Rebellion against God is also rebellion against His law. Therefore, the absolute focus of the adversary’s measures is to eradicate God’s law from people’s minds. Anyone who finds all this “outdated” would be well advised to realize how far humanity has already strayed from the “ideal state” of the world once created by God. And God will restore this state, and every human being can freely choose to be a part of this world. The alternative: non-existence.
Law of God? “Get rid of it!”
“Liberation” from God’s law. The primary goal of the great adversary. It was as if God’s law, the Ten Commandments, were a burden imposed by an arbitrary tyrant, a gag, a prison for all his creatures. Freedom for mankind consists in breaking free from the chains of God’s laws, according to the message of the fallen, once supreme and “protecting cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14).
In his self-exaltation, the adversary wanted to establish his own position above the stars of the far north (God’s throne), to be like God, indeed to be God himself, and to be worshipped. His plan, however, did not work. Although the once highest angel in his position managed to win about a third of all angels over to his side (Revelation 12:4), he and his subsequent vassals were summarily cast out of the kingdom of heaven, Revelation 12:9:
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.“
Theses from the “Father of Lies”
Contrary to circulating rumors that Satan fell to Earth around 3,000 years ago, the Bible also provides an important clue as to when the time of his expulsion from the kingdom of heaven might have been. Indeed, this ominous number of 3,000 years appears not only in many depictions, but even in a backwards passage of the famous song “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. In the passage around “…If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now.
It’s just a spring clean for the May queen…,” which seems completely out of context, one can hear, among other things, the following when played backwards: “For over 3,000 years I have walked among men and angels.“
However, the Bible reports at this time, Revelation 12:13:
“And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.“
Who this woman is becomes clear from the first part of Revelation 12. She is the people of God, from whom Jesus Christ (the tribe of Judah) was born. According to Revelation, she had already given birth to the boy (Jesus Christ) when Satan realized he was now cast to earth. It would be very difficult to understand why the adversary needed about 1,000 years to understand his circumstances.
Since Satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44), his claim to have been cast to earth 3,000 years ago, i.e., 1,000 BC, is also such an untruth. After all, the adversary deceives all(!) people, and thus also those who faithfully serve him in their deception.
Deception of one’s own vassals
The reason for this lie is speculative, but it could well be related to a desire to cover up his already certain defeat. After all, the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus ultimately signified this complete victory over the adversary. God’s love and justice were thus demonstrated, and God ultimately wants to demonstrate His justice (Romans 3:25-26) and not proclaim it according to the style falsely attributed to Him by the adversary. God is simply not the tyrant that the adversary portrays Him as.
The adversary also ultimately conveys to his followers that he will one day assume the kingship and reward his helpers accordingly. Of course, this no longer works when the deceived realize that “their Master” has long been fighting a losing battle.
Arousing compassion
Thus, the backward passage in “Stairway to Heaven” contains another statement (translated):
“I walk this earth seeking forgiveness for my atrocities against God and man. I live to see death and destruction, evil over the light. But the light cannot be destroyed. I live in my prison of my own destruction.”
Well, can we (humans) believe his feigned “repentance” in light of the adversary’s continued actions? Not really. Roughly 3,000 years ago, the first three kings of Israel were in succession: Saul, David, and Solomon. Then came the division of Israel into a northern and a southern part. With the destruction of northern Israel by the Assyrians, God responded to their continued apostasy and idolatry. The southern part (Judah and Benjamin) fell into Babylonian captivity, and their rebelliousness ultimately culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
All these are primarily the results of the adversary’s energetic work.
Fulfilled prophecies testify
In the meantime, as announced by Daniel (chapters 7 and 8), the then world empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and finally Rome emerged. The latter is depicted in Revelation 12 as the fiery red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns on its head. Thus, all power structures initiated by Satan.
Therefore, no! Under no circumstances should the adversary’s attempt at “pitiful whining” be believed. Here, too, the following applies: “You will know them by their fruits.”
Since God’s law is not simply a set of rules arbitrarily imposed on the world, but reflects His character, God’s commandments are as eternal as God Himself. The rebellion of Satan and his followers is therefore directed against God AND against His law. “If you love me, keep my commandments!” said Jesus Christ (John 14:15). Love has grown cold in the adversary and it will also, already very present now, grow cold in many people at the end of time, Matthew 24:12:
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.“
The love described in the Gospel has less to do with feelings than with a decision (Info). The Gospel is addressed to the God-given intellect of human beings, not to their ability to fervently celebrate their own emotional surges.
The “annoying law” – attempts at justification
However, the rebellion against God’s law orchestrated by the Adversary is not blatant and thus easily recognizable, according to the motto “get rid of the trash,” but rather hidden and subtle, even presented as truly Christian. Yet the consequences are inevitable. Transgression, disregard, or ignorance of God’s law are sin per se (1 John 3:4), and this automatically results in the (final second) death (Romans 6:23).
Very widespread theses that question or even completely reject the law of God are the following:
- God’s laws have since been abolished or invalidated.
- Christians are not (automatically) subject to the law, but only to grace.
- Not all commandments are important (especially the Sabbath commandment).
- Changed definition of sin.
- Change to the 10 Commandments.
Repealed / Invalid law?
God’s laws are not only eternal, but also true (Psalm 119:142). Since the Ten Commandments of God represent His own character, it is obvious that His law is as eternal as God Himself. The “commandment of love” formulated by Jesus Christ (Luke 10:27) does not change this. This does not abolish God’s commandments, but rather confirms them (Info). Strictly speaking, Jesus Christ did not establish a “new rule of the New Testament,” but rather quoted two passages from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18).
No law, only grace?
