Yom Kippur is just around the corner. Are you ready?

Yes, it’s that time of year again – Halleluyah!  Celebrated on Tishri 10 (this year Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement falls on our Gregorian calendar on October 6),) this mo'ed always falls in the September/October time frame. 

Are you ready?

Leviticus 16:29 tells us: "It is to be a permanent regulation for you that on the tenth day of the seventh month you are to deny yourselves and not to do any kind of work, both the citizen and the foreigner living with you. For on this day, atonement will be made for you to purify you; you will be clean before ADONAI from all your sins. It is a Shabbat of complete rest for you, and you are to deny yourselves. This is a permanent regulation."  (CJB)

NOTE:  This COMMANDED High Holy Day is not just for the Jews; it is for ALL who have accepted YHWH as their God Most High, and His Divine Son, Messiah Yeshua.  (See Exodus 12:49, Numbers 15:13-16, Isaiah 56:6, Galatians 3:28 and Romans 10:12-13.)

On this solemn day  we are to "deny ourselves" (i.e., fast, refrain from work of any kind, and repent and bare our souls to YHWH, asking Him to forgive us anything we may have done throughout the year that was not pleasing to Him).

Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy. (CJB)

1 John 1:7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each other and the blood of Y’shua his Son cleanses us from all our sins.  8. And if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  9. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all our iniquity.  10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not with us. (AENT)

This mo'ed (Appointed Time) also represents the need for the sacrifice/sin offering that must be made for the sins of the nation. As the Bible tells us, Messiah shall descend to put to an end the sins of Israel (Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21) .

At that time the Jews will mourn for the "One who was pierced" and FINALLY recognize that Yeshua was the Messiah, all along! This day will be fulfilled upon the Second Coming of Messiah to the Earth (Matt. 23:37-39, Hos. 5:15 thru 6:1-3, Zech. 13:8,9 Zech. 12:10, Zech. 13:1, Ezek. 16:61-63).

(NOTE: "Israel" includes not just the Jewish people; but ALL who believe in and follow the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!  And yes CHURCH, this includes you, as well.  Jesus did not put an end to YHWH's Torah; he offered himself on the cross to remove our "certificate of sin and debt" so that we could enter into the Presence of YHWH.)

This mo'ed signals the call for repentance, for the time is short and Judgment is coming upon the Earth - whether people are ready, or not! (See the Books of Daniel and Revelation.)

So, I ask again:  ARE YOU READY?

An important mini-teaching on 1 John 2

1 John 2:1. My children, these things I write to you that you do not sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Y’shua the Mashiyach, the righteous. 2. For he is himself the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only but also for all the world. 3. And by this we will be sensible that we know him, if we keep his Commandments.

4. For he that says I know him, and does not keep his Commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him. 5. But he that keeps his Word, in him is the Love of Elohim truly completed: for by this we know that we are in him.

6. He that says I am in him, is bound to walk according to his halacha ("the way to behave" or "the way of walking" according to YHWH’s Torah). 7. My beloved, I write no new commandment to you, but the old Commandment which you had from the beginning; and the old Commandment is the Word which you have heard.* (AENT)

*“Elohim is light”, (1 John 1:5); therefore, it can be argued that at Creation when YHWH said, “Let there be light”, Genesis 1:3, that He in effect brought a part of Himself out to accomplish the creative act. The “Word” does this same feat, Psalm 33:6; John 1:1; a few lines earlier we read the “Word of Life.”

Direct linguistic relationship between the Hebrew and Aramaic roots for “Light” and “Torah” can also be seen in places such as the following:

Psalm 119:105 “Your word (davar) is a lamp to my feet, a light (aur) to my path.”

Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp. The teaching is a light (aur), and the way to life is the rebuke that disciplines.”

What makes this citation in Proverbs most profound is the word mitzvah (commandment), since tradition commonly calls the revelation at Sinai the Ten Commandments when in fact the Tanakh uses davarim (words)!

Keep this in mind while considering 1 John 2:4. “He who says I know Him and does not keep His Commandments (poqadona) is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word (miltha) in him, verily is the love of Elohim perfected; hereby we know that we are in Him.” 1 John 2:4 (Lamsa).

Aramaic could not make a more forceful point. The fact is, poqadona and miltha are exceedingly close matches for their Hebrew counterparts mitzvah in Proverbs, and davar in Psalms. However, it is in this next passage that the full measure of John’s brilliance is shown: “My beloved, I do not write a new commandment to you, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning.

The old commandment is the word that you have heard from the beginning.” 1 John 2:7 (Lamsa)

The Commandment is the Word, which comes from the beginning! We must now realize that to translate this as “his Commandments” is wrong, but “His Commandments” is correct. “His Commandments” is the WORD which came from the very beginning of time.

Many fail to understand this truth: It is impossible for Torah to have passed away during the lifetime of the Shlichim if John himself writes about the Word they have heard from the beginning. What else could this WORD be, except the living Torah!

John was a native Aramaic speaker and follower of Y’shua who knows that the WORD (or the Torah of YHWH) comes from the “Light”; he stated that Elohim is Light and that we abide in that Light when we do His Mitzvot/Poqadona/Commandments.

Furthermore, the interchanging of “Word” and “Commandment” simply does not happen in any other language except Hebrew and Aramaic, the “word that you have heard” is the Shema!

WARNING: The soul that sins shall die…

SOMETHING SERIOUS TO PONDER:

Romans 1: 28. And as they did not determine with themselves to know Elohim, Elohim gave them over to a vain mind; that they might do what they should not. 29. Being full of all iniquity and lewdness, and bitterness and malice, and covetousness and envy, and slaughter and strife, and deceit and evil machinations 30. And backbiting and slander; and being haters of Elohim, scoffers, proud, vain-glorious, devisers of evil things, destitute of reason, disregardful of parents. 31. And to whom a covenant is nothing, neither affection, nor peace, and in whom is no compassion.

32. These, while they know the judgment of Elohim, that he condemns those to death who perpetrate such things, are not only doers of them, but the companions of such as do them.  (AENT)

FOLKS, THIS IS WHERE "THE WORLD" IS TODAY!  Believers are not to take part in it.  As a matter of fact, YHWH's people are to WARN anyone who associates with the wicked!.

Ezekiel 3:18 If I say to a wicked person, 'You will certainly die'; and you fail to warn him, to speak and warn the wicked person to leave his wicked way and save his life; then that wicked person will die guilty; and I will hold you responsible for his death. 19 On the other hand, if you warn the wicked person, and he doesn't turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, then he will still die guilty; but you will have saved your own life.

20 Similarly, when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits wickedness, I will place a stumblingblock before him - he will die; because you failed to warn him, he will die in his sin; his righteous acts which he did will not be remembered; and I will hold you responsible for his death. 21 But if you warn the righteous person that a righteous person should not sin, and he doesn't sin; then he will certainly live, because he took the warning; and you too will have saved your life." (CJB)

WE ARE TO KEEP OUR EYES ON YHWH/YESHUA/TORAH, and refrain from taking part in the evil of the world.  And so we pray:

Psalm 71:1 In you, ADONAI, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.  2 In your righteousness, rescue me; and help me to escape. Turn your ear toward me, and deliver me. 3 Be for me a sheltering rock, where I can always come. You have determined to save me, because you are my bedrock and stronghold. 4 My God, help me escape from the power of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and ruthless.

5 For you are my hope, Adonai ELOHIM, in whom I have trusted since I was young. 6 From birth I have relied on you; it was you who took me from my mother's womb. 7 To many, I am an amazing example; but you are strong protection for me.  8 My mouth is full of praise for you, filled with your glory all day long. 9 Don't reject me when I grow old; when my strength fails, don't abandon me. 10 For my enemies are talking about me, those seeking my life are plotting together.  (CJB)

DON'T PARTICIPATE IN THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD, for those who do ARE putting their souls in danger!  Here is a dire warning from God Himself:

Ezekiel 18:20 The person who sins is the one that will die — a son is not to bear his father’s guilt with him, nor is the father to bear his son’s guilt with him; but the righteousness of the righteous will be his own, and the wickedness of the wicked will be his own.

21 “However, if the wicked person repents of all the sins he committed, keeps my laws and does what is lawful and right; then he will certainly live, he will not die. 22 None of the transgressions he has committed will be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done, he will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure at all in having the wicked person die?” asks Adonai Elohim. “Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

24 “On the other hand, when the righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits wickedness by acting in accordance with all the disgusting practices that the wicked person does, will he live? None of the righteous deeds he has done will be remembered; for the trespasses and sins he has committed, he will die. (CJB)

Confused about supposed contradiction in Hebrews 7:12 and Romans 3:31? Here’s an explanation!

Someone recently asked me a great question:  “In Hebrews 7:12 it says a new priest means new laws. Romans 3:31 says we establish the law. I’m not understanding this. Can you please help me?”’

Let’s take a look at the context of those particular passages:

Hebrews 7: 9. And through Awraham, as one may say, even Levi who receives tithes was himself tithed.  10. For he was yet in the loins of his father when he met Melchisedec.[1] 

11. If, therefore, perfection had been by means of the priesthood of the Levites in which Torah was imposed upon the people, why was another priest required who should stand up after the likeness of Melchisedec? For it should have said, he will be after the likeness of Aaron.  12. But as there is a change in the priesthood, so also is there a change in the instruction (to the Levitical priests)[2]   (AENT)

NOTES:

[1] Here is the key that sets the context for Hebrews 8:13.  Throughout chapter 7, it is the “instruction” (Torah) of the Levitical priests being discussed, pointing towards Awraham submitting his sons to be into the line of Melchisedec (MalkiTsedec), by tithing to this man in advance.  What happens is a switching of priestly modalities within Torah where the priestly model in Exodus gives way to its predecessor from Genesis, in accordance with all the prophecies in the Tanakh. 

