My prayer is that you might be blessed, and avoid the foolish and profane babblings that exalt heritage cultural beliefs or denominations and nationality above the Word of God. I am blessed that I have no earthly country, or earthly heritage or any cultural background. I confess that I am a stranger and pilgrim on the earth.   For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.   I with others 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.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

 

Read the scripture references found on the chart and they should be enough to expound the chart.

Links to further references can be found by dragging your mouse curser over the chart.

Justified by faith without the Law

We need to understand all these people had close fellowship with  God yet had no statutes commandents or Laws.

Heb 11:13 These all  died  in  faith,  not having received the  promises, but  having seen them  afar off, and were persuaded 3982 of them, and  embraced 782 them, and confessed that they were strangers  and pilgrims on the earth.  

As these men looked through the corridors of time they saw promises afar off and were persuaded of them.

G3982 πείθω peithō pi'-tho

A primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): - agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) content, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.

G782 ἀσπάζομαι aspazomai as-pad'-zom-ahee

From G1 (as a particle of union) and a presumed form of G4685; to enfold in the arms, that is, (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome: - embrace, greet, salute, take leave.

Abraham looked beyond the law to Christ

 

Can you believe that Abraham saw  the future promises of God. By faith these O.T saints took hold of the promises of God

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Yes even Jesus testified that Abraham saw the promise of Christ.

1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

 

Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Gospel preached in the Old Testament

 

Not only did these men of faith see, a thousand years down the road the sufferings of Christ, they embraced Him.

 

Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

 

Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

 

2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a Preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

 

Christ  God's eternal plan

 

Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 

 

Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 

 

 

Jesus was not  a remedy for some unforeseen transgression in the garden, this was God's eternal purpose.

 

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

Abrahamic Covenant

 

Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.  22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

 

Some who have read the old testament  would have noticed the pattern of the firstborn were after the flesh :

 

Flesh               Promise

Cain                  Abel

Ishmael            Isaac

Esau                 Jacob

Adam               Christ

                                                                                       Israel               Israel of God (Church)

When Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus John 3:1-10 Jesus said Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Jesus was implying that all this born again doctrine is contained in the scriptures, the law and the prophets, a good bible student should know these things, and Nicodemus you   knowest not these things?

Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Gal 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Israel (Ishmael)

Rom 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of none effect:

Gal 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, (after the flesh) the other by a freewoman. (after the spirit)  23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.  24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; (Abrahamic and The Law)  the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is,  (natural earthly Jerusalem and Israel) and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

 

They which are of the Law were never heirs, natural Israel under the Law was never the intended recipient of the promises, but, there were those in Israel who received the promises.

Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:  8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (You must be born again)

Deu 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be : for they are  a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

The old testament was never about Israel it was always about Christ

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

From the first page of Genesis to the last page of Malachi.

After his conversion, Paul's eyes were opened to the truth in the scriptures, in Christ the veil is taken away.

Rom 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2Co 11:22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

The Law

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then  serveth the  law?  It was added (4369) because  of transgressions,  till ,  the  seed should come  to whom  the promise was made;  and it was ordained  by  angels in the hand  of a mediator.

G4369 προστίθημι prostithēmi pros-tith'-ay-mee  From G4314 and G5087; to place additionally, that is, lay beside, annex, repeat: - add, again, give more, increase, lay unto, proceed further, speak to any more.

As you can see from the word added the law was annexed or laid alongside the existing covenant.

The purpose of the Law was to bring us to repentance, not to be cherished so that we can somehow obtain our own righteousness.

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

The very reason for the Law was to highlight the sin of the people, there rebelliousness, remember this Law was given when God had wrought a mighty deliverance from Egypt. It was given that man might set aside his pride and cry out to God for  deliverance.

Deu 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness , if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

These people wanted something to set them apart from from others, and the Law was set above the Lawgiver, Paul had this in mind in the following verses

Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Phi 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

 From under the law to faith

Hebrews 11

Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Jer 15:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.

