THE ADVENT TRUTH People often ask, “Which laws are we supposed to keep today? Aren’t some just for Israel?” The Bible makes that distinction very clear. There were three main categories of law in the Old Testament. The Moral Law — The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) reflect God’s character and define sin (Romans 7:7). These existed before Sinai—Cain’s murder, Joseph fleeing adultery, Abraham keeping God’s commandments (Genesis 26:5). They are eternal and apply to all people. The Ceremonial Law — The sacrifices, feast days, and rituals pointed forward to Christ’s atoning death (Hebrews 10:1). When Jesus died, the veil tore (Matthew 27:51), showing these shadows met their fulfillment in Him. The Civil Law — These governed Israel as a nation (Deuteronomy 17–24). They dealt with property, punishment, and national structure. Since we aren’t under Israel’s theocracy, these aren’t binding on Gentile Christians today. The Bible distinguishes them clearly: God spoke the Ten Commandments and wrote them with His own finger on stone (Exodus 31:18), placing them inside the Ark (Hebrews 9:4). But the law of Moses was written in a book and placed beside the Ark (Deuteronomy 31:26). Two different laws—one eternal, one temporary. When Colossians 2:14 says ordinances were nailed to the cross, it’s talking about the ceremonial system, (those in Deuteronomy 31:26) not the Ten Commandments. Jesus said, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Sin is still “the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4), meaning God’s moral standard still stands. We keep the Ten Commandments—moral, eternal, (and based on our love for God). We’re no longer under the ceremonial or civil laws—they were for Israel, and fulfilled in Christ. “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). That’s the end-time people of God.