The following is a post that I made after becoming "friends" of the FaceBook group called "Sabbatismos" and www.sabbatismos.com...
Although I am NOT an SDA(Seventh-Day Adventist) any longer, I do however still believe in the keeping of the 7th day Sabbath along with God's Instructions (Torah). I really think that most ex-adventists are so hurt when they come out of the sda church that they throw the baby out with the bath water to make a complete seperation statement to friends and family. I have read your statement about "Sabbatismos" and I believe that we should rest (anapauo) in Yeshua (Jesus) because ONLY He is our security of Salvation and Eternal Life, whereby we can rest from our trials and hardships in Life and live the rest of our Earthly life without worry of our final destiny. However the context of Heb. 4 is about the 7th day "sabbatismos" which is derived from the Hebrew "Shabbat". The only place in the Bible where Jesus tells us to rest in Him is Matthew 11:28 and the word "rest" used here is "anapauo" (meaning refresh, or cease from labor) and if we compare this to all of the times "rest" is used in Heb. 4, except v.9, you will see that "Katapausis" and "Katapauo" is used and are synonymous with "anapauo" in Matt. 11:28. The context of v. 9 is in regards to the 7th day Sabbath and if you read v 8 as it was intended to be read, as a question (KJV), with the understanding that Joshua and Jesus in Hebrew are the same name, then we have to ask ourselves "did Jesus or Joshua ever speak of another day?" They didn't. Jesus, when dealing with the Jews concerning Sabbath had plenty of opportunity to teach of a new day or a changing of the day or the negating of the day, but He didn't. He was contending with the Jews about "their traditions" which made void the commandments of God. This is clear in Matthew 15. It is interesting to me that people quote Paul's writings not realizing that he was a Jew and a Pharisee and never one time in His writings did he ever teach against anything of the Jews, except their traditions that contradicted the Torah. Acts 18:18; 22:3; 23:6; 26:5; 2 Cor. 11:22; Phil. 3:5; Rom. 11:1. The book of Hebrews was written by Paul to the Jews or Hebrews who believed in Yeshua and were getting "beat up" so to speak by the unbelieving Jews, which still happens today. My point to all of this is, just because you come out of the SDA church, doesn't mean that every detail of their belief system was in error. Just to be clear. I do not try to keep the 7th day Sabbath "set-apart" for Salvation's sake, I do it out of Love for my Heavenly Father and if we don't do it out of Love, then it becomes legalistic and that is the error of most SDA's. It is this same reason that I don't murder and cheat on my wife. I also believe that we need to be careful not to fall into following the example of disobedience mentioned in Heb. 3:19; 4:11; by not entering into His Sabbatismos rest, not His Anapauo rest. Peter makes a great point that people like to quote.. 2 Peter 3:16, however if we read v. 17 also, we get a deeper meaning of what he is really trying to say. The untaught and unprincipled man cannot understand Pauls writings because the teaching and principles spoken of are from the Hebrew / Jewish school of thought and a Western, Greek, Marcionic mind-set will never be able grasp it. Please consider 1 John 2:3-6; 3:4; and Matthew 7:21-23 (if your Bible uses the word "iniquity", please look up the Greek to get the true understanding.) Anyway, I know that I am probably gonna get blasted for this comment, however I just couldn't be a part of this group without making it clear of what I believe.. So, I hope that all reading this will consider my thoughts and look up the references and if you don't agree, then we will have to respectfully agree to disagree. Anyway, if someone really wants to understand what the Basar truly is, and wants to learn the Eschatological aspects of the Scriptures, I suggest getting the book "Rosh ha Shanah and the Messianic Kingdom to Come" by Joseph Good. It will give you insights into the Scriptures that you never knew were there..
After I wrote the above and posted it on Facebook, I recieved a comment from someone that was basically arguing more of the same "replacement theology" un-biblical non-sense against Torah and Sabbath, so I started writing and three weeks later, I posted the following....
Does a Good Father give His son Instruction ? Prov. 1:8; 4:1; Eph. 6:4; Deut. 21:18,
Should a Good Son obey His Father? Prov. 4:1; Ps 32:8; Ps 25:8.
Did Yeshua (Jesus) obey / or Do the will of His Father? John 8:28-29; 5:19; 4:34.
Are we to walk as Yeshua Did? 1 John 2:6; Col 2:6
The New Covenant (B'rit Chadashah) is what was originally given to us through Moses, but now written on our Hearts. This covenant is the same Torah (Law), however now it is better, because God has made it “do able” because He has given us the Eyes, Ears and Heart to do so when He had not previously. Deut. 29:4 This Covenant is “cut” (karath=made or make. Deut. 29:1) at Mt. Nebo in Moab and can be found in Deut. 29 – 30 and was ratified or put in force by the Blood of Yeshua, whereas the covenant at Horeb was ratified by the blood of an animal. Ex 24:8; Matt 26:28; Heb 9:20; 10:29; 12:24; 13:20. It is not what was written that changed, but where it was/is written and how it was ratified. Also, if we study the word “new”, Chadash (H 2319 derived from H 2318) we find that it can mean renew, repair, or make anew. Just like the “New” Moon ( H 2320) every month is the same, original Moon, however it is made anew or refreshed. Another point that we really need to consider is that the New Covenant is not in full force yet. Notice the wording carefully in Jer 31:31-34 & Heb 8:8-13. Especially v11, not all people on Earth know Him yet, that will happen during the Messiah's reign as King during the Millennium. Notice v13. “obsolete” is G3822 “palaioo” and means to make old, become old, to be worn out, to declare a thing to be old and so about to be abrogated. About to be abrogated, not already abrogated, about to be. The word “ready” is G1451 “eggus”and means to be near, ready, soon to come pass. In other words it is old and will soon come to pass and will become so in the Messianic Kingdom. Also, notice who this New Covenant is made with in v8. We Goy ( Gentiles) become grafted into Israel when we accept Yeshua. Rom 11:17-24. Again, the “New” is Torah written on our Hearts for all to know Him and how it is ratified. The “old” written on stone is growing old and ready to disappear. “Kainos palaioo protos palaioo gerasko eggus aphanismos”. Heb 8:13. We Live in the New Covenant when we are re-born because He puts it into our Heart to follow His Instructions by His Spirit, instead of it written on stone and paper. Stone and Paper is what is old and ready to disappear.
Sabbatismos (G4520) is used only once because this is the only verse (Heb. 4:9) talking about there remaining “a keeping of Sabbath” which is the meaning of the word and it is notable that this word is derived from the word “Sabbaton” (G4521) which always refers to the 7th day Shabbat (H7676). The two verses in Hebrews 4 that witness to the context being about the 7th Day is v. 4 and v 10. This couldn't be any clearer. In v 4, Paul quotes Joshua 22:4, but the question remains, did he speak of another day? No he didn't. God gave the people “rest” through Joshua, but not a Sabbath rest, it is the word “nuwach” which is synonymous to the Greek word for rest, “anapauo”. Rest from war and their enemies, rest from wondering around lost in the desert. Joshua 11:23; 23:1. Joshua giving them “rest” has to do with the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh wanting to stay in the land this side of the Jordan, however they made a deal with Moses that they would go with their brothers across the Jordan to help them obtain the land and after they possess the land and obtain rest, then the Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh would be able to go back across the Jordan to possess the land promised to them and rest. Joshua 1:14-15; 18:7; Deut. 3:8-17. Joshua didn't give anyone rest (nuwach), YHVH did. Joshua 21:44; 23:1. They are now able to nuwach because they now possess the land promised to them. In Joshua's farewell address to Israel before his death, he says in Joshua 23:6, “Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left”, and in Joshua 24:25-26, He (Joshua) makes a pledge or covenant with them concerning their agreement in not turning away from YHVH to serve other gods. He then writes it in the book of the Torah which Moses wrote after “renewing” the Horeb covenant at Moab. Deut. 29 & 30; 31:24. So, with this, we should be able to understand the question and answer stated in Hebrews 4:8-11; “For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day? There remains therefore a keeping of the Sabbath to the people of God.” Another point that is worth making at this time is that since Yeshua is God and was involved in the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, then He was the one who “rested” on the first 7th day. He was also the God who made the covenants and gave the Torah. We should then, enter into His rest “Sabbath” (“as God did from His”) to be a witness of our belief in His Creatorship. Heb. 4:10-11.
