The First Consecration

The first word that is related to sanctification was used in the book of Genesis:

Genesis 2:3 (NKJV) Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

The Hebrew word ‘sanctified’ is Qadash (Strong’s 6942). It means to consecrate, set apart, and make holy. According to the Strong’s dictionary, this term is frequently applied to people, places, objects and times that are designated for divine service or worship.

The act of sanctification involves a separation from common use and a dedication to God's purposes.

God set apart TIME right at the beginning.

Set Apart Time for God

In the Old Testament, God gave statue and regulations to the Israelites in the wilderness to test the Israelites to see if they will walk in His instruction (Exodus 15:25, 16:4) and He established the Sabbath day that people shall rest after six days of work (Exodus 16:23, 20:9-11, 23:12).  

In the New Testament and under the new covenant of Jesus Christ, we no longer need to keep Sabbath only on a certain day each week in order to obey the Law, but there is still an invitation for us to enter rest (Hebrews 4:9-11).

This rest refers to the fellowship with God and enter His presence, for Jesus is the Lord of Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). Ceasing from your own work is a declaration of your trust onto God the Father, acknowledging that He is your provider, and you indeed prioritize Him over your work.

Setting apart time for God is the beginning for everything.

This setting apart does not refer to attend Sunday church services but fellowship with the Lord and grow in intimacy with Him. A day for rest – a day with the Lord.

Knowing Him, having a personal relationship with Him, is what eternal life is about (John 17:3). Jesus also desires us to treat Him as our first love (Revelation 2:4).

Our Father in Heaven wants to break us free from Egypt: the bondage of slavery (for work) and orphanage (to be our provider). He wants us to have the exodus from orphanage into sonship in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:15 (NKJV) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Since God is the fountain of life and the true light (Psalms 36:9), spending time with Him can rejuvenate our soul and direct us to walk in the path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3), walk in the plans that He has ordained before we were born (Psalm 139:16) and prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10).

We are His little lambs. Let Jesus be our Shepherd and take the lead.

Will you accept this invitation to enter His rest?

You can begin with baby steps like 5 mins per day… then increase to 10 mins... then 20 mins… He longs to commune with you, comfort you, help you and see you refreshed!

7 Day as foreshadow of 7,000 years

While pondering on Genesis 2:3, I was also being reminded of the millennial reign in the book of Revelation 20. As the Old Testament always a foreshadow of the New Testament, the ‘seventh day’ in the Creation week actually points to the 7th 1000-year of human history.

This video series, Messiah 2030, a very fascinating study that explained this in very much detail. Have fun watching them and test what they said with the Lord!

Messiah 30 Part 1

Messiah 30 Part 2

Messiah 30 Part 3

From the beginning, God already declared the end. How beautiful is that!