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Overcoming #2 – Fear – In Smyrna

Rev 2:9-11 “I know your works, and pressure, and poverty – yet you are rich – and the blasphemy of those who say they are Yehudim and are not, but are a congregation of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. See, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, in order to try you, and you shall have pressure ten days. Be trustworthy until death, and I shall give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes shall by no means be harmed by the second death.”

We looked at “works” in the article entitled “Overcoming #1 – At Ephesus”…

We intend to consider the blasphemy of the false Yehudim in a later article…

In this article, it appears that the primary focus to those in Smyrna is “fear.” We will consider the origin of fear, fear’s impact, Who gives us victory over fear and what were a couple of specific fears that The Master is exhorting those in Smyrna and also us to overcome.

Where do we first encounter the concept of FEAR in the scriptures?

Gen 3:9-11 “And Yahwah Elohim called unto Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who made you know that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Fear originated in the garden as the result of disobedience to YAHWAH’S Commandment.

Adam’s disobedience resulted in:

Fear of punishment. Adam now fears The ONE Who he once walked with in the garden…

Fear of his nakedness. Adam now becomes self aware…

Fear of guilt. Instead of openness being guilt free, Adam now tries to hide…

Fear of death. Adam lived for 930 years passing his fears on to all thereafter!

But the Good News is that Messiah’s obedience to HIS Father’s Commands delivered HIM and those who believe IN HIM, from all of the fears that we inherited from Adam, including the fear of death!

Heb 2:14-15 “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, HE HIMSELF similarly shared in the same, so that by means of HIS death HE might destroy him having the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those who throughout life were held in slavery by fear of death.”

To believers at Smyrna and throughout the world, Messiah’s exhortation is timeless for us to not have fear of persecution nor of death.

The Master exhorts HIS own to not have fear of persecution;

Mat 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the being. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both being and body in Gehenna.”

John 16:33 “These words I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you have pressure,(persecution) but take courage, I have overcome the world.”

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear!

1Jn 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear holds punishment, and he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

1Jn 2:3-6 “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands. The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth(SPIRIT of Truth) is not in him. But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.”

To the believers in Smyrna (and to us), Messiah is saying that those who have guarded HIS Commands do not have to fear punishment from YAH, but may be persecuted by the lawless for HIS Name!

2Ti 3:12 And indeed, all those wishing to live reverently in Messiah YAHUSHA shall be persecuted.

Through belief expressed in obedience to HIS Word, including HIS Commands, love is perfected in us and fear no longer has power over us! This can only take place through receiving and walking in obedience by the power of HIS SPIRIT as described of those who receive the New Covenant!

Ezekiel 36:26-27 “And I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. And I shall take the heart of stone out of your flesh, and I shall give you a heart of flesh, and put My Spirit within you. And I shall cause you to walk in My laws and guard My right-rulings and shall do them.

John 14:16-17 “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.

Phil 2:12-13 So that, my beloved, as you always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much rather in my absence – work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who is working in you both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.

Having a love for HIS Word is evidence that HE (HIS SPIRIT) is at work IN you, leading you, guiding you, teaching you, correcting and causing you to accomplish HIS good pleasure. The more that you obey HIS Word in “denying yourself” (the self awareness of the Adamic nature), the more HIS Love (HIS SPIRIT) is being perfected in you!

You will know that love is being perfected in you when you no longer FEAR:

punishment (from YAH for disobedience to HIS Word),

persecution (from those disobedient to HIS Word) and

death (resting in the knowledge that HE has OVERCOME death) and so will you!

Heed the exhortations to neither “grieve” nor “quench” HIS Spirit! (Eph 4:30 & 1Thess 5:19)

As we follow the Master in belief and obedience, we are actually putting to death the Adamic nature (also called carnal, and / or natural man), being emptied of the one who fears, and in his place we are being filled with The Set-Apart Spirit of YAHWAH (also called the new man);

Eph 4:22-24 “…that you put off – with regard to your former way of life – the old man, being corrupted according to the desires of the deceit, and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to Elohim, in righteousness and set-apartness of the truth.”

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes shall by no means be harmed by the second death.”

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The Temple Builders-David, Solomon & Hiram

By Gary Hoffman

The Temple Builders

David, Solomon and Hiram

(Part 1)

The evidence worldwide supports the fact that there were uncountable temple builders in all the cultures of the globe throughout the entire history of mankind.  From the Biblical timeline, the multitude of these stone, brick and mortar buildings were built some time after Nimrod’s tower of Babel, with evidence suggesting that some were present previous to the worldwide flood.  In the midst of this variety of pagan worship sites, there are many structures around the globe that were the direct influence of the Phoenician/Canaanite masons and worshipers of their gods Baal and Ashtoreth. In the minds and hearts of many Christians and Jews, one temple stands out above all the rest and is credited with being the dwelling place or “house” of the “God of Israel” and was originally constructed by King Solomon. This specific Jewish temple that was standing in Israel during the time of the Messiah and originated in the mind of King David.  Many believe the building of this specific stone structure was inspired by YHWH, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Many also believe that the Messiah Yahusha esteemed this building and its builders as the official dwelling place of His Father YHWH’s Presence. It is the intent of this series to dig into the truth of what the Scriptures actually record regarding this building made with human hands.

The original desire of YHWH was that Israel would allow Him to reside in their hearts and the pattern for the structure was of His own specific design. The plan and function of this mobile dwelling place was given to Moses in Horeb and was in service up until the time that it was decommissioned by Solomon. All its functions, furnishings and service were directed and ordained by YHWH through Moses and carried out by those in Israel who were filled with the “Spirit of Wisdom” (Shemoth/Exodus 28:3,31:3-6,35:26-31,36:1-2, etc…).