Look at Acts 21:20; 15:20; 18:18. Paul keeps Torah 30 years after Yeshua and never teaches against it even though he has plenty of opportunity, instead he states in Acts 24:14 that he is“believing everything that is in accordance with the Torah and that is written in the Prophets”.. In Galatians 3:10-13, Paul is showing us that Messiah has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. What is the curse of the Law? It is Death to those that don't abide! What will happen to the Lawless, those that live without the Torah? What is sin? Who is the man of sin and what does he teach? The Scripture is clear. 1 John 3:4, 2:3-6; Matt. 7:21-23; 13:41; 23:28; 24:12; Rom. 6:19-23; 2 Thess. 2:3-8; Dan 7:25; Heb. 10:26. In Greek there is only one word used for anything concerning a law or decree, it is “nomos” and it is not a true representation of what the word “Torah” means. Therefore the word “Law” derived from “nomos” gives an improper meaning for the word Torah. Torah simply means “instruction” and sin is the word “chet”, meaning “to miss the mark”. Ex. 24:12. The Torah is God's instruction in how to live in Righteousness, not to be Righteous. We have to shift our thinking from “Law” to “Instruction”. Laws are burdensome, however Instruction isn't. Legalism is one of the problems that both Yeshua and Paul were up against, along with man's stoney cold, unbelieving heart, and this is why the New Covenant is better, because no longer was it up to man to circumcise his own heart, God does it for him... Deut. 29:10(Ger/alien/Gentile), 14-15; 30:6, 11-14; Jer. 31:31; 32:40; Eze. 11:19-20, 36:24-27; Heb. 10:16; 2 Cor. 3:3; Rom. 7:14. The letter of the “Law” is of the flesh and brings death, this is the Covenant given to Moses at Horeb that man could not abide in, but the “Brit Chadasha” or New Covenant is of the Spirit and gives us Life. It is Better because it is up to YHVH to write it upon our Heart by His Spirit. The same Torah, different place of writing it. The problem has never been Torah, it has always been Man's unbelief. Romans 7:12, 16; 1Tim 1:8; Neh 9:13-17; Psalms 19:7-11; 119:160; Prov 29:18; Isa 51:7.
Look at Galatians 3:15-17 and note “when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it” and “What I am saying is this: the Law does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.” The New Covenant made at Moab, was not ratified with the blood of an animal, like the covenant at Horeb, it was ratified with the Blood of Yeshua. And Paul is clear that once it is ratified you don't set it aside or negate it, or add conditions to it, and it doesn't nullify the Covenant previous to it. Our Father has never broken any of the covenants, man did, (Jer. 31:32) and the New and Better Way is the Torah written within us and on the heart (“leb”= mind, will, understanding, knowledge, thinking, memory, inclination, desire) and Yeshua's blood given once and for all, for all Sins. Contrast this with the high priest entering yearly with the blood of animals that can never take away sin. Heb. 10. To those who confess His Sonship and claim His blood in their place, then the sins of that person are Passed Over and Eternal Life is the Free Gift given by His unmerited favor, also known as Grace. Rom. 3:25; 10:9-10. We have to try and understand that our Father chose Israel, and was betrothed to them and became a husband to them. The Torah was/is a marriage contract, that they broke, but even though they committed adultery, He Loves them/us and gave a “new” contract written on their/our hearts. Isaiah 54:5; Jer. 31:32; Deut. 29-30; Hosea 2:16,19,20. Notice the word “know” and “knowledge” in Hosea 2:20; 4:6; Jer. 31:34. It is the words “yada`” and “da`ath” (da`ath H 1847 is derived from yada` H3045) and is the same word used in Gen. 4:1,17,25; 38:26; Judges 11:39; 1 Kings 1:4 (relations, knew, know, cohabit) and is always used in the context of intimacy. So in Hosea 4:6 we should see that His people are destroyed for lack of the Yada` or lack of the intimate knowledge of Him, which is gained by Torah, or His personal instructions for His betrothed to be able to yada` Him. 1 John 2:13; 5:3.
If we are going to understand what is happening in the 1st century setting, we have to understand the mindset of the Believing Jews of that time. They thought that they were to go and make Jews of those born outside the land. Gentile (Goy or Ger) is anyone not born in the land of Israel or no Jewish blood in their Genealogy. This is one of the problems dealt with by Yeshua and Paul (Matthew 15:6, Acts 15; Galatians 2:3). The other thing that has to be realized is that the Jew, then and even today, say that the Oral Law or Tradition, supersedes the written Torah of Moses and actually the written and the oral are one in the same in authority. The written Torah is God's instructions and the Oral is the rabbinical “halacha” or how to walk in it and the problem is when the tradition or oral rabbinical halacha is more important or supersedes the Torah. Matt. 15:3, 6; Mark 7:5,9,13. This is what is going on; the struggle of following the Torah given by Moses from our Father or the torah given by man according to the tradition. This is one of the things that Yeshua is addressing in Matthew 5:17, He came to “fulfill” which is the Greek “Pleroo” which means to rightly interpret; teach correctly; carry out; bring to realization. Yeshua is the one we should mimic in “halacha” or how to walk in the Torah, because this is one of the reasons that He came. 1John 2:6: John 13:15; 15:10; 1 Peter 2:21. So in Galatians 2&3 “the works of the law” is the rabbinical traditions or oral Torah and the Jews believing that they achieved salvation by the works (rabbinical halacha) of the Torah. The New Covenant is not what was written, it is where it is written. What was/is written on our Hearts and within us when we are born from above, is His Torah, by His Spirit. Our Father's Instructions written on our Hearts so we will walk in it. How then is Torah a burden to us? It is only a burden because of a cold heart of stone that is after the way of Cain. Jude 11, 1 John 3:12; 5:3. We should do it out of Love for our Father, not for salvation, but because of Salvation...
There are 2 different schools of thought between us. Most Christians are in a Western, Greek, Marcionic, anti-nomian, replacement theological school of thought and the other (which I follow) is from the Eastern / Jewish, Messianic, pro-nomian school of thought and just like the two sects of Pharisees ( Hillel and Shammai) didn't agree on many points, we also don't, and will probably have to agree to disagree and move on. But, I challenge you to step out of the replacement theology box and study the Scriptures from a Messianic Jewish school of thought. I believe that those who teach against the Torah or aspects of it will be left behind when Yeshua comes to get His bride. Matt. 7:21-23; Matt. 25:11-12, however in the last day be redeemed because of their belief in Yeshua, however they will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matt. 5:17-19; 11:25; 18:4. There is a lot more that could be said concerning all of this, however, I believe that enough has been given to allow anyone that really wants to know, the ability to see and understand.
I really hope that you will get the book “Rosh haShanah and the Messianic Kingdom to Come” by Joseph Good. This book reveals a lot of information that most have never known existed in the Scriptures and is a wonderful resource for those that want to gain deeper knowledge of the Scriptures. I want to leave on this note and suggestion, that all who read this letter follow the example of the Bereans given in Acts 17:11. By “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so”.
Shalom, John
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Law vs Instruction
Using the term "the Law" in Scripture is actually not correct and gives a wrong meaning. Greek language is limited in words to describe what "Torah" really is. It is God's Instructions. When someone says that they are "not under the Law", what God hears is they are not under His Instructions. If we are His Children, isn't a Good thing to listen to our Father's Instructions? We listen and practice what He instructs out of Love for Him.. It is so simple, yet people make it sooooo hard because they mis-interpret Shaul's (Paul) writings. Notice all of 2 Peter 3:16-17... Paul's writings are NOT hard to understand by someone trained in Torah, it is hard to understand by people that are untaught and not steadfast in their pursuit of learning, so they distort the Scripture to their own destruction. Therefore, we should be on guard of their error and remain in our Steadfastness... So Simple... We must always read more than one verse and we have to consider Context and original language... Paul was a Jew, and a Pharisee, trained by one of the great Torah teachers, Gamaliel. He never renounced Judaism... When he lost the scales from his eyes, the only thing that changed was he became a Jew who Believed in Yeshua as the Promised Messiah... Acts 21:39; 22:3; 24:14... Also, do a study on "the Way".. When you study this, you will see that "the way" and the Way" are two different things and "the Way" is one of the names that the the Believers in Messiah were called... Gotta Love It !
