Overcoming #3 – False Doctrine In Pergamos – Revelation 2

Originally posted 10/21/2021 – Revised 2/11/2022

This is more of an exposition than an article. I pray you are blessed!

Rev 2:12 “And to the messenger of the assembly in Pergamos write, ‘He who has the sharp two-edged sword, says this:

What is “the sharp two-edged sword”?

Eph 6:17 Take also the helmet of deliverance, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Elohim,

Heb 4:12 For the Word of Elohim is living, and working, and sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through even to the dividing of being and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The “Sharp Two-edged Sword” is The Word of YAH that will be used to separate those who have a love for Truth from those who do not!

Rev 2:13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is. And you hold fast to My Name, and did not deny the belief in Me, even in the days in which Antipas was My trustworthy witness, who was killed near you, where Satan dwells.

According to HIS Word, where do true believers dwell?

Joh 14:20 “In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

Rom 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, this one is not His.

1Co 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are a Dwelling Place of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you? If anyone destroys the Dwelling Place of Elohim, Elohim shall destroy him. For the Dwelling Place of Elohim is set-apart, which you are.

True Believers dwell IN The True Messiah and HE is IN HIS True Bride!

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a jealousy according to Elohim. For I gave you in marriage to one husband, to present you as an innocent maiden to Messiah.

Eph 5:30-32 Because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This secret is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly.

According to HIS Word, where does Satan dwell?(other than roaming to/fro upon earth)

Dan 9:27 “And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the middle of the week he shall put an end to slaughtering and meal offering. And on the wing of abominations(which I believe to be a man-fabricated temple) he shall lay waste, even until the complete end and that which is decreed is poured out on the one who lays waste.

Mat 24:15-16 “So when you see the ‘abomination that lays waste, spoken of by Dani’ĕl the prophet, set up in the set-apart place” – he who reads, let him understand then let those who are in Yehuḏah flee to the mountains.

2Th 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you in any way, because the falling away is to come first, and the man of lawlessness is to be revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called Elohim or that is worshiped, so that he sits as Elohim in the Dwelling Place(man-fabricated temple) of Elohim, showing himself that he is Elohim.

False believers dwell IN the false messiah and he is in the false bride!

Ephesians 2:2 …in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience”

Rev 17:1-2 And one of the seven messengers who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying to me, “Come, I shall show you the judgment of the great whore sitting on many waters,(See v. 15), with whom the sovereigns of the earth committed whoring, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her whoring.”

Rev 18:4-7 And I heard another voice from the heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. Because her sins have piled up to reach the heaven, and Elohim has remembered her unrighteousness. Render to her as she indeed did render, and repay her double according to her works. In the cup which she has mixed, mix for her double. As much as she esteemed herself and lived riotously, so much torture and grief give to her, because in her heart she says, ‘I sit as sovereigness, and I am not a widow, and I do not see mourning at all.’ (Jer 51)

What does “hold fast to My Name” in Rev 2:13 signify?

Those in Pergamos, (and all true believers), prove themselves to be a part of the True Bride of the True Messiah by not adhering to the teachings of the fabricated, lawless, idolatrous bride of anti-messiah.

Rev 2:14 “But I hold a few matters against you, because you have there those who adhere to the teaching of Bilʽam, who taught Balaq to put a stumbling-block before the children of Yisra’ĕl, to eat food offered to idols, and to commit whoring.

What is “the teaching of Bil’am?”

In Numbers 22-24, we read the story of a prophet who was hired to curse the children of Yisrael. Through several failed attempts, it becomes obvious that he could not curse them. However, in Numbers 24:14, we read him saying this;

And now, see, I am going to my people. Come, let me advise you what this people is going to do to your people in the latter days.”

The very next chapter (Num 25) describes the outcome of his advice!

Num 25:1-3 And Yisra’ĕl dwelt in Shittim, and the people began to whore with the daughters of Mo’ab and they invited the people to the slaughterings of their mighty ones, and the people ate and bowed down to their mighty ones. Thus Yisra’ĕl was joined to Baʽal Peʽor, and the displeasure of Yahweh burned against Yisra’ĕl.” (Literally committed sexual, idolatry (which is spiritual whoring and then were joined to Ba’al, as in marriage!)

Rev 2:15 “So you also have those who adhere to the teaching of the Nikolaites, which teaching I hate.”

(For a comparison on the “deeds of the Nikolaites” see the article on “Overcoming #1 – Ephesus

What is “the teaching of the Nikolaites?”

Their teaching is very similar to the prophet Bil’am’s. They are paid professionals who propagate un-scriptural practices referred to in the scriptures as a form of “harlotry” or (spiritual infidelity/idolatry) because the teacher is unfaithful to The Truth, which is The Word of YAH, Yahshua Messiah, The True Groom!

The Master, Yahshua gives these warnings for the last days;

Mat 24:

4-5 And (Yahshua) answering, said to them, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many shall come in My Name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they shall lead many astray…

11-12 “And many false prophets shall rise up and lead many astray. And because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many shall become cold.

24-25 “For false messiahs and false prophets shall arise, and they shall show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. See, I have forewarned you”

Kepha (Peter) gives these warnings for the last days;

2Pe 2:1 But there also came to be false prophets among the people, as also among you there shall be false teachers, who shall secretly bring in destructive heresies, and deny the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves…

Did you catch that? “destructive heresies, and deny the Master”

2Pe 2:14-16 “…having eyes filled with an adulteress, and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable beings, having a heart trained in greed, children of a curse, having left the right way they went astray, having followed the way of Bil‘am the son of Beʽor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness…

Shaul (Paul) gives this warning for the last days;

2Th 2:9-12 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved. And for this reason Elohim sends them a working of delusion, for them to believe the falsehood, in order that all should be judged who did not believe the truth, but have delighted in the unrighteousness.

Yohan (John) gives this warning for the last days;

1Jn 4:2-3, 6 “By this you know the Spirit of Elohim: Every spirit that confesses that (Yahshua) Messiah (not the anti-law, Greek fabrication by another name), has come in the flesh is of Elohim, and every spirit that does not confess that (Yahshua) Messiah has come in the flesh is not of Elohim… (Verse 6) By this we know the Spirit of the Truth and the spirit of the delusion.”

So, you see, if Yahshua Himself warns of false messiahs / prophets, and then HIS taught ones feel impressed to warn HIS followers of the same, is it such a stretch for us to believe that anti-messiah could actually be propagated in our times? (See the article entitled, “6 Reasons Why The Greek / Roman / Latin “Jesus” Cannot Be The Messiah”)

Rev 2:16 “Repent, or else I shall come to you speedily and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”

Yahshua will use HIS Word, HIS Prophets, HIS Teachers to announce the True Good News of HIS Reign separating the two groups of followers! Finally, upon HIS Return HE will judge and destroy those who reject The Truth! (John 17:17)

Rev 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I shall give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I shall give him a white stone, and on the stone a new Name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

In Summary;

We must overcome false teaching that promotes;

– The anti-messiah!

– The whore, the false bride!

– Idolatry or the worship of self and/or any other!

Christian HOLI-Days

Originally posted on 3/21/21 – Revised 2/11/22

Many of the current “Christian” Holi-days have their origins in ancient pagan feasts that were ushered in by Romanism early in it’s history. The Roman Emperor, Constantine was a pagan sun-worshipper who supposedly had a “spiritual experience.” Romanism used this authority to pollute the truth beginning in the 3rd century with various practices of sun-worshipping paganism. The following are a few of those.


Author’s note: I encourage you to do your own research on the origins and meanings behind the word “Holi.” (Holy) In a few words, I found that it is not a word to use in association with The True Creator, Yahweh as depicted in The Scriptures; Genesis – Revelation. In fact, it is a word associated with Hindu mighty ones and is celebrated annually in their version of “good triumphing over evil.” For these and other reasons, I refrain from it’s use. (Exodus 23:13)

SUNDAY SABBATH?

