In the early spring in the month of Abib immediately following Passover
is the seven day festival of unleavened bread that we are commanded to keep. You
can read about it's institution in Ex.12:15-20. There was to be no leavening found anywhere within their borders for
this seven day period. The first day is a holy day as is the last. To the
Israelites it was to be a reminder of what Yahweh did for them when He brought
them out of Egypt. (Ex.13:7-9. Deuteronomy
16:3) They left Egypt hurriedly and had no
time to leaven their bread. As there is with everything that Yahweh does, there
is a spiritual lesson to be learned from this festival time that the Israelites
did not understand.
As one reads the books of the law one will discover that blood sacrifices
and burnt offerings were to be made without leaven. (Exodus 34:25,
Leviticus 2:11, Leviticus 6:17 Deuteronomy 16:4) We will discover the relevance of this later in this study. There were
some exceptions to this rule, which will be covered in a future study.
Before we continue with that thought
let’s look at a scripture where Paul gives us a little more insight. 1 Corinthians 5:8, Let us, therefore, celebrate
the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with
the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
From these two scriptures we can
understand that leaven represents hypocrisy, malice, and evil. Under
investigation these words will all be shown to represent sinful attitudes.
Hypocrisy is from the Greek, “Hupokrisis”. It means to play a part, deceitful pretending. Malice is from, “Kakia”. It means, have ill will, desire to
injure. Evil is from, “Poneria.” It means, depravity, have evil purposes or desires in secret. This
word also means, active exercise of a vicious disposition. With this knowledge
one can see that these things are all centred on deceiving others or doing evil
that is directed at or affects others.
Before we continue we must establish just who is our neighbour. This
question was asked of Yahshua. Luke 10:29, But he, desiring to justify
himself, said to Yahshua, "And who is my neighbour?" To discover that
answer read Yahshua's response. Luke 10:30-37
From this we can conclude that everyone
is our neighbour in Yahweh’s and Yahshua's eyes.
Let’s pursue this concept a little
further. Romans
13:10, Love
does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Since
love is the fulfilling of the law, not loving our neighbour would be the
breaking of the law. Breaking of the law is identified as sin. 1John 3:4,
Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of
the law.
Notice that those acting in love do no wrong or cause any harm to their
neighbour.
We are also told to be truthful to our
neighbour. Ephesians
4:25,
Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his
neighbour, for we are members one of another. Kakia and Poneria are doing wrong to neighbour. Hupokrisis is being deceitful to neighbour. These
things are all identified as leaven, which we are told to avoid.
Let’s begin now to fully understand the spiritual danger of being
leavened. Leaven is parallel to pride. Sin is the transgression of the law. All
deliberate sin comes from pride.
Leaven puffs up. Pride puffs up. The
pride I'm referring to is self-exalting pride. This kind of pride will not
stand. Proverbs
11:2, When
pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall. Yahweh hates pride, not because it hurts Him but
because it hurts our fellow man and ultimately, ourselves. Proverbs 8:13, The reverence of Yahweh is hatred of
evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Just as a small amount of leaven will puff up a very large lump of dough 1
Cor.5:6.
Lets become fully aware of how easily one could exalt ones self to such a
position.
Someone insults you. You are angry and you instantly lash back. Why are
you angry? Because the one who insulted you thinks less of you than you do
yourself. When you lash back you do so from pride. Because of this pride you
have lashed back in vengeance. You have now taken a position that Yahweh says is
His. Romans
12:19,
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of Elohim; for it is
written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says Yahweh." Proverbs 24:29, Do not say, "I will do to him as
he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done." Yahshua
has told us how we should act in such a situation. Luke 6:28, Bless those who curse you, pray for
those who abuse you.
I use this example because it is the one most prevalent in our society
today. Sometimes this situation can arise without a word spoken. It is shown in
road rage, in long line-ups at checkout counters, and many other everyday
situations. One should never react. Reaction is never preceded with thought. We must delay action so that
it never becomes reaction. There is very good advice that can usually turn a
potentially bad situation to good. Proverbs 15:18, A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets
contention. Proverbs
15:1, A soft
answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
This is not what we deserved but nevertheless it is how Yahweh responded
to us, through love.
Is Yahshua asking the impossible? Does He require something of us that He
would not do Himself? 1 Peter 2:21, For to this you have been called,
because Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should
follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when
he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. Hebrews 12:3, Consider him who endured from sinners
such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Yahshua would never require of us something that He would not do. He set
the example and abided by the following principle. 1 Peter 2:19, For
one is approved if, mindful of Elohim, he endures pain while suffering unjustly.
Yahshua knows exactly what it is like to be insulted and lied about unjustly but
He never reacted from pride.
He was even murdered unjustly but still
did not lash back. Isaiah 53:7, He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its
shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
He trusted in the word of Yahweh. Proverbs 29:23, A man’s pride will bring him low, but
he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour. Because of this patience and
humility which comes from true agape love He has been exalted by the one who
said,” vengeance is mine”. Philippians 2:9, Therefore Elohim has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name.
