"Church Fathers" Scriptural or Not

[garee]

Exo 20:8 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.

Deu 5:12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. 13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: 14 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, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Both of the above commandments are truth. Neither one negates the other. The first commandment was spoken by God Himself to the entire nation of Israel, and written in tables of stone with the finger of God as well. Without the fundamental stated truth in the fourth commandment spoken by God, the commandment later spoken by Moses by way of remembrance, would fall short of the magnitude of God's greatness and mercy in the creation and redemption of this world. Which includes His right to proclaim Himself to be either one. Moses expounded upon the greater depth of meaning the seventh day sabbath represents, as other scriptures do as well.

Exodus 20 is not about creation, but rather the Creator. His ten commandments, spoken by His own mouth as moral standards of the most crucial nature, for fallen humanity. They are held up as the standard regarding the judgment of this world, right up to the last book and chapter of Holy Scripture. The fourth commandment also means exactly what it states, as God stated it. It is not broken down as a parable anywhere, but by you and or the others you have taken this extra biblical teaching from, I can only presume in order to excuse yourself from not keeping the commandment itself.

Nor is it true that the other commandments are not expounded upon within Holy Scripture as well. As to having deeper meaning than that simply stated in the commandment itself. God is spirit, as are his commandments, and all the truth He represents. All His words have deeper meaning and represent greater power than we can even now comprehend.

Jhn 4:23 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.

Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Who do you think the Creator of this world is, Who has commanded those who worship Him to keep His sabbath?

Jhn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Mrk 2:28  Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Luk 6:5  And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Therefore, whose sabbath or commandment do professed Christians not observe or keep, having been extra biblically taught to do so? And who has originally taught them to disobey the commandment of God because doing so will make them more like God?

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

2 Thess 2:1 But relative to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and our gathering together to [meet] Him, we beg you, brethren, 2 Not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled or disturbed or kept excited or alarmed, whether it be by some [pretended] revelation of [the] Spirit or by word or by letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] arrived and is here. 3 Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition), 4 Who opposes and exalts himself so proudly and insolently against and over all that is called God or that is worshiped, [even to his actually] taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God.(AMPC)

Yes, God in Christ Jesus the Lord, is our Creator and Redeemer.

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Who can be forgiven of their sins, while they will not acknowledge their sins as sin? Who will ask forgiveness of a sin, which they think to be no sin? Who will keep a commandment of God, they have been taught should no longer be kept, which they have believed? Who believing such, would confess it as sin, or seek to keep said commandment?

1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

What did our Lord and savior teach and practice regarding the fourth and all the rest of the commandments of God? How shall those who do not seek His standard of righteousness in their lives, or confess their sins regarding them, hope to be saved?

1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Again, who will confess a sin, or breaking of a commandment of God, who thinks such to be no sin? Are these not in danger?

The danger comes when men add to the Word of God without acknowledging that "without a parable spake he not unto them" (Matthew 13:34). Christ's parables do not remove the historical account; they reveal the unseen, spiritual gospel hidden within it.

The ceremonial laws themselves were shadows pointing to Christ. They were never an end in themselves but served as God's teaching pictures until their fulfillment.

Aaron's two sons provide a solemn warning. They added what God had not commanded by offering strange fire, and God judged them immediately. The lesson is that we must not add our own inventions to God's revealed worship. Human additions cannot improve what God has already spoken.

The Sabbath is another example. The word simply means rest. As born-again believers, we enter God's eternal rest whenever we hear His voice and refuse to harden our hearts.

Hebrews 4:3 (KJV)

"For we which have believed do enter into rest..."

The writer of Hebrews points beyond the shadow to its fulfillment in Christ. The Sabbath was never merely about one day; it testified beforehand of God's eternal rest in His Son.

Translation can also influence how we understand these passages.

Matthew 28:1 (KJV)

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week..."

Matthew 28:1 (Young's Literal Translation)

"And on the eve of the sabbaths, at the dawn, toward the first of the sabbaths, came Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre."

Likewise,

Luke 18:12 (YLT)

"I fast twice in the week..."

Here it is helpful to remember the languages of Scripture. The Hebrew word for week is שָׁבוּעַ (shābûaʿ), meaning a period of seven. It is used in places such as Genesis 29:27 and Daniel 9:24.

The New Testament, however, was written in Greek. In passages such as Matthew 28:1 and Luke 18:12, the inspired writers did not use a Greek equivalent corresponding to the Hebrew shābûaʿ. Instead, they used σάββατον (sabbaton), a word derived from the Hebrew shabbat, meaning Sabbath or rest.

Because Jewish time was commonly reckoned from one Sabbath to the next, many English translations render sabbaton as "week" in certain contexts. Yet the inspired text itself continues to use the word connected with Sabbath.

