This issue of YAHSHUA'S
WITNESS MAGAZINE
was published for JANUARY-FEBRUARY- 2007
Inside this issue:
EDITOR:
Jerry Healan ASSOCIATE EDITOR: John McCartyPROOFREADERS:
Frances Healan, Jerry Healan, John McCarty
For comments or inquiries please write to YEA, P. O. Box 31, Atlanta, TX 75551.
CAN FRANKLIN GRAHAM SAVE AMERICA?
Believe
it or not, this was a question that was recently asked by the Internet news
service Newsmax.com. The first question that comes to my mind, of course, is Can
Franklin Graham save himself? If you know anything about the Scriptures and the
Savior, then the answer has to be an emphatic and absolute NO!!!!! NEVER!!!!!
Of course, Newsmax.com sells magazines and the question is asked in order
to cause one to desire to purchase their magazine and read the article.
While I haven’t read the article, certain points are brought out to
which responses can be made. They point out that Franklin Graham’s father
Billy Graham is passing his legacy to his son. Newsmax thinks that Franklin will
become America’s next great evangelist. Franklin has called Islam a very
wicked and evil religion, which has caused him to receive threats against his
life. He is making waves in his denouncing of Islam and is seeking to transform
America.
Well…...the truth of the matter is that even if he could transform all
of America to his brand of religion he wouldn’t be able to save America and
Islam would still be a very present danger threatening the annihilation of the
country. You see, it’s because of Franklin Graham’s faith and others like
his that Islam was raised up in the first place.
As long as Franklin Graham and other faiths like his continue to champion
Sunday rather than the Sabbath, pagan idolatrous holidays rather than Yahweh’s
commanded feast days, false names rather than the true names, etc., etc., etc.,
there will be no fear in the hearts of Islamic enemies or others to cease making
preparations to ultimately destroy America.
Franklin Graham and his famous father Billy Graham both continue to
champion the commands and desires of Constantine the Great, successive Caesars
to him and Roman Catholic Popes, kings of the earth, etc., rather than the
clear-cut commands of our heavenly Father Yahweh.
The only way for a person or nation to be saved is to repent of one’s
sins, come under the atoning sacrifice of the true Messiah Yahshua for the
remission of sins and begin to walk in the paths of righteousness. People like
Billy Graham, Franklin Graham and other evangelicals, ministries, etc., may
speak out against sin, but as long as they refuse to allow the Scriptures to
define what sin is, no one will ever know what to repent of. Let’s see, is sin
really card playing, dancing, drinking, etc., as espoused by various churches?
Sin is the transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4). But people like the Grahams
teach that the law is done away! If there is no law, then there is no sin. If
there is no sin, then why the need for a Savior?
One of the commands of Yahweh is to remember the Sabbath day, but the
Grahams are of the ilk that profess that the Sabbath has been replaced although
there is no scriptural authority that declares such. While they do speak out
against the abomination of homosexuality, why are they so meek to the point of
being weak about fornication and adultery? What about all of the demonic movies,
music, games, etc.? What about the extremely covetous? There are those who seek
only to control and manipulate commodities and prices so that prices are
exorbitant. Then there are those who are willing to buy out whole companies and
corporations for billions only to close plants, jobs, etc. All of these things
are called “good business.” But these practices are only good for a select
few who become exceedingly rich while the workers and common people lose their
jobs and shirts. There is a commandment against covetousness Messrs Graham. But
if that law is done away, then don’t worry about it. Just continue to line
your pockets along with others in the name of religion.
However a day of reckoning is coming and it may be closer than we all
think. What about the Graham’s stand on evolution? If they believe in a
creation rather than a big bang, then why aren’t they also utilizing their
energies to discount evolution?
The article declares, “Graham has a media empire — literature, films,
radio programs, Web site and TV specials.” Great! Why not utilize it all for
publishing the truth rather than the falsehoods that they now embrace!? Another
great question is, since Billy Graham is far more famous than his son Franklin,
what has he done for the salvation of America? If He had done his job properly,
why would there be a question as to whether Franklin can do the job or not? Let
them begin to publish the real truths and let’s see how long their financial
and media empire will last.
Franklin Graham will probably follow in the footsteps of his father. No
matter how many great works his father has done, America is in a sorry state of
affairs. We have enemies who hate us and desire our destruction. Franklin’s
activities will only fuel the flames of destruction rather then put them out.
Only Yahweh can put fear in an enemy to cause them to have second and third
thoughts before attacking America. Yahweh will only do that if we will truly
repent and begin to serve Him. If Franklin could utilize his upcoming fame and
fortune to accomplish the goal of causing our people to see their sins and to
heartily repent before Yahweh, then we would be more than happy to join with him
in that fight. Let’s pray that America will see the light before it’s too
late!
JH
It is amazing how even the secular world realizes that it
needs a period of rest from the hectic frenzy of the world about us, but still
refuses to acknowledge the Sabbath rest as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
By Jerry Healan
I
have an article from the USA Weekend newspaper supplement dated
April 2-4, 1999 entitled “Remember the
Sabbath?” written by Wayne Muller. I have intended to utilize
this article as a foundation for focusing on Sabbath importance for several
years now, since this weekly publication met my eyes and caught my attention. It
seems that Harvard President Neil Rudenstine collapsed after years of non-stop
toil in an atmosphere that rewarded frantic overwork. Even Newsweek magazine got into the fray by putting
his picture on the cover with the headline banner “Exhausted!”
This, of course, got Mr. Muller to thinking on the importance of rest,
especially the Sabbath rest. Hence, his article that appeared in USA Weekend
as well as a book entitled Sabbath: Remembering the
Sacred Rhythm of Rest and Delight.
