Galatians Apologetics, pt. 2
Welcome back! If you have not already read Galatians Apologetics pt. 1 please do so before continuing.
The Curse
In part 1 of this study, we left off discussing chapter 3: the curse of the law. We're going to dig in a little deeper to understand the context of what is being presented. As was previously mentioned, the curse is a reference to the second death- it is not an earthly, witchcraft kind of curse but rather a lack of salvation to eternal life enacted by the judgment of God. It's also important to remember that salvation comes about at the resurrection, it is the literal beginning of eternal life and protection from the second death.
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power… Revelation 20:6
When considering what salvation and entering New Jerusalem really means, land is a key element that connects the promises given to Abraham with the Kingdom. This concept, you will find, carries through the rest of the letter. Let's look at how Paul uses a passage from Deuteronomy to illustrate what it looks like to keep sin out of the land…
But if there is sin in someone, there shall be judgment of death and he shall die, and you shall hang him on a tree: his body shall not sleep upon the tree; rather, with a funeral you shall bury him in that day; for all that hang on a tree is cursed by God. You shall not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 LXX
In spite of the Sunday sermon interpretation, the law itself is not a curse, however, our breaking of God's commandments does bring about curses! This is clearly laid out in Deuteronomy 28 and quoted within this Galatians 3 passage as…
Cursed is anyone who does not fulfill the words of this Law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deuteronomy 27:26
Bad things happen when we go against the Creator's design and order, natural consequences. His instructions are simply His will for order, the way to maintain peace, love, and holiness. One of the stipulations within God's covenant is that the land is not to be defiled. There were laws in place to keep sin out of the land so that this didn't happen; laws that were to be upheld by a judicial system, the priesthood. This is such a heavy point because the land of promise was always a shadow of the literal Kingdom land, exactly how the tabernacle was an exact shadow of the literal heavenly tabernacle. Laws were in place as a reverence for the holiness God wanted to give His people. The people's prosperity and well-being was dependent on their obedience to God's instructions as Paul shares by quoting the following…
So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, which, if a person follows them, then he will live by them; I am the LORD. Leviticus 18:5
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Following the instructions, or Law, of God was never equivalent to salvation because an instruction doesn't have the power to raise the dead to eternal life. The purpose of the instruction was, and still is to know how to live after you come to faith and belief. We have all transgressed the instructions of the Father and cursed ourselves from abiding in the land of inheritance- the New Jerusalem. This is where Paul mentions the blessing of Abraham. Abraham was promised descendants and LAND, but Hebrews 11:10 reminds us that Abraham knew the land of promise was more than the dirt he walked upon- for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (New Jerusalem).
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”- in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14
Messiah did not physically become a curse, Paul is using this as an illustration to describe His Priesthood. The High Priest is responsible for atoning for the sins of Israel. Yeshua's death, burial, and resurrection is HOW He got to His position as High Priest. The sinless Son died a sinner's death- the crucifixion is not a Torah punishment for sin, but it did provide the picture of being hanged on a tree. This picture is what Paul is using to describe how that death led to Him obtaining His Priesthood where He can now remove the curse we put on ourselves. Messiah's authority (not a Roman stake) is what removes the curse so that we can inherit eternal life in the New Jerusalem.
And there shall no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him. Revelation 22:3
This is the point Paul is emphasizing to the Galatians that were falling from belief- we have no ability to remove the curse of the second death from ourselves by keeping instructions- ONLY belief in Messiah can do this! However, he also does make it clear that the Law is not against the promises so nobody gets confused… ;)
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? Far from it! For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. Galatians 3:21
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Hebrews 8:12
Who We Serve
The foundation of how we obtain salvation has been thoroughly laid and now we continue to see what that salvation means for the life of a believer. Galatians 4 is prefaced by the end of ch. 3 speaking of the law being a trainer. In English, ‘law’ sounds very demanding but the word in Hebrew is Torah which actually just means instructions. What these passages are referring to is being under instruction unto Messiah- instructions that led or pointed people to Him. God's laws weren't given as a burden or a “master” as some translations say school master but as a guardian to lead children in the way that the Father expects them to behave. The explanation Pual is painstakingly trying to give is that the instructions are not the master we are slaves under; the instructions are the behavior of the Master who we are heirs along with, and the Master's behavior should be our behavior.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:6
The letter to the Galatians is a back and forth effort to distinguish between Judaism's version of the law mixed with traditions, and belief for salvation which leads to lawful living. It is very important to remember that this is the context and reason why Paul needs to hammer in what redemption through Messiah means. The rabbinic Jewish tradition that was being brought in had no power to redeem a life, nor was it spiritual to overcome sin. We are redeemed by the Son and adopted as children of God. He is our Father and blesses us with all good and holy things. His Spirit empowers us to deny our sinful flesh so we are no longer slaves to it! But the flesh still desires its own ways. Remember, sin is defined for us as
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13
