Sunday, April 23, 2006

Blessed

Ephesians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Messiah Yahshua through the will of Yahweh, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Messiah Yahshua:

2 Grace to you and peace from Yahweh our Father and the Master Yahshua Messiah.

3 Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahshua the Messiah, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah:

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:

5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Yahshua Ha Messiah unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:

7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Amen Thank you Father for your Son and His gift to me!!!

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Zola Levitt

I am sad today, as one of my teachers went Home today. Zola Levitt died today and I know he is very happy in Yahshua`s arms. But I will miss him. They say he made a lot of TV shows right up until the end. I will make sure to see his parting words.

I pray that Yahshua comfort his wife and family.

Here is a link to his website. He has teachings on Israe you can download and watch.

Zola Levitt

Monday, April 17, 2006

Shalom

By David Silver

The Hebrew word SHALOM is understood around the world to mean peace. But peace is only one small part of the meaning of the word SHALOM. Here in Israel, even though we don't have much in the way of peace, we use the word SHALOM on a daily basis. We use it to greet people with, and we use it to bid farewell to people. However, SHALOM means much more than peace, hello or goodbye.

Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.

Shalom comes from the root verb Shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.

Sar SHALOM (Prince of Peace) is one of the descriptive names the Bible uses to indicate the ministry and personality of the Messiah: Isaiah 9:6 - The Son of God is completely perfect in all things.

So in essence, when you speak out the word SHALOM - you are not only proclaiming peace, but all the above meanings of the word over that person - that's a mighty blessing!!!

Remember what the word of God says - "there is life or death in the power of the tongue".

We recently heard someone on a Christian TV program say: "No wonder the Jewish people are so blessed, because every time they say Shalom to one another, they are also allowing the full meaning (see above) of SHALOM to be pronounced over them. He humorously proceeded to say that this greeting word would be much more beneficial to the American people if they greeted each other with SHALOM instead of their usual "Hi" or "Howdy" greeting. As Josie and I adapted to life in Israel, we adapted to the SHALOM habit over the "Hi" habit....As Messianic Jews, we are called to bless you and we take that very seriously, by praying for you and by greeting you with SHALOM. Therefore, from now on, when we or someone says SHALOM to you, you should receive it as a tremendous blessing. And bless them back with a hearty SHALOM!"

Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His face upon you and give you SHALOM. In the name of SAR SHALOM - the Prince of Peace.


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(The above was borrowed from OUT of ZION)

Monday, April 03, 2006

YHWH`s law is Holy

Romans 7

12 So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.

13 Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; --that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

We have to take the whole word not just what sounds good, being under the law means trying to be saved by doing the law first that was the problem in Acts 15, some Jews came and said they must do these thing to be saved, Paul say do not put that burden on them. Besides the law does not save. But it is Holy and good!

Page Most Taught From in the Bible

There is a page in the Bible that was not written by Moses, the Prophets, the Messiah, the Apostles, or God Himself. Many quote from that page more than the other writings combined. It is not inspired by God and God never told anyone to put that page in the Bible. However, the modern church has emphasized and taught more doctrine based on the words of that page than any other part of the Bible. It is the un-inspired page in the Bible. What page is it, you ask?
Consider these additional clues. It only has a few words written on one side, but volumes have been written to explain those words. The other side of the page is intentionally blank, but churchmen have made their primary and foremost teaching of the Bible from that page.

But there is even more about that page. Surely, you will know which page I’m referring to by this description. The un-inspired page has become more like a wall in the Bible. When you open your Bible, that page splits and separates the Bible. It separates one kind of thinking from another and sows division within the Scripture like an ax splitting wood. Still don’t know what page I am referring to?

Before I answer my own question, let me take you back in history to see something that was like the un-inspired page. In Jerusalem, at the temple, there was a wall of separation in the temple. It separated the temple courts of Israel from the court of the Gentiles. Moses did not instruct that wall to be built, yet it was built. That additional wall was not after the pattern that Moses so specifically instructed to be followed. It was put up by religious men to be a barrier and keep certain people (Gentiles) out of the temple. Not only was it to keep them out of the temple courts, or let them see in, but even more so, it was intended to make a racial and bigoted statement to the Gentiles. It was intended to tell every Gentile that he was not good enough, he didn’t belong, and to get out. It was called the "middle wall of partition." It was another wall put up outside the beautiful gate and the court of women, to keep Gentiles from peering into the temple courts. It wasn’t a very big wall but it was huge in its implications and message. The Apostle Paul says that this middle wall of partition was in opposition to God’s plan and order. He said that it separated and formed two groups of believers in the God of Israel. He also said the Messiah came to take that wall down, to make us one group in the Messiah. An argument could be made that God permitted and, in fact, encouraged the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. to ensure that the middle wall of partition was taken down.

