Spiritual Significance of Numbers:  Ten is the Zenith of the Flesh

[Study Aired February 6, 2026]

Very few realize that the law of Moses is “not for a righteous man.” That is why it is called “the law… for the lawless.”

1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

When speaking of “the law” Paul makes it clear he includes the law written on two tables of stone, which included the tenth commandment:

Rom 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

The only place in the Old Testament where that phrase, “Thou shalt not covet” is found is in the “ten commandments… for the lawless.”

Each number in scripture is the sum of its factors, so let’s consider what the factors of number ten have for our admonition:

Ten is 1 (God) plus 9 (judgment).

Ten is 2 (witnessing) plus 8 (the new beast) which is “of the seven and goes into perdition.”

Ten is 3 (the process of maturing) plus 7 (completion – Rev 2:10).

Ten is 4 (the whole) plus 6 (mankind – the flesh).

Ten is 5 plus 5 (It is grace through faith two times. Grace performs its fiery work in both the first and second resurrections)

Let’s take note of where this number ten appears in the Old Testament.

It happens that the society of mankind in rebellion against God came to its zenith in Noah’s generation, which was the tenth generation from Adam:

Gen 5:1 (a) This is the book of the generations of Adam… 1) Adam, 2) Seth, 3) Enos, 4) Cainan, 5) Mahalaleel, 6) Jared, 7) Enoch, 8) Methusalah, 9) Lamech, 10) Noah

Ten nations complete Abraham’s victory over his enemies

Gen 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Gen 15:19 [1] The Kenites, and [2] the Kenizzites, and [3] the Kadmonites,
Gen 15:20 And [4] the Hittites, and [5] the Perizzites, and [6] the Rephaims,
Gen 15:21 And [7] the Amorites, and [8] the Canaanites, and [9] the Girgashites, and [10] the Jebusites.

After ten years of waiting for the Lord to fulfill His promise, the patience of our flesh is exhausted.

Gen 16:3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

Ten righteous men would have saved Sodom from judgment:

Gen 18:32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

It took ten camels to carry “all the goods of Abraham.”

Gen 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

Babylon, signified by Jacob’s labors for Laban’s benefit, will rob us completely of our wages:

Gen 31:7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

The complete complement of Babylon will come to God’s elect when the famine of the Word is come:

Gen 42:3 And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.

Gen 42:6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s [ten] brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

It took ten asses to carry “the good things of Egypt:”

Gen 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

Ten commandments, obedience to which gives us nothing more that “mine own righteousness, give us the “law for the lawless:”

Deu 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

Exo 20:1  And God spake all these words, saying,
Exo 20:2  I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Exo 20:3  [1] Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exo 20:4  [2] Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:6  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Exo 20:7  [3] Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Exo 20:8  [4] Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exo 20:9  Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exo 20:10  But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exo 20:11  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exo 20:12  [5] Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exo 20:13  [6] Thou shalt not kill.
Exo 20:14  [7] Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Exo 20:15  [8] Thou shalt not steal.
Exo 20:16  [9] Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Exo 20:17  [10] Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Keeping these 10 commandments is the very best, the zenith, of mankind’s righteousness. Yet it is  lacking what is essential for salvation:

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

This is  what Christ had to say to a rich young ruler who asked him what he must do to be saved:

Mar 10:17  And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Mar 10:18  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Mar 10:19  Thou knowest the [ten] commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Mar 10:20  And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast [your “righteousness which is of the law], and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Mar 10:22  And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Mar 10:23  And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Mar 10:24  And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
Mar 10:25  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mar 10:26  And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
Mar 10:27  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Mar 10:28  Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Mar 10:29  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
Mar 10:30  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Mar 10:31  But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

God used ten plagues to destroy Egypt, signifying the destruction of our carnal-minded old man:

Exo 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
Exo 9:15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
Exo 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

The flesh of Christ, signified by the boards and curtains of the tabernacle, separates us completely from God.

Exo 26:1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.

Exo 26:16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.

Christ’s flesh had to be destroyed before we could enter into the holy place in the heavens:

Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, [The death of Jesus. That is why we are to “no longer know Him… after the flesh”]
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the [ten cubit] veil, that is to say, his flesh;

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Ten signifies the rebellions of Israel against God:

Num 14:22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
Num 14:23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
Num 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

Ten days of patience do no good for the foolishness of the flesh – Nabal:

1Sa 25:37  But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things [David had intended to destroy Nabal], that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
1Sa 25:38 And it came to pass about ten days after [he learned of David’s intentions to destroy him], that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.

Ten in the New Testament

The flesh is completely bankrupt and totally incapable of ever paying for its sins:

Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Inquiring of my ‘Brave search’ this is the modern value of “ten thousand talents” in American dollars today:

“Ten thousand talents in Matthew 18:24 is estimated to be worth between $13.4 billion and $18.15 billion in today’s U.S. dollars, depending on the valuation method.

– “Based on silver value: Using the weight of a denarius (60 grains of silver) and current silver prices (~$17.31 per ounce), one talent equals about $14,244, making ten thousand talents worth approximately $142 million.

– “Based on labor value: If a denarius equals one day’s wages, and using a modern average daily wage of ~$224, one talent is worth about $1.34 million, so ten thousand talents total over $13.4 billion.

– “Based on gold value: If the talent was gold (33 kg per talent), with gold priced at ~$55 per gram, ten thousand talents would be worth roughly $18.15 billion.

“The vast difference reflects the parable’s purpose: to illustrate an unpayable debt—symbolizing humanity’s sin against God—compared to the small debts we owe each other.  The king’s forgiveness mirrors God’s grace, which is beyond human repayment.” (End Quote, Emphasis is the Author’s)

“The ten” were “moved with indignation against [James and John]”:

Mat 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him.
Mat 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Mat 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

As long as we are in the flesh, “we shall suffer persecution and tribulation”, signified by ten days:

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days [Our entire lives in the flesh]: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

We are not persecuted for only ten literal days before we die. “Tribulation ten days” signifies being “faithful unto death” even as we go through “those things which thou shalt suffer.”

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Ten signifies the church in its entirety while still in these ‘earthen vessels.’

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Both fives will be saved “in [their] own order” (1Co 15:22) by the only formula for salvation – “Grace through faith.”

Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Ten thousand signifies our carnal-minded old man who has no chance against twenty thousand:

Luk 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Luk 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Silver signifies redemption, and it takes two fives, signifying grace through faith, to redeem all mankind:

Luk 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

All of Adam’s descendants are spiritually leprous, as signified by “ten men that were lepers.”

Luk 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

All of Adam’s descendants will be cleansed, but His own people are not grateful for this truth in this present time:

Luk 17:15  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
Luk 17:16  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Luk 17:17  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Luk 17:18  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Ten ‘pounds’ or ‘talents’ signify all that is to be accomplished while in this flesh… “Occupy till I come…”

Luk 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
Luk 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman [Christ] went into a far country [“the heavens”], to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Luk 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Luk 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us.
Luk 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Luk 19:16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
Luk 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
Luk 19:18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
Luk 19:19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
Luk 19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, [here is] thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
Luk 19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
Luk 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: [The “idol of [this man’s] heart” Eze 14:4]
Luk 19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
Luk 19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it] to him that hath ten pounds.
Luk 19:25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
Luk 19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
Luk 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Isa 3:1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from  Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

‘Ten thousand instructors’ who are not “in Christ Jesus” are ‘fatherless’ and unable to properly instruct us:

1Co 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

Ten thousand words which cannot be understood are worth less that “five words with my understanding.”

1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Ten thousand is the number of God’s saints redeemed from the flesh and is a positive application of the number ten:

Jdg 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

We end our study of the number ten with another positive application of this number, which is used to denote the reconciliation of all things to Christ and His Father:

Rev 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

]]> https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/gemstones-the-stones-that-dont-transfer-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gemstones-the-stones-that-dont-transfer-part-2 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:51:11 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=35368 Audio Download

Gemstones: The Stones That Don’t Transfer, Part 2

Recap: The Pattern Established

[Study Aired February 3, 2026]

Part 1 established the governing principle that not everything present within the shadowed order transfers unchanged into what abides. The sequence—twelve stones, nine stones, twelve stones—testifies to God’s refining work: removing what belongs exclusively to temporal ministry, exposing what stands under judgment, and fulfilling what pointed beyond itself toward eternal reality.

Through the carbuncle and the diamond, two distinct aspects of this refinement were made plain. The carbuncle declared that external attachment—once expressed through lineage, office, and ceremony—has been surpassed by internal union in Christ. The diamond testified that hardness of heart must be removed, while the permanence it symbolized finds fulfillment in Him who is the Truth—no longer an external inscription upon stone, but an indwelling reality written upon the heart.

We now turn to two additional stones whose absence from the foundations of New Jerusalem completes the pattern. These reveal that certain representations, while necessary within the shadow, do not resolve through simple removal alone. Some are transformed into a higher expression; others mark a condition that reaches its appointed end and does not recur when substance arrives.

The Onyx’s Positions

In Exodus 28:9–12, the onyx stones were set upon the shoulders of the high priest, engraved with the names of the sons of Israel—six names on one stone and six on the other. Unlike the breastplate stones, which were borne over the heart, the onyx stones were borne upon the shoulders, signifying responsibility, labor, and representation. The people were carried before the LORD, yet remained external to the bearer.

The Hebrew šōham (Strong’s H7718) designates the onyx as a stone suited for engraving and enduring bearing. Its placement upon the shoulders emphasized strength rather than intimacy. Names were upheld, but not inscribed within. Representation occurred through outward bearing, not inward participation.

In Ezekiel 28:13, the onyx appears again among the nine stones of the anointed cherub’s covering. Its continued presence within a context of judgment confirms that this mode of representation—bearing names externally—belongs to the Adamic order. What is carried may be displayed, yet remains separate from the bearer.

When John records the foundations of New Jerusalem, onyx does not appear independently (Revelation 21:19–20). Its absence does not indicate removal without remainder, but transformation beyond its former function.

From External Bearing to Internal Inscription

Under the Law, God’s people were borne before Him through mediation. Names engraved upon stone were upheld by another, yet remained external to both God and man. The arrangement testified to care and responsibility, but not to union.

Under the new covenant, this mode of representation gives way to internal inscription. God declares through Jeremiah:

“I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” (Jeremiah 31:33)

What was once engraved upon stone and borne externally is now written inwardly by God Himself. Names are no longer carried; they are inscribed. Paul affirms this transformation:

“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.” (2 Corinthians 3:2)

This shift from external bearing to internal inscription fulfills the new covenant promise explicitly:

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33)

Sardonyx: Union Revealed Through Transformation

Though onyx does not stand alone in the foundations of New Jerusalem, it reappears transformed within sardonyx—the fifth foundation stone (Revelation 21:20). Sardonyx is a composite stone, uniting layers of onyx and sardius into a single substance. What was once external bearing is now joined to sacrificial life.

Peter describes believers as stones within a living structure:

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house.” (1 Peter 2:5)

Paul confirms this transformation into one unified structure: 

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Here, living stones are not borne by another; they are built together into Christ Himself. The composite nature of sardonyx testifies that bearing and sacrifice are no longer separate functions. What onyx represented externally—names upheld upon shoulders—and what sardius declares through sacrificial blood are now united in one stone. Bearing and life are joined inseparably in those being built together into Christ Himself. What once required external mediation is now accomplished through internal union.

Why the Onyx Does Not Transfer Independently

The verdict is precise. External bearing of names—however necessary within the shadowed order—cannot constitute eternal foundation. Yet what the onyx signified is not discarded. It is transformed.

What was once upheld upon shoulders is now written upon hearts. What was once engraved upon stone is now inscribed by the Spirit. The onyx does not transfer independently because its testimony is fulfilled through transformation, not removal. In sardonyx, external representation gives way to internal union, and bearing yields to belonging.

The Agate: Wrestling Ends in Victory

The Agate’s Unique Position

In Exodus 28:19, the agate appears as the eighth stone, positioned as the second stone of the third row on the high priest’s breastplate. The Hebrew šĕbō (Strong’s H7618) is associated with banding or layering—an accumulation formed over time rather than a single act of creation. This layered character mirrors the nature of the striving it represents: effort upon effort, attempt upon attempt, without arrival at rest.

Agate bears the name of Asher, whose name signifies “happy” or “blessed.” Yet the narrative surrounding Asher’s birth reveals that this blessing did not arise from rest, but from rivalry. Leah declared:

“Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed.” (Genesis 30:13)

The happiness proclaimed was comparative rather than consummated—measured against another rather than grounded in completion. Agate thus represents the pursuit of blessing through human effort within the natural order.

Wrestling Under the Natural Order

The circumstances that produced Asher arose from competition, surrogate labor, and self-directed striving. Rachel and Leah wrestled not against God, but against one another, each seeking position, fruitfulness, and recognition through natural means. Rachel herself confessed:

“With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed.” (Genesis 30:8)

Yet prevailing did not yield peace. Each act of striving added another layer to the accumulation, another band to the stone. Effort multiplied, but rest remained absent.

Scripture consistently testifies that such rivalry-driven labor cannot produce abiding rest:

“Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4)

Paul describes this condition precisely:

“They being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:3)

Wrestling under the Law produces movement without arrival—labor without inheritance, effort without abiding rest.

The Eighth Position: Where Wrestling Ceases

Agate’s placement as the eighth stone is decisive. In Scripture, the eighth marks the cutting away of flesh and the transition beyond the completed cycle of seven. Circumcision occurred on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12), signifying removal rather than improvement. The eighth does not perfect the old; it ends it.

Christ’s resurrection occurred on the first day of the week—the eighth when counted from the previous Sabbath. Resurrection did not refine Adamic striving; it terminated it. Life emerged not through effort, but through death and new creation.

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week…” (Matthew 28:1)

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)

“Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 12:24)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:10)

Those who enter this new reality cease from striving altogether:

“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:10)

Jesus Himself issued the invitation that ends all wrestling:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Thus, agate’s position declares that wrestling has an appointed boundary. Striving belongs to the former order and does not carry forward into what abides.

Why the Agate Does Not Transfer

Agate appears only once—within the testimony of the Law—and never again. It does not reappear in Ezekiel’s list, nor does it find place among the foundations of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19–20). Its absence is not an oversight, but a verdict.

Scripture confirms that what belongs to the former covenant does not continue indefinitely:

“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Wrestling does not transform; it ceases. Striving for blessing gives way to rest received as gift. What accumulated through human effort cannot constitute eternal foundation.

The agate does not transfer because the condition it represents has reached its appointed end. When rest is entered, striving is finished.

Those who enter this new reality do so by faith, not by effort:

“For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” (Hebrews 4:3)

“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:10)

The Complete Pattern: What the Four Reveal

Through the carbuncle, diamond, onyx, and agate, a complete and unified pattern emerges. Each stone belonged legitimately to the shadowed order, serving a necessary purpose within God’s arrangement. Yet each resolves differently when brought into contact with what abides.

The carbuncle testified to joining through external attachment—lineage, office, and ceremonial proximity. When substance arrived, this form of attachment gave way to internal union. What was once joined outwardly is now joined inwardly in Christ.

The diamond exposed the problem of hardness. What bore the record of sin could not receive the inscription of life. Hardness was therefore removed, while the permanence it symbolized found fulfillment in Christ Himself, the Truth who does not change.

The onyx revealed a different resolution. External bearing—names engraved and carried upon shoulders—did not transfer independently into the eternal foundations. Yet this testimony was not discarded. It was transformed. In sardonyx, bearing and sacrifice are united, declaring that what was once upheld externally is now written internally and shared in one living structure.

The agate stands apart. It does not transform, nor does it reappear. Wrestling under the natural order reaches its appointed end. Striving gives way to rest; accumulation gives way to gift. When rest is entered, the condition that produced striving ceases entirely.

