Q. If Nicodemus was "the" teacher of Israel, why didn't he understand Yeshua when He said "you must be born again?"
A. You are referring to the story in Jn 3.1-10 so let's look at this portion to get some vital information. I believe Nicodemus understood the concept of being "born again" but did not understand the context Yeshua used that night. The concept of "born again" is better understood as "born from above" or from heaven. There was a concept called the "nephesh ha shamayim" or the "soul from heaven" and Nicodemus believed that a person had to be born from heaven. But, he thought that Gentile proselytes needed a new birth, but the Jews didn't need one and what Yeshua said confused him. Yeshua goes on to say that unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Another way of saying it is "water which is the Spirit" or born from heaven. The word Heaven in Hebrew is "shamayim" which means "there is water" so you can see where the life comes from. Col 2.16 says that the New Moon festival is a shadow of things to come and this feast is related to being born again. It is called the "Feast of the Born Again" referring to the moon becoming visible again, or "born" again. In Jewish thought, conversion of converts is related to the concept of the womb and grave. Both are the word "kever" in Hebrew and they are related in this way. There is a relation between water and the heavens (shamayim).
Now in the Garden of Eden there were rivers and all water today has its roots in Eden because of the water cycle. So, when one goes into the waters for an immersion he is getting back in touch with the waters in Eden. Immersion connects us to Eden. Yeshua's immersion was a recreation of Gen 1 and it also was connected to His resurrection. Gen 1 was the Creation, Yeshua is connected to the New Creation (born from above). Now, Yeshua was conceived in a virgin (new) womb (kever). At His resurrection he came out of a virgin (new) tomb (kever). So, you can see that an immersion has many concepts to it so that we can understand the spiritual. When one goes into the water he enters into a hostile world. He must come out of the "grave" because he can't live in that water. When he emerges he takes a breath (spirit) and he becomes like one "reborn." The grave is the same word and carries the same meaning and that is why the resurrection is a related concept. When one goes through an immersion there is a "change of status" from the life before. The waters have cut you off from that life and when you get immersed you are actually rehearsing your own resurrection. Being born again spiritually is exactly like that. Yeshua associated the Spirit with being like the wind, in that, the Spirit works when, where and how He wants. He works "unseen" but you know the results. This concept is related to the circumcision of the heart taught in Deut 30.6 and Jn 1.13. All of these concepts Nicodemus understood but he may not have thought it applied to him, after all he was a descendant of Abraham (Mt 3.9). Many Jews believed a Gentile had to be born again but they were "in" because of there ancestry. Yeshua pointed out to Nicodemus that these concepts applied to him as well and this is what confused him.
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1 Corinthians 10:11 (NASB95)
Monday, January 2, 2012
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sighting of the New Moon & Rosh ha Shana
Q. Isn't it confusing and misleading when rabbi's designate their "new year" on Rosh Ha Shana instead of when the Torah says to begin a new year, which is by sighting of the new moon and aviv barley in the spring?
A. It's not confusing or misleading when one understands that the Bible operates on two calendars. There is the civil calendar that counts the years from creation and the religious calendar that sets the feast days. One begins in the fall and the other in the spring. Let's deal with the civil calendar first. Gen 1.14 says that the sun and the moon were to be for signs and seasons, which means they were used to set feast days. From Gen 1 to Exodus 12.1, all the dates given were according to the civil calendar, but after that the dates are according to the religious calendar. The civil calendar starts on Tishri 1 and goes to Tishri 1 of the next year. The religious year starts with the New Moon of Aviv and goes to the next New Moon of Aviv. In Exodus 12.1-3, the Lord says that the month of Aviv is the beginning of months for you. But, He is not negating the civil calendar, but stating that the religious festivals would begin in the month of Aviv, beginning with Passover. Now the months were to begin on a New Moon (Gen 1.14). Now, Aviv means "green ear" so we have an instruction here. The barley must be aviv (green) and the next new moon will begin the month of Aviv (green ear). How can you have the month of Aviv if the barley isn't "green" yet? So you must have green barley and a new moon sighted. The current Jewish calendar doesn't go by these rules. They calculate it ahead of time and that is not biblical, but that is another issue for another time. So, when Exodus 12 says that Aviv would be the beginning of months it means in setting the religious festivals. You have to have the first month before you know what days the festivals fall on, with each succeeding month starting on a visible new moon. The fall festivals are in the seventh month (or "moon") so you have to know when the first one is. The Bible uses two calendars then, one civil and the other religious. There are several verses where you will see both of them in use at the same time. In Exodus 23.16 it says that we should celebrate the "Feast of In-gathering (Sukkot) at the end of year." Now, to know when the Feast of In-gathering is you have to have the religious calendar starting in the spring with the month of Aviv. The phrase "end of the year" is referring to the civil year, in the fall. A similar verse can be found in Exodus 34.22 and the end of the year carries the meaning of "the turn of the year" meaning the civil year. So, you can see both calendars in