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Is The Law of Moses Useful Today? – Bible Contradiction?

Is The Law of Moses Useful Today? – Bible Contradiction?

      The Origin of the Mosaic Law

Skeptics and critics have claimed that the Bible contradicts itself regarding the Law of Moses is useful for Christians today. Here is the alleged “contradiction”:

Is the Law of Moses useful?
(a) Yes. “All scripture is… profitable…” (2 Timothy 3:16)
(b) No. “ . . . A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness… “(Hebrews
7:18)

This is a case of the scriptures being taken out of context. 

The Old Mosaic Law Covenant was”set aside”, because it was “canceled” (Ephesians 2:14 NLT) since it could not permanently remove sin. “The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, but not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they never were able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship” (Hebrews 10:1 NLT).  read more

Which Jerusalem for Christians – “Present”,”Above”, or “Heavenly”?

Which Jerusalem for Christians – “Present”,”Above”, or “Heavenly”?

Many Christians today strongly feel that “Israel according to the flesh” (1 Corinthians 10:18 NAB) is still ‘God’s chosen people”, and that the modern day Republic of Israel has a place in God’s purpose, and fulfilled Bible prophecy when it was established in 1948. They believe that Old Testament prophecies of the restoration of Israel are fulfilling and will be fulfilled in a physical, literal way. Which Jerusalem matters to Christians? This article will consider what the scriptures themselves say. read more

Seventy Weeks Prophecy of Daniel — Jesus and History

Seventy Weeks Prophecy of Daniel — Jesus and History

Daniel, through divine inspiration, accurately dated the coming of Christ 550 years in advance with the prophecy of the “Seventy Weeks”.

Critics and skeptics of the Bible claim that Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-27was written during the 160’s BCE, rather than the Biblically historically accurate date of “the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede” (Daniel 9:1 NLT) [539-538 BCE], and assert that the prophecy does not predict anything about the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The oldest extant manuscript of anything in Daniel 9:24-27 is the Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript 11Q13, dated to circa 100 BCE, which partially quotes Daniel 9:25, “until an anointed one, a prince”. This fact alone that that manuscript predates Jesus’ baptism by about 125 years, is powerful evidence of its prophetic accuracy. (For more facts and information about dating the entire book of Daniel, please see the article, “When Was the Book of Daniel Written?”, on this website). In the meantime, however, this present article investigates the Biblical and historical facts relating to the prophecy of the seventy weeks in Daniel 9:24-27, and its fulfillment. read more

Daniel Accurately Predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Daniel Accurately Predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Critics claim the writer of the Book of Daniel was a fraud who really lived in the 160’s BCE, rather than Daniel himself, who wrote the book in the 530’s BCE. Could it possibly be true that Daniel accurately predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes 350 years in advance?

“And now I shall tell you the truth about these things”—Daniel 11:1 NJB

“The vision of the evenings and the mornings which has been revealed is true”—Daniel 8:26 NJB

Other articles on this site have provided documented evidence that the Book of Daniel was written in the 500’s BCE, and 350 years in advance, accurately predicted details of the exploits of Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who was the Biblical “king of the =&0=& for about 12 years. The Greek philosopher Porphyry (233-304 CE) wrote a work in fifteen volumes he called Against the Christians, in which he attempted to prove that Jesus Christ was only an outstanding philosopher, but not who he said he was. In fact, Porphyry railed against Jesus’ reference to “the prophet Daniel” (Matthew 24:15 NIV) as being the writer of the book bearing his name. His reasoning was based, at least, in part, on the fact that Daniel 8:9-14,23-25; 11:21-39 so accurately predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes, that he could not accept it as prophecy written in advance. The “predictions” were just too accurate for him to accept. He claimed that a fraud pretending to write prophecy in advance had to have written Daniel, because the events described could not have been so accurately predicted.

This article will discuss exactly what some of the scriptures in Daniel 11 foretold about Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and how they were fulfilled.

“The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by =&1=&

This verse accurately foretold the coming to power of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 175 BCE. He’s also the “small horn” of 8:9-14, 23-25, and is historically described in detail in 1 Maccabees 1:7-6:16; 2 Maccabees 1:1-10:5; 4 Maccabees 4:15-18:5. Why was Antiochus foretold to be despicable? He was not a legitimate successor of his brother Selucus IV, since Selucus IV had a son. He was called despicable because he would usurp the kingship through his use of “flattery and intrigue”, thus currying the favor of Rome, and for his notorious acts as king. His brother, Seleucus IV had a son, Demetrius, who was very young , and held in Rome as a hostage at the time. Antiochus therefore seized the throne for himself with the help of King Eumenes II of Pergamon., proclaiming himself co-regent with another son of Seleucus, an infant named Antiochus (whom he murdered a few years later). The prediction called him a “despised,” or “despicable,” person because of his hatred of the Jewish people, his attempt to destroy Jerusalem, his desecration of the Temple and his megalomania displayed in calling himself Epiphanes (‘Manifest One; Illustrious One’). People of that time also called him Epimanes (‘Madman’).

“Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince”—Daniel 11:22 NLT

Daniel accurately these details of the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The “great armies” refer to the way all opposition against Antiochus IV will be broken. Despite Ptolemy VI Philometor (181 BCE–146 BCE) attacking with a flood of forces, Antiochus IV would be able to defeat them, and also depose the covenant prince, the Jewish high priest Onias III, in 175 BCE and replace him with his brother Jason (2 Maccabees 4:7-10). In 171 BCE, Onias was murdered by Menelaus, through manipulation of one Antiochus IV’s nobles, Andronicus (2 Maccabees 4: 32-43). Menelaus then became high priest (171–162 BCE), until his execution (2 Maccabees 13:3-8). Menelaus supported Antiochus IV’s program of hellenization.

“With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers (quoted from NLT). During a time of peace, he will come into the richest parts of the province and do what his fathers and predecessors never did (quoted from HCSB)”—Daniel 11:23,24

Antiochus IV would increase in power by sharing the wealth of his conquests, lavishing plunder, loot, and wealth on his supporters. He introduced Greek religion into Judea, helped by lawless followers who supported his policies (1 Maccabees 1:11-15). Antiochus IV seized the riches of the Temple, took large tributes from Jerusalem, and stationed troops there (1 Maccabees 1:29-40).

“Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against the king of the south. the king of the south will go to battles with =&2=&

These verses refer back to the first campaign of  Antiochus against Ptolemy VI Philometer of Egypt (vs 22), predicting that not only would the power of Antiochus defeat Ptolemy VI, but also that plots “against him” would cause his army to be swept away. Antiochus IV attacked Egypt twice between 170 and 168 BCE (1 Maccabees 1:16-19). The guardians of Ptolemy VI Philometer demanded the return of Coele-Syria in 170 BCE, but Antiochus launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, capturing all but Alexandria. In this first campaign of Antiochus IV against Ptolemy Philometer of Egypt (son of Antiochus’ sister Cleopatra, and Ptolemy V), Ptolemy was mislead by his advisers, and was defeated, and captured by Antiochus, at Pelusium, on the border with Egypt.  Antiochus, pretended friendship, but plundered Egypt. On the way back, Antiochus IV Epiphanes savagely mistreated the Jews (verse 28), as Daniel predicted.

“The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but because an end will still come at the appointed time. The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country”—Daniel 11:27,28 NIV

After the defeat of Ptolemy VI, Ptolemy VII took control of Egypt. Then, “the two (other) kings”, Antiochus IV and Ptolemy VI, who was living in Antiochus’ custody, would meet, ‘speaking lies at the same table’, to plot Ptolemy VI’s restoration to the throne. To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus allowed Ptolemy VI to continue ruling as a puppet king.  After initial limited success, they would eventually fail. Then “the king of the North”, Antiochus IV, having plundered Egypt, would return to his land, but ‘with his heart set against the holy covenant’. On the way home to Syrian Antioch from Egypt, in response to intrigues in Jerusalem against his supporters, he would turn his hatred toward and attack Israel. This would result in killing 80,000 Jewish men, women, and children, and plundering Jerusalem and the holy temple’ (170-169 BCE), and enslaving many others (1 Maccabees 1:20-42; 2 Maccabees 5:1-23). His arrogance was unbounded (1 Maccabees 1:24,25).

We can learn even from the bad example of these ‘two treacherous kings’ (vs 27). Treachery and deceit are a power broker’s way to position himself over someone else. When two power brokers try to gain the upper hand, it is a mutually weakening and self-destructive process. It is also futile because God ultimately holds all power in his hands.