By denying the simplicity and truth of God's ways, we easily get caught up in ritualistic, self-satisfying worship- things that feel right, look religious, and have a show of good intentions. You can be completely sincere in every effort to honor God, but if you don't align it with His word, you can be sincerely wrong. Loving Him with all of your being is proven by seeking out His definition of love, not continuing doing your own ways in His name. Paul begins to reveal this about the Galatians returning to former pagan practices under the guise of doing it for God…
But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. Galatians 4:8-10
This passage is very often used to say that we shouldn't keep God's Feasts or Sabbath, however, that is simply not the context of the passage. Paul clearly defines the terms as “you served those which by nature are not gods” referring to polytheistic pagan practices. They served wood and stone named gods with all sorts of unholy sacrifices, rituals, and holidays. Yes, holidays. Part of the context here that we don't understand in our current era and church culture is the amount of paganism that is mixed into Judaism. Remember, the setting and context of this entire letter is addressing believers that were being persuaded by Judaizers. I will give a brief example to illustrate the mixing within religious traditions:
The Jewish New Year, also called Rosh Hashanah, landed on September 15, of 2023, it was called the “year of the open doors.” This tradition lines up with the biblical holy day of Yom Teruah which can be found in Leviticus 23 but it is not the same. The Creator’s given New Year is in the spring, 14 days before the Passover, not the fall. Rosh Hashanah is a Babylonian tradition that was adopted during Judea’s exile. This Babylonian festival was a New Year celebration in honor of the god Marduk who “created the universe.” The Jews combined it with Yom Teruah and began mixing worship practices in manners that God did not prescribe; practices that the Babylonians used to worship their gods.
These Galatians were being influenced by Jewish traditions. Verse 17 says that “they,” the Judaizers, were excited or enticing towards them so as to draw them away from their confession of Messiah. The Jewish traditions and festivals- days, and months, and years- were/are a mixing of God's instruction with paganism. THAT is the “elementary matters to which they wished to be enslaved to.” It had nothing to do with the keeping of God's holy days and Sabbaths. It was about using the instructions as the means of salvation and additional traditions as the means of favor. We can see this exact issue being rebuked by Yeshua throughout the gospels- the traditions of the elders.
Another aspect to consider for our own application is the festivals of Christmas, Lent, All Saints Day. Early Roman-Catholic Christianity combined the birth and death of Christ onto previously existing Roman festivals, as well as changed the Sabbath day. The Christian tradition we inherited holds fast to days, months, and years but not the ones that the Almighty instructed. We became children of God and turned back to elementary matters. I will leave the rest for you to research and pray on.
Do not worship the LORD your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. Deuteronomy 12:4
The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, “Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things. Jeremiah 16:19
Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. Mark 7:8
Two Covenants
Do you understand what the two covenants are? In church-ianity we have been taught the old covenant was the law “for them” and the new covenant under Christ means no law “for us.” This modern interpretation and doctrines like dispensationalism, is what has led to so much confusion around Paul's writings, especially Galatians.
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? Galatians 4:21
Some translations say “do you know what the law actually says,” which is exactly what we need to consider for ourselves- do we know what the law actually says and what the covenants actually are? For starters, the law or instruction is not the covenant itself. A covenant is a contract. The laws within a covenant are the instructions, expectations, and promises for upholding the stipulations of the contract. Before we can claim which instructions and blessings are “for us” now, we have to figure out who the old covenant is for and who the new covenant is for as defined by SCRIPTURE.
This is allegorical [symbolic], for these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children, but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband. (Isaiah 54) Galatians 4:24-27
The Old Covenant is linked to Jerusalem which now is- it is still there to this day. The New Covenant is linked to Jerusalem above- the New Jerusalem which comes down at Messiah's return, where the saints are gathered to at the resurrection (she has many more children), and where we are free from the bondage of the flesh. Paul is using allegory to reveal the meaning behind Siani and the New Jerusalem:
Mt. Siani/ bond woman / Ishmael = Jerusalem which “now is” represents the covenant made with flesh: the flesh desires sin as Paul emphatically explains in Romans 7. In order to keep the flesh in check and understand what sin is according to God, the stipulations of His covenant were given to mankind. (For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. Romans 7:14 esv)
New Jerusalem/ free woman/ Isaac = the covenant made with our new spiritual bodies at the resurrection when we inherit New Jerusalem. The deposit of the Spirit we currently have was given to lead us to understanding the fullness of the Spiritual nature that is to come at the resurrection. Being children of the free woman is having a mind on things above. (Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2)
This hope of our future reality is to be our focus and aim for walking in this fleshy life. The law (instructions/stipulations) is spiritual, walking according to the Spirit and not the letter is literally done by denying the flesh and obeying the Father. The old and new covenants have nothing to do with “old testament Israel” being different than the “new testament church,” we are grafted together into the covenant of promise. The Old Covenant is made with ALL flesh, the New Covenant will be made with ALL who are resurrected at Messiah's return.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13
Going back to Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? Galatians 4:21 … “under the law” literally means in debt to the law, exactly what Romans 8:12 mentions. In other words, “you who wish to walk in the flesh and break the law,” putting them under the law. Or, in terms modern Christians can relate to, “you who deny the law, do you not understand the law?” This leads to the explanation of the law being given in order to keep the flesh in check so we can walk in the Spirit until the day of complete redemption.