The time is coming when people will think they are doing service to
Yahweh if they kill us. John 16:2, They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when
whoever kills you will think he is offering service to Elohim. When this time
comes, will we respond as Yahshua, Stephen, Paul, Peter and the others that were
put to death unjustly did? Acts 7:60, And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Master, do not hold
this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Stephen
responded in love for his murderers. Romans 12:14, Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. The minor
things that we face today are preparing us for the major things in the future.
The above is one small example of how one could exalt themselves to a
position higher than Yahweh but any time we sin deliberately we are doing the
same thing. We are over ruling Yahweh and placing ourselves above Him. This is
being puffed up, leavened.
As Yahshua was our example of patience and not railing back at those who
treat us unkindly let Him also be our example of humility and being unleavened.
Consider for a moment His position before He became flesh as a tiny human baby.
He was at the very throne of Yahweh. He was Elohim. John 1:1 In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was
Elohim. 2 He was in the beginning
with Elohim; He was also the agent that Yahweh used to create all things
including mankind.
John 1:3 all things were made through him, and
without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was
made through him, yet the world knew him not. Col. 1:15 He
is the image of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn of all creation; 16
for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities—all
things were created through him and for him. Hebrews 1:2 but
in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of
all things, through whom also he created the world.
This great and awesomely powerful being was willing to give that all up
to become as we are. Phil.2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Messiah Yahshua, 6
who, though he was in the form of Elohim, did not count equality with Elohim a
thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being
born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form he humbled himself
and became obedient unto death, even death on a stake.
This indestructible, almighty being who was in the second highest
position in the universe and beyond gave it all up and became less than every
person who has ever lived. Don't be shocked. It is true. Matthew 20:28 even as the Son of man came not to be
served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Luke 22:27 For
which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the
one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves. Yahshua took the
lowliest of positions among men. Consider for a moment, His position and
attitude. He who was the agent of creation Acts 3:15
is impaled on a stake bearing the penalty for the sins of the entire
world. He was the greatest servant who ever lived yet he was hated as a
criminal.
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men; a
man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their
faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Matthew 26:67 Then they spat in his face, and struck
him; and some slapped him, Matthew 27:39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads. Matthew 27:44 And the robbers who were crucified with
him also reviled him in the same way.
Even in all of this He did not rail back. He accepted all the ridicule,
insults, and hatred that the people He came to save handed out and He responded
in love. Luke
23:34 And
Yahshua said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
And they cast lots to divide his garments. This is genuine, unleavened, love of
neighbour. Because of this love He was willing to go to the grave bearing the
penalty that we deserved and in His last moments ask our heavenly Father to
forgive us. (Understand this fully. He did not have to go through this degrading
scenario. He could have responded as we might. If He wished to take vengeance by
lashing back at His captors, they would have been destroyed in a heartbeat. Matthew
26:53
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send
me more than twelve legions of angels? Yahshua knew that the result of such an
action would mean the destruction of the world. Yahshua came from love of others
more than Himself and He endured what He did from love of others more than
Himself)
Because of this humility that He suffered at our hands Yahweh has
restored Him to His former glory, John 17:5 and
now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with
thee before the world was made. Yahweh answered this prayer of Yahshua because
of the humble attitude with which it was said. He had accomplished the job that
He came to earth to achieve, the salvation of mankind who He had created and
loved dearly even through the hatred and insults. Yahweh has exalted Him as He
said he would. Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard
around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many
angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12
saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to
receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and
blessing!"
This world, including all of us, now bow the head and knee to this one
that was seen as a lowly criminal. Phil.2:9 Therefore Elohim has highly
exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10
that at the name of Yahshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, 11 and every
tongue confess that Yahshua Messiah is Master, to the glory of Elohim the
Father.
At the beginning of this study we saw that blood sacrifices were to be
offered without leaven. Ex.34:25 "You shall not offer
the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast
of the Passover be left until the morning. All sacrifices and offerings
signified Yahshua and His perfect sacrifice offered to Yahweh on our behalf.
As we have seen, Yahshua was totally
unleavened. He was not puffed up by pride but was truly humble. This is the only
type of sacrifice that Yahweh will accept. He will accept nothing artificial.
Yahweh knows what we are. As Yahshua said, Luke 12:2 Nothing
is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Hebrews
4:13
And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to
the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Hypocrisy, malice and evil intent, those things that puff up, may be
hidden from our fellow man but are clearly evident to Yahweh. In this condition
we are not acceptable to Yahweh. Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of Elohim, to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Elohim, which is your spiritual worship. Did
you notice that we are to be living sacrifices? As sacrifices we are to offer
ourselves to Yahweh, as Yahshua did, without leaven. Psalms 51:17 The
sacrifice acceptable to Elohim is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O Elohim, thou wilt not despise.
As we approach this very Holy Passover season we must meditate on the
great meaning of this festival time. It is a time of self examination to
discover the leaven in our lives that will make us unacceptable to Yahweh. As
Paul said; 1
Corinthians 5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven
that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Messiah, our
paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. As we partake of the bread and cup as the
symbols of Yahshua's body and blood it is a time of recommitment to the covenant
that Yahweh has made with us through Yahshua. In this commitment we must come
before Yahweh laid bare and present ourselves without leaven. 1 Cor.5: 8
Let us, therefore, celebrate the
festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
In this unleavened state we can bow humbly before the loving creator and
sustainer of the universe with confidence and say; Psalms 141:2 Let
my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as
an evening sacrifice!
