Important Notice:
Always check out what you read and hear for yourself, using the Bible, asking our HEAVENLY FATHER for wisdom, guidance, and understanding. Never take anyone's word alone, including this website, without first doing your own homework. As Christians, we should be listening to GOD's WORD, not what someone else has to say if it can't be documented. As it's written in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Please note, the yellow text within our studies is Scripture, whereas the white text is our commentary.
Before we begin, it's important to note that the purpose of this study is NOT to encourage anybody to take the law into their own hands, but simply to explain why so much evil exists in our societies today, and also to explain GOD's instructions for our governments, on how to prevent and handle such wickedness when it does occur.
Capital Punishment
Do you ever wonder why so much evil exists in this world today? And why so many innocent lives are taken? Well, we live in a world that has forsaken GOD, and HIS instruction, and as a result, this is the world we get. People want to blame GOD for what society has brought on itself. Our HEAVENLY FATHER gave us a set of laws to obey by and unfortunately most countries of the world today refuse to obey and enforce them because citizens sit back and allow it to keep happening, as they put their trust in man kings and sold out political puppets who do nothing to truly put CHRIST first and instead bring empty promises to further the globalist agenda. Too often today, true criminals don't receive a fair punishment for their crimes, and in many cases get rewarded and released, whereas non-troublemaking citizens sometimes face several years in prison for self-defense. Now regardless of what you may have heard in your past on this subject, let's take a look from GOD's WORD ourselves on what GOD thinks about capital punishment and what HE expects our cities to do with cold-blooded criminals. Below we will begin in Genesis 1.
Genesis 1:26-27
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
When GOD created mankind on the sixth day, "it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). HE created us all with a great purpose, for HIS pleasure, along with the free choice to decide with our own minds whether we would love HIM or not. As we can see, we were created in our own image by our HEAVENLY FATHER, so our lives are very special and important to HIM, and as a result, HE does not take it lightly when one of HIS children hurts another. GOD even tells us very early on, exactly what to do with those who commit such wicked acts. Have you read it before?
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
When GOD created mankind on the sixth day, "it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). HE created us all with a great purpose, for HIS pleasure, along with the free choice to decide with our own minds whether we would love HIM or not. As we can see, we were created in our own image by our HEAVENLY FATHER, so our lives are very special and important to HIM, and as a result, HE does not take it lightly when one of HIS children hurts another. GOD even tells us very early on, exactly what to do with those who commit such wicked acts. Have you read it before?
Genesis 9:6
6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
As we will come to see, this isn't in reference to accidentally harming somebody, but in reference to murder. Whenever someone takes the life of another through murder, GOD instructs that the person who committed the murder is to be put to death. Some today have a hard time grasping that and make ignorant statements like "why do we kill people who kill people to justify that killing people is wrong?" They can't seem to grasp the fact that dangerous, wicked, cold-blooded, people do not belong in society, nor do they deserve tax-payer dollars to get shelter, food, and recreational entertainment in a place called "prison". Usually these are the same types of people who cry out "Why did the victim have to die?", "Why couldn't this have been prevented?" and/or "Why did GOD allow this to happen?". Unfortunately those people are too ignorant to understand common sense and the importance of this law, which is to remove wickedness from the earth. If this was enforced in every nation of the world today, society would be a much safer place and crime rates would drop tremendously, as wicked people would think again before committing such wicked acts as murder, as they would see the end result.
"But we used to do that and it didn't work." Guess not when it's withheld for decades after the crime takes place, and they sit in a cell and get treated better than homeless people, disabled military vets, and many elders in care homes, especially when many will just have their sentence delayed again, and in many cases, eventually reversed. That doesn't instill fear into anybody thinking about doing crime.
GOD knows exactly what's best for us as HIS children, which is why HE gave us HIS laws, so that we could live happily and safely. Some may say, "didn't HE change this law in the New Testament though?" And as you will see below, HE did not, regardless of what somebody may have you believe. After all, HE is the GREAT I AM (Exodus 3:14), not the great I was. HE's the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). HE changes not (Malachi 3:6). Later below, we'll see what JESUS said about those who thought HE came to do away with the law.
Below let's take a further look as to when this should and shouldn't be carried out.
As we will come to see, this isn't in reference to accidentally harming somebody, but in reference to murder. Whenever someone takes the life of another through murder, GOD instructs that the person who committed the murder is to be put to death. Some today have a hard time grasping that and make ignorant statements like "why do we kill people who kill people to justify that killing people is wrong?" They can't seem to grasp the fact that dangerous, wicked, cold-blooded, people do not belong in society, nor do they deserve tax-payer dollars to get shelter, food, and recreational entertainment in a place called "prison". Usually these are the same types of people who cry out "Why did the victim have to die?", "Why couldn't this have been prevented?" and/or "Why did GOD allow this to happen?". Unfortunately those people are too ignorant to understand common sense and the importance of this law, which is to remove wickedness from the earth. If this was enforced in every nation of the world today, society would be a much safer place and crime rates would drop tremendously, as wicked people would think again before committing such wicked acts as murder, as they would see the end result.
"But we used to do that and it didn't work." Guess not when it's withheld for decades after the crime takes place, and they sit in a cell and get treated better than homeless people, disabled military vets, and many elders in care homes, especially when many will just have their sentence delayed again, and in many cases, eventually reversed. That doesn't instill fear into anybody thinking about doing crime.
GOD knows exactly what's best for us as HIS children, which is why HE gave us HIS laws, so that we could live happily and safely. Some may say, "didn't HE change this law in the New Testament though?" And as you will see below, HE did not, regardless of what somebody may have you believe. After all, HE is the GREAT I AM (Exodus 3:14), not the great I was. HE's the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). HE changes not (Malachi 3:6). Later below, we'll see what JESUS said about those who thought HE came to do away with the law.
Below let's take a further look as to when this should and shouldn't be carried out.
Deuteronomy 19
1 When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;
2 thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Why three cities? Next verse...
3 Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
As we will see in this chapter, there will be two types of slayers mentioned. The first one as you see mentioned below in the fourth verse, is describing someone who accidently kills someone. The second one which you will see mentioned later on below, starting in verse eleven, is describing someone who commits premeditated murder. Altogether these are two completely different circumstances and GOD tells us exactly what is to be done with them. Stick with the subject and pay very close attention.
