The Sacred Statutes

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The sacred statutes and judgments are the basis of the Third Elijah Message.
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Malachi 4:4-5
I believe most of God's Law was verbally passed from one generation to the next until the decline of human ability made it necessary for the law to be written to preserve its content. God personally dictated His law to Moses to preserve accurately its content for future generations. He added some details to increase its scope of guidance to His people as the ravages of sin increased the degenerate nature of humanity.

If the statutes did not exist until Sinai, how could God say Abraham kept them? Was God mistaken or are we mistaken?

5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
Genesis 26:5
37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:37
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12

There is a Bible reference where one can read the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21) and know what they are. What is a Bible reference for the statutes? The statues are scattered throughout Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

These are the primary chapter references for most of the statutes and judgments.

  • Exodus 12-13, 20-23, 34-35
  • Leviticus (all)
  • Numbers 5-6, 15, 18-19, 27-30, 35
  • Deuteronomy 4-7, 10-27

A statute is any commandment given by God through Moses. A statute is often introduced with the same words.

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel…
Exodus 14:1-2

A judgment is any commandment with a punishment attached. The punishment of the judgments is now the responsibility of the state government. It is no longer up to us to take the punishment of the law into our own hands. God will shortly be performing the final judgment himself.

Fulfilled Statutes

There are statutes, which we no longer practice:

  • Sacrifices and oblations

    The purpose of the animal sacrifices was a symbolic atonement for sin until the true atoning sacrifice of the Messiah. After His sacrifice, the symbolic purpose was completed. There is no meaning to continued animal sacrifices so they ceased.

    27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
    Daniel 9:27

  • Temple functions

    After the perfect sacrifice, the primary purpose of the temple on earth ceased. The focus of the earthly temple has ceased and is transferred back to the heavenly sanctuary.

    21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
    22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
    23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
    24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
    John 4:21-24

  • Levite responsibilities

    The Messiah is now our High Priest. The Messiah continues the function of the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary.

    14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
    Hebrews 4:14

    There are no specific Levite responsibilities anymore, since the animal sacrifices and the temple have ceased. However, we are all described as priests unto God. The statutes for the lifestyle of a priest therefore apply to all of us.

    5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
    6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
    Exodus 19:5-6
    9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
    1 Peter 2:9
    6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
    Revelation 1:6

  • Adult circumcision.

    There is a statute, which was specific to the eating of the Passover lamb. (See Exodus 12:43-49.) Adults were required to be circumcised before they could eat of the sacrificial lamb. It is important to note, since the Passover lamb is no longer sacrificed, the statute of adult circumcision no longer applies. (See Acts 15.)

Summary of Statutes

This summary is a brief introduction to the statutes. The statutes are grouped under a relevant commandment. Remember, every individual is responsible for their personal study and understanding from the Bible. This is my understanding of the most significant of the unique statutes, which are to be practiced today.

Warning! Do not forget! Our interest in the Law of God is not as a set of rules. We seek His guidance because we love Him and we know He loves us. We desire to follow the guidance of the Law because it is His wisdom, which guides us. We do not find salvation in following a set of rules. We find His help.

Great Commandment

There are two great commandments. Love God. Love Others.

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22:36-40

Love God

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5

First Commandment

2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:2-3 Deuteronomy 5:6-7
  • God proclaims circumcision of the male offspring as a private sign of our commitment. Leviticus 12:3
  • God commands us to put tassels on the 'corners' of clothing as a reminder and public sign of our commitment to His law. Numbers 15:38

Second Commandment

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:4-6 Deuteronomy 5:8-10

Third Commandment

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Exodus 20:7 Deuteronomy 5:11

Fourth Commandment

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 20:8-11 Deuteronomy 5:12-15
  • God proclaims the start of the sacred calendar. Exodus 12:2
  • God proclaims the yearly Sabbaths and how they are observed. Leviticus 23
  • God proclaims the Sabbatical year, the Jubilee year and how they are observed. Leviticus 25

Love Others

18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:18

Fifth Commandment

12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12 Deuteronomy 5:16

Sixth Commandment

13 Thou shalt not kill.
Exodus 20:13 Deuteronomy 5:17

Seventh Commandment

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:14 Deuteronomy 5:18

Eighth Commandment

15 Thou shalt not steal.
Exodus 20:15 Deuteronomy 5:19

Ninth Commandment

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Exodus 20:16 Deuteronomy 5:20

Tenth Commandment

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Exodus 20:17 Deuteronomy 5:21

Dissension

Many in the church of the Three Angels' Message teach the statutes are no longer binding. They use the same texts and arguments used to dismiss the observance of the weekly Sabbath. Some use complicated arguments and logic to try to separate the statutes they do not want to observe, from the Ten Commandments.

