Antinomian Attacks on the Law of God (No. 164D)

The Chierographon of Colossians 2:14 was the so-called handwriting of ordinances, which was in fact the bill of indebtedness owed by each of us to God for our sins, and which was nailed to the stauros or stake by Christ as being paid by him. The Antinomians don’t seem to get it. They ignore the meaning of the Chierographon as a bill of indebtedness and try to make it mean the law of God, which it does not mean. The sacrificial law was indeed fulfilled in Christ and in that sense the sacrificial law was paid once and for all by Christ. That indeed was fulfilled and completed by Christ, but it was the only aspect of the law that was completed.

Thus, the bill of account or debts (cheirographon) incurred from the ordinances of the ceremonial law was the thing that was nailed to the stake. Therefore, the ritual purification by offering was eliminated or taken out of the way once and for all by Christ. This heresy at Colossae is examined in detail in the paper Heresy in the Apostolic Church (No. 089) at: http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p089.html.

The Holy Days and the Sabbaths are not part of the ordinances of the ceremonial law. Only the sacrificial laws are eliminated. By his sacrifice, Christ once and for all disarmed the principalities and powers. The Greek text for these words says archas (translated rulers) and ezousias (authorities). He exposed them with openness, triumphing over them in it. Thus, Christ exposed the heavenly powers (and chiefly Satan) that would not give themselves for their human charges as he had. The Law stands. For the Law is holy, and the Commandments are holy and just and good.

Romans 7:12So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. (RSV)

Christ said: “If you would enter into life, keep the commandments”.

Matthew 19:17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." (RSV)

So, we cannot inherit eternal life unless we keep the Commandments. Here God is seen as the centre of ultimate Good, hence the word God. The Law hangs in its entirety on the two Great Commandments (Mat. 22:40).

Matthew 22:36-40 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" [37] And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. [40] On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." (RSV)

The Law is thus destined to an end or purpose, which is in Christ and intended to reconcile us to God. The Law, being spiritual, proceeds from God and thus is kept in our natures in order to reconcile us to God. The Law, then, does not cause death but rather it is sin, which is transgression of the Law (1Jn 3:4), working within the individual that causes death.

Romans 7:13Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. (RSV)

The Law is spiritual but humanity is carnal, sold under sin.

Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. (RSV)

The entire argument that the Law is not spiritual and, hence, not of the New Testament is utterly false. The truly converted person delights in the Law of God in their inner selves. The Psalms were identified by Christ as part of the law.

Psalm 119:1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! (RSV)

Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, (RSV)

For the Law leads men to Christ, who is the end of the Law.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified. (RSV)

The end of the Law (telos gar nomou) here is the conclusion as the goal or the objective, being the point or act or state aimed at. It is not the cessation of the Law.

Being led by the Spirit liberates the individual from being under the Law.

Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. (RSV)

Not because it does away with the Law, but rather because it enables the Law to be kept from inner desire and right action, being in our very nature. Paul’s position on the necessity of keeping the law is examined in the paper Paul: Part 1 Paul and the Law (No. 271) at: http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p271.html.

Paul kept the law and went to great lengths to keep it. Acts 21:21 is deliberately misrepresented in this regard.

Acts 21:17-24 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. [18] On the following day Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. [19] After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. [20] And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed; they are all zealous for the law, [21] and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. [22] What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. [23] Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; [24] take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law.

Anyone who says that Paul did not keep the law of God is a liar. Also anyone who says they are without sin (which is transgression of the law of God (1Jn 3:4) is also a liar.

Hebrews is misused often by the Antinomians and we will examine the misused sections in detail below.

Hebrews 8:10-13This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [11] And they shall not teach every one his fellow or every one his brother, saying, `Know the Lord,' for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest. [12] For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."[13] In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (RSV)

Thus, the spirit is written in the hearts and minds of the people. So, the people keep the Law through the Holy Spirit. The Law kept through the heart in right action serves then as the mark of the elect. Again, unconverted thinking is identified by its resistance to the Law and arguments which seek to eliminate the Law.

The Law of God is pursued by faith and not by works.

Romans 9:32 Why? Because they did not pursue it through faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, (RSV)

However faith without works is dead (James 2:17).