4 And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;
In other words, this type of slayer had nothing against his neighbor. They were probably good friends but one accidently killed the other. How?
5 as when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
As we can see in this case, there are two neighbors working together to cut wood and while being together, the axe head accidently slipped off the handle and struck the neighbor, which caused him to die. As we can see, GOD commands for this slayer to live, as this slayer had nothing against his neighbor and by accident, killed the other. Notice the killer in this case is supposed to flee to one of these refuge cities. Why?
6 lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.
"The avenger of the blood" refers to one of the closest living relatives of the person killed. So in other words, from the last verse to this verse, it basically reads: "he (i.e. the accidental killer) shall flee unto one of those cities (i.e. refuge cities), and live: [6] lest (i.e. to avoid the risk of) the relative of the one killed, pursue (i.e. go after) the slayer, while he is mad...". So as we can see in this case, this slayer is to flee into a city of refuge, to avoid all possible conflict with the close relative/s of the one who was killed.
7 Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
8 And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;
9 if thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:
In other words, these laws, provided by GOD, are to forever be obeyed. So again, a person who accidently kills another, is to flee to a city of refuge, for their protection. They are NOT to be put to death as there was no evil intentions in their mind because again, it was an accident.
10 that innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.
So there we have GOD's law on what is to be done with someone who accidently ends another person's life. Now below, we will see a different "slayer" mentioned.
11 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die (i.e. premeditated murder), and fleeth into one of these cities:
12 then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence (i.e. extradite him), and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
So as we can see, this type of slayer is someone who commits premeditated murder. What is being said here, is that if someone who commits premeditated murder, flees in to one of these cities of refuge (i.e. tries to escape what they did), then they are to be captured and brought back to the closest relative of the one murdered, whereby punishment of death can be carried out.
13 Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.
Though this was written to Israel, you will see in a moment that it applies to everyone. As you can see, you are not to feel sorry or have any sympathy for someone who commits such. If you do, and you allow these people to live, you can be assured that it will NOT go well with you in your land. And as we can clearly see by looking around us today, crime rates, such as premeditated murder, continue to increase, more and more each day because this commandment is not carried out as it once was in this world; hence the people of this land deal with the consequences of innocent lives being hurt and/or murdered.
14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Always be fair with your neighbor, as with others. Don't try to steal part of his or hers land or anything for that matter. For when you do things GOD's way, living righteously, HE will bless you, whether now or in the eternal life to come.
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
As we can see, in order to have someone prosecuted? There must be at least two or more witnesses. Why? Because if you have just one witness, then it's one man's word against another man's word. Now some might say, "but what if two or more people are lying? For that reason, I just can't support such, to know that an innocent person might suffer the consequences of something they didn't do." Below, we'll see what is required of a false witness, but as to that statement, JESUS as well as Stephen were both two examples of people who were falsely accused and given capital punishment for things they didn't do, yet neither one would go against GOD's instructions, even today. It's extremely rare that an innocent person gets the death penalty for something they didn't do, but when it does occur, it is a tremendous tragedy, however, that doesn't take away from the fact that following these GOD given laws makes our societies safer and prevents more murders than it causes due to false witnesses.
16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
17 then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
18 and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
19 then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
In other words, if a false witness tries to get someone in trouble, then their punishment is to be that of what they desired on the innocent person on whatever it may be; in this case, the subject being the death penalty. Our FATHER does not deal with evil and so for the benefit of HIS children, evil is to be put away. So for example, let's say someone lies and tries to accuse a person of committing premeditated murder, who was innocent, in attempt to having them executed, then that person (the false witness) is to receive the death penalty for trying to have the innocent person's life taken.
20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
Who has it wrong? Somebody who claims capital punishment does no good? Or GOD? Clearly it is not GOD who is wrong. Again, this is why we see so much evil and wickedness occurring amongst us in this world because our governments do not follow GOD's instructions, and therefore the innocent are harmed. So the next time you hear somebody blaming GOD for not intervening when such evil occurs, remember, HE instructed us on how to handle and prevent such from happening, but people reject it, because they think they know better. It's not GOD's fault, but man's fault for not following what GOD said to do.
21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Far too often today, you have people trying to back up the murderer, whereby they can avoid the death penalty and therefore they completely throw aside the victim and the horrific experience they went through in their final minutes, and what the family of that victim has to go through for the rest of their lives. It's pure wickedness which is why you're not to feel pity for such heinous beings.
2 thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Why three cities? Next verse...
3 Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
As we will see in this chapter, there will be two types of slayers mentioned. The first one as you see mentioned below in the fourth verse, is describing someone who accidently kills someone. The second one which you will see mentioned later on below, starting in verse eleven, is describing someone who commits premeditated murder. Altogether these are two completely different circumstances and GOD tells us exactly what is to be done with them. Stick with the subject and pay very close attention.
4 And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;
In other words, this type of slayer had nothing against his neighbor. They were probably good friends but one accidently killed the other. How?
5 as when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
As we can see in this case, there are two neighbors working together to cut wood and while being together, the axe head accidently slipped off the handle and struck the neighbor, which caused him to die. As we can see, GOD commands for this slayer to live, as this slayer had nothing against his neighbor and by accident, killed the other. Notice the killer in this case is supposed to flee to one of these refuge cities. Why?
6 lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.
"The avenger of the blood" refers to one of the closest living relatives of the person killed. So in other words, from the last verse to this verse, it basically reads: "he (i.e. the accidental killer) shall flee unto one of those cities (i.e. refuge cities), and live: [6] lest (i.e. to avoid the risk of) the relative of the one killed, pursue (i.e. go after) the slayer, while he is mad...". So as we can see in this case, this slayer is to flee into a city of refuge, to avoid all possible conflict with the close relative/s of the one who was killed.
7 Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.
8 And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;
9 if thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:
In other words, these laws, provided by GOD, are to forever be obeyed. So again, a person who accidently kills another, is to flee to a city of refuge, for their protection. They are NOT to be put to death as there was no evil intentions in their mind because again, it was an accident.
10 that innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.
So there we have GOD's law on what is to be done with someone who accidently ends another person's life. Now below, we will see a different "slayer" mentioned.
11 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die (i.e. premeditated murder), and fleeth into one of these cities:
12 then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence (i.e. extradite him), and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
So as we can see, this type of slayer is someone who commits premeditated murder. What is being said here, is that if someone who commits premeditated murder, flees in to one of these cities of refuge (i.e. tries to escape what they did), then they are to be captured and brought back to the closest relative of the one murdered, whereby punishment of death can be carried out.