However, the idea of a Temple or stationary stone house originated in the mind of David and came to him soon after completing work on his own home. There is no Scriptural record that David’s house was inspired by YHWH, but the direct influence of a Phoenician/Canaanite king from the city of Tsor/Tyre.

2 Sa 5:10-11 The Scriptures 1998+ (10) And Dawid went on and became great, and יהוה Elohim of hosts was with him. (11) Now Hiram sovereign of Tsor sent messengers to Dawid, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built a house for Dawid.

 

It is of significance that King Hiram was of a nation that had not been driven out by Israel, as commanded by YHWH, and were left in the land in disobedience to His directions for inhabiting it. The foretold outcome is that these Caananite people would become adversaries and their gods will be snares to the people of Israel.

 

Exo 23:31-33 The Scriptures 1998+ (31) “And I shall set your border from the Sea of Reeds to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River, for I shall give the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. (32) “Do not make a covenant with them nor with their mighty ones. (33) “Let them not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me when you serve their mighty ones, when it becomes a snare to you.”

 

This commanded instruction was not obeyed nor carried out in its entirety and these people became adversaries and exactly as Elohim warned, their gods Baal and Astoreth became snares.

 

Jdg 2:1-3 The Scriptures 1998+ (1) And the Messenger of יהוה came up from Gilgal to Bokim, and said, “I led you up from Mitsrayim and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers, and I said, ‘I do not break My covenant with you, (2) and as for you, do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land – break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? (3) “Therefore I also said, ‘I am not driving them out before you, and they shall be adversaries to you, and their mighty ones shall be a snare to you.’ ”

 

David is not exempt from this promise and soon after Hiram builds David’s own home, David has it in his heart to build YHWH a house, different from the original tent that YHWH instructed Mosheh to build. The Tent of Appointment was still standing and functioning in Gibeon with the exception of the Ark of the Covenent, which was resting in another tent that David had pitched in the City of David. (2 Samuel 6:17, 1 Chron 6:32, 1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Kings 8:4). The inspiration of David to build a permanent structure for YHWH originated in his own heart after becoming great and making a covenant with Hiram to built his own house. This plan was a step by step process of error that was then wrongly encouraged by Nathan the prophet.

 

2 Sa 7:1-3 The Scriptures 1998+ (1) And it came to be when the sovereign was dwelling in his house, and יהוה had given him rest from all his enemies all around, (2) that the sovereign said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of Elohim dwells within curtains.” (3) And Nathan said to the sovereign, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for יהוה is with you.”

 

The response of YHWH in correction of David’s error and rebuke of Nathan’s encouragement of this error is recorded very clearly.

 

2 Sa 7:4-7 The Scriptures 1998+ (4) And it came to be that night that the word of יהוה came to Nathan, saying, (5) “Go and say to My servant Dawid, ‘Thus said יהוה, “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? (6) “For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Yisra’ĕl up from Mitsrayim, even to this day, but have moved about in a Tent and in a Dwelling Place. (7) “Wherever I have walked with all the children of Yisra’ĕl, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Yisra’ĕl, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ ” ’

 

YHWH then directs Nathan and he is told to explain to David that it will be one coming after him “from his inward parts” who will be raised up to build the house for YHWH. This series of prophetic promises are misunderstood and their connection to the coming Messiah of Israel are not realized.

 

2 Sa 7:11-17 The Scriptures 1998+ (11) even from the day I appointed rulers over My people Yisra’ĕl, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. And יהוה has declared to you that He would make you a house. (12) “When your days are filled and you rest with your fathers, I shall raise up your seed after you, who comes from your inward parts, and shall establish his reign. (13) “He does build a house for My Name, and I shall establish the throne of his reign forever. (14) “I am to be his Father, and he is My son. If he does perversely, I shall reprove him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. (15) “But My kindness does not turn aside from him, as I turned it aside from Sha’ul, whom I removed from before you. (16) “And your house and your reign are to be steadfast forever before you – your throne is established forever.” ’ ” (17) According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to Dawid.

David then continues to carry out his plan for the temple by collecting materials and funds to ready his son to do the work (1 Chronicles 22:1-5). After David dies, young Solomon comes to power as the anointed king of Israel and his first recorded step is to make an illicit covenant with the Pharaoh by marrying his daughter. It is also noted that he is snared by Canaanite practices and slaughters at the high places.

 

1Ki 3:1-4 The Scriptures 1998+ (1) And Shelomoh joined in marriage with Pharaoh sovereign of Mitsrayim, and took the daughter of Pharaoh, and brought her to the City of Dawid until he had completed building his own house, and the House of יהוה, and the wall all around Yerushalayim. (2) Only, the people slaughtered at the high places, for a house for the Name of יהוה had not been built until those days. (3) And Shelomoh loved יהוה, walking in the laws of his father Dawid, except that he slaughtered and burned incense at the high places. (4) And the sovereign went to Gibʽon to slaughter there, for that was the great high place. Shelomoh offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.

 

The influence of the Canaanites and their devotion to the worship of Baal over some 450+ years, had so snared Israel that they positioned the Tabernacle at one of the Canaanite’s great high places. These high places contained stone built temples and altars where incense and slaughtering were carried out in the continued worship of Baal and Astoreth and the worship of YHWH was intermingled with the pagan practices of the land.  

 

2Ch 1:3-5 The Scriptures 1998+ (3) And Shelomoh, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibon, for Elohim’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Mosheh the servant of יהוה had made in the wilderness. (4) However, Dawid had brought up the ark of Elohim from Qiryath Yeʽarim to the place Dawid had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Yerushalayim. (5) And the bronze altar that Betsal’ĕl son of Uri son of Hur had made, he put before the Dwelling Place of יהוה. And Shelomoh and the assembly sought it.

 

Though YHWH gives him an extra ordinary gift of wisdom, Solomon carries on the error of his Father David to build YHWH a house, other than the Tabernacle that Moses was instructed to build or the one that David pitched for the Ark of the Covenant.  Again, this idea is heavily influenced by a foreigner named Hiram of Tsor/Tyre. Another Hittite contractor king of the family that initially assisted David in building his own home. 