Together, these stones confirm that God’s refining work does not operate uniformly. Some elements are removed, some fulfilled, some transformed, and some brought to completion by cessation. Yet all resolve under the same governing truth: when substance appears, shadow yields its place.

Final Transition: From Stones That Do Not Transfer to Stones That Do

With the pattern now complete, the testimony of the stones that do not transfer stands resolved. Each belonged rightly within the shadowed order, yet none could constitute eternal foundation in its original form. External attachment has been surpassed by internal union. Hardness has been removed while permanence is fulfilled in Christ. External bearing has been transformed into inward inscription. Wrestling has reached its appointed end in rest.

These stones do not fail; they fulfill their purpose by yielding their place. Their absence from the foundations of New Jerusalem does not signal loss, but completion. What cannot abide gives way to what does.

We now turn to the stones that remain—those that do not merely appear within the shadow, but endure as part of the eternal structure. In them, the testimony moves from what must yield to what abides, from what is surpassed to what is established, from preparation to fulfillment.

“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:17)

“He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.” (Hebrews 10:9)

“And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.” (Hebrews 12:27)

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

— End of Article 5, Part 2 —

Matthew 5:27–48 The Sermon on the Mount, Part 2

[Study Aired March 31, 2025]

Introduction

Today’s study focuses on the Lord’s reforms of the Law of Moses, as He brings in the Law of the Spirit of Life. As we are aware, the changing of the Levitical priesthood must be accompanied by the changing of the law. Jesus did not come from the tribe of Levi but the tribe of Judah, of which Moses never spoke of a priest coming from that tribe. In Hebrews 7:11 we are told that because the law of Moses, with its attendant Levitical priesthood was not perfect, there was the need for a new priest after the order of Melchisedec to come, and His coming ushers in a change of the law.  

Heb 7:11  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? 
Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 
Heb 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 
Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 
Heb 7:15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 
Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 

Today’s study therefore focuses on the seventh commandment, which deals with adultery, the law pertaining to divorce, the third commandment which focuses on retaliation and finally, on the law of brotherly love.

Adultery

Mat 5:27  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 
Mat 5:28  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 
Mat 5:29  If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 
Mat 5:30  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Here we see Jesus as the Reformer with His reforms in relation to the Law of Moses about adultery. 

Heb 9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 

The seventh commandment makes it clear from all intents and purposes that we are not to commit adultery. However, in the exposition of this commandment, it can be taught that there is no such thing as heart-adultery because adulterous thoughts and dispositions, which never proceed to the act of adultery or fornication cannot be regarded as adultery. Based on the law therefore, we may think that we have not committed adultery. Here Jesus comes with His reforms by raising the bar, that is, coming with the new covenant law or the law of the spirit of life which sets us free from the law of sin and death. This law of the spirit of life is the perfect law whose coming does away with the law of Moses. 

1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  

Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 
Col 2:15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The doing away of the law of Moses does not mean that the law of Moses is not relevant. It still applies to our lives until faith comes. 

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 

This law of the spirit of life tells us that sin is conceived when we regard iniquity in our hearts. The act of physically sinning is only a matter of course when sin has been conceived in the heart. In other words, adultery has been elevated to “looking at a woman to lust after her”. 

Jas 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 

Psa 66:18  If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

The Lord laid down the solution to this problem of the lust of the eyes. The Lord’s solution is to tear out our right eye and throw it away if it is causing us to sin. If our right hand is also causing us to sin, then we must cut it off and throw it away. What we must understand is that the Lord’s words are spiritual, and the fact that we must pluck out our eye and cut off our right hand does not mean that we must physically decapitate our bodies to serve the Lord. As the Lord said, it is the spirit that gives life, the flesh, that is physically plucking your eyes, does not profit us. 

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 

The right eye here represents the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh and the right hand here signifies the pride of life. These must be destroyed within us if we are to live as overcomers. The Lord’s way of destroying these in our lives is to judge us in this life. It is through judgment or the suffering that is marked out for us in this age that we learn righteousness. 

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 
1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

If we can remember, John the Baptist proclaimed that it is Jesus who shall baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The fire is the judgment of the Lord which causes us to learn righteousness or stop lusting after a woman.

Mat 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:  

Divorce

Mat 5:31  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 
Mat 5:32  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 

To understand the reformation of this law by our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to look at the issue of divorce from the Old Testament.

Deu 24:1  When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 
Deu 24:2  And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. 
Deu 24:3  And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 
Deu 24:4  Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

We can see from these verses that divorce was permitted in the Old Covenant when the husband finds uncleanness in his wife. According to Strong’s Dictionary, the word “uncleanness” means nudity, nakedness or shame. The uncleanness therefore has nothing to do with sexual sins since from the law of Moses, such sins shall result in death by stoning.

Deu 22:22  If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. 

As we are aware, nakedness is sin, and it does not refer to any particular sin. That is why in the Book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea was reprimanded to cover her nakedness so that her shame does not appear.

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

What this means is that when a man finds a fault (sin) with a woman, he can divorce her, but it must be accompanied by a bill of divorcement. That was what the law of Moses required. However, most men were not compliant with the Law as they just put away (apaluo – put away) the woman without the necessary letter of divorce, and therefore the woman is technically still married to the man, and if the woman or the man marries, he or she has committed adultery. If the woman has the letter of divorce, then she is free to marry and does not commit adultery in her remarriage.

From this, we can see the error created by the translators of the Bible in Matthew 5:32, where the Greek word “apostasion” (G645) which means divorce (with a letter of divorce) is absent. The “put away” here in verse 32 is the Greek word “apaluo” (G630) which means getting rid of a wife without the necessary documentation. Verse 32 therefore seems to suggest that even if a proper letter of divorce is issued to the woman, the remarrying of the man or woman is adultery. That is not the case here since the word “apoluo” was used. What Jesus is trying to say is that if we put away a woman without the necessary divorce letter, we commit adultery when the man or the woman remarries. However, the Lord again raised the bar to a spiritual law (the law of the spirit of life) by saying that except for fornication, all other reasons for divorce are not valid. We therefore need to understand what “fornication” means spiritually, in order to understand what the Lord is saying. 

Before we come to understand what “fornication” means spiritually, we need to understand that physical adultery or fornication does not negate the fact that they can serve as a basis for divorce. However, looking at the Lord Jesus Christ, we can see how He has forgiven us several times during a time of our walk when we were serving another Jesus even though we claimed to be the bride of Christ.

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

Spiritually, fornication represents our unfaithfulness to the Lord and to our spouse. Based on this, several sins can be classified as “fornication” spiritually. These include abusing our spouse, children, bankrupting the family, etc. Persistent physical, emotional and mental abuse all serve as grounds for fornication, and therefore, occasion for divorce.  The article which has helped in our understanding of these is in the essential reading of the iswasandwillbe website. It was written by Mike Vinson with the title “The Law of Moses Versus the Law of the Spirit”.     

Oaths

Mat 5:33  Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 
Mat 5:34  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 
Mat 5:35  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 
Mat 5:36  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 
Mat 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 

The law of Moses allows for swearing as shown in the following verses:

Deu 6:13  Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 

Deu 10:20  Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. 

The scribes and the Pharisees took the matter of swearing to a different level as follows:

Mat 23:16  Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 
Mat 23:17  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 
Mat 23:18  And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 
Mat 23:19  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 
Mat 23:20  Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 
Mat 23:21  And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 
Mat 23:22  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Here  Jesus, as the reformer, brings to us the law of the spirit of life which sets us free from the law of sin and death. He wants us not to swear at all but that our yes must be yes and our no must be no. Anything else apart from our yes or no comes from evil (verse 37). The scribes and Pharisees represent the leaders of Babylon or the physical churches of this world who have the propensity to go beyond what is written. We were like the scribes and Pharisees during our walk in the churches of this world until the Lord came to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness to deliver us. That is the time that faith came to us and as a result, we are no longer under the Law of Moses.  

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 

The reason we are not to swear as we abide by the law of the spirit of life is that, as the Lord’s elect, we know that everything in this world is working according to the Lord’s will, and therefore swearing will make no difference to what the Lord has destined.  

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

Retaliation

Mat 5:38  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 
Mat 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 
Mat 5:40  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 

In these verses, Jesus’ reforming words, which are the law of the spirit of life, are that we should not resist evil. He continued by telling us that if someone smite us on the right cheek, we must turn to him the other also. As we have indicated, the words of the Lord are spirit, and therefore if we are to live by the spirt, then we must understand what the Lord is saying to us in the spirit. The question is, “What does it mean not to resist evil?”

It means that as the Lord’s elect, we must be able to embrace whatever comes our way as being of the Lord. In this world, the Lord uses both evil and good to accomplish His purpose here on earth.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

If we are to resist evil, then we may end up resisting the Lord in accomplishing His good purpose in our lives. For example, on the night Jesus was arrested, Peter, being with the Lord, attempted to fight back by drawing a sword and cutting off the ear of one of Jesus’ assailants. However, the Lord told Peter to put back the sword because they that take the sword perish by the sword. 

Mat 26:50  And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 
Mat 26:51  And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

We can see that Peter wanted to resist the evil unleashed upon our Lord Jesus Christ as the Jews came to arrest Him. Peter, in His unrenewed mind, wanted to fight back or resist the evil. However, Jesus told him not to resist evil because when we try to resist evil, we end up resisting the Lord and therefore, we lose our way to the path of righteousness. 

In verse 39, we are told that if someone smite us on the right cheek, we should turn the left cheek to him as well. Again, when we are sued and as a result we lose our coat, we should let them take our cloke as well. As we indicated, these words are spiritual, and therefore we need to understand these from spiritual perspective. It does not mean that literally when someone slaps us on the right cheek, we are to turn the left cheek for him to slap. All that the Lord is telling us is that we must yield to whatever circumstance in which find ourselves, knowing that it will work out for our good since the Lord is the one in charge.  

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Psa 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 

Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. 

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

Not resisting evil does not means that we should allow our rights to be trampled upon. In the Book of Acts, we see Paul emphasizing his rights when he was treated badly as a Roman citizen.

Act 16:36  And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 
Act 16:37  But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 
Act 16:38  And the servants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 
Act 16:39  And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
Act 16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. 

Mat 5:41  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 
Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 

The Law of Moses always focuses on what is necessary to fulfill the law. This is so, because we are driven by the flesh. However, with the law of the spirit of life, we are moved by the spirit of the Lord, and therefore we go beyond what our natural thinking and capability will take us. The story of the good Samaritan shows us what the Lord had in mind when He told us to go beyond what we are compelled. 

Luk 10:30  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 
Luk 10:31  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 
Luk 10:32  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:33  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 
Luk 10:34  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 
Luk 10:35  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 
Luk 10:36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 
Luk 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

We can see clearly that the good Samaritan went beyond what was necessary in rescuing the man who was left half dead. He not only bound up his wounds but brought the man to the inn and also paid his expenses. What distinguished the good Samaritan from others is the simple fact that he had compassion on the man (verse  33). Compassion involves showing mercy as we see in verse 37.  It is through the Lord’s compassion that we are not consumed.

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

Through the mercy that we have received, we are to learn to also show mercy or compassion to people. When we are driven by compassion, we fulfill the law of the spirit of life as we go beyond what is needful, according to the law of Moses. Throughout our lives here on earth, the Lord is always showing mercy to us. It is this mercy being shown to us which serves as the foundation of the mercy we are to show humanity during the lake of fire age. If we do not learn to be merciful, then it means we cannot be saviors of humanity.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.  

In verse 42, the Lord wants us to give when asked and to lend to those who come to us to borrow. This is all part of the law of the spirit of life. Of course, we cannot give what we do not have. The fact that we must give does not means that even if we have a need pending, we must by all means give and fall into trouble. Verse 42 has been abused by many of the Babylonian preachers for their financial gains.

2Pe 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 

Giving here is not restricted to only money. Spiritually, giving entails supporting those who are weak as shown in the following verse:

Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.  

In terms of lending, we are aware that the people of this world also lend, but with interest or usury. The law of the spirit of life teaches us not to lend with usury as do the people of this world. In our lending, we should do it such that we are not expecting anything back. That is what pleases the Lord. This implies that we cannot lend what we do not have, and if we have an urgent  need, then is not an option. If we have enough to lend, then we must lend not expecting anything back.  

Luk 6:34  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Luk 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 

Love Your Enemies

Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 
Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 
Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 
Mat 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 
Mat 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 

The law of the spirit of life enjoins us to love our enemies, to bless them when we are cursed, do good to them that hate us and pray for them that despise us and persecute us. This is of a far higher standard than the law of Moses which is based on an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 

Exo 21:22  If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 
Exo 21:23  And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Exo 21:24  Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

We can see that in the law of Moses there is no mercy. However, in the law of the spirit of life or the law of liberty as indicated by Apostle James, mercy triumphs over judgment. In other words, mercy overrules judgment. 

Jas 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 
Jas 2:11  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 
Jas 2:12  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 
Jas 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.  

In walking in the flesh, it is impossible to love your enemies and to go to the extent of praying for them who persecute you and blessing those who curse you. However, as the word of the Lord says, we, His elect, are strengthened by His spirit so that we do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit. As a result, our mortal bodies are quickened by the Lord’s Spirit such that we do not fulfill the desires of the flesh. 

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 
Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 
Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 
Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 
Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 
Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 
Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 
Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

Here in these verses, the focus is on the spirit which quickens our mortal bodies to walk in the spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. From a comprehensive view of the word of the Lord, we know that the judgment we go through destroys the flesh and its desires, while the spirit strengthens us to live a life pleasing to the Lord. That is when we can walk in the spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. 

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 
Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 
Gal 5:18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 

In conclusion, the Lord is telling us in verse 48 to become perfect even as our Father in Heaven is perfect. What we need to know is that perfection is a process we are all going through in this life and will become complete when we are resurrected from the dead. 

1Co 15:42  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 
1Co 15:43  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 
1Co 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

May the Name of the Lord be Praised. Amen!!

Ezekiel 20:1-25  For His Name’s Sake, we are not Consumed

[Study Aired June 10, 2024]

Introduction

Today’s study is focused on the answer the Lord gave to Ezekiel to tell the elders of Israel who came to enquire of Him. The Lord’s answer shows His displeasure against Israel as a result of their unfaithfulness toward Him. The Lord showed His providential care for the people of Israel as He took them out of Egypt, even though they were ungrateful in their dealings with Him. In the wilderness, the people of Israel continued to rebel against Him. As a result, the Lord promised to judge them by scattering them among the nations and giving them laws which they could not live by. In all of this, the Lord did not use His power to destroy them so that His name would not be blasphemed among the nations of the world. The main takeaway of today’s study is that for His name’s sake, the Lord will carry out all that He has said about us to bring us to an expected end.     

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 
Jer 29:12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 
Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 
Jer 29:14  And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. 

The Elders Came to Enquire of the Lord

Eze 20:1  And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
Eze 20:2  Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
Eze 20:3  Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

The elders of Israel coming to enquire of the Lord from Ezekiel in the seventh year, the fifth month and the tenth day of the month have significance. The number seven means completion, that of fifth (five) means grace through faith, and the number ten signifies the fullness of the flesh. In verse 1, therefore, we are shown the spiritual depravity of the elders of Israel. It is when the sins of the leaders have reached their fullness, that is in their complete apostasy, that we are given to go through the process of grace through faith. This grace is the judgment of our old man. Spiritually, the elders of Israel here signify the Lord’s elect during our sojourn in Babylon. This is what the Lord says about us as the leaders of Israel:

Eze 34:1  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Eze 34:2  Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 
Eze 34:3  Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 
Eze 34:4  The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
Eze 34:5  And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 
Eze 34:6  My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

The elders coming to enquire of the Lord means that we had not realized our spiritual depravity when we were in Babylon. The Lord’s initial refusal to answer the elders through His elect who are signified here by Ezekiel was to indicate to us that our works were not pleasing to Him. 

