false christs

 During the “Jesus revolution” of the 1960’s it was not unusual to hear a person claiming to be Jesus Christ. This has not been as common an occurrence in the recent past. So, where have they all gone? Why do we not often hear this claim, when Christ specifically warns of this deception in our day?

For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24

For false christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. Mark 13:22

Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:4,5

And He said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. Luke 21:8

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted. 2 Corinthians 11:4

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist. 1 John 4:1-3

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 3 John 1:9-11

In the early 80's a self-supporting ministry in the USA claimed that there were two christs in the church; a statement that sent shock waves through its members. The false christ was taught by the adherents of the “new theology”. “Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement..they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless.” SPTB 54. We are also told that this will continue until the close of time. And while nothing has been able to stand in the way of this movement, still we must ask, “Where are the false christs?” 

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only. John 5:39-44

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12

They insist on being saved in some way by which they may perform some important work. When they see that there is no way of weaving self into the work, they reject the salvation provided. DA 280 

After rejecting the offered salvation of Jesus they must find some other way to “be saved”. Beginning in childhood, anyone who finds “somebody else” (and there is no shortage of them) who they think that they are “better than”, have just formed a false christ.  So, there are now innumerable false christs within the church. These christs have set their own standard and judge everyone else by this standard, which is very different indeed to the righteousness and perfection of the real Christ. These false christs within them will give them everything that they need for the religious life of their “own devising.” They, “have need of nothing ...” Revelation 3:17. This is Baal worship; self worship, paganism! This began with Lucifer in the courts of heaven and history records the baleful continuance of this form of worship down through Eve, Cain, the children of Israel, at the time of the two Elijahs, and on into the Christian church; from Diotrephes until the present Laodicean age, where the third Elijah is now dealing with this very same problem.

The solution? “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:15-20. 

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

Glory of?

Whoever seeks his own glory cannot receive Christ, for He is meek and lowly in heart. It was for this reason that the Jews could not believe on Christ, and the same difficulty in us will prove just as fatal. 

“How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another?” John 5:44. 

In hating Christ, and seeking His life, the Jews showed what was their real feeling towards the Father. They professed themselves very jealous for the honour of God, because they thought He was altogether such an one as themselves, but when they became acquainted with His true character, as revealed in His Son, many of them hated Him without a cause. They were filled with the murderous spirit of Satan, and at the first opportunity they put the Son of God to death. 

Satan’s spirit has not changed, and it animates all who do not allow God to think and speak in them. In seeking their own glory, they are repeating that which caused Satan’s fall from heaven, and changed him from an anointed cherub to the prince of devils. While the professed church of Christ seeks it’s own glory, Satan can do much to further his own plans through its unconscious instrumentality.

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12

When the members of the church become like their LORD, and let God speak and work in them, Satan’s wrath will be speedily aroused against them and he will stir up his followers to destroy the members of Christ’s body. “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. All in whose hearts Christ dwells by faith may know that He by whom they live is the object of Satan’s deadliest hatred, and that they themselves will share his rage, but they may know also that Christ’s perfect victory over all the power of the enemy is theirs as well. 

After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free herself from falsehood and idolatry. They saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the word of God. They dared not tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, and set an example which would imperil the faith of their children and children's children. To secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war. GC 45

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Rejoicing In The Lord

Christians may have the joy of communion with Christ; they may have the light of His love, the perpetual comfort of His presence. Every step in life may bring us closer to Jesus, may give us a deeper experience of His love, and may bring us one step nearer to the blessed home of peace. Then let us not cast away our confidence, but have firm assurance, firmer than ever before. “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” and He will help us to the end. SC 125

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice:

and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. 1 Chronicles 16:31

But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice:

let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them:

let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. Psalms 5:11

But I have trusted in Thy mercy;

my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. Psalms 13:5

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise Him. Psalms 28:7

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous:

and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalms 32:11

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous:

for praise is comely for the upright. Psalms 33:1

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in Thee:

let such as love Thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. Psalms 40:16

Let mount Zion rejoice,

let the daughters of Judah be glad,

because of Thy judgments. Psalms 48:11

In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day:

and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. Psalms 89:16

O satisfy us early with thy mercy;

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalms 90:14

Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous;

and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. Psalms 97:12

The stone which the builders refused

is become the head stone of the corner.

