Seeking to Be the Bride: An Exhortation for Christians, Jews, and for Messianics/Torah Keepers Especially.
This message will probably greatly offend you, but please keep reading and you will see that it also offends many people that stand in direct opposition to you, so I'm not playing favorites to the Jew, Christians, G-d Fearers or Messianics. I am trying to caution them all about falling into different spiritual pits that are peculiar to each group, and also commend them on what they do well.
This article shows how most Jews, most Christians, and many Messianics/Torah Keepers Aren't Ready to be the Bride of the Coming Messiah in many ways peculiar to each group, but they also do some things well that the other groups could learn from.
Before the rise of militant feminism (not a healthy respect for women's rights, but a hatred of men and male leadership) little girls use to 'Play Wedding" or "Play Marriage", in affect, enter into the Covenant of Marriage.
The little girls would put on a dime store ring, find their mother's old dress, and drag some poor boy and shove his father's dress shoes onto him and talk him into wearing an over-sized suit like an episode of "Little Rascals." Then they would have a pretend ceremony between Darla and Alfalfa with Buckwheat presiding (maybe appropriate since he was a Levite) with the ceremony, the clothes, the words and the witnesses. Despite the prescribed ceremony, prescribed clothes, witnesses, and saying the right words, they still weren't married. There ceremony was not recognized by the State, or more importantly, by the King of the Universe. Because they were not yet mature, the ceremony, the clothes, the witnesses and the words didn't make them married, In Covenant. Their friends (the other Little Rascals) may pretend that they are married because of the ceremony, clothes, witnesses and words, but that doesn't make it a real Covenant.
If the Little Rascals was a modern television show, then Alfalfa and Darla could just live together for a period of years, break up (min-divorce) several times, and be free to leave at any time and sometimes take on other lovers. They could then claim to be in Covenant without the ceremony, the clothes, the witnesses and the words. They themselves may CLAIM to be married and be well-intentioned and even told by Buckwheat and the others that they are married, even be recognized by the State and Men as being married (Common Law) but that still doesn't mean they are married/in Covenant, in the eyes of the King of the Universe.
When Alfalfa and Darla become mature however, they may go through the same ceremony, wear the same clothes,and say thewitnesses and words, and they will be recognized by the King of the Universe.Their hearts will be ready, and they will have the right spirit, and they will be able to meet the terms of the marriage contract/marriage Covenant. You see, there was nothing wrong with the ceremony, the clothes, or the words. The problem was with the ones trying to get married. There weren't fully in it because they weren't mature. In affect, their heart wasn't ready so they couldn't enter into the Covenant.Their heart was not ready or able (their heart wasn't yet circumcised), and they weren't mature enough to have the right Spirit (the Spirit was not put into them) so that they could meet the terms of the Marriage Covenant (Obedience with Grace for when they failed).
In fact, in both cases they had the same ceremonies, the same clothes, and the same words, same witnesses but the heart made the difference between a real marriage and a pretend marriage. Yeshua and the prophets and Apostles spoke extensively of a true vs. false marriage to the Prince of Shalom and King of the Universe, Yeshua the Messiah.
Historically, the Bride has always been missing something. Since the Messiah can't be UnEqually Yoked in Marriage, His Bide must always be Israelite by Blood or by Being Grafted In. A true Israelite Bride however, will live like a True Israelite, worshipping her Husband the Messiah both in Spirit (Ruach) and the Book of Truth (Torah).
THE JEWISH BRIDE MISSING THE OIL (THE BRIDE WHO IS ISRAELITE BY BLOOD)
First there was much (not all) of Judaism.
The Jews/Judah (along with the Tribes of Israel and foreigners with them) signed an engagement contract at Sinai called a Katubah.
They agreed that G-d's Law is how someone should live if they wished to be in Covenant and be Blessed (and over time they came to falsely believe that an outward keeping and doing the minimum/letter of the Law was the same as keeping the Covenant, which is not really keeping G-d's Law).
So they wanted a limited dose of the Law (doing the minimum or easiest things of the Law like the Levitical Diet, but refusing to keep the harder to keep Spiritual aspects of the Law such as Justice, Mercy, etc)
They even taught the written Commandments of Torah to their family but not the spiritual side of the Commandments.
They pass on the true Commands of G-d (the basics of the Written without the Spirit) and mix in lies about Yeshua not being the Messiah.
They said the expected Prayers, got Baptized, showed up for the Festivals, Rituals and weekly worship but denied they showed Messiah and denied Him when He came.
They put on the garments/deeds of obedience to the written Torah, they refused to buy or sell on the Sabbath and Holy Days, they didn't eat pork or shellfish,they refused to put up X-mas Trees hunt Easter Eggs or go Trick-Or-Treating (but refused to practice justice and Mercy. But refused to show Justice and Mercy to Gentiles.
Thus failing to love Yahweh and love their Neighbor because G-d's Law emphasizes the Heavier and Lighter aspects of the Law)
They even publicly acknowledged their promise to keep the Law (at least the minimum requirements of it) by having a Bar-Mitzah or Bat-Mitzah, Mikveh (Baptism), Circumcision-as an adult for converts, and getting married under the Chuppah (Altar made of a prayer Shawl).
The majority of Jews also want to be the Bride of the Messiah, but only a super-tough guy alpha-male Messiah that has no mercy on sinners.
Thank you to the Jews for preserving the Torah through centuries and centuries of bitter persecution, theft, rape and murder, mostly done by those calling themselves Christians. Without you we would could have the Law, and in order to Repent of Sin (breaking the Law of G-d) we must have the Law of G-d and know what it says. While we would have the Gospels to tell us how to be saved, we would not have the Law to tell us how to live, or even see the need for a Messiah.
THE CHRISTIAN BRIDE MISSING THE GARMENTS (THE BRIDE WHO IS ISRAELITE BY ADOPTION)
Second, there is much (not all) of Christianity.
While:
The Gentiles (as the Lost Tribes would be called, and they all became "Christian Nations") for a time, also believe that they entered into a Covenant (they falsely believed that when they said the prayer of vocal confession they entered into a New Covenant and the Covenant only requires an intellectual belief and being really nice to everyone.) This is contrary to actual ReNewed Covenant that Yeshua brought being in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and it is evidenced by the Law of G-d being written on their hearts by the Spirit of G-d and Yahweh teaching them to TRULY walk in His Ways).
The Christians want to keep the Spirit but the problem is that the Spirit teaches us to keep even the least requirements of the Law.
So they want a limited dose of the Spirit like healings and speaking in tongues and being empowered to not drink, curse, or gamble anymore (but not allowing the Spirit to circumcise their hearts to keep G-d's Law instead of their traditions).
They put on the garments/deeds of the Spiritual Torah, such as Justice, Mercy, etc, but refused to follow the very basic and simple instructions of keeping G-d's Sabbath, Holy Days, Diet, etc (the easiest things to do).
They pass on the Spirtual aspects of the Law (But forget the Basics, the Written Law) and pass on lies about Jesus being some Greek Pacifist that was super-nice to everyone and taught Lawlessness/Torahlessness.
Thus showing a lack of love for neighbor and for Yahweh and because each of the Commandments is an explanation of HOW to love.
They go through the rituals and ceremonies of Baptism, Church attendance, and Festivals and Ceremonies aetc. (even though many of them are pagan Counterfeits such as Sunday, Easter and X-mas) and reject the True Ceremonies and Festivals given by Yahweh to reveal His Messiah, Commemorate His Deeds, and Look Forward to the Promise of His Future Return.
They also were publicly Baptized and publicly confessed an intellectual belief in Jesus as the Messiah (even a Lawless Greek inspired version of Jesus), and wore WWJD bracelets, Christian Wedding vows, bumpers stickers, etc.
The majority of Christians want to be the Bride of Messiah, but only a super-nice guy idea of Messiah that has no standards and lets you walk right over Him.
Thank you to the Christians for teaching the world the very basics of Jesus being the Messiah, giving others a foundation to later understand that Yeshua kept and taught the Torah. The people of the world cannot learn MORE about someone they never heard of in the first place. Thank you also for brining the basics of the Spirit of G-d to the people, that He does speak and people are still healed and their are still miracles today.
THE REAL BRIDE
Here is the problem.
A Bride of Yeshua Needs Four things to be Ready for a Real Wedding to the Real Messiah
A. She needs to have the right husband (not be married to traditions, a Church or Synagogue invented concept of the Messiah, not the Torah by itself or the Spirit by itself, as both are part of Him but not the whole).
