Question: What is the reason to observe the fourth Commandment?
The 10 Commandments were given to the embryonic Jewish nation as a fundamental basis for Lawful living in a chaotic world situation; which is still at this date run by Satan! They of course are not kept in their entirety, but are still fundamental to Cooperative living (as opposed to a chaotic and lawless existence)! The need originated in Eden, and that account is well known, and gave the Promise of Gen. 3:15, (Messiah)!
Apostle Paul elucidates the whole principals in his writings; 7 letters pre-Acts 28; (Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Hebrews); and 7 post Acts 28, (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon).
The pre-Acts 28 letters elucidate the Law relative to the Jews; and based on the assumption that Messiah Jesus would be accepted by the Jews!
The post Acts 28 letters, are based on the fact of the final rejection of Jesus by the Jews and the imposition of the “Lo-Ammi” (not My people) state of Israel for a period of time, known only by God (see, Hosea 1&2)!
Both the Old Testament and the New, are linked to the Law given by God to Israel; but the people of God in the New (Christians) are living in Faith and Hope. (Hope here defined as a certainty), and they are seen by the Father God through Christ Jesus as “sinless”!
The Jews of the Old Testament, and those living since Christ’s Sacrificial death who do not adhere to the Great Offer of Salvation in Christ Jesus (“completed Jews”), are subject to God’s wrath, as summarised in Malachi; Except for the fact that God promised to salvage them, at a yet future time; (see the whole of Zechariah, and especially 12:10)!
So we see that God’s statement that it is not His Will that any should perish is embodied in all the above. However; as Jesus said; “Think not that I come to abolish the Law, but to completely fulfil it” (Matt. 5:17).
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