i want to be a man of virtue. – Moral excellence, goodness, righteousness. To conform my life and conduct to moral and ethical principles. To this end i will seek to achieve the virtue of knowing my weaknesses.
I haven’t always lived up to this virtuous standard. In fact, some might say the very opposite is true. Is it in my head? Perhaps. Some might say I need deliverance, from my thoughts, attitudes and false beliefs. This is probably true. However, as I continue to learn and grow, one thing stands out, it is never too late to change. Some people may never change their opinion of you, or me as this is about me, so be it. Their thoughts towards me (you) should not stifle us from reaching towards our goal. How the majority of people remember you can change today, with a change of heart. Like the book by Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol.”
Two verses I want to share here. The first is Micah 6:8. “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Yahweh require of you? It is to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim!” The idea of being or becoming a man or person of virtue begins here. Belief is more than knowing but doing. Scripture says, the demons believe and tremble, so if belief was all that was required they’d be in. No, belief requires action. It calls us to act justly. To love mercy. To walk humbly.
In the Christmas Carol, Scrooge, has spent his entire adult life acting unjustly, being merciless, and walking in arrogance. Charles Dickens walks his character first through his past. He does this to show that at one point he was a different person. Growing bitter, yes, but there was hope. The scene then changes to the now and he shows his character who he has become. This realization is difficult to take in at first. But necessary if one is going to change. Aton Chekhov, was a Russian play write. He wrote, “Man will only become better when you make him see what he is like.”
In the final attempt to change the heart of old Scrooge he is shown the future. It is the natural end of who he had become to that point. However, as Scrooge asks over and over, “these are only things that may come to pass?” He wanted another chance, he wanted to change, and he did. After the night was over he awoke a new man. One of justice, mercy, and humility. He became a man of virtue.
I was not visited by three ghosts but I have had the scales removed from my eyes. What was revealed was not who I ever wanted to be. Acting unjustly, without mercy, and in arrogance, “I am right and I will prove it!” If not for my hope in the gospel I would be lost. You see I believe in who many call Jesus, I prefer His Hebrew name, Yahoshua (Yeshua). It is in believing that I find strength for a new day, an evolving me. One who still has time to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my Elohim.
To this end i know that there will be struggles and weaknesses revealed. That’s okay because i also now have the resolve to correct them. To seek advice from others and lean on them in times of struggle. It isn’t that i have to walk alone or even to have all the answers. Not knowing something isn’t a sign of weakness, however, pretending to know is. Failing, isn’t weakness, but giving up is. Therefore, i will continue to endeavor, to conform my life and conduct to moral and ethical principles. i will seek to achieve the virtue of knowing my weaknesses.
The second verse in two parts Philippians 3:12-14 and 15-16. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect. Yet, I press on to take hold of that for which Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do! Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize of Elohim’s heavenly calling in Messiah Yahoshua.”
We are a work in progress. There will be good days and there will be bad ones. You cannot get hung up on either. Celebrate the victories, yes, but don’t dwell there. Be frustrated at the bad ones, yes, but don’t dwell there. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move forward. Life isn’t a sprint, its a marathon, steady the legs and press on.
Let me conclude with this from Philippians 3:15-16. “All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, Elohim (God) will reveal this to you as well. Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.” So what do I hope people will say about me? That my belief in Yahoshua, guides my thoughts and actions. That I am a man of virtue. That I do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Elohim. This is the way of the Rabbi.
Luke 6:40 — “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
“And Yahoshua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:1-2) As we read this many will only look at what we will highlight in a minute, however, this statement says a lot. For forty days, Yahoshua fasted and was tempted. We will look at three of them because that is all we get a glimpse of yet, still, i am confident that the response the entire time is the same; “It is written.” You can read the entire account in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.
Yahoshua, tired and hungry is tempted by the devil yet again, “If you are the Son of Elohim, command this stone to become bread.” Remember now, Yahoshua has been fasting for forty days. The Scripture says, “He was hungry.” The devil may not be all knowing but he is aware and knowledgable. In that awareness and knowledge of Scripture he will tempt you right where you are with exactly what might work, if you are not equipped to fight him off. The devil knows the Scriptures better than most if not all of humanity, and he knows how to twist it to make his temptation seem even as truth. Yahoshua, who is the Word made flesh was equipped to give the right answer. “Yahoshua answered him, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of Elohim.” The Way of the Rabbi is to confront temptation with Scripture. Yahoshua, here quotes from Deuteronomy 8:3 — “And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every WORD that comes from the mouth of YHWH.” As He quotes the later part of this passage, i can’t help but think that in this He was also thinking, that the Father knows of what we need. As later when asked to teach on prayer, Yahoshua says, “give us this day our daily bread.” This is the Way of the Rabbi, to hunger and thirst for righteousness. To search the scriptures daily, to meditate on them day and night. Let’s continue with temptation number two . . .
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of Elohim, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command His angels concerning You,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest you strike Your foot against a stone.'”
