The Almighty stresses the importance of the Old Testament through the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the church in Ephesus (2:20) and in his second letter to Timothy the evangelist (3:14-16). Paul told the people of Ephesus that the New Testament Church was founded on the teachings of both the PROPHETS and the APOSTLES. The foundation is that which gives the building its strength to stand (Mat. 7:24-27). In his Ephesian letter God, through Paul, reminds us that, for modern day saints, the writings of the Old Testament prophets are equal in importance to the writings of the New Testament apostles–both give eternal life to those who obey them. To reject the Old Testament is to reject approximately 80% of God’s Word, which is 80% of His Law. His Law is summarized in the Ten Commandments. To reject any part of His Law is sin (1 Jn. 3:4). To reject even one verse in the Law is to reject the entire Law (Jam. 2:10,11). This makes one a worker of iniquity (Lawlessness) whom Jesus will reject on the Day of Judgment (Mat. 7:23). In Luke 10:16 Jesus said that to reject any part of His message to His people (Genesis to Revelation–the Law) is to reject both Himself and His Father. Billions who claim to be one with God do not believe these Scriptures. Instead, they believe what Satan tells them through his messengers. Why? Because what they hear preached every sun god day scratches their itching ears (2 Tim. 4:3). As this passage tells us, parishioners hire people who will tell them what they want to hear. Their hirelings know that if they tell them the Bible Truth they will be fired and their ordination papers will be pulled. Contrary to popular opinion, I judge on one. God has already judged; I simply announce His verdict. To avoid the verdict one needs to know, believe and obey His Law from Genesis to Revelation. To “only believe” is a death wish because “faith (belief) without works (obedience) is dead” (Jam. 2:20,26). “Works” refers to obeying God’s Word, which is the basis of Biblically defined faith (Rom. 10:19). Unless one works his faith, his faith is as dead. And in that one “lives by (his) faith,” one who has dead faith is as dead as his faith.

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul states that ALL (OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT) SCRIPTURES are given by inspiration (“breathed”) of God and (all) are profitable for doctrine (statements of Truth), for reproof (pointing out error), for correction (pointing out Truth) and for training in righteousness, which is required for salvation. In this instance, “all Scripture” referred to the Old Testament because the New Testament would not come into existence for many years, long after all of the apostles, except John, had been put to death. God kept John alive to write the Book of Revelation. The Law, if believed and obeyed, produces righteousness which, if continued, produces holiness which, if continued, produces salvation (Rom. 6:18.19,22). Jesus warned that such righteousness and holiness must be continued “… until the end” (of this life) in order to be saved upon His return (Mat. 10:20). With these Truths in mind we will begin to see how God dealt with ancient Israel whom He called His “church in the wilderness” (Acts 7:38). This information will all us to see how He deals with New Testament believers whom He refers to as “the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). Acts 7:38 reveals that the God of the Old Testament was with the Children of Israel as they wandered for 40 years in the wilderness, and that He gave His “living oracles” (the Old Testament) to Moses “TO GIVE TO US”–THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH for “OUR INSTRUCTION” (1 Cor. 10:11). In this passage the word “our” refers to those “upon whom the ends of the world have come.” We are that terminal generation. Recall that the “last days” began on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. (Acts 2:16-21) as prophesied by the Prophet Joel (2:28). Please study the Scriptural passages I provide with a heart open to the Truths they contain. L.J.