Yes, we bring you the Good News of the World Tomorrow. But before we will come to that, we first need to address certain issues which prevent us from attaining that goal.

How many of you have heard the word antinomian or antinomianism? This is a little known English word to most. Perhaps those who are involved in law, history and theology may be familiar with this word. This English word ‘antinomian’ comes from two Greek words, anti- and nomos. All of us can understand that anti- means ‘against’ but most of us, unless one is familiar with Greek would not understand the word nomos. Nomos is the root word for ‘law’ in Greek. Therefore when we put these two Greek words together, anti- plus nomos, we have a word meaning “anti law” or “against law.” The American Heritage Dictionary defines it also as “opposed to or denying the fixed meaning or universal application of moral law.”

Now, why am I addressing this subject of antinomianism? What has it got to do with the Good News or the gospel of the Kingdom of God? Or what has it got to do with the word of God and the commandments of God? Answer? Very much! In fact as you will listen further, this antinomian problem continues to be a major stumbling block of modern day Christianity and this world in general.

All of you will easily recognize that one of the biggest problems in human society around the world is lawlessness. That is the basic cause of all crimes and criminal behavior. The economic effect of criminality goes into billions of dollars every year. Not to mention loss of life. Crime is one of the biggest problems in our world. If only we can remove the cause of crime, this world would be a great place of peace and happiness and tranquillity. Only then can we really experience the good news of the World Tomorrow. But not now.

Our secular society is not the only place where lawlessness is rampant; in fact we may say that organized religion has greatly failed in its appointed duty of teaching obedience through law. Why? You would be surprised to know that sadly, most of the organized religion is actually in confusion with regards to obedience to even the basic moral law. You would also be surprised to know that it is one of the greatest culprits and transgressors. So listen to find out where and how this has happened and how it is happening and what is the source of this great and major problem affecting this world and of all mankind.

In answer to our many questions as usually in this program, our ultimate source and authority for answers is the word of God, the Bible. Therefore, as our standard procedure in this broadcast, please be ready with your Bible beside you so you can read and check the accuracy and veracity of what I am saying in this program.

We were talking about the prevalent problem in this world and even in Christianity concerning antinomianism or the attitude and spirit of being against law. Actually the apostle Paul predicted this attitude as the sign of the end time. In fact this attitude of disobedience starts among children. Most likely it is because of the failure of parents. And the failure of parents most likely can be traced to the failure of their own parents or of religion. And the failure of religion can be traced to a massive and gross deception and misinterpretation of the word of God. This problem of rampant end-time disobedience and lawlessness is mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. It reads, “This know also that in the last days, perilous times shall come: (2) for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, (5) having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Likewise, no less than Jesus Christ Himself predicted this common attitude and trend in our end time. We read about this in what is commonly referred to as the “Olivet Prophecy.” It is called Olivet prophecy because He uttered those words while at the Mount of Olives. Let us read one of the statements from Matthew 24:12-14. It says, “And because lawlessness (now the Greek word for “lawlessness” here is the Greek word anomia), the love of many shall grow cold. (13) But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to the nations and then the end will come.”

Lawlessness or wickedness as translated in the New International Version is from the Greek word anomia. Anomia is the compound of two Greek words. A means “without” and nomos is the root word for law. Therefore, putting these two Greek words together, it means “without law.” It is similar to what we are talking about as the antinomian spirit or attitude prevailing in our days. It refers to the popular and prevalent teaching that we do not have to obey the laws and commandments of God anymore.

Now, is this prophecy which was uttered by Jesus Christ being fulfilled in our day? Let’s look at some of the facts. We have known of riots in the streets, violent rallies, marches and demonstrations, violence and deaths even during sporting events, stampedes, resulting to hundreds of deaths even during religious pilgrimages, civil unrest, mutiny, rebellion, uprisings, revolts, suicide bombings, and many others. All of us are familiar with these facts. Not only is it such a problem in our civil and secular society but surprisingly even in the realm of the sacred and holy. Yes, I mean even in the field of religion, of all places. Does this surprise you? It should! Is it strange? Yes, indeed! Is it out of place in the field of religion? Definitely! Then something is obviously wrong in our world. In what way?

