THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Palladius. It appears that the Sabbath, in essence, merely introduces us to passivity derived from wickedness and sin, based on truth, which the ancients understood through symbols, akin to mere shadows. Cyril. That's correct. Moreover, when viewed from another perspective, it can distinctly reveal the mystery of Christ. Palladius. What do you mean by this? Cyril. The law instructs: "If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year, you shall let him go free from you; and when you let him go free, you shall not let him go empty-handed, but you shall furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress; as the Lord your God has blessed you" (Deuteronomy 15:12-14).
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This signifies that prior to the arrival of our Savior, Israel was bound by the spirit of captivity, under the punishing law; yet when Immanuel appeared in the end times, symbolized by the Sabbath, they were liberated from this bondage. Having brought nothing to the Lord as a ransom, they were called by His loving grace into freedom and the glorious status of sonship; for those who believe are justified not by the deeds of the law, as stated in the Scriptures, but through faith (Romans 3:28). This, I assert, implies that he shall go forth freely. Yet, it is instructed that when releasing him, he should not depart empty-handed, but must be endowed out of your flocks, your threshing floor, and your granary. Do you recognize the brilliance of Christ's decree reflected in this? We are redeemed and liberated by our Savior entirely free of charge. As it is written, "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His abundant mercy" (Titus 3:5), we have been granted such a generous favor. By freeing us from our sins and bestowing upon us the grace of sonship, He covered us beautifully as a pure offering, "like a lamb He was led to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7; cf. Acts 8:32), guiding us and sharing with us the gift of life through His holy Flesh and Blood. I believe this is symbolized by those who are invited to freedom by the Lord's grace during the seventh time, or on the mental Sabbath, who partake of sheep, wheat, and wine, as the law prescribed. However, when the Jews, having fallen into neglect, chose not to adhere to these commands, God began to chastise those who intended to follow them. For it is recorded, "The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: Thus says the Lord God of Israel, I made a covenant with your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, and I said: ‘At the end of seven years, let every man set free his fellow Hebrew who has been sold to him; he shall serve you for six years, then you must let him go free from you'; but your ancestors did not listen or incline their ear. You have now turned and done what is right in My sight, proclaiming liberty to one another, and you have made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name; yet afterward, you turned around and dishonored My name, and each of you brought back your servant and your maidservant, whom you had let go free, and you forced them to be your servants and maidservants again" (Jeremiah 34:12-16). Do you see how He refuses to allow the symbols to be disregarded, or even more importantly, the very truth to be insulted while remaining in shadows? "For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable," as written (Romans 11:29). The Jews, upon returning those who had been freed and re-enforcing their servitude, failed to acknowledge their wrongdoing and thus offended the power of the sacrament by neglecting and dishonoring it, even while it was still portrayed in symbols. Palladius. You have articulated that very well.