Is It Legalism To . . . ?

Just recently the subject of legalism has come up. I think it’s important to clarify what legalism is and what it’s not.

Dictionary.com gives the definition as follows:

Legalism – noun

1. strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit.

2. Theology . a. the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works. b. the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.

3. (in Chinese philosophy) the principles and practices of a school of political theorists advocating strict legal control over all activities, a system of rewards and punishments uniform for all classes, and an absolute monarchy.

Chinese philosophy is not part of this discussion so I’ll deal with the first two definitions.

There are two very poignant ways to illustrate this. In fact, these two illustrations can be considered as basic precepts to the Christian faith and are very helpful in differentiating Christianity from other religions.

It just so happens that an article has appeared today concerning the first definition reference. One of New York’s finest recently gave a Rabbi a ticket for jaywalking. This occurred on a Sabbath day (Saturday).

In strict adherence to Mosaic law, the Rabbi was not carrying identification. The officer asked the Rabbi to write his name down (ostensibly to get the correct spelling and/or sign paperwork). The Rabbi didn’t want to because, again, it was against Mosaic law to write your name on the Sabbath.

You may have heard of other criteria for “Mosaic” Sabbath keeping. You can only walk a “Sabbath mile”, for example. The idea being that taking a long trip, by any means, is breaking the Sabbath, therefore the distance one can travel is limited.

Or, one cannot leave an egg outside in the sun on the Sabbath. It may cook and therefore you’ll break the Sabbath by cooking!

A very famous example that Jesus used in demonstrating to the Pharisees what hypocrites they were is in Matthew, Chapter 22. On a Sabbath day the Pharisees were trying to once again trap Jesus and asked if it was “kosher” to pay taxes to Caesar.

Jesus asked for a coin and gave his famous response. What most people miss is that he was also showing the Pharisees that they didn’t follow the Mosaic law anyway, so why try to obtain grace and favor by strict adherence to it.

You see, it’s against Mosaic law to carry money on the Sabbath. Jesus was once again showing the Pharisees it was hypocritical to try to adhere to all these Man-made laws.

This principle of strict adherence is anathema to the Christian. (See Col. Ch. 2) These handwritten requirements of Moses are contrary to the Christian, including sabbaths and festival days. (please notice: lower case "s" is used for "sabbath" here and in the Bible. It refers to festival days that were also called sabbath days. It does not refer to the weekly Sabbath.)

The Second part of the definition has everything to do with works.

Works can correctly be divided into two categories; works that one does physically such as giving to the poor, establishing and running a soup kitchen or a religious blog, counting beads, praying five times a day, etc; and works that are spiritual in nature. For example, if a person actively grows in his relationship with the Holy Spirit and the Lord and shares this with his fellow man, he is actually doing good works. (In fact, we are to be judged by this "class of works" - Rev. 20:12)

Obviously, in the Christian world, the first kind of works may be “good” but it doesn’t earn anything for you in the sight of God.

Isa 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

In other words, any “work” we do to make ourselves more pleasing to God is worthless. (that’s not to say we shouldn't try to please God – but we should do it for the right reasons)

BTW, attending church on Saturday just because you’re trying to do good works is also WORTHLESS!

So, why is it that some Christians say we should go to church on Sunday and some say Saturday? Or, does it matter?

The short and concise answer is that it is Man’s law verses God’s Law.

People who attend church on the Sabbath (Saturday) are not trying to follow the law of Moses, they are trying to follow the Law of God. What is it about the 4th Commandment that makes it different than the other 9? Surely, a Christian would not say it’s OK to covet because if I try to “adhere strictly” to the 10th Commandment it will be legalism! So, ignoring or changing the 4th Commandment simply makes no sense.

The real difference is that man is following man’s tradition, instead of God’s Law, when he/she attends church on Sunday. Sunday worship came from man. And it certainly did not come from the biblical text. In fact, Sabbath worship was instituted and sanctified at creation! (Gen. Ch. 2)

When it comes right down to it, it is all about obedience to God. It is also about recognizing God's supremacy over man. Is following God’s Law good obedience, or is it legalism?

Firstly, does God really see and take note of me personally? Some religions, such as Islam, say God doesn’t care about the affairs of men. But the answer to the question is yes! In fact, no detail is hidden, or can be hidden from Him.

"Thou God seest me." Genesis 16:13. "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou ... art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether." Psalms 139:1-4. "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Luke 12:7.

Next, can I be saved in His kingdom without obeying His Word, as found in the Holy Bible? The answer is no! It takes more than just a profession of faith.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21. "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. " Matthew 19:17. "He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5:9. … see also, Acts 4:12 (this obedience can only be done through Christ).

