Where I am Today

I typically don’t feel I have anything all that important to say. I try to post as my Heavenly Father leads me, and occasionally post pics or family updates. I have been guilty of airing my laundry from time to time, even though those who constantly do so irritate me.

I don’t have an agenda or a personal ministry to promote. I do not think the world needs my two cents worth to make everything all right. There are already a plethora of people who post teachings and having one more doesn’t really accomplish anything.

I have a ministry. My ministry is my family, my neighbors and my clients I serve 5 days a week.

I have a wife and son who look to me as the spiritual leader of my home. So I try and focus on leading them and encouraging and building them up on a daily basis. That is a very awesome and rewarding full time job.

In addition, I try and help those around me in the non-cyber world, who I have real face time with on a regular basis. My son and I daily feed around 40 senior citizens in our county during the week. These wonderful people are oft times needing someone to listen to them, encourage them and do small things for them as we stop by their homes. This has been an extreme blessing to Zac and I for five years. The pay is pathetic and the hours scarce; but I am at peace. I continue to search for a better paying, full time job all the while knowing that when Abba is done with me in this assignment, He will move me on. So I am at peace with where I am at this time.

It has taken me quite a while to reach this point in life, but I can finally say that I am content. I am happy and grateful for the MANY wonderful things I have been blessed with in life. I spent a large portion of my life dreaming of becoming wealthy, or sad to say, popular on some level. Today I have reached that status in a way I never imagined. The love of my family and friends is a great wealth beyond all I ever dreamed. In addition, a large number of sweet elderly people know my son and I and appreciate what we do for them.

Recently, I was at a Sabbath service with a fairly large sized crowd. A good friend, who is like a younger brother to me, was there and was seated a few rows in front of me. He was going to be teaching later in the service and was going through the mental and internal preparations that only someone who has spoken publically has experienced. At one point in during the worship service, I looked over at him and saw something that flooded my heart with joy. His loving wife was standing next to him as they praised YHWH together and her support and love for her husband was strong and obvious. This is a treasure that cannot be compared to monetary gain.

I have had this type of wife for 25 years and to know that my friend has been blessed in the same manner was better than any lottery payoff or financial gain. I didn’t appreciate or even realize what I had for a great number of years. This ignorance caused me to seek a lie instead of enjoying the true wealth I already had been blessed with.

Having said these things, I must tell you what matters most to me in this life:

I love my Father YHWH with my whole heart. I have a relationship with Him based on two principals.

1. I fear/respect YHWH

2. I keep/guard His commandments.

These two foundational stones have allowed me to know Him in a way I never imagined for 35+ years. If you do not know or understand these principals, dig into the WORD and see how abundant they are throughout Scripture. In embracing these concepts and seeking him with your whole heart, you will develop a love affair with your Creator that will launch you into the Kingdom.

I love my family and desire to serve them daily.

I spent a large portion of my early married life seeing myself as the capstone on a family pyramid. I was absolutely right; I just had it upside down. When I realized that I wasn’t the crown, but the support, my life began to change. My family depends on me as a stabilizing force to hold them up and support them. This means becoming a servant. I don’t seek personal fulfillment, I only want them to be provided for, cared for and loved. This means that Scripture study, prayer and conversation comes before my personal wants. By striving to do this, I am being the man I wa created to be.

I have an awesome ministry.

I am more concerned with having a hands on ministry, that helps others in a real way, than trying to impress fellow believers with my knowledge of Scripture interpretation and the Hebrew language. Doing something for someone and showing them Y’shua is SO much more beneficial than impressing the masses with my vocabulary.

We all pursue and seek our Creator in the way we choose. If we continue to chase after Him, He will lead us to the place we need to be. Keep your eyes on YHWH, do not look to man. If we follow man, they will always lead you into the ditch. Let Abba be your Guide and He will lead you in the Path of Righteousness for His Name’s sake.

The 25 Year Journey

This will be a long post and not easy to write, but I promise to make it interesting and you won’t regret reading it.

Twenty-five years ago I looked into the most beautiful eyes YHWH has ever created and made a vow before Him and around 150 people.

I didn’t really know how to keep a vow or the seriousness of the vow I was pledging, but I was young and in love, so I was all in.  I have a few things to confess here and this isn’t easy.  I was a lousy husband from the beginning.  I was selfish and hateful with a smart aleck mouth.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Margaret didn’t look at me while I was sleeping sometimes and contemplate me demise. 

It’s not that I didn’t love Margaret, it’s just that I didn’t know how to love and certainly didn’t know how to treat a wife.  You see I hadn’t ever paid attention to married couples and therefore I wasn’t following any examples that may or may not have been available. 

For many years Margaret put up with my issues and she still loved me.  I was immature and irresponsible so I couldn’t be relied upon to keep a job or make anything of myself.  I flew through jobs like they grew on trees.  My career instability created a financial nightmare, but Margaret still loved me.

I was always faithful to Margaret, but being faithful alone isn’t enough to cover up the lack of compassion and kindness I was displaying.  I was quick to insult and belittle Margaret, be it in private or publically.  I am surprised someone didn’t confront me about these issues, or maybe they did and I just ignored them.

We moved around a lot, which allowed Margaret to see parts of the United States she hadn’t seen before, but women prefer to have a nest to settle in and I couldn’t even pick a tree.  Through all of this, Margaret still loved me.

Margaret had a real tough couple of years at the end of the 90’s.  In 1996 Margaret’s dad, Robert Sabo came down with cancer.  In just a few months he was gone.  Then exactly 10 months later she lost her mother, Sue Sabo to a stroke.  During this time, Margaret stayed by both of their sides and was a caring and loving daughter.  It pains me to say that I was not the loving and caring husband.  I was so selfish that during this time I took every opportunity to remind Margaret of my father’s passing in 1976 and how much worse that was on me.  I should have held her more and supported her better but I was too self centered to think of her, but Margaret still loved me.

In 1997 Margaret and I made another vow.  We typed up a contract (covenant) between us and God that we would follow Him we ever he led us and we wouldn’t question or doubt His leading.  We signed it, prayed over it and filed it away.  Again, I didn’t know how to keep a vow and how serious this promise was to YHWH. 

YHWH did lead us and we did follow, but I seemed to always have my selfish motives to everything I did. We ended up in Rawlins, WY.  Neither one of us had ever been in Wyoming and this was quite a shock.  I went into the move thinking that I would go to Wyoming and get those people straightened out.  Well the best made plans of mice and men…

By 1998 Margaret and I had given up on the notion of ever having children.  We already had been told by three doctors that Margaret would never have children, so those dreams had crashed and burned.  Honestly, the problem was probably that I would have been a terrible dad with all of my emotional baggage. 

Wyoming did several things to/for our marriage.  We had been married almost twelve years and except for just a couple short years, we had always been poor.  Wyoming made the previous years look like w were wealthy, it broke us and crushed our finances to dust.  We both worked double jobs and still didn’t have a dime.  We went so deep in debt, there was no hope of seeing daylight.  Physically, I crashed and burned growing obese and unhealthy.

 

In the midst of this and many other issues too numerous to list, YHWH began to do a work for our marriage.  In 1999, Margaret found out she was carrying our son.  I will never forget the profound changes that began the day I heard Zachry’s heartbeat and realized how selfish I had been.  Holding my miracle son in my arms was awesome and scary all at the same times.  We both shed a lot of tears during this time.

In early 2000 we packed up what we had left and came to Texas to try and find reliable work.  I was making some effort to be a better husband and knew I had to work hard at being a good dad.  With the help of some dear family friends, I located a good job and within a short time we were getting back on track.

Around 2003, I hit bottom physically.  I ended up in the hospital with extremely high sugar readings. cholesterol counts and setting at 275 lbs.  Once again a made a vow. I had started to understand the spiritual significance of vows and knew I had to keep my end.  I vowed that at 35 years old, I would be in better shape at 55 than I was currently.  I can thankfully say today that I weigh 192 lbs. and am well on my way to keeping that vow.  Through these physical trials and diet nightmares, Margaret still loved me.

Around 2004 I was asked to attend a MIA (Messianic Israel Alliance) conference in Nashville. by John Robinson.  He wanted to make the trip in late December but was graciously willing to help me with the expense if I would ride along.  At the conference two teachings changed my life.  The guys from FFOZ (First Fruits of Zion) www.ffoz.org taught on “The Psalms 15 Man” and Frank Houtz http://www.drybonesrestorationcompany.com/ taught on the importance of echad (oneness) in a marriage.  Both of these teachings shook me to the core.  All the way back from Nashville to Seagoville, TX., I wept and confessed to John.  He was probably thankful when he finally put me out at my house.  On that ride home, I made another vow, I would become the husband and father YHWH expected me to be.  I would change my attitude, my conversation and the way I treated my family.  Thankfully I did begin to change and probably just in time to save my marriage.

Now you may be asking, what the is point of all this confession?  Why have I shared these 1157 words with you?  You may feel uncomfortable with the things I have shares.  If that is the case, please forgive me, but I have a reason for sharing.

After 25 years of being loved and supported by my beautiful and intelligent best friend, today I make a new vow.

The next 25+ years, I will do everything in my power to repay Margaret Ann Cagle for all of the things listed above and the innumerable things I chose not to mention that she has been through.  I will treat her the way she wants to be treated and show her complete unselfish love.  I will take joy in making her happy and loved.  I fully understand that I cannot undo the things I have done but I am confident that I can enough right things to make the wrong a distant and far away memory.

I love you Margaret and thank YHWH everyday that he blessed me with you.

November 21, 1987

 

October 2012

25 years

The Power of the Imagination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For thousands of years, about 6,000 to be exact, mankind has struggled with making the correct decisions.  In fact, from the beginning that was the issue with Adam and Chavah (Eve), making the wrong decision.  We all have seen the drawing I have posted above in some form of comic or cartoon, someone trying to make a decision while an angel (or good decision) sits on one shoulder and a demon (bad decision) sits on the other.  Where does this concept come from and could this comedic image be based upon truth from Scripture?  If this is a real and serious issue, why don’t we see and hear more about it from our teachers and/or preachers?