Mr. Muller made several
excellent points in his article that should be shared and focused upon in order
to reveal the importance of restoring the Sabbath as our Creator Yahweh
originally ordained. His first point is that “In the relentless busyness of
modern life, we have lost the rhythm between action and rest.” He stated that
he has visited the wealthiest and poorest of homes and all decry the same thing,
“I am so busy.” As we get older, it seems that life speeds up. This causes
people to feel weary, overwhelmed and lost. As endless activity continues to
pile upon itself, the experience of life melts into one enormous obligation.
While this fervent activity causes us to have a feeling of self-importance, it
causes us to be unavailable to our friends, family, and unable to enjoy many of
the more spectacular things in life such as a simple sunset or sunrise. To whiz
through obligations without time to even take a breath has become the model of a
successful life.
His second point is “Because we do not rest, we lose our way.”
He says that we miss the compass points that show us where to go. We lose the
nourishment that gives us succor, the quiet that gives us wisdom. We become
poisoned by the hypnotic belief that good things come only through tireless
effort. Thus, we never truly rest. This puts our lives in danger. A frenzied
rushing world saturated with work and responsibility actually leave us bereft of
joy and delight.
A
third point is “Much of modern life is specifically designed to seduce our
attention away from Sabbath rest.” The world seduces us with hundreds of TV
channels via cable and satellite. Phones with multiple lines and call-waiting
allowing us to speak with more than one person at a time. Computers, e-mail, fax
machines, billboards, magazines, newspapers, radio, etc., all compete for our
time, attention and energy. Buy me. Do me. Watch me. Try me. Drink Me. We are
living in a modern world, which has been made into a horrific wonderland.
A
fourth point is “Sabbath time is a revolutionary challenge to the violence of
overwork, because it honors the necessary wisdom of dormancy.” He utilized a
surgeon as an example. Physicians are trained to work when they’re exhausted,
required to perform when they are sleep-deprived, hurried and overloaded. One
man, a thoughtful physician admitted that the more exhausted he was, the more
tests he would order for his patients. Because of his exhaustion, he could hear
the patients describing the symptoms and could recognize their symptoms and
formulate possible diagnoses, but simply wasn’t able to fit it all together.
However, he discovered that when he rested, he could rely on his intuition and
experience to tell him what was needed.
Of
course, we have heard of the horror stories where mistakes were made on the
operating table, or people were prescribed the wrong medicines. We don’t hear
it all because the medical profession wants to suppress any negatives related to
them.
The
author surmised, “If certain plant species do not lie dormant during the
winter, the plant begins to die off. Rest is not
just a psychological convenience; it is a spiritual and biological necessity.
Perhaps this is why, in most spiritual traditions, ‘Remember the Sabbath’ is
more than simply a lifestyle suggestion. It is a commandment, an ethical precept
as serious as prohibitions against killing, stealing and lying.”
Wow!
What an observation!
A LIFE RESTORING RHYTHM
Yahweh
made the creation and man upon it. Our Creator knows how important the seven-day
cycle is to His creation and especially for man. He wants us to work for six
days and rest on the seventh, getting into a rhythm that will be most beneficial
for us. Even though it is one of His commandments, He gave us that commandment
because He made us and knows what is best for us. The problem is that we, His
creation, think that we know what is better for ourselves than our very own
Maker.
Here is an
interesting excerpt from the book "Time and Space", pg. 80-81. "While
daily and seasonal cycles have an obvious link to the sun, and monthly cycles
appear connected to the moon, NOTHING, in nature is clearly responsible for a WEEKLY rhythm.
Chronobiologists have discovered that seven-day cycles exist throughout nature,
from bacteria and other simple forms of life to all species of mammals,
including HUMAN BEINGS. For reasons that remain unclear, blood pressure,
heartbeat, and body temperature have all been shown to have weekly as well as daily rhythms. The rise and
fall of several body chemicals, including cortisol, the hormone that helps the
body combat stress, also have weekly cycles. Most astonishing has been the
discovery that the body's immune system seems
to be vulnerable in seven-day intervals. Long before penicillin came into use,
doctors were acutely aware that pneumonia and malaria patients were at greatest
risk around the seventh day of their illness. Today, surgeons who perform organ
transplants know that the immune systems of their patients are most likely to
reject the new organs in seven-day cycles."
Some object to Sabbath observance because it appears to be something that
is forced upon us and is legalistic. But for those of us who have dedicated our
lives to our Creator and His instruction manual for us, it doesn’t take long
for us to begin to really appreciate the Sabbath and eagerly anticipate it at
the end of every six-day work cycle. The Sabbath becomes a joy. It is a day for
us to forget our worldly labors and leave them behind.
The Sabbath is established for peace and rest. While believers realize
that their true peace and rest comes through the Messiah Yahshua, the fact of
the matter is that we still live in this world physically, and our physical
bodies need rest and relaxation. When we get into the rhythm that our Creator
designed for us, both for physical and spiritual purposes, it has a life
restoring effect.
When
we forget to rest, especially in accordance with Yahweh’s commanded rest, we
become just as confused as the physician spoken of above. We forget about our
Creator and the power that He possesses. We give ourselves over to those who are
unbelievers and allow them to destroy faith by teaching us the fables of
evolution.
Yahweh
told His people Israel that the Sabbath was a sign between Him and them, that He
was their Elohim Who sanctifies them (Ex. 31:13, Ez. 20:12). If we neglect His
commanded Sabbath, then we become careless and confused. We forget that we are
His creation. We forget that He has a wondrous plan and purpose, not only for
the heavens and earth, but for us. We miss the mark, fall by the wayside and
flounder around in hopelessness and meaninglessness.
