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True Repentance = True Conversion

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

True Conversion Begins With True Repentance

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

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

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

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

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

Repentance ; living in the expression of thinking differently.

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

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

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

True Repentance Requires Reversal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Consider;

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

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

True Repentance Is NOT Just Being Sorry

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

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

True Repentance Does Not Produce These

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

True Repentance Resulting In True Conversion Produces These

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

True Repentance Is Only Experienced By True Children Of Yahwah

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

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

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Family Matters: IN Adam? OR IN Yahusha?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Marriage relationship;

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

All Yoking relationships;

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

Relationships with the World;

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

Adamic (biological) Family Relationships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Consider;

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

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

Consider;

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

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

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

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

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

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


Mat 12:14 But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against Him, so as to destroy Him.
Those who do the desires of the devil prove by their lives who their father is!

Consider;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees – Matthew 12

Mat 12:1-2 At that time Yahusha went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. And His taught ones were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain, to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your taught ones are doing what is not right to do on the Sabbath!”

The Pharisees were a very rigid sect of Judaism. The Master warned His followers to beware of them. Consider His words later in Matthew;

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.”

In the text from Matt. 12, the Pharisees are accusing Yahusha of being lawless by accusing Him of breaking the Commandments through their misapplication of the Commandment to not harvest on the Sabbath;

Exo 34:21 “Six days you work, but on the seventh day you rest – in plowing time and in harvest you rest.

There is no Scripture to support the Pharisees. The followers of Yahusha were not harvesting. They were simply gleaning that which was intentionally left by the owner of the field for those in need as stated in the following;

Lev 23:22 ‘And when you reap the harvest of your land do not completely reap the corners of your field when you reap, and do not gather any gleaning from your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the stranger. I am Yahwah your Elohim.’ ”
The Pharisees were one of the sects of Yehudism guilty of adding to / subtracting from Yahwah’s Commandments. Much like Christianity today.

Mat 12:3-4 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he went into the House of Elohim and ate the showbread which was not right for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?

The Master legitimizes the eating of the showbread rather than letting King David and his men go hungry. The priests had a better understanding of the Spirit of the Commandment than the Pharisees did. I personally believe this to be in support of the “Sovereignty & Priesthood” pronounced upon the true believers in Messiah Yahusha. (Rev. 5:10, Rev. 20:6; Exo. 19:6; Isa. 61:6; Rom. 12:1; 1Pet. 2:5-9)

Mat 12:5 “Or did you not read in the Torah that on the Sabbath the priests in the Set-apart Place profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?”

Priests continue to work on the Sabbath through offering sacrifice, offerings and circumcision. The Pharisaical mindset would prohibit such “work”

Consider;

John 7:22 “Because of this Mosheh has given you the circumcision – though it is not from Mosheh, but from the fathers – and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.”

The Master addresses the issue of “doing good on the Sabbath” later in Matthew 12:12.

Mat 12:6-8 “But I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the Set-apart Place. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion and not offering, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Adam is Master of the Sabbath.”

The Pharisees would say that they honor the Set-apart Place, but their hypocrisy betrays them. Yahusha clearly states that HE, the One that the earthly Set-apart Place was constructed to represent, is greater than the copy of the Heavenly Set-Apart Place. HE points out the Pharisees’ lack of understanding pertaining to Yah’s reason and purpose for offering, which is the expression of HIS compassion through providing a means for sinful man to be restored to a relationship with Yah. It was never meant to be a means of exclusion, but inclusion! The Pharisees and those guilty of lawlessness cannot understand the true heart of Yahwah. But David did.

Consider;

Psa The slaughterings of Elohim are a broken spirit, A heart broken and crushed, O Elohim, These You do not despise.”

Consider these verses as references to sacrifice and offering acceptable to Yahwah in The New Covenant;

Rom 12:1-2 “I call upon you, therefore, brothers, through the compassion of Elohim, to present your bodies a living offering – set-apart, well-pleasing to Elohim – your reasonable worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Elohim.”

( Also; Rom. 15:16, Psa. 19:14, Eph. 5:10, Php. 4:18, 1Tim. 2:3; 5:4, Heb. 13:15-16, 1Pe. 2:5, 2:20)

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Blasphemy of The SPIRIT

Mat 12:22-23 Then they brought to Him one who was demon-possessed, blind and dumb. And He healed him, so that the blind and dumb man both spoke and saw. And all the crowds were amazed and said, “Is this the Son of David?”