13 Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.
Though this was written to Israel, you will see in a moment that it applies to everyone. As you can see, you are not to feel sorry or have any sympathy for someone who commits such. If you do, and you allow these people to live, you can be assured that it will NOT go well with you in your land. And as we can clearly see by looking around us today, crime rates, such as premeditated murder, continue to increase, more and more each day because this commandment is not carried out as it once was in this world; hence the people of this land deal with the consequences of innocent lives being hurt and/or murdered.
14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Always be fair with your neighbor, as with others. Don't try to steal part of his or hers land or anything for that matter. For when you do things GOD's way, living righteously, HE will bless you, whether now or in the eternal life to come.
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
As we can see, in order to have someone prosecuted? There must be at least two or more witnesses. Why? Because if you have just one witness, then it's one man's word against another man's word. Now some might say, "but what if two or more people are lying? For that reason, I just can't support such, to know that an innocent person might suffer the consequences of something they didn't do." Below, we'll see what is required of a false witness, but as to that statement, JESUS as well as Stephen were both two examples of people who were falsely accused and given capital punishment for things they didn't do, yet neither one would go against GOD's instructions, even today. It's extremely rare that an innocent person gets the death penalty for something they didn't do, but when it does occur, it is a tremendous tragedy, however, that doesn't take away from the fact that following these GOD given laws makes our societies safer and prevents more murders than it causes due to false witnesses.
16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
17 then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
18 and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
19 then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
In other words, if a false witness tries to get someone in trouble, then their punishment is to be that of what they desired on the innocent person on whatever it may be; in this case, the subject being the death penalty. Our FATHER does not deal with evil and so for the benefit of HIS children, evil is to be put away. So for example, let's say someone lies and tries to accuse a person of committing premeditated murder, who was innocent, in attempt to having them executed, then that person (the false witness) is to receive the death penalty for trying to have the innocent person's life taken.
20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
Who has it wrong? Somebody who claims capital punishment does no good? Or GOD? Clearly it is not GOD who is wrong. Again, this is why we see so much evil and wickedness occurring amongst us in this world because our governments do not follow GOD's instructions, and therefore the innocent are harmed. So the next time you hear somebody blaming GOD for not intervening when such evil occurs, remember, HE instructed us on how to handle and prevent such from happening, but people reject it, because they think they know better. It's not GOD's fault, but man's fault for not following what GOD said to do.
21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Far too often today, you have people trying to back up the murderer, whereby they can avoid the death penalty and therefore they completely throw aside the victim and the horrific experience they went through in their final minutes, and what the family of that victim has to go through for the rest of their lives. It's pure wickedness which is why you're not to feel pity for such heinous beings.
Continuing, let's take a look somewhere else where this is also mentioned. Below we'll continue in Numbers 35 and from there we'll also look into the New Testament as to what CHRIST had to say about this.
Numbers 35:9-34
9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
11 then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
This word "unawares" means unintentionally. Again, this slayer is referring to someone who accidentally kills someone.
12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
I.e. the slayer is to flee into a city of refuge where he is then to have a fair trial.
13 And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
As we can clearly see, this law doesn't just apply to the children of Israel, but also to everyone else. Again, the reason they are to flee is so that the innocent (accidental slayer) can live and so that no controversy arises between the victim's family and the accidental slayer. Below we'll see the other type of slayer mentioned again.
16 And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die (i.e. this type of slayer intentionally kills), he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
17 And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
18 Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
These are just a few examples listed. It doesn't matter how someone carries out the murder, whether it be done with a knife, gun, chokehold, poison, etc., they are to be put to death. The point mentioned here is that anyone who thinks beforehand on ending someone's life, they are a murderer who is to be put to death.
19 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
It is the duty of the closest one in blood, to the victim who was murdered, who is to carry out the death penalty upon the city trial.
20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
21 or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
Here we are provided another example. And again, the point being that anyone who thinks beforehand on ending someone's life, is to be put to death (e.g. death penalty) and the closest one in blood to the one murdered (the victim), is to carry it out. I.e. the family member of the one murdered is to carry out the death penalty, whereby the murderer is put to death.
22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
Here it switches back to someone who accidentally kills someone.
23 or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
In other words, this accidental slayer just happened to be throwing something, in this case a stone, and didn't see the other person nearby and it just happened to hit him and he died.
24 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
And again, the accidental slayer is to have a fair trial, whereby things are settled and he/she can live in a city of refuge.
25 and the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
The "high priest" was over the nation of Israel and at his death (which would be about a generation), the man who did the accidental killing would be free to return to his original hometown. So basically they are to stay in that city of refuge for that entire generation whereby hopefully all strife from the victim's family would be gone.
26 But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
In other words, if the slayer decides to return home...
27 and the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
Why would the revenger of blood be found "not guilty"? Because the slayer refused to obey GOD's commandment which was to stay in the city of refuge; it would be as if the slayer is boasting to the family of what he/she did to the victim, as if there's no remorse and you can only imagine the anger built in the victim's family. So in this case, the revenger of blood was not to be found at fault because GOD gave the instruction for the accidental killer to live in a city of refuge and yet they disobeyed and chose to go back to the area of the victims family, where GOD commanded them to stay away from. This would be totally different if the revenger had went into the refuge city, but in this case the slayer came in the presence of the revenger of blood (the closest in blood to the person killed) and therefore he/she faces whatever consequence happens next (not to say it makes it right for the closest in blood to hold hostility).
28 because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
29 So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
These laws were to be enforced until the end of this flesh age by our governments.
30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
Again, it is required that there be at least two or more witnesses.
31 Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
GOD's WORD most certainly doesn't contradict itself, so how this can be so difficult for some to understand, especially those who call themselves "Christian" (CHRIST follower), is beyond incomprehensible. A lot of times they want to point out the Ten Commandments of "Thou shalt not kill", yet they fail to understand that the word "kill" as in the sixth commandment, is in reference to premeditated murder (i.e. criminal homicide). Putting away evil from society through capital punishment is not criminal homicide. So as we can clearly see from the last three chapters, GOD commands for a murderer to be put to death.