B. She needs to have oil in the lamps to find her way (the Spirit reveals the right Husband).
C. She needs to have the right Wedding Garments (Righteous acts of the Saints in Revelations). And G-d's Laws tells us what Righteous Deeds are, both the lighter and heavier things of the Law.
D. She needs to be there on the Right Day (not the Right Feast kept on the wrong Day because that's how the Rabbi's did it, and not a Pagan Festival that pretends to Celebrate Jesus because the pagans felt more comfortable that way).
Many of the Jews wished to keep ONLY the Lighter things.
Many of the Christians wished to keep ONLY the Heavier things.
BOTH ARE WALKING AROUND IN A DIMLY LIT ROOM TRYING TO FIND THE ALTER
HALF DRESSED WALKING DOWN THE AISLE
LOOKING FOR THE GROOM BASED ON A FUZZY PHOTOGRAPH
On THE WRONG DAY
WARNING FOR MESSIANICS AND TORAH KEEPERS
TORAH KEEPERS (ISRAELITE BY ADOPTION)
The greatest danger is for us Torah Keeping Non-Jews/G-d Fearers such as myself, and for the Messianic Jews (Jews that believe in Yeshua).
While:
The Jews are likely to fall into the error of rejecting Yeshua as the Messiah and not keeping the Spiritual aspects of the Law, they will usually keep the Basics/Written Parts of the Law and won't accept a Lawless/Greek version of the Messiah taught in most Churches and also won't accept any version of "Faith without Works Will Still Get You There."
While:
The Christians are likely to fall into the error of accepting a false version of the Messiah, a Greek Pacifist Hippy that teaches Lawlessness, and also fall into not keeping the Basics/WrittenAspects of the Law, they will usually keep the Spiritual aspects of the Law and won't accept any form of "Salvation by Works Alone" .
The Danger for Non-Jewish Torah Keepers (called G-d Fearers in the 1st Century):
Torah keepers sometimes, unfortunately, overshoot correcting their former Lawless lifestyle and beliefs, falling head first into Legalism thinking that by keeping the Sabbath and Holy Days and the Levitical Diet, they are justified in ignoring the Spiritual aspects of the Law, especially in regards to "Lawless Christians" and "Gentile Sinners." Many have also went all the way back into Orthodox Judaism and fully rejected Messiah in favor of earning their way into heaven by adult circumcision and keeping the Torah better than Christians.
Thank you to the G-d Fearers who teach the Heavier and Lighter things of the Law, the Letter and Spirit of Torah as taught properly (fulfilled) by Yeshua the Messiah. Also for teaching that Grace doesn't allow us to break the Law, while keeping the Law doesnt replace Salvation by Grace.
MESSIANICS (ISRAELITE BY BLOOD)
Messianic Jews (Called Nazarenes in the 1st Century):
Messianic Jews, unfortunately, overshoot correcting their former Legalistic lifestyle and beliefs, falling head first into Lawlessness. They believe that since they came to believe who the Messiah is, they don't have to keep G-d's Basic Instructions such as the Sabbath, Holy Days, and Leviical Diet. They also fall into the lies that Simon Magus, Marcion, Martin Luther and other Gnostic/Lawless teachers spewed that G-d's Law is a curse and burden for those poor souls who weren't "enlightened" enough to see the Messiah, because if they were enlightened enough to recognize the Messiah, they are now "Spiritual" enough to decide for themselves what is right and wrong. They come to accept a Lawless and Pacifist version of the Messiah who condones sin (breaking the Law of G-d). They also tend to view themselves as more Spiritual than other Jews.
Thank you to the Messianics for their recognition of the True Messiah and their rich Jewish heritage and using this to open the eyes of others when they read the Bible, a very Jewish Book that cannot be understood outside of Judaism.
My ministry websites have more information
http://www.hisloveisinhislaw.com/
and
http://www.holidaysvsholydays.com/
http://www.therefinersfire.org/ has some great articles to challenge people of all faiths. |
Reading (The Bible) Like a Redneck
Jeff Foxworthy, the redneck comedian has a joke that says:
"If you've ever stared at a bottle of orange juice for hours, because the label said concentrate" You might just be a redneck......
I say, you may be reading labels the same way we have been taught to read the Bible!!
Does a diaper that says "Up to 14 pounds" really HOLD 14 pounds, or could that be the weight of the baby in the diaper, and hopefully, not its contents?
Does a jigsaw puzzle that says "2-5 years" really take 2-5 years to complete, or is that the age of those the game was intended for?
While the Rabbi's said there were 4 ways of interpreting Scriptures, to include to the Sot and Parashod, or Literal and Figurative ways, we today have been taught to view Scripture in only one way.
For example, is the Mark of the Beast a physical mark on someone's head or hand, or is it a belief (mind/head) and actions (the actions of the hands) or both.
We are Usually interpreting using EITHER Literal OR Figurative, depending on which Charisma-Character Cult (Denomination) we belong to, if we follow Luther, Wesley, Calvin, etc.
Didn't Yeshua warn about calling a man "Father' or "Rabbi" that is, swallowing their doctrine wholesale, didn't Paul say the same, warning about saying "I follow Paul, or I follow Apollos"?? Weren't the Bereans admonished for "searching the Scriptures Daily", not just saying "Paul, we believe your first message, everything after this you say is gold", no, they tested every message. Does not G-d's Law say that every matter is established by 2-3 witnesses?
We have also been taught to use "Proof Texting" a method of reading and proving Scripture invented a few centuries ago. "Proof Texting", also called "Cherry Picking," says that you can take one verse out of the entire Bible, and make a doctrine out of it. This one verse doesn't have to be backed up by 2-3 other Bible writers or book of the Bible, as Scripture requires. Proof-Texting doesn't even require that the verse quoted line up with the chapter it is found in, the rest of the book, the rest of the authors writings, or the rest of Scripture.
Proof texting came shortly after VERSE NUMBERS were added a few centuries ago, placing an artificial barrier between one verse and the other, making them seem like stand alone ideas and concepts. Which is adding to the Scripture.
Additionally, we have learned something else about reading the Bible which is inaccurate. A few centuries before verses were artificially added to the Scriptures, Chapter numbers were artificially added to the Scriptures in the late Middle Age. While verse numbers divorce one sentence from the rest of the Chapter, Chapter Numbers divorce the Chapter from the Rest of the Book. Allowing one chapter to contradict the Book, the Author, and the Rest of the Bible.
Yet another way of reading the Bible that came from someone other than G-d is the idea that there are "New and Old" Testaments. The page that says "New Testament" is not in the Scriptures, anywhere. Man inserted the page to create another artificial separation, once again, adding to the Books of the Bible as John the Revelator warned about.
When we look at Scripture, we see not "Old" and "New" Testaments. The first 5 Books of the Bible were called the Torah by Yeshua and the Apostles. Yeshua and the Apostles referred to what the Popes called the "Old Testament" as the "TANAKH" or "Torah, Prophets, and Writings." If I had to choose between what Yeshua, the Word made flesh, called the first 2/3 of the Word, and what the Popes called it, I would choose Yeshua, the Word made flesh.
The idea that a Covenant can be replaced is not Scriptural either. The Covenant with Noach said that G-d would not flood the earth again. Is that still in affect? The Covenant with Abraham said that G-d would bless the world through His seed. Is that still in affect? The Covenant through Moses said that following G-d's Laws would bring blessings, and breaking them would bring curses. Is that still not in affect? The Covenant spoken of in Jeremiah and Ezekiel states G-d would write the SAME LAW on their HEARTS, so that they would keep it out of LOVE. It never said that the Covenant would be replaced.
In the story of the Crufixion we see the ReNewal of the Covenant with Israel (Spiritual Israel). Since Israel cheated on Yahweh with other Spiritual husbands-making a divorce, He had to die to marry them all over again without breaking the Law that a man could not remarry a woman a second time after she had been with another.
This brings us to another issue, that of vocabulary.
New or ReNewed?
The word "New" is not used in describing the Covenant written on hearts.
There word used is "Chadassah" in Hebrew, meaning "ReNewed", and the Greek word is not "Neo",or "New" but a word that means "ReNewed".
Which Law?
The word "Nomos" in Greek has several meanings in English.
Paul uses over 4 meanings of "Nomos" just in one chapter of his writings.
Nomos or "Law" as it is translated every time in English, regardless of context:
1. Torah
2. Legalism (being saved by either keeping the Torah or the Oral traditions)
3. Being saved by being circumcised
4. The traditions invented by the Pharisees that they taught as G-d's Law
4. Being saved by becoming a Jewish Proselyte (that requires tithing, circumcision, water baptism, not eating with Gentiles).