Obedience to the Commandments is a necessary prerequisite to the retention of the Holy Spirit, which dwells in those who keep God's Commandments.

1John 3:24 All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us. (RSV)

Acts 5:32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." (RSV)

Thus, it is impossible to be a Christian and love God and Christ without keeping the Law. Of necessity, this involves keeping the Sabbath as the Fourth Commandment.

Salvation by Grace

The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce all irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope and the appearance of the glory of the great God, and the saviour of us, Jesus Christ (Tit. 2:11-13; see Marshall's RSV Interlinear Greek-English New Testament). Christ is thus the appearance of the glory of the Great God, who is our Saviour (Tit. 2:10). Grace is thence a product of the activity of Jesus Christ.

The Church is guarded by God's power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1Peter 1:5 who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (RSV)

The outcome of faith is the salvation of the soul. The prophets prophesied about the salvation but did not know the time or the person of Messiah when they predicted his suffering and subsequent glory.

1Peter 1:9-10 As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. [10] The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation; (RSV)

Sin came into the world through Adam and reigned from Adam to Moses. Death was the result of sin.

Romans 5:12 Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned -(RSV)

Sin existed before the Law was given to Moses.

Romans 5:13 sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. (RSV)

Thus, the consequences of the Law were already known from Adam, as sin is not counted where there is no law. Thus, all men died and were consigned to the Second Resurrection outside of the Law. Under the Law, the Patriarchs and the Prophets attained the First Resurrection.

Grace thereby abounded because of the redemption of man from sin and the Law. Where sin increased under the Law, grace abounded.

Romans 5:15-21 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. [16] And the free gift is not like the effect of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. [17] If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. [18] Then as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man's act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men. [19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous. [20] Law came in, to increase the trespass; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, [21] so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (RSV)

Hence, the Law was introduced to increase the trespass so that the understanding of the regulation of affairs according to the love of God was obvious to those who sought God. However, Israel was not obedient. By one man's obedience many will be made righteous, that is, by grace that reigns through righteousness to eternal life in the anointed Jesus (Rom. 5:20-21).

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (RSV)

The Law is thus fulfilled in us who walk according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:4 in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (RSV)

The Spirit directs the mind according to its purpose.

Romans 8:5-6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. [6] To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (RSV)

The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's Law and indeed cannot submit to the Law.

Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot; (RSV)

Thus, the carnal or unconverted mind is identified by its resistance to the keeping of the Laws of God. The argument that grace has eliminated the Law is essentially that of an unconverted mind. The entire Grace-Law argument identifies those who are obedient to God and those who are not obedient to God. The dispensation is not “if” but “how” the Law is kept. Let no man judge you in respect of food and drink, or for festivals, New Moons or Sabbaths (Col. 2:16-17). They are a shadow of what is to come but the substance belongs to Christ. Christ thus gave the Law under direction of God and is the mediator and objective of the Law. So, nothing will pass from the Law until all is accomplished – namely, the restoration of the planet to the Law and thence to God at the end of the Millennium. That is why Christ restores all of the Holy Days, New Moons and Sabbaths on his return (Isa. 66:23; Zech. 14:16-19). If he requires those things kept in the Millennium, then they are binding on the elect for all time.

The Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead lives in the Christian, giving life through the Spirit dwelling in the individual.

Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you. (RSV)

All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Rom. 8:14).

Romans 8:12-14 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh – [13] for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (RSV)

And this is by the grace of God. The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (RSV)

We thus cry Abba or Father, developing the same sonship (Rom. 8:15) as was given to our brother Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:15-16 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" [16] it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (RSV)

The Law itself does not provide justification. A person is justified through faith in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:16 yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. (RSV)

The Works of the Law is another text explained in the paper below.

The life the elect live is by faith in the Son of God.

Galatians 2:20-21 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [21] I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose. (RSV)

Through the Law, we die to the Law that we might live to God.

Galatians 2:19 For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. (RSV)

However, we do not nullify the grace of God by keeping the Law, because we are not justified by the Law (Gal. 2:21). We keep the Law because the Spirit directs us, and the Law proceeds from the very nature of God that we have put on and of which we are partakers (2Pet. 1:4), as is Christ.