Early believers kept the Seventh day as the Sabbath (gathering day) until March 7, 321 CE when Emporer / Pope Constantine passed a law requiring believers to worship on Sunday, the day the pagans worshipped the sun-god. True Believers still kept the Seventh day as the Sabbath until another law was passed eleven years later. This law signed into decree by Pope Constantine forbid believers to worship on the Seventh day (Sabbath) being punishable by death! Many believers were burned to death for their commitment to the Commandments in the Scriptures and for keeping with the Sabbath on the Seventh Day! Research it for yourself! The True Sabbath has NOT been changed, according to the Scriptures! (See articles on “Catholic Quotes…” and “Names of the Days of the week”)

EASTER SUNDAY

Did you ever wonder what the basis is for using eggs and bunnies to celebrate Easter? Ishtar or Astarte or Euostre or finally “Easter”, also known as Semiramis, the widow of Nimrod, is referred to in the Scriptures as the “queen of heaven.”(Jeremiah 44:17-25) She is the bare breasted pagan fertility goddess of the east. Legend has it that she came out of heaven in a giant egg, landing in the Euphrates river at sunrise (the first sunrise service?) on the first Sunday after the vernal equinox, busted out, and turned a bird into an egg laying rabbit!!! Now THAT takes a lot of imagination! :>) According to some (unverified) sources, the priests of Easter would then sacrifice infants (human babies) and take the eggs of Easter and die them in the blood of the sacrificed infants (human babies). This process was orchestrated so that the Easter eggs would hatch on December 25th, the same day her son Tammuz the reincarnated sun-god would be born…how convenient?!

In second century Europe, the predominate spring festival was a raucous Saxon fertility celebration in honor of the Saxon Goddess Eastre (Ostara), whose sacred animal was a hare. As it happened, the pagan festival of Eastre occurred at the same time of year as the observance of the Resurrection of Messiah. Therefore it was decided to alter the festival itself and attempt to make it a Christian celebration. The early name, Eastre, was eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter.

Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by Emperor Constantine. (There is that name again!) The Council issued the Easter Rule which states that Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. (Another attempt to replace the True Scriptural observances of Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread and First-Fruits!).

HALLOW’EN

All Saints’ Day was followed by All-Souls’ Day, November 2, unless that was a Sunday then it was November 3, this was another Roman adaptation of pagan festivals for the dead. Prayers for the dead are an integral part of the traditional All Saint’s Day services, which are scheduled in Catholic churches on November 1, and on the next Sunday. Halloween gets its name from the Catholic holi-day, it is a Hallowed evening, because it precedes All Hallows’ Day, thus: Hallow’en. Halloween is a pagan holiday to honor the dead and evil spirits. In the Scriptures, we are warned not to take part in customs and traditions such as these. All Scripture quotes are KJV unless otherwise noted and the True Names of THE Creator, as I understand them; Yahweh and HIS Son, Yahshua have been inserted instead “Lord, GOD, Jesus”, etc)

“…take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise. You shall not worship (Yahweh) your (Elohim) in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” Deuteronomy 12:30-32

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11(Thus, this article!)

Halloween is a perfect example of what these passages are referring to. Pagans served their gods by honoring the evil spirits on Halloween. They did this by dressing up like the evil spirits and giving offerings to the evil spirits. This is also where the practice of giving out candy came from; because they gave offerings to the evil spirits. The phrase “trick or treat” is attributed to this practice because pagans believed the evil spirits would do something bad (a trick) to them if they did not leave an offering (a treat) for them.


THANKSGIVING

We often think of Thanksgiving as an American holiday, begun by the Pilgrims in Plymouth in 1621. In reality on that day in 1621 that particular event was just the first observance of Thanksgiving Day in the New World! Thanksgiving, in the guise of the pagan harvest festivals, can be traced right back to ancient Babylon and the worship of Semiramis!

The pagans in Rome celebrated their thanksgiving in early October. The holiday was dedicated to the goddess of the harvest, Ceres, and the holiday was called Cerelia. The Roman Catholic church incorporated the pagan holi-day and it became well established in England, where some of the pagan customs and rituals for this day were observed long after the Roman Empire had disappeared.

“In England the “Harvest Home” has been observed continuously for centuries. The custom was to select a harvest queen for this holiday. She was decorated with the grain of their fields and the fruit of their trees. On Thanksgiving Day she was paraded through the streets in a carriage drawn by white horses. This was a remnant of the Roman ceremonies in honor of Ceres…the Pilgrims brought the “Harvest in” to Massachusetts.” (Little, Brown & Company, Boston, 1953. Pgs 159-160)

There certainly is NOT anything wrong with giving thanks to our Creator for HIS goodness to us! However, to replace HIS Set-Apart Days (i.e. The Scriptural observance of Tabernacles) with an observance that inculcates pagan practices is to put one at odds with the very Creator responsible for the harvest!

CHRISTMAS

A “winter solstice” observance (our December 25th or thereabouts) was celebrated by pagan sun-worshippers for thousands of years before the Messiah was born. It all started (as recorded by tradition and the Scriptures) during the building of the tower of Babel. Nimrod (Genesis 10:9-10) supervised the operation and supposedly, was called the sun-god and worshipped as such. Then a prophet of the Most High killed him and cut his body into pieces and scattered those pieces all across the land. Ishtar or Astarte or Euostre or finally “Easter”, also known as Semiramis, the widow of Nimrod, is referred to in the Scriptures as the “queen of heaven.”(Jeremiah 44:17-25) She claimed to be impregnated by the rays of the sun (Nimrod) and later had a son by the name of Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14) who had a miraculous birth on December 25th. All of the pagan sun-worshippers celebrated the birthday of the reincarnated sun-god Tammuz on December 25th. Scripture is very clear that believers in the Truth of YAH’S Word are not to participate in these types of observances: The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. 19Do they provoke Me to anger?” says (Yahweh) “Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?”Jeremiah 7:18-19

The passage above is stating Yahweh’s obvious displeasure with practices that are in opposition to HIS Word. Let’s move on and read another passage from Scripture.

Thus says (Yahweh): “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles ( those considered the ungodly at that time); Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple.” Jeremiah 10:2-4

Sound familiar? This passage is obviously referring to a practice of those who were not considered followers of Yahweh. Is the prophet referring to a “christmas tree?” Well, there certainly are similarities! A quick internet search using the terms associated with the celebration of this season will reveal that their origins are anything but righteous and have nothing to do with birth of Yahshua, the True MESSIAH! Actually it is fascinating to realize those entities whose births were on December 25th! For example, Isis (Egyptian god), Mithra (Babylonian sun god) and of course Tammuz, the son of the queen of heaven!

VALENTINE’S DAY

Pagans in Rome celebrated the evening of February 14th and February 15th as an idolatrous and immoral festival in honor of Lupercus “the hunter of wolves”. It was not until the reign of Pope Gelasius that the holiday became a “Christian” custom. ” The Encarta Encyclopedia states that it is “a holiday that probably derives from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalis.” From Edna Barth’s book “The Story of Valentine Symbols” we read “St. Valentine’s name was given to the festival of Lupercalia in the 5th century.” In his book “The Valentine, and it’s Origins” by Frank Staff, we learn how the ancient church fathers at Rome used syncretism; the mixture of so-called truth and abject error, to win converts from among pagans…” As for “Cupid” the strange little cherub, who shoots arrows at people, it’s name means; “desire!” According to Funk/Wagnall’s Encyclopedia, the Greek counterpart is “Eros”, the god of love, son of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty” who presided over their drunken orgies and multiple day celebrations! Do your own study of this so called holiday and it’s association to Lupercalia as well as their similarities to “Mardi Gra!” I’m sure that you will be shocked at what you find! It might make you think before you encourage your little boy or little girl to participate in the tradition of being matched up with a child of the opposite sex through the exchanging of “Be my Valentine” cards…

THE Scriptural Set-Apart DAYS

In comparison to those observances listed above, the Scriptures explicitly command Yahweh’s people to observe HIS Sabbaths and HIS FEASTS in Leviticus 23. Though much of Christianity today chooses to ignore this command, believing that these were ONLY for the people of Israel, the Scriptures do not support this notion. Yahshua observed the 7th day Sabbath and the Scriptural Feasts. The first disciples continued to observe them, even after HIS death and resurrection, and so did professing believers in Yahweh up to the 3rd century, as stated above. Now that you’ve read this brief synopsis, you too are faced with the same choice as those early believers; to follow YAH’S ways according to HIS Word or to continue in man’s ways according to man’s tradition. Yahweh’s special Days/Feasts give great insight into HIS Plan for the Redemption of mankind. Man’s traditional observances are based, to a great degree upon Bablyonian, Egyptian, Greecian and Roman paganism and actually detour people AWAY from the Truth of YAH’S Word. The choice is yours! People just like you, all over the world, are waking up to the Truth of The Word! HE is accomplishing exactly what HE had promised to do in the last days! You may be a part of that process as you read HIS Word and come to realize the deception of man’s traditions! May you hear HIS Voice and come out of the bondage of man-made religion and begin to walk in HIS Truth!

It is written in 2Cor 6:16-18)

And what agreement has the temple of YAH with idols? For you are the temple of the living EL. As Yahweh has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their EL, and they shall be My people.Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says Yahweh. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says Yahweh ELOHIM.” NKJV

And in Jeremiah 51:6-7

Flee from the midst of Babylon, And every one save his life! Do not be cut off in her iniquity, For this is the time of YAH’S vengeance; He shall recompense her.

