In the last chapter I wrote on how  He fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant. This fulfillment entailed the creation of a New Covenant, which was cut just before Israel breached the Mosaic Covenant. this makes Christ the testator of the New Testament. In fulfilling all covenants, Christ provides specific and identifiable  benefits in the New Covenant. The New Covenant provides for redemption from sins and reconciliation to God, it provides for intimacy with God, it gives us legal standing both as citizens of Israel and priest-kings before God,  and it provides for redemption of the earth and the restoration of Israel

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Redemption From Sins

The New Covenant provides for redemption us from sins and reconciliation to God. This was done through the finished work of Christ upon the Cross of Calvary.His death upon the cross took the punishment for our sins, demonstrating both God’s love and righteous justice in our redemption.

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Heb 9:11-17  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)� Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  (13)  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:  (14)  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  (15)�And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance… �

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Heb 9:11-17…(16)�For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  (17)  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

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Rom 3:23-26�For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (25)�Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

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Isa 53:4-6�Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  (5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6)  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Intimacy With God

The New Covenant provides for  intimacy with God. We get more than merely our sins forgiven. We are placed in a love relationship with God, in the family of God. We are knitted together in a a body where its members are brothers and sisters, and collectively are betrothed to Christ to become his wife.

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Joh 14:15-21  If ye love me, keep my commandments.  (16)  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  (17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  (18)  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  (19)  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also… �

Joh 14:15-21…(20)  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.  (21)  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

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Rom 12:9-10  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.  (10)  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

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Eph 5:22-33  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.  (25)  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  (28)  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  (29)  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:  (30)  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.  (31)  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.  (32)  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  (33)  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

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The New Covenant Provides Legal Standing in the Courts of the Lord

The New Covenant gives us legal standing both as citizens of Israel and priest-kings before God. We are redeemed to be kings and priests. Our royal priesthood is manifest in four ways. We have been given a royal franchise as God’s property managers, we take up the Cross daily now, we have royal standing in God’s courts in Prayer, and we shall rule and reign with Him in the Millennium and beyond.

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We have been given a royal franchise as God’s property managers.This means we have a responsibility to administer whatever property we control in a way that glorifies God, up to the limits of that authority.   This might be a home, a business, or a position of authority in an organization or governmental entity.

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Matthew 25:14:30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. (17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. (18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. (19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them…

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Matthew 25:14:30…(20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more…

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Matthew 25:14:30…(21)His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord…

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Matthew 25:14:30…(24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed. (25)And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine…

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Matthew 25:14:30…(26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: (27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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Spiritual Rule Now

We take up the Cross daily now.  Messianic Systematic Theology differs from both Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism here.

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Dispensationalism cannot have a coherent doctrine of the Kingdom of God now, as everything pertaining to the Kingdom is outsourced to Israel and Israel is wholly outside the Church.  There is only the future Kingdom when Jesus Christ returns.

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Covenant Theology does have a coherent theology of the Kingdom, but its replacement theology obscures a proper view of that Kingdom. Because Covenant Theology views God as taking away the royal perogatives of  Israel and given them to the Church, Church upholding  Covenant Theology tend to invest these rights into the nations that have their political allegiance. This would conflate the agenda of the Kingdom of God with that of country.

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Messianic Systematic Theology agrees with Dispensationalism in that the Kingdom of God on earth is tethered to Israel. Messianic Systematic Theology agrees with Covenant Theology in  that the Church has the royal perogatives of Israel, but not apart from Israel.Messianic Systematic Theology does not see these as mutually exclusive. What follows is that the Church has the royal perogatives of Israel, but only in part until she and Israel become joined in the one new man. There are two implications to this: One is that the Church is a diaspora people and will be until she is re-united with Israel under the rule of her Messiah. The other is that in this diaspora period the Church plays an ambassorial role rather than a military role.