2Peter 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. (RSV)

We are saved not by Law but by the grace of Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." (RSV)

Sin has no dominion over the elect because they are not under the Law but under grace and are slaves to God.

Romans 6:14-15 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. [15] What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! (RSV)

Nevertheless, we do not sin by transgressing the Law because we are slaves of God and righteousness and not of sin, becoming obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which we were committed.

Romans 6:17-18 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, [18] and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (RSV)

Whereas before we were dead through our trespasses, now we are made alive together with Christ by grace.

Ephesians 2:5 …even when we were dead through our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (RSV)

We have been raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly places so that God may show, in the coming ages, the extent and richness of His grace and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:6-7 and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (RSV)

For by grace we have been saved through faith. This is not the doing of the individual; it is the gift of God and not because of works, so that no person can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – [9] not because of works, lest any man should boast. (RSV)

Thus, we keep the Law through the Spirit of God by grace.

James states that it is the perfect law of liberty. He says: “But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.” (Jas. 1:25). For sin is the transgression of the law (1Jn. 3:4).

Why is the “Law of Love” being touted now in the US and the Western world generally and the Law of God being claimed as done away and that “love is all you need?” Is this claim new?

No, it is not new. It was the same claim as made by the Antinomian Gnostics in the First and Second Century. They held that the law was done away by Christ who gave us a new law and that was love. The Antinomian Gnostics were sexually licentious and the Churches of God were fully aware of what they did.

The same wave of licentiousness and the same views swept the US in the 1960s. The Rock and Roll era was not enough and it took the Beatles to start the “All you need is Love” wave and get this licentiousness off the ground and the result was Woodstock and the “Hippy” generation and the “Howlings of Amos” in their religious structure. Modern Antinomianism comes from the same immoral “grace not law” structure as did the Gnostics; the same immoral people with the same tattoos and the same sexual degeneration. America and the British Commonwealth are headed for destruction.

The Antinomian Gnostics had to invent the god Jaldabaoth to be the deity that gave the law to Israel at Sinai but the Bible tells us that it was Christ that gave the law to Israel at Sinai (1Cor. 10:4).

Why would Christ give us laws that he would eliminate completely when he came? It makes no sense in logic and indicates a capricious mind. The elimination of the sacrificial law on the other hand makes perfect sense for a Temple in the wilderness made of human beings.

These Antinomians also misuse Hebrews chapter 7 and 8 by selective quotation and quote 7:18-22 and 8:6-7 ignoring the texts beforehand and subsequently.

Hebrews 7:18-22 On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness [19] (for the law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. ... [22] This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant.

Hebrews 8:6-7 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second.

However, to what does the full text refer? Let’s look at Hebrews chapters 7 to 10 inclusive. It explains it all.

Hebrews 7

[1] For this Melchiz'edek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; [2] and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. [3] He is without father or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest for ever.

[Note that he resembled the Son of God. He was NOT the son of God and could not therefore have been Christ. He was appointed to continue as priest forever. As all men are appointed once to die he also was appointed to the priesthood from his appointment. His name means “MY king is righteousness” and he was the king and priest of Salem.]

[4] See how great he is! Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of the spoils. [5] And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from Abraham. [6] But this man who has not their genealogy received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. [7] It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. [8] Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. [9] One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, [10] for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchiz'edek met him.

[Melchisedek was entitled to receive tithes from Levi and all the sons of Abraham and thus the Church as priest of Melchisedek is also entitled to those tithes (see the paper Tithing (No. 161)) at: http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p161.html.)

The Antinomians attack the tithes also. The next section explains the purpose of the text and the Melchisedek priesthood and the law to which the text is referring and it is not the moral law nor is it the whole law. It is clearly the sacrificial law in operation under the temple system and the Levitical priesthood. Note the text before the Antinomians take it up in vv. 18ff.]

[11] Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levit'ical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchiz'edek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?

