Q."Did the Church Age begin in Acts 2?"
A. The answer to that is "No" and here is the rest of the story. The word "church" is a mistranslation of the Hebrew word 'Kahal" which means assembly. There was no such thing as the "church" as it is known today in the Scriptures or in the 1st Century when the "new" Testament was written. The Congregation, another name for Kahal started at Mt. Sinai. In Deut. 18.16 G-d calls the day that Israel gathered around the mountain to receive the Torah as "Yom Kahal", the day of the assembly, or congregation. This assembly was made up of Jews and Gentiles who were to follow G-d's ways. What was seen, not only in the Torah but also the Nevi'im, or Prophets, was that when Messiah came there would be what was called the "Eschatological Congregation" empowered by the Ruach (power) of G-d. Let me explain.
When Adam sinned, he lost his authority to rule over the KIngdom of G-d. He lost the Kivod (glory, radiance), the Shekinah (presence) and the Ruach(power) of G-d. These were to be resstored by the work of the Messiah. These manifestations would appear at times among certain individuals, but not among groups of people. But, the Scriptures predicted a time when they would. In Num 11.14-35 we have the story of Moses asking for help to rule the people. G-d says to bring 70 elders to Him and G-d would take the Ruach(power) that was upon Moses and give to the 70. Two of the elders were not there, but G-d placed the Ruach upon them also. Joshua complains and Moses says that he wished all the people had the Ruach.
This was seen as prophetic. Joel 2.28-29 prophesies about a time when the Ruach will be on many people, and Peter quotes this verse to explain what happened in Acts 2. Shavuot, or Pentecost, is the day that G-d gave the Torah on Mt Sinai, and it was the day Yeshua said to wait for in Acts 1.8-9. Wait for what? The Ruach (power) to upon them, which was part of the restoration. Here is another problem. In Greek, the word for Shekinah and Ruach were both translated by the word "pneuma". But, they are two different manifestations. The Shekinah is "in" us and the Ruach comes "upon" us. That's why in Jn 20 Yeshua breathes "in" them (actual Greek) the Shekinah, wrongly translated "spirit" and then in Acts 1 tells them to wait for the spirit. Why would he tell them to wait for something they already had in Jn 20?
He didn't, the translators didn't understand the concepts. So, this eschatological congregation was now the "empowered" (by the Ruach) congregation , made up of Jews and Gentiles. What they did not see at that point was the "grafted in" concept which was the basis for Paul's teaching, based on the Shema in Deut. 6.4. Another thing which was never seen, nor should it have been, was a "gentilized church" that did not follow the Torah, the biblical festivals, that ate unlean foods and divorced itself from Israel and the Torah of G-d, actually calling themselves "replacement Israel". This" eschatological congregation" was to believe in Yeshua as the Messiah and show evidence of that faith by obedience to the written Torah commandments.
This concept was rejected by the so called "church fathers" and eventually was the basis for the theology formulated and consolidated by Constantine in 325 A.D. This was the beginning of the "catholic (universal) church" and is the "mother church" for every protestant denomination thereafter. In short, The Kahal Israel (congregation of Israel), made up of Jews and Gentiles, began at Mt Sinai, continued up to Acts 2, when in fulfillment of prophecy is now the "eschatological Kahal" empowered by the Ruach. The "church" most see today is counterfeit to this, which actually had its official beginning at the Council Of Nicaea in 325 A.D., headed by a known sun-worshipper named Constantine who remained a sun worshipper until the day of his death.
The La Quinta meeting room in Alvarado, 1165 Hwy 67W Alvarado, TX. 76009. (Behind Sonic)
For information Email at wmriley17@yahoo.com
Olive Tree Image
upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
1 Corinthians 10:11 (NASB95)
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
David buys threshing floors
Q. Why does it say in 2 Sam 24.18 that David bought Araunah the Jebusites threshing floor for 50 shelels and in 1Chr 21.25 he bought the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite for 600 shekels. Is this a contradiction?
A. It is not a contradiction, these were two seperate places. Araunah's floor was on Mt Moriah and Ornan's was most likely on Mt of Olives, called the "miphkad altar." Miphkad means "withheld" and it was something withheld or outside of the Temple. What many do not realize is that there were 2 altars. They were both seen as part of the Temple. On the Mt of Olives, certain offerings were cremated there, ashes were taken there and so on. There was a hole that measured 9x12 ft deep and 12-15 ft wide. It was a "depressed" altar if you will. The ashes in the hole were blown from west to east because of the winds off the Mediteranean Sea. Thus, Psa. 103.12 was fulfilled when it says that "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." These threshing floors were no located on the top of the mountain, but down from the top. The threshers wanted to keep the wheat, so they did not want everything to blow away so they were down on the east side of the mountain, just down from the top.
They would throw the wheat and the chaff up in the air, catching the west wind at the top, blowing the chaff but the wheat fell down on the floor. Now, just a word about the Great Altar in the Temple. If anyone has seen pictures of it you will know what I mean, if you haven't, look on the Internet under Temple Altar to get an idea of what I'm saying. It was very high and wide and had 3 fires on it. It was made from uncut stones taken from a river bed, beneath the surface to make sure that no iron object had scraped the surface of the rock. It was lifted from the riverbed with wooden paddles. This area is known as the Beit Kerem valley, west of Jerusalem and tradition says it was the home of John the Baptist.
These stones were taken for the altar. During the Maccabean revolt, the altar was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes and when the Temple was rededicated to G-d, there was no ritual to purify the altar so they had to build a new one. What about the old stones? You could not just throw them away because they were once dedicated to G-d. They decided to store them in a room in the northwest chamber of the inner court or "azarah" called the Beit ha Moked until Elijah the prophet came to tell them what to do. They are probably still up on the Temple Mount today. We are commanded to study the Temple in the scriptures and it reveals much about the Messiah.
A. It is not a contradiction, these were two seperate places. Araunah's floor was on Mt Moriah and Ornan's was most likely on Mt of Olives, called the "miphkad altar." Miphkad means "withheld" and it was something withheld or outside of the Temple. What many do not realize is that there were 2 altars. They were both seen as part of the Temple. On the Mt of Olives, certain offerings were cremated there, ashes were taken there and so on. There was a hole that measured 9x12 ft deep and 12-15 ft wide. It was a "depressed" altar if you will. The ashes in the hole were blown from west to east because of the winds off the Mediteranean Sea. Thus, Psa. 103.12 was fulfilled when it says that "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." These threshing floors were no located on the top of the mountain, but down from the top. The threshers wanted to keep the wheat, so they did not want everything to blow away so they were down on the east side of the mountain, just down from the top.
They would throw the wheat and the chaff up in the air, catching the west wind at the top, blowing the chaff but the wheat fell down on the floor. Now, just a word about the Great Altar in the Temple. If anyone has seen pictures of it you will know what I mean, if you haven't, look on the Internet under Temple Altar to get an idea of what I'm saying. It was very high and wide and had 3 fires on it. It was made from uncut stones taken from a river bed, beneath the surface to make sure that no iron object had scraped the surface of the rock. It was lifted from the riverbed with wooden paddles. This area is known as the Beit Kerem valley, west of Jerusalem and tradition says it was the home of John the Baptist.
These stones were taken for the altar. During the Maccabean revolt, the altar was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes and when the Temple was rededicated to G-d, there was no ritual to purify the altar so they had to build a new one. What about the old stones? You could not just throw them away because they were once dedicated to G-d. They decided to store them in a room in the northwest chamber of the inner court or "azarah" called the Beit ha Moked until Elijah the prophet came to tell them what to do. They are probably still up on the Temple Mount today. We are commanded to study the Temple in the scriptures and it reveals much about the Messiah.
1 Cor 15:52 & the Last Trump
Q.In 1Cor 15.52 the term "last trump" is used..what does that mean?
A. This would be a good time of the year to explain this because we are in what is called "the High Holy Days" which are the 10 days in between Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur. So to get a better understanding, lets start from the beginning. Biblically, Rosh Ha Shanah is the name of the feast in Num. 29.1-2 called "Yom Teruah" which means "the day of the awakening blast". A "teruah" is a note played on the shofar or rams horn.
Teruah also means "shout" (1Thes 4.16) and you will see it all over the scriptures. Rosh ha Shanah is the day that the resurrection of the dead and the believers in Messiah who are alive and remain will be caught up together to be with the L-rd. An idiom for Rosh Ha Shanah is "the Last Trump" because it relates to the 2 horns on ram caught in the thicket in Gen. 22 ,which is the reading from the Torah on this day. It relates to the full marriage between G-d and His people. A Jewish marriage consists of 2 parts, betrothal and full marriage. The betrothal between G-d and His people is seen at Mt Sinai when He gave the betrothal contract called the Torah. That festival is called Shavuot, "the first trump". The full marriage is seen as taking place on Rosh Ha Shanah sometime in the very near future, and is called the "last trump" (of the ram).
G-d sees how we kept the commandments(betrothal contract) as to whenther or not we belong to Him. Those who say the Torah is done away with have no contract, therefore no" betrothal" contract.That's why He says to those who say they believe in Him and worked miracles in His name and cast out demons "I never knew you" in Matt 7.21-23. They had no intimate marriage betrothal contract with Him because they are "lawless" or without the Torah. If you believe that the Torah is done away with and you follow man-made religions but say you believe in Yeshua, you may be this category and you need to get out of there.
At the resurrection, we go for the full marriage where we receive what was promised. The term "last trump" is an idion referring to this festival. Another Hebrew idiom for this festival is called "the day know man knows" because no man knows the day of his wedding in Jewish custom of the 1st century. Rosh ha Shanah is also the first day of creation in Genesis and that is why this day is called Rosh (head) ha Shanah(of the year). It starts the civil year biblically. It is also the only festival that begins on a new moon, and nobody knows when it is until the first sliver of the new moon is sighted, beginning the seventh month.
There is so much more about this festival that shows the resurrection of the dead and the believers who are alive and remain being caught up to heaven. Pauls uses at least 3 Hebrew idioms for Rosh ha Shanah in 1 Thes 4.13-18 and 1 Cor 15.50-52. The days leading to Yom Kippur are days of repentance. Yom Kippur teaches the actual arrival of Yeshua to the Mount of Olives and the destruction of the False Messiah. This festival is known as the "Great Trump" because one ,long shofar blast is sounded on this day to signal the end of the days of repentance and you are sealed for judgement.
There was an elaborate service in the Temple on this day and information is avaliable in the Mishnah 'Yoma" and Lev 16 in the Torah. Matt 24.30-31 says that Yeshua will return to the land with the "great trump" and judgement of the survivors of the Birthpains will begin. That judgement will occur within the 5 days between Yom KIppur and Sukkot, the feast of Booths or "tabernacles", which will be dealt with next week. These concepts are biblical and we know that these festivals are the blueprint for understanding Bible prophecy.
If you have not been taught these things it is because you are involved with people who do not follow the L-rd or His word and you will remain in darkness until you wake up and find someplace that does. Anyone who does not understand these festivals in detail will not understand Bible prophecy. Once these things are understood, you can listen to a so-called "prophecy" teacher and in five minutes find out whether or not they know what they are talking about or not, and that alone will save you alot of heartbreak, confusion and error. For more information contact us at our E-mail address OTMIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET. Now, go and study.
A. This would be a good time of the year to explain this because we are in what is called "the High Holy Days" which are the 10 days in between Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur. So to get a better understanding, lets start from the beginning. Biblically, Rosh Ha Shanah is the name of the feast in Num. 29.1-2 called "Yom Teruah" which means "the day of the awakening blast". A "teruah" is a note played on the shofar or rams horn.
Teruah also means "shout" (1Thes 4.16) and you will see it all over the scriptures. Rosh ha Shanah is the day that the resurrection of the dead and the believers in Messiah who are alive and remain will be caught up together to be with the L-rd. An idiom for Rosh Ha Shanah is "the Last Trump" because it relates to the 2 horns on ram caught in the thicket in Gen. 22 ,which is the reading from the Torah on this day. It relates to the full marriage between G-d and His people. A Jewish marriage consists of 2 parts, betrothal and full marriage. The betrothal between G-d and His people is seen at Mt Sinai when He gave the betrothal contract called the Torah. That festival is called Shavuot, "the first trump". The full marriage is seen as taking place on Rosh Ha Shanah sometime in the very near future, and is called the "last trump" (of the ram).
G-d sees how we kept the commandments(betrothal contract) as to whenther or not we belong to Him. Those who say the Torah is done away with have no contract, therefore no" betrothal" contract.That's why He says to those who say they believe in Him and worked miracles in His name and cast out demons "I never knew you" in Matt 7.21-23. They had no intimate marriage betrothal contract with Him because they are "lawless" or without the Torah. If you believe that the Torah is done away with and you follow man-made religions but say you believe in Yeshua, you may be this category and you need to get out of there.
At the resurrection, we go for the full marriage where we receive what was promised. The term "last trump" is an idion referring to this festival. Another Hebrew idiom for this festival is called "the day know man knows" because no man knows the day of his wedding in Jewish custom of the 1st century. Rosh ha Shanah is also the first day of creation in Genesis and that is why this day is called Rosh (head) ha Shanah(of the year). It starts the civil year biblically. It is also the only festival that begins on a new moon, and nobody knows when it is until the first sliver of the new moon is sighted, beginning the seventh month.
There is so much more about this festival that shows the resurrection of the dead and the believers who are alive and remain being caught up to heaven. Pauls uses at least 3 Hebrew idioms for Rosh ha Shanah in 1 Thes 4.13-18 and 1 Cor 15.50-52. The days leading to Yom Kippur are days of repentance. Yom Kippur teaches the actual arrival of Yeshua to the Mount of Olives and the destruction of the False Messiah. This festival is known as the "Great Trump" because one ,long shofar blast is sounded on this day to signal the end of the days of repentance and you are sealed for judgement.
There was an elaborate service in the Temple on this day and information is avaliable in the Mishnah 'Yoma" and Lev 16 in the Torah. Matt 24.30-31 says that Yeshua will return to the land with the "great trump" and judgement of the survivors of the Birthpains will begin. That judgement will occur within the 5 days between Yom KIppur and Sukkot, the feast of Booths or "tabernacles", which will be dealt with next week. These concepts are biblical and we know that these festivals are the blueprint for understanding Bible prophecy.
If you have not been taught these things it is because you are involved with people who do not follow the L-rd or His word and you will remain in darkness until you wake up and find someplace that does. Anyone who does not understand these festivals in detail will not understand Bible prophecy. Once these things are understood, you can listen to a so-called "prophecy" teacher and in five minutes find out whether or not they know what they are talking about or not, and that alone will save you alot of heartbreak, confusion and error. For more information contact us at our E-mail address OTMIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET. Now, go and study.
The Book of Jonah
Q.What is the book of Jonah about?
A. The main theme of the book is related to last weeks article about true stewardship. THis book involves a basic understanding of prophecy and the history of Israel and we can't go into too much detail here, but the overall idea will be discussed. Anciently, Jonah was seen as Israel. They had a commission to go out to the Gentiles, but "ran" from it. They wwere cast into the "sea" of the nations, encounter the sea monster known as Leviathan in the scriptures. Eventually. they were "resurrected" and "vomited" back onto dry land, the land of Israel.
Again, the commission to reach the Gentiles still stood , and although not perfected yet, will fulfill their original commission. Let's look into this a little deeper. Jonah means "dove" and this is the symbol of Israel on Song of Songs. His father is Amittai which means "truth" and Israels "father" was the Torah that was to instruct them. He goes "down" spiritually to Joppa and tries to run from his commission to the Gentiles where he encounters a great storm, which means troubled times. The sea was seen as the world and the domain of a creature called Leviathan, or twisted serpent. Then he is "swallowed" by Leviathan, who is a picture of the False Messiah, and at least the world system.
After he "dies" to himself he is resurrected (Ezek 37) from among the nations, or Leviathan, onto dry land which is seen as the land of Israel, alive but not perfect yet. He is told to arise a second time to fulfill his commission to the Gentiles, and Israel has this call today and we know it will be fulfilled in the Tribulation period. This commission has never been withdrawn and never will be. Jonah still has some attitude problems as we see in the last chapter when he is more upset over a shade plant dying then the repentance of the people. This concept is played out again in the story of Peter in Acts 10. Peter again symbolizes Israel. He is the physical son of a man named Jonah (Mt 16.17) and he is in Joppa, where Jonah was.
He receives the commission to go the house of the Gentile Cornelius and preach repentance. He is reluctant at first, but goes and the household is saved and Peter knows that anyone who comes to the L-rd, whether Jew or Gentile, is delivered without partiality (Acts 10.34-35). We see this commission in Mt.28.19-20 when Yeshua tells the Jewish talmidim (students) of His to go into all the world(nations) and teach them about the Kingdo, and to make them students as well. That is our commission today at Olive Tree Ministries and we invite anyone who fears G-d and does what is right (keeps the commandments) to come study with us (Acts 10.34-35). Contact us at OTMIN@sbcglobal.net or 972-937-9478 if you want more information.
