• In many cases, the words “Ordinance” or “Statute”
can be used interchangeably. (See Strong’s Concordance Hebrew words #2706
and 2708 interpreted as Ordinance in some places and Statute in other places).
• Ordinances/Statutes” can relate to either God-ordained laws or
else to man-made laws. So when these terms arise, it is best to check with Strong’s
Concordance to see who was the author of the law being discussed.
• Unless otherwise specified by the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy (EGW
refers to Ellen G. White), God’s Statutes and Judgments remain in effect
through the present time.
• Upon 2 commandments hang all the “Law and the Prophets”
(Matthew 22: 37-40): “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind”. “You
shall love your neighbor as yourself”.
• God-ordained statutes have been in place since: Before Satan
fell (Selected Messages, by EGW, Volume 1, p. 316), At creation (Genesis 1:
14-19, Psalm 104: 19, See also Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary "For
seasons" Genesis 1: 14 p. 213), Abraham’s day (Genesis 26: 5), Joseph’s
day (Psalms 81: 3-5), Moses’ day (Deuteronomy 5), Paul’s day (1 Corinthians 5: 7-8; Acts 20:6; Acts of the Apostles, by
EGW, p. 390-391), Ellen G. White’s day (Signs of the Times, by EGW, March
21, 1895), Every believer’s day (Review and Herald, EGW, October 13, 1904),
Forever (Review and Herald, by EGW, May 6, 1875)
• They are a sign between God and His people (Ezekiel 20: 12, 19-20)
• They are to be: Publicized (Testimonies for the Church, by EGW,
vol. 1, p. 332), Remembered and observed even to end times (Malachi 3 and 4),
Restored in end times (Joel 2; Isaiah 58: 12-14; Prophets and Kings, by EGW,
p. 678)
• They are not to be changed by man (Isaiah 24:4, 5 and Great Controversy,
by EGW, p. 589-590)
• However, they were changed by the Catholic Church (Daniel 7: 25 see
Hebrew word #1881 and 1882, T. Enright of the Redemptorist Fathers of the Roman
Church, June 1905).
• Don’t eat animal fat or blood (Leviticus 3: 17)
• No devil sacrifices (Leviticus 17: 7)
• No incest (Leviticus 18: 7-18)
• Good sexual hygiene (Leviticus 18: 19)
• No cheating someone (Leviticus 18: 20)
• No human sacrifices (Leviticus 18: 21)
• No homosexuality (Leviticus 18: 22)
• No bestiality (Leviticus 18: 23)
• No amalgamation (Leviticus 19: 19)
• No tattoos (Leviticus 19: 28)
• Keep God’s Sabbaths and reverence His Sanctuary (Leviticus 19:
30)
• Feast Days (Leviticus 23) (Note: No differentiation between annual versus
weekly Sabbath in the Hebrew except for a “High Sabbath” when the
annual Sabbath fell on the weekly Sabbath… see Hebrew #7676 verses 7677)
• Will your stuff to your family if possible (Numbers 27: 8-11)
• Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5)
• Clean versus unclean meats (Deuteronomy 14: 3-21)
• Tithing (Deuteronomy 14: 22-29, Malachi 3)
• Many more “no-brainer” stuff found in Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy. (Review and Herald, by EGW, May 6, 1875; Review and Herald,
by EGW, December 18, 1894)
• Righteousness by faith in Jesus and His ability to write His laws on
our hearts/minds… However, faith needs to be expressed by doing the work
of God and displaying the Fruits of the Spirit (Jeremiah 31: 31-32, Galatians
3-5, Hebrews 10: 38, James 2: 17, Galatians 5: 22-26).
• No more rites, ceremonies, or required offerings/oblations (Daniel 9:
27, Hebrews 9 & 10; Patriarchs and Prophets, by EGW, p. 365; Desire of Ages,
by EGW, p. 233 Signs of the Times, by EGW, July 29, 1886). OF NOTE: These passages
did NOT say that observance of Sabbaths (weekly and annual) as rest days from
work with a focus on God stopped! Just that the rites, ceremonies, and offerings/oblations
superimposed on the Sabbaths stopped.
• Jesus is our sacrifice, but He still desires the sacrifice of a broken
spirit, contrite heart, praise to Him, to do good and share with others (Psalm
51: 17, Sketches from the Life of Paul, by EGW, p. 105, I Peter 2: 5, 21-22,
Hebrews 13: 15-16)
• Circumcision is now to be of the heart…A new life after baptism
lived for Christ (Acts 15, Colossians 2: 11-13)
• Directions relating to the care, attendance, and services of the temple
are not applicable anymore since Jesus now is in the Heavenly temple…
However, we are to be impressed with the importance of caring for our bodies
as the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 23: 38, 1 Corinthians
3: 16-17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, I Peter 2: 5, 21-22 ).