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The fact that the Church is a diaspora people is well attested in Scripture. We are called aliens and are commanded to be dead to the world. Our country is not one that is of this world, but of a Heavenly world – a country ordained of God. Even though we are kings, we are to live like aliens and  pilgrims in this world.

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Heb 11:13-16  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  (14)  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  (15)  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  (16)  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

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1 Pe 2:9-12  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  (10)  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy… �

1 Pe 2:9-12…(11)  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  (12)  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

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Gal 6:14-17  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  (15)  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.  (16)  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.  (17)  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

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We are to follow Jesus example. While He was the King of kings, He lived as a pilgrim and stranger.He lived in poverty and under the yoke of those who were actually subject to His Lordship, even to the post of dying on the Cross.Just as Jesus took the path of humility to get to the point of exultation, though as the self-existent eternal God He did not need to, we are to do the same.

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Php 2:1-11  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  (2)  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  (3)  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  (4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  (5)  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross… �

Php 2:1-11…(9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Entanglement With the Cross

We take up the Cross as Jesus did. While we cannot add to the finished work of Christ upon the Cross, we can come into entanglement with it. As we take up the Cross, we participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that we can participate in his glory.As we suffer for Christ, our part of the earth is shoved into the Cross. Taking up the Cross destroys sin in whatever material substance participates in the persecution. In the same way Satan got defeated at the Cross in history and vanquished, persecutors also get nailed to the cross and vanquished – while believers are raised in new life*.

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Col 2:13-15  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;  (14)  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;  (15)  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

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Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23� And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Acts 14:21-22  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,  (22)  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and thatwe must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

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1 Peter 4:12-19� Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  (13)�But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  (14)  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.  (15)  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.  (16)  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.  (17)  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  (18)  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  (19)  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

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Royal Rights During Diaspora

We have royal standing in God’s courts in Prayer. While we may take a humble path on earth, taking authority over only what we have and not pillaging the earth’s goods through political or military conquest, we have royal standing in the Courts of Heaven when we pray. Scripture tells us that we have been redeemed to be kings and priests before God.

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Rev 1:4-6  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;  (5)  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,  (6)  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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In Rev 5 we are presented with a dilemma. There was this book that had seven seals that no one was allowed to open. In ancient times official legal documents would be sealed, allowing only authorized person to pen them and officially read whatever judgment or legal term therein.Such authorized opening or reading would be necessary to promulgate a new law to enforce the terms of the legal document. If no one is authorized to open the seals of a legal document, then it cannot be opened. If it cannot be opened, it cannot receive an official reading. If it cannot receive an official reading, then there can be no promulgation or enforcement of its terms.

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What decree did the Seven Seals hide. it was God’s eternal decree to bring about the end of evil and the advent of perfect justice upon the earth. John rightfully wept at the prospect that evil would always afflict the earth, understanding that the logical consequence of no one being able to open the seals would mean that evil is here permanently. John is comforted, however, The “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” has prevailed to open the seals. There is now One who is authorized to pen these seals and commence judgment.

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Rev 5:1-10  And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.  (2)  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?  (3)  And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon… �

Rev 5:1-10…(4)  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.  (5)  And one of the elders saith unto me,Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  (6)  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.  (7)  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.  (8)  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.  (9)  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  (10)  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

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This Lion who is “the Root of David” is alternately identified using contrasting imagery. This conqueror is identified as a Lamb who was slain. This is Jesus Christ the Messiah, who is both the root and Son of David. Jesus Christ, through His obedience to death, acquired the right to open the seals (see Philippians 4).In this context of Christ being able to conquer evil by opening the Seven Seals to proclaim as judgments the eternal decree of God, is the fact  that we have standing as kings and priest in this very court in which judgment is spoken. We have the privilege to participate in this process. We are kings and priests, chosen by God to have our place within the royal household of God. Christ fulfills for us what God originally wanted to do with ancient Israel but did not because of their unbelief. Because of their unbelief they could not receive their King. King Jesus was the stone that the builders rejected but God has made the cornerstone. It is in this same royal household that we are living stones that have been made into a royal priesthood,

