"Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. " Verse 12.
(The following is from-Three Angels Message of Revelation 14 (J.N. Andrews - 1877)
THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
2. The period of the SAINT'S PATIENCE, here brought to view, is distinguished by the fact that they are KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and THE FAITH OF JESUS.
It should be distinctly noticed that the commandments here brought to view are NOT the commandments of Christ.
There may be a certain sense in which all the precepts of the Saviour may be called the commandments of God; that is, if viewed as proceeding from the sovereign authority of the Father; but when the commandments of God are spoken of in distinction from the testimony of faith of Jesus, there is but one thing to which reference can be made; viz. , the commandments which God gave in person, - the TEN COMMANDMENTS.
See John 15:10: "If ye keep MY commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept MY Father's commandments, and abide in his love." And thus we find the law of God, which he proclaimed in person, referred to in the New Testament as the "commandments of God, " or as the "commandments. "
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God; but IF THOU WILT ENTER INTO LIFE, KEEP THE THE COMMANDMENTS. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do NO MURDER, Thou shalt NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, Thou shalt NOT STEAL, Thou shalt NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR THEY FATHER AND THEY MOTHER, and Thou shalt LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. " Matt. 19:17-19.
(((Clearly the commandments of the TEN God wrote Himself and had placed in the Ark of the Covenant.))))
"And they returned and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath-day according to the COMMANDMENT. " Luke 23:56.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am NOT come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall he called great in the kingdom of heaven, " Matt. 5:17-19.
"Honor thy father and thy mother; which is the first COMMANDMENT with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. " Eph. 6:2, 3.
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother; and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. " Matt. 15:3-6.
"What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust, except THE LAW HAD SAID, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law, sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once; but when the COMMANDMENT CAME, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore, the law is holy; and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. " Rom. 7:7-14.
It is a fact beyond dispute that the fourth commandment, some ages since, was changed from the rest-day of the Lord to the pagan festival of Sunday. This change was made in express CONTRADICTION of the Holy Scriptures, which everywhere recognize the seventh day as the only weekly Sabbath of the Lord. It was accomplished by the great apostasy, which Daniel predicted should "think to change times and laws. "
This power is essentially the same as the beast which was to be worshiped by all the world. And it is a fact of deep interest that this commandment, which has been so long trodden down, is now being vindicated, and the people of God are striving to keep it with the other nine.
Thanks be to God that he is preparing the remnant for their final conflict with the dragon, and for admittance through the gates into the holy city. Rev. 12:17; 22:14.
(((Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.))))
The vindication of the fourth commandment in opposition to the Sabbath of the apostasy, and the preaching of all the commandments of God, is a striking testimony that the present is the period of the saints' patience, and of the warning of the third angel.'
*******
From those who would like to believe that the Moral Ten Commandments have been done away with in favor of new commandments, to those who just simply no longer believe any commandments are relevant we live in a society that feels no need to keep God's law.
Let's talk for a moment about the Ten Commandments given upon Mount Sinai. I want to take a bit from a study done by Elder William Grotheer.
' Lesson #3 -- JESUS CHRIST - WHO IS HE?
p 10 -- Introduction -- In Lesson #2, we discovered that the Council of God is composed of three Beings, namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these Three carry the full authority and nature of God. In this lesson we shall study the relationship of Jesus Christ to the Council of God, and His identification with humanity.
John 1:1-2, 14 -- In the beginning WAS the word ... the same WAS in the beginning with God ... The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Note - No matter at what point in the remote past I accept as the point of beginning, the Word WAS. Not only this, but He was in the beginning with God. In other words, one can conclude there never was a time when the Word, which became flesh, was not. The preexistent Christ has always been!
Hebrews 1:8 -- Unto the Son ... Thy throne, 0 God.
Note - Here is language that cannot be mistaken. The Father asserts the Son's position in the Council of God. The Son too, is God.
John 8:57-58 -- Before Abraham was, I AM.
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Note - In this discussion with the Jewish leaders, Jesus declares plainly His preexistence; not merely the fact that He existed before Abraham, but that in that preexistence, He was the I am - the self-existent One; and the I AM, - the ever-existent One. The question then arises - If Jesus Christ existed in the beginning with God as the I AM, how then is He the SON of God?
Psalm 2:7 -- 1 will declare the decree ... Thou art my Son.
Note - To assume that this text applies to Jesus Christ in regard to the question of His Sonship, would be to place a private interpretation on this verse. But by comparing Scripture with Scripture, we find its meaning.
Hebrews 1:5 -- This day have I begotten Thee ... I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son.