The crowds were catching a glimpse of Truth! They were beginning to get it! But then, the “birds of the air” swooped down upon them! (See Matthew 13, The Parable of The Sower)

Mat 12:24-27 But when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This one does not cast out demons except by Be’elzebul, the ruler of the demons.”And Yahusha knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every reign divided against itself is laid waste, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. “And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then does his reign stand? And if I, by Be’elzebul do cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Because of this they shall be your judges.

Yahusha informs them that if Satan were to actually cast out the very demons that he is using to control people he would be contradicting his own efforts and thus be self defeating. We have a principle established by Yahusha; any kingdom, any city, any family and even any individual that is divided against itself cannot stand and will crumble. In other words; Countries, Communities, Churches, Marriages, Households and even Individuals who are at odds within themselves, are in confusion and will not stand. Look around you. Its happening even as I write this… Government is in complete chaos! Communities are rioting and burning! Churches closing! Heterosexual monogamous marriage is looked at as old fashioned! Family has been re-defined! Individuals, not able to cope, are taking medications at a record pace! Is there any question in your mind that Satan is using those living in their fleshly mindset to accomplish all of this? And yet, he is actually being used to destroy his own kingdom! How perfectly ironic…

Mat. 12:28-32 “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of Elohim, then the reign of Elohim has come upon you. Or how is one able to enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he shall plunder his house. “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. “Because of this I say to you, all sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven men. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Adam it shall be forgiven him, but whoever speaks against the Set-apart Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”

The Master then gives the very serious warning regarding the Pharisees and all those who ascribe the works of HIS Spirit to the devil… a very serious unforgivable offense! The Pharisees of our time are making the same accusations against those who observe the Seventh Day Sabbath, the Torah and the Feasts of Yahwah, saying that those who observe these scriptural precepts have fallen from HIS favor and have cut themselves off from Messiah! Some have even suggested that we who believe that the gifts of The Set-Apart Spirit are for today, are being inspired by the devil! Those in opposition to HIS Word are truly those being inspired by demons.

Consider;

1Ti 1:8-11 And we know that the Torah is good if one uses it legitimately, knowing this: that Torah is not laid down for a righteous being, but for the lawless and unruly, for the wicked and for sinners, for the wrong-doers and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for those who whore, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and for whatever else that is contrary to sound teaching, according to the esteemed Good News of the blessed Elohim which was entrusted to me.

The ruling Pharisees of today’s Christianity have practically abolished the instruction in the Torah, claiming that it is not relevant for believers today! And in so doing, they have loosed upon themselves the very sinful behavior that collapses countries, communities, churches, marriage, families and individuals…

2Ti 4:3-4 For there shall be a time when they shall not bear sound teaching, but according to their own desires, they shall heap up for themselves teachers tickling the ear, and they shall indeed turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to myths.

That time is upon us…

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Good Friday Doesn’t Fit!

Mat 12:38-39 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from You. But He answering, said to them, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Yonah.

Signs do not produce belief. Signs confirm belief (Mark 16-18).

40 For as Yonah was three days and three nights in the stomach of the great fish, so shall the Son of Adam be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

The roman “holy week / Good Friday” scenario does not pass the calendar, mathematics or Scriptural litmus tests. Messiah observed a “living” Passover with HIS followers on 14 Abib, the 3rd day of the week. HE was impaled the following day, 15 Abib, the 4th of the week. That night was night 1. The following day, 16 Abib is day 1. That night is night 2. The following day, 17 Abib is day 2. That night is night 3. The following day was the weekly Sabbath, 18 Abib is day 3. Yahusha rose from the grave on the 3rd day before night 4, just as HE had said. HE was seen by those coming to tomb as the Sabbath came to an end at the dawning of the next day or (1st day) 19 Abib. HE had risen prior to this time.

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Cleaned Up – But Not Filled!

Mat 12:43 “Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

A simple breakdown of the words in these verses will reveal an interesting perspective.

“unclean spirit” (impure; ceremonially, morally, lewd, and even demonic, foul)

When this uncleanness is expiated, expelled from the person; Notice“he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.”