[Note that the function of the law being spoken of is the difference between the law of Melchisedek and the law of Levi. The fact was that Melchisedek was priest at Jerusalem to all the Gentiles and was without genealogy or length of service. That was the priesthood allocated by Noah to Shem and through him the priesthood of the world was carried. See the paper Melchisedek (No. 128) at: http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p128.html. This action was to point towards the resumption of the priesthood to all the sons of Noah under the Son of God as the salvation of the gentiles and the development of the church of God as that priesthood of Melchisedek. That was also why it was impossible for Christ to have been Melchisedek from the wording of the text.]

[12] For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. [13] For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. [14] For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. [15] This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchiz'edek, [16] who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. [17] For it is witnessed of him, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz'edek." [18] On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness [19] (for the law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. [20] And it was not without an oath. [21] Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, `Thou art a priest for ever.'" [22] This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant. [23] The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; [24] but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. [25] Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. [26] For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. [27] He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. [28] Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.

[Thus the law of the Temple and the sacrificial law is the system replaced by the word of the Oath in the law of the Psalms fulfilled by Messiah. The writer of Hebrews then goes on to explain in chapters 8-10 the purpose of the New Sanctuary and the true sacrifice for which the High Priest offered his own blood to fulfill the sacrificial law of the Priesthood once and for all.]

Hebrews 8

[1] Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, [2] a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord. [3] For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. [4] Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. [5] They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain." [6] But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second. [8] For he finds fault with them when he says: "The days will come, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; [9] not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I paid no heed to them, says the Lord. [10] This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [11] And they shall not teach every one his fellow or every one his brother, saying, `Know the Lord,' for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest. [12] For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." [13] In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

[The Levitical priesthood was the first Covenant with Israel rather than with the sons of Noah which was the order of Melchisedek and which died with Shem. That system involved a change in the law and established that priesthood with the Tabernacle and the sacrificial law. It pointed towards Christ and the Church and the destruction of the physical temple in 70 CE. The priesthood of Melchisedek thus took over again, and spent the 40 jubilees in the Wilderness. Christ was its high priest and the elect were its priesthood.]

Hebrews 9

[1] Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. [2] For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. [3] Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, [4] having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; [5] above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. [6] These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; [7] but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. [8] By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary is not yet opened as long as the outer tent is still standing [9] (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, [10] but deal only with food and drink and various ablutions, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. [11] But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) [12] he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. [13] For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, [14] how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

[Thus the laws of sacrifice are fulfilled and no longer serve to purify the flesh from dead works and the sin that follows on them under the transgression of the law. Thus Christ is the mediator of a new understanding with God that enables the elect to become a new Body under Christ receiving the Holy Spirit and thus becoming elohim and Eternal Spirits with Christ (Zech. 12:8).]

[15] Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. [16] For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. [17] For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. [18] Hence even the first covenant was not ratified without blood. [19] For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, [20] saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you." [21] And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. [22] Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. [23] Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. [24] For Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. [25] Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own; [26] for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, [28] so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

[Thus Christ came first to bear the sins of many and to offer his own life so that by his blood all people might be saved. The next time he will come to save the elect who eagerly await him. He will then rule the earth for 1100 years and the world will keep the laws of God in the Sabbaths, New Moons and the Feasts and within the biblical structure that God has foretold through the prophets. These texts such as Isaiah 66:23, Zechariah 14:16-19, Ezekiel 45 and the other texts that prophesy of the laws and the structure of the Millennial Temple have to be denied by these Antinomian Gnostics as they clearly show that these people will be held to account and their religious system will be exterminated when Christ comes again to save the elect. The very next verse beginning chapter 10 shows that Hebrews is explicitly speaking of the sacrificial law once again.]

Hebrews 10

[1] For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. [2] Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. [3] But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. [4] For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. [5] Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; [6] in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure.

[Christ then abolished the sacrificial law in accordance with the will of God in order to establish the Covenant of grace and the Moral Law which is engraved on the hearts of the elect who are baptised into the Body Christ in the Holy Spirit and who follow the Commandments of God and the Testimony or Faith of Jesus Christ. They have only one blood sacrifice which is the Lord’s Supper that Christ set up in bread and wine so that we might be cleansed from year to year in accordance with the Passover system that he had set aside at Sinai (Deut. 16:5-8).]

