Tag: Scripture

Testing Modern Prophets: A Scriptural Approach

Testing Modern Prophets: A Scriptural Approach

An on going email conversation with two Mormon Missionaries. Part 2.

Good Day, 

i want you to know that much prayer and thought go into my responses. As i am sure yours do as well. There is however something to be said of mourning that is important. This may not directly apply to you. As i don’t know if either of you were directly affected by the events in Michigan personally. However, we read of the importance of grieving throughout Scripture. As well, science has proven the process is good for body, mind and soul. Yahoshua said, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Yahoshua, himself mourned and wept over friends and humanity. Now enough of that. As i believe we are not arguing this point but simply stating ideas each of us hold to be true. It is good to mourn.

i would raise the question that i am sure you have gotten before. That is to the point of eternal marriage. This will also tie into our later discussion on prophets. 

Yahoshua, confronted on marriage said, “Yahoshua answered them, ’The reason you go astray is that you are ignorant both of the Tanahk and of the power of Elohim. For in the resurrection, neither men nor women will marry; rather, they will be like angels in heaven.’” (Matthew 22:29-30) How do you interpret this statement by Yahoshua?

On the question of Prophets being around now. Certainly, it is within the power of Elohim to call Prophets in our modern day. As He calls Pastors, and Teachers alike. The question isn’t whether Prophets are called but rather how one is determined to be a true prophet of Elohim. Many will say that the Election of such positions by congregants of a particular denomination is sufficient. That it reveals the Will of Elohim. And certainly there is a case to be made here. The example of the election of Matthias in the book of Acts to replace Judas. (Acts 1:16-26) As they casted lots and it fell upon him. Of course they had some prerequisites that each man had to meet, like a job interview. Yet still this is the only time Matthias is mentioned. Later, Saul, would be called as an Apostle and is credited with writing half of the ‘New’ Testament. 

Is election by man a sign enough of a Elohim’s calling? No i don’t believe so. For Scripture provides tests for us on determining not only prophets but teachers as well. We are called to test everything. The Berean’s, also found in the book of Acts (Acts 17:10-12) are called noble for their pursuit of truth. They received with eagerness the word of the Apostles. Then went and study the Tanakh to see if what was being taught was truth. If it cannot be found in Scripture then no amount of feelings should persuade one to void Scripture. Again as we stated Elohim is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

So how does one test the sayings of men who claim to be Prophets of Elohim? By testing everything: 

If they bring a different Gospel, they are not of Elohim. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). Whether that message is brought by man or angel. If it diverges from the Tanakh it is to be ignored, accursed even. (Galatians 1:8-10) For even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)The Torah tells us of prophets whose prophecy’s do not come to pass. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
In light of these passages what tests can we give to men who claim to speak for Elohim?       As to not repeat myself or belabor a point. i will just refer you back to the passage in 2 Timothy 3 from my previous response to you. (See previous post, Navigating Belonging).

Do they preach honoring the Sabbath Day as the 4th commandment states? 
“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 YHWH 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 YHWH made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11

“Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep… for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am YHWH who sanctifies you.” (Exodus 31:13). Do they preach honoring the Feast Days as the Torah teaches?        Here i would just refer you to Leviticus 23 in which the Feasts are given in detail. As well, that it is instructed the foreigner within their gates also celebrate them. This is in line with Romans 11 which teaches us that the Gentiles are grafted into Israel. We do not replace them we become one with them.

Do they preach that the gentiles are grafted into Israel and do not replace them?       
Here again as stated in the previous question on the relevance of the Feast Days. Romans 11 is quite clear that we are grafted in. It is in this that we become a light to Israel. In order to draw them back into covenant with Elohim through the Messiah Yahoshua.