use. Knowing this will help interpret many verses in the Scriptures and even give you a clue about the coming of the Messiah. Joel 2.23 says "So rejoice, O sons of Zion and be glad in the Lord your God; for He has given you the early rain for your vindication and He has poured down for you the rain, the early and latter rain as in the first month." Now, there is a lot here and you must know that the Bible goes by two calendars. First, where it says the early and latter rain it means "teacher of righteousness" in Hebrew and it is a clear reference to the Messiah. Hosea 6.1-3 and James 5.7 both equate these rains with the coming of the Lord. But, how can you have the early and later rains in the first month? They are seven months apart during the agricultural season in Israel! Well, you can if there are two calendars. So, if the teacher of righteousness is the Messiah and His coming is like the early and latter rain, then His first coming will happen in the spring and his second coming in the fall. Yeshua came during the FIRST month of the religious calendar (and the seventh month of the civil calendar) called Aviv and fulfilled Passover, Unleavened Bread and First fruits. If the Lord holds true to the types and shadows of the festivals, that means His second coming will come during the FIRST month of the civil calendar (and the seventh month of the religious calendar) called Tishri. Tishri 1 is Rosh Ha Shana and the day of the Rapture, and His second coming will be Yom Kippur and the Kingdom begins with Sukkot, all of which occur during the month of Tishri. So, here is a clear reference to two calendars being used in the same verse or else how can these comings be "in the first month." It can happen when you realize that there are two calendars and two "first months" used in the Scriptures.
A. It's not confusing or misleading when one understands that the Bible operates on two calendars. There is the civil calendar that counts the years from creation and the religious calendar that sets the feast days. One begins in the fall and the other in the spring. Let's deal with the civil calendar first. Gen 1.14 says that the sun and the moon were to be for signs and seasons, which means they were used to set feast days. From Gen 1 to Exodus 12.1, all the dates given were according to the civil calendar, but after that the dates are according to the religious calendar. The civil calendar starts on Tishri 1 and goes to Tishri 1 of the next year. The religious year starts with the New Moon of Aviv and goes to the next New Moon of Aviv. In Exodus 12.1-3, the Lord says that the month of Aviv is the beginning of months for you. But, He is not negating the civil calendar, but stating that the religious festivals would begin in the month of Aviv, beginning with Passover. Now the months were to begin on a New Moon (Gen 1.14). Now, Aviv means "green ear" so we have an instruction here. The barley must be aviv (green) and the next new moon will begin the month of Aviv (green ear). How can you have the month of Aviv if the barley isn't "green" yet? So you must have green barley and a new moon sighted. The current Jewish calendar doesn't go by these rules. They calculate it ahead of time and that is not biblical, but that is another issue for another time. So, when Exodus 12 says that Aviv would be the beginning of months it means in setting the religious festivals. You have to have the first month before you know what days the festivals fall on, with each succeeding month starting on a visible new moon. The fall festivals are in the seventh month (or "moon") so you have to know when the first one is. The Bible uses two calendars then, one civil and the other religious. There are several verses where you will see both of them in use at the same time. In Exodus 23.16 it says that we should celebrate the "Feast of In-gathering (Sukkot) at the end of year." Now, to know when the Feast of In-gathering is you have to have the religious calendar starting in the spring with the month of Aviv. The phrase "end of the year" is referring to the civil year, in the fall. A similar verse can be found in Exodus 34.22 and the end of the year carries the meaning of "the turn of the year" meaning the civil year. So, you can see both calendars in use. Knowing this will help interpret many verses in the Scriptures and even give you a clue about the coming of the Messiah. Joel 2.23 says "So rejoice, O sons of Zion and be glad in the Lord your God; for He has given you the early rain for your vindication and He has poured down for you the rain, the early and latter rain as in the first month." Now, there is a lot here and you must know that the Bible goes by two calendars. First, where it says the early and latter rain it means "teacher of righteousness" in Hebrew and it is a clear reference to the Messiah. Hosea 6.1-3 and James 5.7 both equate these rains with the coming of the Lord. But, how can you have the early and later rains in the first month? They are seven months apart during the agricultural season in Israel! Well, you can if there are two calendars. So, if the teacher of righteousness is the Messiah and His coming is like the early and latter rain, then His first coming will happen in the spring and his second coming in the fall. Yeshua came during the FIRST month of the religious calendar (and the seventh month of the civil calendar) called Aviv and fulfilled Passover, Unleavened Bread and First fruits. If the Lord holds true to the types and shadows of the festivals, that means His second coming will come during the FIRST month of the civil calendar (and the seventh month of the religious calendar) called Tishri. Tishri 1 is Rosh Ha Shana and the day of the Rapture, and His second coming will be Yom Kippur and the Kingdom begins with Sukkot, all of which occur during the month of Tishri. So, here is a clear reference to two calendars being used in the same verse or else how can these comings be "in the first month." It can happen when you realize that there are two calendars and two "first months" used in the Scriptures.