 

1Ki 7:13-14 The Scriptures 1998+ (13) And Sovereign Shelomoh sent and brought Hiram from Tsor. (14) He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tsor, a bronze worker. And he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill in working with all kinds of bronze work. So he came to Sovereign Shelomoh and did all his work.

 

It is important to note that this craftsman, also named Hiram, was a son of a Canaan/Tsorite and his mother was an Israelite of Naphtali from the city of Dan. This illegal union was the exact outcome that YHWH warned would happen if these nations were not driven out of the land.  YHWH’s commands were ignored and the outcome is exactly as described.

 

Exo 34:10-16 The Scriptures 1998+ (10) And He said, “See, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I am going to do wonders such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of יהוה. For what I am doing with you is awesome. (11) “Guard what I command you today. See, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Kenaʽanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hiwwite and the Yebusite. (12) “Guard yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. (13) “But break down their altars, and smash their pillars, and cut down their Ashĕrim – (14) for you do not bow yourselves to another mighty one, for יהוה, whose Name is jealous, is a jealous Ěl – (15) lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they whore after their mighty ones, and slaughter to their mighty ones, and one of them invites you and you eat of his slaughterings, (16) and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters whore after their mighty ones, and make your sons whore after their mighty ones.

 

King Hiram and his appointed contractor named Hiram Abi become adversaries to Israel and their gods Baal and Ashtoreth become a snare to both David and Solomon. Yes, Hiram loved David, but a love for YHWH is never mentioned or expressed in any form. King Hiram and Solomon then continue a relationship of commerce and massive construction contracts that were not only world renown, but eventually the envy of all kings in the entire middle East. This is the continuation of a series of error and miss-understanding of spiritual matters, that all the wisdom in the world could not help him perceive.

1Ki 5:1-4 The Scriptures 1998+ (1) And Hiram sovereign of Tsor sent his servants to Shelomoh, because he heard that they had anointed him sovereign in place of his father, for Hiram had always loved Dawid. (2) And Shelomoh sent to Hiram, saying, (3) “You know my father Dawid was unable to build a house for the Name of יהוה his Elohim because of the battles which were all around him, until יהוה put them under the soles of his feet. (4) “But now יהוה my Elohim has given me rest all around, there is neither adversary nor evil incident.

Solomon, without direction from YHWH, then transfers the implements and decommissioned the true tent that YHWH ordained through Moses, from the City of David to the treasury of his new temple.

1Ki 7:51 The Scriptures 1998+ (51) Thus all the work which Sovereign Shelomoh had done for the House of יהוה was completed. And Shelomoh brought in the set-apart items of his father Dawid: the silver and the gold and the utensils, and he put them in the treasuries of the House of יהוה.

 

1Ki 8:4 The Scriptures 1998+ and brought up the ark of יהוה, and the Tent of Meeting, and all the set-apart utensils that were in the Tent. And the priests and the Lĕwites brought them up,

 

Solomon has a great misunderstanding in the response and intent of YHWH when He sent Nathan to David regarding the original error. YHWH instructed Nathan to tell David that He was going to “make him (David) a house” and that He will “raise up a seed” from David’s “bowels/inner man“ YHWH then says that He will “estabilish his reign forever“ and that He would “be his father and he His son“. These are all descriptions of the Messiah Yahusha and not the earthly king Solomon. Solomon, in all his wisdom, though given to him by YHWH, cannot understand the spiritual matters of the coming promised seed. He misrepresents and misinterprets the words of YHWH to David through Nathan the prophet, both in his discussion with Hiram and in his prayer at the temple dedication.

 

1Ki 5:5-7 The Scriptures 1998+ (5) “And see, I intend to build a house for the Name of יהוה my Elohim, as יהוה spoke to my father Dawid, saying, ‘Your son, whom I set on your throne in your place, he does build the house for My Name.’ (6) “And now, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon. And let my servants be with your servants, and let me pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who knows to cut timber like the Tsiḏonians.” (7) And it came to be, when Hiram heard the words of Shelomoh, that he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be יהוה this day, for He has given Dawid a wise son over this great people!”

 

In Solomon’s prayer at the dedication he furthers his misunderstanding of the actual events when he states it was YHWH who said: “Because it has been in your heart to build a house for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart.” These were not the words of YHWH, but false words of Nathan the prophet that ended in rebuke. Prophets are men and not all words of the prophets are correct, as proven here. Solomon misunderstands the true spiritual matters of the promised Messiah Yahusha and puts them on himself, when he says that YHWH promised David “a son from your loins”. What YHWH actually said through Nathan was “I shall raise up your seed after you, who comes from your inward parts” .

 

Raise up (H6965 – קוּם – qûm – BDB Definition: 1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up…

A seed ((H2233-זרע – zera‛ BDB Definition: 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (figuratively))

comes from Come from H3318 – יצא – yâtsâ’ BDB Definition: 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

Inward parts (H4578 מעה – mê‛eh – BDB Definition: 1) internal organs, inward parts, bowels, intestines, belly)

 

1Ki 8:18-21 The Scriptures 1998+ (18) “But יהוה said to my father Dawid, ‘Because it has been in your heart to build a house for My Name, you did well that it was in your heart. (19) ‘Only, you do not build the house, but your son, who is coming from your loins, he does build the house for My Name.’ (20) “Now יהוה has established His word which He spoke, and I have been raised up instead of my father Dawid, and sit on the throne of Yisra’ĕl, as יהוה promised, and built a house for the Name of יהוה Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, (21) and have appointed there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of יהוה which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim.”

