Does Isaiah 66:1-4 and Isaiah 66:15-17 plainly state that the judgment of God will fall on those who ignore and reject the dietary laws of clean and unclean animals found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 and that this is Christ Jesus' attitude on this subject?
The answer from Armstrongism and its adherents is 'yes.' But is this position and truth claim supported by the Holy Scriptures? The answer to that is 'no'.
Before I get into refuting this truth claim, first, let me explain what Armstrongism is.
Armstrongism is the name given to the teachings and doctrines of Herbert W. Armstrong, who founded the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) in the 1930s. He claimed to have restored the true gospel of the Bible, which he said was revealed to him by God. He taught that God is a family of two beings, the Father and the Son, and that humans could become God just as God is God and become part of that family (i.e., become members of the Godhead) by keeping the law of Moses, including the Sabbath, the Biblical Feasts, and the dietary laws found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. He also taught that only the white-skinned people groups that come from Britain, the USA, Northwestern European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are the genetic lineal descendants of the lost tribes of Israel and that they have a special role in God’s plan for the end times. Herbert W. Armstrong rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, the divinity and Personhood of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of eternal security of salvation. He (and some of his disciples) also made many false prophecies about the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.
Armstrongism is considered a heresy and a cult of Christianity by most mainstream Christians, who believe that it teaches a different Jesus and a different Gospel and that it distorts the biblical message of grace, faith, and the new covenant in Christ Jesus. They also point out the many errors, contradictions, and inconsistencies in Armstrong’s teachings and writings.
One of Armstrongism's doctrines and truth claims is that Christians are still bound by the dietary laws of clean and unclean animals found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. They claim that these dietary laws are part of God’s eternal and unchanging moral law and that they reflect God’s holiness and wisdom. They also claim that these laws have health benefits and prevent diseases.
Additionally, adherents of Armstrongism cite Isaiah 66:1-4 and Isaiah 66:15-17 as proof texts that God will judge and punish those who eat unclean meats in the end times and that this is consistent with the attitude of Christ Jesus.
However, there are many problems and flaws with this interpretation and truth claim.
Let's examine the claims made by Armstrongism in light of Isaiah 66 and the broader context of the Bible, and I’ll also provide some of the arguments and evidence that refute the Armstrongist position.
Isaiah 66:1-4 and 66:15-17:
Armstrongism interprets these verses as indicating God's judgment against those who ignore or reject the dietary laws. However, it's essential to consider the broader context of Isaiah 66. This chapter is a conclusion to the book of Isaiah, discussing God's judgment, the establishment of a new heaven and earth, and the destiny of both the righteous and the wicked.
Context of Isaiah 66:
The passages in Isaiah 66 that Armstrongism uses to support their view of the dietary laws are taken out of context and misinterpreted. They are not literal or future prophecies, but figurative and symbolic descriptions of God’s judgment and salvation in the present and past. They are not about the dietary laws per se, but about the hypocrisy and idolatry of the rebellious and apostate Israelites, who worshiped false gods and followed human traditions, while claiming to be faithful to the true God and His law. These verses are not about the attitude of Christ Jesus but about the sovereignty and holiness of God, who cannot be contained or manipulated by human efforts or rituals. These verses are also not about the New Covenant but about the Old Covenant, which God was about to terminate and replace with a new one.
The context of Isaiah chapter 66 is the restoration and the renewal of God’s people after their exile in Babylon.
In the preceding chapters, Isaiah addresses Israel's rebellion, idolatry, and the consequences they face. Isaiah 66:1-4 emphasizes God's transcendence and the idea that God is not confined to a physical temple. It doesn't specifically address dietary laws but rather the spiritual attitude of the people.
More specifically, the passage in Isaiah 66:1-4 is a rhetorical question and a sarcastic rebuke from God to the Israelites, who thought that they could please God by building a temple and offering sacrifices while ignoring His word and His will. God says that He does not need a house or a resting place, since He created the heaven and the earth, and they are His throne and His footstool. He says that He looks with favor on those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at His word, not on those who perform religious rituals without sincerity or obedience. He says that those who sacrifice animals are like those who murder people, and those who offer grain or incense are like those who worship idols because they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations. He says that He will also choose their punishment and bring their fears upon them because they did not listen to Him or answer Him but did evil in His sight and chose what displeases Him.
The chapter then shifts to a contrast between the faithful and the unfaithful remnant of Israel, who have different responses to God’s word and His work. The faithful remnant rejoices and praises God for His salvation and His deliverance, which are compared to a woman giving birth to a child. They recognize that God has done a marvelous and miraculous thing, by bringing back His people from captivity and restoring their land and their nation. They look forward to the peace and prosperity that God will grant them in Zion, where they will enjoy His presence and His blessing. (Isaiah 66:5-14)
In Isaiah 66:15-17, there is a description of God's judgment against the nations, with some imagery resembling apocalyptic language. While it mentions dietary restrictions like not eating pork, it is within the context of divine judgment and not necessarily a directive for the New Covenant community.
The passage in Isaiah 66:15-17 is a poetic and apocalyptic depiction of God’s wrath and vengeance on His enemies, who opposed and persecuted His faithful remnant, who trust in God and His word. God is portrayed as coming with fire and His chariots, to execute judgment on all people with His sword and His fire. Among those who will be slain by the LORD are those who practice idolatry and immorality in the gardens, following a leader who eats the flesh of pigs, rats, and other unclean things. These are not literal descriptions of the dietary laws but symbolic representations of the pagan and corrupt practices of the idolatrous Israelites, who worshiped the Canaanite fertility gods and goddesses, such as Baal and Asherah, in the groves and high places. They also participated in the cultic meals and sexual rites that were associated with these gods, which involved eating unclean animals and engaging in abominable acts. These are the things that defiled them and made them detestable to God, not the mere consumption of unclean meats.
