Law, Grace, Kingdom

[WordSword]

“For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

First, the grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all men, since its provisions are universal and its invitation is to “whoever will “(the “whosoever” has their name in the Book of Life, unto whom grace has appeared, and only God knows who they are—NC). Second, the passage reveals, as well, that is the same grace which offers salvation to all men, and that teaches us. The word “us” it should be observed, does not refer to the wider class of people mentioned before; but it refers only to the company of those who are saved. These teachings, being addressed to Christians only, are never intended to be imposed on the Christ-rejecting individual, or the Christ-rejecting world.

The Word of God makes no appeal to the unsaved for a betterment of life. There is but one issue in this dispensation between God and the unregenerate man, and that is neither character nor conduct; it is the personal appeal of the Gospel of the grace of God. Until the unsaved receive the Savior, who is God’s gift in grace, no other issue can be raised. Men may moralize among themselves, and establish their self-governments on principles of right conduct; but God is never presented in the unfolding of grace as seeking to reform sinners, or a sinful world (conversion first—NC). Every word regarding the quality of life is reserved for those who are already related to Him on the greater issue of salvation.

We are not to be diverted from the fact that there are three ages—that of law, grace and kingdom—which are separated from each other by world-transforming events, and that each sets up that requirement in human conduct which is in harmony with the precise relationship between God and men obtaining in each age. These economies are complete in themselves, needing no additions whatsoever. These conduct-regulating disciplines not only vary in arduousness which each imposes, but they vary likewise in the degree of divine enablement which is vouchsafed to each.

The Mosaic system, being void of any reference to divine enablement, made its appeal to the limited resources of the natural man and was circumcised to that extent. This kingdom system, though advancing its demands far beyond the requirements of the Mosaic code, makes no reference in its text to divine enablement (the Mosaic system only dealt with morality between men, which is a separate issue from godliness between God and man—NC); yet in other Scriptures it is asserted that the kingdom law will be written in the heart to the end that it might be realized, and the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh. It is then that Israel will actually do the Law of Moses (Deu 30:8, 10). The grace economy presents utterly spiritual ideas—that which accords with heavenly citizenship—and with these spiritual standards of loving provides no less than the infinite enablement of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to the end that the whole will of God, as demanding as it is, may be fulfilled in the child of God (only Christians are children of God and the rest, which are the Jews, will continue as a people of God—NC).

The major passage bearing on the truth that divine grace has its paramount manifestation in this age and through the Church is Ephesians 2:7. This notable passage, which consummates the exalted revelation respecting the Body of Christ, reads: “That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” It is thus asserted that by means of the Body the exceeding riches of divine grace are to be exercised as they could not otherwise be and exhibited before the entire universe. More important than all, however, is the satisfaction to the Father in the realizations of one of His greatest attributes.


—L S Shafer (1871-1952)







MJS excerpt for April 6

It has been well said that “it takes a lifetime to learn real dependence upon God, and to accept practically our own inadequacy.” We are going to learn this only through experience, and now is the time to settle down to this schooling—a day at a time.

“We are to understand that God loves us, and that He justifies us by the work of His Son. We have no longer conscience of sins before God, because He Himself has taken them away before His eyes; we know that being united to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has fully glorified God in that which concerns our sins, we have been made the righteousness of God in Him. So the heart is free to enjoy His love in the presence of the Father.” –John Nelson Darby (1800-1882: the father of dispensationalism)

None But The Hungry Heart

 

[Soyeong]

“For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

The Mosaic system, being void of any reference to divine enablement, made its appeal to the limited resources of the natural man and was circumcised to that extent. This kingdom system, though advancing its demands far beyond the requirements of the Mosaic code, makes no reference in its text to divine enablement (the Mosaic system only dealt with morality between men, which is a separate issue from godliness between God and man—NC); yet in other Scriptures it is asserted that the kingdom law will be written in the heart to the end that it might be realized, and the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh. It is then that Israel will actually do the Law of Moses (Deu 30:8, 10). The grace economy presents utterly spiritual ideas—that which accords with heavenly citizenship—and with these spiritual standards of loving provides no less than the infinite enablement of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to the end that the whole will of God, as demanding as it is, may be fulfilled in the child of God (only Christians are children of God and the rest, which are the Jews, will continue as a people of God—NC).
​

In Psalms 119:29-30, David wanted to put false ways far from him, for God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey the Torah, and he chose the way of faithfulness, so this has always been the one and only way of becoming righteous by grace through faith. In Exodus 33:13, Moses wanted God to be gracious to him by teaching him His way that he might know Him and Israel too, which is eternal life (John 17:3), which again is salvation by grace through faith. In Genesis 6:8-9, Noah found grace in the eyes of God, he was a righteous man, and he walked with God, so God was gracious to him by teaching him how to walk in His way and he was righteous because he obeyed through faith, which is the same way as Abraham and everyone else, which is in accordance with Titus 2:11-14.

