"Shalom Bahira, I have read through the 'sabbath' article. Yes the Sabbath is definitely the 7th day - no doubt about that, but as you point out the Lord is lord of the sabbath and when one becomes saved into the body of Christ then they do not need to follow the laws sabbath days etc. However you will remember that Jesus said to pray that your flight be not on the sabbath day....Mt 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
I wonder if you have thought about that? why would this be so if the sabbath days were no longer observed. He spoke this for the generation of Hebrews that is yet future that will have to flee when the antichrist and the tribulation comes. Will the sabbath be applicable then ?
Mt 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Something to ponder on - or do you know the answer already."
�and when one becomes saved into the body of Christ then they do not need to follow the laws sabbath days etc.�
I disagree. Let me explain why. God does not allow us to kill and steel and commit sexual immorality and covet and commit idol-worship as He declared that in the 10 Commandments. Thus God did not cancel the laws that we would live in lawlessness, being NOT controlled by His laws. No. But what is the essence of the law then? Please read the answer about the essence of the law in another thread called: �Law and the Lawgiver Jesus� . God�s laws showed us our sinfulness and they pointed out to the Son of God that He is salvation and only He forgives us. Thus, God forgives but still He expects from us a GODLY life, as we discussed it before, obeying the laws�
That is why I would say it this way: and when one becomes saved into the body of Christ then they do not need to follow the laws, the Sabbath days etc. to GET forgiveness of sins but to get it through repentance and faith in the Son of God. However, if we would observe the holidays which God called HOLY and other commands- like dietary laws as a result of RESPECT to God and what He said, then it is NOT bad.
The coming Third World War: Your ref.to: Mt 24:20: God knows when this war will start soon in Israel�God knows the exact date of this war. And Jesus told us to ask the Father the war will not start on the Sabbath. But why? There will be a great tribulation.
The Great Tribulation
15 �Therefore when you see the �abomination of desolation,� spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place� (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 �then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be GREAT tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect�s sake those days will be shortened.
�why would this be so if the sabbath days were no longer observed�
-MY RESPONSE: this war will happen in Israel and there all Jews OBSERVE this holiday.
Jesus said that He came not to destroy the laws but to fulfill them making us HOLY as God is holy -imputing us His righteousness �that we would OBEY what God said in His laws/commands living a godly life and not in lawlessness.
What are His main commands?
And this is His commandment: that we should BELIEVE on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and LOVE one another, as He gave us commandment.
24 Now he who KEEPS His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3
And WHY we receive God?s Righteousness ONLY Through Faith and NOT through the LAW!?
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
(It means God imputed us the righteousness of God through FAITH in the Son of God!!!)
For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness,because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3
It means that on the Cross, the Son of God took our sins/the sin of the world to His HOLY body to make us FREE of our sins!
Why did Jesus save us by His BLOOD?
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Note again: a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law!!!!
It means that if we will observe 613 mitzvot (commandments) of the law can we be RIGHTEOUS? What is the purpose to observe these 613 laws of the Torah?
The problem is we cannot be RIGHTEOUS through observance of these laws, because the Lawgiver Jesus made us FREE from sins and RIGHTEOUS people!
Then what was the purpose of the law?
Purpose of the Law:
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3.
Purpose of the Law: the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith!!!!!
It means we are NO LONGER under a tutor/law! Why? To live in sexual immorality? Making sex with children? Certainly NOT!
Thus, the law of God is how a saved man lives, not how a lost man becomes saved.
A SAVED man THROUGH His FAITH in the Son of God lives according to God?s laws trying to live a GODLY life and OBEYING God. To get forgiveness of sins through this observation of laws? No! The Son of God forgave us and set us free. What is the GREATEST commandment/law of God?
LOVE. We should love people and brothers and God and enemies!
Moreover, we should obey the Lord more than just following the laws!
Note also: you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace!!!!
Galatians 5
Christian Liberty:
5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Do you understand what is written here? If you will TRY to get justification of your sins through obedience to the LAW then it means you have FALLEN from grace! Because though GRACE/FAITH in the Son of God we are justified! Our FAITH is working through LOVE toward people and God!
So, the Lawgiver Jesus changed our laws to make us to live in RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Love Fulfills the Law:
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ?You shall love your neighbor as yourself.? 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Galatians 5
Walking in the Spirit:
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
longsuffering,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
23 gentleness,
self-control.
Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ?s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5
It means we have to implement these qualities described above in our earthly lives! It is called to WALK in the Spirit!
So, if we OBEY the words of God/His laws above LOVING people then we can NOT violate the laws of God in the Torah and thus, our FAITH make us to implement the LAW/words/commandments of God. Again:
Sin is the transgression of the law. Thus, the law of God is how a saved man lives, not how a lost man becomes saved.
My foolish Jews, Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Do you want Alan, to be PERFECTED by flesh?! Obeying the law?! Remember Alan:
the Son of God with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place in the Heavenly Sanctuary once for all, having obtained eternal redemption for those who BELIEVE in Him!
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. We are forgiven, Alan! The Son of God forgave our sins to WALK in the Spirit living a GODLY Life and APPLYING God?s standards for life which even EXCEED what is written in the Law!
31 Do we then make void the law through faith?
Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Romans 3
This is the TRUE interpretation of the HOLY Bible and words of God and God's plan for our lives! Do you understand that now?
So, if you want to OBEY God and abstain from swine mean. Good for you. But implementation of this law does NOT save you!
The Son of God saves you through your FAITH.
Did Jesus change the laws? YES. He is a Lawgiver.