I believe this repeated use of sabbaton keeps the reader's attention on God's rest rather than on a mere calendar cycle. The emphasis is not simply counting seven days but entering the rest to which the Sabbath pointed.

The Pharisee in Luke 18 illustrates the danger of missing that spiritual meaning.

"I fast twice..."

His confidence rested in his religious performance. He measured righteousness by works rather than by God's mercy. The lesson is not about earning favor through repeated observances but about trusting God's provision.

The Reformation spoken of in Hebrews points believers away from confidence in ceremonial works and toward Christ Himself. We rest, not because our works save us, but because His finished work is sufficient.

The visible Sabbath pointed to an invisible and eternal reality. The shadow remains a beautiful testimony, but the substance belongs to Christ. As born-again believers, we enter that seventh-day rest whenever we hear His voice, believe His Word, and cease from trusting in our own works, resting instead in the finished work of our Lord.

[Amo]

The danger comes when men add to the Word of God without acknowledging that "without a parable spake he not unto them" (Matthew 13:34). Christ's parables do not remove the historical account; they reveal the unseen, spiritual gospel hidden within it.

Mat 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

A fine example of personal interpretation. Taking one instance concerning a fulfillment of prophecy, and applying it everywhere. Or moreover, wherever it conveniently supports one's extra biblical notions. That one verse you quote, does not, and was not meant to convey the idea that everything Jesus spake or taught was meant to be a parable.

The ceremonial laws themselves were shadows pointing to Christ. They were never an end in themselves but served as God's teaching pictures until their fulfillment.

We are not discussing ceremonial laws or law, rather the moral law of God contained in the Ten Commandments of God. Nevertheless, you are of course free to believe as you wish, as we have already been discussing this issue at -

https://www.gracecentered.com/christian_forums/index.php?topic=61496.910

Aaron's two sons provide a solemn warning. They added what God had not commanded by offering strange fire, and God judged them immediately. The lesson is that we must not add our own inventions to God's revealed worship. Human additions cannot improve what God has already spoken.

I agree. So why are you adding the idea that Christ spoke only in parables all the time, to Holy scripture? And then applying that to the giving of God's Ten Commandments to Old covenant Israel as well? As though your private decision to do so, were some kind of unction from God or biblical principle which must be applied everywhere? Or moreover, when and where you see fit. Why are you doing exactly what your words above are warning everyone else not to do?

The Sabbath is another example. The word simply means rest. As born-again believers, we enter God's eternal rest whenever we hear His voice and refuse to harden our hearts.

Yes, I would say that is true. But we are not discussing just the simple meaning of the word Sabbath. We are discussing the fourth commandment of God, as spoken by His own mouth, and written in tables of stone twice with His own finger. God Himself having added far more meaning and depth to a specific rest He has commanded, which is often addressed and expounded upon by Holy scripture itself. To the effect than none are bound by your particular private interpretations or applications concerning it and parables, apparently. Those who keep God's seventh day Sabbath acknowledge the truths proclaimed in that commandment, those who do not, apparently do not. God is the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of this world and everyone in it. And as such He has commanded that among other more in-depth spiritual applications to the sinners life, they are to acknowledge this truth every seventh day of the week. That they might not lose sight of this most crucial element of truth, and always properly understand exactly who God is to them, and who they are to Him. As we are all so very prone to the many troubles associated with forgetting this crucial element of every single life on this planet.

Much of what you say regarding the sabbath is true. Nor is it likely anything new, that most on these boards have not already heard, know,  and or understand. What your overall message is suggesting though is false. That the seventh day sabbath of God is just part of the ceremonial laws, and or shadows of the real. Therefore also done away with as the ceremonial laws of Israel, or simply suggestive of greater truths or realities as only shadows of the same. Such things as are meant to be fulfilled in a manner that basically replaces them. This is not true regarding the Ten Commandments of God though, as they are a standard which cannot be removed, which is exactly why our Lord had to die for us in the first place. Because they could not be changed or done away with, demanding the death of those who have broken them. They could not change then, and they most certainly will not change now, that the infinite cost of the life of God's only begotten Son has been given to those who could not and will not be saved from the condemnation of the law otherwise.

Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

No one establishes any laws by ignoring them, or refusing to keep them.

Hebrews 4:3 (KJV)

"For we which have believed do enter into rest..."

The writer of Hebrews points beyond the shadow to its fulfillment in Christ. The Sabbath was never merely about one day; it testified beforehand of God's eternal rest in His Son.

There is no talk of shadows in Hebrews chapter four. You have added this concept to those scriptures. Why do you want to add your own private beliefs to the word of God concerning what Hebrews chapter four addresses? Why do you want to travel the road of Aaron's sons, by tampering with the Holy Word of God?