Let us start with the foundation of teaching in religion, even in Christianity for that matter. Now please do not get me wrong. I am a true Christian and I am not against Christianity per se. What I would simple like us to see are the problems and deceptions which have infiltrated Christianity, because let’s face it: there is false Christianity prevalent and rampant in our world today. What we need to do is to identify and seek the real among the various teachings and deceptions, which Satan has caused to be embedded into even the Christian religion. Hopefully, we can sanitize Christianity from its many errors. So what is the general concept and prevalent teaching in most of Christianity today concerning God’s laws and commandments? Does it reflect the spirit of antinomianism? Is the attitude or spirit of lawlessness and rebellion being taught in the field of religion? Let us examine this aspect.

Most of us have heard, read and been commonly taught that there is a conflict between God the Father and Jesus Christ. In what way? We have been taught that this is due to the fact that the God of the Old Testament who is assumed by most to be God the Father was “a harsh and cruel God who gave strict laws and commandments. However, we can be thankful that we have a liberator, Jesus Christ that is according to the popular teachings. He came to liberate us and gave us freedom from the harsh laws of his father by coming to do away and abolish his father’s laws and commandments.” What does this tell us? Well, in effect, we are being taught that Jesus Christ is a rebellious son to his father and that his father is stupid and made a big mistake which needs to be corrected. It says that “Jesus is our champion, model and example in disobeying those laws and commands issued by his father. In effect, because of his disobedience and rebellion, he has that antinomian spirit.” Now is this true? Of course, it is ridiculous. But I’m sure that you have heard these concepts because they are popularly taught everywhere and for a long time.

I, for one, have heard and read about all this all my life. However, I have studied deeply into this and thought about this for a long time and have found the true answer to the seeming puzzles. How about you? Have you resolved such discrepancies? Let us be honest to ourselves. Let us have nothing but the truth. Most people simply believe and accept this concept without really giving it a second thought to question them because they trusted those who told or taught them. But it is time to examine these things my friends. I’m here to simply help you rethink some of these popular misconceptions concerning God. Do you think that a perfect being, as Jesus Christ, the very Son of God would be an example and champion of lawlessness and rebellion to His Father?

The Bible abundantly shows that they are in perfect unity and harmony with each other. The Bible shows that there is no division or conflict between them. So, where did these false ideas and teachings or concepts come from? In other words, who is the originator, instigator or source of this popular antinomian attitude or spirit? And these attitudes have spread far and wide. From the source of that deception, many preachers, teachers and church authorities have in turn influenced many others of that same attitude of being against and actually to some extent, even hating the commandments of God. Yes, even the Ten Commandments! You won’t believe it? You may want to try this little experiment, unless you have already done it: mention about the need to keep and obey the Ten Commandments of God just exactly as it is stated in the Bible. The comments and reaction you will receive will invariably be, “Those Ten Commandments are all Mosaic laws, which we do not have to keep now.” Or, “Those are Old Covenant laws, which are not for New Testament Christians.” Or, “Those are ancient laws.” Others would simply say, “Oh come on. Let’s not be legalistic!” I’m sure that most of you have heard those comments or reactions before. In fact many of may have made those comments yourself. Why? Because that is what you have heard, read or being told by others. Most just simply pass on or perhaps we may say parrot which was told to them by others whom they believed or respected.

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Now, you may want to do another experiment just to cross-check what is being popularly believed as to its consistency. Ask them in turn, “Since those Ten Commandments are no longer in force or valid for Christians, therefore, is it now okay to steal, kill, tell a lie, and commit immorality?” I’m sure that if he or she is a well-meaning and honest Christian, he or she will, of course deny and say, “Of course not!” So we begin to ask ourselves, why is it that there is a double topic in this case? Why is there inconsistency? Is there any hidden agenda somewhere? Of course, yes. But did you see the great confusion here? Let us analyze what is happening in this world of Christianity.

I’d like you to open your eyes and think for yourself and search for the truth. Do not base your salvation on the words of equally fallible men but directly from the words of God. Also since fallible men created and established religion, therefore since the source and the founder is the fallible, the product, which is religion, is also fallible. Thus, it’s time we search the Bible directly to find out the real truth. This is why I always insist that we look at the word of God and check the Bible for the proof of whatever we believe or teach. We cannot and must not compromise on this matter.

