"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." Daniel 9:27

It was prophesied that the Messiah would cause the sacrifice to cease and the destruction of the temple. Now this is a fascinating prophecy because it seems to conflict with the prophet Jeremiah.

"And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me." Jeremiah 33:7-8

Jeremiah was writing just before the destruction of Jerusalem the first time and the end to Judah (and by extension Israel, Judah is often still considered Israel) as a nation. This writing was considered to represent the restoration of the Kingdom. At the time of Jesus the Apostles and all the Jews expected the Messiah to come and set up an everlasting Kingdom because of what the Prophets wrote. Continuing with this passage in Jeremiah it states the following.

"In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually." Jeremiah 33:15-18

Now we know at the same time as Jeremiah was saying this that Ezekiel was prophesying the end of the Kings of Israel until Shiloh comes. We know the Jews expected a King to come. We know Jesus fulfilled some verses on the donkey with respect to the King arriving in Jerusalem. Yet Israel did not become a Kingdom again. In fact the Levites did cease to offer sacrifices and the temple was destroyed. Could Jeremiah’s prophecy have failed? NO!

Many biblical scholars including Jewish scholars in history noted that the prophecy of a Messiah represented two periods. One where he offers Himself as a sacrifice, and one where he judges and makes Peace for Israel forever. Unfortunately, the prophets like Jeremiah saw visions that seemed to combine the future fulfillments to some degree. These prophecies were meant to encourage and give hope to the faithful -- that despite the nation being destroyed around them that God would be with them again. There is another explanation.

First, the Branch of Righteousness did come and take His place as King of Israel. He is sitting on His throne at the right hand of God and He is to be considered our King today.

Moreover, when the temple was destroyed there was no more opportunity to do sacrifices for sin or make atonement for the nation (High Priest once a year went into the Holy of Holies). The nation was left without a priest to act on its behalf. Likewise when the second temple was created there were priests to act on their behalf until God demonstrated that there would be a change in the law.

"Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; In the volume of the book it is written of Me; To do Your will, O God.'" Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:5-10

God had no delight in the sacrifice of animals and he took away that temple, those sacrifices and priesthood, which were a copy of the heavenly one and replaced it with Christ. His body was offered once for all and He gave us the right to enter into the Holy of Holies through His body, with Him as our High Priest.

"But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing." Hebrews 9:7-8

Yet this was changed at the death of Jesus.

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple (separated the Holy of Holies) was torn in two from top to bottom.(indicating the way into the Most Holy Place was now open) The earth shook and the rocks split. (verified in history) The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs (physical resurrection – not ghosts), and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and were seen by many people." When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" Matthew 27:50-54

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:19-24

The Temple, Covenant, Priesthood, Sacrificial Offerings, Passover Memorial Service, and Covenant Symbols (baptism not circumcision) all changed.

Now what wasn’t changed?

1. Tithes or Offerings -offerings of thanksgiving or tithes occurred before the temple. They were about giving thanks to God for what you had received. An attitude of gratitude. Offerings and tithes were never supposed to be about what you might get from God but thanks for what you have already gotten. In this manner they promote a positive loving attitude rather then a greedy one.
2. Sabbath – The temple had nothing to do with whether or not one kept the Sabbath. They had to keep the Sabbath regardless of the temple being around or not. The Sabbath was an opportunity to rest from their busy lives and to consider and worship the Creator, the Deliverer and their King and to learn His Word.
3. Annual Sabbaths or Holy Days – there was priestly’ duties in the temple on these days but the people could still keep them regardless if they were at the temple or not. The only requirement on the people was that they bring their tithes and offerings to the temple on these Holy Days, to celebrate, to support the priests working on their behalf and to support the poor. They were not to use them selfishly at home. As far as I can see we are still to celebrate the Lord’s Sacrifice (14^th), the firstfruits to God (Days of Unleavened Bread), to remember the Holy Spirit given to us (Pentecost or Feast of Weeks), Trumpets (proclamations of God), Atonement – (Christ making us one with God), Tabernacles and Last Great Day (God’s Judgment in Jesus as opposed to Santa’s). We are also still to support those working on our behalf (they aren’t to burden us though) and the poor (few were allowed to be on welfare but you were to help the poor be fed at all times) as we are able and have opportunity (Jesus said you will always have the poor).
4. Intent behind judgments to learn what God intended in the law.

