No Cooking, Eating Out on the Sabbath

 

NO EATING OUT OR COOKING ON THE SABBATH

Let’s carefully walk through what the Bible says about eating, cooking, and preparing food on the Sabbath. Scripture is very clear that work (including food preparation and kindling fire for cooking) was restricted. 

It is the same for hiring others to cook for you. Eating out as we call it today.

Here are the key passages:

1. No cooking or food preparation on the Sabbath

📖 Exodus 16:23
"And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe (boil) that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning."

👉 God commanded Israel to do all their baking and boiling before the Sabbath. Meals were to be prepared ahead of time.

2. No kindling a fire (for cooking) on the Sabbath

📖 Exodus 35:3
"Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day."

👉 Fire was necessary for cooking. This law reinforced that no cooking (or food-preparation work) was to be done on the Sabbath.

3. No gathering food on the Sabbath

📖 Exodus 16:25–26
"And Moses said, Eat that today; for today is a sabbath unto the LORD: today ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none."

👉 They were not to go out gathering manna (their food) on the Sabbath. Meals had to be ready beforehand.

4. Sabbath is a rest day, no work (including others working for you)

📖 Exodus 20:10
"But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates."

👉 This principle extends beyond personal work. If you hire others to cook, serve, or clean for you (as in a restaurant), you cause them to break the Sabbath on your behalf.

📖 Nehemiah 13:15–18
Nehemiah rebuked those in Judah for buying and selling food on the Sabbath:
"In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath… bringing in sheaves… also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them… There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah… Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?"

👉 Buying food from others on the Sabbath was condemned, since it involved commerce and caused others to work.

✅ Summary of Principles from Scripture:

• Meals should be prepared ahead of time (Ex. 16:23).
• No fire/cooking is to be done on the Sabbath (Ex. 35:3).
• No gathering food on the Sabbath (Ex. 16:25–26).
• No buying or selling food on the Sabbath (Neh. 13:15–18).
• No causing others to work for you on the Sabbath (Ex. 20:10).

So while the Bible doesn’t say the phrase “do not eat out,” the combination of these scriptures shows:

• We should not cook on the Sabbath.
• We should not buy or sell food on the Sabbath.
• We should not make others work for us on the Sabbath.

👉 Put together, that rules out eating out at restaurants and cooking meals on the Sabbath. Meals should be prepared in advance.

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let’s look at how Christ addressed the Sabbath. He never abolished it, but He corrected the Pharisees’ man-made rules and showed the balance between keeping the command and showing mercy.

1. Jesus upheld the Sabbath commandment

📖 Matthew 5:17–19
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

👉 Christ confirmed the Ten Commandments—including the Sabbath—remain binding.

2. Eating already-prepared food was lawful

📖 Matthew 12:1–2
"At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day."

👉 The Pharisees claimed this was “harvesting,” but Jesus defended it. Grabbing a handful to eat was not the same as working for food (like harvesting or cooking). The principle: eating food on the Sabbath is fine—but preparing, cooking, or harvesting is not.

3. Acts of mercy are permitted

📖 Matthew 12:11–12
"What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days."

👉 Christ clarified that helping others, healing, or saving life is not breaking the Sabbath. Necessity and mercy are exceptions.

4. The Sabbath was made for man

📖 Mark 2:27–28
"And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."

👉 The Sabbath is a blessing, not a burden. The Pharisees turned it into a list of extreme restrictions. Jesus restored the original intent: a day of rest, worship, and joy.

Putting it all together

• Work like cooking, buying, selling, and commerce is forbidden (Ex. 16:23; Neh. 13:15–18).
• Eating food already prepared is fine (Matt. 12:1–2).
• Acts of mercy and necessity are permitted (Matt. 12:11–12).
• The Sabbath is meant to refresh and bless us (Mark 2:27).

👉 So, Scripture shows that while we must not cook or eat out (causing others to work) on the Sabbath, Christ allowed for simple eating from what’s prepared and doing good deeds.

…………..

📖 Bible Study: Why We Should Not Cook or Eat Out on the Sabbath

1. The Sabbath Commandment

📖 Exodus 20:8–10
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work…"

➡ The Sabbath is a day of rest from all work. Cooking, food preparation, or buying/selling counts as work.

2. Meals Must Be Prepared in Advance

📖 Exodus 16:23
"Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning."

➡ God told Israel to do their cooking before the Sabbath. Sabbath meals were to be prepared ahead of time.

3. No Kindling a Fire (Cooking) on the Sabbath

📖 Exodus 35:3
"Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day."

➡ Fire was the means of cooking and food preparation. This shows no cooking or food preparation is allowed on the Sabbath.

4. No Gathering Food on the Sabbath

📖 Exodus 16:25–26
"Eat that today; for today is a sabbath unto the LORD: today ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day… there shall be none."

➡ Israel was not to go out gathering food. The principle: no food procurement on the Sabbath.

5. No Buying or Selling on the Sabbath

📖 Nehemiah 13:15–18
Nehemiah condemned those buying and selling food on the Sabbath:
"There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah… Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said… What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?"

➡ Buying food (like eating out at restaurants today) profane the Sabbath because it causes others to work.

6. No Making Others Work for You

📖 Exodus 20:10
"In it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant…"

➡ The Sabbath command covers not only you, but also others under your authority. Hiring people to cook, serve, or clean for you (as in restaurants) makes them break the Sabbath on your behalf.

