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The Little Horn, God’s Law, and How You have been Deceived

The Little Horn, God’s Law, and How You have been Deceived

A time tested military strategy is diversion. Create a ruckus in one area, get the enemy focusing on a distraction, and then attack from their blind spot.

Magicians, charlatans, and hucksters rely upon misdirection as the bedrock of their deceptive craft.

They get your attention focused on one action so you don’t notice their true intent and before you know it you are conned into believing they have power, wisdom, or have the best place to invest your money.

Yes, the greatest deceivers throughout history have learned the importance of giving your mind something tangible to embrace, something concrete to find wrong, or some actual danger to guard against. Then, when your mind is focused on the perceived problem, their real attack goes unnoticed. They know that when you believe you have identified the “trick,” figured out the “con,” or uncovered the “deceit” that you will be vulnerable to their real exploit.

Satan, the greatest deceiver in the universe, uses this strategy to near perfection. For years I, like many other Christians, was bamboozled into believing I knew the devil’s lie about God’s law, but I recently discovered I had only identified his misdirection. What about you?  Have you discovered Satan’s actual lie, or are you merely locked onto Satan’s diversion and therefore continue to embrace his real deceit?

Daniel 7:25 predicts that an evil power would arise and try to “change” God’s law.

Protestant Christians have historically understood this change occurred when a religious power changed the 10 Commandment law by removing the second commandment, which prohibited making images, splitting the tenth commandment into two parts (to keep the total number of commandments at ten after deleting number two), and by changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday.

It is without question that these “changes” to the Decalogue were instituted and the organization that made the changes proudly points to them as proof of its ecclesiastical authority on earth. Any student of church history can quickly document the historical evidence for this “change.” But it was ever only a diversion – Satan’s master misdirection, this open change to the Decalogue. Give the audience something tangible to focus upon, give them some concrete “change” to criticize and argue for or against, like the overt, admitted, and endorsed change in the 10 Commandments, while all along subtlely laying the groundwork of a more significant and egregious change to God’s law without them even realizing it. Diabolically brilliant! This is what the little horn power of Daniel 7 did.

So what is the real change to God’s law, the change Christians almost universally accept as truth? That God’s law is an imposed law put upon His creatures to govern their lives and test their obedience, rather than a natural law, a principle upon which He created life to operate. The little horn power didn’t merely change two commandments; it changed the very nature of the law itself!

So, straight up – Is God’s law imposed or is it natural? Was the law voted on by the Godhead, ratified, and enacted at a specific time in the past, or is it not created, not enacted, but eternally existent, because it is an extension of God’s eternal character of love? Is God’s law like human law, put in place by government and enforced by government? Or is God’s law the natural law upon which the great Creator actually built the universe to operate, like those of health (respiration, diet, rest, etc.)?

It only make sense that when the God who is love created, He constructed, built, and designed everything to operate in harmony with His own nature and character of love, because it is by Him that all things hold together (Col 1:17).  

This is exactly what Inspiration reveals:

  • Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10 (See also Galatians 5:14, James 2:8, Matt 22:37-40, Pr 12:28, Pr 21:21, Ps 19:7).

And one of the founders of the SDA church saw it the same:

  • In living for self he has rejected that divine love which would have flowed out in mercy to his fellow men. Thus he has rejected life. For God is love, and love is life. Christ’s Object Lessons, pg. 258
  • The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all created beings depended upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness. The Great Controversy, pg. 493
  • But turning from all lesser representations, we behold God in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. “I do nothing of Myself,” said Christ; “the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father.” “I seek not Mine own glory,” but the glory of Him that sent Me. John 8:28; 6:57; 8:50; 7:18. In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.  The Desire of Ages, pg. 21

Inspiration is clear. God’s law is the law of love, and this law is the law upon which life is designed to operate. Break this law and it automatically results in ruin and death, unless the Designer intervenes to heal and restore.

The false system introduced a change in our understanding of God’s law, the idea that God’s government is like earthly governments, that He imposes law like we impose law. This idea undermines the creatorship of God because it removes God’s law as the basis upon which the Creator built His universe and instead makes His law an imposed set of rules He enforces upon His creatures.