What has changed?

1. Blessings and curses were national in the land – Jeremiah was a good man but he suffered with his countrymen. God also blessed and cursed other nations for their actions. Personally we are still blessed in many ways but when we live in the midst of sin we will suffer tribulation.
2. Ability to exercise judgments – we cant act as judges for the community. We can declare what is correct or not and judgments in church communities are okay and even sanctioned in some legal jurisdictions but this is quickly being eliminated. Churches and families are often only left with the ability to excommunicate those who refuse to follow the standard of conduct. Note: Everyone may stumble and it would be proper to help that person overcome if they admit sin is sin. If they want to say sin is okay then you are left with a rebellious person who must be dealt with.
3. Some laws were against pagan practices that surrounded them and other laws pertained to a cultural or historical context. IF you understand the principle you can apply it for your good. If you don’t understand the principle you can implement the law in a way that is against the intent.

ie parapet around your roof (note that the roof was meant to be used in this example–see Bathsheba)

– intent of this law is: to protect people from known, obvious falling hazards. Improper application -put a parapet around your roof that has no ability to be occupied and leave your balcony without a guard because the bible doesn’t mention balcony and therefore people fall off your balcony. The law is meant to show love and concern for your neighbour and family.

Conclusion

Most laws are covered with our civil and criminal law which was originally designed to keep the peace and to teach people how they ought to live. Western law was originally founded on biblical principles. Since our law is quickly being adapted so that the principles are man’s rights as opposed to biblical responsibilities it is important for people to understand the biblical principles to truly show them how to love their neighbor and not sin against him.

Relativists hate this because they think they are better then the Law and what Jesus taught as the intents of the law. They quote slavery and a woman having to marry as wrong, outdated laws that we can improve upon.

The fact is that Israel had laws that protected slaves from abuse and laws that caused thieves to be slaves until they had paid off their debt (we call it community service hours). This was also the historical culture. The judgments they had were designed to reduce the amount of transgressions. It was way more effective then our liberal laws today. The law stated they were to be compassionate to their enemies. If a slave was mistreated he was free to leave with the owner having no right to him. This is why many slaves choose to remain as slaves.

They also had laws that promoted sex only within heterosexual marriage. If a couple had consensual premarital sex and was found out they would be married. Some falsely claim that this meant a guy could force himself on a woman and therefore force her to marry him. This claim is repeated on the internet but is ignorant of the law. The father of the woman could refuse her hand in marriage. In that case the man still had to pay the bride price anyway (women were protected if they behaved good and both the man and woman were punished if they did not – unlike many Muslim customs). Imagine waking up the morning after drinking so much and realizing you were married FOREVER. Probably people wouldn’t be too casual about having relations or drinking too much either. If she yelled out he was to be killed only.

These laws are far better then our recent legal decisions, like the judge in Massachusetts who said the school has a right to teach "safe" anal sex practices to young children and that the desire to do these acts is innate, meaning natural to people from birth. Science proves that this is a lie that they are teaching children. The result of this legal judgment will be more hurt youth, not fewer, and there is no love in that.

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:37 In other words, this is what the Old Testament scriptures are based upon, including the 10 commandments.

Micah summed it up with, "What does God require of you but to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord" Micah 6:8

We are told to examine ourselves and to walk uprightly. Jesus hated lawlessness (acting as if there is no law) and loved righteousness (doing what is good and that which no law speaks against). Hebrews 1:9

Nature tells us the following is good: acknowledging God, honouring parents, honesty, kindness, patience and selfless service. There is no law against these things. You are free to pursue them.

If you have accepted Jesus as your personal Saviour, you will be free to pursue goodness and love FOREVER putting aside the former man in his lusts (lawlessness)!