Babylon was a golden cup in the YAH’S hand, That made all the earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; Therefore the nations are deranged.

And finally in Revelation 18:4-5

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and ELOHIM has remembered her iniquities.”

6 Reasons Why The Greek – Roman – Latin “Jesus” Cannot Be Messiah

The saying “Truth is stranger than fiction” is an accurate assessment of this article, but will only be “stranger than fiction” to those who are not lovers of Truth! Please consider;

2Th 2:9-10 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved.”

So, without a “love of the truth” one cannot be saved. Not my words, Paul’s. But he was only confirming what was said by the Messiah in John 14:6“I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

And HE also stated when praying to HIS FATHER in John 17:17 “Set them apart in Your truth – Your Word (both written and Living) is truth.”

So, without having a “love of the truth” as well as embracing THE ONE Who IS TRUTH, one cannot be saved and cannot come to the FATHER!

Hmmm…That is concerning! Why? Because there are approximately 250 million (Protestant) Christians in the World today. America has the majority of them with approximately 140 million! Combine that with the 70 million Catholics who also refer to themselves as Christians in America making the total approaching ¼ of a billion people in America who consider themselves to be an expression of Christianity! But that’s not what I’m concerned about. My concern stems from the fabrication of a savior who is being propagated as one who is not in line with how the scriptures portray the true messiah. I am not in opposition to what the scriptures say. I am in opposition to how the scriptures have been twisted to produce a whole different version of who HE is! The following 6 Reasons detail my concerns;

REASON #1

Christians and non-Christians alike have been told that The Messiah’s name is Jesus. That is simply and unequivocally not true. HE, The True Messiah of The Scriptures would never have responded to someone calling to HIM using the name Jesus. Neither would HE today! HE was not Greek / Roman / Latin. HE descended from Judah (Yehudah), born to a Hebrew maiden and had numerous Hebrew half brothers / sisters. HE was given a Hebrew Name. His true Name is very important, as it reflects who HIS Father is and what Name HIS true followers will receive! The Greek “Iesous”, a Greek healing entity is NOT who HE is. To intentionally call on another for salvation is not wise. Lets consider what HE says about HIS Name;

John 5:43 “I have come in My Father’s Name (YAH in Psalm 68:4 KJV – see note)and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you would receive.”(note; The letter “J” did not exist when Psalm 68 was penned)

Act 4:11-12 “This is ‘the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. And there is no deliverance in anyone else, for there is no other Name under the heaven given among men by which we need to be saved.”

Rev 3:12 “He who overcomes, I shall make him a supporting post in the Dwelling Place of My Elohim, and he shall by no means go out. And I shall write on him the Name of My Elohim and the name of the city of My Elohim, the new Yerushalayim, which comes down out of the heaven from My Elohim, and My new Name.”

REASON #2

The Greek / Roman / Latin fabricated version of their Messiah, named Jesus, appears to be a brown/blondish haired, blue-eyed foreigner (Caucasian), who allows his followers to carve, engrave, tattoo, carry, kiss, bow to, worship and wear various forms of images of himself. These practices are in absolute opposition to The Scriptures! Consider;

Exodus 20:4-6“You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under the earth, you do not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, YAHweh your Elohim am a jealous EL, visiting the crookedness of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and guard My commands.”

Psalm 81:9 “Let there be no strange mighty one among you, And do not bow down to a foreign mighty one.

REASON #3

The Greek / Roman / Latin fabricated version of their Messiah, who they have named Jesus, allows his followers to observe the Roman Catholic sabbath in revering the sun. (Sun-day; the day dedicated to the sun) The True Messiah according to the Scriptures did not do so nor would HE today because it is not True.

Mark 1:21 And they went into Kephar Nahum, and immediately on the Sabbath He went into the congregation and taught.

Luke 6:6 And it also came to be on another Sabbath, that He entered into the congregation and taught, and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

Luke 13:10 And He was teaching in one of the congregations on the Sabbath…

The context of all three of these examples finds The Master in the assembly “on the Sabbath” teaching. All three also are commentaries of HIM “healing”and/or casting out demons! HIS authority proves that HE was not lawless. Is today’s powerlessness among professingdom proof of the fruit of lawlessness? So, who changed HIS Seventh Day Sabbath to a sun-day observance? It wasn’t The True Messiah of The Scriptures!

(See articles “From Sabbath To Sunday – Who Changed it?”and “The Names of the Days of the Week”)

REASON #4

The Greek / Roman / Latin fabricated version of their messiah named Jesus teaches that the Law (Torah) of YAH was fulfilled and discontinued upon Him being impaled (crucified) and thus is no longer in effect today. This is not true. The True Messiah of The Scriptures said in;

Mat 5:17-18 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For truly, I say to you, till the heaven and the earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done.”

Obviously, heaven and earth are still here… (See Article “Matt 5 – Destroy / Fulfill” for a more exhaustive study on what HE meant “to fulfill”)

REASON #5

The Greek / Roman / Latin fabricated version of their messiah named Jesus was born on December 25th and is to be celebrated by the cutting down of an evergreen tree, erecting it in their homes, decorating it and putting presents to each other under it. These pagan traditions are not endorsed in The Scriptures. (Read Yirmeyah 10:1-15 especially 3-4)

Yirmeyah 10:3-4 “For the prescribed customs of these peoples are worthless, for one cuts a tree from the forest, work for the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. They adorn it with silver and gold, they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it does not topple.”

(See Article “Christian Holi-Days”)

REASON #6

The Greek / Roman / Latin fabricated version of their messiah named Jesus evidently condones the UN-scriptural observances of paganism and at the same time does not insist on the observances mandated by HIS Word. But please consider what The Scriptures say:

Reading Leviticus 23 you will see that THE Creator clearly states that these are not, as traditionalism teaches, “the festivals of Israel”, but are HIS appointments, HIS observances, HIS Sabbath, HIS Feasts in verse 2.

Beginning with the 7th Day Sabbath (signifying rest after 6 days of creation/work)

Passover,(speaks of the Spotless Lamb Slain)

Unleavened Bread, (speaks of the removal of leaven/sin)

First-fruits, (speaks of assurance of a harvest and Messiah ascending as the First-fruits from the dead)

Shavuot (speaks of the harvest that typifies The SPIRIT in those of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:33 & Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Trumpets (speaks of HIS people hearing HIS Voice)

Day of Atonement (speaks of the final judgment at the end of the age) Sukkot (speaks of the righteous dwelling with HIM Forever).

For a more in-depth look at The Feasts of YAHweh, (see articles related to The Feasts…)

May you see the beautiful picture of redemption in/through HIS Feasts that you will not see in the observances of traditionalism!

Those recognizing HIS Appointed Times understand that the blood sacrifice of the True Messiah fulfills every aspect of every blood sacrifice and offering mentioned in the above as we acknowledge HIM yearly through each Feast bringing us revelation of what HE accomplished, of what HE is accomplishing now and what HE will accomplish in and through those who walk according to HIS Word!

The observances of traditionalism practiced by so many today say nothing of the true plan of YAHweh, nor do they accurately portray the true person of HIS Son, the True Messiah, who I believe is named Yahshua! While in my ignorance and lawlessness I taught lawlessness and error! I called YAHweh by generic titles such as LORD, GOD, ALMIGHTY, ADONAI. I also referred to HIS Son as LORD, JESUS, CHRIST. I desired Truth, but was trained in traditionalism. Finally, I heard / recognized Truth and began to pursue HIM wholeheartedly! I rejoice in every day I’ve been given in hopes of rectifying (in some small way) the error and lawlessness that I once embraced and taught! This article is an effort to reach those who have a love for Truth! My prayer is that you will respond to HIS Voice and “come out” of fabrication and never look back!

Overcoming #4 – Jezebel In Thyatira – Revelation 2

This is an article on the likenesses and the differences that exist between The True Messiah vs Anti-messiah AND The True Bride of Messiah vs Izebel, (pronounced Eezebel), also known as Jezebel, according to the scriptures.

In Rev 2:18-20 we find this; “And to the messenger of the assembly in Thyatira write, ‘This says the Son of Elohim, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like burnished brass: I know your works, and love, and service, and belief, and your endurance. And as for your works, the last are more than the first. But I hold against you that you allow that woman Izebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and lead My servants astray to commit whoring and to eat food offered to idols.”

