The Sabbath is at the very heart of the Seventh-day Adventist name and identity. “Seventh-day” refers to the biblical Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, Saturday, while “Adventist” highlights the hope in Christ’s second coming. Together, the name itself proclaims a key belief: God calls His people to remember the Sabbath and prepare for His return.

Biblical Foundation

  • Creation: God rested on the seventh day and blessed it (Genesis 2:2-3).
  • God’s Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11).
  • Example of Jesus: “As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day” (Luke 4:16).
  • Promise for the future: “From one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me” (Isaiah 66:22-23).

Why It Matters

  • The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that God is the Creator and Sustainer.
  • It is a sign of our relationship with Him (Ezekiel 20:12).
  • It provides physical rest, spiritual renewal, and time to reconnect with family, community, and God.
  • It emphasizes grace: we stop from our own work and remember that salvation is God’s gift, not our achievement.

At Loma Linda University Health

  • Work schedules are managed with sensitivity to Sabbath observance.
  • In healthcare and essential services, Sabbath work is seen as a continuation of Jesus’ healing ministry, caring for those in need (Matthew 12:12).
  • Campus worship services, chapels, and cultural rhythms highlight the value of Sabbath rest and renewal.
More Than a Tradition
For all of us, understanding the Sabbath is essential because it reminds us why we exist as a Seventh-day Adventist institution. At LLUH, Sabbath is more than a tradition; it is part of who we are. It is central to our faith, our name, and our mission of whole-person care, caring for body, mind, and spirit. While not everyone may observe Sabbath in the same way, its principles of rest, renewal, and grace are gifts that benefit all. Sabbath reminds us that our worth is not found in constant work, but in God’s care for us.
Seventh-day Adventist