Again, the Pagans use this passage to teach that it is the “Law” that is passing away.  Another vital component to understanding this priesthood is that the akeida (binding of Isaac) points to the MalkiTsedec priesthood, not to the Levitical priesthood.  The akeida is fully realized in Mashiyach ben Yoseph, the Suffering Servant who is Y’shua.

[2] Following the context, a change in the priestly line means a change in instructions that relate to priests

Romans 3: 19. Now we know, that whatever Torah says, it says to them who are under Torah; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be guilty before Elohim.  20. And so it must be that, by the deeds of Torah, no flesh is justified before him: for, by Torah, sin is known.  21. But now, the righteousness of Elohim without Torah, is manifested; and Torah[2] and the prophets testify of it. 

22. Even the righteousness of Elohim, which is by faith in Y’shua the Mashiyach for every one and on every one that believes in him: for there is no distinction;  23. For they have all sinned, and failed of the glory of Elohim.  24. And they are granted the status of being righteous by grace and by the redemption which is in Y’shua the Mashiyach  25. Whom Elohim has ordained in advance a propitiation by faith in his blood, because of our previous sins  26. In the space which Elohim in his long suffering gave to us for the manifestation of his righteousness at the present time, that he might be righteous, and might with righteousness make him righteous who is in the faith of our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach. 

27. Where then is glorying? It is completely unmade. By what Torah? By that of works? No! But by the Torah of faith.  28. We therefore conclude, that it is by faith a man is being made righteous, and not by the works[3] of Torah.  29. For, is he the Elohim of the Jews only and not of the Gentiles? No, but of the Gentiles also.  Because there is one Elohim who makes righteous the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision by  30. the same faith.  31.  Do, we then nullify Torah by faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish Torah.  (AENT)

NOTES:

[1]  Torah sets YHWH’s boundaries as to what is good or evil behavior; therefore, this cannot and does not make Torah a bad thing, but a very good thing!  Rav Shaul returns to this precise point again in the seventh chapter.

[2]   Y’shua qualified as Mashiyach because he fulfilled all Torah and Prophetic requirements, and he became Torah.  Torah is written upon the heart by the Ruach haKodesh; the Spirit of Mashiyach is Torah which is the Spirit of Mashiyach, or the Manifestation (Word) of YHWH which became flesh and dwelt among us.  Therefore, if we live “in” Y’shua we also become Torah.  It is evil to posture that Rav Shaul brought Torah down, when in fact Y’shua and Paul restored and elevated Torah to be the foundation of a spiritual dialogue with Heaven.

[3] The terms “works of Torah” and “under Torah” predate Paul by hundreds of years.  These terms were discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls (A Sectarian Manifesto 4QMMT:4Q394-399); while originally referring to the ultra religious halacha of the Essenes, the same principles apply to the Pharisees’ halacha. These two phrases are also mentioned in Romans 6:14, 15; 9:32; 1 Corinthians 9:20; 21; Galatians 2:16; 3:2, 5, 10, 23; 4:4, 5, 21; 5:18. “Under Torah” refers to the orthodox/traditional interpretation and observance of Torah. 

Religious halacha is clearly NOT what Y’shua or Paul followed in their observance of Torah. The Renewed Covenant promise in Jeremiah 31:33 is to write the Torah of YHWH upon the hearts of His people, not the “Torah of men.”  The idiomatic expression “works of Torah” provides insight to those of a “traditional” Jewish upbringing.  Paul references Jews at the beginning of this chapter; in verse 19 he states “Now we know” referring to those who understand Torah and halacha.

Pastors need to learn to explain WHY bad things happen to good people

I'M SO DISAPPOINTED IN PASTORS who don't know how to answer the question, "What do you tell people after a tragedy, when their faith is shaken to the core?" People don’t need silly, fluffy responses like, “Well, God loves us, and He’ll help us make it through this and make us stronger than ever” – or some such nonsense. That’s not an answer; that’s a cop-out by those who don’t know the answer to that question!

The answer to the above question - for those who KNOW the Bible - is simple:

We live in a fallen world where bad things happen! He allows all of us the free will to do as we wish, and sometimes someone else's "free will" to do evil, might impact us.

No one is guaranteed the next day. Therefore, it is up to each of us to get ourselves RIGHT with God while we can, because He offers us eternal life with Him, which - when it comes down to it - is ALL that matters.

God doesn't always deliver us from harm (as evidenced in the latest “school mass murder” on May 24, 2022, when He allowed a lunatic with an AR-15 in Uvalde, Texas, to exercise his “free will” and kill 21 innocents in a grade school). He chooses to save or not save whomever He wishes, for reasons known only to Himself - reasons we'll only discover when we are out of these filth "earth suits."

Does it hurt?  YES!  But, we can see throughout Scripture that He has given mankind free will, starting with Adam and Eve who CHOSE to sin and thus cause the entire human race to be born into a fallen world! It was the same free will that allowed Cain to kill Abel (Genesis 4) and Lot’s wife to commit certain suicide by “looking back” after she was warned NOT to (Genesis 19).

The fact that God allows that free will does NOT mean He doesn't love His people, because He DOES! But He also allows us to choose whom to follow - and myriads have chosen to follow the ways of haSatan, the Evil One ...straight into the pits of hell.

Too bad for them because Scripture ALSO tells us there WILL be a Judgment Day when God’s people will be avenged…. (See Isaiah 13:6,9; Jeremiah 46:10; Joel 1:15; 2:11; Amos 5:18; Obadiah 1:15 and Revelation 20:1-15.)

Some thoughts on our “eternal bodies”

I recently saw a comment posted by a Hebrew Roots teacher which suggested that “our incorruptible bodies will perpetually look like we did when we were 30 years old.” In my opinion, that is a very immature interpretation of Scripture (which does NOT support that idea at all), and reveals that many are still viewing the things of God through their limited, human mindsets.

First of all, Scripture doesn’t reveal “what our incorruptible bodies will look like”; and secondly, our appearance will be totally irrelevant! As eternal servants of YHWH, we surely weren’t meant to parade around as “young looking” sex symbols! Scripture tells us, we will be like the angels.

We’re not going to be sexual beings any longer with any superficial need to “look forever young” or “be beautiful.” The "beauty" we will exude is a HOLY beauty that we cannot begin to comprehend in our human form! It's got NOTHING to do with looking like a young, 30 year old human!

Matthew 22: 30. For in the resurrection of the dead, men do not marry women, nor are women given to husbands. Rather, they are as the Messengers of Elohim in Heaven. (AENT)

Our focus will be on ADONAI whose goal is to use His people to teach and preach the Kingdom of YHWH and show the people remaining on earth in those days, how to become holy/set apart, and prepare them to become holy and useful citizens in the olam ha-ba – the “world to come.” We get some strong hints that those who receive their incorruptible bodies are true servants of YHWH who will SHINE as did Moshe when he descended from the mountain after being in the Presence of YHWH:

Exodus 34:35 And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him. (CJB)

Please humor me as I share some common-sense, deep, BIBLICAL proofs here and there, designed to get you to ponder on how our “new bodies” won’t necessarily resemble our present “earth suits.” You’re free to agree or disagree with me - but please DO let me know if you think you see ANYTHING in the following passages that even remotely suggests that we will resemble ordinary, flesh-covered humans whose “incorruptible bodies will perpetually look like we did when we were 30 years old” – because I personally do NOT think so!

Let’s take a look the following passages that reveal that our "forever" bodies will somehow “shine”….

Daniel 12: 2 Many of those sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame and abhorrence. 3 But those who can discern will shine like the brightness of heaven’s dome, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. 4 “But you, Dani’el, keep these words secret, and seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there as knowledge increases.” (CJB)

Matthew 13: 41. The Son of man will send his Messengers out, and they will pluck from His Kingdom all stumbling blocks and all workers of iniquity. 42. And they will cast them into the furnace of fire, and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43. Then, the righteous will shine[1] like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (AENT)

[1] See Isaiah 60:1 and Daniel 12:3

Matthew 17:1 And after six days, Y’shua led Keefa and Ya’akov and Yochanan his brother and took them up high alone. 2. And Y’shua was transformed before them and his face was bright like the sun, and his clothes became white like light. 3. And Moshe and Eliyahu appeared to them speaking with him. 4. And Keefa responded and said to Y’shua, “My Master. It is good for us that we are here. And if you desire, let us make you here three shelters, one for you and one for Moshe, and one for Eliyahu.

5. And while he was speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And a voice came from the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am pleased. Listen to him.” 6. And when the disciples heard, they fell upon their faces and were very afraid.

7. And Y’shua approached them and touched them and said, Arise, do not be afraid. 8. And they lifted up their eyes and they did not see anyone except Y’shua alone. 9. And while they were descending from the mountain, Y’shua commanded them and said to them, Do not speak about this vision in the presence of anyone until the Son of man arises from the dead.[2]  (AENT)

[2] Psalms 16:10-11; Job 33:30.

1 John 3: 1. And you see how great is the love of the Father towards us, who has called us sons and made us (such). Therefore the world knows us not because it likewise does not know Him. 2. My beloved, now are we the sons of Elohim; and up to now it has not appeared what we are to be: but we know that when he will appear, we will be in his likeness and we will see him as he is. 3. And everyone that has this hope from him, purifies himself, as he is pure. (AENT)

Philippians 3: 20. But our concern is with heaven and from thence we expect our Life Giver, our Master, Y’shua the Mashiyach 21. who will change the body of our abasement, that it may have the likeness of the body of his glory according to his great power, whereby all things are made subject to him. (AENT)

Please pay close attention to the following passage:

1 Corinthians 15:35. But some one of you may say: How will the dead arise and with what body will they come forth? 36. Foolish man! The seed which you sow, is not resurrected unless it dies. 37. And that which you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but the naked kernel of wheat or barley, or of the other grains: 38. And Elohim gives it a body, according to His will; and to each of the grains its natural body.