5. Secular Government Law
6. The Laws of Nature
7. A person's nature (The Law of the Mind).
8. The Law of "Sin Equals Death
9. A particular Law
We also have phrases that become "Slogans" that stand alone, and contradict the rest of the chapter, the book, the authors writings, and the Scripture. Despite all of this contradiction and lack of context, these slogan become doctrine.
One of these saying is "Fulfilled the Law".
This as a stand alone phrase is problematic because the people that quote it have nearly zero knowledge of the common phrases used by Rabbis of the 1st Century, the Hebrew language, or the Jewish culture in the 1st Century.
They rely on Greek, instead of Hebrew, which is the language that Matthew was written in according to the "Church Fathers". Even in Greek, the common interpretation makes zero sense whatsoever.
In Greek "fulfilling" means to "fill to the bring", or "provide a complete understanding". It does not mean to make null and void, or to eradicate, or to "abolish" which seems to be definition most people use.
In Hebrew, the phrase "Fulfill the Law" was used on a daily basis by Torah keeping Rabbis and Torah keeping people to mean, "to properly interpret how to keep a particular command of the Torah." Such as keeping the Sabbath, the question is not IF we should keep the Sabbath, but HOW.
"Abolishing the Law" was a common Hebrew phrase used by Rabbis. It mean to INCORRECTLY explain how to keep a Commandment. Neither Fulfill nor Abolish meant to do away with the Law, Fulfilling and Abolishing referred to the rightness or wrongness of someone's interpretation of a Commandment, basaed on the rest of the Scriptures.
"Not Under Law but Under Grace"
Is another common slogan. It makes no sense the way it is used because Paul says directly afterwards "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may abound? heaven forbid!". Paul and John also defined sin as breaking G-d's Law. So Grace doesn't make it okay to break G-d's Law.
The verse could have several meanings since "Under Law" is "Upon Nomou" from "Nomos".
'Nomos" as mentioned earlier, has many meaning.
"Under Law" could mean
1, Not having to keep G-d's Law (called Lawlessness by Paul).
2. Not having to keep the Traditions of the Pharisees (as Yeshua chided them for the place they gave their traditions).
3. Not experiencing the penalty of sin, which is death (due to being saved by Grace).
And the list goes on...
We also have the issue of
WORDS ADDED that were not in the Bible, at all, in Greek or Hebrew.
For example, in many English translations you can read in the Book of Acts
"As was there custom, the Disciples met together to break bread on the first day of the week".
So, what is the problem?
For starters, the Greek word "Hemera" or "Day" is not in the Greek. At all. Period. It doesn't exist.
The word "Day" was added to justify King James keeping Sunday despite declaring himself separate from the Catholic Church.
The verse actually read in Greek 'As was there custom, the Disciples met together on the FIRST OF THE SABBATHS" to break bread.
What is the "First of the Sabbaths?"
We read earlier in the chapter that they were gathering for Passover and Unleavened Bread, it was the custom to count 7 Sabbaths after Passover to get to Shavuot (Pentecost). It was their custom to meet together to count the Sabbaths until Shavuot (Pentecost in Greek). |
Judge Roy Moore (Ten Commandments Judge) presented with "Lawful Money" according to the Torah
Judge Roy Moore (the Ten Commandments Judge) presented with a "Lawful Money" coin. The coin says "You must have equal weights and equal measures" on one side, and "Yahweh is our judge, Yahweh is our Lawgiver" on the other.
Watch the video of judge Roy Moore here:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1406052563367&ref=mf
Judge Moore's remark
"There's a lot of connection between God's Law and the Constitution." - Judge Roy Moore
The video is at www.LawfulMoney.net
For more on that topic, write Pastor Bill Shults to request a free copy of "Freedom Under the Law of G-d" at hungryheartsmin@aol.com
The coin was from Jason Caissie's site http://www.lawfulmoney.net/ . Jason is starting a new political party called "The Mosaic Law Party" which would make the Torah the Law of the Land.
His book "Does the Law of G-d Still Apply?" is available for free download at http://www.biblelaw101.com/
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G-d hates unequal weights and measures. And also anything saying that someone other than Him is the Lawgiver. This is why they had "money changers" in the temple, one could not take the pagan Roman coins into the temple of G-d because they were unclean, saying that "Caesar is High Priest" on one side and "Caesar is G-d" on the other.
Today's money is the same because it is an unequal weight and measure, worth less than 5 cents, instead of the 100 cents it claims to represent.
this particular coin can be ordered from Jason Caissie at
http://www.lawfulmoney.net where he has more info on equal weights and measures.
His book "Does the Law of G-d Still Apply?" is also available for free download at http://www.biblelaw101.com |
Peter the Pharisee, Why he Distanced himself from Gentiles in Galatians 2
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PETER THE PHARISEE????
(information from Ron Moseley's "Yeshua, A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church)
My "Understanding Paul" photo album, has more information as well.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=439749&id=773710036&ref=pb
Why did Peter suddenly cease to eat at the homes of Gentiles when friends of James showed up?
Could it be that Peter was afraid of losing his membership in Pharisee party? Yes, Peter was a Pharisee! But not all of them were bad, as Yahshua commended many of them such as Nicodemus.
Galatians 2:11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing(X) the circumcision party. 13And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Justified by Faith.
15We ourselves are Jews by birth and not(AC) Gentile sinners; 16yet we know that(AD) a person is not justified[a] by works of the law(AE) but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law,(AF) because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Peter was a Pharisee, a "ne eman" in particular, the lowest level and most common type of Pharisee. The term means "Trustworthy" and is equuvolent to Church membership today.. Actually over a million people were Pharisees at the time, women and slaves included. The school of Hillel admitted gentiles as Proselytes as long as they WERE CIRCUMCISED, made an offering, tithed, and went through the Mikveh (ritual baptism). They also had to agree to NOT EAT AT THE HOME OF GENTILES after their conversion (making them disown their families).
The School of Shammai admitted no Gentiles, circumcised or not, and generally referred to them as dogs, considering uncircumcision to be equal with leprosy.
For Jews, being a Pharisee was a little easier because
they were already circumcised, but they still had to tithe, make an offering, go through the Mikveh, and NOT EAT AT THE HOME OF A GENTILE.
Acts 15:1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
This included G-d Fearers and explains Peter's dilemna in Acts 10 and 11 concerning eating in the home of a G-d Fearer such as Cornelius.
This also explains Peter's hypocrisy in eating at the home of Gentiles when other Pharisees such as James as his followers came.
Acts 10:45
And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Peter would have been kicked out of the Pharisees immediately without any way back. This also explains the reaction of James and others to Peter's vision. G-d was contradicting the teaching of both Hillel and Shammai. Even the very free-thinking Hillel would not allow uncircumcised Gentiles (such as G-d Fearers) to be accepted into Israel-a process called being "Born Again." It referred to being cirumcised, accepted as a Pharisee through Baptism, being Bar-Mitzah'ed and becoming a Rabbi.
Peter probably remained a Pharisee btw.
Galatians 2:7
On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
Peter was only a lower level Pharisee however. There were 4 levels, Peter was in the first order. The second order was more stringent as was the third and required one to wash hands with a certain prayer before eating and follow other traditions of the Pharisees.. In the 4th order members had to undergo a very strict period of probation in which they were constantly followed and questioned and observed 4th level pharisees, and had to be confirmed by 3 of them.
It was a custom amongst the Jews that Jews could not eat with Gentiles. They picked this up in Egypt when the Egyptians refused to eat with Hebrews (remember Joseph and his brothers?) Then later on the Jews applied this to look down on the Gentiles whom they called "Dogs". Hence Paul asking Peter why he forced Gentiles to adopt Jewish customs, such as forcing all of the Gentiles to not invite him over for dinner while James's pharisee friends were there. |
Galatians, Ishmael:Proof that Circumcision Didn't bring the Gentiles into Salvation, Faith Does
In order to understand the meaning of Galatians , which uses the example of Hagar and Ishmael, one must understand the story of Hagar and Ishmael and the controversy at hand.
Jeremiah 9:25 25"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart."
The Controversy in Galatians was not, "Does the Torah still apply?" , the controversy was, "is a gentile saved and included in Israel by the faith of Abraham OR by physical circumcision." Because Numbers 15 states that once one is in Israel, there must be the SAME LAW for Native born and foreigner.
