Jackero

GETING TO KNOW OUR BIBLES BETTER This is not a polemical approach, but a stimulation of personal study for a correct personal decision GOD’S LAW IS A MIRROR OF GOD’S CHARACTER. Here are some examples: GOD LAW Luke 18:19 GOOD Rom. 7:12 Is.5:16 HOLY Rom. 7:12 Deut. 32:4 JUST Rom. 7:12 Deut. 32:4 TRUTH Ps. 119:142, 151 Matt. 5:48 PERFECT Ps.19:7 Matt. 11:30 NOT BURDENSOME 1 John 5:3 1 John 1:5 LIGHT Prov. 6:23 1 John 4:8 LOVE Rom. 13:10 Ex. 9:27 RIGHTEOUS Ps. 19:9 1 John 3:3 PURE Ps. 19:8 John 4:24 SPIRITUAL Rom. 7:14 Malachi 3:6 UNCHANGEABLE Matt. 5:18 Gen. 21:33 ETERNAL Ps. 11:7-8 (1) Therefore, if God nailed His own law to the cross (Col. 2:14), then He nailed his own character there! Did He really do that? Has God changed His character? (2) V. 14 Blotting out the HANDWRITING of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Col. 2:14 [KJV] Were the Ten Commandments written with a human hand or with the finger of God? (The context shows us that this handwriting of ordinances was against the evangelical union between Jews and other nations. See also Eph. 2:11-22). (3) V.16 Let no man therefore judge you in MEAT, or in DRINK, or in respect of AN HOLYDAY, or of the NEW MOON, or of the SABBATH DAYS (plural!)” Does any of the details of this „handwritten” inscribed refer to the Ten Commandments? (4) V. 17 – 17” WHICH ARE a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” How do you explain that the Ten Commandments in verse 14 “are a shadow of things to come”? (5) If God nailed His own law to the cross (Col. 2:14), then the Bible contradicts itself because the same Paul says „31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we UPHOLD the law.” – Rom. 3:31. Is that true? Is the Bible contradicting itself? Can I still trust her? (6) The Bible says: „6 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’’ Jer. 6:16 NIV. Well, I DID THAT and what do you think I found? Westminster Confession of Faith - WestminsterStandards.org https://westminsterstandards.org/westminster-confession-of-faith/ When the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed in 1788, it adopted (with minor revisions) the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647), as its secondary standards (the Bible itself being the only infallible rule of faith and practice). XIX. Of the Law of God 2. This law, after his (Adam’s) fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness; and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables: (James 1:25, James 2:8, 10–12, Rom. 13:8–9, Deut. 5:32, Deut. 10:4, Exod. 34:1) the first four commandments containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man. (Matt. 22:37–40) 3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; (Heb. 9, Heb. 10:1, Gal. 4:1–3, Col. 2:17) and partly, holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. (1 Cor. 5:7, 2 Cor. 6:17, Jude 1:23) All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated, under the New Testament. (Col. 2:14, 16, 17, Dan. 9:27, Eph. 2:15–16) THE SAVOY DECLARATION OF FAITH AND ORDER 1658 Chapter 19 - Tameside Free Congregational Church (tfcchurch.co.uk) https://tfcchurch.co.uk/the-savoy-declaration-of-faith-and-order-1658-chapter-19 THE SAVOY DECLARATION OF FAITH AND ORDER 1658 Chapter 19 CHAPTER 19 OF THE LAW OF GOD 1 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it; and endued him with power and ability to keep it. 2 This law, so written in the heart, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall of man; and was delivered by God upon mount Sinai in ten commandments, and written in two tables; the four first commandments containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man. 3 Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances; partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings and benefits, and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. All which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only lawgiver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end, abrogated and taken away. The1689.org | The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith https://the1689.org/ CHAPTER 19 Of the Law of God Paragraph 1 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it. Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10,12 Paragraph 2 The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man. Romans 2:14,15; Deuteronomy 10:4 Paragraph 3 Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away. Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Colossians; 2:14,16,17; Ephesians 2:14,16 We have here three examples of what Christianity believed in the past centuries. In our days, many Christians have been taught that God's law has been annulled... Is this evidence of the derailment of modern Christianity? I'm afraid so. Why? Because when the churches altered their creeds, C. Spurgeon - the famous Baptist pastor - preached about “The perpetuity of God's law”. (No. 1660-28:277. A Sermon Delivered on Lord’s Day Morning, May 21, 1882, By C. H. Spurgeon, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington). Search with Google “1660. The perpetuity of God's law” and read it. IN CONCLUSION, think seriously about the fruits of teaching about the repeal of God's law: Without the law there is no sin and no punishment for sin; no need for repentance, salvation, Savior, or gospel. And in this case the Bible is no longer good for us…