In Matthew 4:17-23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand and the Torah was how his audience knew what sin is, so it is also the kingdom system. There are many laws in regard to morality between God and man, such as the commands against idolatry and taking God's name in vain, so I don't see how they can claim that the Mosaic system only deal with morality between men.

 

[WordSword]

In Psalms 119:29-30, David wanted to put false ways far from him, for God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey the Torah, and he chose the way of faithfulness, so this has always been the one and only way of becoming righteous by grace through faith.

It's my understanding that the law has nothing to do with faith (Gal 3:12), which is only in Christ through the "Everlasting Covenant" (Heb 13:20, 21).

John Gill: "And the law is not of faith",.... 'the law does not consist of faith in Christ, nor does it require it, and that a man should live by it upon his righteousness; it is the Gospel that reveals the righteousness of Christ, and directs and encourages men to believe in Him and be saved; nor does the law take any notice of a man's faith; nor has it anything to do with a man as a believer, but as a doer, in the point of justification.'"

 

[Soyeong]

It's my understanding that the law has nothing to do with faith (Gal 3:12), which is only in Christ through the "Everlasting Covenant" (Heb 13:20, 21).

John Gill: "And the law is not of faith",.... 'the law does not consist of faith in Christ, nor does it require it, and that a man should live by it upon his righteousness; it is the Gospel that reveals the righteousness of Christ, and directs and encourages men to believe in Him and be saved; nor does the law take any notice of a man's faith; nor has it anything to do with a man as a believer, but as a doer, in the point of justification.'"

In Roman 3:27-31, Paul contrast a law of works with a law of faith, so while I agree that there is a law that has nothing to do with faith in God, there is also a law that has everything to do with faith in Him, and you are incorrect to identify God's law as being the law that is not of faith because it is works of the law that are of works while Paul said that that our faith upholds God's law, so it is of faith, and the law that our faith upholds in Romans 3:31 can't be referring to the same thing as the works of the law that Paul said were not of faith in Galatians 3:10-12. In accordance with Deuteronomy 27:11-28:63, relying on the Law of God is the way to be blessed while not relying on it is the way to be cursed, so Galatians 3:10 should not be interpreted as quoting from that passage in order to support the point that relying on the Law of God is the way to be cursed, but rather if all who rely on works of the law come under the curse for not relying on the Law of God, then that means that they are relying on a different law instead of relying on the Law of God. In Galatians 3:10-12, Paul associated a quote from Habakkuk 2:4 saying that the righteous shall live by faith with a quote from Leviticus 18:5 that the one who obeys the Book of the Law will live by it, so the righteous who are living by faith are the same as those who are living in obedience to the Law of God. In addition, in Isaiah 51:7, the righteous are those on whose heart is the Law of God, so the righteous living by faith does not refer to a manner of living that is not in obedience to it.

Furthermore, there are many verses that associate our faith in Christ with our obedience to the Law of God, which is because the whole point of God's word is to teach us how to have faith in God's word made flesh, starting with Psalms 119:29-30, which associates David wanting God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey His law with choosing the path of faithfulness. In Romans 1:5, we have received grace in order to bring about the obedience of faith. Again, in Romans 3:31 our faith upholds God's law. In Matthew 23:23, Christ said that faith is one of the weightier matters of the law. In James 2:18, he would show his faith by his works. In Hebrews 11, every example of faith is an example of works in obedience to God's will. In Revelation 14:12, those who kept faith in Christ are the same as those who kept God's commandments. In Hebrews 3:18-19, unbelief is associated with disobedience to God's law. In Numbers 5:6, disobedience to God's law is referred to as breaking faith.