[7] Then I said, `Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book." [8] When he said above, "Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), [9] then he added, "Lo, I have come to do thy will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. [10] And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [11] And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, [13] then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. [15] And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, [16] "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," [17] then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more." [18] Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. [19] Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; [24] and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

[The next line is the crux of the commandments and the requirement for us to meet together. The Antinomians also disregard the requirements of these specific days of meeting under the law and their doing away with the Law introduces once again sin, which by definition is transgression of the law (1Jn 3:4) and crucifies Christ again and again and removes the sacrifice for sin and brings us under the fearful prospect of Judgment and places us in the Second Resurrection and subject to the Second Death. How much worse will be the punishment of one who breaches the laws of God under the Blood of Christ when under the laws of Moses under the physical Temple one died at the word of two or three witnesses?]

[26] For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. [28] A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [32] But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, [33] sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. [34] For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. [35] Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. [37] "For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; [38] but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." [39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls. (emphasis added)

[It is thus plain from these texts in Hebrews that the Laws of God are not done away but rather the sacrificial law is replaced with a system that is greater under grace but carries with it a greater penalty for those who do not follow the Moral Laws of God as delivered to us through Christ at Sinai and also through the church.]

Obligation under the Law

There is an ongoing obligation to keep the Law, which does not pass away nor is it altered, as we have seen (Mat. 5:18; Lk. 16:17). It was not kept correctly by the Jews at the time of Christ (Jn. 7:19), being altered by tradition (Mat. 15:2-3,6; Mk. 7:3,5,8-9,13).

Matthew 15:2-6"Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat." ³He answered them, "And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴For God commanded, `Honour your father and your mother,' and, `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die.' ⁵But you say, `If any one tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honour his father.' ⁶So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God. (RSV)

Mark 7:3-13(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; ⁴and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) ⁵And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" ⁶And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; ⁷in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' ⁸You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men." ⁹And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! ¹⁰For Moses said, `Honour your father and your mother'; and, `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die'; ¹¹but you say, `If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God) -- ¹²then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, ¹³thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do." (RSV)

The Law was altered into a burden or yoke by the Jewish teachers of the day, making a trial of God (see the paper The Works of the Law Text – or MMT (No. 104) at: http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p104.html). The Antinomian Gnostics continued the attack on the law that came with the Gnostic Pharisees and the Oral Traditions.

Acts 15:10Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? (RSV)

There is a continuing obligation from above to keep the Commandments of God. They are extant and will not pass away until the end of the ages, which concerns human existence.

The Love of God and the Obligations under the law

How does God define His love? The answer is simple. 1John 5:2-4 says:

[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. [3] FOR THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, THAT WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. AND HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT BURDENSOME. [4] For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. (RSV)

[Antinomians talk of love but fail to demonstrate exactly what God states is the proof of their claim.]

1John 2:3-11 And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] HE who says "I know him" but disobeys his commandments IS A LIAR, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM; [5] but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: [6] he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. [7] Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. [8] Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. [through Christ’s incarnate life magnifying the Law in its spiritual intent -Matt.5,6,7- and leaving us an example that we should follow in his footsteps- 1Pet.2:20-21]. [9] He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still. [10] He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling. [11] But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (RSV)

No matter how hard you try, you cannot separate God's love from His Law, for God expresses His love through His Law exemplified by His son's incarnate life that we should follow in Jesus Christ's footsteps who kept His Father's Law.

1John 4: 7 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God."

Every one that keeps God’s Commandments shows thereby that he loves God.

Romans 13:10 "Love worketh no ill towards his neighbor; therefore LOVE is the FULFILLING OF THE LAW".

Why Christians keep the Law

Christians are saved by grace and not by the Law. Why then is it axiomatic that they acknowledge and keep the Law? It is because the Law of God emanates from the abiding goodness of His Nature. The Law of God proceeds from the nature of God and, thus, it stands forever, as God Himself is unchangeable being essentially good as the centre of ultimate goodness. In Mark 10:18, Christ said: “Why call me good, God alone is good”, or “Why ask me about what is good. One there is who is good. If you would enter life keep the commandments” (cf. Mat. 19:17). God's goodness leads each of us towards repentance.

Romans 2:4 Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (RSV)

The nature of God is of unchangeable goodness. The heavenly Host partake of His nature. Thus they become constant in the divine nature and goodness. In this way, Christ is the same yesterday, today and unto the ages (aioonas).