In Hebraic thinking among Judaism this concept is called yetzer יצר.  It is referred to as yetzer tov and yetzer hara, in English we would say good imagination or inclination and evil imagination or inclination.  Are there any Scripture verses that talk about a good or evil imagination? 

A principle that works in the Hebrew (Old Testament) Scriptures is to find the first time a word or phrase is used and let it define the usage going forward.  So this phrase is probably found in Proverbs or Psalms first, right?

Genesis (Bereshit)6:5  And יהוה saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every inclination (yetzer) of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Wow, it took just six (6) chapters or barely 1,000 years, before יהוה discovers than mankind has become a creature that thinks of wicked things all of the time or as Bereshit says, has an evil inclination.  An inability to control their thoughts has led people to have wicked hearts or an evil will.  But to be honest with you, didn’t we make the decision at the WRONG Tree to become that way?  We chose knowledge of tov/good and hara/the evil, over Life from the onset.  Today the same insanity continues among mankind, yes the same choice is available and we are still choosing the power to make our own choices over Life.

But isn’t that what יהוה wants is for us to make choices and not be robots?  יהוה certainly didn’t create humans so they could walk around as robots or perfect little clones, right?

Absolutely not what יהוה is looking for from His creation!  יהוה wants us to have the power of choice and without us choosing we are not any different than any other living thing He created.  Think about that for a minute.  All animals have a preset list of functions they do and can only choose from those listed.  Animals don’t wake up one day and decide to do a thing that isn’t part of their day to day existence.  No dog that I know of has made the sudden decision to leave home and go to obedience school on their own. 

So if יהוה wants us to have the power of choice, why is it so bad that we have this power?  It can seem somewhat conflicting to want us to have choice but want us to control that power to choose at the same time.

Why is it that we consistently choose Death/Sin/Sickness over Life/Torah/Health?  Are we not smart enough to make these decisions on our own?  NO!  Our pursuit of earthly knowledge instead of Life from יהוה, has made us into creatures who operate as if we cannot make intelligent decisions on our own.  Let’s see what Paul/Shaul said about that issue.

Rom 7:15 For I do not know what I do. For I do not do the thing that I want; But I do the thing which I hate, this is what I do.
Rom 7:16 But if I do what I do not wish to, I agree with the Torah, that it is good.
Rom 7:17 Now then, it is not I who do it, but the sin which dominates in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that it does not fully dominate me, (that is in my flesh) but as far as good is concerned, the choice is easy for me to make, but to do it is difficult for me.
Rom 7:19 For it is not the good that I desire to do, that I do. But it is the evil that I do not desire, that I do.
Rom 7:20 But if I do what I do not desire, it is no longer I who do it, but the sin which dominates me.
Rom 7:21 I find therefore that the Torah agrees with my conscience, when I desire to do good, but evil is always near, distracting me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the Torah of יהוה according to the inward man;
Rom 7:23 but I see another law in my members having warred against the law of my mind, and taking me captive by the law of sin being in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this mortal body?
Rom 7:25 I thank יהוה through Y’shua Messiah our Master! So then I myself with the mind truly serve the Torah of יהוה and with the flesh the law of sin.

WOW!  Does that passage make more sense now in light of what we have been discussing?  Shaul is saying that his flesh wants to do sin, but his mind or conscience wants to do good.  Evil is lying at the door, waiting to dominate, but he has to take dominion over it and choose to do good (Torah), even when his body doesn’t want to do what’s right.  How long has this condition been around?

Genesis (Bereshit) 4:7  If thou (Cain) doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

יהוה lets Cain know that he has the power to choose good or evil and that Cain can rule over his evil inclination (yetzer hara) if he chooses to do so.

So from the beginning (bereshit) we have had the power to choose good thoughts and actions over evil.  We have had the power or authority over evil imaginations all along.  But what about the theory that we all or going to choose sin from time to time even after we have came to the saving knowledge of Y’shua?  Doesn’t verse go against this theory and all it stands for, and is it possible to NOT choose sin?

Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 26:3  “The one steadfast of mind (yetzer) You guard in perfect peace, for he trusts in You.
Isa 26:4  “Trust in יהוה forever, for in Yah, יהוה, is a rock of ages.

 

The person who has their mind/inclination established or steadfast upon יהוה will be kept in shalom shalom (perfect peace).  Trust, rely upon or make our refuge in יהוה, and He guards us in perfect peace or complete wholeness.  The opposite of a complete or peaceful mind is a chaotic or unstable mind.  So if one would have an unstable mind it would be a result of their mind (yetzer) not being established upon  יהוה.  Is their any Scriptural evidence of someone becoming unstable by trying to listen to both good and evil?

James (Yacob)1:5  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it shall be given to him.
Jas 1:6  But he should ask in belief, not doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Jas 1:7  For that man should not think that he shall receive whatever from the Master –
Jas 1:8  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 

So belief is considered as thinking on good (yetzer tov) and doubting is seen as thinking on evil (yetzer hara).  Are we not encouraged to think on good things?  Trying to think on good and evil at the same time creates chaos, making us unstable.  In this state we are unable to make the correct decisions, so we struggle with good and evil.  One who has their mind stayed or fixed upon יהוה makes the right decisions, because יהוה gives that person wisdom.

Shaul clearly establishes in the passage from Roman posted above, that the mind (yetzer) can control the body when the yetzer is submitted to Y’shua (Torah).

This is the spiritual battle we fight on a daily basis, warring against an evil mind that wants to serve sin and pleasure.  When we choose to serve  יהוה and shomer (guard) His Torah, we bring into captivity all thoughts that tries to lift itself above יהוה

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Elohim to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Elohim, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Moshiach;

Do you see that the issue is submitting our mind (yetzer) to יהוה so that our very thoughts are on good things only?  When we let our minds rule us we are slaves to the evil mind. By placing our yetzer into submission unto יהוה we are free to serve Him and not be slaves to the flesh.

Over the years I have seen many people on social media outlets who claim to follow יהוה , but consistently post statements that show they are slaves to their netzer hara.  When we are slaves to earthly desires and fleshly needs, we are submitted to that evil inclination. 

Not all earthly desires are evil.  We all desire a comfortable bed and even though we can live without that desire, there is nothing inherently evil in desiring a better place to sleep.  When someone becomes captivated with constant earthly desires that is when the netzer hara has become master.

Training our mind (netzer) to choose good is the way to win this battle.  Dwelling on the Torah, putting on the mind of Y’shua is the way we prepare our minds for this battle.  If we consistently choose the wrong thoughts and do not wash our minds in the Word, neglecting to put on the helmet of Salvation (Y’shua), we loose these battles that eventually result in a lost war.

So you still believe it doesn’t matter what you think about?  What you read, listen too or watch is insignificant?  Are you constantly striving to fill desires and wants to no avail?  Does everything you acquire leave you unfulfilled and wanting more?

Teshuvah.

Turn around and go back to יהוה  Lay your inclinations/thoughts/imaginations at His feet.  When you become His bond servant, you will no longer be a slave to sin.  You can walk in newness of life, with a mind that chooses Life.

Sukkot 2012

A Stumbling Block or a Stepping Stone?

Just a little research in to Scripture reveals the cyclical patterns of life. All things are a never ending cycle as time moves in a circular motion. This is first explained in Bereshit (Genesis)

While the earth remains, seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22 HRB)

The old saying is that history repeats itself and we see that this is in fact true. The psalmist David wrote about this in probably the most popular psalm of all time.

He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalms 23:3 HRB)

The word translated as paths is the Hebrew word “magal” or מעגּל. The word actually means; a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular): - going, path, trench, way. It comes from the Hebrew word “agol” or עגל which means revolve or circular around. Davis is clearly stating that יהוהis leading him in a circular path of righteousness for the sake of His Name. This would indicate that יהוהwould lead those He loves in this circular Path or Way to bring honor and glory to His Name.

Schlomo (Solomon) the son of David writes of this Path as well.

Consider the path “agol” of your feet, And all your ways are established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Turn your foot away from evil. (Proverbs 4:26-27 The Scriptures 1998+)

This proverb tells us to ponder or prepare the circular Path of our feet, and let them be established, erect or perfect. Here we see clear and precise instructions to follow this circular Path or Way so we can walk in perfection.

Growing up, I remember being told repeatedly in school that “practice makes perfect” and “repetition is the essence of learning.” These pieces of advice annoyed me as a teenager trying to rush through school. Now I find myself saying these same things almost daily to my home schooled son. By establishing routine or repletion, my son is able to identify areas of weakness or deficiency and make the proper corrections that lead to success.

Could it be that this simple life lesson is a part of a greater lesson our Abba desire to teach us?

I have taught you in the way of wisdom, I have led you in right paths “agol”. When you walk your steps shall not be hindered, And if you run you shall not stumble. (Proverbs 4:11-12 The Scriptures 1998+)

Schlomo tells his father (David) told him that he had led Schlomo in a right or upright circular Path and this would keep Schlomo from being distressed or hexed and when he ran he would NOT totter or waver.

Now we are getting somewhere with this Path. Walking the circular Path or Way will keep us from being distressed or even wavering. We can walk and even run with certainty because we are cycling UPWARD!

We all know that there are many things we come across (sometimes the hard way) while on our walk. Now we can see that if we are on the circular Path these so called obstacles will not cause us to stumble or certainly not fall, but instead become stepping stones that launch us ever upward. Yet we see so many who seem to be stumbling and even falling, departing from the Faith.

But the Spirit distinctly says that in latter times some shall fall away from the belief, paying attention to misleading spirits, and teachings of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having been branded on their own conscience, forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods which Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3 The Scriptures 1998+)

Moshe (Moses) even told the children of Israel that he knew they would do this very thing:

“For I know that after my death you shall do very corruptly and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil shall come to you in the latter days, because you do what is evil in the eyes of יהוה, to provoke Him through the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 31:29 The Scriptures 1998+)

If we refuse to follow the Path or Way of יהוה, we will end of stumbling or falling away from Him. We must not murmur or complain when we face adversity, but know that these things are stepping stones.