This is the Lord 's doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

This is the day which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:22-24

I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies,

as much as in all riches...Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:

for they are the rejoicing of my heart...I rejoice at Thy word,

as one that findeth great spoil. Psalms 119:14,111,162

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decketh Himself with ornaments,

and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17,18

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion:

for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. Zechariah 2:10

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;

shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:

behold, thy King cometh unto thee:

He is just, and having salvation;

lowly, and riding upon an ass,

and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:10

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:12

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1,2

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Phillippians 3:3

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Phillippians 4:4

Rejoice evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 

But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Hebrews 3:6

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:13

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

Living The Life Of Christ

Christ came to this earth and lived for us the life that every one must live who is granted entrance into the city of God. He says, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” “So shall he by My disciple.”... 

This world has been visited by the Majesty of heaven, the Son of God…Christ stood at the head of humanity in the garb of humanity. So full of sympathy and love was His attitude that the poorest was not afraid to come to Him. He was kind to all; easily approached by the most lowly. He went from house to house, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the distressed. He took the little children in His arms and blessed them and spoke words of hope and comfort to the weary mothers. With unfailing tenderness and gentleness He met every form of human woe and affliction. Not for Himself, but for others did He labor. He was willing to humble Himself, to deny Himself. He did not seek to distinguish Himself. He was the servant of all. It was His meat and drink to be a comfort and a consolation to others, to gladden the sad and heavy-laden ones with whom He daily came in contact. 

Christ stands before us as the pattern Man...an example for all who should come after. His love, pure and holy, blessed all who came within the sphere of its influence. His character was absolutely perfect, free from the slightest taint of sin. He came as an expression of the 

perfect love of God, not to crush, not to judge and condemn, but to heal every weak, defective character, to save men and women from Satan’s power. He is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of the human race…

How did men treat Christ when He came?…He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.”

Thus it is today. This history is being repeated and will be repeated again and again before the Lord shall come in the clouds of heaven. The deceptions of Satan will be upon those who dwell on the earth. The enemy will claim to be Christ and will deceive all but those who are steadfast and true to God…

After fitting up this world as the dwelling place of man, God looked upon it, and rejoiced in it, pronouncing it very good. So He will accept of and rejoice in the reformation wrought out by those who, receiving Christ as their Saviour, have obtained power to become the sons of God…

This earth has been trodden by the Son of God. He came to bring men light and life, to set them free from the bondage of sin. He is coming again in power and great glory, to receive to Himself those who during this life have followed in His footsteps... 

We must be sanctified, soul and body, through the truth...Jesus is coming soon... make ready for His appearing...wash your robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb…I greatly desire that you shall be sanctified, body, soul, and spirit, through the truth...I lift before you a crucified and risen Saviour, whom we are to receive as our Regenerator. I say to you, “Look and live.” It is our privilege to enjoy the abiding presence of Christ in our hearts. He says, “If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him; and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.” This is the identification that we must have with Christ in this world, if we are identified as His saints in the mansions that He has gone to prepare for those that love Him. We must know Christ here if we ever see the King in His beauty. Christ must be in us and we in Him. We must sit together with Him in heavenly places. 

God’s people are to show to the world the power that comes to those who live the life of Christ. Lt 117, 1903 

4 Faces

Last month this topic was covered briefly, here is another dimension to consider:

The four aspects of the character of Christ that were to be portrayed as the Messiah are depicted by these four beasts. This was another way that the Jews could have known and recognised that He was their Messiah.