Let’s first look at some background on the historical person, Jezebel;

1Ki 16:31-32 “And it came to be, as though it had been a light matter for him (Ahab) to walk in the sins of Yarobam son of Nebat, that he took as wife Izebel the daughter of Ethbaʽal, sovereign of the Tsidonians. And he went and served Baʽal and bowed himself to it, and raised up an altar for Baʽal in the house of Baʽal, which he had built in Shomeron.”

Several points need to be considered pertaining to this introduction of Jezebel;

  1. The meaning of Jezebel, is “chaste.” She proves to be the opposite.
  2. The meaning of “Ethba’al” is “with Ba’al.” Jezebel is the daughter of one who is with Ba’al.
  3. The literal meaning of “Ba’al” is “worthlessness, however it is the sun-deity of Babylon.
  4. Ahab rejected YAH’S Commandments and worshiped Ba’al in sun worship. Not wise.

1Ki 18:19 (The Prophet of YAH, Eliyah says) “And now, send and gather all Yisra’ĕl to me on Mount Karmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baʽal, and the four hundred prophets of Ashĕrah, who eat at Izebel’s table.”

Several points to consider;

  1. The prophet of YAH, Eliyah challenges the prophets of Ba’al and Asherah.
  2. Asherah is a false deity of Sun worship / fertility. While maintaining it’s occultic attributes, it took on different names throughout time, (Ashtaroth, Ashtoreth, Astarte Euostra, etc) and in today’s vernacular is Easter, as sun worship continues in professingdom…
  3. These false prophets prove that they are in covenant with Jezebel as they eat / drink in dedication to their idols.

1Ki 19:1-2 “And when Ahab reported to Izebel all that Ěliyah had done, also how he slew all the prophets with the sword, Izebel sent a messenger to Ěliyah, saying, “So let the mighty ones do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them (dead) by tomorrow about this time.”

1Ki 21:2-10 “And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, and it shall be a vegetable garden for me, since it adjoins my house. And let me give you a better vineyard for it. If it is good in your eyes, let me give you its worth in silver. And Naboth said to Ahab, “Far be it from me, by יהוה, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you! And Ahaḇ went into his house embittered and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Yizreĕlite had spoken to him when he said, “I do not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and did not eat food. And Izebel his wife came to him, and said to him, “Why is your spirit so embittered that you are not eating food? And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Yizreĕlite, and said to him, Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you prefer, I give you another vineyard for it. But he answered, ‘I do not give you my vineyard.’ So Izebel his wife said to him, “Do you now rule over Yisra’ĕl? Rise up, eat food, and let your heart be glad. Let me give you the vineyard of Naboth the Yizreĕlite! Then she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who were dwelling in the city with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the people, and seat two men, sons of Beliyaʽal before him to bear witness against him, saying, ‘You have blasphemed Elohim and the sovereign.’ Then you shall take him out, and stone him to death.” (This is exactly what they did)

Consider;

After some time, Jezebel is judged exactly as prophesied by Eliyah;

2Ki 9:36-37 “And they came back and informed him. And he said, “This is the word of יהוה, which He spoke by His servant Ěliyah the Tishbite, saying, ‘In the portion of Yizreʽĕl dogs are going to eat the flesh of Izebel, and the corpse of Izebel shall be as dung on the surface of the field, in the portion of Yizreʽĕl, so that they do not say, “This is Izebel.”

Perfectly and exacting, they could not find enough of her to bury, so her remains were left on the surface of the field…in Yizre’el…

An interesting fact to consider as we proceed to the Jezebel in Revelation is that Ahab, the husband of the literal Jezebel of 1-2 Kings is the EIGHTH Sovereign of Yisrael! Keep that tucked away until the end of this article and consider why that is significant…

Now that we have some background, let’s turn again to our text in Revelation 2:18-20

“And to the messenger of the assembly in Thyatira write, ‘This says the Son of Elohim, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like burnished brass: I know your works, and love, and service, and belief, and your endurance. And as for your works, the last are more than the first. But I hold against you that you allow that woman Izebel, (Jezebel) who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and lead My servants astray to commit whoring and to eat food offered to idols.”

I believe that it is safe to assume that Yahshua is not referring to the same Jezebel in 1-2 Kings. Yahshua is using the example of Jezebel as seen in 1-2 Kings to exhort professing believers to know and discern the traits of Jezebel…

Consider:

The True Messiah is established as The True King / Priest.(according to the scriptures)

Heb 6:20 “…where Yahshua has entered as a forerunner for us, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Malkitsedeq.

Rev 19:16 And on His robe and on His thigh. He has a name written: SOVEREIGN OF SOVEREIGNS AND MASTER OF MASTERS.”

The anti-messiah is being established as the king / priest. (according to lawlessness)

2Th 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you in any way, because the falling away is to come first, and the man of lawlessness1 is to be revealed, the son of destruction, (Footnote: 1Some texts read sin instead of lawlessness. This man might be the same one we read of in the prophecy in Isa. 14:12 – 14 (“Heileil”), meaning “the shining one,” the sovereign of Babylon) 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called Elohim or that is worshiped, so that he sits as Elohim in the Dwelling Place of Elohim, showing himself that he is Elohim.”

The anti-messiah seeks to replace the True Messiah as King. He also sets himself up in the place of worship, proclaiming himself to be supreme in authority as a king, and as the high priest in worship!

The True Messiah / King / Priest has a Bride (HIS People) who is without spot or blemish. She proves her faithfulness by being submitted to Messiah, The Word.

Eph 5:24-27 “But as the assembly is subject to Messiah, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in every respect.” Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it, 26 in order to set it apart and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, 27 in order to present it to Himself a splendid assembly, not having spot or wrinkle or any of this sort, but that it might be set-apart and blameless.

The anti-messiah / king / priest has “a woman” (his people) who rides on a scarlet beast, (him) and describes herself as a queen.

Rev 17:3 “And he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast covered with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”

Rev 18:7 “As much as she esteemed herself and lived riotously, so much torture and grief give to her, because in her heart she says, ‘I sit as sovereigness, and I am not a widow, and I do not see mourning at all.’

The Bride (the people) of The True Messiah / King / Priest is comprised of believers in The True Messiah / King / Priest according to the scriptures, who do not twist HIS Word to fit their traditions.

1Jn 3:24 And the one guarding His commands stays in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He stays in us, by the Spirit which He gave us. (also see John 14:23-24, Acts 5:32, Rom. 8:7-11, 1 John 2:5, 1 John 4:13.)

Rev 14:12 Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones, here are those guarding the commands of Elohim and the belief of Yahshua.

The woman (the people) of the anti-messiah / king / priest is comprised of those who have rejected The True Messiah / King / Priest according to the scriptures and concoct a messiah, who is approving of their non-scriptural beliefs and observances.

2Th 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved. And for this reason Elohim sends them a working of delusion, for them to believe the falsehood, in order that all should be judged who did not believe the truth, but have delighted in the unrighteousness.”(lawlessness)

The Bride (the people) of The True Messiah / King / Priest is dressed in White.

Rev 19:7-8 “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him praise, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife prepared herself. And to her it was given to be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousness (belief) of the set-apart ones.”

The woman (the people) of the anti-messiah is dressed in purple, scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones.

Purple / scarlet / gold / precious stones represent a worldly appearance of harlotry.

Rev 17:4 “And the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup filled with abominations and the filthiness of her whoring…”

The Bride (the people) of The True Messiah is described as the “set-apart city.”

Rev 21:2 (And I, Yohan (John) saw the set-apart city, new Yerushalayim, coming down out of the heaven from Elohim, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

Jezebel, the woman (the people) of the anti-messiah is also described as a “city.”

Rev 17:18 “And the woman whom you saw is that great city having sovereignty over the sovereigns of the earth.”

Rev 18:19 “And they threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and mourning, and saying, ‘Woe! Woe, the great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she was laid waste.’

The Bride (the people) of The True Messiah drinks the “cup of blessing.”

1Co 10:16 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Messiah? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Messiah?”

Jezebel, the woman (the people) of the anti-messiah also has a cup!

Rev 18:3 because all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her whoring, and the sovereigns of the earth have committed whoring with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the power of her riotous living.”

Jer 51:7 “Babel was a golden cup in the hand of Yahwah making drunk all the earth. The nations drank her wine, that is why the nations went mad!”

The Bride (the people) of The True Messiah is sealed / marked on the forehead.

Eph 4:30 “And do not grieve the Set-apart Spirit of Elohim, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Rev 22:4 “And they shall see His face, and His Name shall be upon their foreheads.” (See also Revelation 7)

Jezebel, the woman (the people) of the anti-messiah is sealed on the forehead / hand.