 

Your son (H1121 –בּן – bên BDB Definition: 1) son, grandson, child, member of a group…)

comes from (H3318 – יצא – yâtsâ’ BDB Definition: 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth

your loins (H2504 – חלץ – châlâts BDB Definition: 1) loins 1a) as seat of virility 1b) as girded 1c) as seat of pain (woman’s travail).

 

This error in understanding spiritual truths, coupled with the pressure of the Canaanite remnant in Israel, lead Solomon to carry out the most financially successful economic periods of Israels existence. He became Israels economic and political messiah and though YHWH appeared to him on two separate occasions, he did not hear or understand the instruction to to walk before Him.

 

1Ki 9:1-9 The Scriptures 1998+ (1) And it came to be, when Shelomoh had finished building the House of יהוה and the house of the sovereign, and all the desire of Shelomoh which he was pleased to do, (2) that יהוה appeared to Shelomoh the second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibʽon. (3) And יהוה said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me. I have set this house apart which you have built to put My Name there forever, and My eyes and My heart shall always be there. (4) “And you, if you walk before Me as your father Dawid walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, if you guard My laws and My right-rulings, (5) then I shall establish the throne of your reign over Yisra’ĕl forever, as I promised Dawid your father, saying, ‘There is not to cease a man of yours on the throne of Yisra’ĕl.’ (6) “If you at all turn back, you or your sons, from following Me, and do not guard My commands, My laws, which I have set before you, but shall go and serve other mighty ones and bow yourselves to them, (7) then I shall cut off Yisra’ĕl from the face of the soil which I have given them, and send away from My presence this house which I have set apart for My Name. And Yisra’ĕl shall be a proverb and a mockery among all the peoples. (8) “And this house, which has been exalted, everyone who passes by it shall be astonished, and hiss, and say, ‘Why has יהוה done thus to this land and to this house?’ (9) “Then they shall say, ‘Because they have forsaken יהוה their Elohim, who brought their fathers out of the land of Mitsrayim, and they embraced other mighty ones, and bowed themselves to them and served them. That is why יהוה has brought all this evil on them.’ ”

 

The inspiration of a permanent temple in Jerusalem originated in the mind of David and was the direct influence of a Canaanite king named Hiram. It was then carried out in error through the corrupt relationship that developed between Solomon and the same Canaanite King Hiram and the Canaanite craftsman Hiram Abi. This relationship continued for 40 years, to the point where Solomon had completely rejected any influence of YHWH in favor of the pagan gods of the world. It was the incremental steps away from the direct commands of YHWH and the continued presence and use of the Canaanite high places by Israel and Solomon that contributed to this structure being built. In the end, the effects of these relationships destroy the man and likewise the nation.

 

1Ki 11:4-8 The Scriptures 1998+ (4) And it came to be, when Shelomoh was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other mighty ones. And his heart was not perfect with יהוה his Elohim, as was the heart of his father Dawid. (5) And Shelomoh went after Ashtoreth the mighty one of the Tsidonians, and after Milkom the abomination of the Ammonites. (6) Thus Shelomoh did evil in the eyes of יהוה, and did not follow יהוה completely, like his father Dawid. (7) Then Shelomoh built a high place for Kemosh the abomination of Mo’ab, on the hill that is east of Yerushalayim, and for Molek the abomination of the children of Ammon. (8) And so he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and slaughtered to their mighty ones.

 

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Overcoming #1 – Works – At Ephesus

Rev 2:1-7 “To the messenger of the assembly of Ephesus write, ‘He who is holding the seven stars in His right hand, who is walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, says this:I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you are not able to bear evil ones, and have tried those who say they are emissaries and are not, and have found them false; and you have been bearing up and have endurance, and have labored for My Name’s sake and have not become weary. But I hold this against you, that you have left your first love.” So remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I shall come to you speedily and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have, that you hate the works of the Nikolaites, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I shall give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of Elohim.”

In Luke’s account of The Master’s life, we read;

Luke 10:38-42 And it came to be as they went that He entered into a certain village. And a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Miryam, who also sat at the feet of Yahusha and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and coming up she said, “Master, are You not concerned that my sister has left me to serve alone? Speak to her then, to help me.” And Yahusha answering, said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many matters, but one only is necessary, and Miryam has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Martha was misjudging her sister Miryam, thinking that she was lazy because of her desire to hear and know The Word, whereas Martha thought that serving was more important, even though the Master points out that it actually caused her to worry and be troubled…

Similar to Martha’s approach, the Ephesians were very industrious, always toiling and laboring for HIS Name’s sake! They learned to endure and were successful in exposing false sent ones! (apostles, pastors, teachers, etc.)

What I refer to as “the Martha Syndrome” is the tendency for professing believers to be so preoccupied with works of service for Messiah that subtly they substitute these works of service for time with HIM. In their zeal they become judgmental of others who are not accomplishing as much as they are. But in all of their doing they rarely spend time in prayer or sitting in quiet contemplation and no longer read HIS Word for the shear pleasure of it. Theirs is a works based religion. These do not rest, nor are they at peace. To these the Master calls in Mat 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I shall give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your beings. For My yoke is gentle and My burden is light.”

If we find ourselves in this peace-less, joyless, distracted and worrisome Martha mode of thinking, we must STOP and receive HIS exhortation to remember, repent, and return to our first love! We must regain the focus that we had at the first. That of waiting on HIM…hearing HIS Voice and listening for HIS specific instruction so that we can enjoy accomplishing HIS “good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10b)

But, why is there such a hatred for those known as the Nicolaites?

Trying to understand just exactly who the Nicolaites are and their deeds and doctrine takes a bit of exposition. Because there is so little mention of them in the Scriptures, many have decided that we cannot arrive at a definitive conclusion as to who they were and what they were all about.

The two references that mention the Nicolaites are:

To the Ephesians in:

Revelation 2:6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaites, which I also hate.”

And to in Pergamos in:

Revelation 2:15 “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites, which thing I hate.”