Mountains in the Bible
Q. I know that "mountains" are symbolic of kingdoms and governments. Do you believe that a believer can have the faith to move physical mountains or the faith to overcome and "move" governments and change kingdoms?
A. The verse you are referring to is Mark 11.22-23 and so let's look at the verse to see what it is saying. One of the things that people forget when they look at a verse is context. In the context of our verse, Yeshua has come into the city of Jerusalem, overturned the money-changer tables, cursed the fig tree and has been very critical of the religious teaching of the chief priests and scribes. We know that they were more concerned with their traditions than with what the Lord was trying to say in the Scriptures. The fig tree (Israel) was not producing fruit and they were going to be sent into a worldwide captivity. When the Apostles noticed that the fig tree that Yeshua cursed had withered, they were amazed. Noticing this, Yeshua said in 11.22-23 "Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain "Be taken and cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted." So let's look at this verse. Yeshua is talking about what he has been experiencing, unbelief among the Jewish people in His words and to who He was. When He says "this mountain", He is referring to the Temple Mount and all the false teachings that come from it. Mountains in the Scriptures can mean kingdoms but it can also mean "obstacles" and false teaching is an obstacle, But if you have faith in God, the obstacle of false teaching can be overcome. So, the mountain here is the Temple Mount and He was saying that the city of Jerusalem and the Temple was going to be destroyed and cast into the sea. Archeology has confirmed that artifacts/stones from Jerusalem and the Temple were taken to Caesarea and literally cast into the sea. This judgment came upon Israel because many were keeping people away from the Kingdom of God through their false teachings, illustrated by the cursing of the fig tree. Yeshua is saying that with faith in God, the falsehood of their teaching can be overcome and they can enter the Kingdom of God. Some misguided teachers today take this verse and say that if you have faith you can say something and it will happen and it is one of the basic verses used by the Faith Movement to justify their false teachings. But, it is actually a verse that is saying quite the opposite. Any obstacle that tries to get in the way of the truth can be uprooted and removed with faith in God.
A. The verse you are referring to is Mark 11.22-23 and so let's look at the verse to see what it is saying. One of the things that people forget when they look at a verse is context. In the context of our verse, Yeshua has come into the city of Jerusalem, overturned the money-changer tables, cursed the fig tree and has been very critical of the religious teaching of the chief priests and scribes. We know that they were more concerned with their traditions than with what the Lord was trying to say in the Scriptures. The fig tree (Israel) was not producing fruit and they were going to be sent into a worldwide captivity. When the Apostles noticed that the fig tree that Yeshua cursed had withered, they were amazed. Noticing this, Yeshua said in 11.22-23 "Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain "Be taken and cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted." So let's look at this verse. Yeshua is talking about what he has been experiencing, unbelief among the Jewish people in His words and to who He was. When He says "this mountain", He is referring to the Temple Mount and all the false teachings that come from it. Mountains in the Scriptures can mean kingdoms but it can also mean "obstacles" and false teaching is an obstacle, But if you have faith in God, the obstacle of false teaching can be overcome. So, the mountain here is the Temple Mount and He was saying that the city of Jerusalem and the Temple was going to be destroyed and cast into the sea. Archeology has confirmed that artifacts/stones from Jerusalem and the Temple were taken to Caesarea and literally cast into the sea. This judgment came upon Israel because many were keeping people away from the Kingdom of God through their false teachings, illustrated by the cursing of the fig tree. Yeshua is saying that with faith in God, the falsehood of their teaching can be overcome and they can enter the Kingdom of God. Some misguided teachers today take this verse and say that if you have faith you can say something and it will happen and it is one of the basic verses used by the Faith Movement to justify their false teachings. But, it is actually a verse that is saying quite the opposite. Any obstacle that tries to get in the way of the truth can be uprooted and removed with faith in God.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Marriage in the Messianic Kingdom
Q. I have been told that there will be no "giving of marriage" in the Messianic Kingdom. Is this true? Are there going to be married couples in the Kingdom?
