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YES! THE SABBATH IS A SIGN BETWEEN GOD AND ISRAEL, BUT DIDN'T YOU KNOW THAT ALL WHO ARE IN CHRIST BECOME PART OF ISRAEL?
Did you know that when all saved believers walk through the gates of New Jerusalem, we will walk through a gate that bears the name of one of the tribes of Israel? That's right! All of the twelve gates of New Jerusalem are named after the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev.21:12). So we will ALL walk through a particular gate that bares a name of one of the twelves tribes. Why? Have you ever wondered? The answer is very simple, as the Bible confirms that when we accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our Lord and Saviour, we become 'grafted in' as part of TRUE Israel. And I will explain why I said 'TRUE' Israel. But what does this have to do with the Sabbath? Let me share a recent quote with you from a popular 'Christian' ministry in America:
"Are you a child of one of the 12 tribes of the nation of Israel from the Old Testament? That's super-important because the sabbath, which God repeatedly tells Moses is a 'sign between me and the children of Israel', is not given to anyone who is not a child of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. If you answered yes, congrats! You may continue with the test. If you answered no, game over, you're definitely not a biblical sabbath keeper because you don't qualify. Sorry."
I haven't given the source to this quote, because I'm not prepared to send people to a ministry that promotes gross error. And the ignorance in the above quote is astonishing! To believe that God's Sabbath promise was to the literal nation of Israel alone, you have to be completely ignorant of the original purpose of the 7th day Sabbath and WHO it was 'made' for. But before we get into that, let us take a look at WHO is true Israel today.
New Jerusalem has ... "a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel." (Revelation 21:12)
Is there any other gate by which you can enter New Jerusalem? No.
All saved will pass under one of those names of the twelve tribes of Israel. And when you understand what the names refer to and that all who come to Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, are grafted into the tree, becoming part of true Israel, then it makes sense. So what does a name signify? Let us look at the name 'Israel' itself. Who was that originally given to? It was given to Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes. And why was Jacob given the name 'Israel'? Let's take a look:
Genesis 32:24-28 ...'And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: FOR as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.'
Why was Jacob's NAME changed to Israel? Because he had 'prevailed' during his time of trouble. He had repented of his sin against Esau and he clung on to God with all he had, not letting go of God until God blessed him. Jacob OVERCAME! His CHARACTER had changed from 'Jacob' (a supplanter) to 'Israel' (to contend with God and OVERCOME by faith). Many professed Christians today do not understand the significance of this. They simply believe that the name Israel only applies to the literal nation of the flesh, which is why they don't understand the truth about the 7th day Sabbath. We will all walk through a gate of New Jerusalem which bares one of the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, because when we OVERCOME through Christ, we become 'grafted in' to true Israel and bear that name also.