Isa 59:1  Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 
Isa 59:2  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Isa 59:3  For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

Our hands being defiled with blood in Isaiah 59:3 means that we were guilty of the death of the Lord and His servants as we refused to hear them and thought they were evil. Our fingers with iniquity means that our works were dominated by our flesh. Our lips speaking lies and our tongue muttering perverseness refer to the false doctrines in our hearts and minds which are the lies of the evil one.

Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 
Luk 11:50  That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 
Luk 11:51  From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Our lives at this stage of our walk with the Lord are likened to the elder brother of the prodigal son. Because he had not been shown his sins, he thought that he was better than his prodigal brother and therefore had the right to the estate of his father. On the other hand, his prodigal brother had come to know his sins and was therefore looking up to his father for his mercy.

Luk 15:21  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luk 15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Luk 15:23  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 
Luk 15:24  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 
Luk 15:25  Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 
Luk 15:26  And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 
Luk 15:27  And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Luk 15:28  And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 
Luk 15:29  And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 
Luk 15:30  But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 
Luk 15:31  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Luk 15:32  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

It is a privilege to be shown our sins by the Lord. The Lord’s coming to us in Babylon was to show us our sins and to provide a way for us to overcome the flesh through the fire of His words. The next verses therefore show us the Lord showing the elders of Israel their sins.

We Must Know that We Have Sinned Against the Lord

Eze 20:4  Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers: 

In verse 4, the Lord is asking Ezekiel to cause the elders of Israel to know their abominations. It is after we come to realize our sins that judgment follows. Knowing our sins is therefore a prerequisite before we are judged by the Lord. In this life therefore, the Lord is seeking for an occasion to cause us to know our abominations so that He can judge us. Judgment therefore is a privilege the Lord is bestowing on us, His elect. 

Jdg 14:1  And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. 
Jdg 14:2  And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. 
Jdg 14:3  Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. 
Jdg 14:4  But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

The next four verses show the sins of the people of Israel. 

Eze 20:5  And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
Eze 20:6  In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had spied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
Eze 20:7  Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Eze 20:8  But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. 

It is with the Lord’s mighty hand that He sets us apart from the world (Egypt) to come and worship Him. The lifting up of the Lord’s hands to the seed of the house of Jacob means that the outstretched arms of the Lord are ready to receive us in Him no matter our sinful state, just like the prodigal son. This mighty hand also means that the Lord will judge us as He pours out His fury on us to cause us to obey Him, resulting in Him ruling over us. 

Eze 20:33  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
Eze 20:34  And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

In verse 7, we are shown our abominations of defiling ourselves with the idols of Egypt. These idols of Egypt are the false doctrines of man’s wisdom and traditions in our heavens which cause us to worship the created things instead of our creator, the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, we rebel against the Lord as we become entrenched in the worship of another Jesus.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

In verse 8, we are told that as a result of our rebellion against the Lord, we are going to be judged as He pours out His fury upon us to accomplish His anger against us. As we are aware, it is through the Lord’s judgment that we learn righteousness.

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

For His Names’s Sake We Shall Not be Consumed

Eze 20:9  But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
Eze 20:10  Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

Here in verse 9 we are told that the Lord acted by bringing the Israelites out of Egypt so that His name would not be dishonored among the nations. Our decision to come out of the world and serve the Lord is not our decision. If we are called and chosen, then the Lord will act on our behalf to bring us to an expected end so that His name is not dishonored among the nations of the world. What this means is that from the beginning to the end of our walk in Christ, it is all His work. What He has begun in us, He will see to its completion!!

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

Verse 10 shows us that after the Lord has caused us to leave the world to come and worship Him, we are sent straight into the wilderness where there is lack of water, that is, famine of the word of the Lord. This wilderness is Babylon where we end up worshiping another Jesus as part of the wonderful plan of the Lord. Babylon therefore serves a purpose for our walk in Christ. It is in Babylon that we come to see how sinful we are as we are confronted by the law of Moses which is preached in Babylon. This is what Paul has to say about this:

Rom 7:7  What should we say, then? Are Moses’ laws sinful? That’s unthinkable! In fact, I wouldn’t have recognized sin if those laws hadn’t shown it to me. For example, I wouldn’t have known that some desires are sinful if Moses’ Teachings hadn’t said, “Never have wrong desires.” 
Rom 7:8  But sin took the opportunity provided by this commandment and made me have all kinds of wrong desires. Clearly, without laws sin is dead. 
Rom 7:9  At one time I was alive without any laws. But when this commandment came, sin became alive 
Rom 7:10  and I died. I found that the commandment which was intended to bring me life actually brought me death. 
Rom 7:11  Sin, taking the opportunity provided by this commandment, deceived me and then killed me. 
Rom 7:12  So Moses’ Teachings are holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good. 
Rom 7:13  Now, did something good cause my death? That’s unthinkable! Rather, my death was caused by sin so that sin would be recognized for what it is. Through a commandment sin became more sinful than ever.
Rom 7:14  I know that God’s standards are spiritual, but I have a corrupt nature, sold as a slave to sin. (GW)

Eze 20:11  And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.

It is in Babylon that we are shown the laws and rules of the Lord through the teaching of the Law of Moses, which if we are able to obey, we shall be saved. However, when we are dominated by our flesh, or the old man, there is no way we can obey the laws and rules given to us by the Lord. The Law of Moses was therefore to make us aware of what sin is, but lacks the capacity to cause us to obey. The Law of Moses was therefore to lead us to Christ and after we have known Christ, or are known by Christ, we are therefore no longer subject to the Law of Moses. 

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Eze 20:12  Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

Through the Law of Moses, we are given to know the sabbath which represents the day of rest. However, in our spiritual poverty, we look at the sabbath physically as a day of rest from our works. It is after Christ has come to us with His words that we are given to know that the sabbath is not a day of rest but a lifetime of resting from our works and depending on the Lord to carry out His work in us. Of ourselves, we can do nothing. As the word of the Lord says, when the sabbath was first preached to us, we did not experience the rest of the Lord because of our unbelief. 

Heb 4:6  Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 
Heb 4:7  Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 
Heb 4:8  For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 
Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Our Rebellion Against the Lord and His Judgment

Eze 20:13  But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. 
Eze 20:14  But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out. 
Eze 20:15  Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

The house of Israel in the wilderness represents the harlot woman or Babylon or the physical churches of this world which have rebelled against the Lord. We were part of this church in the wilderness until the Lord came with His brightness and the spirit of His mouth to judge us as He initiates the process of destroying our old man or flesh so that we can learn righteousness. Thus, the Lord saying that He would pour out His fury upon us to consume us in verse 13 is His judgment, and that is the best thing that could have happened to us in this life. His judgment is therefore what the Lord is working out for His name’s sake such that we do not drag His name in the mud among the heathen of this world.

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

In verses 14 and 15 we are made aware that the Lord lifted up His hands upon the people of Israel to prevent them from entering the land flowing with milk and honey. In other words, we cannot possess our bodies, which are represented by the land flowing with milk and honey, until the Lord has poured out His fury on our old man.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Eze 20:16  Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols. 
Eze 20:17  Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.

In verses 16 and 17, the Lord is telling us that in spite of our spiritual depravity, He did not destroy us but continued to keep us in the wilderness.  This shows us that even though Babylon, or the established churches of this world, has derailed from serving the Lord, they are being kept by the Lord for His own purpose. As we can see, we were not serving the Lord acceptably during our time in Babylon, but the Lord did not destroy us but kept us until the set time symbolized by seventy years when He came with His brightness and the spirit of His mouth to deliver us from Babylonian captivity outwardly and within our hearts and minds.

Jer 25:9  Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
Jer 25:10  Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.
Jer 25:11  And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 
Jer 25:12  And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.

Physically, Babylon, or the physical churches of this world, is being kept for a set time, and then will be destroyed by the Lord. This is what the Lord says about its destruction:

Rev 17:16  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 
Rev 17:17  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 
Rev 17:18  And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. 

Rev 18:8  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 
Rev 18:9  And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 
Rev 18:10  Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 
Rev 18:11  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 

Eze 20:18  But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols: 
Eze 20:19  I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
Eze 20:20  And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. 
Eze 20:21  Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness. 

Throughout our stay in Babylon, the Lord was urging us through His messengers to walk in His statutes and judgments, but we did not pay heed to them as we were enchanted by another Jesus (defiling ourselves with idols). In our state, we were not able to find rest (sabbath) in Him as we thought that we were responsible for our own actions because of our famed freewill.  As a result, we rebelled against the Lord, setting ourselves up for the Lord’s judgment of our old man as He pours out His fury upon us. 

2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Eze 20:22  Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth. 
Eze 20:23  I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries; 
Eze 20:24  Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols. 
Eze 20:25  Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live; 

In verse 22, the Lord did not use His power to destroy the people of Israel so that His name would not be dishonored among the nations who had watched Him bring the Israelites out of Egypt. This implies that because of the Lord’s name which we bear as His children, He will see to the completion of what He has started with us. 

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

1Th 5:23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

In keeping with His name not being profaned among the nations, the Lord takes steps to bring us in line with His purpose. Our rebellion as described in verse 24, relates to not following the Lord’s laws, not resting in Him and lastly, serving another Jesus.

The Lord’s judgment as shown in verse 23 is to scatter us among the heathens or countries with the objective of putting an end to our filthiness. That is to say that we learn righteousness through the Lord’s judgment.

Eze 22:15  I will scatter you among the nations and force you into other countries. I will put an end to your uncleanness. (GW)

As the verses below show, scattering us among the heathen or nations means drawing the sword after us. 

Eze 12:14  And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.
Eze 12:15  And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries. 

Eze 5:2  Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.

The third part that is scattered in the wind means that the drawing of the sword after us is a process and not a one-time event.  The negative aspect of sword refers to words that are spoken which destroy us. The sword refers to the lying words and false doctrines of the adversary. 

2Ti 2:17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.   

Psa 64:2  Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: 
Psa 64:3  Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: 

These negative words spoken are one of the tools that the Lord uses to cause people to speak bitter words to us, His elect, as part of the Lord’s judgment. 

In verse 25, the Lord is saying that as part of His judgment, He allowed us to follow laws that were not good and rules by which we could not live. As Peter stated, the Law of Moses was like a yoke that we were not able to bear during our time in Babylon.

Act 15:10  Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 

As indicated earlier, the Law of Moses is what is practiced in Babylon. These laws were not different from the laws that are applicable in the heathen countries that the Lord had scattered us into. 

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 
Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

The essence of the Lord giving us laws (the Law of Moses and its related rules) which are not good and which we could not obey is to show us that we are sinful. It is only when we come to appreciate our spiritual depravity of not being able to obey the Law of Moses that Christ comes in to help us by delivering us from our flesh which is the repository of sin. Oh, how wonderful is the Lord’s plan of salvation for us!!

Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 
Rom 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 
Rom 11:35  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. 

May His name be praised forevermore!!

Ezekiel 18:1-32  The Soul Who Sins Shall Die

[Study Aired May 27, 2024]

Introduction

Today’s study concerns the changing of the law by the Lord to make people accountable for their own sins instead of the sins of their fathers. Whenever there is a change in the law, there is resistance to the change as we naturally resist change. The people of Israel thought that the way of the Lord is not just in regard to people bearing their own sins. They preferred the situation where the fathers’ sins are borne by their children. As a result of their resistance to change, the people of Israel were surely going to be judged. The chapter concludes by giving us insight into the benefits of the Lord’s judgment.

The Changing of the Law

Eze 18:1  The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
Eze 18:2  What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? 

The proverb “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are on edge” became a regularly used proverb in Israel because of the following scriptures:

Exo 20:5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 
Exo 20:6  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Exo 34:6  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 
Exo 34:7  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

In these verses, the Lord was demonstrating to the people of Israel that their iniquities have consequences on their children. As you can see, the Lord gave this rule when He was delivering the ten commandments to Moses. This means that this rule was an integral part of the Law of Moses. As we are aware, the purpose of the Law was to expose sin, but the Law did not have what it takes to change our behavior. Therefore, the rampant use of this proverb suggests to us that the people of Israel have resigned themselves to the fact that they cannot help themselves in hurting their beloved ones (children) through their actions.

Rom 7:7  What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”  

Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 
Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 
Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 
Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. 

Deu 5:28  And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 
Deu 5:29  O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!

Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children upon the third and fourth generation signifies that when we are dominated by our old man or the flesh, we are not different from our fathers. In other words, we are not different from the people of Israel in terms of their propensity to disobey the Lord since we are all of the flesh or the old man. The number three means becoming spiritually mature through the process of judgment. This implies that it is as we go through the process of judgment to become spiritually mature (third generation) that the iniquity of our fathers (the old man) is no longer relevant in our lives. The fourth generation mentioned symbolizes that the whole of the Lord’s elect have to go through suffering as a result of the deeds of our old man, which is the iniquity of our fathers. There is no exception to bearing the consequences of our actions as the Lord’s elect of every generation. 

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 
Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Eze 18:3  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. 
Eze 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. 

These verses give us glimpses to the change of the Law which became effective when Jesus, the reformer, came on the scene. Here we are made aware that everyone will bear his or her own sins. That is to say that everyone who eats sour grapes will have his own teeth set on edge.

Act 3:20  And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 
Act 3:21  Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 

Jer 31:29  In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. 
Jer 31:30  But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.

Who is a Righteous Man?

Eze 18:5  But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, 
Eze 18:6  And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, 

The verses here show us the characteristics of a righteous man or woman or simply, the Lord’s elect. According to verse 6, a righteous man must not eat at the mountain shrines. 

Isa 57:7  Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

In a negative sense, mountains or hills represent the place where the people of Israel perform their idolatrous acts against the Lord. In this case, the mountain represents Babylon where we imbibe false doctrines in our pursuit of another Jesus. It is in Babylon that we pay attention to the great swelling words of vanity of man’s wisdom and tradition. Not eating on a mountain therefore means that as the Lord’s elect, we have been delivered from Babylon and have come to know the truth of the Lord’s words. As a result, we are able to test the spirit to see if it is of the Lord.

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 
2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 
2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 

Lifting up our eyes to the idols of the house of Israel signifies harboring idols of the heart which came about as a result of our sojourn in the house of Israel or Babylon. Not lifting our eyes to the idols of the house of Israel therefore signifies the destruction of the idols of our hearts which we imbibed in Babylon.

Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? 
Eze 14:4  Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Eze 14:5  That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

According to the word of the Lord, a wife symbolizes the church. A neighbor, on the other hand, refers to the people of Israel as shown in the following verse:

Lev 19:18  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Jesus made it clear to us that our neighbor is the one who has shown mercy to us. In other words, our brothers and sisters in Christ who acknowledge the mercy the Lord has shown to us. 

Luk 10:29  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 
Luk 10:30  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 
Luk 10:31  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 
Luk 10:32  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:33  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Luk 10:34  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 
Luk 10:35  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Luk 10:36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 
Luk 10:37  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 

Defiling our neighbor’s wife therefore refers to anything that we do to unveil the nakedness of the church or our brothers and sisters. This means that not defiling our neighbor’s wife means not doing or saying anything evil against our brothers and sisters. We, as the Lord’s elect, must not defile our neighbor’s wife.

James 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. (ESV)

As the Lord’s elect, we are not to have sexual relations with a woman during her period. A woman in her period signifies Babylon or the churches of this world in relation to the shedding of blood of the Lord and his messengers. In other words, if we are to worship the Lord acceptably, then we must leave Babylon.

Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 
Luk 11:50  That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 
Luk 11:51  From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. 