There appears to be two types of unacceptable works addressed in Revelation 2:1-9. The first, we addressed above. This next type seems to be even worse. That of “the deeds (works) of the Nicolaites. These works must be diabolical! They are clearly hated by The Master. Lets find out why!

The word used in 2:6 is defined in the Strong’s #G2041 hñãïí ergon er’-gon

From ergo (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act:—deed, doing, labour, work.

It is the very same word found in verse 2, translated “works.” So see how this word also used by Shaul in his letter to the Ephesians . We find four references. Consider;

Eph 2:8-10 For by favour you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah יהושעunto good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Notice the Contrast;

  • Supernatural works – not by (natural) works!
  • HIS Work-manship IN Us – not our work on us!
  • Our Works IN HIM, HIS Way – not our works our way!

Eph 4:11-12 “And He Himself gave some as emissaries, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers for the perfecting of the set-apart ones, to the work of service to a building up of the body of the Messiah…”

Notice the context;

  • HIS resurrection substantiated HIS gifting and empowering of HIS called and sent ones such as emissaries, prophets, evangelists, (under) shepherds / teachers to “perfect” those who receive HIS Workmanship in their lives!
  • The result will be “building up” (edifying, confirming) those who are HIS!

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove them.(reprove; expose, reveal)

Notice that Shaul’s final use of this word seems to be in perfect alignment with The Master’s hatred of “the deeds (works) of the Nicolaites in Revelation 2:6!

Those deeds / works being;

  • Their rejection of the work of HIS SPIRIT in their lives! No need of: new birth, anointing, empowering, revelation, inspiration, leading, guiding, teaching, lifestyle in line with HIS Word. In essence; “an appearance of esteeming HIM, but no power!”
  • Their rejection of the work of HIS SPIRIT through HIS Gifts and HIS Gifted Ones! No more: Emissaries, Prophets, True Evangelists, Shepherds / Teachers committed to HIS Word above all else. In essence; Just career clergy for hire.
  • Their receiving of “the fruitless works of darkness” in their lives, ministries and movements! Propagating men, women, myths, fables, idolatry, lawlessness, doctrines of demons, false: teachers, evangelists, prophets, emissaries, etc!

So, from the verses in Revelation 2:1-9, we can conclude that the Ephesians, (and us!) MUST OVERCOME the tendency to fall into a works based mentality for the Master, instead of allowing HIS Workmanship to be accomplished IN us! And the Ephesians, (and us!) must continue to hate and expose the fruitless works of darkness known as Nicolaitanism!

Heb 12:1-2 “We too, then, having so great a cloud of witnesses all around us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, יהושע, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the stake, having despised the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.”

Amein

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6 Reasons Why The Greek / Roman / Latin Jesus Cannot Be The 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. 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; Short for Yahwah. Preserved in the KJV Psalm 68:4 as “JAH” see note) and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you would receive.” (There was no Hebrew letter “J” when the Psalm 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, Yahwah 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(Jerimiah) 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 Yahwah, (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 YAHWAH, nor do they accurately portray the true person of HIS Son, the True Messiah, who I believe is named Yahusha! While in my ignorance and lawlessness I taught lawlessness and error! I called Yahwah 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!

Do diligence, dear reader and see for yourself that what is being taught (according to traditionalism) does not measure up according to The Scriptures…

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The Statistics of the Story – A Follow-up on The AMA Serpent-Entwined Pole…

At the risk of being labeled a fanatic, do you believe what these verses say?

Mark 16:17-18

“And these signs shall accompany the ones who believe: In My Name they shall cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly drink it shall by no means hurt them, they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall get well.”

True fanaticism is demonstrated by those who profess to believe The Scriptures, but live in lawlessness (rejecting HIS Law);

As they (supposedly) cast out demons…but in reality, the demons are just acting like there was deliverance…

Speak out in an emotional gibberish (and call it “tongues”)

Handle snakes (in their faith rituals), as a supposed sign of their faith…

ARE NOT protected from deadly drink, as evidenced by their constant illnesses…

Are involved in phony healing crusades, that leave victims in the wake… Consider;

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(miracles) in Your Name? And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!”

Rev 13:11-15 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from the heaven on the earth before men. And he leads astray those dwelling on the earth because of those signs which he was given to do before the beast, saying to those dwelling on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword, yet lived. And there was given to him to give spirit to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause to be killed as many as would not worship the image of the beast.”

Rev 16:13-14 “And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as frogs, for they are spirits of demons, doing signs, which go out to the sovereigns of the entire world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of Yahwah the Almighty.”

Those truly empowered by The Master have this testimony;

Luke 10:17-20

And the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Master, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan falling out of the heaven as lightning. See, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and none at all shall hurt you. But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names have been written in the heavens.”

When Paul was bitten by a poison viper, here’s how he “handled” it; Acts 28:5 “Then, indeed, he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no evil.” Literally, Paul did what the phrase “take up serpents” in Mark 16:18 means; (“…to loose…put away, remove, take away”)

I searched for the phrase, “confirmed miracles and healings” and found very little to be excited about. It appears that those who did not believe The Word during HIS earthly ministry, are being paralleled in unbelief today.

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

I also searched and found this site: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28186008/

At this site I found this;

“Recent studies of medical errors have estimated errors may account for as many as 251,000 deaths annually in the United States (U.S)., making medical errors the third leading cause of death. Error rates are significantly higher in the U.S. than in other developed countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the United Kingdom (U.K). At the same time less than 10 percent of medical errors are reported…”

Another site confirmed the above and gave more detailed information. Look at this!

https://etactics.com/blog/medical-error-statistics

From the site:

“Researchers used four separate studies from 2000 to 2008 and hospital admissions rates from 2013 to analyze this problem. Based on extrapolated data of 35,416,020 hospitalizations, medical errors cause 251,454 deaths per year. This translated to 9.5% of all deaths per year.”