We no longer see God as a being of consummate love who gives constantly of Himself for the good of His creation, but instead conceive of Him as a being who uses power to dominate, control and enforce conformity upon His creation.

As such we develop theologies organized around this change in God’s law, and construct solutions based on this lie.

It is by accepting this change to God’s law that the little horn power has infected Christianity with a false gospel and false god concept. This one change in the law has resulted in teaching:

  • God, in order to be just, must impose penalties for sin and therefore must inflict punishment upon sinners
  • In order to avoid punishing sinners God must have a legal penalty paid by someone
  • God sent His Son to pay our legal penalty and punished Him in our place
  • God will be required to exterminate His sinful children in the end if their legal penalty isn’t paid [ i ]

This lie has so perniciously infected Christianity that theologians of all denominations viciously defend it and aggressively promote it. It is this lie that distorts the character of God. It is this lie that obstructs the people of God from lighting the world for Christ’s return. It is this lie that Adventism was called into existence to remove!

One of the founders of the SDA church, understanding the true nature of God’s law, wrote this wisdom to Uriah Smith, editor of the Review & Herald in the 1890’s. But he was confused by long acceptance of the “change” and didn’t know what to do with her insights so he filed it away and it remained in the R&H files until the 1950s when it was published in the 1SM 235.

The law of ten commandments is not to be looked upon as much from the prohibitory side, as from the mercy side. Its prohibitions are the sure guarantee of happiness in obedience. As received in Christ, it works in us the purity of character that will bring joy to us through eternal ages. To the obedient it is a wall of protection. We behold in it the goodness of God, who by revealing to men the immutable principles of righteousness, seeks to shield them from the evils that result from transgression.

We are not to regard God as waiting to punish the sinner for his sin. The sinner brings the punishment upon himself. His own actions start a train of circumstances that bring the sure result. Every act of transgression reacts upon the sinner, works in him a change of character, and makes it more easy for him to transgress again. By choosing to sin, men separate themselves from God, cut themselves off from the channel of blessing, and the sure result is ruin and death. 

The law is an expression of God’s idea. When we receive it in Christ, it becomes our idea. It lifts us above the power of natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that lead to sin. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165)– cause them to stumble.

There is no peace in unrighteousness; the wicked are at war with God. But he who receives the righteousness of the law in Christ is in harmony with heaven. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10). Letter 96, 1896.  —  Selected Messages vol 1, pp. 234 -235

The law is a principle of righteousness, originating in the mind of God and upon which life is built. Deviations from it do not require God to punish, but result in ruin and death, unless God intervenes to heal (Romans 6:23, James 1:15). Christ was sent to do just that, heal and restore, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17).

But those who have accepted the lie of an imposed law misunderstand the purpose of God’s written law. They fail to see it is a diagnostic tool needed to convict us of our condition and lead us to Christ for healing and instead see it as a concrete proof of an enacted set of rules to which we must adhere (Romans 5:20).

Satan, the diabolical deceiver, by diverting our attention to the concrete change in the Commandments, has blinded our minds to his real attack and has successfully infected Christendom with his twisted and utterly false concept of God’s law. Until we free ourselves of Satan’s imposed law concept we will be unable to take the gospel to the world and prepare the world for Christ’s return. We will be just like the Jews 2000 years ago, who, believing in an imposed law, crucified Christ and wanted Him off the Cross so they could observe the Sabbath. Sabbath keepers, keepers of an “imposed” day, killing their Creator and Savior, such is the result of believing in an imposed law!

If we don’t change our understanding of God’s law, if we insist on promoting an imposed law concept, then we will be like those misguided theologians, keeping the “law” while living in total opposition to the God of love!

I challenge you, reject the little horn’s distortion of God’s law, embrace the truth about God’s law/character of love and take the truth about God to the world!


[ i ] Please do not construe this article to say that if God doesn’t inflict punishment upon sinners then there is no punishment for sin. This article supports the reality that sin results in untold suffering and ultimately death, but argues it is a result of unremedied sin, rather than an infliction by God. This article supports the reality that salvation is only achieved through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ and argues it was not for the purpose of paying a legal penalty, but for more important purposes necessary for salvation.

 

 

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Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA