1 interesting tid bit and also an I've had it post

the good or interesting tidbit:
in a book by pseudoname Joel Richards he talks about how in the Jewish mindset a week or shabbatan can also refer to 10 days not just 7 as in our western way of thinking. Thought that was interesting and you can apply that where you may.

now for the I've had it portion:

I'm reading a book that was recommended to me and the content in it as well as that which I've heard others say in group settings is very disturbing to me.

It boils down to when married and your spouse does something wrong or wrong towards you that it's because of something you need to learn and work on. That a spouse's wrong doing reveals your own areas of sin and mark missing habits/characteristics. Ok really? so if your spouse has an addiction or abuses you or cheats on you it's because you are doing something wrong or have some bad thing in your life that needs to be exposed and taken care of? Seriously? What planet are these people living on?

And yes the above mentality is all written/spoken of by women. What's wrong with these women? Are they taking the "submit" thing too far? So far as letting themselves truly be treated as doormats and somehow think they deserve to be treated that way? I say they are.

I say if spouses would just stop and consider the other before themselves, they wouldn't do things to "push" the others buttons and no one would need to needlessly get upset. If you find out your spouse (insert grevious mistake here- for example- gambled the monthly income away)you do have a right to be upset and let them know, yes in a mature way, but the spouse who gambled should have stopped to think about what they were doing and the effects of their action before proceeding. If they had, then you wouldn't have needed to properly display your reaction and you'd have money for the month to live on.

Let's give some more, not quite so huge examples.

Your friend is dieting and you invite them over for dinner. You wouldn't offer them all kinds of food that you know are a weakness to them, ie cupcakes and etc.

Your spouse is a conservative spender and user of resources and you tend to be forgetful and not so aware but you know they like you to turn lights off and/or other appliances when you leave a room and will be gone for some time. How hard is it to just stop and think and do for someone else in order to make their day more peaceful and yours too because then they don't needlessly get upset?!

Again, I don't believe that when spouseA does something wrong or wrongs the other it's because the spouseB has sin that needs to be exposed. It's far easier to just do the right thing and put others needs/feelings above your own. If we all looked out for each other in this way with consideration, then there would be less "ugly responses" in our daily lives. No one should have their buttons pushed to see how they will react. Yes the reactor does need to learn more mature ways to display reactions but the instigator should also not instigate!

Deep

http://haderekh-chaim.blogspot.com/2010/05/example-of-disunity-overcoming.html

Confounding

I'm reading a book (one of many I have going at once) and she quotes Galatians 5:1 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

the author goes on to say there are people who would try to yoke you with the letter of the law which would lead you back into bondage. The freedom that Christ has given allows you to embrace the spirit of the law.


I had to look this up in KJV and CJB

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free , and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

What the Messiah has freed us for is freedom! Therefore, stand firm, and don't let yourselves be tied up again to a yoke of slavery.

Then I thought to look up Matthew 5:17-20 in the dake kjv I have and started perusing the notes which led me to Colossians 2:14-23

and those verses had some notes

Christian Law on Sabbaths
this refers to all the sabbaths of the law of moses (love this, Moses's law....no it's G-D's) including the regular weekly sabbath. all of them are now abolished with the law thus fulfillinf prophecy (Isa 1:13-15; Hos 2:11). christians are now free to keep any day they want to as a sabbath (really why do they all cling to sungoday?) Rom 14:5-6, Gal 3:9-10. All sabbaths were a shadow of the rest we now have in Christ (Mt 11:28-30, Heb 4:3, 10-11; 10:1) [spiritual rest same as physical rest? or can I just claim I'm with ya in spirit and call it good?]

christian law on traditions

if you be dead with Christ, having been freed from the elementary rules of the world and rudiments of Judaism, why then be subject to them any longer? [not sure why they lump commands in Torah as being rules of the world nor why they sneer at "Judaism"] their [again refering to it as theirs and not G-D's] program is simply touch not this or you will be unclean (Lev 15), taste not this for it is unclean (Lev 11, Dt 14), and handle not that for it is forbidden. All such things are to perish with the using. they are mere traditions of men, not laws of God in the new covenant (Col 2:20-23). [oh when did G-D become so fickle? again why do they say these things they've given us the location of in Scripture are traditions of men?]

ok so YAY free to do whatever I want....it's all about spirit so on the inside I'm obeying but on the outside I'm not...

ok so u do the sungoday thing what about mixing worship of HIM on days that throughout history the lost have worshipped their false gods and not only attribute those days as special to HIM but even include some of the customs/traditions they used for their created gods??? HE does not want you doing that!!!

Deteronomy 12:29-32 CJB

"When ADONAI your God has cut off ahead of you the nations you are entering in order to dispossess, and when you have dispossessed them and are living in their land; be careful, after they have been destroyed ahead of you, not to be trapped into following them; so that you inquire after their gods and ask, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I want to do the same.'You must not do this to ADONAI your God! For they have done to their gods all the abominations that ADONAI hates! They even burn up their sons and daughters in the fire for their gods!"Everything I am commanding you, you are to take care to do. Do not add to it or subtract from it.

Some Laws Are Beneficial

Is the Christian allowed to break the "old" covenant or live in disregard to it? Or are we in some way to fulfill it? What is to be our relationship to it?