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hand – remember that you were at that time separate from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Messiah Yeshua you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. EPH 2:10-15

I remind you of this historical fact, because the un-inspired page in the Bible has become like another middle wall of partition. The un-inspired page is a barrier. It has been constructed and printed in our Bibles with the same intention of making two groups of believers. Instead of Jews building this wall, it has been built by Gentile church fathers and leaders for the purpose of separating Israel and the Gentile Christians. This time the wall is to keep Gentile believers from going back to Jewish things such as Torah, Sabbath, Holidays, Temple, and the Fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Have you figured out which page is the un-inspired page? Do you see which page is the middle wall of partition today in the Bible?

Here is the answer.

It’s the title page for the New Testament. The only words on that page are "The New Testament." The title page for the New Testament was not written by any apostle or prophet. It was not pinned by the Messiah, nor was it written in any of the original manuscripts. It didn’t really come into being until the printing press began mass printing the Bible of today. But, there is a lot more teaching and doctrine about that page than most believers realize. Let me share some of that teaching and see if you don’t agree that you have received the same teaching. I want to be explicit and clear here – I don’t agree with this teaching.

1. Everything prior to the title page has been fulfilled, completed, and done away with, because Christ has already come and fulfilled, completed, finished, and done away with everything written prior to His coming.

2. Any sacrifice prior to the title page is removed and should not ever be done again, because Christ is the final sacrifice for everything.

3. All teaching prior to the title page is good ONLY for historical perspective and should not have any authoritative value in any Christian’s life, as Christ is our only authority now.

4. Any effort to obey any custom or commandment prior to the title page is evidence of religious bondage and "keeping the Law." This is evidence of "salvation by works" and is in direct conflict with Christ’s salvation by faith.

5. Only the pages after the title page are considered to be valid teaching for Christians. They are totally sufficient for instruction in the Christian faith and no other teaching is needed.

The list could go on but you get the idea. I am sure you have heard this teaching and faced this wall. Many Christian teachers today truly believe that the teaching of the Old Testament is valid only for historical perspective. The title page for the New Testament, therefore, is like a barrier set up to redirect Christians back to the New Testament, preventing them from understanding what Moses actually taught.

While I acknowledge that this is the teaching of many Churchmen, is this the teaching of the actual New Testament writers? Is this what James, Peter, John, or Paul believed and taught? Consider these questions about the New Testament and its writers.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy the following words, what Scripture was he referring to?

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2TI 3:16-17

Do you think Paul was referring to his letters to Timothy and others, or was he referring to the writings of Moses and the Prophets? What were the books and parchments that Paul wanted Timothy to bring with him? These were obviously the writings of Moses and the Prophets.

When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 2TI 4:13

How about Peter? When he wrote his letter to the believers, what Scripture was he referring to?

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2PE 1:20-21

Do you think Peter was referring to his own letter or to the writings of Moses and the Prophets?

How about James? He referred the Gentiles to the teaching of Moses for instruction in the "essentials" of the faith after the first council in Jerusalem with Peter and Paul.

For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath. ACT 15:21

Did James expect Gentile Christians to go and receive the instruction of Moses from synagogues on Sabbath day? [That is a stunning thought, isn’t it?] Why would James summarize his instruction and then refer to the teaching of Moses? Maybe his teaching was completely consistent and agreed with Moses. Maybe the true teaching of the New Testament is completely consistent and based upon Moses and the Prophets. Maybe you need the instruction of Moses to understand the words of Yeshua just as He said.

For 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?" JOH 5:46-47

[How do these New Testament teachers claim to understand the words of Yeshua if they don’t believe the words of Moses? Answer according to Yeshua: they don’t.]

Don’t misunderstand me. I believe that the writings of the Apostles are part of the Bible and should be given the authority of Scripture just like Moses and the Prophets. But the argument here is about discarding and devaluing the writings of Moses and the Prophets as compared with the New Testament. What would the writers of the New Testament think of the un-inspired page, the title page of the New Testament, and the present day teaching holding Moses and the Prophets in disregard.