In Romans 10 and 11, Paul says that faith in and obedience to Yahweh allows one to be grafted into Israel (having Abraham as one's spiritual father, partaking in the promised Messiah that would come through his seed).
In Galatians, Paul uses the example of Ishmael and Hagar to show that contrary to popular Jewish belief, salvation for Gentiles does not come through physical circumcision. Being part of Israel is a matter of faith inspired obedience. It is not a matter of performing an act (outside of Faith and outside of obedience).
Yahshua implied the same when He met Nathanael, who was physically circumcised but was much different than the other physically circumcised Jews that Yahshua had encountered:
John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"
There are alot of Ishmaelites (those only physically circumcised without the circumcision of the heart), and Ishmael was not included in the blessing of the Promise (Salvation by Faith).
Therefore the point to the Galatians was that outward circumcision is not the same as physical circumcision, and a mere physical circumcision will not save you, and the Judaizers (those who preached a "Different Gospel) had led them to believe.
There are alot of those like Isaac (children of the PROMISE that Abraham believed BY FAITH). They all have circumcised hearts to keep the Torah.
Isaac was the promised child who was born into obedience (circumcised on the 8th day). He was also the SON that Abraham had FAITH enough to sacrifice in OBEDIENCE.
Ishmael was born not out of faith in the promise of Yahweh to give Abraham a child, Ishmael was born out of Abraham's efforts to make his own way to the promised Messiah (legalism), by way of Hagar for Ishmael to be included in the promised nation and under the blessing of Abraham's seed.
This is why she represents the idea of Circumcision for Salvation) while Isaac represents (Circumcision out of Faith inspired Obedience).
The confusion comes
In that while Yahweh did tell Abraham to have Ishmael circumcised, this DID NOT make Ishmael the child of promise any more than Ishmael's servants who got circumcised on that day as well.
The Galatians seemed to believe that Abraham's technique for making Ishmael part of the promise was to have Ishmael circumcised in his 13th year. Paul says that this is not the case. The outer circumcision was just an outward sign, the circumcision of the heart makes one a "TRUE ISRAELITE" as Yeshua had called The Apostle Phillip.
Neither Isaac or Ishmael was a Jew, nor an Israelite, nor a Muslim. Jacob was the first Israelite, and his son Judah was the first Jew. Therefore showing that being "Jewish" has nothing to do with anything, because there was no such thing as a Jew at this time.
These two boys are therefore perfect examples of being saved by faith followed by obedience for blessing.
VS.
Being saved by an outward ritual that was not performed on the 8th day as Yahweh commanded, but performed later (Doing what Yahweh said, but doing it man's way).
Both boys were circumcised, and Paul didn't say that circumcision in itself was bad. Paul warns that the Gentile Galatians are saved by believing (having faith in) the PROMISE given to Abraham, that leads to obedience (a circumcised heart that makes on obedient).
Not by mimicking the outward sign of that promise, which does not automatically make you the recipient of that promise.
The Galatians, just like the Israelites in Jeremiah 9, were trying to get circumcised (today we would say a prayer, wear a t-shirt with a cross, or go to Church) in order to have "Fire Insurance" or the "Once saved always saved", "Assurance of Salvation."
After doing this one, singular, and solitary act, they showed that their hearts had not been circumcised because they went right back into pagan worship (Yule and Ostara for the Galatians from Druid Europe/known as Baal and Ashtoreth to the Israelites). Yet they thought that this one time circumcision/baptism/prayer that they were saved and could do no matter what they did after that.
Paul warned them that if they were truly children of the promise, their hearts would be circumcised and they would have the Law written on their hearts.
Genesis 17:24
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised.
Genesis 21:4
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
Galatians 2:9
and when James and Cephas and John, [ Galatians 2:6 ] who seemed to be [Jer 1:18; Rev 3:12 ] pillars, perceived the [ Rom 1:5 ] grace that was given to me, they [2 Pet 3:15] gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Galatians 6:12
[ 2 Cor 11:13 ] It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh [Galatians 2:3 ] who would force you to be circumcised, and only [Galatians 5:11] in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Galatians 6:13
For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
Philippians 3:5
[ Gen 17:12 ] circumcised on the eighth day, [2 Cor 11:22 ] of the people of Israel, [Rom 11:1 ] of the tribe of Benjamin, [Acts 23:6; 26:5] a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
Colossians 2:11
In him also [Eph 2:11; Rom 2:29 ] you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by [Colossians 2:15; Colossians 3:9] putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Colossians 3:11
[Rom 10:12; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 5:6 ] Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, [Greek bondservant] free; but Christ is [Eph 1:23] all, and in all.
Romans 2:29
But a Jew is one [ 1 Pet 3:4 ] inwardly, and [Deut 10:16; 30:6; Jer 4:4; Acts 7:51; Phil 3:3; Col 2:11 ] circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. [2 Cor 10:18; 1 Thess 2:4; Gal 1:10] His praise is not from man but from God.
Jeremiah 9
1[a](A) Oh that my head were waters,
and my eyes a fountain of tears,
that I might weep day and night
for the slain of(B) the daughter of my people!
2[b] Oh that I had in the desert
a travelers’ lodging place,
that I might leave my people
and go away from them!
For they are all(C) adulterers,
a company of(D) treacherous men.
3(E) They bend their tongue like a bow;
falsehood and not truth has grown strong[c] in the land;
for they proceed from evil to evil,
(F) and they do not know me, declares the LORD.
4(G) Let everyone beware of his neighbor,
and put no trust in any brother,
for every(H) brother is a deceiver,
and every neighbor(I) goes about as a slanderer.
5Everyone deceives his neighbor,
and no one speaks the truth;
they have taught their tongue to speak lies;
they weary themselves committing iniquity.
6Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit,
(J) they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.
7Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts:"Behold,(K) I will refine them and(L) test them,
for what else can I do,(M) because of my people?
8(N) Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
(O) it speaks deceitfully;
with his mouth(P) each speaks peace to his neighbor,
but in his heart(Q) he plans an ambush for him.
9(R) Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD,
and shall I not avenge myself
on a nation such as this?
10"I will take up weeping and wailing for the mountains,
and a lamentation for(S) the pastures of the wilderness,
(T) because they are laid waste so that no one passes through,
and the lowing of cattle is not heard;
(U) both the birds of the air and the beasts
have fled and are gone.
11(V) I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins,
(W) a lair of jackals,
(X) and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation,
without inhabitant."
12(Y) Who is the man so wise that he can understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined(Z) and laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through? 13And the LORD says:(AA) "Because they have forsaken my law that I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice or walked in accord with it, 14but(AB) have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them. 15Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:(AC) Behold, I will feed this people with bitter food, and give them(AD) poisonous water to drink. 16(AE) I will scatter them among the nations(AF) whom neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will(AG) send the sword after them, until I have consumed them."
17Thus says the LORD of hosts:(AH) "Consider, and call for the mourning women to come;
send for the skillful women to come;
18let them make haste(AI) and raise a wailing over us,
(AJ) that our eyes may run down with tears
and our eyelids flow with water.
19For a sound of wailing is heard from Zion:
(AK) 'How we are ruined!
We are utterly shamed,
because we have left the land,
because they have cast down our dwellings.'"
20Hear, O women, the word of the LORD,
and let your ear receive the word of his mouth;
teach to your daughters a lament,
and each to her neighbor a dirge.
21For death has come up into our windows;
it has entered our palaces,
(AL) cutting off the children from the streets
and the young men from the squares.
22Speak, "Thus declares the LORD:(AM) 'The dead bodies of men shall fall
like dung upon the open field,
(AN) like sheaves after the reaper,
and none shall gather them.'"
23Thus says the LORD:(AO) "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24but(AP) let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.(AQ) For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
25"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when(AR) I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26(AS) Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and(AT) all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are(AU) uncircumcised in heart." |
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Did Paul (Rabbi Sha'ul) really teach that Gentiles do not have to keep the Law of G-d (contrary to Numbers 15), that the Sabbath isn't binding (contrary to Isaiah 56 and 58), and that believers can blend Christianity with paganism (contrary to Paul's own words in 2nd Corinthians 6:14), and that the Law is a burden (contrary to David in Psalm 119 and Paul himself in Romans 7) OR
Do we just not understand what Paul meant because we don't understand the 6-7 meanings of the Greek word "Nomos" (translated as "Law") and the Hebrew context of what Paul said???