“At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and and show favor to the those who forsake the holy covenant”—Daniel 11:29,30 NIV

Upon Antiochus’ withdrawal, the city of Alexandria chose a new king, one of Ptolemy’s brothers, named Ptolemy VIII Euergetes. The Ptolemy brothers agree to rule Egypt jointly instead of fighting a civil war. In 168 BCE, Antiochus IV again invaded “the South”, Egypt. However, this second campaign against Egypt would end in ignominy. “Ships of the western coastlands” (“ships of Kittim”, Numbers 24:24), would come from the west, past Cyprus. They were the Romans fleet vessels under the command of Roman consul Gaius Popilius Laenas, who would arrive at Alexandria before Antiochus reached it. He would inform Antiochus of the Roman senate’s order to withdraw, forcing Antiochus to give his answer right then —whether he would continue to fight. The general drew a circle in the sand, forced Antiochus to stand inside it, before he was allowed to exit the circle, he had to decide whether return home or prepare for war with Rome, which would put Antiochus in a state of war with the Roman republic. The other decision would force Antiochus to retreat from Egypt, withdrawing in shameful humiliation— which is what he did, since he feared the Roman fleet, “ships of the western coastlands”, “ships of Kittim” (compare Numbers 24:24). These “ships” had sailed from the west past Kittim (Cyprus). On the way home, he vented his anger and humiliation on the Jews the people of “the holy covenant”, determined to exterminate the Jewish religion, attacking Jerusalem in 168 BCE.

“His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes =&3=&

Antiochus would once again attack Israel, while returning to Syria. He captured and plundered Jerusalem in 167 BCE, desecrated the Temple, and stopped the Jews’ “daily sacrifice” at the altar (“take over the Temple, put a stop to the daily sacrifices”–NLT), and made all Mosaic Law practices illegal . He rewarded (“flatter and win over”–NLT) those who would come over to him, “those who have violated the holy covenant”. The Temple was desecrated when he sacrificed pigs on an altar erected in honor of the pagan Greek god Zeus Olympius. (1 Maccabees 1:54,59; 2 Maccabees 6:2). According to Jewish Law, pigs were unclean and were not to be touched or eaten. (Leviticus 11:7,8; Daniel 8:9-14, 23-26), and was considered to be one of the worst insults against the Jews. This prefigured a similar abomination that Jesus predicted would be erected in the future (Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20).

Antiochus harassed and killed whoever refused to ‘ violate the covenant’ (1 Maccabees 1:43-61). “The people who know their God”, who would resist the Hellenizers and would be ready to die for their faith, were foretold to “firmly resist him”, as expressed in the Maccabean revolt (1 Maccabees 1:62-64).

=&4=&

Old Covenant Shadows Fulfilled in New Covenant Reality

Old Covenant Shadows Fulfilled in New Covenant Reality

Abraham
The Old Covenant always was primarily relational (with God), not material

Many think the promises of living in the promised land of ancient Israel for God’s people are permanent. However, the Old Covenant was cancelled, and today God operates through the New Covenant and its reality.

“The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim reflection of the good things to come, not the good things themselves”—Hebrews 10:1 NLT

“These are shadows of the things to come; the reality belongs to Christ”—Colossians 2:17 NAB

The old covenant shadows were fulfilled in the new covenant substance of reality.

The main covenant is the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3). The “land” was promised by God to Abraham’s =&0=&to the Abrahamic Covenant (Galatians 3:19 NIV). “The land” was promised to the Israelites under the Law Covenant, with a warning about pagan peoples and against serving other “gods” (Exodus 23:30-33). 

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:8-16 NIV) read more

Priesthood of the Believer

Priesthood of the Believer

Is the Bible reliable?
What is the priesthood of the believer??

Do people have approach to God only through a clergy class, priests, an organization, a certain denomination, or is approach to God directly through Jesus Christ, and him alone? What is the priesthood of the believer?

“We do not write you anything you cannot read or understand”—2 Corinthians 1:13 NIV

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved . . . who correctly handles the word of truth”—2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

“The New Testament knows no spiritual aristocracy or nobility, but calls all believers ‘saints,’ though many fell far short of their vocation. Nor does it recognize a special =&0=&

The Bible is written so that anyone can read and understand it for themselves, but each person has a serious responsibility to use the Bible correctly, “accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB). Under the Old Covenant, men born into the Tribe of Levi of certain ages served as assistants to the priests, who were men of certain ages born as descendants of Aaron served the nation of Israel as priests at God’s earthly Tabernacle and later the Temple on earth. Only the Priests and Levites could enter certain areas of the Temple.

Under the New Covenant, all baptized Christians are priests wherever they are, at all times, which may be called the priesthood of the believer, and also, the priesthood of all believers. However, this doesn’t diminish the scriptural truth “that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church” (Ephesians 3:10 NAB). The church has a vital place under the New Covenant and is not to be neglected. “We should not stop gathering together with other believers” (Hebrews 10:25 GWT).

Hebrews 10:19 – “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” (NIV). John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (NLT).
Each believer has access to God, secured by Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. Access is, therefore, through Jesus Christ alone, without the need of human intermediaries. This is possible because of the change of covenants that God implimented:

“He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect” (Hebrews 10:9 NLT), that is, the “new covenant” with “Christ” as “mediator” (Hebrews 9:14,15 NIV). Under the Old Covenant, only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy, and that only once a year. Under the New Covenant, all Christians can, at any and all times, “enter the Most Holy Place” of God’s great symbolic spiritual Temple through Jesus in prayer (Hebrews 10:19).

