Ever heard of the term “Black Sabbath”? It sounds scary, but what does it really mean? Let’s get to the bottom of it …

Most Westerners have at least heard the term Black Sabbath, usually in connection with the famous British rock band, fronted by singer Ozzy Osbourne, formed in the late 1960s and known for its heavy metal music and its dark horror/occult themes. According to the band, the group derived their name from one of their early songs—“Black Sabbath”—which documents a band member’s experience with the occult and his fascination with horror films.

Additionally, Black Sabbath is a name that refers to a meeting of those who practice witchcraft, or Witches Sabbath, or other occult or superstitious rites. It is also used to describe the Sabbath immediately preceding the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av, as it is a day of mourning. However, the term doesn’t appear in the Bible.

While Black Sabbath has negative connotations, there’s nothing at all dark or negative about the genuine Sabbath. The true Sabbath is something entirely different ….

The true Sabbath was established by the Creator of the universe at the end of creation week. Look at this—

“Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made” (Genesis 2:1–3).

Did you get that? God actually set aside the last day of the week, made it incredibly unique—different from all other days—and gave it as a gift to mankind.

The “seventh day,” or Saturday, is the genuine Sabbath, and keeping it can make an enormous positive difference in your life and even your health. The Sabbath is an uplifting day of rest and re-creation, a time to revitalize our relationship with our Maker and receive strength and courage for our day-to-day struggles. It’s also a time to reconnect with family and friends, to cement those relationships that mean so much to us. God even promises amazing blessings to those who honor this special day.

Want to know more about the Sabbath and how to honor it? Then keep exploring this website. You’ll find fascinating answers to your questions, helpful articles, books, videos, and even Bible studies—all totally free!