Mark 12:28-34

Galatians 3:23-28

Matthew 5:17-20

Romans 8:1-4


Although we are under the renewed covenant (Grace) true Christianity does NOT condone an ungodly lifestyle. It does NOT leave us lawless. G-D calls us to be holy even as HE is holy, and gives us the grace with which we can be holy: He gives us the gift of the indwelling Ruach HaKodesh.

Jude verses 3-5

Matthew 23:3-5

Yeshua did give us help and HE is correct in saying His burden is not heavy because He walks beside us as our example, friend, prophet, priest, King, Saviour (etc)...when we follow His example the Torah is the sweet life while trampling the Torah is the real burden.

Matthew 11:29-30

Should Christians Observe Sabbath and the Torah?

Galatians proves that we should observe the Torah

reading not your thing?

then listen to these

Yeshua and the Law

Yeshua and the Law II

Paul and the Law

The Sabbath - For Jewish People Only?

and that's all I have to say

Merry Go Round

Romans 2:28-29
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

((and if you auto-think the letter of the law kills but the spirit gives life as in II Corinthians 3:6, then know this -- 2 edged sword, cut to kill and cut to heal or death to violators and life to obeyers. Understanding comes with obedience. The Law is not a burden when you have Yeshua. You want to read HIS Word and find out what HE wants you to do and you want to please HIM. Also they say 613 commands in Torah yet there are 1050 commands in the NT so which is more "legalistic"?))

2 Cor. 3:6 -with my JR instructor's amplifications in italics "...for the LETTER (of the LAW) kills (those who violate it), but the SPIRIT (of the LAW) gives life (and liberty to those who observe it)."

He has a drawing of a sword and it's labeled the sword of the Spirit on the blade and says Torah on the handle and shows it's a 2 edged sword that cuts on each side, one side says disobedience with its consequences (sin & death) (man+sin=flesh)
the other side says Obedience with its Blessings (righteousness leading to eternal life)

then are listed some verses to go with the picture


Heb 4:12 -- "thoughts and intentions of the heart" -- we have an evil yetzer and a good yetzer

Rev. 1:16 - a sharp two-edged sword

Romans 8:4 - according to the Spirit

Gal 5:16 - walk by the Spirit

Gal 5:25- live by the Spirit/walk by the Spirit (Halakah)

Gal 5:22-23 - fruit of the Spirit

I Timothy 3:16 - vindicated in the Spirit

John 4:23- in spirit and truth

also see this excellent post



Madison -- still at home with breathing and heart monitor so please and thank you for continued prayers

IN case it's deleted

this week both currclick and homeschoolfreebie are promoting lent

here's my comment:

1. Swylv Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
   February 25th, 2009 at 7:40 am

   How about some Passover, FirstFruits, and Feast of Unleavened Bread countdown activities? Lent was started by pagans

ETA 2-26-09: my comment was deleted ... hmmm .... not many protestants out there

Does Scripture Contradict Itself?

WatchGirl left me a comment that requires a blogpost response:

"Help me out here, cause I want some resolution on this subject. I've got the whole foundation thing, I just get confused when I read my NT. What do you do with all those letters from Paul that tells you if you break one law you've broke them all, that the nw covenant freed us from the old one and it is better, not to put hat yoke back on etc....I guess where I'm at right now is I think the law will be in place in the Milleniel Kingdom because it is his ideal for people to live, and it was in place, but is there a pause button from the time Jesus rose again, and when he returns - sort of like Moses suspended circumcision while they wandered in the desert for 40 years.... I don't think the church has it right -they only focus on saving ya and blessing ya, but I'm trying to look at the COMPLETE revelation and Paul did speak to the gentiles AFTER our savior's death and reserection...... Anyway, you know the sides, I just feel like I'm in the middle in a no-mans land. Have you seen/heard any good resources are understndingPaul diffeerently??"

Good questions! I know you are doing TorahClass.com studies so I'm slightlyconfused that you still are not sure if Torah is relevant or if it's suspended. I do know that every command given that is something we can be doing, we should because it's one way that our Heavenly Father has given us to participate and not just be spectators in this relationship. For example, the Feasts and how we observe those, this includes weekly Shabbat.

I've seen others refer to Torah as the moral law, which makes sense, even Yeshua summed it up.
(there are several ways to number these, I'm just choosing the one my Torah community uses)

1. I am the L-RD your G-D who brought brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (this is not how christians quote the 1st Word because this implies that HE is the G-D of the Israelites and we'd need to be grafted in as one of them in order for HIM to be our G-D as well...think Ruth here)

2. You shall have no other gods before Me.

3. No Idolatry

4. Don't take/use HIS name in vain

5. Guard the Sabbath Day

6. Honor parents

7. do not murder (take an innocent life)

8. No adultery (notice how this is what we think of as cheating on a spouse and idolatry is cheating on G-D)

9. do not steal

10. a. don't bear false witness/accusation against your neighbor
b. do not covet your neighbor's things


Mark 12:28-31
One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?"
Yeshua answered, "The foremost is, 'SH'MA/HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE L-RD OUR G-D IS ECHAD;
AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE L-RD YOUR G-D WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'
"The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

I don't know why the babies born in the wilderness were not circumcised. One source I read ((which I saw some inaccuracies in the writer's thinking, like Moses children were at home with their g-pa and mom because later Jethro brings them to Moses))anyway this source says the commandment to circumcise was still there but the people paid no heed to it. And of course it's circumcision of the heart that is important.

Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

http://www.eliyah.com/warning.htm tells us about Paul's writings --- it's short, please read it

Also my Jewish Roots instructor is reading a book called The Letter Writer by Tim Hegg which deals with Paul.

and now for some notes from said JR instructor: (and a taste of what your sister is missing out on)

Reconciling the Law of G-D in the NT context

If we can agree the Law of G-D is eternal and does not change just as G-D Himself is eternal and does not change and that HE is not a man that HE should lie (Heb 6:17-18), then we have to seek a position of reconciliation of the terminology that surrounds the use of the word LAW within the NT scriptures. If this is the case then we have to approach the scriptures in a way that is different from that of a commonly understood christian mind set. This issue is so important that it will change how we approach the entire Bible, especially the Tanach (OT).

The biggest obstacle seems to be the understanding of the context from a first century Hebraic position, especially since the writers of these documents were all Jewish oriented. We will examine some of the problem texts which should give us a premise for understanding other similarly used terminologies. The thing to remember is that the texts sources are not the problem, but rather the way they are interpreted.

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life (the heart direction of that which is acceptable) in Messiah
hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (this goes back to Adam and Eve and the fall, Gen 3:3)

Romans 8:3
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak (the weakness of the Law was that it did not have the power to save anyone, it never was suppose to. The purpose of the LAW was to be the finger that points to righteousness and to Messiah Yeshua as the redeemer of mankind) through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Romans 7:12, 14 & 16 - "the Law is holy/sanctified; the Law is spiritual; and the Law is good" -- the problem is NEVER the LAW, but rather the heart intention of mankind.

Romans 7:25 - "The Law of G-D"-- The five books of Moses called the Torah and the administration of righteousness that it presents. Reveals the very character of G-D Himself.

Romans 10:4 - "For Christ is the end (telos) of the law..." - the word END means end result, conclusion or the goal, NOT that the LAW was ended by Yeshua, because HE did not come to abolish the LAW but to fulfill and no one is to annul the least of the commandments....read the context Matthew 5:17-20

I Cor. 9:20 & Gal. 4:5 - "under the Law" - Used as a Jewish idiom it means one who is under the authority of the Torah or Torah observant. It is NOT a negative term!!!

Gal. 3:13 - "curse of the Law" -- the curse of the judgment incurred by violators

I Cor. 9:21 & Gal. 6:2 - "The law of Christ" - the LAW of the Messiah is the SAME as the LAW of G-D because Messiah is G-D. Isaiah 42:4 speaks of the Messiah's Torah.

James 1:25 - "but one who looks intently as the perfect Law, the Law of -G-D's definition of the LAW, that one is free to do what is right. (much like our own founding documents)

James 2:8- "the royal law" - the context links this to Lev. 19:18, love your neighbor as yourself. This one scripture covers much of the Torah. (and the deeper you go, the closer you get)

Colossians 2:14

2 Cor. 3:6 -with my JR instructor's amplifications in italics "...for the LETTER (of the LAW) kills (those who violate it), but the SPIRIT (of the LAW) gives life (and liberty to those who observe it)."

He has a drawing of a sword and it's labeled the sword of the Spirit on the blade and says Torah on the handle and shows it's a 2 edged sword that cuts on each side, one side says disobedience with its consequences (sin & death) (man+sin=flesh)
the other side says Obedience with its Blessings (righteousness leading to eternal life)

then are listed some verses to go with the picture


Heb 4:12 -- "thoughts and intentions of the heart" -- we have an evil yetzer and a good yetzer

Rev. 1:16 - a sharp two-edged sword

Romans 8:4 - according to the Spirit

Gal 5:16 - walk by the Spirit

Gal 5:25- live by the Spirit/walk by the Spirit (Halakah)

Gal 5:22-23 - fruit of the Spirit

I Timothy 3:16 - vindicated in the Spirit

John 4:23- in spirit and truth

HTH

Are you practicing lawlessness?

Lawlessness or without the law was warned against even by Yeshua Himself! We would be wise to heed that warning.

We are without excuse because HE has placed HIS Torah in our hearts. Yes, forgivness comes when we are born again and we are still to walk in HIS Law only now we have help.

Jeremiah 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the L-RD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their
G-D, and they shall be my people.

and for those who rely on half the sword and prefer just the handle

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the L-rd; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a G-d, and they shall be to me a people:

and you thought it was all a new thing.....


I found the following here; just food for thought:

Clearly we live in an age of lawlessness.

It is easy, but not very helpful, to dwell on the outward manifestations of lawlessness. Everybody knows about it. It is of far more value to look at its spiritual roots. Who were the lawless people in the New Testament? The Greeks? The Romans? The Sadducees? The Zealots? We find the surprising answer in Matthew 23:28. Jesus says to the Pharisees, 'Inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness'. The whole chapter expands and explains this one verse and we do well to read and understand it.