A. The main theme of the book is related to last weeks article about true stewardship. THis book involves a basic understanding of prophecy and the history of Israel and we can't go into too much detail here, but the overall idea will be discussed. Anciently, Jonah was seen as Israel. They had a commission to go out to the Gentiles, but "ran" from it. They wwere cast into the "sea" of the nations, encounter the sea monster known as Leviathan in the scriptures. Eventually. they were "resurrected" and "vomited" back onto dry land, the land of Israel.
Again, the commission to reach the Gentiles still stood , and although not perfected yet, will fulfill their original commission. Let's look into this a little deeper. Jonah means "dove" and this is the symbol of Israel on Song of Songs. His father is Amittai which means "truth" and Israels "father" was the Torah that was to instruct them. He goes "down" spiritually to Joppa and tries to run from his commission to the Gentiles where he encounters a great storm, which means troubled times. The sea was seen as the world and the domain of a creature called Leviathan, or twisted serpent. Then he is "swallowed" by Leviathan, who is a picture of the False Messiah, and at least the world system.
After he "dies" to himself he is resurrected (Ezek 37) from among the nations, or Leviathan, onto dry land which is seen as the land of Israel, alive but not perfect yet. He is told to arise a second time to fulfill his commission to the Gentiles, and Israel has this call today and we know it will be fulfilled in the Tribulation period. This commission has never been withdrawn and never will be. Jonah still has some attitude problems as we see in the last chapter when he is more upset over a shade plant dying then the repentance of the people. This concept is played out again in the story of Peter in Acts 10. Peter again symbolizes Israel. He is the physical son of a man named Jonah (Mt 16.17) and he is in Joppa, where Jonah was.
He receives the commission to go the house of the Gentile Cornelius and preach repentance. He is reluctant at first, but goes and the household is saved and Peter knows that anyone who comes to the L-rd, whether Jew or Gentile, is delivered without partiality (Acts 10.34-35). We see this commission in Mt.28.19-20 when Yeshua tells the Jewish talmidim (students) of His to go into all the world(nations) and teach them about the Kingdo, and to make them students as well. That is our commission today at Olive Tree Ministries and we invite anyone who fears G-d and does what is right (keeps the commandments) to come study with us (Acts 10.34-35). Contact us at OTMIN@sbcglobal.net or 972-937-9478 if you want more information.
Is tithing applicable today?
Q. Is "Tithing" applicable today?
A. To save the suspense, no it is not applicable today and here's why. When one reads the scriptures, you do not read it like you would a novel. You are to read it like a contract. Words mean things and to get the proper definition you must find the Hebrew meanings. Don't trust your English translations to give the right meaning, look them up the way G-d communicated them. In the details lies the message, so you need to go into the Word like a lawyer. Tithing in Hebrew is the word "ma'aser" . There are volumes written on this subject but it is nearly unknown within Christianity because they have "redefined" the words to fit what they want.
An attempt will be made here to get to the heart of the matter, but it will not be an exhaustive explanation.Tithing was agricultural. You did not tithe money. There are no scriptures to support what is done today. Secondly, you only tithed if you were involved in agriculture within the land of Israel. If you were a farmer outside the land, you did not tithe. Third, you tithed to the priests and the Levites, at certain times and places. There are three main types. There is the "Ma'aser Rishon" which is the first tithe, usually given around the feast of Shavuot. You went to the Levitical city near you and deposited the tithe there, at the storehouses and corrals that were prepared there. The years were divided into a "Shemitah" which is a seven year cycle. At the completion of seven cycles, or 49 years, the 50th year was a "Yovel" year, or mistranslated as "jubilee" year in most Bibles. Now, during each year it was divided into the spring and the fall. You brought the ma'aser rishon in the spring as things ripened in years 1-6 of the shemitah cycle. You did not tithe the 7th year.
The second type of tithing in Israel was the "Ma'aser Sheni" or the second tithe. This was brought in the fall around the feast of Sukkot to the Temple in the 1,2,4,5 year of the shemitah and a massive banquet was prepared and you ate it with the Priests and Levites at the Temple eventually. In the 3 and 5th year, it was taken to the Levitical city near you and given to the poor, widow, orphan and the Ger(Gentile who lived in the land and followed G-d). This was called the "Ma'aser Ani" or the poor man's tithe. You did not tithe the 7th year. There are two other types of ma'aser, or tithing. The first one is called the "Terumah Gedolah" or the great heave offering. This was 1/50th of your crop and given directly to the Kohanim, or priests. This was done all six years of the shemitah. The second is called the "Terumah Ma'aser" or the Levitical tithe where 1/10 of the Ma'aser Rishon is given to the priests by the Levites.
This is done all six years of the shemitah as well. As you can see, this does not resemble what is done today because what is done today isn't scriptural or accurate. It is a way to raise money for their respective churches and organizations, but it is not Tithing. Therefore, the verses like Malachi 3.8 and others that are used to promote these teachings so people will give are taken out of their intended meaning by G-d for personal gain. Now, that is not to say we should not give. If you give 10%, or 20% or whatever that is "Biblical Giving", but don't call it tithing and don't make people feel guilty if they don't. You who think you are tithing aren't really tithing biblically anyway.
Tithing was agricultural, done if you lived in the land of Israel, given to the priests, Levites, widows, poor, orphans and strangers, done at certain times of the year , to a certain place and not done at all every 7th year. The priests and Levites had no inheritance in the land and it was a way to take care of them. If you made your living off the land, you tithed to give back to G-d. If the people obeyed, He sent rain and kept the insects away. But, if you didn't, He would stop the rain and not rebuke the devouring insects until you did. This cannot be done in Texas, obviously. I hope this helps, Forward any questions you may have to OTMIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET. Now, go and study.
A. To save the suspense, no it is not applicable today and here's why. When one reads the scriptures, you do not read it like you would a novel. You are to read it like a contract. Words mean things and to get the proper definition you must find the Hebrew meanings. Don't trust your English translations to give the right meaning, look them up the way G-d communicated them. In the details lies the message, so you need to go into the Word like a lawyer. Tithing in Hebrew is the word "ma'aser" . There are volumes written on this subject but it is nearly unknown within Christianity because they have "redefined" the words to fit what they want.
An attempt will be made here to get to the heart of the matter, but it will not be an exhaustive explanation.Tithing was agricultural. You did not tithe money. There are no scriptures to support what is done today. Secondly, you only tithed if you were involved in agriculture within the land of Israel. If you were a farmer outside the land, you did not tithe. Third, you tithed to the priests and the Levites, at certain times and places. There are three main types. There is the "Ma'aser Rishon" which is the first tithe, usually given around the feast of Shavuot. You went to the Levitical city near you and deposited the tithe there, at the storehouses and corrals that were prepared there. The years were divided into a "Shemitah" which is a seven year cycle. At the completion of seven cycles, or 49 years, the 50th year was a "Yovel" year, or mistranslated as "jubilee" year in most Bibles. Now, during each year it was divided into the spring and the fall. You brought the ma'aser rishon in the spring as things ripened in years 1-6 of the shemitah cycle. You did not tithe the 7th year.
The second type of tithing in Israel was the "Ma'aser Sheni" or the second tithe. This was brought in the fall around the feast of Sukkot to the Temple in the 1,2,4,5 year of the shemitah and a massive banquet was prepared and you ate it with the Priests and Levites at the Temple eventually. In the 3 and 5th year, it was taken to the Levitical city near you and given to the poor, widow, orphan and the Ger(Gentile who lived in the land and followed G-d). This was called the "Ma'aser Ani" or the poor man's tithe. You did not tithe the 7th year. There are two other types of ma'aser, or tithing. The first one is called the "Terumah Gedolah" or the great heave offering. This was 1/50th of your crop and given directly to the Kohanim, or priests. This was done all six years of the shemitah. The second is called the "Terumah Ma'aser" or the Levitical tithe where 1/10 of the Ma'aser Rishon is given to the priests by the Levites.
This is done all six years of the shemitah as well. As you can see, this does not resemble what is done today because what is done today isn't scriptural or accurate. It is a way to raise money for their respective churches and organizations, but it is not Tithing. Therefore, the verses like Malachi 3.8 and others that are used to promote these teachings so people will give are taken out of their intended meaning by G-d for personal gain. Now, that is not to say we should not give. If you give 10%, or 20% or whatever that is "Biblical Giving", but don't call it tithing and don't make people feel guilty if they don't. You who think you are tithing aren't really tithing biblically anyway.
Tithing was agricultural, done if you lived in the land of Israel, given to the priests, Levites, widows, poor, orphans and strangers, done at certain times of the year , to a certain place and not done at all every 7th year. The priests and Levites had no inheritance in the land and it was a way to take care of them. If you made your living off the land, you tithed to give back to G-d. If the people obeyed, He sent rain and kept the insects away. But, if you didn't, He would stop the rain and not rebuke the devouring insects until you did. This cannot be done in Texas, obviously. I hope this helps, Forward any questions you may have to OTMIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET. Now, go and study.
Esau's birthright
Q Jacob has been accused of "stealing "the birthright from Esau, but is this accurate?"
A. There has been much said about this incident found in Gen 25-27 and much of it has been fueled by anti-semitic feelings, but a closer examination shows that there more to this story than meets the eye, so let's examine this a little closer. Rebekah is pregnant and is told by G-d she is going to have twins. They struggle within her and she is told that the older one will serve the younger. Later Esau comes through the birth canal first, with Jacob grasping at his heel, thus the meaning of his name. "Heel" is alluding the the "end" of days and is also a messianic reference from Gen 3.15. This episode reveals that Jacob had in his heart even at birth a desire to have first-born status. It mean't something to him. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob because he didn't care about it (Gen 25.34).
Now, Rebekah overhears Isaac telling Esau about blessing him and realizes that this was not what G-d desired. She knew the prophecy about Jacob and Isaac appparently was not lining up with that, so she devised a plan to have Jacob impersonate Esau. Jacob was apprehensive about it from the start, but Rebekah took full reponsibility for it in 27.13. Jacob goes in and says to his father after a certain question, "G-d has caused this to happen to me" and receives the blessing of the first-born. Esau comes in later and finds out Isaac has blessed Jacob and accuses Jacob of "stealing" his birthright in 27.36. But, that is not true because Esau gave it away in 25.34, so Jacob was first born and Isaac blessed him correctly.
So, in reality, Rebekah believed G-d's word about Jacob and Isaac did not have his eye on what G-d wanted. She felt led to take this action and G-d caused this to come about in this manner, according to His purposes. Jacob didn't steal the birthright, it was given to him by Esau and this played out exactly as G-d desired. This story was initiated by Rebekah, not Jacob. G-d chose Jacob over Esau because G-d can do that, it's His choice. Esau wanted the status without the responsibility. Many teachers have called Jacob a "supplanter", and a "cheater and deceiver" but that is not the case. It was G-d's idea from the start and Rebekah was G-d's tool to bring this about in this way.
A. There has been much said about this incident found in Gen 25-27 and much of it has been fueled by anti-semitic feelings, but a closer examination shows that there more to this story than meets the eye, so let's examine this a little closer. Rebekah is pregnant and is told by G-d she is going to have twins. They struggle within her and she is told that the older one will serve the younger. Later Esau comes through the birth canal first, with Jacob grasping at his heel, thus the meaning of his name. "Heel" is alluding the the "end" of days and is also a messianic reference from Gen 3.15. This episode reveals that Jacob had in his heart even at birth a desire to have first-born status. It mean't something to him. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob because he didn't care about it (Gen 25.34).
Now, Rebekah overhears Isaac telling Esau about blessing him and realizes that this was not what G-d desired. She knew the prophecy about Jacob and Isaac appparently was not lining up with that, so she devised a plan to have Jacob impersonate Esau. Jacob was apprehensive about it from the start, but Rebekah took full reponsibility for it in 27.13. Jacob goes in and says to his father after a certain question, "G-d has caused this to happen to me" and receives the blessing of the first-born. Esau comes in later and finds out Isaac has blessed Jacob and accuses Jacob of "stealing" his birthright in 27.36. But, that is not true because Esau gave it away in 25.34, so Jacob was first born and Isaac blessed him correctly.
So, in reality, Rebekah believed G-d's word about Jacob and Isaac did not have his eye on what G-d wanted. She felt led to take this action and G-d caused this to come about in this manner, according to His purposes. Jacob didn't steal the birthright, it was given to him by Esau and this played out exactly as G-d desired. This story was initiated by Rebekah, not Jacob. G-d chose Jacob over Esau because G-d can do that, it's His choice. Esau wanted the status without the responsibility. Many teachers have called Jacob a "supplanter", and a "cheater and deceiver" but that is not the case. It was G-d's idea from the start and Rebekah was G-d's tool to bring this about in this way.
Almsgiving
Q. In Mt 6.1-4 it says when we give alms we are not to "sound a shofar(trumpet)", what does this mean?
A. The context of Yeshua's statement is giving alms. Alsgiving was done on a freewill basis and it has certain rules attached to it. The term used many times to cover this type of giving is "righteousness" which is the Hebrew word "tzedekah" and can also mean charity. There are many scriptures relating to this and one of the requirements is that you just didn't hand out money to anyone. You had to know whether or not they were really in need. In Vayikra Rabbah 34, which a rabbinic commentary on Leviticus, it says that there is an admonition to us to take personal interest in the person you give to, and to simply give a stranger alms. The thinking behind this is that G-d gave the money to a person to give as G-d directs and to just give without checking out the person would be a misuse of those funds that were meant for someone else. So, when we give, we should be involved with these people to a degree. We should not be giving money to imposters..
There are people who make their living off charities. In the Temple, there was a chamber that people went into to give alms or to take something out if you were in need. Nobody knew why you went in there. Also, there were 13 trumpet shaped receptacles in the Temple. When you gave alms, you dropped you gift into one of them The Mishnah and Josephus talk about thes receptacles. The reason they were shaped like that is because you could drop money in but you could not reach in and take any out, giving the impression you were giving. So, in Mt 6 "sounding a shofar"(the sound the money made as it went in) meant" to give the appearance of giving." In Prov 21.14 it says that we are to give in secret. Yeshua uses the very Hebraic term of "not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing" as a way of expressing that we are not to make a big production out of it. Today, people give and have their name written on a brass plate, or on a brick along a walkway, or have a building named after you.
THis practice ought not to be. THose things are incentives to get people to give and it appeals to the pride among the people. Yeshua said that they will not get a reward in Heaven because they were only after the affections of men, and they have their reward. In Lk 11.34-36 Yeshau uses another Hebrew idiom when He discussed giveng. He uses the terms "good eye" and "evil(bad) eye" and this term is also found in Proverbs. A "good eye" means a generous person and a "bad eye" is a stingy person. In our passage in Mt 6, verses 19-23 He uses these terms to describe a generous person contrasted with the stingy person. G_d wants people to give out of their hearts and with joy, not because you have to. There is an interesting passage in Num 31.48-54.
Christianity teaches that the sacrifices took away the sins of the people, and the Temple was destroyed because G-d sent the Messiah and a "new " way replaced this. They saw the passages about the sacrifices and how they "atone" for the soul. In Num 31, the people had just come from a battle with the Midianites and not one person was lost. In their thankfulness, the people gave gold, chains, bracelets, rings and earrings to "make an atonement for our souls before the L-rd." There were no animal sacrifices here.
The people were thankful in their hearts because they were safe and out of that they gave an offering back to the L-rd. It was not required but freewill, and it was equated with atoning for the the sins of the people. The blood of animals never took away sin, it was the hearts of the people in obedience to G-d that He saw, always did and always will. I hope this helps, now go and study.
A. The context of Yeshua's statement is giving alms. Alsgiving was done on a freewill basis and it has certain rules attached to it. The term used many times to cover this type of giving is "righteousness" which is the Hebrew word "tzedekah" and can also mean charity. There are many scriptures relating to this and one of the requirements is that you just didn't hand out money to anyone. You had to know whether or not they were really in need. In Vayikra Rabbah 34, which a rabbinic commentary on Leviticus, it says that there is an admonition to us to take personal interest in the person you give to, and to simply give a stranger alms. The thinking behind this is that G-d gave the money to a person to give as G-d directs and to just give without checking out the person would be a misuse of those funds that were meant for someone else. So, when we give, we should be involved with these people to a degree. We should not be giving money to imposters..
There are people who make their living off charities. In the Temple, there was a chamber that people went into to give alms or to take something out if you were in need. Nobody knew why you went in there. Also, there were 13 trumpet shaped receptacles in the Temple. When you gave alms, you dropped you gift into one of them The Mishnah and Josephus talk about thes receptacles. The reason they were shaped like that is because you could drop money in but you could not reach in and take any out, giving the impression you were giving. So, in Mt 6 "sounding a shofar"(the sound the money made as it went in) meant" to give the appearance of giving." In Prov 21.14 it says that we are to give in secret. Yeshua uses the very Hebraic term of "not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing" as a way of expressing that we are not to make a big production out of it. Today, people give and have their name written on a brass plate, or on a brick along a walkway, or have a building named after you.
