Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Revelation 1: 10
1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Christ Appears on the Sabbath—
The Sabbath, which God had instituted in Eden, was as precious to John on the lonely isle as when he was with his companions in the cities and towns. The precious promises that Christ had given regarding this day he repeated and claimed as his own. It was the sign to him that God was his.... On the Sabbath day the risen Saviour made His presence known to John. [Revelation 1:10-13, 17, 18 quoted.] {7BC 955.8}
The persecution of John became a means of grace. Patmos was made resplendent with the glory of a risen Saviour. John had seen Christ in human form, with the marks of the nails, which will ever be His glory, in His hands and His feet. Now he was permitted again to behold his risen Lord, clothed with as much glory as a human being could behold, and live. What a Sabbath was that to the lonely exile, always precious in the sight of Christ, but now more than ever exalted! Never had he learned so much of Jesus. Never had he heard such exalted truth (The Youth’s Instructor, April 5, 1900). {7BC 955.9}
Christ Jesus kept the Sabbath while in the tomb, and John kept the Sabbath while on the island of Patmos. It was here that Christ came to him, on the Sabbath day. We too can be in God’s presence and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth on the Sabbath day. It is a day that God set aside and sanctified for His Holy purpose. It is the fourth commandment, beginning with the word “remember”, lest we forget. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them. Isaiah 8: 20. Behold all the glory of Christ on the Lord’s Day, His Holy Sabbath. Hear His great voice; learn of Jesus, and all His exalted truth.
Dear heavenly Father,
We come into Your presence on the Lord’s Day. You sanctified and set aside this day for Your Holy purpose. We joyfully worship You in Spirit and in Truth. We pray that we may behold all Your glory, hear Your voice, and learn of You and Your exalted truth. This day was instituted in Eden for our benefit and will continue when we get to heaven, all out of Your love for us, for which we are eternally grateful. We thank You for this day and each day You give us to commune with You. We pray that You continue to shine Your light upon us to reflect unto those walking in darkness. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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