The Imputation of Righteousness

The righteousness that would have been gained by us had we kept the Law of Moses perfectly is ascribed to us when we obey the Spirit of God. We meet all the requirements of the Law, and thus are perfectly righteous and without condemnation, when we live in the Spirit of God.

If we are obeying the Spirit of God there is no need for us to go back under any aspect of the Law of Moses because the righteous requirements of the Law are met by us when we obey the Spirit. The righteousness put to our account is based on the fact that Christ kept the Law perfectly and then shed His blood as an atonement for us who have not kept the Law of God.

An individual cannot possibly add to this perfect righteousness by keeping the Sabbath, the feast days, circumcision, or any other observance.

In any case, the Jewish or Gentile Christian, or any other person, cannot go back and obtain righteousness by means of the Law of Moses. How could he when a great part of that Law includes animal sacrifice? Under the Law there is no remission of sin except through the blood offered on the altar, and the prescribed animal sacrifice is not being made today.

When Christ shed His blood on the cross the perfect atonement was made. There never again shall be a blood sacrifice God will accept. The blood of His Son has made the atonement. To attempt to add to this is blasphemous.

But what about Ezekiel's Temple?

It is felt by some Jewish Christians that the Temple will be rebuilt and that Jews will offer animal sacrifices there during the thousand-year Kingdom Age.

While we are in agreement that the Temple will be rebuilt, God will accept no sacrifice made there as an atonement for sin. Every offering has been completely fulfilled in the offering made by Christ on the cross.

To what, then, is Ezekiel referring when he speaks of the Temple and of the tables of hewn stone on which the various sacrifices are to be offered?

Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew their sacrifices. (Ezekiel 40:41)

Ezekiel's Temple is a symbolic picture of the inward personality of redeemed man. The vision of the Lord in the first chapter of Ezekiel is a picture of the Lord Himself and also of man made in the image of God.

The many measurements in the description of the Temple portray the continual measuring and judging that takes place as Christ is formed in us. The water to the ankles, knees, loins, and then waters to swim in speak of our progress in the Spirit of God. The trees of life are the sons of God who will bring forth the water of the Spirit to heal the dead creation during the thousand-year Kingdom Age.

The description of the guard stations tells us the saint must always post a guard against the enemy.

The eight (eight is the number of the covenant) tables of sacrifice show us that God must hew out tables of stone in our personality until we are always ready to offer up to God any person, thing, or circumstance He requires. All we hold dear must be kept on the altar if we are to please God.

To be continued.