Next, why does God require obedience? Why is it necessary? Because there is only one narrow path that leads to "godlikeness", and thus to His kingdom. All roads do not lead to the same place. The Bible is the map and guidebook with full instructions, warnings, and information on how to safely reach that kingdom. To disregard any part of it leads away from God and His kingdom. The universe of God is a universe of law and order. Natural, moral, and spiritual laws are involved. Breaking any of these laws always has certain fixed results. If the Bible had not been given, people would sooner or later have discovered (by trial and error) that the great principles of the Bible exist and are true. These Bible principles are written in our nervous systems, glands, and minds. When ignored, they result in shattered nerves, disease, and unhappiness of every kind. So the words of the Bible are not merely advice which we can accept or ignore without consequences. The Bible tells what these consequences are and explains how to avoid them. A person cannot live any way he wishes and still become godlike any more than a builder can ignore the blueprints for a house without running into trouble. This is why God asks all to follow the blueprint of the Holy Scripture. There is no other way to become like Him and thus be fitted for a place in His kingdom. And there is no other way to true happiness.

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14. " But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death." Proverbs 8:36. "And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive." Deuteronomy 6:24. (the reference in Deut. is referring to the Big 10!)

Next, why does God permit disobedience to continue? Why not destroy sin and sinners now? God permits disobedience and sin to continue until all people everywhere are at last fully convinced of God's justice, love, and mercy. All will finally realize that God, by requiring obedience, is not trying to force His will upon us, but rather is trying to keep us from hurting and destroying ourselves. The sin problem is not settled until even the most cynical and hardened sinners are convinced of God's love and confess that He is just. It will take perhaps a major catastrophe or worse to convince some, but the horrible results of sinful living will finally convince all that God is just and right. Then, and only then, can sin and disobedience be safely brought to an end by the Lord.

"Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Jude 14, 15. "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11.

Will God actually destroy the disobedient? No question about it. The disobedient, including the devil and his angels who sinned, will be destroyed. This being true, surely it is high time to abandon all fuzziness regarding what is right or wrong. People had better stop letting their own foolish whims and egotistical notions guide them and pay attention to God's great book. And they had better do it now--there is not much time left!

"God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4. "All the wicked will he destroy." Psalms 145:20. "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1:8.

Next, what if I want to obey all of God's rules. How can I be certain I will not overlook one? God leaves no room for doubt. He promises to keep me from error and lead me safely to all truth if I: (1) pray earnestly for guidance, (2) sincerely study God's Word, and (3) follow truth as soon as I am shown.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find." Matthew 7:7. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, ... rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God." John 7:17. "Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you." John 12:35. "As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me." Psalms 18:44.

Does God count me guilty for disobeying Bible truth that has never been made clear to me? No …

"If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." John 9:41. "To him that knoweth to do good,and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee." Hosea 4:6. "Seek, and ye shall find." Matthew 7:7.

But isn't full obedience an impossibility for a human being?

"With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:14. "He that abideth in me, and I in him, ... bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5. "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." Isaiah 1:19.

None of us can obey in our own power, but through Christ we can and must. Satan, in order to make God's requests appear unreasonable, invented the falsehood that obedience is impossible.

But, are the Big 10 (all ten) part of our obedience to God?

"Jesus answered ... If a man love me, he will keep my words. ... He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings." John 14:23, 24. "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3.

I’m starting to get long now, so I’ll close with the following:

Any minister, preacher, pastor, or priest (or layman) who claims the 4th Commandment is no longer valid or is legalism, should be ignored, for there is no light in them! They speak not of the Word of God! (Isa 8:20)

I'll say it again because some folks - EVEN CHRISTIANS - don't seem to believe it - MAN CANNOT CHANGE GOD'S IMMUTABLE LAW. It is blasphemes to do so.

Study Guide Reference

The Observer

Suffering for Their Faith

The Observer

Just What Is the Sanctuary and the Temple to the Christian? … or Should I Say Who?

We left it lastly with the Great Disappointment, a disillusion that shook America. The 2300 years are over and Christians are waiting on the Second Coming (the Second Advent).

So … why is this Sanctuary important? Why is the Temple important?

An Orthodox Jew may build all the Temples he wishes in modern-day Jerusalem and he has that right and privilege, but the Christian will not support it because it denies the validity of Christ’s sacrifice. Jerusalem will prosper and I’m very glad for it. All one needs to do is read Jeremiah and other prophecies concerning the returning of the Jews and expansion and growth of the “Holy Land” in modern times.

Now, back to the point. To address my friend’s concerns I need to retrace a little.

[Ref: Revelation, Ch. 11]

During the 1,260 years (42 months) the two witnesses, the old and new testaments; also called the two lampstands; also called the two olive trees, laid dead (dormant) as the Beast raged against them.

After 3 1/2 days (symbolic of the 1,260 years), the breath of life reentered them and they stood on their feet – alive once again! They were taken up to heaven (symbolic). Where is the most reliable place to find preaching of the gospel now? The airwaves, satellites, television, the Internet, etc. The gospel is reaching the ends of the earth, into every home, every place – slowly preparing for the end.

[Note: the etymology of the word “heaven” used in Ch. 11 is;

ουqρανός
ouranos
oo-ran-os' … meaning sky. There are 3 different “heavens” spoken of in the Bible. “Heaven” the sky where the birds fly, “Heaven” where the stars and planets are, and “Heaven” where God lives. Just so ya know, the idea of a multi-level heaven and hell are pagan concepts – the Bible does not endorse such thinking.]