The Pharisees didn't go around mugging people. Nor were they involved in football hooliganism. They were the Bible students of their day. They spent much of their time studying and teaching the law. How could they be lawless? They made two great mistakes. Firstly the law that they taught was largely not the law of God, but their additions to it. Secondly it was not a law written on their hearts and an inward part of their lives and experience. It was simply retained by much study in their heads.

When a bishop, ignorant of the law of God, proclaims his own views and opinions to the world, he is guilty of a far greater lawlessness than an ignorant soccer hooligan.

When a priest in a pulpit holds forth the views of his denomination, without ever searching to see if he has the mind of God, he is safe from the law of the land, but will give account on the day of judgement.

When a Bible teacher who claims to know God and to have heard the voice of the Holy Spirit rejects the word of God to proclaim the opinions of man, I believe he is the most guilty. James wisely says, 'Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive a greater judgement'. If we see lawlessness in the world, we must search our hearts and root out the lawlessness from there.

Judgement must begin at the house of God.

It is the church that is the biggest spreader of the we are not under the law lie!!!

For further reading http://www.eliyah.com/law.htm
and http://www.eliyah.com/galatians3kjv.html

Does Colossians 2:14 mean what she says?

If He took the law out of the way, then sin is no longer a transgression of the law.

And so what was the true meaning here in Colossians 2:14? Let's read it, Colossians 2:13-14:

Colossians 2:13 - And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Colossians 2:14 - Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

All right, I think that we would all agree that it was the Messiah who was actually nailed to the tree and not some list of commandments. And so what was actually meant here?

Well, let's remember, first of all, that it was the Messiah who became sin for us. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, it says:

2Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of YHWH in Him.

On Him was laid the iniquity of us all. And so what was actually nailed to the cross or the tree? The Messiah is the one who was actually nailed to the tree, the Messiah who was made to be sin for us, the Messiah upon whom was laid the iniquity of the entire world.

Sin, therefore, was nailed to the tree, because the Messiah was nailed to the tree, having been made sin for us. Now bear with me on this point, while I explain further.

The Greek word translated "ordinances" in Colossians 2:14 is not the normal word for "law," which is "nomos" in the Greek, but it is the rare word "dogma," which is Strong's 1278.

Dogma, without exception, is always used in reference to the ordinances of men and is never used in the reference, any reference to Yahweh's law.

It is used in reference to Caesar's decrees in Luke 2:1 and Acts 17:7 and the apostolic decrees in Acts 16:4, which came from the ruling of the apostles in Acts 15.

Now, in Colossians, dogma is clearly speaking of men's commandments, because this is the very context of the entire chapter. In Colossians 2:8, Paul warns the Colossians against the philosophies which were very common in Greek culture.

He further identifies the dogmas coming out of these philosophies as worship of angels, touch not, taste not, handle not, voluntary humility, neglect of the body and will worship.

And so then he specifically identifies these things, these dogmas as commandments of men in verse 21, even calling them dogmatizo in verse 20, which is the word translated "ordinances of men."

read more here

I CAN'T. I JUST CAN'T.

I refuse to do things just because they've always been done so we blindly assume they are correct.

I want to know Truth and follow it.

the verse says she is the mother of harlots .... who are her daughters? I believe they are the protestant furches

as stated HERE "So yes, I do believe we must question these traditions that have been handed down to this generation even though few dare to. Many Christians speak against the Catholic traditions of Lent, Ash Wednesday, etc. but fail to recognize that the same types of pagan elements exist in the celebration of Christmas and Easter! "

and I would add sun day to that list.

apostle's creed --- NO THANKS ... it basically says look how unJewish we are and was used to ferret out the Jewish Believers in Messiah...bye bye third day band because of your song!

I want to be rebaptized in only the name of Yeshua not in the name of the trinity, those words are just titles. I am a daughter, sister, wife, and mother ... but I have only one name.

Acts 2:38 Then Kepha said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: is our Elohim, is one:

Colossians 2:9 KJV
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

NASB - For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

I want to know the true history of the Believers not one slanted towards any bias.

Are you on a quest for Truth as well?

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

II Corinthians 6:13-7:1
Now in a like exchange--I speak as to children--open wide to us also.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Or what harmony has Messiah with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

And what agreement has the temple of Elohim with idols? For you are the temple of the living Elohim. As Elohim has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their Elohim, And they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Master. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says Yahweh Almighty." Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of Elohim.

Deuteronomy

12:29 When thy Elohim shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;

12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their elohim, saying, How did these nations serve their elohim? even so will I do likewise.

12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto thy Elohim: for every abomination to , which he hateth, have they done unto their elohim; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their elohim.

12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Lecture Two

Disclaimer:

I will type the notes as presented to me.
Again let me stress that what follows are NOT my words.
I will not add my thoughts in the post.
Comments allowed for friendly discussion and edifying.

II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto G-D, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

And for the record no one is ruling out dual fulfillment.












1. The Book of Revelation is also known as the apocalypse.

2. According to the Bible Megiddo is the location that has to do with the last battle known as Armageddon.

3. The Book of Revelation tells of how G-D will depose the devil as the evil leader of this world.

4. Modern groups such as the Waco, TX group base their beliefs on apocalyptic ideas.

5. William Miller, a retired army captain, predicted that the L-RD would return in 1843-1844.

6. Miller was believed to have had approximately 500,000 followers which later resulted in what has been called the Great Disappointment.

