Everything that was required to be fulfilled in order to retire the Law of Moses was fulfilled upon the Cross by Jesus Christ, Himself announcing it with His dying shout, "It is finished/fulfilled/paid in full!" (This is classic Christian theology, nothing novel or innovative here even though there is still a way for it to accord with the doctrine of the Lord Jesus' 70AD Return. See also: Everlasting Law of Christ /?q=node/68).
The notion that the Law of Moses carried any authority after Jesus shouted from the Cross, "It is finished!" should be reconsidered. Otherwise, Christ's Apostles Peter & Paul must be considered the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens because although they were true, Biblical Jews, Peter & Paul lived as the believing Gentiles, relying upon the Law of Christ alone for righteousness rather than the Law of Moses.
Matthew 5:17-20 (around 27AD, at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry)17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law [of Moses], or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (Strong's #4137). 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law [of Moses], till all be fulfilled (Strong's #1096). 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
30-70AD Millennialism would have us to believe that this statement by Jesus means that the Old Testament Law of Moses was to remain binding and in full effect until all the Law & Prophets are fulfilled; and that this fulfillment did not occur until 70AD. This notion is what drives them to insist that whatever is found in pages of the Bible MUST be fulfilled before 70AD because the Law of Moses remains binding until all is fulfilled.
But let us consider something else Jesus said,
John 19:28-30 (around 30AD, at the ending of Jesus' public ministry)After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished (#5055), that the scripture might be fulfilled (#5048), saith, "I thirst!" 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished!" (#5055): and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Whatever 30-70AD Millennialism may say this means, here's what "It is finished! (#5055)" meant to Paul back around 58AD, long prior to 70AD's "all things fulfilled," (so-called).
Romans 10:3-4 (around 58AD, when Paul departs from Corinth, well prior to 70AD's supposed "fulfillment of all [Bible] things")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. 4 For Christ is the end (#5056) of the Law [of Moses] for righteousness to every one that believeth.
And here's a glimpse of how Peter & Paul's understanding of "It is finished! (#5055)" worked out into the daily lives of Christians back around 49AD, long before "all things fulfilled" (supposedly) in 70AD.
Galatians 2:11-21 (around 49AD, Paul, the new guy, publically confronts veteran leader Peter at one of the first Christian conferences ever)But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, "If thou [Peter], being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law [of Moses], but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law [of Moses]: for by the works of the Law [of Moses] shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the Law [of Moses] am dead to the Law [of Moses], that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law [of Moses], then Christ is dead in vain! "
Paul, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a (former) Pharisee son of a Pharisee, (Philippians 3:5-8), was so certain that "all be fulfilled!" sufficiently to retire the Law [of Moses] per Matthew 5:18 that he considered obedience to the commandments of the Law [of Moses] entirely optional. Paul would freely obey or discard the Law [of Moses] depending upon the cultural concerns of whatever people group he was trying to reach for Christ. Obeying even the least of those commandments was for Paul strictly a cultural concern of sensitivity towards reaching followers of Old Testament Judaism for Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:18-23 (around 57 AD, Paul writes to the church at Corinth)When I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the Law [of Moses], as under the Law [of Moses], that I might gain them that are under the Law [of Moses]; 21 To them that are without Law [of Moses], as without Law [of Moses], (being not without law to God, but under the Law of Christ,) that I might gain them that are without Law [of Moses]. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
So, did Christ, the Apostles, and the Jew-Gentile churches (founded largely by former synagogue members), consider Paul and Peter "the least in the kingdom of heaven" because they "lived after the manner of Gentiles and not as do the Jews"? I dare any 30-70 Millennialist to say that they were. No, it was the Judaizers who went around saying things like, "All things have not been fulfilled enough yet, so the Bible says you need to keep obeying the Law [of Moses] until they are!" So we see that 30-70AD Millennialism has something very much in common with the Judaizers, the NT enemies of the Gospel. (Not to mention again the inescapable connection with Universalism via 30-70AD Millenialism's Gnostic-style deviation from orthodox resurrection. Remember, it was Hymenaeus & Philetus who were saying things like, "Since the 1st Resurrection of the Just that is already past was all about people "coming to covenant life" in Christ (Rev 20:4), the Resurrection of the Rest of the Dead, Rev 20:5, when Jesus comes back will be about everybody else ‘coming to covenant life’ in Christ (Rev 20:5), too: nobody but the Devil is going to Hell! Yippee!" (2 Tim 2:11-18). But Paul still wanted to be in that number of First Resurrected Saints, Phillippians 3:10-13, therefore the first Resurrection described in Rev 20:4-6 was still yet to be. /?q=node/46 and /?q=node/47).
Evidently enough, Christ, the Apostles & the churches of the 30-70AD period believed and taught that all things necessary to retire the Old Testament Law of Moses, all the things Jesus had been talking about in the Matt 5:17-20 context, had already been fulfilled at Jesus' death shout from the Cross, "It is finished!" (John 19:30).
Colossians 2:13-17 (around 62AD, Paul writes to the church at Colossae)...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;... 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Below here is what the Apostles & the churches thought of those still teaching that the Law [of Moses] must still be kept up "until all things be fulfilled" someday, (supposedly) at 70AD. One should study the meaning of the word "justified" and find that it means "declared innocent: having satisfied all the Law's requirements."