It is most often presumed that the “he” here is strictly in reference to the unclean spirit. That may or may not be so, but what I have experienced and what I have seen in others suggests that those who simply have a religious experience and clean up their act are not only selling themselves short of the blessings of being filled with the fullness of YAH, but are also leaving themselves vulnerable to a worse condition!

Mat 12:44 “Then it says, ‘I shall return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and decorated.”

“Then IT says…”

“I shall return” (to revert back, to turn about)

“to my house” (dwelling, household, family)

“And when it comes, it finds it empty” (on holiday, perceived to be at leisure, vacant, having no substance, given to self)

“swept” (cleaned up, swept clean)

“decorated” (put in a worldly order, trimmed outwardly)

Mat 12:45 “Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

Over the years I have seen numerous people raise their hand in answer to an evangelistic invitation, go forward, be immersed, join the church, serve as musicians, singers, deacons, elders, and even pastors, only to watch those same people reach the end of their “dry, restless” religion and go back to what they had supposedly come out of! Some went back into a lawless religious form of worldliness. Some went back into the secular form of worldliness… I believe that is what verses 43-45 are describing. They were never filled with The Set-Apart Spirit and were found “empty, swept and decorated.” Their end is worse than their beginning…

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Leviticus 23; Feast of Weeks / Shavuot / Pentecost

This is article #2 in The Feast of Yahwah series. Article #1 covered The Moedim or Appointments of Yahwah that includes the 7th Day Sabbath and those appointments known as Spring Feasts of “Passover, Unleavened Bread and First-Fruits.” If you haven’t read that, please do so prior to reading this article so that you are up to speed with terms and definitions that also apply to this article. May you be blessed as a “lover of Truth” as you enjoy!

This is a straight forward look at Leviticus 23. We are picking up the commentary on verses 15-21 as they reveal Yahwah’s 4th Feast known as the summer Feast of Pentecost / Weeks / Shavuot

Verses 15 – 21‘And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to Yahwah. Bring from your dwellings for a wave offering two loaves of bread, of two-tenths of an of fine flour they are, baked with leaven, first-fruits to Yahwah. And besides the bread, you shall bring seven lambs a year old, perfect ones, and one young bull and two rams. They are a burnt offering to Yahwah, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire for a sweet fragrance to Yahwah. And you shall offer one male goat as a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old, as a peace offering. And the priest shall wave them, besides the bread of the first-fruits, as a wave offering before Yahwah, besides the two lambs. They are set-apart to Yahwah for the priest. And on this same day you shall proclaim a set-apart gathering for yourselves, you do no servile work on it – a law forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

The beginning day of counting is critical.

And from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days”

This reference to “the morrow after the Sabbath” cannot be referring to the weekly Sabbath (in the middle of Unleavened Bread observance), which occurred three days after The Messiah’s impalement on the fourth day of that week because of verse 14;

“And you do not eat bread or roasted grain or fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your Elohim – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.”

Otherwise there would contradiction of verse 6;

“And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread to Yahwah – seven days you eat unleavened bread.”

So, this must be referring to the Sabbath AFTER the observance of the seven days of Unleavened Bread for us to begin counting seven completed Sabbaths (7X7 = 49 + 1 = 50 days).

Do you see why? In Leviticus 23:6 we are commanded for “seven days you eat unleavened bread.” In verse 14, we are commanded NOT to eat bread! Yahwah would not contradict Himself in His commands, so we must conclude that the day to begin counting, that we would also refer to as “First-Fruits”, has to be the first First Day after the conclusion of Unleavened Bread!

This also lines up with two other very important events!

In Leviticus 8-9:1 we see the anointing AND ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. (Pay particular attention to the length of time, (esp “8th day”), the anointing of the altar, the ordination of them into the priesthood and even them being “waved” as referenced in “First-Fruits!”

This event serves as an earthly “type” of what Yahusha, our Great High Priest actually did in “the true tabernacle” in heaven! Consider;

At the tomb after His resurrection in Joh 20:17 “Yahusha said to her, “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My Elohim and your Elohim.’ ”

See also Joh 20:19-23 where Yahusha reveals Himself to His taught ones later that day…

Then eight days pass without Him being seen until Joh 20:26 And after eight days His taught ones were again inside, and T’oma with them. Yahusha came, the doors having been shut, and He stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”

I believe that HE took His own blood and did in the “true tent” (Heb. 8:2) what Moshe did to Aaron and his sons for them to serve as types of The True!