The chapter ends with a vision of the future glory and the universal worship of God, who will gather all nations and tongues to see his glory and to acknowledge his name. He will send his messengers to the ends of the earth to proclaim His salvation and to bring back His people, who were scattered among the nations. He will also bring some of them as priests and Levites to serve Him in His holy mountain. He will create a new heaven and a new earth, where He will dwell with His people forever, and where there will be no more sorrow or pain. He will also judge the righteous and the wicked, who will go out and look at the corpses of those who rebelled against Him. Their worm will not die, and their fire will not be quenched, and they will be a horror to all flesh. This is a solemn warning and a sober reminder of the fate of those who reject God and His grace and of the need to repent and obey Him. (Isaiah 66:18-24)
Dietary Laws and the Old & New Covenant:
The dietary laws of clean and unclean animals were part of the Old Covenant that God made with Israel at Mount Sinai, not with all humanity. They were given as a sign and a symbol of Israel’s separation and distinction from the other nations, who worshiped idols and practiced abominations. They were also meant to teach Israel about the difference between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean, and the pure and the impure. They were not given as moral or ethical commands, but as ceremonial and ritual regulations. They were not based on scientific or medical reasons, but on theological and typological principles. They were not intended to be permanent or universal, but temporary and specific.
The New Covenant that God promised to make with Israel and Judah, as prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, is based on better promises and a better mediator than the Old Covenant. The New Covenant is established by the blood of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law. The New Covenant is not written on tablets of stone, but on the hearts and minds of God’s people. The New Covenant is not based on external obedience, but on internal transformation. The New Covenant is not limited to one nation, but extended to all nations. The New Covenant is not dependent on human performance, but on God’s grace.
The New Covenant in Christ has fulfilled the dietary laws of clean and unclean animals, along with the other ceremonial and ritual laws of the Old Covenant. These traditions have not been forbidden under the New Covenant. The NT teaches that they are permitted but not required. This is the clear teaching of the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul and Peter. This perspective is supported by various passages in the New Testament:
Mark 7:19 (ESV): "Thus he declared all foods clean." Many biblical scholars refer to this statement by Jesus as suggesting a shift in dietary regulations. I want to be clear that Jesus’ comments in Mark 7 did not overturn God’s laws about clean and unclean meats at that very moment (that would happen in Acts 10), but His comments corrected the misunderstanding and misuse of the law by the Pharisees and scribes. The Lord Jesus explained that the things that come out of a person are the evil thoughts, words, and deeds that originate from the sinful nature of the human heart (Mark 7:21-23). These are the things that make a person unclean before God, not the food that he eats.
The Jerusalem Council: The issue of whether Gentiles, who were not under the law, should follow the dietary laws or not was discussed and decided by the Apostles and elders in the Jerusalem Council, who agreed that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised or observe the Law of Moses, except for a few essential things, such as abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality (Acts 15:19-21, 28-29).
Pauline Epistles: The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of dietary restrictions in several of his letters. In Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, he discusses the issue of food sacrificed to idols. While not directly addressing clean and unclean meats, Paul emphasizes that believers have freedom in Christ and that external rituals or dietary choices do not determine one's righteousness. The Apostle Paul declares that Christ has broken down the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles and has created one new humanity in Himself (Ephesians 2). He also declares that in Christ, there is no distinction between clean and unclean, but everything is pure to those who are pure (Titus 1:10-16). He also declares that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14). He also warns against those who impose the Law of Moses on the believers, and calls them false teachers and deceivers (Romans 16:17-18, Galatians 1-5, Colossians 1-4).
Peter's Vision and Epistles: The Apostle Peter also affirms that God has cleansed and accepted the Gentiles, who were formerly considered unclean and excluded from the covenant. In the Book of Acts, Peter has a vision of a sheet coming down from heaven with various animals, both clean and unclean, according to OT dietary laws. A voice tells Peter to kill and eat, but Peter refuses, stating that he has never eaten anything impure or unclean. The voice responds by saying, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." As Peter recounts his vision of the sheet with all kinds of animals, which God told him to kill and eat, he says that God showed him that he should not call anything common that God has made clean. He also says that God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles, just as He did to the Jews, and that God made no distinction between them (Acts 10 -11). This vision is also a symbolic and clear indication that the dietary restrictions of the Old Covenant no longer apply under the New Covenant. The Apostle Peter also says that God has purified Gentiles' hearts by faith and that they are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, not by the Law of Moses (Acts 15). He also says that God has chosen them to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God, not because of their physical ancestry or circumcision, but because of their spiritual rebirth and baptism (1 Peter 2).
The consistent message in the New Testament is that dietary restrictions (the law of clean and unclean meats) are not binding under the New Covenant nor mandatory for Christians. The focus shifts from external regulations to matters of the heart and faith in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion:
While Armstrongism may interpret certain passages in Isaiah as supporting the continuation of the dietary laws found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, the context of Isaiah 66 and a broader biblical perspective clearly shows that Armstrongism has misrepresented and taken Isaiah 66 out of context in order to support their view of the dietary laws and the attitude of Christ Jesus.
Isaiah's message emphasizes the spiritual aspect of obedience rather than strict adherence to ceremonial laws. The New Covenant, established through Christ Jesus, represents a shift in emphasis from external rituals and regulations to internal transformation (Jeremiah 31:31-34), indicating that dietary laws are not binding under the Christian faith. This includes a broader understanding of purity that transcends dietary regulations.
Therefore, these dietary laws are not binding under the New Covenant established through Christ Jesus. The Apostles further clarified this shift in Acts 10 and 15, emphasizing faith in Christ Jesus over adherence to Mosaic laws. The New Testament consistently emphasizes faith in Jesus Christ and freedom from the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.
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