7. Two later groups that had their beginnings founded in some of Miller's concepts are the Jehovah Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adventists.

8. Many early Christians as late as the 400's believed the Book of Revelation should not be a part of the new testament canon.

9. The four horsemen were symbols of conquest, war, famine, and death killing one third of the earth's population.

10. At the climax of the Book of Revelation an angel is to bind hasatan and cast him into the pit. Next, all the world will stand before the White Throne of G-D for final judgment to see whose names will be written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

11. The original meaning of the phrase 666 referred to Nero the Roman emperor. Each letter of the Greek as well as the Hebrew alphabet also symbolizes numbers that were used to identify names.

12. John wrote the Book of Revelation in a cave on the island called Patmos.

13. When Nero died in 68 AD, many believed the end of the Jewish world was at hand because of the great tribulation happening in Jerusalem including the destruction of the Temple.

14. The writer of the Book of Revelation was Jewish and the book is filled with apocalyptic symbols that were often used during the first century.

15. John's words concerning Jezebel were actually against the Jewish/Christians who were participating in pagan idolatry in the seven cities to which he wrote the letters.

16. The trade-guilds (unions), in such cities as Thyatira, where many believers worked, had pagan meals in which John warned the believers not to participate.

17. In Ephesus, the tomb of John the elder, commemorates the burial spot of the author of the Book of Revelation.

18. John's writing of the apocalypse followed the Jewish tradition of apocalyptic literature which by that time was already centuries old.

19. Approximately 200 years before the time of Christ the apocalyptic prophecies predicted in various mysterious images the victories of the Jews over their enemies.

20. The Book of Daniel is one of the oldest apocalyptic writings.

21. The Book of Revelation is actually an interpretation of the Book of Daniel.

22. The Essenes at Qumran looked for and prepared to fight the evil rulers of the earth in the final battle. The War Scroll, a part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, gives great details of these battle plans.

23. The Persian prophet Zoroaster, several centuries before the time of Christ, also had apocalyptic predictions of a cosmic battle between good and evil.

24. John, in the Book of Revelation, does not actually mention this battle, but considers it already over since Jesus obtained victory over evil by His death and resurrection.

25. The word Megiddo in Hebrew is called Har Megiddo and means the hill or mountain of Megiddo known as Armageddon.

26. The Bible never actually mentions a final battle at Megiddo, but rather describes it as the meeting place of the armies for the final battle as they march to Jerusalem just before the coming of Jesus Christ.

27. By the time John wrote of Megiddo it had already been in existence some 4,000 years as a major crossroad of ancient armies and trade routes. Pharaoh Thutmose III declared that whoever captured Megiddo would controll a thousand towns.

28. By the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1468 BC), Megiddo had already been destroyed and rebuilt eleven times.

29. During Solomon's time (950 BC), Megiddo was already a city twice the size of Jerusalem.

30. When Megiddo was finally abandoned in the fourth century BC, it had already been inhabited some 3,000 years and had been rebuilt twenty times.

31. The purpose of the Apocalypse, like other apocalyptic literature, is to raise hope in believing people that G-D is going to ultimately win the struggle between good and evil which each person must encounter in life.

32. Many scholars believe the Apocalypse was not a writing of a literal vision of the end of all things, but rather a symbolic story of each believer's trials and how G-D will ultimately overcome evil.

33. In the story of the Book of Revelation evil is overcome not by G-D's mighty army, but by G-D's power through a Lamb and love.

Go to Lecture I or III

The Wait Is Over

As promised I'm going to start typing notes from Jewish Apocalyptic Literature the book of Revelation.

Disclaimer:

I will type the notes as presented to me. I will not add my thoughts in the post. Comments allowed for friendly discussion and edifying.

II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto G-D, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

And for the record no one is ruling out dual fulfillment.














Lecture One:

1. The word apocalypse is a Greek word meaning uncovering or disclosure usually through the method of Divine revelation. This was usually done through a dream, vision, or a trance. Although there are many types of apocalyptic literature, including the earliest forms from Egypt such as the vision of neferrohu (2,000 BC), we will basically study the Jewish and Christian writings.

2. The apocalyptic literature has a long history beginning as far back as 2,000 years exerting a remarkable influence on politics, ethics, and religion all the way down to the present.

3. Particular to both the Jewish as well as the Christian apocalyptic literature is the emphasis on the mysteries of creation, cosmos, and the end of days.

4. Although apocalyptic writing is related to and stems from prophecy, the two have major differences and different goals. Prophetic verses have Divine authority and speak of definite happenings, while apocalyptic literature often invested its writing with the authority under the pseudonym of a popular and venerated Biblical character. From this method came the name pseudepigrapha or false writings that has often been attached to this literature. The content is not false, it serves a positive and powerful purpose, but the title is usually false.

5. The apocalyptics challenged contemporary reality and dwelt on a theme of sudden, miraculous Divine intervention which was to redeem and restore Israel and destroy their enemies. These writers often speak of the Day of the L-RD, in which HE will bring the sinners, both Jew as well as gentile, to judgment. There are many traces of apocalyptic thought in the Bible as seen in such places as Zechariah 9-14 and culminating in the Book of Daniel.

6. The Book of Daniel in the old testament as well as most of the new testament, especially the Book of Revelation, are the major portions of apocalyptic literature to become a part of the canon.