Yahweh gives us a point to aim at every seven days. That point also
directs us to His marvelous plan for creation. If we observe His commanded
seventh day Sabbath, then we are not only reminded that we have a wondrous
Creator Who is powerful and intelligent far beyond our understanding, but we are
also reminded the point that He has aimed at. You see, a day to Yahweh is as a
thousand years and a thousand years as a day (1 Pet. 3:8). Therefore, we
understand that Yahweh has allowed six one thousand year days wherein man has
been allowed to work his own works, but that seventh one thousand year period
will belong to Yahweh and His kingdom and rest will be taking place on this
earth. Those who refuse to observe Yahweh’s commanded Sabbath day rest lose
the compass of understanding and will be unprepared for His soon coming
intervention.
The sad thing about the article that this man has written is that he
begins proving a need for rest. He reveals that if we continue to push ourselves
to the brink of exhaustion, we lose our efficiency. This has been known by
business and enterprise for quite sometime. After so many hours and days of work
without rest, efficiency suffers, quantity and quality suffers, safety suffers,
etc. He went a long way in proving that there is a seven day cycle in
practically all life forms, yet he fell short in encouraging a review of what
our Creator established and commanded for our own benefit. He even made the
statement, “Much of modern life is specifically designed to seduce our
attention away from Sabbath rest.” What a statement!
However, we can’t be so short-sighted! We can realize that the Sabbath
rest was given and commanded by a Creator Who cared for the works of His hands.
A Creator Who knew what was, what is best for us. A Creator Who left
instructions for us so that we could rest, be refreshed and not only drink from
the fountain of rest and delight, but also from the fountain of salvation. You
see, Yahweh gave us primarily Ten Commandments to live by. These commandments
define what sin is. The Apostle Paul wrote, “What shall we say then? Is the
law sin? Yahweh forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not
known lust, except the law had said, ‘Thou shalt not covet,” Ro. 7:7.
The Apostle John wrote, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also
the law: for sin is the transgression of the law,” 1 Jn. 3:4. Both Paul and
John have defined sin for us in these verses.
How many ministers, how many churches teach against sin? How many give
powerful sermons against sin, but never define exactly what sin is? How many of
those ministers are sermonizing against sin and are giving those sermons on the
first day of the week and not on the commanded seventh day Sabbath?
The commandments forbid murder, theft, idolatry, adultery, deceit, fraud, etc. To break one point of the commandments is to break them all, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all,” Jas. 2:10. The seventh day Sabbath command is one of the Ten Commandments. Yahweh never changed it, man has! Our plea is that you come to realize that the seventh day Sabbath command is just important as the other nine commandments. Our plea is that you come to realize that our desire should be to live a life without purposeful sin.
Our plea is that you recognize your Creator and begin to inculcate His commanded seventh day Sabbath rest into your lives. Yes, the world does all that it can to thwart the commanded Sabbath, but you can take control of your own life with help from your Creator. Pull yourself away from the cares of the world for one day a week. Make it the day that your Creator set aside for you and for His creation in the beginning. Begin to drink from the true fountain of rest.
Controversy rages concerning what the Scriptures say. The over-all majority of Christianity proclaims that the law is done away, upholding the writings of Paul as the foundation of their proof. There are some smaller Christian groups, Orthodox Judaism and Yahwists who proclaim the exact opposite, using both Old and New Testament Scriptures as their authority. Many in the latter groups reach the point of extreme Pharisaism, fulfilling the law to the letter. Many in the former group have an "anything goes" attitude. Why all the confusion? What do the Scriptures really say? By Jerry Healan
he
Apostle Paul is the most mis-understood of all the apostles. Through his
writings, Christianity has developed its teaching that the law (Torah) is done
away. He is exalted to a very high place by them for that very reason.
On the other hand he is hated, despised and rejected by Orthodox Judaism,
and many others who have a tendency to be rather Pharisaical in their outlook
and approach.
Yet, neither group has truly understood Paul’s writings. The Apostle
Peter wrote, “But the day of Yahweh will come as a thief in the night; in the
which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall
melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be
burned up. Seeing then that
all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought
ye to be in all holy
conversation and righteousness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the
day of Yahweh, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his
promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may
be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that
the longsuffering of our
Sovereign is
salvation; even
as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath
written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things;
in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned
and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own
destruction,” 2 Pt.
3:10-16.
There are those, even in the Yahwist movement today, who are suspicious
of Paul and his writings, but as revealed here, there was no dis-harmony nor
suspicion between Peter and the other apostles as to his writings. Peter gives
them credence!
Notice that Peter says Paul’s writings are “...hard to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they also wrest the other
Scriptures unto their own destruction.”
LAW
DONE AWAY?
Paul wrote, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the
law, but by the faith of
Yahshua Messiah, even we have believed in Yahshua Messiah, that we might be
justified by the faith of Messiah, and not by the works of the law: for by the works
of the law shall no flesh be justified...For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live
unto Yahweh...I do not frustrate the grace of Yahweh: for if
righteousness come
by the
law,
then Messiah is dead in vain,”
Gal. 2:16, 19, 21.
Paul’s writings here and elsewhere certainly appear to overthrow the
law of Yahweh. In fact, so much so, that Christianity teaches that the law is
done away in Messiah.
Look at what else Paul wrote, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched
you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Yahshua Messiah hath
been evidently set forth, impaled among you? This only would I learn of you, Received
ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?...For as many as are of the works of the law are
under the curse: for it
is written, Cursed is every
one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law
to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of Yahweh,
it is evident: for, the
just shall live by faith. And the
law is not of faith: but,
the man that doeth them shall live in them. Messiah hath redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is
every one that hangeth on
a tree:...For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no
more of promise:
but Yahweh gave it to
Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed
should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained
by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but Yahweh is one. Is
the law then against the
promises of Yahweh? Let it not be: for if there had been a law given which could have given life,
verily righteousness should have been by the law.... Tell
me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other
by a freewoman. But he who
was of the bondwoman was
born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants;
the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is,
and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which
is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not:
for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we,
brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was
born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after
the Spirit, even so it
is now. Nevertheless what
saith the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the
bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we
are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free....Stand fast therefore in
the liberty wherewith Messiah hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke
of bondage. Behold, I
Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Messiah shall profit you nothing.