In the camp of Israel in the wilderness, everything was laid out in immaculate order. 3 tribes on each side of the camp all facing toward the Sanctuary. Of the 3 each side one was chosen by God to be the leading tribe over the other 2 of that group. Every tribe displayed its ensign with their characteristic displayed on the banner, e.g. Judah - a lion. The four chosen leading tribes of N, S, E, W had larger banners and each one of these had the same emblem as the four faces of the beasts of Revelation and Ezekiel. 

Christ the Man, the Overcoming Burden-bearing Servant King.

The gospels each depicted His characteristics at the beginning of the 7 churches and so at the end we will see the 144,000, who have taken the remedies for the Laodicean condition, will also have these characteristics as they display the character of Christ perfectly, living as He did and will be translated when He comes.

Look To Jesus and Live

“And they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom; and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.” The Lord does not remove all the difficulties and trials and hardships from the pathway of His people. He would have them learn to put their trust in Him, believing that the invisible God is their mighty helper. The children of Israel became accustomed to the presence of the pillar of cloud, that covered them as a canopy by day, and was as a pillar of fire by night. They came to look upon the cloud as a common thing. They did not appreciate the fact that they were favored with the presence of the only-begotten Son of God, who was equal with God; and, in spite of all their perversity, their murmuring and rebellion, He had done wonderful things for them in all their journeyings. 

The Lord had said: “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions; for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; than I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine Angel shall go before thee.” The one great object of the care and guardianship of Christ was the church in the wilderness. He said of Israel: “I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour; I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” Egypt was desolated with plagues and became a wasted land, in order that Israel might be freed from bondage; but the people did not appreciate the goodness and mercy and love of God. The Lord, their Redeemer, undertook to lead and guide them, but when He brought them into strait places, they were discouraged because of the way, and spake against God and Moses, saying: “Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.” 

The Lord had fed them with the bread of heaven, even with angels’ food; and yet they murmured against Him. By His power He had held in check the wild beasts of the forests, and the reptiles of the wilderness, so that they had not hurt His people; but now He removed His restraining hand, and let the poisonous serpents do as they would have done all along the way had the Lord not restrained them. The real trouble that now came upon them served to bring them to their senses, and to awaken their paralyzed thoughts as to what course to pursue. “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that He take away the serpents from us...And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole; and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” 

Throughout the camp of Israel there were the suffering and the dying who had been wounded by the deadly sting of the serpent. But Jesus Christ spoke from the pillar of cloud, and gave directions whereby the people might be healed. The promise was made that whosoever looked upon the brazen serpent should live; and to those who looked the promise was verified. But if anyone said: “What good will it do to look? I shall certainly die under the serpent's deadly sting;” if he continued to talk of his deadly wound, and declared that his case was hopeless, and would not perform the simple act of obedience, he would die. But everyone who looked, lived. 

Jesus said: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” Christ is speaking to us now as certainly as He spoke to the children of Israel in the wilderness. He is the Healer of both body and soul. Our attention is now called to the Great Physician. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Just as long as we look at our sins, and talk of and deplore our wretched condition, our wounds and putrefying sores will remain. It is when we take our eyes from ourselves, and fasten them upon the uplifted Saviour, that our souls find hope and peace. The Lord speaks to us through His word, bidding us “look and live.” “He that hath received His testimony hath set to His seal that God is true. For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” 

There is every reason why we should be encouraged to hope for the salvation of our souls. In Jesus Christ every provision for our salvation has been made. No matter what may have been our sins and shortcomings, there is a fountain open in the house of David for all sin and uncleanness. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” This is the word of the Lord. Shall we accept it? Shall we believe on Him? 

David had been bitten by the fiery serpent,—he had been poisoned with the venom of sin,—yet hear the words that describe his experience after looking upon the uplifted Saviour: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile...I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. For this shall everyone that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit...The Lord redeemeth the souls of His servants, and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.” ST April 2, 1894

See Him!

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:20,21

It is only fair to say that not one of us know exactly what our Beloved Saviour actually looks like.

What do we know?

