Like a chestnut tree

Today you have declared the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. And the Lord has today declared you to be His people, His personal possession, just as He promised you, and that you are to keep all His commandments; and that He will put you high above all the nations which He has made, for glory, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken. (vv. 17-19)

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger. And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues, and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people. But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest of you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:1-12)

Christians are easily deceived by others’ words and deeds. We humans do not see people as God sees them. We judge everything by what we see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. We rely on the sensory functions of our body when making judgments. The devil uses our weakness to entice us. Evil people are very kind and humorous. They look happy and generous. But they deny the sound doctrines. They deny Sola Gratia. They try to nullify the power of the cross of Christ. They put much emphasis on the law but hate the law. They lead others astray. We saints were no different from them until the Holy Spirit came.

When we focus on morality, there is no one is perfectly moral. When we focus on the written code, there is no one righteous under the law of God. The saints are declared righteous because they are under the grace of God. That does not mean we ignore the law. The essence of the law is self-sacrificing love. Therefore, we read about God’s love when we study the law. The law and Christ are inseparable. Christ is the second person of the Trinity. He is God. He is the law. He is love.

In many churches, the meaning of this love is often misinterpreted and misunderstood. Evil people use love to cover up their sins and protect those who hate God. They do not fear God. Christ cursed these people in Matthew 23:13-36.

But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter it yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. (Matthew 23:13)

People often make a mistake in interpreting the covenants as if our relationship with God depends on a condition. Whether the condition is the law or faith, we cannot meet the condition. Faith is the result of a person reborn through Christ and the Holy Spirit. We cannot initiate faith. The grace of God humbles us.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

“When brothers live together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband’s brother shall have relations with her and take her to himself as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. It shall then be that the firstborn to whom she gives birth shall assume the name of his father’s deceased brother, so that his name will not be wiped out from Israel. (vv. 5-6)

On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers among us; and the first married and died, and having no children, he left his wife to his brother. It was the same also with the second brother, and the third, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her in marriage.” But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, since you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:29-32)

I said a few times that the law should not be interpreted literally. But that does not mean that God would accept any form of adultery or theft. The Ten Commandments are for us to know our depraved heart. When the Holy Spirit comes and makes us understand God’s words, a Christian conscience is formed in us, which is different from the conscience of unbelievers. We now know and have the mind of Christ. Although we do make mistakes and sin, we do not dwell in sins because God rebukes and guides them. God also prevents us from sinning.

For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of mankind through Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:14-16)

On the outside, many unbelievers may appear more moral than Christians. But God looks at the heart of each person. For this reason, one must not judge others from a moral point of view. Christians must pursue a moral life but morality is not what defines Christianity. That is why it is important not to interpret the law literally. Focusing on the law instead of the cross of Christ leads us back to slavery. However, that is what the Reformers chose in the 17th century. They chose law and slavery over grace and freedom. In the center of this act of treachery, there are the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ.

Anyone with the Holy Spirit is considered a child of God. Jesus Christ made us become the children of God by giving Himself up for us. Anyone who denies the grace of God shown on the cross of Christ is not a Christian. Theologians and ministers admit this but they always try to add the law to this grace. That is what the devil does. He twists God’s words.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

There is not much a saint can do except say that we are saved through the cross of Christ by the grace of God. And that is exactly what Apostle Paul has been telling us. Christ is the only sacrifice that God accepts because of the plan that He has made before creation. Theologians and ministers try to tie Christ with the law so that the law becomes more powerful than Christ Himself. It is only fitting that children of God listen to His words. That does not mean that keeping the law makes us righteous. With the Active Obedience of Christ, the Protestant churches teach others that the law makes us righteous. We read and understand from the Bible that the law was given to people on the earth for education. God is not bound by His law because it was made for people.