So, is the Bible antinomian? Are the writers of the Bible antinomian? Do they reflect the attitude toward the law and commandments that you often see and hear among preachers and false leaders? Let us let the Bible speak for itself then. Let us look now into what the Bible says about the laws and commandments of God.

First of all, let us read from the God of the Old Testament what is recorded in Deuteronomy 5:29. It says here, “Oh that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!” Did you notice that?

Now, we quote from King David of Israel in Psalm 1:1-2. It says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of the sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is the law of the LORD, and in His law, he meditates day and night.” Another Psalm, in Psalm 19:7-9, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” But of course, you have heard certain religious preachers say that the commandments are bad for us.

Now, let us read a quote from Jesus Christ Himself. And this concerns directly the matter of commandment-keeping and the matter of salvation. Let us read from Matthew 19:16-19. Paraphrasing these verses here when Jesus Christ was asked: “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” the rich young ruler asked. Jesus Christ answered in the later part of verse 17, we read, “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” So the rich young ruler was asking about how to enter eternal life. Now this rich young ruler said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Clearly this shows that obedience to the Ten Commandments is basic to salvation! That is what Jesus Christ Himself just said. Now will you believe what Jesus Christ said, or the teachings of religious teachers?

Now, let us see what the apostle Paul who is the apostle to the Gentiles and considered the new covenant exponent has to say. I’d like us to look at Romans 7:12. The apostle Paul said, “Therefore, the law is holy and the commandment holy, and just and good.” Did you notice that? Moving on to Romans 7:22, he adds to say, “For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.”

I like to quote to you another passage from apostle Paul himself because the apostle Paul seem to be a very controversial person with regards to law-keeping and commandment-keeping. Let’s open to 1 Corinthians 7:19. He said here, “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.” Now, what he is saying here is that circumcision refers to the Jewish people while uncircumcision refers to the Gentile people. So in other words, what he is saying here is being a Gentile or a Jewish is nothing but what is important is keeping the commandments of God.

Now let’s look from the writings of the apostle John on the final account in the end time scenario. So let’s go to the last book of the Bible, Revelation. In Revelation 14:12, it says here describing a scenario, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” So we see here that the saints, the people of God, will be keeping the commandments and the faith of Jesus. In Revelation 22:14-15, “Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city.” And of course, this is talking about the heavenly Jerusalem. (15) “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and whoever loves and practices a lie.” So, did you see here the contrast between those who keep the commandments of God and the destruction of those who do not? Now, these are very clear scriptures. You cannot reject, ignore or deny any of them.

So we come to ask the question, where then did the spirit of antinomianism come from? In contrast to that, let us ask a very primary question. Who or what is that great being who is most anti-God? Of course, the most obvious answer in Satan the devil. But again, he doesn’t appear to man as the fearful Satan the devil. In what way does he appear then? Let us look at the Bible for the answer, not mine. Let us open to 2 Corinthians 11:13. It says here, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel (or don’t be surprise) for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works.” Now such attitude therefore, as we see here is transmitted from Satan the devil to men by using false ministers. Let us therefore be aware.

The prophet Isaiah was inspired by God to give us a test to identify who is God’s true servant and who is not. This is one formula or indicator that you should never forget. Let us open to Isaiah 8:20. It says here, “To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according too this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Did you notice that? A person who is given by God the light of understanding will uphold the law of God and His testimony. On the other hand, those who reject the commandment of God are not being enlightened by God.

Therefore, we have seen that the spirit and attitude of antinomianism is of Satan the devil. While Satan and the demons believe, recognize and fear God always, and even tremble, they will surely not obey Him. Humans who reject God’s commandments are simply influenced by such attitude from Satan.

I know that I have covered a big subject. Nevertheless, the verses we have read are exactly what it says, and there is no way that we can ignore or reject them. For greater understanding on this very important subject, which definitely does affect your salvation, please be sure to request for our free 80-page booklet titled, The Ten Commandments. This is a thoroughly researched and authoritative booklet which completely goes through the teachings of Scriptures in an unbiased manner. It addresses other important issues such as “Does the New Covenants abolish the commandments?”

[Therefore, in behalf of the Good News of the World Tomorrow, this is Edmond Macaraeg saying thank you for listening!]