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. (RSV)

The elect, by partaking of the divine nature (2Pet. 1:4), become part of a divine priesthood of Melchisedek, which is intransmissible (aparabaton) or unchangeable unto the age (aioona).

Hebrews 7:24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. (RSV)

In this way also, the elect continue in their priesthood forever, being ransomed as kings and priests; and they shall reign on or over the Earth (epi) (Rev. 4). This is a millennial prophecy.

Christ is able to save in entirety those approaching God through him (see Heb. 7:25, Marshall's Greek-English Interlinear). However, Christ is not the object of worship, nor is he the God that commands by will.

Hebrews 7:25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (RSV)

The Law of God is to be pursued by faith and not by works.

Romans 9:32 Why? Because they did not pursue it through faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, (RSV)

We have a New Covenant where the Lord establishes His Laws in our minds and writes them on our hearts. He is our God and we are His servants, worshipping Him, by keeping His Laws in our very nature (Heb. 8:10-13).

Thus outward signs are nothing. It is the keeping of the Commandments of God within us that circumcises us (1Cor. 7:19) as Christians and members of spiritual Israel.

1Corinthians 7:19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. (RSV)

It is those who keep the Commandments of God who enrage the dragon and are identified in the persecutions.

Revelation 12:17 Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. (RSV)

These are the saints who keep the Commandments of God and endure.

Revelation 14:12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. (RSV)

The saints keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. The requirement for endurance stems from the consistent efforts to undermine the intent and strength of the Commandments of God through theology that seeks to strike at the sovereignty of the One True God (Jn. 17:3; 1Jn. 5:20) and the integrity of His Commandments. The Sabbath is but one of the Commandments which are attacked as being eliminated by the Grace-Law argument. The most extraordinary illogic and misrepresentation of Scripture is advanced by professing Christians who, by their reasoning, demonstrate a hostility to the Commandments of God. They thereby demonstrate the carnal basis of their belief and the unconverted nature of their thinking. The elect have been persecuted for their failure to acknowledge this false reasoning. Because they continue to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, His Son, they are persecuted.

The false system of the Triune God is established as a precursor to the Grace-Law error. The apostasy (apostasia) of the Last Days among the elect is centred around the Law. The man of sin is actually the man of lawlessness (anomias). This means without law. Thus, the man of lawlessness attempts to eliminate the import of the Law. He sets himself above all that is of God. He is seated in the naos of God, of which we are part.

1Corinthians 3:17 If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are. (RSV)

The word translated temple here is naos. The text is rendered by Marshall as:

If anyone the shrine of [the] God defiles, will defile this man [the] God; for the shrine of [the] God holy is, who (which) are ye.

The mystery of lawlessness was already operating when Paul wrote to the Thessalonians.

2Thessalonians 2:7-10For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. [more correctly until out of the midst it comes (eoos ek mesou genetai)] [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming. [9] The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (RSV)

Thus, the activity of Satan is directed at establishing a system among the Temple of God to defile it with a system that seeks to eliminate the Laws of God – and that would deceive even the very elect, if it were possible. These are the Antinomians that teach against the Laws of God. The love of the truth is essential to the saving of the elect in this issue. The elect have to grapple with this form of deceit over the whole period of the Church until the coming of the Messiah.

Peter has identified these Antinomians as those who misrepresent the writings of Paul.

2Peter 3:15-18 And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, [16] speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. [17] You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of LAWLESS MEN (Antinomians) and lose your own stability. [18] But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (RSV)

It is a matter of Law and Grace. In the New Covenant, the two work hand in hand for those who are called according to God’s purpose. Without God’s Law there would be no need for His Grace. Grace is God’s unmerited pardon. Antinomians twist Scripture to their own destruction. These are the lawless men referred to by Peter. Antinomians have always tried to accuse the elect because they keep the Laws of Eloah. They are alleged to say they are Jews but are not. In the same way Satan tried to cast doubt on Christ being the son of God to tempt him to sin.

When Christ returns he will not smite the elect who keep the commandments of God. He will return to save them.