Many died in earthquakes during this period. For additional reading, see here.

Sprinkled throughout the New Testament (1 Peter 1:4; Luke 23:43; John 14:1-3; Hebrews 12:22; Rev. 21:2, 20:9, 22:17) references are made to the New Jerusalem, on being there with Jesus, in heaven for a thousand years, returning to earth and that ultimately their will be no Temple – because Jesus is our Temple!

[Read all of Revelation, Chapter 21]

Now, let’s get back to where I left off:

Rev 10:9 So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth."

Rev 10:10 Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

Rev 10:11 And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."

[Revelation, Chapter 11, Jesus restates the history to John]

Rev 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

[Measuring: a passing of judgment to see who is worthy and who is not. The “Standard”, BTW, are the Commandments of God. His love is expressed within these 10 Commandments and our behavior is measured according to them. This use of symbolism with the Temple is a “measuring” of God’s people who make up the spiritual Temple – Christ being the cornerstone – the Temple; also called the Body of Christ. Question: was the Temple historically located in Jerusalem at this point in history"? No, of course not!]

Rev 11:2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

[The Gentiles, symbolic of the false church, did indeed trample “the city” (with God’s spiritual Temple) for 1,260 years]

Rev 11:3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."

Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

Now, what happened in the Old Testament after the “measuring” of the Jewish people occurred and Atonement was made?

The Sanctuary had to be cleansed!

Now, the heavenly Sanctuary has to be cleaned.

Rev 11:19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

Christ could not come yet, however, because the whole world, “peoples, and nations and tongues, and kings” must be given an opportunity to realize that now, in the courts of heaven, we have a faithful high priest (Hebrews 8:1); that He is, “a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:2); that He died for our sins on Calvary’s cruel cross to purchase forgiveness for all; that He stands now as our “Advocate” in the courts of heaven with the power of His blood to cleanse the sins of the “whole world” (1 John 2:1,2).

[BTW, all due respect, admiration, and appreciation given to Pastor Doug Bachelor for the above quote!]

Wow! Did ya get all that? Folks! I don’t know how much clearer it can be! The desire for a new man-made Temple in Jerusalem to reinstate the Old Testament sacrifices SHOULD BE ANATHEMA to a Christian!

If you still don’t believe Christ has replaced the old Sanctuary/Temple, look at this:

First, a diagram of the old sanctuary:

Please notice how the “Most Holy Place” is located on the West side of the Tabernacle. Ancient Israelites would kneel, facing the West (the Ark). What do some Christians do on Easter morning? Why, they kneel and face the East – the rising sun. It’s called sun worship! You know, like celebrating the Sabbath on Sunday.

Eze 8:12 Then He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, 'The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.' "

Eze 8:13 And He said to me, "Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing."

Eze 8:14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. [Tammuz is a sun god]

Eze 8:15 Then He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these."

Eze 8:16 So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.

Eze 8:17 And He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.

Eze 8:18 Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them."

Now, keep the diagram of the Sanctuary available somehow and read the following concerning Jesus’ relation to it:

Secrets of the Sanctuary

I would have placed it all here on the blog but I’m getting too long already.

Folks, I apologize for leaving so much out, but as you probably already know, this subject is humongous!

As you can see from Scripture, one does not need a physical Temple, we have one already in Jesus Christ. When the end time Anti-Christ "stands in the Most Holy place" (spiritually) he will be claiming to be Jesus returned, claiming to be our Most High priest, he will declare LAW to establish WORSHIP according to his desires - Sunday Worship! The Anti-Christ will be the ABOMINATION! Christians are already "primed" for this deceit.

[Which day of the week do most Christians already call, "the Lord's Day"? Why Sunday, of course! What day does the New Testament say is the "Lord's Day"? Why, Saturday, of course! - Matt. 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5]

People will be fooled! The false Christ will perform "miracles". Every person still alive on earth must decide if he will follow the true Word of God, or follow this Satan possessed man who very convincingly appears to be CHRIST on earth.

[Did Ya Know Hint: At the Second Advent and according to the Bible, Christ's feet don't even touch the ground, every eye shall see him (all at once, coming to earth in His glory), and the whole planet is destroyed!]

I recommend two sources for further study:

Unlocking Revelation Study Guides

Revelation of Jesus Christ: Commentary

Oh my! I almost forgot! I was going to tell you when the "wound was healed" and the "whole world marvelled at the Beast". In 1929 Benito Mussolini, the Fascist, enacted his "executive order", the Concordat of 1929, which gave the RCC back all the properties it had lost with Napolean. A new Pope was actually declared "King" and given sovereign authority over what is now known as Vatican City. Most all the countries on earth have an Ambassador to the "City" and only last year, the European Union almost passed legislation to set aside Sunday as a legal day of rest in the E.U. The RCC will eventually succeed and America will follow suit. America has an Ambassador to Vatican City and our State Department regularly refers to the Pope as; "The Holy Father" and "The Holy See"!

... you didn't realize we had an official Federal religion did you? It's Roman Catholicism.

The Observer

"If I Die Before You Wake" Tribute to Armed Forces

The Observer