One wouldn’t think of this as being that great a temptation. Unless you take into account all that would befall Yahoshua. When i read this temptation i am reminded of the moment Yahoshua was taken to the cliff to be thrown down by the Pharisee’s. Just after Yahoshua reads from the Prophet Isaiah in the synagogue, “The Spirit of Adonai is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor.” After reading this passage He rolled up the scroll and said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Hearing this those in the synagogue were filled with wrath. They drove Yahoshua out of town to the cliff and were intent on throwing Him over the edge. However, just when you thought His end was near, “But passing through their midst, He went away.” The devil will tempt us to put Elohim to the test, to seek for signs and wonders, yet His promise is to be there for us in our times of trouble. There isn’t a need to test Him but to trust Him. Yahoshua responds to the devil, “Again it is written, You shall not put Adonai your Elohim to the test.” This response comes from Deuteronomy 6:16 the following verse reads, “You shall diligently keep the commandments of YHWH your Elohim, and His testimonies and His statutes, which He has commanded you. And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of YHWH, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that YHWH swore to give to your fathers.” This is extremely important context! For the Way of the Rabbi is to do the will of the Father, to follow His commandments and statutes. Why? Because, when we live as instructed, we don’t need to worry about such things for He will take care of us. As the lesson found in Luke 4:28-30 reveals, “But passing through their midst, He went away.“
Now the devil attempts to tempt Yahoshua in a way many are tempted today. To submit to him and in so doing gain the riches of this world. “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And He said to Him, ‘All these I will give You, if you will fall down and worship me.‘” There is an easy road that leads to destruction, this is what the Word tells us and many walk it. Even if the road isn’t easy but full of hardship, people will blame Elohim, yet they are not submitting to His way of life. The devil needn’t worry so much about them for he already has them. But the ones who are trying to walk the Way of the Rabbi are tempted, in this way, to just live free, “do as thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law.” It is the temptation of Messiah here, “don’t worry about all that stuff, just submit to me and it is Yours.” Finally, Yahoshua having had enough of the games says, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship Adonai your Elohim and Him only shall you serve.’ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.” In Yahoshua’s response He is quoting from Deuteronomy again, 6:13, the fullness of that passage reads; “It is YHWH your Elohim you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by His name you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you, for YHWH your Elohim in your midst is a jealous Elohim, lest the anger of YHWH your Elohim be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.” WOW! We are to “seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” We don’t need to submit to the devil and his temptations for we serve a Elohim who knows our needs, our wants and our desires. We are to resist the devil in this way, “IT IS WRITTEN!” and he has no choice but to flee.
However, in order to do this one must be versed in Scripture! You must know what it says, why it says it, and be confident in the promises of Elohim. Paul, who is often mis-interpreted, was a Torah observant follower of Messiah Yahoshua and he told Timothy this . . . “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16. He goes on in his letter to warn Timothy, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4. We live in a time of itching ears, a time where people are looking to teachers who widen the path, pervert the Word of Elohim, twist it and make a mockery of it. Yet, we are given a more perfect way, the Way of the Rabbi.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40 “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is Truth.” John 17:17
As Yahoshua said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” So is the Torah described. The Torah is known as the Way, the Path, and Instruction. As we have seen above Yahoshua is Truth, and the Torah, the Word, is Truth. He is Life, Yahoshua is life and the Torah is the life, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of Elohim.” Yahoshua said, “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” Yahoshua said, “If you abide in My word you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Not free to sin or live in rebellion to YHWH and His Word but to live free from the penalty of sin and death. For by grace we have been saved and not of works that anyone should boast. Yet, we are still to live in communion and covenant with Elohim by keeping His word. It isn’t too cumbersome, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We are to love YHWH with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To abide in Him and in His Word. Yahoshua is His Word, made flesh, He didn’t come to contradict Himself but to reveal and make full the wonders of Elohim the Father.
Let me conclude with this verse, “Why do you call Me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them . . . when the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49. This is the Way of the Rabbi.
“You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female;” Genesis 7:2
When we talk about the Levitical Laws, and consequently the dietary laws, the landing point for these conversations is nearly always Leviticus chapter eleven. And since it is found in Leviticus the argument then becomes, “Jesus, did away with the law, we are now under grace.” Yet, as the caption above shows, the designation of clean and unclean predates the Law of Moses by hundreds if not greater than a thousand years. For Noah had to know which animals were clean and which animals were unclean before the flood since he loaded the ark as instructed, seven of every clean animal and two of the unclean. Moses simply clarifies this and writes it down for future generation’s education.
Why do i mention this? Clearly, there are more substantive points to be made. Yes, however, i start here because this stems from an earlier post of mine in which we discussed Melchizedek, mentioned in Genesis 14 and again in Hebrews. (You can read the post here.) The idea of clean and unclean go back to the earliest days recorded Biblically, therefore, it should be considered of historical value. When i was steeped in denominationalism one of the tenants of belief derived from this saying, “The Word, History, and Tradition.” First, what does the Word say, second, what does history show, third, what of tradition. Yet, as we have discussed, time and time again, history shows that we have a propensity to sway from the Word, make our own history and thereby making mans tradition superior to Elohim’s Word. What i have come to understand and believe is simply, what does the Word say, and leave it at that.
Two points in what is considered the New Testament many will raise are these: Jesus’ proclamation and Peter’s vision. Let’s first look at Peter’s story, found in Acts 10. Here in the town of Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion. He was also a devout man who feared Elohim as did all his household. He prayed continually and gave generously to Elohim. Elohim instructs Cornelius, to seek out Peter, and so he does. Peter, being an Israelite, a proud one at that, and zealous for Elohim would be a tough nut to crack. He was zealous for Elohim towards Israel and thought it wrong to include gentile nations, Greeks, Romans, Italians, Spaniards, etc. So while the men Cornelius sent to seek out Peter were yet traveling Peter has a vision. It says he was hungry on a roof top praying at the 6th hour or noon as was customary. In his hunger ridden vision he sees a sheet descending from the sky full of animals, reptiles, and birds. A voice pronounces, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter being a devout Hebrew refuses, “By no means, Adonai; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” (This would indicate that nothing within the sheet was considered food, but a sheet full of unclean things) The voice a second time declares, “What Elohim has made clean, do not call common.”
If the story stopped there i would be in full agreement that the vision was in reference to food and therefore all animals, even ones marked as unclean were made clean by Yahoshua. However, this isn’t the end of the story. Remember the men sent by Cornelius, a Centurion, and an Italian? An unclean gentile of the ruling class that took part in the crucifixion of Yahoshua, has sent men to Peter, might the vision have something to do with that? Well lets check in with Peter. “While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” The men arrive, explain the situation, and the next day Peter and a few friends travel with the men back to Caesarea to meet with Cornelius. After Peter preaches the message of the good news of Yahoshua, the Word made flesh, the gentiles believe and are filled with the Holy Spirit. At the time Acts was written, roughly 60 AD, the Church was about 30 years old give or take. This story is found somewhere in the middle of that, so lets say 15 years into the life of the Church. There were already factions or as they were known Sects that had arisen within Judaism. Much like Denominations today. When word of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit reached the council back in Jerusalem, the circumcision sect was outraged! “This can’t be! The sign of the covenant is circumcision and gentiles are not circumcised, therefore something isn’t right!”
Peter, then describes and interprets his vision. “. . . This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three gentile men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, and making no distinction.” He concludes, “If then Elohim gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in Adonai Yahoshua Messiah, who was I that I could stand in Elohim’s way? When they glorified Elohim, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also Elohim has granted repentance that leads to life.’” You can read the whole account in Acts 10:1–11:18. If this had anything to do with food, anything at all, don’t you think Peter would have mentioned they ate a roast pig or something? The fact is it had and has nothing to do with food but the redemption of humanity through Yahoshua Messiah.
Many will sight Mark 7:19 as a verse in which Yahoshua declares all foods clean. “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?“ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) Notice the parentheses, if your translation has the addendum at all, “Thus he declared all foods clean,” the parentheses indicate that this was added much later, not found in all manuscripts, most likely added erroneously by a pagan convert scribe who enjoyed eating pig. i don’t mean to pick on the pig exclusively, all unclean food for that matter is still unclean and should be avoided. Yet, even still i can hear the voice of some, “But Colossians!” Let’s take a look at Colossians in (my first) conclusion.
“Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Messiah. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, courtships and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from Elohim.” Colossians 2:16-19
Who were the Colossians? First, Colosse was in the Roman province of Asia which is modern-day Türkiye (Turkey). Although, there were Hebrews living in Colosse, they were assimilated into the surrounding culture and therefore considered gentiles to orthodox or Torah observant Israelites. There were of course actual gentiles also living in Colosse, and many had converted to the sect of the Nazarene, or followers of the Way of Messiah Yahoshua. These converts were mainly from pagan traditions of the Greek Culture which was adopted by the Romans. Pagan culture is full of religious overtones, festivals, and feast days, including holy days or modern-day translated Sabbaths in Hebrew, Shabbat.
With this context and understanding, as these pagan converts and assimilated Israelites converted to The Way of Messiah or the Sect of the Nazarene within Judaism it is easy to see why Paul wrote to them to not let anyone pass judgement upon them for their new found ways of living, as Messiah, the Word made flesh, and walk in the dust of the Rabbi. Imitating Him in His obedience to Torah and the Commandments of Elohim. Again, context matters, had Paul been writing to Jews in Jerusalem, one could perhaps take it that Paul was stating do what makes you happy Yahoshua paid the price. But that isn’t the case. These converts were facing persecution for their new found ways and the culture around them was chastising them for observing Torah.
Let me make my second conclusion of this matter with this analogy. Messiah Yahoshua is referred to as the Bridegroom, and likewise His followers are referred to as the Bride of Messiah. In a marriage relationship, if your spouse has grace for you in a matter do you exasperate that grace or do you attempt to change or compromise in order to honor your spouse? It’s not appeasement if it is done in love with the idea of mutual respect and honor. In Revelation 14:12 we read this: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahoshua.” John when writing the commandments of Yahweh is referring to the Torah and he couples that with the faith of Yahoshua, faith of, not faith in, which we can gather by his use of language to mean; to walk as the Rabbi, to walk in the dust of the Rabbi. Or as Paul states, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.”
Now my final conclusion from Pauls writing to the Philippians (Phil 3:15-19). “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, Elohim shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, where to we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the stake of Messiah: Whose end is destruction, whose mighty one is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” We are to be driven by our love for Messiah unto obedience, not out of rule but out of a marital covenant. We are to stand out among the nations, set apart, following the ways of Yahweh. Messiah didn’t come to give us license to live in sin but to show us a more perfect way bound in love for Yahweh, and for His people. And we live this out by loving everyone, we judge those only within the body of Messiah, while we proclaim the truth of salvation to those outside of Messiah. There is a more intimate life that awaits for those who are found in Messiah when He returns.
John 14:15 “If you love Me (Yahoshua), keep My commandments.” i realize this post is a bit all over the place, my apologies, but my heart is for you and my mind is faster than my fingers. my next post will attempt to complete this thought and this series of sorts on Every Wind of Doctrine. However, this is my heart, Messiah came to reveal that there is simplicity in following Him not more burden. He came to reveal and remove the many traditions of man that were heaped on the Israelites and the observers of Torah, to declare, “Come Follow Me! (The WORD made flesh) For My burden is easy and my yoke is light.” He didn’t come so that man could live lawlessly or in Torahlessness, which is of the working of the lawless one himself. And his doctrine which is preached, “Do as though wilt, shall be the whole of the law.” His lie is the same, “You won’t die, for Elohim knows that when you eat of it you will be like Him, knowing both good and evil.” The lawless one twists truth in order to convince humanity to live as him, Messiah Yahoshua, the Word made Flesh, says, “Follow Me.”
Until next time, Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with Elohim.
Every Wind of Doctrine 7 . . . “We haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2
Paul writes to the Philippians, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Some translations render this, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” So many today are reliant upon others faith, others religion, others understanding, that they fail to search the Scriptures daily, to see whether or not what they are being taught is true. Of course there is a grain of truth in everything which makes discerning untruth more difficult. The devil knows this and therefore has been tempting man from the beginning with truth, wrapped convincingly in a lie. “You will be like the Most High, knowing good and evil.” “Did Elohim actually say . . .?” “You won’t surely die . . .”
When Paul and Apollos were in Ephesus, they came across some disciples, recent converts to the Way, and Paul asked them, “‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said to him, ‘No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’ And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ And they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Yahoshua.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of Adonai Yahoshua.’ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.” Acts 19:2-6
Being a follower of the Way is simpler than some have made it and still more difficult than many believe. Yahoshua said, “He who would follow Me will lose his own life.” He said, narrow is the Way, and few find it.” He said, “let the dead bury their own and come follow Me.” He said, to James and John, “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” And they at once left their nets and the family business and followed Him. He said, “Many will say to Me Adonai, Adonai, and I will tell them depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.” He also said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” He said, “Ask of Me and I will give you living water.” He said, “If you lose your life for My sake, then you will find it.” He said, “I will not leave you alone, I go to My Father, and will send you a Helper, the Holy Spirit.”