HalleluYah! May Yahweh bless your studies. Elder Dave Ganton
By Anthony Dyous
The wonderful thing about Yahweh our loving Heavenly Father is that He tells
us clearly how He feels. He has given us thousands of examples about how He
looks at things and exactly what is expected of us if we are to be blessed.
In
the very beginning, Yahweh’s loving kindness and His judgment is displayed. We
have heard the story of Adam and Eve, and how they are made in Yahweh’s image.
Just as we do today, they had free will, and could choose to obey or disobey the
things that they are told.
Yahweh
knows that as our creator He is worthy of our praise and obedience, so He wanted
us to have the ability to choose. The fact that He did not make us like robots
having no choice,
is a testament to His greatness!
Man
disobeyed the command and therefore fell from a state of love, and bliss that we
can barely imagine, all the way down to the condition that we find ourselves in
today. In Genesis chapter 3 we can read this story and ask the question, why?
Many
people today would say, “We don’t have it so bad.” “As a matter of fact,
we have it pretty good!” If
we looked through Yahweh’s eyes do you think that this would be the case? Is it
possible to know what Yahweh’s judgment is regarding our actions, our country,
and the world at large? The answer is Yes! Yahweh’s thoughts are very clear
and specific if we are willing to listen. From the beginning, it was His desire
to make man in His image, and this includes the woman. Genesis 1:26, 27.
We
have the ability to choose and with that, we are allowed to bring consequences
both good and evil upon ourselves. This is the Law of Life itself and it applies
to believers and unbelievers the same way. This Law of Life is placed on all
humankind.
He that sows iniquity shall reap calamity; and the rod of
his wrath shall fail. Proverbs 22:8. Be not deceived; Elohim (Yahweh) is not
mocked; for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7.
If
I choose to break man’s law the consequence will bring the police looking for
me in order to bring me to justice. I can say that I don’t deserve it, yet it
was I who brought that result upon myself by breaking the Law.
Notice
that in most cases we don’t care when we break the law, it is only when we are
caught and required to pay that the full weight of our actions is realized.
It
is even more so when it is Yahweh and His Law that we willfully break. The Bible
says,
“The soul that sins will die.” Ezekiel 18:4.
Even working on the 7th
day can bring death, and we are talking about Saturday, not Sunday! Lev. 23:30.
You shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My Sanctuary: I Am
Yahweh. Lev. 26:2. And if by these things you will not be reformed to me, but
will walk contrary to me; then I will also walk contrary to you; and I will
afflict you, even I, Seven times for your sins. Lev. 26:23, 24. Then shall the
land enjoy its Sabbaths, as long as it lies desolate, and you are in your
enemies’ land even then shall the land rest, and enjoy its Sabbaths. Lev.
26:34.
Remember
that these are Yahweh’s very words, and He really means what He says. A word
proceeds from His mouth and it is done! It does not matter if we believe it,
because it is a law of life. The Second coming of Yahshua Messiah will tell
people His Father’s real name Yahweh, instead of using the title god. I will declare your name to
My brethren: in the middle of the assembly I will praise you. Psalm 22:22.
Yahweh
spoke through the Prophet Zephaniah to the world superpowers of his time. There
is also a mention of our time and so we should take it as also being directed to
us. (See Zeph. 1:14-18.)
Whatever
we have in the number one position in our life, is our mighty one! If we have
money in that number one position, then money is our mighty one. That person,
place, or thing that we put the most value on is our Master. It could be a woman
or man, or it could be a sport, even if it is a child, that child by virtue of
our adoration becomes the reason for living and therefore our Master.
And Yahweh spoke all these words, saying, I AM Yahweh your
Mighty One, who had brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house o
bondage. You shall have no other mighty ones before Me. Exodus 10:1-3. And He
said to him, you shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart, and with
all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.
And a second like unto it is this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On
these two commandments, the whole law hangs, and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40.
Whatever
we put first place in our life, if it is not Yahweh, then it is false worship.
In today’s world many believe that it does not matter what we do as long as we
are not caught breaking man’s law. This is a form of self (false) worship.
And I will stretch out My hand upon Judah, and upon all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this
place, and the name of the Chemarim with the priests; and them that worship the
host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship, that swear to Yahweh
and swear by Malcam; and them that are turned back from following Yahweh; and
those that have not sought Yahweh, nor inquired after Him. Zeph. 1:4-6.
What exactly is sin?
Everyone that commits sin also
transgresses the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 Jn. 3:4.
Many
people today believe that riches will save them and make them happy. There is a
false sense of security that comes with wealth, and our world promotes the idea
that money is happiness! Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver
them in the day of Yahweh’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the
fire of His jealousy: for He will make an end, yes, a terrible end, of all them
that dwell in the land. Zeph. 1:18.
You
may ask how do we escape this judgment then? The answer to this question can
also be found in the Bible.