The weekly Sabbath and the yearly Sabbaths are the times of Daniel 7:25 changed by the Catholic Church. The holy days of the Catholic Church replaced God's holy days, which are the yearly Sabbaths specified in Leviticus 23. Many reject God's holy days and prefer the baptized pagan holidays of the Roman Catholic Church.

It is important to note the church affirms some of the statutes. The Ten Commandments does not explicitly described tithing, unclean flesh, fornication, homosexuality, and many other practices. The church rightly speaks against picking and choosing the Ten Commandments to honor. The church opens itself to confusion and criticism by picking and choosing the statutes they will honor.

The church does not realize, by nailing the "Law of Moses" (statutes) to the cross, they weaken Law of God. This encourages people to go farther and ignore all the law. This teaching of partial obedience to God’s law will lead to an easy rejection of the weekly Sabbath when the time of test comes.

Church Unity

I am becoming increasingly concerned over the conflict within our church over the feasts and statutes. I have spent much time in studying the issues to seek to learn how to resolve this conflict in my own life.

This conflict is not new. It started even in the early church. A careful study of Acts 15 and Galatians is important for you to understand the issues. This is a summary of the issues.

The initial disagreement was over a statute, which was specific to the eating of the Passover lamb. Circumcision was required of anyone, even adults, who ate of the sacrificial lamb.

43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.
46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.
47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Exodus 12:43-49
According to the Jewish tradition, because of this statute, those who were converted to God as adults were required to be circumcised to be saved.
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:1-2
It is important to note, since the Passover lamb was no longer sacrificed, the statute no longer applied. Adults are no longer circumcised. There is a statute, which says the children of believing parents are to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth. I believe this still applies.
3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Leviticus 12:3

There were other specific times when God ordered the circumcision of adults. The practice of circumcision caused a conflict even for Moses and his wife.

24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.
25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.
26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
Exodus 4:24-26

It is also interesting to note the question in Acts was taken to the church elders for discussion and guidance. Even there it was only by the power of the Holy Spirit the issue was resolved. This is the same counsel I find in the Spirit of Prophecy concerning dissension in the church. Failure to follow this counsel led to serious public contention, which was not resolved even by the General Conference of 1888.

The initial dispute over circumcision of adults in the early church was expanded to include all the statutes. Apparently, the statutes were not emphasized in the initial teaching of the Gospel. This is consistent with understanding growth comes in stages.

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Acts 15:5

The council recognized the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which showed the circumcision of adults ended with the sacrificing of the symbolic Passover Lamb. The Passover Lamb was symbolic of the Son of God who was the true Lamb of God. After the true sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the purpose of the animal sacrifices was completed.

The council directed the early presentation of critical statutes, which continues even today.

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:20
The council recognized the full teaching of the statutes was available on an ongoing basis. As the laws recorded by Moses were learned, they would be followed.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Acts 15:21

The Christian walk is a continuing growth into all truth. Those who are farther along in their walk must not be critical of those who have not advanced as far. Those who are indeed farther along in their walk will carefully nurture the growth and strengthening of the foundational faith of their brethren. They will not do the work of Satan to destroy and tear down the church with dissension and discord.

The Spirit of Prophecy points to the importance of the statutes but it appears this is not yet a testing truth for this time. Those who know and understand do well to follow their conscience but they need to beware of how they present this truth to others. Criticism, judgment, and argument do not serve the cause of God.

God will provide Himself a prophet to call out a reformation and revival in the church and in the world.

4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
5 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:4-6

The Jewish Mitzvot
(Additional Online Material)

In Judaism, the Talmud specifies that the Torah contains 613 mitzvot. These mitzvot are a starting point for a list of the statutes. Lists of the mitzvot can be found in the Wikipedia, Judaism 101, and many others.

The Talmud is known as the Writings of the Oral Law (traditions) which was passed down from priest to priest. The Karaites accept only the written law. This is similar to "Sola Scriptura" of the Reformation. I also do not follow traditions.

The Mitzvot are an arbitrary list designed to comprise a specific number. Some of the Mitzvot are based on a traditional interpretation. I use the clearest understanding of the actual words of the Bible. I have examined this list and selected statutes which offer significant expansion of the basic commandment.

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Revised 2015-08-21