The main theological topic of Don Fortner's article "Christ Has Entered His Rest" is the fulfillment of the Sabbath in Christ as discussed in Hebrews 4. Fortner argues that the biblical concept of "rest," particularly in relation to the Sabbath, finds its ultimate realization in Jesus Christ, who completed His redemptive work. He cites Hebrews 4:9-11, emphasizing that believers enter into this rest by faith, indicating that the cessation of labor is not only physical but spiritual. The author stresses the significance of Christ's finished work, highlighting biblical references like Romans 8:34 and John 19:30 to illustrate that salvation is secure and complete due to Christ's obedience. Practically, this teaching encourages believers to understand their spiritual rest in Christ, which liberates them from the performance-based approach to salvation.
Key Quotes
“The word translated rest in verse nine means sabbatism or a keeping of a sabbath.”
“When the Lord Jesus Christ died at Calvary and rose again the old sabbath of the law ended and the new sabbath of grace began.”
“Since he has finished his work he sat down in his glory. There he is resting.”
“The fact that our great Redeemer has entered into his rest declares he has finished his work.”
What does the Bible say about the rest of God?
The Bible describes God's rest as a state of cessation from work, exemplified in Hebrews 4.
Hebrews 4:9-11
How do we know Christ's work is finished?
Christ's work is finished as evidenced by His resurrection and exaltation, confirming His role as our Savior.
John 19:30, Hebrews 10:10-14
Why is resting in Christ important for Christians?
Resting in Christ is vital as it signifies faith in His finished work and provides spiritual peace.
Hebrews 4:6, John 17:4
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. rest...: Or, keeping of a Sabbath For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. unbelief...: Or, disobedience - Hebrews 4:9-11Christ Has Entered His Rest
The word “rest,” which is used over and over and over in Hebrews 3 and 4, means to repose back, to lay down, to be at peace, to cease from work, to be at home. But, the word translated “rest” in verse nine is an entirely different word. The word here translated “rest” means sabbatism, or “a keeping of a sabbath.”
The Holy Spirit here shows us how the Old Testament law regarding the sabbath finds its fulfillment and complete accomplishment in Christ. Hebrews 4 declares that all who believe on the Son of God keep the sabbath by faith in him.
Christ’s Rest
Here we are told that The Lord Jesus Christ has entered into his rest, and that his rest is glorious, because he has finished his work (Isa. 11:10; 2 Cor. 5:17-21). Our Savior’s rest in heaven is glorious; his rest in heaven is his glory. As God the Father rested on the seventh day, because his work of creation was finished, so God the Son rested in the seventh day of time and entered into his rest forever, because he has finished his work of making all things new for his people (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 10:10-14).
In Matthew 28:1, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.” The verse quite literally reads, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the sabbath.” This is what that means -- When the Lord Jesus Christ died at Calvary and rose again, the old sabbath of the law ended and the new sabbath of grace began!
Behold our exalted Savior! Do you see him seated yonder upon his throne in heaven? There he sits in the undisturbed, undisturbable serenity of his absolute sovereignty. His rest is his glory (John 17:2; Phil. 2:9-11; Isa. 45:20-25). The fact that our great Redeemer has entered into his rest declares he has finished his work (John 17:4; 19:30). He has, by his obedience in life, brought in an everlasting righteousness. And, by his obedience in death, the Son of God has obtained eternal redemption for his people.
Salvation Sure
Because Christ has finished his work, the salvation of his people is certain (Heb. 9:12). All his redeemed ones must enter into his rest (Heb. 4:6). The works were finished before the foundation of the world in God’s purpose (Rev. 13:8; Rom. 29-30). They were finished in time when the God-man took his seat in heaven as our forerunner (Heb. 6:20). There is no more work to be done. Christ did it all. Since he has finished his work, he sat down in his glory. There he is resting! This is what the sabbath days in the Mosaic economy pictured.
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