Gather yourselves together, even gather together, O nation
that has no shame; before the decree brings forth, before the day passes as the
chaff, before the fierce anger of Yahweh comes upon you. Seek Yahweh all you
meek of the earth, that have kept His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek
meekness, it may be you will be hid in the day of Yahweh’s anger. Zeph. 2:1-3. We can gather together and seek Yahweh with
the utmost respect, and honor Him with our words and deeds. Are the nations of
the earth too proud to do this?
Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! To the
oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she
trusted not in Yahweh; she drew not near to her Mighty One (Elohim). Zeph. 3:12.
Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her Priests have profaned the
Sanctuary, they have done violence to the law, Yahweh in the middle of her is
righteous; He will not do iniquity; every morning He brings His justice to
light, He fails not; but the unjust knows no shame. Zeph. 3:4, 5. I said, only
fear (respect) Me; receive correction; so her dwelling shall not be cut off,
according to all that I have appointed concerning her: but they rose early and
corrupted all their doings. Zeph. 3:7.
Sometimes
it appears that we treat Yahweh as if we are His bosses. Our prayers are about
what He can do for us, and almost never, about what we can do for His Honor and
Glory. We even tell ourselves that we are better than those other sinners. It
does not matter if we think ourselves to be great; Yahweh will bring judgment on
all Nations that break His commands!
I have spread out My hands all the day to a rebellious
people, that walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts; a people
that provoke Me to My face continually, sacrificing in gardens, and burning
incense upon bricks; that sit among the graves, and lodge in the sacred places;
that eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things in their vessels; that
say, stand by yourself; come not near to me, for I am holier than you. These are
a smoke in My nose, a fire that burns all the day. Isa. 65:2-5.
What
result does Yahweh’s judgment bring, and does it do any good at all? For then will I change to the
peoples a pure language, that they may call upon the name Yahweh to serve Him
with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My suppliants, even the
Daughter of My dispersed, shall bring My offering. In that day shall you not be
put to shame for all your doings, in which you have transgressed against Me; for
then I will take away out of the middle of you your proudly exulting ones, and
you shall no more be haughty in My holy mountain. But I will leave in the middle
of you an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of
Yahweh. The remnant (remainder) of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies;
neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed
and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Zeph. 3:9-13.
We
can see that Yahweh’s judgment is able to bring about a positive change for
the entire earth! No more haughty people, no more lies or deceitfulness, and no
more oppression or wars. This is what Yahweh’s Kingdom brings to earth, and
most so-called believers have been convinced that heaven is all that they can
look forward to. In the popular prayer that most are using as an example we have
the words; And He said to them, when you pray, say, Our Father, who is
in heaven. Hallowed be your Name. Your
kingdom come. Luke 11:2.
That
means that heaven will come to earth and not the other way around. However
wicked men would have you to believe that you should wait until you die and go
to heaven in order to receive your reward.
Why
then do most believers allow the blind to lead them when they are in fact not
able to see clearly because they do not belong to Yahweh’s Kingdom at all? Nor
are they trying to do the right thing because their idea is that money brings
happiness!
Therefore I speak to them in parables; because seeing they
see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matthew 13:13.
Lastly, Yahweh’s Judgment brings true peace on earth. The kind that we have never seen since the world began. The kind of bliss that only Adam and Eve had before they fell into sin, by breaking Yahweh’s command. He that overcomes, I will give to him that sit down with Me in My throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Assemblies. Revelation 3:21, 22.
Do you know who you are worshipping? Read this article to find out.
By
Kevin Bitterman
As
odd as it may seem, being afflicted is good for us, but most who are afflicted
are not thankful for it, and I too at times do not appreciate the affliction
when going through it. (Heb. 12:11) However, in the Psalms it is recorded that
“it is good for me that I have been afflicted…” (119:71) “Before I was
afflicted I went astray…I know, O Yahweh, that thy judgments are right, and
that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Ps. 119:67,75) I personally know
this to be true and I know that afflictions
come in many different ways.
An
affliction can be a blessing in disguise. Most
of us here in the USA obviously have many physical blessings, which may lead
many to believe that their blessing is a sign from above that they are in the
right way with our creator.
On the other hand, it is reasoned that the ones who are afflicted, in one way or
another, deserve the affliction and need to change. Although some afflictions do
come in order for us to change our ways, many who are in the right way are also
afflicted without cause, (Mt. 10:22; 24:9; Mk; 13:13; Lk. 21:17; Jn. 15:19, 25;
17:14; Phil. 1:29,30; Heb. 11:24,25,32-39; James. 5:10; 1Pet. 2:19,20; 4:16;
1Jn. 3:13) but it is also true that many who are blessed are not in the right
way.
The
point that I am making is that the
way of righteousness and true worship is not determined upon whether we are
blessed or not.
Our blessings are not the determining factor that the way we are living our life
is according to the truth, “Thy word is truth.” (Jn. 17:17). Therefore, it
is by the word of Yahweh that determines if we are living our life in the right
way, according to the truth. Furthermore, just because an affliction does occur
doesn’t necessarily mean that our ways are the wrong ways and that we need to
change.