The subjects being addressed in Hebrews chapter four are present tense realities regarding the dangers God's own have faced all throughout their experience, which will continue to the end. That is, the exercise of a most crucial element of one's salvation, faith in God's word. As we all enter into God's rest, by faith in His word, which the Holy Scriptures are. Which the sabbath commandment is a sign of as well, concerning the most basic faith necessary to our salvation. That God is exactly who He claims to be in His fourth commandment, our Creator, who supernaturally created the heavens and earth in six days. Those who lack this basic fundamental foundation of biblical faith, are in danger of disregarding other fundamental truths tied directly to it as well. The implications of this fundamental lack of faith, distorting the gospel of Jesus Christ itself, seriously impeding the faith of many according to the improper understanding of Holy Scripture which such ultimately causes.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

In Hebrews chapter eleven, the faith chapter, the supernatural event of creation by the word of God is the first fundamental foundational faith set forth. This is the exact truth the fourth commandment of God upholds before all believers, not as a shadow of anything, but rather as the continuous basic fundamental biblical faith for all creation at all times. It is the foundational truth of resting in God, apart from whim there is nothing, including us. Everything Holy Scripture addresses, is in direct relation to this event and forward. Even those scriptures addressing time and or events before this world, are not separate from God's eternal purposes in the creation of this world, and the issues that will have been fully addressed and settled for all creation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Why are you adding meaning to the testimony of Hebrews chapter four, which it is not addressing? As in shadows of things no longer relevant, being replaced by that which they only represented? Hebrews chapter four is not addressing such things.

Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

The above opening verse of Hebrews four is present tense for the church. Addressing the age old problem of a lack of faith.

Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Again, the issue is not regarding some bygone shadow which has been replaced by being fulfilled, but one concerning the church itself as well.

Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Why would any of the above, or anything in Hebrews chapter four, ever be construed to imply that God's fourth commandment no longer needs to be observed because it was just a shadow? It does not. Such is suggested nowhere in the context of the chapter. To the contrary, one of the main points of the chapter is to point out the unlimited power of the word of God. Which is most awesomely demonstrated in the creation of the heavens and earth by that very word. Which is exactly what God's seventh day sabbath is all about, by establishing this fundamental truth by way of commemoration for all creation every seventh day, from the day it was established and evermore.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

Here it is helpful to remember the languages of Scripture. The Hebrew word for week is שָׁבוּעַ (shābûaʿ), meaning a period of seven. It is used in places such as Genesis 29:27 and Daniel 9:24.

The New Testament, however, was written in Greek. In passages such as Matthew 28:1 and Luke 18:12, the inspired writers did not use a Greek equivalent corresponding to the Hebrew shābûaʿ. Instead, they used σάββατον (sabbaton), a word derived from the Hebrew shabbat, meaning Sabbath or rest.

Because Jewish time was commonly reckoned from one Sabbath to the next, many English translations render sabbaton as "week" in certain contexts. Yet the inspired text itself continues to use the word connected with Sabbath.

I believe this repeated use of sabbaton keeps the reader's attention on God's rest rather than on a mere calendar cycle. The emphasis is not simply counting seven days but entering the rest to which the Sabbath pointed.

The Pharisee in Luke 18 illustrates the danger of missing that spiritual meaning.

"I fast twice..."

His confidence rested in his religious performance. He measured righteousness by works rather than by God's mercy. The lesson is not about earning favor through repeated observances but about trusting God's provision.

The Reformation spoken of in Hebrews points believers away from confidence in ceremonial works and toward Christ Himself. We rest, not because our works save us, but because His finished work is sufficient.

The visible Sabbath pointed to an invisible and eternal reality. The shadow remains a beautiful testimony, but the substance belongs to Christ. As born-again believers, we enter that seventh-day rest whenever we hear His voice, believe His Word, and cease from trusting in our own works, resting instead in the finished work of our Lord.

You may of course believe whatever you wish. Nevertheless, Holy Scripture does not teach what you have above, anywhere at all. Is not bringing such spiritual teaching of private interpretation in to the New Covenant temple God, which is the church, a spiritual equivalent of the act of Aaron's sons. As they brought strange fire before the Lord, "which He had not commanded", are you not bringing strange teachings into the church which our Lord did neither command or teach. While ignoring what He did command and teach in both His fourth commandment, and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ regarding the commandments of God.

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Hopefully, many others will not be in danger of losing their fitness for heaven, by accepting this strange fire you and others have brought into the church. By not believing the fourth commandment of God should be kept any longer, or our Saviors teachings regarding all those who would teach others to break even the least of one of God's commandments.

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

[Amo]

CHAP. X.—BEWARE OF JUDAIZING.