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. Now when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath!” But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions— how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath, and yet are innocent? But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:1-8)

Therefore the Law has become our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)

When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, that he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her away from his house, and she leaves his house and goes and becomes another man’s wife, and the latter husband turns against her, writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand, and sends her away from his house, or if the latter husband who took her to be his wife dies, then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. (vv. 1-4)

God says, “If a husband divorces his wife and she leaves him and becomes another man’s wife, will he return to her again? Would that land not be completely defiled? But you are a prostitute with many lovers; Yet you turn to Me,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 3:1)

Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet is committing adultery, as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” So I purchased her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and a homer and a lethech of barley. Then I said to her, “You shall live with me for many days. You shall not play the prostitute, nor shall you have another man; so I will also be toward you.” (Hosea 3:1-3)

We all know the story of Hosea and his unfaithful wife Gomer in the Book of Hosea. According to the law, Hosea was forbidden to bring back his wife. But that was what God instructed Hosea to do. That does not mean that God promotes sinning. Many people interpret the law literally and misunderstand the true meaning of the law. The law is about love for God and His people. Only God can love. God is love. And this love is self-sacrificing love, which Jesus Christ showed on the cross.

The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

The history of Israel nation teaches us about our sinful nature and stupidity. And we learn about God’s mercy, love, and faithfulness through their history. If we interpret the law as the way to salvation, we have no understanding of the law. God is above the law and He is not judged by His own law. The law was given to people to reveal our sins. Keeping the law is not the way to salvation but a result of salvation.

Why the Law then? It was added on account of the violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made. (Galatians 3:19)

I have been to many different churches. And I see that theologians and ministers use the law as leverage to slavery. They incur guilt in people using the law. They are not interested in keeping the law. Instead, they want to make people their slaves. They insist that the law is the way to salvation (or righteousness). They say that Christ also had to keep the law perfectly. Thus, they preach salvation by works. This is why the Active Obedience of Christ must be removed. While they appear to promote keeping the law, their churches tolerate and even promote lawlessness. They accept adultery and say that they must forgive. And they promote others and themselves keep sinning, which I have witnessed in the Reformed church I went to. It is lawful that God is against those evildoers. They appear to love the law but in fact, they despise and hate the law of God. About these evildoers, the Psalms mention frequently about their end. That is why they hate singing the Psalms. The pandemic is the white horse.

The law is holy but is useful only to those living on the earth because it reveals one’s sins. However, there is the law of love and freedom that continues for eternity. Only one with the Holy Spirit can love because only God can truly love. The Bible is not a book about history. All words are for our education to stand firm till the Lord comes back. Only those who have received the Holy Spirit will endure.

Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:18-19)

No one who is emasculated or has his male organ cut off may enter the assembly of the Lord. (v.1)

Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will certainly separate me from His people.” Nor let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, And hold firmly to My covenant, to them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, And a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be eliminated. (Isaiah 56:3-5)

It appears to me that theologians separate righteousness from works from the righteousness of God. So they teach people that Christ had to do works to gain righteousness. But this is a serious error. Truth is that there is no such thing as righteousness that comes from works. Righteousness is about doing God’s will. That does not mean righteousness comes from works. It is because only God is righteous and so are those who are one with God. We do righteous deeds according to God’s will because of the Holy Spirit in us.

But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. (Matthew 3:15)

I have mentioned that the person of Christ comes before the works of Christ. And we cannot understand Christ without understanding the Holy Spirit. Theologians and ministers think that the Holy Spirit is working if we experience some emotions. They often focus on what happened in Acts 2.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place and suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. (Acts 2:1-4)

Christians describe the work of the Holy Spirit as joy that makes them sing, cry, and/or dance. Because of this misunderstanding, churches use music to stimulate emotions. But we must remember that music and singing were also used in idolatry.