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 
Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Eze 18:7  And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; 

In verse 7, we are required not to oppress anyone but return what we took in pledge for a loan if we are to be the Lord’s elect. The first time the word “oppression” was used in the Bible, it has to do with how Pharaoh and the people of Egypt have set taskmasters over the people of Israel to cause them to work hard for Egypt’s benefit. The oppression in verse 7 is also qualified by the fact that a righteous man returns what a borrower has given as security for a loan and does not rob anyone. In other words, we should not take advantage of anyone irrespective of the position the Lord has placed us. 

Exo 3:9  Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

Exo 3:7  And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

As the Lord’s elect, we are not to oppress anyone for our benefit. This oppression is clearly seen in the churches of this world (Babylon) where many are working hard for the benefit of the pastors of these churches. Many shepherds of the Lord in the churches of this world have become robbers of the people the Lord has placed over them through extortion in the name of tithes and offerings.

Verse 7 also tells us that those who are righteous give bread to the hungry and cover their nakedness with a garment. Giving bread to the hungry means feeding the Lord’s people with the truth of the word of the Lord. It is the truth of the Lord’s words which covers our nakedness as we are given the garment of righteousness. Unfortunately, this was not what happened to us during our time in Babylon where the shepherds feed themselves.

Eze 34:2  “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?
Eze 34:3  You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen (garment) is the righteousness of saints.

Eze 18:8  He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, 
Eze 18:9  Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

A righteous man does not lend to people at interest or take profit from them. That is to say that we do not take advantage of people to exploit them financially. As indicated, this is what we see in Babylon where the Lord’s people are exploited financially in the name of the Lord.

Jas 5:4  Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 
Jas 5:5  Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 

To withdraw our hands from iniquity means we are being judged and as a result we are learning righteousness. Putting our hands to iniquity is therefore not an attractive option for the elect as the old man is diminishing and the new man is gaining ascendency in our lives. As Paul stated, the training the Lord is taking us through in this life helps us to judge fairly between two parties and therefore prepares us to judge the world and angels in an age to come. 

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 

In verse 9, we are told that a righteous man or the Lord’s elect follows the Lord’s decrees and faithfully keeps His laws. This is because as we are being judged in this life, we are learning righteousness and therefore making it easier to obey the Lord’s commandments. 

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 
1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

In conclusion, if we live by the standards set here in Ezekiel 18:5-9, then we are the Lord’s righteous man and therefore we shall surely live. To be living here means that we shall be spiritually alive as we serve the Lord in this life. In other words, we shall be the Lord’s overcomers!! We must take note that the walk of the elect with the Lord is a process. That means it takes time for us to live according to the Lord’s standards. Let’s take confidence in the fact that the Lord who has called and chosen us will see to it that we overcome. It is not about our efforts. He who has called us is faithful!!

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 

Eze 18:10  If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things, 
Eze 18:11  And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour’s wife, 
Eze 18:12  Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination, 
Eze 18:13  Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him. 

These verses show us our lives before the Lord came to us, even though we are His sons who are called and chosen before the foundations of the world by the Lord who is righteous. Verses 10 to 13 show us that we were born in sin, and as a result, we manifest the deeds of the flesh until the Lord came to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness. In verse 13 we are told that we shall surely die and that we shall suffer the consequences of our lives in the flesh. That is to say our blood shall be upon us. The Lord’s coming to us is to judge us so that we learn righteousness. 

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 
Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eze 18:14  Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like, 
Eze 18:15  That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour’s wife, 
Eze 18:16  Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, 
Eze 18:17  That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. 
Eze 18:18  As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity. 

Verse 14 shows us that our father was the devil and that through the mercies of the Lord, we were given to consider our father’s evil influence on our lives as the Lord came to us with His brightness to deliver us from committing the deeds of our father the devil. As a result, we learn righteousness every day as our old man dies daily. The devil will surely die in his iniquity and therefore shall face judgment in an age to come.

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Resistance to the Changing of the Law

Eze 18:19  Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 
Eze 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 
Eze 18:21  But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 
Eze 18:22  All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 
Eze 18:23  Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? 
Eze 18:24  But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. 

In spite of the changing of the law regarding each person suffering for his or her own sins instead of the children bearing the iniquity of the fathers, many Israelites questioned this change. In verses 20–22, the Lord is therefore explaining why there should be a change in the law. There is no salvation if this law is still in force. This is because, if we are to suffer the consequences of the actions of our fathers, then even if we turn from our wicked ways and become obedient to the Lord, we shall still be liable to the sins of our fathers and therefore, the blood of Christ, which was shared for our sins, would have been ineffective. However, thanks be to the Lord that this change of the law paved a new and living way where each person must give and account for his own deeds.

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 
Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 
Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God; 
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 
Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 
Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

Eze 18:25  Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 
Eze 18:26  When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 
Eze 18:27  Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 
Eze 18:28  Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 
Eze 18:29  Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? 

Whenever there is a change in the law, there is always resistance to the new law. The reaction of the Lord’s people in questioning that the way of the Lord is not equal foreshadows the resistance to Christ’s work as a reformer when He came on the scene. This scenario is the same today as our brothers and sisters in Babylon resist the fact that the Lord will bring salvation to all humanity. In other words, Babylon is accusing the Lord that His way is not equal. Remember that we also in our time in Babylon accused the Lord that His way is not equal. However, through the mercies of the Lord, we were forgiven and given a new life in Christ to understand that the way of the Lord is perfect!!

Psa 18:25  With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 
Psa 18:26  With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 

Psa 18:30  As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 

The Benefits of the Lord’s Judgment

Eze 18:30  “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 
Eze 18:31  Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 

Our resistance to the Lord’s ways means that we shall surely be judged. As we are aware, it is the Lord’s elect who are being judged in this life. In verses 30 and 31, we are shown the benefits of the Lord’s judgment. It causes us to repent and turn from all our transgressions so that sin does not disqualify us from the prize of His higher calling. Judgment destroys our old man who is the source of our transgressions against the Lord. The death of our old man or flesh is the birth of a new man described in verse 31 as the new heart and new spirit. It is this new man which keeps us alive in Christ. 

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 
Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 
Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

Eze 18:32  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.” 

In verse 32 we are told that the Lord does not have pleasure in the death of anyone. This implies that it is the Lord’s desire to bring salvation to all at His appointed time. 

Psa 135:6  Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.

1Ti 2:3  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 
1Ti 2:4  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Conclusion

This whole chapter gives us glimpses of the change in the priesthood which necessitated the change of the law which took place when our Lord Jesus Christ came as a reformer. Today, our Lord is still carrying out His reformation works in our lives as He gives us the law of the spirit of life which sets us free from the law of sin and death. He who has started this good work in us, shall see to its completion.

Heb 7:12  For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 
Heb 7:13  For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 
Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 
Heb 7:15  This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 
Heb 7:16  who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
Heb 7:17  For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 
Heb 7:18  For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 
Heb 7:19  (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 
Rom 8:3  For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 
Rom 8:4  in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

Thank you Lord, for your wonderful plan of salvation in which you have given us a significant role to play. Amen!!

The Law of Moses Versus the Law of the Spirit – Part 21

[Study Aired April 14, 2024]

Understanding that the law was added to the law of the spirit because of transgressions of the law of the spirit helps us to see that the ‘lawful’ use of the law of Moses is to bring us to Christ:

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

1Ti 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

The law of Moses is a “carnal commandment” (Heb 7:16) and it “is not for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient…” (1Ti 1:8, 9).

This should help us to appreciate, yes, appreciate, the function of Mystery Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and of abominations of the earth. Mystery Babylon sits upon all the kingdoms of this earth and is under the law.

Rev 17:1  And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:2  With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Rev 18:3  For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

All humanity, “all nations… the kings of the earth… the inhabitants of the earth” are all dominated by all the different religions of this earth. The one things all religions have in common is their rejection of the words of Christ, who has this to say to the multitudes of His own disciples:

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Mystery Babylon is not just the Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist religions. Mystery Babylon is also “that great city… where also our Lord was crucified” (Rev 11:8). Mystery Babylon includes Christendom, still under the law, still under tutors and governors, still looking to men to tell them what God says just as Israel did at Mount Sinai. “And they said unto Moses, speak you with us and we will hear: but let not God speak with us lest we die” (Exo 20:19). Until we are willing to die, to be “crucified with Christ”, we will be under the law, “shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed” (Gal 3:23). That is the function of Mystery Babylon, to keep us under the law, no better than a slave to sin, under tutors and governors, under the elements of this world (Gal 4:1-3). Mystery Babylon claims to be Christian. She deals in “gold, and silver and precious stones… and souls of men.”

Rev 18:12  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Rev 18:13  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

“Gold, silver and precious stones” which can under the right circumstances endure the fire (1Co 3:12,13), are good works and good doctrines. If we fail to see and acknowledge the sovereignty of God in “all things”, our righteousness (our “gold, silver and precious stones”) becomes as ‘self-righteous’ “filthy rags” in God’s sight:

Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Mystery Babylon is full of “righteous… good works”, and it is these “good works” which provide the “strong delusion” which “God shall send” to those who “received not the love of the truth… That they all might be damned who believe not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

This “unrighteousness” is not blatant. It is so subtle, it is called “strong delusion”. It will all be accomplished through keeping the law, “and when the woman [Mystery Babylon, the mother of harlots] saw that the tree [the law] was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes [an outward display of righteousness and nourishment] and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen 3:6).

The woman giving the law, the ministration of death, to her husband is the slovenly tendency of most “sons of God” to allow the church, “princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown” (Num 16:2) to tell them what to do instead of having a personal relationship with God through personal knowledge of His word. These are those who have not come out of Babylon. Their obedience is not based on the love of God (1Jo 5:2-3), but on outward signs like Sabbath (or Sunday) observance. They “observe days and months and times and years” (Gal 4:10). Thus, they testify against themselves that they have not yet entered into rest. “For we which have believed do enter into rest…” (Heb 4:3). These are those who call Israel according to the flesh God’s chosen people. God, of course, has said they are His “broken off people” (Rom 11:17-20) who  “shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman” (Gal 4:30). Thus, they testify against themselves that they are not the sons of the freewoman but are still “under the law” (Gal 4:21).

Thus Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of harlots is serving God’s purpose. She is raising up “false christs and false prophets and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, she shall deceive the very elect” (Mat 24:24). It will all be accomplished through literal physical miracles and through “the law”, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Rev 13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

In the keeping of the law Mystery Babylon will, in spite of herself, be used as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. She will keep us under tutors and governors; no more than a slave to sin, “until the time appointed of the Father” (Gal 4:1-2).

You “by the letter… doest transgress the law”:

Rom 2:27  And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

“The letter”, the law of Moses, is obviously not the law of the spirit of God. The law of Moses is rather a type and shadow of God’s spiritual law:

Heb 10:1  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, 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.

A ‘shadow’ blots out the light of the sun and that is the intended function of the law of Moses.

If we insist upon returning to the law, we are refusing to, “leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, and we are refusing to “go on unto perfection. [We are] laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God”. It is insidious seduction because we are actually teaching “the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment”. And yet we “are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat, and we are unskilful in the word of righteousness because we are still a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are full of age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:11-14). Yes, God intended all along that we should become like Him to know and discern both good and evil.

Gen 3:22  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Rom 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law [“the knowledge of good and evil”]: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Rom 7:8  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Remember it was “to those… which believed on Him” that he said “I know ye are Abraham’s seed, but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you” (Joh 8:31-37).

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue [G3306: meno, abide] in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? [Self-righteous ‘Christians’ who “believe on Christ” but have no place in them for His doctrine]
Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you [You Jews which believe on Me].

If Christ were here in the flesh today it would still be those ‘Christians who believe on Him’ who would want to kill Him for saying “Love thine enemies” (Mat 5:43-44).

It is indeed “strong meat” to come to understand that both the good and the evil are of God, and that it is through this ‘tree of the knowledge of good and evil’,  the law which shows us our sins, whose fruit is death, that we are brought to Christ, the tree of life, and sin and death are destroyed:

Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him through death [Not ‘from death’] , and was heard in that he feared.

Rom 11:36  For of him and through him and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever, Amen.

How could anyone say or even suggest that we should not, as mature Christians, post the Ten Commandments in our churches and in our schools and in our public buildings and instruct all to live by this Biblical code of conduct? If everyone, everywhere, made a conscious effort to keep and live by the Ten Commandments, would not most of the problems of our land disappear as a result? Would God not then bless us as a nation and make us a blessing to all nations? Are the Ten Commandments the solution to all immorality and sin? The answer to all of these questions is ‘Yes, obeying the ten commandments makes for a peaceful society, but, no, the ten commandments absolutely are not the solution to all immorality and sin. Death still reigns supreme, and the law was never designed to deal with the hearts and minds of mankind. All it was ever intended to do was to show us our sins and to make them appear “exceedingly sinful”:

Rom 7:9  For I was alive [the dead burying their dead] without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died [Realized I wasn’t really alive after all].
Rom 7:10  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Rom 7:11  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it [the letter of the commandments] slew me.
Rom 7:12  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Rom 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

The law has been tried before, and it has failed every time. Keeping the law may indeed produce a well mannered society, as compared to a completely lawless society, but the righteousness of law keeping is “mine own righteousness… my righteousness which is by the law”:

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Ancient Israel thought that they could live perfect lives by keeping God’s Ten Commandments. They failed miserably. The Pharisees thought that they could become righteous in the eyes of God by keeping the law and the Ten Commandments. Jesus said that they will NOT be in the Kingdom of God. Modern Ireland, divided by Protestantism and Catholicism, are slaughtering each other under this same system. Peter said it all when he called this law a YOKE “which neither our fathers NOR WE were able to bear” (Act 15:10).

Act 15:10  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

There is a better much lighter ‘yoke:

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

In Hebrews 7:16 we are told that the law which established the Levitical priesthood and all that that priesthood represented and taught (including the ten commandments), was “a carnal commandment.” Even the most holy and solemn day of the entire year, when the high priest entered the holy place to sprinkle blood for all the sins of Israel, all these ordinances are called “a carnal commandment.” We are told in no uncertain terms by the apostle Paul that, “To be ‘carnally minded’ is DEATH…”:

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death [Being under sin… under the law (Gal 3:22-25)]; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

The laws of Moses are carnal commandments; the priests were carnal; the people were carnal; and the result has always been, is now, and always will be, DEATH! “The law [of Moses] is NOT MADE FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN, but for the lawless and disobedient” (1Ti 1:9). The law of Moses is not made for a righteous man!! It is “the ministration of death” (2Co 3:7). There is something better, much better!

Do not confuse the Ten Commandments of the Old Covenant with the Law of the spirit of God of the New Covenant. When will we finally come to believe that there really is a NEW Covenant with NEW laws, and that it is NOT fashioned after the OLD Covenant?

Jer 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my [“but I say unto you…” (Matthew 5)] law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

This “New” Covenant is “not according to” the Old Covenant (Heb 8:9),  and the Old Covenant WAS “…even TEN COMMANDMENTS… written upon two tables of stone” (Deu 4:13).  But this “New Covenant” does have laws. Oh, yes it does! Heb 8:10 – “Imparting my LAWS… on their HEARTS…” The Ten Commandments were written on stones, not on hearts. The laws of the New Covenant are (1) NOT IN ACCORD with the laws of the Old Covenant, (2) Different from the old law from which we “died” and now are “exempted” (Rom 7:4, 6), (3) Spiritual laws (Rom 7:14) and (4) they are written “ON THEIR  [OUR] HEARTS” (Heb 8:10).

