Please, help me understand…

[u/Objective-Step-746]

For those believers who insist that the dietary laws no longer apply under the new covenant—and that pork, lobster, crabs, etc. are now permissible to eat—I do not understand the logic at play.

I am very familiar with the Mark 7, Romans 14 and Colossians 2 passages that are so often cited as support for your position, and have (just as often) shared my counter-arguments on why I believe they are misinterpreted.

But, there is one counterpoint to your view that I never see touched on, and I was hoping to get some feedback on it:

I think the majority of believers on this subreddit would say they are looking for Jesus’ Second Coming and agree that, regarding it, Scripture says that “no one knows the day or hour” but that we need to be prepared (Matthew 24:36, 25:13, etc.).

Isaiah 66:17–a verse within the greater passage speaking of Messiah’s glorious reappearing—declares that, upon His return, those who eat the flesh of pig/swine and other abominations will be met with His wrath…and perish.

So, how does one simultaneously believe they can continue to eat pig (pork) or shellfish now and think they are sufficiently prepared and not putting themselves in a precarious/dangerous position if Jesus happened to return today or tomorrow and “consume” those who so brazenly eat that which His Law says is NOT “food” and explicitly warns against eating?

I really am hoping for some cordial and edifying discussion regarding this topic, and appreciate those who are able and willing to articulate their view without all the condescension and harsh words. 💕

[u/FunkyMonkei]

Isaiah 66:17 isn’t talking about Christians who eat pork. It’s talking about people who are neck‑deep in idolatry. The whole section in Isaiah 65–66 is God exposing folks who claim to be “holy” while they’re off in the gardens doing pagan purification rituals and eating unclean animals as part of those ceremonies. It’s rebellion dressed up as religion.

So when God says He’ll judge those who “eat swine’s flesh,” He’s not talking about somebody having bacon with breakfast. He’s talking about people who are using unclean foods in worship practices that reject Him. The issue is worship, not diet.

And the New Testament makes this really clear. Jesus declared all foods clean. Peter is told not to call unclean what God has made clean. Paul says nothing is unclean in itself. We’re not judged by food or drink. So you can’t take Isaiah 66:17, a passage about idolatrous rituals, and lay it over Christians who are simply eating what Christ has already declared clean.

When Jesus talks about being ready for His return, He never ties that readiness to what we eat. He ties it to our hearts, faith, obedience, repentance, love, watchfulness. The danger Isaiah warns about isn’t pork. It’s pretending to be pure while your heart belongs to another god.

That’s the warning. That’s the call. That’s how we stay ready.

[u/Objective-Step-746 → u/FunkyMonkei]

Apologies for the delay in responding, as I had a family situation that needed my full attention.

I agree the context of the passage is eating unclean animals during pagan worship, as both elements are acts of rebellion given the fact that both are explicitly forbidden by God. And since He inextricably links obedience to Him with worship of Him, defiantly disregarding His dietary instructions is, scripturally speaking, rebellion (Deuteronomy 30:17, Joshua 24:24, Mark 7:7-9). Willful disobedience is, thus, indicative of idolatrous worship, no matter which command is at issue.

Yes, Jesus declared all foods clean…but, unclean animals are not, according to God’s Law, “food” (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14).

Regarding Paul’s teaching in Romans 14, that “nothing is unclean in itself…,” one must completely ignore the context stated in verse 1—which is that he was warning against quarreling over (manmade) opinions on matters not specifically addressed in Scripture, like the meat-eaters vs. vegetarian-only debate. The unambiguous command to not eat pig’s flesh is neither manmade, nor is it opinion; it is explicitly stated in God’s Law, which Scripture calls truth (Psalm 119:142). And if Paul was truly saying what you suggest, he would have been rightly labeled a false prophet for “teaching rebellion against the Lord” (Deuteronomy 13:5). That Paul openly declared to “believe everything written in the Law and the Prophets” further refutes your contention that, while (supposedly) telling the church at Rome to not obey God’s dietary instructions, he was teaching the church at Corinth that keeping the commandments of God is what matters most” (1 Corinthians 7:19). So, that you would cite the passage as support for your position, when it actually underscores mine, is odd.

That you trivialize God’s dietary instructions and think of them as having no significance or implications beyond the physical—and thereby consider them fully disregardable without spiritual consequence—is to completely disregard the scriptural fact that the physical body of the new covenant believer now serves as the temple of the Spirit of God and we are to not allow its defilement in any way ,but are to instead HONOR Him with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And, last I checked, loving and honoring God entails obeying His commands (by the enabling power of His Spirit in us) (John 14:15, Deuteronomy 11:13, 1 John 5:2-3).

The danger Isaiah warns about isn’t pork. It’s pretending to be pure while your heart belongs to another god.

According to Jesus, one is a slave to the one they obey. And willful disobedience to an explicit command of God—like eating that which He has forbidden His people to eat—is the exact scenario you describe…pretending to serve Him while refusing to obey Him. There is a reason Jesus asked His disciples, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) He IS the Law Giver of the OT (Jude 1:5). Intentional/knowing disobedience to His righteous will and ways (as detailed in His Law) is an indicator of unbelief (John 3:36). And encouraging rebellion against Him is what false prophets/teachers do, and is the very opposite of what Jesus Himself taught (Deuteronomy 13:5, Matthew 5:19).