Isaiah 66:15-23 "For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the stormwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. [16] For by fire will the LORD execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many. [17] "Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, says the LORD. [18] "For I know their works and their thoughts, and I am coming to gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and shall see my glory, [19] and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Put, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. [20] And they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their cereal offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. [21] And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD. [22] "For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before me, says the LORD; so shall your descendants and your name remain. [23] From New moon to New moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, says the LORD.

We follow the laws of God now and do now what we will do in the Millennium after Christ comes. God is clear what is required of his elect.

Isaiah 24:5 The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.

Isaiah 24:6 Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left.

Isaiah 65:12 I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter; because, when I called, you did not answer, when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes, and chose what I did not delight in."

Isaiah 65:15 You shall leave your name to my chosen for a curse, and the Lord GOD will slay you; but his servants he will call by a different name.

Lamentations 3:65 Thou wilt give them dullness of heart; thy curse will be on them.

The arguments regarding the Works of the Law in Galatians are misused by the Antinomians because they don’t understand the term Works of the Law and what it means and misuse Paul to their own destruction (see the paper The Works of the Law or MMT (No. 104) at: http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p104.html.

Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them."

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree"—

Antinomians declare that the Law is done away, using texts such as in Titus.

Titus 3:8-11 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. [9] But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. [10] Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, [11] knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. (HCSB).

There would be no need to discuss the law if it were done away. Obviously it is the foolish debates on its keeping that are to be avoided.

So also another quote is misused:

2Corinthians 3:7-18 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, [8] will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? [9] If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! [10] For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. [11] And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! [12] Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. [13] We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. [14] But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. [15] Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. [16] But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

These texts try to misapply the basis of the law of Moses and the message of Christ. The real meaning of this text is that the law and the daughter of the slave did not distinguish that the bringing in of the nations to the sonship could only occur through the Body of Christ and not by the law of Moses. The Antinomians misunderstand this text completely.

Galatians 4:21-31 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? [22] For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. [23] His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. [24] These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. [25] Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. [26] But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. [27] For it is written:"Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." [28] Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. [29] At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. [30] But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." [31] Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

It is through Isaac and Jacob that the lineage descended to Christ and the Koran states this quite openly. The Antinomians understand none of it.

The law given through Moses was glorious but the gift that came through Christ was more glorious. Does that mean that the Moral law of Sinai was removed? No, it does not, because of the myriad other texts that say it is not. The last text in the Scriptures, which was the Bible under Christ and the apostles, was in Malachi.

Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied him?" By saying, "Every one who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them." Or by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"

[Doing evil is to sin and sin is transgression of the law (1Jn 3:4). It is therefore to do away with sin that the Messenger of the Covenant was sent as we see in the next chapter.]

Malachi 3 [1] "Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. [2] But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? "For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; [3] he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the LORD.

[Note that Christ in this coming will purify the sons of Levi until they present right offerings unto the Lord. No doing away with the law of God here. In the next text we see the Ten Commandments mentioned as the basis of judgment. He will be a swift witness against these idolaters and false prophets termed sorcerers. Note that Commandments of God are the basis of His action and judgment.]

[4] Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. [5] "Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. [6] "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. [7] From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, `How shall we return?' [8] Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, `How are we robbing thee?' In your tithes and offerings. [9] You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me; the whole nation of you. [10] Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.

[Note that the tithes and offerings are the basis of the sign of the return to God and His blessings being poured out on our nations. Those who fear God and walk in his statutes are the basis of the Book of Remembrance. It is the basis of determination between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. His promise to the faithful is clear. God has promised that and the Antinomians are not part of that system. They are not part of the First Resurrection; they are taken to the Second Resurrection for the Great White Throne judgment when they are judged under the laws of God and corrected.]

[11] I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. [12] Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. [13] "Your words have been stout against me, says the LORD. Yet you say, `How have we spoken against thee?' [14] You have said, `It is vain to serve God. What is the good of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? [15] Henceforth we deem the arrogant blessed; evildoers not only prosper but when they put God to the test they escape.'" [16] Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another; the LORD heeded and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and thought on his name. [17] "They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. [18] Then once more you shall distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

[The day of the Lord will be judged on the Fear of God and the Keeping of His laws both in Judah and In Israel and Christ will Judge in power and strength and the Law of God will be the basis of his judgment.]