GETTING TO KNOW OUR BIBLES BETTER This is not a polemical approach, but a stimulation of personal study for a correct personal decision GOD’S LAW IS A MIRROR OF GOD’S CHARACTER. Here are some examples: GOD LAW Luke 18:19 GOOD Rom. 7:12 Is.5:16 HOLY Rom. 7:12 Deut. 32:4 JUST Rom. 7:12 Deut. 32:4 TRUTH Ps. 119:142, 151 Matt. 5:48 PERFECT Ps.19:7 Matt. 11:30 NOT BURDENSOME 1 John 5:3 1 John 1:5 LIGHT Prov. 6:23 1 John 4:8 LOVE Rom. 13:10 Ex. 9:27 RIGHTEOUS Ps. 19:9 1 John 3:3 PURE Ps. 19:8 John 4:24 SPIRITUAL Rom. 7:14 Malachi 3:6 UNCHANGEABLE Matt. 5:18 Gen. 21:33 ETERNAL Ps. 11:7-8 (1) Therefore, if God nailed His own law to the cross (Col. 2:14), then He nailed his own character there! Did He really do that? Has God changed His character? (2) V. 14 Blotting out the HANDWRITING of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Col. 2:14 [KJV] Were the Ten Commandments written with a human hand or with the finger of God? (The context shows us that this handwriting of ordinances was against the evangelical union between Jews and other nations. See also Eph. 2:11-22). (3) V.16 Let no man therefore judge you in MEAT, or in DRINK, or in respect of AN HOLYDAY, or of the NEW MOON, or of the SABBATH DAYS (plural!)” Does any of the details of this „handwritten” inscribed refer to the Ten Commandments? (4) V. 17 – 17” WHICH ARE a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” How do you explain that the Ten Commandments in verse 14 “are a shadow of things to come”? (5) If God nailed His own law to the cross (Col. 2:14), then the Bible contradicts itself because the same Paul says „31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we UPHOLD the law.” – Rom. 3:31. Is that true? Is the Bible contradicting itself? Can I still trust her? (6) The Bible says: „6 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’’ Jer. 6:16 NIV. Well, I DID THAT and what do you think I found? Westminster Confession of Faith - WestminsterStandards.org https://westminsterstandards.org/westminster-confession-of-faith/ When the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed in 1788, it adopted (with minor revisions) the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647), as its secondary standards (the Bible itself being the only infallible rule of faith and practice). XIX. Of the Law of God 2. This law, after his (Adam’s) fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness; and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables: (James 1:25, James 2:8, 10–12, Rom. 13:8–9, Deut. 5:32, Deut. 10:4, Exod. 34:1) the first four commandments containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man. (Matt. 22:37–40) 3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; (Heb. 9, Heb. 10:1, Gal. 4:1–3, Col. 2:17) and partly, holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. (1 Cor. 5:7, 2 Cor. 6:17, Jude 1:23) All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated, under the New Testament. (Col. 2:14, 16, 17, Dan. 9:27, Eph. 2:15–16) THE SAVOY DECLARATION OF FAITH AND ORDER 1658 Chapter 19 - Tameside Free Congregational Church (tfcchurch.co.uk) https://tfcchurch.co.uk/the-savoy-declaration-of-faith-and-order-1658-chapter-19 THE SAVOY DECLARATION OF FAITH AND ORDER 1658 Chapter 19 CHAPTER 19 OF THE LAW OF GOD 1 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it; and endued him with power and ability to keep it. 2 This law, so written in the heart, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall of man; and was delivered by God upon mount Sinai in ten commandments, and written in two tables; the four first commandments containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man. 3 Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances; partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings and benefits, and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. All which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only lawgiver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end, abrogated and taken away. The1689.org | The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith https://the1689.org/ CHAPTER 19 Of the Law of God Paragraph 1 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it. Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10,12 Paragraph 2 The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man. Romans 2:14,15; Deuteronomy 10:4 Paragraph 3 Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away. Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Colossians; 2:14,16,17; Ephesians 2:14,16 We have here three examples of what Christianity believed in the past centuries. In our days, many Christians have been taught that God's law has been annulled... Is this evidence of the derailment of modern Christianity? I'm afraid so. Why? Because when the churches altered their creeds, C. Spurgeon - the famous Baptist pastor - preached about “The perpetuity of God's law”. (No. 1660-28:277. A Sermon Delivered on Lord’s Day Morning, May 21, 1882, By C. H. Spurgeon, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington). Search with Google “1660. The perpetuity of God's law” and read it. IN CONCLUSION, think seriously about the fruits of teaching about the repeal of God's law: Without the law there is no sin and no punishment for sin; no need for repentance, salvation, Savior, or gospel. And in this case the Bible is no longer good for us…

GETTING TO KNOW OUR BIBLES BETTER This is not a polemical approach, but a stimulation of personal study for a correct personal decision GOD’S LAW IS A MIRROR OF GOD’S CHARACTER. Here are some examples: GOD LAW Luke 18:19 GOOD Rom. 7:12 Is.5:16 HOLY Rom. 7:12 Deut. 32:4 JUST Rom. 7:12 Deut. 32:4 TRUTH Ps. 119:142, 151 Matt. 5:48 PERFECT Ps.19:7 Matt. 11:30 NOT BURDENSOME 1 John 5:3 1 John 1:5 LIGHT Prov. 6:23 1 John 4:8 LOVE Rom. 13:10 Ex. 9:27 RIGHTEOUS Ps. 19:9 1 John 3:3 PURE Ps. 19:8 John 4:24 SPIRITUAL Rom. 7:14 Malachi 3:6 UNCHANGEABLE Matt. 5:18 Gen. 21:33 ETERNAL Ps. 11:7-8 (1) Therefore, if God nailed His own law to the cross (Col. 2:14), then He nailed his own character there! Did He really do that? Has God changed His character? (2) V. 14 Blotting out the HANDWRITING of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Col. 2:14 [KJV] Were the Ten Commandments written with a human hand or with the finger of God? (The context shows us that this handwriting of ordinances was against the evangelical union between Jews and other nations. See also Eph. 2:11-22). (3) V.16 Let no man therefore judge you in MEAT, or in DRINK, or in respect of AN HOLYDAY, or of the NEW MOON, or of the SABBATH DAYS (plural!)” Does any of the details of this „handwritten” inscribed refer to the Ten Commandments? (4) V. 17 – 17” WHICH ARE a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” How do you explain that the Ten Commandments in verse 14 “are a shadow of things to come”? (5) If God nailed His own law to the cross (Col. 2:14), then the Bible contradicts itself because the same Paul says „31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we UPHOLD the law.” – Rom. 3:31. Is that true? Is the Bible contradicting itself? Can I still trust her? (6) The Bible says: „6 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’’ Jer. 6:16 NIV. Well, I DID THAT and what do you think I found? Westminster Confession of Faith - WestminsterStandards.org https://westminsterstandards.org/westminster-confession-of-faith/ When the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed in 1788, it adopted (with minor revisions) the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms (1647), as its secondary standards (the Bible itself being the only infallible rule of faith and practice). XIX. Of the Law of God 2. This law, after his (Adam’s) fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness; and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables: (James 1:25, James 2:8, 10–12, Rom. 13:8–9, Deut. 5:32, Deut. 10:4, Exod. 34:1) the first four commandments containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our duty to man. (Matt. 22:37–40) 3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; (Heb. 9, Heb. 10:1, Gal. 4:1–3, Col. 2:17) and partly, holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. (1 Cor. 5:7, 2 Cor. 6:17, Jude 1:23) All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated, under the New Testament. (Col. 2:14, 16, 17, Dan. 9:27, Eph. 2:15–16) THE SAVOY DECLARATION OF FAITH AND ORDER 1658 Chapter 19 - Tameside Free Congregational Church (tfcchurch.co.uk) https://tfcchurch.co.uk/the-savoy-declaration-of-faith-and-order-1658-chapter-19 THE SAVOY DECLARATION OF FAITH AND ORDER 1658 Chapter 19 CHAPTER 19 OF THE LAW OF GOD 1 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it; and endued him with power and ability to keep it. 2 This law, so written in the heart, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall of man; and was delivered by God upon mount Sinai in ten commandments, and written in two tables; the four first commandments containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man. 3 Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances; partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings and benefits, and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. All which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only lawgiver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end, abrogated and taken away. The1689.org | The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith https://the1689.org/ CHAPTER 19 Of the Law of God Paragraph 1 God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it. Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10,12 Paragraph 2 The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man. Romans 2:14,15; Deuteronomy 10:4 Paragraph 3 Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away. Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Colossians; 2:14,16,17; Ephesians 2:14,16 We have here three examples of what Christianity believed in the past centuries. In our days, many Christians have been taught that God's law has been annulled... Is this evidence of the derailment of modern Christianity? I'm afraid so. Why? Because when the churches altered their creeds, C. Spurgeon - the famous Baptist pastor - preached about “The perpetuity of God's law”. (No. 1660-28:277. A Sermon Delivered on Lord’s Day Morning, May 21, 1882, By C. H. Spurgeon, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington). Search with Google “1660. The perpetuity of God's law” and read it. IN CONCLUSION, think seriously about the fruits of teaching about the repeal of God's law: Without the law there is no sin and no punishment for sin; no need for repentance, salvation, Savior, or gospel. And in this case the Bible is no longer good for us…

Message #2 AdHoc, thank you for the message you sent me. I am glad if you will unite with me to deepen some vital topics that she presents to us regarding the plan of salvation. Here are some brief comments on your answer: 1. I agree with you that starting with Adam, all parents hereditarily convey their character traits and their sinful tendencies. Ex. 20:5, etc. 2. I agree with you that we must first accept our death with Christ and then experience a spiritual resurrection with Him. 3. I was pleasantly impressed by the illustration of AdHoc's judgment. Indeed, we will all be judged at a time determined by God, then our eternal fate will be decided. Jesus' work as our Advocate or Mediator/High Priest is generally little known among Christians today. But the truth is that Jesus' intercession on our behalf is important not only in the judgment but also in the process of salvation. We are reconciled to God through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus and are saved from the bondage of sin through the transforming power that our Mediator gives us. Rom. 5:9.10; Heb. 7:25 4. Jesus explained a prophetic subject from Old Testament writings, using the "jigsaw puzzle" method (Luke 24:27). In other words, He explained that subject by putting together all the inspired passages related to the subject and compared them to each other. In this way He made it possible for Scripture to explain itself. In the comments that I am presenting here use the same method. (The two messages that I wrote are only one topic). In conclusion, if you put together the Bible verses, which refer to the "judgment", you will discover that Jesus is not only the Sacrifice and the Advocate, but even the Judge Himself. God the Father only presides over the process of judgment. The truth is that Jesus is our Judge! This is good news, isn't it? Look for this in the electronic Bible. CALLED TO BE SAINTS I believe that the special grace to which I have alluded in my first message here, is in reality the general grace that must have all those who want to have part of eternal life. Unfortunately, many do not know the importance of this vital topic, or do not know how to experience it in their lives. I am convinced that we need a few more biblical examples first, and then we are better prepared to draw some correct conclusions. That is why I invite you to remind us together about a tragic episode in the life of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Undoubtedly, Aaron had many good points. Although Moses definitely overshadowed him, Aaron was a very important person­age. Moses and Aaron were men of great natural ability, and all their pow­ers had been developed, exalted, and dignified by communion with the Infinite One. Their lives had been spent in unselfish labor for God and their fellow men. Moses himself was so hesitant to respond to God's call for him to lead Israel out of Egypt, that Exodus 4:14 records, "So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He [God] said: 'Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well'. Aaron spoke fluent Egyptian. Evidently, Moses didn't have to speak much Egyptian to his sheep, in the wilderness. We must not forget that Aaron was just as much an agent of the miracle-working power of God as was Moses. Exodus 7:10 declares, "Aaron cast down his rod [apparently the rod of Moses] before Pha­raoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent." And verse 19 suggests that it was Aaron who took the rod and stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt when they became blood. We should also note that God called