The
Called
More
often than not blessings are what cause many to continue in a falsehood. Our
savior tells us, “…They that be whole need not a physician, but they that
are sick. But go
ye and learn what that meaneth…for
I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mt. 9:12,13
[note the same in Mk. 2:17; Lk. 5:31,32]) “Knowing this, that the law is not
made for a righteous man…” (1Tim. 1:9) could it be that those who do away
with the law are not called, because those who do away with the law have
declared themselves righteous, or whole, but our savior came to call the unrighteous/sinners
to repentance?
Those
who have done away with the law have declared themselves righteous, by doing
away with the law. However, that of course does not make them righteous. The way
that one becomes righteous is by doing the law, not by doing away with it. (Rom.
2:13) Don’t forget the words of our savior when he said, “I am not come to
call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance.”
(Mt. 9:13)
In
order for a sinner to repent it means that they are to quit sinning,
and the
only way to do that is to quit violating the law,
because
“…sin is the transgression of the law.”
(1Jn. 3:4) Therefore, if those who have done away with the law are called, then
they are not answering their calling if they continue to do away with the law,
because sinners
are called to repent,
(Mt. 9:13) which
means that they are called to quit transgressing the law.
Those
who do away with the law continue to transgress it, so, either they are not
called, (Jer. 14:14; 23:21; 29:9) but they prophesy or say that they believe as
though they were called, or they are called, but they are not answering their
calling. (2Pet. 1:10) Don’t forget, MANY are called, but only a few are
chosen. (Mt. 20:16; 22:14) Obviously the chosen ones are the ones who answer our
savior’s call to repent. (Mt. 9:13; Jn. 10:27) In other words, the chosen ones
are the ones who keep the law of Yahweh, not the ones who do away with the law
of Yahweh.
Knowing
that “…There is none righteous, no, not one,” (Rom. 3:10 [also note: Ps.
14:2-4; 53:2-4]) reveals that the law is for everyone, because “the law is not
made for a righteous man…” (1Tim. 1:9) it was made for the unrighteous,
which includes everyone of us. However, many who are blessed feel that they have
need of nothing, (Rev. 3:17) which includes seeking out the truth and the law,
because they are comfortable where they are at without the truth and to keep the
law might disturb their routine that makes their lifestyle comfortable. After
all, who would want to do something that might interrupt the flow of blessings?
How could anything need changing when so many blessings keep occurring?
Many
who do not have the foreknowledge to know what true blessings are believe that
physical blessings, or miracles, are like a sign that they are on the strait and
narrow way that leads to true blessings. Therefore, they seek out professed
believers, who give witness to miracles or those who have been physically
blessed, and follow after the ways that they follow, because they are deceived
into believing that they must be on the right track or else they wouldn’t be
as blessed as they are. However, we are to “walk by faith, not by sight.”
(2Cor. 5:7)
What
we hear and see of blessings or miracles (Rev. 13:14) must not keep us from
learning the truth found in Yahweh’s word in order for us to follow him,
instead of following after the practices of those who have received some sort of
a miracle or after the practices of those who have been blessed.
The
fact of the matter is that there
are many who are tremendously blessed
but
they falsely worship on Sunday,
and because of their blessings and
because of their dedication to their faith, they reason that Sunday worship
can’t be wrong.
Therefore, many others follow in the same practices that they use for worship,
and the same is true of participating in the practice of how the pagans worship.
Many
blessed people participate in pagan practices even though we are commanded not
to worship Yahweh in the same way that others serve their elohim. We are told to
“Take heed to thyself that thou be
not snared by following them…(those
who serve other elohim) saying,
How did these nations serve their elohim? even so will I do likewise.
Thou
shalt not do so unto Yahweh
thy Elohim…(serve/worship him in the way that others serve their elohim) What
thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor
diminish from it.” (Dt. 12:30-32)
Thou
Shalt Not
Although
this is a command, “Thou shalt not,” many who profess to believe in the 10
commandments don’t believe that this commandment (Dt. 12:30-32) has anything
to do with the 10 commandments. They believe that this commandment was done away
with because it
is only a commandment that is within the law
which they reason is done away with. Therefore, they reason that there is
nothing wrong with serving Yahweh in the same way that the pagans have served
their elohim not
mattering that those ways are not
found within the Scriptures.
How
sad it is for those who believe in keeping all 10 of the commandments that they
criticize others for worshipping on Sunday, because they do not have any
Scriptural instructions to do so, while at the same time many of them observe
our savior’s birth, and a day for his resurrection is observed by many of them
as well, but neither of those observances are observed with any Scriptural
instructions to do so.
On
their own initiative
they
have deemed it necessary to observe a day in honor of our savior’s birth
and on
their own initiative
they
have deemed it necessary to observe a day in honor of his resurrection.
Furthermore, many of them even neglect to observe the annual Sabbaths of Yahweh
when there are no Scriptural instructions stating that we should abandon
Yahweh’s annual Sabbaths.
Concerning
the annual Sabbaths that man has deemed unnecessary to observe: our savior kept
them, the apostles kept them, the first and second century followers of the
Messiah kept them, they have been kept all down through history by his
followers, and in prophecy it is revealed that they will be kept in the kingdom.
