“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of Elohim (“God”) is at hand: repent ye, and believe the good news (“gospel”).” Mark 1:15, KJV

With those words, Yeshua taught the people of the nearness of the coming Kingdom of Elohim and that it necessitates repentance. Repentance means to turn away from one’s sins (transgressions of Yahweh’s laws – 1 John 3:4) and begin obeying the very laws that were being transgressed. It requires a change of mind concerning one’s relationship with the Creator, Yahweh. This change of mind is from disobedience to obedience out of regret for past sins and behaviors that were contrary to the Almighty’s will. It also blossoms out of a heartfelt love for Yahweh and a desire to live according to His revealed will. That will is revealed in Torah ( the laws and teachings of Yahweh).

The Apostle Paul understood the importance of repentance as it relates to the Kingdom as well. In responding to the Elders of the assembly at Ephesus, Paul said;

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward Elohim, and faith toward our Master Yeshua Messiah. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Master Yeshua, to testify the good news of the grace of Elohim. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of Elohim, shall see my face no more.”Acts 20:20-25.

Why would Yeshua and Paul make repentance a prerequisite to the Kingdom? Every kingdom, whether earthly or heavenly, is governed by laws. Without law chaos would reign. Every man would do as he pleased resulting in the soon collapse of such a kingdom. A similar fate struck Israel. In that case, the Kingdom of Yahweh did not collapse, but was taken away from Israel because of their sins.

“What?” some may say. “Didn’t Yeshua say the Kingdom of Elohim was at hand? How can you say the Kingdom of Yahweh over Israel was taken away if it hadn’t even come yet?”

The Scriptures do not leave us ignorant concerning this matter.

The Kingdom Lost

Let’s begin with 1 Chr.28:1-5;

“And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and for the footstool of our Elohim, and had made ready for the building: But Elohim said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. Howbeit Yahweh Elohim of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for He hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father He liked me to make me king over all Israel: And of all my sons, (for Yahweh hath given me many sons,) He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Yahweh over Israel.” 1 Chronicles 28:1-5, KJV.

Yahweh Himself chose Solomon to sit on “the throne of the Kingdom of Yahweh over Israel”. The Kingdom was on this earth thousands of years ago and Solomon ruled it.

Notice, also, that Yahweh chose David to be king over Israel forever (vs.4). Forever did not end at David’s death, but will never end. As long as Israel exists, David will be its king. This would require David’s resurrection in the future and the continuance of Israel forever.

1 Chr.29:10,11, 22, 23, teach us that the Kingdom of Israel is Yahweh’s Kingdom and that David ruled that same Kingdom before Solomon succeeded him.

“Wherefore David blessed Yahweh before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Yahweh Elohim of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Yahweh, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the Kingdom, O Yahweh, and thou art exalted as head above all. . . . And did eat and drink before Yahweh on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto Yahweh to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. Then Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.” 1 Chronicles 29:10,11,22, 23.

Yahweh has sworn to David that his descendants would always sit upon the throne of His Kingdom. However, that promise was conditional upon the obedience of David’s children to the covenant laws that governed the Kingdom (Ps. 132:11,12; 1 Kgs 2:1-4).

Psalm 132:11,12 says;

“Yahweh hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.” Psalms 132:11,12.

We see, in 1 Kgs.11:9-11, that David’s son Solomon would fail to keep those covenant laws.

“And Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from Yahweh Elohim of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other elohim: but he kept not that which Yahweh commanded. Wherefore Yahweh said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the Kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.” 1 Kings 11:9-11.

Solomon’s idolatry cost him the Kingdom. Yahweh rent it from him and gave ten tribes to Solomon’s servant’s son Jeroboam (vs.31). For David and Jreusalem’s sake, Yahweh did not remove His entire Kingdom, but gave one tribe to Solomon’s son Rehoboam (vs.32, 36).

Rehoboam’s Kingdom was called, “the Kingdom of Yahweh in the hand of the son of David” in 2 Chr.13:8.

Israel continued to reject the laws of the Kingdom until Yahweh brought the Assyrians upon them to carry them out of His sight.

“Yet Yahweh testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in Yahweh their Elohim. And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom Yahweh had charged them, that they should not do like them. And they left all the commandments of Yahweh their Elohim, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger. Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. Also Judah kept not the commandments of Yahweh their Elohim, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. And Yahweh rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until He had cast them out of his sight. For He rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin. For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; Until Yahweh removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.” 2 Kings 17:13-23.

King Saul’s disobedience cost him the Kingdom as well. Failure to obey led Samuel to say to Saul;

“Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of Yahweh thy Elohim, which he commanded thee: for now would Yahweh have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: Yahweh hath sought him a man after his own heart, and Yahweh hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which Yahweh commanded thee.” 1 Samuel 13:13,14.

Judah would soon follow in the footsteps of the ten tribes by being taken into captivity by the king of Babylon because of their sins.

“And Yahweh sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of Yahweh, which He spoke by His servants the prophets. At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. . . .And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.” 2 Kings 24:2, 10, 14.

Through the fate of Israel and Judah, we learn that repentance and obedience are crucial to living a peaceful, blessed life in the Kingdom. This is why Yeshua preached repentance to Israel prior to the Kingdom coming again. Without a change of heart concerning obeying the laws of the Kingdom, entrance would be denied.

Yeshua’s call to repentance raises another question. Why would he call Israel to repent of their transgressions against old covenant laws if those laws would no longer be binding under the new covenant? The answer is, he wouldn’t. He called them to repent of transgressions against old covenant laws because those same laws would govern the coming Kingdom.

When Yahweh gave Jeremiah his prophecy of the new covenant in Jer.31:31-33. He said He would write His laws upon the hearts of new covenant Israelites. What laws? The only laws that existed at that time, old covenant laws. They would be carried over into the new covenant, with the exception of those that were fulfilled by Messiah such as animal sacrifices or those related to the Temple, but the administration of it would be different. There would no longer be a condemnatory function of the law for those who walk in the Spirit of the new covenant. Please read, “The Law and the New Covenant Believer” for a more detailed explanation of this.

The Hope of the Kingdom Restored

Was Yeshua’s message of a coming Kingdom something new to Israel? Not at all. Mk.15:43 tells us Joseph of Arimathaea “waited for the Kingdom of Elohim.” This was a common hope among the Jews. They knew the Kingdom was taken from them and they awaited its return to them. It was that hope that prompted the disciples to ask Yeshua the following question;

“Master, will you at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6.

Yeshua, knowing perfectly well that the disciples were referring to the same kingdom he preached about, did not correct any erroneous thinking on their part, but simply said it was not for them to know when that time would be.

Israel was a nation that not only anticipated the restoration of the Kingdom to them, but they longed for it. This was especially true at a time in their history when they were subjects to Roman rule. That is why the preaching of the coming Kingdom was indeed good news!

Yeshua was called and sent to preach that good news to the people of Capernaum of Galilee. When the people implored him to not depart from them, he said;

“I must preach the Kingdom of Elohim to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.” Luke 4:43.

Yahweh did not send Yeshua to preach the good news to the entire world, but only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mt.15:24). Yeshua commissioned his twelve disciples to a similar mission. Mt.10:5-7 reads;

“These twelve Yeshua sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 10:5-7.

David prophesied that Yahweh’s saints would preach this Kingdom message when he wrote;

“All thy works shall praise thee, O Yahweh; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his Kingdom. Thy Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” Psalms 145:10-13.

The Good News Spreads

Eventually, the commission extended beyond the twelve disciples and beyond the borders of Israel. Shortly before his ascension, our Savior commissioned the twelve to;

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the good news to every creature.” Mark 16:15.

In Acts 8:1-4, we learn that after the stoning of Stephen, Saul began to wreak havoc upon the believers in Jerusalem. This resulted in a scattering of the believers throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.

In Acts 8:12, we see Philip successfully preaching the Kingdom and preaching Messiah unto the Samaritans. Shortly afterwards, Saul was converted to the faith. From then on, there was no stopping the spread of the good news of the coming Kingdom of Elohim. Paul, in writing to the Colossians, said the good news was “preached to every creature under heaven.”

Paul continued to preach this Kingdom message throughout his life. The last record we have of Paul’s ministry states;

ÒAnd when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of Elohim, persuading them concerning Yeshua, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of Elohim, and teaching those things which concern the Master Yeshua Messiah, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” Acts 28:23, 30,31.

The Government of the Kingdom

Every kingdom has a king. Yahweh’s Kingdom is no different. John 1:49 says;

“Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of Elohim; thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:49.

If only the rest of the world would have believed as readily as Nathanael did.

John also records the following about Yeshua’s mission;

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Yeshua answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” John 18:37.

The angel Gabriel prophesied to Miriam of the honor and position of Yeshua as the King over Yahweh’s coming Kingdom.

“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Yeshua. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and Yahweh Elohim shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31-33.

Hundreds of years before Yeshua was even born, the prophets declared his reign as King over Israel.

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Yahweh of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:7.

“Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” Jeremiah 23:5.

Hebrews 1:8 says of Yahweh’s Son;

“Thy throne, O elohim, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy Kingdom.” Hebrews 1:8.

In Rev.19:16, we see Yahweh’s Son Yeshua coming out of heaven to make war against the wicked. The name written on his vesture reads, “King of kings“. He will not be the only king to rule in the Kingdom of Yahweh. The saints that overcome will rule the nations as well.

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.” Revelation 2:26,27.

King David’s government over Israel was a type of King Yeshua’s government over the world. King David sat upon the throne of Yahweh over Israel and King Yeshua will sit on the throne of Yahweh over the world. King David had 288,000 men that served him and helped him rule Israel (1 Chr.27:1-15). King Yeshua will have 288,000 saints to help him rule the world in righteousness (Rev.7:4; 14:1). For a deeper study on this, click here.

As I mentioned earlier, every kingdom has laws to govern the behavior of its citizens. The Kingdom of Yahweh is no different. New covenant law, written on the hearts of the repentant, will be the rule of life in the Kingdom. Those that desire to live in the Kingdom of Yahweh will embrace those laws and obey them even now before the Kingdom comes, not as a means to enter the Kingdom (salvation by works), but as a fruit of their salvation and love for Yahweh.

“For this is the love of [Yahweh], that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3.

Yahweh had this to say about the king that sits upon the throne of the Kingdom over Israel;

“When thou art come unto the land which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom Yahweh thy Elohim shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. . . . And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear Yahweh his Elohim, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.” Deuteronomy 17:14,15, 18-20.

King Yeshua showed the law even more respect and honor, for he taught us, in the sermon on the mount, to obey the deeper meaning of the law, not merely its letter (Mt.5:21, 22, 27, 28).

Entrance Into the Kingdom is Conditional

There is only one “way” to enter the Kingdom and that is through the “door”, Yeshua the Messiah.

“Yeshua saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber . . . Then said Yeshua unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep . . . I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:1, 7, 9.

However, thee are also certain conditions that must be met in order to gain entrance into the Kingdom.

1) A new birth – John 3:3-5

“Yeshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Elohim. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Yeshua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Elohim.”

2) Faith and a love for Yahweh – James 2:5

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not Elohim chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?”

3) Endurance – Acts 14:22

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of Elohim.”

4) Compassion – Mt.25:34,35

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”

5) Not looking back – Luke 9:62

“And Yeshua said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of Elohim.”

6) Humility – Mt.18:3,4

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

7) Turning away from unrighteousness – 1 Cor.6:9,10

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of Elohim.”

8) A resurrection from the dead through Messiah Yeshua

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Elohim; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”

9) Not doing the works of the flesh – Gal.5:19-21

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim.”

10) A heart that doesn’t trust in riches – Mt.19:23,24

“Then said Yeshua unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Elohim.”

11) Obedience to the Father – Mt.7:21

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

12) Obedience to the Son – Heb.5:9

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

Conclusion

In Mt.6:10, Yeshua taught his disciples to pray, “thy Kingdom come . . .” When it does come, it will destroy all other governments / kingdoms on earth as prophesied by Daniel.

“And in the days of these kings shall the Elohim of heaven set up a Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Daniel 2:44.

The Hebrew for “break in pieces” means to “crush”. This will not be a physical crushing as an earthly army might crush the enemy with tanks and air strikes. Rev.19:14,15, 19-21 tell us the enemies of Yeshua will be slain by the “sword” of his words.

“And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty [Yahweh] . . . And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19:14, 15, 19-21.

Rev.11:15 says the kingdoms or governments of this planet will become Yahweh’s and Yeshua’s. The leaders will be overthrown and Yeshua’s Kingdom government will begin to rule the world from Jerusalem. At that time, the law of Yahweh will go forth out of Zion (Jerusalem) unto all the nations.

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of Yahweh’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the Elohim of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Yahweh.” Isaiah 2:1-5.

A time of unprecedented peace will blanket the earth a Yeshua and his resurrected saints rule in righteousness. Those believers that live by faith and Yahweh’s Torah (law) today are in training to begin their rule. People that refuse to obey Yahweh’s commandments, including His Sabbaths, Feast Days, laws of purity and holiness, etc., will find themselves, at best, to be the least in the Kingdom as our Savior Yeshua taught in Mt.5:17-19;

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19.

Friend, I hope you have ears to hear what the true good news (gospel) of the Kingdom of heaven is and a heart of love for your Creator, Yahweh, tat you may believe and obey.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of [Yahweh]; And He shall send Yeshua Messiah, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which [[Yahweh]] hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21.

“From that time Yeshua began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17, KJV

Please do not leave this blog until you have thoughtfully read this page. I know many of you just come to spam my blog, others arrive “accidently”, and still others come to learn something new. I wrote this particular blog to clearly outline for you the two avenues which your life can take, for there are only two. Either you receive the gift of eternal life that your Creator, Almighty Yahweh (God), offers you or you receive the payment you deserve for your unbelief.

For [Yahweh] so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For [Yahweh] sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of [Yahweh].  John 3:16-18 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of [Yahweh] is eternal life through Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah our Master.  Romans 6:23 

Your Creator not only made you, but He loves you dearly. However, your sins have separated you from Him.

But your iniquities (sins) have separated between you and your Mighty One, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perverseness. None calls for justice, nor pleads for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.  . . .

Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goes therein shall not know peace. Isa 59:2-4;7-8

Whenever a person breaks Yahweh’s holy law, it is sin or iniquity. The “wages” or payment for sin is death. Yahweh takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

Say unto them, As I live, says the Sovereign Yahweh, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn you, turn you from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 33:11 

Yahweh implores the house of Israel to turn from their evil ways and He implores you as well. Why will you choose to continue in your own ways contrary to your Creator’s laws? He has provided a way for you to receive forgiveness for every sin you have ever committed. That “way” is through Yahweh’s only begotten Son Yeshua.

Yeshua said unto him,  “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6 

It is through the death of Yeshua that you can live forever. Since the wages of sin is death and you have sinned, you will receive full payment for your actions; eternal death. Yeshua, however, took your sins and the sins of the whole world upon himself and died for you. His life was exchanged for yours so that you may live forever. He died that you might live.

But we see Yeshua, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of [Yahweh] should taste death for every man …
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  Hebrews 2:9; 14-15

For Messiah also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to [Yahweh], being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1 Peter 3:18 

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Yeshua Messiah the righteous: And he is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  1 John 2:1-2 

The high priest of Israel, Caiaphas, prophesied of Yeshua’s death on behalf of the nation of Israel.

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Yeshua should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of [Yahweh] that were scattered abroad.  John 11:49-52 

Yahweh commanded the nation of Israel to offer animal sacrifices to atone for their sins. The animals life was taken so that human life could be saved. However, the blood of animals was only a temporary covering for sin until the ultimate sacrifice of Yahweh’s Son Yeshua.

The next day John saw Yeshua coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of [Yahweh], which takes away the sin of the world.  John 1:29 

In whom we have redemption through his (Yeshua’s) blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:14 

But this man (Yeshua), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of [Yahweh];  Heb 10:12 

Dear reader, please do not deceive yourself into thinking you have not sinned or that you are a good person who does not deserve eternal death.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of [Yahweh]; Romans 3:23 

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that [Yahweh] is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yeshua Messiah his Son cleanses us from all sin.If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  1 John 1:5-10 

If you choose to reject this message of love from your Creator, He has no choice but to pay you for your works of sin. Your payment will be eternal death.

And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his Mighty One and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.  Revelation 21:6-8  

Choose wisely dear reader by receiving Yeshua the Messiah as your Savior. Allow his shed blood to cleanse you of your sins. Allow him to pay the price for your death. Receive the gift of eternal life that your Creator is offering you and do not delay your decision. Your life can end at any moment. Place it in the hands of Yeshua that he may preserve you eternally.

The KJV says the Savior’s name is Jesus, however, there is no letter “J” in Hebrew or Greek, nor was there a “J” in English prior to the 17^th century. The original 1611 KJV records his name as Iesus. That is because the letter “J” had not yet come into regular use. It was only recently invented at that time. Therefore, Jesus cannot be the Savior’s true name. It is a man-made name that has existed for only a few hundred years. Iesus is an attempt to transliterate the name as it appears in the Greek text (Ιησους – pronounced “ee-ay-soos”). The Greeks attempted to transliterate the name from Hebrew, but fell short as we will see shortly.

The KJV of Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8 prove the Savior had the same name as the soldier Joshua, the son of Nun. These two verses say Jesus when they should have saidJoshua as the marginal notes point out. Joshua, in the Masoretic Hebrew text, is Yehoshua (Numbers 11:28) or the shorter form Yeshua (Nehemiah 8:17).  Both names, Jesusand “Joshua,” are written Ιησους in Greek Septuagint. Both Hebrew forms, Yehoshua and Yeshua, contain “shua” in them, however, there is no “sh” sound in Greek. Therefore, the names Yehoshua and Yeshua could not be transliterated exactly. Additionally, the Greek terminal ending “υς” was added which is common for many Greek names such as Timotheus, Silvanus, Andronicus, Aristobulus, Narcissus, Rufus , Asyncritus, Philologus, Nereus, and many others. Thus, with no “sh” sound and a “υς” ending, we get Ιησους in Greek.

While it is true that the Savior had the same name as Joshua, the son of Nun, the question arises, which variation was it, Yehoshua or Yeshua? Based on the Greek transliteration Ιησους it would appear Yeshua would be the correct variation.

Matthew 1:21 also tells us the meaning of the name; “… for he shall save his people from their sins”. According to Strong’s Concordance, Jeshua means “he will save”.

Some people use one of the following variations; Yahushua, Yahoshua, or Yeshua as I once did. The problem with Yeshua is that the “he” and the “waw” (underlined) in the long form of the Hebrew name יהושע   are not pronounced. However, according to the rules of Hebrew grammar, the “he” must be pronounced. Here is what Gesenius, “The Father of Hebrew Grammarians”, says about the Hebrew letter “he”;

The first underlined section is most important.  The “he” in the middle of a word never loses its consonantal value.  The only exceptions to this are listed in the footnote, but Gesenius states that these two exceptions are only “apparent” exceptions.

The “elision by syncope” that he speaks of refers to the second underlined section where he shows the names Yehonatan and Yonatan.  In this case the “he” is elided (removed completely), but the waw remains with its full vocalic value.  How does this apply to the form Yeshua?  If Yeshua were to be spelled in Hebrew it would look like this:

יָהושֻׁעַ

This is problematic for a few reasons.  First, the “he” is totally silent.  Second, the “waw” is totally silent.  This pronunciation could be spelled much simpler as:

יָשֻׁעַ

But, as you can see, this doesn’t resemble Messiah’s, or the son of Nun’s name at all.

Yahoshua and Yahushua would be more correct as far as grammar is concerned, but both of those variations assume the Savior’s name must begin with “Yah”. One cannot possibly know that for sure. It is quite possible the Almighty gave His Son the shorter variation of the name, Yeshua. I was born with the name John. A longer form exists,Jonathan, but that is not my name. To assume Messiah had the longer form as his name is just conjecture.

Since the name Yeshua carries the meaning “he will save” harmonizing with Matthew 1:21 and since the Greek Iesous is a closer transliteration of Yeshua rather thanYehoshua or some other long form, I believe the weight of the evidence points to Yeshua.

Matthew 1:21 does not say, “Yahweh shall save …”, but “he shall save …” (“he” referring to the antecedent Jesus / Yeshua, not to Yahweh). Many have claimed the name means “Yahweh is salvation” or “Yahweh saves”, but that is not what the verse says.

It is mistakenly believed that John 5:43 teaches us that the Father’s name (Yahweh or Yah) must be part of the Son’s name. It reads, “ I am come in my Father’s name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.” “In my Father’s name” means, “In my Father’s authority” and “in his own name” means, “by his own authority”. Consider the following verses:

Jeremiah 14:14-15 – Then Yahweh said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart. Therefore thus says Yahweh concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

The prophets of Jeremiah 14 were saying they were sent by Yahweh and were prophesying by His authority, but they were lying.

John 10:25 – Yeshua answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

Yeshua did those works by his Father’s authority because Yahweh gave him all authority (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-22).

1 Corinthians 1:13  Is Messiah divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

This does not mean the baptized person was given the name “Paul”. It is asking if the Corinthians in question were baptized by Paul’s authority.

Some would say Yeshua is not a Hebrew name, but Aramaic and a corruption of the true name Yeshua. Actually, based on the rules of Hebrew grammar, it is the nameYeshua that is “corrupted” and impossible. This form of the name is not found in Scripture whereas Yeshua is. In fact, the name Yeshua existed long before the Messiah was born. Yeshua is simply the contracted form of either Yahoshua, Yahushua, Yehoshua, or Yehushua.

The textual evidence we have for NT documents, however, never record Messiah’s name in the long form:

1. Aramaic - , Yeshu’a, early 5^th century

2. Greek – Ιησους, Iaysoos, Iesous, 4^th century

3. Hebrew – ישוע, Yeshua, 14^th century (probably copied from a much earlier version)

4. Latin Vulgate - Iesus, late 4^th century directly from Hebrew

The importance of Messiah’s name

Philippians 2:9-11 – Wherefore Yahweh also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Yeshua Messiah is Master, to the glory of Yahweh the Father.”

These verses  stress the importance of the Messiah’s specific name. Eventually, every knee will bow to a Messiah named Yeshua.

Acts 26:14 - “And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks.”

The Savior spoke these words to Saul in Hebrew. He then went on to say, “I am Yeshua who you persecute.” All English Bibles say Jesus instead of Yeshua which is the correct name in Hebrew. Certainly, the Savior did not say Jesus since that name was not invented until 1500 years later.

Revelation 7:3,4 shows 144,000 end-time saints being sealed on their foreheads before Yahweh’s wrath is poured out on the earth and its inhabitants. Revelation 9:4 gives us the reason for this sealing; it is to protect Yahweh’s people from receiving His wrath. We again see 144,000 saints in Revelation14:1. It is here that we find out what the seal is that was placed on their foreheads. The KJV reads;

 ”And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.”

The Greek reads, “having his name and his Father’s name…” as does the NIV. This teaches us the importance of knowing and using the names of Yahweh and Yeshua in these final days. Yahweh Himself has begun the restoration of these names for a specific purpose. If the seal on the forehead is symbolic of knowing and using the names, it would be very dangerous to reject that knowledge in favor of continuing to use man-made names like Jesus, Jehovah, and LORD.

Revelation 3:8 - “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

What does it mean to deny “my name?” One meaning is to deny the Savior himself. Another meaning is to learn his true name and then reject it for a substitute name. Whenever we reject the light of truth we grieve the Holy Spirit. So let us “walk in the light as he is in the light.”

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I don’t usually post other writer’s works, but this commentary was too important to not post. As many people as possible must understand the ramifications of President Obama’s comments on same-sex marriage.

On the Presidential Endorsement
of Same-Sex Marriage

by Doug Phillips – President – Vision Forum Ministries

For two decades, the frog has been in the pot while the temperature has been slowly turned up. Yesterday, it was finally cooked and served to the American people in a sauce so thick as to cover the rancid flavor of the dish.

The process began with the Bush presidencies and their toleration for homosexuality. It was advanced in full by the Clinton Administration. It has now reached its logical zenith under Obama. So we should not be surprised by the official announcement that the President of the United States of America has finally declared to the world his opposition to the historical, common law and biblical meaning of marriage. President Obama may be remembered for many things, but few are as fundamental in its treason to his countrymen, to his oath of office and to the living God, then his decision to use the presidency to redefine a definition of marriage that was established on Day Six of Creation and has been the benchmark of civilization for 6,000 years.

Mark your calendars — May 9, 2012 — the President of the United States of America finally crossed a line from which there is no return without repudiation and repentance. Terrorists are dangerous. The economy is a real and present danger. But there is simply nothing other than the holocaust of the unborn which imperils the safety of our country or places our people in jeopardy as does the leader of the Western world publicly raising his fist at the Heavens and declaring that the bedrock institution of society, ordained of God and meant to be protected by the state, is little more than a convention of convenience for the children of Sodom to transform the meaning of something which is precious to Jesus Christ and a living picture of His love for the Church, into a legally protected justification for perversion, and a vehicle of hatred aimed directly at that love.

Korah was a Levite who rebelled against Moses and Aaron. This brought Yahweh’s judgment upon him and those who joined in his rebellion. There are uncanny parallels between the account of Korah found in Numbers 16 and the actions of anti-Paulists.

Here is the account of Korah as found in the KJV of Numbers 16 with my commentary on those parallels interspersed in this font in red. The KJV use of “the LORD” has been corrected to read “Yahweh” and “God” has been corrected to read “Elohim”.

Numbers 16:1 Now Korah (Anti-Paulist leaders are a parallel to Korah), the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:

Numbers 16:2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel (Those that followed Korah are a parallel to those who follow the error of the anti-Paulis leaders.), two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: (The anti-Paulist leaders are very knowledgeable, charismatic individuals and easily gain recognition in a congregation. Many can and are being misled by them.)

Numbers 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and Yahweh is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of Yahweh? (The anti-Paulist believes he is equal to or better than Paul in understanding Torah and how it applies to the congregation of believers. After all (they reason), they were called by Yahweh and Yahweh is among them as well. They have Yahweh’s Holy Spirit in them and therefore, can discern truth.

Korah and company were coming against Yahweh’s leaders just as anti-Paulists come against Paul as a leader of New Covenant assemblies. They do this by trying to prove Paul teaches contrary to Torah and Yeshua.

Notice they accused Moses and Aaron of lifting up themselves above the congregation of Yahweh. They did not recognize that it was Yahweh Himself who lifted up both of them. The anti-Paulist accuses Paul of being a “self-appointed apostle”. They do not recognize his calling to that office by Yahweh or Yeshua.)

Numbers 16:4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: (Thankfully, Paul is unaware of the attacks against him.)

Numbers 16:5 And he spoke unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even tomorrow Yahweh will show who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. (Yahweh chose Moses and Aaron as leaders of His congregation. He also chose Paul, through Yeshua, as a leader of the New Covenant assemblies. Yeshua said of Paul;

“. . . Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” Acts 9:15-16.

We also see, in Acts 13:1-4, that the Holy Spirit of Yahweh chose Paul and sent him on his mission:

“Now there were in the assembly that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to Yahweh, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.”)

Numbers 16:6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

Numbers 16:7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before Yahweh tomorrow: and it shall be that the man whom Yahweh doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. (The anti-Paulists take too much upon themselves in coming against Paul just as Korah and company took too much upon themselves by coming against Moses and Aaron.)

Numbers 16:8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:

Numbers 16:9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the Elohim of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of Yahweh, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

Numbers 16:10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? (Yahweh separated those that believe in Yeshua from the world before they became anti-Paulists. They could come boldly before His throne of grace and stand before Him clothed in Yeshua’s righteousness. But that was not good enough. Now they seek to take away Paul’s position as a leader and teacher in the assembly of the saints. They destroy Paul’s good name and office and exalt themselves as true teachers from Yahweh.)

Numbers 16:11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against Yahweh: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? (In coming against Moses, Korah and company were actually coming against Yahweh Himself. In coming against the Apostle Paul, anti-Paulists are actually coming against Yahweh and Yeshua; a grievous sin of rebellion)

Numbers 16:12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:

Numbers 16:13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? (Once again, Korah does not recognize Yahweh’s choice of Moses and therefore, accuses Moses of being a self-appointed prince over Israel. Anti-Paulists do not recognize Yahweh and Yeshua’s choice of Paul and accuse him of being a self-appointed apostle.

Interestingly, although Moses was Yahweh’s chosen leader and Aaron was Yahweh’s chosen priest, Yahweh never told Israel that information directly. He used Moses to relay that information indirectly. Similarly, we do not have a direct command from Yahweh or Yeshua informing us that Paul is an apostle. We know he is a “chosen vessel” based on Acts 9:15, but not that he is an apostle except through the words of Luke in Acts 14:4,14 and Paul’s testimony about himself.

Did the fact that Israel did not hear a direct command from Yahweh appointing Moses and Aaron make their appointments any less valid or null and void altogether? No. Neither does the lack of a direct command from Yahweh or Yeshua of Paul’s apostleship make his office invalid or void.)

Numbers 16:14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

Numbers 16:15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto Yahweh, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

Numbers 16:16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before Yahweh, thou, and they, and Aaron, tomorrow:

Numbers 16:17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before Yahweh every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.

Numbers 16:18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of Yahweh appeared unto all the congregation. (Korah had tremendous influence over the congregation to convince them he was right and to deceive them into following him. Anti-Paulists do the same. As with Korah, many anti-Paulists will come against Paul right up until they stand before Yahweh in judgment.)

Numbers 16:20 And Yahweh spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Numbers 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

Numbers 16:22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O Elohim, the Elohim of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

Numbers 16:23 And Yahweh spoke unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. (Yahweh was incredibly angry with Korah, Dathan and Abiram, the architects of this rebellion. Their pride, arrogance and vanity in coming against the leaders that Yahweh put in office were a great offense to Him. The anti-Paulists’ offense is no different in coming against Paul as one of Yahweh’s chosen leaders of the New Covenant assembly. )

Numbers 16:25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

Numbers 16:26 And he spoke unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. (It would be wise for the congregation of believers in Yeshua to heed Moses’ warning (in type) and depart from anti-Paulists and their destructive influence before they end up partaking of their sins and being chastened / judged along with them.)

Numbers 16:27 So they got up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

Numbers 16:28 And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that Yahweh hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. (We will eventually know with certainty that Yahweh sent Paul after He vindicates Paul from the slander and false accusations against him.)

Numbers 16:29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then Yahweh hath not sent me.

Numbers 16:30 But if Yahweh make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked Yahweh. (It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim. It is my prayer that this article will instill the fear of Yahweh in anti-Paulists that they may see their rebellion, provocation and sin and repent.)

Numbers 16:31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

Numbers 16:32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

Numbers 16:33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. (Whether or not Yahweh deals with anti-Paulists as He dealt with Korah is questionable, but the fact that He will deal with people who rebel against His chosen leaders is inevitable.)

Numbers 16:34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

Numbers 16:35 And there came out a fire from Yahweh, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. (Those who partake in any rebellion against Yahweh’s leaders risk receiving the wages of the sin.)

Numbers 16:36 And Yahweh spoke unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 16:37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.

Numbers 16:38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before Yahweh, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

Numbers 16:39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

Numbers 16:40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before Yahweh; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as Yahweh said to him by the hand of Moses.

Numbers 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of Yahweh.

Numbers 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of Yahweh appeared. (This incredible account is a testimony to the destructive influence of Korah and company. In spite of Yahweh’s judgment against Korah and company for their part in the rebellion, the entire congregation continued the rebellion in coming against Moses and Aaron even though it was not they that killed the people, but Yahweh Himself. The anti-Paulists have a similar influence over congregations. Many will continue following their rebellion in spite of repeated warnings against such a practice.)

Numbers 16:43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.

Numbers 16:44 And Yahweh spoke unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 16:45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

Numbers 16:46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from Yahweh; the plague is begun.

Numbers 16:47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

Numbers 16:49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

Numbers 16:50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed. (Yeshua is a type of Moses and he is our atoning sacrifice. It is only through him that the sinner can be forgiven. He intercedes for the sinner as Moses interceded for the congregation of Israel. There is forgiveness for the sin of rebellion that anti-Paulists are committing, but they must repent. They need to spend more time trying to understand Paul’s writings through prayer and study and less time trying to refute Paul or prove him wrong.

Even anti-Paulists admit that Paul’s writings contain many valuable and edifying teachings. That being the case, the proper approach to understanding Paul’s writings is to first give him the benefit of the doubt. When we don’t understand something Yeshua taught, we don’t accuse him of being wrong, teaching against Torah, or lying. We give him the benefit of the doubt and wait on Yahweh to give us further understanding. The Apostle Paul should be treated the same way, especially since he is a leader chosen by Yahweh.

Rebellion against a chosen leader of Yahweh is a serious sin, but it is not the only sin that anti-Paulists are committing. They are slandering and falsely accusing Paul based on a false interpretation of the true evidence. Yahweh says;

“You shall not bear a false report; do not join your hand with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.” Exodus 23:1

“You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am Yahweh.” Leviticus 19:16

I admonish all anti-Paulists to reconsider the “evidence” they are standing upon in their slander and false accusations against an Apostle of Yeshua.

There are several other articles on my website that may help you understand Paul’s writings. They are found at http://www.intergate.com/~jcordaro/index.html under the heading “Apologetic Studies”. I don’t profess to understand everything Paul has written, but I do understand enough to know that anti-Paulists are wrong about him.)

Many who profess to obey Yahweh’s dietary laws are not very zealous in their approach to keeping them. We have been well informed by the health community on the “evils” of eating too much fat or sugar. So we carefully check each product to make sure it is not laden with either. Shouldn’t we be even more careful to check for ingredients that Yahweh says we should not eat? Is abstaining from pork chops, bacon, ham, shrimp, and lobster sufficient? Should we go no farther in attempting to abstain from unclean animal products hidden in supposedly edible food?

Peter’s vision in Acts 10 is often used by both opponents and proponents of the dietary laws. What is usually overlooked is Peter’s zealousness towards these laws. He said he had “never” eaten “anything” that was common or unclean (vs.14). We, too, should be so zealous.

1 Cor.3:16,17 reads, “Know you not that you are the temple of [Yahweh], and that the Spirit of [Yahweh] dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of [Yahweh], him shall [Yahweh] destroy; for the temple of [Yahweh] is holy, which temple you are.”

That being the case, we should diligently guard our temple from defilement. The key word here is “diligently”. King Artaxerxes decreed the following concerning provisions for the House of Yahweh in Jerusalem;

 ”Whatsoever is commanded by the Elohim of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the Elohim of heaven:” (Ezra 7:23a).

The “House of the Elohim of heaven” is the body of each believer in whom His Spirit dwells. It must be diligently guarded from defilement by that which Yahweh proclaims will defile it. In Lev.11, Yahweh tells us exactly which animals are unclean abominations that cause defilement when eaten. He concludes His list with vss.45-47;

“For I am the Yahweh that brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim: you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.”

 We should “make a difference” by being diligent in reading ingredient labels to search for that which would defile us and Yahweh’s temple.

Once A Pig Always A Pig

Some people have the mistaken belief that since some unclean ingredients are added in such minute quantities and are so highly processed they are somehow cleansed and therefore, permissible. However, in the same way that an Ethiopian cannot change the color of his skin or a leopard its spots (Jer.13:23) neither can man change an unclean animal to a clean one no matter how much processing it undergoes. This is why we should not eat Jello brand gelatin even though it bears a kosher “K” on the package. Although the company cannot guarantee it uses only gelatin derived from beef bones, liberal Rabbis allow pork gelatin because it has been processed at very high temperatures. The stricter Orthodox symbols such as a K ,U, or V encircled are usually very reliable and can be trusted in designating clean products, but not always. If given a choice of several similar products, always choose the one with a kosher symbol as opposed to no symbol at all. A kosher symbol not only identifies products made with clean ingredients, but it also assures us that the machinery and utensils used to make the product were properly sanitized and that only healthy animals were used.

Gelatin also finds its way into marshmallows and products containing marshmallows like cereals, candies, and snacks. Certain brands of apple juice that are not Kosher certified may have used unclean gelatin or bones to clarify the juice. The gelatin is added to the cloudy juice which causes the sediments to stick to it. The gelatin is later removed by adding animal bones which causes the gelatin to stick to them. The bones are then removed leaving clarified apple juice. If you by “natural” apple juice that appears cloudy and is not Kosher certified, it does not mean it did not undergo that process. It may mean the process was only partially completed to make it appear as though it is a natural product.

Enzymes

Enzymes are used to coagulate and curdle milk when making cheese. There are generally four types of enzymes; microbial (artificially or chemically produced), vegetable (from a plant source), rennet (from the stomach of suckling calves or sheep), and pepsin (from a pig’s stomach). Sargento cheeses, for example, are made using microbial (or synthetic) enzymes. Kraft , on the other hand, cannot guarantee their enzymes to be from a clean source. Kosher cheese is available, but is usually hard to find unless you live near a Jewish community. Many kosher products, including kosher cheese, can be purchased over the internet.

There are also several varieties of very inexpensive processed cheeses that are made from inferior quality cheese known as “grinder.” “Grinder” can be from spoiled or contaminated cheese. It is melted, reprocessed, and solidified with assorted binders to disguise any foul taste. “You get what you pay for” as the saying goes. It may cost more to eat clean and healthier, but the benefits far outweigh the cost.

Whey

A waste by-product of the cheese making process is whey. It finds its way into many products such as candy, ice cream, bread, snacks, etc. As cheese curdles, a thick liquid begins to separate from it. This liquid contains whatever enzymes were used to make the cheese. Therefore, if pepsin (from a pig’s stomach) was used, any product containing that whey would be unclean as well. It is important to read labels on the products you buy. If it contains whey, be sure the product is Kosher certified. This would assure you the whey was from a clean source.

Be On Guard

Contamination of our food supply comes in many different forms from many different sources; insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, drugs, food additives, chemical additives, etc.  A recent article in a local newspaper concerned the feeding of our nation’s cattle, hogs, poultry, etc., with 19 million pounds of antibiotics each year. The National Research Council did a study on this practice and found that the antibiotics created strains of disease-causing bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotics and infect humans. They recommended consumers cook meat thoroughly and take other precautions, such as washing cutting boards and knives after chopping chicken.

The safest, healthiest way to eat is from your own organic garden. Since that is not always possible or practical, we must be watchful in selecting products for our family to eat.

The following is an assortment of things to consider.

When making maple syrup, it is a practice of some companies to drip pork fat into the boiling syrup to keep the froth down. Buy only Kosher certified syrup.

Turkey sausage seems like a good alternative to pork sausage until you realize it may be stuffed into hog casings.

The ground beef, chicken, or turkey from your local grocer may have been ground through a grinder that was used for pig and not sanitized. A past edition of Dateline showed an undercover operation in which the ground beef from 100 stores in 10 different cities was tested. Six out of ten stores in Miami, for example, were selling ground beef with ground pork in it. The same was true of almost all the cities tested. The program also told the story of one man’s death from eating a supposedly “all beef” hamburger. The burger was contaminated with pork resulting in a trichina worm making its way to his brain and killing him.

Think twice before ordering a restaurant pizza, even if you know they use clean cheese. They slice it with the same rolling cutter they used on the previous customer’s supreme pizza with pepperoni and sausage.

Culinary Curiosities

Below is a list of a few food additives that you should be aware of.

 Alpha Amylase – It is used in flour to break down starches and is derived from hog intestines.

Carmine (cochineal) – This is a crimson coloring derived from an insect (coccus cacti, L). It is used to color red apple sauce, yogurt, chewing gum, fruit cocktail cherries, confections, baked goods, soft drinks, and meats.

Civet, absolute – This is used as a flavoring for beverages, ice cream, candy, baked goods, and chewing gum. It comes from an Ethiopian cat.

Cystein, L form – This is an amino acid that can come from horses, humans, or may be synthetic. It is used as a nutrient in bakery products. I noticed it for the first time in fresh bagels from a major grocery stores bakery.

Glycerides, Glycerol, Glycerine – All can come from unclean animal sources. Most toothpastes and mouthwashes contain glycerine.

Natural Flavorings – These can be derived from civet (cats), castorium (beaver), ambergis (whales), etc. They are indeed “natural,” but certainly not clean.

Shellac – This is an insect secretion used in glaze for confectionery products.

Eating Blood or Fat

The following Scriptures forbid the eating of animal flesh that contains blood; Gen.9:4; Lev.3:17; 7:26; 17:10-14; Deut.12:16; Acts 15:20,29. That being the case, we need to be sure that the meat we eat has had the blood properly drained. The only way to do that is to slit the live animals throat allowing the blood to be continually pumped out by the heart. The flesh is then salted to draw out any remaining blood. Broiling the flesh will draw even more blood out. If the animal is killed prior to bleeding, which is common in many slaughter houses, the heart will not aid in pumping all the blood out. Whatever blood remains in the flesh will contain whatever diseases, poisons, impurities, or toxins where in the animal’s blood at the time of death. “AIDS,” for example, is carried through the blood stream of humans. The same is true of diseases found in animals. When the Word says, “the life is in the blood,” the opposite may be true as well, “death is in the blood.”  Therefore, seek to buy Kosher meats which have been properly bled. Kosher frankfurters and salami are usually readily available as is chicken.

We are also to abstain from eating fat (Lev.3:17; 7:24). As with blood, fat contains poisons and impurities. It also, as the medical community has proven, contributes to high cholesterol, heart disease, and a host of other ailments. All excess fat on kosher meat should be trimmed off before cooking. The skin should be removed from poultry since most of the toxins and fat are found there. Broiling helps to remove much of the fat as it does the blood. There are many products that list fat in the ingredients such as soups, pies, and other baked goods. Be sure to read the labels and select only kosher certified products.

Conclusion

Yahweh has given us some sobering words from the prophet Ezekiel;

“Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” (Ezek.22:26).

Let us not profane Yahweh or His holy temple (our bodies) by not discerning between clean and unclean products to eat. There is great reward awaiting those who are zealous for the way of Yahweh and who are diligent in carrying out His will.

• Loved by their father.

Gen 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, . . .

Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

• Hated by their brothers ( Both of their brothers were the children of Israel).

Gen 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

John 15:25 But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

• Sent to their brothers.

Gen 37:14 And he said to him, Go, I pray you, see whether it be well with your brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

John 5:37 And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me.

• Joseph’s dreams of the future and Messiah’s prophecies of the future provoked their brothers to hate them.

Gen 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Mat 21:33-46 . . . And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

• Their jealous brothers conspired to kill them.

Gen 37:18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

Luke 22:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; . . .

• Sold for silver.

Gen 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Mat 26:15 And said unto them, What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

• Both were rejected, stripped and put into the heart of the earth (pit).

Gen 37:23-24 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

Mat 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

John 19:41-42 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Yeshua therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the tomb was close at hand.

• Their brothers lied about them concerning their fate.

Gen 37:31-32 And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be your son’s coat or no.

Mat 28:11-13 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say you, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

• Raised up out of the earth.

Gen 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, . . .

Mat 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Act 5:30 The Elohim of our fathers raised up Yeshua, whom you slew and hanged on a tree.

• Overcame the temptation to sin.

Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

• Both put in prison (Joseph in the king’s prison and Messiah in death’s prison, the grave).

Gen 39:20 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

Mat 27:59-60 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock:…

• Suffered greatly for the sake of saving many.

Gen 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here: for Elohim did send me before you to preserve life.

1 Peter 3:18 For Messiah also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to Elohim, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

• Exalted to the position of second most powerful ruler.

Gen 41:39-40 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as Elohim has showed you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are: You shall be over my house, and according unto your word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than you.

1 Co 15:27 For he [Yahweh] has put all things under his [Messiah’s] feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

• Everyone had to come to them for food (to Joseph for physical food and to Messiah for spiritual food).

Gen 41:57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

• The nations would come to them to be saved.

Gen 47:25 And they said, You have saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my master, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.

John 3:17 For Elohim sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

• Both were estranged from their families while saving the nations.

Gen 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Micah 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travails has brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

• Their brothers would bow down to them.

Gen 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to you to the earth?

Gen 43:26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

Php 2:9-10 Wherefore Elohim also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

• Their brothers could not recognize them due to their “Gentile” disguise (Joseph as an Egyptian and Messiah as the Lord of Christians) while, at the same time, they recognized their brothers.

Gen 42:8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is your Father? Yeshua answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.

Consider also the Jewish rejection of the “Christian Jesus”

• Both purposely kept their identities hidden.

Gen 42:7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, . . .

Mica 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travails has brought forth: . . .

• Their brothers would have their eyes opened to behold their true identity.

Gen 45:4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

2 Co 3:14-17 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Messiah. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Master, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Master is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Master is, there is liberty.

• They would forgive their brothers and be reconciled to them.

Gen 50:17, 19-21 So shall you say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray you now, the trespass of your brethren, and their sin; for they did unto you evil: and now, we pray you, forgive the trespass of the servants of the Elohim of your father. And Joseph wept when they spoke unto him. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of Elohim? But as for you, you thought evil against me; but Elohim meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear you not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spoke kindly unto them.

Luke 23:34 Then said Yeshua, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do . . .

• Both would continue to rule over their brothers.

Gen 50:18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we are your servants.

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; . . .

The purpose of this study is to understand what disgusts Yahweh the most and what should be disgusting to us as well. But first, let’s look at a few things that men consider abominations, but really aren’t.

Genesis 43:32 – “And they set a place for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.”

The Egyptians were a proud and exclusive people who considered foreigners abominable, especially the Hebrews who were undoubtedly a much hairier people which can lead to the false belief that they are unclean or dirty people.

Genesis 46:34 – “That you shall say, Thy servants’ trade has been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.”

Their disgust at shepherds may also have to do with being dirty or smelly. A herd of sheep can smell pretty bad causing their shepherd to smell bad as well. It can also have to do with the Egyptian view of sheep. If sheep were taboo for religious reasons, then their shepherds would be looked upon as taboo breakers.

Now to the real abominations.

Leviticus 11:9-13, 42-44 – “These shall you eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall you eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; you shall not eat of their flesh, but you shall have their carcases in abomination. Whatsoever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. And these are they which you shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, . . .Whatsoever goes upon the belly, and whatsoever goes upon all four, or whatsoever has more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination. You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps, neither shall you make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled thereby. For I am Yahweh your Elohim: you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

Certain “foods” of today are an abomination to Yahweh. He says that when we eat these animals that are disgusting to Him, that we then become disgusting in His sight (vs.43). He also says that His people are to consider them abominable as well. How would you feel if your child picked up dog poop and ate it? I would be gagging and want to vomit. We are Yahweh’s children. He does not want us to eat disgusting things.

It is not nitpicking or too legalistic to refuse to eat certain products because they contain unclean animal byproducts. Its for our own good and for Yahweh’s good pleasure that we keep ourselves pure and holy.

Leviticus 18:6-23 concerns forbidden acts such as incest, adultery, human sacrifices, homosexuality, beastiality, etc.

Lev.18:26,29 – “You shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourns among you: . . . For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.”

In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, we read about a man in the congregation that committed incest by having his father’s wife. The Apostle Paul’s judgment was to excommunicate the man or to cut him off from his people. This time it was only men cutting off another man from his congregation and it may have been temporary providing the man repented. However, a time will come when Yahweh will do the cutting off and it will be forever.

Question: What would you do if you were walking through a forest and you came across a 14 ct. gold statue of Neptune (the pagan mighty one of the sea) worth about $5,000?

Deuteronomy 7:25-26 – “The graven images of their mighty ones shall you burn with fire: you shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto you, lest you be snared therein: for it is an abomination to Yahweh thy Elohim. Neither shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be a cursed thing like it: but you shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.”

Deut.17:1 – “Thou shalt not sacrifice unto Yahweh thy Elohim any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto Yahweh thy Elohim.”

Yahweh desires unblemished, spotless sacrifices. This is why Yahweh could accept nothing less than a sinless (unblemished) man to die as the atoning sacrifice for mankind. He also desires for us to be unblemished sacrifces as we read in 2 Pe.3:14:

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

That may seem impossible to do, but as long as we confess our sins, we will have all our unrighteousness cleansed and become spotless again.

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 – “When you are come into the land which Yahweh thy Elohim gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh thy Elohim drives them out from before you.”

Believers today are not to resort to such sources for their information, guidance or revelation. Yahweh has given us His Son and Scripture. We are to hear them.

Deuteronomy 22:5 – “The woman shall not wear that which pertains unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto Yahweh thy Elohim.”

We may not know the full reason why Yahweh gave this commandment, but we do know the result when someone breaks it. That person becomes an abomination in Yahweh’s sight.

Deuteronomy 24:4a – “Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Yahweh:”

A man cannot remarry an ex-wife if she remarried and was later divorced.

Deuteronomy  25:13-16 – “You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, a great and a small. You shall not have in your house diverse measures, a great and a small. But you shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shall you have: that your days may be lengthened in the land which Yahweh thy Elohim gives you. For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto Yahweh thy Elohim.”

The same would be true of any kind of measurement including gas stations putting water in their tanks, contractors ordering far more cement than what is needed for a job, moving the boundary markers of your land, etc. I once bought a bunch of bananas in Greece. When I returned to my room and removed the bananas from the bag, I found a giant black banana at the bottom. It was placed their to increase the weight my purchase costing me more.

Deuteronomy 27:15 – “Cursed be the man that makes any graven or molten image, an abomination unto Yahweh, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and puts it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.”

Any image or idol that is used for worship is an abomination to Yahweh. That includes all the statues you see in churches today, all the crucifixes with images of Christ on them, and all the religious art depicting images of people that are prayed to like the virgin Mary.

Proverbs 3:32 – “For the froward is abomination to Yahweh: but his secret is with the righteous.”

“Froward” here means to be perverse or stubbornly obstinate. Pharoah comes to mind as that type of person.

Proverbs 6:16-19 – “These six things does Yahweh hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.”

May we never commit such abominations. A heart that devises wicked imaginations is someone who takes the time to think up evil things to do and feet that are swift in running to mischief is just the opposite. They don’t even stop to think. They just do evil without thinking.

Proverbs 12:22 – “Lying lips are abomination to Yahweh: but they that deal truly are his delight.”

This is why Revelation 21:8 says all liars are destined for the Lake of Fire. Yeshua is the truth and his followers must walk in truth as well. Satan is the father of lies. We must not follow his example, but Yeshua’s.

Proverbs 17:15 – “He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to Yahweh.”

There are judges in our judicial system today that are provoking Yahweh’s wrath every time they allow the guilty to go free while the victim’s suffer.

Proverbs 28:9 – “He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”

 How many people in Christianity today are guilty of this? Many today are ignorant concerning the Scriptures and are being deceived concerning the law, but there are also many who are very learned in the Scriptures and yet, refuse to hear the law. A day is coming when these people will stand before Yeshua and he will say to them, “Depart from me you workers of lawlessness. I never knew you.”

Proverbs 29:27 – “An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”

Its hard to believe that a follower of Yeshua can be considered an abomination, but that is how the wicked view us. That would mean that all human beings, including those in the Body of Messiah, are considered abominable! Thankfully, however, those in the Body are not considered abominable by Yahweh.

Luke 16:15 – “And he said unto them, You are they which justify yourselves before men; but Elohim knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of Elohim.”

This is similar to idolatry. Whatsoever man values above Yahweh is an abomination to Him. In this case, the Pharisees love of money was abhorred by Yahweh. For many people it is their cars and still others, their wardrobe or clothing. The true riches that we as believers should be seeking after are those of the Spirit; eternal riches that no man can steal from us.

Revelation 21:7-8 – “He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his Elohim, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Abominable people will be cast into the Lake of Fire. How does someone become abominable? By doing those things mentioned above; the things that Yahweh says are abominations that make us abominable.

Ezekiel 43:8 – “In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.”

Israel defiled Yahweh’s name by their abominations. This is mostly speaking about their idols. If we are going to be holy as Yahweh is holy and not defile His Name, we must separate ourselves from any and all abominations.

If you have been committing any of the abominations spoken of in Scripture, I admonish you to repent and walk in a way that is not abominable/disgusting to your Creator. It doesn’t matter whether you have been committing beastiality, homosexuality, cross dressing, incest, witchcraft, idolatry, or any other abomination. There is forgiveness available from Yahweh through the shed blood of His Son Yeshua who died for you. He took the punishment for your sin (death) upon himself so that you can live forever justified before Yahweh. You need only to repent of your sin (turn away from it) and confess the Master Yeshua the Messiah as your Savior asking him to cleanse you of your sin. He will do so and empower you to overcome sin and death so that you may live forever in his Kingdom. May it be so.

Since you are a Sabbath keeper there is no need to explain to you the importance of Yahweh’s laws and obedience to them. You also should be aware of Yeshua’s statement in Mt.5:17,18,”Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled .” The “law” referred to here is not only the ten commandments, but any other law that has not been totally fulfilled yet. Examples would include dietary laws, and laws forbidding bestiality, relations with relatives, tattoos, etc. 

Among those laws that have not been totally fulfilled are the annual “Feast days” or “Holy days” that were commanded as “statutes forever” (Lev 23:21,31,41). Concerning these Holy days, Ellen G. White wrote, “If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict!” – 6 Testimonies 39,40

Having said that and having a knowledge of the continued existence of the weekly Sabbath, the question must be asked, “Why don’t you also keep Yahweh’s seven annual Sabbaths also known as His Holy Feast Days?” The answer lies on page 243 of “Seventh-day Adventists Believe … A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines.” The book quotes Col 2:16,17 and Eph 2:14-16, as well as Gal 4:10,11 on page 254, as proof texts that the so-called ceremonial law, including the seven yearly Holy days, have been “nailed to the cross.” Those days, incidentally, are the first and last days of the Feast of Unleavened, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Day of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day. These Holy days are spoken of in Lev 23.

The following is the true scriptural understanding of these Holy days, which reveal to Yahweh’s people His entire plan of salvation.

Let’s begin this study by quoting a passage from the book mentioned above. On page 252 we read,”While the weekly Sabbath was ordained at the close of Creation week for all mankind, the annual sabbaths were an integral part of the Jewish system of rites and ceremonies instituted at Mount Sinai, …which pointed forward to the coming of the Messiah, and the observance of which terminated with His death on the cross.”

First, the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai takes place in Ex 20 whereas the institution of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened takes place in Ex 12. The same false reasoning is used by Sunday keepers to discredit the weekly Sabbath. They say that it was part of the “Jewish” law given at Mt. Sinai and therefore Christians don’t have to obey it. However, just as we can show that the Sabbath existed in Ex 16 before the law was given, so too, can we show that Passover and Unleavened existed in Ex 12 before the giving of the law.

We also know that the annual Sabbaths are not Jewish laws just as the weekly Sabbath is not a Jewish law. They are Yahweh’s holy laws.

The statement quoted mentions that the annual Sabbaths “pointed forward to the first coming of the Messiah.” This can be said about Passover and the Day of Atonement but what about the other five Sabbaths? In what way did they point to Messiahs coming? Yes, they had animal sacrifices on those days that pointed to Messiah but so did the weekly Sabbath (Nu 28:9,10). Just as we don’t do away with the weekly Sabbath because of its’ associated sacrifices, we shouldn’t do away with the annual Sabbaths because of their associated sacrifices. A truth not yet understood by many is that each high sabbath has a future fulfillment at Messiah’s second coming.

 The statement quoted also states that the annual Sabbaths ended at Yeshua’s death. If that is true, why were the Disciples observing the Day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) in Acts 2? Were they ignorant of the fact that that Holyday was nailed to the cross over fifty days earlier? Hardly likely. Why do we also see Paul and other brethren observing these days in I Cor 16:8; Acts 27:9 (the fast was on the Day of Atonement); Acts 20:6,16; and Acts 18:21? Sunday keepers will discredit the weekly Sabbath by saying the disciples went to the synagogue to witness to the Jews, not to observe the Sabbath. Will you use the same erroneous logic to discredit the feast days? Were they there only for the purpose of witnessing to the Jews? In Acts 20:16 Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost. Acts 24:11,12 show us that Paul went to that feast to worship, not to witness to the Jews.

The truth is, these days were not nailed to the cross. That false teaching arose because people didn’t understand Col 2:14-17; Eph 2:15; and Gal 4:10. The Apostle Peter was correct when he said that Paul’s epistles contained certain things which were hard to understand (II Pet 3:15,16). Couple that difficulty with the erroneous translations of the KJV and it becomes even more difficult to discern the truth.

The following analysis will hopefully enlighten you concerning the true meaning of those verses so that you may understand Yahweh’s ways and walk in them.

Galatians 4:10 

A Sunday keeper will say that this verse proves that Paul was condemning the continued observance of the weekly Sabbath as a form of bondage. Adventist theologians will say that this verse proves that Paul was condemning the continued observance of the annual Sabbaths as a form of bondage. Neither belief is true because both groups take this verse out of context. Paul himself said that all of Yahweh’s laws are holy, just, and good (Rom 7:12). If that is true, can it be said that any part of Yahweh’s holy law was not good? Even the law of animal sacrifices was good in that it pointed the Israelites to Messiah. So what did Paul really mean when he wrote verse 10?

 If Paul was writing to the Gentile converts in Galatia, who had been heathen worshipers of pagan deities before their conversion to Yeshua, then his meaning is as follows. He says in verse 8,” . . .when you knew not God [Yahweh], you did service unto them which by nature are no gods.” In other words they were idolaters who neither served Yahweh nor walked in His laws. They knew nothing of His commandments and laws except what they had heard from Israelites living in their city. But then verse 9 states that after they were converted they began to be known of Yahweh, which prompted Paul’s question,”Why do you want to return to the way you were before you were converted? Why do you continue to observe days, months, times, and years that were ordained by pagans? Why do you wish to be slaves to the weak and beggarly elements of pagan so-called holy days?

The holy days that they were returning to are comparable to the false holy days we have today such as Sunday, Easter, Lent, Christmas, Goods Friday, Holy Thursday, Ash Wednesday, all of which were declared holy by the “mother church” in Rome and not by Yahweh. Yahweh declared in Lev 23 which days were His holy days.

If Paul was writing primarily to the Jewish converts in Galatia, then his concern would have been with the attempt to gain favor in Yahweh’s sight through the observance of such days. Paul warned them several times not to seek justification by the law or to attain salvation through works. To do so would be to place oneself “under the law” again. The entire epistle is an admonition against such a perverted view as justification by law. So Paul is warning the Galations not to observe these times for the wrong reasons. He is not telling them to forsake observing them altogether. Incidently, the weekly Sabbath would have to be included among the “days” Paul mentions if he was writing primarily to Jewish converts.

Think about it; Why would Paul tell us to keep the Feast of Unleavened in I Cor 5:7,8 and then tell us not to keep any days in Gal 4:10? Why did he desire to keep the upcoming feast in Jerusalem in Acts 18:21(KJV) and then tell the Galatians that they were not permitted to keep any feasts?

Colossians 2:14-23 

Sunday keepers will use these verses to prove that the weekly Sabbath has been nailed to the cross. Adventist theologians will use these verses to prove the annual Sabbaths have been nailed to the cross. Neither view is correct based on several mistranslations, added words not found in any Greek texts, and poor Bible exegesis (study). 

Let’s first determine the context of chapter two. In verses 4 and 8 Paul warns the Colossians about deceivers. Then again, in verse 18, Paul gives his final warning about these same deceivers. In what way were they trying to deceive the Colossians? Verse 8 tells us that they were trying to exalt the traditions of men over the Messiah (verses 8 & 19).

Notice carefully the context; the traditions of men in verse 8, 18, and 22. The verses that occur between 8 and 22 must be understood based on the context of the traditions of men .

Now we can understand the key word in Col 2:14, “ordinances.” The Greek word for ordinances here is a form of the root word “dogma” which means man-made rules, laws, commandments, precepts, etc. Paul is not talking about Yahweh’s ordinances in this verse. He is talking about mans ordinances or traditions. This same word is used in Col 2:20 pertaining to the doctrines and commandments of men; in Lu 2:1 pertaining to a decree from Caesar Augustus; in Acts 17:7 pertaining to a decree from Caesar; and in Eph 2:15, which we will look at later. It always pertains to mans commandments, not Yahweh’s. Compare the word dogma with the Greek word that pertains to Yahweh’s ordinances, “dikaioma.”
This word dikaioma was used in Lu 1:6 pertaining to the ordinances of Yahweh and in Heb 9:1,10 pertaining once again to Yahweh’s ordinances.

Therefore, Paul is saying in verse 14 that the traditions and commandments of men are the issue, not Yahweh’s laws. But what was nailed to the cross? The Greek construction shows that the “handwriting” was nailed, not the ordinances. At this point I would like you to read an excerpt from the noted Adventist theologian Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi’s book entitled, “From Sabbath To Sunday,” page 348.

“What did Paul mean by the cheirographon (a term used in antiquity in the sense of a “written agreement” or a “certificate of debt”)? Was he referring to the Mosaic Law with its ordinances, thus declaring that God nailed it to the cross? If one adopts this interpretation, there exists a legitimate possibility that the Sabbath could be included among the ordinances nailed to the cross. There are indeed certain authors who hold this view. But besides the grammatical difficulties, “it hardly seems Pauline,” writes J. Huby, “to represent God as crucifying the ‘holy’ (Rom 7:6) thing that was the Mosaic Law.”

As Dr. Bacchiocchi stated, the handwriting or, in Greek, the cheirographon was a certificate of debt. Whenever a man sins against Yahweh his sin is imputed against him. When men exalt the traditions of men over the commandments of Yahweh, as the Pharisees did (Mt 15:3,9) for example, they sin against Yahweh. The Messiah became sin for us and when He was nailed to the tree so were the sins that were imputed against us. Yahweh’s holy ordinances were not nailed to the tree, the certificate of debt resulting in our death sentence was nailed to the tree. That is why Paul said the Colossians were “dead in your sins” in verse 13. The principalities and powers of verse 15 caused the people to sin by their man-made laws but Messiah was victorious over them.

This brings us to the crucial verse 16. It was the deceivers of verses 4,8, and 18 that were judging the Colossians regarding the things mentioned in verse 16. They had been imposing their man-made commandments and traditions upon the Colossians. Paul told them not to allow anyone to judge them concerning those matters. An important addition was made in the KJV that does not appear in any Greek manuscript. The word ”is ” in verse 17 was added, which changes the meaning of Paul’s statement. Retaining the word “is” implies the thought of shadow vs. reality. In other words, Messiah fulfilled the shadow of the things mentioned in verse 16. However, if you remove the added word “is”, it implies that we should not let any man outside the body of Messiah judge us in respect to these things. Indeed that is in line with the context of Paul’s previous statements. Notice Col 1:18 & 24 and Col 2:19, all of which teach us that the body of Messiah is the church or all true believers.

There are several other points worthy of mention concerning verses 16 & 17. Verse 17 states that these things “are” a shadow of things “to come” not that they “were” a shadow that was now fulfilled. Paul wrote this epistle approximately 30 years after Yeshua’s death and yet he still spoke of them as unfulfilled shadows. Notice also that the word “days” in verse 16 is in italics. This means it was also added as was “is” in verse 17. The sabbath in this verse is the weekly Sabbath since the word “holyday” refers to the annual sabbaths. The proper Greek translation of this word is “feast day.”

Adventists always use Is 66:23 to show that the Sabbath is not done away with because it will be kept in the new heaven and new earth. However, this verse also mentions the New Moon in the new heaven and earth. Using the same logic it would mean that the New Moon of Col 2:16 is not done away with as well. Almighty Yahweh created the moon for the very purpose of keeping His Holydays. Ps 104:19 says, “He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.” The Hebrew word for seasons is “Moed” meaning “an appointed time.” It is the same word used in Gen 1:14 for “seasons” and Lev 23:2 for “feasts.” Each of Yahweh’s Holydays are appointed times whose keeping is determined by the New Moon.

One more point about verse 16. If you believe verse 16 does away with the feastdays and new moons then you also must believe that it does away with eating and drinking to be consistent.

The correct translation of Col 2:16,17 is, “Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or in respect of a feastday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath (which are a shadow of things to come) but the body of Messiah.”

Ephesians 2:15 

The final “proof text” to be considered is Eph 2:15. Again we see the Greek word “dogma” (ordinances) meaning man-made commandments. Having that in mind let’s begin in verses 11-13. Paul explains that before one accepts Messiah as his Savior he is separated from the commonwealth of Israel, he is without Yahweh, and he is uncircumcised. However, once he accepts Messiah he becomes an Israelite, circumcised in the heart, and at one with Yahweh. Notice what is abolished in verse 15. It is the enmity or the hatred between the Israelite and the Gentile that was abolished. This hatred was caused by the commandments and traditions of men. For example, Paul alludes to a “middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile. This was a literal wall that Paul uses in a figurative sense to make his point. The Jews decreed, ( they made a dogma), which stated that if a Gentile crossed over the wall separating the Court of the Jews from the Court of the Gentiles surrounding the temple, that they would be immediately killed. This was not a commandment of Yahweh. In fact, Yahweh never even commanded such a wall to exist. That dogma created a hatred between the two peoples which Messiah destroyed creating one new man and so, making peace.

I cannot impress upon you enough the importance that Yahweh places on the observance of all His Holy days. Each has a very special meaning, for example, not only does the Feast of Unleavened picture the putting away of sin from our lives, but it is also a memorial of Yahweh’s great deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Ex 13:6-9). Can we, with a clear conscience, say that such a great event no longer needs to be memorialized by observing it in honor of Yahweh’s great mercy? We continue to memorialize the Creation by observing the weekly Sabbath don’t we?

It is often said by opponents of the annual Sabbaths that they are a “yoke of bondage.” Can that be true in light of the following verses: Deut 16:11,14,15; 2 Chr 30:21-23? These days were for rejoicing. They were treated the same way the pagan world treats Christmas. It was something that every Israelite couldn’t wait for. The “yoke of bondage” referred to in Gal 5:1 concerns becoming a slave by trying to be justified by law instead of by grace through faith (Gal 5:4).

Is 1:14 is another verse used to abolish these Holydays. The context shows that Yahweh hates the appointed feasts of Israel (“your appointed feasts”) because they keep them hypocritically with evil in their hearts (verses 10,16-20). If verse 14 abolishes the feast days, then verse 13 abolishes the sabbath and verse 15 abolishes prayer.

The prophecy of Zechariah reveals that the Feast of Tabernacles will be kept by “everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem” (Zech 14:16-19). In other words, after the battle of Armageddon mentioned in verse 2, Yahweh will destroy those that were directly involved (verse 12). However, after their destruction their will still be people all over the world that did not fight against Jerusalem. They will be obligated to keep the Feast during the millennium or be punished (verse 19).

Spiritual Israelites also face major punishment if they don’t keep Yahweh’s appointed Feasts. Whoever has leaven in their house or eats leavened food during the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened, “that soul shall be cut off from Israel” (Ex 12:15,19) “whether he is a stranger (Gentile) or born in the land.” Anyone who does not afflict his soul (by fasting 24 hours) on the Day of Atonement, or does any work on that day, will be “cut off from among his people” (Lev 23:29,30).

This study is by no means all there is to know about the Feasts. It only supports the continued observance of these days. You have yet to hear of the tremendous importance and prophetic meaning of each Feast.

Time is running out for us to remove the blemishes from our worship of Almighty Yahweh. Please do not put off studying this issue for the cares of this world can easily distract us.

The RSV uses the word “drift” instead of “let them slip.” We can neglect so great salvation by doing absolutely nothing.

Here is an analogy to help understand the situation we are in and what is required of us.

When we are born we enter into the river of life. The river goes upstream towards the source (Yahweh) or downstream towards the deadly waterfall and the rocks below. Because we have sinned, all are heading uncontrollably downstream to destruction.

When we accept Yeshua as our Savior, he saves us from certain destruction and empowers us to reverse direction and head upstream towards the rivers source. Yeshua becomes our ark or our boat and the “hope set before us” is our anchor (Heb.6:19).

What would happen if this situation was literal and we stopped rowing upstream?

The current we fight against represents our trials, tribulations and temptations. We must continually fight against the current. One never drifts towards Yahweh, but always away from Him.

If we simply do nothing we will drift away from Yahweh. Yeshua said,

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:24).

If we stop striving, stop doing what is required of us and, instead, rest before our labors are finished, we will most certainly drift backwards. Revelation 14:12,13 read,

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of the Mighty One, and the faith of Yeshua. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Master from henceforth: Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”

We are to labor for the Kingdom’s sake until the day we die.

Yahweh warned Israel about drifting

Deuteronomy 4:9 - “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest you forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;”

Here, Yahweh speaks of drifting from what He had taught Israel. However, we can also drift from Him.

Deuteronomy 6:10-12 - “And it shall be, when Yahweh thy Elohim shall have brought thee into the land which He swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you great and goodly cities, which you built not, and houses full of all good things, which you filled not, and wells digged, which you digged not, vineyards and olive trees, which you planted not; when you shall have eaten and are full; Then beware lest you forget Yahweh, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”

Forgetting Yahweh occurs slowly over time. It starts with simple neglect and ends in destruction. Notice when Yahweh tells Israel to be on high alert against drifting; during times of prosperity and blessing. During hardship we draw closer. We are constantly seeking Yahweh’s face for deliverance from our trials and tribulations. During prosperity, our spiritual senses are dulled by worldliness making it much easier to drift.

Signs of drifting

1) Lack of zeal

2) Lack of prayer

3) Lack of tears

4) Slipping in obedience

5) Flesh wins over Spirit

6) Failure to witness

7) Neglect Bible study

8) Diminished desire to be with brethren

9) Increased thrill with things of the world

10) Neglecting daily devotions

It is hard to outright reject Yahweh or Yeshua., but we will easily neglect them.

Results of drifting

Deuteronomy 32:15, 18-20 - “But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: you are waxen fat, you are grown thick, you are covered with fatness; then he forsook Elohim which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. . . . Of the Rock that begat thee you are unmindful, and have forgotten Elohim that formed you. And when Yahweh saw it, He abhorred them, because of the provoking of His sons, and of His daughters. And He said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.”

Again, the drift and ensuing forsaking of Yahweh took place during the prosperity of Israel.

Jeremiah 18:15-17 - “Because my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passes thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.”

Drifting causes us to walk contrary to Yahweh’s ways.

Ezekiel 23:35 - “Therefore thus says Adonai Yahweh; Because you have forgotten me, and cast me behind your back, therefore bear you also your lewdness and your whoredoms.”

We may end up bearing our own sins if we drift so far as to reject Messiah.

Ephesians 4:14 - “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

We begin to lose our spiritual discernment and become susceptible to accepting false doctrine.

Revelation 3:15-17 - “I know thy works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

Prosperity strikes again and results in lukewarmness and rejection.

Remedy for drifting

Philippians 3:12-15 - “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Messiah Yeshua. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of the Mighty One in Messiah Yeshua. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, the Mighty One shall reveal even this unto you.”

In other words, keep rowing keep striving, keep on pressing toward the mark.

2 Corinthians 4:16 - “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

Rowing upstream is hard work, but we are admonished to faint not. When we grow weary and weak, that’s when Messiah is strong on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 12:9,10 says;

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Messiah may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Messiah’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

2 Peter 1:5-10 – “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience piety; and to piety brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love; For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Master Yeshua Messiah. But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afra off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:” 

We need to continue growing spiritually by continually adding spiritual character traits to our faith. The more fruitful we become in this, the less risk there is in drifting.

1 Peter 2:11 - “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

We need to examine ourselves in this area. Many believers fail to realize that their seemingly innocent activities are, in fact, fleshly lusts; especially in the area of T.V. The more we walk in the Spirit and not yield to the lust of the flesh, the stronger we will be. And we will certainly need to be strong because fleshly lusts are like the rapids in the river of life.

Colossians 2:6-7 - “As you have therefore received Messiah Yeshua the Master, so walk you in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

We need to walk in Yeshua by imitating him or being conformed to his image. That will result in us being “built up.”

Hebrews 6:18-19 - “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for the Mighty One to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil;”

An anchor comes in real handy when your drifting dangerously towards a waterfall. If we stay focused on the hope before us, we are certain not to drift because that anchor is “sure and steadfast.”

Revelation 2:5 - “Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent.”

This was the remedy for the Ephesians’ drift. It is interesting that, even though the Ephesians were working and laboring hard without fainting, they still drifted from their first love. Any thoughts on who or what their first love was and what their first works were? (Yeshua & the imitation of him)?

Revelation 3:19 - “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

This was the remedy for the Laodecians. Their prosperity led to their downstream drift from zealousness. Repentance would head them again in the right direction.

Spiritual drifting is often unnoticed and happens over time and in times of prosperity. Therefore . . .

“Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”   1 Corinthians 16:13