Galatians 3:9-15 (around 49AD, Paul still recounting the meaning behind his public confrontation of Peter's hypocrisy)9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the Law [of Moses] 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 [of Moses] to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the Law [of Moses] in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.12 And the Law [of Moses] is NOT of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law [of Moses], being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto....
Acts 15:5-35But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise THEM [the Gentile converts to Christ], and to command THEM to keep the Law of Moses. 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. … 11 But WE BELEIVE THAT THROUGH THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WE SHALL BE SAVED, EVEN AS THEY [the Gentile converts to Christ]. … 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not THEM, …21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch Syria Cilicia: and … and … 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the Law [of Moses]: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, … 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; … they delivered the epistle: 31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced …
So again, In review here: Did Christ, the Apostles and the Jew-Gentile churches (founded largely by former synagogue members), identify Paul and Peter as "the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens" because they "lived after the manner of Gentiles and not as do the Jews" per Gal 2:14? NO. (I dare any 30-70 Millennialist to say that they were). No, it was the Judaizers who went around saying things like, "All things have not been fulfilled yet, so Jesus says you need to keep obeying the Law [of Moses] until they are!" So we see that 30-70AD Millennialism has something very much in common with the Judaizers, the New Testament enemies of the Gospel.
OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST = LOVE = FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW OF MOSES
Romans 13:8-10Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the Law [of Moses]. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law [of Moses].NKJV
Peter & Paul fulfilled the Law [of Moses] blamelessly because they walked in love, NOT because they preached and obeyed Moses. They obeyed Christ, and obedience to Christ satisfies every law. “And this is love: that we keep Christ’s commandments.” 2 John 6
2 John 6-10
This is love, that we walk according to His [Christ's] commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
NKJV
CIRCUMCISION: the bodily sign of one's pledge of allegience to the Law of Moses:
Galatians 1:6-9
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
NKJVGalatians 5:6-15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."Galatians 6:13-16
For not even those who are circumcised keep the Law [of Moses], but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
NKJV
Again, by loving their neighbors as themselves as the Commands of Christ instruct, Peter & Paul fully satisfied every law even though, "I, [Paul], said unto Peter before them all,
‘If thou [Peter], being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?’ “, (Galatians 2"11-21). THIS is Scripture. Being "justified" means "satisfying the Law." They taught that those Jew-Gentile churches in Galatia & Rome, etc. were justified by faith-inspired obedience to Christ rather than by fear-driven obedience to Moses. “We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law [of Moses], but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law [of Moses]: for by the works of the Law [of Moses] shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:15-16).
From the Cross onward,
Obedience to Jesus Christ fully satisfies the Law of Moses.
This is how Peter & Paul and the Jew-Gentile churches founded by former synagogue members were blameless before the Law of Moses while "living after the manner of Gentiles." They lived after the manner of Gentiles who obeyed Jesus Christ, King of Israel. And if there is anybody who determines citizenship in Israel, it is the King of Israel, Jesus Christ. And if there is anyone who lays down the criteria of who is a Jew indeed, it is the King of the Jews, Jesus Christ. Is Jesus your King? Then what does that make you? Have you been born-again into Jesus’ immediate family? Then His genealogy is your genealogy and what does that make you?
Peter, moved by the Holy Spirit of God, preached about Jesus from Deuteronomy 18:15-22 at that first Christian Pentecost to actual, Biblical Jews in Jerusalem:
Acts 3:22-23For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything He tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.'NIV
"Cut off from among his people" is the term Moses consistently used for the penalty for failing to satisfy the Law of Moses. And obeying Jesus, the Prophet like Moses, was part of the Law of Moses. Whoever failed to heed Jesus failed to satisfy the Law of Moses. Jews, real Biblical Jews who actually presented genuine genealogies on file in the last physical Temple, Jews were broken off as branches from Israel for their unbelief in Christ Jesus. (Romans 11:16-23). And Gentiles with pedigrees no better known than that of street dogs were grafted into Israel because of their faith in Christ Jesus. Since the first appearrance of Jesus Christ, the Law of Moses is satisfied ONLY by obeying Jesus Christ, "the Prophet like me," of whom Moses wrote. And failure to obey Jesus Christ meant being cut off from among the People of Moses. Obeying the Gospel of Christ satisfies the Law of Moses: since Christ's first appearrance, it is the ONLY satisfaction of the Law of Moses. And from the Cross forward, anyone who obeyed the Gospel of Christ was blameless before the Law of Moses regardless of circumcision, new moons, sabbaths, animal sacrifices, feast days, etc., which all became moot, empty shadows when compared to the substance that was made available with Christ at His fisrt appearing.
John 19:30 & Mark 15:37-39 NKJV30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished! (#5055)" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"
Christ is the end (#5056) of the Law of Moses, Romans 10:4, not the destruction of that last levitical temple 40 years later in 70AD.
The Scriptures cited here above show plainly enough what the Apostles & the churches thought of those still teaching that the Law [of Moses] must still be kept up "until all things be fulfilled" (supposedly) at 70AD. Evidently enough, Christ, the Apostles & the churches of the 30-70AD period believed and taught that all things necessary to retire the Old Testament Law & Prophets, all the things Jesus had been talking about in the Matt 5:17-20 context, had already been fulfilled at Jesus' death shout from the Cross, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). The change of the covenants occurred at Christ's offering of Himself at the Cross. God graciously granted 40 years for everyone to voluntarily realize this before making it violently clear at the 70AD destruction of Jerusalem.
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