But does this mean that the Fourth Commandment is without meaning for Christians? Not at all. For them it points to a far greater sabbath​—the reality and not merely the shadow. At Genesis 2:2 we learn that since the close of the sixth creative day or period, since our first human parents were created, God has been resting from his creative works as regards our earth. The sons of Israel failed to enter into God’s rest because of their lack of faith and obedience. (Ps. 95:7-11) But to Christians the apostle Paul says: “So there remains a sabbath resting for the people of God. For the man that has entered into God’s rest has also himself rested from his own works, just as God did from his own. Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, for fear anyone should fall in the same pattern of disobedience [of the Jews].”​—Heb. 3:19; 4:9-11.

For almost six thousand years now God has been observing his rest day. The thousand-year period just ahead is described in the Bible as the millennium of Christ’s rule. (Rev. 20:4) It will also be like a grand Sabbath, far superior to any sabbath observed by the Jews, for during that time peace and prosperity will be permanently established.​—Rev. 21:2-4.

Thus the weekly sabbath of the Fourth Commandment is pictorial of the grand Sabbath of which Christ Jesus declared himself the Lord. (Matt. 12:8) Those who recognize themselves as sinners, dependent on the merit of Christ Jesus’ sacrifice in order to gain peace and a good standing with God, can even now rest or desist from their own selfish labors to justify themselves. Each one who respects God’s seven-thousand-year-long sabbath now, and who continues to do so, will be privileged to enjoy the blessings of the thousand-year Sabbath of Christ’s reign over all the earth.