32 And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
When you look at our land today and you think about how many times these laws have been ignored, it is no wonder our land is so defiled and corrupted today. Don't expect GOD to bless your land when they disobey these laws, especially if you support and vote for those who are against them.
34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
GOD's ways are pure and they are perfect.
"But didn't JESUS tell us to forgive though as HE even forgave those who murdered HIM in the process of it." Of course HE did, however justice must be served and people must face the consequences of their actions. Just as a parent forgives their child and still disciplines their child when they misbehave for their actions, whether it be spanking and/or grounding them, so can we too with other people, even when a government does enforce the death penalty. Though people can be forgiven, they should have considered the consequences of their actions before they did them. When our society forgives and eventually lets heinous criminals back on the street, or gives them better treatment for the rest of their lives than homeless people, disabled vets, and many elders in "care" homes, they aren't doing the works of JESUS, but the works of satan. JESUS HIMSELF even said in Matthew 18:6, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Did HE say it would be better for them to be put in a home/camp consisting of shelter, free meals, and recreational activity (e.g. basketball) for a few years and eventually let out? Of course not. Now regardless of man's judgment here on earth, ultimately GOD's judgement awaits for each person who's ever lived, and each person will receive their reward whether it be good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14). 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Just as JESUS forgives us and judgment day still awaits for us and we'll give account for the life we've lived, and be rewarded accordingly to it, so should it be towards us in this life with violent people. We can forgive them, but they must own up and deal with the consequences of their crime.
10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
11 then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
This word "unawares" means unintentionally. Again, this slayer is referring to someone who accidentally kills someone.
12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
I.e. the slayer is to flee into a city of refuge where he is then to have a fair trial.
13 And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
As we can clearly see, this law doesn't just apply to the children of Israel, but also to everyone else. Again, the reason they are to flee is so that the innocent (accidental slayer) can live and so that no controversy arises between the victim's family and the accidental slayer. Below we'll see the other type of slayer mentioned again.
16 And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die (i.e. this type of slayer intentionally kills), he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
17 And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
18 Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
These are just a few examples listed. It doesn't matter how someone carries out the murder, whether it be done with a knife, gun, chokehold, poison, etc., they are to be put to death. The point mentioned here is that anyone who thinks beforehand on ending someone's life, they are a murderer who is to be put to death.
19 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
It is the duty of the closest one in blood, to the victim who was murdered, who is to carry out the death penalty upon the city trial.
20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
21 or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
Here we are provided another example. And again, the point being that anyone who thinks beforehand on ending someone's life, is to be put to death (e.g. death penalty) and the closest one in blood to the one murdered (the victim), is to carry it out. I.e. the family member of the one murdered is to carry out the death penalty, whereby the murderer is put to death.
22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
Here it switches back to someone who accidentally kills someone.
23 or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
In other words, this accidental slayer just happened to be throwing something, in this case a stone, and didn't see the other person nearby and it just happened to hit him and he died.
24 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
And again, the accidental slayer is to have a fair trial, whereby things are settled and he/she can live in a city of refuge.
25 and the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
The "high priest" was over the nation of Israel and at his death (which would be about a generation), the man who did the accidental killing would be free to return to his original hometown. So basically they are to stay in that city of refuge for that entire generation whereby hopefully all strife from the victim's family would be gone.
26 But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
In other words, if the slayer decides to return home...
27 and the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
Why would the revenger of blood be found "not guilty"? Because the slayer refused to obey GOD's commandment which was to stay in the city of refuge; it would be as if the slayer is boasting to the family of what he/she did to the victim, as if there's no remorse and you can only imagine the anger built in the victim's family. So in this case, the revenger of blood was not to be found at fault because GOD gave the instruction for the accidental killer to live in a city of refuge and yet they disobeyed and chose to go back to the area of the victims family, where GOD commanded them to stay away from. This would be totally different if the revenger had went into the refuge city, but in this case the slayer came in the presence of the revenger of blood (the closest in blood to the person killed) and therefore he/she faces whatever consequence happens next (not to say it makes it right for the closest in blood to hold hostility).
28 because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
29 So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
These laws were to be enforced until the end of this flesh age by our governments.
30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
Again, it is required that there be at least two or more witnesses.
31 Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
GOD's WORD most certainly doesn't contradict itself, so how this can be so difficult for some to understand, especially those who call themselves "Christian" (CHRIST follower), is beyond incomprehensible. A lot of times they want to point out the Ten Commandments of "Thou shalt not kill", yet they fail to understand that the word "kill" as in the sixth commandment, is in reference to premeditated murder (i.e. criminal homicide). Putting away evil from society through capital punishment is not criminal homicide. So as we can clearly see from the last three chapters, GOD commands for a murderer to be put to death.
32 And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
When you look at our land today and you think about how many times these laws have been ignored, it is no wonder our land is so defiled and corrupted today. Don't expect GOD to bless your land when they disobey these laws, especially if you support and vote for those who are against them.
34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
GOD's ways are pure and they are perfect.
"But didn't JESUS tell us to forgive though as HE even forgave those who murdered HIM in the process of it." Of course HE did, however justice must be served and people must face the consequences of their actions. Just as a parent forgives their child and still disciplines their child when they misbehave for their actions, whether it be spanking and/or grounding them, so can we too with other people, even when a government does enforce the death penalty. Though people can be forgiven, they should have considered the consequences of their actions before they did them. When our society forgives and eventually lets heinous criminals back on the street, or gives them better treatment for the rest of their lives than homeless people, disabled vets, and many elders in "care" homes, they aren't doing the works of JESUS, but the works of satan. JESUS HIMSELF even said in Matthew 18:6, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Did HE say it would be better for them to be put in a home/camp consisting of shelter, free meals, and recreational activity (e.g. basketball) for a few years and eventually let out? Of course not. Now regardless of man's judgment here on earth, ultimately GOD's judgement awaits for each person who's ever lived, and each person will receive their reward whether it be good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14). 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Just as JESUS forgives us and judgment day still awaits for us and we'll give account for the life we've lived, and be rewarded accordingly to it, so should it be towards us in this life with violent people. We can forgive them, but they must own up and deal with the consequences of their crime.
Now let's continue in the New Testament to see a little more on what CHRIST had to say concerning this subject of capital punishment and those who thought HE came to do away with the law.