A. Let's define some terms and look at this question in an eschatological manner. We are living in a period called the Olam ha Zeh or "this present age." This period will go for 6000 years from Creation to the Rapture of the believers on Rosh ha Shanah, year 6001 from Creation. The next time frame will go 1000 years and this period is called the Atid Lavo, or the coming age. After the Rapture, there will be a period of 10 days where the 144,000 will leave the United States and return to Israel and the United States will be attacked by Russia and destroyed. Europe, realizing they are in danger, convenes a meeting with their leaders and hands power over to a leader who will turn out to be the false messiah. All this will happen within 10 days of the rapture. On the 10th day, it is Yom Kippur and the false messiah will sign a treaty with Israel to protect them. This starts the 7 year Tribulation period. After 7 years or 2520 days. Yeshua the Messiah returns to Jerusalem on Yom Kippur and destroys the enemies of Israel. He will be accompanied by all the believers who were resurrected and changed at the Rapture. They will go into this Kingdom on Earth with glorified bodies but they will not be given in marriage. Then there is a 5 day period from Tishri 10 to 15 when the nations will be judged in Jerusalem. There will be many people who will survive the Tribulation period and be brought to the Lord for this judgment. The first group judged will be those who did not believe during the Tribulation. They will be killed and their bodies cast into the Hinnom Valley. Then those who believed during the Tribulation will be brought to the Lord. They will enter the remainder of the 1000 year Messianic Kingdom with their physical bodies. Depending on their age, these are the ones who will be given in marriage because they will have physical bodies. Some will get married and have children during the Kingdom period. Then, their parents will die and those children will get married and have children and so on. In this way the Earth will be repopulated. When the 1000 years have been completed, the people who have lived and died during the Kingdom will be judged. Those who did not believe, along with every unbeliever who ever lived will be judged at what is called the Great White Throne. They will go into the Lake of Fire. On the other hand,there will be those who are believers but are still in their physical bodies at this time and they will receive glorified bodies just like the believers did when they were resurrected and changed at the Rapture a 1000 years earlier. The period after the Atid Lavo or the coming age is called the Olam Haba, or the World to Come. It is the "8th" day, if you will, after the the 7000 years (Eschatological Sabbath Week) are over. Everyone who is a believer will have a glorified body by this time and there will be no marriages at this point and no children will be born. It is possible that whoever told you that there was no giving in marriage confused the Atid Lavo with the Olam Haba, or the Messianic Kingdom with the World to Come.
