The Law of God was brought before the people "at the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles."

The Law was given in the wilderness by the hand of Moses. But the Law was pointed expressly at the practices of the Israelites in the land of promise, which proved to be under the supervision of Joshua and the judges who followed Joshua, and then under the kings of Israel.

Notice in particular the directive: "as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it." The lessons in holiness that the Holy Spirit is teaching us are given in order to guide our conduct now, and will continue to guide our conduct throughout the coming Kingdom Age and on into the new heaven and earth rule of Christ.

Every bit of personal righteousness, holiness, and obedience of behavior being developed in us at this time will have direct application in the ages to come, and has far-reaching consequences as far as our position in the Kingdom of Christ is concerned.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3:14-18)

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (I Timothy 4:8)

"Having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Think of it!

We are being made in the moral image of Christ now so we can rule in righteousness (a rod of iron) throughout the thousand-year Kingdom Age, and so we can radiate the beauty of holiness for eternity in the new heaven and earth reign of Christ.

To be continued.