Grace is unmerrited favor. We get that from what Yeshua has done for us. We cannot do anything to deserve His Saving Grace... It is a FREE Gift... Without our Belief / Faith in Him, we stand on our own before Abba YHVH, and Torah Condems us.. John 1 teaches us that Yeshua is the Torah made Flesh, so by trying to follow God's Instructions (Torah) we are striving to walk as He did.. 1 John 2:6... And when we fail to follow, or we make a mistake, HIS Grace Abounds because we are His Children and He Love us, because we Trust in HIS Plan of Salvation... At the Cross, Yeshua only did away with the condemnation aspects of Torah for those who rely on Him for their Salvation... Sorry, I am so wordy... Just at home alone and sick... and my brain is buzzing with scripture right now... Shalom & Chesed, John
Grace is unmerrited favor. We get that from what Yeshua has done for us. We cannot do anything to deserve His Saving Grace... It is a FREE Gift... Without our Belief / Faith in Him, we stand on our own before Abba YHVH, and Torah Condems us.. John 1 teaches us that Yeshua is the Torah made Flesh, so by trying to follow God's Instructions (Torah) we are striving to walk as He did.. 1 John 2:6... And when we fail to follow, or we make a mistake, HIS Grace Abounds because we are His Children and He Love us, because we Trust in HIS Plan of Salvation... At the Cross, Yeshua only did away with the condemnation aspects of Torah for those who rely on Him for their Salvation... Sorry, I am so wordy... Just at home alone and sick... and my brain is buzzing with scripture right now... Shalom & Chesed, John
Divisions and Denominations
We all have the free right to choose how we live and believe, however I just believe if you are gonna base your life and beliefs on the teachings of a certain set of writings, shouldn't you try to follow all that applies today as much as possible ? The problem is our opinion of what is still applicable or not, and this fact is what causes all of the divisions, aka denominations... John
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Invited to Supper
If G-D invited a Vegetarian Christian to come and eat at HIS Table, and HE served meat and wine, would the guest say Thank you and Eat and Drink or say No Thank you, I am a vegetarian and I don't drink? Would the later offend the Host?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Faith - Salvation - Grace - Works - Torah
When I am sharing with people about the Torah and that without Torah there is no knowledge of what sin is, it's hard for people to grasp this.
We need to understand that Faith came first with Abraham and the Covenant that G-D made with him. The Torah came 430 years later. Scripture says that Abraham believed G-D and it was credited him as righteousness, but as you will see in this study, works was also involved with his faith. Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6&9, James 2:23.
People of today hear of someone keeping the Torah Instructions and they mistakenly think that this person is trying to achieve salvation by doing so.. Maybe there are some that are legalistically keeping the Torah, but I assure you.. I am NOT! We are not Saved by walking in the Ways of G-D's Torah instructions. We are only able to obtain Salvation through our belief in The Promise, that is, Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, the Son of our Heavenly Father YHVH. Torah is G-D's Instructions about how HE wants us to live.
Look at the Israelites when they were about to be released or saved from the bondage in Egypt... They heard the Salvation message from Moses, they believed G-D's messenger and had Faith that He would save them from their bondage. They saw the signs and they obeyed G-D when they were told to take the Lamb's blood and put it on their door lintel and posts as a sign to the Destroying Angel to Pass over them and not put their first born to death. Because of this Faith, they were Saved and released from the bondage of Egypt. We also see that coupled with their Faith was Works, for if they had of just said that they believe and G-D's Grace has Saved them, then the Blood would not have been placed on the lintel and doorposts and the Destroying Angel would have visited their house and the 1st born would have died. After their Salvation came, they started their walk with G-D to the Promised Land and then 50 days after they left Egypt G-D gave them HIS Instructions or Laws and made a covenant with them.
These Instructions didn't give them Salvation, they contained the "Word" of G-D, which would instruct them in "Right"eous living. Our Salvation is has always been and always will be by our Belief or Faith. Remember, Faith (Emunah) is a verb, it requires action or it is incomplete.
I am not going to re-write the whole story because you can read it in the Bible, but if you read real close, you will see that the problem was not G-D's Torah (Instructions), but the Heart of Man.. Man has always been the problem, not G-D's Laws... And from my observation this point has not changed. Most men's hearts are still as hard as a rock and they are making the same choice as Cain and Baalam.
If you read the story of the woman caught in adultery and presented as a snare to entrap Yeshua,(John 8:3-11) you will see that by the Torah, she was to be put to Death... But, what you don't see is that these accusers were actually breaking the Law.. If they caught her in the act, that means that they also caught the man and the Torah states that the man is to be brought out and put to death also... So, aside from that, Yeshua knew that the accusers where guilty of the same thing that they were accusing her of, so this is why HE says "He who has no sin, let him cast the first stone" and what happens next is a big point that most don't see. He saved her and then told her to go and sin no more. To go and sin no more means go and observe the Torah and do what it says. Notice that Salvation, or Yeshua's saving GRACE (un-merited favor) came first to her, even though she deserved death, He saved her life with Grace first, then gave her the command to follow G-D's Torah and sin no more... What is Sin? The definition is in the Bible and very clear and easy for anyone to understand. 1 John 3:4
How does this apply to us today?
Bondage in Egypt represents our bondage to sin. Without G-D's Torah, we would not know how HE wants us to live and what HE expects out of those that are called by HIS Holy Name. John 1 tells us that Yeshua is the Word.. He is the Torah, brought to Life. Yeshua is the Torah in the Flesh. In all of His teachings while He was on earth, he expounded upon the Torah, he came to show us how to live in Him, the Living Way of the Almighty G-D, His Heavenly Father... Everything that He did was to the Glory of the Father, not himself. Yeshua is G-D's eternal Word and sadly, very few men wanted G-D's Word, instead, their Heart was filled with their tradition and disdain for the Truth. It is exactly the same today, man is blinded by tradition. He is blinded by the deceptive lies of the adversary (ha satan). Man is too busy, Man is too proud, Man is unwilling to change his ways in the Light of the Truth. They are not able to see that because they reject and teach against the Torah, they are rejecting and teaching against Yeshua as the Living Torah, The Word of G-D.. Didn't Yeshua say that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one can come to the Father, except through Him? If you look at the written Torah really close, you will see that within it's words is G-D's Way that He wants us and expects us to Live our lives for Him and includes the Truths of who HE is and what He has done for us and what He will do for us. It (Torah) also contains Life, because the man who keeps His Ways, will have a Life filled with the Joys of doing the Will of the Father in Heaven. Un-believers cannot see that by rejecting the Torah, they are rejecting G-D's Son, Yeshua. Remember what the name Yeshua means... It means Salvation...
By Keeping the Torah, or at least trying to do so, shows G-D that we Love Him and that we Honor HIM in our actions... He knows our heart's intent and the man or woman that accepts Yeshua as the Son of G-D, and tries to observe the instructions given in the Torah, then HIS Grace or unmerited favor will abound for this person, not because of his works, or efforts, but because of his Heart.. Because of his want to Love the L-RD with not only his heart, but with his actions also. The New or Re-Newed Covenant that G-D made with Isreal happened at Mt. Nebo (Deut. 29), because of their hard heart and the reality that man couldn't or wouldn't keep it, the 1st Covenant was broken, but G-D desired to make New the Covenant and give man the heart to do so. Notice Deut. 29:4; that until this New Covenant is made, man had not been given the heart to know, eyes to see, and the ears to hear.. Notice Deut. 30:6 that G-D will circumcise man's heart, this is part of G-D's Grace, to help us to be able to walk in HIS ways. So here again, we see Faith acted out in Works.. The New Covenant Heart Conversion is also spoke of in Jeremiah 31:33-34; Hebrews 8:10, and Hebrews 10:16. Some say that this was only given to the Jews, however Deut. 29:14-16 says otherwise. Notice the word "nations" in v.16, this is the word "Goy" which is translated into Gentiles. Also notice that the 1st Covenant was also given to not only the Jews (Israelites), but also Gentiles (Goy & Ger)... Exodus 12:38; 12:48-49; Lev. 24:22. So also, the New Covenant was given to both Jew & Gentile...