7. The exact origin of apocalyptic literature is not known, but its roots are firmly planted in ancient Biblical prophecy. Another major apocalyptic writing that is partially quoted in the new testament is the ancient book known as the Book of Enoch.

8. The apocalyptics used prophetic themes, but elaborated them and practically changed their original meaning to warn or prepare the people of their day about coming or present dangers by veiling the admonitions in mystery imagery that only the Jewish or Jewish Christian communities understood.

Go to Lecture II

Open Your Eyes

Sure it's the day most True Believers don't acknowledge but in recent years even churches hold "alternatives" ... for "outreach"....don't get me started...I whole Heartedly disagree! (let's reach people with Truth and not feel good gadgetry)

Prophecy Club has a video by Doc Marquis talking about the occult in all of our American holidays. Very well done. He calls those who hold fall festivals as closet 10/31 ers....LOL

There is an audio here but I did notice one thing and it may have just been a slip of the tongue but it's not witchcraft is as the sin of rebellion but rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and we all know the verse that reads, thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

I Samuel 15:23 (to Saul)
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the L-RD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Exodus 22:18
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

you should check out either the video or the audio though because not just 10/31 has pagan roots ... even 12/25 and rez sundae....(imagine ominous music here)

and I know a wiccan who confirmed many of the things I learned regarding the truth behind why you deck the halls and other such bogus things... it has nothing to do with Messiah.

And don't tell yourself, "HE knows where my heart is in all this" or "the Bible doesn't say we can't do such and such"

Jeremiah 10:2a
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen,...

Deuteronomy 12:29-32

In short HE says not to worship HIM the way the lost worship their so called gods. That's what the golden calf incident was all about. Christshuns have found a way to christianize celebrations that were taking place long before Messiah was here with us. So how can they possibly believe the lies that told them to take the birth of the sun god and say it's the birth of the Son of G-D? That's stupidity. I'm surprised we don't have a "christshunized" 10/31 ... oh wait we are moving towards that...what's the spin on that going to be?

You need celebrations? YHWH already gave us like 7 of them plus a weekly one .... what more do you people want?

oh that's right we traded G-D's calendar for man's ... tsk tsk tsk

Leviticus 23 is an informative read.

Enjoy the pondering!

Don't Read Unless

you're prepared to have your world rocked.

Today I read the second to last Exodus lesson over at TorahClass.com and wowzers....here's an excerpt for you:

Let me also make a quick observation about Pentecost; Pentecost being the day the Holy Spirit came and began indwelling men. We know of this event primarily as that day when people started suddenly speaking in tongues, and some very strange ideas have formed about what actually happened there.

First, Pentecost is just a Greek word that means 50 days. Second, the 50 days means this holiday occurs exactly 50 days after the day Christ rose from the dead. Pentecost is not a NEW holiday designed by Christians to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit…although that IS the way it is typically taught. Rather, Pentecost is a Greek word that the early Christians used in place of the Hebrew Shavuot. Third, understand: when the Holy Spirit descended upon man a NEW holiday was NOT created in remembrance of that event. Rather, it was on Shavuot, a Biblical Feast instituted by God at the time of Moses, that the Holy Spirit descended……which is exactly what the Feast of Shavuot was prophetic of.

The Holy Spirit descended upon a whole bunch of Jews, who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Weeks, Shavuot. But, these were special Jews, because they were Believing Jews….they believed Yeshua was the Messiah. They had come, because as we see right here in Exodus, Israelites are commanded to do so…..that is, they are commanded to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for this festival (as well as 2 others). The language issue, speaking in tongues, I’d like to straighten out; Jesus died and the Holy Spirit descended about 30 A.D. The known world, including Judah and Jerusalem, was under Roman rule. Jews now lived all over the Roman Empire. Probably only something on the order of 10% of the total population of Jews lived in the Holy Land, all the rest lived scattered around the known world. These scattered Jews are, to this day, called the Diaspora…..the dispersed. And, naturally, these scattered Jews took on the language of whatever nation or culture they were a part of. But…..they fiercely held on to their Jewish ways and religion. So, these Diaspora Jews, as well as the Jews still remaining in the Holy Land, came to Jerusalem, as usual, for the Feast of Weeks, each speaking various languages. There is no Greek work that translates to the English word “language”. Rather, in that era the term was “tongue”. Therefore the Bible word used for languages is literally “tongues”.

The miracle of tongues that occurred on Pentecost was that Jews from one area, who therefore spoke a certain language, could suddenly and supernaturally speak a language that they didn’t know, or, they could understand a language they couldn’t speak. So we get this Biblical description of how some observers (undoubtedly Judean Jews who lived there in Jerusalem) were saying that these guys were just drunk and babbling meaningless nonsense. But some of the Diaspora Jews who had come a long way from remote nations are saying no, I recognize that language they’re speaking, and I know exactly what they’re saying, because it’s MY language. Just how many languages, tongues, were represented we don’t know……but at this time in history there were scores of languages spoken within the vast Roman Empire.