Let me give you just one (there are dozens) simple little scriptural truth to prove once and for all that the Spiritual laws of God are NOT the Ten Commandments. Anything spiritual or spirit is ETERNAL. God’s spiritual laws ARE eternal. The Ten Commandments are temporal. They are being “taken away”, “done away”, “fading away”, not to be continued. The fourth commandment tells us: “six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work…” (Exo 20:9). Is anyone so ignorant as to suggest that we will work six days out of every seven for the rest of eternity? The law of the spirit on the other hand teaches that in Christ we now to be “entering into His rest” every day:

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

We are told that along with the change in the priesthood, there was also a necessity for a change in the law:

Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

There is no such thing as spiritually keeping a carnal law. Jesus wears a NEW garment and a new priestly robe:

Luk 5:36  And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
Luk 5:37  And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
Luk 5:38  But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

This new garment is NOT according to that of Levi, but according to that of Melchizedek. Under the New Covenant we have a NEW priesthood, a NEW High Priest and NEW laws. NONE of them are reworkings or modifications of the old – they are NEW.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

These “new… things” are the true High Priest and the true spiritual laws of God, not just the shadow. The physical priesthood and carnal laws of Israel were but an inferior type of the spiritual and the heavenly realities that we have in Christ Jesus.

Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these [“The blood of calves and goats” (vs 19)]; but the heavenly things themselves [our hearts and minds] with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself [“Ye are the temple of God” (1Co 3:15-16)], now to appear in the presence of God for us:

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The true temple and the True Priest are both new, they are both spiritual, and they are far, far superior to a physical temple and a carnal priest. The true temple and the True Priest give us life, and not death.

2Co 3:10  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

Those who are now being regenerated and recreated into the very sons of God, becoming a NEW CREATION, are fully aware of the need for laws – spiritual laws. And God has provided them for us: the Law of God, the Law of Christ, the Law of the Spirit, the Law of faith, the Law of righteousness, the Law of liberty and the Law of life. All these must be in our minds and in our hearts, or we are “none of His.”

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit [mind] of Christ, he is none of his.

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Thank God that we are free from works of the carnal law, but we are anything but free from the works of God’s spiritual laws. In fact, it is through “good works” that we are, “His workmanship”:

Rom 6:17  In the past you were slaves to sin—sin controlled you. But thank God, you fully obeyed the things that were taught to you.
Rom 6:18  You were made free from sin. And now you are slaves to goodness (right living). (ERV)

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of [our own] works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Avoid the proverbial swing of the pendulum, and submit yourself to the perfect balance of God. We are not here to become righteous through works of the Old Testament Laws, thinking we have a free will that is able to do right if God will just give us a little encouragement. Not true! Neither are we here to sit back and do nothing, thinking there are no laws and that there is nothing we must do. God’s goal which is now “working after the counsel of His own will” (Eph 1:11) is to SAVE “all in Adam” (1Co 15:22). And what is so amazing is that He proposes to do it “through [our] mercy” the mercy which will be shown to this world via the body of Christ:

Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that “through your mercy”] he might have mercy upon all.

Now if any should think that the highest offices and the highest calling in the universe requires no training, think again. Time and again Jesus has said, “To him that overcometh…” Overcome what? The WORLD and OURSELVES! This is NEW Covenant teaching. No one under the Old Covenant had to overcome the world and overcome themselves. But then again, the only promises they could receive were physical, temporary, blessings of the land.

We must overcome “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”. That’s all. But that is a lot! In fact, that’s “ALL that is in the world” (1Jn 2:16).

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD” (Joh 16:33). We must do likewise:

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world” and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

“For whosoever is born of God OVERCOMETH THE WORLD…” (1Jn 5:4). And what is our reward for overcoming the world? Is it physical, temporary blessing of plenty of food, good health and protection from our enemies? Hardly.

Here are the ultimate goals and promises according to the New Covenant:

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star.

Rev 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

These promises are only to the Lord’s overcomers, His elect, and they are all summed up in this ultimate promise:

Rev 21:7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

May The Lord give us all to esteem the reproach of Christ greater than the riches of this world and may he give us all to respect the recompence of these rewards:

Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

The Law of Moses Versus the Law of the Spirit – Part 20

[Posted May 3, 2009]

[Updated April 5, 2024]

A Harmony of James and Paul

Let’s continue Paul’s thought in Galatians 2: “For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.” “If I build again the things which I destroyed” is a reference to the law. “For I through the law am dead to the law”, is the very next verse. If we “build again the things we destroyed” then we are establishing “[our] own righteousness, which is of the law” (Php 3:9). When we “return again to the weak and beggarly elements” from which Christ has freed us we are healing the deadly wound which the Truth had begun within us. Our old man was being destroyed and turning again to the weak and beggarly elements of the law was the healing of that deadly wound:

Rev 13:2  And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev 13:3  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

When we ignore what we have learned about Christ, and return to our old ways which are more acceptable to the society we live in then we are placing ourselves back under “the law [which] is not of faith” (Gal 3:12), and which is “[our] own righteousness” (Php 3:9), then we are “building again that which we had destroyed, “[and] making ourselves transgressors”. Christ is not “the minister of sin” even if “I make myself a transgressor” (vs 18).

Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Gal 2:17  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Gal 2:18  For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Gal 2:19  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Galatians 2:16-19 is consistent with Romans 3:5-7, where Paul poses the same question: “If our unrighteousness [rebuilding the “old man” whom we had destroyed] commend the righteousness of God [which of course it doesn’t, any more than our sins make Christ ‘the minister of sin’], what shall we say; is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? I speak as a man. God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?” (vs 7).

Paul is asking if our calling does not make us “free from sin.” If we are to simply continue in sin, why would we be considered sinners at all? “And not rather as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say, let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just” (vs 8). This “our unrighteousness commending the righteousness of God” and “the truth of God abounding through our lie” were both “slanderous reports” of Paul’s teachings.

What Paul did teach was the same thing James taught. While James says “faith without works [the working of Christ in us] is dead” (Jas 2:26), Paul puts the SAME TEACHING in other words: “know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1Co 6:9). Again Paul instructs: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap”

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

It is true that Paul was given to emphasize that our good works which James acknowledges as the fruit of our faith is “[Christ’s] workmanship” and that our faith is also a gift of God and not of ourselves:

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of [our] works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

That sounds pretty close to ‘faith without works is dead’; certainly much closer than the slanderous reports being circulated that Paul taught that our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, or the truth of God abounds through our lie. Paul says of those who say he teaches such things “their damnation is just.”

Rom 3:5  But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
Rom 3:6  God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
Rom 3:7  For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
Rom 3:8  And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

It was all a lie. Paul had never once said, “Let us do evil that good may come.” He never once said, “Let us sin that grace may abound.” Like James Paul’s doctrine was [“We were] created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10)

When James said:

Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James is agreeing with Paul that our works are the result of the faith of Jesus Christ, and to claim “I have works” without faith is the same lie Paul was dealing with.

Phrase #8

We now come to the final phrase used in Hebrews in relation to this matter of the law and the covenants.

“…He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second” (Heb 10:9). The first part of this verse is “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.” It is followed by “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (vs 10).

Heb 10:8  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;
Heb 10:9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

This disclaimer of the law of the physical offerings is quoted from:

Psa 40:6  Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Psa 40:7  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Psa 40:8  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

“By which will” refers to God’s will. The scriptures declare that we are sanctified by the will of God and not our own will, but our focus here is “he taketh away the first that he may establish the second.”

What exactly is taken away? The answer is universally understood to be the old covenant which is “taken away” and replaced by the new covenant.

The depth and scope of the differences in these covenants is not universally understood. On the contrary, it seems that few indeed are willing to believe the plain and straight forward scriptures detailing the meaning of this phrase “he taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.” Many of those differences are detailed in Matthew chapters 5-7.

The many other changes which are listed in those three chapters of Mattew demonstrate the truth of Paul’s statement “…we are the circumcision, which worship God in spirit… and have no confidence in the flesh” (Php 3:3).

The flesh has been taken completely out of the equation for salvation. In reality, it has never been anything more than a necessary evil to bring us to Christ in the spirit. “…Though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more [after the flesh]” (2Co 5:16).

In Romans 3:31 Paul asks the question, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law.” This whole paper has established that only for those in Christ is the law of Moses “made void”, “done away” and “abolished”; three different translations in the King James Version of the same Greek word katargeo.

The law itself is established by this fact. The understanding of Romans 3:31 is to be found ten verses earlier in verse 21: “But now the righteousness of God without the law [of Moses, “for the lawless” (1Ti 1:9)] is manifested, being witnessed by the law [of Moses] and the prophets.”

This verse witnesses that Christ would come and reform the law of Moses:

Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee [A reformer], and will put my words [Not the law of Moses] in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak [Not Moses] in my name, I will require it of him.

Had the law, the old covenant, “the ministration of death written and engraven in stones”, not been “done away” for those in Christ, the law would have proven itself a false prophet. Now, only for those in Christ, it is “abolished” (Eph 2:15) and replaced by a much higher, much more honorable and spiritual law. “The Lord is well pleased for HIS righteousness’ sake; he [Christ] will magnify the law and make it honorable” (Isa 42:21). If it were already honorable, He wouldn’t need to do that, would he? If, on the other hand, the law of Moses was a carnal commandment (Heb 7:16) used “lawfully” only for “the lawless and disobedient” (1Ti 1:8-9), then a new law along the lines of Matthew 5 would be in order.

1Ti 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; [To bring us to Christ (Gal 3:24)]
1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

You do not “magnify” a house during construction and expect the contractor to eat the difference in cost. A new contract must be drawn up to deal with the changes. Neither do you move from the “carnal”, “lawless” and “disobedient” to the spiritual without a completely new covenant with a “change also of the law.”

Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

It is through the new words ‘by the mouth of a prophet like Moses’, that the law is “established” and proven a true “witness”. Until ‘that Prophet and His words’ come into our lives, the law will be “established” for our “lawless and disobedient” flesh, to show our flesh its naked condition and make it aware of its decaying earthy composition. Generation by generation “the law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ” and generation by generation “after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster”. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that EVERY MOUTH may be stopped and ALL THE WORLD may become guilty before God” (Rom 3:19).

The law of Moses is equated by Paul to “the elements of the world” (Gal 4:3). Notice I said ‘equated.’ Not all ‘laws’ are the ‘law of Moses’, but all law is equated with the law of Moses as far as scripture is concerned:

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law [of Moses], do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law [of Moses] written in their [stony] hearts [Eze 36:26-27], their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Gal 3:22-23 – “But the scripture hath concluded all [all Jews and Gentiles] under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were [all] kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed”,

Gal 4:1 – “Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child [G3516: nepios, an infant, “under the schoolmaster… tutors and governors, under the law], differeth nothing from a servant [slave to sin], though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.” What Paul is telling us is that “the ministration of death” is katargeo and we, in Christ only, are “free from the law of sin and death” (the ministration of death) (Rom 8:2):

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [the law of Moses]

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
2Co 3:7  But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
2Co 3:8  How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
2Co 3:9  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
2Co 3:10  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
2Co 3:11  For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

It is hoped that this article will help someone, somewhere to take his eyes off the things of the flesh. Yes, Christ was born in the flesh, and yes, He died on the cross for our sins, and yes, God “made him sin for us, who (Christ) knew no sin” (2Co 5:21). These were but necessary evils. “Yet now henceforth know we him no more in the flesh.” We have all been born in the flesh, and we will all die in the flesh, but it is far more edifying and encouraging to know that “NOW are we the sons of God and… we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1Jn 3:2). As we see Him we “are changed into the same image from glory to glory… by the spirit of the Lord” (2Co 3:18). So while we have demonstrated the inadequacies of the law in this essay, we conclude with this reminder for any who might attempt to turn God’s disciplinary, chastening grace into lasciviousness: If we truly see him as he is, every man purifieth himself even as he is pure.”

1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Summary

What we have pointed out, in effect, is the sovereignty of God in all things. “That they may know… that there is none beside me. I am the Lord and there is none else. I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create evil: I the Lord do all these things” (Isa 45:6,7). Yes, it was God who created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was God Himself who placed that tree right in the middle of the garden. While He had told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, this was done only because “the Lord… sought an occasion against” Adam (Jdg 14:1-4). God had already determined that Adam would eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and would come to see his naked, decaying, earthy condition and be brought by the law to see his need for a Savior. We know this is true because we are twice told that we were “called… in Christ, before the world began”:

2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Tit 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

“All that dwell upon the earth shall worship… the lamb slain from the foundation of the world”:

Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Rev 5:6  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, [every one] whose name hath not been written in the book of the life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

In God’s all-knowing mind, Christ was slain as the sacrifice for the sins of the world before Adam was ever created. This gives the lie to the teaching that ‘God could have known what choices you will make, but because He has given us free will, He chooses not to know.’ What utter nonsense! No, God chose to know all things because “all things are of God”. “To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things…” (1Co 8:6). God knows our very thoughts because He gives us our thoughts:

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man [our very thoughts], and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Has God chosen to know the very number of the hairs of your head, but not to know what you are going to do with your life? Hardly! We are plainly informed that God reveals Himself to some and deliberately blinds others. “…the election hath obtained it and the rest were blinded… God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear” (Rom 11:7, 8).

So what does understanding the total sovereignty of God have to do with a proper understanding of the function of the law? It has everything to do with it, because it is through the law, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that God has decreed that all the world becomes guilty before Him. “What things soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Rom 3:19). “Wherefore then serveth the law?

“It was added [to the law of the spirit] because of transgressions [of the law of the spirit], till the seed should come to whom the promise was made… the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we (all of us) were kept under the law… Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ… But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Gal 3:19-25).

God does not change (Mal 3:6). Christ came to reveal the Father (Mat 11:27 and Luk 10:22).

Mat 11:27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

This He accomplished through His sacrificial life which revealed for the first time in the history of mankind the “new covenant.” The new covenant “show[s] the work of the law [of God, not Moses] written in their hearts” (Rom 2:15). Under this new covenant Christ reveals to us the Father: “I delight in the LAW of GOD after the inward man” (Rom 7:22). “…The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the LAW OF GOD neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom 8:7, 8). The LAW OF GOD, the “least commandments”, which Christ revealed in Matthew 5 to 7 are the “LAW OF THE SPIRIT” (Rom 8:2). This is the true unchangeable character of God: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but MY WORDS shall not pass away” (Mat 24:35).

The law of Moses, on the other hand, is only “good, if a man use it lawfully… [meaning that it “brings us to Christ”. Meaning that we know that this law of Moses, written and engraven in stones, this ministration of death] …is not made for a righteous man [the man who is not carnally minded and delights in the LAW OF GOD, the new covenant, after the inward man]. [The law of Moses is] for the lawless and disobedient” (1Ti 1:8, 9).

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [the “carnal commandments, Heb 7:16, of the law of Moses], but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death [“The ministration of death” (2Co 3:7) the law of Moses].
Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law [of the spirit] might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the [law of the] Spirit.

1Ti 1:8  But we know that the law [of Moses] is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law [of Moses] is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine [the law of the spirit];

That is the mind of the holy spirit on this subject of the function of the law of Moses versus the law of the spirit.

Law of Moses Versus the Law of the Spirit – Part 19

[Posted May 3, 2009]

[Updated March 30, 2024]

What does this phrase mean?

“Under the law, Shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed”

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

“The faith which should afterwards be revealed” is not your faith or my faith. It is “the faith of Christ.”

Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Let’s examine the context of these scriptures and see if we can grasp what Paul means by this oft-used phrase “under the law.” This phrase “under the law” appears twelve times in the New Testament. Obviously this is a very important phrase for us to understand properly:

Rom 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Rom 6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

1Co 9:20  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Gal 4:21  Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

Gal 5:18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Galatians 3 begins with Paul rebuking the Galatians:

Gal 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2  This only would I learn of you; received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Maybe you didn’t catch that. Paul considered the keeping of the law equivalent to “not obeying the truth.” Redemption is for those who are “under the law” (Gal 4:5).