I know the title page didn’t exist at that time, but I contend that the writers of the future New Testament were clear in their consensus that the teaching of Moses and the Prophets was valid and necessary for our new covenant faith. More pointedly, I believe this: anyone teaching that the Old Testament is only for historical or limited value for the New Covenant faith is in direct conflict with the writers of the New Testament. And,... they don’t know what they are talking about according to Yeshua.

Most believers and Bible students have never done a study of the Bible to understand how and why the actual books of the Bible are contained therein. In particular, how and why were the New Testament books selected and made part of the Bible of today. It is a fascinating study to say the least. However, there is clear consensus and agreement between Jewish and Christian scholars about the Old Testament books. The Apostles taught exclusively from the Old Testament to instruct the first century Christians.

Do you remember the disciples on the road to Emmaus after the crucifixion? They were discouraged and didn’t understand Yeshua’s death. Then Yeshua appeared to them in an unusual way. He taught them about His ministry and life by referring to Moses and the Prophets.

And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. LUK 24:27

Upon hearing this instruction they said the word burned within them. Then Yeshua revealed Himself at the blessing over bread. What does Moses and all the prophets have to say about the Messiah and His ministry that causes New Testament Christians to burn within their hearts? Why didn’t Yeshua need a New Testament to convince them of the reason and rationale of the resurrection?

The first evidence of any New Testament writings does not appear until approximately 30 years after the resurrection of Yeshua. Further, the book of Revelation is believed to have been written about 60 years (90 A.D.) after the resurrection.

What is in the Old Testament that was so capable of teaching new believers of Yeshua in that first century? How did Baptists in Jerusalem operate the first 60 years without a New Testament and a Baptist Hymnal? (I’m having a little fun here, Brethren. Everyone knows that Baptists didn’t show up until centuries later. But don’t tell the Baptists that, they think James was the pastor of First Baptist of Jerusalem on the corner of Via Delarosa and Damascus street near the Fish Gate.)

Let’s go back to the very first week of Yeshua’s public ministry. Something very strange happened there that relates to our discussion of the un-inspired page.

John the Baptist (not one of the First Baptist Brethren I mentioned earlier) was preaching the baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming King (and Kingdom). John had a number of followers looking expectantly for the Messiah. There was some question as to whether John the Baptist was himself that Messiah. He denied it and said he was fulfilling the words of Isaiah the prophet as "the voice of one crying in the wilderness."

He said, "I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said." JOH 1:23

Yeshua came one day and John proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world." That day, some of John’s disciples asked Yeshua where He was staying. Yeshua showed them. Immediately, Andrew went to his brother (Peter) and said, "We have found the Messiah." The very next day, Philip went to his friend Nathaniel and said, "We have found Him spoken of by Moses and the Prophets." At that point, five men believed that Yeshua of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, was the long awaited Son of God and Messiah of Israel.

So, here is the question. What prophecy did Yeshua fulfill that so convinced these men that He was the Messiah? What speech had Yeshua made at this point? What miracle had he performed? On what basis of Scripture did these men properly place their faith to be convinced that Yeshua was the Messiah? What part of the Bible were they referring to?

While it takes a little instruction to go through all these questions, we can say with certainty that the Old Testament was the part of the Bible they were relying on. Therefore, there is sufficient instruction in the Old Testament alone to convince a reasonably minded person that Yeshua is the Messiah. The evidence of the New Testament with its miracles and fulfilled prophecies is frosting on the cake.

So then, why do New Testament teachers diminish the value of the Old Testament particularly when it comes to teaching the Messiah Yeshua? The answer is varied, but can be simplified this way. Teachers who avoid the Old Testament don’t know what it teaches about the Messiah. They have no idea why the five believed. They do not understand what Yeshua said that burned within them.

Moses is the greatest prophet of the Messiah. The Old Testament prophets have more to say about the second coming and the millennial kingdom than the New Testament does. But how many Churchmen know this?