Aaron just as He called Moses. God asked Aaron to come up into His presence on Mount Sinai. God Himself conferred the priesthood on the family of Aaron and chose Aaron to be the high priest, the very first person to hold that exalted position. But there was another side in the life of Aaron - a dark one. The weak side. And it wasn't pretty. He did some very sinful things…. THERE WAS THREE MAJOR OR KNOWING SINS IN THE LIFE OF ARON: First, there was Aaron's part in the golden-calf episode. At that time, Moses was in God's presence. He'd been in a meeting with the King of kings and Lord of lords on Mount Sinai for more than a month. And the Israelites - the exceedingly impatient, untrusting, spiritually immature believers - wanted a visible leader, not one up in the clouds. They wanted to see some kind of representation in the place of the marvelous glory of God on Mount Sinai. The Israelites couldn't see God, and they couldn't see Moses. So, they looked to Aaron. Exodus 32:1 says: "Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, 'Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt [I thought it was God who brought them out of the land of Egypt], we do not know what has become of him.' " And this is where the un-saintly Aaron appeared. Now it wasn't God first, and courage, firm­ness, and decision first, and spiritual leadership first. It was weak, wa­vering, fearing-for-his-own-skin, first. This is where the golden calf marvelously, mysteriously appeared. At least, that's what Aaron's embarrassing, lame explanation to Moses implied. " 'I said to them, "Whoever has any gold, let them break it off." So, they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out' " (Exodus 32:24). Think of all that Aaron had to do before the golden calf "came out.": He had to col­lect the gold, design, and make the mold, melt the gold, he crafted that golden calf. He made it all happen. God certainly knew it. Moses knew it. And Aaron knew it too. So, this "I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out" was a knowing, tragic falsification. Not only this, but Scripture says that after the golden calf was made, "when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proc­lamation and said, 'Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord' " (Exodus 32:5). Disastrous results followed, as happens with the worship of any gods of our own making. Because of their flagrant worship of their visible god, three thousand people lost their lives and their souls under the judgment of God - and all because of the weak, pliant nature of Aaron, the "saint of the Lord." But do the saints do such sinful things? 2. We haven't yet mentioned two other well-known sins of this SAINT. Aaron and Miriam committed one when they became jealous of Moses and said, " 'Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?' " (Numbers 12:2). 3. The other occurred when Moses and Aaron became angry at the Israelites and took the glory to themselves instead of giving it to God. This kept both of them from seeing the Promised Land (see Numbers 20:9-11). And now here's the fantastic news that comes directly from God! You might not believe it, if I told you, so I'll quote the text. Psalm 106 repeats how Israel rebelled against God and sinned openly. Then, in verses 16 and 17, it says, "When they envied Moses in the camp, and Aaron, THE SAINT OF THE LORD, the earth opened up and swallowed Dathan, and covered the faction of Abiram" (emphasis added). These verses seem incredible. The designation of Aaron as a SAINT immediately follows the mention of Moses, so why doesn't the Bible say "Moses, the saint of the Lord"? If you had to make a list of people who would qualify for being called "saints," would Aaron have even come to your mind? What's going on here? Let's be serious, Aaron’s deeds disqualified him, and he does not deserve to be called "THE HOLY OF THE LORD"! Do you agree with me? However, isn't this just the "undeserved grace of God"? This conclusion seems to be quite fantastic!... In fact, we are all called to be HOLY, and it means ”to be Christ's”, because it is written ”you also are the CALLED OF JESUS Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, CALLED TO BE SAINTS: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Rom. 1:6.7. The truth is that though we are all sinners, yet we all have the divine call to become holy. Therefore, my question is this: How is it possible for me to enter into the great group of those called "the saints of the Lord"? I think this is an important topic for you as well. IN FACT, WHAT IS A SAINT? A saint is not a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization. A saint is not a finally and fully perfected person whom no one can stand to be around. A saint is not a graduate from the school of Christ; rather, a saint is more like a lifetime, "professional" student who sits in class every day. A saint is not the perfected one, not the sinless one, not the