Sabbath
keepers are right when they say that Sunday keepers shouldn’t observe Sunday
for weekly services, because there are no Scriptural instructions for them to do
so, and that they should adhere to what the Scriptures do instruct, which is to
observe the seventh day Sabbath. However, the same is true of the Sabbath
keepers who do not keep the annual Sabbaths that Scripture instructs for us to
keep. (Lev. 23)
A
day should not be observed in honor of our savior’s birth, or for his
resurrection, when there are no Scriptural instructions for us to do so. By
doing so it is adding
to Yahweh’s word, which is forbidden. Participating in such observances is no
different than worshiping on Sunday. Just like there are no Scriptural
instructions for us to worship on Sunday, there are no Scriptural instructions
given that say we should observe our saviors birth and there are no Scriptural
instructions given that say we should observe a day in honor of his
resurrection.
Rather
than observing days that seem
holy to
us
(Pro. 14:12; Isa. 55:8,9) we need to adhere to what the Scriptures instruct,
(Dt. 12:32) which is to observe Yahweh’s annual Sabbaths. (Lev. 23) Not to do
so is no different than refusing to worship on the seventh day Sabbath as
instructed (Ex. 16:26,29; 20:10,11; 23:12; 31:15; 34:21; 35:2; Lev. 23:3; Dt.
5:14; Mt. 28:1; Mk. 16:1,2; Lk. 23:56,24:1; Heb. 4:4-9) rather than on any other
day of the week.
Although
it is reasoned that the commandment in Deuteronomy 12:30-32 has no connection
with the 10 commandments (otherwise they would have to give up the false
observance of the birth of our savior, Christmas, and the false observance of
his resurrection, Easter), the first of the 10 commandments reveals that “Thou
shalt have no other elohim before me.” (Ex. 20:3) By
participating in practices that are not instructed in Scripture another
elohim other than Yahweh is being served.
Who
Do You Serve?
Who
we say that we serve and whom we actually serve is not always one and the same.
Our actions speak louder than words. Take for instance the person who is openly
living an immoral life: running around and cheating on his wife, a chronic liar,
angry and mean tempered to friends and family, swindles people out of what
little they have for his gain, yet he profess to be a Christian. To those who
have any type of discernment could easily tell from the actions of this man that
he truly isn’t what he says he is. So, just because it is Yahweh Whom we say
we serve doesn’t mean that it is Yahweh being served unless our actions meet
what our words say.
The
concept that all worship that is offered by Christians ultimately is channeled
to Yahweh, because there is ultimately only one Elohim, is false. If that
concept were true then it would be impossible for a Christian to accept the
false messiah and the elohim of the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindus, etc. would
ultimately turn out to be Yahweh. However, we know that many Christians will be
deceived into accepting a false messiah as their savior and that there is only
one way to reach our heavenly father, and that is through his son. (Jn. 10:1;
14:6; 1Tim. 2:5)
Furthermore,
the concept that all worship that is offered by Christians ultimately is
channeled to Yahweh is proven to be false because of what our savior said in
Matthew 4:10, “…it is written, Thou shalt worship Yahweh thy Elohim, and
him only
shalt
thou worship,”
which corresponds with the first commandment which reads, “Thou
shalt have no
other elohim before me.”
(Ex. 20:3)
This
reveals that there are “other
elohim,”
(1Cor. 8:5) but what
true believers need to be careful of is that when they worship Yahweh that they
have not been
deceived
into worshipping an
imitation.
Those who worship an imitation think that it is the one and only true Elohim
that they are worshiping, and if someone tried to point it out to them that they
are worshipping an imitation, they would deny that they are worshipping an
imitation. Don’t forget that an imitation can look like the real thing, so we
need to know what is
or
isn’t
written in the word of Yahweh to be sure that it truly is Yahweh that we are
worshipping.
Believing
that we do not need to do the things that are instructed in Scripture, is the
same as believing in an imitation, and believing that we can do things that are
not instructed in Scripture is the same as believing in an imitation. Therefore,
we not only need to know what the Scriptures do say, but we need to know what
the Scriptures don’t say. In other words, we need to be able to identify the
things that man does, which is added to the Scriptures, so we won’t follow
after those ways; and we need to be able to identify the things that man is
neglecting to do, according to Scripture, so we will be able to do those things.
In
Romans 6:16 we are told, “Know
ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,
his
servants ye are
to whom ye obey; whether
of sin
(transgressing/doing away with the law [1Jn. 3:4]) unto death, or
of obedience
unto righteousness?” In other words, those who do away with the commandments
given in the law or add to them are servants to sin, which in turn they are
servants of the devil, not Yahweh. This is confirmed in 1John 3.
When
we disobey what Yahweh has instructed in his written word then we are servants
of the devil, not Yahweh, even though Yahweh is the one that we profess to
serve. Verses 8-10 of 1John 3 reads, “He
that committeth sin
(transgresses the law [v. 4]) is
of the devil…Whosoever
is born of Yahweh doth not commit sin (transgress the law)…In
this the children of Yahweh are manifest, and the children of the devil…” In
other words, those who don’t keep the law are of the devil, but those who keep
the law are of Yahweh. Whether we keep the law or not reveals whether we are of
the devil or if we are of Yahweh.