One of the resources used will be Jason Caissie's book "Does the Law of G-d Still Apply?" downloadable for free at http://www.biblelaw101.com/ and Pastor Bill Shult's sermons at http:/www.thinknot.net
Ofcourse the Scriptures are the only valid authority, by which all things are tested, including Paul's message.
2nd Peter 3:16 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters.There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction,as they do the other Scriptures. 17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Romans 7:21 An Example
21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Jun. 10th, 2010 @ 11:23 pm
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| » How Under Law and Under Grace Got Lost in Translation |
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How Under Law and Under Grace Got Lost in Translation
Romans 6:14:
14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
Which of the 6-7 connotations of the word "Nomos" (translated "Law" in every instance) are we not under?
A. Are we not to keep G-d's Law/Torah?
B. Are we not to try to be saved by keeping the Law/Torah?
C. Are we not under the temple system of sacrifice for sins?
D. Are we not under the penalty of breaking the Law, which is death?
E. Are we not under the "Law of Sin", that is, we NOW in Christ have the ability to not sin (as Paul calls the inability to refuse sin the "Law of Sin" in Romans 7, and also mentions 4 other kinds of "Law" in that chapter).
F. Are we not under the Talmud and traditions of the Pharisees/the modern Church tradtions for salvation?
The next line in the verse is "Should we go on sinning so that grace may abound? Certainly not. For Grace ESTABLISHES THE LAW." So once, again, which connotation of "Nomos" is used here.
A few questions to ponder as you read:
If sin shall have "no dominion" over us, and sin is breaking G-d's Law in 1st John 3:4, then how could we live Lawlessly and claim to be "under Grace"? If Grace is why sin has no dominion over us, it therefore should not lead us into living lives controlled by sin (Law breaking). Changing the definition of sin doesn't mean that it doesn't rule us, just as renaming a slave an employee, doesn't make him any less of a slave if he can't quit and gets no reward for his labors. The semantics don't change the reality.
Grace can't establish something if Paul just said we are no longer under it. And since the word "but' is used, we are being shown that this translation of the word "Law" used in "Not under LAW but under Grace" must be in contradiction to Grace. And in the next verse, "Grace establishes the Law" then a different translation of Law needs to be used, because Grace can't establish something contrary to Grace.
Which connotation of "Law" is "established" by Grace? and which connotation of "Law" is "Contrary" to Grace? Which meaning would line up with the first 2/3 of the Bible, and the rest of Paul's wriings for that matter, especially 2nd Corinthians 6:14 "What fellowship can Righteousness have with Lawlessness?"
Is Keeping G-d's Commandments OUT OF LOVE AND OBEDIENCE contrary to the salvation system of Grace or established by the salvation system of Grace?
OR
Is keeping G-d's Commands IN ORDER TO BE SAVED contrary to the salvation system of Grace or established by the salvation system of Grace?
Is the love inspired obedience to Torah (G-d's instructions for our life) contrary to Grace or established by it?
Is legalism (earning one's own salvation) contrary to Grace or established by it?
THE KICKER
Here is the kicker. Both Legalism and Torah are "Nomos" in Greek and translated as "Law" in English. But they are contrary ideas.
So the audience must have understood that 2 different things were meant in that verse, which are both translated as the English word "LAW" despite these being 2 different concepts.
An Analogy:
We could write a letter using the word "Love" several times, and then put the letter in a time capsule to be discovered by school children studying history centuries from now. First the capsule would be uncovered when our culture and religious climate have disappeared,then someone would put the letter into a language that had many words for love, all with different meanings, but sadly, that person who translated only used one of the many words for the idea expressed. If these school children studying us spoke Greek, the translators would have to use the Greek word for Romantic Love,or the one for Friendship Love, or the one for Undeserved Love. If just one word for love was used, the the meaning of the letter would be very different, with some very drastic implications about what the speaker meant and what he was saying.
If we wrote a letter in which we use the word "Love" in English several times, and in one instance we love our wives, the next we love our children, the next we love our best friend, then our morals, lifestyle, and intentions could be easily misconstrued by a bad translation.
Especially if someone took the whole paragraph and placed it into a different language, if the translator was using only the word for love that described romantic love (Eros), then they would assume we are all homosexuals because we "Love"(Eros) our best friend with the same word "Love"(Eros) that we love our wives, and we are pedophiles because we "Love" (Eros) our children the same way that we love our wives. So the readers conclusion would be that our religion taught pedophilia.
Now if the word "Philos" was used every time, implication would be that our religion taught that husbands and wives are merely to be friends and not lovers, and that parents should be buddies with their children instead of authority figures.
Now, if they used the proper word for love in each instance, the confusion and accusations of homosexuality and a lack of affection between husband and wife would disappear. If instead of "Eros" every time, regardless of context, they used (Eros-Romantic Love), Philos (Liking) and Agape, Unconditional Love, the way the orginal author intended, the meaning would change.
The letter could read. "We LOVE (Eros) our wives, and we spend time with our guy friends that we also LOVE (Philos), and we love (AGAPE) our children."
How would those studying our letters in the future know what in the world we meant? They would have to study the bulk of our other writings and the writings of those from our culture, especially the writings we ourselves claimed to have drawn our morals from. Those reading in the future would have to use the translation that lined up with the rest of this individual letter, the rest of our writings, and the writings of those that we imitate (in Paul's case, the Torah was what he studied and claimed to live by).
What is sin? 1st John 3:4 "Sin is Breaking the Law of G-d (Torah)". So Grace (chesed) establishes the Torah.
G-d's Grace (Chesed=loving kindness) in our lives, establishes the Love shown in His Law (Torah=the Father's loving instructions to His children on how to have a blessed life).
Jun. 10th, 2010 @ 11:22 pm
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| » Paul's Sabbath Rest |
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The Hebrew phrase "Shabbath Shalom" means "Sabbath Peace be Upon You". It is a blessing and a greeting used only on the Sabbath.
The Apostle Paul wrote the Hebrews about "Shabbat Shalom' warning them that many previous generations had entered the "Shabbat' or Physical Rest, without entering the Shalom "Spiritual Rest or Peace".
The Shabbat, or ceasing from labor, is open to anyone and is a great blessing in the physical, mental, and emotional sense. The" Shabbat Shalom" is more difficult because it requires obedience to G-d's Commands, one of which is to believe in His Messiah, so that one can Rest Spiritually on the Sabbath as well.
Anyone can not work, buy, or sell,on the 7th Day to physically keep the 4th Commandment and experience the natural blessings from it. Only beleivers however, can experience the Shabbat Shalom, the outpouring on G-d's Spirit on the Sabbath, which is the believer is more available for, since he is not in two places at once, engaging in everyday affairs and trying to be intimate with G-d.
Would your spouse like it if you did your taxes while on your weekly date?
The 4 Scenarios of Sabbath:
1. In regards to the Sabbath, a person can cancel all of their obligations that are from sunset Friday to Sunset Saturday, and arrive at the right place, but since they have no relationship with the one they wish to see. They simply have a day off work and duties. A physical rest, a Shabbat but not a Shalom. Half a blessing.
2. Now if someone were to cancel all of their obligations from sunset Friday to Sunset Saturday, and arrive at the right place, and DID HAVE a relationship with the person they wished to see, this would be a wonderful time every week. They would experience the SHABBAT SHALOM (Sabbath Rest) as Paul said was available for believers in Hebrew 4, a double blessing.
3. Now if someone were arrive at the right place, stay sunset Friday to Sunset Saturday, and DID HAVE a relationship with the person they wished to see, but took their homework, taxes, and list of phone calls to make with them, They would experience some of the Shabbat and only some of the Shalom. Would someone give you their full attention if they set aside special time to be with you, but you didn't treat that time as Sacred towards them? Once again, a Shabbat but not a Shalom, Half a Blessing.
Now if someone were arrive at the right place, and DID HAVE a relationship with the person they wished to see, and cancelled all of their obligations, they just did it for the OPPOSITE DAY than the person they wished to see required. They would experience a SHABBAT without the Shalom.
Since we are talking about the King of the Universe, if we want to FULLY experince HIS SHABBAT and HIS SHALOM Together, we need to do what He said to do, when He said to do it, and HOW He said to do it. He doesn't change for us, we change for Him. And the blessings are well worth it.
The Gnostics said they only had to keep the Sabbath "SPIRITUALLY" which is like saying that in your mind, you showed up to meet your wife for your anniversary dinner, but physically you were working at the office.
ebrews 4
The Believer's Rest
1Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have (A)come short of it.
