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Ephesians 2:15 Which law of commandments did Christ abolish?

Tony — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 18:46:44 +0000

Ephesians 2:15.

“Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.”

Some theologians and Bible commentaries say that this text says that the law of commandments, that is the Ten Commandments, was done away with at the cross.

Which law are we talking about in this text? To find out, let us investigate the chapter.

Who is Paul talking to in this chapter?

Ephes 2:11. 3:1. Church members who were Gentiles and were called by the Jews uncircumcision.

What is the subject of the chapter?

Ephes 2:1-3. Gentile members who walked in sin like the world.

Ephes 2:4-10. We are saved by grace and not by works.

Ephes 2:11-12. These members were called Gentiles, uncircumcision and without hope.

Ephes 2:13. Gentiles from this church, have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephes 2:14. 16. Christ has made both Jews and Gentiles one, by breaking the wall of separation between them.

Ephes 2:15-17. Christ abolished the law of commandments contained in the ordinances, which separated the two: Jews and Gentiles.

Ephes 2:18. The believing Gentiles have now access to the Father through the Spirit.

Ephes 2:19. The Gentile believers are no longer strangers and foreigners, but citizens and members of the household of God.

Ephes 2:20-22. In Christ, both Gentile and Jewish believers are built together into a holy temple in the Lord.

The next question we can ask ourselves is what divided the Gentiles from the Jews?

Ephes 2:11. The Gentiles were called uncircumcision.

Ephes 2:12. The Gentiles were without Christ and aliens from the covenant of promise, having no hope.

Ephes 2:13. The Gentiles were not allowed to participate in the blood offerings in the temple.

Heb 9:22 without blood there can be no forgiveness of sins.

Ephes 2:14. Christ broke down the middle wall of separation between the Jew and Gentiles.

Ephes 2:15. A law was abolished through Christ, so that the Jew and Gentiles could be both one.

Ephes 2:16. That action through the cross, reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God.

Ephes 2:18. Before the cross the Gentiles did not have access to the Father.

Ephes 2:19-22. Before the cross, the Gentiles were not citizens of Gods kingdom and his temple.

In Ephes 2:11 it says that the Gentiles were called uncircumcised. Why does a Gentile have to be circumcised to be a Jew? Gen 17:1-14. God commanded that Abraham and the male descendants of his household, should be circumcised as a sign of a covenant between him and his people.

Was this sign of circumcision only to be used for Jews?

No! There were no Jews or Israelites at the time of Abraham. The Israelites came after Jacob was born. What about the strangers who attached themselves to Abrahams household? Did they have to be circumcised? Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to 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 a native of the land.

What does Paul say about circumcision in the time of the New Testament?

1 Cor 7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. So Paul is reinforcing his beliefs in the Ten Commandments of God in this text. They were not nailed to the cross. Furthermore, the rite of circumcision was done away with when one became a Christian in the time of Paul.

Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything but faith working through love.

Rom 2:28.29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart.

What was it that separated the Jews from the Gentiles in Ephesians chapter two?

In Ephes 2:14 it says that there was a middle wall of separation. What is this middle wall of separation? At the temple in Jerusalem there was a wall built around the temple, to prevent access for Gentiles to enter and participate in the sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. Gentiles were not allowed into the temple area because to the Jew it was defiling the holy place Acts 21:28.

After the crucifixion of Christ a Jew or Gentile Christian did not need to come to the temple for forgiveness of sins, because Christ broke down this middle wall of separation. Ephes 2:14. All both Jews and Gentiles have access to the Father for the forgiveness of sins 1 Joh 1:9. As a result of what Christ did for us on the cross, there is no difference between Jew and Gentile because they are all one in Christ Gal 3:28.

What does Ephesians 2:15 mean with the light of information previously given?

“Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.”

Firstly, we shall interpret the word “law” in this verse in relation to the subject of the chapter and that is the law of circumcision which separated the Jews from the Gentiles. Fx. Exodus 12:43-50 If a stranger amongst you, wishes to celebrate the Passover feast or belong to the people of Israel and offer sacrifices in the tabernacle, he should be circumcised. This was a law from God. Then in addition, there came laws of ordinances for those who wished to be a citizen of Israel. Fx. Leviticus chapters 1-27. This law of circumcision which separated the Jew from the Gentile was abolished at the cross making peace between Jew and Gentile through Christ. He created them into a new man through his sacrifice.

Revelation 11:15-19. Seventh Trumpet

Tony — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 09:00:24 +0000

Rev 11:15 The Seventh Trumpet

Rev 11:15. Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall live forever and ever!”

Rev 10:7. But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as he declared to his servants the prophets.

What is this mystery of God which would be finished in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel?

The speaking in tongues in the Charismatic movement have a similar explanation to their phenomena: they speak to God in mysteries. 1 Cor 14:2.

But what is this mystery?

Paul tells us what he means in his letters to the Corinthians and Ephesians.

1 Cor 2:7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.

The speaking in tongues is used for speaking in mysteries

1 Cor 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

What does the word “mysteries” mean in the writings of Paul? It does not mean a mysterious secret language that no one understands, like they use in the Charismatic movement around the world.

The word “mysteries” is used only four times in the plural in the letter to 1 Corinthians, e.g.