What is “the Truth” Paul refers to here? It certainly was not the law of Moses. The gospel of John tells us what we ourselves should understand about why Paul told these Galatians what their desire to be under the law of Moses indicates and why that desire to be under the law amounted to rejecting the Truth:

Joh 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

If one believes that he must keep the law of Moses to be saved, that person is believing a lie! Paul reminds us and the Galatians, that he is the one who introduced them to Christ, and he certainly had not instructed them to perform the “works of the law.”

Paul’s teaching to the Gentiles is based on higher laws which are given seven different names:

the Law of God (Rom 7:22,25)
the Law of Christ (1Co 9:21; Gal 6:2)
the Law of the Spirit (Rom 8:2)
the Law of Faith (Rom 3:27)
the Law of Liberty (Jas 1:25)
the Law of Righteousness (Rom 9:30-31)
and the Law of Life (Gal 3:11, 6:8)

He never refers to the law of Moses, the old covenant, as anything more than a schoolmaster, a tutor and a governor, to be abandoned upon coming to Christ. While Paul is emphatic about not being under ‘the law’, his readers knew what this meant: “I myself serve the law of God” with “the mind.”

Gal 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

“With the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Rom 7:25). Paul equates the keeping of the law with “the flesh.” In verse 7 he says that those of faith “are the children of Abraham.” Verse 8 says the promise, that “in thee [Abraham] shall all nations be blessed” was an allusion to the calling of the Gentiles. “

Gal 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, cursed is everyone that continueth not in ALL THINGS which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 …no man is justified by the law, (for) the just shall live by faith;
Gal 3:12  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Gal 3:13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (vs 13). As far as Paul was concerned, the law has accomplished nothing more than to make us all “guilty before God”, both Jew and Gentile:

Rom 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The promises to Abraham are only through his singular seed, Christ (vs 16). The physical promises – land, good health, wealth, etc. – don’t even enter into the equation: “For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise” (vs 18).

Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Gal 3:17  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Gal 3:18  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

So, why the law? It was added to demonstrate how evil WE are, to give us the knowledge of sin, and to make sin appear exceedingly sinful:

Gal 3:19  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, [only] till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

For those in Christ though, it is only “till the seed should come to whom the promise was made” (vs 19). The law itself is not against the promises of God. Prophecies of the promises are within the law, but: “righteousness is not by the law” (vs 21). “But (since righteousness is not by the law), the scripture hath concluded all (Jew and Gentile) under sin (“by the law is the knowledge of sin” – Rom 7:7) (so) that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (vs 22).

Gal 3:21  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Gal 3:22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

There is the answer to our question. Where are we all before we come to know Christ? “But before faith came we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith that should AFTERWARDS be revealed” (vs 23). That’s pretty clear language. The scripture concludes all under sin (vs 22), under the law until faith comes and delivers us from the law (vs 23). So, the law serves as the means to show us how exceedingly sinful our sin is and thereby brings us to recognize our need for Christ. Is there anyone who doesn’t know Christ? No one is born knowing Christ. We are all dragged to know Him (Joh 6:63) and brought to comprehend our necessity for Him by being “under the law.”

Once we come to know Christ, we become aware of Matthew 5 and the new law, “the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2), and we no longer need the schoolmaster who brings us to Christ. No one associated with the teachings of Matthew 5 has any need for the law of the old covenant.

Luk 16:16  The law and the prophets were [only] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Joh 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The laws of the old covenant become as obsolete and redundant as the sacrifices, holy days, clean and unclean meat laws and all the statutes and judgments. In Christ all the law is fulfilled and is now decaying, waxing old and is vanishing away:

Heb 8:13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

All those “commandments contained in ordinances” are, in Christ, being “abolished.” They are all types and shadows of spiritual realities which we have now obtained in and through Christ. There are no exceptions. Christ (love) has fulfilled the law for all those who are in Christ, both Jews and Gentiles:

Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain [Jews and Gentiles] one new man, so making peace;

Those who do not yet know Him NEED the law as surely as a fetus (nepios) needs an umbilical cord. This is what Paul means when he says “the law…is good…when used lawfully” – meaning that one must come to know that “the law is NOT for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient…” (1Ti 1:8,9). In Christ, we are no longer “lawless.” In Christ sin no longer dominates our ‘new man’:

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

We are simply under a changed law, a law as high as Matthew 5 is above Exodus 20. Those in Christ, on the other hand, just as surely must cut that umbilical cord and begin taking in a more mature form of nourishment. Until they do, they will still be “under tutors and governors” and will never be more than a “slave” to ‘[their] own righteousness which is of the law”, the most insidious of sins, the sin of self righteousness:

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his [self-righteous] iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [Self-righteousness].

“The adoption of sons” will make him “lord of all” only when he comes out from under the “schoolmaster, governor and tutors” (Gal 4:1,2).

The law, the “schoolmaster”, will always serve as a tutor and governor to “bring us to Christ.” Each generation of the “predestinated…children of promise” will be brought to see that they need a Savior through their own self-righteous, “road-to-Damascus” experience. We are all struck down and made to see our sins as only God is capable of accomplishing.

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [G1670: helkuo, drag] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

It has never been and never will be anything less than a “fiery trial.” So “think it not strange” when the fiery trials come (1Pe 4:12).

Once again, here in Galatians 4:4, being “under the law” is equated with being under sin: “But after that faith [Christ] is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Gal 3:25).

Now let us consider the meaning of:

“Under the Elements of the World”

Gal 4:4 When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His son, made of a woman, made under the law.

We have just stated that “under the law” is the same as being under sin. It is most insidious because we are under the deception that “[our] own righteousness, which is of the law” will be acceptable to the Lord:

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Galatians 4 simply continues on with the concept of being under a schoolmaster:

Gal 4:1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child [Greek: nepios] differs nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all.

Those are Paul’s words of warning to all those who observe the days, months, times and years of the law. That warning includes keeping the days, months, times and years of the Gentiles. He asserts that in so doing you are denying yourself your inheritance. One “differ[s] nothing from a servant [slave]” as long as we remain under the law.

Gal 4:2  But [you are] under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the Father.
Gal 4:3  Even so we [Paul himself when he was under the law] when we were children [G3516: nepios, infant, toddler, under the “schoolmaster”] were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

The English word ‘elements’ here in verse three in the phrase “we, when we were children in bondage under the elements of the world”, is G4747 ‘stoicheion’. It is the exact same Greek word meaning the same thing which we find in verse 9 where it is repeated that being under ‘stoicheion’ places us “in bondage under the elements of the world.” Then verse 10 specifically defines what those elements of verse nine are:

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements [stoicheion], whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [And what ‘bondage’ does the holy spirit have in mind?]
Gal 4:10  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Gal 4:11  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Gal 4:12  Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am [Do not submit yourselves to this “bondage”; for I am as ye are [delivered from such “element of the world”]: ye have not injured me at all [You are injuring only yourselves].

Christ Became Sin and Death

In case you didn’t grasp that, Paul said that those who were under the law and were redeemed by Christ had been “under bondage to the elements of the world.” This is just another scripture telling us that clinging to the law is like clinging to sin; not because the law is sin, but because “by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom 7:7). It is through sin that we die. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). It is also “through death” that we receive life:

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

So life comes “through death”, death comes through sin, and sin comes through the law. Are we saying, then that Christ as stated in this verse, was “made under the law”, was made sin??? That’s right, Christ was sin:

2Co 5:21  For he [God] hath made him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God IN HIM”.

That’s why all of ancient Israel’s sacrifices had to be “spotless” and “without blemish.” Ancient Israel typifies the world without Christ, and their sacrifices typify our “spotless”, “blameless”, “without blemish”, sacrifice – Jesus Christ, the son of God.

Paul continues to demonstrate the function of the law:

Gal 4:21  Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

The obvious answer to this question is, “No, they do not hear the law” or the Galatians would not be submitting themselves to the law which prophesied of a “New covenant, not according to the covenant [the Lord] made with [their] fathers”:

Jer 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my [new Matthew 5-7] law in their inward parts, and write it [Matthew 5-7] in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The reason the first “tables of stone” were thrown down and destroyed was to signify that those tables of stone typify the stony heart we have under the self-righteousness we have when we are under the law of Moses. That “heart of stone” is destroyed and is replaced with a soft “fleshy heart” meaning a heart that is dominated by the Lord’s spirit which He gives to those to whom He gives it:

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my [new spiritual] statutes, and ye shall keep my [new] judgments, and do them.

The rest of the fourth chapter of Galatians reveals the hazards of placing oneself under the law. Let it be noted that what the apostle warned would happen to those who place themselves under the law is exactly what has happened to the physical nation of Israel and to the apostate Christian church, which to this day continues to situate itself along with the apostate nation of Israel, “under the law” while at the same time proclaiming its freedom from it.

In verse 22, Paul tells us that Abraham’s two wives typify those in the church who place themselves under the old covenant on the one hand, and those who are under the new covenant on the other hand.

The two wives were Sarah, Abraham’s only true love and his real wife all along. The other wife was given to him by Sarah!

In this allegory, Abraham, the father of the faithful, represents Christ and the wives signify the two vastly different churches which bear His name;

1. Those under the law, “fallen from grace”, believing that a physical Jew is a Jew (Rom 2:28-29). Paul informs us that such people, though physically descended from Jacob, nevertheless amount to nothing more that Hagar, and her son, “the son of the bondwoman”.
2. On the other hand there are those in Christ who know what grace is and what it does. It is only those who are not under the law who are now “counted for the seed” and who are now “the son of the freewoman” even though they are not physically descended from Jacob.

May the Lord give you eyes that see as you read these words:

Gal 4:21  Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Gal 4:22  For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Gal 4:23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Gal 4:24  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children [Not one ‘Christian minister in a thousand believes this verse of scripture].
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Gal 4:27  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren [Gentile Galatians], as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son [Those who are under the law]: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

If we are IN CHRIST, we are “Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” and we are “the children of the freewoman” (Gal 3:29). If we are Abraham’s seed “we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise”; “the adoption” (Gal 4:25); “the glory” (Rom 2:7, 10; Rom 8:18; 2Co 3:8); “the new covenant” (2Co 3:6); the giving of the new spiritual law “after the inward man” (Rom 7:6, 22); “the service” (Rom 12:1) and the promises (Gal 3:16, 29).

Take careful note of who this true wife of Abraham becomes as Paul draws this allegory. Only those with spiritual eyes are capable of following the mind of God as clearly expressed in this chapter.

As God sees it, those under the law (those who believe that “through the deeds of the law some flesh can be saved”, are the bondwoman and her son. “JERUSALEM that now is and is in bondage with her children…is Agar (Hagar).” Hagar was the mother of Ishmael, the rejected son of Abraham, who is called “the father of the faithful.” Abraham’s physical, fleshly descendants are “the bondwoman and her son” who were cast out (Gal 4:25-31).

Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

Paul’s teaching here is diametrically opposed to the teachings of Christendom. Much of Christendom teaches that since “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Heb 11:28), therefore Christ must remarry his divorced wife as soon as he returns. That is tantamount to teaching that the first Adam in the flesh can inherit the kingdom of God. Christ is already married to another. He is married to those who “are become dead to the law.”

Rom 7:4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

If Christ returns and remarries physical Israel, he would be an adulterer:

Rom 7:4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Insisting that Christ remarry physical Israel not only makes Him an adulterer, but it also flies in the face of the spiritual types of the old covenant:

Deu 24:4  Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Such a false doctrine negates dozens of old covenant statements concerning Israel of which the following is typical:

Amo 8:2  And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.

“Summer fruits” are contrasted with “the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb”:

Rev 14:4  These [144 thousand (vs 1)] are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

“The end is come upon my people” means what it says – the end of the year, signifying the end of the ages; the “Great White Throne Judgment” and “the Lake of fire”, when there will be “no more death” (Rev 20:14-21:4). Any doubt about the timing of the salvation of Israel should be made clear by simply reading and believing:

Eze 16:55: When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate…THEN you [Jerusalem that now is] and your daughters shall return to your former estate.

“The gifts and calling of God are without repentance”, but their fulfillment will not be according to our time-table. The ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ will not happen until Sodom and Samaria are “returned to their former estate.” Then physical Israel and her daughters will return to their former estate.

Paul was well aware of this scripture in Ezekiel, and it grieved him greatly. Nevertheless, he reiterates the scripture “…cast out the bondwoman and her son [“Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage with her children”]: for the son of the bondwoman [physical Israel] shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman” (Gal 4:30).

Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Gal 4:27  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Gal 4:28  Now we [Gentile Galatians], brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son [“Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage with her children” (vs 25)]: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

So much for any doctrine which teaches that anyone (Jew or Gentile) can be saved by the works of the law. Those under the law are the bondwoman and her son. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight…” Why is that? Again, we point out how Paul links the law to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; the tree which can in no way lead to life: “…for by the law is the KNOWLEDGE of sin” (Rom 3:20). That is all in one verse, and that is why there can be no such thing as a gospel which is a “mixture of law and grace”. “No flesh” means not even any Jewish flesh.

Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

To paraphrase Ephesians 2:11-19: We are no longer “Gentiles in the flesh.” Christ has broken down the middle wall of partition between [Jews and Gentiles]…now in Christ Jesus [we] who were sometimes afar off [from “the commonwealth of Israel] are made nigh by the blood of Christ…for to make in himself of two ONE NEW MAN so making peace…Now therefore ye are no more [Gentiles] strangers and foreigners [from the commonwealth of Israel] but are fellow citizens [in the commonwealth of Israel] with the saints and of the household of God” (Eph 2:11-19).

There is no room in scripture for the two to remain two. There is only one “truth of the (singular) gospel” to which Paul appeals when confronting Peter. He tells Peter “We…Jews…know that a man is not justified by the works of the law…”

Gal 2:11  But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Gal 2:12  For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Gal 2:13  And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Gal 2:14  But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Paul continues speaking directly to Peter, who was acting hypocritically before all the Gentile converts at Syrian Antioch:

Gal 2:15  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Gal 2:17  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Gal 2:18  For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Gal 2:19  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

So while some may be confused as to the function of law and grace “we…Jews… [Peter, Barnabas and Paul] know that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ…for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Gal 2:14-16).

If Peter, Paul and Barnabas, who were all “Jews by nature” (vs 15) knew this bit of truth, who are we to say the Jews are justified by works?

Paul did not stop with verse 16. Let us ollow on with Paul’s thought: “If while (we) seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid” (Gal 2:17). Peter’s and Barnabas’ hypocrisy does not make Christ a  hypocrite.

This is consistent with Paul’s teachings in Romans 6: “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (vs 18). Again in verse 22: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants of God, Ye have your fruit unto holiness…”

Paul doesn’t say “but now that you have no sin”, but rather “but now being made free from sin…” Being free from sin is not to be understood as having no sin, rather it is to be understood as “sin shall not have dominion over you.”

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: [Why is it that “sin shall not have dominion over [us]?] for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

How clear it is that anyone who is yet governed by sin is yet under the law!

Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit – Part 16, Good Things to Come

[Posted March 8, 2024]

In Colossians we are told “Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect [Strong’s G3313: meros – regarding] of an holy day, or [the particulars] of the new moon or [the particulars] of the Sabbath days WHICH ARE A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME; but the body [casting that shadow] is of Christ” (Col 2:16, 17).

2Co 3:10  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect [G3313: meros, ‘in this regard’], by reason of the glory that excelleth.

The NET version has a better translation of what Paul is saying:

Col 2:16  Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days —
Col 2:17  these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ! (NET)

There it is! Holy days and Sabbaths are all “shadows” of Christ, as were the millions of animals sacrificed for the sins of Israel. Jesus is now “a minister of the true tabernacle…[that’s us]…if He were on earth, He should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests [the physical temple was still standing] that offer gifts [sacrifices] according to the law. Who [both the priests and the gifts or sacrifices] serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things…[they all foreshadow Christ]”:

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man [Our bodies, 1Co 3:15-16].
Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Paul goes on to say that this is true of the law as a whole:

Heb 10:1  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, 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.