If you falter in the day of distress (adversity), Your strength is small! (Proverbs 24:10 The Scriptures 1998+)

Then, it is to you who believe, that this honor is given. But to disobeying ones, He is the "Stone which those building rejected; this One became the Head of the Corner." (Psa. 118:22) He is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. And they stumble at it, because they believe not the word: for which they were appointed. (see Isa. 8:14) (1 Peter 2:7-8 HRB)

It is יהושע Messiah that is either or stepping stone or stumbling block. We choose to step on the Stone and go up closer to יהוה, or stumble and waver as we fall away from our Abba. As always we make the choices that result in our progress or impediment. But for some strange reason we are not getting this, we blame our Father for the bad things and sometimes even take credit for the good. It is this spirit or attitude that leads to a great falling away.

If we stumble or fall back, יהוה still loves us. How does He prove His love? By allowing us to go around again and try to get it right the next time. Life cycles, things come and go and you will have another chance, IF you seek יהוה. It’s only when we run from יהוה and His Path/Way that we are free falling.

Do you not know that those who run in a race indeed all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to obtain it. And everyone who competes controls himself in every way. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we for an incorruptible crown. Therefore I run accordingly, not with uncertainty. Thus I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I treat my body severely and make it my slave, so that when I have proclaimed to others, I myself might be rejected. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 The Scriptures 1998+)

So therefore, we also, having so great a cloud of witnesses lying around us, having laid aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us, through patience let us also run the race set before us, looking to the Author and perfecter of our faith, יהושע, who for the joy set before Him endured the torture stake, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of So therefore, we also, having so great a cloud of witnesses lying around us, having laid aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us, through patience let us also run the race set before us, looking to the Author and perfecter of our faith, Yahshua, who for the joy set before Him endured the torture stake, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of יהוה. (see Psa. 110:1) (Hebrews 12:1-2 HRB)

So we MUST begin to realize we are in a race, there are things that might appear to be obstacles, but we can overcome them and run upward if we keep our eyes on יהוה. Don’t be like our forefathers and mumble and complain, or worse yet fall away from the Faith. Stay on this circular Path/Way and move up to יהוה.

You Don’t Know Me!

 

A few years ago someone began using the slang phrase “you don’t know me” whenever they felt judged or criticized by others. It was a person’s way of saying to their critics that they were not qualified to pass judgment on them based upon the lack of knowledge they possessed. The problem today is, do we ever REALLY know someone? How often do you hear of some strange or horrific deed that is committed by someone that is totally out of character? After years of establishing a reputation and pattern, someone will completely deviate from what seems normal and the typical response is “I thought I knew him/her.”

Knowing someone does seem to be impossible to a large degree, and since everyone reacts to and handles situations differently, maybe we never do really know another human. I wonder sometimes if we even know ourselves. People lie to themselves and often deceive themselves, so maybe this is another impossible task. Who can we know? Is there anyone that we can have an intimate knowledge of today?

We read that when Y’shua returns, He will say to a group of people who claimed to know Him that He did not know them.

“But He shall say, ‘I say to you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness.’ (Luke 13:27 The Scriptures 1998+)

So it appears that in some cases we can think we know Y’shua or יהוה but He does not know us. Certainly things we “do” seemingly for His cause doesn’t make us be known by Him, and did these people really know Him and somehow not be known? That seems ludicrous, so I will venture that the people spoke of in here in the passages in Luke neither knew Him nor were known by Him.

What do the Scriptures mean when it talks of “knowing” someone? In Bereshit (Genesis) chapter 3 we see the first use of the word “know” (Hebrew word yada ידע) used.

“For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5 The Scriptures 1998+)

Here we see the word yada ידע used for the first and second time in Scripture. Hasatan says that יהוה Elohim yada that in the day Adam and Chavah eat from the Tree of Knowledge (דּעת da’at from the root word yada) that they would be like Elohim and yada good and evil. So without debating the truthfulness or lack thereof in hasatan’s words, we can see that “know” or yada is connected to an intimate gathering of information.

In the ancient Hebrew pictograph language, yada is a picture of an eye and a door. This paints the definition of the door of the eye. Through one’s eyes information is processed and we can see or know by using our sight. The eye is the window into the man’s very being. Experience is gained through visual observation. Knowledge is achieved through these experiences.

So can we know or yada someone just be looking at them? Cannot our physical eyes be deceived?

“By their fruits you shall know them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? “So every good tree yields good fruit, but a rotten tree yields wicked fruit. “A good tree is unable to yield wicked fruit, and a rotten tree to yield good fruit. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “So then, by their fruits you shall know them – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens. “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:16-23 The Scriptures 1998+)

Here we see the same story we read of earlier in Luke, retold in Matthew. Here Y’shua clearly defines that you can know yada someone by their fruit. Good trees (people) bear good fruit, bad trees (people) bear bad fruit.

So what is fruit? If we know what to look for, might we be able to know a person correctly and not be deceived anymore? Let’s take a short rabbit trail here and determine what it means to bear “fruit.”

“For a good tree does not yield rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree yield good fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For they do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. “The good man brings forth what is good out of the good treasure of his heart, and the wicked man brings forth what is wicked out of the wicked treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45 The Scriptures 1998+)

Here we see that the fruit, whether good or bad, comes forth from the heart of a man. If a man has a good heart, good comes out of his mouth. Likewise a evil heart produces evil from the mouth. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for fruit (p’riy פּרי) paints the word picture of a man’s head and a mouth. So the very word fruit is connected to the words that come out of our mouths.

If a person has a bad heart the fruit of the bad heart will be bad words coming out of their mouth. Mean, vindictive, degrading, condescending or derogatory words flowing from the mouth. A good heart will produce good fruit manifested in good words coming from our mouths. Uplifting, encouraging, honest, loving and peaceful (shalom) words being spoken indicate a good heart.

When we hear good, we are seeing good. When we hear bad, we are seeing bad. It’s seems too simple but it is SO true. If you hang out long enough with someone, their words will always display their heart. So listen to a person’s mouth (fruit) and know yada their heart.

Now using this Scriptural principle, how can we know yada our Heavenly Father? This is the goal or target for what I am writing here. My desire has always been to intimately know my Abba. I desire to commune with Him, walk with Him and become one (echad) with Him. So it is catamount that I (and all who share this same desire) learn how to know yada יהוה. In knowing Him, I then can better emulate Him and carry this knowledge to others.

So if we know yada someone by their fruit and their fruit comes from their heart and out of their mouth in the form of words, is it possible to know יהוה using this same technique?

Where can we find or hear His Words? His Word is obviously written in the Scripture, so we can through study and application hear the heart of יהוה.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to shtel zich (study, apply yourself), to present yourself to יהוה as one approved, a po'el (workman) without bushah (shame), keeping on a derech (path) yashar (upright) the Dvar (Word) HaEmet (of Truth).

So by studying and applying the Words of יהוה we keep on the Path or Way this creates workers who can without shame discern or divide these Words of Truth. This is how we KNOW yada Him. When we shema (hear and do) the Word of יהוה, we establish a foundation that builds a house/temple of יהוה. You say you want to know yada Him, but you won’t study (not just read, but study) His Word? You only determine the type of Tree by the Fruit (Words) that it bears. When we eat His Fruit (His Word in us) we in turn will become good trees bearing good fruit.

We can also know yada by hearing His Word through prayer and meditation. We tend to make prayer a one sided conversation where we air our grievances or laundry list and then stop praying. Meditation is SHUTTING UP and listening. You cannot hear His Words and come to know Him when we don’t SHUT UP. Take time to stop and let Him speak to you. We are SO impatient, we rarely take time to talk to Him and never make time to listen.

Another way we can hear and see the Fruit of יהוה is by observing His creation. Every tree, plant, stream, mountain and animal is praising יהוה. We should listen to the birds, the wind whistling through the tree and the water babbling in a brook. These creations are praising their Creator. Science has proven this by constantly discovering things such as the stars are singing a song. Scientist can’t understand the song and don’t know where it is going. We can know the song and who it is sung for by reading His Word. It’s a song of praise to יהוה. You want bear good fruit? Sing His praise.

We can know yada Him and His attributes. We can know the power of His resurrection Philippians 3:10. We can know His love Ephesians 3:19. Know His wisdom Psalms 51:6. We can know His truth John 8:32. Know his kindness and favour 2 Corinthians 8:9. He makes Himself know to those who seek Him.

You can know Him today.

Ekev

Wherefore it shall come to pass (ekev - “seeing surrounds the house"), if ye give heed to these mishpatim (right rulings), and are shomer (guard), and do them, that יהוה Eloheicha shall be shomer (guarding) over the Brit (Covenant) unto thee and the chesed (kindness) which He swore unto Avoteicha (your Fathers); Debarim 7:12
Ekev can also mean "on the heel of" So we can read this as "On the heel of, coming right behind you, if you hear and do these right rulings and guard them in the future, that יהוה your Mighty One shall guard over the Covenant (Alef-Tav) the kindness which He swore unto your Fathers.
When we walk the Way and guard the right rulings we enter into the Covenant made between our Forefathers and יהוה Then He will not let the Covenant He made with them be taken from you, He will preserve and protect it as He gives us kindness.

Do you WANT to be "set free" from the "bondage" of a Contract that guarantees you the promises made to our Forefathers are yours also, and you get kindness from Abba יהוה ?
Not me!!

Knowledge of Good and Evil

 

What does it mean to “have knowledge of good and evil”?

‘And your little ones and your children, who you say are for a prey, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they are going in there. And to them I give it, and they are to possess it.
(Deuteronomy 1:39 The Scriptures 1998+)

"Have NO knowledge of good and evil."

Let Scripture define Scripture and use the first occurrence of a word/phrase set the definition.

And out of the ground יהוה Elohim made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, with the tree of life in the midst of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
(Genesis 2:9 The Scriptures 1998+)

And יהוה Elohim commanded the man, saying, “Eat of every tree of the garden, but do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it you shall certainly die.”
(Genesis 2:16-17 The Scriptures 1998+)

When Adam and Chavah ate of the wrong tree, they HAD knowledge of good and evil. By choice, they allowed a physical metamorphosis to transpire after a spiritual action had culminated in physical transgression of YHWH's commands.