39. And every body is not alike; for the body of a man is one thing, and that of a beast is another, and that of a bird is another, and that of a fish is another. 40. And there are bodies celestial, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial (bodies) is one, and that of the terrestrial is another. 41. And the glory of the sun is one thing, and the glory of the moon is another, and the glory of the stars is another; and one star exceeds another star in glory.

42. So (it is) also with the resurrection of the dead. They are sown in corruption, they arise without corruption: 43. They are sown in dishonor, they arise in glory: they are sown in weakness, they arise in power: 44. is sown an animal body, it arises a spiritual body. For there is a body of the animal life, and there is a body of the spirit.

45. So also is it written: “Adam, the first man, became a living soul;” the second Adam (became) a resurrecting spirit. 46. And the spiritual was not first; but the animal, and then the spiritual. 47. The first man was of dust from the earth; the second man was Master YHWH from heaven.

48. As he was of the dust, so also those who are of the dust; and as was he who was from heaven, so also are the heavenly. 49. And as we have worn the likeness of him from the dust, so will we wear the likeness of him from heaven. 50. But this I say, my Brothers that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven: neither does corruption inherit incorruption.

51. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52. Suddenly, as in the twinkling of an eye, at the last shofar, when it will sound; and the dead will arise, without corruption; and we will be changed. 53. For this which is corruptible, is to put on incorruption; and that which dies, will put on immortality. 54. And when that which is corruptible, will put on incorruption, and that which dies, immortality; then will take place the Word that is written, “Death is absorbed in victory.” 55. Where is thy sting, O death? And where is thy victory, O Sheol?

56. Now the sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is Torah.[3] 57. But thanks be to Elohim that gives us the victory, through our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach. 58. Wherefore, my Brothers and my beloved, be steadfast, and not weak willed; but be at all times generous in the work of Master YHWH; seeing you know that your labor is not in vain in Master YHWH. (AENT)

[3] When Torah is diminished, the knowledge of sin is diminished; when Torah is increased the knowledge of sin is increased. The strength of sin is Torah, because it is Torah which makes it clear or plain what sin is; Torah explains sin and clarifies it. The sting of death is brought on by sin; the strength of sin is elucidated in Torah.

Last, but not least, please also read all of Romans 8. Please let me know what you think of the above, as I believe these passages serve to prove that we will definitely "look different" - and NOT appear as ordinary humans once we receive our “new” bodies upon Yeshua’s return.  

The importance of “context”….

JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF “CONTEXT”:

Acts 4: 11. This is the stone that you builders have rejected, and has become the head of the corner[1] 12. And there is not salvation by another man[2] for there is not another name under heaven which is given to men by which it is proper to have life!”[3] (AENT)

[1] Psalm 118:22

[2] In other words, no other human can claim the title of Mashiyach, and only the true Mashiyach can assume the name of YHWH in Whom there is total power. The only man who was pierced with the Spirit of YHWH inside him (Zechariah 12:10) is the one who was conceived by the Ruach haKodesh. Without these vital qualifications other candidates must not be considered. The ONE Name under heaven is YHWH; Y’shua’s name points to YHWH.

Not only did the Greek-based religion choose to replace the authority of the Name of YHWH with that of “the son”; but it also imparted a division within deity and coined a Grecianized name, thereby making void the Word of YHWH, and the office of Mashiyach that is sealed according to the Name of YHWH.

[3]   “Life-Giver” in Aramaic is rendered as “Savior” in English. John 5:26 reveals that the Father YHWH gives life from His Qnoma (occurrence of His one nature) to the Son, who is Mashiyach. Y’shua in turn, gives that Life to those who are drawn to him. Y’shua would be powerless to give Eternal Life without His Father YHWH first providing it to him, but it still falls to the Son and no other man to pass that gift on to the rest of us.

Y’shua decries the Pharisees on this issue, pointing out that according to Scripture, Life comes from Mashiyach, but they won’t come to him as haMashiyach for that Life! This is a radically different perspective from those who call on “the name of Jesus” as a substitute for this YHWH-ordained precious gift of salvation because, without One, the other cannot perform his function.

“Abortion” is once again making headlines….

WITH THE ABORTION DEBATES IN THE NEWS AGAIN, let's discuss what the Bible says:

While the Bible doesn't mention "abortion" per se, take a look at these passages:

EXODUS 21:22 “If people are fighting with each other and happen to hurt a pregnant woman so badly that her unborn child dies, then, even if no other harm follows, he must be fined. He must pay the amount set by the woman’s husband and confirmed by judges. 23 But if any harm follows, then you are to give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound and bruise for bruise. (CJB)

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Job 31:15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

PSALM 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Genesis 9:5 I will certainly demand an accounting for the blood of your lives: I will demand it from every animal and from every human being. I will demand from every human being an accounting for the life of his fellow human being. 6 Whoever sheds human blood, by a human being will his own blood be shed; for God made human beings in his image."

I don't know about you, but to me, it's clear that "life" - according to ADONAI Himself - begins at conception. (If something is not "alive," it wouldn't grow into a full-fledged human....)

SO, I AM PLEADING WITH EVERYONE WHO IS CONSIDERING ABORTION: Instead of choosing the hideous practice of abortion (which literally tears a fetus to shreds), PLEASE consider bringing your baby to full term and giving it away to someone who truly wants a child....

A thorough examination into Yeshua’s Mission on Earth

IN A NUTSHELL: He came to proclaim the Kingdom of YHWH and do everything his Father commanded. He taught Torah and tore down the fences of man's legalism … and then he died to allow his DIVINE blood to symbolically cover the doorposts of the hearts and minds of all those who believe, repent and turn from their carnal ways, so that they might receive ETERNAL LIFE!

Yeshua, the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29 and 36) was and is still the "Word" of YHWH (John 1:1,14); an “extension" of the Father, the "arm of YHWH" (Isaiah 53:1); sent to teach YHWH's people about the Kingdom (Luke 4:43 and 8:1; Acts 24:14 and 28:23).

However, to REALLY KNOW who Yeshua is/was, and what he did and why he did it, we MUST FIRST understand that, from the beginning, after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden, one’s salvation always required a blood sacrifice (substitution or redemption of one nephesh/soul for another).

Leviticus 17:11 makes that abundantly clear: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have assigned it to you for making expiation for your lives upon the altar; it is the blood, as life, that effects expiation." (See also Numbers 15:22-30.)

The possibility of the substitution of an animal at the Temple is gone; it has been replaced by your acceptance of the fact that the Messiah died for you; thus, redeeming you, and giving you a chance to receive eternal life.

It is also important to understand that the lambs for the original Passover were NOT “sacrificed” and were NOT a “sin sacrifice.” They were “substitutes” … their blood on the doorposts, in exchange for the life of the people who chose to follow YHWH and His Divine Rules (Torah), Those lambs were NOT taken to the temple; they were taken into people’s homes for four days and then slaughtered so that their blood could be smeared on the doorposts of the homes to ensure that the Angel of Death would “pass over” them (Exodus 12:1-13).

Similarly, Messiah Yeshua - YHWH’s “Lamb” - wasn’t “sacrificed,” either. No one “sacrificed” him. “The world” KILLED him, and he allowed it because he KNEW who he was and what he had to do: He was YHWH’s human (yet also Divine) Messiah and “Son,” sent to teach and preach the Torah, and then to die as a “substitute” for everyone who was willing to believe that YHWH had sent him to shed his blood in exchange for their lives. Those who accept YHWH/Yeshua (as we see throughout the entire Bible), are expected to repent and turn from their sins and start living a holy/set apart life that is pleasing unto YHWH.

In other words, his divine blood symbolically covered the doorposts of our hearts and minds, offering us the choice to receive ETERNAL LIFE! HALLELUYAH!

(Contrary to the false theology of the anti-Yeshua teachers, what Yeshua did does NOT go against Torah rules! YHWH’s priests were always expected to carry the burden of His people. See Exodus 28:36-38; Leviticus 6:25-27; Leviticus 10:16-17; and all of Numbers 18.)

Another thing that is important to understand is that Yeshua was sent by the Father NOT to do his own will, but the Father's … to do everything YHWH ordered him to do!  (Yet, myriads, for some reason, believe he came to replace the Father and abolish Torah …).

Deuteronomy 18: 15 "ADONAI will raise up for you a prophet like me from among yourselves, from your own kinsmen. You are to pay attention to him, 16 just as when you were assembled at Horev and requested ADONAI your God, 'Don't let me hear the voice of ADONAI my God any more, or let me see this great fire ever again; if I do, I will die!' 17 On that occasion ADONAI said to me, 'They are right in what they are saying. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kinsmen. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I order him. (CJB)

Yeshua himself said He came to do HIS FATHER's will; not his own!

John 6: 35. Y'shua said to them, I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will not hunger. And whoever believes in me will not ever thirst. 36. But I have said to you that you have seen me, and you do not believe. 37. All who my Father has given to me will come, and whoever comes not to me I will cast outside! 38. For I came down from heaven,[1] not to do my will, but to do the will of Him who sent me. 39. And this is His will, that of Him who sent me, that all that He has given to me I do not lose even one. 40. For this is the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him, will have life that is eternal. And I will raise him up on the last day. (AENT)

[1] As in the context of Miltha (the Word) or the "Manifestation" or the "Will of" YHWH coming down from heaven to do the Will of YHWH upon earth; his Spirit is of YHWH but his nephesh (soul) and body are human and temporal. (This reveals that Yeshua was NOT in charge; HIS FATHER WAS!)

Knowing the above, you can surely better understand “who” Yeshua was and what he came to accomplish on earth.

