In the world beyond today, God’s immutable, unchangeable law will reign supreme! Yet in the world today, our news is dominated by the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Devout Muslims adhere to sharia (moral code and religious law). The differences between God’s law and Sharia are vast.

God’s summarized law, stated clearly in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-22) is brief, to the point and does not change from ancient to modern times. “But…" you might ask, "Didn’t Christ do away with the Old Testament laws?" The answer is a clear and resounding no!  In just one example of many, instead of condemning only the physical act of adultery, Christ said sin comes by having the intent or desire to do the act (Matthew 5:27-28). If it is in your heart or mind to do it, the sin has already been committed! You are liable.

There has always been compassion in God’s law. Many people say they see it in the New Testament, but somehow miss it in the Old Testament. That viewpoint is flawed.  See Exodus 33:19; Deuteronomy 30:1-3; Psalm 86:15; Lamentations 3:22 and also Mark 6:34 and Revelation 21:3-4. In contrast, sharia, as interpreted by ISIS, is bloodthirsty and blood curdling, with no mercy or compassion!

The physical nations of Israel and Judah never really lived by God’s law. They could not, because although God was with them, God was not inside of them. Until the holy day of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-22) in 31 A.D. they did not have free access to God’s Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-47).

God judges some now, others later, but it is always God doing the ultimate judging. Sharia is implemented by flawed (at best!) human beings that can make mistakes in judgment. When Christ returns (and His saints are changed to spirit—see 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), no human judgments will be made anymore! This is comforting because no “mistakes” are made by God.

ISIS cannot, as the saying goes, “make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” even with the best of intentions which, unfortunately, and apparently, they do not have. Thank God that Jesus Christ will return to compassionately judge this world by the only enduring law that has ever existed.

To learn more about key events to come in the region currently in turmoil from ISIS, read our free Bible study aids, The Ten Commandments and The Middle East in Bible Prophecy.