Here’s another way to look at it: what happened at Pentecost was a kind of reversal of what happened at the tower of Babel. At the Tower of Babel a whole lot of people who were rebelling against the Lord, and who spoke a single universal language, were suddenly and supernaturally given a whole bucketful of different and new languages and so they could no longer understand one another. But at Pentecost, a whole lot of people who trusted the Lord, and who came to Jerusalem unable to understand each other because they spoke so many different languages, suddenly could understand one another! Amazing connection, is it not?

Also I'm listening to the following series currently: (right click and save as to avoid virtual traffic jams. Please and thank you.)

Thriving in the Last Days: Ephesus (Part I)

Thriving in the Last Days: Ephesus (Part II)

Thriving in the Last Days: Ephesus (Part III)

Do you hear that?

I think it was 300's AD that the Bible we have was canonized and let's face it Paul was a very smart Rabbi ... so it was deemed his midrashes on the weeks Torah Portions and his answer letters were superb enough to be included in that but Maimonides was also a learned scholar and he said something during this season that has been handed down and I wanted to share it with you:


"Awake, you sleepers, from your sleep!
Rouse yourselves you slumberers, out of
your slumber! Examine your deeds, and
turn to God in repentance. Remember
your Creator, and don’t be like those who
are caught up in the daily round, losing
sight of eternal truth.
Don’t waste your year in vain pursuits
that neither profit nor save. Look closely
at yourselves. Abandon your evil ways
and thoughts, and return to the Lord, so
that He might have mercy on you!”

Now I'd like to quote someone here and you can go read the whole post if'n you want and now that formalities are in place:

Given the nature of prophesy, we know that it's truly only a matter of time that economic systems go bust and we will be ushering in the one world monetary system. You think this little ripple on Wall Street is the main event? Wait until you see the world wide tidal wave of financial disaster spreading across the globe. If you haven't heard the "wake up call" yet, please listen to the alarm sounding today! I don't say these things to scare you (or to some to seem like some Biblical prophesy-crazed kook)- but to remind us that our faith, hope, and trust do not come from financial stability or the power of the dollar. It comes from the Almighty, All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Ever Present God! We cannot serve both God and money. Money is not our provision - HE is the source of all provision.

Even Watchgirl is commenting on the alarm blasts that are being heard during this appointed time of YHWH's

This was not meant as a downer post but just a look how YHWH works among HIS people post because it being Rosh HaShanah and all we are joyous and giving no room for the slanderer to ruin our new year in it's very beginning.

Shana Tova

Now go listen to Ashrei HaAm

Submission or Ephesians 5:21-31

In my Jewish Roots 101 and Intro to Jewish Roots classes, we are learning that many goy became proselytes to Judaism because in Judaism women were of value and had rights they didn't have in other religions/cultures.
That the man is the head of the family but the wife is the head of the household/finances aka Proverbs 31. They make decisions together with final vote if you will laying with him. But always he should be looking out for her best interest.
That the woman was not required to attend Synagogue because she is already busy at home where man is priest, the table is the altar, and the sacrifice was prayer. However the men were required to attend Synagogue and to sit up front and/or center because they need more "teaching" to understand where-as women were known to pick things up easier.

So let's look at Scripture and even some oh my dake notes:

21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the
saviour of the body.

24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Note: subject to everything that is lawful and right, not in things criminal and wrong. If he is sinful and demands her to leave off the things that save the soul she is not under obligation to him. Her G-D and her soul must come first (Mt. 22:37; Lk. 14:26-27). Obedience to the husband in all things is based upon him loving his wife, as Christ does the Church.

So Spot on Anna!!!!

25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Note: 8 commands for husbands-
be head of the wife
love wife as Christ the Church
love wife as own body
nourish, bring up, care for, protect
cherish, to foster warm in one's bosom
be joined as one flesh ((in other words don't just think about yourself))
leave parents for wife ((stop hanging on your mom and dad's apron strings))
cleave to wife ((again let go mom and dad))

You'll notice the guys got twice the commands ...because as we've been taught men take a little longer to pick things up than us ladies.

I'm really looking forward to learning more about marriage according to G-D's design and as someone responded to me once when I asked a question:

"As a beloved child of Abba El, you have a right to question EVERYTHING - only then will you discover the truth that has been hidden deep within the layers of men's minds."

Is Truth Offensive?

a few people have written about this and I really like what they have to say.
Anna and Amanda


I like the way Amanda says it and hope she doesn't mind me posting some of it here --holler if you do mind:
So we turn to scripture to see what GOD says about "attracting flies with honey".

Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: Col 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

1Th 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:

2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

This is just a sampling. The Bible doesn't seem to think too highly of using sweet alluring words to draw people. It is most definitely true that honey WILL draw more people, no doubt about it. The question is not "what will attract the most people" the question is "what did GOD say?" Jesus said the way is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:14). If few find it, then MANY are not. How many of those are the ones following the honey trail?

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

I am not concerned one bit if honey-seekers are turned off by my words. Not one bit. Do you think the pharisees and hypocrites found Jesus words very sweet and alluring? Not likely. That does not mean that I then try to be rude! That is not it at all. But I do not sugar coat.

end quote

this really made me think of mega feel good church movements just to draw a crowd .... scary!

then I was reading in Ezekiel and this stood out to me:

Ezekiel 11:15-21
Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the L-RD: unto us is this land given in possession.
Therefore say, Thus saith the L-RD G-D; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.
Therefore say, Thus saith the L-RD G-D; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.
And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their G-D.
But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the L-RD G-D.