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1 Pe 2:5-9  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  (6)  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  (7)  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  (8)  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  (9)  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

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Because the Jewish leaders rejected Christ they became a diaspora people – scattered over the earth rather than in the land promised to them. They were rejected from the Kingdom.We were accepted into the Kingdom but are also a diaspora people – We are diaspora because our inheritance include the land that has been stripped of her promised people. The literal, political reign of the Church on earth with Christ is tied to the restoration of Israel, so our ability to literally reign in a political sense is future (see Rev 5:10b).We are kings in the present (Rev 5:10a), but our reign is currently limited to our control of our private property, our the limited access to the natural citizenship in the nations and our UNLIMITED access to the Courts of Heaven in prayer where we can participate in the proceedings that will make the kingdoms of this world the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is here that we offer our spiritual sacrifices – sacrifices of praise.

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Our Eternal Physical Rule With Christ

We shall rule and reign with Him in the Millennium and beyond. Our Current spiritual rule with Christ through our participation in Heavenly court proceedings that administer God’s justice will eventually manifest into literal, political rule with Christ in the Millennium.  We do not conquer through political or military domination. We are not to usurp all power through conquering the Seven Mountains of culture through military action, political action, or social engineering. We are to make disciples of all nations into the full gospel of Christ, teaching the fullness of a Biblical worldview as it applies to all of life. We are always to be at the ready to take up the Cross when opposition attacks, and we are to trust that the Messiah will personally end this war.

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1 Co 15:22-28  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.  (23)  But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.  (24)  Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.  (25)  For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.  (26)  The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.  (27)  For “HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.  (28)  Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

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This is a description  of the current spiritual rule of Christ on earth. This rule includes  His influence in the hearts of those who trust Him in the administration of their lives and His providential control over the universe as God. Notice that it is Christ’s action that triggers the transition towards a literal Kingdom where all things are fully subject both physically and legally – literally “all thing put under Him.”  It is Christ Himself who inaugurates the literal physical rule upon the earth and not human machination.We do have a mandate to teach the nations and often exercise some power in those nations as cultures become organically converted to Christ and therefore brings the fruit of the gospel to the areas of culture, politics, and law. This alone is not enough to complete the conquest as the world will push back against the claims of Christ. We read in Revelation 13 that the final Beast system defeats the saints militarily, economically,  and politically.

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Rev 13:1-10  Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.  (2)  Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.  (3)  And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.  (4)  So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”  (5)  And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.  (6)  Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.  (7)�It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.  (8)  All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  (9)�If anyone has an ear, let him hear.  (10)  He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

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What is the Counsel that is given to those who are suffering. They are promised that those who lead into captivity will be led into captivity. Those who kill must be killed.This is the law of sowing and reaping: God meting back to individuals, families, communities, and nations that which they have done.

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Gal 6:7-10  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  (8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  (9)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not… �

Gal 6:7-10 …(10)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

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Mat 7:1-2  Judge not, that ye be not judged.  (2)  For with what judgment ye[do] judge, ye shall be judged: and withwhat measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

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Sowing and reaping refers to the type of content that mark one’s life, the substances that underlie decisions one makes that then became manifested in their actions. The content of one’s decisions can also be thought of as the standard by which we judge. Matthew 7:1 is one of the most misunderstood verse in the Bible. It does not prohibit judging as people often presume. Verse 2 implies that we do judge. I supplied the word [do] in brackets to clarify the meaning here. Jesus speaks categorically here and not hypothetically. He does not say “If you judge, you will be judged.” He saysthat the judgment you judge will be measured to you. We judge all the time out of necessity in all areas of life.