A good point to make at this time is the fact that when the 1st Covenant was given at Horeb, Moses ratified it with the blood of a young bull (Exodus 24:8), however at the giving of the New Covenant at Nebo, he didn't; because this covenant was ratified by the Shed Blood of Yeshua the Messiah. Some will also say that the Torah is too hard or not known, but in Deut. 30:11-14 it tells us that it is obtainable, within our reach and capacity to do so...
Finally, when you read Hebrews 11, you will see the example of many of G-D's people and how wherever their Faith was, there was also Action or Works... James 2:17-26 sums it up very well "Faith without Works is Dead"... So if we consider the Whole of Scripture, we see multiple examples of Faith, Salvation, Grace, & Works in G-D's Word... Torah...
John
We need to understand that Faith came first with Abraham and the Covenant that G-D made with him. The Torah came 430 years later. Scripture says that Abraham believed G-D and it was credited him as righteousness, but as you will see in this study, works was also involved with his faith. Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6&9, James 2:23.
People of today hear of someone keeping the Torah Instructions and they mistakenly think that this person is trying to achieve salvation by doing so.. Maybe there are some that are legalistically keeping the Torah, but I assure you.. I am NOT! We are not Saved by walking in the Ways of G-D's Torah instructions. We are only able to obtain Salvation through our belief in The Promise, that is, Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, the Son of our Heavenly Father YHVH. Torah is G-D's Instructions about how HE wants us to live.
Look at the Israelites when they were about to be released or saved from the bondage in Egypt... They heard the Salvation message from Moses, they believed G-D's messenger and had Faith that He would save them from their bondage. They saw the signs and they obeyed G-D when they were told to take the Lamb's blood and put it on their door lintel and posts as a sign to the Destroying Angel to Pass over them and not put their first born to death. Because of this Faith, they were Saved and released from the bondage of Egypt. We also see that coupled with their Faith was Works, for if they had of just said that they believe and G-D's Grace has Saved them, then the Blood would not have been placed on the lintel and doorposts and the Destroying Angel would have visited their house and the 1st born would have died. After their Salvation came, they started their walk with G-D to the Promised Land and then 50 days after they left Egypt G-D gave them HIS Instructions or Laws and made a covenant with them.
These Instructions didn't give them Salvation, they contained the "Word" of G-D, which would instruct them in "Right"eous living. Our Salvation is has always been and always will be by our Belief or Faith. Remember, Faith (Emunah) is a verb, it requires action or it is incomplete.
I am not going to re-write the whole story because you can read it in the Bible, but if you read real close, you will see that the problem was not G-D's Torah (Instructions), but the Heart of Man.. Man has always been the problem, not G-D's Laws... And from my observation this point has not changed. Most men's hearts are still as hard as a rock and they are making the same choice as Cain and Baalam.
If you read the story of the woman caught in adultery and presented as a snare to entrap Yeshua,(John 8:3-11) you will see that by the Torah, she was to be put to Death... But, what you don't see is that these accusers were actually breaking the Law.. If they caught her in the act, that means that they also caught the man and the Torah states that the man is to be brought out and put to death also... So, aside from that, Yeshua knew that the accusers where guilty of the same thing that they were accusing her of, so this is why HE says "He who has no sin, let him cast the first stone" and what happens next is a big point that most don't see. He saved her and then told her to go and sin no more. To go and sin no more means go and observe the Torah and do what it says. Notice that Salvation, or Yeshua's saving GRACE (un-merited favor) came first to her, even though she deserved death, He saved her life with Grace first, then gave her the command to follow G-D's Torah and sin no more... What is Sin? The definition is in the Bible and very clear and easy for anyone to understand. 1 John 3:4
How does this apply to us today?
Bondage in Egypt represents our bondage to sin. Without G-D's Torah, we would not know how HE wants us to live and what HE expects out of those that are called by HIS Holy Name. John 1 tells us that Yeshua is the Word.. He is the Torah, brought to Life. Yeshua is the Torah in the Flesh. In all of His teachings while He was on earth, he expounded upon the Torah, he came to show us how to live in Him, the Living Way of the Almighty G-D, His Heavenly Father... Everything that He did was to the Glory of the Father, not himself. Yeshua is G-D's eternal Word and sadly, very few men wanted G-D's Word, instead, their Heart was filled with their tradition and disdain for the Truth. It is exactly the same today, man is blinded by tradition. He is blinded by the deceptive lies of the adversary (ha satan). Man is too busy, Man is too proud, Man is unwilling to change his ways in the Light of the Truth. They are not able to see that because they reject and teach against the Torah, they are rejecting and teaching against Yeshua as the Living Torah, The Word of G-D.. Didn't Yeshua say that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one can come to the Father, except through Him? If you look at the written Torah really close, you will see that within it's words is G-D's Way that He wants us and expects us to Live our lives for Him and includes the Truths of who HE is and what He has done for us and what He will do for us. It (Torah) also contains Life, because the man who keeps His Ways, will have a Life filled with the Joys of doing the Will of the Father in Heaven. Un-believers cannot see that by rejecting the Torah, they are rejecting G-D's Son, Yeshua. Remember what the name Yeshua means... It means Salvation...
By Keeping the Torah, or at least trying to do so, shows G-D that we Love Him and that we Honor HIM in our actions... He knows our heart's intent and the man or woman that accepts Yeshua as the Son of G-D, and tries to observe the instructions given in the Torah, then HIS Grace or unmerited favor will abound for this person, not because of his works, or efforts, but because of his Heart.. Because of his want to Love the L-RD with not only his heart, but with his actions also. The New or Re-Newed Covenant that G-D made with Isreal happened at Mt. Nebo (Deut. 29), because of their hard heart and the reality that man couldn't or wouldn't keep it, the 1st Covenant was broken, but G-D desired to make New the Covenant and give man the heart to do so. Notice Deut. 29:4; that until this New Covenant is made, man had not been given the heart to know, eyes to see, and the ears to hear.. Notice Deut. 30:6 that G-D will circumcise man's heart, this is part of G-D's Grace, to help us to be able to walk in HIS ways. So here again, we see Faith acted out in Works.. The New Covenant Heart Conversion is also spoke of in Jeremiah 31:33-34; Hebrews 8:10, and Hebrews 10:16. Some say that this was only given to the Jews, however Deut. 29:14-16 says otherwise. Notice the word "nations" in v.16, this is the word "Goy" which is translated into Gentiles. Also notice that the 1st Covenant was also given to not only the Jews (Israelites), but also Gentiles (Goy & Ger)... Exodus 12:38; 12:48-49; Lev. 24:22. So also, the New Covenant was given to both Jew & Gentile...
A good point to make at this time is the fact that when the 1st Covenant was given at Horeb, Moses ratified it with the blood of a young bull (Exodus 24:8), however at the giving of the New Covenant at Nebo, he didn't; because this covenant was ratified by the Shed Blood of Yeshua the Messiah. Some will also say that the Torah is too hard or not known, but in Deut. 30:11-14 it tells us that it is obtainable, within our reach and capacity to do so...
Finally, when you read Hebrews 11, you will see the example of many of G-D's people and how wherever their Faith was, there was also Action or Works... James 2:17-26 sums it up very well "Faith without Works is Dead"... So if we consider the Whole of Scripture, we see multiple examples of Faith, Salvation, Grace, & Works in G-D's Word... Torah...
John
Thursday, February 25, 2010
G-D Says vs. Man says...
G-D says "Remember" (Exodus 20:8) but man says "Remember Not"... G-D says "Observe" (Exodus 31:14) but man says "Observe Not"... G-D says "Keep" (Deut. 30:10) but man says "Keep Not"... Yeshua says "Think Not" (Mat. 5:17), but man says "Think so"... Yeshua says "My Commandments are G-D's" (John 6:38;8:28) but man says they are not.. John says "abide in HIM and walk as HE walked" (1Jn 2:6), but man says abide in HIM and walk as you want.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Who or What is the Church?
The following is a compilation of my reponses to a posting on Facebook that I wanted to pull together into one article.