2For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but (B)the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
3For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,
"(C)AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH,
THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,"
although His works were finished (D)from the foundation of the world.
4For He has said (E)somewhere concerning the seventh day: "(F)AND GOD (G)RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS";
5and again in this passage, "(H)THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST."
6Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of (I)disobedience,
7He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just (J)as has been said before,
"(K)TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."
8For (L)if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.
9So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
10For the one who has entered His rest has himself also (M)rested from his works, as God did from His.
11Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of)disobedience.
12For the word of God is)living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and (W)able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13And (X)there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are (Y)open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been )tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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In the Book of Acts and the Writings of Rabbi Sha'ul (the Apostle Paul), we seem to find a conflicting view on circumcision between Sha'ul (Paul) and Jakov. Jakov is known as "James' in the Protestant world because the translators who put his book into the "King's English' wished to kiss the royal heinie of his royal highness, so they changed the name of brother of Yeshua to "James", like the King James Bible. We also have Yahshua (Jesus) addressing the Pharisees on the matter of who is a "True Jew" or "Inward Jew" and who is simply one outwardly. Yahshua warned against thinking you are saved just by being Jewish (G-d can raise up these stones to be children for Abraham), and many got circumcised in the hopes that it would get them saved. Paul believed that being a G-d Fearer (Torah observant but uncircumcised Gentile, was enough). Circumcision on the 8th Day was commanded, but grown men didn't not have to be circumcised to be saved). He wished to see them be G-d Fearers and not Proselytes. Many at the time were getting circumcised IN ORDER TO BE SAVED instead having FAITH IN YAHSHUA. Paul said that if one is getting circumcised in order to be saved, then he needs to keep the whole Law or risk going to hell. But his having Timothy circumcised shows that he wasn't against circumcision when it wasn't being done to earn salvation. Galatians 5:3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision (for salvation) that he is obligated to keep the whole law. JAMES: On circumcision, the Apostle James seemed to be afraid of losing circumcision all together. He knew full well the medical benefits of circumcision for infants on the 8th day, as well as its use for witnessing to Jews, as its function as a cultural glue. It is unclear if he, like the Judaizers of the Circumcision Group, believed that one must be circumcised as a grown gentile male and follow the traditions of the Pharisees (such as ritual handwashing, 32 traditions about the Sabbath, etc) in order to be saved. Making them Proselytes instead of G-d Fearers. Some of these men because students of Paul Colossians 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. The Vision that Peter had seems to have changed his mind in regards to circumcision FOR SALVATION, which is the entire issue.. PETER ON CIRCUMCISION: Peter was once part of the Circumcision Party, but the vision G-d gave him changed his mind. Acts 11:1Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them." 4But Peter began and explained it to them in order: Peter ate a meal with G-d Fearers, but the Circumcision Party considered them not saved at all, and believed they couldn't be saved by Yeshua until G-d gave PETER his vision. The Circumcision Group ovbviously thought not just that circumcision was medically good, or that it was a good thing if Gentiles wanted to do it voluntarily, they in fact, made it a requirement to enter the Church UNTIL Peter's Vision. The Circumcision Group had picked up the CUSTOM in Egypt, of Jews not eating with Gentiles. Originally, it was the Gentile Egyptians who refused to eat with the "lesser" circumcised Hebrews. Then it was the Greeks who worshipped the body. Then finally, the Jews turned the tables by looking down on Un-Circumcised Gentiles and called them "Dogs", even refusing to eat with them. Galatians 2:12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. So AFTER Peter's Vision, the conflict between James and Paul over circumcision would be non-existent. Now the conflict with others who remained and called themselves "The Circumcision" still had issues. not with Paul, Peter, and James. Acts 11:13And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you A MESSAGE BY WHICH YOU WILL BE SAVED (not a medical procedure), you and all your household.' 15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,who was I that I could stand in God’s way?" 18When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted REPENTANCE THAT LEADS TO LIFE (not a medical procedure)." Many today try to become Proselytes to Judaism by having a bit of foreskin removed by a Rabbi, even after having been circumcised as infants for medical reasons. This "bit of flesh" doesn't have much medical benefit. But infant circumcision on the 8th day does, in fact, the 8th day is when the risk for infection is the least. 1 Corinthians 7:18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision (denounce Jewish heritage as the Catholic Church forced many Jews to do). Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision (to become a Proselyte to Judaism). The medical benefits of circumcision are given here btw. http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20070122211320data_trunc_sys.shtml Paul (Rabbi Sha'ul, a man who was circumcised and probably circumcised many others) seems to have been concerned with new Gentiles trying to be saved by getting circumcised. He shows by him having his disciple Timothy circumcised that he was not totally against the practice in itself. Timothy was possibly circumcised as an adult because his father was a gentile but his mother was a Jew. According to the Torah, Timothy was a Gentile, but according to the Rabbis he was a Jew, as the Rabbis as an act of mercy said that Jewishness was determined by the mother's lineage due to the large number of Jewish women who had been raped and then given birth. This would give the children some level of support from the Jewish community. Timothy's father was a gentile but was raised by his mother and grandmother who taught him the Torah, thus making Timothy a G-d Fearer (Torah observant Gentile). This situation shows that his mother was possibly raped by a Roman (possibly the source of the Jewish myth that Yehsua's mother, Mary, was raped by a Roman Soldier named Pantera while she was engaged to Joseph). If Timothy was a Jewish proselyte, then he would have underwent the Proselyte ceremony, practiced the traditions of the Pharisees, had been circumcised, and would have been allowed into the Inner Court without any problems, implying that it was commonly known that he was not circumcised. Uncircumcised Gentiles who did not keep the 4 Laws from the Torah found in Acts 15 were not allowed near the temple at all, they were "outside with the weeping and gnashing of teeth". Those gentiles were had not been circumcised as children, and did not wish to be circumcised as adults or to keep the traditions of the Pharisees, but did keep those 4 laws were allowed into the OUTER COURT where the money changers were. G-d Fearers (Torah Observant Gentiles who missed being circumcised on the 8th day because they grew up Jewish) were also only allowed in the Outer Court. To enter the INNER COURT you had to be circumcised as an infant (Born of Jewish blood), or to get circumcised as an adult and keep the traditions of the Pharisees, making you a proseltye to Judaism.Anyone who brought an uncircumcised man into the INNER COURT was put to death along with the uncircumcised man. So in short, Timothy was considered a G-d Fearer or a gentile that kept the 4 Laws in Acts 15 as Timothy went into the Outer Court with no problem, by the larger Jewish community (hence them trying to have Paul killed for bringing Timothy into the INNER court, showing that Paul himself was circumcised as he brought him in there). The Outer Court is given to the Gentiles in the book of Revelations, which is why a Mosque is on top of it today, but Solomon's Temple is where the Inner Court was. This also showed that Paul didn't try to have himself uncircumcised (an attempt at making oneself visually looked like a gentile, very popular during the time of the Greek Olympics when athletes competed naked, and those who were circumcised were considered to have "mutilated" their bodies, and therefore could not compete. This anit-circumcision attitude is still very popular today, using the same terminology. 1 Corinthians 7:18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. On the flip side, we find the Paul the Rabbi worried about the completely Greek gentile Titus. Titus may have come under the sway of the Judaizers and the Pharisees who insisted that he could not be saved if he was not physically circumcised as an ADULT male. Paul assured him that if he was getting circumcised in order to be saved then the Passover Sacrifice of Yahshua would do him no good. Paul's view on circumcision seems to be that he believesthat infant circumcision on the 8th day was required (as the Torah commands), as opposed to adult male circumcision as a requirement (as the Pharisees commanded). He believed, in light of the case of Timothy, that adult circumcision was allowed if one chose it. In the light of Titus however, it should not be done for salvation or out of fear of losing one's salvation. So A. Paul warned against ADULT MALE GENTILE circumcision for Salvation. B. Paul believed in the medical benefits of circumcision of infant circumcision. C. Paul was circumcised D. Paul had Timothy circumcised. E. Paul believed in Torah commanded circumcision on the 8th day. F. Paul distinguished between the ceremony of circumcision of adults to be full legal "Jews" in the eyes of the Pharisees, and the infant circumcision on the 8th day required in the Torah. As he says in regards to Salvation: "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, KEEPING THE COMMANDS OF G-D (Torah) is what counts." G. Paul wished the Gentiles to be made G-d Fearers, while James wanted them to become Proselytes most likely. Adult Circumcision is different from keeping Torah: Romans 2:26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Torah is different from the "Written Code" of the Pharisees, a document called "Works of the Law" which concerns ritual purity. Physical Circumcision of ADULTS is required in the "Written Code" but Not the Torah. Romans 2:27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but KEEPS THE TORAH will condemn you who have the written code (Talmud) and circumcision but break the Torah. What did Yeshua say on the matter, that Paul quotes! Romans 2:28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. Romans 2:29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter (not just a matter of outward observance, but out of heart obedience to Torah). His praise is not from man but from God. Yahshua warned against thinking you are saved just by being Jewish (G-d can raise up these stones to be children for Abraham). Two men, both practicing circumcision, but with two different concerns. One was concerned about the practice being lost altogether with the Gentiles coming in (therefore seeing the Gentiles lose the physical benefits of the Torah) and the Church losing its Jewishness. In trying to reach the Gentiles, the Church would lose its Jewishness. The other worried that the Gentiles would be try to be saved not by believing in Yahshua, but by becoming Jewish proselytes and keeping the traditions of the Pharisees (Legalism). He worried that the Church would rely on its Jewishness to be saved. TITUS 10For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans,a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. 13This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them( sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. Here Paul warns about Judaizing who are preaching circumcision FOR FINANCIAL GAIN. This was big business back in that day. Making G-d Fearers and Pagans into Proselytes was also big business, as someone had to pay temple taxes to the Pharisees and Sadducees once they turned 21 if they were a circumcicsed natural Jew or a Proselyte. Their missionary efforts are talked about Yehsua who says that they travel land and sea to make disiples who are just as much sons of Satan as they are. Jewish myths included many notions, including that one must be circumcised to be saved, and that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier named Pantera, and that Yeshua taught Lawlessness (instead of just Talmud-lessness). "To the pure, all things are pure", referring to the Gentile converts. "15 but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled." Referring to those who followed the book "Works of the Law" which led them to be obsessed with "Ritual Purity" by not eating with gentiles, or failing to perform the correct handwashing ritual. He is saying that their concern for ritual purity does not good, if you have a corrupt heart. Yeshua taught the same message in regard to the Pharisees cleaning only the outside of the dish.