Note - Here Psalm 2:7 is quoted and applied to Jesus Christ in contrast to the angels. Further, the promise made by God to David (II Samuel 7:14) concerning His relationship to Solomon is noted to describe the Heavenly Father-Son relationship. Also in Hebrews, Christ's position as a Son is associated with His position as priest after the Order of Melchisedec - a "called" position. (Hebrews 5:5-6, 10)
(((Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. ))))
All of this was done so that we might understand the privilege of sonship to which we have been called. (Hebrews 2:10-11)
(((Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren))))
Section 2 -- THE REDEEMER
Philippians 2:5-8 -- Equal with God ... made Himself of no reputation ... became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
p 11 -- Note - The Possessor of Life voluntarily laid it aside and accepted death. As one beholds the price of his redemption, he sees that the purchase was made by no inferior Being, but by One equal with God. It was the sacrifice of Deity that was made on Calvary! Jesus Christ stooped low in becoming man's Substitute. What a sacrifice this is. How little we give up, when asked to surrender all for this Gift!
Hebrews 2:14-17 -- As the children ... He took part of the same ... behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His brethren.
I Timothy 3:16 -- Great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.
Note - God came all the way to meet man in his need. He who was in the form of God, accepted our likeness and nature after four thousand years of sin. He took our flesh, and our blood. Yea, in ALL THINGS He was made like unto us, except in this experience, He did not sin. How this could be is called a mystery. Another, and perhaps a greater mystery, is why man, in the light of such a redemption, should stubbornly cling to his own way.
Section 3 -- THE CREATOR
John 1:1-3 -- All things were made by Him.
(((Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Ephesians 3:9 -- God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.))))
Colossians 1:14-16 -- By Him were all things created ... visible and invisible.
(((Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him))))
Note - From the invisible atom to the mightiest star, all is the handiwork of man's Redeemer. The hand that spaced the heavens, and formed from the dust of the earth, man in His own likeness, is the same hand that was nailed to the cross of Calvary for man's redemption.
Section 4 -- THE LAWGIVER
Nehemiah 9:12-15 -- Thou camest down also upon Mount Sinai.
Note - Who is this - "THOU"? Who is the One that led the children of Israel from Egypt to the promised land? Who is the One who appeared to Moses in Mount Sinai? Again, we must use the Bible method of interpretation as outlined by the Holy Spirit - comparing one Scripture with another.
I Corinthians 10:1-4 -- That Rock was Christ.
(((1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. ))))
Note - It was Jesus Christ Himself, who amid the glory and flame of Sinai, proclaimed the Law of the Council of God - even the Ten Commandments. Thus Jesus is OUR Creator, Lawgiver, and Redeemer. In future lessons we shall note Him as our High Priest, and Coming King. The Bible from beginning to end is the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the one and only true way to the Father.
Section 5 -- OUR RELATIONSHIP TO JESUS
p 12 -- John 14:15 If ye love Me, keep my commandments.
Note - His commandments are the Father's, and the Father's are His - even the Ten Commandments. In keeping them we show our love to Him. How can we do less when He has done so much for us? In another lesson we shall study the provision made so that we can keep the commandments.'
*******
Let's particularly focus on Christ as being at Sinai. I didn't make up this, it's in OUR BIBLE!
Reread this-
1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ
We shouldn't be ignorant!
God's chosen freed from slavery in Egypt were under a cloud.
ALL of them passed through the sea.
ALL ate of the same spiritual meat.
ALL drank the same spiritual drink.
The spiritual drink was from the spiritual ROCK, and that ROCK was CHRIST!
CHRIST was there at Sinai!
No, not in Human form, He was there in the form that is spiritual. Remember this--
Joh 4:24 God .. a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
God … a Spirit (the word in the Bible 'is' is a supplied word). God a spirit. Christ a spiritual Rock!
Christ was THERE at Sinai! Christ was THERE! There were two! God declared the Father and God declared the Son. Both of them were THERE. The LAW given there, the Ten Moral LAWS were given by them BOTH!
Remember this--
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
The AGREE as ONE!
Just as the morning and the evening are ONE day.
Just as a man and woman are ONE in marriage.
God and the Father AGREE as ONE!
The AGREE with the Law given on Mount Sinai! Jesus did NOT come to get rid of that Moral Law! And those who LOVE HIM will comprehend this! Those who LOVE HIM will be among the saints who have patience… who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD!
We must comprehend this!
There are TEN MORAL LAWS and it is up to us through studying God's word and by the GRACE of our LORD through the Holy Spirit, understand those laws, they are so much more than mere surface words, as our Savior demonstrated.
If we are to keep the Ten Moral Laws fully- we must know them fully! If our Savior said to even think of murder is murder, what does keeping His Sabbath day Holy mean? Is it a mere formality, or something we can easily change or do away with at our leisure? NO! It's so much more than that! So much more!
We must KEEP the COMMANDMENTS of God and… tomorrow we will talk about the 'Faith of Jesus', all by HIS LOVE!