THis practice ought not to be. THose things are incentives to get people to give and it appeals to the pride among the people. Yeshua said that they will not get a reward in Heaven because they were only after the affections of men, and they have their reward. In Lk 11.34-36 Yeshau uses another Hebrew idiom when He discussed giveng. He uses the terms "good eye" and "evil(bad) eye" and this term is also found in Proverbs. A "good eye" means a generous person and a "bad eye" is a stingy person. In our passage in Mt 6, verses 19-23 He uses these terms to describe a generous person contrasted with the stingy person. G_d wants people to give out of their hearts and with joy, not because you have to. There is an interesting passage in Num 31.48-54.
Christianity teaches that the sacrifices took away the sins of the people, and the Temple was destroyed because G-d sent the Messiah and a "new " way replaced this. They saw the passages about the sacrifices and how they "atone" for the soul. In Num 31, the people had just come from a battle with the Midianites and not one person was lost. In their thankfulness, the people gave gold, chains, bracelets, rings and earrings to "make an atonement for our souls before the L-rd." There were no animal sacrifices here.
The people were thankful in their hearts because they were safe and out of that they gave an offering back to the L-rd. It was not required but freewill, and it was equated with atoning for the the sins of the people. The blood of animals never took away sin, it was the hearts of the people in obedience to G-d that He saw, always did and always will. I hope this helps, now go and study.
Peter's two descriptions in Mt 16.13-23
Q.Why is Peter called "blessed "and then it seems he is called "Satan" in Mt 16.13-23?
A. The verses being referred to can be puzzling, but we need to see these verses as they would have in the 1st century. Yeshua is asking what the people are saying about him. He is in the north near Caesarea Phillipi. His talmidim begin to say what they have heard. He then asks them what they think, and Peter says He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living G-d. Yeshua then says that Peter is blessed for knowing that and that this revelation will be what the eschatological congregation will be built upon, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Now it is interesting that in the area where they were, there was a cave that the pagans believed was the gates of hell, dedicated to the pagan g-d Pan.
So He drew on what the local belief was to illustrate His point here. In v 21 Yeshua goes on to say how He must go to Jerusalem and be killed. So, Peter again stands up and says that this should not happen. It is then that Yeshua says"get thee behind me Satan, thou art an offense to me". Why did Yeshua say this? In the 1 st century there was a well known "midrash" or story about Abraham. In Gen 22 we have the story of the Akeida, or the binding of Isaac. Isaac was aroung 33 years old when this happened, not a young boy as has been depicted. He goes to Jerusalem, called Salem then, to the land of Moriah and is told to sacrifice Isaac. As Abraham is going, Satan tries to stop him by creating a river to drown them both. Realizing this, Abraham says "get thee behind me Satan" and the river disappears and they both go on to Moriah. In Mt 16, it is the same scenario. The father is going to Moraih to sacrifice His Son Yeshua.
Yeshua is the same age as Isaac, going to the same place. The story in Gen 22 is an obvious picture of what Yeshua will do in the future. Just as Satan tried to thwart Abraham in the midrash, Peter says no to Yeshua's task, thus putting himself in the role of Satan. So, when Yeshau uses the phrase "get thee behind me Satan" he was drawing an obvious parallel between the midrash on Gen 22 and what Peter was saying in trying to hinder His trip to Jerusalem. By using thes words, Yeshua was making this connection between what Abraham did and what He was going to do, and saying that Peter was opposing the things of G-d. He was not actually calling Peter "Satan" but saying that the power behind such statements are from the evil one.
A. The verses being referred to can be puzzling, but we need to see these verses as they would have in the 1st century. Yeshua is asking what the people are saying about him. He is in the north near Caesarea Phillipi. His talmidim begin to say what they have heard. He then asks them what they think, and Peter says He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living G-d. Yeshua then says that Peter is blessed for knowing that and that this revelation will be what the eschatological congregation will be built upon, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Now it is interesting that in the area where they were, there was a cave that the pagans believed was the gates of hell, dedicated to the pagan g-d Pan.
So He drew on what the local belief was to illustrate His point here. In v 21 Yeshua goes on to say how He must go to Jerusalem and be killed. So, Peter again stands up and says that this should not happen. It is then that Yeshua says"get thee behind me Satan, thou art an offense to me". Why did Yeshua say this? In the 1 st century there was a well known "midrash" or story about Abraham. In Gen 22 we have the story of the Akeida, or the binding of Isaac. Isaac was aroung 33 years old when this happened, not a young boy as has been depicted. He goes to Jerusalem, called Salem then, to the land of Moriah and is told to sacrifice Isaac. As Abraham is going, Satan tries to stop him by creating a river to drown them both. Realizing this, Abraham says "get thee behind me Satan" and the river disappears and they both go on to Moriah. In Mt 16, it is the same scenario. The father is going to Moraih to sacrifice His Son Yeshua.
Yeshua is the same age as Isaac, going to the same place. The story in Gen 22 is an obvious picture of what Yeshua will do in the future. Just as Satan tried to thwart Abraham in the midrash, Peter says no to Yeshua's task, thus putting himself in the role of Satan. So, when Yeshau uses the phrase "get thee behind me Satan" he was drawing an obvious parallel between the midrash on Gen 22 and what Peter was saying in trying to hinder His trip to Jerusalem. By using thes words, Yeshua was making this connection between what Abraham did and what He was going to do, and saying that Peter was opposing the things of G-d. He was not actually calling Peter "Satan" but saying that the power behind such statements are from the evil one.
Who is the Anti-Christ (False Messiah)?
Q. Who is the Anti-Christ?
A.The term "Anti_Christ" is a terrible way to convey what the L-rd has to say about this man. The term is better expressed by the "False Messiah" and that is what will be used in this article. The False Messiah is a man who will claim to be "Jesus" of Replacement Theology Christianity during the Birthpains. There is so much that can be said about this eschatological character that this article will not be an exhaustive one, but it will contain some things for you to think about.
There are numerous prophecies concerning this man, starting in Gen 49 and Jacobs blessing. The False Messiah will most likely be Jewish, from the tribe of Dan. The tribal symbol was a serpent In the the article "False Messiah" in the Jewish Encyclepedia, there are references to this fact. The twisted serpent , or "Leviathan" is a picture of the False Messiah. Pharaoh, with the serpent on his crown, is an abundant picture of the False Messiah. Antiochus Epiphanes, Haman, Absalom, Shebna, are just a few of the scriptural pictures of him. He does not believe in following the commandments and is called the "lawless one(without the Torah)" in 2 Thes 2 and Micah 2.4.
He is called the wicked prince of Israel in Ezek 21.25, the " foolish shepherd" in Zech 11.6-17, the "King of the sons of pride" in Job 41, the "teacher of falsehood" in Hab 2.18, the "fiery serpent" in Isa 14.29, the "worthless one " in Nahum 1.15. These are just a small sample of the information in the scriptures about this character. He will come out of Europe and be of Jewish descent, but will not be Torah observant. He will teach people that they don't have to keep the Torah, in fact, will make laws prohibiting the keeping of the Torah. He make it illegal to keep the Sabbath and celebrate Biblical festivals. He will persecute those who have the testimony of Yeshua and keep the commandments. The theology of Christianity will be the theology of the False Messiah, that's why he is called the "Lawless(Torah-less) one" and an apostate. The United States will be destroyed by an attack from Russia and her allies 7 days after the catching away of the believers on Tishri 1, year 6001 from creation. Eorope will be in a panic and will convene a security meeting to decide what to do.
The False Messiah will be in that meeting and will tell the 10 delegates that he has a plan and they must act now by giving him power to rule and defend Europe. There will be no time to go to each individual parliament to get something done, he must have temporary dictatorship to act swiftly, very similar to the War Powers Act that gives the President power to act without Congressional approval. He will be given the power he needs and will defend Europe in a 3 year war with Russia. Feeling secure because they will be winning this war with Europe, Russia will unleash it's conspiracy with some Arab nations and invade Israel between Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur, Year 3 of the Birthpains. They will be defeated by an act of G-d and Israel ,as a nation ,will believe in Yeshua as the Messiah, due to the work of the 144,000 and the two witnesses who have been preaching in the land for 3 years.
Because of the war with Russia, Europe will be devastated and the False Messiah will move his headquarters to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the False Prophet, who is a religious leader of apostate Christianity, will set up an idol of the False Messiah on Adar 10 and proclaim to all that he is "Jesus" on Nisan 10 and cause many to believe it. This will be the exact half way point of the Tribulation(Nisan10) .But, those who follow the Torah and believe in Yeshua will not go along with this. The Jewish believers in Israel will flee to the Jordanian-Moabite wilderness, from Pella to Petra, and be preserved there by the L-rd for 1260 days. The False Messiah will try to hunt down these believers but will not be able to get at them. He turns his attention to anyone who keeps the Torah and makes war with them . Meanwhile, the KIngs of the East, a vast orental army, will begin to march to Israel. He fights several battles and loses, falling back to Jerusalem where a sige takes place and he is surrounded. On Rosh Ha Shanah, year 6008, Yeshua will return from Heaven with His saints to Mt. Sinai. For ten days He walks the same route Joshua took as he entered the land, rescuing believers who have been hiding in the wilderness.
On Yom Kippur 10 days later, He stands on the Mt of Olives. The False Messiah will try to flee but will be caught near the plains of Jericho, and cast alive into the Dead Sea, which is also called the Lake of Fire. As you can see, there is so much concerning this subject that it would be impossible to contain in this short article, but this is a very important subject and should be mastered. The theology of the False Messiah is all around us, especially if you are participationg in Replacement Theology Christianity, and it is easy to see how one could be deceived into believing a lie, it's being done to many and they don't even know it. The way for the False Messiah is being prepared today by anyone who teaches you that the Law is not for today.
A.The term "Anti_Christ" is a terrible way to convey what the L-rd has to say about this man. The term is better expressed by the "False Messiah" and that is what will be used in this article. The False Messiah is a man who will claim to be "Jesus" of Replacement Theology Christianity during the Birthpains. There is so much that can be said about this eschatological character that this article will not be an exhaustive one, but it will contain some things for you to think about.
There are numerous prophecies concerning this man, starting in Gen 49 and Jacobs blessing. The False Messiah will most likely be Jewish, from the tribe of Dan. The tribal symbol was a serpent In the the article "False Messiah" in the Jewish Encyclepedia, there are references to this fact. The twisted serpent , or "Leviathan" is a picture of the False Messiah. Pharaoh, with the serpent on his crown, is an abundant picture of the False Messiah. Antiochus Epiphanes, Haman, Absalom, Shebna, are just a few of the scriptural pictures of him. He does not believe in following the commandments and is called the "lawless one(without the Torah)" in 2 Thes 2 and Micah 2.4.
He is called the wicked prince of Israel in Ezek 21.25, the " foolish shepherd" in Zech 11.6-17, the "King of the sons of pride" in Job 41, the "teacher of falsehood" in Hab 2.18, the "fiery serpent" in Isa 14.29, the "worthless one " in Nahum 1.15. These are just a small sample of the information in the scriptures about this character. He will come out of Europe and be of Jewish descent, but will not be Torah observant. He will teach people that they don't have to keep the Torah, in fact, will make laws prohibiting the keeping of the Torah. He make it illegal to keep the Sabbath and celebrate Biblical festivals. He will persecute those who have the testimony of Yeshua and keep the commandments. The theology of Christianity will be the theology of the False Messiah, that's why he is called the "Lawless(Torah-less) one" and an apostate. The United States will be destroyed by an attack from Russia and her allies 7 days after the catching away of the believers on Tishri 1, year 6001 from creation. Eorope will be in a panic and will convene a security meeting to decide what to do.
The False Messiah will be in that meeting and will tell the 10 delegates that he has a plan and they must act now by giving him power to rule and defend Europe. There will be no time to go to each individual parliament to get something done, he must have temporary dictatorship to act swiftly, very similar to the War Powers Act that gives the President power to act without Congressional approval. He will be given the power he needs and will defend Europe in a 3 year war with Russia. Feeling secure because they will be winning this war with Europe, Russia will unleash it's conspiracy with some Arab nations and invade Israel between Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur, Year 3 of the Birthpains. They will be defeated by an act of G-d and Israel ,as a nation ,will believe in Yeshua as the Messiah, due to the work of the 144,000 and the two witnesses who have been preaching in the land for 3 years.
Because of the war with Russia, Europe will be devastated and the False Messiah will move his headquarters to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the False Prophet, who is a religious leader of apostate Christianity, will set up an idol of the False Messiah on Adar 10 and proclaim to all that he is "Jesus" on Nisan 10 and cause many to believe it. This will be the exact half way point of the Tribulation(Nisan10) .But, those who follow the Torah and believe in Yeshua will not go along with this. The Jewish believers in Israel will flee to the Jordanian-Moabite wilderness, from Pella to Petra, and be preserved there by the L-rd for 1260 days. The False Messiah will try to hunt down these believers but will not be able to get at them. He turns his attention to anyone who keeps the Torah and makes war with them . Meanwhile, the KIngs of the East, a vast orental army, will begin to march to Israel. He fights several battles and loses, falling back to Jerusalem where a sige takes place and he is surrounded. On Rosh Ha Shanah, year 6008, Yeshua will return from Heaven with His saints to Mt. Sinai. For ten days He walks the same route Joshua took as he entered the land, rescuing believers who have been hiding in the wilderness.
On Yom Kippur 10 days later, He stands on the Mt of Olives. The False Messiah will try to flee but will be caught near the plains of Jericho, and cast alive into the Dead Sea, which is also called the Lake of Fire. As you can see, there is so much concerning this subject that it would be impossible to contain in this short article, but this is a very important subject and should be mastered. The theology of the False Messiah is all around us, especially if you are participationg in Replacement Theology Christianity, and it is easy to see how one could be deceived into believing a lie, it's being done to many and they don't even know it. The way for the False Messiah is being prepared today by anyone who teaches you that the Law is not for today.
Prophecies in the Feast of Purim
Q.What is the Feast of Purim and how does it apply today?
A.The Feast of Purim comes from the boo k of Esther. At the literal level, it details the struggle of the Jewish people in Persia after the fall of Babylon against a man named Haman. He was high up in the Persian governmant and did not like a man named Mordechai. The king of Persia was Ahaseurus (Xerxes) and he had a wife named Vashti. She was summoned before the king and she refused, so he got rid of her and started on a search for a new wife. Hadassah, a Jewess, was elected to appear before the king in an ancient "Joe Millionaire" type beauty pageant with many other young girls, but the king did not know she was Jewish She was selected to be the next Queen and her name was changed to Esther. Her kinsman was Mordechai and he instructed her not to tell the king of her ethnicity.
Meanwhile, Haman hatches a plot to kill the Jews in Persia because their laws were different and it was not in best interest of the king to let them live. He gets permission to exterminate the Jews and cast lots, or "purim", to find a suitable date. Mordechai finds out and informs esther that she must go before the king to inform him. She requests a banquet with Haman as a guest, and this banquet is scheduled during Passover. At the banquet her true identity is revealed and the nature of Haman's plot. Haman pleads with Esther to save him, falling on her couch next to her. The king see's this and thinks Haman is assaulting her in his own house, and orders Haman killed on the gallows prepared for Mordechai. Haman has 10 sons involved in the plot and they too are impaled. Since the king's edict to exterminate the Jews cannot be revoked, he gives the Jewish population permission to defend themselves.
When the day for extermination came, the Jews won and that day has been set ever since as a day of thanks and celebration to G-d for their deliverance.That is the basic story, but there are hidden prophecies in the book, and as Paul Harvey says, here is the rest of the story. The characters are a picture of our redemption. The king is G-d. Vashti is like the unbeliever who does not come to the king. Esther is the believer who marries the king. Mordechai is like the Messiah and of course Haman is like Satan/False Messiah.the ten sons are a picture of the ten nations aligned with the False Messiah in the Birthpains. In Hebrew, when the ten sons are hanged, their names appear written in a column, not in block style like the rest of the book. This is a clue to their demise(Impaled). There is a Hebrew word next to each name, "v'et" meaning "there are ten more" suggesting this was not the last of these ten, or at least the concept of the ten. In the listing of these names, 3 Hebrew letters are written smaller than the rest of the letters. The letters read "1946".
After Hitler's demise, a type of Haman who tried to exterminate the Jews, 11 subordinates were sentenced to hang after the Nuremburg trials. Hermann Goehring committed suicide bringing the number to ten. They were hung in 1946, exactley as the hidden prophecy foretold in Esther. Not letting the irony escape his notice, one of the ten, an imfamous anti-semite named Julius Streicher, shouted "Purimfest, 1946" as he was dragged kicking and screaming to his just reward. The conflict in the Gulf War began around Purim in 1991. There was a ceasefire lasting 12 years, with hostilities resuming just days ago, also on the Feast of Purim. The Rabbis say that the events in the book of Esther take place over, you guessed it, 12 years.Lastly, many people are not aware of this next story. Joseph Stalin had a plan to exterminate the Jews in Russia. He ordered special prison to be built and would have followed up on his plan except for one thing. He went to a dinner party and consumed quite a few adult beverages, and he collapsed and died. The day he collapsed was, you guessed it , the feast of Purim.