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How we judge comes back to us. It is returned with interest whether we are a lowly individual, a VIP individual, a family, a community, or a nation. Great empires are subject to this as well. This is why the Soviet Union is now in the trash heap, along with many empires of old who savagely oppressed their people. The Beast system is subject to this as well. As the beast captures and  kills, he will be captured and killed.The only difference with the Beast is that Jesus Christ personally shows up to stop him verses the normative and providential ordination of natural events to work out that way. We see in Revelation 15 that the saints DO get the victory over the beast and celebrate. As an outcome of the Heavenly celebration, preparations are made for the day of the Lord’s wrath

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Rev 15:1-8�Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete…

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Rev 15:1-8  …(2)  And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, andthose who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.  (3)  They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!  (4)  Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.”  (5)  After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.  (6)  And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.  (7)  Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.  (8)  The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

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The Song of Moses was a song that was sung by the ancient Israelites as a response to the destruction of the Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea (Ex 15:1-19). Jewish commentators have long believed that this song will be sung in the Days of the Messiah. This song has been remade here as the Song of Moses and of the Lamb, with the recurring chorus of the Lamb being the text. Unlike the original Song of Moses, the The Song of Moses with the Chorus of the Lamb is sung before the wrath of God commences. This underscores the way the Church overcomes: Confessing/testifying to the word of God in God’s courts while enduring persecution. The fact that theSong is of both Moses and the Lamb underscores that the Church and Israel receive the victory together.

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Rev 19:11-21  Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  (12)  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.  (13)  He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.  (15)  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  (17)  Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,  (18)  that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”  (19)  And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.  (20)  Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.  (21)  And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

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The wrath of God commences and  Jesus Christ returns, giving us the victory and redeeming the earth

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The New Covenant Provides for Redemption of the Earth and the Restoration of Israel.

The Lordship of Jesus Christ was manifest upon the Cross to immediately redeem us from our sins, it also provides for eventual redemption of the earth.

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The proper understanding of redemption requires an understanding how humanity fell from the original state of innocence. There are three areas where humanity fell, that are corrected by the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: The primeval innocence of humanity, the foundation of humanity upon the rock, and the dominance of humanity over the earth. All three of these areas are facets of humanity existing in the image of God

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Humanity was created in a state of innocence before God. This simply means humanity was not created in a state defiled with sin and evil. Humanity was not yet entangled in relationship to God but had that opportunity.

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Humanity was created in a state of being grounded in God. God is the foundation of the whole of reality. Everything that was created depends on God for its reality and properties. Because humanity is not permanently entangled with God, the potential exists that this linkage could become compromised.

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One might wonder why humanity was not created permanently entangled with God. As part of being created in the image of God, God gave humans free will to freely choose to become entangled with him. As part of this freedom God put man in charge of the earth as a property manager. In order to discover how humanity (and the earth) entered into bondage and what is the key to redemption, we must go to the place where humanity’s enslavement began: The Garden of Eden. There were two very important trees that God had placed in the garden that relates to permanent entanglement with God.

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Gen 2:15-17  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.  (16)  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt NOT eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

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Gen 3:22-24� And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:  (23)  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.  (24)  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

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God placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life in the garden. This was the test for humanity concerning whether they would choose permanent entanglement with God or separation from God.

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The tree of knowledge of good and evil leads to separations from God and disobedience to God. The Hebrew for knowledge is da’ath, which is derived  from the Hebrew root yada, which is used to describe Adam becoming sexually entangled with Eve.  Eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil involves a self-made decision to directly entangle moral issues. From a quantum mechanical perspective, this involved Adam and Eve conducting  measurements that manifested good AND evil. Just as sexual entanglement does not merely gather information but cause one to become one with the object of intimacy and creating an instance of that, moral entanglement causes one to become one with whatever system of good or evil, defining it – bringing it forth. This involved Adam and Eve taking upon themselves a prerogative that properly belonged only to God. This is why God said in the wake of the fall “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:(Genesis 3:22).”