• No more worship in Jerusalem on the Feast Days… Now we worship
in “spirit and in truth” (Luke 13: 35, John 4: 20-24)
• The Levitical priesthood by mortal man was replaced by the immortal
Melchisedec priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews 7-10).
• The Passover Feast was changed to the act of washing each other’s
feet and the Last Supper observance (Matthew 26: 26-28, Great Controversy, by
EGW, p. 399, Amazing Grace, by EGW, p. 152, and Patriarchs and Prophets, by
EGW, p. 539).
• Unleavened Bread is that of the heart with sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians
5: 7-8).
• The Wave Sheaf was Jesus’ resurrection and also will be believers
gathered to Him at his second coming (1 Corinthians 15:23, Great Controversy,
by EGW, p. 399).
• While we have received the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, we are
to pray for the outpouring of the Latter Rain and our preparation to receive
it (Acts 2, Joel 2: 28-32, Spiritual Gifts, by EGW, vol. 4b p. 59).
• The Feast of Trumpets is to involve a “rending of the heart”
and to help prepare the world for judgment and the coming of Jesus (Joel 2:
1, 11, & 12-13, Testimonies for the Church, by EGW, vol. 9 p. 25-29).
• We have and are being reconciled to God through Jesus’ atonement
and as such have been given the charge to be His ambassadors to the world to
lift up Jesus so they too can be reconciled to God (John 12: 32, Hebrews 9:
11-12, 2 Corinthians 5: 18-21).
• Jesus dwells among us via his Holy Spirit and gives us the offer of
drinking of His water of life to refresh us and flow out of us to others bringing
them to Jesus and His everlasting life (Revelation 22: 17, John 4: 14, Desire
of Ages, by EGW, p. 454, Matthew 13: 37-43, Revelation 21: 3-4).
• Thank God for His blessings and pray for protection during the storms
that lie ahead (Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 448, Psalm 46: 1-2, Psalm 91: 1-2).
• Attend camp meeting if possible (Testimonies to the Church, by EGW,
vol. T, p. 39-41).
• Regarding the death penalty that was to be imposed on certain crimes
against the Statutes and God or fellow mankind in the Old Covenant era…
(See Exodus 21: 12-17, Exodus 22: 19-20, Exodus 31: 14-15, Leviticus 20 and
24, and numerous other situations listed in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).
However, in the New Covenant era I would tend to think the following guidelines
would apply: Jesus’ example in dealing with the woman caught in adultery
(John 8: 1-11), the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18: 35), and
the fact that vengeance and judgment belong to the Lord (Hebrews 10: 30). While
the wages of sin is STILL death (either by natural consequences, civil judgments,
or divine judgments) in our New Covenant era… thankfully the gift of God
is still eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6: 23)!
• Of Note: While I don’t have any biblical proof that the statutes
pertaining to the Children of Israel’s hygiene issues especially while
they were out in the desert were done away with, I tend to think that logic
would say if one has anti-bacterial soap, sterilizers, vaccines, antibiotics,
etc. perhaps they might not be currently relevant… then again… epidemiologists
and healthcare professionals might not have such lucrative job security if everyone
followed the hygiene statutes detailed by the Great Physician Himself. Hmmm…
• Cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with
the heritage of Jacob your father (Isaiah 58: 13-14).
• Receive a favorable judgment by God and the ability to depart from evil
(Review and Herald, by EGW, June 26, 1900, Romans 3: 21-26, Romans 5: 6-11,
Isaiah 53: 4-7, Joel 2: 1-13, Proverbs 16: 6, Ephesians 2: 13-16, Ezekiel 20:
12, 19-20, Malachi 3: 16-18).
• Blessings in all our increase and in all the works of our hands…
True prosperity (Deuteronomy 16: 1-15, Prophets and Kings, by EGW, p. 570).
• Rejoicing and gladness in our hearts (Psalm 19: 8, Deuteronomy 16: 1-15,
Joel 2: 23-32, Ezra 6: 21-22).
• God’s protecting care as we go through the journey of life (Desire
of Ages, by EGW, p. 447-448).
• Everlasting life (John 4: 14, Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 452-453).
• Receive strength, prolonged days, rain and grass to produce satisfying
food, enemies driven out, successful accomplishments, and power (Deuteronomy
11, Ezra 6: 21-22).
• Receive assistance in turning away from worldly cares, to commune with
God, and to contemplate unseen realities (Testimonies for the Church, by EGW,
vol. 6, p. 40).
• Receive a clean heart and God’s Holy Spirit to guide, comfort,
and lead us into all truth (I Peter 2: 5, 21-22, Ezekiel 11: 19-20, John 14:
16-17, John 15: 26).
