It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

The Lord's Commandments Only!

When the last pen stroke was made in the first century by the inspired apostles and prophets, God's revealed will to man was finished. It was settled then, and still is today! Every soul who accepts and obeys the changes man has adopted as "God's Word" will be lost.

Can we pinpoint a time when man began to attempt to change God's law? This attempt at change did not begin with today's perversions of God's Word. It did not begin in the 14th century A.D., nor did it begin in the 6th century A.D. In the book of Revelation, God revealed to the apostle John things that "must shortly come to pass." Early in this book, in chapters 2 and 3, 7 congregations of the Lord's church are addressed. Five of the 7 were not pleasing in His sight. A great lesson can be learned from these 5. Did God say, "That is o.k. Just do what you feel is right, and it will be fine with me"? In Revelation 2:1-7, we'll notice the first church mentioned. It is Ephesus. "I have somewhat against thee." Was that o.k., though? "Repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" (all emphases mine - HL).

In Revelation 2:12-18, addressing the church at Pergamus, the Lord says, "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication." Was it agreeable with the Lord for some at Pergamus to hold this doctrine? Notice further: "So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate." Was this also agreeable with the Lord? "Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth" (all emphases mine - HL) (Revelation 2:14, 15, 16).

In a later article, we may look at these 5 congregations again. But, consider: these 5 could have been just as pleasing as the congregations at Smyrna and Philadelphia. Why were they not? We need only look at Galatians 1:6 for the answer: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel." As it was then, so it is today. There are those that are removed from the gospel of Christ unto another gospel. But, only the gospel of Christ will save us. Take your Bible and follow the commandments of the Lord only!

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