Added June 5 · Comment · Like
Jun. 10th, 2010 @ 11:22 pm
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| » Paul's Life, Law or Lawless? |
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The Case Against Paul, Was He Teaching the Law as a Lifestyle as Peter claimed or Lawlessness as a lifestyle as Marcion the Gnostic claimed?
Deuteronomy 19:15
"A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge/matter be established.
Many (especially Gnostics, Ebionits, Muslims and Jews) have accused Paul of teaching against G-d's Law which would make Paul a false prophet, a very serious charge. So, was Paul against the Scriptures that Timothy Studied? On the basis of 2-3 witnesses a matter is established, so let us now look for what the witnesses of Scripture tells us.
Isa 8:20 To the Torah and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
First Witness, Peter Concerning Paul's Message in Relation to the Torah:
Exhibit A:
2nd Peter 3:16
14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at Shalom. 15And count the patience of our Adonai as salvation, just as our BELOVED BROTHER PAUL/Sha'ul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHICH THE IGNORANT AND UNSTABLE TWIST to their own destruction, as they do THE OTHER SCRIPTURES. 17You therefore, beloved, KNOWING THIS BEFOREHAND, take care that you are not carried away with THE ERROR OF LAWLESS/TORAHLESS People and lose your own stability. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Adonai and Maschiaich Yeshua. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Did Peter just say that other people (teachers of Lawlessness) would TWIST the difficult words of Paul to say that we don't have to keep G-d's La and the earlier Scriptures are now "done away with"? Implying that Paul isn't teaching Lawlessness, but many will use his words to do so, like soundbites are used in political campaigns.
"Isaiah 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause [them] to err, And [those who are] led by them are destroyed.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the Torah of your God, I also will forget your children. "
Exhibit B: Paul's Letter to the Romans
Could some of the confusion come from the six or seven ways Paul used the Greek word "Nomos" or "Law", which sometimes refers to the Torah, and sometimes refers to the Law of Sin Equals Death, Legalism, the Temple System of Sacrifice, the Law of Being a Slave to Sin, and so on.
In Romans 7:22-25 alone, Paul used the Greek word "Nomos" translated "Law" in 4 different ways! talk about the "difficult words of Paul"
Romans 7:22 2For I delight in the LAW OF G_D (Torah) in my inner being, 23but I see in my members ANOTHER LAW (Aside from Torah) waging war against the LAW OF MIND and making me captive to the LAW OF SIN that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the LAW OF G-D with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the LAW OF SIN.
Exhibit C:
Paul's Words To His Disciple Timothy Concerning the Torah:
2nd Timothy 3:16
14But as for you,continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how FROM CHILDHOOD (Timothy was born before the Resurrection) you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you WISE FOR SALVATION through faith in Yeshua HaMaschiaich. 16 ALL SCRIPTURE (Torah and Tanach)is breathed out by Yahweh and PROFITABLE for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for TRAINING in Righteousness. 17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
VERSES HE REFERENCED IN THAT PASSAGE:
Nehemiah 9:13 You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them RIGHT RULES and TRUE LAWS, GOOD STATUES AND COMMANDMENTS, 14and you made known to them your HOLY Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. 15You gave them bread from heaven (Yeshua Bread of Life) for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst (Yeshua Spring of Living Water), and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them (The Kingdom of Heaven).
Deuteronomy 6:4"Hear, O Israel:The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall TEACH THEM (this Torah) DILIGENTLY TO YOUR CHILDREN, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Did Paul just say that the TORAH will TRAIN us in Righteousness???? If Paul thinks it is "done away with" then how can we still use it to train us in righteousness?
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the Torah is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Exhibit D:
Paul's Words to the Church in Rome:
Romans 3:31:
31Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the Law.
2nd Witness, the Bereans:
Was Paul afraid of being "Discovered" as Anti-Torah??
Acts 17:11
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURE DAILY (Torah and Tanach) to see if these things were so. (and apparently they were, because they accepted Paul and His message after their study, and Paul praised them for checking to see if he lined up with the Torah)
EXHIBIT E:
Did Paul start a "new religion" or was he simply following a Sect of Judaism called "The Way"
Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect (of Judaism) I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law (He believed the whole Torah) and written in the Prophets,
EXHIBIT F:
Did Paul think that the Law was Contrary to the Spirit?
Romans 7:14 For we know that THE LAW IS SPIRITUAL, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
EXHIBIT G:
Did Paul Love the Law or Think it a Burden?
Romans 7:12So the Torah is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
13Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means!
Romans 7:22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23but I see in my membersanother law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me fromthis body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
EXHIBIT H:
Paul's letter to the Corinthians
2nd Corinthians 6:14 "What fellowship can Righteousness have with Lawlessness/Torahlessness? What fellowship can light have with darkness? What fellowship can Christ have with Baal?"
If Paul told Timothy that the Torah is training for Righteousness, and Torahlesness is the opposite of Righteousness, doesn't that mean that He believes living G-d's Law and a Right Life Style go together?
WITNESS 3:
Did Not King David take the same view as Paul, and was David not a man after G-d's own Heart?
Psalm 1:2
but his delight is in the Torah of the LORD,and on His Torah he meditates day and night.
Psalm 40:8
I delight to do your will, O my God;your Torah is within my heart."
Psalm 119:70
their heart is unfeeling like fat,but I delight in your Torah.
Psalm 119:77
Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;for your Torah is my delight.
Psalm 119:92
If your Torah had not been my delight,I would have perished in my affliction.
Psalm 119:174
I long for your salvation (Yeshuat), O LORD,and your Torah is my delight.
Psalm 119:47 I shall delight in Your commandments, Which I love.
EXHIBIT H:
The Apostle John also agreed with Paul and David:
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
Isa 42:21 The LORD is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He will exalt the Torah and make [it] honorable.
Detueronomy 12:32 "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.
Psalm 111:7-10 - The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand FAST FOREVER AND EVER, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his COVENANT FOREVER: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of YaHWeH is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever. "
"Great Shalom have they which love thy Torah: and nothing shall offend them." Psalm 119:165
For some more insight into this subject check out the audio sermons on this website
http://www.thinknot.net/
And this free book download
"Does the Law of G-d Still Apply?" at http://www.biblelaw101.com/
You can also learn more about the roots of the whole "Paul was Against the Law" concept
http://www.doubleportioninheritance.com/ look for Media/Podcasts/Gnosticism
Jun. 10th, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
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| » The Last Trump |
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One day, when you hear a Shofar, it will be the Archangel Michael you will see something like THIS Happen. Which is why people love the Shofar. There are 4 distinct calls to the Shofar, the 4th one is the one we are waiting on. This is what Paul talks about in
1 Corinthians 15:52
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
Hebrews 12:19
and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;
Psalm 98:6
With trumpets and sound of cornet Make a joyful noise before the King, Jehovah.