For I
testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the
whole law. Messiah is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are
justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace,” Gal. 3:1-2, 10-13, 18-21; 4:21-31; 5:1-4.
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them
who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all
the world may become guilty before Yahweh. Therefore
by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight:
for by the law is
the knowledge of sin. But
now the righteousness of Yahweh without the law is manifested,
being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of Yahweh which is by faith of Yahshua Messiah unto all and upon all them
that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of Yahweh; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that is in Messiah Yahshua: Whom Yahweh hath set forth to
be a propitiation through
faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that
are past, through the forbearance of Yahweh; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be
just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Yahshua. Where is
boasting then? It is
excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore
we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law,”
Ro. 3:19-28.
When one reads these and other Scriptures written by the Apostle Paul, he
certainly does get the general and overall idea that the law is no longer
functional, that the law is done away, doesn’t he?
LAW
NOT DONE AWAY?
The next question to ask is, “Is Paul actually in contradiction with
Yahshua?” Yahshua, Himself, said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the
law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil,” Mt. 5:17.
The word fulfil
is translated from the Greek word (pleroo). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance gives
its definition as: to make
replete, i.e. (lit.) to cram
(a net), level
up (a hollow), or (fig.) to furnish
(or imbue, diffuse, influence),
satisfy,
execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc. It has generally been translated in the
English as: accomplish, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be,
make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
But now, let’s go to Webster’s New World Dictionary
and see what definition he gives concerning the word “fulfil”: 1. to carry out (something promised, desired, expected,
predicted, etc.); cause to be or happen 2.
to do (something required); obey 3.
to fill the requirements of; satisfy (a condition) or answer (a purpose)
4.
to bring to an end; complete —SYN.
see PERFORM —fulfil
oneself to realize
completely one’s ambition, potentialities, etc.
Notice that both definitions (Strong’s and Webster’s) have given the meanings: to end, bring to an end, expire,
etc., which would mean, in essence, to overthrow, do away with, or destroy, but
Yahshua plainly said that such WAS NOT His purpose! His purpose was to obey, satisfy the requirements of, perform, or verify the law.
The Apostle John gives the Scriptural definition for sin, “Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law,”
1 Jn. 3:4.
Peter openly admits that Yahshua fulfilled the requirements of the law
setting an example that we should follow Him, “For even hereunto were ye
called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye
should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was
reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself
to Him that judgeth
righteously,” 1 Pt. 2:21-23.
The chief priests, elders, scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees could find no
fault in Yahshua. Therefore, they sought false witnesses to bring an evil report
against Him and still could find no two false witnesses that could agree in
their accusations, “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council,
sought false witness against Yahshua, to put him to death; But found none: yea,
though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And
said, This fellow said, I am
able to destroy the temple of Elohim, and to build it in three days,” Mt.
26:59-61.
Neither Pilate nor Herod could find any fault in Him, “Then said Pilate
to the chief priests and to the people, ‘I find no fault in this Man.’
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And as
soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to
Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw
Yahshua, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see Him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to
have seen some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned with Him in many words;
but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and
vehemently accused Him. And Herod with his men of war set Him at nought, and
mocked Him,
and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again to Pilate. And the same
day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity
between themselves. And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests
and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, ‘Ye have brought this man unto
me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined Him
before
you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse
Him: No, nor yet Herod:
for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him,’”
Lk. 23:4-15.
Even Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Yahshua into the hands of the
Jewish leaders, declared His innocence, “Then Judas, which had betrayed him,
when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I
have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and
departed, and went and hanged himself,” Mt. 27:3-5.
The Scriptures are replete with Yahshua’s innocence. He was without
fault, without sin, without blemish. He perfectly fulfilled the requirements of
Yahweh’s law, setting the example for us.
SELF
CONTRADICTION?
The next question to ask is, “Does Paul contradict himself?” He
certainly seems to do so when he writes, “For as many as have sinned without
law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall
be judged by the law; for not the hearers of the law are
just before Yahweh, but the
doers of the law shall be justified,”
Ro. 2:12-13.
“Do we then make void the law through faith? Let it not be: yea, we
establish the law.” Ro. 3:31. Establish comes from the Greek word histemi
which also means: to stand, abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, hold up,
present, stand by, etc.
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin (Note:
sin is the transgression of the law), but alive unto Yahweh through Yahshua
Messiah our Sovereign. Let
not sin (transgression of
the law [Torah])
therefore reign in your mortal body,
that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as
instruments
of unrighteousness unto sin (transgression of the law [Torah]): but yield yourselves unto Yahweh, as
those that are alive from the dead, and your members as
instruments of
righteousness unto Yahweh. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall
we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? Let it not be.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye
are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness? But Yahweh be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye
have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the
servants of righteousness.
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as
ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto
iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto
holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end
of those things is death. But now being made free from sin,
and become servants to Yahweh, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end
everlasting life,” Ro. 6:11-22.
Here is what Paul admonishes, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one
another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou
shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt
not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this
saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to
his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law,”
Ro. 13:8-10.
What Paul has enumerated here is the last five of the ten commandments
that Moses received on Mount Sinai. Haven’t we just read that Mount Sinai
engenders bondage? Moses received the commandments on two tablets of stone. Each
tablet would have contained five of the ten commandments, just like the two
hands that we all have with five fingers on each hand. The second tablet,
containing the five commandments just enumerated by Paul are summed up as “Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
When asked about the first commandment of all, Yahshua said, “And one
of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving
that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of
all? And Yahshua answered him, The first of all the commandments is,
Hear, O Israel; Yahweh our Elohim is one Yahweh: And thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is
the
first commandment. And
the second is like, namely
this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself. There is none
other commandment greater than these,” Mk. 12:28-31.
Therefore, the first tablet of stone with its five commandments are
summed up as “Love toward Yahweh.”
This leads us to a very interesting concept for the major Hebrew word for
love is “ahavah” which in Hebrew looks like this: hbha.
Each one of these Hebrew characters also stands for a number. a = 1, b = 2, and h = 5. Now let’s do a little simple arithmetic which will allow us to
see a marvelous thing, certainly and most positively the Apostle Paul had
knowledge of.
The first tablet which Moses received contained the first five of the ten
commandments which are summed up as LOVE (hbha) toward Yahweh. The second tablet contained the last five of
the ten commandments which are summed up as LOVE (hbha) toward neighbor.
= h (5) + b (2) + h
(5) + a
(1) = 13
(LOVE to Yahweh)
+
= h (5) + b (2) + h
(5) + a
(1) = 13
(LOVE to
neighbor)
____
26
Yahweh’s name in Hebrew is hwhy.
h (5) + w (6) + h (5) + y
(10) = 26
The Apostle John tells us, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love
is of Yahweh; and every one that loveth is born of Yahweh, and knoweth Yahweh.
He that loveth not knoweth not Yahweh; for Yahweh is love,” 1 Jn. 4:7-8.
Yahweh’s name is the sum total of the commandments. It is He Who has
complete and total power over this law of love. He is the One Who is able to
faithfully fulfil it. Paul, being a Jew and having been taught at the feet of
Gamaliel would certainly have known of this concept.
There must be another answer as to why Paul could seemingly, on the one
hand, appear to be anti-law (Torah) and, on the other hand, be pro-law
(Torah).
What is the answer?
THE
LAW OF SIN
The major key to understanding the writings of the Apostle Paul is found
in the book of Romans, chapter 7. Paul reveals that he is being subjected to an
inner struggle, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I
not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I
consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is
present with me; but how
to perform that which is
good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would
not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin
that dwelleth in me,”
v.v. 15-20.
Paul begins to reveal that when he determines to do good, to do that
which is prescribed in the law (Torah), evil is present with him. He begins to
get frustrated because of his helplessness to perform the good rather than the
evil. Why?
“I
find then a law,
that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law (Torah) of Elohim after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind,
and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin
which is in my members,”
v.v. 21-23.
Paul was the Sir Isaac Newton of his day! Paul discovered and revealed
that there is a law of sin in the flesh. This law of sin in the flesh is
powerful and sure. It is just as powerful and sure as the law of gravity and
other laws of physics, chemistry, biology, etc. that this physical creation is
(thankfully) subject to.
Paul reveals elsewhere, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against
the flesh: and these are
contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law,” Gal 5:16-18.
This is the key to understanding the writings of Paul, as well as the
spirit and intent of the New Covenant based upon better promises. There is a law
of sin in the flesh. No manner of SELF IMPOSED law (Torah) keeping can deliver
us from its consequences. Look at what else Paul wrote, “What then? are we
better than they? No, in
no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after Yahweh. They are all
gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit;
the poison of asps is under
their lips: Whose mouth is full
of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are
in their ways: And the
way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of Elohim before their
eyes...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of Elohim,”
Rom. 3:9-18, 23.
All have sinned. All have been subject to the consequences of the law of
sin in the flesh. No man can escape its destructive power unless he has been
called and chosen by Yahweh to come under His grace through the atoning
sacrifice of the Messiah, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from
the body of this death? I thank Yahweh through Yahshua Messiah our Sovereign,”
Ro. 7:24-25.
Our deliverance is through Yahshua. No manner of law keeping (Torah
observance) can earn it. Look at what else Paul says, “So then with the mind I
myself serve the law (Torah) of Yahweh; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
(Last part of Ro. 7:25.)
Paul says that he continues to serve the law of sin with the flesh, an
amazing statement! This should be a statement that would humble each and every
man, but too many begin to impose the Torah on the flesh and, consequently,
become high-minded and self righteous. It is too easy in that state of mind to
trust in one’s own abilities, one’s own self.
THE
LAW OF SIN’S ORIGIN
Where did this law of sin come from? How was it introduced into the
flesh? Paul’s writings are not incomplete. He also reveals how and where this
law of sin comes from.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
and so death
passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not
imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression,
who is the figure of him that was to come,” Ro. 5:12-14.
When Adam took of the forbidden fruit, the fruit of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, the law of sin and death entered into the flesh. The
law of sin and death passed on all men through inheritance from Adam.
Let’s simply take some excerpts from the rest of chapter five to prove
the point, “...For if through the offence of one many be dead (v. 15)...for
the judgment was
by one to condemnation (v. 16)...For if by one man’s offence death reigned by
one (v. 17)...Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation (v. 18)...For as by one man’s
disobedience many were made sinners,” (v. 19). We can add to these excerpts
from 1 Cor. 15, “For since by man came death (v. 21)...For as in Adam all die,”
(v. 22).
The inheritance through the first man, Adam, was misery, corruption, sin
and death. No man has been able to escape this sentence, this law, this
inheritance, except the Man, Yahshua, Who was not conceived by a son of Adam,
but was conceived by the Father Yahweh, through the Holy Spirit in the womb of
the virgin Miriam. Yahshua was the One Man Who did not have the inheritance of
corruption, sin and death in His members, but rather the heavenly inheritance of
the law of life. Therefore, through the power of Yahweh living in Him, He was
able to perfectly fulfil the Torah; no sin, no fault having been found in Him by
the Jews, the Romans, His disciples, the accusers, nor the Father Yahweh.