These children in Debarim 1:39 had NO knowledge of good and evil.

“Learn to do good! Seek right-ruling, reprove the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. “Come now, and let us reason together,” says יהוה. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. “If you submit and obey, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword,” for the mouth of יהוה has spoken.
(Isaiah 1:17-20 The Scriptures 1998+)

Submit and obey and you shall eat the good of the land.

So we can see that having knowledge of good and evil ties into being unrighteous or living in sin (transgression of the Torah).  Only those who submit and obey are worthy to enter the Land. 

How do we who are born into sin become un-knowledgeable of good and evil?  The Blood of Y’shua was shed so we can be covered and become (metamorphosis) into righteous children.

Redeemed, Restored and Saved

 

There is quite a bit of confusion among the Body concerning the three topics of redeemed, restored and saved. In churchianity, confusion reigns regarding these subjects. It would be beneficial to take some time to go over these topics and clarify what Scripture says about these issues.

Throughout Scripture there is one central theme; the relationship with our Abba and how we can return to the status we lost in the Garden. Everything in the Scriptures is about this topic. Most Bible scholars understand that Genesis (Bereshit) and Revelation are the same story with different characters. The difference is Revelation is Bereshit in reverse. Bereshit starts in a Garden with Adam and Chavah (Eve) establishing a personal relationship with their Creator. The fall (sin entering mankind) creates chaos and separation from Abba. Revelation starts with chaos and separation from our Abba, those who choose redemption are restored and ultimately find salvation. They are returned to a Garden and have relationship with YHWH again.

Probably 99.9% of us came from some kind of religious background into this Way. Unfortunately, we also come in carrying all of our baggage from that religion. This means the words; terminology and thought process we bring must be reevaluated and corrected as we go. Whatever background you came from had some sort of process by which you obtained salvation. If you aren’t “saved” in that particular method you are “lost.” So when we learn that we must unlearn, it can be quite shocking to discover new definitions and Scriptural Truth.

When is a person “saved?” By what actions or procedures do we become “saved?” Isn’t this what we must know in order to reach the goal line? Let me assure you, the vast majority of churchianity do not have a clue what is Truth regarding these questions.

Redeemed

What does it mean to be redeemed? How are we redeemed and who is the Redeemer?

Let’s address Who our Redeemer is first.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and as the Last shall rise over the dust; and after my skin has been struck off, then in my flesh I shall see Eloah,

(Job 19:25-26 The Scriptures 1998+)

Job says his Redeemer lives and in his flesh he will see Eloah. So there is a Redeemer who was alive and well in Job’s day. This Redeemer would ensure that even though Job’s flesh was rotted away, Job would still live to see Eloah. This verse can also be taken to mean that Eloah was IN Job’s flesh. For Job to be redeemed, he would need a structural DNA change so that Eloah was IN Job. This was and is the primary function of the Redeemer; changing this mortality into immortality. Metamorphosis in our fleshly bodies resulting in something different that the state we are in since the Fall.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing before You, O יהוה, my rock and my redeemer.

(Psalms 19:14 The Scriptures 1998+)

Here the songwriter David says יהוה is his Redeemer. The word David uses is ga’al, it means next of kin or deliverer. Ga’al suggest returning something back to its original state i.e. putting us back into the state we were before the Fall in the Garden.

Ya’cob is near the end, he calls all of his sons and grandson around him to bless them before he passes on. When he is blessing Yosef he says,

the Messenger (Malak) who has redeemed (ga’al) me from all evil – bless the youths! And let my name be called upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Yitshaq. And let them increase to a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

(Genesis 48:16 The Scriptures 1998+)

So Ya’cob knew his ga’al (Redeemer) was the Malak (translated incorrectly as angel) he encountered on the day his life was changed (or returned back to the original state of mankind before the Fall).

So when we encounter our Redeemer (Ga’al) something happens and we are returned (shoob where we get teshuvah -repentance the act of returning) back to mankind’s original state before the Fall in the Garden. Without a face to face (Paniym Paniym) experience with ha Ga’al (the Redeemer) we cannot be returned and have NOT teshuvah (repented). ONLY after teshuvah can we be ga’al (redeemed) and begin the next step of the process.

In Torah the laws concerning the kinsman redeemer use the Hebrew word ga’al. This explains the hidden meanings in the story of Ruth (the bride) and Boaz (the ga’al). This story in Ruth is the complete process by which one is redeemed, restored and ultimately saved.

Draw near to my being, redeem (ga’al) it; Ransom me because of my enemies.

(Psalms 69:18 The Scriptures 1998+)

And they remembered that Elohim was their rock, And the Most High Ěl their redeemer (ga’al).

(Psalms 78:35 The Scriptures 1998+)

Give thanks to יהוה! For He is good, For His kindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of יהוה say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,

(Psalms 107:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)

“Do not fear, you worm Yaaqoḇ, you men of Yisra’ĕl! I shall help you,” declares יהוה and your Redeemer, the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl.

(Isaiah 41:14 The Scriptures 1998+)

But now, thus said יהוה, your Creator, O Yaaqoḇ, and He who formed you, O Yisra’ĕl, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name, you are Mine.

(Isaiah 43:1 The Scriptures 1998+)

And they sang a renewed song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals, because You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

(Revelation 5:9 The Scriptures 1998+)

“You are My witnesses,” declares יהוה, “And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no Ěl formed, nor after Me there is none. “I, I am יהוה, and besides Me there is no saviour. “I, I have declared and saved, and made known, and there was no foreign mighty one among you. And you are My witnesses,” declares יהוה, “that I am Ěl.

(Isaiah 43:10-12 The Scriptures 1998+)

“Because there was born to you today in the city of Dawiḏ a Saviour, who is Messiah, the Master.

(Luke 2:11 The Scriptures 1998+)

We have a Redeemer Y’shua our Messiah, He redeems us by returning us to the original state we (mankind) were in before the Fall in the Garden.

Restoration

Restoration is the act of restoring. To restore in Hebrew is the word shoob. This is the root for the word teshuva which is the Hebrew word for repent. Teshuvah means to turn around and go back. When we are redeemed we begin the restoration. Walking out the Torah and returning to the old paths.

The first time we see “shoob” used is in the curse mankind receives after the Fall in the Garden.

“By the sweat of your face you are to eat bread until you return (shoob) to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you return (shoob).”

(Genesis 3:19 The Scriptures 1998+)

Here we see that the sin code brought on the curse to return to the earth from which we came. So we see shoob used to indicate returning to dirt. Sin caused mankind to be turned away from Abba YHWH and to return to the ground/dirt. The dirt/ground was not to be our goal line. After YHWH had breathed breath (ruach) into mankind we were set on course to become spirit, soul and body. The sincode reversed our status making us body, soul and spirit that eventually dies and returns to the dirt.

Now we seek a reversal of the curse. We desire to return to the blessing of becoming echad (one) with YHWH and regaining the authority the sincode stole from us.

Let’s see what the prophet Nehemiah says about restoration.

but if you shall turn back(shoob) to Me, and guard My commands and do them, though you were cast out to the end of the heavens, I shall gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen, to make My Name dwell there.’

(Nehemiah 1:9 The Scriptures 1998+)

No matter how far you might have strayed, if you shoob (return) back to your Abba, and guard/uphold/keep His commands, He will bring you back. Kind of sounds like the story of the prodigal son doesn’t it?

The Torah of יהוה is perfect, bringing back (shoob) the being; The witness of יהוה is trustworthy, making wise the simple;

(Psalms 19:7 The Scriptures 1998+)

Here we see an interesting verse, the Torah of יהוה is perfect, is brings our soul/being/nefesh back. Torah brings restoration. We have been told by churchianity that we have been “set free” from the Law/Torah, but David says the Torah restores the soul.

In Psalms 23, David says YHWH restores his soul/nefesh and leads him in the paths of righteousness for His Names sake. So restoration is a returning to a Path that is righteous, and this return causes His Name to be glorified.

Now let’s take a quick look at the verse churchianity uses to describe what they call revival.

and My people upon whom My Name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn (shoob) from their evil ways, then I shall hear from the heavens, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

(2 Chronicles 7:14 The Scriptures 1998+)

NONE of the promises, YHWH hearing us, forgiving us and healing us, will happen until we shoob (return) from our evil ways. As we learned earlier, it is His Torah that leads us back from evil ways. So how can one see “revival” while denying and refusing His commands? We must turn back to Him and His Torah, otherwise we crucify Y’shua afresh every time we continue to sin (transgress the Torah) We are being restored to a previous state of existence, a state that returns authority to Adam (mankind) so we are no longer under the curse of the sincode.

To understand this process we must know and understand our Redeemer. When Y’shua came as Moshiach ben Joseph, He was basically Adam again. Just as Adam in his original state existed without the sincode in his flesh; Y’shua was the Ruach of YHWH comingled with a human ruach, a human nefesh (soul) submitted to the Ruach and a fleshly body. He suffered, felt pain and was tempted in all manners as all flesh is tempted. However, in His sinless blood was DNA that could not be sick and His nefesh and Spirit couldn’t be killed. Now before you stone me hear me out.

Sickness, aging and death are the results of the sincode. Prior to eating from the Tree of Knowledge, Adam was not susceptible to sickness, aging or death. Therefore, if he didn’t eat from the wrong Tree, he wouldn’t die.

And יהוה Elohim commanded the man, saying, “Eat of every tree of the garden, but do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it you shall certainly die.”

(Genesis 2:16-17 The Scriptures 1998+)

Common sense will tell you if you eat of the Tree you die then if you don’t eat of that Tree you live, right? It was the sensual pursuit of carnal knowledge (YHWH didn’t want them ignorant, just not pursuing carnal knowledge) that introduced sickness, aging and death. Anyone and everyone who has the blood from Adam with the sincode written in our DNA, will eventually be sick, grow old and die.

“The being who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the crookedness of the father, nor the father bear the crookedness of the son. The righteousness of the righteous is upon himself, and the wrongness of the wrong is upon himself.