• Keep us from corruption (Review and Herald, by EGW, May 6, 1875).
• Receive God’s love, blessings, and fertility of the womb/land/grain/new
wine… Blessings above all people (Deuteronomy 7: 9-26).
• See Leviticus 26: 3-13 and Deuteronomy 28: 1-14 for a whole bunch more
blessings…
• “In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations,
in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones,
tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan
is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and
distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish
by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and
disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. "The earth mourneth
and fadeth away," "the haughty people . . . do languish. The earth
also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed
the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." (Isaiah
24:4, 5, Great Controversy, by EGW, p. 589-590, see Hebrew word #8451 and 2706).
• Destruction, drought, no food, forgotten of God (Deuteronomy 8: 19,
Deuteronomy 11: 17, Hosea 4: 6 ).
• Enemies converge violently with widespread destruction to person and
property (Ezekiel 22: 26-31, Ezekiel 23: 22-49).
• See Leviticus 26: 14-39 and Deuteronomy 28: 15-68 for a bunch more unthinkable
curses…
Law of God vs. Law of Moses
• The term “Law of God” is in reality the same thing as “Law
of Moses” and vice versa. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably
in the Bible. (1Kings 2: 3, Exodus 13: 9, Deuteronomy 4: 44, Joshua 8: 31, Joshua
24: 26, 2 Kings 10: 31, 1 Chronicles 22: 12, 2 Chronicles 23: 18 all being the
Hebrew word #8451 in Strong’s Concordance) (Luke 2: 22-24 and 39, 1 Corinthians
9: 9, Galatians 6: 2 all being the Greek word #3551 in Strong’s Concordance.)
For further study, go to Strong’s Concordance and look at all the instances
where the Hebrew word #8451 and the Greek word #3551 are used.
• James 1: 12 says that there is only one Lawgiver. Isaiah 33: 22 says
Yahweh is that Lawgiver. Moses was merely the conduit (Exodus 19:3-8, 1Kings
8:56, 58, Leviticus 26:46, Numbers 36:13, Judges 3: 4, 1Kings 2:3, Nehemiah
9:13-14).
• Of note: Looking at Leviticus 26, verses 1-2 address the first, second,
and fourth of the 10 Commandments and then in verse 3 God says, “If you
walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and perform them…”
then in verse 46 God indicates that they are “statutes and judgments and
laws which the Lord made between Himself and the children of Israel on Mount
Sinai by the hand of Moses”. In Leviticus 27: 30-33, God addresses principals
of tithing then in verse 34 says, “These are the commandments which the
Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.” Some
people have tried to separate the terms “Commandments” and “Statutes/Ordinances”
to indicate that the “Commandments” were by God while the “Statutes”
were by Moses… In fact, the Bible indicates that the Statutes/Ordinances
and the Commandments were BOTH from God and issued to the Children of Israel
by the hand of Moses.
Jesus’ Example
• “For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps Who did no sin
neither was guile found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2: 21-22)
• “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just
as He walked.” (1 John 2: 6)
• “Everything must be viewed in the light of the example of Christ.
He is the truth. He is the true Light that lighteth every man who cometh into
the world. Listen to his words, copy his example in self-denial and self-sacrifice,
and look to the merits of Christ for the glory in character which he possesses
to be bestowed on you. Those who follow Christ live not to please themselves.
Human standards are like feeble reeds. The Lord's standard is perfection of
character” (Special Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, by EGW,
Vol. 9, p. 52).
• “Christ passed through all the experiences of his childhood, youth,
and manhood without the observance of ceremonial temple worship. He held no
office, he assumed no rank. He passed through the experience of infancy, childhood,
and manhood without a stain upon his character. He consecrated himself to God
that he might benefit and bless others, to show that in every period of life
the human agent can do the Master's will” (Review and Herald, by EGW,
October 24, 1899). Since Jesus did attend the Feast Days from ages 12-33, He
must have considered some of the Feast Day issues to be moral law and not ceremonial
law (Luke 2 and 22, John 7, Desire of Ages, by EGW, p. 452-453).
Apostle’s Examples
• “Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all
with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as
of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each
of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance…. And the Lord added to the
church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2: 1-4 & 47) They were
still keeping the Feasts presumably New Covenant style.
• “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands
to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the
sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take
Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread” (Acts 12: 1-3). Still
interested in the Feasts post-cross.
• “Paul did not bind himself nor his converts to the ceremonies
and customs of the Jews, with their varied forms, types, and sacrifices; for
he recognized that the perfect and final offering had been made in the death
of the Son of God. The age of clearer light and knowledge had now come. And
although the early education of Paul had blinded his eyes to this light, and
led him to bitterly oppose the work of God, yet the revelation of Christ to
him while on his way to Damascus had changed the whole current of his life.
