The Battle Over The 10 Commandments

Two years ago Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore placed a 5,300 pound granite rock monument display of the Ten Commandments in the rotunda of the Alabama Justice Building in Montgomery, Alabama, upon his own authority. On Thursday, Aug. 21, eight of his fellow justices of the Alabama supreme court voted unanimously to overrule Moore by ordering that this Ten Commandment statue be removed from public view. Until the last few weeks this battle over the Law of God has been confined mainly to Alabama and once a month or so an update found its way into the back pages of major news sources throughout the USA. But in the last few weeks the story has taken on a life of its own as Justice Moore has defied his colleagues by refusing to remove the display. On Aug. 28th the story was on the front page of the Oregonian with the headline: “TEN COMMANDMENTS ROLLED AWAY AT ALABAMA’S JUDICIAL BUILDING.”

For the time being it has been moved to a windowless press room locked out of public view. Moore himself has been suspended from his office and awaits a hearing to decide whether he violated state ethical standards by defying the federal order. Moor claims the federal court lacks jurisdiction in the matter and will ask the Supreme Court to settle the wider question of religious displays in public buildings. Moore defends his action noting that Alabama’s state constitution mentions “the favor and guidance of Almighty God.”

Moore and his supporters said that the problem is that God is being removed from public life in the USA. They cite various issues, such as Abortion and Gay rights, which have been debated in the public form and won support and victory in America’s courtrooms. This has both saddened and outraged many conservative Christians and politicians alike. Moore represents one of the more vocal and high profile public figures who has decided to do something to fight the moral decline in our nation. Dozens of his supporters have come to Montgomery to publicly join Moore’s battle to return this nation to its moral roots.

Some have been sleeping on the court steps, others are driving down its streets in modified campers decorated by 6-foot-tall cardboard depictions of the Ten Commandments. They cheered when Moore, wearing a Ten Commandments pin on his lapel, appeared for the first time since a rally on Saturday, Aug 16th when he declared that he would file more appeals with the U.S. Supreme court, which rebuffed him this week.

It would seem that this battle over the Law of God has only just begun. In its Aug. 26th, 2003, edition the Oregonian published an article from the Orlando Sentinel by columnist Myriam Marquez entitled, “SHADES OF GEORGE WALLACE,” with a drawing of a hand coming out a dark cloud holding the Ten Commandments , with flashes of lightning and a voice speaking to Moses, standing on Mt Sinai with outstretched hands ready to receive them. The voice says, “…And see if you can keep them out of the Government’s hands, Okay?”

What I find both curious and amazing in all of this controversy is that not once has any publication ever printed an actual copy of the original Ten Commandments. Moore’s monument, like some religions, have edited and/or abbreviated the original law. For example, the Catholic Church has deleted the second commandment completely, which forbids the making of idols and/or images and bowing down to them. But in order to retain the number ten they divided the tenth into two parts which now reads: #9 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.” #10. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.” This is changing the law of God.

Moore’s monument contains all ten of the original commands but in an abbreviated form, especially the 4th one, which simply reads “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” No one has bothered to ask Moore which day he considers to be the true Sabbath, because most people already know he believes that Sunday is the Sabbath or the Lord’s day, as Sunday keepers refer to it.

The overwhelming majority of Americans observe Sunday as their Sabbath or Lord’s day each week, sincerely believing they are keeping the Law of God, by honoring the resurrection of Christ. Whenever anyone questions why Sunday keeping contradicts the original fourth commandment they are told that after the resurrection Jesus changed the day of worship from the 7th day of the week (Saturday) to the first day of the week, (Sunday) to honor His resurrection. He did this by meeting with the disciples on the first day of the week in various places, they claim.

Actually, there are only eight texts in the New Testament that refer to the first day of the week and not one of them authorizes a change of the day of worship. In fact, Father T. Enright, a Catholic priest from St. Louis, MO., back in the 1930’s made an offer of $1000.00 for one text in the New Testament which spoke about, let alone authorized Sunday as being the new day of worship for Christians before or after the death and resurrection of Jesus. He went on to say that there is no such text or any kind of authorization for such a change.

In fact, he explained that the Catholic Church, by her Divine authority, (which they claim to have from God Himself via Peter being the first Pope, another claim which cannot be proved from the Bible) changed the day of worship to the first day of the week from the 7th, by transferring the sanctity of the 7th day Sabbath of the original fourth commandment to Sunday, in honor of the resurrection of Christ, another claim for which there is no Bible text. Most theologians cite the Council of Nicea, 321-325 as the time when the change was made to Sunday. It was at that time Sunday became the official day of worship for the Catholic Church. He also stated that Protestants, by observing Sunday, thereby acknowledge the authority of the Catholic Church. He also admitted that the only church which truly follows the Holy Bible is the 7th day Adventist Church.