There is not enough room to get into the other hidden prophecies associated with Purim, but I assure you there is more.The Biblical festivals and following the commandments give us insight into the future and the prophetic scenario laid down by the prophets and the Messiah. You cannot and will not understand prophecy unless you understand the Torah, the prophets or the festivals.Most of you reading this did not have any idea that these things have happened, and are happening right before your eyes. Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun, and all that has happened before will happen again. Find a Torah-based congregation that believes in Yeshua and learn the scriptures, we haven't seen anything yet.
A.The Feast of Purim comes from the boo k of Esther. At the literal level, it details the struggle of the Jewish people in Persia after the fall of Babylon against a man named Haman. He was high up in the Persian governmant and did not like a man named Mordechai. The king of Persia was Ahaseurus (Xerxes) and he had a wife named Vashti. She was summoned before the king and she refused, so he got rid of her and started on a search for a new wife. Hadassah, a Jewess, was elected to appear before the king in an ancient "Joe Millionaire" type beauty pageant with many other young girls, but the king did not know she was Jewish She was selected to be the next Queen and her name was changed to Esther. Her kinsman was Mordechai and he instructed her not to tell the king of her ethnicity.
Meanwhile, Haman hatches a plot to kill the Jews in Persia because their laws were different and it was not in best interest of the king to let them live. He gets permission to exterminate the Jews and cast lots, or "purim", to find a suitable date. Mordechai finds out and informs esther that she must go before the king to inform him. She requests a banquet with Haman as a guest, and this banquet is scheduled during Passover. At the banquet her true identity is revealed and the nature of Haman's plot. Haman pleads with Esther to save him, falling on her couch next to her. The king see's this and thinks Haman is assaulting her in his own house, and orders Haman killed on the gallows prepared for Mordechai. Haman has 10 sons involved in the plot and they too are impaled. Since the king's edict to exterminate the Jews cannot be revoked, he gives the Jewish population permission to defend themselves.
When the day for extermination came, the Jews won and that day has been set ever since as a day of thanks and celebration to G-d for their deliverance.That is the basic story, but there are hidden prophecies in the book, and as Paul Harvey says, here is the rest of the story. The characters are a picture of our redemption. The king is G-d. Vashti is like the unbeliever who does not come to the king. Esther is the believer who marries the king. Mordechai is like the Messiah and of course Haman is like Satan/False Messiah.the ten sons are a picture of the ten nations aligned with the False Messiah in the Birthpains. In Hebrew, when the ten sons are hanged, their names appear written in a column, not in block style like the rest of the book. This is a clue to their demise(Impaled). There is a Hebrew word next to each name, "v'et" meaning "there are ten more" suggesting this was not the last of these ten, or at least the concept of the ten. In the listing of these names, 3 Hebrew letters are written smaller than the rest of the letters. The letters read "1946".
After Hitler's demise, a type of Haman who tried to exterminate the Jews, 11 subordinates were sentenced to hang after the Nuremburg trials. Hermann Goehring committed suicide bringing the number to ten. They were hung in 1946, exactley as the hidden prophecy foretold in Esther. Not letting the irony escape his notice, one of the ten, an imfamous anti-semite named Julius Streicher, shouted "Purimfest, 1946" as he was dragged kicking and screaming to his just reward. The conflict in the Gulf War began around Purim in 1991. There was a ceasefire lasting 12 years, with hostilities resuming just days ago, also on the Feast of Purim. The Rabbis say that the events in the book of Esther take place over, you guessed it, 12 years.Lastly, many people are not aware of this next story. Joseph Stalin had a plan to exterminate the Jews in Russia. He ordered special prison to be built and would have followed up on his plan except for one thing. He went to a dinner party and consumed quite a few adult beverages, and he collapsed and died. The day he collapsed was, you guessed it , the feast of Purim.
There is not enough room to get into the other hidden prophecies associated with Purim, but I assure you there is more.The Biblical festivals and following the commandments give us insight into the future and the prophetic scenario laid down by the prophets and the Messiah. You cannot and will not understand prophecy unless you understand the Torah, the prophets or the festivals.Most of you reading this did not have any idea that these things have happened, and are happening right before your eyes. Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun, and all that has happened before will happen again. Find a Torah-based congregation that believes in Yeshua and learn the scriptures, we haven't seen anything yet.
'The veil in the Temple was torn'
Q. In Mt 27.51 it says "the veil in the Temple was torn", what does that mean?
A. At the hagim, or festivals, the veil at the front of the Temple building, at the porch, was opened according to Josehus and other historians. Many have the impression that the veil into the Holy of Holies was torn, and that simply is not true. There were two veils seperating the Holy PLace from the Holy of Holies, with an opening at the south end and the north end, with a corridor between them to allow the High Priest to enter there on Yom Kippur. The veil, singular, torn in Mt 27 was the outer veil to the Sanctuary. The veil was called "the Heavens" because it had the Milky Way and stars of the universe on it. It did not have the signs of the Zodiac on it. Now, why would the Temple have this in it? There is a forbidden "astrology" and an astrology that was allowed. Forbidden astrology had to do with horoscopes and fortune-telling by the stars and related practices.
But, there is an allowed" astrology" that is talked about in the Torah. Gen 1.14 says that there would be lights in the heavens for signs and seasons. The signs of the Zodiac, well known Temple times, revealed the redemptive plan of G-d through the Messiah. Joel talks about the sun and the moon as signs of judgement. Yeshua's birth was accompanied by signs in the heavens. Joseph had dreams concerning the sun ,moon, and stars. To pull this veil back at the festivals is called "opening the heavens" or "rending the heavens" and it means "G-d is going to show something deeper, a vision of G-d". It lso means that "harmony is being brought to the heavenly realm." In Ezek 1.1, it says that "the heavens were opened" and he was given a vision of G-d, something deeper.
When Stephen was stoned, the "heavens were opened" and he was given a glimpse into the throne of G-d like Ezekiel. In our passage in Mat 27.51, it may have literally happened, but this is a very mystical expression and it means much more than what is usually taught. In the case of Yeshua, harmony was being brought to the heavenly realm and there is a deeper meaning to what was going on. Just like at the festivals, we can get a glimpse into the deeper things of G-d when the "heavens are opened". Jewish history records there was another time when this veil was torn and that was in the time of Uzziah. This verse in Mt 27.51 carries far more meaning than one would expect when the Temple practice of "opening the heavens", or the outer veil of the Sanctuary is revealed and understood.
A. At the hagim, or festivals, the veil at the front of the Temple building, at the porch, was opened according to Josehus and other historians. Many have the impression that the veil into the Holy of Holies was torn, and that simply is not true. There were two veils seperating the Holy PLace from the Holy of Holies, with an opening at the south end and the north end, with a corridor between them to allow the High Priest to enter there on Yom Kippur. The veil, singular, torn in Mt 27 was the outer veil to the Sanctuary. The veil was called "the Heavens" because it had the Milky Way and stars of the universe on it. It did not have the signs of the Zodiac on it. Now, why would the Temple have this in it? There is a forbidden "astrology" and an astrology that was allowed. Forbidden astrology had to do with horoscopes and fortune-telling by the stars and related practices.
But, there is an allowed" astrology" that is talked about in the Torah. Gen 1.14 says that there would be lights in the heavens for signs and seasons. The signs of the Zodiac, well known Temple times, revealed the redemptive plan of G-d through the Messiah. Joel talks about the sun and the moon as signs of judgement. Yeshua's birth was accompanied by signs in the heavens. Joseph had dreams concerning the sun ,moon, and stars. To pull this veil back at the festivals is called "opening the heavens" or "rending the heavens" and it means "G-d is going to show something deeper, a vision of G-d". It lso means that "harmony is being brought to the heavenly realm." In Ezek 1.1, it says that "the heavens were opened" and he was given a vision of G-d, something deeper.
When Stephen was stoned, the "heavens were opened" and he was given a glimpse into the throne of G-d like Ezekiel. In our passage in Mat 27.51, it may have literally happened, but this is a very mystical expression and it means much more than what is usually taught. In the case of Yeshua, harmony was being brought to the heavenly realm and there is a deeper meaning to what was going on. Just like at the festivals, we can get a glimpse into the deeper things of G-d when the "heavens are opened". Jewish history records there was another time when this veil was torn and that was in the time of Uzziah. This verse in Mt 27.51 carries far more meaning than one would expect when the Temple practice of "opening the heavens", or the outer veil of the Sanctuary is revealed and understood.
Is all mysticism forbidden?
Q. Is all "mysticism" forbidden?
A. That is a good question so let's look at it a liitle closer. There are two definitions of mysticism. In the Gentile world this has to do with occult practices like fortune-telling, tarot cards, communicating with the dead, palm reading and things like that. These practices are explicitly forbidden in the Scriptures. Television is full of these things. There is also Biblical mysticism which is a description of G-d or the things of G-d beyond human comprehension, given in visions, language and various other items.
One of the leading teachers on this subject asked a crowd "What was the most mystical Jewish writing?" His answer surprised many when he said it was the New Testament. There are many examples of "mystical" concepts, but let's name a few. Paul uses the term "mystery many times, and in particular the book of Ephesians and Thessalonians. The term means "'a deeper meaning" to whatever the subject was. There are 4 levels of interpretation in the Scriptures. There is the "peshat" or literal level, the "remez" or "alluding to" level, the "drash" or interpreative level, and last the "sowd" or mystical level. This is the level where deep concepts are discussed. Paul said "I knew a man who went to the third heaven" or his allusions the "first Adam and the second Adam".
The first Adam has a name in Biblical mysticism called the "Adam Kadmon" and it refers to the primodial man, the first or perfect man. He is identified with the Messiah and contrasted to Satan who is calledAdam Beliel." There are hundreds of examples of mysticism in the Brit Chadash or New Testament. The Book of Revelation is full of mysticism and there are mystical sayings and concepts all through the Gospels. There is what is called "Kabbalah" in Jewish thought. I don't agree with some of it but there is a Torah-based Kabbalah. Rabbi Gamaliel, Paul's teacher, was the leading Kabbalist of his time and Paul certainly learned many concepts from him. You have to know the Torah and the scriptures at a deep level to know the difference between true mysticism, or mystical writings, and that which is not to be studied.
There is a rule that one is not to study mysticism unless he is 40 years old. That doesn't mean in years alone, but you must have studied the Torah for 40 years and know the basics. You must teach your children the things of G-d, but you must restrain yourself from many things until they are ready because you could do more damage than good. A study of the Temple with Keruvim (Cherubim) on the walls, and the palm tress and pomegranates are all mystical. So, there is a forbidden mysticism, but there is a Biblical mysticsm that should be studied and pursued to bring us to a deeper understanding of G-d.
A. That is a good question so let's look at it a liitle closer. There are two definitions of mysticism. In the Gentile world this has to do with occult practices like fortune-telling, tarot cards, communicating with the dead, palm reading and things like that. These practices are explicitly forbidden in the Scriptures. Television is full of these things. There is also Biblical mysticism which is a description of G-d or the things of G-d beyond human comprehension, given in visions, language and various other items.
One of the leading teachers on this subject asked a crowd "What was the most mystical Jewish writing?" His answer surprised many when he said it was the New Testament. There are many examples of "mystical" concepts, but let's name a few. Paul uses the term "mystery many times, and in particular the book of Ephesians and Thessalonians. The term means "'a deeper meaning" to whatever the subject was. There are 4 levels of interpretation in the Scriptures. There is the "peshat" or literal level, the "remez" or "alluding to" level, the "drash" or interpreative level, and last the "sowd" or mystical level. This is the level where deep concepts are discussed. Paul said "I knew a man who went to the third heaven" or his allusions the "first Adam and the second Adam".
The first Adam has a name in Biblical mysticism called the "Adam Kadmon" and it refers to the primodial man, the first or perfect man. He is identified with the Messiah and contrasted to Satan who is calledAdam Beliel." There are hundreds of examples of mysticism in the Brit Chadash or New Testament. The Book of Revelation is full of mysticism and there are mystical sayings and concepts all through the Gospels. There is what is called "Kabbalah" in Jewish thought. I don't agree with some of it but there is a Torah-based Kabbalah. Rabbi Gamaliel, Paul's teacher, was the leading Kabbalist of his time and Paul certainly learned many concepts from him. You have to know the Torah and the scriptures at a deep level to know the difference between true mysticism, or mystical writings, and that which is not to be studied.
There is a rule that one is not to study mysticism unless he is 40 years old. That doesn't mean in years alone, but you must have studied the Torah for 40 years and know the basics. You must teach your children the things of G-d, but you must restrain yourself from many things until they are ready because you could do more damage than good. A study of the Temple with Keruvim (Cherubim) on the walls, and the palm tress and pomegranates are all mystical. So, there is a forbidden mysticism, but there is a Biblical mysticsm that should be studied and pursued to bring us to a deeper understanding of G-d.
Hebrew 'Block Logic'
Q." IN MT. 27.9 IT QUOTES A PROPHECY BY ZECHARIAH BUT THE VERSE SAYS JEREMIAH, IS THIS A CONTRADICTION?"
A. No, it is not a contradiction but there is a concept in Hebrew thought that needs to be brought out, and that is the concept of "block logic". Let's explain it by analyzing the verse. In Zechariah 11. 12-13 thereis a prophecy about the 30 pieces of silver and the potter's field. The potter's gate was on the south end of the city. In Jeremiah 7 G-d instructs Jeremiah to stand in the gate of the Temple and prophesy to the people coming into the Temple.
We know this was the south side of the Temple Mount. In Jeremiah 18 G-d tells Jeremiah to go to the potter's gate again to prophesy. Jeremiah 19.1-2 G-d tells him to go to the Valley of the sons of Hinnom near the Potter's gate and Prophesy. In Hebrew this valley is called "gay-hinnom" where we get the term "gehenna" from. This valley is at the south end of the city where the Hinnom swings around to the east, the Tyropean in the middle and the Kidron valley meet. This area is also called "Tophet" in the Scriptures and it was wherre people offered their children to idoloatry. It served as the refuse dump in the first century and was considered the most cursed place on earth. This is also the valley where the judgement in Mt 25 will take place, and it is referred to in Joel 3 and Isa. 66.
Now, Jeremiah prophesies from there and the potter's field was there. Later, Herod added an extension to the Temple complex called the Royal Stoa. This was right over the place Jeremiah prophesied from. On the west end was the Bazaars of Annas and on the other end was a chamber for the Sanhedrin. During the week of Passover, the Sanhedrin did not meet in the Temple, but moved out to theeis area in the Royal Stoa. Yeshua goes into the Bazaars of Annas and throws out the moneychangers and the thieves. Now, it was ok to changes money in the Temple because gentile coins had images on them and they could not be used in the Temple, much like our coins of today. But, high prices were extracted from the people for this service and this was what Yeshua objected to.
The Sanhedrin "heard" what yeshua was doing because it was in the other part of the Stoa, and thus began His final confrontation with the authorities. In Jeremiah 7.11, Jeremiah says that G-d calls them a "den of thieves", which is the exact term Yeshua uses, basically prophesying in the same area. Judas is paid 30 shekels, linking this with Zechariah now, but gives it back. After Judas dies, the money cannot be used in the Temple so a field south of the city, in the area of the Potter's gate and Tophet as referenced in Jeremiah, is bought and called "akeldama" meaning field of blood. Remember, this area is the most cursed place on earth. In 41 A.D. there was an auction and Annas bought this field, and his family used this area for the family burials. The tomb of Annas and Caiaphas have been found there. They said, "Let the curse be on us and our children" and it was and they were buried in the most cursed place on earth, just a few hundred yards from the most holy place on earth (Temple) just north. You see, Annas and Caiaphas didn't care about the prophecies. They didn't believe ,so to them it was a good real estate deal.
The people would be very familiar with Jeremiah 7, 18, 19 and would link it to Zechariah by "remez", which is the 2nd of 4 levels of interpretation which means "alluding to" or "glued to." The people would have seen them in "block logic", beginning in Jeremiah and ending in Zechariah 11. So, it is not a contradiction to say Jeremiah when you look at this verse in "block logic" and that is why Jeremiah is mentioned first. His prophecies with the key words "potter" and "Ben Hinnom", "tophet" were to point to other verses in your mind and link it to Zechariah who also uses "potter" and "30 pieces of silver". Then seeing what the context was in Yeshua's arrest, these terms were linked and seen in block logic.
A. No, it is not a contradiction but there is a concept in Hebrew thought that needs to be brought out, and that is the concept of "block logic". Let's explain it by analyzing the verse. In Zechariah 11. 12-13 thereis a prophecy about the 30 pieces of silver and the potter's field. The potter's gate was on the south end of the city. In Jeremiah 7 G-d instructs Jeremiah to stand in the gate of the Temple and prophesy to the people coming into the Temple.