Moreover, obedience to any set of instructions is about putting our faith or trust in the one who gave them to us to rightly guide us instead of leaning on our own understanding. So when we obey the Law of God, we are trusting God with all of our heart to correctly divide between right and wrong instead of leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:1-6). God is trustworthy, therefore His instructions are also trustworthy (Psalms 19:7), so the way to have faith in God to rightly guide us is by following His instructions, while by interpreting Galatians 3:12 as saying that the Law of God has nothing to do with faith, you are saying that God's instructions are not trustworthy and therefore that God is not trustworthy. The way that we live expresses what we believe to be true about the nature of Christ, so the way to believe in him is by partaking in his nature through following his example of obedience to the Law of God, in other words, the way to believe in God's word made flesh is by obeying God's word. In Acts 5:32, the Spirit has been given to those who obey God, so obedience to God's instructions is part of the way to receive the Spirit, however, Galatias 3:1-2 denies that works of the law are part of the way to receive the Spirit, therefore the phrase "works of the law" does not refer to obedience to God's instructions, which is why they are not of faith in God, unlike the Law of God.

 

[WordSword]

In Roman 3:27-31, Paul contrast a law of works with a law of faith, so while I agree that there is a law that has nothing to do with faith in God, there is also a law that has everything to do with faith in Him, and you are incorrect to identify God's law as being the law that is not of faith because it is works of the law that are of works while Paul said that that our faith upholds God's law, so it is of faith, and the law that our faith upholds in Romans 3:31 can't be referring to the same thing as the works of the law that Paul said were not of faith in Galatians 3:10-12. In accordance with Deuteronomy 27:11-28:63, relying on the Law of God is the way to be blessed while not relying on it is the way to be cursed, so Galatians 3:10 should not be interpreted as quoting from that passage in order to support the point that relying on the Law of God is the way to be cursed, but rather if all who rely on works of the law come under the curse for not relying on the Law of God, then that means that they are relying on a different law instead of relying on the Law of God. In Galatians 3:10-12, Paul associated a quote from Habakkuk 2:4 saying that the righteous shall live by faith with a quote from Leviticus 18:5 that the one who obeys the Book of the Law will live by it, so the righteous who are living by faith are the same as those who are living in obedience to the Law of God. In addition, in Isaiah 51:7, the righteous are those on whose heart is the Law of God, so the righteous living by faith does not refer to a manner of living that is not in obedience to it.

Furthermore, there are many verses that associate our faith in Christ with our obedience to the Law of God, which is because the whole point of God's word is to teach us how to have faith in God's word made flesh, starting with Psalms 119:29-30, which associates David wanting God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey His law with choosing the path of faithfulness. In Romans 1:5, we have received grace in order to bring about the obedience of faith. Again, in Romans 3:31 our faith upholds God's law. In Matthew 23:23, Christ said that faith is one of the weightier matters of the law. In James 2:18, he would show his faith by his works. In Hebrews 11, every example of faith is an example of works in obedience to God's will. In Revelation 14:12, those who kept faith in Christ are the same as those who kept God's commandments. In Hebrews 3:18-19, unbelief is associated with disobedience to God's law. In Numbers 5:6, disobedience to God's law is referred to as breaking faith.

Moreover, obedience to any set of instructions is about putting our faith or trust in the one who gave them to us to rightly guide us instead of leaning on our own understanding. So when we obey the Law of God, we are trusting God with all of our heart to correctly divide between right and wrong instead of leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:1-6). God is trustworthy, therefore His instructions are also trustworthy (Psalms 19:7), so the way to have faith in God to rightly guide us is by following His instructions, while by interpreting Galatians 3:12 as saying that the Law of God has nothing to do with faith, you are saying that God's instructions are not trustworthy and therefore that God is not trustworthy. The way that we live expresses what we believe to be true about the nature of Christ, so the way to believe in him is by partaking in his nature through following his example of obedience to the Law of God, in other words, the way to believe in God's word made flesh is by obeying God's word. In Acts 5:32, the Spirit has been given to those who obey God, so obedience to God's instructions is part of the way to receive the Spirit, however, Galatias 3:1-2 denies that works of the law are part of the way to receive the Spirit, therefore the phrase "works of the law" does not refer to obedience to God's instructions, which is why they are not of faith in God, unlike the Law of God.

It's ok, but there's much you're not understanding about this issue. God bless!

 

[Soyeong]

It's ok, but there's much you're not understanding about this issue. God bless!

What do you think that I am not understanding?

 

[WordSword]

What do you think that I am not understanding?

One is that the Law was only for Israel and the Jews. This was one thing that God used to set them apart from the rest of world. With them all were either Jew or Gentile (rest of the world).

I also wanted you to know that I appreciate our sharing our views with one another on these issues of the Word!