(The following is from-Three Angels Message of Revelation 14 (J.N. Andrews - 1877)
THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
2. The period of the SAINT'S PATIENCE, here brought to view, is distinguished by the fact that they are KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and THE FAITH OF JESUS.
It should be distinctly noticed that the commandments here brought to view are NOT the commandments of Christ.
There may be a certain sense in which all the precepts of the Saviour may be called the commandments of God; that is, if viewed as proceeding from the sovereign authority of the Father; but when the commandments of God are spoken of in distinction from the testimony of faith of Jesus, there is but one thing to which reference can be made; viz. , the commandments which God gave in person, - the TEN COMMANDMENTS.
See John 15:10: "If ye keep MY commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept MY Father's commandments, and abide in his love." And thus we find the law of God, which he proclaimed in person, referred to in the New Testament as the "commandments of God, " or as the "commandments. "
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God; but IF THOU WILT ENTER INTO LIFE, KEEP THE THE COMMANDMENTS. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do NO MURDER, Thou shalt NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, Thou shalt NOT STEAL, Thou shalt NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR THEY FATHER AND THEY MOTHER, and Thou shalt LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. " Matt. 19:17-19.
(((Clearly the commandments of the TEN God wrote Himself and had placed in the Ark of the Covenant.))))
"And they returned and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath-day according to the COMMANDMENT. " Luke 23:56.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am NOT come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall he called great in the kingdom of heaven, " Matt. 5:17-19.
"Honor thy father and thy mother; which is the first COMMANDMENT with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. " Eph. 6:2, 3.
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother; and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. " Matt. 15:3-6.
"What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust, except THE LAW HAD SAID, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law, sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once; but when the COMMANDMENT CAME, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore, the law is holy; and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. " Rom. 7:7-14.
It is a fact beyond dispute that the fourth commandment, some ages since, was changed from the rest-day of the Lord to the pagan festival of Sunday. This change was made in express CONTRADICTION of the Holy Scriptures, which everywhere recognize the seventh day as the only weekly Sabbath of the Lord. It was accomplished by the great apostasy, which Daniel predicted should "think to change times and laws. "
This power is essentially the same as the beast which was to be worshiped by all the world. And it is a fact of deep interest that this commandment, which has been so long trodden down, is now being vindicated, and the people of God are striving to keep it with the other nine.
Thanks be to God that he is preparing the remnant for their final conflict with the dragon, and for admittance through the gates into the holy city. Rev. 12:17; 22:14.
(((Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.))))
The vindication of the fourth commandment in opposition to the Sabbath of the apostasy, and the preaching of all the commandments of God, is a striking testimony that the present is the period of the saints' patience, and of the warning of the third angel.'
*******
From those who would like to believe that the Moral Ten Commandments have been done away with in favor of new commandments, to those who just simply no longer believe any commandments are relevant we live in a society that feels no need to keep God's law.
Let's talk for a moment about the Ten Commandments given upon Mount Sinai. I want to take a bit from a study done by Elder William Grotheer.
' Lesson #3 -- JESUS CHRIST - WHO IS HE?
p 10 -- Introduction -- In Lesson #2, we discovered that the Council of God is composed of three Beings, namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these Three carry the full authority and nature of God. In this lesson we shall study the relationship of Jesus Christ to the Council of God, and His identification with humanity.
John 1:1-2, 14 -- In the beginning WAS the word ... the same WAS in the beginning with God ... The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Note - No matter at what point in the remote past I accept as the point of beginning, the Word WAS. Not only this, but He was in the beginning with God. In other words, one can conclude there never was a time when the Word, which became flesh, was not. The preexistent Christ has always been!
Hebrews 1:8 -- Unto the Son ... Thy throne, 0 God.
Note - Here is language that cannot be mistaken. The Father asserts the Son's position in the Council of God. The Son too, is God.
John 8:57-58 -- Before Abraham was, I AM.
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Note - In this discussion with the Jewish leaders, Jesus declares plainly His preexistence; not merely the fact that He existed before Abraham, but that in that preexistence, He was the I am - the self-existent One; and the I AM, - the ever-existent One. The question then arises - If Jesus Christ existed in the beginning with God as the I AM, how then is He the SON of God?
Psalm 2:7 -- 1 will declare the decree ... Thou art my Son.
Note - To assume that this text applies to Jesus Christ in regard to the question of His Sonship, would be to place a private interpretation on this verse. But by comparing Scripture with Scripture, we find its meaning.
Hebrews 1:5 -- This day have I begotten Thee ... I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son.