For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. Galatians 5:5
And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:23
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:4-5
A literary device called juxtaposition was used by the Father in Jeremiah 31:31-33 to describe this exact concept. The Covenant He made when He led them by the hand out of Egypt was made with sinful people- flesh, as we all are. The covenant He makes with Israel “after those days” is made with those who take part in the first resurrection- the redemption of our bodies into spiritual, perfected bodies that have the law engraved on our hearts and minds so we can never sin again. This is what makes the New Covenant NEW and not like the one He made with the fathers of old. The New Covenant comes at the literal moment of salvation which is ready to be revealed in the last time. For an in-depth study of the New Covenant, click here: New Covenant Promises. Paul’s writings to the Galatians, Romans, and Corinthians reveal the same message- the difference between flesh and spirit…
So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54
Until the time comes when Messiah resurrects us to immortality and clothes us with an incorruptible spirit body, the flesh we are currently in attempts to hold us in bondage. Our sinful flesh wars against the Spirit of God that dwells within us. This is what Paul goes on to explain in chapter 5.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Galatians 4:28-29
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:17
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. Romans 7:15
In The Spirit
If the flesh is called bondage, and sin called bondage, and sin is defined as breaking God's Law, and the Law is called spiritual… where does that leave us? Paul goes on to tell the Galatians to put off the yoke of slavery and live freely in Messiah. We are to have the mind of Messiah, to walk as He walked, and mimic His righteous behavior by walking in the Spirit.
Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25
Walking in the Spirit is the epitome of walking in the Father's ways and instructions. To add a note of clarifican, we have to look at Matthew 5-7 where Messiah is expounding on the deeper matters of the Law- the heart! If your heart is set on the Spirit of God you don't have to be concerned with laws concerning stealing, murders, drunkenness…the Law is the standard of righteous behavior which you learn to follow naturally when you are renewed by the Spirit. This is what discipleship literally means, to learn the word. The Messiah is the literal life giving Spirit and His Father's ways are spiritual. To obey Him and walk in the Father's ways out of love is the fulfillment of the entire law.
For the entire Law is completed in one word, in this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14, Leviticus 19:18
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law. Romans 13:10
I encourage you to read Galatians 5:16-18 alongside all of Romans chapter 7 to see a broader picture of the Law of God vs. the law of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit and obeying the Father's instructions will keep you from falling into the lusts of the flesh. The instructions are still applicable guidelines for our walk as a believer, today. We are still called to repent from sin and not return to it. The definition of sin has not changed. The Holy Spirit is given to us in order to lead us into this truth and to understand the Father's ways, the ways Messiah exemplified and called us to follow in.
The Fruit of The Spirit
Good fruit is the outward visibility of inward faith. The Holy Spirit working in us is proven through our actions and attitude. Every element of the fruit of the Spirit correlates to keeping the commandments. This is because the entire point of the entire law is LOVE and KINDNESS and SELF-CONTROL, etc. When we love God and obey Him, every element of the good fruit is activated because God is LOVE. When we choose to disobey God, denying His good ways, the bad fruit is activated and our sinful flesh takes over resulting in loveless actions and a miserable attitude. The instructions of the Father soften our hearts and teach our flesh how to love Him and how to love our neighbor so that good fruit can be brought forth in our lives.
Love: For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
Joy: The statutes of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. Psalm 19:8
Peace: Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165
Patience: Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
Kindness: Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
Goodness: So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:12
Trustworthiness: The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are trustworthy. Psalm 111:7
Gentleness: Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. Matthew 11:29
Self-control: For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
If you are practicing the right behavior of the law, you're not in debt to the law. In stark contrast, we can see the behaviors that put a person under the law, or in debt to it for breaking the commandments.These are the works of the flesh which bring about corruption and prevent a person from inheriting the promises. Notice that each of these works are mentioned within the law to not do!