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The Tree of Life was also in the middle of the garden. This offered everything pertaining to life, including eternal life. This tree  would offer knowledge of the categories of good and evil. However, this life is linked to the energies of God. This tree has the potential for permanent entanglement with God. Eating from this tree supplies all needs and is grounded in God. for those not separated from God, this fruit offer permanent entanglement with God as it continually supplies life from God for all eternity.  If, however, one is already separated from God and then eats this fruit, the eternity of the life force will permanently separate such a soul from God. This is why God kicked Adam out of the garden.

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The consequences of  Adam and Eve choosing to become separate from God by entanglement with good and evil are three fold: Their souls become separated from God as the ground of their being, their bodies contaminated the physical universe, and they entered into entanglement with the property of Satan.These consequences are a setup of the world, the flesh, and the devil as enemies of God. The separation of their soul from the life of God made thefleshspiritually dead – an an enemy of God. The contamination of the physical environment with sin set up theworldas an enemy of God. Entanglement with the property of Satan gaveThe Devil a foothold to oppose God in the world.

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Their souls become separated from God as the ground of their being.This is because God  is no longer the foundation of their will. There is nothing that the separated person can do to fix this, as everything they do is ultimately based on them. God must initiate any process to restore Himself as the Foundation, and this process must respect free will as this freedom is essentially part of man. In The Equipping the Saints Anthology, in the book “How do We Know,” in chapter 10 I show how the Cross is the only place in which this can happen. God draws us to faith in Christ. We can identify with Christ in  death, have our nature crucified with Him. God raises us up with Christ with a new human nature. Our spirits are immediately  reconciled with God, but our bodies yet await redemption.

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Their bodies contaminated the physical universe. When Adam and Eve sinned, they committed parts of their bodies to rebellion against God. This introduced into the physical universe contradictions to the truth of God, resulting in  degradation of the physical universe

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They entered into entanglement with the property of Satan.There was an oddity in the garden.  Adam was given dominion over the whole earth and then placed specifically in the Garden of Eden to keep it, but one solitary tree is explicitly kept from them: The Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil.

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Gen 2:7-17  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.  (8)  The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.  (9)  And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…

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Gen 2:7-17…(15)  Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.  (16)  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;  (17)  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

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The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was explicitly denied to man in the Garden even as everything else was given to man. If the The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil  was not given to man, to whom was it given?

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In Genesis 3, we see the Serpent in the Garden  residing in The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It is here that he has an encounter with Eve leading to the fall of the entire human race. While the text does not explicitly say that the serpent was given this tree, we have good reasons to believe he was in entanglement with this tree. The fruit of this tree represent entanglement with moral categories independently of God – hence rebellion against God. The serpent had already rebelled against God and hence is in entanglement with this fruit. This serpent is tempting Eve to suborn her entanglement, entangling himself in her decisions to become entangled at his command.If she eats this fruit at the serpent’s temptation, she won’t be independently rebelling against God but joining Satan’s rebellion  at his command. She ( and Adam) became entangled with the property of Satan.

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Gen 3:1-7  Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”  (2)  And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;  (3)  but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”  (4)  Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  (5)  For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  (6)  So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.  (7)  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

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The act of becoming entangled with Satan opened up an opportunity for Satan to make claims against them. He began to claim that that humanity and all that they have belonged to him through their own foolish choice. Unfortunately, Satan was not wrong about one claim in his act of usurpation: By entangling themselves with Satan by becoming entangled with moral categories in rebellion against God, their rebellion become subordinate to Satan. While Satan was never given the earth by God, who is the Lord of the earth, he had usurped the position of property manager through tricking Adam to give it to him. This also gave Satan legal standing to accuse humans of wrongdoing before God.