Eze 14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

It is interesting to note that those people I have highlighted in the above scripture came out from under the law and entered the covenant of faith. Especially David who was responsible for the wicked death of Uriah the Hittite and adultery with his wife Bathsheba. David under the law should have been killed.

Psa 51:1 <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.> Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

The end of the law

2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offering

I've been studying the Bible for 22 years, and much of that in the O.T. And I believe people have put more emphasis on keeping the Law than God himself.  I can only ever see God justifying the ungodly and sinners through His mercy. Never because of their own righteousness.

Exo 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

In the law I can only see a God that delights in mercy, if any body kept the law without transgressing any point then they would not need mercy, but righteousness would be earned. Why would anybody forsake the mercy of the Lord, and try to earn righteousness through the law, their own righteousness.

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

 

To me the law was to show the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man that they might trust in His mercy.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Even Isaiah prophesied that God would send a savior to justify the ungodly. How anybody can read the Old Testament and not understand this is Jesus is beyond me. This is the chapter in Isaiah that Philip expounded to the eunuch Acts 8:32

Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

So having a law we cannot keep, and God in His mercy providing the means to fulfil the requirements of the law, through Jesus, how could anyone of a sound mind reject Gods offer for salvation. What is it within man that can not accept justification by grace alone. Especially when it has been prophesied throughout the law and the Prophets.

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

Zec 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

God imputed righteousness to Joshua. God has the ability to forgive sin and justify the ungodly without the works of the law and authority to declare us righteous.

Psa 32:1 <A Psalm of David, Maschil.> Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Psa 32:3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

Psa 32:4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Psa 32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

I could pick out half the old testament and show God wanted a relationship with man, that was exemplified in His relationship with David. As shown in the above scripture a deep sorrow for sin and repentance and a cry for mercy, resulting in God's forgiveness, and proof his petition is answered. Without sin offerings and the observances of the law.

Paul was right in saying:

Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Isa 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

God has shown us from the beginning, in the garden, man wanted to justify himself, when they sewed  fig leaves together to make aprons. But the Lord wants to be our savior. He provided them with coats of skins which speaks of sacrifice.

Some believe if we can contribute a little to our salvation then we are co-saviors with him. If we can contribute just a little bit toward our own salvation, then we own part of our salvation we are no longer bought with the blood but a mixture of works and grace.

Paul also added, and I can fully understand the point he is making, concerning our salvation. We must be totally reliant on the    redemption which is in Christ.

Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law,

then Christ is dead in vain.

It has to be all or nothing. It then becomes a pride thing, that if we do not keep the Sabbath, circumcision, or tithing we are somehow incurring the wrath of God. And therefore come again under the law. And the same bothers me today as troubled Paul.

 Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

 

But some still continue in the Law

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

 

Read the 1Chronicles chapter 16 now make sure your read it!

Did you notice right at the start. There the Ark of the Testimony. Did you notice it wasn't in the Tabernacle that Moses established.

v.1 they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it:

Now read Exodus chapter 40

v:20 And he (Moses) took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark: :21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

This is an important contrast, because  Moses wrote much about in great detail about the Tabernacle and the furniture.  How the Tabernacle and the things associated with it where to function . The laws, the sacrifices, the priesthood, the feasts were all an integral part of life in  Israel. They where the church in the wilderness.

So you may ask what has this to do with two covenants.  You will notice that while David and the rest of those that are with him are having a great time of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. Have a look again at 1Chr 16:38-43. Yes that's right the Tabernacle of Moses is set up at in the high places at Gibeon according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel. But the Glory of the Lord is not there, it is with David at mount Zion. Even though God is not in the Tabernacle at Gibeon they still go through the rituals.

All these things the law, the tabernacle, the feasts were all a parable. A shadow of the true tabernacle

Heb 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

 

1Ch 16:4 And he (David) appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

Psa 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

The Sacrifices David offered

Amo 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

Act 13:22 .....................I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

 

(Christ) 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

 

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

HOME