(Ezekiel 18:20 The Scriptures 1998+)

But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is Lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

(Ezekiel 18:21 IAV)

“Again, when I say to the wrong, ‘You shall certainly die,’ if he turns from his sin and does right and righteousness, if the wrong restores the pledge, gives back what he has stolen, and walks in the laws of life without doing crookedness, he shall certainly live; he shall not die. “None of his sins which he has committed shall be remembered against him – he has done right and righteousness; he shall certainly live.

(Ezekiel 33:14-16 The Scriptures 1998+)

“See, all beings are Mine, the being of the father as well as the being of the son is Mine. The being that is sinning shall die.

(Ezekiel 18:4 The Scriptures 1998+)

For this reason, even as through one man sin did enter into the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned –

(Romans 5:12 The Scriptures 1998+)

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servants of the one whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

(Romans 6:16 The Scriptures 1998+)

For the wages of sin is death, but the favourable gift of Elohim is everlasting life in Messiah יהושע our Master.

(Romans 6:23 The Scriptures 1998+)

But each one is enticed when he is drawn away by his own desires and trapped. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death. Do not go astray, my beloved brothers.

(James 1:14-16 The Scriptures 1998+)

So, as we can clearly see, death is the end results of sin. Y’shua knew no sin and therefore had to choose to lay His life down for us all.

“Because of this the Father loves Me (Y’shua), because I lay down My life, in order to receive it again. “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to receive it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

(John 10:17-18 The Scriptures 1998+)

The end result of true restoration is becoming like Y’shua. To become like Y’shua, we must become one (echad) with Y’shua.

Salvation

Salvation; what and who is it? How and when do we obtain it?

This is what we have come to and we will conclude with this final subject.

"And you will be hated by all on account of My (Y’shua) name. But the one enduring to the end will be saved.

(Matthew 10:22 MRC)

Y’shua says the one who endures, tarries has patience to the end will be saved. Endures what? Is choosing to follow Y’shua as we experience restoration a test of endurance?

For I am already being poured out, and the time of my departure has arrived. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have guarded the belief. For the rest, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Master, the righteous Judge, shall give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all those loving His appearing.

(2 Timothy 4:6-8 The Scriptures 1998+)

Then יהושע said to His taught ones, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his stake, and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.

(Matthew 16:24-25 The Scriptures 1998+)

Blessed is the man who does endure trial, for when he has been proved, he shall receive the crown of life which the Master has promised to those who love Him.

(James 1:12 The Scriptures 1998+)

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJVA)

We too, then, having so great a cloud of witnesses all around us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, יהושע, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the stake, having despised the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim. For consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and faint in your lives. You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the appeal which speaks to you as to sons, “My son, do not despise the discipline of יהוה, nor faint when you are reproved by Him, for whom יהוה loves, He disciplines, and flogs every son whom He receives.”

(Hebrews 12:1-6 The Scriptures 1998+)

So it would appear that after teshuvah (to repent, turn around and go the other direction) we are ga’la (redeemed or put back into a former state) then we are enduring, preserving or running a race (restoration) to the end where a crown awaits (salvation).

How do we receive salvation? Well first we must know salvation.

“I have waited for your salvation (Y’shua), O יהוה!

(Genesis 49:18 The Scriptures 1998+)

And Mosheh said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation (Y’shua) of יהוה, which He does for you today. For the Mitsrites whom you see today, you are never, never to see again.

(Exodus 14:13 The Scriptures 1998+)

“Yah is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation (Y’shua). He is my Ěl, and I praise Him – Elohim of my father, and I exalt Him.

(Exodus 15:2 The Scriptures 1998+)

He alone is my rock and my salvation (Y’shua), my strong tower; I am not shaken. My salvation (Y’shua) and my esteem depend on Elohim; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in Elohim.

(Psalms 62:6-7 The Scriptures 1998+)

And יהושע said to him, “Today salvation (Y’shua) has come to this house – since he also is a son of Abraham. “For the Son of Adam has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

(Luke 19:9-10 The Scriptures 1998+)

Y’shua is our salvation, His name means salvation. So how do we receive or become one with Salvation? The way YHWH created that two become one is marriage. So is there a time that we (the Bride) marry Salvation and the two become one?

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him praise, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife prepared herself.” And to her it was given to be dressed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the set-apart ones. And he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true words of Elohim.”

(Revelation 19:7-9 The Scriptures 1998+)

In the end there is a wedding of the Lamb to a pure Bride. They will become one and the Bride will become saved. That is at the end not at the beginning as churchianity has erroneously taught. We don’t become truly one until the marriage is consummated. Now we are betrothed and are preparing for a wedding. We have been redeemed by our kinsman Redeemer, we are preparing for the wedding day so we are being restored and the culmination is salvation, becoming one with our Groom.

So my beloved, we must understand the process and seek the relationship that leads us to salvation. Along the Way of Restoration we should receive power from on High.

“But you shall receive power when the Set-apart Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Yerushalayim, and in all Yehudah and Shomeron, and to the end of the earth.”

(Acts 1:8 The Scriptures 1998+)

We will be able to do signs and wonders to deliver and set free the Lost Sheep and for the glory unto YHWH.

And fear came upon every being, and many wonders and signs were being done through the emissaries.

(Acts 2:43 The Scriptures 1998+)

And through the hands of the emissaries many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one mind in Shelomoh’s Porch.

(Acts 5:12 The Scriptures 1998+)

Elohim also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Set-apart Spirit, distributed according to His own desire?

(Hebrews 2:4 The Scriptures 1998+)

You see, once we are conformed to His Image we receive back the authority that we lost back at the wrong Tree in the Garden. Once YHWH fills us with His Ruach we are able to do His work without the hindrance of the sincode. It’s not about ANYTHING else but these three things; Redeemed, Restored and Saved.

Shalom

Prophet, Priest and King by Sandy Bruce

 

There is so much we could say about each and every statement that Mr. Messer says which is considered wrong, incorrect or false.

However, this Note is going to focus on just one particular issue, heretofore, not even noticed by anyone, by using the exacts words of Mr. Messer and comparing them to Scripture and Scriptural principles.

1.) POINT 1: a KING?

At about 3 minutes 12 seconds ( 3:12 ) in the video, Mr. Messer clearly and unequivocably says:

”… on behalf of the Jewish people, the land of ISrael, and the God of ISrael, I want to make a presentation. Praise God. Bishop, you will come … Bishop, you will come, praise God … praise God …He is a KING…”

At about 7 minutes 15 seconds ( 7:15 ) in the video, Mr. Messer clearly and unequivocably says:

”He is raised up from a commoner to a KINGship…”

According to the Torah, we are supposed to have TWO WITNESSES of something in order to establish a fact.

“One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” (Deut 19:15)

Here we have TWO INSTANCES where Mr. Messer, by his own mouth, has clearly stated and DECLARED Mr. Long – to be a KING.

While Mr. Messer may have stated later, both in what he called a “demonstration” and in various comments released to the public afterwards since then, including through his own internet television program, that ALLEGEDLY he was referring to the KING -- IN Mr. Long, these two instances show that Mr. Messer clearly DECLARED that Mr. Long -- IS a KING and IS in the position of KINGship – which is for a KING. Therefore, it seems rather clear that Mr. Messer is trying to cover his tracks and wash over his statements claiming that what he said is NOT what he really meant. Thus, at the least, he is now apparently contradicting himself.

The fact is, in reality, and according to Scriptures, Mr. Eddie Long, is NOT a KING and has NOT been raised up to KINGship.

We, who are authentic believers in YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים and Messiah Yeshua, have only ONE KING, and He is King Yeshua, the Set Apart One of ISrael, the Son of David.

There is ONLY ONE KING – in all the earth, who is OUR King:

KING YESHUA ( Melech Yeshua מלך ישוע )

And YHWH יְהוָה shall be KING over all the earth. In that day it shall be —

“YHWH יְהוָה is ONE ( ECHAD אֶחָד )” And His name ONE ( ECHAD אֶחָד )”. (Zech 14:9)

בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, יִהְיֶה יְהוָה אֶחָד--וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד  --  וְהָיָה יְהוָה לְמֶלֶךְ, עַל-כָּל-הָאָרֶץ

In a teaching I gave last Shabbat, I explained that there some very interesting MYSTERIES in the Hebrew text concerning the plagues by which YHWH יְהוָה executed judgment on all the false gods ( false might ones ) of Egypt. { This teaching will be released on AUDIO and VIDEO in the near future. }

It just so happens, that this same text will be used in this Teaching as well.

3 And Moses went up to ELohim אֱלֹהִים, and YHWH יְהוָה called to him from the mountain { Sinai }, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:

4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be aSPECIAL TREASURE ( seh-goo-lah סְגֻלָּה ) to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

6 And you shall be to Me a KINGDOM ( mahm-leh-chet מַמְלֶכֶת ) of PRIESTS ( Koh-hah-neem כֹּהֲנִים ) and a SET APART ( kadoshקָדוֹשׁ  ) NATION ( goy גוֹי )..’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” (Exod 19:3-6)

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YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים was and is, ISrael’s King. ISrael has no other king, but YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים.

ISrael was a CALLED OUT people, which consisted of Native-born ones ( Ezrachim אֶזְרָחִים ) and strangers of the nations ( Gerim גֵרִים ) authentically grafted-in, all of whom, together, were SAVED by GRACE through FAITH in the BLOOD of the Passover LAMB and REDEEMED from PHYSICAL Egypt, from PHYSICAL bondage.

True ISrael, in the ReNewed Covenant, is likewise, a CALLED OUT people, which consists of Native-born ones ( Ezrachim אֶזְרָחִים ) and strangers of the nations ( Gerim גֵרִים ) authentically grafted-in, all of whom, together, are SAVED by GRACE through FAITH in the BLOOD of the Passover LAMB of ELohim אֱלֹהִים – Yeshua the Messiah, and REDEEMED from SPIRITUAL Egypt, from SPIRITUAL bondage.