7. Christ Confirmed the Sabbath

📖 Matthew 5:17–19
"I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil… Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law."

➡ Jesus upheld the Ten Commandments—including the Sabbath.

8. Eating Already-Prepared Food Was Lawful

📖 Matthew 12:1–2
The disciples plucked ears of grain to eat on the Sabbath. Jesus defended them.

➡ Eating simple food already available is lawful. The issue is not eating—it is working to prepare or buy food.

9. Acts of Mercy and Necessity Permitted

📖 Matthew 12:11–12
"It is lawful to do well on the sabbath days."

➡ Exceptions apply for saving life or showing mercy. This is different from convenience (e.g., eating out).

10. The Sabbath Is for Our Blessing

📖 Mark 2:27
"The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."

➡ The Sabbath is a gift of rest and joy, not a burden—but it still requires obedience to God’s instructions.

✅ Conclusion

From both Old and New Testament:

• No cooking (Ex. 16:23; 35:3)
• No gathering or procuring food (Ex. 16:25–26)
• No buying or selling food (Neh. 13:15–18)
• No making others work (Ex. 20:10)
• Eating already-prepared food is fine (Matt. 12:1–2)
• Mercy and necessity allowed (Matt. 12:11–12)

👉 Therefore, we should prepare food before the Sabbath and not eat out or cook on it. Doing so keeps the day holy and focused on God’s purpose.

THE REWARD OF THE "SAVED" (NOT HEAVEN)

The destiny of mankind is not to “go to heaven,” but for heaven, God’s throne and presence to come down to earth 
so God may dwell with His children forever.

THE REWARD OF THE SAVED
(NOT HEAVEN)

The Bible clearly shows that the reward of the saved is not going to heaven, but that Christ will return to the earth to establish His Kingdom, reign for 1,000 years, and then God the Father will descend with the New Jerusalem to dwell with mankind. Let’s walk through it step by step, with scripture:

1. No man has ascended to heaven

• John 3:13 – “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man…”
  This makes it plain that people do not go to heaven at death — only Christ has ascended.
• Acts 2:34 – “For David is not ascended into the heavens…”
  Even righteous King David has not gone to heaven, but awaits the resurrection.

2. The reward is with Christ at His return — on the earth

• Revelation 22:12 – “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
  Christ brings the reward with Him at His second coming, not when people die.
• Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
  Not heaven — the inheritance is the earth.

3. Christ returns to rule on earth for 1,000 years

• Zechariah 14:4, 9 – “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives… And the LORD shall be king over all the earth.”
  When Christ returns, He rules on the earth.
• Revelation 5:10 – “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
  The saints will reign on the earth with Christ.
• Revelation 20:4 – “…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
  This is the Millennium — Christ and the resurrected saints ruling on earth for 1,000 years.

4. After the 1,000 years — the New Heavens, New Earth, and New Jerusalem

• Revelation 21:1–3 –
  “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away…
  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them…”
  God the Father Himself comes down to dwell with His family on the renewed earth.
  

5. Summary (Scripture Chain)

1. No man has gone to heaven (John 3:13; Acts 2:34).
2. The meek inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5).
3. Christ returns and sets His feet on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4).
4. The saints reign with Christ for 1,000 years on the earth (Rev. 5:10; Rev. 20:4).
5. After the Millennium, God creates a new heaven and earth, and the New Jerusalem descends (Rev. 21:1–3).

👉 The destiny of mankind is not to “go to heaven,” but for heaven — God’s throne and presence — to come down to earth so God may dwell with His children forever.

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1000 Year Rule of Christ on Earth 

Soon Christ will return to earth and will rule on earth for 1000 years.

Let’s carefully walk through this with scripture that shows:

1. Christ will reign 1,000 years on earth.
2. The earth will be renewed.
3. God will bring His people back to the Holy Land.

1. Christ Reigns 1,000 Years on Earth

🔹 Revelation 20:1–4, 6

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit... and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years... And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years... Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection... they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

🔹 Zechariah 14:3–4, 9

“Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations... And his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives... And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”

➡️ Christ descends to the Mount of Olives (earthly location), defeats the nations, and rules as King over all the earth for 1,000 years.

2. The Earth Will Be Renewed

🔹 Isaiah 65:17–18

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered... But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.”

🔹 Acts 3:19–21

“Repent ye therefore... when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ... whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

➡️ The Millennium is the time of refreshing and restitution — the renewal of the earth under Christ’s reign.

🔹 Romans 8:19–21

“For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God... because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

➡️ Even creation itself will be renewed when Christ reigns.

3. God Brings His People Back into the Holy Land

🔹 Jeremiah 30:3

“For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah... and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.”

🔹 Ezekiel 37:21–22

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen... and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all...”

🔹 Amos 9:14–15

“And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them... And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.”

➡️ God will regather Israel from captivity and restore them to the Holy Land under Christ’s kingship.

✨ Putting It Together

• Christ will return to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14) and reign on earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20).
• During this reign, the earth will be renewed (Isa. 65, Acts 3, Rom. 8).
• God will bring His people Israel back into the land He promised (Jer. 30, Ezek. 37, Amos 9).

This is the Millennial Kingdom: Christ as King over all nations, the restoration of Israel, and the earth renewed in peace.