 

[Soyeong]

One is that the Law was only for Israel and the Jews.

In Exodus 12:38, there was mixed multitude that came up out of Egypt with the Israelites, so there were Gentiles at the foot of Sinai. In Joshua 8:33, Israel was inclusive of both the foreigner and the native born, so Israel has always been inclusive of Gentiles who have sought to become followers of the God of Israel by walking in His way in obedience to His law. In Romans 9:6-8, Israel is made up of all those who have faith in the promise. In Ephesians 2:12-19, at one time Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world, but now through faith in Christ all of that is no longer true, so Gentiles become joined to Israel through faith in Christ. Furthermore, the law was given to Israel for the purpose of equipping them to be a light and a blessing to the nations by turning them from their wickedness and by teaching them to obey God's law in accordance with inheriting the promise through faith and with spreading the Gospel.

This was one thing that God used to set them apart from the rest of world. With them all were either Jew or Gentile (rest of the world).

To be holy is to be set apart. In 1 Peter 1:16, we are told to be holy for God is holy, so we are also called to be set apart from the rest of the world. In 1 Peter 2:9-10, Gentiles are included as part of God's chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a treasure of God's own possession, which are terms used to describe Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6). So again Gentile believers are called to be part of a holy nation that is set apart from the rest of the world and there is no point in Gentiles wanting to become part of a holy nation while wanting nothing to do with following God's instruction for how to live as apart of a holy nation.

I also wanted you to know that I appreciate our sharing our views with one another on these issues of the Word!

I also appreciate our dialogue, thank you.

 

[WordSword]

In Exodus 12:38, there was mixed multitude that came up out of Egypt with the Israelites, so there were Gentiles at the foot of Sinai.

A proselyte was one who was converted to the Israelite faith in God, but was not heir to the promises made to the progeny of Abraham, "Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises" (Rom 9:4).

 

[Soyeong]

In Ephesians 3:6, the mystery is that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus, so spreading the Gospel is the way to inherit the promise through faith in Christ. In Matthew 4:15-4:23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent or the Kingdom of God is at hand, which was a light to the Gentiles, and the Law of God is how his audience knew what sin is (Romans 3:20), so repenting from our disobedience to it is central to the Gospel message, which he prophesied would be proclaimed to all nations (Matthew 24:12-14), and which he commissioned his disciples to spread to the nations (Matthew 28:16-20). Furthermore, this Gospel is in accordance with inheriting the promise through faith because Jesus was sent in accordance with the promise to bless us by turning us from our wickedness (Acts 3:25-26), which is the Gospel that was made known in advance to Abraham in accordance with the promise (Galatians 3:8), which is the Gospel that he then spread to Gentiles living in Haran in accordance with the promise (Genesis 12:15). The Law of God is how the children of Abraham know how to be blessed by walking in God's way (Psalms 119:1-3), so the way to inherit the promise by faith of being a blessing to the nations is by spreading the Gospel to the nations through turning them from their wickedness and teaching them to walk in God's way in obedience to His law obey the Law in accordance with faith in Christ.

In Galatians 3:7, only those who are of faith are children of Abraham, in Galatians 3:26-29, it equates those who are children of God through faith in Christ with those who are children of Abraham and heirs to the promise, in Romans 9:6-8, the children of Abraham are those who have faith in the promise, and in John 8:39, Jesus said that if they were children of Abraham, then they would be doing the same works as Abraham, so the way that the children of Abraham are multiplied through faith in the promise is through spreading the Gospel through teaching the nations to turn from their wickedness and to have the same faith as Abraham by doing the same works as him through walking in God's way in obedience to His law. In Genesis 18:19, Genesis 26:4-5, and Deuteronomy 30:16, the promise was made to Abraham and brought about because he walked in God's way in obedience to His law, he taught his children how to do that, and because his children did that.

 

[WordSword]

In Ephesians 3:6, the mystery is that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus, so spreading the Gospel is the way to inherit the promise through faith in Christ.

Yes, and good point! This involves all who believe is Christ, which makes all the same Body and Church. This does not involve the rest of the Jews who do not believe in Christ, whom God is going to restore during the Millennium. These will have a final new covenant (Jer 31:31) which will involve "law" (Jer 31:33) and "statutes" (Eze 36:27).

They will miss the "blessing" (Jhn 20:29) of being children of God and will remain a people of God; because they didn't believe in Christ in time.