Now let’s see this in the ReNewed Covenant / Apostolic Writings:

9 “But you are a CHOSEN GENERATION, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a SET APART NATION, His own SPECIAL PEOPLE, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who CALLED YOU OUT of darkness { SPIRITUAL Egypt } into His marvelous light { TORAH is light; Yeshua is the Living Torah of that Light; Yeshua is the Light of the World };

10 who once were not a people but are now the people of ELohim אֱלֹהִים , who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” ( 1 Pet 2:9-10)

Here, Schliach ( Apostle ) Shimon Kefa ( Peter ), is clearly quoting directly from the Torah תוֹרה.

If we take his words, as they are translated in English, and put them back into Hebrew, we have:

But you are a:

CHOSEN ( bah-chahr בָּחַר ) ISrael (Deut 4:37, 7:6, 7:7, 10:15) | CHOSEN GENERATION (1 Pet 2:9)

KINGDOM ( mahm-leh-chet מַמְלֶכֶת ) of PRIESTS ( Koh-hah-neem כֹּהֲנִים ) (Exod 19:6) |

  ROYAL PRIESTHOOD (1 Pet 2:9)

SET APART ( kadoshקָדוֹשׁ  ) NATION ( goy גוֹי ) (Exod 19:6) | SET APART NATION (1 Pet 2:9)

SPECIAL TREASURE ( seh-goo-lah סְגֻלָּה ) (Exod 19:5) | His own SPECIAL PEOPLE (1 Pet 2:9)

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Besides Exodus 19:3-6, other verses which relate to what Peter is saying are found here:

“And because He loved your fathers { Abraham, Isaac and Jacob }, therefore He CHOSE ( vah-yih-vih-chahr וַיִּבְחַר ) their descendants after them { ISRrael }; and He brought you out of Egypt { CALLED OUT } with His Presence, with His mighty power, “ (Deut 4:37)

For you are a SET APART PEOPLE ( Am Kadosh עַם קָדוֹשׁ ) to YHWH יְהוָה your ELohim אֱלֹהִים ; YHWH יְהוָה your ELohim אֱלֹהִים ;has CHOSEN ( bah-chahr בָּחַר ) YOU to be for Himself, aTREASURED PEOPLE ( Am Seh-goo-lah עַם סְגֻלָּה ) above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” (Deut 7:6)

"YHWH יְהוָה did not set His love on you nor CHOOSE ( vah-yih-vih-chahr וַיִּבְחַר ) you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;" (Deut 7:7)

"YHWH יְהוָה delighted only in your fathers { Abraham, Isaac and Jacob }, to love them; and HeCHOSE ( vah-yih-vih-chahr וַיִּבְחַר ) their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it isthis day."  (Deut 10:15)

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And before we continue, we should point something else out. IF the Torah תוֹרה was allegedly “done away with” or allegedly “nailed to the cross”, as is taught wrongly, incorrectly and falsely, then WHY is Peter quoting directly from it?

Moreover, there is another interesting point that Peter is teaching us here. IF, that is SINCE, in the ReNewed Covenant / Apostolic Writings, ALL authentic believers are supposed to beCHOSEN, like ISrael was CHOSEN, CALLED OUT, a KINGDOM of PRIESTS, a SET APART NATION and a TREASURED PEOPLE, then it stands to reason that ALL believers in the ReNewed Covenant are supposed to also learn and obey Torah תוֹרה, just as ISrael was CALLED OUT to do.

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Now why do we mention 1 Peter 2:9-10? For several reasons, two of which we have just stated. But there is yet another reason and it is just as important.

ALL Truth of Scripture must be based on the FOUNDATION. And the FOUNDATION of Truth is the Torah. In fact, Rav Sha’ul declares that the LIVING TEMPLE of Messiah, has as its FOUNDATION, the Hebrew Prophets and the Hebrew Apostles, with Yeshua the Messiah being the CORNERSTONE.

19 Now, therefore, you { non-Hebrews / non-Israelites, wild branches } are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens { thus: NOT replacing ISrael } with the Set Apart Ones { of ISrael } and members of the household of ELohim אֱלֹהִים, { with the Hebrew believers – natural branches of ISrael }

20 having been built on the foundation of the { Hebrew } APOSTLES and { Hebrew } PROPHETS, Yeshua the Messiah Himself being the chief cornerstone { of that foundation, see Psa 118:22 },

21  in whom the whole building { spiritual temple of living stones, see 1 Pet 2:4-6 }, being fitted together, grows into a Set Apart temple in YHWH יְהוָה,” (Eph 2:19-21)

For more Teaching on the FOUNDATION, please read:

”They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. (Luke 16:19-29, Eph 2:19-21) [Part 2]”

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150339227710168

Therefore, it simply makes sense that Peter was referring to and quoting the Scriptures in Torah when he wrote 1 Pet 2:9-10.

But now, let’s look at another two verses of Scripture that appear to say a similar thing:

5 ”…and from Yeshua the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

6 and has made us KINGS and PRIESTS to His ELohim אֱלֹהִים and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev 1:5-6) NKJV

Let’s look at a few other common translations in English:

“…And hath made us KINGS and PRIESTS unto ELohim אֱלֹהִים and his Father…” (Rev 1:6) KJV

“… and He has made us to be a KINGDOM, PRIESTS to His ELohim אֱלֹהִים and Father …” (Rev 1:6) NASB

“…and has made us to be a KINGDOM and PRIESTS to serve his ELohim אֱלֹהִים and Father …” (Rev 1:6) NIV

“… And formed us into a KINGDOM (a royal race), PRIESTS to His ELohim אֱלֹהִים and Father …” (Rev 1:6) AMP

First, anyone who is messianic and Torah-observant ( as we should ALL be anyway ), should immediately realize that Revelation 1, verse 6, as it is presented in some English translations, is clearly contrary to Torah תוֹרה and principles of Torah תוֹרה.

1.) Neither YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים nor Yeshua the Messiah, has made us to be KINGS. YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים was ISrael’s King. And when Yeshua reigns on earth, He will be King over us.

“Yet I { YHWH } have set My King, on My holy hill of Zion { the Temple Mount in Jerusalem }.” (Psa 2:6)

Yet ISrael rejected YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים as being their King.

6 ”But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord.

7 And YHWH יְהוָה said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign { be KING } over them.” (1 Sam 8:6-7)

And later, they rejected Him again, from being KING over them, as it was prophecied:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your KING is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech 9:9)

But they cried out, “Away with Him { Yeshua }, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your KING?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” (John 19:15)

They rejected their long-awaited Messiah as their KING, and thus again, rejected YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים as being their King! They, by their FALSE religious leaders, chose a pagan, the king of Rome, as their king.

Thus, YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים used the king of Rome, 40 years later, to judge and punish them. Then He sent them away and carried them off, as slaves, to Rome, where they could serve – THEIR king! Sad, but let us learn the principles of Torah תוֹרה here:

We become like that who we have as our king. We become like that who we worship as our king. As the FAITHFUL REMNANT, we who are messianic Torah-observant believers in Yeshua the Messiah, and keeping the commandments of our Creator, have only Messiah as our King. There is no other king for us, but Yeshua. We long for OUR king, not ANY man that some other man sets up or declares to be king or a king.

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So then WHY do some of the English translations wrongly, incorrectly and falsely show “KINGS” instead of KINGDOM?

Part of the answer is the lack of knowledge and understanding of Torah תוֹרה and secondly, perhaps, because of their anti-Torah תוֹרה mindset even when translating from Greek to English.

So let’s look at what the Greek text says and see if it confirms that the correct English translation should be “KINGDOM” and NOT “KINGS”.

and ( kie καὶ )

made ( epoiēsen ἐποίησεν )

us ( hēmas ἡμᾶς )

( a ) kingdom ( basileian βασιλείαν )

priests ( hiereis ἱερεῖς )

to the ( tō τῷ )

ELohim ( theō θεῷ )

and ( kie καὶ )

Father ( patri πατρὶ )

of him ( autou αὐτοῦ )

The key word to look at is: ( a ) KINGDOM ( basileian βασιλείαν ). In both the Nestlé-Aland Greek text of 1926 and the Textus Receptus Greek text of 1894, this word has the grammar form of being:

a NOUN, FEMININE in gender, SINGULAR in number, and ACCUSATIVE in case ( grammar word format )

Biblical (Koine - common) Greek language has what are known as CASES in its grammar. The word forms change to indicate one of these five cases. These cases are: nominative, genitive (possessive), dative, accusative and vocative. { Modern Greek does not have the dative case. }

We have the same kind of grammar style in Russian (but with six cases: nominative, genitive (possessive), dative, accusative, instrumental and prepositional ), which I learned to read, write and speak near-fluently.

In Revelation 1:6, we have some ENGLISH versions translating the Greek word: ( a ) kingdom ( basileian βασιλείαν ) as “KINGS”, and others as “KINGDOM”.

Which is correct?

First, WITHOUT knowing ANY Greek words, or the grammar of the Greek language, one does NOT have to be a “Bible-scholar” to immediately know that “KINGS” is wrong, incorrect and false. Why? Because that would contradict 1 Pet 2:9 and worse, contradict Exod 19:6.

The text of Rev 1:6 can NOT be: KINGS and PRIESTS, since 1 Pet 2:9 says: KINGDOM of PRIESTS, and more importantly, Exod 19:6 says KINGDOM of ( mahm-leh-chet מַמְלֶכֶת ) PRIESTS ( Koh-hah-neem כֹּהֲנִים ).

But then there are MANY, especially in churchianity, who are being taught wrongly, incorrectly and falsely, who still do NOT want to believe that the Torah תוֹרה ( means: INSTRUCTIONS and NOT “LAW” ) of our Creator are still valid and that we are still required to obey them.

Therefore, we are also examining the text in Greek. First let’s look at the word for “KING”.

The Greek word for “KING” is ( basileus βασιλεὺς ). It is used, for instance, here:

“…which He { ELohim אֱלֹהִים as } will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the KING ( basileus βασιλεὺς ) of kings and Master of masters,” (1 Tim 6:15)

Here, the Greek word KING ( basileus βασιλεὺς ) is: MASCULINE in gender and SINGULAR in number and the case is NOMINATIVE.