no-fault one. When the apostle Paul used the term saints of the people he wrote to in Corinth, and in Ephesus, and in Philippi, and in Colossae, he didn't mean that they had attained moral perfection. When Paul wrote his letters to the Corinthian saints, I'm sure he was very much aware of the unsaintly practices and attitudes of the people whom he was ad­dressing. He knew that those "saints" were a work in progress. Saints are sinners who come to God and keep coming and never stop coming. Saints are failing believers who hate their fail­ings, repent of them, confess them, ask God for His empowering to keep them from fumbling and failing again, . . . and find the power. Saints are sinners under construction. In fact, Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple. Saints are people who have to have many retakes. Saints are sinners whom God is saving. However, I believe that in the three episodes of the Old Testament that I have referred to in my messages here, we have to deal more with the sinner's repentance and divine forgiveness: Jesus forgives, cleanses, and considers the sinner righteous or holy regarding his confessed sins. In this case, repentance and confession of sins are vital topics for the Christian; they must be done in perfect accordance with biblical requirement. Why? Because the Bible clearly shows that many Christians will be rejected at the final judgment because they had not confessed all their sins or had not overcome them by the grace of Christ. See as examples Matt. 7:21-23; 25:1-13. Notice in Matt. 7 that miracles performed in the Name of Jesus do not provide a guarantee for salvation from a sinful life or for eternal life. I also believe that the subject being discussed here has a close connection with the New Covenant. I am afraid, however, that many Christians today, who often emphasize the fact that we are now in the New Covenant, do not know what it means for them, nor can prove that they really entered into this covenant with Jesus. May God bless you!

My friends, I propose a new variant of interpretation… GOD SPEAKS TO THE ENEMY 1. After God asked Adam and Eve to render Him an account of their actions, He confronted the serpent with the following words: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis3:15) Like the seed of the mighty Sequoia contains the code of a huge tree within it, this verse contains the code of the whole Bible enclosed within it. In fact, the Bible in its entirety is merely an outgrowth and unfolding of this one verse. The end-time enmity spoken of in the book of Revelation 12:17 must be understood in the light of this verse. At this point in time, Adam and Eve had become enemies of God. The enmity in this verse runs three ways: 1) Serpent-Woman, 2) seed-Seed, and 3) Serpent-Seed. Though there is enmity between the woman and the serpent and between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, the primary enmity is between the serpent and the woman’s Seed. 2. Who is this serpent of Genesis 3:15? “So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9) God was telling Satan: “You turned the human race against Me and have made them my enemies. But I am going to send a Seed to the world who will do battle with you. In the process of this battle, you will be successful in striking His heel, but He is going to crush your head! These words, heard by Adam and Eve, must have brought them much comfort and hope! 3. Who is represented by the seed of the serpent? “Cain, who killed his brother Abel, is spoken of as being “OF THE WICKED ONE.” (1 John 3:12). Jesus said to his enemies: “You are of your FATHER the devil.” (John 8:44) And in the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the tares are “the SONS of the wicked one” (Matthew 13:38) 4. Who is represented by the woman? God spoke about His church in the Old Testament in the following terms: “I have likened the daughter of ZION to a lovely and delicate woman.” (Jeremiah 6:2) 5. Who is the Seed of the woman? “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” WHO IS CHRIST.” (Galatians 3:16) 6. From where did this Seed come from and when? “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4). And, speaking of the birth of Jesus, we are told in Revelation 12:5. “She (the woman) bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.” (Revelation 12:5) 7. In John 1:1-3 Jesus is presented as the Creator. In verse 14 we are told that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Thus, the Creator became one with us in order to redeem us. THE CREATOR REDEEMS THE FAILURE OF HIS CREATURES 1. In Genesis 2:17 God promised Adam and Eve that if they sinned, they would certainly die. After Adam and Eve sinned, God was put between a rock and a hard place. God’s justice required the death of sinners, but God’s mercy wanted to save them. How could God resolve this seeming conflict between His justice and His mercy? The answer is found in Jesus. The Creator of humanity chose to take upon Himself the punishment which they deserved. In this way, God’s justice was satisfied, and His mercy was also revealed. 