Ephesians 2:18 – “Through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” – NIV
All people, Jew and non-Jew, have access to the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son, and by the power of the holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 2:5 – “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” – NIV
We have direct access through Jesus, without any human or organizational intermediaries.

1 Peter 2:5 – “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – NIV
God wants Christians, “his holy priests,” God’s “royal priests” (1 Peter 2:5,9 NLT), to offer themselves as living and spiritual sacrifices – daily laying aside our own desires and following him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal, and trusting him to guide us, praising God, praying and doing good.

Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” – NIV
“Your bodies” refers to the whole person. Our entire person and life should be a sacrifice to God.

Revelation 8:3-4 – “He was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all God’s people… the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” – NIV
One of the the sacrifices that Christians offer, therefore, is prayer. This is also seen in the following two scriptures:

Psalm 141:2 – “Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering.” – NLT
Revelation 5:8 – “They held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” – NLT.
Under the Old Covenant, the priests would burn incense to God at the portable Tabernacle, and later, in the Temple at Jerusalem. Under the New Covenant, each Christian’s prayers are like the aroma of incense ascending to God.

Hebrews 13:15 – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – NIV. Praising God is another sacrifice that each Christian priest must offer. The priesthood of the believer also entails the believer-priest representing God to non-Christians, ‘openly, publicly, professing his name.’

Philippians 4:18 – “I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.” – NLT. Material gifts can be another sacrifice the Christian priest offers, comparable to the Old Covenant “peace offering.” (Leviticus 7:12-15)

1 Timothy 2:1-2 – “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” – NIV. The Christian believer-priest appeals to God in intercession for others, making supplications, prayers, intercession and giving thanks for all.

1 John 2:20, 27 – “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth…. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in him.” – NIV. Believer-priests have an anointing from God. The Spirit’s anointing enables them to distinguish true and false teaching, based on the Bible. See John 14:26.

1 Peter 2:9 – “…You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – NLT
“Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God . . . let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14,16 NIV)
Christians can come directly into God’s presence through Christ.

We are also given the responsibility of bringing others to him. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21) This is the priestly work of reconciling God and people. being announcers of God. Evangelism is the great priestly work that believers as individuals, and the church as a whole, are to do.

Exodus 19:6 – “You will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.” – NLT. The nation of Israel was to become intermediaries between a holy God and a lost world. Through them God would reveal himself. (1 Peter 2:9-10). Israel broke this covenant. (Exodus 19:5) So God’s purpose for a kingdom of priests was not realized until Christ’s instituting the new covenant. The death and resurrection of Jesus allows each Christian direct access to God, and commissions each to be priests toward others, especially non-Christians.

Isaiah 61:6 – “You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God.” – NLT. Under the old covenant, God ordained the priests of Israel to stand between him and his people. They brought God’s word to the people – and the people’s needs and sins to God. Under the new covenant, all believers are priests of God (1 Peter 2:5), reading God’s Word and seeking to understand it, confessing their sins directly to God through the mediatorship of Christ alone, and ministering to others.

As we have seen above, the Old Testament predicted a coming to pass of the priesthood of the believer.

Revelation 1:6 – “Has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father” (NIV). Christ made Christian disciples priests to administer God’s love to others. Christians qualify as a witnesses for Jesus primarily because of what he has done for them, and secondarily, because they “serve him day and night in his temple” (Revelation 7:15 NIV).

Revelation 5:10 – “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (NIV). “Some manuscripts read they are reigning” (NLT footnote). The believers sing praises Christ for bringing them into the kingdom and making them kings and priests. Christ’s death made all Christian disciples priests of God – the channels of blessing between God and people. (1 Peter 2:5-9

“No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20 NKJV). We must always keep this principle in mind and not use the priesthood of the believer for wild speculations. However, we have learned the following principles about the priesthood of the believer:

  • Every Christian is equal under God (Galatians 3:28).

  • Each believer has direct access to God through Christ (Hebrews 7:25-28).

  • Each Christian can go to God directly for forgiveness of sins. No human mediator is needed for this forgiveness (Hebrews 4:15-16, 1 Timothy 2:5).

  • Each believer is free and responsible for reading the Scriptures and can trust the Holy Spirit to provide guidance and interpretation (John 16:13, 2 Peter 1:20-21).

  • Christians are accountable to God for living out the Scriptures but are not accountable to any confession of faith written by humans. Scripture is complete and needs no addendum.

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