When we take into consideration our part in being in relationship with Yahoshua it runs a bit deeper than merely believing. We begin to grow in that relationship. We don’t earn our salvation, we cannot out holy others in order to some how achieve the reward of salvation. Salvation is a gift, given by means of grace, to the heart open to receive it. But as Yahoshua called His disciples, they had to leave something behind, themselves, their old selves. They were made new in Messiah. Given new life, new purpose, a new Way of living. Many will say, that i preach a works based salvation, no, i do not work for nor can i earn my salvation. However, because i am saved, because i have been given new life, with new purpose, i choose to walk the new life, the new Way.
This new Way is as easy as it is hard. “‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Yahoshua knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, ‘For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and chose not to walk in the Way any longer. So Yahoshua said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to leave and go your own way also?’” (John 6:64-67)
There are only two ways in this life, The Way, Elohim’s Way, or your own way, the way of Satan. The satanic temple has a saying, “Do as thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law.” This is the lie the devil has been telling many even within the Church today and they are believing it. But this is the working of the lawless one. For Yahoshua, is the Word made flesh, He is the Instruction. i met someone today who said, “Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, and it is our job as flesh to become like the Word.” This is so very true! We are to become like Him, to walk in the footsteps of the Rabbi Yahoshua, who walked in the fullness of the Word of Elohim. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. All things came into being through Him, apart from Him nothing can be.” . . . “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among man, and man saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-3, 14) What is truth? His Word is Truth.
If we are going to walk in the Way, the Way of the Rabbi, the Word, then we must know the Word. We must seek Him, for when we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him. When we ask Him for wisdom He will give us wisdom. When we desire understanding, He will give us understanding. He will bring along those who will ask, “Have you received the Holy Spirit?” And if we have not heard, if we do not know, but we seek through the Scriptures as the Berean’s did daily, He will show us, revealing His truth. Which way do you want to go? On what path will you find yourself, on the broad way, easy, do as thou wilt; or will you take the narrow Way, the Way of instruction, “If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” This word will, is a choice. Choose this day whom you will serve, Elohim Most High, or yourself. Only one leads to life, choose wisely.
Every Wind of Doctrine p6.3 Remember the Sabbath Day
Here is my current conclusion on ‘Remember the Sabbath Day.’ i will begin my conclusion with two quotes one from John Wesley, and this one from a Mr. John William De La Flechere, this quote recorded in a memoir written by John Wesley from the late 1700. “Our national depravity turns greatly on these two hinges, the profanation of the Lord’s day, and the neglect of the education of children.” He later states, “. . . well be a warning to us, to consider a religious observation of the Lord’s day as the best preservative of virtue and religion, and the neglect and profanation of it as the greatest inlet to vice and wickedness.”
John Wesley himself says, regarding the Scripture, “Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy.” He writes, “Have you forgotten who spoke these words? Or do you set Him at defiance? Do you bid Him do His worst? Have a care. You are not stronger than He. ‘Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth; but woe unto the man that contendeth with his Maker. He sitteth on the circle of the heavens; and the inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers before Him!’” Later he writes, “Shall a man then rob God? And art thou the man? Consider, think what thou art doing! Is it not God who giveth thee all thou hast? Every day thou livest, is it not His gift? And wilt thou give Him none? Nay, wilt thou deny Him what is His own already? He will not, He cannot, quit His claim. This day is God’s. It was so from the beginning. It will be so to the end of the world. This He cannot give to another. O ‘render unto God the things that are God’s,’ now; ‘Today, while it is called today!’” Let me conclude Wesley’s portion of my post with this; “The Lord hallowed the Sabbath day, but he hath also blessed it. So that you are an enemy to yourself. You throw away your own blessing, if you neglect to ‘Keep this day holy.’ It is a day of special grace.” [From his sermon: A Word to a Sabbath-Breaker]
In all of my study and research on the Sabbath day it is safe to conclude these historic truths. The theological shift within the Christian churches observance from Saturday to Sunday began in the late first century to late second century. Historically it is linked to the first day of the week, Sunday, because the tomb of our blessed Messiah was discovered empty on the morning of. The Roman Catholic Church formalized this change at the Council of Laodicea (circa 363-364 AD) In the decree it is expressly written along with many other degrading statements toward the Jewish community, “Christians should work on Saturday but rest on Sundays.” Did they forget that the Messiah was an Israelite? That all of Scripture is written around the Hebrew people. That the promise of the coming Messiah would one day sit on the throne as King of Israel? These changes are based on assumed Papal authority of which there is non and the Protestants continued adherence only furthers this delusional belief.
The shift was gradual historically. And overtime we can see that we have drifted from Elohim. As did the people of Israel. In fact any honest reading of the Scriptures will reveal that much of Israels struggles were due to their drift from the Sabbath day. Which lead only to other areas of life becoming lukewarm, until eventually they were sent into exile. The shift away from YHWY was within a generation! Look what happen within a generation of Messiah Yahoshua’s resurrection, we began a slow slip from the Way by profaning the Sabbath. Now the Church has come to believe in a hyper grace movement that leaves out the very real nature of Elohim. His desire, His will, His governance. If the Sabbath day is to be observed in Heaven, doesn’t that mean that it should be observed here on earth? “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” These are the words of Yahoshua when asked by His disciples, “Teach us to pray?” But no we only say the words but for the majority of believers today they will claim their right to lawlessness based on hyper grace and misunderstanding Paul as Peter writes, “He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16)
It is therefore my understanding and now solid belief that we are to observe the Sabbath day and to keep it holy. It is for all people established at creation, set forth in the Ten Commandments, given to all people who would join to Israel. Yahoshua, is the Messiah of Israel and the nations, He will return as King of Israel in Jerusalem where we will make a pilgrimage three times a year throughout the millennium reign of Messiah here on earth. Any other day, any other belief, is, by the Word, the working of the lawless one who seeks to deceive humanity into worshiping him by worshipping themselves and placing the traditions of man above the very Word of Elohim.