THE
FIGURE OR TYPE
Paul writes that Adam was a figure of Him That was to come (Ro. 5:14). The word figure
comes from the Greek word tupos
from which we derive our English word type.
In other words, we could say that Adam was an anti-type of
Yahshua for each man has an inheritance, but that inheritance is actually in
opposition to one another.
Let’s look at the excerpts in Ro. 5 concerning the inheritance that
comes through Yahshua, “But not as the offence, so also is
the free gift....much more the grace of Yahweh, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Yahshua Messiah, hath abounded unto many. (v.
15)...but the free gift is
of many offences unto justification. (v. 16)... much more they which receive
abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One,
Yahshua Messiah. (v. 17)...even so by the righteousness of One the
free gift came upon all
men unto justification of life. (v. 18)...so by the obedience of One shall many
be made righteous,” (v. 19). In 1 Cor. 15 we also read, “...by man came also the resurrection of the dead. (v. 21)...even so in
Messiah shall all be made alive,” (v. 22).
We find, therefore, that our fore-father Adam has caused us to inherit
the law of corruption, sin and death; which brings condemnation to judgment. But
through faith in Yahshua we can be resurrected to the inheritance of the law of
the Spirit of life.
Another important key to understanding the types is the principle of;
that which is first is natural, physical, fleshly while that which is second is
spiritual and heavenly. Paul reveals this concept in 1 Cor. 15, “But
some man
will
say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou
fool,
that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare
grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But Yahweh
giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. All
flesh is not the same
flesh: but there is one kind
of flesh of men, another
flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the
celestial is one, and the glory
of the terrestrial is
another. There
is one glory of the sun,
and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one
star differeth from another
star in glory. So
also is
the
resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in
weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a
spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
And so it is written, The
first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a
quickening spirit.
Howbeit that
was
not
first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is
spiritual. The
first man is
of the
earth, earthy: the second man is the Sovereign from heaven.
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is
the heavenly, such are
they also that are
heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the
image of the heavenly,” v.v. 35-49.
Such is a concept to always keep in mind when reading and studying the
Scriptures. There is a pattern by which Yahweh works. The first of all things is
physical, natural, corruptible, earthy. Adam was made of the dust of the ground.
He was made of the earth, earthy. But we must understand that initially, Adam
did not have the law of corruption, sin and death in his members. He was made
and pronounced with the rest of the creation as “good” (Gen. 1:31).
Adam was given dominion over the creation and was placed in the garden of
Eden. Adam was the master, the sovereign of the earth. His act of disobedience
not only subjected his posterity to the law of corruption, sin and death, but it
also brought the creation into the bondage of corruption. Yahweh terribly cursed
the earth after Adam’s act of disobedience, “And unto Adam He said, Because
thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of
which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed
is
the
ground for thy sake; in
sorrow shalt thou eat of it
all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee;
and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou
eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for
dust thou art,
and unto dust shalt thou return,” Gen. 3:17-19.
Because of this introduction of the law of corruption, sin and death into
the flesh, also bringing the creation into bondage, Paul reveals that flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Elohim (1 Cor. 15:50).
But now, the deliverance through the second Adam, of Whom the first Adam
is a type (anti-type), must become obvious.
THE
INHERITANCE
Paul writes, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but
we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on
immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying
that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is
thy sting? O grave, where
is thy
victory? The
sting of death is
sin; and
the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to Yahweh, which giveth us the victory through our Sovereign Yahshua the
Messiah. Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of
Sovereign, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the
Sovereign,” 1 Cor. 15: 51-58.
We must receive another body that is being prepared for us in heaven if
we are to inherit
incorruption, immortality,
and Yahweh’s kingdom.
It is IMPOSSIBLE to inherit it in the flesh! When this resurrection occurs, then
the creation will also be delivered from its bondage, “For the earnest
expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of Elohim.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him
who hath subjected the same in hope,
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of Elohim. For we know that
the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not
only they,
but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit,
the redemption of our body,” Ro. 8:19-23.
ISRAEL’S
BLINDNESS
When Yahshua appeared in the flesh to fulfil the requirements of the law
(Torah), there was a sect of people who were basically in control of the land
under the hand of the Romans. These people were the Pharisees. There were other
sects of belief also such as the Sadducees, Herodians, Zealots, Essenes, etc.
But the Pharisees were, by far, the most popular and numerous of them all. It
was the Pharisees, specifically their leaders, who caused Yahshua so many
problems. Yet, Yahshua said, “For I say unto you, That except your
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye
shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven,” Mt. 5:20.
The scribes and Pharisees were so zealous for the Torah (law)
that they had imposed so many do’s and don’ts that the Torah (law) of Yahweh
had become a tremendous burden, “Then spake Yahshua to the multitude, and to
his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All
therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say,
and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them
on men's shoulders; but
they themselves
will not move them with
one of their fingers,” Mt. 23:1-4.
Many people use these verses to impute that Yahshua empowered the scribes
and Pharisees over His own followers, but such is not the case. There is no
space to explain the concept conveyed here in this treatise, but it will be
addressed at another time. The main point is that the Pharisees were binding
heavy and grievous burdens on other men’s shoulders while they considered
themselves to be excluded from those same burdens.
Yahshua made this point with them, “Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within
they are full of extortion and excess. Thou
blind
Pharisee, cleanse first that which
is within
the cup and platter, that the outside
of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within
full of dead men's bones, and
of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous
unto men, but within
ye are full of hypocrisy
and iniquity,”
Mt. 23:25-28.
Applying what we have already learned, we can see that the Pharisees were
taken up with making the exterior, the flesh to appear as if it were able to be
righteous. But they were inwardly full of hypocrisy and iniquity because of the law
of sin that was in them.