John 12: 44. But Y'shua cried out and said, He who believes in me, it is not in me he does believe, but in Him who sent me. [1] 45. And he who sees me sees Him who sent me! 46. I have come as the light into this world that all who believe in me might not remain in the darkness! 47. And he who hears my words, yet does not keep them, I do not judge him, for I have not come to judge the world but to give life[2] to the world.

48. He who rejects me and does not receive my words, there is something that judges him. The word that I have spoken, it will judge him on the last day. 49. For I have not spoken from my soul, but the Father who sent me. He gave a Commandment to me what I should say and what I should speak. 50. And I know that His commands are eternal life. [3] Therefore, these things that I speak just as my Father told me, thus I speak.[4] (AENT)

[1] Y'shua does not bring a new Faith, but reveals the original Faith of YHWH the Father.

[2] Y'shua proclaims that he came to give life, then he declares that his father's Commands are eternal life! The Father's "Commands" are instruction in righteousness; this is Torah which contains Commandments, Judgments, Testimony and Witness regarding the Kingdom of Elohim. Those who enter into Covenant with Mashiyach are entering into Covenant with his Father YHWH; therefore, it is evil - an outright lie - to teach that Torah is done away with and replaced by a new theology!

[3] The Commands of YHWH bring eternal life. YHWH's "Commands" refers to all of His Commandments; these are one and the same as every Word that proceeds out of the Mouth of Elohim. These are not Commands only between Y'shua and his Father but they are universal for all souls who will enter into the Malchut Elohim.

[4] Y'shua speaks the Word of YHWH, not his own words; therefore, he conveys the revelation of YHWH according to the Ruach haKodesh without the baggage of man's religious tradition. Religion has a propensity to reinvent or interpret the Word of YHWH to make it "acceptable" to man's standards; whereas Mashiyach came not to please men, but to honor and bring Glory to his Father.

As you can see after reading the above, Yeshua did NOT come to abolish Torah! Check out chapters such as Isaiah 42 which gives us a glimpse into His Messiah (Mashiach in Hebrew). The entire Bible teems with the full prophetic assurance that Yeshua would NEVER, EVER have annulled Torah!

He MAGNIFIED Torah and wrote it upon the hearts and imaginations of his people. He carried out (fulfilled) the prophecies regarding Mashiach, making them happen! He performed Torah, which was his duty and obligation as Mashiach; otherwise, he could not have qualified to be Mashiach ben Yoseph!

In closing let’s examine and TRULY PONDER the following powerful passages that give us a huge glimpse into the mind of Mashiach Yeshua:

Matthew 5:17 . Do not think that I have come to loosen the Torah or the Prophets. I have not come to loosen but to fulfill them through proper interpretation.[1] 18. For truly I say to you that until heaven and earth pass away not one Yodh or one stroke will pass from Torah until everything happens.[2] 19. All who loosen, therefore, from one (of) these small commandments and teach thus to the sons of man, will be called little in the Kingdom of Heaven, but all who do and teach this will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20. For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds more than that of the scribes and the Pharisees,[3] you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (AENT)

[1] “Fulfill” means to carry out or to bring to realization, to perform or do, as in a person’s duty; or to obey or follow the Commandments, as in satisfying the Commandments by obeying them, Isaiah 42:21 “YHWH is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will magnify Torah, and make him (it) honorable.

[2] Isaiah 40:12-25; 2 Samuel 23:1-5; Deuteronomy 30:11-20.)

[3] Y’shua would certainly not mention “the Pharisees” in this context, except that they walked in a degree of righteousness. Most ancient and modern Pharisees (Orthodox) have disciplined and righteous lifestyles; therefore, Y’shua is stating the difference. As the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit) writes Torah upon the hearts of his followers, they will surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees who elevate tradition rather than Torah.

Those without Torah have no righteousness, and they are certainly not “borrowing” any from Mashiach’s righteousness while they continue in sin, regardless of what their theologians have to say. Mashiach imparts his righteousness to those who follow him, and keep Torah. Through Yeshua, YHWH is raising up a Set Apart people who keep HIS Commandments, rather than making up their own religious traditions.

Matthew 19: ¹⁶ A man approached Yeshua and said, “Rabbi, what good thing should I do in order to have eternal life?” He said to him, ¹⁷ “Why are you asking me about good? There is One who is good! But if you want to obtain eternal life, observe the mitzvot.” (CJB)

John 14: ¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep my commands; ¹⁶ and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another comforting Counselor like me, the Spirit of Truth, to be with you forever. (CJB)

Revelation 14: ¹² This is when perseverance is needed on the part of God’s people, those who observe his commands and exercise Yeshua’s faithfulness. (CJB)

Revelation 22: ¹⁴ How blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they have the right to eat from the Tree of Life and go through the gates into the city! ¹⁵ Outside are the homosexuals, those involved with the occult and with drugs, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol-worshippers, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. ¹⁶ “I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the Messianic communities. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star. ¹⁷ The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’ Let anyone who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let anyone who is thirsty come — let anyone who wishes, take the water of life free of charge.” (CJB)

Do you cringe whenever you hear the English language being decimated?

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ALL, BUT I CRINGE whenever I hear folks today butchering the English language. I mean, it's bad enough that the word "like" is over-used ad nauseum; and grammar, in general, has become lax to the point of ridiculous. But it really, really grates me to hear people inserting extra syllables into ordinary words, and/or dropping letters altogether.

Examples: Sixteen has become "sixtee-an"; mean has become "mee-an"; and didn't has become "did-ennt"; etc. And people (especially women) love to drop letters, as does the female anchor on the show, America This Morning, who pronounces "Putin" as "Poo-in"... I guess that would be okay if you're twelve or thirtee-an, but that silliness should be out of your system by the time you're old enough to become a professional journalist!

And don't even get me started on the declaratory sentences that sound like questions because the speaker increased their intonation as if what they were saying was a yes-no question. For instance, WHY would the statement, "I'm leaving the house in a few minutes to do some grocery shopping," be spoken as if it's a question? "I'm leaving the house in a few minutes to do some grocery shopping?"

AAARGH! Are you telling me or ASKING me whether you're leaving the house? Sheesh! Snap out of it! (And yes, I know, English teachers go crazy when you start your sentences with a preposition. I adopted that bad habit a LONG time ago! So, sue me!)

Maybe I'm just growing old and cantankerous, I don't know. Or perhaps I just have "an old soul," because, in all honesty, language-botching has always bugged me. Back in "my day" (the Vietnam Era and the "hippie generation" where Timothy Leary suggested we all "turn on, tune in, drop out") it always galled me to pieces to hear the crazy slang of the day, or watch the goofy behavior of people my age.

I remember, while I was a young soldier stationed at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, we had some pot-smoking macho white guys who, during their off-duty time would walk around like gorillas with a "hitch in their get-along"; arms dangling loosely at their sides, palms facing backward, knuckles practically dragging the ground, clearly believing themselves to "look hip" and sound impressive by talking like a bunch of illiterate Troglodytes.

"Hey, baby, like, what's happenin'? I really dig you. Wanna scoot over to my pad and drop a dime?"

(As much as I hate to admit it, I was stupid enough to marry one of those buffoons, because he had me convinced he was the smartest person on the planet, and that I was extremely blessed to even be in his presence. The reality was that he was dumber than a bag of hammers, kept getting busted down in rank, and ultimately ended up in prison for killing someone while high on Heroin. Trust me, I had learned my lesson, because experience often IS the best teacher!)

Anyway, then there were the black "cool" guys who couldn't pass other black guys without engaging in ridiculously long "dapping" rituals just to say "how ya doin'?" (Dapping - look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls - LOL!) It was truly hilarious to watch the endless "dapping" going on in the chow lines on a daily basis.

Also, way back when, people would use terms like, “cool, far out, funky, groovy, outta sight, stoned, stoked and bummed out.” They referred to guys as “cats” and girls as “chicks” or “foxes”; and policemen were known as “fuzz” and "pigs." Back then, we didn’t “have fun”; we “had a gas.” People who were known to “do drugs” were referred to as “freaks.” Those who didn’t were called “squares” or “downers.”

Obviously, yours truly was considered a “downer” on many fronts. Still am, I guess because I'm filled with much discernment and common sense. But honestly, it’s not because I’m trying to be “mee-an”; and I sure hope I “did-ennt” upset anyone with my little rant!

Realizing that times and people do change, and that nothing stays the same, I have to admit that I am sad to see that much of the western world has not only been falling apart, but has also been busy reverting back to "as the days of Noah were" (Matthew 24:37-39); spawning myriad self-centered, loud-mouthed armchair experts on everything, who respect nothing and no one; and who no longer wish to work for living.

Ironically, those traits actually started “in my day” with the likes of the "beatniks." "drop-outs" and "hippies" who thought they were the smartest, coolest beings on the planet...

THANK GOD FOR UNANSWERED PRAYERS!

You’ve surely all noticed that YHWH doesn’t answer our every prayer as we would like, and that sometimes, the answer is a resounding “NO!”

Truth is, we need to thank God for that, because He knows what is best for His children – whether we like it, or not. More often than not, we NEVER discover the reason for His “NO!” answer; but when we do, it can literally send us reeling….

Matter of fact, I’m still, to this day, awe-stricken over the discovery in the year 2000, exactly WHY Abba had refused my years-long prayers to return the “love of my youth” to me! I mean, after every breakup (and there were lots), I had literally, off and on, begged for the return of my high-school sweetheart, David, for approximately 20 years!

I was madly in love with David when I was 17. David was my everything. I would have walked off a cliff for David. He was my best friend on earth, so kind, loving and understanding - and he knew all my deepest, darkest secrets. I had even confided to him that my adoptive father had been sexually abusing me since the age of 9 (something that angered David to the point of wanting to murder my father).