The reason the Catholic Church does not observe the Bible Sabbath is because she puts tradition above the Bible. Furthermore, they do not consider the Scriptures an infallible source of inspiration of truth or having any authority for them in matters of church doctrine, per se. Of course, there are other religions which observe the Bible Sabbath, such as the Jews and 7th Day Baptists and 7th Day Church of God.

Coming back to Myriam Marquez’s comments I just noticed what she had to say about Sunday worship. First she quotes Moore: To do my duty, I must acknowledge God, Moore told a crowd of supporters last week. That is what this case is about. I will not violate my oath. I cannot forsake my conscience. I will not neglect my duty, and I will never deny the God upon whom our laws and country depend. (Now here is Marquez’s comment on this statement).

Whoa. There’s no state law in Alabama for mandatory church attendance on Sunday, is there? That’s a commandment, (referring to the 4th command which she assumes commands worship on Sunday) but certainly no state would defend such an unconstitutional mandate for prayer, would it? There are other commandments of faith that have nothing to do with state or federal laws. What duty does Moore spake of–his Christian duty or his duty to serve as an unbiased judge to mete out nonsectarian justice? In her spirit she knows where this issue is headed and exposed it, even if she does not realize the true Sabbath day is Saturday, the 7th day of the week. But her final comment was insightful. To acknowledge God, we don’t need to put commandments in a government building. We need to put those commandments in our hearts. No law and certainly no judge can do that for us.

This is amazing that a worldly journalist, who doesn’t even know which day the true Sabbath is, understands the spirit of the New Covenant. In fact, this new covenant was predicted 600 years before Christ. “‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord ‘When I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,’ declares the Lord. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Jere. 31:31-33. Jeremiah also says in vs. 34 that when this new covenant is written inside the hearts of His people there will no longer be any need to invite people to know the Lord, “For they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, declares the Lord, ‘for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Now compare that with what Paul speaks in Rom 11 about a “mystery” similar to the “mystery of His will” he speaks about in Eph. 1:9. 10. “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.” In Rom 11:25-27 Paul even quotes Jeremiah in regard to this same “mystery” which was predicted by Jeremiah. Paul tells the Jews in his day that “Blindness (hardness) in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in (Lk 21:24; Rev 7:9). And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, which I shall take away their sins….For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Rom 11:25-29. In other words, God’s gift certificates do not have any expiration date on them…”And the gates of it (New Jerusalem) shall not be shut at all by day: for their shall be no night there.” Rev. 21:25. A lot of theology has been written about the Old and New Covenant. In fact, the book of Hebrews reviews this in-depth. For example, in Heb. 7 Paul contrasts the Melchisedec priesthood with the Levitical or Aaronic explaining that Judah was chosen to be the tribe through which the Messiah would be born, something Moses never even mentioned, Heb 7:14. Why? Does it make sense that Jesus, a holy and harmless Saviour, (Heb 7:26) would come through the line of brothers who had the killer spirit in them? “Instruments of cruelty are in their habitations (Simeon & Levi). O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.” Gen. 49:5-7. By contrast Judah had the spirit of self-sacrifice when he offered to become a servant or slave in the place of his little brother Benjamin. “Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.” Gen 44:33. This was the evidence that Joseph was seeking to prove that his brothers had changed and moved him to reveal himself to them, that he was indeed the ruler over all Egypt under Pharaoh.

Paul also contrasts the terrible and frightening events which transpired at the giving of the Law of Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai, Exodus 19, when the first covenant was ratified, with the peace and tranquility of the second covenant Jesus ratified by His perfect life, sacrificial death and resurrection. “For you have not come to a mountain (Sinai) that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,…and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, ‘I am full of fear and trembling.’ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels…and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” Heb 12:18-24.

We know that God never changes, therefore that first covenant was not His idea in the first place, although He permitted it. In Heb. 7 Paul documents the fact that the first covenant was temporary because it had to changed. It was a colossal failure and had to be replaced. It was not perfect because no one could ever become perfect through its administration, no matter how hard they tried or how many rituals they performed or animals they offered and killed, vs 11, 19. It was also a “carnal” commandment, vs. 15 and it was also weak and unprofitable, vs 16. It was also a harmful and killer priesthood whereas Jesus’ priesthood is “harmless,” vs 26.