Now back to Shavuot…

This Feast is known by several names; Pentecost, Feast of Weeks, Shavuot. Historically it was during this one day observance when Moshe received The Law / Torah of Yahwah and upon bringing them down from the mountain found the children of Yisrael worshiping and dancing before the golden calf. He subsequently threw the stone tablets containing the Commandments of Yahwah to the ground in disgust. The result; Commandments broken, 3000 people were slain for their rebellious idolatry. (Exodus 32)

For us in The New Covenant this Feast was the day when The Set-Apart Spirit was poured out upon the 120 taught ones in the upper room who were waiting obediently to The Master’s Command to “wait for the Promise of The Father” and having received the infilling of the Set-Apart Spirit, their testimony caused no small stir on the streets of Yerushalyim and as Peter spoke in answer to the crowd’s question as to what it meant for the 120 to be supernaturally speaking in numerous languages the wonders and blessings of Yahwah, subsequently 3000 people were added to HIS Kingdom!

Luk 24:49 “And see, I am sending the Promise of My Father upon you, but you are to remain in the city of Yerushalayim until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Joh 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.” (See article on “Differences Between the Old and New Covenant”)

Joh 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.”

Act 1:4 And meeting with them, He (Yahusha) commanded them not to leave Yerushalayim, but to wait for the Promise of the Father,“which you have heard from Me…”

Act 2:1-8 “And when the Day of the Festival of Weeks had come, they were all with one mind in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from the heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and settled on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Set-apart Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak. Now in Yerushalayim there were dwelling Yehudah dedicated men from every nation under the heaven. And when this sound came to be, the crowd came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to each other, Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
And how do we hear, each one in our own language in which we were born?”

Act 2:41 Then those, indeed, who gladly received his word, were immersed. And on that day about three thousand beings were added to them.”

This day and culminating events are also significant because of The New Covenant that was promised in the following prophetic passages;

Yermiyah (Jeremiah) 31:31-37, Hezekiel (Ezekiel) 36:24-28

Lev 23:22 ‘And when you reap the harvest of your land do not completely reap the corners of your field when you reap, and do not gather any gleaning from your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the stranger. I am Yahwah your Elohim.’ ”

Again proving that Yahwah’s heart has always been that of “inclusion” and not “exclusion!” The poor and those who were not Yisra’el, but were of the nations and tender towards the things of Yahwah, HE will not exclude from His Kingdom any who are lovers of Truth and believe!

May you be a lover of Truth and may you be walking in belief! As Yahwah gives revelation, we plan to have the 3rd article on the Fall Feasts posted soon!

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The Sabbath and Spring Feasts of Yahwah

Leviticus 23

Verses 1-2 And Yahwah spoke to Mosheh, saying, “Speak to the children of Yisrael and say to them, ‘The appointed times of Yahwah, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are these:

Clearly, these verses establish that these “moedim” (appointments) are not feasts of man but are Yahwah’s Feasts. They are Feasts that His people are to observe and proclaim through “set-apart” gatherings on the days and in the ways that He establishes.

Verses 3-4 “Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to Yahwah in all your dwellings. These are the appointed times of Yahwah, set-apart gatherings which you are to proclaim at their appointed times.”

The weekly 7th day Sabbath is included as the beginning of the appointments that are commanded by Yahwah to observe and proclaim. (See article on “Catholic Quotes on changing the Sabbath”)

Verse 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to Yahwah.”

Under the Old Covenant, the Passover is to commemorate Yisrael’s deliverance from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, by the power of Yahwah (Exodus 12), and also serves prophetically as a look into the New Covenant and the future sacrifice of “The Lamb of Yahwah who takes away the sins of the world”, who’s blood is applied to the believer’s life by belief, thus being delivered from sin and death. (John 1:29, 36 & Rev. 5:12)

Verse 6-8 “And on the fifteenth day of this month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread to Yahwah – seven days you eat unleavened bread. On the first day you have a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work. And you shall bring an offering made by fire to Yahwah for seven days. On the seventh day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.”