Rev 13:16 “And he causes all, both small and great, and rich and poor, and free and slave, to be given a mark upon their right hand or upon their foreheads…”

Rev 14:9-11 And a third messenger followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark upon his forehead or upon his hand, 10 he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is poured out undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he shall be tortured with fire and sulphur before the set-apart messengers and before the Lamb. 11 “And the smoke of their torture goes up forever and ever. And they have no rest day or night, those worshipping the beast and his image, also if anyone receives the mark of his name.”

The Bride (the people) of The True Messiah receives a secret Name.

Rev 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I shall give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I shall give him a white stone, and on the stone a renewed (new) Name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

Jezebel, the woman (the people) of the anti-messiah also receives a secret name.

Rev 17:5 “…and upon her forehead a name written, a secret: BABEL THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE WHORES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

Rev 17:11 “And the beast (the anti-messiah / king / priest) that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and goes to destruction. Remember that Ahab was the EIGHTH king and that Jezebel was his queen…

Rev 18:2-5 And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, “Babel the great (the city of anti-messiah and the woman, comprised of people rejecting the True Messiah) is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, and a haunt for every unclean and hated bird, 3 because all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her whoring, and the sovereigns of the earth have committed whoring with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the power of her riotous living.” 4 And I heard another voice from the heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. Because her sins have piled up to reach the heaven, and Elohim has remembered her unrighteousnesses.”

1John 3:4 Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

Mat 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens. “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name? And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’

At one time we too were “sons (and daughters) of disobedience”, and were a part of “the woman”, Jezebel who is riding the beast / the man of lawlessness.

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in trespasses and sins,in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest.”

We heard HIS Voice calling! May you hear HIS Voice and “Come Out Of Her…” before it’s too late!

Also see related article on “The Bride and The Whore

All Scripture References are from “The Scriptures 1998+”

Unbelief; The Reasons Behind it – Matthew 13

In the Parable of the Sower, The Messiah identifies several characteristics that will hinder belief. I focus on belief in this article because “without belief it is impossible to please Yah.”(Heb 11:6) All other manifestations of fruit stem from believing HIS Word. The hindrances to belief that are identified in this parable are usually glossed over. May that not be the case with you…

The text of the Parable;

Mat 13:4 “The Sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some indeed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them.”

The Messiah’s explanation;

Mat 13:18-19 “You, then, hear the parable of the sower: “When anyone hears the word of the reign, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is that sown by the wayside.”

The Creator has given everyone autonomy in choice. I say this because earlier in the chapter, Yahshua states that some are not given ears to hear, eyes to see nor a heart to receive HIS Word, quoting Isaiah 6:9-10. Isaiah 6 focuses on the distinction between himself and those around him. Isaiah recognizes his uncleanness and admits it. Most of those around him were practicing lawlessness and rebellion. Isaiah hears the Word of Yah and sees his condition. The ninety percent do not. Why didn’t they? In the parable of the sower, The Messiah is applying Isaiah 6 to the current time. Because the majority were living in lawlessness (in opposition to HIS Commands), they too would not understand HIM and would not receive HIS Word into their hearts. The influence upon them is in direct proportion to their connection with the devil and his kingdom(this world). This prohibits them from understanding HIS Word. In fact, in John chapter 8, The Messiah likens the fruit of their lives as proof that they are sons of the devil. Consider;

John 8:43-44a“Why do you not know what I say? Because you are unable to hear My Word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you wish to do.”

Before we get to feeling too good about ourselves in comparison, we need to consider these words;

Ephesians 2:1-3 “And you were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the authority of the air, (birds of the air) of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest.”

Notice that Paul is speaking to them regarding their past, because when they had heard HIS Word they repented and were now able to hear clearer, receive more and increase in belief regarding the Word of YAH. Those who continue to walk “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the authority of the air”, professing believer or not, do so through unbelief on the wayside…

The parable;

Mat 13:5-6 “And others fell on rocky places, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered.”

The Messiah’s explanation;

Mat 13:20-21 “And that sown on rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived, and when pressure or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”

This person at first is joyous to receive HIS Word, but notice in verse 6, “But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered.”I can’t help but think that The Messiah used this wording to express something deeper. The influence of sun worship on world religions is remarkable! Is HE warning HIS own regarding this matter? I can say that when we saw the practices of sun worship permeating Christianity, our coming out of it was not without pressure! We have seen numerous people stumble under that “pressure” (lit; trouble, anguish) and the “persecution” (lit; pursue) described here! But for us who endure, the blessings have far outweighed the pressure!

Mat 5:10-12 Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake, because theirs is the reign of the heavens. Blessed are you when they reproach and persecute you, and falsely say every wicked word against you, for My sake. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in the heavens is great. For in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Mat 10:22 “And you shall be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.

The parable;

Mat 13:7 “And others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them.

The Messiah’s explanation;

Mat 13:22 “And that sown among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this age and the deceit of riches choke the word, and it becomes fruitless.”

The one who hears HIS Word, but because the cares of this age or literally; the distractions offered in this life’s pursuits, will find themselves deluded by pursuing riches just as the devil tried to trip up The Messiah in offering HIM the reigns of the world… Consider;

Mat 4:8 Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain, and showed Him all the reigns of the world, and their esteem, and said to Him, “All these I shall give You if You fall down and worship me.” Then Yahshua said to him, “Go, Satan! For it has been written, ‘You shall worship Yahweh your Elohim, and Him alone you shall serve.’ (quoting Dt. 6:13)

1Ti 6:9-10 “But those wishing to be rich fall into trial and a snare, and into many foolish and injurious lusts which plunge men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some, by longing for it, have strayed from the belief, and pierced themselves through with many pains.”

The parable;

Mat 13:8-9 “And others fell on good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The Messiah’s explanation;

Mat 13:23 “And that sown on the good soil is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields – some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

The one who receives(hears) the Truth of HIS Word and comprehends(understands) it, who allows HIS Spirit to teach, comfort, guide, empower and gift him, will bear fruit in proportion to the amount of submission that he / she gives to HIS Word and HIS Spirit!

Rom 10:17 So then belief comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Elohim.

John 14:15-17 “If you love Me, you shall guard My commands. And I shall ask the Father, and He shall give you another Helper, to stay with you forever – the Spirit of the Truth, whom the world is unable to receive, because it does not see Him or know Him. But you know Him, for He stays with you and shall be in you.”

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Set-apart Spirit, whom the Father shall send in My Name, He shall teach you all, and remind you of all that I said to you.”

John 16:13 “But when He comes, the Spirit of the Truth, He shall guide you into all the truth. For He shall not speak from Himself, but whatever He hears He shall speak, and He shall announce to you what is to come.

1Co 12:4 And there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit1Co 12:9 and to another belief by the same Spirit

Gal 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustworthiness, (belief), gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no Torah.

Verses depicting unbelief;

Mat 13:58 “And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”

Why? Because they saw HIM, not as The Messiah, but according to the flesh; Joseph and Mary’s son. The fleshly perspective (in Adam) does not understand nor believe…

Mat 17:19-21 Then the taught ones came to Yahshua by Himself and said, “Why were we unable to cast him out?” And Yahshua said to them, “Because of your unbelief, for truly, I say to you, if you have belief as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it shall move. And no matter shall be impossible for you. But this kind does not go out except through prayer and fasting.”

Belief comes through relationship with Truth, (Word + Spirit) which results in selflessness.

Mar 9:24 And immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “I believe Master, help my unbelief!”

A truthful confession of our belief (and unbelief), results in answers.

1Tim 1:13 me, although I was formerly a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an insulter. But compassion was shown me because being ignorant I did it in unbelief.

Ignorance of The Truth results in unbelief. Scriptural belief is based only on The Truth.

Heb 3:18-19 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter into His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they were unable to enter in because of unbelief.

Those who begin but do not continue to act on HIS Word will not continue in belief.

The choice is yours. Will The Messiah find you believing when HE returns? Luke 18:8 “But when the Son of Adam comes, shall He find the belief on the earth?”

#3 – The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees – Matthew 23

Mat 23:1-4 Then Yahshua spoke to the crowds and to His taught ones, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on the seat of Mosheh. Therefore, whatever they say to you to guard, guard and do. But do not do according to their works, for they say, and do not do.”

The Master is explaining that as long as the scribes and Pharisees are instructing strictly from what is written in The Torah, guard and do it. But do not follow their example. Their hypocrisy (acting) reveals who they really are.

Mat 23:4 “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but with their finger they do not wish to move them.”

