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Matthew 5:17 and 18 from the NASB:
Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not
come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven
and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from
the Law until all is accomplished.
I’ve heard a common interpretation of this verse is that Jesus was referring to the “moral law, not the “ceremonial law,” and so Christians today are justified by disregarding things like Sabbath days. But I have a hard time believing that this distinction between the two is the intended message (I don’t think that they even had a distinction to represent the two ideas). Though if I am wrong please show me.
I am wondering if “until heaven and earth pass away” is simply an idiomatic expression that would mean something like “[unless] heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
If this is correct, than we might understand that all was accomplished at Jesus’ death and resurrection, and that now the letters and strokes of the written code are fading.
