 thousands of passages found containing these search terms — Explore in Full-Text Search