“Why doesn’t anyone know about the eighth day?”
“Because it isn’t taught.”
I gave my daughter a quick lesson about the “eighth day” when she asked how my Zoom Bible study went.
The eighth day appears at specific biblical celebrations. Speaking of the Feasts of the Tabernacles found in John 7, it is supported by three Old Testament scriptures.
“When these days are over it shall be, on the eighth day and thereafter,” (Ezekiel 43:27a, NKJV). See Leviticus 23:36 and Nehemiah 8:18 (NKJV).
As Christians we are living in the eighth day, and not even aware of it. Beyond the traditional creation week established in Genesis, beyond time and space, the eighth day is the resurrected life, which we sing, “He has risen.” Jesus was crucified on the Friday, remained in the tomb on the Sabbath and was raised from the dead on Sunday — the day after the Sabbath. In early Christian writing, Sunday is considered both the first day of the new week and the eighth day — a day that breaks out of the old cycle of time.
Christians do not live under the law of the Old Testament, but under grace which gives us resurrected life in Him. By rising on the “eighth day,” Jesus initiated a new, spiritual creation, which we are a part of, and we are to live in.
My daughter asked me, “Where are you getting this stuff?”
Her skepticism caught me off guard. I explained that these ideas come from spending time with the Lord, studying the scripture and reading the works of classic theologians like Charles Spurgeon, Oswald Chambers and G. Campbell Morgan.
“I can give you chapter and verse and the surrounding text.” I explained my findings to her. I realized it was more than she needed. It sounded like heresy. As if I was going to Sedona for crystal healing and channeling.
“Does truth have layers?” Truth is absolute and unchanging. “And there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, NKJV). While truth does not change, our human understanding of it does. Because our minds are finite, we tend to learn in layers based on our experiences and what we are able to process.
This distinction became especially clear to me while listening to a recent podcast hosted by two high-profile figures. They were relatively new to their faith and lacked a complete understanding of the history and sovereignty of God. With big megaphones, they were telling the world what they believed and were very convincing. Their commentary ended up stirring anger in many rather than understanding.
I gauged them on my own spiritual journey. When I was first opened to spiritual truths, I knew very little — absolutely nothing. Just enough to be dangerous.
I am very aware of leading someone in error. The Bible warns those who teach. “Don’t aim at adding to the number of teachers, my brothers, I beg you! Remember that we who are teachers will be judged by a much higher standard” (James 3:1, Phillips).
Truth is given to us by the Holy Spirit. If we are willing to reach beyond our perceived ideas and wishful thinking, another layer of understanding will come to us. If not, we only delay the reckoning with it.
Final brushstroke: For some of us, our hearts thirst for more. The more we know, the deeper our faith. In these troubled times, we need all the faith we can get. Especially, we need discernment if someone seems to be trustworthy, but only telling what they think they know.
Readers’ comments
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“Hi Mrs. Slade,
“I just read your article from the September 17th newspaper and wanted to tell you it was touching to me. You have a lot of grace about you and I want to send you love and blessings in the Lord as you walk through your next steps with and without your sweet Al. Thanks for sharing your heart and encouraging the rest of us.
“Sincerely,
“Kendra Hittle”
“I do live here in Pagosa. I do not read all of your columns, but when I do I always find them encouraging and insightful, so I am happy to check out your newsletter. I have not really gone through this with a loved one up close--my grandparents dealt with dementia before their deaths, but as a granddaughter I was shielded from the day to day care. My own mom is starting to have memory issues, so the struggle and love I see in our futures makes me very tender to hearing of how others walk through this. Thanks for your words!
“Kendra.”
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