We know this was the south side of the Temple Mount. In Jeremiah 18 G-d tells Jeremiah to go to the potter's gate again to prophesy. Jeremiah 19.1-2 G-d tells him to go to the Valley of the sons of Hinnom near the Potter's gate and Prophesy. In Hebrew this valley is called "gay-hinnom" where we get the term "gehenna" from. This valley is at the south end of the city where the Hinnom swings around to the east, the Tyropean in the middle and the Kidron valley meet. This area is also called "Tophet" in the Scriptures and it was wherre people offered their children to idoloatry. It served as the refuse dump in the first century and was considered the most cursed place on earth. This is also the valley where the judgement in Mt 25 will take place, and it is referred to in Joel 3 and Isa. 66.
Now, Jeremiah prophesies from there and the potter's field was there. Later, Herod added an extension to the Temple complex called the Royal Stoa. This was right over the place Jeremiah prophesied from. On the west end was the Bazaars of Annas and on the other end was a chamber for the Sanhedrin. During the week of Passover, the Sanhedrin did not meet in the Temple, but moved out to theeis area in the Royal Stoa. Yeshua goes into the Bazaars of Annas and throws out the moneychangers and the thieves. Now, it was ok to changes money in the Temple because gentile coins had images on them and they could not be used in the Temple, much like our coins of today. But, high prices were extracted from the people for this service and this was what Yeshua objected to.
The Sanhedrin "heard" what yeshua was doing because it was in the other part of the Stoa, and thus began His final confrontation with the authorities. In Jeremiah 7.11, Jeremiah says that G-d calls them a "den of thieves", which is the exact term Yeshua uses, basically prophesying in the same area. Judas is paid 30 shekels, linking this with Zechariah now, but gives it back. After Judas dies, the money cannot be used in the Temple so a field south of the city, in the area of the Potter's gate and Tophet as referenced in Jeremiah, is bought and called "akeldama" meaning field of blood. Remember, this area is the most cursed place on earth. In 41 A.D. there was an auction and Annas bought this field, and his family used this area for the family burials. The tomb of Annas and Caiaphas have been found there. They said, "Let the curse be on us and our children" and it was and they were buried in the most cursed place on earth, just a few hundred yards from the most holy place on earth (Temple) just north. You see, Annas and Caiaphas didn't care about the prophecies. They didn't believe ,so to them it was a good real estate deal.
The people would be very familiar with Jeremiah 7, 18, 19 and would link it to Zechariah by "remez", which is the 2nd of 4 levels of interpretation which means "alluding to" or "glued to." The people would have seen them in "block logic", beginning in Jeremiah and ending in Zechariah 11. So, it is not a contradiction to say Jeremiah when you look at this verse in "block logic" and that is why Jeremiah is mentioned first. His prophecies with the key words "potter" and "Ben Hinnom", "tophet" were to point to other verses in your mind and link it to Zechariah who also uses "potter" and "30 pieces of silver". Then seeing what the context was in Yeshua's arrest, these terms were linked and seen in block logic.
Feast of Sukkot
This week we are continuing our look into the Biblical festivals found in Lev. 23 that occur in the fall. Last week we discussed the High Holy Days and how they were a picture of the Birthpains, or tribulation period and the coming of the Messiah. This week we are going to talk about the Feast of Sukkot. This feast commemorates the time Israel spent in the wilderness as G-d led them. They lived in temporary shelters called "sukkot" in Hebrew. During this time G-d "lived" among them in the Mishkan and took care of all their needs. This is a week-long festival and the people were commanded to make "sukkot". In the Temple there was an elaborate ceremony involving "living water" being "poured out"over the altar. This festival would take hours to develop and teach but we'll look at a few highlights. The major prophetic themes of this festival is the coming Messianic Kingdom, the birth of the Messiah, the dedication of the Temple, and the future protection of Israel in the wilderness during the Birthpains. So let's look at these quickly.
This feast portrays the Messianic Kingdom. After Yom KIppur, there are 5 days till Sukkot. These will be the days that Messiah will judge the survivors of the Birthpains in Jerusalem as seen in Mt 25. Once that is over, as He says in this chapter, the believers "enter into the Kingdom" and His reign on earth begins. There are 70 bulls that are sacrificed during this week and on the first day there are 13, then 12 then 11 and so on. These bulls symbolize the 70 nations ordained by G-d in Dt 32 and Exo. 1.5. They diminish in number telling us that the influence of the nations will diminish in the Messianic Kingdom. This festival also teaches us about the birth of Yeshua.We know that John the Baptist was conceived in June (Lk 1) and six months later Miriam (Mary) conceived Yeshua. This is around the feast of Chanukah. There is a wonderful connection between Sukkot and Chanukah that will be developed some other time. Three months later, around Passover, John is born. Six months after that is the feast of Sukkot and the birth of Yeshua. Let's look at some of the concepts associated with His birth. It called the Feast of the Nations, the Feast of Lights, and the "season of our joy" and these are all terms associated with His birth.
The term "sukkot" means "stable" (Gen 33) and we know that He was born in a "sukkah" or stable. We also know from history that King Herod died in September and Yeshua had already been born, so all these reasons rule out a December 25 birth, which any encyclopedia will tell you is of pagan origin. This festival teaches the wedding supper and the blessings associated with that. From Yom KIppur you count 75 days and it brings you up to Chanukah and the dedication of Ezekiels Temple. Dan 12.11-12 talks about this. The 1290 days in v11 is from 30 days before the mid-point of the Birthpains when the False Messiah will set up the Abomination of Desolation around the feast of Purim plus 1260 days of the 2nd half of the Birthpains.
The 1335 days in v12 is from the mid-point of the Birthpains which is Nisan 10 on the religious calendar to Yom Kippur the last day of the Birthpains, when Yeshua returns to stand on the Mt of Olives (Zech 14). From Tishri 10 (Yom Kippur) you count 75 days and you come to Chanukah, a feast that teaches the dedication of the Temple and new altar after the Maccabean revolt. So, the last two weeks answer to the question about the High Holy Days should give you a good start to developing a biblical view of eschatology. The reason these things are not taught is because people have believed that the Law has been "done away with" and these festivals have been "replaced" with pagan dates and concepts. You can stay in darkness if you want to or you can go somewhere where the Truth is taught...it's your choice.If you would like more information about all this contact us at our e-mail address: otmin@sbcglobal.net. Now, go and study!
This feast portrays the Messianic Kingdom. After Yom KIppur, there are 5 days till Sukkot. These will be the days that Messiah will judge the survivors of the Birthpains in Jerusalem as seen in Mt 25. Once that is over, as He says in this chapter, the believers "enter into the Kingdom" and His reign on earth begins. There are 70 bulls that are sacrificed during this week and on the first day there are 13, then 12 then 11 and so on. These bulls symbolize the 70 nations ordained by G-d in Dt 32 and Exo. 1.5. They diminish in number telling us that the influence of the nations will diminish in the Messianic Kingdom. This festival also teaches us about the birth of Yeshua.We know that John the Baptist was conceived in June (Lk 1) and six months later Miriam (Mary) conceived Yeshua. This is around the feast of Chanukah. There is a wonderful connection between Sukkot and Chanukah that will be developed some other time. Three months later, around Passover, John is born. Six months after that is the feast of Sukkot and the birth of Yeshua. Let's look at some of the concepts associated with His birth. It called the Feast of the Nations, the Feast of Lights, and the "season of our joy" and these are all terms associated with His birth.
The term "sukkot" means "stable" (Gen 33) and we know that He was born in a "sukkah" or stable. We also know from history that King Herod died in September and Yeshua had already been born, so all these reasons rule out a December 25 birth, which any encyclopedia will tell you is of pagan origin. This festival teaches the wedding supper and the blessings associated with that. From Yom KIppur you count 75 days and it brings you up to Chanukah and the dedication of Ezekiels Temple. Dan 12.11-12 talks about this. The 1290 days in v11 is from 30 days before the mid-point of the Birthpains when the False Messiah will set up the Abomination of Desolation around the feast of Purim plus 1260 days of the 2nd half of the Birthpains.
The 1335 days in v12 is from the mid-point of the Birthpains which is Nisan 10 on the religious calendar to Yom Kippur the last day of the Birthpains, when Yeshua returns to stand on the Mt of Olives (Zech 14). From Tishri 10 (Yom Kippur) you count 75 days and you come to Chanukah, a feast that teaches the dedication of the Temple and new altar after the Maccabean revolt. So, the last two weeks answer to the question about the High Holy Days should give you a good start to developing a biblical view of eschatology. The reason these things are not taught is because people have believed that the Law has been "done away with" and these festivals have been "replaced" with pagan dates and concepts. You can stay in darkness if you want to or you can go somewhere where the Truth is taught...it's your choice.If you would like more information about all this contact us at our e-mail address: otmin@sbcglobal.net. Now, go and study!
Biblical sacrifice
Q. What is the biblical concept of "sacrifice"?
A.This can be very complex in that there is a lot of scripture one has to put together to properly understand it, but here is a short version. There is a difference between the Torah concept of scarifice and the christian concept. Both Jew and Gentile have this concept: if you sin you have to bring a sacrifice to pay for it. But, the word for sacrifice in scripture is "korban" which means to draw near. It is related to the word for sexual intercourse. Was Yeshua ever impure? Yes, whenever He touched a dead body, or the woman unclean with a discharge , or anyone of the lepers He touched caused Him to be unclean. But being unclean is not sin. Did Yeshua ever offer a sin offering? Yes, but it doesn't mean He sinned-it acknowledges that there is sin in the world. "Sacrifice" in English means to "give something up", as in sacrificing for your children, etc. People believe you get atonement by bringing a "korban", but it comes from faith and repentance. There is a problem: we base what we believe on a messed up view of sacrifice, especially concerning Yeshua. Lev. 20.15 says that one is forbidden to offer their children as a sacrifice.. G-d forbids Abraham to offer Isaac in Gen. 22.
This brings up a problem w/in christianity. How could G-d break His own word? Isa 42-55 gives us the "servant" passages. These passages are identified as referring to Messiah, Israel or both. Christians say they refer to Messiah, Judaism says they refer to Israel. But in reality, they could refer to all three at times. In Jn. 1.29,36 there is a staement that is translated "the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sins of the world", but there's a problem. A lamb is not used to take away sin, it is a shelem, or peace offering at Passover. At Yom Kippur, a lamb is not used, but goats and a bull are. About 50 years ago the academic world thought that the people in new testament times spoke Aramaic, alanguage from Babylon that is similar to Hebrew. Later research has founf that this was untrue, they spoke Hebrew.
Around 200 C.E. they used Aramaic, but in the 1st century it was Hebrew. Aramaic was there but not the primary language. There are "loan words" from Aramaic that are used and scholars have reconstructed the Greek N.T. text and found problems. There are terms that don't make sense. There is an eastern structure and a western structure. From Hebrew to Greek, our verse does not make sense. But, in Aramaic it does make sense, using the loan word that says "the Servant of G-d who takes away the sins of the world". Now, it makes sense and there are hundreds of verses about the "Servant" of the L-rd. There is a concept in scripture called the "Suffering of the Tzadik".
A Tzadik is a righteous one, but not just any righteous one. The Tzadik is one who stands out in his generation ,far above his peers. There is much said on this subject and in the Mesorah Publications "Ezekiel" in appendix III on Ezekiel 4.4. It says that "Ezekiel's suffering might serve to atone for the sins of his people. The thesis was advanced that the sight of the Tzadik's agony, for which the people had been the cause, might inspire them to true repentance." This may be true to some extent, but there is a deeper picture to all this . We will pick up there with this concept in the Artscroll article on the suffering tzadik and how this relates to the concept of "sacrifice" and the death of Yeshua next week.
A.This can be very complex in that there is a lot of scripture one has to put together to properly understand it, but here is a short version. There is a difference between the Torah concept of scarifice and the christian concept. Both Jew and Gentile have this concept: if you sin you have to bring a sacrifice to pay for it. But, the word for sacrifice in scripture is "korban" which means to draw near. It is related to the word for sexual intercourse. Was Yeshua ever impure? Yes, whenever He touched a dead body, or the woman unclean with a discharge , or anyone of the lepers He touched caused Him to be unclean. But being unclean is not sin. Did Yeshua ever offer a sin offering? Yes, but it doesn't mean He sinned-it acknowledges that there is sin in the world. "Sacrifice" in English means to "give something up", as in sacrificing for your children, etc. People believe you get atonement by bringing a "korban", but it comes from faith and repentance. There is a problem: we base what we believe on a messed up view of sacrifice, especially concerning Yeshua. Lev. 20.15 says that one is forbidden to offer their children as a sacrifice.. G-d forbids Abraham to offer Isaac in Gen. 22.
This brings up a problem w/in christianity. How could G-d break His own word? Isa 42-55 gives us the "servant" passages. These passages are identified as referring to Messiah, Israel or both. Christians say they refer to Messiah, Judaism says they refer to Israel. But in reality, they could refer to all three at times. In Jn. 1.29,36 there is a staement that is translated "the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sins of the world", but there's a problem. A lamb is not used to take away sin, it is a shelem, or peace offering at Passover. At Yom Kippur, a lamb is not used, but goats and a bull are. About 50 years ago the academic world thought that the people in new testament times spoke Aramaic, alanguage from Babylon that is similar to Hebrew. Later research has founf that this was untrue, they spoke Hebrew.
Around 200 C.E. they used Aramaic, but in the 1st century it was Hebrew. Aramaic was there but not the primary language. There are "loan words" from Aramaic that are used and scholars have reconstructed the Greek N.T. text and found problems. There are terms that don't make sense. There is an eastern structure and a western structure. From Hebrew to Greek, our verse does not make sense. But, in Aramaic it does make sense, using the loan word that says "the Servant of G-d who takes away the sins of the world". Now, it makes sense and there are hundreds of verses about the "Servant" of the L-rd. There is a concept in scripture called the "Suffering of the Tzadik".
A Tzadik is a righteous one, but not just any righteous one. The Tzadik is one who stands out in his generation ,far above his peers. There is much said on this subject and in the Mesorah Publications "Ezekiel" in appendix III on Ezekiel 4.4. It says that "Ezekiel's suffering might serve to atone for the sins of his people. The thesis was advanced that the sight of the Tzadik's agony, for which the people had been the cause, might inspire them to true repentance." This may be true to some extent, but there is a deeper picture to all this . We will pick up there with this concept in the Artscroll article on the suffering tzadik and how this relates to the concept of "sacrifice" and the death of Yeshua next week.
Church replaced Lost 10 Tribes?
Q. Isn't it true that the Tribes of Israel are lost and the Church has replaced them?
A. If that is true, then there is no New covenant and Gentiles are lost because the New Covenant was made with the 12 tribes (Jer31) and G-d said that Covenant is in force as long as there are stars in the heavens that can't be measured or the foundations of the earth that aren't searched out. This theory, or myth, is one that is very ancient. The Torah tells us of Jacob and Esau and their contention over the birthright and rights of the First-born. Esau despised the responsibilities that went along with the birthright, but wanted the material blessings. Jacob knew that with the birthright came responsibility, which was obedience. Esau wasn't interested in that. Later, the term Edom (Esau) was applied to the Romans, and then to Christianity which came out of Rome. Today, Christianity is like Edom, or Esau.
They want the blessing of the firstborn/birthright (Jacob/Israel) but they don't want the responsibility of keeping the Torah. So, over the years many groups have claimed to be "the true Israel", but did not want to keep the commandments. But , the tribes of Israel were never really "lost" to begin with, nor did they assimilate into what is now Europe as British Israelites say, or are they in Japan as some teach. After Assyria deported the 10 northern tribes, many stayed in the land and even returned in a few years. All the tribes were at Hezekiah's Passover (2 Chr 30), and Isa. 8.14 is addressed to all the tribes. They were present during Josiah's Passover and reforms (2 Chr 35).In Ezra 8.35 offerings were made for all of Israel.In Lk 2.36 Hannah the prophetess was from the tribe of Asher, so how could they know that if the 10 tribes were "lost". The book of James was written to the 12 tribes of Israel.
Tobit was from Naphtali and Judith was from Simeon. In the future, the 144,000 in Rev 7 and 14 are from the 12 tribes, and the tribes are listed again in Ezek 48 as being present in the Messianic Kingdom, after Messiah comes. There is no question the Jewish people have been scattered all through the known world, but they are not lost. G-d knows who they are, and evidently so does our enemies. Hitler had no trouble finding the Jews. Spain had no trouble finding the Jews when they were expelled in 1492. England had no trouble finding the Jews when they were expelled in the 16th century. Our enemies today have no trouble finding the Jews, they never have had trouble. They don't read those non-sensical books about British Israelitism and the Two House Theory, or the Ephraimite Theory.
We are not lost, we are scattered, but that was part of G-d's plan, too. The scriptures say that G-d gave the Jewish people the Oracles of G-d, which is the word. When you examine the religions of the English, Danes, Europeans, Japanese or whever claims to be the "true" Israel you find that there is no history of Torah observance. Biblically, if you are descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob either through the father or the mother, you are Jewish. That doesn't save you, but there is a mandate from G-d to know Him and teach His word to the world.