Do they preach honoring the Torah in the fullness presented by Yahoshua? 
In Matthew 5 Yahoshua states, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Torah 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 Torah 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). The word FULFILL does not mean to do away with but rather to bring clarity. A fuller understanding of . . . in Hebrews we read that the New Covenant is not new like a new pair of shoes but new like the New Moon each cycle. Same moon, new emphasis. The Torah went from written on tablets to being written on our hearts and our minds. 

In conclusion anyone, prophet or teacher, teaching anything contrary to the Torah. These are not of Elohim. Therefore, are not to be feared nor listened to but rather cast out from among the Ekklesia. The heart is deceptive and signs are fleeting. He who believes by faith, to him it is counted unto righteousness. Yahoshua, warned against seeking signs, His word is sufficient. 

Clearly i don’t have all the answers, nor do i have full understanding. However, what i do have is sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correction, and training in righteousness. It is sufficient to complete, and to equip for every good work. As Timothy we are called to continue in what we have learned and have firmly believed. Knowing from whom we have learned it . . . Yahoshua the Word made flesh, He is the Way the Truth and the Life. The Torah is known as the Way, the Path, and Instruction. It is known as the Truth, Your Word is Truth. It is known as the Life, for man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of Elohim. We do not need new revelation, we simply need to understand the sacred writings already provided to us.

It does bring me joy that you found something worthy of reflection in my book. Thank you for the kind words and the connection to your understanding of things. We are all on a journey of faith and we are all at different points of that journey. Yet, the key to that journey remains the same. We are to seek with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, Yahoshua through His Word.

Shema Israel! Shema means to listen and obey. It is a declaration and a prayer. i pray every morning, Shema! YHWH our Elohim is ONE Elohim, love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the Words commanded in Scripture shall be taught diligently to our children. They are to be talked about in our houses, and as we walk on the way. When we lie down and when we rise. We are to bind them on our hearts and on our minds and write them on the door posts of our houses. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) 
This is the same message over and over, meditate on the Word day and night. It is the Word that confirms to us truth. If it does not align with Torah then it is rubbish. 

Keep Reading, Part Three, 3rd Email Response

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

From Milk to Solid Food: Deepening Your Faith

From Milk to Solid Food: Deepening Your Faith

“Always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the Truth.” Is this what i have become? Heaven forbid! But i can’t help but wonder. At what point does someone put down the spoon for the fork? As Paul writes, “I gave you milk, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. But you aren’t ready for it now either!” This is a rebuke of the Corinthians who claimed themselves to be followers of the Way.

When I train new employees, I start them with the basics. I don’t overwhelm them with every detail of the job. In fact some aspects of the job are better learned by doing. Simply putting into practice what is desired or expected is often the best teacher. Trial and error. When I served in the military it was the same way. They trained us a little at a time. They didn’t start us off on a twenty-mile road march in full gear. They started us on a two-mile road march with empty rucksacks. They built us up gradually. Over time, we reached a significant milestone. At the end of training, we handled twenty miles in full gear. Had they left us in sneakers and empty rucks throughout our training, we would not have been prepared. We wouldn’t have been ready in the end.

This is what the Modern Christian Church has done. They look at one verse and say, “see this is all we need to do.” When in reality the message of the whole Word of Elohim is learn and grow, learn and grow. For example, many point to Acts and say look the Jerusalem council said, “XYZ”. Specifically:
“Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to Elohim. But we should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols. They should also abstain from sexual immorality. Additionally, they should avoid what has been strangled and from blood.” This is where they will stop. However, it continues as to why. “For from ancient generations, Moses has had those in every city who proclaim him. He is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” Can you see it, they were saying here is the basics. This will get you started. Now, learn and grow, by hearing the Word proclaimed in the synagogue every Sabbath.

Two take away items here. First, the Word, we need it in order to grow. Second, every Sabbath, it was the appointed time. Today, we have access to the Word every where we go on our phones. We don’t need to wait until the Sabbath to hear it read to us. Yet still, we are to gather and as we can read throughout Acts specifically, they gathered on the Sabbath.