A lot of good comments. Just wanted to share that the word "Church" is the English derivation of the Greek word "Ekklesia" meaning "Gathering of the Chosen". We must ask then "Who are the Chosen?"... First we have to put our minds and thinking into the 1st Century, in the mindframe and context of who was writing, who it was written to and what were they up against at that time.. If we go into scripture with a 21st Century, Western mindset we will never be able to understand what is happening in the Bible... Who are the Chosen? Do a word study on the word "chose" and "chosen".. Also, look at what the believers were called back then "the Way"... Do a word study on "the Way" and notice that "the Way" (W is upper case) is different than "the way" (w is lower case). Look at Acts 9:2, Paul is still hunting the believers in Yeshua and it refers to the Believers as "the Way". Also, notice that after Paul's conversion he then belongs to "the Way". Acts 24:14.
Notice in Acts 24:14 that Paul says that he believes everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.. Remember that Paul was a Pharisee, a Jew who became a believer in the Jewish Messiah. There is so much to say here, but so little space, but the point is that there is only one True "Church" or Ekklesia, it is Jew or Gentile that follows "the Way". The way is the belief in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Anointed Son of G-D, and professing HIS Blood as Atonement of our Sins, and Repentance of Sin (turning away from Sin). To turn away from Sin, we have to understand what the Biblical definition of what Sin is... 1 John 3:4 contains the answer and when we understand this, then we can try to walk as HE did 1 John 2:2-6... Please read all of 1 John 3. How do we show G-D that we Love HIM? 1 John 5:2-3... I know that I am going to get blasted for writing this, that is OK, but before you throw this in the trash, word study Lawless,& Lawlessness and notice what is being talked about here. Also, look up "the way of cain".. The Adversary (ha Satan, the Devil) hates G-D's Law (Torah) and He will teach against it, saying that it was done away with, but if it was done away with at the Cross, then why was Paul taking a Nazarite Vow? Acts 18:18, 21:23-26. There are more instances of Paul keeping the Torah, so don't you think that if the Law (Torah) was done away with, He would have spoken up and told the Jerusalem Council of the Way, that the Law was done away with and they were not under the requirements? He didn't because It Hadn't... I am going to stop here. There is enough given here to put you on track, but I will say that if you are going to understand the Bible, you have to get OUT of the Christian Churches, and get into a Messianic Jewish Congregation that has an Anointed Teacher of the Torah, who can teach you the Jewish Roots of the Faith...
1. Romans 12:4-8.. I don't think that this has anything to do with denominations, just people and to each one their talents, abilities..Spiritual Gifts.. Salt of the Earth... Matthew 5:13 is saying that if the salt has lost it's taste then it is no longer good for anything and should be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.. So as I read it, the salt scattered out is of no value.. So I don't see it being an example of unity... If a man looses his Love for the Truth or Saltiness then he is of no value.
2. That was the point. "the Way" is what the Sect of Believers in Messiah were referred to by the people of the day. Acts 24:14.. “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets". Notice exactly what he says here. He was defending his upholding of the Law and Prophets, because he was being accused of not keeping the Law. Not one time does he mention Jesus fulfilling the Law and Prophets. This context has nothing to do with that. Jesus hasn't fulfilled everything yet, He fulfilled the blood needed for ratification of the covenant at Moab (New Covenant), and He fulfilled the spring feasts. You also have to understand what fulfilled means. It does not mean done away. It means to rightly interpret, or give proper meaning. Matthew 5:17-20 is pretty clear to me. In Luke 24:44, Yeshua tells exactly what He came to Fulfill.. It is so simple, He came to "fulfill" or "fill full" the things that were written about Him in the Torah (Law) of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.
3. If belief in Jesus is enough then what is said in Matthew 7:21-23 is a moot point. Belief, Faith, Works (Hebrews 11, James 2) is what is required. We all should carefully contemplate the last statement made in Matthew 7:23... We must look at the Whole, Big Picture... Hey just for kicks, go read Ezekiel 40-48... This is the Messianic Temple and it hasn't been built yet. Notice what will be takinig place at that Temple. I am Thankful for the opportunity to share my thoughts. We all have to make up our own minds. Just hope you don't judge the message because of the messenger :o)
Please don't lump me into the Messianic Jewish mold just because under my profile I say Messianic Jewish as my religious beliefs. I am a Gentile, that believes in the Jewish Messiah, therefore I am grafted in to the vine. I believe that Yeshua is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I also believe that HE is G-D's only begotten Son.
Please prayerfully go over everything that I wrote, several times and please look up all of the texts.
I have the deepest respect for you both and I care very much for you. Everything that I believe and have written was not developed in a few minutes, it takes a long time of study and prayer to understand these things. I know that it is upsetting, but it is there, even if you can't see it right now. I believe that what I believe and teach meshes with all of scripture with no contradictions. This venue is really not the way to go over these things. Please, let's get together to study these things out. I just want to share because I care.
John
A lot of good comments. Just wanted to share that the word "Church" is the English derivation of the Greek word "Ekklesia" meaning "Gathering of the Chosen". We must ask then "Who are the Chosen?"... First we have to put our minds and thinking into the 1st Century, in the mindframe and context of who was writing, who it was written to and what were they up against at that time.. If we go into scripture with a 21st Century, Western mindset we will never be able to understand what is happening in the Bible... Who are the Chosen? Do a word study on the word "chose" and "chosen".. Also, look at what the believers were called back then "the Way"... Do a word study on "the Way" and notice that "the Way" (W is upper case) is different than "the way" (w is lower case). Look at Acts 9:2, Paul is still hunting the believers in Yeshua and it refers to the Believers as "the Way". Also, notice that after Paul's conversion he then belongs to "the Way". Acts 24:14.
Notice in Acts 24:14 that Paul says that he believes everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.. Remember that Paul was a Pharisee, a Jew who became a believer in the Jewish Messiah. There is so much to say here, but so little space, but the point is that there is only one True "Church" or Ekklesia, it is Jew or Gentile that follows "the Way". The way is the belief in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Anointed Son of G-D, and professing HIS Blood as Atonement of our Sins, and Repentance of Sin (turning away from Sin). To turn away from Sin, we have to understand what the Biblical definition of what Sin is... 1 John 3:4 contains the answer and when we understand this, then we can try to walk as HE did 1 John 2:2-6... Please read all of 1 John 3. How do we show G-D that we Love HIM? 1 John 5:2-3... I know that I am going to get blasted for writing this, that is OK, but before you throw this in the trash, word study Lawless,& Lawlessness and notice what is being talked about here. Also, look up "the way of cain".. The Adversary (ha Satan, the Devil) hates G-D's Law (Torah) and He will teach against it, saying that it was done away with, but if it was done away with at the Cross, then why was Paul taking a Nazarite Vow? Acts 18:18, 21:23-26. There are more instances of Paul keeping the Torah, so don't you think that if the Law (Torah) was done away with, He would have spoken up and told the Jerusalem Council of the Way, that the Law was done away with and they were not under the requirements? He didn't because It Hadn't... I am going to stop here. There is enough given here to put you on track, but I will say that if you are going to understand the Bible, you have to get OUT of the Christian Churches, and get into a Messianic Jewish Congregation that has an Anointed Teacher of the Torah, who can teach you the Jewish Roots of the Faith...
1. Romans 12:4-8.. I don't think that this has anything to do with denominations, just people and to each one their talents, abilities..Spiritual Gifts.. Salt of the Earth... Matthew 5:13 is saying that if the salt has lost it's taste then it is no longer good for anything and should be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.. So as I read it, the salt scattered out is of no value.. So I don't see it being an example of unity... If a man looses his Love for the Truth or Saltiness then he is of no value.
2. That was the point. "the Way" is what the Sect of Believers in Messiah were referred to by the people of the day. Acts 24:14.. “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets". Notice exactly what he says here. He was defending his upholding of the Law and Prophets, because he was being accused of not keeping the Law. Not one time does he mention Jesus fulfilling the Law and Prophets. This context has nothing to do with that. Jesus hasn't fulfilled everything yet, He fulfilled the blood needed for ratification of the covenant at Moab (New Covenant), and He fulfilled the spring feasts. You also have to understand what fulfilled means. It does not mean done away. It means to rightly interpret, or give proper meaning. Matthew 5:17-20 is pretty clear to me. In Luke 24:44, Yeshua tells exactly what He came to Fulfill.. It is so simple, He came to "fulfill" or "fill full" the things that were written about Him in the Torah (Law) of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.