This Festival, under the Old Covenant, is to commemorate the day that Yisrael left Egypt. (Exodus 12:17) Leaven (in type) signifies sin. Thus, “unleavened” speaks of without sin. Having been delivered from the bondage of slavery and idolatry, Yisrael must now begin the process of removing the leaven (sin of unbelief) that permeates their lives.

And for us, in the New Covenant who believe in Messiah’s death and resurrection must allow the Set-apart Spirit to teach, guide, convict and change us from the influences of Adam, the “old man” into the image of Yah’s Son, Yahusha“the new man”.(Yohanan 14:15-26, Ephesians 4:22-24)

Verses 9-14 And Yahwah spoke to Mosheh saying, “Speak to the children of Yisrael and you shall say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf before Yahwah, for your acceptance. On the morrow after the Sabbath the priest waves it. And on that day when you wave the sheaf, you shall prepare a male lamb a year old, a perfect one, as a burnt offering to Yahwah, and its grain offering: two-tenths of an of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to Yahwah, a sweet fragrance, and its drink offering: one-fourth of a hin of wine. And you do not eat bread or roasted grain or fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your Elohim – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.”

The verses seem pretty self explanatory for Yisrael under the Old Covenant. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging Yahwah FIRST in all that is received. It is the responsibility of the priest to acknowledge through the lifting and (literally) shaking the first of the first-fruits to Yahwah along with a perfect male lamb a year old offered on the alter along with the accompanying flour, oil, and wine offerings.

The relevance to us in the New Covenant is the acknowledging of Yahusha as typified by;

Sheaf of the first-fruits – 1Cor.15:20-23 “But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, and has become the first-fruit of those having fallen asleep. For since death is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a Man. For as all die in Adam so also all shall be made alive in Messiah. And each in his own order: Messiah the first-fruits, then those who are of Messiah at His coming…”

The Priest – Heb.4:14 “Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Yahusha the Son of Elohim, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who was tried in all respects as we are, apart from sin.”

The Perfect Male Lamb – John 1:29 “On the next day Yohanan saw Yahusha coming toward him, and said, “See, the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world! “(1Pet.1:18-19; Rev.12:11)

The burnt offering (offered once to be consumed) to Yahwah – 1Pet.3:18 “Because even Messiah once suffered for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to Elohim, having been put to death indeed in flesh but made alive in the Spirit…”

Grain / Fine Flour – Bread /Body / Wine /Blood – Lk. 22:19-20 And taking bread, giving thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the (new) covenant in My blood which is shed for you.(1Cor.11:23-29)

Oil / Anointing – Heb.1:8-9 But to the Son He says, “Your throne, O Elohim, is forever and ever, a scepter of straightness is the scepter of Your reign. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. Because of this, Elohim, Your Elohim, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

These are just three of the seven Feasts of Yahwah according to the Scriptures. On this site we will be posting on going commentary on these and the Summer and Fall Feasts as Yahwah gives us revelation and opportunity! Our desire is that you, as a lover of Truth, will be encouraged and edified by these efforts!

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Christian Holi-Days

Many of the current “Christian” Holi-days have their origins in ancient pagan feasts that were ushered in by Romanism early in it’s history. The Roman Emperor, Constantine was a pagan sun-worshipper who supposedly had a “spiritual experience.” Romanism used this authority to pollute the truth beginning in the 3rd century with various practices of sun-worshipping paganism. The following are a few of those.
Author’s note: I encourage you to do your own research on the origins and meanings behind the word “Holi.” (Holy) In a few words, I found that it is not a word to use in association with The True Creator, Yahwah as depicted in The Scriptures; Genesis – Revelation. In fact, it is a word associated with Hindu mighty ones and is celebrated annually in their version of “good triumphing over evil.” For these and other reasons, I refrain from it’s use. (Exodus 23:13)

SUNDAY SABBATH?

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

EASTER SUNDAY

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

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

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

HALLOW’EN

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

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

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

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


THANKSGIVING

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

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

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

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

CHRISTMAS

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

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

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

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

VALENTINE’S DAY

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

THE Scriptural Set-Apart DAYS

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

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

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

And in Jeremiah 51:6-7

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

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

And finally in Revelation 18:4-5

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

Our Prayer is that you are a lover of Truth! And that this small effort has been used by our Master to prick your conscience enough for you to dig deeper in HIS Word and follow HIM according to HIS Truth!