Some christian Jews like my friend Alan keep the Sabbath NOT because the implementation of this Law will save them but because they OBEY God and RESPECT His opinion regarding this day. Some of them do not eat swine meat because they OBEY God and RESPECT His opinion regarding the meat.
But they do it NOT because they try to get forgiveness of their sins/salvation but because they LOVE God and respect Him.
Do you understand that now? That is why being forgiven of our sins through our FAITH in the Son of God, we OBEY God avoiding sexual immorality, intoxication of any kind and other sins and by doing that we are implementing the LAW!
Avraham believes that we are saved ONLY through OBEDIENCE to the law. Is is so?
Let's consider that:
Alan,
Avraham said: �Sin is the transgression of the law. Thus, the law of God is how a saved man lives, not how a lost man becomes saved.�
He is RIGHT. Saved by grace through faith SO THAT we can live lawfully or GODLY life OBEYING the God of Israel. But we should NOT forget what is the purpose of the law.
So, what is the purpose of the law?
And WHY we receive God�s Righteousness ONLY Through Faith and NOT through the LAW!?
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
(It means God imputed us the righteousness of God through FAITH in the Son of God!!!)
For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness,because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3
It means that on the Cross, the Son of God took our sins/the sin of the world to His HOLY body to make us FREE of our sins!
Why did Jesus save us by His BLOOD?
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
It means that if we will observe 613 mitzvot (commandments) of the law can we be RIGHTEOUS? What is the purpose to observe these 613 laws of the Torah?
The problem is we cannot be RIGHTEOUS through observance of these laws, because the Lawgiver Jesus made us FREE from sins and RIGHTEOUS people!
Then what was the purpose of the law?
Purpose of the Law:
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3.
Alan, it means we are NO LONGER under a tutor/law! Why? To live in sexual immorality? Making sex with children? Certainly NOT!
Thus, the law of God is how a saved man lives, not how a lost man becomes saved.�
A SAVED man THROUGH His FAITH in the Son of God lives according to God�s laws trying to live a GODLY life and OBEYING God. To get forgiveness of sins through this observation of laws? No! The Son of God forgave us and set us free. What is the GREATEST commandment/law of God?
LOVE. We should love people and brothers and God and enemies!
Moreover, we should obey the Lord more than just following the laws! How?!
Galatians 5
Christian Liberty:
5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Alan, do you understand what is written here? If you will TRY to get justification of your sins through obedience to the LAW then it means you have FALLEN from grace! Because though GRACE/FAITH in the Son of God we are justified! Our FAITH is working through LOVE toward people and God!
Love Fulfills the Law:
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: �You shall love your neighbor as yourself.� 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Galatians 5
Walking in the Spirit:
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
longsuffering,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
23 gentleness,
self-control.
Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ�s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5
Alan, it means we have to implement these qualities described above in our earthly lives! It is called to WALK in the Spirit!
So, if we OBEY the words of God/His laws above LOVING people then we can NOT violate the laws of God in the Torah and thus, our FAITH make us to implement the LAW/words/commandments of God. Again:
�Sin is the transgression of the law. Thus, the law of God is how a saved man lives, not how a lost man becomes saved.�
Thus, again:
The Law Brings a Curse
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, �Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.�11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for �the just shall live by faith.� 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but �the man who does them shall live by them.�
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, �Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree�), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3
My foolish Jews, Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Do you want Alan, to be PERFECTED by flesh?! Obeying the law?! Remember Alan:
the Son of God with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place in the Heavenly Sanctuary once for all, having obtained eternal redemption for those who BELIEVE in Him!
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. We are forgiven, Alan! The Son of God forgave our sins to WALK in the Spirit living a GODLY Life and APPLYING God�s standards for life which even EXCEED what is written in the Law!
31 Do we then make void the law through faith?
Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Romans 3
This is the TRUE interpretation of the HOLY Bible and words of God and God�s plan for our lives! Do you understand that now?
Galatians 3
Justification by Faith
3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain�if indeed it was in vain?
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?� 6 just as Abraham �believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.� 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, �In you all the nations shall be blessed.� 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Hebrews 9
The Earthly Sanctuary
9 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron�s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Limitations of the Earthly Service
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people�s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience� 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
The Heavenly Sanctuary
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The Mediator�s Death Necessary
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, 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 has commanded you.� 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Greatness of Christ�s Sacrifice
23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another� 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
The concept of God's law in regard to our role as Christians is represented by Paul quite well. Paul teaches that we are no longer under the law. He also teaches that as new creatures, we should no longer sin. He also teaches that we would not know sin except by the law. If we break the royal law, we sin. The logical conclusion is that if we're new creatures, then the law is written on our hearts and minds, as new creatures in Christ, we are to naturally be obedient if we truly love God and our fellow man. The law is no longer a schoolmaster, it becomes our character. We see the wisdom is God's royal law, not that it's a list of 10 things we are/aren't supposed to do, but it's a transcript of what we are supposed to become if we have Christ's mind in us.
A pharisee looks at the 4th commandment and sees a rule to accomplish to gain righteousness.
A christian looks at the 4th commandment and sees how to love God more deeply and show love to his fellow man.
I think the 4th commandment is the most beautiful expression of God's love. It's really the only truly arbitrary command of God, and typically, most "gods" would command that we sacrifice food or goods or children, etc, to acknowledge and appease their power. Not my God, He simply asks us to rest from stress and everyday labor in order to acknowledge Him as our God and Creator. Easiest thing in the world. Not only that, but also, we should allow everyone and everything to rest. Servants and animals will not be forced to work, it's against God's will. So in showing love to God by obeying Him, He is showing love to us. It's the perfect center of God's law, the transition point between the two great summaries of the law. From "Love God" to "Love your neighbor".
Matthew 21:28
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