His character and works had now become a remarkable illustration of those of
his divine Lord. His teaching led the mind to a more active spiritual life,
that carried the believer above mere ceremonies. For thou desires not sacrifice,
else would I give it. Thou delightest not in burnt-offering. The sacrifices
of God are a broken spirit. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise” (Sketches from the Life of Paul, by EGW, p. 105).
• Paul kept the Feasts presumably New Covenant style (Acts 18: 21, Acts
20:6, 16, Acts 27: 9, Acts of the Apostles, by EGW, p. 390).
• “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump,
as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore
let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice
and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth”
(1 Corinthians 5: 7-8). He did urge his gentile Christian converts to keep the
Feast of Unleavened Bread in the style of the New Covenant… So He too
must have considered some of the Feast Day issues to be moral law and not ceremonial
law.
Weekly and Annual Sabbaths
• The weekly (7th day) Sabbath and the 7 annual Feast Day Sabbaths all
carry the same Hebrew word #7676 or 7677 (which is from 7676 and just means
an extra special Sabbath) or the Greek word #4521 (which is also from the Hebrew
word #7676). The kind of sabbath that Jerusalem countryside fields kept during
the 70 years of Babylonian captivity is the Hebrew word #7673 (2 Chronicles
36: 21).
• The weekly Sabbath is to have a rest from labor and a focus on God as
our creator and deliverer. The Old Covenant style also had God’s people
doing sacrifices for this day every week (Numbers 28: 9-10, 1 Chronicles 23:
31, 2 Chronicles 2: 4, 2 Chronicles 8: 12-13, 2 Chronicles 31: 3, Nehemiah 10:
33, Ezekiel 45: 17). However, the New Covenant style had Paul still meeting
with Jews and Greeks on the weekly Sabbath presumably without sacrifices being
involved (Acts 13: 14, 42-44, Acts 16: 12-13, Acts 17: 2, Acts 18: 4).
• The 7 annual Sabbaths also have a rest from labor with focus’
on God in various aspects of our relationship with Him and with our fellow mankind.
Yes, the Old Covenant style had God’s people also doing sacrifices during
these days (Leviticus 23). However, the New Covenant style of keeping these
days has BOTH a prophetic focus as well as a daily application… (Please
note the slide on New Covenant Changes).
• “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath (Hebrew word #7676
applying to BOTH weekly and annual Sabbaths), from doing your pleasure on My
holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable,
and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure,
nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and
I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the
heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isaiah 58:
13-14).
• “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another,
and from one Sabbath (Hebrew word #7676 applying to BOTH weekly and annual Sabbaths)
to another, all flesh shall come to worship before me, says the Lord”
(Isaiah 66: 23) Traditionally, SDA’s have applied this verse as referring
to the Sabbaths in Heaven and the New Earth.
Who Is Israel Now?
• God’s Promises to literal/spiritual Israel were/are conditional.
(1 Kings 9: 4-7)
• 490 years were allotted to literal Israel to fulfill God’s mission
for them as His chosen people (457BC to AD34). (Daniel 9: 24, Ezekiel 4: 6,
Ezra 7: 11, Acts 13: 46)
• Rejection of Jesus sealed literal Israel’s own rejection as the
children of the kingdom. (Matthew 21: 43)
• Initially, God told the children of Israel “Now therefore, if
you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special
treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be
to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19: 5-6) God’s
plan was for Israel to minister and evangelize the world as God’s ambassadors.
• Later, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God will be taken from you
and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” (Matthew 21: 43) Literal
Israel did not fulfill God’s purpose so the mission was taken away.
• Peter wrote that the Gentile Christian converts had become that “chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that
you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who
had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2: 9-10) (See also
Galatians 3: 29, Romans 9: 8, Romans 2: 28-29, Colossians 2: 11)
• Even though literal Israel failed in their mission and did not receive
their conditional promises, those promises were transferred to spiritual Israel.
(Amos 9, Acts 15: 14-16, 1 Corinthians 3: 16, 1 Peter 2: 5) It is now our mission
as Christians of all backgrounds and ethnicities to be God’s ambassadors
to the world. With that mission also comes all the other responsibilities of
obeying God’s laws/commandments/statutes/ordinances etc. New Covenant
Style of course… because we love Him! (John 14: 15, and 1 John 5: 3-4)
Notes:
• For further reading on the dating of the Feast Day Sabbaths:
- Leviticus 23
- Deuteronomy 16
- Patriarchs and Prophets, By EGW, Chapter 52
- Spirit of Prophecy, by EGW, Vol. 4, p. 497
- www.paleotimes.org/articles/newMoonCrescentorFull.htm
- http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon
- http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php