I remember freaking out, because I had a hard time convincing David to keep my secret...and there was NO doubt in my mind that “Dad” would have killed both of us! My adoptive father was evil personified. He was a psycho with a violent temper who had absolutely no reservation about physically hurting humans or animals. (Matter of fact, just before I turned 14, he had sent me to the hospital with internal injuries when I worked up the courage one night to threaten to tell the cops on him when he came creeping into my bedroom...)

David ultimately relented and promised to take me far away from it all after high school. But when he joined the Air Force, he was immediately sent to Korea, where he fell in love with, and married a Korean woman, and we never saw each other again.

Heartbroken beyond belief, I decided to “snap out of it,” and forge my own destiny. So, after high school, I joined the Army and started my own career, while at the same time, attending night classes at local colleges wherever I was stationed for the next 22 years….

I did my fair share of “dating” and even marrying (my first husband was a major Heroin addict who ultimately killed a friend of his while high on Heroin). When I divorced him, I contacted David’s mother, only to discover that David was still happily married and had two little daughters. I had secretly hoped that his marriage would have failed by now, and that he would find me, and we could ride off into the sunset together. Matter of fact, I PRAYED that would happen!

But, back then I didn’t know that YHWH hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), and so I prayed off and on over the years (after every break-up with all the “broken” guys I used to attract) for God to bring my David back to me. He had been a rock for me, and I didn’t understand why he had been able to simply find another woman to marry!

Anyway, my prayers all seemed to have fallen on deaf ears and sometimes I wondered if there really was “a God” because if there was, He surely KNEW that David was the love of my life!

But He never answered that prayer.

And then in the year 2000, I finally found out why: Turns out the “love of my life” was – like my adoptive father – a raving pedophile, who was serving a 20-year prison sentence for getting his 12-year-old daughter pregnant. (By then, I had had access to the Internet and had found David’s parents (with whom I had kept in contact off and on throughout the years) to let them know I had FINALLY found happiness with a man named Bill Welker…)

Well, to coin a hackneyed phrase, ya coulda knocked me over with a feather! I NEVER, in my wildest dreams, expected my David to be able to do something like that! How COULD he have done that, when he used to date me - someone whose life had been ruined because of sexual abuse? It was absolutely inconceivable and incomprehensible!

After the phone call ended, all I could think was, “Oh, THANK GOD! Thank GOD! Thank YOU, Father, for NOT answering my prayers!” Had David married me, it would have been MY daughter he would have sexually abused - and I know I WOULD have killed him and ended up in prison for murder…

I can’t recall any other “unanswered prayers,” but today, as a mature believer, I am wise enough to understand and accept whatever God’s Will is in my life. Our Heavenly Father KNOWS what we need and don’t need, and that’s ALL that really matters. Halleluyah!

James 4: 3. You ask, and do not receive because you ask wickedly, that you may feed your lusts. 4. You adulterers, don’t you know that the love of the world is hatred towards Elohim? He therefore who chooses to be a lover of this world is the enemy of Elohim. 5. Or do you think that the Scripture has vainly said: The spirit dwelling in us lusts with envy? 6. But our Master (Y’shua) has given us more grace. Therefore he said: Master YHWH brings low the arrogant, and gives grace to the humble.

7. Subject yourselves therefore to Elohim; and stand firm against the Accuser and he will flee from you. 8. Draw near to Elohim and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners: sanctify your hearts, you who are divided in mind. 9. Humble yourselves and mourn: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into grief. 10. Humble yourselves before Master YHWH and He will exalt you. (AENT)

“EASTER” IS NOT PASSOVER, which is one of God’s commanded Feasts/Appointed Times….

As hard as it will be for some to read this, the truth is, "Easter" (like Christmas) is a fabricated, man-made holiday that has little to do with YHWH (Yahweh), Yeshua, or Scripture in general. God commanded His people to celebrate seven annual feasts/festivals – all of which honor God without the insertion of paganism; all of which have specific meanings that directly relate to Scripture and prophecy: all of which are to be celebrated on specific days on the Hebrew calendar; AND all of which foreshadow Yeshua….

The only Bible version in which you'll find the word "Easter" is in the King James - which basically renders useless the entire chapter of Acts 12 because NOBODY went into Jerusalem to celebrate any man-made holiday! (There was no “Easter” BEFORE Jesus was put to death, right? So, why would anybody have come to Jerusalem to celebrate “Easter” or even bother mentioning that particular invented word in the New Testament? People were there for “Passover.)

So, here is what the King James says:

Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (KJV)

After EASTER? Let’s examine this:

The setting in Acts is recounting the events which led to the crucifixion of the Messiah. However, Acts was written in about 60 CE, while the term "Easter" was not solidified until the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE; so, there is no way for the original book of Acts to have used the word "Easter"!

Indeed, in the oldest manuscript of Acts, in Aramaic, the word used was "Paskha", or "Passover" in English. Even if the Catholic Church had begun to use the term "Easter" as early as 200 years before the Council of Nicaea, that's still more than 60 years after the Book of Acts was written! What we see in the KJV version of Acts 12 is a clear intent to subvert the Jewish "Passover" in favor of the Christian "Easter".

(Truth is, the KJV has MANY OTHER mistranslations….)

Shown below is the same passage in a few different Bible versions:

Acts 12:3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Judeans, he went on to arrest Kefa as well. It was during the Days of Matzah, ⁴ so when Herod seized him, he threw him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, with the intention of bringing him to public trial after Pesach. (CJB)

Acts 12: ³ When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. (NIV)

Acts 12:³ When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now ^[b]it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four ^[c]squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. (NASB)

Acts 12:4 4. And he seized him and placed him in prison, and delivered him (to) sixteen soldiers to watch him so that after the Passover[*] he might deliver him to the people of the Yehudeans. (AENT)

(NOTE: Passover, Aramaic Paskha or Hebrew Pesach was originally observed by Jewish and Elohim fearing Gentiles who followed Y’shua as one body. According to letters by Jerome, Polycarp a disciple of Shaliach Yochanan (Apostle John) went to Rome in 147 AD to plead with “the church” to NOT bring Ishtar (Easter) into Christianity. Polycarp was burned at the stake for his efforts. Christians inserted the word “Easter” (KJV) here and the vast majority of Christians celebrate Easter rather than Pesach. Most Christians also paint “Easter eggs” which contributes to the advancement of Paganism within the church, not to mention that most folks already know that bunnies don’t lay eggs!)

BOTTOM LINE: Easter has nothing to do with the commanded High Holy Day of Passover…

A word of advice in these perilous times….

WE ARE LIVING IN SOME SERIOUS PERILOUS TIMES! Putin's war is wreaking havoc in Ukraine. People are fleeing, and those who chose to remain behind are screaming in pain and terror from the bombs and missile attacks. Putin's not holding back. He clearly seeks world domination.

So, here's a word of advice: The most important thing you can do is to get yourself "right with God" while you still can, because nobody is guaranteed another day. Let go of the notion that just "believing in Jesus" is enough! Satan and his demons "believe in Yeshua" (they KNOW his real, given Hebrew Name!) and they will ALL end up in the Lake of Fire! (Revelation 20:6-10) This means there is clearly a little more to "being a believer"...

HERE IS THE HARD TRUTH: Messiah Yeshua is the Word of YHWH, and we are told he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all things were created by the Word of YHWH from the beginning of time (Hebrews 13:8). Yet, there various flavors of Judaism (which are Torah observant yet do NOT believe that Yeshua is the Messiah); and well over 40,000 different Christian denominations that IGNORE ADONAI’s “forever commands” as outlined in Torah/Divine Instructions in Righteousness.

BOTH views are death knells!

Revelation 12: 17 "The dragon was infuriated over the woman and went off to fight the rest of her children, those who obey God's commands AND bear witness to Yeshua." (Note: I capitalized the word “AND”.)

Revelation 14: 12 "This is when perseverance is needed on the part of God's people, those who observe his commands AND exercise Yeshua's faithfulness." (Note: I capitalized the word “AND”.)

You can argue the above from now until Doomsday, but unless you believe with all your heart that Yeshua IS the Divine Messiah who shed his blood on your behalf as the Final SIN Offering, AND obey His Divine Instructions, you're going to be considered "lukewarm" and vomited from his mouth when he returns to rule and reign for a thousand years. (Revelation 3:16.) These are the truths that set YHWH’s people apart from "the world" and make them "holy"....

Scripture commands us to be "wholehearted" - meaning you MUST do His Will through obedience to Torah (which, by the way, was NOT "just for the Jews!) The "one in Messiah" passages amply reveal that there is NO difference between YHWH's "natural children" and the "adopted/grafted in." Same God, same rules! (See Deuteronomy 30:14; Exodus 12:49, Numbers 15:13-16, Isaiah 56:6, Galatians 3:28 and Romans 10:12-13.).

The world is rapidly changing, folks! THE ENEMY HAS BEEN SET LOOSE! Whom will YOU choose to follow? The TRUTH is, only those who endure to the end will be saved. The Bible says so! (And since more than 300 prophecies have already come true, what would make one think that the few remaining ones won't be?)

Matthew 24:10 At that time many will be trapped into betraying and hating each other, 11 many false prophets will appear and fool many people; 12 and many people's love will grow cold because of increased distance from Torah. 13 But whoever holds out till the end will be delivered. (CJB)

2 Thessalonians 2:9 When this man who avoids Torah comes, the Adversary will give him the power to work all kinds of false miracles, signs and wonders. 10 He will enable him to deceive, in all kinds of wicked ways, those who are headed for destruction because they would not receive the love of the truth that could have saved them. 11 This is why God is causing them to go astray, so that they will believe the Lie. 12 The result will be that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken their pleasure in wickedness, will be condemned. (CJB

THE TIME HAS COME TO STOP SUGAR-COATING THE GRIM REALITY OF THIS WORLD....