Every Wind of Doctrine p6.2 Remember the Sabbath Day
Saint Augustine, Book VIII Chapter 12, 2/3 down the first paragraph begin: “Somehow I flung myself down beneath a fig tree and gave way to the tears which now streamed from my eyes, the sacrifice that is acceptable to you. I had much to say to you, my God, not in these very words but in this strain: ‘Lord, will you never be content?’ (Psalm 6:3) ‘Must we always taste your vengeance? Forget the long record of our sins.’ (Psalm 79:5, 8) For I felt that I was still the captive of my sins, and in my misery I kept crying ‘How long shall I go on saying “tomorrow, tomorrow”? Why not now? Why not make an end of my ugly sins at this moment?’”
To which i thought as i read Augustine’s words; The heart felt plea of a man broken and seeking truth, wanting truth, desiring a life lived that pleases Elohim, our Father, through Yahoshua, His Son, the ONLY PATH, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. This is the broken and contrite spirit that Adonai desires, for it is in our emptiness that we are able to be filled. Remember, on this journey of life as we seek The Way, He has said, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of Elohim rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6) “‘Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does Yahweh require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” (Micah 6:7, 8)
Augustine continues: “I was asking myself these questions, weeping all the while with the most bitter sorrow in my heart, when all at once I heard the singsong voice of a child in a nearby house. Whether it was the voice of a boy or a girl I cannot say, but again and again it repeated the refrain ‘Take it and read, take it and read’. At this I looked up, thinking hard whether there was any find of game in which children used to chant words like these, but I could not remember ever hearing the before. I stemmed by flood of tears and stood up, telling myself that this could only be a divine command to open my book of Scripture and read the first passage on which my eyes should fall. For I had heard the story of Antony, and I remembered how he had happened to go into a church while the Gospel was being read and had taken it as a counsel addressed to himself when he heard the words ‘Go home and sell all that belongs to you. Give it to the poor, and so the treasure you have shall be in heaven; then come back and follow me.’ (Matthew 19:21) By this divine pronouncement he had at once been converted to you.”
The more i read his words the more i resonate with them, with his heart, and emotion. i recall a time in a prayer chapel in which i had an encounter that cannot be easily explained yet is as simple to understand as ‘Take it and read, take it and read’. To which i did and in no less enthusiasm as Augustine pens, my life from that moment forward would have new meaning, new purpose, and new challenges. Yet all The Way my Savior leads me. So what did Augustine read that so impacted his life?
Augustine continues: “. . . continuing Paul’s Epistles. I seized it and opened it, and in silence I read the first passage on which my eyes fell: ‘Not in revealing and drunkenness, not in lust and wantonness, not it quarrels and rivalries. Rather, arm yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ [Adonai Yahoshua Messiah]; spend no more thought on nature and nature’s appetites.’ (Romans 13:13, 14) I had no wish to read more and no need to do so. For in an instant, as I came to the end of the sentence, it was as though the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.”
Augustine held to an eighth day sabbath or first of the week. He writes however, on the importance of observing the Sabbath-Day by stating: “Well, then, is it owing to the one precept about the Sabbath-Day, which is included in it, that the Decalogue is called ‘the letter that killeth?’ Because, forsooth, every man that still observes that day in its literal appointment is carnally wise, but to be carnally wise is nothing else than death? And must the other nine commandments, which are rightly observed in their literal form, not be regarded as belonging to the law of works by which none is justified, but to the law of faith whereby the just man lives? Who can possibly entertain so abused an opinion as to suppose that ‘the ministration of death, written and engraved in stone,’ is not said equally of all the Ten Commandments, but only of the solitary one touching the Sabbath-Day? (Written in his reply to Faustus the Manichaean, Book VI-2)
So many throughout history have qualified the importance of ‘Remembering’ the Sabbath day as important as following any of the Ten Commandments. It really isn’t until more recently that the Sabbath day has become even a reproach to the Sunday morning followers of Jesus. The notion that any day is Sabbath now in Jesus is another cancer on the modern church. Although, many giants of the faith have made this statement they still adhered to a Sabbath day routine, which attempted to maintain the solemnity of the Sabbath itself. As i have ventured in my reading of Scripture the Sabbath day has jumped off the page because over and over again it was the most outward sign of being in covenant with Yahweh. You don’t wear your circumcision on the outside, no one see’s that but Elohim and your wife, but a Sabbath day is seen by all.
Calendar’s through time have changed but the people of Elohim (the Hebrew Nation known as Israel) have kept the seventh day. There are sects to this day that follow a new moon sabbath count for days, weeks, months and years. Yet the majority of the followers of The Way, have observed the present day calendar as a symbol, that although they live in the world, they are not part of the world. And as one must live within the society of exile they partake in a manner that gives Elohim the glory above local traditions of man. Hence my reason for observing a Saturday Sabbath over a Sunday one. For if it were so, it would be Sabbath for all children of Elohim.
A commandment so important that it is an eternal outward sign, like a wedding ring, of the covenant, and is highlighted out of the Ten with the word Remember, which means, ‘to mention, to record, to make a memorial, make remembrance, to be brought to remembrance, brought to mind;’ should make one pause as to how they are doing just that. How are you “Remember[ing] the Sabbath day, to keep it holy? Is it just a thought, a nice idea, a fulfilled sign?
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ‘Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of Yahweh your Elohim; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days Yahweh mad the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in the, and rested on the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11
How does one ensure even his servant isn’t working? After Sunday service, he runs to the store. He might stop at the diner for lunch and then tip poorly. How can you say one ought to be in Church to hear the Word and be Saved? Yet, you still require them to serve you after not hearing a Word that was said from the pulpit. For too long now, the modern church has had an anti-christ spirit regarding the Sabbath day. I think, given the times we are now in, it is time to repent. We should do our best to REMEMBER the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Every Wind of Doctrine p6.2 Remember the Sabbath Day
Saint Augustine, Book VIII Chapter 12, 2/3 down the first paragraph begin: “Somehow I flung myself down beneath a fig tree and gave way to the tears which now streamed from my eyes, the sacrifice that is acceptable to you. I had much to say to you, my God, not in these very words but in this strain: ‘Lord, will you never be content?’ (Psalm 6:3) ‘Must we always taste your vengeance? Forget the long record of our sins.’ (Psalm 79:5, 8) For I felt that I was still the captive of my sins, and in my misery I kept crying ‘How long shall I go on saying “tomorrow, tomorrow”? Why not now? Why not make an end of my ugly sins at this moment?’”
To which i thought as i read Augustine’s words; The heart felt plea of a man broken and seeking truth, wanting truth, desiring a life lived that pleases Elohim, our Father, through Yahoshua, His Son, the ONLY PATH, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. This is the broken and contrite spirit that Adonai desires, for it is in our emptiness that we are able to be filled. Remember, on this journey of life as we seek The Way, He has said, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of Elohim rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6) “‘Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does Yahweh require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.” (Micah 6:7, 8)
Augustine continues: “I was asking myself these questions, weeping all the while with the most bitter sorrow in my heart, when all at once I heard the singsong voice of a child in a nearby house. Whether it was the voice of a boy or a girl I cannot say, but again and again it repeated the refrain ‘Take it and read, take it and read’. At this I looked up, thinking hard whether there was any kind of game in which children used to chant words like these, but I could not remember ever hearing them before. I stemmed by flood of tears and stood up, telling myself that this could only be a divine command to open my book of Scripture and read the first passage on which my eyes should fall. For I had heard the story of Antony, and I remembered how he had happened to go into a church while the Gospel was being read and had taken it as a counsel addressed to himself when he heard the words ‘Go home and sell all that belongs to you. Give it to the poor, and so the treasure you have shall be in heaven; then come back and follow me.’ (Matthew 19:21) By this divine pronouncement he had at once been converted to you.”
The more i read his words the more i resonate with them, with his heart, and emotion. i recall a time in a prayer chapel in which i had an encounter that cannot be easily explained yet is as simple to understand as ‘Take it and read, take it and read’. To which i did and in no less enthusiasm as Augustine pens, my life from that moment forward would have new meaning, new purpose, and new challenges. Yet all The Way my Savior leads me. So what did Augustine read that so impacted his life?
Augustine continues: “. . . continuing Paul’s Epistles. I seized it and opened it, and in silence I read the first passage on which my eyes fell: ‘Not in reveling and drunkenness, not in lust and wantonness, not it quarrels and rivalries. Rather, arm yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ [Adonai Yahoshua Messiah]; spend no more thought on nature and nature’s appetites.’ (Romans 13:13, 14) I had no wish to read more and no need to do so. For in an instant, as I came to the end of the sentence, it was as though the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.”
Augustine held to an eighth day sabbath or first of the week. He writes however, on the importance of observing the Sabbath-Day by stating: “Well, then, is it owing to the one precept about the Sabbath-Day, which is included in it, that the Decalogue is called ‘the letter that killeth?’ Because, forsooth, every man that still observes that day in its literal appointment is carnally wise, but to be carnally wise is nothing else than death? And must the other nine commandments, which are rightly observed in their literal form, not be regarded as belonging to the law of works by which none is justified, but to the law of faith whereby the just man lives? Who can possibly entertain so abused an opinion as to suppose that ‘the ministration of death, written and engraved in stone,’ is not said equally of all the Ten Commandments, but only of the solitary one touching the Sabbath-Day? (Written in his reply to Faustus the Manichaean, Book VI-2)
So many throughout history have qualified the importance of ‘Remembering’ the Sabbath day as important as following any of the Ten Commandments. It really isn’t until more recently that the Sabbath day has become even a reproach to the Sunday morning followers of Jesus. The notion that any day is Sabbath now in Jesus is another cancer on the modern church. Although, many giants of the faith have made this statement they still adhered to a Sabbath day routine, which attempted to maintain the solemnity of the Sabbath itself. As i have ventured in my reading of Scripture the Sabbath day has jumped off the page because over and over again it was the most outward sign of being in covenant with Yahweh. You don’t wear your circumcision on the outside, no one see’s that but Elohim and your wife, but a Sabbath day is seen by all.
Calendar’s through time have changed but the people of Elohim (the Hebrew Nation known as Israel) have kept the seventh day. There are sects to this day that follow a new moon sabbath count for days, weeks, months and years. Yet the majority of the followers of The Way, have observed the present day calendar as a symbol that although they live in the world they are not part of the world. And as one must live within the society of exile they partake in a manner that gives Elohim the glory above local traditions of man. Hence my reason for observing a Saturday Sabbath over a Sunday one for if it were so, it would be Sabbath for all children of Elohim.
A commandment so important that it is an eternal outward sign, like a wedding ring, of the covenant, and is highlighted out of the Ten with the word Remember, which means, ‘to mention, to record, to make a memorial, make remembrance, to be brought to remembrance, brought to mind;’ should make one pause as to how they are doing just that. How are you “Remember[ing] the Sabbath day, to keep it holy? Is it just a thought, a nice idea, a fulfilled sign?
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ‘Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of Yahweh your Elohim; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days Yahweh made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11
How does one make sure that even his servant isn’t working if after Sunday service he runs to the store, or stops at the diner for lunch and then tips poorly? How can you say, one ought to be in Church to hear the Word and be Saved and yet still require them to serve you after not hearing a Word that was said from the pulpit? For too long now the modern church has had an anti-christ spirit when it comes to the Sabbath day and i think given the times we are now in it is time to repent and do our best to REMEMBER the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Every Wind of Doctrine p6.1 Remember the Sabbath Day
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day Elohim finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. So Elohim blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it Elohim rested from all His work that He had done in creation.” Genesis 2:1-3
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your Elohim. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11
The Catholic Mirror September 9, 1893– “We deem it necessary to be perfectly clear on this point — The Bible — the Old Testament — confirmed by the living tradition tradition of weekly practice for 3383 years by the chosen people of God, teaches, then, with absolute certainty, that God had, Himself, named the day ‘To be kept holy to Him’ – that the day was Saturday, and that any violation of that command was punishable with death.”
Peter Geiermann, C.S.S.R., The Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine Third Edition — Question: Which is the Sabbath day? Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day. Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday? Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church in the Council of Laodicea, transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.
Don’t you find it interesting that the one commandment that specifically states, “REMEMBER” is the very commandment that has been abandoned by the majority of professing believers in Jesus? Some will say every day is Sabbath in Jesus. Others still not of Catholic faith directly but indirectly as they follow many of its traditions hold to a Sunday Sabbath. John Wesley, although he observed Sunday, said, “But, the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, and enforced by the prophets, he [Christ] did not take away. It was not the design of his coming to revoke any part of this. This is a law which never can be broken . . . Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind, and in all ages; as not depending either on time or place, or any other circumstances liable to change, but on the nature of God and the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other.” There are various opinions on why Wesley spoke so highly of the Sabbath but yet observed Sunday. But by the boldness of his statement one would think we ought to honor the true Sabbath. What is the true Sabbath? Well, as quoted above for 3383 years (roughly 3514 years now) the chosen people of Elohim have observed Saturday or its equivalent as the Sabbath Day.
Throughout history there have been calendars with 10, 12, and 13 months. Some of the earliest were the Sumerian calendar, followed by the Egyptian, Assyrian and Elamite calendars and more recently switched from a the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in 1582. In these various calendars, months have different names, days are labeled differently as well, but with the exception of the Egyptian calendar (and a few localized regional calendars) they had one thing in common, they were based on 7 day periods. It’s almost as if all things had a common origin. Perhaps they did— “IN the Beginning Elohim created…and on the seventh day He rested.”
Clovis G. Chappell, another Methodist, in his —Ten Rules for Living— wrote, “The reason we observe the first day instead of the seventh is based on no positive command. One will search the Scriptures in vain for authority for changing from the seventh day to the first.” Dwight L. Moody in his writing, Weighed and Wanting, wrote— “The Sabbath was binding in Eden, and it has been in force ever since. This fourth commandment begins with the word ‘remember,’ showing that the Sabbath already existed when God wrote the law on the tablets of stone at Sinai. How can men claim that this one commandment has been done away with when they will admit that the other nine are still binding?”
i write this for your consideration, for you to begin to ask the question and to be a Berean and search the whole of Elohim’s Word for the answer. What does Elohim have to say about the Sabbath? Yahoshua, said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law [Torah = Instruction] until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19
So what is the spirit behind the change? There is an answer found in Scripture. Daniel writes, “He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.” 9Daniel 7:25) This is the working of the Lawless one, the son of perdition, the anti-Messiah. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 warns, “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore Elohim sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Josephus, a Jewish historian, Priest, and member of the Pharisees, born roughly four years after the death and resurrection of Yahoshua had a unique perspective of the early believers and the sect of Judaism known as the Nazarenes. In Josephus’s discourse concerning Hades, he writes, “And now, if you Gentiles will be persuaded by these motives, and leave your vain imaginations about your pedigrees, and gaining of riches and philosophy, and will not spend your time about subtleties of words, and hereby lead your minds into error, and if you will apply your ears to the hearing of the inspired prophets, [the prophets being referred to here is those of the Torah and the Tanakh] the interpreters, both of God and of His Word, and will believe in God, you shall both be partakers of these things, and obtain the good things that are to come, you shall see the ascent into the immense heaven plainly, and that kingdom which is there; for what God hath now concealed in silence (will be then made manifest) what neither eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him.”
In my next post we will look at Saint Augustine and look at a passage from his journal, Saint Augustine Confessions. i would write it here but this post is already too long. Let me leave you with this, ask yourself this question, if you ask someone to remember something that requires an action, when you say “remember” what is your expectation?
“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” (Torahlessness) 1 John3:4
For the majority of modern churches in our westernized culture you will find circuses entertaining the masses. Seeking new ways to wow and attract crowds with watered down messages of tranquility, prosperity, and lawlessness, since in the majority of churches the law is done away. This might be a bit harsh but even a little dip into history reveals not too long ago a different church existed. In the book “The Fisherman and His Friends,” Louis Albert Banks writes in a sermon titled; ‘Cornelius, the Truth Seeker,’ from 1896;
“If your house were on fire and your property in danger of being consumed, and the fire company which had been summoned should come and locate the engine in the street before your house, and instead of pouring a stream of water upon the fire and trying to drench out the flames as speedily as possible, should go through a dress parade drill in the street for your entertainment, and seek to amuse you and excite your admiration by showing you how high or how far they could throw a stream of water in some other direction, how indignant you would be! You would rush up to the superintendent in a frenzy of despair, and cry out, ‘Man, are you crazy? Don’t you see my house is being consumed. What do you suppose we care for all this parade? Turn your stream of water on the fire before it is too late!’”
Caring on from our look at Melchizedek, and the idea of the High Priestly Order of which Yahoshua is in line. We can see this as being before Mt. Sinai, before the official commandments were given, yet, we understand through Genesis and to Abraham, Yahweh, revealed Himself in such away that it was without doubt, He was the creator of the all things. The commandment to which is of greatest importance, “…Love Adonai your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Is a direct reflection of the first three, even four commandments. Beginning, “Thou Shalt have no other Mighty Ones before Me.” (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7; Matthew 4:10; John 4:24; Revelation 19:10).
The thing of utmost importance seems to be relationship with Yahweh, through fellowship with Yahoshua and faith therein. To be a follower of the Way, a member of the Ekklesia, one must act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. Some will say, “it is as easy as faith!” Yet, even faith requires Shema! Modern translators render ‘Shema’ as Hear. They aren’t wrong, but they aren’t completely right either. Shema means, to Listen and Obey. There is a response to believing. To Shema is to hear, listen, and put that which you received into practice, obey.
In the afore mentioned sermon by Louis Albert Banks, he later states, “He (Cornelius) at once accepted Messiah as his Savior, and made the most public and open confession of Yahoshua that he could make. There is your consistent and honest truth-seeker! Many men pretend to be seeking after the truth made free by the truth because the moment he came to know it he accepted it and acted upon it.” (For the full sermon in audio form check out my podcast cjwillpodcastit on your favorite podcast platform).
Too many, today, are more concerned with being entertained then they are to Shema. Too many, are concerned with what they can get away with now under the blood of Messiah then to Shema. Too many, aren’t concerned about Yahoshua’s words, “If you love Me, obey My commandments” and more concerned about the traditions of man. If sin is lawlessness, which is Torahlessness, what are we being saved from?