The Master categorizes what these burden consist of throughout the remainder of the chapter. Some today would try and convince folks that the “burden” referred to here is The Torah / Commandments of Yahweh. But John has a different understanding. Consider;

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy,”

Mat 23:5-8 “And they do all their works to be seen by men, and they make their t’fillen wide and lengthen the tzitzit of their garments, and they love the best place at feasts, and the best seats in the congregations, and the greetings in the market-places, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi,’ for One is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brothers.”

Those who are already wrapped up in the outward appearance (in the world), will easily transition into the (religious) mindset of the scribes and Pharisees. They are all about drawing attention to themselves, their appearance, perks, notoriety, position, etc…They especially loved being revered as the teaching authority on The Scriptures. But those who receive The Spirit in the New Covenant will shy away from these outward expressions, being more conscious of “the inner man”, the “hidden man” reflective of Messiah’s presence in and through them. (also see Eph 3:16, 6:6, 1Pet 3:4)

Mat 23:9-12 “And do not call anyone on earth your father, for One is your Father, He who is in the heavens. Neither be called leaders, for One is your Leader, the Messiah. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”

The Master is not forbidding us to refer to our earthly parents as father or mother. Torah teaches that we are to “honor” our parents. The context of the verse dictates that He is forbidding HIS followers to specifically revere another as their highest spiritual “Rabbi, teacher, father, leader.” Ephesians 4:11-12 confirms ministry gifts given by The Master “for the perfecting of the set-apart ones…” However, Revelation 2:6, 2:15 condemns“the deeds” and “the doctrine” of the Nicolaites.” These are leaders / teachers that are continuing the error of Balaam in putting stumbling blocks before professing believers by upholding the liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols as well as committing (literal & spiritual) fornication. (See articles: “The Parable of The Bride & The Whore” and “Christian Holi-Days”)

Mat 23:11-12“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”

Contrary to the prideful, lofty, me first mindset of the scribes and the Pharisees, The Master establishes the proper expression of those who will gain entrance into HIS Kingdom; Humility:The attitude of “others first.”

Php 2:3 “…doing none at all through selfishness or self-conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Mat 23:13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the reign of the heavens before men, for you do not go in, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”

The following 2 verses explains The Master’s meaning.

Luk 11:52 “Woe to you learned in the Torah, because you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

Joh 9:22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Yehudi for the Yehudi had already agreed that if anyone confessed that He was Messiah, he should be put out of the congregation.”

These same two indictments apply today. Those who are learned (in the Scriptures), but not learned in Messiah, are teaching what they do not understand and have taken away knowledge and understanding from their hearers. And those same teachers forbid their hearers to consider the truths of the True Messiah; That HE was not Greek and does not have a Greek name. HE did not come to start a new religious movement but came to complete what began with the First Covenant. HE did not put an end to The Commandments for HIS followers. HIS Favor (grace) is not a license for his supposed followers to live in sin…and so on.

Mat 23:14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you eat up widows’ houses, and for a show make long prayers. Because of this you shall receive greater judgment.”

An interesting article on Religious Televangelists some years back stated that their “target audience in America is comprised of older, female rural women.” The article went on to say that most of these older women are generous financial donors. I’m left wondering how many of these older women were also widows…

2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who creep into households and captivate silly women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts…

Mat 23:15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you go about the land and the sea to win one convert, and when he is won, you make him a son of Gehenna twofold more than yourselves.”

The Master doesn’t seem too pleased with their missionary efforts. Why? How can HE be pleased with the efforts of people who are rejecting HIM for who HE truly is? They may have zeal but any effort based on misconceptions will not have HIS blessing nor can it convey a valid eternal message. Again, the problem today is no different. This is why The Master says they were making people “twofold more than themselves.”

Mat 23:16-22 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the Dwelling Place, it does not matter, but whoever swears by the gold of the Dwelling Place, is bound by oath. Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the Dwelling Place that sets the gold apart? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it does not matter, but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, is bound by oath. Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sets the gift apart? He, then, who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all that is upon it. And he who swears by the Dwelling Place, swears by it and by Him who is dwelling in it. And he who swears by the heaven, swears by the throne of Elohim and by Him who is sitting upon it.”

The blind guides had their emphasis upon the earthly, the temporal. The Master uses the contrast between the eternal; “Dwelling Place” and the temporal; “the gold” to illustrate their blindness. Consider;

Rom 8:5-6 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the matters of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the matters of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.”

Little did they know, but their fleshly mindset caused such blindness that it kept them from seeing the very “Dwelling Place” of Yahweh standing right in front of them! The same is the case for those who encounter the Dwelling Place of Yah today as HE lives in and through those who have received HIS Spirit! (also see 1Cor 3:16, 2Cor 6:16)

Mat 23:23-24 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you tithe the mint and the anise and the cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the Torah: the right-ruling and the compassion and the belief. These need to have been done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides – straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”

The scribes and Pharisees placed great emphasis on one aspect of Torah (tithing), while they neglected the other important aspects reflecting the true spirit of Torah (right-ruling, compassion and belief). Their rigidity reflects “dotting every I and crossing every T” even at the expense of the living. This type of lopsided rigidity results in volumes of man-made dogma containing commentary, commandments, rules, regulations, ordinances, traditions, etc…

Mat 23:25-28 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are filled with plunder and unrighteousness. Blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside of them becomes clean too. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you are like whitewashed tombs which outwardly indeed look well, but inside are filled with dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you too outwardly indeed appear righteous to men, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. For a detail look; See Article “Cleaned Up – But Not Filled

Mat 23:29-33 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in the blood of the prophets.” Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who did murder the prophets – and you fill up the measure of your fathers! Serpents, brood of adders! How would you escape the judgment of Gehenna?”

The Master knows that these actors are of the same murderous spirit (the devil – John 8) that put the prophets to death in previous generations. HE also knows that they will be instrumental in putting HIM to death. Because they are blind to the truth they try to convince themselves (and one another) that they would NEVER do such evil deeds to the righteous by building tombs and decorating their monuments. I have witnessed for years the same outward show from the guilty and unrepentant, as they give money and get behind church building programs to try and convince themselves (and others) of their supposed piety… Yahshua is not fooled by their folly…we shouldn’t be either.

The Parable of The Bride & The Whore – Matthew 13

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable He put before them, saying, “The reign of the heavens has become like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel among the wheat and went away. And when the blade sprouted and bore fruit, then the darnel also appeared. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? From where then does it have the darnel?’ And he said to them, ‘A man, an enemy did this.’ And the servants said to him, ‘Do you wish then, that we go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the darnel you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I shall say to the reapers, “First gather the darnel and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my granary.”

Have you ever wondered why The Master chose to use the comparison of Wheat and Darnel in this parable? I have. Perhaps a look at the traits of both would be helpful;

Wheat

Wheat has been proven to help provide the body with energy, is effective in patients with metabolic disorders, helps prevent chronic inflammation, helps prevent gallstones, improves metabolism, helps reduce nausea, constipation, promotes woman’s health, helps prevent childhood asthma, is a good liver detoxifier, protects against heart disease, improves gut health, improves skin health, improves eye health, has anti-cancer properties, is a mood enhancer, and more!

Darnel

For many centuries, perhaps for as long as humans have cultivated cereal grains, wheat’s evil twin has insinuated itself into our crops. In a big enough dose, this grass, darnel, can kill a person, and farmers would have to take care to separate it out from their true harvest—unless they were planning to use darnel in achieving varying levels of intoxication. When its seeds are consumed, the affects are dizziness, imbalance, nausea, and impaired vision and speech. Its official name, L. temulentum, comes from a Latin word for “drunk.”

Looking at the comparison above, it appears that wheat is a metaphor representing fruitful lives receiving and growing in HIS Word. Darnel is a metaphor representing the counterfeit. These reject HIS Word, practice lawlessness in a spiritual drunken stupor, stumbling and becoming stumbling-blocks to others in their disobedience to HIS Word…

Now, let’s consider The Master’s explanation of the parable…

Mat 13:36-37 Then, having sent the crowds away, Yahshua went into the house. And His taught ones came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel of the field. And He answering, said to them, “He who is sowing the good seed is the Son of Adam.

The sower is identified as “the Son of Adam”,who according to the flesh, is a physical descendent of Adam, but through The Spirit, HE is Yahshua, The Son of Yahweh. HE came, “born of a woman“ to reverse the rebellion that occurred in Gen 3 by sowing “the good seed” (The Word) that has the potential of producing good fruit, depending upon the condition of the soil or person who receives it. (As seen in The Parable of the Sower)

Mat 13:38 and the field is the world. And the good seed, these are the sons of the reign, but the darnel are the sons of the wicked one,

Adam was created from the dust of the earth. Through birth we inherit Adam’s physical traits, his proneness to idolatry, his rebellion to The Word and subsequently, death. When HIS Word, “the good seed”, is received, falling “on good soil”, we experience true repentance allowing HIS Spirit to cultivate HIS Truth. As we mature HIS Spirit produces increasing fruitfulness through our lives, proving us to be wheat / “sons of the reign.” (See Article “True Repentance = True Conversion“)

However, when HIS Word falls“by the wayside, on rocky places or among the thorns” (Mat 13:19-22), it produces what may appear to be wheat for a time, but as time goes by the counterfeit / darnel becomes more obvious, (to those who know the difference), revealing who they truly are; “sons of the wicked one.”

