I wonder what APL has said to justify this statement?

He even had the voice of God telling him how he could be accepted the next time he offered and what did he do? He killed his brother because he was accepted.

"Some may look upon this slaying of the (Red) heifer as a meaningless ceremony, but it was done by the command of God and bears a deep significance that has not lost its application to the present time. {4T 122.1}

Christians who put no thought in the Atonement will not ready for the latter rain!

The point is, the legality of the written word is for our benefit in present truth. Do not let go of the images God has established foundation-ally through the law and you cannot go wrong. The legal system was for our admonition and benefit more than common man made theories.

There is much fulfilled law to accomplish this. The way it was fulfilled in love gives us the nurturing part but even then it is symbolized by very specific images and you have touched on one dimension of it claiming it is all and all. (APL)

Atonement = at-one-ment. this is not a legal process. Do you want to live next to a legally pardoned pedophile, or next to a changed/born again child of God? They both have the same past history, but one has been transformed. 1 John 1:9, if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins. And even more, cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Forgive - Aphiemi. This is what happened not in the offended person, God, but in the offender, us, the sinners. This forgive is the cleansing of unrighteousness. The removal of sin. That is what this word forgiveness means. It is not a legal transaction, it is a healing transaction.

Cain - is religion really a legal requirement? Was that Cain's problem? He did not follow the legal requirements? I would suggest you see what EGW says about "legal religion". Here is one: "A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion." There are many more...

Lastly, I would recommend the book "Ministry of Healing" chapter 41. Take the recommendations to heart. And do note, it is the "Ministry of Healing", not the "Ministry of jurisprudence".

A quote from Steps to Christ, chapter 5.

God does not want to remove a legal declaration against us. He wants to "HEAL" us, to restore us to His original creation, maybe even with upgrades. This required a "RENEWING OF OUR WHOLE NATURE". This is a healing process, not a legal process. The only way we can be saved, is if we are born again, recreated. Then, and only then is the law satisfied. The regeneration can only be done by Christ. It took His death on the cross to achieve this. This is what Isaiah 53:11 is saying. "by His knowledge, shall my righteous servant justify many". Read all of Isaiah 53. Read Isaiah 52. Matthew 8:17 quoting Isaiah 53 says, he carried our "sickness"! If you compare Isaiah 53:11 with Titus 3:5-7, what do we find? The Bible definition of Grace. We are justified by His Grace (Titus) = by His knowledge we are justified (Isaiah). It was by His death on the cross that he gained this knowledge. See Hebrews 2, particularly, Hebrews 2:11-18. Verse 18 says, Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. It was by His experience that He has the knowledge to justify us, to succor us that are tempted. Yes, Jesus had to die to satisfy the law. But it is not a legal issue, it is a real issue he solved.

Like I said before, YES there is the ultimate healing involved, but it is in fulfillment of the LAW!

Jesus sinned not, fulfilling perfection as a man so we know where the source of strength is, in fulfillment of the law, He overcame sin for us.

I am saying, you do not consider this.

Circular logic.

By the way, I love the book "Ministry of Healing", in fact I used to give them away at my smoothie shop here in Elk River.

I had a leather bound edition on the counter for all to read.

I especially like when she says this on page 88.6

"The Feast of Tabernacles had just ended. The priests and rabbis at Jerusalem had been defeated in their plottings against Jesus, and, as evening fell, “every man went unto his own house. Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives.” John 7:53; 8:1. {MH 86.1}
From the excitement and confusion of the city, from the eager crowds and the treacherous rabbis, Jesus turned away to the quiet of the olive groves, where He could be alone with God. But in the early morning He returned to the temple; and as the people gathered about Him, He sat down and taught them. {MH 86.2}
He was soon interrupted. A group of Pharisees and scribes approached Him, dragging with them a terror-stricken woman, whom with hard, eager voices they accused of having violated the seventh commandment. Pushing her into the presence of Jesus, they said, with a hypocritical display of respect, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?” Verses 4, 5. {MH 87.1}
Their pretended reverence veiled a deep-laid plot for His ruin. Should Jesus acquit the woman, He might be charged with despising the law of Moses. Should He declare her worthy of death, He could be accused to the Romans as one who assumed authority belonging only to them. {MH 88.1}
Jesus looked upon the scene—the trembling victim in her shame, the hard-faced dignitaries, devoid of even human pity. His spirit of stainless purity shrank from the spectacle. Giving no sign that He had heard the question, He stooped and, fixing His eyes upon the ground, began to write in the dust. {MH 88.2}
Impatient at His delay and apparent indifference the accusers drew nearer, urging the matter upon His attention. But as their eyes, following those of Jesus, fell upon the pavement at His feet, their voices were silenced. There, traced before them, were the guilty secrets of their own lives. {MH 88.3}
Rising, and fixing His eyes upon the plotting elders, Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Verse 7. And, stooping down, He continued writing. {MH 88.4}
He had not set aside the Mosaic law nor infringed upon the authority of Rome. The accusers were defeated. Now, their robes of pretended holiness torn from them, they stood, guilty and condemned, in the presence of infinite purity. Trembling lest the hidden iniquity of their lives should be laid open to the multitude, with bowed heads and downcast eyes they stole away, leaving their victim with the pitying Saviour. {MH 88.5}
Jesus arose and, looking upon the woman, said, “Where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Verses 10, 11. {MH 88.6}
The woman had stood before Jesus, cowering with fear. His words, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone,” had come to her as a death sentence. She dared not lift her eyes to the Saviour’s face, but silently awaited her doom. In astonishment she saw her accusers depart speechless and confounded; then those words of hope fell upon her ear, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Her heart was melted, and, casting herself at the feet of Jesus, she sobbed out her grateful love and with bitter tears confessed her sins. {MH 89.1}
This was to her the beginning of a new life, a life of purity and peace, devoted to God. In the uplifting of this fallen soul, Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical disease; He cured the spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting. This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-sacrificing love and devotion she showed her gratitude for His forgiving mercy. For this erring woman the world had only contempt and scorn, but the Sinless One pitied her weakness and reached to her a helping hand. While the hypocritical Pharisees denounced, Jesus bade her, “Go, and sin no more.” {MH 89.2}
Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. The greater the sinner’s guilt, the more he needs the Saviour. His heart of divine love and sympathy is drawn out most of all for the one who is the most hopelessly entangled in the snares of the enemy. With His own blood He has signed the emancipation papers of the race. {MH 89}

Jesus fulfilled the law so He could have this authority as a man. The second Adam. In fulfillment of the LAW in mercy to heal us from the sin problem.

That is not how I read the story in my Bible.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Is the LAW, Proscriptive, Prescriptive, or Descriptive?

Is the law of gravity one of God's laws?
Is the law of gravity, proscriptive, prescriptive, or descriptive?
Can the law of gravity kill?
If gravity kills, is it a legally imposed penalty?

A highway speed limit of 55 miles/hour - is this proscriptive, prescriptive or descriptive?
Is there a natural consequence if you violate the highway speed limit?
If you violate the speed limit, is the penalty intrinsic or imposed?

The law of God, is it proscriptive, prescriptive, or descriptive?
If you violate God's law, is the penalty intrinsic or imposed?
Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death. Intrinsic or imposed?
How is justice executed?

EGW:" It is Satan's constant effort to misrepresent the character of God, the nature of sin, and the real issues at stake in the great controversy.{GC-569}