Matthew 5:17-22
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
As you can see, JESUS CHRIST didn't come to change the law but instead to fulfill the law. After all, HE being the SON (EMMANUEL = GOD [YHVH] with us), HE is I AM (Exodus 3:14), not I was; HE is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8), HE changes not (Malachi 3:6). The only thing done away with in part of fulfilling the law were blood ordinances (e.g. animal sacrifices), as CHRIST became our ultimate Sacrifice for one and all times (Hebrews 10), which not only covers sins, but is able to forgive sins as well (1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1).
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Notice this word "jot" mentioned here. In the Greek, it is the word "iōta" which is talking about the tenth and smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, Yod ('); It is what changes the sound of a vowel. So as we can clearly see, CHRIST did not come to change even the slightest bit of the law, nor even the pronunciation till all be fulfilled; and all will not be fulfilled until CHRIST returns at the seventh trumpet, which is the last trumpet and this heaven and earth age pass. Clearly this flesh life is still here which proves this hasn't happened yet, so the Old Testament law on capital punishment is still valid today and should be enforced by our law enforcement today.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Notice JESUS said, those who tell others to break the law would be called the least in Kingdom of Heaven (that is if they even make it). So clearly JESUS never came to abolish the law, which we will see more on below of what all that consisted of with this subject. "But what about the woman accused of adultery? If HE was for capital punishment, why didn't HE command for her to be stoned?" Please see our study, "He That Is Without Sin" after this study for the answer to that question.
So if we want to be called "great" in the kingdom of heaven (GOD's Kingdom), not only do we need to teach HIS laws but we need to obey them as well. Many so-called "preachers" out there today, who teach otherwise, who tell others, CHRIST came to change the law, whereby capital punishment, etc., isn't to be carried out anymore, and that there's no need for anyone to follow CHRIST and obey HIM, and keep the commandments, aren't doing the works of GOD but rather satan; they are the ones who will be called the "least" in Heaven if they even make it. After all, the law is a reflection of GOD's character (see Romans 7:12 and compare to Isaiah 6:3, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 34:8, 1 Corinthians 10:4) and if HE doesn't change (Malachi 3:6), how could anyone possibly believe HIS law/character changes? Yes we're NOT Saved by the law alone, and how well we keep the law, but under the perfect works and sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST (Ephesians 2:8-10) and how well HE kept the law, however, if anyone is truly in HIM, and truly has been Saved by HIM, they'll live as HE did, and HE kept the commandments, instructions, and stood for the laws of GOD.
In John 14:10-12 HE said, "10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Does that sound like someone living in lawlessness and habitual sin? Of course not. Just a few verses later (John 14:15), HE said "If ye love me, keep my commandments.", and in John 14:20-21 "20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." As we can see, a true believer and lover of CHRIST (i.e. a person who's Saved), abides in CHRIST, as CHRIST abides in the FATHER, and in doing so, we are to live in obedience, not as satan and demons who also believe, but live in disobedience/wickedness; there's no Salvation awaiting for them, nor in anyone who's living habitually as them, who hasn't come to CHRIST in repentance, because their love isn't in CHRIST, but in sin, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The scribes and Pharisees were legalistic religious "leaders" which mixed the traditions of men with the laws of GOD, and thought that their own works apart from CHRIST were good enough to get them into the Kingdom of Heaven, which clearly isn't the case. They didn't have love and compassion for others as CHRIST did but were filled with hatred which is why they delivered JESUS to be crucified, even though HE had never sinned (1 John 3:5), and always sought to bring others down, and thought people could only become closer to GOD by following their traditions. They were hypocrites. In Matthew 23:1-10, JESUS told the multitudes and HIS disciples, "1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat (i.e. teaching the law and judging): 3 all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do (i.e. referencing to the laws of GOD); but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."
Later on in that chapter (Matthew 23:27-28), JESUS called them out: "27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (= wickedness/lawlessness)."
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
As you can see for yourself, this word "kill" is a very bad translation in the English. The word is "phoneúō" in the Greek and comes from the word "phoneús", which means to murder (i.e. intentional homicide). Another place where you will find it translated wrong into the English is back in the Old Testament (Hebrew) with the Ten Commandments, which states "Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17). The word "kill" in the Hebrew is "râtsach" and in its context, refers to premeditated murder (i.e. criminal homicide), not accidentally ending someone's life or giving someone capital punishment for their crime. Matthew 19:18 happens to be the only place in the English (KJV) that it is translated properly.
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother (= adelphós in Greek, in reference literally as kin or figuratively another person) without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (= rhaká in Greek, meaning: O empty one, i.e. thou worthless [as a term of utter vilification]), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
If somebody is angry at another without a cause, they have a major problem within themselves, and evidently aren't a Saved person. During the time when JESUS walked the earth, “raca” was a derogatory term used by the Jewish religious leaders towards people they thought were unworthy of their respect. It was an arrogant, malicious, and slanderous word that was directed towards someone they despised. The word "fool" in the Greek here, is "mōrós", and can refer to someone who's devoted to a cause (1 Corinthians 4:10), someone who lacks wisdom (Matthew 7:26, Matthew 23:17, Matthew 23:19), or someone/something that's Godless or obstinate; the KJV Companion Bible defines its usage here as "a wicked reprobate, destitute of all spiritual or divine knowledge." Our words do matter, and we should always be careful what we say, as our intentions should never be to condemn anyone (in the sense of damning another to hell), nor should our intentions ever be to disparage someone. We've all sinned at some point (Romans 3:23) and it should be our desire to edify and point others to CHRIST and repentance in HIM, not damnation.
Continuing, let's go to 1 John 3.
As you can see, JESUS CHRIST didn't come to change the law but instead to fulfill the law. After all, HE being the SON (EMMANUEL = GOD [YHVH] with us), HE is I AM (Exodus 3:14), not I was; HE is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8), HE changes not (Malachi 3:6). The only thing done away with in part of fulfilling the law were blood ordinances (e.g. animal sacrifices), as CHRIST became our ultimate Sacrifice for one and all times (Hebrews 10), which not only covers sins, but is able to forgive sins as well (1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1).
