FURTHER STUDY: Study the relationship of the following texts to the Sabbath message: Rev. 1:10; Rev.7:1-3; Rev. 9:4; Rev. 11:19; Rev. 14:7; Rev. 15:2; compare Isa 61:1,2).
"It is Satan's constant effort to misrepresent the character of God, the nature of sin, and the real issues at stake in the great controversy."--The Great Controversy, p. 569.
"From the opening of the great controversy it has been Satan's purpose to misrepresent God's character, and to excite rebellion against His law."-- Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 338.
Because God's law, is a transcript of His character, any attempt to change the law is tantamount to an attempt to change Him. Therefore, in heaven. Satan "denounced the divine statutes as a restriction of their liberty and declared that it was his purpose to secure the abolition of law; that, freed from this restraint, the hosts of heaven might enter upon a more exalted, more glorious state of existence."-- The Great Controversy, p. 499.
In the end time, Satan will use the same strategy that was so successful in heaven and in Eden. "Through spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; but at the same time he works as a destroyer."-- The Great Controversy, p. 589.
Though the discovery of God's law came to the angels as a surprise (Thoughts >From the Mount of Blessing, p. 109), they reverence the law (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 349). It is as unchangeable as God (Spiritual Gifts, vol. -3, p. 46) and His throne (E. G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1166). Christ came to earth to exalt the law (E. G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1097), and on the cross He demonstrated its immutability to the entire universe (The Great Controversy, p. 503). It will be kept forever (Isa. 66:22, 23).
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
One of your friends asks how you have enough time to get everthing done when you take an entire day off for worship. How would you explain the bendfits of the Sabbath?
SUMMARY: The Sabbath, as a part of God's eternal law, involves a relationship between both God and humanity (Exod. 20:8-11). The Sabbath declares the two principles of love for God and love for humanity (Matt. 22:37-40). It reveals God's character of love. Both the cross and the Sabbath are eternal gifts for humanity.