Good
Intensions, But Deceived
How
many Christians do you know who openly sin, yet they proclaim that it is our
creator that they worship? I know
of
MANY, and I am sure that you do too. However, according to 1John 3:8-10, and
other places, it is revealed that they are fooling themselves into believing
that it is our creator that they worship when they openly live their life in
sin. When
they openly sin, even though they profess that they serve our creator,
they
are in fact serving the devil.
Now
then, use this same concept on those who are deceived. MANY
are deceived into believing that the law is done away with. Therefore, by not
keeping the law they are openly breaking/transgressing the law, but what
MANY
do not understand is that transgressing
the law is sin.
(1Jn. 3:4) Therefore, although they are deceived, and they believe that it is
our creator that they worship, they too are openly sinning and serving the devil
instead of our creator. I
hope that you are able to grasp the power of deception.
Although
those who worship Yahweh would deny that they serve anyone other than Yahweh
when they sin, the fact of the matter is that when they are sinning
(violating/doing away with his law [1Jn. 3:4]) then they are serving and obeying
an entity other than Yahweh. (1Jn. 3:8) The same is true of those who direct
their worship towards Yahweh in the ways that others serve their elohim. Even
though they may deny that they are serving anyone other than Yahweh, the one
that is truly being served is the one who commanded the worship;
“…to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his
servants ye are.”
The
only way that Yahweh is truly being served is when he is worshipped in the way
that he has commanded. “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it:
thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” (Dt. 12:32) I hope that all
who are truly sincere in their worship towards Yahweh come to realize that when
they worship him in ways other than the ways that he has commanded, that those
ways are considered to be false worship, and that they
have been fooled/deceived
into believing that it is Yahweh being worshipped.
To
those who are deceived into worshipping our savior falsely, or don’t worship
him as he has commanded, he is going to say to them, “…depart from me, ye
that work iniquity.” (i.e. ye who have violated his law by worshipping in the
same way that others have worshipped their elohim and or not worshipping him in
the way that he has commanded [Mt. 7:21-23]) .
Those
who don’t worship Yahweh in the ways that he has commanded, and or worship him
in the ways that others have worshipped their elohim, he will profess unto them;
“…I never knew you.” (Mt. 7:23) The bottom line is that Yahweh is seeking
out those who are worshipping him in truth, “…true
worshipers
shall worship the father in spirit and in truth:
for
the
father seeketh such to worship him…they
that worship him MUST
worship him in spirit and in truth.”
(Jn. 4:23,24)
So,
ask yourself where
it is that Yahweh commands the observance of Christmas?
Is
it truly Yahweh who is being honored in that false
observance?
Although the story about our savior’s birth is told in the Scriptures, but
there are no instructions given in Yahweh’s word to observe a day in honor of
his birth. Therefore, the observance of our savior’s birth is added
worship,
it
is a commandment of man
(Mt. 15:8,9; Mk. 7:7) not a commandment of Yahweh.
If
it were true that we were to observe the day of our savior’s birth Yahweh
wouldn’t leave us guessing as to what that date is. It is important to know
what the Scriptures do and don’t say. They do tell us of our savior’s birth,
but they don’t say to celebrate it. To
say that we should celebrate our savior’s birth is reading something into the
Scriptures that
is not there
and that is adding
to Yahweh’s word, which is forbidden.
Doesn’t
the concept of “false
worship”
come to mind when a “false”
day is ascribed to the birth of our savior and observed? It
should!
It is a well known fact that the day when our savior was born on was not
December 25th,
yet many continue to falsely
observe that day as the day of our savior’s birth. Not to mention the lies
that are told to little children about who checks his list to see if they have
been naughty or nice and who brings them gifts.
Most
children know more about a fairy tale
of a man, who they are told they had better be good for so he will bring them
gifts, than they do about our savior who will give them the gift of eternal
life. (Rom. 6:23) Isn’t that enough to be good for? They need to be taught the
truth, that they need to be good because the wages of sin is death, not that
they need to be good so that some fairy tale
of a man will bring them gifts. When did it become wrong to teach the truth?
(Dan. 8:12; Isa. 5:20; Rom. 1:25; 2Thess, 2:11,12; 2Tim. 4:4; Tit. 1:13,14;
2Pet. 2:2)
Evidently,
people don’t want to be accused of teaching a works doctrine, but that is
because they do not want to do the works to overcome sin, yet they teach their
children a doctrine of works in order to get them to be good and they will
receive a gift if they are good. Parents need to heed what they teach their
children because we are instructed to overcome sin. Striving to overcome sin has
falsely been attributed to trying to earn salvation through works. However, such
is not the case. Striving to overcome sin is simply an attempt to become the
person that we were created to be. (Lev. 19:2; Mt. 5:48; 2Cor. 13:11; Eph.
4:10-13; Phil. 3:12-15; Col. 1:28; 4:12; 2Tim. 3:16,17; James 1:4; Rev. 3:1,2)
So
then, we need to be sure that the customs and practices that we take up are
Scriptural. For those who observe a day in honor of our savior’s birth,
leaving the lies out that are told to the children about that celebration
isn’t going to clean that celebration up and make it Scriptural. The fact
remains that he wasn’t born on December 25
and Scripture does not instruct us to observe a day in honor of our savior’s
birth.