Malachi 4 [1] "For behold, the day comes, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. [2] But for you who fear my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go forth leaping like calves from the stall. [3] And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. [4] "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and ordinances that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. [5] "Behold, I will send you Eli'jah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. [6] And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse."

[Note that the curse on the earth follows from a breach of the Laws of God. Before the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord comes Elijah the prophet will be sent to establish the law and the basis of the Fifth Commandment which is being destroyed by these Satanists and Antinomians through the world to this very day. Judah and Israel will be joined in union as will all of the sons of Abraham and the Gentiles who have been joined with them in the faith under the laws of God. We are not justified by the law but through faith (Gal. 2; note Works of the Law used here as above). That however does not negate the laws of God and the requirements to observe the law and that law is written on our hearts but is nevertheless the complete Ten Commandments and the entire system of the Sabbaths, New Moons and Feasts. You are what you do and worship. An Antinomian that keeps the laws of another system and its days of worship is an idolater.]

There is an argument sequence that has lasted over the entire period of the Church and for which it has been defiled and persecuted and that is the Modalist-Trinitarian or Triune Godhead argument, and the Grace-Law argument that inexorably follows it. The argument was seen in 1John, stemming from Modalism as an early Triune form which finally resulted in the Trinity. The other consequences of this error were seen in Colossae and Galatia as well as Ephesus. The love of the truth is the mark of the elect. Those who do not reject this argument and do not keep the Commandments of God are rejected by God. That process is most obvious and severe in the Last Days and in the Laodicean and Sardis churches. Both those churches are rejected and only a few individuals are saved.


The Decalogue was	The Sacrificial or Ceremonial Law was
1. Given by God through the Angel at Sinai (Ex. 20: 1,22; Deut. 4:12;13; 5:22);	1. Spoken by YHVH; written by Moses (Ex. 24:3,4,12); given in addition to the Commandments (Ex. 24:12);
2. Written by Yahovah (Ex. 31:18; 32:16);	2. Written by Moses (Ex. 24:4; Deut. 31:9);
3. On stones (Ex. 24:12; 31:18);	3. In a book (Ex. 24:4,7; Deut. 31:24);
4. Handed by Yahovah to Moses (Ex. 31:18)	4. Handed by Moses to the Levites (Deut. 31:25,26);
5. Deposited by Moses in the Ark (Deut. 10:5);	5. Deposited by the Levites by the side of the ark (Deut. 31:26) where it was a witness against Israel.
The Decalogue	The Sacrificial or Ceremonial Law
6. Deals with moral precepts (Ex. 20:3-17);	6. Deals with ceremonial ritual matters (from its use in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy);
7. Reveals sin (Rom. 7:7);	7. Prescribes offerings for sins (see Leviticus);
8. Shows the breaking of the law is sin (1Jn. 3:4) and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).	8. Has no sin in breaking because it is abolished (Eph. 2:15); hence where no law is there is no transgression (Rom. 4:15).
9. We should keep the whole law (Jas. 2:10); we must not break the least of the Law (Mat. 5:19)	9. The Apostles gave no such commandment (instruction or commission; diesteilametha) to keep the law (Acts 15:24);
10. Because we shall be judged by this law (Jas. 2:12);	10. We are not to be judged in keeping it (Col. 2:16);
11. The Christian who keeps this law is blessed in his doing (Jas. 1:25);	11. We are not justified by the law but by faith (Gal. 5:1-6);
12. It is the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25; cf. Jas. 2:12) because the law is perfect (Ps. 19:7);	12. Liberty comes from faith not justification by law (Gal. 5:1,3).
13. This law was established by faith in Christ (Rom. 3:31); it was not destroyed (Mat. 5:17);	13. Christ abolished the division of the law (Eph. 2:15); the debt (Col. 2:14); and structure (Gal. 3:19).
14. Christ was to magnify the law and make it honourable (Isa. 42:21);	14. Christ blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us (Col. 2:14).
15. We know that the law is spiritual (Rom. 7:14 cf. v. 7).	15. This law is of a carnal commandment (Heb. 7:16). God suffered Israel to be given laws by which they might not live because of their pollution (Ezek. 20:25). This law made nothing perfect.