Let us not, therefore, be insensible to His kindness. For were He to reward us according to our works, we should cease to be. For "if Thou, Lord, shalt mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" Let us therefore prove ourselves worthy of that name which we have received. For whosoever is called by any other name besides this, he is not of God; for he has not received the prophecy which speaks thus concerning us: "The people shall be called by a new name, which the Lord shall name them, and shall be a holy people." This was first fulfilled in Syria; for "the disciples were called Christians at Antioch," when Paul and Peter were laying the foundations of the Church. Lay aside, therefore, the evil, the old, the corrupt leaven, and be ye changed into the new leaven of grace. Abide in Christ, that the stranger may not have dominion over you. It is absurd to speak of Jesus Christ with the tongue, and to cherish in the mind a Judaism which has now come to an end. For where there is Christianity there cannot be Judaism. For Christ is one, in whom every nation that believes, and every tongue that confesses, is gathered unto God. And those that were of a stony heart have become the children of Abraham, the friend of God; and in his seed all those have been blessed who were ordained to eternal life in Christ.

Ignatius of Antioch, "The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians," in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 63.

An inevitable separation concerning those Jews who chose and still do choose to remain outside of their Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ, the true vine of God's vineyard.

Jhn 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Unfortunately today, there are countless professed Christians, who do not do or even believe in many things which our Lord Jesus taught and therefore also commanded. Many even turned around and committed the persecutions our Lord warned His own would suffer from this world, in the rest of the above quoted chapter.  Proving thereby, that they were not authentic Christians. They persecuted the Jews, and eventually even those who professed Christ, who would not bow down to them, when they had committed spiritual adultery by obtaining the power of the state. Preferring coercion by the state or empire, than the convicting power of the Holy Spirit unto authentic conversion. Demonstrating the spirit of the evil, rather than the Spirit of God.

Jhn 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. Jhn 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that who oever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Such Christians throughout history, have not, and do not produce the fruits of God's true nation on earth. The following prediction concerning the Jewish nation is just as applicable to them, as it was to the Jews of our Lord Jesus Christ's days among us. Authentic Christianity loves their brethren, apostate "Christianity" persecutes them.

Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes ? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Nevertheless -

Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

Contrary to Ignatius' anti Judaism proclaimed in this chapter, authentic Judaism was never evil, or corrupt leaven. The first "Christians"were in fact Jews, who accepted their Messiah as all Israel was intended to do, according to the oracles of God which He gave them. Those Jews who came to a proper understanding of God's leading in their past, recognized the changes their own oracles from God had predicted in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, the predicted Messiah of the Jews. It was the corruption of a great many Jews themselves, that lead to their rejection of their Messiah. Not corrupt teachings, laws, ceremonies, or prophecies given to them by God. All of which centered around and pointed to Christ Jesus our Lord, and the New Covenant He came to establish through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Which gospel was to the Jew first, and then the Gentile. If all of Israel had accepted their Messiah, things would have certainly turned out very differently.

Today, the title of Christian is professed by an ever widening scope of peoples with very different beliefs, practices, and life styles. More than just a few of which have no biblical foundation, and or even contradict the plain teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. Without question much of Christianity today, as well as throughout history, is and has been every bit as corrupt as a great many Jews were during their day. The New Testament itself predicts this condition of professed believers before our Lord returns. Authentic bible belief and believers transitioned smoothly from the Old to the New Covenant. As authentic bible believers will transition smoothly from this world to the next as well, when our Lord returns to being His own Home with Him. Unfortunately, most will professed Christians will not likely be among them, as most of Israel did not follow their Messiah when He came the first time either.

[Amo]

CHAP. XI.—I WRITE THESE THINGS TO WARN YOU.

These things , my beloved, not that I know any of you to be in such a state; but, as less than any of you, I desire to guard you beforehand, that ye fall not upon the hooks of vain doctrine, but that you may rather attain to a full assurance in Christ, who was begotten by the Father before all ages, but was afterwards born of the Virgin Mary without any intercourse with man. He also lived a holy life, and healed every kind of sickness and disease among the people, and wrought signs and wonders for the benefit of men; and to those who had fallen into the error of polytheism He made known the one and only true God, His Father, and underwent the passion, and endured the cross at the hands of the Christ-killing Jews, under Pontius Pilate the governor and Herod the king. He also died, and rose again, and ascended into the heavens to Him that sent Him, and is sat down at His right hand, and shall come at the end of the world, with His Father's glory, to judge the living and the dead, and to render to every one according to his works. He who knows these things with a full assurance, and believes them, is happy; even as ye are now the lovers of God and of Christ, in the full assurance of our hope, from which may no one of us ever be turned aside!

Ignatius of Antioch, "The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians," in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 64.

Any Christian that blames the Jews for our Lords death, rather than their own sins, does not properly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nor did such a statement help at all, when deceived Christinas began to persecute the Jews. As though God had ever called them to do so, or to ever persecute anyone.

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

Any Christian that blames the Jews for our Lords death, rather than their own sins, does not properly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ

I think I agree?  The main thing to understand about the "Jews", is that they ALWAYS consisted of a combination of true Jews and false Jews.

It remains to this day