 

[Soyeong]

Yes, and good point! This involves all who believe is Christ, which makes all the same Body and Church. This does not involve the rest of the Jews who do not believe in Christ, whom God is going to restore during the Millennium. These will have a final new covenant (Jer 31:31) which will involve "law" (Jer 31:33) and "statutes" (Eze 36:27).

They will miss the "blessing" (Jhn 20:29) of being children of God and will remain a people of God; because they didn't believe in Christ in time.

God's law is His instructions for how to believe in Christ, so it is also for everyone who believes in Him. God's law is God's word, so obeying God's word is the way to believe in God's word made flesh.

 

[WordSword]

God's law is His instructions for how to believe in Christ, so it is also for everyone who believes in Him. God's law is God's word, so obeying God's word is the way to believe in God's word made flesh.

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto Christ":

"The sense of the passage is, that the law performed this office of a schoolmaster until the coming of Christ; that the Jews were but children in knowledge and understanding, and therefore stood in need, and were under the care of a schoolmaster, the law, by which the whole Mosaic administration is designed. They were taught by the moral law, the letter, the writing on the two tables, with other statutes and judgments, their duty to God and men, what is to be done and to be avoided, what is righteousness and what is not, the nature of sin, its demerit and consequences; but these gave them no instructions about a Saviour, and life and righteousness by him." -J Gill

 

[Soyeong]

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto Christ":

"The sense of the passage is, that the law performed this office of a schoolmaster until the coming of Christ; that the Jews were but children in knowledge and understanding, and therefore stood in need, and were under the care of a schoolmaster, the law, by which the whole Mosaic administration is designed. They were taught by the moral law, the letter, the writing on the two tables, with other statutes and judgments, their duty to God and men, what is to be done and to be avoided, what is righteousness and what is not, the nature of sin, its demerit and consequences;

Christ set a sinless example of how to walk in obedience to God's law, so do you think that it brings us to Christs because it teaches us how to know him through walking in the same way he walked through faith, or does it lead us to Christ so that we can reject his example and go back to living in sin?

Someone who disregarded everything that their schoolmaster taught them after they graduated would be missing the whole point of a schoolmaster. Someone does not move on to Algebra by disregarding everything that they were taught about addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but rather their new teacher builds upon what they were previously taught. It is good for someone to progress from the basics to more advances lessons, but is not good for them to regress so that they are not even doing the basics, in which case they would need to go back under a schoolmaster for a rudimentary education.

but these gave them no instructions about a Saviour, and life and righteousness by him." -J Gill

If that claim were true, the God's law would not lead us to Christ, so is proven false by the verse that it is commenting on. In Deuteronomy 18:14-21, it prophesies about Jesus. In Exodus 33:13, Moses wanted God to be gracious to him by teaching him to walk in His way so that he might know Him and Israel too, which is eternal life in Christ (John 17:3). In Romans 3:21-22, the way to become righteous that is testified about in the Law and the Prophets is through faith In Jesus.

 

[WordSword]

Christ set a sinless example of how to walk in obedience to God's law,

The point is that only Christ could walk in the law perfectly because He had no sin nature, which no man could ever do.

If that claim were true, then God's law would not lead us to Christ

The law could only point out that Christ was the only Savior, but not instruct how to be right with Him. The law only speaks about Him in types and shadows, not actual directions.

It's ok, but it appears we're just going to disagree on this issue. God bless!

 

[Soyeong]

NT

 

[WordSword]

NT

Let it be known, if you are under the Law you are not "led by the Holy Spirit" (Gal 5:18); it can't be both!

 

[Studyman]

One is that the Law was only for Israel and the Jews. This was one thing that God used to set them apart from the rest of world. With them all were either Jew or Gentile (rest of the world).

I also wanted you to know that I appreciate our sharing our views with one another on these issues of the Word!

In my view, it seems prudent to allow the God Inspired Scriptures and the Words of God recorded therein, to define Himself and His Laws, as well as who they are for. I know there are religions of this world God placed me in, that promote the religious philosophy that God's Laws were only for people of a certain DNA. While this doctrine is widely taught, I have come to question it, based on the Words of the Actual God they claim to know and represent.

Ex. 12: 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Lev. 19: 33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. 34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.