2. Genesis 3:21 describes how God chose to cover man’s spiritual nakedness: “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” In order to get the skins of animals, it was necessary for them to be sacrificed. The sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament represented the death of Jesus on the cross (1 Peter 1:18-20; Isaiah 53:3-8). By His death, Jesus crushed the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), He took away our condemnation (Romans 8:1), He reconciled us to God (Romans 5:10), He recovered the lost dominion (John 12:31-33), He paid our death penalty (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13), He gave us peace with God (Romans 5:1) and He eliminated any reason for fear (Romans 8:15). SATAN’S INCESSANT WARFARE 1. The story of Cain and Abel reveals that early on, Satan suspected that Abel might be the promised Seed. For this reason, Satan influenced Cain to murder his brother (1 John 3:12). But God’s plans were not to be thwarted because He gave Adam and Eve “another seed” from whose line the Messiah would eventually come (Genesis 4:25). 2. From the moment that God spoke the words of Genesis 3:15, Satan made up his mind that he would do all in his power to keep the promised Seed from coming to the world; after all, his very existence was at stake! Satan was determined to kill and/or corrupt the lineage from which the Seed was to come. The Old Testament, in its entirety contains the story of how God prepared the way for the Messiah to come into the world and how Satan worked to prevent this from happening. (For example, think about these passages: Gen. 16; 2 Kings 11). 3. When Jesus was born into the world, the dragon tried to devour Him as soon as He was born (Revelation 12:3-4). 4. When Jesus was born, King Herod had all the male children two years and under slaughtered (Matthew 2:16). Who do you think was behind this? The life of Jesus reveals that the events we see around us are really visible manifestations of an invisible warfare between Christ and Satan. In other words, we must read the news behind the news. We must read history with enlightened eyes! 5. When the male child ascended to God and to his throne, whom did the serpent persecute? The woman. (Revelation 12:6) 6. At the very end of human history, Satan will be enraged with the woman and will go away to make war against the rest/remnant of her offspring who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17). This verse is only the introduction to this spiritual war which is described in the following chapters… But I must say that the theme of Rev. 12 is that Jesus always wins the battle and Satan always loses. That is why this chapter is especially encouraging for us because we can experience a full victory under the flag of Jesus.

My friends, may God bless you with His grace and peace! I have here an important question: HOW CAN I EXPERIENCE THIS SPECIAL GRACE? Have you noticed that the Bible records only isolated instan­ces during most of the years that Israel spent in the wilder­ness and that nearly all of these deal with backsliding and disobedience? Already, before they ever reach Canaan, the Israelites have begun that up-and-down pattern — faith followed by apostasy — that will characterize their history until they are again taken into captivity centuries later, this time by the Babylonians. They complain when they don't have food, and they com­plain when they have nothing but manna from heaven. They can go from seeing God's majestic holiness displayed on Mount Sinai to worshiping the metallic image of a cow! They refuse to believe that they can enter Canaan, and then they refuse to believe that they can't. For the most part, the story of the Exodus is really a story of disobedience, discourage­ment, and lack of faith. How, then, can we make sense of what God inspired Balaam to say about Israel in Numbers 23:21? “He [God] has not observed iniquity in Jacob, Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The Lord his God is with him, And the shout of a King is among them.” NKJV Is God not seeing well? Has He been asleep these past forty years? [No! “Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”] However, something doesn't ring true here. God makes the same ”mistake” later on. In 1 Kings 14:8 He reproves King Jeroboam by saying, "You have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes." Is God getting forgetful? How can He say this about a man who committed adultery with another man's wife and then had her husband killed to cover up his sin? That kind of be­havior would bring David before a grand jury today! Yet after David's death, God recalls that he followed Him with all his heart and did only what was right! I am a sinner! Can I receive the same special grace from God? How is this possible?