So who is our priest foreshadowed by the Aaronic priesthood? Who is our sacrifice, foreshadowed by millions of dead lambs and bulls and goats? Who is our Sabbath and holy days? Who can make the comers thereunto perfect?

I never before realized that anything could be so repetitive and yet be so exciting. It is ALL Christ! The scriptures themselves are all Christ-centric:

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Exo 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall you make it.

Exo 25:40 And look that you make them after their pattern, which was shewed you in the mount.

Christ is what that ‘pattern’ signifies, and we, too, must be careful to follow the ‘pattern.’

Rom 10:40 For Christ is the end [G5056: telos, the end product] of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.

That word ‘telos’ is the same G5056 used by Peter in:

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end [G5056: telos, the product) of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Gal 5:15  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Luk 24:44 These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the psalms concerning me.

This is what Christ was talking about when he said:

Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18  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.

Christ knew who He was. He knew that He and His doctrine were the “till all be fulfilled.” Christ knew that He and His doctrine was the fulfillment of the law of Moses, and He knew His new covenant had replaced the old covenant. It was His law and His covenant He commanded us to teach and to keep. It is His own teaching and not the teachings of Moses which Christ referred to when He made this statement:

Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Is this a comment concerning the ten commandments and/or law of Moses? Is Christ telling us that if we break one of the least commandments of Moses, and teach men to do so then we will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, and if we do and keep all the commandments of Moses then we will be called great in the kingdom of heaven? If it is, then Christ himself will have to “be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” Why do I say that?

I say it simply because the entire remainder of chapter 5 of Matthew consists of Christ teaching his disciples to break the law of Moses:

The first three of Christ’s commandments listed above are in direct opposition to the law of Moses. The other two are certainly not “one of these least commandments” but are two of the ten, and have been changed beyond recognition.

It should be clear that “one of these least commandments” refers to the column on the right, the commandments of Christ; not those given by Christ to Moses. Carnal commandments are for a lawless and carnal people.

1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

The Meaning of “Made Under The Law”

All the commandments of Christ, all these “But I say unto you…” commandments which are in direct contradiction to the law of Moses, are apparently hidden from the orthodox Protestant and Catholic churches and from the “command them to keep the law of Moses” groups in the Christian world. Here is the lie that is believed by all three schools of religious thought. The following quotation is from a book entitled ‘The Two Covenants and the First Resurrection’ by Brian Convery:

“Now let’s cut to the chase. In 1Jn 2:3-6, we read a very sobering measuring stick as to the degree we are led by the spirit of God.

1Jo 2:3 – Now by this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. [The implication here is very clear. If we don’t keep His commandments, all of them, we don’t know him. The professing Christian world says they know Him but preaches His commandments were nailed to the cross, done away. If that’s the case, the Bible is lying to us. There is no gray area. It is one or the other.]

1Jo 2:4 – He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [Very simple, isn’t it? No compromise, no second-guessing, no ifs and or buts about it. Many denominations of Christianity today say they keep His commandments but fail to observe the Sabbath the seventh day, the same one that has been in place since creation week. They instead take their lead from Rome and keep the day of the pagan deities, Sunday.]

1Jo 2:5 – But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him.
1Jo 2:6 – He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Jesus Christ observed the Sabbath and the annual Holy Days. He kept them holy, all of them. Over seventy times in the gospels, He tells us to follow Him. Following Him has just been clearly defined here in I John. If we are following Him, we are going to do what He did. Do not lose sight of who Jesus was in the O. T. scriptures. He was the Word, that Being who created everything. He was the one who authored all the commandments, etc., of the O. T. scriptures. That’s why we read in Hebrews that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is not changing it. If you do not follow Him as He has just described in I John, then you are not led by the spirit of God.” (The Two Covenants and The First Resurrection by Brian Convery, Part 3, page 1.)

I have no doubt Mr. Convery is as sincere a man as I am, but he has failed to notice that Christ brought “a NEW commandment …That ye love one another as I have loved you…”

Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Christ did not love his disciples according to Exodus 20. He loved them according to Matthew 5. Mr. Convery has failed to notice the outright contradictions between the “NEW commandment” of Christ and the “abolished”, “disannulled”, “nailed to the cross”, “handwriting of ordinances” that are “old covenant” “law of Moses”. This very John whom Mr. Convery is quoting never calls the holy days “the Passover, a feast of God” or ‘God’s feast of Tabernacles.’ Here is how he distances Himself from the “law for the lawless”:

Joh 6:4  And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

Joh 7:2  Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.

John demonstrates his understanding of their fulfillment in Christ; their passing, fading nature. John always refers to “the Jews’ feast of Passover” and “the Jews’ feast of tabernacles, etc.” John sets us all a good example. Christ fulfills ALL. Those who refuse John’s example are not following Christ. They are following “the outward Jews” (Rom 2:27). Christ set us a good example when He agreed with the Pharisees that He had indeed “done that which is not lawful for Him to do”, and He added to that saying He, like the priests, can “profane the sabbath” and yet be “guiltless.”  Christ did not keep the seventh-day Sabbath holy. “He had broken the sabbath” repeatedly as you can read in Matthew 12 and John 5:

Mat 12:1  At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
Mat 12:2  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Mat 12:3  But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4  How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Mat 12:5  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
Mat 12:6  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Mat 12:7  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Joh 5:18  Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Did Christ respond to the Pharisees telling them, “No, no, no, you self-righteous Pharisees. You’ve gotten it all wrong. You are adding to the law of Moses. My disciples and I are doing nothing unlawful or contrary to the law of Moses”? No, That was not how Christ handled the fact that He and His disciples had indeed done that which is not lawful for them to do on the sabbath day. His defense was simply that David and his men did that which was not lawful for them to do, and then He went on to point out that the priests “profane the sabbath and are blameless.”

Christ would never have excused His actions and the actions of His disciples if He believed in keeping the law of Moses which did indeed demand that one must prepare on the sixth day for the necessities of the sabbath:

Exo 16:5  And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

 You are right, Mr. Convery, “If we are following him, we are going to do as he did.”

“Do not lose sight of who Christ was in the Old Testament scriptures. He was the Word; that being who created everything. He was the one who authored all the commandments, etc. of the Old Testament scriptures…” [Ibid]

Yes, we would do well to never “lose sight of who Christ was in the O.T. scriptures”, but if we have never known Him to begin with, how then can we “lose sight” of something we never saw? Moses changed everything when the Lord gave him the law of Moses. Before Moses the Lord permitted Abraham and all the patriarchs to build an altar to Him wherever they happened to be at the time they were led to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to Him. After Moses, the offerings could only be offered to the Lord at the tabernacle and later at the temple in Jerusalem. Before Moses we have no account of anyone keeping the sabbath, nor had they even heard about all the holy days. Before Moses there was no tabernacle, no brazen altar, no holy incense, no candlestick, no golden altar and no table of shewbread which only the priests could eat. Moses was a reformer, and this is what Moses prophesied for those who are given eyes to see and ears to hear the mysteries of the kingdom of God:

Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

Moses was a reformer and Christ was “a prophet of their brothers, like unto [Moses]”. Christ was also a reformer and His ministry is referred to as “the time of reformation”:

Heb 9:10  Which [blood offerings, vs 7] stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them [only] until the time of reformation.

To demonstrate what I mean, here are a few things concerning the O.T. scriptures which very few have ever “had sight of” to begin with:

• Cursed be he that confirmeth not ALL the words of this law to do them (Deu 27:26; Jer 11:3)
• As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them (Gal 3:10).

These verses do not say “the ten commandments, all of them.” It says ALL THINGS which are written IN THE BOOK…” This would include the very things Christ taught against in Matthew 5. Yes, Christ is the author of the ten commandments. It is the ten commandments that are called the “covenant” (Deu 4:13).

• Christ is also the author of… ‘You shall fear the Lord your God…and shall swear by his name’ (Deu 6:13 and Deu 10:20). What agreement does that have with the commandment of Christ but I say unto you, swear not at all (Mat 5:34 and 37)?
• Christ was the author of an eye for an eye (Exo 21:24 and Deu 19:21). What agreement does that have with but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil (Mat 5:38-42)?

I could go on and on with the changes in the law which Christ made, but we have already covered this subject in this paper.

Mr. Convery, along with most of Christendom, thinks the “his commandments” of 1 John 2:3 are the same as the ten commandments of Exodus 20. Nothing could be further from the truth. The ten commandments are “for the lawless and disobedient” (1Ti 1:8-9). The “but I say unto you… law of Christ” of Matthew 5 and Galatians 6:2 are the “his commandments” spoken of in 1 John 2:3, and the “one of these least commandments” of Matthew 5:19).

The obvious truth is that the only time Christ was made “under the law” (Gal 4:4) was when he was “made to be sin for us” (2Co 5:21).

“The professing Christian world…preaches his commandments were “nailed to the cross, done away”…”[Ibid.]

Those are Paul’s words, Mr. Convery (Eph 2:15, Col 2:14). Those are not the words of “the professing Christian world.” Your argument is not with the professing Christian world, as they agree with you on everything but the fourth commandment. Your argument is with Paul and the Holy Spirit. The professing Christian world, like you, Mr. Convery, picks and chooses which parts of “all things written in the book of the law” they want to keep. They pick nine commandments and the pagan holidays. You pick all ten commandments and holy days.

A Synopsis of Galatians

It is actually Jewish holy days, not pagan holidays, to which Paul refers in:

Gal 4:10  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Gal 4:11  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Paul is reprimanding these Galatians (and Christians today) for observing the days and festivals of Moses!

Is Paul worried that the Galatian converts are slipping back into their old pagan holidays observance? No doubt pagans had holidays they observed just as the Jews had days which they also esteemed above other days (Rom 14:1-5). Pagan “days, months, times and years” are just as much “the traditions of men” (Col 2:8, 20) as Jewish holy days. Paganism is not the concern or subject of the book of Galatians. Being lured back under the law of Moses by fellow Christians is the problem with which Paul is dealing in the book of Galatians.

Galatians One

What is the point of this book?

Gal 1:6-7: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another, but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”

THAT is the subject of this book! Paul spells it out right up front. The Galatians are being influenced by people who are preaching “another gospel which is not another but…pervert(s) the gospel of Christ” and “removed” (them) from Him “that called you into the grace of Christ.”

What is this “gospel which is not another but… pervert(s) the gospel of Christ”? It is obvious that what is troubling Paul is “the Jews religion”; “the letter of the law” of Moses (Gal 1:14). The entire book of Galatians is concerned with this problem, NOT with the influences of pagans: “… I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus” (Gal 1:17).

If pagan influences have anything to do with this book, why would Paul place distance between himself and “them which were apostles before me” in Jerusalem?

Galatians Two

What is the subject of Chapter 2? It is the very same subject as chapter 1: “For before that certain [men] came from James. [Peter] did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself fearing them which were of the circumcision” (Gal 2:12).

Here again is the subject of this letter to the Galatians. To say Galatians 4:10 has to do with pagan holidays, is to miss the point of this entire epistle. Observing any ‘days, months, times and years’ is indeed contrary to the example of Christ, but the traditions of the Jews is what Paul is addressing in this book of Galatians.

Gal 2:15 We who are Jews by nature…
Gal 2:16 know…that a man is not justified by the deeds of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ…and not by works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified…”

Does this sound like something you would say to people who were being seduced by pagan holidays and traditions? The “law unto themselves” of the Gentiles is just as much a “law for the lawless” (1Ti 1:9-12), but in this book, Paul is dealing with the law of Moses. What does the next chapter concern?

Galatians Three

Gal 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? [“The works of the law”]

This is the same subject of chapters one and two, “removed from…the grace of Christ unto another gospel” (Gal 1:6) and “certain (men) from James” (Gal 2:12), and now here in chapter 3; “received ye the spirit by the works of the law…?”

Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, continues in chapter three attempting to take the eyes of these Galatian converts off the things pertaining to the law:

Gal 3:10  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Those who are fighting against Paul until this very day attempt to give the last part of verse 12 a positive spin, while completely ignoring the first part concerning faith without which it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).

The rest of this chapter is devoted to Paul’s attempt to get the Galatians to see that the promises made to Abraham are actually “to thy seed which is Christ” (Gal 3:16).

Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The subject still hasn’t changed. The “another gospel, which is not another…but pervert(s) the gospel of Christ” is a gospel which promotes the “law of Moses” which Christ (in Matthew 5) and Paul, here and in all his epistles, say is incompatible with the “law of Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:2).

Gal 3:19  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

What was “the law” of Moses added to? It was a temporary addendum only “until the time of reformation” to the “law of the spirit of life” (Rom 8:2), also called the “law of Christ” (Gal 6:2) the NEW commandment of Matthew 5, the law of love of Romans 13:10. God is not a ‘new’ God. “Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Heb 13:8). What is ‘new’ about the new covenant, is that it was never before revealed to mankind. Christ came to reveal the Father, because the Father had never before been revealed:

Luk 10:22  All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

The only ‘eternal’ immutable law of God ever revealed in scripture is “the law of Christ” revealed in Matthew 5-7, also called “the law of love” in 1 Corinthians 13: “Love never fails…” (1Co 13:8). God always has been and always will be – LOVE.

This ‘new commandment’ (Joh 13:34) is a NEW COMMANDMENT. It is not the “spirit of the letter lost in the traditions of the elders.” Letter obedience is only to rule over us “till the seed should come to whom the promise was made.”

Then what? “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed” (Gal 3:23).

Here is Paul’s concern for the Galatians. Here is the “another gospel.” The law keeps us “shut up” and “under the law” until “faith comes.” Paul says the same thing, with even more force in Romans 6:14: “… sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law but under grace”. Sin dominates those “under the law”, because they are not yet brought to Christ (Gal 3:22 and 23).

The true character of the law of God was never revealed until Christ came “to reveal the Father” (Mat 11:27, Luk 10:22). While it had not been revealed, the law of Love (the law of God) was still being transgressed, and this is what necessitated the “addition” of the law of Moses “because of transgressions” of the unrevealed, yet present (law of God) law of Love (Gal 3:19). The law [of Moses] entered that “the offence might abound”:

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

 The law of Moses was not added to reveal the Father. Reading the law without accepting Christ “veils” the Father (2Co 3:15).

Paul is obviously desirous that the Romans and Galatians not be “under the law” “after faith comes”.

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [Then what? “But after that faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster”:
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Why are we no long under a schoolmaster?

Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Now, the formula laid down by the Holy Spirit through the pen of the Apostle Paul is:

• a. The law is good if used lawfully; meaning you understand that it is for the lawless and disobedient (1Ti 1:8,9).
• b. After faith is come, we are no longer under the schoolmaster (the law) because we are not disobedient and lawless as defined by the “new commandment… the law of Jesus Christ”, as revealed for the first time in Mat 5.

Yes, this was the first time. While God’s law is as old as He is, it was not revealed until Christ came:

Mat 11:27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

If the law of Moses had revealed the Father, as most all of Christendom believes, Matthew 5 would have been totally unnecessary. Christ Himself would have been unnecessary, and salvation could have been by the law. However, the law of Moses, the old covenant, the ten commandments (Deu 4:13) are for the lawless and disobedient and the “law of Christ”, the “law of love” is not revealed until Christ comes. Until then we are “kept under the law” (under the letter).

Galatians Four

We now come to Galatians 4. Does the concern suddenly switch from the Galatians being seduced by Judaizer’s to pagan philosophers?

No, paganism is not even under consideration in this chapter. Paul is still concerned that the Galatians are allowing themselves to be influenced by those who want to keep them under the schoolmaster. He has just informed them that in Christ “we are no longer under the schoolmaster, for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:25-26).