Paul revealed that it was the inward man which delighted in the law of
righteousness. But it is the inward man that is fashioned after Yahshua and has the
Spirit of Yahweh in him.
Notice that Yahshua stated that the Pharisees were blind in verses 16, 24
and 26 of Mat. 23. Paul was inspired to record that Israel was blinded, “What
then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath
obtained it, and the rest were blinded....For I would not, brethren that ye
should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits;
that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles
be come in,” Ro. 11:7, 25.
Paul further reveals, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which
followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the
righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of
righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because
they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of
the law. For they
stumbled at that stumblingstone,” Ro. 9:30-32. “Brethren, my heart's desire
and prayer to Yahweh for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them
record that they have a zeal of Elohim, but not according to knowledge.
For they being ignorant of Yahweh's righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not
submitted themselves unto the righteousness of Yahweh,”
Ro. 10:1-3.
Doesn’t it become more and more obvious? Yahweh gave the first
covenant (contained in the Torah) to Israel. The Gentiles were excluded from
that first covenant. But Israel was blinded concerning its true purpose and
meaning. Instead of allowing the Torah to reveal the law of sin in the flesh,
thereby “teaching” (Torah also means teaching)
them that they were helpless in its fulfillment and needed deliverance from
their weakness in the flesh; they went about seeking to establish their own
righteousness by observing the Torah under the power of sinful flesh. All they
accomplished was SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS! That self-righteousness was so devious and
deceitful that, when the true righteousness of Yahweh was revealed in Yahshua,
they were blinded to it and condemned Him to be worthy of death Who had done no
sin, neither was there any blemish in Him nor guile in His mouth!
Too many people who turn to the Torah, today, fall under the same spell
that the scribes, Pharisees and the overall majority of Israel did. They go
about to establish their own righteousness. They become blinded to the reality
of Yahweh’s righteousness apart from, or without the law (Torah).
A
PARABLE
Parables
are given in order to keep meanings hidden. Yahshua came speaking in parables so
that the people of His day might not understand His words, “And His disciples
came, and said unto Him, ‘Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?’ He
answered and said unto them, ‘Because it is given unto you to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever
hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever
hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to
them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not,
neither do they understand,” Mt. 13:10-13.
The
book of Hebrews declares that the worldly sanctuary and its ordinances of divine
service were “figures.” (Heb. 9:9) But the Greek word that has been
translated as “figures” is “paraboles.” “Paraboles” is the very same
word that is translated as “parables in Mt. 13. In other words, the
tabernacles, its appurtenances, Aaron’s rod that budded, the tables of the
covenant, the priesthood, the sacrifices, etc. were figures or parables (Heb.
9:1-9).
Let’s
understand the situation with Moses and the children of Israel for this also was
a parabolic situation.
Yahweh had made a marriage covenant with Israel giving them His
commandments (Ex. 20), statutes and ordinances (Ex. 21, 22, 23). Yahweh promised
blessings and greatness if they would obey, but cursings and destruction if they
disobeyed. Israel agreed to Yahweh’s covenant (Ex. 19:8; 24:3, 7).
Yahweh called Moses up into the mount where he was with Yahweh for forty
days and nights receiving instructions concerning the tabernacle, priesthood,
etc. He also received the tables of stone upon which were inscribed the ten
commandments by Yahweh’s own finger (Ex. 25-31).
While Moses was in the mount, the people encouraged Aaron to make a
golden calf to represent the Elohim Who delivered them. Israel had quickly
transgressed the covenant that they had made with Yahweh. When Moses came down
from the mount, he had the two tables of the covenant in his hands, but when he
saw the idolatrous orgy that was going on, he threw the tables down breaking
them.
Moses later ascended into the mount in order to receive a new set of
tables of the covenant whereupon were written the ten commandments (Ex. 34, esp.
v. 28).
The tables of stone were placed inside the ark of the covenant (Ex.
40:20). This action was a figure, a parable that the people did not understand.
The ark was Yahweh’s throne. Moses placed the tables of the covenant
containing the ten commandments inside the ark of the covenant and then covered
it with the lid or mercy seat. This represented the place, the One Who had the
true power to fulfill the covenant of promise. Israel did not have the power to
fulfill their part of the bargain. Only Yahweh had the power to do so.
Israel, their priesthood, their kings, etc. were unfaithful to the
covenant. Aaron, the first high priest of the Levitical priesthood, revealed the
true spirit of that priesthood. They would please the people rather than Yahweh.
Read about the high priest Eli and his sons Hophni and Phineas. Read about the
unfaithfulness of the Levitical priesthood in the book of Malachi, chapter 2.
The book of Hebrews declares, “If therefore perfection were by the
Levitical priesthood, (for under it the People received the law,) what further
need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec,
and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed,
there is made of necessity a change
also of the law,” Heb. 7:11-12.
“Changed” is translated from the Greek word “metatithemi.”
which is defined as, to transfer, transport, exchange, change sides, etc. The
priesthood has been changed, transferred, transported, exchanged, changed sides
from the Levitical to the Melchisedec Priesthood.
But what about the law? It says that there is made of necessity a change
also of it! The Greek word used for “change” is “metathesis.”
It is defined as, transposition, i.e. transferral
(to heaven)!
There you have it! The power to keep the law of commandments is no longer
left in the hands of the flesh. The flesh was given the opportunity to perform
it and it failed miserably. Why? Because of the law of sin in the flesh. The
power to perform it now comes from Yahweh Himself through Yahshua the Messiah.
THE
NEW COVENANT
The Prophet Jeremiah was inspired to write, “Behold, the days come,
saith Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with
the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers
in the day that I
took them by the hand to bring them out of the
land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto
them, saith Yahweh: But this shall
be the covenant that I
will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith Yahweh, I
will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my
people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know Yahweh: for they shall all know me, from the least of them
unto the greatest of them, saith Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and
I will remember their sin no more,” 31:31-34.