But, the Church has not replaced Israel, and the L-rd says He never will, especially in Romans Ch 9,10,11. The basic premise for all this is just like Esau. They want the blessing without the responsibility. Funny, when our enemies will come looking for us in the future, I'll bet they don't step up to the plate. In fact, they will be the one's doing the persecuting, just like their father Esau. And you non-Jews who have been grafted into the Olive Tree and are a part of the Household of Israel by faith, they will come after you, too. In short, then, the whole story of the "10 lost tribes" is largely a myth.
A. If that is true, then there is no New covenant and Gentiles are lost because the New Covenant was made with the 12 tribes (Jer31) and G-d said that Covenant is in force as long as there are stars in the heavens that can't be measured or the foundations of the earth that aren't searched out. This theory, or myth, is one that is very ancient. The Torah tells us of Jacob and Esau and their contention over the birthright and rights of the First-born. Esau despised the responsibilities that went along with the birthright, but wanted the material blessings. Jacob knew that with the birthright came responsibility, which was obedience. Esau wasn't interested in that. Later, the term Edom (Esau) was applied to the Romans, and then to Christianity which came out of Rome. Today, Christianity is like Edom, or Esau.
They want the blessing of the firstborn/birthright (Jacob/Israel) but they don't want the responsibility of keeping the Torah. So, over the years many groups have claimed to be "the true Israel", but did not want to keep the commandments. But , the tribes of Israel were never really "lost" to begin with, nor did they assimilate into what is now Europe as British Israelites say, or are they in Japan as some teach. After Assyria deported the 10 northern tribes, many stayed in the land and even returned in a few years. All the tribes were at Hezekiah's Passover (2 Chr 30), and Isa. 8.14 is addressed to all the tribes. They were present during Josiah's Passover and reforms (2 Chr 35).In Ezra 8.35 offerings were made for all of Israel.In Lk 2.36 Hannah the prophetess was from the tribe of Asher, so how could they know that if the 10 tribes were "lost". The book of James was written to the 12 tribes of Israel.
Tobit was from Naphtali and Judith was from Simeon. In the future, the 144,000 in Rev 7 and 14 are from the 12 tribes, and the tribes are listed again in Ezek 48 as being present in the Messianic Kingdom, after Messiah comes. There is no question the Jewish people have been scattered all through the known world, but they are not lost. G-d knows who they are, and evidently so does our enemies. Hitler had no trouble finding the Jews. Spain had no trouble finding the Jews when they were expelled in 1492. England had no trouble finding the Jews when they were expelled in the 16th century. Our enemies today have no trouble finding the Jews, they never have had trouble. They don't read those non-sensical books about British Israelitism and the Two House Theory, or the Ephraimite Theory.
We are not lost, we are scattered, but that was part of G-d's plan, too. The scriptures say that G-d gave the Jewish people the Oracles of G-d, which is the word. When you examine the religions of the English, Danes, Europeans, Japanese or whever claims to be the "true" Israel you find that there is no history of Torah observance. Biblically, if you are descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob either through the father or the mother, you are Jewish. That doesn't save you, but there is a mandate from G-d to know Him and teach His word to the world.
But, the Church has not replaced Israel, and the L-rd says He never will, especially in Romans Ch 9,10,11. The basic premise for all this is just like Esau. They want the blessing without the responsibility. Funny, when our enemies will come looking for us in the future, I'll bet they don't step up to the plate. In fact, they will be the one's doing the persecuting, just like their father Esau. And you non-Jews who have been grafted into the Olive Tree and are a part of the Household of Israel by faith, they will come after you, too. In short, then, the whole story of the "10 lost tribes" is largely a myth.
Why Does God Save Us?
Q."Why does G-d save us?
A. The typical answer to this would be "So we don"t go to hell" which is partly true, but not the complete answer. He saves us so we can keep the commandments of the Torah in our lives. That is part of G-d's plan to restore back into a correct relationship with Him, which is the purpose for mankind that goes back to Eden. Why do we have situations in our lives?
So we can follow G-d's instruction in handling them. In Psa 119 David is asking G-d to save him so he can keep the commandments. That psalm has 176 verses and every one of them speak about the commandments. How could David murder and commit adultery, lie and everything else, and yet say he is man after G-d's own heart and say he followed the Torah all his life? Because he was saved by G-d's "chessed" or grace, not by keeping all the Law perfectly. G-d judged David on his faith AND desire to follow the Torah, not on his ability to keep every point of it. That is how people got saved before Yeshua ever came. Grace didn't start with the cross, it has always been a part of how G-d deals with mankind.
Sins were forgiven before Yeshua just like today. Starting from Adam all the way to 2003, G-d has been forgiving man when he truly repents and turns to Him. So, another question should come to mind. Why did G-d give the Torah at Mt Sinai if salvation was always attainable by faith? He did it out of mercy. G-d's word has always been in existence. Clean and unclean, Sabbath, theft, murder, loving your neighbor pre-existed Mt. sinai. In exodus 18, Moses is judging the people according to the Torah of G-d and that was before Sinai. In the time of Noah, man had become so sinful that He had to destroy all living things except one family.
But, he gave them 120 years to repent, but they didn't. In Abraham's time, the canaanites were given 400 years to repenet, and they didn't. Moving ahead to Yeshua, G-d is giving more time to people to turn to Him. Man has strayed from G-d and His will, the Torah. The Torah, which has always been there from the beginning, was given and written down at Sinai for several reasons. It was to give guidance because man's sin was getting very bad. It was to stir up sin in man so there was a line to cross. Man, knowing he is a sinner and falling short of G-d's standards, would now turn to Him for mercy and trust G-d for salvation. The Torah tells us how to love G-d and approach him by faith.
Faith in Yeshua does not, nor ever did, void the commandments in the life of a believer. There many who believe in a perverse teaching that once one believes, they are set free from the commandments. This theology says that the Law was too hard for people to follow, so when Yeshua came it was done away with and now they follow the "law of love" or "law of liberty" and are "led by the Spirit" or something. G-d said that following His caommandments was not too hard or too deep to comprehend (Dt 30.11-14). Nowhere in the Scriptures is there a hint that the commandments were done away with. G-d looks at your desire to follow them as a part of your faith. One who does not believe will not keep the commandments and say they don't apply, and that is the issue you must deal with when you stand before Him. To reject the commandments is to reject G-d Himself .
A. The typical answer to this would be "So we don"t go to hell" which is partly true, but not the complete answer. He saves us so we can keep the commandments of the Torah in our lives. That is part of G-d's plan to restore back into a correct relationship with Him, which is the purpose for mankind that goes back to Eden. Why do we have situations in our lives?
So we can follow G-d's instruction in handling them. In Psa 119 David is asking G-d to save him so he can keep the commandments. That psalm has 176 verses and every one of them speak about the commandments. How could David murder and commit adultery, lie and everything else, and yet say he is man after G-d's own heart and say he followed the Torah all his life? Because he was saved by G-d's "chessed" or grace, not by keeping all the Law perfectly. G-d judged David on his faith AND desire to follow the Torah, not on his ability to keep every point of it. That is how people got saved before Yeshua ever came. Grace didn't start with the cross, it has always been a part of how G-d deals with mankind.
Sins were forgiven before Yeshua just like today. Starting from Adam all the way to 2003, G-d has been forgiving man when he truly repents and turns to Him. So, another question should come to mind. Why did G-d give the Torah at Mt Sinai if salvation was always attainable by faith? He did it out of mercy. G-d's word has always been in existence. Clean and unclean, Sabbath, theft, murder, loving your neighbor pre-existed Mt. sinai. In exodus 18, Moses is judging the people according to the Torah of G-d and that was before Sinai. In the time of Noah, man had become so sinful that He had to destroy all living things except one family.
But, he gave them 120 years to repent, but they didn't. In Abraham's time, the canaanites were given 400 years to repenet, and they didn't. Moving ahead to Yeshua, G-d is giving more time to people to turn to Him. Man has strayed from G-d and His will, the Torah. The Torah, which has always been there from the beginning, was given and written down at Sinai for several reasons. It was to give guidance because man's sin was getting very bad. It was to stir up sin in man so there was a line to cross. Man, knowing he is a sinner and falling short of G-d's standards, would now turn to Him for mercy and trust G-d for salvation. The Torah tells us how to love G-d and approach him by faith.
Faith in Yeshua does not, nor ever did, void the commandments in the life of a believer. There many who believe in a perverse teaching that once one believes, they are set free from the commandments. This theology says that the Law was too hard for people to follow, so when Yeshua came it was done away with and now they follow the "law of love" or "law of liberty" and are "led by the Spirit" or something. G-d said that following His caommandments was not too hard or too deep to comprehend (Dt 30.11-14). Nowhere in the Scriptures is there a hint that the commandments were done away with. G-d looks at your desire to follow them as a part of your faith. One who does not believe will not keep the commandments and say they don't apply, and that is the issue you must deal with when you stand before Him. To reject the commandments is to reject G-d Himself .
Sunday, December 11, 2005
OTWaxahachie.net
That URL should be active this evening.
So from now on, just type in www.otwaxahachie.net into your toolbar. Feel free to link it to other sites or promote it.
So from now on, just type in www.otwaxahachie.net into your toolbar. Feel free to link it to other sites or promote it.
Saturday, December 3, 2005
Tithing
Q. Is "Tithing" applicable today?
A. To save the suspense, no it is not applicable today and here's why. When one reads the scriptures, you do not read it like you would a novel. You are to read it like a contract. Words mean things and to get the proper definition you must find the Hebrew meanings. Don't trust your English translations to give the right meaning, look them up the way G-d communicated them. In the details lies the message, so you need to go into the Word like a lawyer. Tithing in Hebrew is the word "ma'aser" . There are volumes written on this subject but it is nearly unknown within Christianity because they have "redefined" the words to fit what they want. An attempt will be made here to get to the heart of the matter, but it will not be an exhaustive explanation.Tithing was agricultural. You did not tithe money.
There are no scriptures to support what is done today. Secondly, you only tithed if you were involved in agriculture within the land of Israel. If you were a farmer outside the land, you did not tithe. Third, you tithed to the priests and the Levites, at certain times and places. There are three main types. There is the "Ma'aser Rishon" which is the first tithe, usually given around the feast of Shavuot. You went to the Levitical city near you and deposited the tithe there, at the storehouses and corrals that were prepared there. The years were divided into a "Shemitah" which is a seven year cycle. At the completion of seven cycles, or 49 years, the 50th year was a "Yovel" year, or mistranslated as "jubilee" year in most Bibles. Now, during each year it was divided into the spring and the fall. You brought the ma'aser rishon in the spring as things ripened in years 1-6 of the shemitah cycle. You did not tithe the 7th year.
The second type of tithing in Israel was the "Ma'aser Sheni" or the second tithe. This was brought in the fall around the feast of Sukkot to the Temple in the 1,2,4,5 year of the shemitah and a massive banquet was prepared and you ate it with the Priests and Levites at the Temple eventually. In the 3 and 5th year, it was taken to the Levitical city near you and given to the poor, widow, orphan and the Ger(Gentile who lived in the land and followed G-d). This was called the "Ma'aser Ani" or the poor man's tithe. You did not tithe the 7th year. There are two other types of ma'aser, or tithing. The first one is called the "Terumah Gedolah" or the great heave offering. This was 1/50th of your crop and given directly to the Kohanim, or priests.
This was done all six years of the shemitah. The second is called the "Terumah Ma'aser" or the Levitical tithe where 1/10 of the Ma'aser Rishon is given to the priests by the Levites. This is done all six years of the shemitah as well. As you can see, this does not resemble what is done today because what is done today isn't scriptural or accurate. It is a way to raise money for their respective churches and organizations, but it is not Tithing. Therefore, the verses like Malachi 3.8 and others that are used to promote these teachings so people will give are taken out of their intended meaning by G-d for personal gain. Now, that is not to say we should not give. If you give 10%, or 20% or whatever that is "Biblical Giving", but don't call it tithing and don't make people feel guilty if they don't.
You who think you are tithing aren't really tithing biblically anyway. Tithing was agricultural, done if you lived in the land of Israel, given to the priests, Levites, widows, poor, orphans and strangers, done at certain times of the year , to a certain place and not done at all every 7th year. The priests and Levites had no inheritance in the land and it was a way to take care of them. If you made your living off the land, you tithed to give back to G-d. If the people obeyed, He sent rain and kept the insects away. But, if you didn't, He would stop the rain and not rebuke the devouring insects until you did. This cannot be done in Texas, obviously. I hope this helps, Forward any questions you may have to OTMIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET. Now, go and study
A. To save the suspense, no it is not applicable today and here's why. When one reads the scriptures, you do not read it like you would a novel. You are to read it like a contract. Words mean things and to get the proper definition you must find the Hebrew meanings. Don't trust your English translations to give the right meaning, look them up the way G-d communicated them. In the details lies the message, so you need to go into the Word like a lawyer. Tithing in Hebrew is the word "ma'aser" . There are volumes written on this subject but it is nearly unknown within Christianity because they have "redefined" the words to fit what they want. An attempt will be made here to get to the heart of the matter, but it will not be an exhaustive explanation.Tithing was agricultural. You did not tithe money.
There are no scriptures to support what is done today. Secondly, you only tithed if you were involved in agriculture within the land of Israel. If you were a farmer outside the land, you did not tithe. Third, you tithed to the priests and the Levites, at certain times and places. There are three main types. There is the "Ma'aser Rishon" which is the first tithe, usually given around the feast of Shavuot. You went to the Levitical city near you and deposited the tithe there, at the storehouses and corrals that were prepared there. The years were divided into a "Shemitah" which is a seven year cycle. At the completion of seven cycles, or 49 years, the 50th year was a "Yovel" year, or mistranslated as "jubilee" year in most Bibles. Now, during each year it was divided into the spring and the fall. You brought the ma'aser rishon in the spring as things ripened in years 1-6 of the shemitah cycle. You did not tithe the 7th year.
The second type of tithing in Israel was the "Ma'aser Sheni" or the second tithe. This was brought in the fall around the feast of Sukkot to the Temple in the 1,2,4,5 year of the shemitah and a massive banquet was prepared and you ate it with the Priests and Levites at the Temple eventually. In the 3 and 5th year, it was taken to the Levitical city near you and given to the poor, widow, orphan and the Ger(Gentile who lived in the land and followed G-d). This was called the "Ma'aser Ani" or the poor man's tithe. You did not tithe the 7th year. There are two other types of ma'aser, or tithing. The first one is called the "Terumah Gedolah" or the great heave offering. This was 1/50th of your crop and given directly to the Kohanim, or priests.
This was done all six years of the shemitah. The second is called the "Terumah Ma'aser" or the Levitical tithe where 1/10 of the Ma'aser Rishon is given to the priests by the Levites. This is done all six years of the shemitah as well. As you can see, this does not resemble what is done today because what is done today isn't scriptural or accurate. It is a way to raise money for their respective churches and organizations, but it is not Tithing. Therefore, the verses like Malachi 3.8 and others that are used to promote these teachings so people will give are taken out of their intended meaning by G-d for personal gain. Now, that is not to say we should not give. If you give 10%, or 20% or whatever that is "Biblical Giving", but don't call it tithing and don't make people feel guilty if they don't.
You who think you are tithing aren't really tithing biblically anyway. Tithing was agricultural, done if you lived in the land of Israel, given to the priests, Levites, widows, poor, orphans and strangers, done at certain times of the year , to a certain place and not done at all every 7th year. The priests and Levites had no inheritance in the land and it was a way to take care of them. If you made your living off the land, you tithed to give back to G-d. If the people obeyed, He sent rain and kept the insects away. But, if you didn't, He would stop the rain and not rebuke the devouring insects until you did. This cannot be done in Texas, obviously. I hope this helps, Forward any questions you may have to OTMIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET. Now, go and study
Sacrifice Part I
Q. What is the biblical concept of "sacrifice"?
A.This can be very complex in that there is a lot of scripture one has to put together to properly understand it, but here is a short version. There is a difference between the Torah concept of scarifice and the christian concept. Both Jew and Gentile have this concept: if you sin you have to bring a sacrifice to pay for it. But, the word for sacrifice in scripture is "korban" which means to draw near. It is related to the word for sexual intercourse.
Was Yeshua ever impure? Yes, whenever He touched a dead body, or the woman unclean with a discharge , or anyone of the lepers He touched caused Him to be unclean. But being unclean is not sin. Did Yeshua ever offer a sin offering? Yes, but it doesn't mean He sinned-it acknowledges that there is sin in the world. "Sacrifice" in English means to "give something up", as in sacrificing for your children, etc. People believe you get atonement by bringing a "korban", but it comes from faith and repentance. There is a problem: we base what we believe on a messed up view of sacrifice, especially concerning Yeshua. Lev. 20.15 says that one is forbidden to offer their children as a sacrifice.. G-d forbids Abraham to offer Isaac in Gen. 22. This brings up a problem w/in christianity. How could G-d break His own word? Isa 42-55 gives us the "servant" passages. These passages are identified as referring to Messiah, Israel or both. Christians say they refer to Messiah, Judaism says they refer to Israel. But in reality, they could refer to all three at times. In Jn. 1.29,36 there is a staement that is translated "the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sins of the world", but there's a problem. A lamb is not used to take away sin, it is a shelem, or peace offering at Passover. At Yom Kippur, a lamb is not used, but goats and a bull are.