In training, whether it is a new employee or a soldier, the goal is to replicate yourself. In making disciples as we are commanded to do the goal is the same. “Therefore, go and make people from all nations into disciples. Immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). Teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.” Do you see the charge before us? It isn’t to sit stagnant in a pew collecting dust like the Bible on the coffee table. We are to be about His work. Work isn’t a bad word. It is a command.

Paul admonishes us to be like him as he imitates Messiah. “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” To walk like the Teacher. This is the Way of the Rabbi. The very idea of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, is answering the call to obey. “If you love Me, obey My commandments.” Yahoshua, also ask, “Why do you call Me Adonai, Adonai, and not do what I command?”

In learning and growing as a disciple we take ground, gain knowledge and wisdom. We don’t stop there we are to examine ourselves and continue to learn and grow. We are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. “My dear friends, you have always obeyed when I was with you. It is even more important to obey now. You must do this even when I am away from you. Keep working out your deliverance with fear and trembling. For Elohim is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases Him.” In this same letter to the Philippians Paul writes this challenge.

“It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal. No, I keep pursuing it. This in the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yahoshua took hold of me. Brothers, I, for my part, do not think of myself as having yet gotten hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and straining forward toward what lies ahead. I keep pursuing the goal. In order to win the prize offered by Elohim’s upward calling in the Messiah Yahoshua. Therefore, as many of us as are mature, let us keep paying attention to this. And if you are differently minded about anything, Elohim will also reveal this to you. Only let our conduct fit the level we have already reached. Brothers, join in imitating me. Also, pay attention to those who live according to the pattern we have set for you.”

Will you continue to sip the cup of milk? Or will you take up the fork and knife and cut into the steak? Isaiah said, “To whom will He teach knowledge, and to whom will He explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast. For it is precept upon precept, line upon line, truth upon truth, here a little there a little.” (Isaiah 28:9-10) – Today, and this week, ask yourself, what does this mean? It is time to take hold of the calling, of which you have been called, in Messiah Yahoshua.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Read, Listen, Meditate

“But they delight in the law of YHWH meditating on it day and night. He is like a tree planted by the streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” Psalm 1:2-3

“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.” Acts 17:10-12

“If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling Elohim a liar and showing that His Word has no place in our hearts.” 1 John 1:10

Over a period of 60 days i read 11 novels: The Hobbit, Summer Knight, Sandstorm, To the Last Man, Wisdom Hunter, 70×7 and Beyond, Legend, The Talisman, Ride the River, The Last Heroes, and Foreign Influence, also one prayer devotional, 31 Days of Prayer. Along with these i read, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Micah, the whole of the New Testament once through and then John, and 1-3 John, two more times each, as well as repeating Philippians, Ephesians, Jude and James. Reading is about the only thing i did besides, eat and sleep; with one exception, chess, the best $13.50 i spent on commissary.

i also spent time writing my thoughts for this and many other previous blog posts, 34 in total. Meditating on the Word and singing praises to My Elohim is what saw me through my time of exile. What I discovered is i have waisted much of my life. Although, i was always a student of the Word i definitely lacked as fas as time. i could have, no should have, been applying myself to understanding what 2 Timothy 3:16 truly meant, as well as Acts 17:10-12, Psalm 1:2-3 . . . When one truly spends uninterrupted time meditating on verses like:

“Do your best to present yourself to Elohim as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of Elohim that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us.” 1 John 5:13-14

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

“so as to walk in a manner worthy of Adonai, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim.” Colossians 1:10

“You shall love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7

“This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall mediate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8

It is after all the “Old” Testament Paul was referring to when he said to Timothy: “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 3:16-17

We live in a world of speakers, and few honest listeners. We must learn to read, to listen, and to meditate, on the Word of Elohim. Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, if we truly want to know Him should we not read Him, listen to Him, and meditate on Him?

This concludes the 34 blogs written and found under the category, “prison epistles.”

You are loved,
cj