The book of Hebrews repeats this text from the prophet Jeremiah in
chapter 8:8-12. Hebrews also says, “For if that first covenant
had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them...,” 8:7-8 (first part).
The fault was not with Yahweh, the covenant or Torah, but with them
(Israel). Why? Because their heart still had the foreskin of the flesh attached.
The FIRST covenant was made with a people (man or men) of the flesh (remember 1
Cor. 15). The flesh could not fulfil the Torah. The SECOND covenant is made
through the last (second) Adam, the Sovereign from heaven. It is the covenant
that has the power of the Spirit behind it, not the weakness of the flesh.
Paul reveals that Israel was purposely blinded and cast away for the
reconciling of the world, “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should
fall? Let it not be: but rather through their fall salvation is
come unto
the Gentiles, for to
provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be
the riches of the world,
and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their
fulness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the
Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them
which are my flesh, and
might save some of them. For
if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall
the
receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”
Ro. 11:11-15. Israel became a sacrifice for the reconciliation of the rest of
the world.
Paul is inspired to promise, “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it
is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away
unrighteousness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As
concerning the evangel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they
are beloved for the
fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of Yahweh are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed
Yahweh, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these
also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For
Yahweh hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all,”
Ro. 11:26-32.
Paul’s writings correspond to and are in agreement with the writings of
Ezekiel. Ezekiel also writes of the graves of all Israel of both of the houses
of Israel, Judah and Ephraim, being opened and the people being resurrected from
the dead. Yahweh promises to put His Spirit in them at that time (Ez. 37:14).
They will no longer be defiled by the paganistic Gentile religions and they will
be cleansed from all of their sins (v. 23). Yahweh’s covenant of peace will be
made with them also at that time (v. 26). Then shall Israel and the Gentiles
know Yahweh and He will place His tabernacle in Israel forever more (v.v.
27-28).
The righteousness of Yahweh will then be fully realized by all, for they
will then understand that their righteousness came not by their own fulfillment
of the law (Torah), but from the Right Hand and Holy Arm of Yahweh, Yahshua
Messiah.
Isaiah prophesied, “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning
Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that
the mountain of Yahweh’s
house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted
above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go
and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of
the Elohim of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His
paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Yahweh from
Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people:
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they
learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of
Yahweh,” 2:1-5.
When Christianity reads this Scripture, it understands that Yahweh’s
kingdom is to be ushered in through the Messiah. Yet they have stumbled at the
law (Torah) in proclaiming that it is done away with since Isaiah does say that
the law (Torah) will go forth from Jerusalem.
The Jews also have stumbled over this verse because they could see that
the law (Torah) is not to be done away with as proclaimed by Christianity. Yet,
they have failed to understand the righteousness of Yahweh.
The Apostle Paul was putting everything into the proper perspective, yet,
as Peter stated, his writings were hard to understand which the unlearned and
unstable were wresting to their own destruction.
THE
HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Paul wrote that if anyone has repented and been baptized in the name of
Yahshua, then that person has “put on Yahshua.”(Gal. 3:27). Furthermore, he
writes that they are sealed with the “earnest of the Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22, Eph.
1:13-14). He also says that it is the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13). The
Holy Spirit imparts the Messiah in us, the HOPE of glory (Col. 1:27). Through the
Spirit we wait for the HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Gal. 5:5). Paul also reveals that
we are saved by HOPE, but hope that is seen IS NOT HOPE (Ro. 8:23-25).
Under the Old Covenant, there was a law of circumcision of the flesh made
with the hands of man. Under the New Covenant there is still a law of
circumcision, but it is the circumcision of the heart made WITHOUT hands.
Under the Old Covenant, there was a law of animal sacrifice made by the
hands of man. Under the New Covenant, there is a law of sacrifice made
personally by Yahweh through Yahshua and not man.
Under the Old Covenant there was the law of dress concerning
phylacteries, tallits, borders of garments, etc. Under the New Covenant there is
a law of dress, but it is not clothing made by man, but rather Yahshua is our
dress.
The point is that the flesh cannot be rehabilitated. Men who seek after
righteousness by the hands of man have and will fall short of the New Covenant
and its hope and promises through Yahshua.
If we have received the Spirit of Yahweh, then we ARE NOT righteous
because of the flesh, but have received the hope of righteouness which IS TO
COME.
SUMMARY
The writings of the Apostle Paul have long been misunderstood by the
Christian and Jewish world. The Christians have had a tendency to forsake the
law (Torah) while the Jews have forsaken the writings of Paul and the New
Covenant. Paul was writing in “mysteries” which only the elect can
understand through the Spirit, “But we speak the wisdom of Yahweh in a mystery,
even the
hidden wisdom, which Yahweh ordained before the world unto our glory: Which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it,
they would not have impaled the Sovereign of glory. But as it is written, Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which Yahweh hath prepared for them that love Him. But Yahweh hath
revealed them
unto us by
His Spirit: for the
Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of Elohim. For what man
knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the
things of Elohim knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Elohim. Now we have received,
not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of Elohim; that we might
know the things that are freely given to us of Elohim,” 1 Cor. 2:7-12.
Paul reveals that there is a “law of sin” in the flesh. Therefore, no
man can be declared righteous, no matter how much law (Torah) observance is
employed. It is not our Torah observance, but rather, our faith in the last
Adam, the Sovereign from heaven that delivers us from death into life.
The New Covenant promise is that Yahweh’s law (Torah) will be
personally written in our hearts by the power of His Spirit given through
Yahshua the
Messiah. The Torah is not
done away, but neither can we earn salvation through its observance.
May Yahweh bless you to see His Great Light.