3. If belief in Jesus is enough then what is said in Matthew 7:21-23 is a moot point. Belief, Faith, Works (Hebrews 11, James 2) is what is required. We all should carefully contemplate the last statement made in Matthew 7:23... We must look at the Whole, Big Picture... Hey just for kicks, go read Ezekiel 40-48... This is the Messianic Temple and it hasn't been built yet. Notice what will be takinig place at that Temple. I am Thankful for the opportunity to share my thoughts. We all have to make up our own minds. Just hope you don't judge the message because of the messenger :o)
Please don't lump me into the Messianic Jewish mold just because under my profile I say Messianic Jewish as my religious beliefs. I am a Gentile, that believes in the Jewish Messiah, therefore I am grafted in to the vine. I believe that Yeshua is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I also believe that HE is G-D's only begotten Son.
Please prayerfully go over everything that I wrote, several times and please look up all of the texts.
I have the deepest respect for you both and I care very much for you. Everything that I believe and have written was not developed in a few minutes, it takes a long time of study and prayer to understand these things. I know that it is upsetting, but it is there, even if you can't see it right now. I believe that what I believe and teach meshes with all of scripture with no contradictions. This venue is really not the way to go over these things. Please, let's get together to study these things out. I just want to share because I care.
John
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Matter of Meat
The Matter of Meat is a sensitive subject because we all have our own beliefs concerning the consumption of meat as a source of protein. Don’t worry, I am not here to convince you to become a vegetarian or even to follow my ideas. I am just wanting to give you bits of information that will possibly cause you to re-think some of your beliefs concerning the use of meat in your diet.
I am pretty sure that everyone is familiar with Leviticus 11 and what is Biblically considered meat to be used for food and what is not... If you are not familiar with this then please stop reading this and get your Bible and go over it before continuing this article.
In the Bible there are multiple words that are associated as meat or flesh. The most common word is “Basar”. Although this word can mean “flesh” like man’s flesh, it is more often used in the context of food meaning meat, bread, fruit etc..
Let’s first consider something that we all partake of… Fast Food… Should we eat out?
Fast Food equals cheap ingredients, poor quality, poor nutrition, and Poor Health ! The Business Goal of the Fast Food Industry is Taste and Appeal for the lowest cost. The fast food industry does not have your health interest in mind. The Movie Documentary “Super-Size Me” told the story of a man who ate all of his daily food from Mc Donalds. He was medically tested at the beginning and was found to be healthy. After, 2 weeks of him only consuming Mc Donalds food, His Dr’s were afraid for his health, because his his major organs were showing severe signs of disease and he was sick and even though the advice of his Dr’s was to stop the documentary, he pushed through the full 30 days. By the end, he was very sick. After he stopped eating that food, his health slowly returned to normal.. It really doesn’t matter if it is McDonalds, Wendy's, Arbys, or Taco Bell, I feel that the end result would be the same.
We need to remember that the business goal of a fast food business is to inexpensively produce products that are low in consumer cost with appeal to the consumer with generally no concern for health. There is also evidence that these companies put taste enhancing chemicals in the food that can actually cause allergic reactions in susceptible people. Some of these chemicals actually make you crave more of it, thereby causing you to go back to their restaurant to get more.. Did you know that the food wrapper and containers are treated with Teflon to lengthen the time that the “food” can be wrapped up without leaking all over the sack, your car etc… Tests have shown that the Teflon shows up in miniscule amounts of each food that is wrapped in it, and since our body cannot effectively eliminate it, it builds up in our body and could cause problems.
Feedlots and Animal Health -- Antibiotics, Growth Hormones, Microbes etc.
Have you ever been to a feed lot? Do the animals graze in a pasture? No they don’t. They live their life in dirt or mud and are fed a diet of grain and “feed”. Research shows that the feed is laced with antibiotics, hormones etc. And if that is not bad enough. There is evidence that “animal parts” and chicken feces are dessicated and put into the feed to enhance protein content. Animal parts in the feed of an animal who’s natural diet is grass? This is exactly the cause of BSE or Mad Cow Disease. I believe that this practice is wrong and we should try to the best of our ability to avoid eating meat from animals raised this way.
Is Kosher any Better?
Kosher, doesn't necessarily mean fed or raised properly. Kosher meat just means a Rabbi inspected the animal and found no visible flaws and then it was killed by Jewish Kosher Guidelines. Then after the animal is processed and halved, it is inspected again and if no visible flaws are found it is passed as Kosher. The animal to be butchered can come from a commercial feedlot, loaded with antibiotics, growth hormones etc., but is still "Kosher" if approved by the Rabbi/Inspector… It is possible for this animal to contain pesticide residue, antibiotic residue, hormones etc. I have heard it said that these things are not passed to humans through the consumption of the meat, but if that were true, then why does the CDC report the diseases that are transmitted via meat consumption?
Here is a short list of known diseases that can be transmitted to humans by eating their flesh. BSE,aka Mad Cow Disease, E. Coli, Campylobacter, Bacilus Cereus, Staphylococcus, Shigella, Clostridium, and Salmonella, . Also, New research shows that Borrelia Burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease can be transmitted by meat consumption..
Some believe that as long as you don’t cut into the spinal cord, BSE infection can’t be transmitted to humans. I believe that this is not true because all of the muscle of the animal is enervated with nerves that are connected to the CNS, therefore, doesn’t it make sense that the disease would also be in the meat? Also, when the butchers cut the carcass in half, they do so with a band saw through the spinal cord, thereby contaminating the whole carcass by splattering the spinal fluid onto the carcass !
So with this information, I believe that we are no better off consuming Certified Kosher meat. I believe that we are better off consuming farm raised, grass fed beef and/or organically grown/fed, if not both…
Did you know that only grass fed beef and milk has a natural substance called conjugated linoleic acid, aka CLA? CLA has been shown to benefit the human metabolism by causing the “brown adipose” tissue in our body to take in the “white adipose tissue and cause it to be used in the process of thermogenesis, thereby causing a reduction of body fat. which is responsible for our belly and love handles. CLA has also been shown to increase our lean muscle mass, prevent Allergies, Cancer, and Atherosclerosis. As well as helping to normalize Serum Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels.
It is clear to me that CLA is a major benefit to us and I believe that it was in the Maker’s Design for it to be present for our benefit. However, it does not happen if the animal is fed a diet completely of grain or feed cubes.. It only happens if it consumes primarily fresh grass and hay. I find this to be a big lesson in letting the animal do what is natural to them, not forcing them to live a way contrary to how G-D designed them live...
Even though I have only talked about Beef here, we can’t leave out chicken or turkey… Commercial chicken and turkey farms are no better than the commercial Beef industry. Growth Hormones, Antibiotics, animal part laced feed etc… They are packed wall to wall in brooder houses with barely room to move. So, organic or farm raised is the best choice here also...
Now, even though I don't promote vegetarianism, I do teach that we don't need large amounts of animal protein (meat) in our daily intake of food. I believe that there is quite a bit of evidence that our daily intake of protein should only be around 20% of our total daily intake and the rest of our nutritional needs of Carbohydrates and Fats, should come from nuts, seeds, legumes, vegetables and fruit.
I think that we should be conscious of the food that we eat and we should make good nutrition choices daily for optimal physical and mental health. Even though the Bible is basically silent about what we call nutrition today, we do have the texts that support the idea that it is important to treat “our” body as a Temple.
Should we consider what we offer "our" body as a Temple Offering?
1 Cor. 6:19-20 says: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. I know that the context of these verses is concerning being with a prostitute, however we could carry over this line of thinking to what we eat also.
In traditional Jewish homes, the dinner table is considered the family altar, and the home itself is called the “mikdash meyat”, a little sanctuary where G-D can dwell. Because the family invites G-D to join them at every meal all foods must be ritually acceptable. When we eat we should consider that our table is an altar which we make an offering to Ad-nai.
Would we take a commercially raised animal to offer as a sacrifice if the Temple existed today? Would G-D consider it unblemished?