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While God had power to summarily seize this back, God is a god who keeps covenants and acts lawfully. The solution would be one in accordance with law.God flips the script of Eden on Satan. About 4,000-5,000 years later Satan is walking through his garden of human trees. God puts one tree in this garden that is off limits to Satan. Jesus is born the seed of the woman but not of Adam, and as such he does not have Adam’s curse and does not inherit Adam’s entanglement with Satan. He is conceived sinless and has God as His father with paternal DNA created ex nihilo “out of nothing.” When Jesus offers Himself to be killed to redeem us, Satan takes the bait and murders Him in obedience to the command of Jesus Christ. Satan has now entangled Himself with Jesus Christ’s body as it is receiving God’s wrath for our sins, and indeed playing the role of an executioner of God’s wrath, albeit as unwittingly as Adam was when he tricked Adam. Christ not only has claim over Satan as Lord of the earth, but is now the new property manager as the Last Adam(1 Corinthians 15:45).

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Gen 3:14-15  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:  (15)  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

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When Satan moved to murder Christ via his proxies, God put every sin that had ever been committed on him. This included the sin of Adam’s first rebellion. By murdering Christ Satan destroyed his own claims to authority over the earth.  Satan has abrogated his own standing with God the same moment he touched the body of Christ.This is why the serpent biting His heel and his heel crushing the serpent are the same motion.� This abrogation is the key to his downfall, both legally at the moment of the Cross and physically as each person becomes entangled in Christ by either taking up the Cross or joining in the murder of that which is Christ’s

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The self-inflicted  abrogation of legal standing  Satan committed at the Cross is Satan’s “Achilles heel.” Because Satan threw away his legal standing at the Cross, we can approach Heaven to ask God to permanently ban him from ever approaching God’s throne to accuse God’s people ever again. We overcome Satan by the blood of Jesus which takes away his standing, and we also overcome him through the word of our testimony, which applies this in open court.

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Rev 12:7-11  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,  (8)  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.  (9)  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  (10)  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  (11)  And they overcame him by theblood of the Lamb, and by theword of their testimony; and theyloved not their lives unto the death.

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There is a third weapon mentioned here: They loved their lives not unto death. The first two directly handle Satan. The third one is needed because there is still a world system of systemic evil propped up by evil people who refuse to recognize Christ. Bring physical possession of the earth into the same state as Christ’ current legal possession, it is necessary to get every single person on earth to either (1) take up his cross to follow Christ, or (2) join Satan in his murder of Christ. While 21st century people cannot literally murder Christ as he died early 30’s AD, they can murder Christ by murdering those who are entangled with Christ at the Cross. While we as Christians cannot add anything to the finished work of Christ upon the Cross, we can become entangled with that work. It is this entanglement that access us to participate in Christ’s sufferings when we are persecuted because we are Christians.

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1 Pe 4:12-17  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  (13)� But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  (14)  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.  (15)  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.  (16)  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.  (17)  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

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Here Peter is teaching, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that suffering for Christ is participation in the sufferings of Christ. What happens during the Final Great Persecution, when everyone on earth is either participating in the persecution of God’s people by the Antichrist or taking up the cross of Christ. All of humanity becomes entangled in the Cross – the earth becomes shoved into the Cross, and comes into a quantum state ripe for the Return of Christ.

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The New Covenant Internalizes the Righteousness Described in the Mosaic Covenant.

It has been established at length in this volume that the New Covenant has replaced the Mosaic Covenant specifically. There are two caveats here. One, which has already been covered at length, is that this replacement is limited to the Mosaic Covenant. The Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants are still in legal force today in the same way that they were in the Old Testament. The Second Caveat is that the replacement was a change of Covenantal Structure rather than a repudiation of legal principles.

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When I say that the replacement was a change of “Covenantal Structure rather than a repudiation of legal principles,” I am saying that the righteousness described by the Law is relevant today. There are three ways that the Mosaic Law exists: God’s Moral Law, Civil Law, and Levitical Law.

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God’s Moral Law.

The duty to observe God’s moral law that is found in the Mosaic Law is affirmed in the New Testament. In Romans 8 we are instructed that Christ died so that we could walk in the Spirit. The first phase is that Christ death is the propitiation for our sins (verse 3).

