No it means saved people keep the commandments of GOD and have the testimony; faith of Jesus.
They don't keep the Commandments to be saved, they keep them because they are saved.
like physical circumcision, for example?
indisputably this is a commandment that predates the law.
Semantics? Words like Law and commandment. Mandates as such were not necessary in Abraham's time and before. They did not have to BE told; they knew. Circumcision was added however. It was mandated well after the Life; the Word was set up in which we were made to live. For we were made in HIS image and likeness.
Circumcision even at the time of Abram was sign in relation to cutting off the flesh; a life outside of the LIFE; the WORD in which we were designed to live through. A sign of restoration to what was meant to be. A life in Faith; in harmony with GOD.
Sin is defined in 1John 3:4 “sin is the transgression of the law, lawlessness, wickedness." Therefore, “where there is no law there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15). This is what the Bible clearly says! So do we find transgressions described as sinful before Mt. Sinai? Clearly we do.
For until law (mandates) sin was in the world, yet sin is not being taken into account when there is no law;" (Rom 5:13)
It has always been about Faith. The inner man changed through GOD's Spirit.
As it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God IS MANIFESTED IN THEM; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
(Rom 1:17-21)
So the LIFE; the WORD had to be mandated; reinstituted. BUT they refused the WORDS OF LIFE from the breath of LIFE again.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
(Exo 20:19)
They chose man and parchment and that which was written on tables of stone rather GOD's real intent; faith through HIS Spirit.
And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. Hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, For this commandment (
Word through Christ) which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word (
Christ) is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. That is the WORD OF FAITH in which we preach. The Law; HIS Word, Christ put in the heart and written in the mind. In that we will be HIS people and HE our GOD. The word of reconciliation, be ye reconciled to God. 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. For Christ (
through which the WORD is in the heart, mind and mouth) is the end of the Law (
on parchment and Tables of Stone) for righteousness unto all who believe. Manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us,
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
(Deut 30:11-14 Rom 10:4,6-6; Heb 8:10; 2Co 5:19-21; 2Co 3:3-5)
[/quote]Sabbath which is a sign of the Sinaitic covenant? [/QUOTE]God was clear when He spoke it why he had mandated it.
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
FOR in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
(Exo 20:9-11 KJV)
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel
(those who would hold on to GOD through the wrestlings of this life to receive the Blessing) for ever:
FOR in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
(Exo 31:17 KJV)
Children in the above text is translated from the Hebrew word bane. Here is excerpt from the BDB Hebrew Lexicon. Please take notice what was highlighted in bold text. In respect that the word used; it can and should be considered much broader in definition than children. Considering that Israel was to be a nation of priests; a witness of GOD unto all creation.
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exod 19:5,6)
H1121
בּן
bên
BDB Definition:
1) son, grandson, child, member of a group
1a) son, male child
1b) grandson
1c) children (plural - male and female)
1d) youth, young men (plural)
1e) young (of animals)
1f) sons (as characterisation, i.e. sons of injustice [for unrighteous men] or sons of God [for angels])
1g) people (of a nation) (plural)
1h) of lifeless things, i.e. sparks, stars, arrows (figuratively)
1i) a member of a guild, order, class
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H1129
Same Word by TWOT Number: 254
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