"Jesse was the father of David the “KING” ( basilea βασιλέα )." (Matt 1:6)

Again, the Greek word KING ( basilea βασιλεὺς ) is: MASCULINE in gender and SINGULAR in number and the case is ACCUSATIVE.

"Where is He who has been born “KING” ( basileus βασιλεὺς ) of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matt 2:2)

Here, the Greek word KING ( basileus βασιλεὺς ) is: MASCULINE in gender and SINGULAR in number and the case is NOMINATIVE.

So we have established that the Greek word for “KING” ( basileus βασιλεὺς ) is MASCULINE in gender.

Thus, since the Greek word found in the text in Rev 1:6 is FEMININE in gender, it can NOT be translated as “KING”. So by this alone, we know and understand that ALL the English versions which translate Rev 1:6 as “KINGS”, instead of as “KINGDOM”, are simply and clearly, outright wrong, incorrect and false.

Secondly, since the Greek word found in the text in Rev 1:6 is SINGULAR in number, it can NOT be translated as “KINGS”. So again, by this alone, we know and understand that ALL the English versions which translate Rev 1:6 as “KINGS”, instead of as “KINGDOM”, are simply and clearly, outright wrong, incorrect and false.

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Now let’s look at the word for “KINGDOM”.

“… and saying, “Repent, for the KINGDOM ( basileia βασιλεία ) of heaven is at hand!” (Matt 3:2)

Here, the Greek word KINGDOM ( basileia βασιλεία ) is: FEMININE in gender and SINGULAR in number and the case is NOMINATIVE.

“And Yeshua went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of theKINGDOM ( basileias βασιλείας ), and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” (Matt 4:23)

Here, the Greek word “of { the } KINGDOM” ( basileias βασιλείας ) is: FEMININE in gender and SINGULAR in number and the case is GENITIVE ( POSSESSIVE ).

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the KINGDOM ( basileia βασιλείᾳ ) of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the KINGDOM ( basileia βασιλείᾳ ) of heaven.” (Matt 5:19)

Here, the Greek word KINGDOM ( basileia βασιλείᾳ ) is: FEMININE in gender and SINGULAR in number and the case is DATIVE.

So we have also established that the Greek word KINGDOM ( basileia βασιλεία ) is FEMININE in gender.

Thus we have again proven that, since the Greek word found in the text in Rev 1:6 is FEMININE in gender, it must be translated as KINGDOM ( basileia βασιλεία ). And thus the verse must read along the lines of: “… and He has made us to be a KINGDOM, PRIESTS to His ELohim אֱלֹהִים and Father …” (Rev 1:6) NASB

Now with the true and correct translation of even the Greek text, we find that Rev 1:6 agrees with 1 Pet 2:9 and Exod 19:6. There are NEVER any contradictions in the Word of His ELohim אֱלֹהִים.

Therefore, as we have often stated before, when we come to a passage, and it appears that there is a contradiction or something does NOT make sense, then:

1.) the translation is wrong;

2.) our understanding is wrong;

3.) both the translation and our understanding are wrong.

Here, even if one did NOT know what the Greek text said, and did not understand Greek grammar, one could still discern that something was wrong with the English versions of some translations, and one could still come to the Truth, if one PLACED his / her trust in YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים instead of MAN.

So we always need to be praying: Father, show me the Truth.

For example, a messianic Torah-observant believer, even relatively new to Torah תוֹרה , reading from the KJV or the NKJV ( both of which are clearly translated wrongly here ) could say something to himself / herself, such as:

“Something is wrong with the English translation, since this verse contradicts Exod 19:6 (Torah תוֹרה ) ISrael was CALLED OUT to be a KINGDOM of PRIESTS, but not KINGS. So we are to be a KINGDOM of PRIESTS also, in the ReNewed Covenant. Therefore, if my English version shows “KINGS and PRIESTS”, something is wrong, even though I can’t understand it or explain. So I am going to trust YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים instead of believing of MAN says or what is PRINTED in this English.”

On the other hand, someone in churchianity, who, being taught wrongly, incorrectly and falsely, and therefore believes wrongly, incorrectly and falsely, that the Torah תוֹרה was allegedly “done away with” or allegedly “nailed to the cross”, would argue with them, saying something along the lines of: “Well, I am going to believe what the Bible says!”, or “I am going to believe what my pastor says!”

The problem is, in this particular verse, the KJV and NKJV Bible in English does NOT say what the Scriptures really say! The English TRANSLATION of the Scriptures say KINGS, but the Scriptures here ( in Greek ) say: KINGDOM.

Moreover, if such then also follow and believe their pastor, ( who may be using the same WRONG translation or WRONG anti-Torah mindset, they are led further away into falsehood, deception and lies, which leads to sin, disobedience and rebellion against the commandments of Torah תוֹרה.

By the way, have we encountered any other places in the ReNewed Covenant writings, where the English translations say one thing, but the Greek text actually says another? Or where the English translations say one thing and the underlying Hebrew thoughts and principles, based on  Torah תוֹרה say another? Of course we have! This happens a lot in the writings of Rav Sha’ul / Apostle Paul.

If people would at least be like the Bereans, and search these things out, to see if they be true (Acts 17:10-12), and if such would at least study the Scriptures and be diligent to present themselves pproved to ELohim אֱלֹהִים, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15), they might have their spiritual eyes opened and the veil lifted from THEIR hearts. They might finally realize that they are being deceived and taught wrongly, incorrectly and falsely, by so-called pastors and teachers who are simply NOT learned and NOT stable in the Truth (2 Pet 3:15-17)

{ by the way, there is NO word for “AND” in the Greek text in Rev 1:6 between “KINGDOM” and “PRIESTS”. So any English translations that show “and”, have added it into their translation. While if such versions use “KINGDOM” and not the wrong word “KINGS” -- and thus still bring forth the true and correct meaning: “made us to be a KINGDOM, PRIESTS to His ELohim אֱלֹהִים “ --  it should be noted that adding the word “and” into the translation is still wrong and incorrect.

There is yet another verse in Revelation, which has the very same problem:

“And have made us KINGS and priests to our ELohim אֱלֹהִים ; And we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:10) NKJV

“And hast made us unto our ELohim אֱלֹהִים , KINGS and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:10) KJV

“You have made them to be a KINGDOM and priests to our ELohim אֱלֹהִים ; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Rev 5:10 NASB

“You have made them to be a KINGDOM and priests to serve our ELohim אֱלֹהִים , and they will reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:10) NIV

“And You have made them a KINGDOM (royal race) and priests to our ELohim אֱלֹהִים , and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!” (Rev 5:10) AMP

All five translations in English, are again, either right or wrong, in the same way they are in Rev 1:6!!

The Greek text here matches that of Rev 1:6. The Greek text shows KINGDOM ( basileian βασιλείαν), which is FEMININE in gender and SINGULAR in number and the case is ACCUSATIVE.

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Now, having explained all of that, we can clearly see that Mr. Messer has absolutely NO SCRIPTURAL BASIS for DECLARING Mr. Long to be a KING.

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In fact, what is so ironic, is that Rabbi Ralph Messer, who has been teaching Torah תוֹרה for 30 + years -- in a public explanation at his service on Saturday, February 4, 2012, used Rev 1:6 and Rev 5:10 as his basis for claiming that the Scriptures allegedly teach us that we have been made to be KINGS. We have clearly and demonstrably proven that his demonstration of DECLARING Mr. Eddie Long to be a “king” is FALSE.

Rabbi Ralph Messer did NOT need to know or understand Greek grammar nor be able to read the Greek text, as we have explained it here. All he had to do, was compare the two texts in Revelation (Rev 1:6 and 5:10) with the FOUNDATION TRUTH of Torah תוֹרה, according to Exod 19:3-6, and realize that “KINGS” could NOT be true.

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Now here is yet another incredible MYSTERY in the Hebrew words, which further supports and explains this Teaching and the principles and teachings of Torah תוֹרה:

The Hebrew word for KING is ( melech מֶלֶךְ ). It is MASCULINE in gender. Kings are males.

The biblical Hebrew word for KINGDOM is ( mih-loo-chah מְּלוּכָה ). It is very interesting to learn that it is FEMININE in gender.

Why is this so? KING is ( melech מֶלֶךְ ) is MASCULINE in gender and KINGDOM is ( mih-loo-chah מְּלוּכָה ) is FEMININE in gender. The answer is because Yeshua the Messiah is our KING ( M ). And we, as His authentic believers in His ReNewed Covenant, being messianic Torah-observant, are His Bride, which is His KINGDOM ( F ).

Now let’s recall what we learned when we went into the Greek text and looked at the same two words:

In Greek the word “KING” ( basileus βασιλεὺς ) is also MASCULINE.

In Greek the word “KINGDOM” ( basileia βασιλεία ) is also FEMININE.

So in BOTH languages, Hebrew and Greek, KING ( representing Yeshua the Messiah ) is MASCULINE and KINGDOM ( representing the BRIDE ) is FEMININE. We find that this is NOT a coincidence!

But there is more, much more!

2.) POINT 2: a PROPHET?

At about 9 minutes 08 seconds ( 9:08 ) in the video, Mr. Messer clearly and unequivocably says:

”We raise you up for such a time as this. God has made a PROPHET out of you…”

Eddie Long is NOT -- a king. And Eddie Long is also -- NOT a PROPHET.

YHWH יְהוָה H is the one who calls and anoints prophets. And prophets are authentic teachers of the Torah תוֹרה. If they do NOT teach Torah תוֹרה, or if they teach FALSELY as a matter of practice, they are FALSE prophets. (Deut 13 and other Scriptures). FALSE prophets are condemned. Read the Hebrew Scriptures and find out. There is NO GRACE for someone claiming to be the voice of YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים who is shown to be a FALSE Prophet.

But Eddie Long does NOT teach Torah תוֹרה, and doesn’t know Torah תוֹרה. He doesn’t even obey the Ten Words ( Ten “Commandments” ) – He doesn’t Set Apart our Creator’s Seventh Day Shabbat.

So HOW then can he be an authentic PROPHET of YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים , as Mr. Messer DECLARED? So without going any further, this PROCLAMATION by Mr. Messer was also FALSE.