In his second letter to the church at Corinth Paul again draws contrasts between the old covenant, based on the Law in Stone (10 Commandments) versus or in contrast to the law in our hearts. “For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.” I Cor. 3:11, KJV. The ML versions reads: “If what passed away had its splendor, how much more that which is permanent!” Some try to say that the Law of God has been abolished, based on these words. But that is not what Paul is teaching here. He is talking about the “glory” of the first in comparison to the glory of the second. A lot of confusion leading to much controversy has revolved around the “LAW OF GOD.” Most people do not realize that to the Jew the phrase “Law of God” refers to and encompasses both the moral law (Ten Commandments) as well as the laws governing the sanctuary service which includes all the cermonial services relating to the killing of animals for sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. This distinction is not made clear because the word “Law” to the Jewish mind meant the whole law. As far as the Jews were concerned in their day as well as today, not one jot or tittle of the law has been changed or abolished. That is why they want to start up the animal sacrifice system again, which I believe they will succeed doing in the near future. Those who have kept up with what is going on regarding the rebuilding of the temple (another resource) in Jerusalem know what I am talking about.

Paul tells us that we do not “make void the law” through faith in Christ but in fact we “establish the law.” Rom. 3:31. But how and where is the law of God established? The answer is that it is established in our hearts and minds. Paul makes this crystal clear in his discussion of the law in Rom 7 where he says that he “delights in the law of God after the inward man:” vs 22.

In other words Paul is talking about God’s law being written in the fleshly tables of our hearts through our acceptance of Him as our Saviour, which Jeremiah. predicted, Jeremiah. 31:31. But there is another law Paul spoke of which he calls “the law of sin and death,” Rom 8:2. This was the law Israel entered into at Sinai by promising to keep or obey the Law in Stone which was for stony hearted believers. They entered into this covenant of works with much fear and trembling, not fully realizing that the killing of animals as sacrifices for their sins was not spoken by the true God, as we learn from reading Isa. 1:10-12; 66:1-4 and Jere. 7:21-22.

The reason they entered into this covenant was because they were afraid of God, not because they truly loved Him. That is why Jesus had to come and allow Himself to be slaughtered as a helpless, innocent animal in order to expose the whole system for what it was, a Satanic pagan system which kept the participant in bondage and fear. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He (Jesus) also Himself likewise took part of the same: that through death He might destroy (take away His power or render him powerless) Him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Heb. 2:14, 15. If you would like to understand how all this fear began in the first place go to my web site at http://godslastcall.org and read the articles about the “Impostor God,” and how Satan was able to deceive Adam and Eve from the very beginning in Eden and bring them under his control through the “Fear of Death.”

Before Adam and Eve fell from their innocence, the Law of God was written in their hearts. In fact, that was the only kind of law that existed in the universe, the Law of Love. And it was written in the heart of every one of God’s creatures, from the beings inhabiting the unfallen worlds to all of the holy angels. It was only Lucifer (Satan) and his angels who had rejected this Law of Love causing themselves to fall from their heavenly home, “The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He has reserved (protected and preserved) in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6. For a moment here, let me share with you some of what I have written about God’s plan to restore all of His lost and fallen creatures. There is a book which reveals the mind of Lucifer shortly after his fall and before Adam and Eve fell. I will quote just one sentence from this book which gives us an important insight into Lucifer’s reasoning at this time: “If he (Lucifer) could in any way beguile (deceive) them into disobedience, God would make some provision whereby they might be pardoned, and then himself and all the fallen angels would be in a fair way to share with them of God’s mercy.” “Story of Redemption,” pg. 27.If you would like to read all eight pages of this section of the book write and ask for it and I will send them out to you to aid you in your own personal research on this topic of “Restoration.”

Now, let us continue on in our study of God’s Law. There is also the important matter of the application of the law itself and who was in charge of administering it and enforcing it in regards to the killing of the animals and all of the rituals and ceremonies that went with it. Who is the “god” who demanded all this slaughter in the first place? In Isaiah 1:10-12 the prophet calls the Jewish leaders “rulers of Sodom.” He rebukes them for their multiplied sacrifices. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure (delight not) in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?” The Spanish version is more to the point. Who has demanded these sacrifices? That question not only implies but makes it crystal clear that the true God never commanded or required any animal to be killed in the first place.

