Rev_1:10. The Lord’s Day
"I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day."’97Rev_1:10.
According to Scripture chronology, it is now nearly six thousand years since God finished the creation of the world. Its history must be deeply affecting to its contemplative inhabitants. The naturalist reads the account of its wonders and phenomena with feelings of delight. The historian traces the revolutions and changes of its kingdoms and empires, with the greatest interest and attention. But no view of our world can be so interesting, or so instructive and useful, as its moral his lory. How it has stood connected with Jehovah. How he has acted towards it; and the requirements he has demanded from its intelligent inhabitants. God’s holy religion, in reference to our world, has been distinguished by three varieties of forms. There was, first of all, what I would call the rural form, which existed from Adam to Moses. God was worshipped in the families of the pious: the altar was erected, and the head of the family presided as its priest and ruler. Secondly, the Levitical form, which existed from Moses to Christ. A large building was now erected by divine command, called the Tabernacle; various orders of men were appointed, and a variety of ceremonies instituted. Then, last of all, there was the Christian form, established by Christ; and which is to last till the end of the world. Here, the rites of the former dispensations were done away. A full revelation was given of the divine mind; and the ministry of the gospel, with its spiritual ordinances were appointed. Now, this evening, we have to consider, the divinity, and binding obligation of a day which Christians have observed, and do observe; and the necessity which exists for continuing to do so. Our subject, then, is the observance of the Lord’s day. Let me then observe,
I. The one Day in seven the Lord did originally demand, and in all Ages it has been yielded to him by his People.
1. The observance of one day in the week was connected with the first state of the world. Gen_2:1-3.
(1) It was woven into the moral code given to Moses. Exo_20:8. Not into the ceremonial department.
(2) It was hallowed by Christ’s holy example. Luk_4:16. Now, we are called upon to see the establishment of the Christian dispensation. That could not be until after Christ’s resurrection. We shall now perceive the first Christians still regarding one day in each week religiously. That day was the first, and not the seventh. On this day Jesus rose from the dead. His disciples were assembled and he appeared unto them. Joh_20:19. On that day week the disciples were again met, &c. Christ also appeared, Joh_20:26. And we shall now see the disciples meeting for religious worship on the first day.
(1) It is highly probable that the Holy Spirit was given on this day. Day of Pentecost signifies, fiftieth day from the first day of the feast of the Passover; and always happened on the first day of the week
(2) The disciples came together to worship on this day. Act_20:7. See also 1Co_16:1, 1Co_16:2.
(3) John calls this the Lord’s day. Rev_1:10. Now, after these remarks, I wish to observe,
1. That the giving to God a seventh of our time has lever been abolished.
No part of the moral law has been so. God has the claim now as ever. Man still necessitated to obey.
2. Christ had a right to change the day, &c.
There seem good reasons for it.
(1) Christ is Lord of the sabbath. Mar_2:28.
(2) Christ rested from his redeeming work on this day. It behooved him to die, and to be buried, and to rise. This day all his work on earth was finished.
(3) This day is more appropriate with the services of the Christian religion. A day consecrated to the Lord. A day of meditation on his person, offices, work, and triumph.
(4) From the days of Christ to the present time, the Lord’s day has been sacredly regarded by all devout Christians. Pliny, in writing to the Roman Emperor, respecting the Christians, states, that they met together on the first day of the week, &c.
II. Let me urge the Propriety of the Observance from several Considerations.
1. Six days of labor are quite sufficient for the concerns of the world.
Man is destined to labor; but surety six-sevenths is enough for the body. Cattle, land, health of the body, demand it from labor. Already more persons to labor than can obtain it.
2. A seventh of our time is surely little enough to be devoted entirely to religion.
Every day must be a day of prayer, of obedience, &c. Religion includes the care of the soul. Heaven, eternity.
3. Neglect of the Lord’s day is ever found connected with irreligion.
Find me a devout, intelligent, holy person, who tramples on God’s day. Religion must have time, attention, &c. Enough of the world in the week, &c.
4. A conscientious regard to the Lord’s day is ever followed with spiritual improvement and comfort A holy and spiritual state of mind is produced by the services of God’s house. A relish for heavenly things’97knowledge is increased’97soul established’97peace, and joy, &c. Find me a poor, joyless, barren soul, who gives God all his powers and time on this day.
5. The consequence of violating this day, if universally adopted, would be dreadful indeed.
All who trade, actually injure, and tax the true Christian. If you have a right to violate the morning, another has the whole forenoon, yea, the whole day. If all did this, Ichabod would be written upon the sanctuaries, and desolation overspread the land. Let me then,
III. Give you some Advice as to the Observance of this Day.
(1) Hail its arrival with praise and prayer.
"Welcome, sweet day of rest," &c.
(2) Aim at being in the Spirit, so that you may honor God in all your thoughts and conversation. Isa_58:13.
(3) Let it be a day of goodness and mercy. Try to do good. Look after your families. Avoid worldly visits, &c. Visit the ignorant, sick, &c.
(4) Be punctual in your attendance on the public ordinances of religion, &c. "I was glad," &c.
(5) Anticipate the sabbath of heaven. There remains the keeping of a sabbath, &c. What must I know, obtain, and be, to enjoy the heavenly sabbath, &c. "Then we shall see, and hear, and know," &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS