Tag: God

The Coming of the Lawless One

“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.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Let us start here with the idea of the coming of the lawless one. First, we need to figure out what this term lawless one means. We also need to understand what it meant to first century believers. Penned by Paul shortly after his first letter to the Thessalonians about 51 AD give or take a year. His purpose is to encourage the people of the Way, as they suffered persecution from the pagan culture that surrounded them as well as assimilated Israelite’s, also known as gentiles. The first and second century believers were a sect of Judaism known as “the Sect of the Nazarene”. They were apart of the Synagogue, went to the Sabbath meetings, observed the feasts, and various traditions, overly so in some cases and under in others. This is why the Jerusalem council met and unfortunately why part of the clarification has been misinterpreted today. The church has been evolving for two thousand years, not all for the good, but not all of it bad either. Some question the idea of the church wavering so, and i simply point to the book of Exodus, or Judges, or Jeremiah, or . . . pick one book found in the Tanakh, and you will see that within a generation things can fall apart. Or just look around at the political and cultural landscape today and you can see easily how fast things can change. So it isn’t a stretch to think that man could mess up what Messiah left.

So with this understanding we can easily see that lawless meant Torah-less without Torah. i think the most egregious misinterpretation of Scripture was to render Torah as law. When it is better translated, instruction, or path, or way. But even if we use the term law the idea doesn’t change. To be without Elohim’s instruction is to be outside the will of the Father. Without His path, His way, one is thereby lawless. Someone who believes the Torah has been done away with needs only to wrestle with the question, what is sin.

i believe many in the Christian Church when they read; “The coming of the lawless one,” think the Constitution of the United States or governing body. When in actuality the coming of “the lawless one is by the activity of Satan. With all power and false signs and wonders.” Therefore, the lawlessness ascribed to here is that of Elohim’s law, and not the law of the land created by man. This is not to say that we are not to adhere to the laws of the land, we are! i am simply stating the fact that the lawless that is referred to here is Torahlessness. To make this point more clear, we can look at the idea of sin, what is sin? Simply, as John writes, “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4). Again, this law that is being broken is Torah, which again isn’t law at all but instruction. Reminder, the Torah although translated law is more accurately translated to instruction, or path, or way. Remember when Yahoshua said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”? Or think about when John writes, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This is the idea, that Yahoshua is the living Torah. He didn’t come to do away with Himself but to bring fullness to the way of the Father, Yahweh.

So then what is the activity of the lawless one? It is the spirit of Anti-Christ, or Anti-Messiah. To oppose, or in opposition of truth, it is the “do as thou wilt”, mantra of the satanic bible. When Yahoshua walked with His disciples He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.” The Torah or better yet, the Way, Path, or instruction can be broken down in that statement. The Torah is the way. The Torah is Truth — “Your Word is Truth”. The Torah is Life — “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of Elohim.” Now, Yahoshua, as John describes is “The Word made flesh. . .” Which makes total sense that the Anti-Messiah will come in opposition to the Torah or the Instructions of Yahweh and the living Word, Yahoshua.

People will instantly say in rebuttal, “Do you keep all the law?” Well no i don’t. And a simple cursory reading of the Tanakh will show why. Some laws are only for women, i am not a woman. Some laws are only for married men, i am not married. Some laws are for Priests and Levite’s, i am not a Priest or a Levite. Some Laws are for the High Priest, i am not the High Priest. Some Laws are for living within Jerusalem, i am not in Jerusalem. Do you get the point? So what laws do we follow? Yahoshua, said, “Love Elohim with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and the second, love your neighbor as yourself. On these two the whole of the law and the prophets hold together.” Notice they hold together and not replace. Also, they are not new, both are “Old Testament” quotes. If we truly love the Father and His Son, the King of the Heavenly Kingdom, should we not then live under their rule? Which according to Deuteronomy 30:11 and 1 John 5:3 “And His commandments are not burdensome.” Some will say, these apply only to Jews, but Exodus 12:49 says, “There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”

So, what is one to do? The law doesn’t save us, we can keep the law all day long but if we don’t have a relationship with Elohim through Yahoshua the law is useless. This was Paul’s point and James who says, “Faith without works is dead.” Micah, sums it up this way, “He has shown you oh man, what is good, and what does Elohim require of you, but to Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with your Elohim.” This would look like following the 10 Commandments, not just 9 of them. This would look like “Pure and undefiled religion is this, to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” This would look like, “When you did it to the least of these, you did it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40). This would look like walking in the footsteps of the Rabbi Yahoshua, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” This would look like, “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and therefore profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be competent, equipped for for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Another way to look at it is this, we are the bride of Messiah. The most used marriage passage is 1 Corinthians 13. If we love Yahweh as much as we say we love Him, and if we love His Son Yahoshua as much as we say we love Him, then 1 Corinthians 13 should apply. “…but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. . . So what remains is faith, hope and love, so abide in them; yet still the greatest of these is love.” And remember what Yahoshua said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life . . .” He is the instructor and the instruction, the instruction made flesh, the fullness of the shadow of things to come. He is the revealer of all truth and we must walk in His way.

“If you love Me . . .”

You are loved,
cj

Love each other . . .

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” — “These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” John 15: 12,17 (12-17)

The new commandment isn’t to love one another, as the Scriptures already declared that we are to love: “Do not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am YHWY.” Leviticus 19:18 — Love has been the command of life from the beginning. We are instructed to: Love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44); which includes doing good to those who persecute you. We are told not to return evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9). Yahoshua reiterates the commandment to love in Matthew 22:37-39 — “And Yahoshua said to him, ‘You shall love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and great command. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The new command is simply the example of love, “just as I have loved you”. How has Yahoshua demonstrated His love? Between the John 15:12 and 17 we read: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” How did Yahoshua lay down His life? He served, He didn’t regard His position, His equality to Elohim, His Sonship, but rather emptied Himself and become a servant. He healed, He taught, He washed feet, He made wine, He wept, He died.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” What sort of love? One that serves, one that weeps, one that heals, one willing to wash feet, dying to self, living for Yahoshua.

As the song goes: “They will know that we are Christians by our love.”

We are called to love as Yahoshua loves and not as the world loves. For the world loves with expectation, “what do I get out of it?” Yahoshua taught us to love, because, He first loved us, period.

By our love.

You are loved,
cj

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

If you believe in the message above help spread the word with a like, a share, and if possible a donation to support this project.

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly

A Kind Word

“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:10

One can learn a lot, when there is nothing to do but learn. One can observe a lot, when there is nothing to do but observe. One can grow a lot, when there is nothing to do but grow. The problem is that we like to fill our lives with fillers; Inconsequential things, that suck the life and time out of our day. i had roughly sixty days where there was quite literally nothing to do but learn, observe, and grow, and i took full advantage. Even now i am in a season in which i am taking every opportunity to learn from the Word, from others, from life. i am taking every opportunity to be observant of others so that i can be attentive and i am taking every chance to allow for growth both mentally and spiritually.

During my sixty day hiatus, in a cell built for one, filled with two, doing time, i spent most of it learning to be more attentive. The CO’s (correction officers) were not regarded well especially if there was a perceived weakness or an experience to exploit. Females were gawked at and taunted for being, well, female; “Say that with your chest out!” If it was a male CO most of the ridicule came based on appearance, especially if that appearance was that of a 15 year old boy, dubbed a middle schooler or a rugrat. These were of course the G rated terms used. Even other CO’s would ridicule each other, some more harshly than others, based on these same characteristics.

There is a point in Yahoshua’s early ministry when His own family didn’t believe in Him. John records it this way, “So His brothers said to Him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works You are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.’ For NOT even His brothers believed in Him.” (John 7:3-5)

Have you ever been in a situation where people didn’t believe in you or didn’t have faith that you were able to get the job done? It is never easy to work in that type of environment. Now make that environment one filled with men or women doing time and suddenly the atmosphere changes. One afternoon the guys were being especially, umm how should i say, demeaning to a young guard who in all honesty looked like he was 15 years old. When my particular group was let out for our free time i made it a point to walk over to the CO and say, “Don’t listen to these knuckleheads, if i were your dad, i would be extremely proud of you.” His response overwhelmed me, “Thank you” pause, a shine in the eye, “for that.” Without realizing it, the young CO lifted his shoulders, used a hand to press out his shirt from his chest to his waist, with a new spark in his eye.

i was constantly thinking of Paul while he was imprisoned. How did he act. In Acts 16, He and Silas were praying and singing hymns to Elohim, when there was an earthquake that made a way of escape. However, neither Paul nor Silas, or anyone for that matter took advantage. When the jailer saw that it appeared all had escaped, he was about to take his own life. When Paul yelled out, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” Now there was no earthquake, no opportunity for escape, but i still thought in that moment that young man needed an encouraging word.

Proverbs 15:1 — “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” And Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of building up, that it may minister grace to the hearers.” A kind word or a gentle spirit can change the spirit of most every environment. You can effect the atmosphere of a situation with the power of speech. James warns of its power in chapter three of his book. i know for a fact that i have used the power of the tongue wrongly, for that i am sorrowful. However, each day, moment, conversation, is a new opportunity to use the power of speech to speak a kind word.

May we all become observant in ways that we become aware of those around us and then choose to use the power of speech to speak a kind word, changing the atmosphere of our environment for good.

You are loved,
cj

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

If you believe in the message above help spread the word with a like, a share, and if possible a donation to support this project.

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly

Leaving so soon?

“I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of YHWH. YHWH has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to YHWH. This is the gate of YHWH; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank You that You have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Psalm 118:17-22

It seems the world, driven by the elite’s, is seeking new ways to eternal life. We can look at organizations like the World Economic Forum, or corporations like Meta and its creation of the Metaverse. We can also look at the progress being made in the world of AI. It seems the faster technology expands the greater the desire for eternal life. Yet with all of the worlds progress towards this goal the one actual road that leads to eternity is being missed all together. Perhaps because it is narrow and not wide open, maybe because it calls to us from a place of righteousness, sacrifice, and surrender. It doesn’t come with a promise to be easy, only that in the end, it will be worth it.

The adage, “what have you done for me lately”, plays like a symphony to selfish side of our humanity. Yahoshua points this out in John 6:26-27; “Hear this now, what I say to you, you are seeking Me not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him Elohim the Father has set His seal.”

It is this nature within humanity, which is a result of the fall recorded in Genesis, that harkens us to desire worldly pleasure. It overcomes us because the flesh is weak. The same lie satan told Eve in the garden is the same lie he is still whispering to us today, “Did Elohim really say?” If he can get us to doubt he can then entice us to walk the wide path that leads to destruction. Unlike what the world would have us believe there are only two roads, two options, a fork in the road that at some point each of us must decide, “Should I go to the left, with its wide path, full of people, doing as they please? Or, should I go to the right, although it looks narrow, and there are few people on it?”

Yahoshua, recorded by Matthew puts it this way; “Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Those that follow Yahoshua with the idea, “what have you done for me lately,” are more susceptible to the changing wind of doctrine we are warned of in Scripture. A new or different gospel. When Yahoshua explained to all that were following Him that there is a level of commitment beyond just being fed, many walked away.

“After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” John 6:66 it seems a fitting verse number doesn’t it? So many teach of great prosperity, no harm, no sickness, only blessings, manna from heaven. Yet, the Bread of Life, Yahoshua teaches a different truth. A narrow path. He calls us to endure, tells us that we will be hated, even killed, for following Him. This is the way that leads to eternal life. Our life in this present age is short, eternity, is well forever! So the question Yahoshua asked the remaining few is the same question He asks the few now, “Are you also going to leave?” How will you answer Him?

He never promised it would be easy, He only promises it will be worth it. These new teachings, new doctrines, new paths to enlightenment, are not new. They are the same lie the serpent told in the garden. Who will you believe? The Creator of the Universe or the fallen one? There is one way, Yahoshua, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Call upon His name, seek first His Kingdom. Put on the full armor of Elohim, and stand ready to endure what is quickly approaching.

When things get tough, are you also going to leave?

You are loved,
cj

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

If you believe in the message above help spread the word with a like, a share, and if possible a donation to support this project.

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly

He is Coming.

It’s faint, in the distance, the group falls silent. How far, is hard to tell. Yet, it is distinct like the sound of one walking a trail in a thick forest. The sound brings with it a feeling, and it inspires the senses. A smell of pine in the air along with falls crisp morning. Even in the house one feels as if their very souls were as dew settling on the grass. It is both comforting and alarming. Sitting around the table a hush has fallen as they search each others eye’s and yet look past them. It’s hard to think about. It’s wonderful, yet it is also unknown. Silence is broken as one musters up the strength, in a quiet breath, just slightly above a whisper, “He’s coming.”

This is not a new scene. It has played out before. Once in a garden, once in a stable, and now. The feeling of what is to come has been here before and all along. He walked in the garden and we hid in our shame. Later, He was birthed in a stable covered in blood. Then a man He would hang on a tree, bloody, bearing no shame of His own but ours, willingly. He approaches again, to settle accounts, who has enough to pay the debt? No one. Yet, no one need pay anything. The debt has already been paid. Only receive it by faith through repentance. Time whispers, “He’s coming.”

As the foot steps grow louder, you can feel the earth shake with anticipation as it longs for restoration. Nature shifts, the waves roar, the storms rage, but man misses His approach, consumed by self, what must we do? Surely we must do something. Nature becomes humanities focus even while nature whispers, “He’s coming.”

The noise is deafening. It is hard to think clearly. Life consumes, the destroyer wages war on the soul of humanity, whom the destroyer hates, with distraction after distraction. The destroyer knows how, having studied the likeness of He who is coming, the destroyer lays out traps as only the destroyer can do. The destroyers time is running out, with every footstep heard, the noise doesn’t deaden the sound for the destroyer knows all too well his fate. The destroyer hesitant to acknowledge, whispers, “He’s coming.”

Most are unprepared. Many are without understanding. Lost in their perceived reality, devoid of the impending doom. Few have enough oil to get through the night. Night is coming. Do you have enough oil for your lamp? Go and buy oil without money. Put out the distractions from your mind. Sit in silence. Be still. Listen. Get ready. Every soul willingly or unwillingly, whispers, “He’s coming.”

He is coming.

You are loved,

cj

Flee from idolatry

“And YWHW spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the poeple of Israel and say to them, I am YWHW your Elohim. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow My rules and keep My statutes and walk in them. I am YWHW your Elohim. You shall therefore keep My statutes and My rules, if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am YWHW.’” Leviticus 18:1-5

“These are the laws and the statutes that you shall be careful to do in the land that YWHW Elohim of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth. You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. You shall chop down the carved images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place. You shall not worship YWHW your Elohim in that way. But you shall seek the place that YWHW your Elohim will choose out of all your tribes to put His name and make His habitation there.” Deuteronomy 12:1-5

Have we as a church allowed the influences of the world to creep in on the things of YWHW our Elohim? Have we, as Israel, forgotten that our Elohim is jealous for us? i fear that as we embrace the traditions of man over the appointed Feasts of our Adonai, we are in a way doing as Israel did time and time again. We don’t possess the land, so i am not calling for violence or to take the measures outlined in the verses above. However, in a spiritual sense, i am saying, that we need to purge these things from our life as to not blend man’s tradition with Elohim’s statutes or His Feasts.

YWHW our Elohim is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As He revealed Himself through Yahshua, He didn’t somehow condone idolatry. He didn’t say, it was now okay to worship anyway we see fit. What He did do is affirm our need for a Saviour and dependance on the Holy Spirit in our lives. We cannot serve two masters. We are still to flee idolatry. We should be growing closer to YWHW our Elohim through Yahshua by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and forming our worship of Him through His instruction. How we worship matters, it has always mattered, and it will matter when we see Him, shouldn’t we then focus our attention on the ways He has outlined for us?

You are loved,

cj

A Different Gospel

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Messiah, to a different gospel.” Galatians 1:6

As the world grows darker and societies and governments move further from Adonai, we will see many turning from the truth to have their ears tickled. As Paul writes above to the Galatians and also warned Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

We need to be dilegent in our study and understanding of Scripture specifically the “Good News of Yahshua Ha’Mashiach” (Jesus Christ). The world is turning further from the truth and embrassing lies, many of which are cloaked in half-truths. If it contradicts the Word of Elohim we must turn from it. Schools are becoming a target for this as well. When i was in elementary school i remember taking a bus on wednesday’s to a church to study the Bible. It was called, religious release. Later as a youth pastor, i help establish and participate in Campus Bible Clubs. All great things, however, as the world hates the name of Yahshua they also will hate us as Yahshua states, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake, But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22. Now enters, Satan Clubs, an alternative after school program. And it’s not technically new as they have been around for a few years now.

i believe their end goal isn’t to have a club but for their to be such an outcry that all religious clubs are banned. Either way they will see it as a win. The influence of this world is growing stronger, with the increase of influence by the internet, social media, video games, and soon the metaverse. The struggle for the mind of our youth and even many adults have increased exponentially. Many churches today are only a shell of what they once were in doctrine as they have begun to preach a different gospel. Folks, if you don’t know, you will fall prey to the sceams of the devil.

“As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Galatians 1:9-10

“I charge you therefore before Elohim and Adonai Yahshua Ha’Mashiach, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2

You are loved,

cj

the love of many

“And because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many shall become cold.” Matthew 24:12

Are you getting discouraged with the direction of the world? There are so many hot spots. We are told that the entire Middle East would be and it is a powder keg. However, let’s mention a few others, China and Taiwan, Russia and Ukraine, North Korea and its testing of long range missiles, that’s a few global, not to mention local uprisings in France, Australia, Germany. Even here at home lawlessness is increasing all over the USA, mainly in your bigger cities but we also have a crisis at our southern border.

Frustration and discouragement lead to bitterness and a loss of understanding, respect, civility, and ultimately love. i am writing to encourage you not depress but knowledge is key here. You have to be aware of what is going on so that you can fight off these feelings. As believers we have the Holy Spirit, we have a Prince of Peace, we have an Almighty Elohim. Knowing this is vital!

There is a reason the early church was given warnings and told what to look out for in the future. Many of them were living under constant persecution. We in the west really cannot relate, but we need to start preparing spiritually, and mentally, for what is coming. Remind yourself of who you are in Messiah. As things become more unhinged knowing these things would come to pass before His return should give us peace and hope.

“Peace I leave with you – My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

” Yahshua answered him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he shall guard My Word. And My Father shall love him, and we shall come to him and make Our stay with him.’” John 14:23

There isn’t a need for me to analyze these crises, there are many already doing that. i am simply highlighting them to bring awareness to the fact that the reason these things are happening is that the lawless one is currently running the show. Yahshua said, “I shall no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he possesses naught in Me.” John 14:30

“But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13

“Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7 KJV

Do not let your love grow cold. Stay focused on Adonai. Stay obedient to His Word, by staying IN His Word. Know that these things are coming and we are called to endure, and to love.

You are loved,

cj

What’s in a name

This post is open for debate, more so than most. Mainly, because it is something i am still working through and i find when i write things out it helps me to see more clearly the thought. Also, i would welcome any of your thoughts on the matter. The question is, what is in a name? If you travel to a foreign country, and the hotel clerk asks you what your name is you tell them your name, as you know it. For instance, my name is cj which doesn’t necessarily work for this example so i will use my full name, christopher. If i travel to let’s say, Spain, and i go to a hotel and the clerk asks my name, i am going to say, “christopher.” In Spanish my name is translated, Cristobal, but i don’t say, Cristobal, i say christopher because that is my name. Moreover, when the paperwork is printed and i am given a receipt, the name on that paper will say, christopher, not Cristobal.

So with this example in hand, why do we use the Greek terms, God and Jesus, for YHWH and Yahshua. It is undisputedly clear that YHWH revealed Himself through the nation of Israel and the Hebrew language. In fact, we are introduced to YHWH in a more personal way in Yahshua, and yet still we render His name in Greek as well. If we don’t translate our name when we travel, why do we do it with names that we are commanded not to take in vain?

Exodus 20:7 says: “You do not bring the Name of YHWH your Elohim to naught, for YHWH does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.”

Here it is in the NKJ: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who take His name in vain.”

The Greek term for the lord is Ba’al. Why have we associated it with our Adonai? Adonai, translated from Hebrew to Greek is Lord but the Greek root is Ba’al. Let me just share a bit of what Wikipedia has to say about this: “Baal, or Baʽal, was a title and honorific meaning “owner”, “lord” in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. From its use among people, it came to be applied to gods. Scholars previously associated the theonym with solar cults and with a variety of unrelated patron deities but inscriptions have shown that the name Ba’al was particularly associated with the storm and fertility god Hadad and his local manifestations. The Hebrew Bible includes the use of the term in reference to various Levantine deities, often with application towards Hadad, who was decried as a false god. That use was taken over into Christianity and Islam, sometimes under the form Beelzebub in demonology.”

Knowing that we are to hold the name of our El which is commonly translated God in reverence, why are we so accustomed to the Greek forms? What does the Word of El Shaddai have to say on the matter?

“And in all that I have said to you take heed. And make no mention of the name of other mighty ones, let it not be heard from your mouth.” Exodus 23:13

“So as not to go in among these nations, these who remain among you. And make no mention of the name of their mighty ones, nor swear by, nor serve them nor bow down to them. But cling to YHWH your Elohim, as you have done this day.” Joshua 23:7-8

“The sorrows of those who run after another one are increased; I would not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor take up their names on my lips.” Psalms 16:4

i am not sure what i think of all this . . . However, for as much as i can, i am going to use the Hebrew names, as this is how YHWH introduced Himself to us and hasn’t, anywhere i can find, changed it. Let me know what you think!

You are loved,

cj

Concerning the coming of our Adonai

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Adonai Yahshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Messiah had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 NKJ (Italic’s & Hebrew Names added by me)

i feel a pressing urgency to write to you, in light of current events. i hear many talking about getting ready because the rapture is going to happen. Yet, time and time again as Paul wrote above, and Yahshua, said in Matthew 24:12; “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Many are not ready for what is at the doorstep of the world.

i want to say this as succinctly as possible. Instead of hoping for a rapture, what we should be doing is strengthening our faith in order to endure. There are times that are coming, as Yahshua declared and as Paul taught, that will try every man (humanity), and we are called to endure. Paul says it this way, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Adonai Yahshua HaMashiach Himself, and our Elohim and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

Yahshua says it this way, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” John writes to the Churches in Revelation, saying, “repent,” “overcome,” “endure.” These are not merely empty sayings but warnings; we as believers are going to see a time like nothing seen before and we must be able to endure. Not with fear but with hope. Not alone but by and with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

i fear the reason we read about a falling away is because many are not ready to endure, not many are willing to give up the pleasures of this world. Rather, they are putting their hope in it which only leads to destruction. Narrow is the way to salvation and few find it, are you ready to endure?

You are loved,

cj