Louis Albert Banks concludes his sermon with these words: “The great lesson of all this story of Cornelius is to act at once obediently to all the light Elohim gives us. I am sure there is no one of you that can go up to the judgment seat at last and say, ‘I would have been saved, but no one was faithful enough to my soul to warn me of the danger of my sin, and tell me the simple story of salvation through faith in Yahoshua Messiah.’ You have light enough. If you never heard the Gospel before, hear it now: ‘The wages of sin is death, but the gift of Elohim is eternal life, through Yahoshua Messiah our Adonai.’ ‘Except ye be born again ye can not see the kingdom of Elohim.’ ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ ‘And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hearth say, Come. And let him that is athrist come. And whosever will, let him take the water of life freely.’”
i don’t know a lot but i do know this . . . There is forgiveness in Yahoshua, and the simple message of His yoke, is, act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your Elohim.
Understanding the Order of Melchizedek has really fit perfectly as a subtopic under “Every Wind of Doctrine”. In part four of this series i want to unpack who and what others have said, believe and instituted, around this mysterious King of Salem. You see, Melchizedek is found in other Abrahamic religions with similar themes of his life and influence which confirms his existence.
For instance, in Islam: Melchizedek is not mentioned by this name but many Scholars believe he is referred to as Khidr in the Quran. In Isma’ilism, Melchizedek is known as Malik — Salám; “King of Peace.” In a 1300s Ismaili treatise it is said that Malik would return as a righteous judge and reveal the divine mysteries which have been kept secret by the prophets throughout history.
In Mormonism, Melchizedek, and Aaron are two biblical figures that Joseph Smith declares in “Doctrine and Covenants” to be the Order of Priesthood in which male followers of Mormonism are appointed. Melchizedek is also mentioned in Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and The Armenian Apostolic Church to name a few. In protestantism Melchizedek is a historical figure and said to be a type and shadow of Christ.
However, Melchizedek goes further back than Christianity, and Islam and offshoots thereof. In the Midrash text of Talmudic tradition — it says, that it is by Melchizedek that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, yielded their blessing and prosperity.
How is it that we get so much thought into who and what of Melchizedek with just a couple of passages in Scripture? And one of those being New Testament teachings of which came well after the Talmudic tradition, in fact many including myself would say, it is the Talmudic traditions that Yahoshua was speaking when he criticized the religious leaders of His day and not the Torah.
Here are the passages most Christians reference when referring to Melchizedek: Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6-11; 6:20-7:28.
Here’s where things get interesting, 11QMelchizedek is the label given for the ancient writings found among the Dead Sea Scrolls that speak on Melchizedek. Named thus because they were found in cave 11 of the Qumran writings. In these ancient texts it is said, that Melchizedek will return to proclaim the Day of Atonement, which is Yom Kippur, the Holiest Day in Judaism, where he will judge the people. He is referred to as being the general of heavenly armies, a visible representation of Elohim, redeemer of the people of Adonai, He is called El or Elohim.
The 2nd book of Enoch says Melchizedek was born miraculously, later taken by the Angel Gabriel to heaven and later returned to earth after the flood to institute and instruct the people in the ways of Elohim. It is said that he was Priest and King of Salem, many believe Salem to be Jerusalem. In Hebrews we read:
“He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of Elohim he continues a priest forever.” Hebrews 7:2-3
It is easy to see here that much of the story found in 2nd Enoch is present in the writing to the Hebrews. In fact one would say that it appears the Apostles were well versed in the traditions and teachings of Enoch, well enough to sight this instance since what we read in Genesis and Psalms do not include references to his genealogy or lack thereof. Melchizedek is also mentioned in the book of Jasher, both of these books, Enoch and Jasher are part of the Apocrypha but not the canon of Scripture therefore most Protestants are clueless to the magnificence of their history, and their influence on the New Testament writers.
Besides Jasher, Enoch, Genesis, Psalms and Hebrews, we read about Melchizedek through Philo, who was a contemporary of Yahoshua, he calls Melchizedek the king of peace, Elohim’s own Priest, The Logos which is the Greek word for ‘word’. He also says of Melchizedek that he was self taught and instinctive. Later, Josephus would also write about Melchizedek.
After all of this i was struck by a few things, the titles used; King of Peace, King of Righteousness, The Word, General of Heavenly Armies, High Priest Forever of Elohim (YHWH), Redeemer. All of these same titles are given to Yahoshua. Another point of interest, Melchizedek met Abraham with bread and wine; and Yahoshua had a covenant meal of bread and wine with His disciples. So with all of this as i stated in my last post, is it possible that the Levitical Priesthood is what was done away with and not the Commandments of which they were caretakers?
If Melchizedek, and Yahoshua, had the same titles and as it appears, the same roles, past, present, and future, isn’t it reasonable to assume that the truth given to Abraham and the covenant given to him as well as that which was instituted prior to the flood, namely, Sabbath, clean and unclean, essentially the 10 Commandments and offerings unto Yahweh are universal and therefore carry the same significance today for the people of Yahweh? After all Yahoshua, states more than once, “If you love Me, obey My Commandments.” And if Yahoshua is the Word and the High Priest Forever, who makes atonement for us still declares to many, “Depart from Me you who practice lawlessness.” Which is actually better translated, without Torah, those without instruction. Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, He is our instruction and our instructor, He empowers us to keep the Word by writing it on our hearts.
The Priesthood of Elohim is not through corruptible man in the Levitical tradition but by the High Priestly role of the divine Yahoshua. Prince of Peace, King of Righteousness, The Word of Elohim, General of the Heavenly Armies, Redeemer, King Forever, who will soon return for the Day of Atonement and therefore also the Day of Judgement. Will you be found to be without instruction?
Looking ahead, i will explore the overlapping areas of the Levitical priesthood and the instruction instituted from creation and that which is to come in the millennium.
When Yahoshua returns will He find faith on the earth? Will you be found to be with or without Instruction?
The Way of the Rabbi 