Hi, I'm studying to shew myself approved unto God and I'm not certain as to whether the rest that still "remaineth therefore...to the people of God" (Heb. 4:9)--written to the Hebrews who were keeping the Sabbath day--was meant to say that they would have "another" rest as in "in addition" ("For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterwards have spoken of another day" - Heb. 4:8) or "another" as in "a different."
...Like if someone gave you one apple and then said, "I'm going to give you 'another' apple, and then they handed you a second apple ("another" apple), or if someone handed you one apple and then said, "I'm going to give you 'another' apple," and then took the original apple they gave you and then give you a different apple instead ("another apple"). Thanks
It would be more like giving a apple to one and eating the apple for oneself. One to strengthen others the other to strengthen one self oneself
The key is there are two kinds of Sabbaths. Ceremonial and non ceremonial. One time sensitive and the other not. Two different purposes.
The Sabbath a ceremonial fast is a day set aside that person can do the
work of bringing the gospel into the world, a day set aside from the regular routine according to the kind of fast that the disciples knew not of. And therefore not a day of rest to find pleasure and relax from the cares of the world. It has turned into that in many cases but that is clearly not the intention of God setting aside one day a week .
But again the kind of prayer and fasting that Christ used to cast out lying spirits that did work to dispel the demons from trying prevent the gospel of faith from being heard. The disciples did not mix faith in what they understood . Because of their unbelief (no faith) This is important because it is used to help explain to non time sensitive Sabbath in Hebrew 4.
Matthew 17:20-22 King James Version (KJV)And Jesus said unto them, Because of your
unbelief:
(no faith) for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
The Sabbath described in Hebrew 4 was personal between the believer and God. And when hearing God as he gives us His faith our hearts become soft. And again in verse 6 the Holy Spirit emphasizes that those to whom the rest was first preached entered not in because of unbelief
no mixing faith). There hearts remined hard no Sabbath rest
The Sabbath rest comes when we do attribute to God as the one that does bring to our minds that which he has taught us. Again the work of God working with us softens our heart so that we can believe as he works in us to both will and perform His good pleasure.
Non time sensitive 24/7 called today.
Hebrews 4:1-7 King James Version (KJV) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was
the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them,
not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and
they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.