Hi Terry,
Your friend is ignorant of the Scriptures. Unless God is guiding him and opening his heart, he cannot understand scriptural truth. It will be like talking to a wall. I will do just about anything to avoid discussing scriptural topics with people.
First, your friend would need to understand the Two Witnesses. You need at least two Scriptures to establish a truth. The Many will have one Scripture, but they cannot produce two Scriptures that are accurate and on the point. This biblical requirement is violated all the time, which is why Revelation tells us the Two Witnesses are killed and left for dead on the streets of Jerusalem (the false church).
Second, your friend quotes from the ten commandments, which no longer apply to God's Elect as a law code. The ten commandments were the heart of the Old Covenant and kept in the Ark of the Covenant. The Old Covenant is no longer in effect.
If your friend thinks the ten commandments still apply, does he obey the 4th commandment and not work on the 7th day?
Also, if you closely read the Scripture quoted, it says their life will be long in the land God is giving them. Which refers to the promised land the Israelite were going to.
Several other points, but I have to go somewhere. But your friend will not understand what I said above. It will only produce more argument. There are only a small, small few who have any understanding of these things at this time.
John
John -
Thank you for your very helpful Post:
1. Regarding
two or three Witnesses - I believe Alex has kindly provided ample Scriptural Witness and examples.
2.1. I know we have on numerous occasions discussed
'The Law' and
'The Old Covenant' - and I agree that 'The Old Covenant' is dead - and I may be wrong, but I believe that 'The Law' has not be done away with (as it was always a Spiritual Law - and indeed Jesus enhanced 'The Law' by stating that even if a man lust after a woman he had already committed sin in his heart). My understanding is that 'The Works of The Law' (or ordinances - or outward physical Commandments) have been abolished, as He writes 'His Law' in the hearts and minds of 'His Elect' in this Age of Grace under 'The New Covenant':
Ephesians 2:15 (KJV):
having abolished in his flesh the enmity,
even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
2.2. I know that there is a New Testament Scripture that states that 'The Law' was meant for the unrighteous, and not the righteous - and this still puzzles me - although it does make sense if these Scriptural Witnesses were referring to 'The Works of The Law', rather than 'The Law'. But I do not want to make any Scripture fit into any false doctrine:
1 Timothy 1:7-9 (KJV):
7: desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8: But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9: knowing this,
that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1 Timothy 1:8-11 (J.B. Phillips New Testament):
We know, of course,
that the Law is good in itself and has a legitimate function. Yet we also know that t
he Law is not really meant for the good man, but for the man who has neither principles nor self-control, for the man who is really wicked, who has neither scruples nor reverence. Yes, the Law is directed against the sort of people who attack their own parents, who kill their fellows, who are sexually uncontrolled or perverted, or who traffic in the bodies of others. It is against liars and perjurers—in fact it is against any and every action which contradicts the wholesome teaching of the glorious Gospel which our blessed God has given and entrusted to me.
1 Timothy 1:9 (Common English Bible):
We understand this:
the Law isn’t established for a righteous person but for people who live without laws and without obeying any authority. They are the ungodly and the sinners. They are people who are not spiritual, and nothing is sacred to them. They kill their fathers and mothers, and murder others.
2.3. We know that there was a change in the Priesthood from the tribe of 'Levi' to the tribe of 'Judah'; but I do not believe this means that 'The Law' itself was changed or done away with:
Hebrews 7:12 (KJV):
For the
priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity
a change also of the law.
3. I agree that this does indeed refer to
'The Israelites, and their land'.
Kind Regards.
George