Diagnostic mistakes lead to the death or injury of 40,000 to 80,000 patients annually. The misdiagnosis rate is 10% to 15%. These problems are a challenge regardless of medical specialty. Surgical errors are another common problem with at least 4,000 occurring each year in the US.

While medical devices advance and improve the health industry, they still aren’t perfect. There are over 5,000 kinds of medical devices used in healthcare, so mistakes are inevitable. Sometimes these devices end up getting recalled because of their risks. But unfortunately, the flaws aren’t always caught before it’s too late. Across all devices, the FDA reported more than 1.7 million injuries and around 83,000 deaths in the last ten years.

You’d think that you’ll be least likely to get sick at a medical facility. After all, it should be clean so patients can heal. But a health-associated infection (HAI) is one adverse effect that results from medical care. According to the CDC, one in 31 patients has an HAI on any given day.

In 2013, 99,000 people died from this effect. Thankfully this number dropped within a few years, but not by much. In 2015, there were still about 72,000 patients who died from HAIs during their hospital stay. But patients were 16% less likely to have one of these infections in 2015 versus 2011.

Patients who end up with an HAI after surgery spend an extra 6.5 days in the hospital on average. They’re also five times more likely to return after hospital discharge and twice as likely to die.

I write this article, not to blast healthcare and those who work in it. I write this article to challenge those who believe that it is the only choice. Doctors have a place. But should that be everyplace? Especially in the lives of professing “believers?” The choice is yours!

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The AMA Serpent – Entwined Pole – Why?

Have you ever wondered why The American Medical Association (AMA) uses the serpent-entwined on the pole as their logo? Here is what they say at their website.

“The symbol dates to antiquity, and represents its namesake, the Greek god of healing. The image of a serpent-entwined staff also appears in the biblical book of Exodus, wherein Moses is instructed to erect a brass pole with a serpent; whoever looked upon it was healed. A body of mythology surrounds Asclepius.”Jun 20, 2005

https://amednews.com/article/20050620/opinion/306209958/4/#:~:text=The%20symbol%20dates%20to%20antiquity,body%20of%20mythology%20surrounds%20Asclepius.

I am aware of the Torah account (and plan to examine that in this article as well), but wasn’t as familiar with the Greek influence. So, I decided to do some checking. Here is what I found;

The Greek (Mythological) Influence

https://www.livescience.com/33104-why-is-the-medical-symbol-a-snake-on-a-stick.html

“…Asclepius is the Greek demigod of medicine. … The Greeks regarded snakes as sacred and used them in healing rituals to honor Asclepius, as snake venom was thought to be remedial and their skin-shedding was viewed as a symbol of rebirth and renewal.”


Asclepius – a staff having 1 serpent-entwined around it.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Asclepius

“Asclepius, Greek Asklepios, Latin Aesculapius, Greco-Roman god of medicine, son of Apollo (god of healing, truth, and prophecy) and the mortal princess Coronis.” May 4, 2021

And again from the AMA News site above;

“For many years the Staff of Asclepius has been confused with the caduceus, a symbol used by numerous medical organizations and that generally features two snakes encircling a rod topped with wings. According to most mythology, however, the caduceus represents the wand of the Greek god Hermes…”

Caduceus – a staff with wings having 2 serpents entwined around it.

From the Britannica site;

https://www.britannica.com/topic/caduceus

We could go deeper. And in future articles we may, but let this suffice for the sake of comparison between The Greek and Scriptural influences…

Because of my belief in the Scriptures (Genesis-Revelation), I believe these supposed “mythological” beings really did and do exist. Legend and generational inaccuracies have given them their reported characteristics. I believe them to be appearances of messengers (angels), both fallen and faithful. The Scriptures are replete with references to both. (391 times!) With that in mind, lets consider the scriptural account referenced in the amednews article that we began with;


The accurate reference of the narrative regarding Mosheh being instructed by Yahwah to set up a fiery serpent on a pole is found in Numbers 21. Instead of me printing the text, take a moment and read Numbers 21:4-9. Notice the definitions of the key words below;

The Hebrew word for “fiery” is; (Strong’s / BDB #H8314) “saraph” BDB Definition: “1) serpent, fiery serpent, 1a) poisonous serpent (fiery from burning effect of poison) 2) seraph, seraphim, 2a) majestic beings with 6 wings, human hands or voices in attendance upon GOD” (ie. Angels / Messengers.)

The Hebrew word for “serpent” is; (Strong’s / BDB #5175) “nâchâsh” BDB Definition: “1) serpent, snake, 1a) serpent, 1b) image (of serpent), 1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)”

The same word is used to describe “the serpent” in Genesis 3:1“And the serpent was more crafty …”

So, here is Eve having a conversation with “the serpent”, who we know is a fallen messenger / angel…

The Hebrew word for “bit / bitten” is; (Strong’s #H5391) “nâshak” naw-shak’, Strong’s Definition: “A primitive root; to strike with a sting (as a serpent);…”

So, I believe that we can scripturally say that Yahwah allowed “fiery serpents”, which could have been messengers (fallen or faithful) to either use a life form known as a serpent, or become serpents and sting those who were struggling with belief in Yahwah for their guidance, provision and protection. If this alarms you, please remember that HE also allowed a similar scenario in Genesis 3 with Eve / Adam. They, like those in Num 21, chose to yield to the serpents’ suggestions. The results were / are the same; death.

(See article entitled “Unbelief – The Reasons…”)

Could that be the reason behind Yahwah instructing Mosheh as follows?

21:8-9 “And Yahwah said to Mosheh, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole. And it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Mosheh made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole. And it came to be, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.”

Is this why The Master Yahusha said;

John 3:14-15 “And as Mosheh lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of Adam has to be lifted up, so that whoever is believing in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life.” In other words, could HE be saying that its time to choose who we look to for guidance, protection and provision?

