Memorial Day

Memorial Day, declared officially by the United States Congress in 1971 as a national holiday, is observed in the U.S. on the last Monday of May. It is a day on which Americans commemorate the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. The observance of this day began soon after the end of the American Civil War and was initially known as Decoration Day—a day when people would decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers.

Many Americans will observe Memorial Day this year with family and friends gathering for picnics and barbeques. Some will visit cemeteries or take part in or watch parades as a way of remembering those who gave their lives fighting for their country.

While we are remembering those who have given their lives for America, we ought to remember that they are the fathers and mothers, the sons and daughters, the brothers and sisters of families who miss them and long to be able to see them again.

The God of the Bible commands true believers to remember, memorialize and commemorate important times and events found in His holy book. For example, we are to remember our Creator’s position as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:15). We can also read that some of the offerings mentioned in the books of Leviticus and Numbers had small portions dedicated as memorials. Joshua, after crossing the Jordan at the instruction of the Lord, had twelve stones set up as a memorial of that crossing (Joshua 4:7). Additionally, the Eternal spoke of the Feast of Trumpets as “a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation” (Leviticus 23:24). The symbols of bread and wine used in the New Testament Passover serve as memorials of Christ’s death (1 Corinthians 11:24–26). The prayers and alms of Cornelius were considered a memorial before God (Acts 10:4).

We are to remember our Creator—the maker of planet Earth and the entire universe (Genesis 2:2–3), the visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16)—by keeping holy the seventh day of the week (Exodus 20:8–11). The weekly Sabbath serves as a memorial and a reminder that the God of the Bible created all things from nothing (Revelation 4:11). Creation is proof of the existence and identity of God (Romans 1:20).

Another great purpose found in the Sabbath is that it identifies the true God, His true people (Exodus 31:13–17) and His true Church (1 John 5:3). The very day God set aside for assembly and worship serves as a memorial to the Creator and Ruler of all that exists!

Remembering the Sabbath day is a commandment given by the God of the Old Testament (Exodus 20:8), who was Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). Of all the points of God’s law the Sabbath is known as the “test commandment.”

Beyond the here and now, the Sabbath gives us true hope for the future. The Sabbath is the first feast day mentioned in Leviticus 23, where all of God’s feasts are summarized. It reminds us of the rest to be enjoyed in the soon-coming Millennium when the influence of Satan will be gone—a time when there will be no more war (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3), when the days of memorial will be God’s wonderful Holy Days picturing His marvelous plan for the salvation of all mankind. No longer will mothers weep for their lost sons. No longer will children cry for their dads to return home. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4) God speed that day!

To gain greater understanding of the ultimate plan of God, order our free booklets The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan and Which Day is the Christian Sabbath? or read them online.