Now when Joshua heard the sound of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a sound of war in the camp.” But he said, “It is not the sound of the cry of victory, Nor is it the sound of the cry of defeat; But I hear the sound of singing.” (Exodus 32:17-18)

The Holy Spirit makes us understand God’s will shown in His words, which makes the saints joyful. We are given the heart to sing and praise God. Certain emotions are not the proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit. My understanding of the Holy Spirit is that He is a teacher. He lets me do what I want but rebukes and guides me when I live according to flesh. He makes me do things that God wants. Therefore, all good works are not from me but from God.

… the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Revelation 4:10-11)

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. (John 14:26)

You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the road, and avoid them; you shall certainly help him raise them up. (v. 4)

Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, ISRAEL! THE LORD IS OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (Galatians 5:14)

This chapter talks about various laws. Whenever we read the laws in the OT, we must remember what God has done through Jesus Christ. The righteousness of God is about doing His will. It is about being one with God because only God is righteous. Without understanding God and knowing His will, there is no righteousness. Because of this, only the Son of God could solve the issue of our sins. This was planned before creation.

Christians around the world often misinterpret and misunderstand the meaning of true love. What God wants us to do is to love those who love Him. We do not know who are true Christians. Christians often think their church friends are their neighbors but it appears that churches around the world are full of false Christians who hate God’s words and teachings. Immoralities such as adultery are accepted and forgiven in churches around the world. Churches are proud of their immoral deeds. Ministers are happy as long as people offer money.

For you yourself hate discipline, and you throw My words behind you. When you see a thief, you become friends with him, and you associate with adulterers. (Psalm 50:17-18)

So who are our neighbors? The answer is written in Luke 10:30-37.

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” (Luke 10:30-37)

When we read this, we must be careful not to interpret the passage that our neighbors are those who do good in the sight of the world. There are many non-Christians who do good work to other people. I am not belittling their kindness to others. But we need to understand that God’s love is the law and above the law. It is not about dos and don’ts. It is about the heart of flesh given by God. In other words, everyone in whom the Holy Spirit dwells loves God and His people naturally. If we rebel against God, God rebukes us and shows us the right way.

… and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE PUNISHED BY HIM; FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE PUNISHES EVERY SON WHOM HE ACCEPTS.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)

We do not know who are our neighbors. We do what is right according to God’s words. We pray every day that God leads us to do the right things. If your church tolerates adultery or other immoral deeds, rebuke the leaders. Rebuke comes from true love. If they do not listen to you, leave your church and take the dust off your feet. If they do one thing wrong, it is likely that they do not follow sound doctrines.

And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city. (Matthew 10:14-15)

Then the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, because the Lord your God has chosen them to serve Him and to bless in the name of the Lord; and every dispute and violent crime shall be settled by them. (v. 5)

Now if a person has committed a sin carrying a sentence of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body is not to be left overnight on the tree, but you shall certainly bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is cursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. (vv. 22-23)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— (Galatians 3:13)

It is easy to think that the law is about dos and don’ts. But in fact, it is about love, the kingdom of God, and Jesus Christ. Theologians and ministers teach people that they will get punished if they do not keep the law. They like the Active Obedience of Christ because they get the assurance that their sins will not lead them to death. The theory lacks logic and leads to both legalism and antinomianism. But they still hold onto it. With this theory, the devil has the foothold to attack the cross of Christ.

In this chapter, we see a pattern that can be found throughout the laws concerning sacrifices. That is only death of a sacrifice washes the guilt of people.

… the elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a valley with running water, which has not been plowed or sown, and they shall break the heifer’s neck there in the valley. (v. 4)

Christ was our perfect sacrifice to God. He was put to death bearing the sins of His people. He was hung on the cross and cursed by God. There is no doubt that Christ was blameless and holy. However, he did not obtain holiness by perfect keeping of the law as many theologians claim. We must not forget that Christ existed before creation. His beginning was not like ours. He is from eternity, which we cannot fathom with our earthly wisdom. Many theologians explain that Christ is not like the Father because he became a man. But we must remember that our salvation resulted from God dying for His own people. I am not trying to start an argument about whether Christ died as a man or as God.