I completely understand that for those who do not profess “belief” in Yahwah, HIS Son, Yahusha Messiah and the promises contained in HIS Word, it is perfectly logical for them to be looking to whatever and whoever is available to help with their needs. But for those of us who profess belief in HIM, isn’t it inconsistent for us to do as they do?

Here’s a sobering thought. At some point in time, there will be a generation who will have to choose either to receive a “mark” and continue in commerce, or to reject a “mark” and be excluded from the benefits of society. Which would include medical treatment!

Rev 13:16-17 “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, and that no one should be able to buy or sell except he that has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

What even makes this more real, is that as I write this article there are those in government, and in the medical industry that are saying that they believe that the vaccine being administered as the cure for COVID-19 “should be made mandatory” for all citizens! It is being said that private business will be the enforcers. In other words, if that happens, you and I will not be able to go to the grocery store, school, hospital, work, etc., unless we can “prove” that we have taken the vaccine!?? Do you see where this could go? And ALL of this because of a MEDICAL Pandemic! Consider;

Rev 9:21 And they did not repent of their murders, nor of their drug sorceries, nor of their whoring, nor of their thefts.

“drug sorceries” is defined: (Strong’s #H5331) – pharmekia / pharmacy / medication…

Rev 18:23 (To Mystery Babylon) “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 all the nations were led astray.”

I know that this may be quite a challenge to many. I believe that the Day of Yahwah is fastly approaching. We, as professing believers must be ready! We must be yielding ourselves to HIS Spirit to produce belief in us all the more!

Jude 1:20-21 “But you, beloved ones, building yourselves up on your most set-apart belief, praying in the Set-apart Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of Elohim, looking for the compassion of our Master Yahusha Messiah unto everlasting life.”

Should we, as believers, be looking to an entity that identifies itself with a serpent-entwined pole??? Or to HIM, The One who was impaled, rose from the dead and is coming soon to deal with the serpent/dragon/devil once and for all??? (Rev 20:10)

It is important for us to note that when Hosea became king, he found the people worshiping the bronze serpent and destroyed it. Consider;

2Ki 18:3-6 And he did what was right in the eyes of Yahwah, according to all that his father David did. He took away the high places and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah and broke in pieces the bronze serpent which Mosheh had made, for until those days the children of Yisra’el burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. He put his trust in Yahwah Elohim of Yisra’el and after him was none like him among all the sovereigns of Yehudah nor who were before him, and he clung to Yahwah. He did not turn away from following Him, but guarded His commands, which Yahwah had commanded Mosheh.

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Seven Major Religions (And Others) Connected!

I write this article, not with the purpose of espousing something new, but as the result of my own research on the matter. I have been searching for an effort with a focus on ministering to the nation of Israel. One that parallels the understanding and convictions that I hold. I found that the Star of David is being used in all of the efforts that I have perused thus far. So I began a brief study of the image. Here are my findings.

There is a worldwide connection to “The Star of David.”

In Judaism; (1)

http://www.simonarich.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/hexagram-260×300.png

In Protestantism; (2)

https://www.umc.org/en/content/six-pointed-star

In Catholicism; (3)

https://www.google.com/search?q=star+of+david+on+pope+hat&client

In Hinduism; (4)

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-e64cbcb1578c0b9c6911688fbf03cfcd

In Buddhism; (5)

In Islam. They call it the “Seal of Solomon”; (6)

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-e27b08622faf8ea720ee1f3fdca11943

In Shintoism; (7)

http://www.simchajtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/japan1-1-222×300.jpg

Even at CERN;

https://simonarich.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/shiva-nataraja.jpg

The list above left me a bit stunned! The SEVEN Major Religious Systems, and CERN using a form of The Star of David / Solomon! There are probably more. Clearly it is not unique to Israel. I still wondered what the connection could be…

I had heard that Masonry used something similar, so I searched and found below;

12 Masonic Symbols Explained

12 symbols! Especially The Six-pointed-square & compass, The Lambskin Apron, Solomon’s Temple!, the All Seeing Eye, the Ashlar Stones, the Blazing Star of Sirius! The Cedar and Acacia woods! Masonry has a connection to Solomon, Israel, World religions and the End Times!

Also the women in the Masonic movement become members in the Order of the Eastern Star. This star is a five-pointed pentagram! This site explains the darkness involved;

https://www.chick.com/battle-cry/article?id=Why-No-Christian-Woman-Should-Join-Order-of-the-Eastern-Star

Just for comparison, here is the satanic star; https://www.shutterstock.com/search/pentagram

Masonry claims it’s beginnings in the 1700s, which ironically, is the reported time that the Star of David came on the scene!? First in Cabala, then in Zionism and finally National. The beginnings of the Masons is sketchy. Some say “in Egypt.” Some say “in Europe.” This BBC site has a fascinating picture on a building known to house Masons in 1599. Do you see the similarity?

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20161209-secret-history-of-the-freemasons-in-scotland

When did this Masonic movement truly begin? I believe that the supposed dates are a bit late. I believe the Scriptures, which record stone masons, cedar workers and the like to be here long before 1599. Consider;

1Ch 14:1 And Hiram sovereign of Tsor sent messengers to David and cedar trees, with stonemasons and carpenters, to build him a house.”

1Ki 5:17-18 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: (Ashlar Stones?) so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.”

Hiram, sovereign of Tsor. Who is he? To answer that question, you need to read Ezekiel 28:11-19! There you will find that “the sovereign of Tsor” is either a completely demonized man inspired by the devil or an appearance of the devil himself! The references are uncanny! And this is the man that is helping Solomon build a temple for Yahwah!?! Isaiah speaks of him as Lucifer, the “star of the morning!” Consider;

Isa 14:12-14 “How you have fallen from the heavens, O Lucifer,(Lit; STAR of the morning) son of the morning! You have been cut down to the ground, you who laid low the gentiles! For you have said in your heart, ‘Let me go up to the heavens, let me raise my throne above the stars of EL and let me sit in the mount of meeting on the sides of the north; let me go up above the heights of the clouds, let me be like the Most High.’