I cried like a baby the first time I saw the news about the plight of the Ukrainian refugees. Can you imagine how you would feel if suddenly, your entire world was being turned upside-down by some madman who declares war and threatens to bomb your country to smithereens unless everyone agrees to allow him to take over and expand his kingdom?

Can you imagine how it would feel to be told you and your family have just a few hours to pack a suitcase and flee to a bordering country? Can you imagine having left everything you know and love behind, and suddenly becoming homeless, in a strange land?

This is so reminiscent of Iraq and other Middle Eastern Countries where people have been evacuating to Europe for several decades now - all because of some power-hungry, wild-eyed lunatics! (It's nothing new; mankind, the world over, has been doing this since the beginning of time!)

Here's the thing, folks: If you know the Bible, then you understand all this is a direct result of the Original Sin by Adam and Eve who "had it made" in the Garden of Eden; but incurred YHWH's wrath by choosing to ignore His Divine Instructions. Consequently, WE inherited a dangerous world fraught with natural disasters, illness, diseases, pain, death, tears, the rising of false messiahs, and an endless onslaught of wars and rumors of wars. (See Matthew 24)

We live in an EVIL world because it is run by haSatan, the former angel, Lucifer, who went up against YHWH and lost; whose end IS COMING (see Isaiah 14:3-20, 2 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 12 and 20). His only goal, in the little time he has left, is to take as many to Sheol with him, as he possibly can. (And judging from the looks of things, he WILL be taking most of humanity....)

The only GOOD news in this, is that YHWH's grace and mercy allowed us a way to reconcile with Him through His Divine Messiah whose precious shed blood atoned for our past sins, thus allowing us a "second chance" to "get right with ELOHIM" by choosing to live a holy/set apart life designed to prepare us for Eternity. I highly urge you to choose THAT life, instead of the alternative, which is eternal separation from YHWH/Yeshua (2 Thess 1:9).

Those who know the Bible, KNOW that YHWH is allowing all these "bad" things to happen, because He knew from the very beginning that humans - to whom He gave FREE WILL - were going to stray. And so now, we're experiencing the beginning of the end. HOW you react to it, and what you choose to do, reveals WHOM you serve, and how you really feel about ADONAI....

Deuteronomy 30:5 “Look! I am presenting you today with, on the one hand, life and good; and on the other, death and evil — 16 in that I am ordering you today to love Adonai your God, to follow his ways, and to obey his mitzvot, regulations and rulings; for if you do, you will live and increase your numbers; and Adonai your God will bless you in the land you are entering in order to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, if you refuse to listen, if you are drawn away to prostrate yourselves before other gods and serve them; 18 I am announcing to you today that you will certainly perish; you will not live long in the land you are crossing the Yarden to enter and possess.

19 “I call on heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have presented you with life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life, so that you will live, you and your descendants, 20 loving Adonai your God, paying attention to what he says and clinging to him — for that is the purpose of your life!.... (CJB)

ARE YOU IN PAIN AND WONDERING WHY? PERHAPS THIS ARTICLE WILL HELP….

I see so many on Facebook and elsewhere asking God why bad things are happening to them – especially when it comes to health issues. Has He forsaken them? Is He angry with them? They’ve prayed until they’re blue in the face, and He just doesn’t seem to hear.

Many are being told by well-meaning friends that they are suffering because, perhaps they’re not “holy” enough; or not “praying hard enough.”

That’s ridiculous! People like that don’t know Scripture!

YES, we bring a lot of troubles upon ourselves via our lifestyles and life’s choices – and He often lets us suffer the consequences. But the bottom line is that we are in a fallen world where bad stuff happens to the good and bad alike.

YHWH heals when He wants and whom He wants to heal. He doesn't "heal on command" or allow us to suffer without good reason. No matter how hard and painful our lives are, we shouldn't expect Him to do everything we want or need, because He is not our “fairy godfather,” granting every wish. (I know some churches teach that, but that is NOT what the Bible says!)

I mean, why does He allow innocent, sinless babies to be born deformed, or with cancer or some other horrible disease? It's not that He wants it; it's that we are in a FALLEN WORLD and bad things happen here - and the ONLY thing we are guaranteed is eternal life if we are obedient and wholehearted toward Him.

YES, we can and SHOULD pray and ask for healing (and all other needs), but when it doesn't happen, it's not because He doesn't love us or is failing us in some way; it's for reasons known only to Him.

Remember the Hell he allowed Job to go through? His wife gave up and said, "Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9). In the end, because Job refused to turn his back on YHWH, he was amply rewarded.

And remember how YHWH killed Aaron's sons on the spot for offering "strange fire"? Notice that neither Aaron, Moshe, nor anyone else said ONE WORD about it! That's because they didn't dare question YHWH about HIS decision! (See Leviticus 10.) (YHWH is ELOHIM, and when He does something, we mere humans have no right to argue about it, because whatever He does is perfect and in His Will.)

And let's not forget our Messiah Yeshua, who, was well acquainted with illness and other human conditions:

Isaiah 53: 2 ...He was not well-formed or especially handsome;

we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us.

3 People despised and avoided him,

a man of pains, well acquainted with illness.

Like someone from whom people turn their faces,

he was despised; we did not value him.

4 In fact, it was our diseases he bore,

our pains from which he suffered;

yet we regarded him as punished,

stricken and afflicted by God.

5 But he was wounded because of our crimes,

crushed because of our sins;

the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him,

and by his bruises* we are healed. (CJB)

This world is merely a classroom for those who will enter eternity. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, YHWH has never again promised us that proverbial "rose garden" - but what He HAS promised is eternal life through belief in Him and His Divine Messiah whom He sent with a special mission.

HOW WE REACT TO LIFE'S TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS REVEALS how we really feel about the echad of YHWH/Yeshua....

Often, we've brought things upon ourselves, and will end up suffering the consequences. Often, bad things "just happen" and our bodies pay the price. But at least we have the assurance that our souls don't need to pay that same price....

So, don't let anyone tell you that it's your "unbelief" or that you "didn't pray hard enough" or any of that religious psycho-babble designed to make one feel guilty. YHWH knows our hearts, and He IS with us; and He KNOWS our pain and suffering. Whether He chooses to heal us or not is no one's call but His. Let go of the "name it and claim it" nonsense. YHWH is in charge; we are not!

Our job is to simply love and obey Him, and to cling to Him, no matter what. In the meantime, we are to be a light for Him – so allow Him to use YOU as a light! The way we deal with our pain and anguish, and fears and sorrows, and every other human emotion we can possily imagine, might just be the ONLY light for those who don't know Him. Let others SEE Him through YOU!

For my more, in-depth article, please click on my link, Lord, thank You for the Storm.

Let’s take another look at that “clean” vs. “unclean” foods thing again….

YES, GOD DECLARED THAT “EVERY MOVING THING” WOULD BE FOOD FOR YOU … BUT... He was referring to "clean" animals only. Let's look at what the Bible, when read in context, reveals:

Genesis 9:3 [Speaking to Noach] "Every moving thing that lives will be food for you; just as I gave you green plants before, so now I give you everything."

Sounds like "everything" means EVERYTHING, right? Not so! See Genesis 7:2 – where YHWH tells Noach what kinds of animals to take into the Ark:

"Of every CLEAN animal you are to take seven couples, and of the animals THAT ARE NOT CLEAN, one couple".

So, Noach already KNEW which animals were clean and which were unclean! Thus, when Genesis 9:3 says "Every moving thing that lives will be food for you", it can ONLY refer to "clean" things.

Do take note of the fact that the first we hear of what humans can eat, is found in Genesis 1:29 which says, "every seed-bearing plant" and every tree with "seed-bearing fruit".

Therefore, we already have a sense that YHWH intended only certain things for us to eat, for, while telling us we can eat seed-bearing fruits and plants, it simultaneously implies that we cannot eat plants that do NOT bear seeds! This is a most important understanding.

Take note also that during the creation, YHWH gave every wild animal, bird in the air, and creature crawling on the earth "as food every kind of green plant"! So it seems that YHWH intended EVERY animal, bird and creature to eat GREEN plants!

This leads us to passages such as Mark 7:19 which many insist gives them carte blanche to eat whatever they wish. But when you really think about it, wouldn't that be accusing ELOHIM of "changing" what He originally considered to be "food"?

You see, most Greek Bible versions in Mark 7:18-20 have added the sentence, "Thus Jesus declared all foods clean" (or some form thereof). Example:

Mark 7: 18 "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? 19 For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.") (NIV)

Unfortunately, Yeshua never uttered those words! This sentence was added by “Greek mindsets” to support the idea that today we are allowed to eat anything we want!

But when we go back to the Torah (first five Books of the Bible), we see exactly what God said about “food”….

Leviticus 11:1 Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, 2 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘These are the living creatures which you may eat among all the land animals: 3 any that has a separate hoof which is completely divided and chews the cud — these animals you may eat. 4-6 But you are not to eat those that only chew the cud or only have a separate hoof. For example, the camel, the coney and the hare are unclean for you, because they chew the cud but don’t have a separate hoof; 7 while the pig is unclean for you, because, although it has a separate and completely divided hoof, it doesn’t chew the cud. 8 You are not to eat meat from these or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you. (CJB)

Be sure to note that YHWH explained which of the birds and fish are considered "clean and unclean", and WHY....Take a really close look at these verses and ask yourself: "What is it about these animals which differentiates them?"

Do you see it? Clean edible animals only eat grasses! They are distinguished by a completely split hoof and chewing the cud! All others eat meat (or junk - the pig for example)! Same goes for carnivorous birds and sea life designed to clean the ocean or river floors. We aren't supposed to eat them, because they eat "unclean" things.

YHWH was clear from the beginning about what we could and couldn't eat. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 provide a list of animals that are not to be eaten as food; and included in this list of "unclean" foods are some of man's favorites: pork, shrimp, lobster, crab, catfish, squid, rabbit, squirrel, etc. - things that were meant to be the "garbage disposals" of the world!