My opinion based on my studies, is NO, G-D would not consider this kind of animal as unblemished and it would be rejected. So, with all of the evidence and opinions given here, would you want to take the meat from this animal into your body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit ?
If farm raised or Organic is not available, I believe that it would be best to not eat meat. And we would be better off just eating bread, grain, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds or legumes.
I believe that our Creator delights in our health and happiness and HE has provided so much for us to partake of for us to be so. I know for a fact that no one is happy when they are sick. Yes, sometimes illness happens regardless of how we live, but I think that we would have better health if we would consider what foods would work best for our body.
There is a whole lot more that could be said here, but I just wanted to share with you these ideas that have been on my mind and I hope that you have learned enough here, to go out on your own and learn more..
Shalom, John
I am pretty sure that everyone is familiar with Leviticus 11 and what is Biblically considered meat to be used for food and what is not... If you are not familiar with this then please stop reading this and get your Bible and go over it before continuing this article.
In the Bible there are multiple words that are associated as meat or flesh. The most common word is “Basar”. Although this word can mean “flesh” like man’s flesh, it is more often used in the context of food meaning meat, bread, fruit etc..
Let’s first consider something that we all partake of… Fast Food… Should we eat out?
Fast Food equals cheap ingredients, poor quality, poor nutrition, and Poor Health ! The Business Goal of the Fast Food Industry is Taste and Appeal for the lowest cost. The fast food industry does not have your health interest in mind. The Movie Documentary “Super-Size Me” told the story of a man who ate all of his daily food from Mc Donalds. He was medically tested at the beginning and was found to be healthy. After, 2 weeks of him only consuming Mc Donalds food, His Dr’s were afraid for his health, because his his major organs were showing severe signs of disease and he was sick and even though the advice of his Dr’s was to stop the documentary, he pushed through the full 30 days. By the end, he was very sick. After he stopped eating that food, his health slowly returned to normal.. It really doesn’t matter if it is McDonalds, Wendy's, Arbys, or Taco Bell, I feel that the end result would be the same.
We need to remember that the business goal of a fast food business is to inexpensively produce products that are low in consumer cost with appeal to the consumer with generally no concern for health. There is also evidence that these companies put taste enhancing chemicals in the food that can actually cause allergic reactions in susceptible people. Some of these chemicals actually make you crave more of it, thereby causing you to go back to their restaurant to get more.. Did you know that the food wrapper and containers are treated with Teflon to lengthen the time that the “food” can be wrapped up without leaking all over the sack, your car etc… Tests have shown that the Teflon shows up in miniscule amounts of each food that is wrapped in it, and since our body cannot effectively eliminate it, it builds up in our body and could cause problems.
Feedlots and Animal Health -- Antibiotics, Growth Hormones, Microbes etc.
Have you ever been to a feed lot? Do the animals graze in a pasture? No they don’t. They live their life in dirt or mud and are fed a diet of grain and “feed”. Research shows that the feed is laced with antibiotics, hormones etc. And if that is not bad enough. There is evidence that “animal parts” and chicken feces are dessicated and put into the feed to enhance protein content. Animal parts in the feed of an animal who’s natural diet is grass? This is exactly the cause of BSE or Mad Cow Disease. I believe that this practice is wrong and we should try to the best of our ability to avoid eating meat from animals raised this way.
Is Kosher any Better?
Kosher, doesn't necessarily mean fed or raised properly. Kosher meat just means a Rabbi inspected the animal and found no visible flaws and then it was killed by Jewish Kosher Guidelines. Then after the animal is processed and halved, it is inspected again and if no visible flaws are found it is passed as Kosher. The animal to be butchered can come from a commercial feedlot, loaded with antibiotics, growth hormones etc., but is still "Kosher" if approved by the Rabbi/Inspector… It is possible for this animal to contain pesticide residue, antibiotic residue, hormones etc. I have heard it said that these things are not passed to humans through the consumption of the meat, but if that were true, then why does the CDC report the diseases that are transmitted via meat consumption?
Here is a short list of known diseases that can be transmitted to humans by eating their flesh. BSE,aka Mad Cow Disease, E. Coli, Campylobacter, Bacilus Cereus, Staphylococcus, Shigella, Clostridium, and Salmonella, . Also, New research shows that Borrelia Burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease can be transmitted by meat consumption..
Some believe that as long as you don’t cut into the spinal cord, BSE infection can’t be transmitted to humans. I believe that this is not true because all of the muscle of the animal is enervated with nerves that are connected to the CNS, therefore, doesn’t it make sense that the disease would also be in the meat? Also, when the butchers cut the carcass in half, they do so with a band saw through the spinal cord, thereby contaminating the whole carcass by splattering the spinal fluid onto the carcass !
So with this information, I believe that we are no better off consuming Certified Kosher meat. I believe that we are better off consuming farm raised, grass fed beef and/or organically grown/fed, if not both…
Did you know that only grass fed beef and milk has a natural substance called conjugated linoleic acid, aka CLA? CLA has been shown to benefit the human metabolism by causing the “brown adipose” tissue in our body to take in the “white adipose tissue and cause it to be used in the process of thermogenesis, thereby causing a reduction of body fat. which is responsible for our belly and love handles. CLA has also been shown to increase our lean muscle mass, prevent Allergies, Cancer, and Atherosclerosis. As well as helping to normalize Serum Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels.
It is clear to me that CLA is a major benefit to us and I believe that it was in the Maker’s Design for it to be present for our benefit. However, it does not happen if the animal is fed a diet completely of grain or feed cubes.. It only happens if it consumes primarily fresh grass and hay. I find this to be a big lesson in letting the animal do what is natural to them, not forcing them to live a way contrary to how G-D designed them live...
Even though I have only talked about Beef here, we can’t leave out chicken or turkey… Commercial chicken and turkey farms are no better than the commercial Beef industry. Growth Hormones, Antibiotics, animal part laced feed etc… They are packed wall to wall in brooder houses with barely room to move. So, organic or farm raised is the best choice here also...
Now, even though I don't promote vegetarianism, I do teach that we don't need large amounts of animal protein (meat) in our daily intake of food. I believe that there is quite a bit of evidence that our daily intake of protein should only be around 20% of our total daily intake and the rest of our nutritional needs of Carbohydrates and Fats, should come from nuts, seeds, legumes, vegetables and fruit.
I think that we should be conscious of the food that we eat and we should make good nutrition choices daily for optimal physical and mental health. Even though the Bible is basically silent about what we call nutrition today, we do have the texts that support the idea that it is important to treat “our” body as a Temple.
Should we consider what we offer "our" body as a Temple Offering?
1 Cor. 6:19-20 says: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. I know that the context of these verses is concerning being with a prostitute, however we could carry over this line of thinking to what we eat also.
In traditional Jewish homes, the dinner table is considered the family altar, and the home itself is called the “mikdash meyat”, a little sanctuary where G-D can dwell. Because the family invites G-D to join them at every meal all foods must be ritually acceptable. When we eat we should consider that our table is an altar which we make an offering to Ad-nai.
Would we take a commercially raised animal to offer as a sacrifice if the Temple existed today? Would G-D consider it unblemished?
My opinion based on my studies, is NO, G-D would not consider this kind of animal as unblemished and it would be rejected. So, with all of the evidence and opinions given here, would you want to take the meat from this animal into your body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit ?
If farm raised or Organic is not available, I believe that it would be best to not eat meat. And we would be better off just eating bread, grain, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds or legumes.
I believe that our Creator delights in our health and happiness and HE has provided so much for us to partake of for us to be so. I know for a fact that no one is happy when they are sick. Yes, sometimes illness happens regardless of how we live, but I think that we would have better health if we would consider what foods would work best for our body.
There is a whole lot more that could be said here, but I just wanted to share with you these ideas that have been on my mind and I hope that you have learned enough here, to go out on your own and learn more..
Shalom, John
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The Power of Nine...
Do you know the 9 words that sum up the Gospel message?
"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand" Matthew 3:2; 4:17.