“Star of the morning???” Isn’t that similar (but in reverse!) to Messiah’s description of Himself in Revelation 22:16? “I, יהושע, (Yahusha) have sent My messenger to witness to you these matters in the assemblies. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

Lucifer (shining one, star of the morning) will never be the Most High! So he mimics, imitates, hijacks and twists the True in his efforts to receive worship!

But what, you might ask, has any of this to do with today’s Star of David? Lets summarize;

  1. The SEVEN largest religious systems all use the SIX-pointed-star.
  2. This same six-pointed-star is NOT strictly used by Israel.
  3. Islam claims that the same six-pointed-star was and is The Seal of Solomon.
  4. Solomon built a house and a temple, with the help of Hiram, one who is referenced as a builder, stone provider, world traveler and marketer and the personification of Lucifer, star of the morning. Stone masonry and cedar work are used. (remember the 12 Symbols of Masonry)
  5. Masonry, a worldwide organization uses the same Star as the religious systems use. Are the ships of Tsor how it became worldwide? Also Masonic women are in an allegiance to a star identical to the pentagram of satanism.
  6. The star of early Masonry in Scotland is identical to what is known as The Star of David.
  7. The Star itself has three series of SIX in it’s shape. Six Points, Six Triangles at each of the Six points, and a Hexagram, or Six Sided Figure in the middle = 666.

It is clearly documented that Israel digressed during the reign of Solomon into international idol worship and the occult! The prophet Amos calls them into account;

Amos 5:26 “But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun (Remphan) your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. Therefore I shall send you into exile beyond Damascus,” said Yahwah Elohim of hosts – His Name.”

This same prophecy is quoted by Stephen just prior to the hearers stoning him to death, but with the change from “Damascus” to “Babylon. This brings that prophecy to a different future fulfillment than the one to Damascus, but for the same reasons! I believe it to be referenced in Revelation 18! Also notice the connection to Solomon built HIM a house!

Act 7:43 ‘And you took up the tent of Molek and the star of your mighty one Kiyyun,(Remphan) images which you made to bow before them. Therefore I shall remove you beyond Babylon… (verses 47-48) “but Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High does not dwell in dwellings made with hands, as the prophet Isaiah says in 66:1-2.

Link to the star of Remphan; Take a look!

https://www.google.com/search?q=star+of+remphan+images&client

Do you see any connection to these verses?

Rev 13:1 And I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads names of blasphemy.”

Seven religions all claiming to be a way to Truth is blasphemous! Yahusha, “The Way, The Truth, The Life” is the only One who proved that HE is The Way, when HE rose from the dead! All others are founded upon the lies!

Rev 13:18 “Here is the wisdom! He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”

1Ki 10:14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold…(666) Is this a coincidence? I do not think so.

Solomon is the only man in the Scriptures referenced to both “wisdom” and “666.” I believe that Solomon is a type of The Anti-Messiah. I believe that Hiram is a type of The Beast that empowers him. Am I saying that what is known as The Star of David is the mark of the Beast? Not necessarily. However, once the devil has people under the same banner or symbol, it’s just a matter of sequence to realize what the next step would be. (Read Revelation 13)

The verse that seems to summarize what wisdom produces;

Luk 7:35 “And wisdom is declared right by all her children.”

The fruit of Solomon’s life and legacy prove that his idolatry, his lawlessness, his worldly passions and his affiliations with men like Hiram reveal what was in his heart… His life ended bearing bad fruit… Consider this very sad commentary;

1Ki 11:4-7 “And it came to be, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other mighty ones. And his heart was not perfect with Yahwah his Elohim, as was the heart of his father David. And Solomon went after Ashtoreth the mighty one of the Tsidon and after Milkom the abomination of the Ammonites. Thus Solomon did evil in the eyes of Yahwah, and did not follow Yahwah completely, like his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Kemosh the abomination of Mo’ab on the hill that is east of Yerushalayim, and for Molek the abomination of the children of Ammon.”

One last verse that is quoted 5X in the Apostolic Scriptures because of it’s importance;

Psalm 118:22 “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner-stone.”

Quoted in Mt 21:42, Mk 12:10, Lk 20:17, Acts 4:11, 1Pet 2:7 (It is not a coincidence that it is “the builders” who rejected HIS Building! One not made with human hands…

My initial reason, as I said, is not to rail on these religious systems, or Solomon, or Israelis, or the Masons. I simply want to find a true and unpolluted effort to work with in bringing true blessing to those in Israel! That is my desire.

I present this information for you to have a head start in doing diligence and finding out for yourselves. We are warned in the Scriptures about the rulers of darkness. They exist. They are active. They are executing their plan. They are working from a “pattern.”

But for the True Believer in The True Messiah, we are not to fear. I’m convinced that I have brothers and sisters in all the aforementioned religions (and more) who will hear HIS Voice and will “Come out of her…” And will know what it truly means to be HIS people!

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Unbelief; The Reasons Behind it

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, Yahusha 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 Yahusha said to him, “Go, Satan! For it has been written, ‘You shall worship Yahwah 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 Spirit…1Co 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 Yahusha by Himself and said, “Why were we unable to cast him out?” And Yahusha 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?”

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#3 – The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees – Matthew 23

Mat 23:1-4 Then Yahusha 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 Yahwah. 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 Yahwah 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… Yahusha is not fooled by their folly…we shouldn’t be either.

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The Parable of The Bride & The Whore

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, Yahusha 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 Yahusha, The Son of Yahwah. 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 Yahusha! 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 Yahwah, 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.