In fact, in Jer. 7:21, God categorically states that He never even spoke the law of animal sacrifices. So, the question must be asked at this point. Who then did speak this law of sacrifices and demanded that it be carried out to the letter? Of course, the only answer is the enemy of all good…the liar and murderer from the beginning, whom Jesus pointed out was the actual Father of the Jewish religion, was indeed also the author of all this terrible animal slaughter. I have gone into great massive detail in my books and articles explaining this so we do not need to cover all that ground again. Chapter 28 of my book, “Into the Father’s Heart,” is entitled, “THE ANIMAL SACRIFICE SYSTEM,” covers this topic thoroughly and then in my second book, “The Wonderful Truth About Our Heavenly Father,” I go into even more detail with many SOP quotations. Remember also that whatever the Lord permits He claims to be doing–so He can be in charge of it.

This is especially true of this animal slaughter system as it all pointed to the coming of the Messiah. In other words, the Lord permitted it and used it to illustrate the gospel until Jesus Himself came and fulfilled the law to the letter by allowing Himself to be slaughtered like an innocent and helpless little lamb. Ezek. 20:25 clearly states that God allows laws to be written and enforced which are not good laws. “Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live; And I polluted them in their own gifts…” If you would like to study more deeply into this topic of the Animal Sacrifice system you may order my book, “THE WONDERFUL TRUTH ABOUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.” Reg. price is $12.95. Now on special for only $9.95.

The reason all of this is so important is because they are going to start up the animal sacrifice system again over there in Jerusalem when they finally get that temple rebuilt. Satan will also appear and will convince the leaders of the world that he truly is the Messiah. So, the true Gospel or good news about our God being “Holy, harmless and undefiled” truly has been hidden as Paul says in 2 Cor. 4:3, 4.

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” This now brings us full circle to our present time with this same Law in Stone, carnal law and its proposed and desired re-application in our present sin satiated society which has thrown off all restraints and have become like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Not only will the re-application of this same Law in Stone be flawed, as it was the first time at Sinai and beyond, as we have pointed out, this re-application of this same Law will usher in the Abomination of Desolation, spoken of in Dan. 12, which will be a National and World Sunday law which will be enforced with a death decree.

Of course, 99% of the people, religious and secular do not understand these things. They don’t have even clue one. So, should it shock and surprise us that the coming “Politically Correct” way to fight corruption in govt and society as a whole is to now post the Ten Commandments in public places. But let’s just stop and think about it for ten seconds….why would these people, who do not even believe in, or keep the Law of God, but break it every day, suddenly have a very big interest in its public display??? Remember that the leading sign of the end is “deception.”

The original Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20. But that is not the one they are displaying. The one they are showing to the public has been both doctored and edited. Have you noticed that in the public displays one of the commands has basically been phased out…and it is the longest one of all. It reads simply in this posted version: “Keep or observe the Sabbath day holy.” #4. Read the original one.

(Go now to Exodus 20 and read all Ten of God’s original commandments.)

This is the correct and original version but the one they are posting is not going to help anyone be a better law keeper because it actually perverts God’s laws. For example, the Catholic version of the Ten Commandments leaves out the 2nd Command and then splits or divides the 10th one into two parts so there will still be Ten. Did you know that?

So, why would they leave out the 2nd command?

Because it forbids worshiping and bowing down to an image. And we know the Catholics do that in their churches. So, that commandment had to go…not changed but just plain deleted. “He shall changes times and laws.” Dan. 7:25.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” That is the first one which is also broken…and that causes the 5th one to be broken for the Father Creator is not honored but dishonored.

#6 says, “Thou shalt not kill.” But the state, which is posting these laws, has condoned and approved abortion for many long years and gone to war against her enemies to kill them when Christ said we are to love our enemies.

#7…Adultery….The leaders of this nation are going far beyond adultery when they condone homosexuality in their marriages…even in many of the churches of the land.

#4 “Remember to keep the Sabbath holy.”

But which day does the State recognize and honor and observe as God’s holy Sabbath day?

It is the first day of the week…i.e. SUNDAY.

So, the 4th command has not only been dishonored but actually changed and perverted to honor Pagan Sun worship.

And the Pope’s new calendar now has changed the days of the week so that the true Sabbath is the 6th day of the week and Sunday is the 7th day which will correspond to the Law In Stone, #4.

This “Constant Calendar” has Monday as the first day of the week and Sunday as the 7th.

So, where is this all headed????

It is headed straight toward a National Sunday Law which will eventually have a death decree to enforce it.

Are you ready to face such dire consequences?

May the Lord bless and keep you as you strive to live for Him…and learn what the truth is.

Your friend, Pastor Mike Clute.

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