Isn't this exciting to know? EVERYTHING we need to know is IN the Bible! Halleluyah! The proof is in the context. We even see "unclean" things mentioned in Revelation:

Revelation 18: 1. After these things, I saw another Messenger come down from heaven; and he had great authority and the earth was illuminated by his glory. 2. And he cried with a strong voice, saying: Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great: and has become a cavern of demons, and the home of every unclean spirit, and the home of every unclean and hateful bird and the home of every unclean and hateful beast of prey. (AENT)

Did you know: Our reactions to the various life struggles, reveal how we really feel about God?

We've all had life lessons that ultimately revealed YHWH is always with us, even when we couldn't "feel" Him - and we wondered at the time where the heck He was, because things weren't going "our way" or changing fast enough to suit us.

It usually isn't until we are able to look back on a given situation, to see with crystal clarity that He WAS there all along, and He DID teach, protect and avenge us, ALLOWING "bad things" to happen so that we could have a chance to learn from them.

The main thing believers are to learn from "bad times" is that (1) we cannot truly recognize how blessed we are unless we've endured some struggles; (2) we got closer to God BECAUSE of those struggles; and (3) we can do NOTHING without Him. (John 15:4-5; 5:19; see more listed at the end of this article.)

Most importantly, our reactions to the various life struggles reveal how we really feel about God! (Do we immediately give in to our "fight or flight" defense mechanisms, or is our first impulse to go into a prayer mode, asking HIM what to do, and to lead and guide us - being WILLING to accept the courage to travel any and all "bumpy roads" ahead that will ultimately take us to the place where we NEED to be?)

When our first reaction is to "go to God" instead of trying to handle things "our way" - THAT is when we are allowed to take another step up onto the next rung of the invisible ladder that leads us ever closer to Him on our journey through life on earth.

Those who turn from, or try to fight Him, basically stay stuck in their miserable (yet perceived "safe") ruts, never realizing there's "another way." That "other way" ("letting go" and FINALLY turning their life over to God) often feels too scary. That's why myriads never learn or grow, and they will fight their way through life, blaming everyone but themselves for their troubles.

So, the lesson we need to learn is, we're all kind of like Job - going through struggles that keep reminding us that bad things CAN happen to good people; AND that the way we react to those bad times reveals how we really feel about God!

ELOHIM constantly has our best interests at heart. He WANTS us to learn and grow (which includes trials and tribulations!) ... because this earthly life is a classroom with RULES, designed to prepare HIS PEOPLE for Eternity!

If you're among those who constantly chooses to remain imprisoned in a particular rut, get into Scripture, read it from cover to cover, and learn WHO God is, who His Messiah is, and what is expected of His people.

Never forget that you're NOT alone, because He IS with you always - even when you can't "feel" Him sometimes...

Deuteronomy 31:8 But Adonai — it is he who will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you, so don’t be afraid or downhearted.” (CJB)

Philippians 4: 12 I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who gives me power. (CJB)

Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “The Tanakh says, ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai’” (CJB)

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Don’t worry about tomorrow — tomorrow will worry about itself! Today has enough tsuris already! (CJB)

Challenging the Freedom From Religion Foundation, featuring the "unabashed atheist," Ron Reagan, son of the late President Reagan..

Since “they” want to get into OUR faces, let’s return the favor, shall we?

The Freedom From Religion Foundation which aired a commercial throughout January 2022 on “60 Minutes” featured the "unabashed atheist," Ron Reagan, son of the late President Reagan..

One of my many responses to atheists on my website can be found on this blog I wrote in direct response to the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Also, approximately 10 years ago, when I was still making short teaching videos, I made this 12-minute video challenging the deceitful methods used the atheists at the Freedom from Religion Foundation. Because we sold the domain name a few years ago, I no longer have my own YouTube channel; however, my videos can still be viewed on my website.

If you’re interested, please click on this Reality Check TV link  and then, at the bottom of the screen, scroll over to video teaching Number 18, called “Challenging the Freedom from Religion Foundation.”

Pass it on!

Prejudice and discrimination hurts everyone!

PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION HURTS EVERYONE! I know that, firsthand – but I had a certain SOMEONE on my side that my “enemies” didn’t....

When I was “young and dumb” I married a guy who was young and dumb and kept getting busted down in rank. Long story short, I married him, anyway, and thought that, because I was a “Specialist E-5” I would automatically qualify for free, on-post housing.

Wrong! Back in 1971 I was in what was still being called the “Women’s Army Corps” – and women couldn’t get on-post housing. Consequently, we ended up living in a nasty little trailer park on the outskirts of Las Cruces, New Mexico, some 20 miles from White Sands Missile Range where we were both stationed.

That was my first brush with “discrimination.” I was truly devastated and left feeling “less than” because I was a woman.

Fast-forward to 1998, a couple years after God had opened my spiritual eyes, and caused me to sell all my possessions (including my house) and move to Colorado Springs, where I eventually had the good fortune to end up as the associate editor of the Colorado Springs Business Journal. I felt “on top of the world!”

When the editor announced her desire to retire, I naturally “tossed my hat in the ring” to become her replacement. After all, I was amply qualified, having been an Army school-trained journalist/newspaper editor/Public Affairs Office middle manager with 22 years of experience under my belt; as well as having worked at the Webster County Citizen newspaper as feature writer and ad designer after my retirement from the Army …

Well, long story short, instead of making me the editor’s replacement, the two owners/partners of the Colorado Springs Business Journal hired a 21-year-old, brand new college grad with NO experience. Needless to say, I was flabbergasted! I was in my mid-forties and eminently more qualified than this young person! WHY did they hire her? I could only think of two reasons: (1) she was half my age; and (2) since she was a total novice, they were able to hire her for substantially less money than me….

Regardless, I swallowed my pride and allowed them to make this young woman named Amy (with a mouth like a sailor and an ego bigger than the state of Colorado!) my new boss. That lasted all of two weeks, and – not surprisingly - one day, I found myself marching into the owners’ office (after a knock-down-drag-out with the new editor-creature who didn’t know a headline from a byline) to let them know they would have to find someone else for her to mistreat and abuse.

My heels clanked dejectedly on the pavement as I trudged tearfully out of the building, never to return. Me and my old companion, Insecurity, felt rejected, berated, embarrassed and plain ol’ depressed over the whole situation. I had done everything right in my life to be “qualified” for something – and yet, here I was, unemployed, feeling so low I could have walked under a snake’s belly with a top-hat on, and wondering what to do next.

That following Sunday, I went to church as usual, and apologized to Abba for having been whiney for the last week, and assured Him that I DID completely trust Him to guide me in the right direction.

Well, lo and behold, the following week I found myself working in a Classified Documents office in the employ of a contractor for Air Force Space Command – thanks to a man I had met at church who caused me to be hired there. It was in that office at Space Command where YHWH introduced me to a Messianic Jew who introduced me to Torah; and it was there where He ultimately caused me to meet my soul-mate, Bill … both of which I would NOT have found, had I been granted the editorship of the Business journal (Can I hear a “HALLELUYAH!”???)

Anyway, a few months later, one of my former co-workers at the Business Journal called with two pieces of delicious news that restored confidence and self-esteem.

(1) It seems there had been a reason I hadn’t been hired as editor … the two owners were planning to sell the Business Journal, and were trying to “cut corners.” Amy came at a MUCH lower price than I would have!

(2) Amy had been canned after less than six months, because she and her big mouth had single-handedly managed to lose many of the advertisers and their accounts…

All that was GREAT news for me! My faithfulness to YHWH/Yeshua had been rewarded, while “the enemy” had been thwarted! Amy got her just desserts – as did the two owners, who – at the time – had to go through the hiring process all over again for a new editor, as they still had a few months to go before the new owner was taking over the newspaper.

Anyway, I wrote all the above to illustrate the following:

Psalm 43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! (ESV)

Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Lamentations 3:25 ADONAI is good to those waiting for him, to those who are seeking him out. 26 It is good to wait patiently for the saving help of ADONAI.. (CJB)

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in ADONAI with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths. (CJB)

Job 5:8-16 “As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. (ESV)

Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to ADONAI. (CJB)

James 5: 7. But, my Brothers, be patient until the coming of Master YHWH; like the farmer who waits for the precious fruits of his ground and is patient as to them until he receives the early and the latter rain. 8. So also be you patient and build up your hearts, for the coming of our Master (Y’shua) draws near.

9. Have no quarrel one against another, my Brothers, or else you be judged: for behold, the judgment stands before the door. 10. For patience in your great sufferings, my Brothers, take hold of the example of the prophets who spoke in the name of Master YHWH. 11. For behold, we ascribe blessedness to them who have persevered. You have heard of the patience of Job; and you have seen the result which Master YHWH created for him: for Master YHWH is merciful and compassionate. (AENT)

Some thoughts on the condition of our world….

Judging by the myriad  earth-shattering natural and economic disasters around the world, we are not only in the "end times" as outlined in the Books of Daniel and Revelation, but we're in the proverbial "Twelfth Hour." We are not only encountering plenty of "wars and rumors of wars" (i.e., terrorism and threats) but are personally witnessing the escalation of the war between Isaac (God's Chosen) and Ishmael (the forefather of the Arab population) which has forced "the world" to take sides. And most of the world seems to be siding with the Arabs who, as we can see in the news, are forever blaming Israel for one thing or another..

Daniel 9: 26 Then, after the sixty-two weeks, Mashiach will be cut off and have nothing. The people of a prince yet to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary, but his end will come with a flood, and desolations are decreed until the war is over. 27 He will make a strong covenant with leaders for one week [of years]. For half of the week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and the grain offering. On the wing of detestable things the desolator will come and continue until the already decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator."