Furthermore,
where in Yahweh’s word is it commanded to decorate our homes, or the sanctuary
with a tree? Where is it ascribed that the birth of the Messiah is December
25th? Where in Yahweh’s word are any of the Christmas customs endorsed? Also,
please note that the customs that surround: New Years Day, Easter, Valentine’s
Day, and Halloween are not endorsed in Yahweh’s word, which makes them added
customs never instructed by Yahweh, and that which is added
is forbidden. (Dt. 4:2; 12:32; Josh 1:7; Pro. 30:6; Ecc. 3:14 Rev. 22:18,19)
Also,
please note that most all of those added customs are adopted customs that others
used to serve false elohim, which is forbidden for us to participate in by the
word of Yahweh. (Lev. 18:3,4; 20:23; Dt. 12:1-4,30,31; 18:9; Jer. 10:2; Eph.
4:17) The only way that those customs or observances could be considered as
being Scriptural would be if they were instructed in Scripture, but their not.
So that
makes them unscriptural
observances and customs.
Pagan
Customs Can’t Be Christianized
When
we use the practices that others used to serve their elohim to serve Yahweh,
then even though we have attempted to Christianize those customs to make them
acceptable, it is the other elohim that we are actually obeying instead of
Yahweh, because Yahweh didn’t command those customs. The
simple fact is that whoever commanded those customs is the one that is being
served
(Rom. 6:16) even though we say that it is Yahweh that we are serving,
“…forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their
lips do honor me, but…their
fear toward me is taught by
the
precept
of
men.”
(Isa. 29:13)
When
people worship Yahweh in ways other than how Scripture instructs them to worship
then they worship him by their own precepts rather than worshipping by the
precepts of Yahweh. (please note: Isa. 55:8,9; 5:21; Num. 15:38-40; Pro. 3:5;
12:15; 14:14; 16:25 Jer. 9:23,24) So, why is it that people insist upon
worshipping Yahweh in the same ways that the false elohim are worshipped when
Yahweh forbids it?
By
worshipping Yahweh in the same ways that the false elohim are worshipped
one is
ascribing to him as just being another false elohim
who
will not perform his will to those who add
and/or diminish
from his word.
Therefore, instead of holding to Yahweh’s will, that demands true worship (Jn.
4:23,24) through observing the things that he commands, (Dt. 12:32) man ignores
his word (which diminishes
from it) and adopts customs from other religions for worship (which adds
to his word). If people want to worship in the same ways that the pagans worship
then why don’t they just
become pagans instead of riding the fence and worshipping like the pagans do,
but saying that it is Yahweh that you are worshipping?
(Rev. 3:15,16)
It
is clear why they say that it is Yahweh who they worship,
because
they want to be in the kingdom,
but
the only way that Yahweh is going to allow them into the kingdom is if they do
what his will is,
(Mt. 7:21) and it is his will that we do not worship in the same way that the
false elohim is worshipped. (Lev. 18:3,4; 20:23; Dt. 12:1-4,30,31; 18:9; Jer.
10:2; Eph. 4:17) Therefore, it isn’t going to do them any good to say that
Yahweh is their Elohim, because they want to be in the kingdom, because they
won’t be in the kingdom when they worship him in the same way that other
elohim is worshipped rather than worshipping him in the way that he has
commanded. (Mt. 7:21; Rev. 3:15,16)
Yahweh
assures us in Ezekiel 12:25 that, “I will speak, and the word that I shall
speak shall
come to pass…” (also note: Num. 14:28-35; Eze. 12:28) Therefore, those who add
to the word of Yahweh by adding worship from customs not commanded, or those who
diminish
from the word of Yahweh by neglecting to keep what he does command, need to take
heed. Yahweh
is not one of the false elohim. He is not as one of them who is not alive. You
can’t ignore how he commands us to worship. You can’t worship him in ways
that the false elohim are worshipped.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
Elohim…
they shall know that I am Yahweh, and that I
have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.”
(Heb. 10:31; Eze. 6:10; Mt. 7:21-23)
When
our savior declares in Matthew 7:23 that he will tell those who work iniquity to
depart from him, that he never knew them, be
assured that his words are true
and that he will profess unto those who work iniquity,
“I
never knew you.”
Many
people who worship Yahweh in ways that he never commanded have “…a
form
of [righteous-ness],
but
denying the power thereof.”
(2Tim. 3:5) They deny that Yahweh would ever use his power to deny them access
into the kingdom, because they profess his son to be their savior and they
worship him. However, they evidently do not have a concept of how important TRUE
worship is. (Jn. 4:23,24) They evidently think that their, “form
of [righteousness],”
will suffice for them to enter into the kingdom, but such isn’t the case.
So,
are you a worker of iniquity? Please note that the workers of iniquity obviously
feel
that they are followers of our savior, (Mt. 7:22). They do not consider
themselves as being workers of iniquity. Do you follow these practices and yet,
do not consider yourself as being a worker of iniquity? It would be best to
closely examine what a worker of iniquity truly is before answering, No, with
only an assumption that you are not a worker of iniquity. This
issue is not worth fooling yourself over.