A. Let's define some terms and look at this question in an eschatological manner. We are living in a period called the Olam ha Zeh or "this present age." This period will go for 6000 years from Creation to the Rapture of the believers on Rosh ha Shanah, year 6001 from Creation. The next time frame will go 1000 years and this period is called the Atid Lavo, or the coming age. After the Rapture, there will be a period of 10 days where the 144,000 will leave the United States and return to Israel and the United States will be attacked by Russia and destroyed. Europe, realizing they are in danger, convenes a meeting with their leaders and hands power over to a leader who will turn out to be the false messiah. All this will happen within 10 days of the rapture. On the 10th day, it is Yom Kippur and the false messiah will sign a treaty with Israel to protect them. This starts the 7 year Tribulation period. After 7 years or 2520 days. Yeshua the Messiah returns to Jerusalem on Yom Kippur and destroys the enemies of Israel. He will be accompanied by all the believers who were resurrected and changed at the Rapture. They will go into this Kingdom on Earth with glorified bodies but they will not be given in marriage. Then there is a 5 day period from Tishri 10 to 15 when the nations will be judged in Jerusalem. There will be many people who will survive the Tribulation period and be brought to the Lord for this judgment. The first group judged will be those who did not believe during the Tribulation. They will be killed and their bodies cast into the Hinnom Valley. Then those who believed during the Tribulation will be brought to the Lord. They will enter the remainder of the 1000 year Messianic Kingdom with their physical bodies. Depending on their age, these are the ones who will be given in marriage because they will have physical bodies. Some will get married and have children during the Kingdom period. Then, their parents will die and those children will get married and have children and so on. In this way the Earth will be repopulated. When the 1000 years have been completed, the people who have lived and died during the Kingdom will be judged. Those who did not believe, along with every unbeliever who ever lived will be judged at what is called the Great White Throne. They will go into the Lake of Fire. On the other hand,there will be those who are believers but are still in their physical bodies at this time and they will receive glorified bodies just like the believers did when they were resurrected and changed at the Rapture a 1000 years earlier. The period after the Atid Lavo or the coming age is called the Olam Haba, or the World to Come. It is the "8th" day, if you will, after the the 7000 years (Eschatological Sabbath Week) are over. Everyone who is a believer will have a glorified body by this time and there will be no marriages at this point and no children will be born. It is possible that whoever told you that there was no giving in marriage confused the Atid Lavo with the Olam Haba, or the Messianic Kingdom with the World to Come.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Why is the Catholic Church so interested in having control of the Holy sites in Jerusalem?
For centuries the Vatican has been pushing its "replacement theology" also called "super session-ism" and this view has been adopted by Protestant churches as well. The doctrine states that the Catholic Church has replaced Israel as the "New Israel" in that the promises made to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob now apply to Christianity. The Catholic Church believes they are the embodiment of the New Israel and this view can plainly be seen in the writings of the Church Fathers. Constantine formalized much of it and wanted to "root out the last vestiges of Judaism" from the Doctrines of the church at the Council of Nicea and it carried on from there. The Catholic Church wants Israel to lose sovereign control over the old city of Jerusalem so that the "promises" apply to the "New Jerusalem" or the Catholic Church. If Israel controls Jerusalem it is evidence that Rome's claims are false and that the literal interpretation of Scripture is correct. There is no place for the restoration of Israel in its theology. How can the Vatican claim to be the New Jerusalem and rightful heir to the Kingdom of God if the Jews control Jerusalem? Before 1948 that wasn't a problem, but Israel has returned to the land by the hand of God. How can the Vatican convince the world that their version of replacement theology is correct with Israel in control? So, the real goal is to have the Vatican "take control" over the old city of Jerusalem. Any "peace" agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is just a cover story to hide what is really going on. The Muslims want control of the Temple Mount and the old city for the same reason. It shows the dominance of Allah over the God of the Bible. Either way, the Jews cannot have this control because it shows that Catholic replacement theology is in error. Violence in the Middle East serves both purposes and it is really a struggle over whose theology is correct. Violence serves the interest of both the Muslims and replacement theology Christianity. The end goal of the Vatican is to seize control of the old city of Jerusalem out of the hands of the State of Israel. They have committed themselves in public to supporting Palestinian authority in Jerusalem. A deal with the Palestinians would include control over the holy sites and to control the old city of Jerusalem. In short, their plan is to "steal" Jerusalem from the Jews by trying to negotiate agreements meant to transfer ownership of national Israeli property into the hands of foreigners. They initiate or support any process that will wrestle control of the Temple Mount, Western Wall and Jerusalem out of the hands of Israel. Remember that the Roman Church inherited the legacy of Rome as the destroyer of Jerusalem and who had the Jews exiled. All the churches that exist in the land are the result of that destruction and the Vatican wants it to stay that way.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tree of Life Leaves of Healing
Q. In the last chapter of Revelation there is a statement that the leaves of the tree of life would be used for the healing of the nations. What affect do the leaves have and why are the nations being healed. Was it as a result of all the judgments poured out during the Tribulation?
A. The book of Revelation concerns the closing of God's "controversy" with creation, angels, Satan, and man. It links Genesis to Revelation and it is filled with Hebraic thought, images, symbols, and idioms called "apocalyptic style" and it is used to unveil and unfold things not previously known , either past, present or future and this technique is found in many other books of the Bible. They key to understanding Revelation is to be very familiar with biblical idioms, signs, and symbols. The verses you are referring to can be found in Revelation 22:1-2 and so we will concentrate on those verses. Chapter 21 and 22 deal with what happens after the Messianic Kingdom is over and where the Lord sets up "the World to Come" on earth. These chapters do not happen in heaven but on earth and that is very important to understand. Once you understand the idioms and phrases, these are very easy to understand. The best way to do this is to write the verse and in parentheses give the meaning of the symbolism or idiom.