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So now, Mr. Messer has PUBLUCLY made these two PROCLAMATIONS / DECLARATIONS:

1.) Eddie Long is a KING.

2.) Eddie Long is a PROPHET.

And both statements are FALSE, according to Scriptures.

But there is still more!!

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3.) POINT 3: a PRIEST?

According to the Scriptures, just as ISrael was CALLED OUT to be a KINGDOM of PRIESTS, we, as AUTHENTIC believes in the ReNewed Covenant, who are Native-born ones ( Ezrachim אֶזְרָחִים ) and strangers of the nations ( Gerim גֵרִים ) authentically grafted-in, together, are made to be a KINGDOMof PRIESTS.

Now, an authentic PRIEST ( Cohein כֹהֵן ) of YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים is someone who knows and learns Torah תוֹרה, and then teaches it to others, so that they also can become FOLLOWERS of the ELohim of Abrham, Isaac and Jacob and OBEY His commandments, statutes and judgments and walk in His ways, even as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did.

But since churchianity rejects the Torah תוֹרה of our Creator, and teaches wrongly, incorrectly and falsely, that it was allegedly “done away with” or allegedly “nailed to the cross”, HOW then can any of them be authentic PRIESTS ( Koh-hah-neem כֹּהֲנִים ) of YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים ?

That being said, let us suppose for the moment, for the sake of the final point we want to explain, that those in churchianity are still somehow “priests”, in whatever capacity they think they are. The issue for this next point is that, despite the fact that they are NOT authentic PRIESTS ( Koh-hah-neem כֹּהֲנִים ), THEY think that they are PRIESTS. They believe that they are PRIESTS. And they teach that they are PRIESTS.

So with that in mind, let’s go to our last Point, Point number 4.

4.) POINT 4: a KING and a PROPHET and a PRIEST?

With all that we have shared in the Teaching, according to Rabbi Ralph Messer,

1.) Eddie Long is a KING.

2.) Eddie Long is a PROPHET.

3.) given ( by churchianity’s own beliefs and teachings, albeit wrong ): Eddie Long is a PRIEST.

Let’s repeat that, so that all of us can clearly think about the implications of what Rabbi Ralph Messer has DECLARED and PROCLAIMED: Eddie Long is a KING, a PROPHET and ( understood to be ) a PRIEST.

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Do we see what is clearly and absolutely WRONG, INCORRECT and FALSE with this picture???

Do we immediately realize and understand that the STATEMENT, DECLARATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS by Rabbi Ralph Messer … are absolutely HERESY???

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NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE, can fulfill ALL THREE OFFICES ( MINISTRIES ) in the TeNaKh ( Hebrew Scriptures – Torah +  Prophets + Writings ) of PROPHET and PRIEST and KING.

ONLY the Messiah can fulfill ALL THREE OFFICES of PROPHET, PRIEST and KING. And this is one of the greatest MYSTERIES in all of the Hebrew Scriptures!!

Now there is a mystery concerning Moses, who functioned, AT TIMES, in each of these three offices, as prophet, as priest and as king. But Moses is a sort of exception, and does not apply to anyone else, ever. There is no one who can be compared to Moses and no one should ever be compared to him.

Moses spoke to Pharaoh as a PROPHET. He interceded for ISrael as a PRIEST. And he ruled and governed them as a KING, so to speak. So in this mystery, he is a type and portrait of Yeshua the Messiah, who is our PROPHET and a PRIEST and a KING.

Yeshua came to earth as our PROPHET, the PROPHET like Moses (Deut 18:15-19). He is now seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, interceding for us as our HIGH PRIEST (Psa 110:1-7; Heb 7:17, 7:21) , in the order of Melchitzedek. He will return as our KING.

In the days of the Hebrew Prophets, some held TWO OFFICES.

David was both a King and a Prophet.

Jeremiah was both a Priest and a Prophet (Jer 1:1).

Ezekiel was both a Priest and a Prophet (Ezek 1:3).

Yochanan the Immerser, was both a Priest and a Prophet (Luke 1:5-25, 59-80; Matt 21:26; Mark 11:32; Luke 7:28 and 20:6).

But NO ONE could be both KING and PRIEST. For this reason, we read in the Scriptures that there IS one, who will be both a PRIEST and a KING. He will be a PRIEST who will SIT on His throne.

But PROPHETS or PRIESTS do NOT have thrones. Thrones are for kings only.

Moreover, priests did NOT sit down. There was NO chair in the sanctuary. Their work was never finished, so there was no chair for them to sit down on in the Set Apart (“Holy”) Place or the Holy of Holies.

But Yeshua, after He ascended, SAT DOWN at the right hand of the Father (Heb 1:3, 10:12, 12:2; Rev 3:21).

Why? Because His role as PROPHET on the earth had been completed ( along with other purposes for coming to the earth the first time ), to teach us the true, correct and higher meanings of the commandments, statutes and judgments of Torah תוֹרה.

Now, Yeshua, sits as Priest, our High Priest, after the order of Melchitzedek (Psa 110:1-7; Heb 7:17, 7:21) making intercession for us. By the way, Melchitzedek ( Mahlkee – Tzeh-dehk מַלְכִּי-צֶדֶק ) means My King of Righteousness. So even in the foreshadowing of the priestly order according to Melchitzedek ( Mahlkee – Tzeh-dehk מַלְכִּי-צֶדֶק ), from Gen 14:18-20 and Psa 110, we see a mystery in the Hebrew word, revealing to us that there is going to be a PRIEST who is also KING on the throne.

And now, Yeshua, as our High Priest, sits ON A THRONE, as the ANOINTED KING of ISrael. When He returns, to set up His kingdom on earth, He will become the CROWNED KING of ISrael ( more on this in a separate teaching. For now, David was ANOINTED as KING, by Samuel the Prophet. Later David was CROWNED King over all of ISrael. This is a prophetic and messianic portrait for us, speaking to the time when our Yeshua, our ONLY KING, shall be CROWNED KING of ISrael at His return! )

11 “Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of JOSHUA ( YeHoSHuA יְהוֹשֻׁעַ ; one of the valid names of Messiah ) the SON of JEHOZADAK ( YehoTzadak יְהוֹצָדָק ; means: YHWH the Righteous One ), the HIGH PRIEST ( Cohein ha-Gadol הַגָּדוֹל כֹּהֵן ).

12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says YHWH יְהוָה of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple { the Spiritual Temple } of YHWH יְהוָה;

13 Yes, He shall build the temple { the Spiritual Temple } of YHWH יְהוָה. He shall bear the glory, and shall SIT ( vih-yah-shahv וְיָשַׁב ) and RULE ( oo-mah-shahl וּמָשַׁל ; to rule, to govern)ON HIS THRONE; So He shall be a PRIEST ( Cohein כֹהֵן ) on His THRONE, ( as KING ) And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” ‘ (Zech 6:11-13)

Here is have an interesting mystery from the Hebrew:

JOSHUA ( YeHoSHuA יְהוֹשֻׁעַ ) is a type and portrait of Yeshua יֵשׁוּעַ the Messiah. In Neh 8:17, Nehemiah the Prophet calls Joshua son of Nun ( YeHoSHuA ben - Nun יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן-נוּן ) the name Yeshua son of Nun ( Yeshua ben - Nun יֵשׁוּעַ בִּן-נוּן )!

So here in Zech 6:11, the name of Joshua the High Priest is a wonderful picture and portrait of Yeshua, given that Joshua son of Nun (the servant of Moses) is also given the name Yeshua by Nehemiah.

the SON of JEHOZADAK ( YehoTzadak יְהוֹצָדָק ; means: YHWH the Righteous One ) is a portrait of ELohim אֱלֹהִים the Father, who is YHWH יְהוָה the Righteous One

the HIGH PRIEST ( Cohein ha-Gadol הַגָּדוֹל כֹּהֵן ) – foreshadowing that Yeshua will be our High Priest!

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Now let’s return to the statements, DECLARATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS which Rabbi Ralph Messer made.

1.) Eddie Long is a KING.

2.) Eddie Long is a PROPHET.

3.) given ( by churchianity’s own beliefs and teachings, albeit wrong ): Eddie Long is a PRIEST.

But we have learned that ONLY the Messiah can fulfill ALL THREE OFFICES of PROPHET, PRIEST and KING.

Clearly then, YHWH יְהוָה ELohim אֱלֹהִים did NOT tell Mr. Messer to go to Atlanta and wrap a Torahתוֹרה scroll around Mr. Eddie Long and declare that he is a KING and a PROPHET.

Therefore, Mr. Messer was NOT acting by the Set Apart Spirit ( Ruach haKodesh הַקֹּדֶשׁ רוּחַ ) when he said these things and when he stated that he was sent by YHWH יְהוָה to do these things. He was either acting in the flesh, or by another spirit -- some unclean, demonic spirit.

There are various statements which Rabbi Ralph Messer made during his teaching which were, or appear to be, either wrong, incorrect or false.

There are various actions which Mr. Messer did, during his “demonstration” afterwards, in the 14 minute video clip, where were, or appear to be, unclean, filthy, detestable or abominable.

But what is worse though, is that in front of approximately 8,000 in attendance during that service, and before untold hundreds of thousands or perhaps even millions of people afterwards (watching the video clip), Mr. Messer declared a MAN -- to be in the same SPIRITUAL MINISTRY, OFFICE and POSITION, as PROPHET, as PRIEST and as KING, which can only be filled by Yeshua our Messiah.

This is a wrong spirit. This is, or appears to be, a false Messiah spirit, a spirit of anti-Messiah, a substitute spirit – because it sets, establishes and presents, a MAN, on a THRONE, as king ( or as a king ), instead of, or as a substitute for, King Yeshua. While Mr. Messer may claim that this was not his intention, his teaching and his words and actions, lead us to draw the following conclusion. Clearly, apart from everything else, and anything else, which was said and done, we must conclude that the heart and essence of the Teaching given by Mr. Messer was FALSE.

We call on Rabbi Ralph Messer to read this teaching and learn from it. We call on him to publicly make authentic REPENTANCE ( Teshuvah תשובה ) for his FALSE teaching.