The whole weight of Paul’s point is lost by translators who fail to make clear the huge difference between the “children” (Greek – huios, Strong’s G5207) of Galatians 3:26 and the “child” (Greek – nepios, Strong’s G3516) of Galatians 4:1.

Paul’s entire point is that in Christ in time we become ‘huios’, mature sons, able to carry on with our Father’s profession.

This is contrasted with being “under the schoolmaster” and still “under the law”. Chapter four concerns this same subject “now…the heir, as long as he is a nepios, (an infant) differeth nothing from a servant (Greek – doulos, Strong’s G1401, a slave) though he be lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father”:

Gal 4:1  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child [G3516: ‘nepios’, an infant], differeth nothing from a servant [G1401: ‘doulos’, a slave], though he be lord of all;

Being “under the law” is to be a spiritual infant, an immature Christian” according to Strong; according to Paul “differing nothing from a slave”.

Being under “tutors and governors” and “differing nothing from a slave” while under these “schoolmasters” is to be “nepios (immature)…in bondage to the elements of the world” (Gal 4:3). The subject of this chapter is: “…God sent forth his son…to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (G5206: huiothesia, mature son]:

Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son [G5207: uihos, mature son], made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption [G5206: uihothesia, “placing as a son”] of sons.

This “adoption” is to take on the father’s business and has nothing in common with our modern meaning for the English word ‘adoption’.

Paul’s concern for the Galatians is that “another gospel” is seducing them to remain immature (nepios) Christians, robbing them of their true standing in Christ as mature sons (huios) and “heirs according to the promise” (Gal 3:29).

“Thou art no more a servant [slave] but a son [mature Christian]; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Gal 4:7). Paul says being an immature Christian and remaining under the law even after Christ has fulfilled it, is to do “service to them which by nature are no gods” (Gal 4:8). These are those who “zealously-affect-you” of verse 17.

How was this desire to remain an immature Christian, “under the law”, ‘nothing more than a slave’, “doing service to them which are no gods”, “believing another gospel”, how was all this manifesting itself in these Galatian converts?

It was manifesting itself in three ways:

1. “Ye observe days, months, times and years” (Gal 4:10)
2. They were desiring to be under the law (vs 21)
3. They were submitting themselves to physical circumcision (Gal 5:2 and 3). They were doing this to avoid being “excluded” from the fellowship of what really amounted to “enemies of the cross of Christ”:

Php 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Nothing has changed. This spirit is here today. If you do not submit to the law of Moses, and to the “traditions of men” (Col 2:8-20) you will still be excluded from their fellowship. Let us not be as the Galatians who were “bewitched” by “the works of the law” (Gal 3:1-5).

Mal 3:6-18  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me – Part 2

[Study Aired January 11, 2024]

Mal 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 
Mal 3:7  Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 
Mal 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 
Mal 3:9  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 
Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 
Mal 3:11  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 3:12  And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Mal 3:13  Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Mal 3:14  Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Mal 3:15  And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Mal 3:16  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 
Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Last week we were talking about how John the baptist was the messenger of God in Malachi 3:1 who understood there was a change coming, and was used by God to point to that change, a change described in this manner: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Rom 3:21, Luk 16:16, Joh 1:17). The elect, unlike John, have God’s spirit within them (Rom 8:9), and as a result are able to  prepare the way of the Lord before Christ’s second coming by becoming mature sons, as John was witnessing to in a type and shadow manner (1Co 10:11, 1Pe 1:12). The natural life of John which was dedicated to God’s service, led to his being beheaded, which also represents how we must lose our first Adamic mind in order to take on the mind of Christ, makes it possible for us to be prepared for the return of the bridegroom (Rev 19:7). John’s natural relationship with Jesus on the earth was the physical relationship that preceded the spiritual one that would begin with the body of Christ on Pentecost (1Co 15:46). In both relationships Christ reveals the encouragement and strength He will always bring us through our sojourn as His servants (Mat 28:20, Luk 7:22-23, Luk 13:32, 1Co 10:13). 

1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; [John and Christ] and afterward that which is spiritual [Body of Christ being prepared, Christ returning in power and might].

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The glorious event of seeing our Lord and King come back in power and in might will be fulfilled at the first resurrection in a moment and in a twinkling of an eye (Rev 19:7, Rev 1:6-8, 1Co 15:52). Until that time we are to “Occupy till I come” (Luk 19:13, 1Pe 1:13) by doing what John did, the difference being that John’s preaching “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” in the wilderness is a type as well of the fiery baptism of God’s word into which we are baptized as we die daily and are baptized into Christ’s death (Rom 6:3). Neither the baptism John was administering in the flesh nor only knowing Christ in the flesh, can save us. However, when we are baptized into His death by a relationship that is made possible with the holy spirit within (Joh 16:7), then we are able to be raised in heavenly places and know the Father and the son in the spirit, which is what eternal life is (Mar 1:4, Col 1:28-29, Mat 24:14, Joh 17:3).

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

We are experiencing this relationship today in earnest, in downpayment form, as we are washed by the blood of the lamb, so those wedding garments can remain in a state that is acceptable to God through Christ being without spot (Mat 26:29, Mat 22:11-12, Rev 19:8, Eph 5:27, 1Ti 6:14, Heb 9:14, 1Pe 1:19, 2Pe 3:14).

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

1Ti 6:14  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Heb 9:14   How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19   But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

2Pe 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

The blessings that become ours are a result of being refined by God in this age through fiery judgment that removes all those spots (1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 4:17). “For our God is a consuming fire“, and the fruit of His workmanship produced through that judgment is the main theme of what we’ll be looking at in this last section of Malachi chapter 3 (Mal 3:6-18).

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Mal 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29), and it is for that reason that “ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” What God consumes or destroys are those things with which we naturally defile the temple (1Co 3:17-19). The way He accomplishes this is by grace through faith, which is a gift of God (Eph 2:8), that will save us if we are given that honor to endure that judgment today and be made ready as the bride of Christ (Tit 2:11-12, Heb 12:6, Rev 19:6). 

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

We are not consumed, “For I am the LORD, I change not“, meaning with God there “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Jas 1:17-18). “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Num 23:19, Rom 3:4, Heb 6:18-19) So all His promises are true including the promise that all men will be saved by putting off this corrupt flesh which cannot inherit the kingdom of God, each man in his own order (1Co 15:22, Luk 12:5). The corrupt flesh is connected to a corrupt heart that is either judged in this life or in the great white throne judgment (Rev 20:15).

Mal 3:7  Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, WhereinH4100  shall we return? 

In Genesis 12:18 we see the same Hebrew word ‘wherein‘^H4100 used as the word “what” and “why”. God is showing us that He does not change and what He has always desired is obedience, but He was always aware mankind would not naturally obey unless dragged to him, “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.”

Gen 12:18  And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What^H4100 is this that thou hast done unto me? why^H4100 didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

The desire of God has always been for all the world to “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts“, but the reality is that our fleshly carnal hearts, without a miraculous gift of being spiritually healed, cannot return to God and keep his “ordinances.” So we reply unto God, “But ye said, Wherein shall we return?” Return to what? Why? What value is there in serving the Lord?  We say all this at first if we are not being dragged to Christ and continuing on in the truth to become disciples indeed who are granted to overcome and witness Christ make war against the beast within that we otherwise could not (Isa 4:1, Mat 7:1, Luk 6:46, Joh 8:31-32, Rev 13:4).

Paul says this about his own life in Acts 20:24 regarding how we ought to think about our own day to day dealings with the world (Luk 6:38), knowing that through Christ we can be preferring others before ourselves (Php 2:4, 1Ti 5:21, Rom 12:10) that we “might finish my course with joy” by losing our life for His sake, presenting it a living sacrifice wherever we are led of the Lord (Mat 10:39, Rom 8:14-16). This all ties in with the verses we are looking at tonight which tell us to bring “all the tithe” into the temple (Mal 3:10), all our lives committed to our Father as unto a faithful Creator (1Pe 4:18-19).

Act 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

The disciples all had the same question about being a living sacrifice, and questioned the Lord himself about all that they had given up to follow Him (Mat 19:27-29). They matured into a conviction of seeing there is nothing to hold onto in this life (Php 1:23-24), and that with the mind of Christ we ought to be doing only one thing with the earnest of our inheritance within (Php 3:13-15, Rom 12:1-2).

Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Mal 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 
Mal 3:9  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 

“This whole nation” is cursed, meaning our whole land is cursed, which land represents our cursed flesh in the earth going the way that seems right to us but leading to death (Pro 14:12) because of our thoughts and actions that are not yet in accord with the will of God at this point (1Jn 2:15-17). 

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

It is only when we are blessed to have our old man cursed, by hanging on a tree, which symbolizes our dying daily process (Deu 21:23, Gal 3:13), that we are then able to mortify the deeds of the flesh as we live by the faith of Christ (Gal 2:20). What begins as a curse when we see our wretchedness in these bodies of death leads to life, as we’re given victory over the giants of our land through Christ, little and by little (Deu 7:22), taking away that curse in the land so we no longer rob or defraud God of our lives that belong to Him (Isa 43:1).

Isa 43:1  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

We first rob ourselves of the blessing He has now given to us to see, “the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (of verse 10) (Gen 13:15, Mat 19:28-29).

Gen 13:15  For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

The carnal mind also asks the same question as in verse 7: “wherein‘^H4100 have we robbed thee?” We do not see our blindness which is the curse Christ has pronounced upon all the world and will remain until the eyes of humanity are opened by Christ, “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation” (2Co 4:4). It is when our eyes are open that we can then confess our blindness that naturally questions God’s motives with questions like, “Wherein^H4100 have we robbed thee?” and “Wherein^H4100 shall we return?” of  verses 8 and 9 (Joh 9:39). All the world has been blinded by Satan (2Co 4:4), and it is all to the glory of God, “but that the works of God should be made manifest in him”  (Joh 9:2-3, Rom 9:20).

Joh 9:39  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

The key point to be realized in this verse is the word “all“. God does not play second fiddle to our flesh that is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9), so how are we actually going to bring “all” our life, represented by the ‘tenth’, the “tithe”, “into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house?” There’s only one way, and that way is through Christ (Rom 7:24-25).

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

God knows our hearts perfectly and makes His strength perfect through the weakness of our flesh so that we do seek Him with all our hearts and consequently find Him (Jer 29:13, Heb 11:6,  Php 2:12-13). He knows our doubting hearts can’t imagine how we can make war against the beasts that we are (Rev 13:4) and yet challenges us over and over as His children: “and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.“

The reality is that everything is of God, our blindness which He causes, our bringing our life as a living sacrifice into the storehouse, our doubting of what He can do through us, and then ultimately the victory He brings us when we are brought to our wits’ end and dragged to our safe haven in Jesus Christ. That is when He “pour[s] you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” and that blessing that is poured out is the life of Christ within each of us being shared, being poured out for each other as a joint that supplies in love (Psa 107:27-31, Eph 4:16).

Psa 107:27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
Psa 107:28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 
Psa 107:29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psa 107:30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Mal 3:11  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 3:12  And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

The “delightsome land” represents our bodies that are the Lord’s (Rom 12:1), and He will fight our battles for us. “For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2Ch 20:15), and we will be victorious, “I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground.” That victory is all predicated on whether we bring “all the tithe” into the storehouse which represents the throne of God, where the body of Christ resides (Heb 10:25). No man can come to Christ unless the Father drags us to him, so “what can we say to these things?” If God is for us, who can be against us (Joh 6:44, Rom 8:31-39)? Clearly there is no room for boasting in the life of a Christian who is living by the faith of Christ and being dragged to Him to accomplish predestined works of our Father (Luk 17:10).

“Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time^H7921 in the field, saith the LORD of hosts” is another way of saying that with Christ in us as our hope of glory, our spiritual fruit will come to maturity, and we will provide spiritual meat in due season as this is what God has ordained from the foundation of the world will happen within the body of Christ (Eph 2:10). 

H7921 shâkôl  shaw-kole’   A primitive root; properly to miscarry, that is, suffer abortion; by analogy to bereave (literally or figuratively): – bereave (of children), barren, cast calf (fruit, young), be (make) childless, deprive, destroy, X expect, lose children, miscarry, rob of children, spoil.  Total KJV occurrences: 23

Isa 66:9  [In the same way,] I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born.” (ERV)

It is not just in the body of Christ in this age that God is working, but also the work that God will continue to do throughout the thousand-year reign of the saints, which is a symbolic number identifying that the elect will be judging all the world and preaching to all nations at an ordained time “in the field” which field represents the world (Mat 13:38). The inward application of this verse is revealed in how God’s church is blessed today to receive the word and be washed with that word in our heavens so we can overcome all the sin of the world that is within us, and that field belongs to the Husbandman who has an “early and latter rain” representing all of humanity, each man in his own order (1Jn 2:16-17, Jas 5:7).

We are always a “blessed” and “delightsome land” when we can fulfill the will of our Father, and that is what God is going to be accomplish in all men in time, bringing all the land into subjection, which is the ultimate goal of our great Father in heaven who is likened to a patient husbandman (1Co 15:28, Eph 1:23, 1Co 12:6, Jas 5:7-8). 

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Jas 5:7  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 
Jas 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Mal 3:13  Your words have been stout^H2388 against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? 
Mal 3:14  Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Mal 3:15  And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. 

These three verses do not demonstrate the converted mind that becomes as a child of Matthew 18:3 but rather a  stout^H2388 (self-willed stubborn, obstinate, hardened) heart that replies back to the Creator, “What have we spoken so much against thee?” This self-willed child says, “It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?” Not seeing the value in all God’s words is a curse, and not seeing the need to die daily and to walk “mournfully before the LORD of hosts” is also a curse (Ecc 7:2-4), and produces the fruits of that cursed ground, as mentioned in these terms, “now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” This is the spiritual condition of the world we live in today, and David contemplated this supposed stability in the earth (that we all were in our appointed time), and He concluded, as we can through Christ, that they were all, the “now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered” on slippery ground. David says it is better to be in the house of mourning being judged by the Lord than to align oneself with those who were prospering in the earth (Psa 84:10-12, Psa 37:1-11)

Psa 84:10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 
Psa 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 
Psa 84:12  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Psa 37:10  For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be [Mal 3:18].
Psa 37:11  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace [Mal 3:12].

Mal 3:16  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

The way to deal with the wickedness of this world and the iniquity that is abounding more and more in this time as evil men wax worse and worse at the end of the age is to not forsake the assembling of ourselves (Heb 10:25) which commandment is being related to us in these words, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” When we fear the LORD and think upon His name, we are blessed and given peace that passes all understanding (Php 4:7). Thinking on things pure, honest and just (Php 4:8) is also what brings us peace. It is in the confines of this healthy relationship of thinking that “a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” Christ is the author and finisher of that book representing those who have kept the commandments of God and are ready now to judge the rest of the books of humanity in the great white throne judgment (Rev 20:12).

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Php 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 
Mal 3:18  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

It is our Father in heaven who tells us that we are His workmanship (Eph 2:10) in this manner, “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.” He has shown great mercy to us and given us great riches and honor to be judged first in this life, to be spared from the plagues to come upon all the world (having gone through them already), and as such we are called God’s spiritual jewels, being formed through fiery trials, sore pressed on every side at times, just as physical jewels are formed over time with great heat and pressure in the earth (Rev 15:8, Rev 18:4, Rom 8:18, Heb 11:25-26).

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 
Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

It is when we are judged and go through much tribulation in this life (Rev 3:18) that we begin to “discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not” (Heb 5:14).

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Our being dragged to Christ is for the express purpose of purifying us (Heb 12:6) so we can become discerning sons and daughters of God being spared, “and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (1Jn 3:1-2).

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 
Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. “and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him“.

1Jn 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 
1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.