"And he showed me a river (channel of truth) of the water of life (word of God) clear as crystal (no impurities) coming from the throne of God (the Father) and the Lamb (Messiah) in the middle of its street (the way of life). And on either side of the river was the tree of life (wisdom-Prov 3.13-19) bearing twelve (number of teaching and divine government) fruit (results) , yielding its fruit every month and the leaves (teachings) of the tree were for the healing of the nations (promotes life with no conflicts)." In other words, God will be present with the redeemed of mankind and there will be prosperity and peace throughout the world. The word of God will be known and obeyed and the wisdom that comes from that knowledge will promote peace among all the nations. There will be no more war, sin, death and all the things that weigh down mankind today. The earth will be restored back to the way it was in Eden and the Lord will be the center of all life and worship. Revelation 22.3-4 sums it up where it says that "there shall be no more curse and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (Shekinah, presence of God) and His bond-servants (believers) shall serve Him (experience His favor) and they (believers) shall see His face and His name (also known as the word of God -Rev 19.13) will be on their foreheads (seat of the intellect, profession and comprehension).
A. The book of Revelation concerns the closing of God's "controversy" with creation, angels, Satan, and man. It links Genesis to Revelation and it is filled with Hebraic thought, images, symbols, and idioms called "apocalyptic style" and it is used to unveil and unfold things not previously known , either past, present or future and this technique is found in many other books of the Bible. They key to understanding Revelation is to be very familiar with biblical idioms, signs, and symbols. The verses you are referring to can be found in Revelation 22:1-2 and so we will concentrate on those verses. Chapter 21 and 22 deal with what happens after the Messianic Kingdom is over and where the Lord sets up "the World to Come" on earth. These chapters do not happen in heaven but on earth and that is very important to understand. Once you understand the idioms and phrases, these are very easy to understand. The best way to do this is to write the verse and in parentheses give the meaning of the symbolism or idiom.
"And he showed me a river (channel of truth) of the water of life (word of God) clear as crystal (no impurities) coming from the throne of God (the Father) and the Lamb (Messiah) in the middle of its street (the way of life). And on either side of the river was the tree of life (wisdom-Prov 3.13-19) bearing twelve (number of teaching and divine government) fruit (results) , yielding its fruit every month and the leaves (teachings) of the tree were for the healing of the nations (promotes life with no conflicts)." In other words, God will be present with the redeemed of mankind and there will be prosperity and peace throughout the world. The word of God will be known and obeyed and the wisdom that comes from that knowledge will promote peace among all the nations. There will be no more war, sin, death and all the things that weigh down mankind today. The earth will be restored back to the way it was in Eden and the Lord will be the center of all life and worship. Revelation 22.3-4 sums it up where it says that "there shall be no more curse and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (Shekinah, presence of God) and His bond-servants (believers) shall serve Him (experience His favor) and they (believers) shall see His face and His name (also known as the word of God -Rev 19.13) will be on their foreheads (seat of the intellect, profession and comprehension).
Monday, October 31, 2011
Azazel (Scapegoat) and the False Messiah
Q. All through the Torah animals are treated with kindness and cruelty was not allowed. So was the killing of the Azazel goat on Yom Kippur really how God wanted it done?