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Notice this word "jot" mentioned here. In the Greek, it is the word "iōta" which is talking about the tenth and smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, Yod ('); It is what changes the sound of a vowel. So as we can clearly see, CHRIST did not come to change even the slightest bit of the law, nor even the pronunciation till all be fulfilled; and all will not be fulfilled until CHRIST returns at the seventh trumpet, which is the last trumpet and this heaven and earth age pass. Clearly this flesh life is still here which proves this hasn't happened yet, so the Old Testament law on capital punishment is still valid today and should be enforced by our law enforcement today.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Notice JESUS said, those who tell others to break the law would be called the least in Kingdom of Heaven (that is if they even make it). So clearly JESUS never came to abolish the law, which we will see more on below of what all that consisted of with this subject. "But what about the woman accused of adultery? If HE was for capital punishment, why didn't HE command for her to be stoned?" Please see our study, "He That Is Without Sin" after this study for the answer to that question.
So if we want to be called "great" in the kingdom of heaven (GOD's Kingdom), not only do we need to teach HIS laws but we need to obey them as well. Many so-called "preachers" out there today, who teach otherwise, who tell others, CHRIST came to change the law, whereby capital punishment, etc., isn't to be carried out anymore, and that there's no need for anyone to follow CHRIST and obey HIM, and keep the commandments, aren't doing the works of GOD but rather satan; they are the ones who will be called the "least" in Heaven if they even make it. After all, the law is a reflection of GOD's character (see Romans 7:12 and compare to Isaiah 6:3, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 34:8, 1 Corinthians 10:4) and if HE doesn't change (Malachi 3:6), how could anyone possibly believe HIS law/character changes? Yes we're NOT Saved by the law alone, and how well we keep the law, but under the perfect works and sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST (Ephesians 2:8-10) and how well HE kept the law, however, if anyone is truly in HIM, and truly has been Saved by HIM, they'll live as HE did, and HE kept the commandments, instructions, and stood for the laws of GOD.
In John 14:10-12 HE said, "10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Does that sound like someone living in lawlessness and habitual sin? Of course not. Just a few verses later (John 14:15), HE said "If ye love me, keep my commandments.", and in John 14:20-21 "20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." As we can see, a true believer and lover of CHRIST (i.e. a person who's Saved), abides in CHRIST, as CHRIST abides in the FATHER, and in doing so, we are to live in obedience, not as satan and demons who also believe, but live in disobedience/wickedness; there's no Salvation awaiting for them, nor in anyone who's living habitually as them, who hasn't come to CHRIST in repentance, because their love isn't in CHRIST, but in sin, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The scribes and Pharisees were legalistic religious "leaders" which mixed the traditions of men with the laws of GOD, and thought that their own works apart from CHRIST were good enough to get them into the Kingdom of Heaven, which clearly isn't the case. They didn't have love and compassion for others as CHRIST did but were filled with hatred which is why they delivered JESUS to be crucified, even though HE had never sinned (1 John 3:5), and always sought to bring others down, and thought people could only become closer to GOD by following their traditions. They were hypocrites. In Matthew 23:1-10, JESUS told the multitudes and HIS disciples, "1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat (i.e. teaching the law and judging): 3 all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do (i.e. referencing to the laws of GOD); but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."
Later on in that chapter (Matthew 23:27-28), JESUS called them out: "27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (= wickedness/lawlessness)."
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
As you can see for yourself, this word "kill" is a very bad translation in the English. The word is "phoneúō" in the Greek and comes from the word "phoneús", which means to murder (i.e. intentional homicide). Another place where you will find it translated wrong into the English is back in the Old Testament (Hebrew) with the Ten Commandments, which states "Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17). The word "kill" in the Hebrew is "râtsach" and in its context, refers to premeditated murder (i.e. criminal homicide), not accidentally ending someone's life or giving someone capital punishment for their crime. Matthew 19:18 happens to be the only place in the English (KJV) that it is translated properly.
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother (= adelphós in Greek, in reference literally as kin or figuratively another person) without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (= rhaká in Greek, meaning: O empty one, i.e. thou worthless [as a term of utter vilification]), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
If somebody is angry at another without a cause, they have a major problem within themselves, and evidently aren't a Saved person. During the time when JESUS walked the earth, “raca” was a derogatory term used by the Jewish religious leaders towards people they thought were unworthy of their respect. It was an arrogant, malicious, and slanderous word that was directed towards someone they despised. The word "fool" in the Greek here, is "mōrós", and can refer to someone who's devoted to a cause (1 Corinthians 4:10), someone who lacks wisdom (Matthew 7:26, Matthew 23:17, Matthew 23:19), or someone/something that's Godless or obstinate; the KJV Companion Bible defines its usage here as "a wicked reprobate, destitute of all spiritual or divine knowledge." Our words do matter, and we should always be careful what we say, as our intentions should never be to condemn anyone (in the sense of damning another to hell), nor should our intentions ever be to disparage someone. We've all sinned at some point (Romans 3:23) and it should be our desire to edify and point others to CHRIST and repentance in HIM, not damnation.
Continuing, let's go to 1 John 3.
1 John 3:11-15
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
As a Christian, we are to take the name of CHRIST like a bride takes her husband's last name (as after all, HE [i.e. CHRIST] is our spiritual husband [Matthew 25, 2 Corinthians 11]), and as a result, it is our job to love our brothers and sisters in CHRIST, and not only them, but also others who are not in CHRIST. For CHRIST is love and if you're truly in HIM, then you'll show love unto others as that's how we lead others to HIM. JESUS said in Luke 6:32-36 "32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." We can never change the world by being like the world, instead, we can only change it by being like CHRIST, and loving others as HE did, and sometimes that may require speaking the hard truth or rebuking another (e.g. Revelation 3:19).
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth (= miséō in the Greek) his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Without repentance, there is no forgiveness (Luke 13:3). Hence JESUS taught "sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee (John 5:14)", and "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48)."
When you consider how much love CHRIST has showed us, it shouldn't be so hard to show love unto others? Especially to your brethren in CHRIST and family. Now some would say, "but JESUS told us to hate our family in Luke 14:26." And clearly they don't understand hyperbole, nor the fact that this word "miséō" in the Greek can also mean to simply "love less" as in that context. Here it means to detest.
When it comes to loving CHRIST and our family, obviously we should love our family less as CHRIST should always be our first love (see Mark 12:30 and compare to Matthew 4:7), as without HIM, we wouldn't even have life nor our family (Colossians 1:16, John 1:3).
Back to the main subject though, as we have seen so far, GOD is for capital punishment as it rids this earth and our societies of evil, and CHRIST came not to change the law, nor would a jot or tittle pass from it 'til all is fulfilled and heaven and earth pass. Below, we'll see where capital punishment was also instructed for.