People have been trying to explain God using human wisdom. This ended up separating Christ’s two natures when theologians interpreted the cross of Christ. The Reformed theology explains that Christ died as a man. But the truth is that He died as God-man. We must see Christ just as He is as written throughout the Bible. We are one with God because we have become man-God through adoption. Jesus Christ was given the task of saving His people so that the Father could give everything under His feet. Therefore, we eagerly wait for the kingdom of God.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2)

Instead, you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, just as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that they will not teach you to do all the same detestable practices of theirs which they have done for their gods, by which you would sin against the Lord your God. (vv.17-18)

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slaves, and small and great.” (Revelation 19:17-18)

This chapter talks about the laws of warfare. We must remember that Israel’s fighting against people in Canaan is not just a historical event. It is about God fighting all idolaters.

He shall say to them, ‘Hear, Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or be terrified by them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ (vv. 3-4)

Israel’s entering the Canaan land through Jericho explains that what God has planned and finished concerning our salvation cannot be undone. Anyone who tries to undo what God has done on the cross will be condemned eternally.

Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he will lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he will set up its gates.” (Joshua 6:26)

Just as our salvation is completed and cannot be undone, God will surely fulfill all His promises written in the Bible. There is no salvation for the evil people who are not under the grace of God. It is somewhat sad but it is true. There are things that we do not fully understand. But we must remember that we are all strangers on the earth being trained by God. We cannot do anything on our own will and effort. Only God helps and protects us.

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

A single witness shall not rise up against a person regarding any wrongdoing or any sin that he commits; on the testimony of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed. (v.15)

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6)

This chapter talks about the cities of refuge and the laws of landmarks and testimony. All the laws that God gave to the Israelites were for them to love others as themselves. We are naturally inclined to covet and steal from others. The laws warn us not to harm others.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (Galatians 5:14)

All God’s laws are summed up in two commandments: love God and our neighbors.

And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:35-40)

When God judges, we are judged according to these two commandments. God has given the churches on the earth the right to judge. The Israel nation in the OT was a church. So God gave the priests and the judges the authority to judge (v.17).

The difference between God and the church authorities on the earth is that we judge according to what we see while God sees one’s heart when He judges. Love comes from God. Only God can love and make His people love by His Spirit. This is bad news for evil leaders in churches because whatever they do, even though they did everything right in their eyes according to their church orders or laws, they will be condemned to eternal death on the day of God’s judgment. This is the result of not being one with God through the Holy Spirit. They cannot love.

Evil leaders help false Christians within their churches. They help them cover up their sins and accuse true Christians. They sometimes make the right judgments because God intervenes for His people under their authority. But they always do the things that God hates and harm the saints. We can see the pattern in the case of Balaam Son of Beor (Numbers 22-25, 31). We must remember that false leaders in churches do speak God’s words and sometimes truth. But they are not under the grace of God. In fact, they hate God and everything He did for His people.

Looking at how many churches have become – leading people to sin, encouraging them to continue to sin and supporting false doctrines, we know that there are many false leaders within churches around the world.

But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. (2 Peter 2:1)

We judge people by what we see. So our judgments are not like God’s. Knowing this makes us humble and eagerly seek God’s wisdom.

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:20-21)

For the Lord your God has chosen him and his sons from all your tribes, to stand to serve in the name of the Lord always. (v.5)

I will raise up for them a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them everything that I command him. And it shall come about that whoever does not listen to My words which he speaks in My name, I Myself will require it of him. (vv. 18-19)

Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel. (Exodus 19:5-6)

But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1Peter 2:9)

The three important groups of people in the Israel nation in the OT were prophets, priests, and kings. The nation was built on the Levitical system. And these groups of people differentiated the Israel nation from other nations. The Israel in the OT was a shadow of God’s kingdom, which is coming. Israel had a direct and intimate relationship with God. And these three groups of people played a vital role in maintaining the relationship. Throughout the Book of the prophets in the OT, God rebuked prophets, priests, and kings for misleading the Israelites. We all know that Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became a man, holds the three offices. Therefore, we conclude that the Israel nation after Jesus Christ is no longer the Israel that God loved and cared because the nation existed for Jesus Christ and until the churches were established. The current Israel nation is no different from a nation that serves a pagan god. We treat all people with respect and fairness. There is no reason why Christians should treat the Israelites with favoritism as if they are still God’s people.