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Rom 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)� For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,  (4)�that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

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Verse 4 gives us the endgame – We are forgiven – the slate wiped clean – so that therighteous requirement of the Law is fulfilled in those who walk according to the Spirit. There was never an intention to liberate people from the moral duties describes by the law. The change is that the Holy Spirit moves on us inwardly to live according to the Law

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Heb 8:8-13  Because finding fault with them, He says: “BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH—  (9)  NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS IN THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; BECAUSE THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DISREGARDED THEM, SAYS THE LORD.  (10)�FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MIND AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.  (11)  NONE OF THEM SHALL TEACH HIS NEIGHBOR, AND NONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL SHALL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST OF THEM TO THE GREATEST OF THEM… �

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Heb 8:8-13…(12)  FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”  (13)  In that He says, “A NEW COVENANT,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

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God wrote his Laws in our hearts and minds. What laws. This would include the description of righteousness in the Mosaic Covenant. Consider the decree of the Jerusalem Counsel. This decree liberated Gentiles from observing the Mosaic Covenant, but left four provisions explicitly in tact. In each of these four, the Mosaic definition for these things are normative for the New Testament

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Act 15:24-29  Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—  (25)  it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,  (26)  men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (27)  We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.  (28)  For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:  (29)�that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

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The moral use of the law is invoked frequently in the New Testament. Here are just a few examples. In Romans 2 Paul writes that the Gentiles show the law written on their hearts in moral excusing and accusing. The Mosaic Law describes righteousness that is embedded into the human conscience.

Rom 2:12-15  For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law  (13)  (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;  (14)  for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,  (15)�who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

Here we see Paul consulting the law concerning the behavior of women in the Church. The following passage does not condemn all female speech in the church, as the previous passage and other affirms the role of women in prophesying. It is referring to a cultural custom that the apostolic assemblies borrowed from Judaism. In the meetings, men and women would not sit together but were segregated by an aisle between them. Women were being disruptive to the flow of the service by shouting questions to their husbands. Paul was writing to condemn that, and in the course of his argument appeals to the Mosaic Law.

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1 Co 14:34-35  Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. (35)  And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

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Paul is referring to Genesis 3:16 “To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.’” This was a modification to the Adamic Covenant that was later imported into the Mosaic Covenant via inclusion of Genesis as part of the Pentateuch. This was cited in the New Testament in the context of the New Covenant.

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Civil Law

The Mosaic Covenant contains provision for civil laws that govern the actions of state. These, by definition, can only be applied to people living under a Civil government created by the Covenant. The Mosaic Covenant retooled the existing tribal system of elders and imported it into the Covenant. In Numbers 11, god has Moses anoint existing elders to assist him in the administration of the government.

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Num 11:16-30  So the LORD said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you.  (17)  Then I will come down and talk with you there. .  (18)  Then you shall say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat.  (19)  You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days,  (20)  but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?” ‘ ”  (21)  And Moses said, “The people whom I am among are six hundred thousand men on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month.’  (22)  Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to provide enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to provide enough for them?”  (23)  And the LORD said to Moses, “Has the LORD’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.”  (24)  So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle.  (25)�Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again. �

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Starting in verse 26 we see elders who did not go up to join the assembly. God anointed them apart from Moses. When Joshua objected that God would anoint those outside the Covenantal government, Moses stood him down. He looked forward to the New Covenant, saying “Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!”

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Num 11:16-30…(26)�But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp.  (27)  And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”  (28)  So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!”  (29)� Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” (30)  And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

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The anointing of elders, some of which were in the Covenantal Government and others outside presents a nuanced view towards the ceremonial law. The elders inside the government were the direct and exclusive police power of the government. They and they alone give the law direct force. When the Mosaic Covenant expired this direct application of civil law ceased. We are not directly subject to the civil law provisions of the Mosaic Covenant today. Even Jews who fancy themselves as observing the Mosaic Covenant are not subject to the civil laws as there does not exist a Covenantal Government. The current government of Israel is neither a Covenantal government nor a Messianic government. The Old Covenantal Government of the Mosaic law will never return, but a New Covenantal government under the Messiah is coming to the earth. The principles of civil law found in the Mosaic Covenant will be features of the New Covenantal government, albeit in a different format.

