Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Ms 43, 1887

Diary/The Law and the Gospel

Circa 1887

Previously unpublished.

“Think not,” were the words of Christ, “that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17. The laws of sacrificial offerings were typical and were in force until type should reach its antitype in the greater and wholly perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. These sacrifices and services of the temple were to cease with the perfect offering of Christ Himself as the Lamb without blemish; these sacrifices were abolished at the cross. This handwriting of ordinances our Lord did blot out and take away and nail to His cross. 5LtMs, Ms 43, 1887, par. 1

The apostles bore witness to this. Barnabas and Paul, with firmness and perseverance, withstood those who taught that Christians out to keep the law of Moses. Peter’s voice was heard among the apostles and elders assembled in council in regard to this matter. “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” Acts 15:10. This has no reference to the moral law although the great controversy with Satan has blinded the eyes of those who believe not to work with subtlety to crowd in the law of God written and engraven in stone as the law to be done away. 5LtMs, Ms 43, 1887, par. 2

Satan commenced his rebellion in heaven against Jehovah’s law and he has not ceased this warfare for a moment. He watches every point so that he can, if possible, subvert and make void the law of God. He has sought to blind the minds of men by placing the moral law, engraven on stone, in the place of the ritual, the ceremonial law of ordinances that was to be abolished, nailed to the cross, because type had met antitype, the shadow had reached the substance. 5LtMs, Ms 43, 1887, par. 3

The moral law was contained in the ten commandments and enforced by the prophets. [Christ] did not come to abolish or destroy. It was not the purpose of His coming to detract one iota from the dignity and force of any part of the moral law, for this is a law which cannot be broken with impunity. It stands fast forever as firm as the throne of God, as firm as the pillars of heaven. The moral law stands on an entirely different foundation from the ceremonial or ritual law which was designed as a barrier built up about the law of God as a restraint upon a stiffnecked, rebellious people to guard the moral law that it should not be broken. God’s law was written upon the hearts of the children of men when they came forth from the hands of their Creator. 5LtMs, Ms 43, 1887, par. 4

[Article continues as Ms 51, 1902.] 5LtMs, Ms 43, 1887, par. 5