Christians are under grace, not under the law. Yes and no, or rather, it depends. Is this a true Christian, led by the Spirit of God, or a nominal Christian who believes he knows Jesus Christ and proclaims this, but nevertheless continues his previous, sinful life? Being baptized once and having his ticket to heaven in his pocket is a mistake.
The adversary is spreading such ideas, yes, and so is the Evangelical Church in Germany (Info).
Even the (fortunate) circumstance of no longer being subject to God’s law does not, by any means, eliminate the law. Moreover, it is an oxymoron to claim that one can no longer be subject to something that simultaneously no longer exists. To be no longer subject to the law, in modern terms, means no longer coming into conflict with the law. However, this presupposes not violating that very law (Info).
Not 10 out of 10 commandments?
What doesn’t fit is made to fit. This also seems to be the case with the Ten Commandments written in stone by God himself. If you read through Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5, which describe the commandments recorded on two stone tablets, you arrive at ten commandments. Not eight, nine, or eleven, but ten. The gospel clearly distinguishes between the commandments of God (moral commandments), which define sin, and the numerous additional laws introduced because of completed sin (the laws of Moses). The great difference between laws (of God) and ordinances (of Moses).
The moral laws, written in stone by God himself, are eternal. The laws of Moses, dictated by God but written by Moses himself in a book (or scroll), were fully fulfilled with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ (ceremonial laws). The curtain of the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem was torn in two from top to bottom. This abolished the ceremonial laws, which symbolized nothing other than the saving work of Jesus Christ (Info).
None of the 10(!) Commandments on the two stone tablets filled by God have “mystically” been incorporated into the Book of Moses with its ceremonial laws. Thus, not a single one of the 10 Commandments has ever been abolished. This is especially true for the Fourth Commandment, the commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy!” (Info).
Sin simply “viewed differently”
The Gospel explains briefly and concisely what sin is, 1 John 3:4:
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Period!
Anyone who breaks the law (one of the Ten Commandments) thereby commits sin. Simple and easy to understand. But here, too, the adversary applied his unclean touch and planted a different version in many people’s minds. It is not the breaking of the law, which is no longer even mentioned, that is sin, but rather the separation of man from God that is sin (Info).
The result is that gullible and uncritical people are led to believe that Jesus Christ removes this separation as soon as one confesses His name. But these misled people never even consider that separation from God is not the actual sin, but rather prior sinning, or even worse, the continued living in sin. For separation from God is a consequence of sin!
Isaiah 59:1-2:
“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.“
“the soul that sinneth, it shall die.“, so in Ezekiel 18:4.
Simply reorder bids
At the forefront, and even as a pioneer from the New Testament era onward, is the Roman Catholic Church. As already announced in Daniel 7:25, it set about changing God’s law. The Roman Church very cleverly argues that the laws according to Exodus 20 are not numbered and therefore their own learned order does not represent a change. However, what is conveyed to their own flock is still decisive.
The official lists of commandments of the Roman Catholic Church simply omit the second commandment (idolatry, veneration of images), present the Sabbath commandment as a feastday commandment, and divide Commandment 10 into two commandments to return to the number 10 (Info). Unfortunately, the Protestant churches have adopted this new interpretation. Only the sequence of Commandments 9 and 10 has been reversed.
Nevertheless, the Roman Church made a “tangible” change to the law, also adopted by the Reformation. The Sabbath commandment was moved from the 7th day of the week to the 1st day of the week. This intervention in God’s law is not only openly acknowledged by the Church, but is vigorously defended (Info).
Just as if the Church of Rome wanted to fulfill Daniel 7:25 with care, it claims in its bold speeches against the Most High that it ultimately possesses the “divine authority” to change God’s law and times (Info).
Follow the absolute truth
All of the popular theses of error listed above have the common denominator of abolishing God’s law or, in a permanent state, transgressing it. These are human ideas, partly through their own arrogance, but mostly through ignorance, following the suggestions of the adversary. Instead of taking responsibility for the truth, people simply believe the pronouncements of those who have long since abandoned the “good spirit” and allowed themselves to be seduced by Satan’s vassals.
Such errors could have been avoided if only people had cared for the truth themselves. What is the truth? Pontius Pilate asked Jesus Christ. Jesus, however, left the question unanswered for the fickle Roman governor. The Gospel, however, is clear and direct at this point. One “merely” needs to read it and (like a child) take it to heart.
– Jesus Christ is the truth (John 14:6)
– The Word is the truth (John 17:17)
– The law is the truth (Psalm 119:142)
“A little logic”: Jesus Christ is the Word of God, is the law, is the truth.
Law of God – Expression of His Love
No, one cannot attain righteousness by keeping the law. That would be the righteousness by works taught in many places. A peculiarity of pagan religions. It’s no use throwing yourself on the ground every 10 steps on the way to the temple and lying there stretched out, or crawling up stairs to “rattle off” the rosary on each step (Info).
The attempt to keep the law without faith also causes wrath. Salvation comes exclusively through the grace of Jesus Christ and His own righteousness. Not through His “good works,” nor the works of “saints” and Mary, but through His blood!
Stay true to God’s Word
True faith, the true knowledge of Jesus Christ, leads to the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, strengthening people not only to want to keep the laws, but also to be able to keep them. Recognizing sin for what it is: an abomination. Just as the law of God is a mirror of His love, so too is the true love of the believer reflected in keeping the law. An outward, visible characteristic of the true followers of Jesus Christ.
The adversary tries to prevent precisely this characteristic of true discipleship of Christ in every way imaginable. The consistent disregard of even one of God’s Ten Commandments inevitably leads to condemnation (James 2:8-11). But if one had possessed love and not merely claimed it (in self-deception), one would also have recognized the error. For the only standard by which one can measure one’s own faith is the Word of God! Who would want to end up being an obvious liar when everything that was previously hidden is revealed?
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:4
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