Psalm 150:3
Praise him with trumpet sound: Praise him with psaltery and harp.
Isaiah 18:3
All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, when an ensign is lifted up on the mountains, see ye; and when the trumpet is blown, hear ye.
Isaiah 27:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great trumpet shall be blown; and they shall come that were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and they that were outcasts in the land of Egypt; and they shall worship Jehovah in the holy mountain at Jerusalem.
Matthew 24:31
And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
1 Corinthians 14:8
For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?
1 Corinthians 15:52
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Hebrews 12:19
and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;
Revelation 1:10
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet
Revelation 4:1
After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.
Revelation 8:2
And I saw the seven angels that stand before God; and there were given unto them seven trumpets.
Revelation 8:6
And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
Ministry Dedicated to the Blowing of the Shofar in Capital Cities!!
http://www.godsoutreachministryint.org/Shofars.htm
Other Scriptural References to Using the Shofar in Worship
Revival Lakeland
Scriptural blowing of the Shofar ¯
The ram's horn, the shofar, is a reminder of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac and God's provision of a ram as a substitute. (Genesis 22:13) (Isaac: who at Yom Kippur is the "Akedah" in the binding of Isaac story about substitutionary sacrifice!) And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. (Genesis 22:13)
Gather God's people at Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 9:16-17)
The time in the Scripture that the shofar is used! (Exodus 19:16) And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightning's, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
At the giving the two tablets of stones with the 10 Commandments through Moses. The Torah was given to Israel with the sound of the shofar from heaven. (Exodus 19:19) (Joshua 6:4-20) (Joel 2:1) (Jeremiah 4:19, 2; 6:1, 17)
The shofar was blown at the start of the year of Jubilee on Yom Teruah. For announcing and ushering in the Sabbath and yearly festivals! (Leviticus 25:9-10)
The trumpet was blown to announce the beginning of the festivals. Rejoice and give thanks. (Numbers 10:10; Nehemiah 12:35-38) Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God. (Numbers 10:10)
God Himself blows it! "Then the Lord will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning; and the Lord God will blow the Shofar, and will march in the storm winds of the south." (Zechariah 9:14)
They took an oath before the Lord…..with trumpets and rams’ horns. (2 Chronicles 15:14)
Priestly instrument of praise & worship! "And the Levites stood with the musical instruments of David, and the priests with the Shofars." (Chronicles 29:26)
A call for worship "While the whole assembly worshipped, the singers also sang and the Shofars sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished." (2 Chronicles 29:28)
Gather people to worship "It will come about also in that day that a great Shofar will be blown; and those who were perishing and scattered will come and worship the Lord in the holy mountain..." (Isaiah 27:13) (2 Chronicles 29:26-28) (Psalms 98:6; 150:3) (2 Samuel 6:15) (1 Chronicles 15:14)
Ushers in the presence of the Lord (1 Samuel 13:3)
The shofar is a reminder that God is sovereign. (Psalm 47:5)
The shofar was blown to celebrate the new moon each month. (Psalm 81:1-3)
The shofar will be blown at the time of the ingathering of the exiles to Israel. (Isaiah 27:13)
Warn of judgment for sin. (Isaiah 58:1; Ezekiel 33:3-4)
The blowing of the shofar is a signal for the call to repentance! (Isaiah 58:1, Hosea 8:1)
The shofar was used to accompany other musical instruments during temple ceremonies in Jerusalem and in praise and worship. (Psalm 98:6, 150) "Praise Him with the Shofar sound; praise Him with harp and lyre." (Psalm 150:3)
Making proclamation (Leviticus 25:9 & 10)
David: "With Shofars and the sound of the horn shout joyfully before the King, the Lord." (Psalms 98:6)
David: Announce the Ark of the Lord. "So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the Shofar" (2 Samuel 6:15)
A powerful catalyst to bring the glory of God! "In unison when the Shofarers and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by Shofars and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the Lord saying, 'He indeed is good for His loving-kindness is everlasting,' then the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud..." (2 Chronicles 5:13)
Bring the song of the Lord. And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. (2 Chronicles 29:25-27)
David: Instrument used during great celebration! "And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, even with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and with Shofars." (1 Chronicles 13:8)
The shofar was used for the coronation of kings & announce kings. (I Kings 1:34, 39; II Kings 11:12, 14) (King Solomon)
The shofar is blown to call the sacred assembly. (Numbers 10:3, Joel 2:15)
Essential in going to War! Sounds the alarm for war! The shofars were blown as a warning. (Ezekiel 33:3-6) (Isaiah 18:3) (1 Kings 1:34) (Numbers 10:9) (Judges 7:22)"And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who attacks you, then you shall sound an alarm with the Shofars, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and be saved from your enemies." (Numbers 10:9)
Joshua: To be blown constantly in battle; Israel conquered in the battle of Jericho with the blast of the shofar "And it was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven Shofars of rams' horns before the Lord went forward and blew the Shofars; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them. And the armed men went before the priests who blew the Shofars, and the rear guard came after the ark, while they continued to blow the Shofars." (Joshua 6:8-9)
Gideon and his army confused and scattered the enemy with the shofar. (Joshua 7:15-22)
Overcome the enemy. (Amos 2:2; Judges 7:19)
Halt fighting. (II Samuel 2:28)
Declare Victory in War. (I Samuel 13:3)
Symbolizing freedom and liberty (Exodus 19:16 & 19; 20:18)
Gideon: Corporate blowing is powerful! "So the 300 men took the people's provisions and their Shofars into their hands. And Gideon sent all the other men of Israel, each to his tent, but retained the 300 men; and the camp of Midian was below him in the valley"! (Judges 7:8)
Gideon; victory over the enemy: When I blow with a shofar, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the shofars also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the shofars, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. And the three companies blew the shofars, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the shofars in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. And the three hundred blew the shofars, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites. (Judges 7:18-23)
Gideon: To induce fear & confusion in the enemy! "And when they blew 300 Shofars, the Lord set the sword of one against another even throughout the whole army & the army fled.." (Judges 7:20)
The shofar was blown to signal the assembly of the Israelites during war. (Judges 3:27, 6:34, II Samuel 20:1, Jeremiah 4:19, 51:27, Nehemiah 4:20, Amos 3:6)
Seven shofars were blown before the ark of God. (1 Chronicles 15:24, 2 Samuel 6:15)
The Messiah: Heralds the Day of the Lord! (Zachariah 9:14-16) "Blow a Shofar in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near." (Joel 2:1)
The Messiah: A Shofar will announce the 2nd Coming of the Messiah! Israel will be advised of the advent of the Messiah with the sound of the shofar. (Zechariah 9:14, 16) "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the Shofars of God and the dead in Christ shall rise “ (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
The Messiah: A Shofar will be blown before the dead rise! "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last Shofars; for the Shofars will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Gives commands to angelic hosts! "And He will send forth His angels with a great Shofar and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other." (Matthew 24:31)
The shofar (trumpet) is the sound of God’s voice! (Revelation 1:10)
John was taken up to Heaven in the Book of Revelation by the sound of the shofar. (Revelation 4:1)
Seven (trumpets) shofars are sounded when God judges the earth during the tribulation. (Revelation 8-9) Seven shofars were blown before the ark of God. (1 Chronicles 15:24, 2 Samuel 6:15)
This is also partly a gathering of information from different Ministries. With thanks to:
* Dominick Zangla; A ministry dedicated to sounding the clarion call of the shofar to awaken the whole house of Israel out of its slumber, bringing them back to the truth of the Lord’s Torah and his promised Mashiach Yahshua. (Jesus Christ) Providing God’s watchman with the ancient weapons of warfare, so that we may destroy satan's influence and bring in God’s glory to fill the whole earth through the voice of the shofar! -
Author: Dominick Zangla; Web-site's: http://www.shofars.org/ http://www.aleftavjudaica.com/default.asp
* This part is also with help of www.out-of-zion.com Messianic Jew David Silver; Haifa; Israel.
Opening the Gates of Heaven!
Jun. 10th, 2010 @ 11:20 pm
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