MY OPINIONS ON THIS ISSUE: "He will make a strong covenant with leaders for one week [of years]." This 7-year covenant/peace treaty will be made with Israel, as we are told the whole world will go up against her (Zechariah 12:3, and all of Chapter 14);. It starts on the day the "prince yet to come" (referring to some well-known, well-loved world leader at the time) will make a seven-year covenant/peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:26-27). (From that day on, we will be able to count exactly SEVEN YEARS until Yeshua's return, because Abba will allow the "antichrist" to do his thing....)

We will get to see the "end times scenario" beginning to unfold at lightening speed, with the horrendous events that lead to Armageddon, starting at the halfway mark (after 3 ½ years) when the "prince" begins to "back-pedal" on his promises to allow the Jews to worship according to Torah. Believers in YHWH/Yeshua will be here through those events because, as Scripture reveals, Yeshua does NOT return until the end of those seven years, as these events HAVE to unfold, first.

By the way, while Scripture DOES talk about that "man of perdition" or "prince yet to come" (Daniel 9:26-27), the "Antichrist" is not necessarily just one man, but a system or body of men animated by one spirit. There have been many "antichrists" (anyone who is against Messiah Yeshua) in the world over the last two millennia, and so that dubious honor cannot go to just one man.

Although the word "rapture" can be found nowhere in Scripture, we are told there will be a "catching up" of believers only upon Yeshua's Second Coming (1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17); not the unbelievers who will only be called up before God on Judgment Day at the END of the Millenium. This "catching up" will be when Yeshua returns to Earth; not before. It will occur at the end of that seven year period which will begin when the "Antichrist" makes a seven year peace treaty with Israel. The day we hear of someone making a seven year peace treaty with Israel, we'll be able to count exactly seven years until Yeshua's return!

1 Thessalonians 4: 13. And I wish you to know, my Brothers, that you should not mourn over them who have fallen asleep, like other people who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Y’shua died and rose again, even so them who sleep, will Elohim, by Y’shua, bring with him. 15. And this we say to you by the word of our Master (Y’shua), that we who may survive and be alive at the coming of our Master (Y’shua), will not precede them who have slept.

16. Because our Master (Y’shua) will himself descend from heaven with the mandate and with the voice of the chief Messenger and with the Qarna of Elohim; and the dead who are in the Mashiyach will first arise; 17. and then we who survive and are alive will be caught up together with them to the clouds to meet our Master (Y’shua) in the air; and so will we be ever with our Master. 18. And so, comfort you one another with these words. (AENT)

HALLELUYAH!!!!

Micah 4:1 But in the acharit-hayamim it will come about that the mountain of ADONAI's house will be established as the most important mountain. It will be regarded more highly than the other hills, and peoples will stream there. 2 Many Gentiles will go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of ADONAI, to the house of the God of Ya'akov! He will teach us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Tziyon will go forth Torah, the word of ADONAI from Yerushalayim.

3 He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for many nations far away. Then they will hammer their swords into plow-blades and their spears into pruning-knives; nations will not raise swords at each other, and they will no longer learn war. 4 Instead, each person will sit under his vine and fig tree, with no one to upset him, for the mouth of ADONAI-Tzva'ot has spoken. 5 For all the peoples will walk, each in the name of its god; but we will walk in the name of ADONAI our God forever and ever. (CJB)

“We are Legion”: The Seduction of America’s Soul

(The following article was written by Kenneth Berg, Berg Productions, Dallas, Texas.)

The Apostle Mark records a striking account in the ministry of Yeshua/Jesus wherein the Master confronts a man possessed by a multitude of demons.  The pitiful man had been living in tombs adjacent to the waters of Galilee, crying and cutting himself, even breaking the chains that had bound his hands and feet.  No one was strong enough to subdue him.

“Each night and every day among the tombs and in the mountains, he would cry out and cut himself with stones. Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name, you unclean spirit?’  And he said, ‘My name is Legion, for we are many.’”

Mark 5:5-9

While a confrontation with “spirits” in our day is often romanced by Hollywood, there remains a very real and ever present danger lurking about the earth, sometimes openly, but more often stealthily.  New voices are immerging. Dark, cavernous voices that seek to subdue America and govern those who are willing to turn their backs on God and bow before a manipulated parade of events and images.

Sometimes they whisper, masquerading as angels of light, but more often they bark and growl, demanding we stand at attention and salute.  Listen to the following voices of a contemporary underworld. They have allegiance to no one but themselves and yet speak as one voice, controlled by a force beyond themselves. They are persuasive. And they are many.

“Children must be offered options regarding their gender.”

“The ideologies of our founding fathers do not necessarily align with today’s culture. Changes must be made to maintain relevance. Public statues of those who no longer represent our evolving culture must be removed.”

“Reparations are long overdue. Payback is due to those who’ve so long gone without, by those who, for so long, have had all they need. ‘Thefts’ are justified and often necessary to rectify the inequities.” 

“Noncitizens have every right to vote. They will be part of a new, more diverse nation, far surpassing the existing one that is so racially divided.”

“There is only one voice that speaks truthfully regarding your health and welfare.  We are that voice, and you will acknowledge.”

“Individual thought has ethical and moral consequences. Group think is universal.”

“Democracy is broken.  Transformation restores.” 

“WE ARE LEGION”

A Legion was a unit of thousands in an ancient Roman army.  As it relates to the account told in the Gospel of Mark, it suggests the possessed man was overcome by an army of demons that had a specific battle plan.  Conquer and destroy.

And so, too, the body of our nation writhes in anguish.  Like that pitiful man, America is being mutilated by spirits that seek to conquer and destroy our Godly heritage.

“Prayer will not be permitted in public schools. All existing Ten Commandment monuments will be removed from public places. Furthermore, the discussion of those who hold exclusively to Judeo-Christian thought will no longer be tolerated.”

“Abortion is every woman’s right.  Restrictions harm our nation’s economic recovery by reducing women’s contribution in the workplace.”

“Alliance with some of our foreign allies should be reassessed. We will cease our defense of any nation that does not align with the new world order.”

“Israel is an apartheid state; therefore our military aid to that state should be terminated.”

“Transgender athletes have the right to compete in all domestic and international sporting events, regardless of their gender at birth.  We are the world.”

“Some paint us as “Marxists” or “Fascists,” some as “Socialists.” They do so with a biased brush that has lost touch with a nation that desperately needs change.”

“The Supreme Court falters all too often. We are Supreme.”

“WE ARE LEGION… and we are strong.”

In his recent decision to leave CNBC, as a highly respected anchorman, Brian Williams succinctly laid it on the line. “The darkness on the edge of town has spread to the main roads and highways and neighborhoods. It’s now in the local bar and the bowling alley, at the school board and the grocery store.  And it must be acknowledged and answered for. The mob has decided to burn it all down (our heritage) with us inside.  That should scare you to no end.”

The voices are no longer subtle.  Knocking on any door that will give an ear, they pound unceasingly.  When necessary, they demolish and burn, demanding entry.  The heart of a nation which once embraced the voice of truth now welcomes a serpent’s lying tongue that coyly offers promises to the perplexed and bewildered.

“A fractured economic systems calls for a revised international monetary institution. Government-backed digital currencies are forthcoming, as is programmable money.”

“Law and order is subjective.  What’s right for one may not be right for another. One’s ‘rights’ are rarely supported by a defunct legal system. Defund the police.”

“The Bible needs revision.  It’s overwhelmed by male metaphors.”

“The Holocaust never happened. It’s a lie, driven by an effort to draw sympathy towards a single group of society.”

“Cancel all programs, statements, or persons not in alignment with the new world order.”

“We’ve longed for a period of awakening. It’s here. This is our time. Stop tormenting us with unsubstantiated claims of ‘truth.’” 

“Do NOT trust those who question any of these. Trust us.  We know best.”

“WE ARE LEGION… for we are many.” 

The Lord’s encounter with demonic spirits seems strangely familiar. Much like the demoniac, America stands with its back against the water’s edge, chained, cutting itself, bleeding, defiantly opposing every Godly principal upon which our nation was founded.

The spirits are ageless. Evolving with each passing generation, they snarl vociferously, never growing weary in their pursuit.

Despite this growing cancer, there is hope for Christian believers. Those of us who are saved by God’s grace, and walk uprightly before the Lord, can find understanding in all of this. The Holy Word provides clear direction.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

At the same time the Lord has warned us to be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves. 

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” I Timothy 4:1

Beloved, even if our nation fails, the Word of the Lord will stand forever.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:11-12

So, what hope do we really have as a nation?  Sadly, without a divine encounter, not much. 

If it’s all part of the Lord’s timeline for last days’ events, then prepare we should for His soon coming.  If, however, the Lord tarries we can look to the scripture for hints of hope on behalf of a faltering nation.  God told Solomon that if His People, Israel, would turn from their wickedness, He would restore their land.  Although we are not the specific People spoken of by the Lord to Solomon, we can still learn from the principals the He has set for a nation’s healing.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

It all starts with “If.”  If we humble ourselves.  If we pray.  If we seek His face.  If we turn from our wicked ways.  America may very well fall upon much harder times before we, as a nation, are brought to our knees and collectively humble ourselves and ask forgiveness.  I don’t claim to have the voice of a prophet but if we think things will change on their own, we need to awaken to the moral decay that besets us.  Sadly, America is crumbling before our eyes.  It’s all too real.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground… Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:13-16

As fellow Christians, we can be united with our own strong voice, fortified in this battle for the soul of America. 

“In all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

We can rejoice, along with the Apostle John, and know that one day the devil and all his demons will receive their just reward. 

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

Even so, Heavenly Father, You have girded us with strength for the battle.  Though a host encamp against us, our hearts will not fear. May we be worthy of the task.

This we pray in the Name of Your Son, Yeshua/Jesus, the Name that is above all Names, and the One Who stands far above all earthly principalities.  Amen.

Kenneth Berg