About 50 years ago the academic world thought that the people in new testament times spoke Aramaic, alanguage from Babylon that is similar to Hebrew. Later research has founf that this was untrue, they spoke Hebrew. Around 200 C.E. they used Aramaic, but in the 1st century it was Hebrew. Aramaic was there but not the primary language. There are "loan words" from Aramaic that are used and scholars have reconstructed the Greek N.T. text and found problems. There are terms that don't make sense. There is an eastern structure and a western structure. From Hebrew to Greek, our verse does not make sense. But, in Aramaic it does make sense, using the loan word that says "the Servant of G-d who takes away the sins of the world". Now, it makes sense and there are hundreds of verses about the "Servant" of the L-rd. There is a concept in scripture called the "Suffering of the Tzadik".
A Tzadik is a righteous one, but not just any righteous one. The Tzadik is one who stands out in his generation ,far above his peers. There is much said on this subject and in the Mesorah Publications "Ezekiel" in appendix III on Ezekiel 4.4. It says that "Ezekiel's suffering might serve to atone for the sins of his people. The thesis was advanced that the sight of the Tzadik's agony, for which the people had been the cause, might inspire them to true repentance." This may be true to some extent, but there is a deeper picture to all this . We will pick up there with this concept in the Artscroll article on the suffering tzadik and how this relates to the concept of "sacrifice" and the death of Yeshua next week.
A.This can be very complex in that there is a lot of scripture one has to put together to properly understand it, but here is a short version. There is a difference between the Torah concept of scarifice and the christian concept. Both Jew and Gentile have this concept: if you sin you have to bring a sacrifice to pay for it. But, the word for sacrifice in scripture is "korban" which means to draw near. It is related to the word for sexual intercourse.
Was Yeshua ever impure? Yes, whenever He touched a dead body, or the woman unclean with a discharge , or anyone of the lepers He touched caused Him to be unclean. But being unclean is not sin. Did Yeshua ever offer a sin offering? Yes, but it doesn't mean He sinned-it acknowledges that there is sin in the world. "Sacrifice" in English means to "give something up", as in sacrificing for your children, etc. People believe you get atonement by bringing a "korban", but it comes from faith and repentance. There is a problem: we base what we believe on a messed up view of sacrifice, especially concerning Yeshua. Lev. 20.15 says that one is forbidden to offer their children as a sacrifice.. G-d forbids Abraham to offer Isaac in Gen. 22. This brings up a problem w/in christianity. How could G-d break His own word? Isa 42-55 gives us the "servant" passages. These passages are identified as referring to Messiah, Israel or both. Christians say they refer to Messiah, Judaism says they refer to Israel. But in reality, they could refer to all three at times. In Jn. 1.29,36 there is a staement that is translated "the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sins of the world", but there's a problem. A lamb is not used to take away sin, it is a shelem, or peace offering at Passover. At Yom Kippur, a lamb is not used, but goats and a bull are.
About 50 years ago the academic world thought that the people in new testament times spoke Aramaic, alanguage from Babylon that is similar to Hebrew. Later research has founf that this was untrue, they spoke Hebrew. Around 200 C.E. they used Aramaic, but in the 1st century it was Hebrew. Aramaic was there but not the primary language. There are "loan words" from Aramaic that are used and scholars have reconstructed the Greek N.T. text and found problems. There are terms that don't make sense. There is an eastern structure and a western structure. From Hebrew to Greek, our verse does not make sense. But, in Aramaic it does make sense, using the loan word that says "the Servant of G-d who takes away the sins of the world". Now, it makes sense and there are hundreds of verses about the "Servant" of the L-rd. There is a concept in scripture called the "Suffering of the Tzadik".
A Tzadik is a righteous one, but not just any righteous one. The Tzadik is one who stands out in his generation ,far above his peers. There is much said on this subject and in the Mesorah Publications "Ezekiel" in appendix III on Ezekiel 4.4. It says that "Ezekiel's suffering might serve to atone for the sins of his people. The thesis was advanced that the sight of the Tzadik's agony, for which the people had been the cause, might inspire them to true repentance." This may be true to some extent, but there is a deeper picture to all this . We will pick up there with this concept in the Artscroll article on the suffering tzadik and how this relates to the concept of "sacrifice" and the death of Yeshua next week.
Biblical Festivals Q&A
This week we are continuing our look into the Biblical festivals found in Lev. 23 that occur in the fall. Last week we discussed the High Holy Days and how they were a picture of the Birthpains, or tribulation period and the coming of the Messiah. This week we are going to talk about the Feast of Sukkot. This feast commemorates the time Israel spent in the wilderness as G-d led them. They lived in temporary shelters called "sukkot" in Hebrew. During this time G-d "lived" among them in the Mishkan and took care of all their needs. This is a week-long festival and the people were commanded to make "sukkot". In the Temple there was an elaborate ceremony involving "living water" being "poured out"over the altar. This festival would take hours to develop and teach but we'll look at a few highlights. The major prophetic themes of this festival is the coming Messianic Kingdom, the birth of the Messiah, the dedication of the Temple, and the future protection of Israel in the wilderness during the Birthpains. So let's look at these quickly. This feast portrays the Messianic Kingdom.
After Yom KIppur, there are 5 days till Sukkot. These will be the days that Messiah will judge the survivors of the Birthpains in Jerusalem as seen in Mt 25. Once that is over, as He says in this chapter, the believers "enter into the Kingdom" and His reign on earth begins. There are 70 bulls that are sacrificed during this week and on the first day there are 13, then 12 then 11 and so on. These bulls symbolize the 70 nations ordained by G-d in Dt 32 and Exo. 1.5. They diminish in number telling us that the influence of the nations will diminish in the Messianic Kingdom. This festival also teaches us about the birth of Yeshua.We know that John the Baptist was conceived in June (Lk 1) and six months later Miriam (Mary) conceived Yeshua.
This is around the feast of Chanukah. There is a wonderful connection between Sukkot and Chanukah that will be developed some other time. Three months later, around Passover, John is born. Six months after that is the feast of Sukkot and the birth of Yeshua. Let's look at some of the concepts associated with His birth. It called the Feast of the Nations, the Feast of Lights, and the "season of our joy" and these are all terms associated with His birth. The term "sukkot" means "stable" (Gen 33) and we know that He was born in a "sukkah" or stable. We also know from history that King Herod died in September and Yeshua had already been born, so all these reasons rule out a December 25 birth, which any encyclopedia will tell you is of pagan origin.
This festival teaches the wedding supper and the blessings associated with that. From Yom KIppur you count 75 days and it brings you up to Chanukah and the dedication of Ezekiels Temple. Dan 12.11-12 talks about this. The 1290 days in v11 is from 30 days before the mid-point of the Birthpains when the False Messiah will set up the Abomination of Desolation around the feast of Purim plus 1260 days of the 2nd half of the Birthpains. The 1335 days in v12 is from the mid-point of the Birthpains which is Nisan 10 on the religious calendar to Yom Kippur the last day of the Birthpains, when Yeshua returns to stand on the Mt of Olives (Zech 14).
From Tishri 10 (Yom Kippur) you count 75 days and you come to Chanukah, a feast that teaches the dedication of the Temple and new altar after the Maccabean revolt. So, the last two weeks answer to the question about the High Holy Days should give you a good start to developing a biblical view of eschatology. The reason these things are not taught is because people have believed that the Law has been "done away with" and these festivals have been "replaced" with pagan dates and concepts. You can stay in darkness if you want to or you can go somewhere where the Truth is taught...it's your choice.If you would like more information about all this contact us at our e-mail address: otmin@sbcglobal.net. Now, go and study!
After Yom KIppur, there are 5 days till Sukkot. These will be the days that Messiah will judge the survivors of the Birthpains in Jerusalem as seen in Mt 25. Once that is over, as He says in this chapter, the believers "enter into the Kingdom" and His reign on earth begins. There are 70 bulls that are sacrificed during this week and on the first day there are 13, then 12 then 11 and so on. These bulls symbolize the 70 nations ordained by G-d in Dt 32 and Exo. 1.5. They diminish in number telling us that the influence of the nations will diminish in the Messianic Kingdom. This festival also teaches us about the birth of Yeshua.We know that John the Baptist was conceived in June (Lk 1) and six months later Miriam (Mary) conceived Yeshua.
This is around the feast of Chanukah. There is a wonderful connection between Sukkot and Chanukah that will be developed some other time. Three months later, around Passover, John is born. Six months after that is the feast of Sukkot and the birth of Yeshua. Let's look at some of the concepts associated with His birth. It called the Feast of the Nations, the Feast of Lights, and the "season of our joy" and these are all terms associated with His birth. The term "sukkot" means "stable" (Gen 33) and we know that He was born in a "sukkah" or stable. We also know from history that King Herod died in September and Yeshua had already been born, so all these reasons rule out a December 25 birth, which any encyclopedia will tell you is of pagan origin.
This festival teaches the wedding supper and the blessings associated with that. From Yom KIppur you count 75 days and it brings you up to Chanukah and the dedication of Ezekiels Temple. Dan 12.11-12 talks about this. The 1290 days in v11 is from 30 days before the mid-point of the Birthpains when the False Messiah will set up the Abomination of Desolation around the feast of Purim plus 1260 days of the 2nd half of the Birthpains. The 1335 days in v12 is from the mid-point of the Birthpains which is Nisan 10 on the religious calendar to Yom Kippur the last day of the Birthpains, when Yeshua returns to stand on the Mt of Olives (Zech 14).
From Tishri 10 (Yom Kippur) you count 75 days and you come to Chanukah, a feast that teaches the dedication of the Temple and new altar after the Maccabean revolt. So, the last two weeks answer to the question about the High Holy Days should give you a good start to developing a biblical view of eschatology. The reason these things are not taught is because people have believed that the Law has been "done away with" and these festivals have been "replaced" with pagan dates and concepts. You can stay in darkness if you want to or you can go somewhere where the Truth is taught...it's your choice.If you would like more information about all this contact us at our e-mail address: otmin@sbcglobal.net. Now, go and study!
Sacrifice
This week we continue on our study of the concept of "sacrifice" and how it should be understood. We left off talking about Ezekiel 4.4 and the concept of "the Suffering of the Tzaddik." A tzaddik is a righteous one who stands out in his or her generation. We said that their suffering might cause people to repent, and that is true to some extent, but there is more to this picture. In Sanhedrin 39a of the Talmud there is a story about a heretic who says G-d is a "prankster" in making Ezekiel lie on his left and right side. He thought this was strange behavior and mocked the idea that G-d was wise and just.
Rabbi Abuha answered saying that the "earth belongs to the L-rd. When a country rebels against a king, he will kill them all if he is cruel, if he is merciful he will kill half of them, if he is filled with mercy, he will cause the great ones among them to suffer. So, also G-d chastised Ezekiel in order to wipe out the sins of Israel". Biblically, there is the idea that the Tzaddik suffers on behalf of the community and that there is a communal resposibility for one another. The sin of one is the sin of all. On Yom Kippur the High Priest says that he has sinned together "with all of Israel." He says this whether he has sinned or not personally. This gives one the impression that we should care for one another and learn to rebuke each other when we see sin in our community.
This is not to shame the person, but to get them to come back to the ways of G-d and that their behavior is connected to the community. Yeshua is definitely the Messiah and the "suffering servant" seen in the scriptures. If we can have the concept that Ezekiel brought a temporary atonement for his people in his time, and G-d said he did, how much more with Yeshua. G-d would violate His own word by offering Yeshua as a "sacrifice" as understood by most people today. That is not the proper definition. It has to be something else and much deeper than that. So, the story of the Akeda in Gen. 22 is a picture of this. In Jn 11.47-52 it says that the people were believing in Yeshua and the Caiaphas and the rulers were concerned about it.
He said "Don't you know nothing at all nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And thus he spoke not of himself: but being High Priest that year, he prophesied that Yeshua should die for that nation: and not for that nation only, but also He should gather together in one the children of G-d that were scattered abroad." Blood denotes "life" in biblical thought. This concept is conveyed in the Altar and the Korbanot and you come to G-d for life. It's not that there is the "death of something" to "pay for" something you did. That is not the concept G-d is conveying in the scriptures with the Torah, the korbanot and the Temple, or Yeshua as the "Suffering Servant " or Tzaddik.
These concepts presented here the last two weeks challenge what the majority thinks on "sacrifice" but it was necessary to bring this out in response to the question about sacrifices. If you would like to know more, contact us at our website OTM@SBCGLOBAL.NET . Now, go and study.
Rabbi Abuha answered saying that the "earth belongs to the L-rd. When a country rebels against a king, he will kill them all if he is cruel, if he is merciful he will kill half of them, if he is filled with mercy, he will cause the great ones among them to suffer. So, also G-d chastised Ezekiel in order to wipe out the sins of Israel". Biblically, there is the idea that the Tzaddik suffers on behalf of the community and that there is a communal resposibility for one another. The sin of one is the sin of all. On Yom Kippur the High Priest says that he has sinned together "with all of Israel." He says this whether he has sinned or not personally. This gives one the impression that we should care for one another and learn to rebuke each other when we see sin in our community.
This is not to shame the person, but to get them to come back to the ways of G-d and that their behavior is connected to the community. Yeshua is definitely the Messiah and the "suffering servant" seen in the scriptures. If we can have the concept that Ezekiel brought a temporary atonement for his people in his time, and G-d said he did, how much more with Yeshua. G-d would violate His own word by offering Yeshua as a "sacrifice" as understood by most people today. That is not the proper definition. It has to be something else and much deeper than that. So, the story of the Akeda in Gen. 22 is a picture of this. In Jn 11.47-52 it says that the people were believing in Yeshua and the Caiaphas and the rulers were concerned about it.
He said "Don't you know nothing at all nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And thus he spoke not of himself: but being High Priest that year, he prophesied that Yeshua should die for that nation: and not for that nation only, but also He should gather together in one the children of G-d that were scattered abroad." Blood denotes "life" in biblical thought. This concept is conveyed in the Altar and the Korbanot and you come to G-d for life. It's not that there is the "death of something" to "pay for" something you did. That is not the concept G-d is conveying in the scriptures with the Torah, the korbanot and the Temple, or Yeshua as the "Suffering Servant " or Tzaddik.
These concepts presented here the last two weeks challenge what the majority thinks on "sacrifice" but it was necessary to bring this out in response to the question about sacrifices. If you would like to know more, contact us at our website OTM@SBCGLOBAL.NET . Now, go and study.
The Last Trump
Q.In 1Cor 15.52 the term "last trump" is used..what does that mean?
A. This would be a good time of the year to explain this because we are in what is called "the High Holy Days" which are the 10 days in between Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur. So to get a better understanding, lets start from the beginning. Biblically, Rosh Ha Shanah is the name of the feast in Num. 29.1-2 called "Yom Teruah" which means "the day of the awakening blast". A "teruah" is a note played on the shofar or rams horn. Teruah also means "shout" (1Thes 4.16) and you will see it all over the scriptures. Rosh ha Shanah is the day that the resurrection of the dead and the believers in Messiah who are alive and remain will be caught up together to be with the L-rd. An idiom for Rosh Ha Shanah is "the Last Trump" because it relates to the 2 horns on ram caught in the thicket in Gen. 22 ,which is the reading from the Torah on this day. It relates to the full marriage between G-d and His people. A Jewish marriage consists of 2 parts, betrothal and full marriage.
The betrothal between G-d and His people is seen at Mt Sinai when He gave the betrothal contract called the Torah. That festival is called Shavuot, "the first trump". The full marriage is seen as taking place on Rosh Ha Shanah sometime in the very near future, and is called the "last trump" (of the ram). G-d sees how we kept the commandments(betrothal contract) as to whenther or not we belong to Him. Those who say the Torah is done away with have no contract, therefore no" betrothal" contract.That's why He says to those who say they believe in Him and worked miracles in His name and cast out demons "I never knew you" in Matt 7.21-23. They had no intimate marriage betrothal contract with Him because they are "lawless" or without the Torah. If you believe that the Torah is done away with and you follow man-made religions but say you believe in Yeshua, you may be this category and you need to get out of there. At the resurrection, we go for the full marriage where we receive what was promised.
The term "last trump" is an idion referring to this festival. Another Hebrew idiom for this festival is called "the day know man knows" because no man knows the day of his wedding in Jewish custom of the 1st century. Rosh ha Shanah is also the first day of creation in Genesis and that is why this day is called Rosh (head) ha Shanah(of the year). It starts the civil year biblically. It is also the only festival that begins on a new moon, and nobody knows when it is until the first sliver of the new moon is sighted, beginning the seventh month. There is so much more about this festival that shows the resurrection of the dead and the believers who are alive and remain being caught up to heaven. Pauls uses at least 3 Hebrew idioms for Rosh ha Shanah in 1 Thes 4.13-18 and 1 Cor 15.50-52.