As a Christian, we are to take the name of CHRIST like a bride takes her husband's last name (as after all, HE [i.e. CHRIST] is our spiritual husband [Matthew 25, 2 Corinthians 11]), and as a result, it is our job to love our brothers and sisters in CHRIST, and not only them, but also others who are not in CHRIST. For CHRIST is love and if you're truly in HIM, then you'll show love unto others as that's how we lead others to HIM. JESUS said in Luke 6:32-36 "32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." We can never change the world by being like the world, instead, we can only change it by being like CHRIST, and loving others as HE did, and sometimes that may require speaking the hard truth or rebuking another (e.g. Revelation 3:19).
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth (= miséō in the Greek) his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Without repentance, there is no forgiveness (Luke 13:3). Hence JESUS taught "sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee (John 5:14)", and "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48)."
When you consider how much love CHRIST has showed us, it shouldn't be so hard to show love unto others? Especially to your brethren in CHRIST and family. Now some would say, "but JESUS told us to hate our family in Luke 14:26." And clearly they don't understand hyperbole, nor the fact that this word "miséō" in the Greek can also mean to simply "love less" as in that context. Here it means to detest.
When it comes to loving CHRIST and our family, obviously we should love our family less as CHRIST should always be our first love (see Mark 12:30 and compare to Matthew 4:7), as without HIM, we wouldn't even have life nor our family (Colossians 1:16, John 1:3).
Back to the main subject though, as we have seen so far, GOD is for capital punishment as it rids this earth and our societies of evil, and CHRIST came not to change the law, nor would a jot or tittle pass from it 'til all is fulfilled and heaven and earth pass. Below, we'll see where capital punishment was also instructed for.
Rape
Deuteronomy 22:25-27 says, "25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her (i.e. rape her), and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: 26 but unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: 27 for he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her."
Kidnapping:
Exodus 21:16 says, "And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death."
Abusing/murdering one's parents
Exodus 21:15 says, "And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death." This word "smiteth" in the Hebrew is "nâkâh", and in many places in Scripture refers to murder but is also in reference to striking/abusing. Though there are many bad parents in the world today, you should have at least enough respect for the part that they brought you in to the world, as GOD is the one who decided it would be through them that you would come through (that's not to say GOD chose them to mistreat you, nor to say HE wanted one's parents to meet each other, rather it's their free choice that determines how they behave and their actions). Now regardless of how bad or poor some parents may seem, for that aspect alone that they brought you in to the world, you should honor them. Note that this does not allow them to abuse you, but GOD respects and honors the family unit. Exodus 20:12 (the fifth commandment) says, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.", and for anyone guilty of abusing their children, remember what we read earlier... JESUS said in Matthew 18:6 "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Again, regardless of what we do here, each of us will stand before GOD and will give account for the life we have lived (2 Corinthians 5:10), which is why unless we repent now and come to CHRIST while we're alive, we will perish (Luke 13:3).
Cursing/reviling one's parents
Exodus 21:17 says, "And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death." The word "curseth" in the Hebrew is "qâlal" and as defined in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, it means "to bring into contempt, despise, or curse". Though the laws of the land dismiss this today, GOD does not tolerate children who do this and mistreat their parents and regardless of whether or not this is enforced today, judgment day awaits for each and every soul. Whenever there are hard feelings, it's time to just turn and walk away.
Unrepentant rebellion towards parents
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 says, "18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19 then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20 and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear." Although there are no examples of this ever occurring in Scripture (along with some other offences worthy of death listed here in this study), in those days these laws were established to keep all of Israel in line, and evidently it worked, as again, there are no examples of some of these punishments ever taking place because people knew what would happen to them if they did such.
Killing an unborn child (e.g. abortion)
Exodus 21:22-23 says, "22 If men strive (= fight), and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit (yeled in Hebrew, = offspring) depart (yâtsâʼ = come out/proceed) from her, and yet no mischief (ʼâçôwn = hurt) follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 And if any mischief (ʼâçôwn = hurt) follow, then thou shalt give life for life,"
In other words, the example given is men are fighting and one of them hits a pregnant woman, and as a result, she goes into early labor; if the woman and her baby she gives birth to are okay, then the one who hit the woman shall be punished (= fined [ʻânash in the Hebrew]) according as the woman's husband will lay upon the one who hit the pregnant woman, and they are to pay as the judges determine. If the woman and/or baby dies, then the one who murdered the woman and/or baby is to be put to death. Now it should be noted that some so called "Bible translations" translate the above verse (verse 22) as "If two men are fighting, and in the process hurt a pregnant woman so that she has a miscarriage, but she lives, then the man who injured her shall be fined whatever amount the woman’s husband shall demand, and as the judges approve.", when it is just not so. The word "miscarriage" is no where to be found in the Hebrew manuscripts for verse 22, in which our English translations come from, but instead the word is "yâtsâʼ", as put in parenthesis above, and it simply means "to come out/proceed". Now although some would assume that could mean a miscarriage, the Hebrew actually has a specific word for miscarriage, which can be found in Exodus 23:26, that reads starting from verse 25, "25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26 There shall nothing cast their young (= miscarry, "shâkôl" in the Hebrew), nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil." So as we can see, shâkôl is the Hebrew word for miscarry, as you can document yourself using a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, and so if Exodus 21:22 above had been referring to a woman who has a miscarriage from the man who hit her, then it is no doubt that word shâkôl would have been the word used for the English translation of "depart", but as we can see, that was not the word used but instead it was yâtsâʼ in the Hebrew, which again, simply means to proceed/come out; which also is the same word used in Genesis 25:25, when describing Esau's birth, who was a living child born. Even a quick Google search will tell you that a woman who gets hit in the belly during her second or third trimester can go into preterm labor.