Mat 13:39-43 “…and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. And the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the messengers. As the darnel, then, is gathered and burned in the fire, so it shall be at the end of this age. The Son of Adam shall send out His messengers, and they shall gather out of His reign all the stumbling-blocks, and those doing lawlessness, and shall throw them into the furnace of fire – there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the reign of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

There is a faithful Bride in covenant with Yahshua! And there is a faithless whore / idolater who is in covenant with the devil. The Faithful Bride is made up of those referred to in the parable as Wheat! The faithless whore / idolater is made up of those referred to as Darnel! They have an outward appearance of being part of the Bride of Messiah, but they are not.

Consider the following verses describing the judgment of the whore / idolater in light of the influence of darnel on those who partake of it! Darnel causes impaired vision and speech as well as the inability to walk straight. In Latin; “drunk.”

Jer 51:7 Babel was a golden cup in the hand of Yahweh, making drunk all the earth. The nations drank her wine, that is why the nations went mad! (mad; to rave foolishly)

Rev 14:8 And another messenger followed, saying, “Babel is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her whoring / idolatry.”

Rev 17:1-2 And one of the seven messengers who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying to me, “Come, I shall show you the judgment of the great whore / idolater sitting on many waters, with whom the sovereigns of the earth committed whoring, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her whoring / idolatry.”

Rev 17:15 And he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the whore / idolater sits, are peoples, and crowds, and nations, and tongues.

Rev 18:3 because all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her whoring / idolatry, and the sovereigns of the earth have committed whoring / idolatry with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the power of her riotous / luxurious living.”

Rev 18:23 “And the light of a lamp shall not shine in you any more at all. And the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you any more at all. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, for by your drug sorcery (poison) all the nations were led astray / deceived.

What entity is large enough to affect all peoples, crowds, nations, tongues? Who proclaims to be in the “New” covenant with her “husband”, though she is not faithful to the vows (HIS Word / Commands) ? You decide…

7 Largest Belief Systems (Based on a World Population of approx 7 Billion)

Christianity (Including Romanism & All of Protestantism) (31.2% or 2.18B)

Islam (24.1% or 1.68B)

None (Secularism) (16% or 1.12B)

Hinduism (15% or 1.05B)

Buddhism (6.9% or 483M)

Folk Religions (5.7% or 399M)

Sikhism (0.29% or 20M 300K)

Judaism (0.2% or 14M)

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from the heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. Do You Hear HIM Calling?

Rev 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged from what was written in the books, according to their works.(works; deeds, acts, fruit) And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and the grave gave up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. And the death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Rev 22:14 “Blessed are those doing His commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city.”

Footnotes: Long before the books were compiled to form “The New Testament,” Rev. 22:14 was quoted, as it is here given, by Tertullian (CE 208), and by Cyprian (CE 251) – see the well-known Antenicene Fathers.

True Repentance = True Conversion

This article is written in hopes of helping you objectively determine your current eternal status. I believe that traditional christianity is bearing rotten fruit as it has evolved into a social expression of falsehood. Supposed converts are not being taught the raw truths that matter. Their traditions and practices have taken precedent over the entirety of The Scriptures beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation. I know. I was one for nearly 30 years. In 2007 I heard HIS Voice calling me to “Come out of her…” (Rev 18:4) May you hear HIS Voice as well!

True Conversion Begins With True Repentance

Mat 3:1-2 And in those days Yohanan (John) the Immerser came proclaiming in the wilderness of Yehudah…and saying, “Repent, for the reign of the heavens has come near!…”

To Repent ; to think differently, followed by actions as proof.

Yohanan came as the forerunner of Messiah calling people to “think differently” about the times, their current status before Yah, their concept of Messiah, etc. He announced that the reign of YAH was closer than they believed. Most are in that same mindset today. Many then (as now) heard his call and experienced immersion. Some become followers. But were they (are they?) truly repentant? Time has a way of revealing such things…

Mat 3:7-10 “And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees (two ranking denominations within Yehudism) coming to his immersion, he said to them, “Brood of adders! Who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Bear, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you that Elohim is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And the ax is already laid to the root of the trees. Every tree, then, which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (See Mat 7:15-20)

Note: Matthew singles out the Pharisees and Sadducees, whereas Luke includes them in and among “the crowds.”

Repentance ; living in the expression of thinking differently.

Tree ; metaphor used in Scripture for a person, family, nation…(See Psalm 1)

Fruit ; what the plant (in this case;tree) produces.

Like today’s pastors / teachers, some of the religious leaders of that time came to hear him but were unwilling to “think differently” about themselves. These were relying on a fleshly, (Adamic / Abrahamic) heritage, just as today’s religious leaders rely on what “the church fathers taught.” It’s the same problem. There is a false sense of security in identifying with what is acceptable at the time. Yohanan considers them to be as dangerous as poison snakes! Is he alluding to who is inspiring them? (Also see Articles “The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees”)

True Repentance Requires Reversal

As the crowds were being immersed, they asked Yohanan what they must do now?! In Luke, we have a bit more commentary on Yohanan’s answer;

Luke 3:10-11 And the crowds asked him, saying, “What, then, shall we do?” And answering He said to them, “Let him who has two coats share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise.”

To think of the needs of others and to be ready to share what you have (without self gratification) can be evidence of the fruit of true repentance and of the presence of HIS Spirit!

Luke 3:12-13 And tax collectors also came to be immersed, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”

True repentance can result in the person thinking so differently that they will no longer use their position to better themselves…

Luke 3:14 And soldiers (law enforcement of their time?) also asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be satisfied with your pay.”

People in law enforcement, the military, or even government experiencing true repentance and thinking differently will no longer use their position to intimidate or accuse falsely for bribes.

The point being, regardless of your vocation, when true repentance has had an affect and you are now thinking differently, there will be obvious changes in the way you conduct yourself. You will not only stop doing wrong, but as you hear HIS Word, you will also do what is pleasing to The Master! You may also need to make restitution!

Restitution; the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner.

Consider;

Luke 19:1-10 And having entered, He (Yahshua) was passing through Yeriho, and see, a man called Zakkai! And he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich, and he was seeking to see who Yahshua was, but was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. And having run ahead, he climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, because He was about to pass by. And as Yahshua came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zakkai, hurry and come down, for I have to stay at your house today.” And he hurried and came down, and received Him, rejoicing. And seeing it, they all grumbled, saying, “He has gone in to stay with a man who is a sinner.” But Zakkai stood up and said to the Master, “Look, Master, I give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have taken whatever from anyone by false accusation, I repay fourfold.” And Yahshua said to him, “Today deliverance has come to this house – since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Adam has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

Notice that the expression (fruit) of Zakkai’s life changed! Evidently he was known as a much hated, stingy, lying, thieving chief tax collector! Once that his thinking is different, he realizes his wrong-doing and restores it 4X! This is beyond what was required according to Torah! The Master’s reference to Zakkai being “a son of Abraham” is not in reference to his ancestry or lineage, but because Zakkai is now bearing the fruit of (true repentance), just as Abraham believed and obeyed! (See Genesis 26:5)

True Repentance Is NOT Just Being Sorry

There is a danger in not discerning the differences between true repentance and simply being sorry. Being sorry for one’s sinfulness is part of the expression of true repentance, but all too often it stops short of bearing the continued fruit of true repentance. This is because there has been no real change in the person’s thinking. They still think that they are not completely wrong but will become more compliant in an effort to maintain their status. For example, I once knew a man who was caught in adultery. He stated publicly that he was sorry for being in adultery and asked for forgiveness. He was forgiven, but his idolatry simply found another, more acceptable pursuit; money. He hadn’t truly repented. He simply became more compliant…and certainly more creative. (Colossians 3:5)

2Co 7:10-11 “For sadness according to Elohim works repentance (thinking differently) to deliverance, (salvation) not to be regretted, but the sadness of the world works death.(no real change) For see how you have been saddened according to Elohim – how much it worked out in you eagerness; indeed, clearing of yourselves;(making sure of no more offensiveness) indeed, displeasure;(of being misunderstood) indeed, fear;(of being wrong) indeed, longing;(to be right) indeed, ardor; indeed, righting of wrong! In every way you proved yourselves to be clear in the matter…”

True Repentance Does Not Produce These

Gal 5:19 “And the works of the flesh are well-known, which are these: adultery, whoring, uncleanness, indecency, idolatry, drug sorcery, hatred, quarrels, jealousies, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, murders, drunkenness, wild parties, and the like – of which I forewarn you, even as I also said before, that those who practice such as these shall not inherit the reign of Elohim.”