Repentance, Repent.. What does that mean? It means to turn around from sin and go the other way. John the Baptist, Yeshua, and the Deciples all taught this. This is a BIG part of the Good News, the Gospel message. Turn around and stop sinning. If you turn around, you turn your back on sin (unrighteousness) and by doing this you turn toward righteousness, for Sin is Transgression of the Law (Torah) 1 John 3:4. Righteousness is the keeping of the Law (Torah). No, we are NOT Saved from our righteous acts (works) of Law abiding, but by doing so, we show our Faith and our Love for HIM and HIS Grace (unmerited favor) is abundantly given to us. James 2:17-26, 1 John 2:3-6; 5:3.
The Torah is G-d's guidlines or instruction. If we fail in one commandment, we have broken them all (James 2:10), but Yeshua is there with forgiveness. He takes away the condemnation because HE kept every aspect of the Torah, Perfectly.. The unblemished Lamb.
So I say also... Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.. The King is Coming again... Are you Ready?
Shalom,
John
"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand" Matthew 3:2; 4:17.
Repentance, Repent.. What does that mean? It means to turn around from sin and go the other way. John the Baptist, Yeshua, and the Deciples all taught this. This is a BIG part of the Good News, the Gospel message. Turn around and stop sinning. If you turn around, you turn your back on sin (unrighteousness) and by doing this you turn toward righteousness, for Sin is Transgression of the Law (Torah) 1 John 3:4. Righteousness is the keeping of the Law (Torah). No, we are NOT Saved from our righteous acts (works) of Law abiding, but by doing so, we show our Faith and our Love for HIM and HIS Grace (unmerited favor) is abundantly given to us. James 2:17-26, 1 John 2:3-6; 5:3.
The Torah is G-d's guidlines or instruction. If we fail in one commandment, we have broken them all (James 2:10), but Yeshua is there with forgiveness. He takes away the condemnation because HE kept every aspect of the Torah, Perfectly.. The unblemished Lamb.
So I say also... Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.. The King is Coming again... Are you Ready?
Shalom,
John
Saturday, July 25, 2009
"Our" Choices and the Way of Cain
It is my observation that when a man has already decided the matter, and regardless of what proof is presented, he stands firm in his decision, the matter is settled and those who try and go against his decision are met with a futile attempt to convince others of his decision.
The Way of Cain is alive and well today and when a man enters into it, He has made the same decision as Cain did... "I know what my Father has asked me to do, however He will accept the offering that "I" have decided upon." We must strive to be as Abel and humbly do as we are asked without our "decision" getting in the way. We must read the Scriptures as a complete story, not taking bits and pieces to put together what we think the story is about. We must also take everything written in it's context, when it was written, who it was written to, and what they were up against at that time...
Here is a link to a good study on Cain....
http://otwaxahachie.blogspot.com/2009/01/q-could-you-explain-what-is-going-on-in.html
John
The Way of Cain is alive and well today and when a man enters into it, He has made the same decision as Cain did... "I know what my Father has asked me to do, however He will accept the offering that "I" have decided upon." We must strive to be as Abel and humbly do as we are asked without our "decision" getting in the way. We must read the Scriptures as a complete story, not taking bits and pieces to put together what we think the story is about. We must also take everything written in it's context, when it was written, who it was written to, and what they were up against at that time...
Here is a link to a good study on Cain....
http://otwaxahachie.blogspot.com/2009/01/q-could-you-explain-what-is-going-on-in.html
John
Christianity and Replacement Theology
The primary problem that I see with most Christians is they believe in replacement theology (christianity replaces Judaism). Like it or not, Yeshua (Jesus) was Jewish, the Messiah of Israel and their Religion. He was/is the Messiah, Redeemer of the Jews first, then the Goy (Gentiles) Matthew 10:5-6, 15:24, Acts 9:15. (Read my Blog: "Jews to Christians" for more).
The Law or Jesus? I Choose our Savior. But, because He Loves me and I Love Him, I choose to walk as He did and (I try) to keep the Torah. Trust me, I screw up all the time, but He is there with His forgiveness. We are NOT Saved by the Keeping of the Law, only through HIS Blood. Hey, I understand the plight of the Christian, I have been there with you. Most of the arguments against the "Law" are just more of the same and contradict many, many scriptures. Matthew 5:17-20, speaks loudly to us all. "Fulfill" doesn't mean done away with, if it does HE contradicts Himself. He came to shed light on (fill-full) the "Instructions" (Torah, Law), not do away with it.
I think that the reason that the "Church" is in the state that it is, is because no one teaches what Sin is, by the Biblical definition in 1 John 3:4. When Jesus was on Earth and teaching; what did He quote from when He said "It is Written" ? He taught from the Torah & Prophets. This is what the unbelieving Jews were always trying to get Him with because they thought that He was teaching against the Torah or breaking the Torah. Without the Torah (Law) there is NO Sin, because without the Torah there is No knowledge of what Sin is. Jesus took away the condemnation, He bore the punishment for mine and your transgression of the Law. We should then follow the instruction in 1 John 2:6, 3:22-24.
If Believers would re-read the teachings of Jesus and Paul after spending time studying the first 5 books in the Bible, misunderstood things become very clear. I believe that you have to find an Anointed Teacher of the Torah who believes in Yeshua as the Messiah, because you just can't understand and learn the depth of the Torah and the Teachings of Yeshua and Paul without a Teacher who knows and understands the "Hebrewisms" of the Scriptures. There is a Great book that helps put it all in perspective called "Boundary Stones" by Aaron Eby. http://www.ffoz.com/.
John
The Law or Jesus? I Choose our Savior. But, because He Loves me and I Love Him, I choose to walk as He did and (I try) to keep the Torah. Trust me, I screw up all the time, but He is there with His forgiveness. We are NOT Saved by the Keeping of the Law, only through HIS Blood. Hey, I understand the plight of the Christian, I have been there with you. Most of the arguments against the "Law" are just more of the same and contradict many, many scriptures. Matthew 5:17-20, speaks loudly to us all. "Fulfill" doesn't mean done away with, if it does HE contradicts Himself. He came to shed light on (fill-full) the "Instructions" (Torah, Law), not do away with it.
I think that the reason that the "Church" is in the state that it is, is because no one teaches what Sin is, by the Biblical definition in 1 John 3:4. When Jesus was on Earth and teaching; what did He quote from when He said "It is Written" ? He taught from the Torah & Prophets. This is what the unbelieving Jews were always trying to get Him with because they thought that He was teaching against the Torah or breaking the Torah. Without the Torah (Law) there is NO Sin, because without the Torah there is No knowledge of what Sin is. Jesus took away the condemnation, He bore the punishment for mine and your transgression of the Law. We should then follow the instruction in 1 John 2:6, 3:22-24.
If Believers would re-read the teachings of Jesus and Paul after spending time studying the first 5 books in the Bible, misunderstood things become very clear. I believe that you have to find an Anointed Teacher of the Torah who believes in Yeshua as the Messiah, because you just can't understand and learn the depth of the Torah and the Teachings of Yeshua and Paul without a Teacher who knows and understands the "Hebrewisms" of the Scriptures. There is a Great book that helps put it all in perspective called "Boundary Stones" by Aaron Eby. http://www.ffoz.com/.
John
Friday, April 10, 2009
Galatians Commentary
It is clear to me that what is being delt with in the book of Galatians is the thinking of being saved by keeping the Law. I think Paul was scolding them for having a legalist attitude toward the Law by them keeping the Law for Salvation. I tell you the Truth, We are NOT SAVED by Keeping the Law. Only by the blood of Yeshua (Jesus). We should look at the Torah as a guide book or instruction manual to learn things like not having improper relations with a sister or mother, and not living in a moldy house and what to do if you get mold in your house, etc., etc. Never any Salvation in it, just instruction that is of benefit to us even today. As far as the Feasts, I think that we can look at them as Holi-Days, to remind us of what is physically and spiritually connected to them, not Saved by them, just a neat way to remember. Yeshua is Truly in all of them. We are only SAVED by HIS Sacrifice/Blood in our place and if we believe HE is the Son of God, Then our sins are forgiven. I feel much better, personally, by celebrating the Feast Days as a remembrance instead of Holidays of a Pagan origin. There should not be any arguments as far as my last statement, because anyone can go to Wikipedia and study out the origins of Xmas, Easter etc. Anyway, I think that I have been very clear for everyone to see, that I believe that WE are NOT Saved by keeping the Law..
John
John
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