Christ holding the three offices is truth shared by different Christian denominations including the Roman Catholic church and the Protestant churches. Therefore, knowing Christ is the first step to understanding the purpose and character of the kingdom of God and why we were made.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5)

For many years, churches have been trying to make people understand their sinfulness through the law. But the law doesn’t make us understand our sinfulness as we read the OT. We learn from the OT that the lack of knowledge of God is the beginning of all sins. Without knowing God, there is no faith. We know and understand God only when He reveals Himself to us and makes us know Him. Reading out the law every day does not change a person because we naturally love darkness. Unless God changes our hearts and pours out His Spirit, we remain in that darkness.

The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. (Isaiah 9:2)

It may appear that Israel’s failure to keep the law has opened the opportunity to the Gentiles to become God’s children. But Israel’s failure happened so that we could learn from their history. There is no one righteous under the law. No one is saved by keeping the law. We are not different from the Israelites in the OT if we rely on our works of the law. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. And salvation is a free gift.

I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? Far from it! But by their wrongdoing salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their wrongdoing proves to be riches for the world, and their failure, riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore insofar as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry if somehow I may move my own people to jealousy and save some of them. For if their rejection proves to be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. (Romans 11:11-21)

Now it shall come about, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this Law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, so that he will learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully following all the words of this Law and these statutes, so that his heart will not be haughty toward his countrymen, and that he will not turn away from the commandment to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may live long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel. (vv. 18-20)

Under the old covenant, obedience to the law was the lifeline of the Israelites. Despite many warnings and signs in the wilderness, the Israelites quickly turned away from their pledge as we find in the Book of Judges. We understand that punishment, warnings, or signs from God did not make the Israelites obey the law.

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for the wrath of the Lord that burns against us is great, because our fathers did not listen to the words of this book, to act in accordance with everything that is written regarding us.” (2 Kings 22:11-13)

The reason why the Israelites did not obey the law and did everything God hated was because they did not know Him. Miracles, signs, and teachings did not make them understand God.

The OT and the history of the Israelites exist for us to understand the role of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the NT era and the coming kingdom of God. The three persons of the Trinity are not divided. They are one. In the kingdom, everyone understands and knows God. Consequently, we do what God pleases. We are God’s children because of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Adam and Eve did not obey God because they did not either know or understand Him. Anyone who does not know God will eventually disobey and hate Him. The Israelites hated God and His law and hid the Book of the Law. But we must understand that it is not the law that God is concerned. The Israelites were not more evil than other humans. They were the representatives of all people. Everyone sins and deserves to be punished eternally.

The law of God is useful when it is used appropriately. It contains the essence of God’s love. However, it was not given for us to keep it and gain righteousness. Christ came to break us free from this bondage of the old covenant. The old covenant was given only to the Israelites but it is applied to every single human being. It is fitting for the creatures to obey the Creator. In a nutshell, everyone was born to be eternally punished, even Adam and Eve. Even before they disobeyed God, Adam and Eve could not change their future because the knowledge of God was not given to them. They had some knowledge of God and wisdom. However, their lack of knowledge led to disobedience. In all these events written in the Bible, we learn that our future does not depend on our obedience to the law but on God’s absolute grace. We uphold the law not because of its power but because of God’s love. This grace is understood only through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. God gives us knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26)

No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him. (John 1:18)