True Repentance Resulting In True Conversion Produces These

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustworthiness, gentleness, self-control.

True Repentance Is Only Experienced By True Children Of Yahweh

Heb 12:5-8 And you have forgotten the appeal which speaks to you as to sons, “My son, do not despise the discipline of Yahweh, nor faint when you are reproved by Him, for whom Yahweh loves, He disciplines, and flogs every son whom He receives. If you endure discipline, Elohim is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become sharers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

I pray that you experience chastisement from our Father resulting in true repentance so that you may walk with Messiah in Truth!

Family Matters: IN Adam? OR IN Yahshua?

Though we did not have a choice regarding the (biological / Adamic) family that we were first birthed into, we do have a choice as to whether we become a member of the Family of YAH. To join HIS Family you must first be born from above. One cannot become a part of the Family of Yah any other way. Evidence of being born of His Spirit is the strong desire to “Do The Will / Desire of Yahweh.”

A few of the largest hurdles that I have seen for one who has chosen to follow The Messiah Yahshua begins with what Luke records in his account of The Master’s Words;

Luke 8:19-21 And His (biological / Adamic) mother and brothers came to Him, and were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. And it was reported to Him, saying, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” And He answering, said to them, “My mother and My brothers are those who are hearing the Word of Elohim and doing it.”

These same statements are also recorded in Matthew12:46-50 and Mark 3:31-35. However, Luke gives further clarity of what is meant by doing the desire of Yahweh when he says “those who are hearing the Word of Elohim and doing it.” James, the half-brother of The Master echoes that sentiment later in his life after becoming a follower of Yahshua!

James 1:21-22 Therefore put away all filthiness and overflow of evil, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your lives. And become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Merely attending a Word teaching / preaching church only supplies evidence against you UNLESS you DO what you hear!

But John (one of the 12) says it best in 1John 2:15-17;

Do not love the world nor that which is in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Because all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but the one doing the desire of Elohim remains forever.”

Again, The Master makes it very clear that to follow HIM means forsaking all!

Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

Mark 10:28-30 And Kepha (Peter) began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and we have followed You.” Yahshua said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for the sake of Me and the Good News, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come, everlasting life.”

John 12:25-26 “He who loves his life shall lose it, and he who hates his life in this world shall preserve it for everlasting life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me. And where I am, there My servant also shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father shall value him.”

Hating one’s own life is not a commandment to inflict sadistic punishment upon one’s own flesh. It’s simply the mindset of self-denial. Just as The Master walked…

Every relationship must be measured by our relationship with The Master.

The Marriage relationship;

1Corinthians 7:29-31 “And this I say, brothers, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, and those who weep as though they did not weep, and those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, and those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the scene of this world is passing away.”

All Yoking relationships;

2Corinthians 6:14 Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness?”

Relationships with the World;

James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with Elohim? Whoever therefore intends to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of Elohim.”

Adamic (biological) Family Relationships

I have witnessed these to be the most difficult. Most often our biological family members cannot understand nor embrace how true believers live. Even the Adamic family of Yahshua had a tough time with HIM doing the desire of HIS Father in heaven;

Mark 3:21 And when His relatives heard about this, they went out to seize Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” They called Him literally; insane, bewitched!? Can you relate?

John 7:3-5 So His (Adamic) brothers said to Him, ‘Get away from here and go into Yehudah so that Your taught ones also see the works that You are doing. For no one acts in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these works, show Yourself to the world.” For even His (Adamic) brothers did not believe in Him.

The prophet, Micah even spoke about how intense Adamic relationships can be;

Micah 7:5-6 “Trust no friend, rely on no companion, guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom. For son is despising father, daughter rises up against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, the enemies of a man are the men of his own house.”

Words later echoed by The Master to those who were unable to discern HIS true mission;

Matthew 10:34-37 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword, for I have come to bring division, a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – and a man’s enemies are those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Luke 12:49-53 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have an immersion to be immersed with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you think that I came to give peace on earth? I say to you, no, but rather division. For from now on five in one house shall be divided, three against two, and two against three – father shall be divided against son, and son against father, mother against daughter, and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Luke 14:26-28 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate (or to have less love for) his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and his own life too, he is unable to be My taught one. And whoever does not bear his stake and come after Me is unable to be My taught one. “For who of you, wishing to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”

The application of “hate” is pertaining to how much influence our earthly, biological, Adamic family should have on us as we follow The Master. The concept of bearing our “stake”, or reckoning ourselves dead (to the world and to Adamic pursuits) comes with the exhortation to “count the cost”, or consider the seriousness of what it will take to follow HIM, doing the desire of our Father in Heaven, even as Yahshua did and does…

So, what’s it going to be, dear believer? Are you born from above? Do you have the inner drive to do The Father’s desire in and through your life now? Are you willing to cease pursuit of that which is worldly and temporal? Will you limit the influences of your Adamic family and friends when they oppose the desire of your Father in heaven? Have you counted the cost of following The Master on HIS terms?

These are valid questions when pondering who’s desire is more important… Yours? Or HIS?

My prayer is that you are empowered and led by HIS Spirit to accomplish the desire of your Father in Heaven!

#2 – The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees – Healing Not Allowed?

Mat 12:9-10 And having left there, He went into their congregation. And see, there was a man having a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath?” – so as to accuse Him.

There is NO Commandment in Torah that forbids healing on Sabbath! Notice the real reason for them asking; “so as to accuse Him.” Those motivated by “the accuser” can pretend their religious piety for only so long.

Consider;

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in the heaven, “Now have come the deliverance and the power and the reign of our Elohim, and the authority of His Messiah, for the accuser of our brothers, who accused them before our Elohim day and night, has been thrown down.

The Pharisees and rulers, in their lawlessness could not determine right from wrong. They taught that healing on the Sabbath constituted work. The Scriptures do not support their hypocrisy.

Consider;

Luke 13:14 But the ruler of the congregation, responding, much displeased that Yahusha had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men should work, so come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

So, the Master confronted their hypocrisy by asking what they would do if something happened to one of their livestock on the Sabbath…

Mat 12:11-12 And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, shall not take hold of it and lift it out? “How much more worth is a man than a sheep! So it is right to do good on the Sabbath.”

Doing good on the Sabbath has always been Yahweh’s desire, allowing man to rest, enjoy, be refreshed and appreciate the Creator and HIS Sabbath! It was never meant to be burdensome, binding or a time to endure!

Mat 12:13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored, as healthy as the other.

If the Pharisees and rulers were right in not allowing healing on the Sabbath, then we should never anoint and pray for the sick on Sabbath? How absurd!


Mat 12:14 But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against Him, so as to destroy Him.

Those who do the desires of the devil prove by their lives who their father is!

Consider;

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you wish to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Mat 12:15-21 But Yahshua knowing it, withdrew from there. And large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all, and warned them not to make Him known, in order that what was spoken by Yeshayah the prophet, might be filled, saying, “See, My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My being did delight. I shall put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall declare right-ruling to the nations. He shall not strive nor cry out, nor shall anyone hear His voice in the streets. A crushed reed He shall not break, and smoking flax He shall not quench, till He brings forth right-ruling forever.“And the nations shall trust in His Name.”

It’s worth noting that the Pharisees (and anyone diseased in their families) were not healed. Hatred of the Truth and a lack of humility have prohibited many from experiencing HIS goodness!

It’s also worth noting that Yahshua’s method of drawing “large crowds” was quite different than that of today’s methods. HE didn’t need the internet, social media, news media, television, radio, etc… My reason for using this platform is to inform, not draw crowds. Consider Yahshua’s “keys to evangelism”;>)

John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father also does seek such to worship Him. “Elohim is Spirit, and those who worship Him need to worship in spirit and truth.”

John 6:44-45 “No one is able to come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. And I shall raise him up in the last day. It has been written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by Yahweh. Everyone, then, who has heard from the Father, and learned, comes to Me.”

Joh 13:35 “By this shall all know that you are My taught ones, if you have love for one another.”

May you have a love for Truth (John 17:17) and hear HIS voice (John 10:27) and follow HIM!