A. One of the most important feast days in the Scriptures is Yom Kippur. Several sacrifices were made on this day and they were used to purify the Temple and the altar. They were also used to cleanse the priests and the entire Israelite congregation. The service can be found in Leviticus 16. What we are going to concentrate on is the two goats mentioned in the service. Lots were cast and one goat was a sacrifice to the Lord and the other was called in Hebrew "Azazel" but in many Bibles that word is translated "scapegoat" but in this article it will be referred to by its biblical name Azazel. The first goat was "to the Lord" or L'Adonai in Hebrew and this represented Yeshua. It's the second goat that many are confused about. While the first goat was slain as a means of atonement for the people, the actual sins of the people were placed on the head of the second goat. Just like we use the word "scapegoat" today, the actual blame for the sins of the people was placed upon the second goat. The first goat was a blameless, innocent sacrifice just like Yeshua (2 Cor 5.21). So we see that the first goat "bore" the sins, the second goat took the blame. Not only was the second goat not killed but it was released into the wilderness. There is no indication that this goat was led out there to die, goats can survive in the wilderness. It was for this reason the Jews changed the Mosaic Law and they began to take this second goat to a cliff and have it pushed over the edge and be torn to pieces. This would prevent the goat from wondering back into a village or something. This procedure was an addition of the Rabbi's and not commanded by the Lord. So, that should help with your question. From this point let's go into some deep truths. The term Azazel means "complete removal" and in Hebrew literature Azazel is the name of an individual who leads people against the Lord. In the book of Enoch, chapter 54.4-6 it says that chains were being prepared for the hosts of Azazel who have subjected themselves to Satan and leading astray those who dwell on the earth. Other references to Azazel in the book of Enoch can be found in 10.4-9; 10.11-14; 13.1-3; 55.3-4. Azazel fits the description of the false messiah and here is why. We know that the Lord will return to earth on Yom Kippur. Not the rapture but the second coming. The false messiah will closely resemble the true Messiah and will deceive many into believing that he is messiah but he isn't. Just like the the two goats on Yom Kippur, they will look very similar on the outside. This was actually acted out on Passover when the Lord was brought before Pilate and Barabbas was brought forth also. The two of them stood there and Yeshua was judged blameless but condemned and Barabbas was released into the world (the wilderness) and nothing was ever heard of him again. In like manner, Azazel is the false messiah and he is not a believer, his sins are on his own head, as are the sins of those who follow him and they are dismissed and removed from before the Lord. It seems that Azazel is not a picture of the Messiah but a picture of the false messiah and that he will meet his end on Yom Kippur when the true Messiah will return to the city of Jerusalem.
A. One of the most important feast days in the Scriptures is Yom Kippur. Several sacrifices were made on this day and they were used to purify the Temple and the altar. They were also used to cleanse the priests and the entire Israelite congregation. The service can be found in Leviticus 16. What we are going to concentrate on is the two goats mentioned in the service. Lots were cast and one goat was a sacrifice to the Lord and the other was called in Hebrew "Azazel" but in many Bibles that word is translated "scapegoat" but in this article it will be referred to by its biblical name Azazel. The first goat was "to the Lord" or L'Adonai in Hebrew and this represented Yeshua. It's the second goat that many are confused about. While the first goat was slain as a means of atonement for the people, the actual sins of the people were placed on the head of the second goat. Just like we use the word "scapegoat" today, the actual blame for the sins of the people was placed upon the second goat. The first goat was a blameless, innocent sacrifice just like Yeshua (2 Cor 5.21). So we see that the first goat "bore" the sins, the second goat took the blame. Not only was the second goat not killed but it was released into the wilderness. There is no indication that this goat was led out there to die, goats can survive in the wilderness. It was for this reason the Jews changed the Mosaic Law and they began to take this second goat to a cliff and have it pushed over the edge and be torn to pieces. This would prevent the goat from wondering back into a village or something. This procedure was an addition of the Rabbi's and not commanded by the Lord. So, that should help with your question. From this point let's go into some deep truths. The term Azazel means "complete removal" and in Hebrew literature Azazel is the name of an individual who leads people against the Lord. In the book of Enoch, chapter 54.4-6 it says that chains were being prepared for the hosts of Azazel who have subjected themselves to Satan and leading astray those who dwell on the earth. Other references to Azazel in the book of Enoch can be found in 10.4-9; 10.11-14; 13.1-3; 55.3-4. Azazel fits the description of the false messiah and here is why. We know that the Lord will return to earth on Yom Kippur. Not the rapture but the second coming. The false messiah will closely resemble the true Messiah and will deceive many into believing that he is messiah but he isn't. Just like the the two goats on Yom Kippur, they will look very similar on the outside. This was actually acted out on Passover when the Lord was brought before Pilate and Barabbas was brought forth also. The two of them stood there and Yeshua was judged blameless but condemned and Barabbas was released into the world (the wilderness) and nothing was ever heard of him again. In like manner, Azazel is the false messiah and he is not a believer, his sins are on his own head, as are the sins of those who follow him and they are dismissed and removed from before the Lord. It seems that Azazel is not a picture of the Messiah but a picture of the false messiah and that he will meet his end on Yom Kippur when the true Messiah will return to the city of Jerusalem.
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