This made me think of the places in the renewed covenant books/letters that quote this

II Corinthians
3:3 - Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Messiah ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living G-D; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

6:16 - And what agreement hath the temple of G-D with idols? for ye are the temple of the living G-D; as G-D hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their G-D, and they shall be my people.

4 days until Elul....stay tuned

Romans 14:6

I think I said I didn't want a rebuttal ... for one thing Paul was a very learned man and even another apostle (Peter) admitted it was hard to follow his very learned train of thought.

II Peter 3:16
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.



comment:
"He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks."
Romans 14:6
All of Romans 14 is in regards to many of these principles. It is all based upon your heart and your faith to God through Christ alone.
end comment:


Good explainings here and snipped here:
Romans 14:5 - One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Romans 14:6 - He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto YAHWEH; and he that regardeth not the day, to YAHWEH he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to YAHWEH, for he giveth YAHWEH thanks; and he that eateth not, to YAHWEH he eateth not, and giveth YAHWEH thanks.

There are various theories on this these 2 verses.

One theory states that this is talking about the Sabbath. There are several reasons why I believe that this is not so

They are:

* This stance does not agree with other scriptures that uphold the Sabbath.

* There is no mention of the Sabbath in this chapter.

* It isn't man who makes the Sabbath day above all other days. It is Yahweh who sanctified and blessed the 7th day at creation. We are just commanded to keep holy what Yahweh has sanctified.

* This chapter is about 'doubtful things'. Commandments of Yahweh are not doubtful things, especially when Yahweh writes them with His own finger.

I believe that this passage is talking about which day that one should fast. This does have support in the text because the scripture says:

Romans 14:6 - He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto YAHWEH; and he that regardeth not the day, to YAHWEH he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to YAHWEH, for he giveth YAHWEH thanks; and he that eateth not, to YAHWEH he eateth not, and giveth YAHWEH thanks.

One of the traditions of the Pharisees in that day was to fast twice a week:

Luke 18:11 - The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, Elohim, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Luke 18:12 - I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Also Yahshua expected that His disciples would fast:

Luke 5:34 - And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

Luke 5:35 - But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

So the context of this whole chapter proves out one common thred. The whole chapter is talking about FOOD. Continuing on....

I would submit that it might also be possible it is referring to a certain day that meat was not eaten

This may have been based on the idea that certain days pagan sacrifices were made and the meat sold

However, I cannot prove it

Whether it is a complete fast or a vegetarian fast, it is unclear

More info snipped from here

EliYah - I am convinced that what is being talked about in Romans 14 could not about the eating of pork and other unclean foods.
EliYah - I believe that the situation in Rome has to do with meat offered to idols.
EliYah - However, this is not evident just by looking at the first verses of Romans.
EliYah - We must read through the whole chapter before we really get an understanding of what is being talked about here.

Also in regard to the comment stated:
Consider prayerfully reading this chapter in particular and guard your words. We will all give an account of what we've said in our blogs...it's come out of our hearts/minds and others are reading and we may cause them to stumble.I hope you will tell me the same if I do this or even have done this!! I don't want to cause contention. I hope you'll consider studying Romans!
end comment:

I've been wrestling with why even bother to be online in weblog, message board, etc form

here and here

as regarding studying the book of Romans, sure as long as it is from a Messianic Judaic perspective ... bring it on! after all Paul was a Messianic Jew and he wrote the letter as he was inspired of G-D.

Current Read

Dance! G-D's Holy Purpose by Dr. Ann Stevenson

Chapter 2 -- thoughts

Glad to see she also recognizes Acts 10:9-16 as NOT being about eating pork and shellfish. Rather that the gospel is to be told to the goyim as well as the Israelites.

Mark 7:9
And HE said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of G-D, that ye may keep your own tradition.

the author says the following:

How much priority have we given our man-made laws and traditions over the instructions of
G-D's Word?

A true worshiper will embrace the Truth of G-D's Word over man's traditions in every area.

Matthew 15:3, 6b, 9
But HE answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of G-D by your tradition?
Thus have ye made the commandment of G-D of none effect by your tradition.
But in vain they do worship ME, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

The power of man's traditions have been one of G-D's greatest enemies.

Who do we fear and desire to please, man or G-D?

What do we obey, G-D's Word or the traditions of men?

Psalm 149:3-4
Let them praise HIS name in the dance: let them sing praises unto HIM with the timbrel and harp.
For the L-RD taketh pleasure in HIS people: HE will beautify the meek with salvation.

Hebrews 13:8
Yeshua Messiah the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

ok back to me:

this can be applied to so much more than just why dancing is pleasing to G-D as long as it's for HIM ... how about 12/25 and good/palm weekend in spring and 10/31 and even day of the sun worship...

Why we thought we could take such filthy, defiled days and stamp holy over them I'll never understand nor do I want to hear from you what gibberish you've been taught from parents/pastors as a rebuttal.

Deuteronomy 12:29-32
When the L-RD thy G-D shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land;
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Thou shalt not do so unto the L-RD thy G-D: for every abomination to the L-RD, which HE hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

You can not make something profane holy

don't worship false gods and don't falsely worship the one true G-D