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery (Leviticus 20:10), whoring (Deuteronomy 22:22-30), uncleanness (Deuteronomy 22:14), indecency (Leviticus 18), idolatry (Exodus 20:4-6, Deuteronomy 4:16-19), drug sorcery (Leviticus 19:31), hatred (Leviticus 19:18), quarrels (Proverbs 3:30), dissensions (Proverbs 6:18-19), factions (Mark 3:25), envy (Proverbs 14:30), murder (Exodus 20:13), drunkenness (Proverbs 23:20), wild parties (Hosea 9:1), and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
A common phrase we see throughout the old testament writings is “guard yourselves.” Paul is breaking down what it looks to crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit. Guard the instructions for righteous behavior so that you are not tempted by the desires of the flesh to break the law. Guarding yourself against sin is the epitome of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit!
Do not be led astray, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8
Paul's letter to Timothy echoes the same message- the law is GOOD when used righteously! It teaches care for the poor, widow, and fatherless. It shows what it looks like to be kind, gentle, trust-worthy, peaceful, and patient. It instructs healthy living, rest, and set-apart time to spend with the Father. But we also have much of the law in place because of lawless behavior; instructions that are needed to know how to handle the situations that arise when people disobey God's law. This is exactly what Paul is speaking in his letters to all of the churches with their varying issues- he commends lawful, loving behavior and corrects the bad behavior with what is already written in the law.
But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy (Lev. 11:44) and profane (Lev. 21:7), for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers (Ex. 20:12), for manslayers (Ex. 20:13), for fornicators (Ex. 34:15), for sodomites (Lev.18:22), for kidnappers (Deut. 24:7), for liars (Lev. 19:11), for perjurers (Ex. 20:16), and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. 1 Timothy 1:8-11
Let’s look at one more passage of scripture describing good fruit and bad fruit. Ephesians 4 is the chapter that says not to grieve the set apart spirit; it names good, lawful behavior to practice as well as bad, lawless behavior that should be put away. This is another witness that shows how walking in the Spirit is walking in alignment with God's ways, His instructions for LIFE.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Psalm 34:13-15) . . . Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor” (Lev. 19:11), for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin” (Psalm 4:4): do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer (Ex. 20:15), but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need (Deut. 15:11). Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4
An amazing piece of this chapter in Ephesians is repeated in Galatians 6, to bear one another's burdens. If you've studied Leviticus and Deuteronomy, it's easy to see how so much of the law is about helping your neighbor. The Father's heart is so good and merciful, His instructions are simply His character and love for people. He teaches us how to love our neighbor, help our neighbor, and be hospitable to strangers. Bearing the burdens of others is doing and fulfilling these laws of love! These are the same laws we see Messiah exemplify and tell His disciples to also do in the gospels.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Do Not Lose Heart
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
This has become a common bumper sticker verse within Christianity. However, the definition of “doing good” seems to have been lost. There is a definition for what good is. This verse is surrounded by context that points us to continue walking in the Spirit of the Law, and to be on guard against the lusts of the flesh as well as not to be led astray by bad doctrine. Paul's closing statements to the Galatians reminds us that bad doctrine was the context and purpose of this entire letter.
As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. Galatians 6:12-13
This is an amazing statement that reveals the bad doctrine that Christianity has adopted of “Galatians speaks against keeping the law.” As we've hammered out in this study, the law is not bad, it's Spiritual and good. The law is not the means of salvation because instructions have no power to resurrect the dead, only Messiah does. The law is not a curse, but disobeying it does have implications. And finally, the Judaizers who were influencing the Galatians to deny Messiah and keep their traditions WERE NOT KEEPING THE LAW! For not even those who are circumcised keep the law. This all circles back to the beginning context found in part 1, circumcision as a means of salvation profits you absolutely nothing. The Judaizers proclaiming circumcision for salvation weren't even keeping God's Law… if we can grasp this, we can grasp the fact that Paul is not anti-law, and Galatians is not anti-law.
With Messiah, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any strength- the point is to be a NEW CREATURE, putting off the works of the flesh (repentance) and walking in the Spirit by actively practicing the behavior God calls righteous and GOOD. Circumcision was and still is an outward sign of this covenant concept of putting off the flesh. It was never intended to be a means of salvation (otherwise women would be in trouble) but rather a sign of dedication, much like baptism. The entire point of repentance is to become a new creature who practices obedience to Messiah and to the Father.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. Galatians 6:16
Blessed are this doing His commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city. But outside are the dogs and those who enchant with drugs, and those who whore, and the murders, and the idolaters, and all who love falsehood. Revelation 22:14-15
For an additional study resource, check out the Understanding Paul Biblically digital download by ShieldedArrows. Use promo code SHELBY15 at checkout!