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The elders outside the government have the same anointing to rule, but they are not directly adjudicating and administering the Covenantal Government. They apply the principles of the law to different legal contexts. Wee see this at play in the governmental system of the United States. The separation of powers was inspired by the separation of powers between prophet, priest, and king in the Old Testament. Our conceptions of human rights are grounded in the dignity of humanity as creatures created in the image of God. Our bankruptcy laws were inspired by the Jubilee laws in the Mosaic Covenant.

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The elders outside the system prefigures the Church. The Church does not rule as a theocracy as existed in the Mosaic Covenant, but Christians use their franchise to glorify God using the abilities and authority granted in the constructs of the world that they inhabit to glorify God. In free societies this means Christins promote limited government and freedom for everyone, but in the area where government is needed it would be administered according to Christian principles. When Jesus returns all of this becomes incorporated in his Messianic Government.

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Levitical Law

The Levitical Law is explicitly done away with by the New Covenant. We do not need the Levitical system of sacrifices because Jesus Christ made one sacrifice once for all.

Heb 10:1-12�For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.  (2)  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.  (3)  But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year…  …(9)  then He said, “BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.”He takes away the first that He may establish the second.  (10)  By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  (11)  And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  (12)�But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

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Because Christ made one sacrifice once for all, there was no need for the Levitical system. Being of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, His priesthood lasts forever. Hebrews 7 presents teaching concerning the superiority of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which preceded the Levitical Priesthood.

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Heb 7:11-17  Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?  (12)�For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.  (13)  For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.  (14)  For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.  (15)  And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest  (16)  who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.  (17)  For He testifies: “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

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The first part of Hebrews 10 instructs us that the Levitical system could never take away sins, but that Christ’s sacrifice once and for all has done away with the need for the Levitical Priesthood. Christ’s death takes away the Mosaic Covenant – literally fulfilling it completely – to establish the New Covenant.

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Heb 10:1-12  For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.  (2)  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins… �

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Heb 10:1-12…(9)  then He said, “BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.”He takes away the first that He may establish the second. �(10)� By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (11)  And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  (12)  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

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Hebrews 8 plainly says that the New covenant replaced the Mosaic Covenant. At the time it was written, the Mosaic Covenant was becoming obsolete, with its formal declaration of breach happening 10-70 years after the writing of Hebrews though the destruction of the Temple and the diaspora.

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Heb 8:7-13  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.  (8)  Because finding fault with them, He says: “BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH—  (9)  NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS IN THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; BECAUSE THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DISREGARDED THEM, SAYS THE LORD.  (10)  FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MIND AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.  (11)  NONE OF THEM SHALL TEACH HIS NEIGHBOR, AND NONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL SHALL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST OF THEM TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.  (12)  FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”  (13)� In that He says, “A NEW COVENANT,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

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The final point on the Cessation of the Mosaic Law is that nobody ever got saved by observing the law. Salvation has always been by grace through faith. Everyone who will be saved is saved by Trusting Christ.

Rom 9:30-10:4�What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;  (31)  but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.  (32)  Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.  (33)  As it is written: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STUMBLING STONE AND ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.”  (10:1)  Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.  (2)  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  (3)� For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. �(4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

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Abraham knew this, though He lacked biographical information about Christ. When Isaac asked him about the burnt offering when Abraham was tested, Abraham said “The Lord will Provide the Lamb.”

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Gen 22:6-13  So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.  (7)�But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”  (8)  And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.  (9)  Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.  (10)  And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.  (11)  But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”  (12)  And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”  (13)�Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.

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God provided a RAM that day, but Abraham said that God will provide a LAMB because he was looking to the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. That day Abraham trusted Christ for his salvation.