Welcome to The Thinking Cup! In this episode, we delve into Hebrews 4, the word that sparks commentary—“sabbatismos”—and how it intersects with broader discussions about the Sabbath, the Seal of God, and the Mark of the Beast. Is the “rest” purely spiritual in Christ, a weekly rhythm, or both? And why do Adventists read this so differently from most other Christians? If you’re hungry for a clear, fair, Bible-first walkthrough—with history, scholarship, and practical takeaways—you’re in the right place. Grab your mug. Let’s think out loud together. ☕️🧠 What You’ll Learn 👇

• What Hebrews 3–4 is really doing with Psalm 95 and Genesis 2:2–3

• Why Hebrews 4:9 uses the rare Greek word `sabbatismos`—and what it likely means

• The Adventist case: rest in Christ + a creation-rooted weekly Sabbath 🗓️

• Mainstream readings: eschatological rest in Christ, with days under Christian liberty ✝️

• How Colossians 2 and Romans 14 interact with Hebrews 4 (no cherry-picking!)

• Seal of God vs. Mark of the Beast: Spirit, Sabbath, Sunday—what’s actually biblical?

• How to practice rest without turning it into a grind or a badge

Core Texts We Open 📜

• Hebrews 4:1–11 (focus on vv. 3–4, 8–11)

• Psalm 95:7–11; Genesis 2:2–3

• Colossians 2:16–17; Romans 14:5–6

• Mark 2:27–28

• Revelation 7:2–3; 13:16–17; 14:12

• Exodus 31:13, 17; Ezekiel 20:12, 20

Two Big Lenses 🔍

• Adventist view:

• Rest in Christ “Today” + weekly seventh-day Sabbath remains (`sabbatismos` = Sabbath-keeping)

• Sabbath is God’s covenant “sign” and may be the end-time visible marker in a worship crisis

• Mainstream view:

• Seal = the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14; 4:30)

• Hebrews 4 emphasizes eschatological rest in Christ; days fall under liberty (Romans 14; Colossians 2)

Greek in 60 Seconds 🇬🇷

• `katapausis` = rest (broad)

• `sabbatismos` = Sabbath-keeping/Sabbath celebration (lexically concrete), used once in the NT (Heb 4:9)

• The debate: lexical force vs. contextual flow toward eschatological rest

History Snapshot 🏛️

• Early Sunday gatherings: Didache 14; Ignatius, Magnesians 9; Justin Martyr, First Apology 67

• Takeaway: Sunday shows up early as resurrection rhythm—even while Jewish-Gentile identity was in flux

Want to Go Deeper? 📚

• Hebrews: Craig R. Koester (AYB); Harold W. Attridge (Hermeneia); David A. deSilva; Luke Timothy Johnson

• Revelation/Sealing: G. K. Beale (NIGTC); Richard Bauckham

• Sabbath/Sunday Dialogue: D. A. Carson (ed.), From Sabbath to Lord’s Day (Moo, Lincoln, Bauckham); Samuele Bacchiocchi; Sigve Tonstad

• Adventist Standards: Fundamental Belief 20; Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy

Try This This Week 🌿

• Pick a 24-hour window for worship, rest from ordinary labor, and mercy.

• Phone down. Table up. Scripture open. Walk outside. Practice joy.

• Let your schedule preach grace—not hustle.

If this helped you think with charity and clarity, tap the like button, subscribe, and share with a friend who loves both Greek words and good coffee. ☕️💬

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