The days leading to Yom Kippur are days of repentance. Yom Kippur teaches the actual arrival of Yeshua to the Mount of Olives and the destruction of the False Messiah. This festival is known as the "Great Trump" because one ,long shofar blast is sounded on this day to signal the end of the days of repentance and you are sealed for judgement. There was an elaborate service in the Temple on this day and information is avaliable in the Mishnah 'Yoma" and Lev 16 in the Torah. Matt 24.30-31 says that Yeshua will return to the land with the "great trump" and judgement of the survivors of the Birthpains will begin. That judgement will occur within the 5 days between Yom KIppur and Sukkot, the feast of Booths or "tabernacles", which will be dealt with next week. These concepts are biblical and we know that these festivals are the blueprint for understanding Bible prophecy.
If you have not been taught these things it is because you are involved with people who do not follow the L-rd or His word and you will remain in darkness until you wake up and find someplace that does. Anyone who does not understand these festivals in detail will not understand Bible prophecy. Once these things are understood, you can listen to a so-called "prophecy" teacher and in five minutes find out whether or not they know what they are talking about or not, and that alone will save you alot of heartbreak, confusion and error. For more information contact us at our E-mail address OTMIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET. Now, go and study.
A. This would be a good time of the year to explain this because we are in what is called "the High Holy Days" which are the 10 days in between Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur. So to get a better understanding, lets start from the beginning. Biblically, Rosh Ha Shanah is the name of the feast in Num. 29.1-2 called "Yom Teruah" which means "the day of the awakening blast". A "teruah" is a note played on the shofar or rams horn. Teruah also means "shout" (1Thes 4.16) and you will see it all over the scriptures. Rosh ha Shanah is the day that the resurrection of the dead and the believers in Messiah who are alive and remain will be caught up together to be with the L-rd. An idiom for Rosh Ha Shanah is "the Last Trump" because it relates to the 2 horns on ram caught in the thicket in Gen. 22 ,which is the reading from the Torah on this day. It relates to the full marriage between G-d and His people. A Jewish marriage consists of 2 parts, betrothal and full marriage.
The betrothal between G-d and His people is seen at Mt Sinai when He gave the betrothal contract called the Torah. That festival is called Shavuot, "the first trump". The full marriage is seen as taking place on Rosh Ha Shanah sometime in the very near future, and is called the "last trump" (of the ram). G-d sees how we kept the commandments(betrothal contract) as to whenther or not we belong to Him. Those who say the Torah is done away with have no contract, therefore no" betrothal" contract.That's why He says to those who say they believe in Him and worked miracles in His name and cast out demons "I never knew you" in Matt 7.21-23. They had no intimate marriage betrothal contract with Him because they are "lawless" or without the Torah. If you believe that the Torah is done away with and you follow man-made religions but say you believe in Yeshua, you may be this category and you need to get out of there. At the resurrection, we go for the full marriage where we receive what was promised.
The term "last trump" is an idion referring to this festival. Another Hebrew idiom for this festival is called "the day know man knows" because no man knows the day of his wedding in Jewish custom of the 1st century. Rosh ha Shanah is also the first day of creation in Genesis and that is why this day is called Rosh (head) ha Shanah(of the year). It starts the civil year biblically. It is also the only festival that begins on a new moon, and nobody knows when it is until the first sliver of the new moon is sighted, beginning the seventh month. There is so much more about this festival that shows the resurrection of the dead and the believers who are alive and remain being caught up to heaven. Pauls uses at least 3 Hebrew idioms for Rosh ha Shanah in 1 Thes 4.13-18 and 1 Cor 15.50-52.
The days leading to Yom Kippur are days of repentance. Yom Kippur teaches the actual arrival of Yeshua to the Mount of Olives and the destruction of the False Messiah. This festival is known as the "Great Trump" because one ,long shofar blast is sounded on this day to signal the end of the days of repentance and you are sealed for judgement. There was an elaborate service in the Temple on this day and information is avaliable in the Mishnah 'Yoma" and Lev 16 in the Torah. Matt 24.30-31 says that Yeshua will return to the land with the "great trump" and judgement of the survivors of the Birthpains will begin. That judgement will occur within the 5 days between Yom KIppur and Sukkot, the feast of Booths or "tabernacles", which will be dealt with next week. These concepts are biblical and we know that these festivals are the blueprint for understanding Bible prophecy.
If you have not been taught these things it is because you are involved with people who do not follow the L-rd or His word and you will remain in darkness until you wake up and find someplace that does. Anyone who does not understand these festivals in detail will not understand Bible prophecy. Once these things are understood, you can listen to a so-called "prophecy" teacher and in five minutes find out whether or not they know what they are talking about or not, and that alone will save you alot of heartbreak, confusion and error. For more information contact us at our E-mail address OTMIN@SBCGLOBAL.NET. Now, go and study.
Overall theme of the Bible
Q. What is the overall theme of the Bible?
A. The overall theme is redemption and restoration, but there are several principles that need to be understood. These themes are very evident if you are going to understand the Book of Revelation. As discussed before, G-d's ultimate plan is the "Unification of His name" (Zech. 14.9). In Hebrew thought, this is the most important verse in scripture. The most important book is Leviticus because it is about holiness. The most important section of scripture is the Shema, and that was the underlying theme of Paul's writings. This "unification" is illustrated in several ways. The heavens will be united with the earth, the groom with the bride.
The Olive tree theology of Paul with Jews and Gentiles in one tree, one bride, one Kahal, or congregation that follows the Torah and believes in Yeshua. Also, the 3rd Temple envisioned by Ezekiel is a prime example of this unification. If one can grasp what the unification of the Name is, you will better understand the Scriptures. Satan's "job" is to counter this unification and establish his own. He said in Isa. 14.14 that "I will be like the Most High" and he has tried to "replace" what G-d has established. For instance, a major theme of these articles is to show that a believer in Yeshua must keep the commandments. This part of G-d's unification. Certain theologies come along and say you are free from the Law and you can do what you want.
Most Church theologies agree with this. However, that is a part of how Satan has caused a "disunity" between G-d and man and he wants to establish his own "anti-G-d" theology by deceiving people into lawlessness, or "anomia" as the Scripture puts it. Satans tactics include deception, counterfeiting, and doubt in G-d's word. But, everything Satan does fits in with G-d's purposes, so don't think he is doing whatever he wants. The main expression of the disunity is that G-d's presence, the Shekinah (pronounced Shkee"nah) is "seperated" from the rest of G-d, being in "exile" with His people. This seperation is caused by disregard for the Torah on Israels part and to some extent that of the world. This gives greater"power" to Satan and the "dark side" if you will. The book of Numbers illustrates these principles in the story of Balaam. This causes greater disunion and a lessening of G-d's protection. This causes even worse apostacy and the hearts of many will fail.
The nature and tactics of Satan is demonstrated in Israel's historical enemies like Pharaoh, Haman, Amalek, Balaam, Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus Epiphanes, Absalom and the list goes on even to todays Arafat, Saddam, and the U.N. Studying thes accounts must also be done on several levels. There is the Peshat (literal), Remez(alluding to), drash(threshing out, interpretive), Sowd (mystical, hidden). These are some of the main principles in understanding the Scriptures and are very simply laid out here, but have deeper aspects as you delve into the Scriptures. G-d will win in these battles, but many will be lost as a result of Satan's tactics. We must be aware of what is going on so that we can avoid the judgement and properly, with a pure heart, take advantage of G-d's mercy and escape what lies ahead not only in this world, but the next.
A. The overall theme is redemption and restoration, but there are several principles that need to be understood. These themes are very evident if you are going to understand the Book of Revelation. As discussed before, G-d's ultimate plan is the "Unification of His name" (Zech. 14.9). In Hebrew thought, this is the most important verse in scripture. The most important book is Leviticus because it is about holiness. The most important section of scripture is the Shema, and that was the underlying theme of Paul's writings. This "unification" is illustrated in several ways. The heavens will be united with the earth, the groom with the bride.
The Olive tree theology of Paul with Jews and Gentiles in one tree, one bride, one Kahal, or congregation that follows the Torah and believes in Yeshua. Also, the 3rd Temple envisioned by Ezekiel is a prime example of this unification. If one can grasp what the unification of the Name is, you will better understand the Scriptures. Satan's "job" is to counter this unification and establish his own. He said in Isa. 14.14 that "I will be like the Most High" and he has tried to "replace" what G-d has established. For instance, a major theme of these articles is to show that a believer in Yeshua must keep the commandments. This part of G-d's unification. Certain theologies come along and say you are free from the Law and you can do what you want.
Most Church theologies agree with this. However, that is a part of how Satan has caused a "disunity" between G-d and man and he wants to establish his own "anti-G-d" theology by deceiving people into lawlessness, or "anomia" as the Scripture puts it. Satans tactics include deception, counterfeiting, and doubt in G-d's word. But, everything Satan does fits in with G-d's purposes, so don't think he is doing whatever he wants. The main expression of the disunity is that G-d's presence, the Shekinah (pronounced Shkee"nah) is "seperated" from the rest of G-d, being in "exile" with His people. This seperation is caused by disregard for the Torah on Israels part and to some extent that of the world. This gives greater"power" to Satan and the "dark side" if you will. The book of Numbers illustrates these principles in the story of Balaam. This causes greater disunion and a lessening of G-d's protection. This causes even worse apostacy and the hearts of many will fail.
The nature and tactics of Satan is demonstrated in Israel's historical enemies like Pharaoh, Haman, Amalek, Balaam, Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus Epiphanes, Absalom and the list goes on even to todays Arafat, Saddam, and the U.N. Studying thes accounts must also be done on several levels. There is the Peshat (literal), Remez(alluding to), drash(threshing out, interpretive), Sowd (mystical, hidden). These are some of the main principles in understanding the Scriptures and are very simply laid out here, but have deeper aspects as you delve into the Scriptures. G-d will win in these battles, but many will be lost as a result of Satan's tactics. We must be aware of what is going on so that we can avoid the judgement and properly, with a pure heart, take advantage of G-d's mercy and escape what lies ahead not only in this world, but the next.
How did Christianity develop into what it is today?
Q. How did Christianity develop into what it is today?
A. That is not an easy question to answer because it involves so many things and hundreds of years, but I will give a quick overview. Over a year ago, a series of articles was published about what is called "replacement theology" so you might want to contact the paper for back articles on this. In the first century, people who believed that Yeshua was the Messiah were all Jewish.
Judaism already carried the message of Messiah and redemption and many were looking for it. All of the writers of the New Testament were active members in synagogues and their worship and expectations were all Jewish. Gentiles were also believing and they were called "sebemenoi" or devout ones". Another name for them was "phoubemenoi" or G-dfearers. These are all scriptural names and it was how they were known. These gentiles had left paganism and began to follow the Torah and commandments. The New Testament writers all advised the Gentile believers to keep the commandments. There was no hint of the doctrine that is taught today that one did not have to keep the commandments. That is a man -made doctrine. They kept the Sabbath and biblical festivals, ate kosher and followed the Torah on how to live. Numerous problems were encountered between the Jewish people and the gentiles in these synagogues.
Maintream Judaism had developed well-defined barriers between the groups but G-d used Rav Shaul (Rabbi Paul) to correct this situation among the believers. His writings layed down G-ds principles in these matters. The book of Romans deals with these very issues on how the Gentile believers were to act towards the unbelieving Jews in the Roman congregation. Faith in Yeshua was widespread in the Roman Empire among the Jewish people and even more Gentiles were coming into the faith. These greater numbers of Gentiles gave them the upper hand in the synagogues and in decision making. This was not the case in the land of Israel, but events in the nest 100 years would change everything. In the same year that Paul died, the Jewish nation started a revolt against Rome that ended with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Believers were scattered and fled following Yeshuas instructions. Attitudes toward the Jewish people and their faith changed and to support anything considered "Jewish" was seen as treason against Rome. Because of the greater number of Gentiles in the congregations, they began to make a difference in what was taught and believed, and an anti-Jewishness developed and became popular. Jews were still becoming believers in spite of all this. In 116 CE and again in 135CE two more wars were faught with Rome. That was three wars in 70 years. Many Romans lost their lives, or the lives of loved ones as a result. Throughout the empire anti-Jewishness was seen as patriotic. Anything connected to Israel, the Torah or what anyone perceived to be Jewish was discarded and undermined and the Gentiles turned away from the faith once delivered.
The writings of the "Church fathers" reflected this attitude of moving away from the Torah to a "new" religion based on Greek and Roman thought. Christians were now the "New Israel". By the 4th century, things had really changed. Constantine became Caesar and he supposedly joined the Christians. In 325 CE, he called the Council of Nicea where he gathered Gentile bishops from all over the Empire to finally "define" the faith. Not one Jewish leader was invited. Laws were passed forbidding Jewish believers from observing the commandments, keeping Sabbath, circumcision, keeping biblical festivals or to teach the Torah to their children. This also went for any Gentile who wanted to follow the L-rd. Jews had to cease from practicing their faith (which is the faith of the Bible even today) and to become, for all intents and purposes, Gentiles.
That is still what churches do to people today. Pagan festivals like Christmas and Easter replaced the biblical festivals of G-d. Not only were the Jewish believers gone, but so were the "sebemenoi/phoubemenoi" or Gentile devout ones/G-dfearers. The faith now was a totally different religion. Greek names and concepts and religion became known as Christianity and the faith had now been "gentlized" and that is what is seen today. This is not my opinion but historical fact. Do some research on these things and you will see the same thing. There are many good web sites on the Internet that will help you. Our ministry has volumes of documentation on this and in our services and studies these issues are discussed. Feel free to contact us at our new E-mail address if you ever have any questions: otmin@sbcglobal.net. Now, go and study.
A. That is not an easy question to answer because it involves so many things and hundreds of years, but I will give a quick overview. Over a year ago, a series of articles was published about what is called "replacement theology" so you might want to contact the paper for back articles on this. In the first century, people who believed that Yeshua was the Messiah were all Jewish.
Judaism already carried the message of Messiah and redemption and many were looking for it. All of the writers of the New Testament were active members in synagogues and their worship and expectations were all Jewish. Gentiles were also believing and they were called "sebemenoi" or devout ones". Another name for them was "phoubemenoi" or G-dfearers. These are all scriptural names and it was how they were known. These gentiles had left paganism and began to follow the Torah and commandments. The New Testament writers all advised the Gentile believers to keep the commandments. There was no hint of the doctrine that is taught today that one did not have to keep the commandments. That is a man -made doctrine. They kept the Sabbath and biblical festivals, ate kosher and followed the Torah on how to live. Numerous problems were encountered between the Jewish people and the gentiles in these synagogues.
Maintream Judaism had developed well-defined barriers between the groups but G-d used Rav Shaul (Rabbi Paul) to correct this situation among the believers. His writings layed down G-ds principles in these matters. The book of Romans deals with these very issues on how the Gentile believers were to act towards the unbelieving Jews in the Roman congregation. Faith in Yeshua was widespread in the Roman Empire among the Jewish people and even more Gentiles were coming into the faith. These greater numbers of Gentiles gave them the upper hand in the synagogues and in decision making. This was not the case in the land of Israel, but events in the nest 100 years would change everything. In the same year that Paul died, the Jewish nation started a revolt against Rome that ended with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Believers were scattered and fled following Yeshuas instructions. Attitudes toward the Jewish people and their faith changed and to support anything considered "Jewish" was seen as treason against Rome. Because of the greater number of Gentiles in the congregations, they began to make a difference in what was taught and believed, and an anti-Jewishness developed and became popular. Jews were still becoming believers in spite of all this. In 116 CE and again in 135CE two more wars were faught with Rome. That was three wars in 70 years. Many Romans lost their lives, or the lives of loved ones as a result. Throughout the empire anti-Jewishness was seen as patriotic. Anything connected to Israel, the Torah or what anyone perceived to be Jewish was discarded and undermined and the Gentiles turned away from the faith once delivered.
The writings of the "Church fathers" reflected this attitude of moving away from the Torah to a "new" religion based on Greek and Roman thought. Christians were now the "New Israel". By the 4th century, things had really changed. Constantine became Caesar and he supposedly joined the Christians. In 325 CE, he called the Council of Nicea where he gathered Gentile bishops from all over the Empire to finally "define" the faith. Not one Jewish leader was invited. Laws were passed forbidding Jewish believers from observing the commandments, keeping Sabbath, circumcision, keeping biblical festivals or to teach the Torah to their children. This also went for any Gentile who wanted to follow the L-rd. Jews had to cease from practicing their faith (which is the faith of the Bible even today) and to become, for all intents and purposes, Gentiles.
That is still what churches do to people today. Pagan festivals like Christmas and Easter replaced the biblical festivals of G-d. Not only were the Jewish believers gone, but so were the "sebemenoi/phoubemenoi" or Gentile devout ones/G-dfearers. The faith now was a totally different religion. Greek names and concepts and religion became known as Christianity and the faith had now been "gentlized" and that is what is seen today. This is not my opinion but historical fact. Do some research on these things and you will see the same thing. There are many good web sites on the Internet that will help you. Our ministry has volumes of documentation on this and in our services and studies these issues are discussed. Feel free to contact us at our new E-mail address if you ever have any questions: otmin@sbcglobal.net. Now, go and study.
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