1 Cor 4:1. Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Cor 13:2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 Cor 15:51.52. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Furthermore, Paul uses the word “mystery” many times in the singular in his writings e.g.

1 Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.

What is this “mystery?”

According to Paul, this mystery is the plan of salvation or the gospel of Jesus Christ and nothing more.

Ephesians 3:3.4.8.9. by revelation he made known to me the mystery, (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ). To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:19. For me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.

Why did a man speak in mysteries in 1 Corinthians 14:2?

The church in Corinth was placed in a city were merchants travelled from many countries to do business and sell their merchandise. Some of these merchants were Christians and did not understand the language in Corinth. Therefore, Paul recommends that these men pray to God in silence in their own language whilst in church, because no one understands him. He can speak to God in mysteries, which is the mystery of the gospel through Jesus Christ our savior.

Rev 11:15. The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and Rev 11:15 the mystery of God would be finished that is the gospel, is pointing to the last days on this earth and the second coming of Christ.

What time period are we talking about for the seventh trumpet? From the time after the French Revolution until 1844, until the mystery of God is finished, that is the proclamation of the gospel at the second coming of Christ.

Rev 11:16. And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshipped God.

Who are these twenty-four elders?

Rev 4:4. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns (στεφάνους in the Greek) of gold on their heads.

What are white robes a symbol of?

Rev 7:13.14. Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

What are crowns (στεφάνους in the Greek) a symbol of?

Rev 2:10. Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life. (Eternal life). 2 Tim 4:8. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. Rev 6:2. And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

The white robes and crowns are related to people on this earth who have and who went out conquering to conquer and are now in heaven. Where in the Bible does it mention such a group of men? Matthew 27:51-53. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of their graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Who were these saints who died before Christ´s crucifixion and were resurrected at His death? It does not name them, but I would imagine the group of men who represented God in the Old Testament were non other than the prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and John the Baptist in the New Testament. These are the 24 elders who represent all believers on this earth in heaven before the throne.

Rev 11:17. Saying, “We give you thanks, O lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come.” Because you have taken your great power and reigned.

Who is the one who is and who was and is to come? Rev 1:8. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” This text refers to both the Father and the Son, however it primarily refers to Jesus Christ who is to come at His Second Coming. Rev 22:12.13. And behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

Rev 11:18. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come.

This text takes place during the time of the preaching of the three angel’s messages in Rev 14:6-13, from the year 1844 to the Second Coming of Christ. The word wrath is outlined in verses Rev 14:8-10. And another angel followed, saying, Babylon has fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Then a third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God.”

Rev 11:18. And the time of the dead, that they should be judged.

Before God condemns anyone, he holds an investigative judgment in the Bible, especially on the Day of Atonement in the yearly sanctuary service amongst the Israelites in Lev 16: All our deeds and works are written in books and we shall be judged from these works in our lifetime. Rev 20:12.

Dan 7:9.10. The court was seated, and the books were opened. (This text is referring to the Little Horn and the other three beasts, which came out of the sea).

Dan 12:1. (This is referring to the time of trouble before the second coming of Christ). And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.

Psalm 69:28. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Psalm 139:16. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in your book, they all were written.

Rev 13:8. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Rev 20:12. I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

Rev 20:15. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

“So, in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work and takes place at a later period.”[1]

“The books of record in heaven, in which the names and the deeds of men are registered, are to determine the decisions of the judgment.”[2]

“The book of life contains the names of all who have ever entered the service of God.”[3]

“A book of remembrance is written before God, in which are recorded the good deeds of them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. Malachi 3:16. Their words of faith, their acts of love, are registered in heaven – – -. Their every temptation resisted, every evil overcome, every word of tender pity expressed, is faithfully chronicled. And every act of sacrifice, every suffering and sorrow endured for Christ´s sake, is recorded.”[4]

“There is recorded also of the sins of men. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil – – -. By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”[5]

“The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accompanied before the second coming/advent of the Lord.”[6]

Rev 11:18. And that you should reward your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.

This part of the text will take place at the second coming of Christ.

Matt 25:33. And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Verse 34. The sheep on the right will inherit the kingdom. Verse 41. The goats on the left: will receive everlasting fire.

Matt 13:30. The parable of the wheat and the tares. Let them grow together until the harvest, and that time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Matt 13:47-52. The parable of the dragnet. Verses 49.50. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.

2 Thess 1:7-9. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power.

2 Thess 2:8. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming.

Rev 17:16. The ten horns you saw will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.

Rev 19:15. Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations. And he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of the Almighty God.

Rev 19:20. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence. – – – These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Rev 20:9.10. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.

Rev 20:14.15. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 11:19. Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of his covenant was seen in his temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

This is the last verse for the sounding of the seventh trumpet. So the time period for the temple of God is opened in heaven is from 1844 to the second coming of Christ. The temple of God was transferred from the earth to heaven after the crucifixion of Christ. Heb 8:1.2.

The ark of the covenant was seen in his temple is referring to the Ten Commandments in the ark situated in the Most Holy Place. When the Most Holy Place was opened in 1844, Christ transferred his work from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place, officiating as our High Priest, Heb 4:14.

[1] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 480.

[2] Ibid., 480.

[3] Ibid., 480.

[4] Ibid., 481.

[5] Ibid., 481.

[6] Ibid., 484.