Before Christ left heaven and came into the world to die, He was taller than any of the angels. He was majestic and lovely. But when His ministry commenced, He was but little taller than the common size of men then living upon the earth. 7BC 904

There stood the Son of God, wearing the robe of mockery and the crown of thorns. Stripped to the waist, His back showed the long, cruel stripes, from which the blood flowed freely. His face was stained with blood, and bore the marks of exhaustion and pain; but never had it appeared more beautiful than now. The Saviour’s visage was not marred before His enemies. Every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long-suffering. DA 734

He is a little taller than the resurrected Adam as he receives his crown on the sea of glass -

All come forth from their graves the same in stature as when they entered the tomb. Adam, who stands among the risen throng, is of lofty height and majestic form, in stature but little below the Son of God. GC 644

The only detailed description of Him in Scripture was given 60 years after “the disciple whom Jesus loved” saw Him ascend up into Heaven:

And I turned to see the Voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Revelation 1:12-16

One thing is certain - each one of us knows what He has done each day to graciously bring us closer and closer to Himself, so it would be very safe to say that He will be ALL we have ever needed or wanted and He will be everything and more than we could ever desire. It is wonderful to envisage that He will lead us most of the time, but no matter where we are in the Universe we can just turn at any moment and be able to see Him in all of His beauty for eternity. 

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. 1 John 3:2,3

Until then, in the meantime, today; no actor or artist has ever been able to even come close to portraying Him “as He is” but you can be forming your own personalised picture of your Beloved. The answer is found with the “sharp two-edged sword” that John saw “out of His mouth” - “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. As you contemplate His life and His providential workings in your life you will see demonstrated “the Living Word” and this is all analysed in the “written Word”; as you read the Scriptures and learn to use “the sword” efficiently you can know Him and you are able to see Him.

Yes.

In all His beauty - now!

For The Judges Only

Many of the precepts in the Books of the Law, given by God and recorded by Moses, have been used as the authority for individuals to take the law into their own hands. When He came, Christ clarified the punishment upon the lawbreaker, that only the judges were permitted to pronounce, as opposed to the meaning of the law itself. He then took the law to a deeper level, to lengths unheard of by the leaders. 

They had introduced innumerable manmade laws, which were to be strictly obeyed; all of these burdensome requirements they forced on the people, but they did not obey these laws themselves. Christ laid bare their evil practices.

Here is how He handled one of the many encounters with these “hypocrites”:

And the Pharisees came to Him, and asked Him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting Him. And He answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house His disciples asked Him again of the same matter. And He saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. Mark 10:2-12

Reading their minds at His first public sermon, He said:

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

In an earlier post it was mentioned that the 10 commandments are actually only outlining the minimum that is required. 

The words are so plain that all can read them...God's ten words, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, are presented to the view of all the inhabitants of the earth. DD 48

Christ began to open up to all how far-reaching the law of God really was.

Some examples of the deeper applications are as follows:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. Matthew 5:21,22

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:15

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:27,28

Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:7

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:8-10

Then, this example:

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:18-21

Despite this counsel, many even to this day, have taken revenge for wrong into their own hands, based on a text that is from the guidebook for the judges in Israel:

He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death…And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death…And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

…and he shall pay as the judges determine…

…And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life

“An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” Exodus 21:12-24

Christ’s response:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:38-48

In the equivalent passage in Luke, note the expression of this verse:

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36

He also said to them:

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. Matthew 12:7

If we have accepted the gracious invitation that Christ has freely offered us, to come into His kingdom, understanding that this kingdom “is within” us, we will have His mind and life being lived out, in and through us. We will live differently, not using any of the punishments that were for the judges only to prescribe, as a guide for our living. We will be content to leave the punishment for any unjust action against us, to a merciful and omniscient God.

“Love is the fulfilling of the law”.

Not worthy of Me

He that loveth (anyone or anything) more than Me, is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:37

Lovest thou Me more than these? John 21:15

The Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Matthew 25:10

A blessed thing it will be indeed, when the door of probation closes forever, to be safe on the inside with My Beloved, married unto Him.

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Revelation 7:1-4

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:1-5

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour unto Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, 

and His wife hath made herself ready. Revelation 19:7