45/613 – Death sentence
Richard, Zeev Shlomo
"He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death." (Exodus:21,12)
These words concerning the Death Sentence that we read all long the Old Testament create a definite confusion, unclearness and trouble in the minds of today’s believers. Besides the increasing libertinism taught and proclaimed in the world – that unfortunately influence a lot our way of thinking and our relation with God – these Laws can seem to be merciless and in total contradiction with the Words of our Lord and Savior.
Nevertheless this trouble and frustration is such as a divine ringing bell in the ears of those who are really searching to know God and who are walking on the path of submission. Some could name this phenomena : « good consciousness », but for my part I would remain at the expression of Holy Spirit.
When we read the story of the adultery woman in John 8:1-11, the words of Yeshua do not substitute themselves or cancel the Law of God according to which this woman would deserve to be stoned to death. The only thing that our Lord declares here is: The one who never sinned among you, let him throw the first stone.
By this sentence Yeshua declared the supreme and unique authority of the King Messiah, the absolute power of Christ. By this sentence, Yeshua HaMashiach decreed and made effective the unique jurisdiction and power of the High Priest, the only One who is allowed to judge from now on. By declaring that, He took this legitimacy back from the hands of men.
Before the messianic era and according to the Laws decreed by God, God Himself charged some wise men from the community to judge and to apply the truth between men. However already at that time, it was absolutely not a matter of arbitrary judgments influenced by the thoughts and desires of the judges, but it was a ministry carried out by men in an absolute knowledge concerning the Laws of God and in a perfect impartiality. The title or quality of judge was given by God and supposed the putting backwards of any personal or human convictions, opinions or thoughts of the judges so that they would be able to apply and to execute the sentences if necessary and in accordance with the Will of God.
Such as in the two first Sanctuaries, the legislative order has not changed at all. But since the Third Temple, the Body of Christ does function as a spiritual Sanctuary, in which the only High Priest, the only Cohen is Yeshua HaMashiach Himself, He is from now on the only one who has the right to judge and to condemn anyone.
Even Yeshua said in this verse that He Himself does not condemn her, since as Yeshua (as the Savior), He did not yet entered in this position where He will come back to judge as the Supreme Judge, having received all the power on earth and heaven from the Father, as the Anointed King… Even He does not sentence her, at least not yet since the time of clemency has not expired so far. But the Day when He will come back will be for judging this world according to the Laws of God…
So, what should we do with the death sentence since now?
Sin does really exist and act on us. Only the Law is able to unveil and to judge sin by the action of the Holy Spirit. Receiving Grace is only possible after having been judged. Grace can only be received after that the sentence has been pronounced.
Yes, anyone being in sins is son/daughter of death. We must know through the knowledge of the Law whether the spirit living in any person is carrying death or not. The same way, this spirit is the proof of the person’s state of death, and moreover, this spirit has the right of life and death over that person, since it keeps him/her prisoner. We must know that if we are sinners, the Law is not only valid for us, but without our judgment and our execution, we would never be able and allowed to receive Grace. If I do not die as old man, I could never arise from death as new man that only Christ is able to bring life in me. Of course this does not suppose my physical death, but all ancient spirits must really die so that I can born again as new creation, member of the Body of Christ. (Although sooner or later, the conscious stagnation in sins can easily lead to the physical death too.)
We must know according to which specific Law we would deserve death or any other punishment so that, in total awareness of the problem, we would be able to prostrate in front of the High Priest and implore for his Forgiveness.
How to proclaim the Law and the Judgment without judging and condemning others?
I have to know who I can be in spiritual community with according to the sensibility and the vision received by God. Anyone who is carrying the spirit of death or any other sin is able to infect me also if I am tolerant with him/her and if I drop a veil on the problem in a humanistic way saying that this is not my problem and: « there is no problem my dear friend, God will resolve everything... ». I can, and I must recognize sin through the knowledge of the Law of God to be able to protect myself and all those who were committed to me against these insane and murderous spirits. Although, the ministry and the love towards my neighbor defend me to judge, to condemn or damn anyone, but I must proclaim the Law always completed by the possibility to receive Grace. My door always has to be open for the ministry, but I must always be careful how far I let anyone dirty come inside my living and spiritual area. I have to wash his/her feet before letting him/her go inside my tent, inside my brotherhood community, but I must keep away from also wanting to wash his/her head or entire body, since only the High Priest has the right to do this ministry…
Pharisee-Christendom does (partially) know the Law with which it attacks and judges the others in place of God and Christ. Law has to be known in its whole, in its entirety to be able to receive the pure vision on the external world and on our neighborhood. Only this vision based on the Words of God is able to let me see where and when any ministry has to be done, which Word, which Law has to be pronounced in which situation so that the concerned people would be touched and saved. But the proclaiming of the Law and judgment always has to be followed and completed by the possibility of repent and receive the Grace of Christ as a life jacket. During Pharisee ministries, this last action is generally absent…