Is. 56: 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Jesus warned His Disciples of a future when religious men would come in His Name, calling HIM, Lord, Lord, teaching that HE is truly the Christ, and that these men would deceive "many". We are told to "beware" and "Take Heed" of such men by studying ourselves and "proving all things". Although it is a popular religious philosophy that God's Laws were only for the Children of Israel, and are no longer relevant for the Church of God today, the Bible teaches no such thing. In fact, the Jesus of the Bible knew religious men would come and promote such a religion, and therefore, had Words of Warning for us, as HE saw this Philosophy coming.

Matt. 5: 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Here Jesus, knowing men would try and convince me the Law and Prophets are no longer relevant, tells me not to even "THINK" such a thing. Clearly not all has been fulfilled, as Jesus has not yet returned with His Reward, as HE promised.

Rev. 22: 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

He even says regarding His Truths, "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Paul also understood this as even the Least of the Commandments of God, were "Written for our sakes no doubt."

1 Cor. 9: 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

"Our Sakes" here would mean the Body of Christ under the New Prophesied Priest of God, "After the Order of Melchizedek".

Paul also tells us about the Law and Prophets being specifically written for us, the "US" being the Body of Christ, both Jew and Gentile after the Christ of the Bible ascended to His Father and my Father;

1 Cor. 10: 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

There is much, much more written about the importance of God's "Instruction in Righteousness" written for us in the Holy scriptures, as Paul teaches both Jew and Gentile in the Body of Christ;

2 Tim. 3: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Remember, the only scriptures available to Paul at this time was the Law and Prophets that HE believed all that was written in. He called them "The Gospel of Christ".

So it is my hope that you will reconsider the religious philosophy "One is that the Law was only for Israel and the Jews.", because this is a false doctrine if the Scriptures are our guide. I hope you will consider the Words of God posted and reconsider the source of your doctrine, given the Scriptures clearly don't promote the same. And then thank the Lord's Christ for knowing this was coming, and warning us in advance.

 

[WordSword]

Clearly not all has been fulfilled

Hi, and thanks for the reply and comments! It's my understanding that the meaning of "all being fulfilled" was that which made a way to the Father, which was when Jesus said "it is finished." He took away the old covenant by fulfilling everything about it, so He could "establish" the new covenant in Christ's Blood (Heb 10:9).

 

[Studyman]

Hi, and thanks for the reply and comments! It's my understanding that the meaning of "all being fulfilled" was that which made a way to the Father, which was when Jesus said "it is finished." He took away the old covenant by fulfilling everything about it, so He could "establish" the new covenant in Christ's Blood (Heb 10:9).

Yes, the Priesthood has changed, as Heb. 7-10 teaches.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, (Priesthood, after the order of Aaron) that he may establish the second. (Priesthood, after the Order of Melchizedek)

As Heb. 7 tells us.

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

The Jesus of the Bible became this Prophesied New Priest, after the New Order. Because the Blood of animals cannot take away sins. But HE was not from the Tribe of Levi as required by the Levitical Priesthood Law, rather, HE was from the Tribe of Judah. So for Him to become the Prophesied New Priest, the Priesthood LAW had to change. It's right there in your own Bible.

Heb. 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, (Foreshadowing the New Priest, and the New Priesthood) and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Yes, HE made a new way to the Father, and changed the Priesthood which required sacrificial, and ceremonial "works" for the forgiveness of sins. He is our New Priest, under a New Priesthood. But the Passover is the beginning of salvation, not the end, at least according to Scriptures. As Paul teaches both Jew and Gentile after the Passover Lamb was slain.

Acts 26: 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

The Jesus of the Bible Himself tells us;

Matt. 13: 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And again;

Matt. 24: 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

So yes, the first part of God's Salvation plan is finished. But all has yet to be fulfilled as the Christ Himself tells us. Therefore, Sin is still here, which means the Law and the Prophets Jesus said not to even "THINK" HE came to destroy, are here too.

As Paul also teaches the Body of Christ, both Jew and Gentile under the New Priesthood.

Rom. 6: 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin "unto death", or of obedience unto righteousness?

So Sin and Death are still here. WE are told to put on the New man, "Take heed" we are not deceived by men who call Jesus Lord, Lord, and as Peter tells us "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Something Paul said was not possible without continuing in the Holy Scriptures as Paul instructs the Body of Christ, both Jew and gentile.

2 Tim. 3: 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

These Scriptures are important too, Yes? So please take the warnings of the Jesus of the Bible seriously, and "Take heed" you are not persuaded to even "Think" Jesus came to destroy the Law and Prophets. He came not to destroy, but to fulfill. And fulfilling the Prophesy of His return is just as important as fulfilling the Prophesy of His Death.