In other words, the example given is men are fighting and one of them hits a pregnant woman, and as a result, she goes into early labor; if the woman and her baby she gives birth to are okay, then the one who hit the woman shall be punished (= fined [ʻânash in the Hebrew]) according as the woman's husband will lay upon the one who hit the pregnant woman, and they are to pay as the judges determine. If the woman and/or baby dies, then the one who murdered the woman and/or baby is to be put to death. Now it should be noted that some so called "Bible translations" translate the above verse (verse 22) as "If two men are fighting, and in the process hurt a pregnant woman so that she has a miscarriage, but she lives, then the man who injured her shall be fined whatever amount the woman’s husband shall demand, and as the judges approve.", when it is just not so. The word "miscarriage" is no where to be found in the Hebrew manuscripts for verse 22, in which our English translations come from, but instead the word is "yâtsâʼ", as put in parenthesis above, and it simply means "to come out/proceed". Now although some would assume that could mean a miscarriage, the Hebrew actually has a specific word for miscarriage, which can be found in Exodus 23:26, that reads starting from verse 25, "25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26 There shall nothing cast their young (= miscarry, "shâkôl" in the Hebrew), nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil." So as we can see, shâkôl is the Hebrew word for miscarry, as you can document yourself using a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, and so if Exodus 21:22 above had been referring to a woman who has a miscarriage from the man who hit her, then it is no doubt that word shâkôl would have been the word used for the English translation of "depart", but as we can see, that was not the word used but instead it was yâtsâʼ in the Hebrew, which again, simply means to proceed/come out; which also is the same word used in Genesis 25:25, when describing Esau's birth, who was a living child born. Even a quick Google search will tell you that a woman who gets hit in the belly during her second or third trimester can go into preterm labor.
Child Sacrifice
Leviticus 20:2 "Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones."
Sacrificing unto other gods
Exodus 22:20 "He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed."
Refusing to kill a deadly pet
Exodus 21:28-29 says, "28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. 29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death."
Performing witchcraft
Exodus 22:18 "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
Working on the Sabbath
Exodus 35:2 "Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death." See also: "Remember The Sabbath".
Committing adultery
Leviticus 20:10 "And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death."
Committing incest
Leviticus 20:11-12 says, "11 And the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 12 And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.", and Leviticus 20:14, "And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you."
Committing homosexuality
Leviticus 20:13 "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Some try to make up that this verse is in reference for a man not to lay with a young boy, but a young boy is not even mentioned in the Hebrew, simply just male. If a young boy was involved, not only would that too be wrong, but it would also be rape, as children are not developed. Romans 1:26-29 documents that woman with woman is also wrong because it is not natural, as two of the same cannot produce life, nor will they receive eternal life unless they repent and trust in JESUS.
Committing bestiality
Leviticus 20:15-16 "15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. 16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."
Blasphemy
Leviticus 24:15-16 "15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. 16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death."
False Prophesying
Deuteronomy 13:1-10 "1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. 6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 7 namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 8 thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: 9 but thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. 10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."
A non-Levite carrying out priestly duties
Although this one wouldn't apply today, as this tabernacle isn't here today, and it is only through JESUS that we can go to the FATHER (John 14:6, Matthew 27:51), Numbers 1:51 says, "And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.", and Numbers 3:10 says, "And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death."
Conclusion:
So there we have it and as we can see, GOD is for capital punishment and JESUS certainly did not come to change it. It is what helps keep our communities safe, and absent of evil, whereby we don't have to look after or worry about Godless, perverted, violent, cold-blooded people. GOD's ways are pure and they are perfect. As mentioned at the beginning of this study though, we should never ever take the law into our own hands, and that includes harming yourself and other people if you have been guilty of any of these crimes in the past, or know of others who have, as again, these punishments were to be carried out by the government, NOT individual citizens. Also you will only put yourself in prison to where you can't be used by GOD, and also will put yourself in worse standards with GOD on judgement day by adding more sin to your record, as Romans 12:19 tells us the vengeance belongs to HIM. After all, remember, HIS will is for none to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), and if one has gotten lucky enough to not get caught or punished by law enforcement, they should repent and give their life to JESUS, as we all should, before our day of death does come, as none of us know when that could come. JESUS said in Mark 8:36-38, "36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." It should also be noted that there is only one unforgivable/unpardonable sin that JESUS warned us about, and none of these sins or crimes listed in this study are it. Remember, some of the most well known leaders and apostles committed (or attempted) bad sins, including some of the sins listed in this study, including King Saul, Paul, and most famously King David, and how did David get right with GOD? He did NOT take his own life, rather he repented and poured out his heart to GOD, and GOD forgave HIM (2 Samuel 12:13), as after all, only HE/JESUS can forgive sins anyway (2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 9:6, 1 John 1:9). That's the power of the blood of CHRIST, as you're never too far gone. JESUS died for us, the least we can do is live for HIM, no matter what our past consist of. Just as HE forgives us, so must we too be willing to forgive people (including our own selves) also (Matthew 6:14-15).
Again, if you're someone who has been guilty of any of these crimes in your past and you want any chance on going to Heaven, then you must definitely never commit such an act in your life ever again, as by doing so, your chances on receiving eternal life go way down, and you better get your life right with GOD and get close to HIM. How do you do so? By repenting, seeking HIM wholeheartedly [daily], and getting to know HIS WORD, whereby you get to know HIM better; and once you do that, you must also live it as well, following the great examples in which CHRIST taught and lived, whereby you can begin to produce good fruit. As always, strive to be free from sin, not to sin freely, and by doing so, you can make our FATHER happy. Love GOD, love people, and make disciples, pointing them to the only name that matters (JESUS CHRIST). JESUS said in John 3:3, "... Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.", and in Luke 13:3, "... except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 tells us,"17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
And 2 Peter 2:20-21 says, "20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."
And Hebrews 10:26-31 says, "26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Acts 3:19-21, "19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
Again, if you're someone who has been guilty of any of these crimes in your past and you want any chance on going to Heaven, then you must definitely never commit such an act in your life ever again, as by doing so, your chances on receiving eternal life go way down, and you better get your life right with GOD and get close to HIM. How do you do so? By repenting, seeking HIM wholeheartedly [daily], and getting to know HIS WORD, whereby you get to know HIM better; and once you do that, you must also live it as well, following the great examples in which CHRIST taught and lived, whereby you can begin to produce good fruit. As always, strive to be free from sin, not to sin freely, and by doing so, you can make our FATHER happy. Love GOD, love people, and make disciples, pointing them to the only name that matters (JESUS CHRIST). JESUS said in John 3:3, "... Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.", and in Luke 13:3, "... except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 tells us,"17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
And 2 Peter 2:20-21 says, "20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."
And Hebrews 10:26-31 says, "26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Acts 3:19-21, "19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."