Note - Here Psalm 2:7 is quoted and applied to Jesus Christ in contrast to the angels. Further, the promise made by God to David (II Samuel 7:14) concerning His relationship to Solomon is noted to describe the Heavenly Father-Son relationship. Also in Hebrews, Christ's position as a Son is associated with His position as priest after the Order of Melchisedec - a "called" position. (Hebrews 5:5-6, 10)
(((Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. ))))
All of this was done so that we might understand the privilege of sonship to which we have been called. (Hebrews 2:10-11)
(((Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren))))
Section 2 -- THE REDEEMER
Philippians 2:5-8 -- Equal with God ... made Himself of no reputation ... became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
p 11 -- Note - The Possessor of Life voluntarily laid it aside and accepted death. As one beholds the price of his redemption, he sees that the purchase was made by no inferior Being, but by One equal with God. It was the sacrifice of Deity that was made on Calvary! Jesus Christ stooped low in becoming man's Substitute. What a sacrifice this is. How little we give up, when asked to surrender all for this Gift!
Hebrews 2:14-17 -- As the children ... He took part of the same ... behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His brethren.
I Timothy 3:16 -- Great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.
Note - God came all the way to meet man in his need. He who was in the form of God, accepted our likeness and nature after four thousand years of sin. He took our flesh, and our blood. Yea, in ALL THINGS He was made like unto us, except in this experience, He did not sin. How this could be is called a mystery. Another, and perhaps a greater mystery, is why man, in the light of such a redemption, should stubbornly cling to his own way.
Section 3 -- THE CREATOR
John 1:1-3 -- All things were made by Him.
(((Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Ephesians 3:9 -- God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.))))
Colossians 1:14-16 -- By Him were all things created ... visible and invisible.
(((Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him))))
Note - From the invisible atom to the mightiest star, all is the handiwork of man's Redeemer. The hand that spaced the heavens, and formed from the dust of the earth, man in His own likeness, is the same hand that was nailed to the cross of Calvary for man's redemption.
Section 4 -- THE LAWGIVER
Nehemiah 9:12-15 -- Thou camest down also upon Mount Sinai.
Note - Who is this - "THOU"? Who is the One that led the children of Israel from Egypt to the promised land? Who is the One who appeared to Moses in Mount Sinai? Again, we must use the Bible method of interpretation as outlined by the Holy Spirit - comparing one Scripture with another.
I Corinthians 10:1-4 -- That Rock was Christ.
(((1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. ))))
Note - It was Jesus Christ Himself, who amid the glory and flame of Sinai, proclaimed the Law of the Council of God - even the Ten Commandments. Thus Jesus is OUR Creator, Lawgiver, and Redeemer. In future lessons we shall note Him as our High Priest, and Coming King. The Bible from beginning to end is the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the one and only true way to the Father.
Section 5 -- OUR RELATIONSHIP TO JESUS
p 12 -- John 14:15 If ye love Me, keep my commandments.
Note - His commandments are the Father's, and the Father's are His - even the Ten Commandments. In keeping them we show our love to Him. How can we do less when He has done so much for us? In another lesson we shall study the provision made so that we can keep the commandments.'
*******
Let's particularly focus on Christ as being at Sinai. I didn't make up this, it's in OUR BIBLE!
Reread this-
1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ
We shouldn't be ignorant!
God's chosen freed from slavery in Egypt were under a cloud.
ALL of them passed through the sea.
ALL ate of the same spiritual meat.
ALL drank the same spiritual drink.
The spiritual drink was from the spiritual ROCK, and that ROCK was CHRIST!
CHRIST was there at Sinai!
No, not in Human form, He was there in the form that is spiritual. Remember this--
Joh 4:24 God .. a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
God … a Spirit (the word in the Bible 'is' is a supplied word). God a spirit. Christ a spiritual Rock!
Christ was THERE at Sinai! Christ was THERE! There were two! God declared the Father and God declared the Son. Both of them were THERE. The LAW given there, the Ten Moral LAWS were given by them BOTH!
Remember this--
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
The AGREE as ONE!
Just as the morning and the evening are ONE day.
Just as a man and woman are ONE in marriage.
God and the Father AGREE as ONE!
The AGREE with the Law given on Mount Sinai! Jesus did NOT come to get rid of that Moral Law! And those who LOVE HIM will comprehend this! Those who LOVE HIM will be among the saints who have patience… who KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD!
We must comprehend this!
There are TEN MORAL LAWS and it is up to us through studying God's word and by the GRACE of our LORD through the Holy Spirit, understand those laws, they are so much more than mere surface words, as our Savior demonstrated.
If we are to keep the Ten Moral Laws fully- we must know them fully! If our Savior said to even think of murder is murder, what does keeping His Sabbath day Holy mean? Is it a mere formality, or something we can easily change or do away with at our leisure? NO! It's so much more than that! So much more!
We must KEEP the COMMANDMENTS of God and… tomorrow we will talk about the 'Faith of Jesus', all by HIS LOVE!
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