I have met with Pastors and other churchmen often to discuss the value of the Torah as a foundational teaching to the New Covenant believers. I have made the statement that Moses is the greatest prophet of the Messiah followed by everyone’s head nodding in full agreement. Finally, one day I handed my Bible to an established Pastor and asked, "Show me." I asked him to show me where Moses spoke of the Messiah so we could understand why Andrew went for Peter and Philip went for Nathaniel. You know what happened? He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t find any Scripture to convince me that Yeshua was the Messiah because he didn’t know what Moses or the Prophets had said. It was really ironic, because he did believe that Yeshua was the Messiah. That event reminded me of when Yeshua asked Nicodemus about being "born again." When Nicodemus stumbled over the thought, Yeshua asked him, "Are you a teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?" Did you know the Old Testament teaches about being born again?

The contrast is striking. Common men, followers of John the Baptist, who believe Moses and the Prophets can recognize the Messiah, but Nicodemus, a teacher of Moses and the Prophets, can not. Today, we have the same thing. Religious men are generally stumped as to the substantive teaching of the Messiah given by Moses and the Prophets. As a result, they fail to understand some very basic issues concerning the Torah. Their understanding is generally limited to historical aspects with types and shadows. Very few understand why Andrew and Philip were so convinced that Yeshua was the Messiah.

Remember Philip, one of those who believed in the Messiah from the beginning? Even though he was an eye-witness to the life of Yeshua, he used the writings of Isaiah to convince the Ethiopian to accept Yeshua as the Messiah and be baptized (Acts 8).

Today the average believing Christian has no chance of being instructed about the Messiah from a Mosaic or Prophetic standpoint because of the title page to the New Testament. That page alone sends the average Gentile back, empty handed to the New Testament. A very compelling example of this was shared with me recently. Within the last generation, missionaries to China were given the opportunity to share the Gospel with the Chinese people. Their best efforts fell short of properly teaching and building a community of faith in many places. Why? Because they only translated the New Testament and Psalms of the Bible into the Chinese language. The new Chinese believers found themselves inadequately taught and prepared to live the life of faith. They had no basis for God as creator. They had no basis for a definition of sin. They had no basis to understand the covenants with God. The teaching of the Church and the New Testament alone are not enough to sustain or disciple new brethren in the faith. If it didn’t work for the Chinese people, what makes you think it will work for Americans or anyone else for that matter? By the way, it is not working here in America either.

The whole Bible teaches that God has progressively manifested Himself like a growing tree. In fact, the Scripture is called the tree of life by many Bible students and teachers. The root system is God with His nourishment and serves as our anchor for truth and a sure foundation. We are taught to be rooted and established in God. The teachings of Moses, the first written teachings of the Bible, serve as the trunk of the tree. The trunk is the main conduit of nutrients from the root to the branches. The trunk is the foundation and pedestal for the branches to be lifted off the ground. The branches are the work of prophets and apostles. The branches bear fruit and provide cover to others. A tree that is missing its trunk has no roots and appears as dead and dying branches. Therefore, the very foundations of our new covenant faith are based on the Torah and the teachings of Moses. This is what is meant by Paul when he makes the argument of faith and Law. The Law is not done away with, as some claim. Faith and Law work together, not to the exclusion.

Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. ROM 3:31

For those of us who have been renewed in our faith of Yeshua by studying the Torah, we have found a real Messiah just as Andrew and Philip believed. We have found that the works of Yeshua come alive and burn in our hearts whenever He quotes or teaches what Moses and the Prophets taught. We have found that Paul’s arguments for the faith are solid and based on the wisdom and the teaching of Moses, beginning with Abraham. We have found why Paul said "all Scripture" is profitable for instruction in righteousness. We understand and can sense the move of the Spirit in the words of the Old Testament just as Peter said. Moses serves as a basis to then understand the words of the New Testament.

However, we also recognize that others have abused and added to the Scripture to twist the meaning and value for their own designs. Moses instructed Israel not to add nor take away from the Scripture (Deut 4:2). In both cases, it diminishes the value of the Scripture. The same principle is true of the New Testament. Adding a title page has set up another middle wall of partition that separates the Gentiles from the courts of Israel. The Gospels are no different than the Prophets or the Torah. They don’t need their own title pages. So, why does the New Testament need a title page?

I have a recommendation for you brethren. Take down that wall. Remove that barrier. Tear out that un-inspired page from your Bible and encourage others to do the same. Let the Bible be what God and holy men have shown it to be. From Genesis to Revelation, let there not be a dividing wall for the Gentiles any longer. Just rip the page clean out of your Bible. Then take that title page and show every brother that it is un-inspired and does not belong in anyone’s Bible.

But, I should warn you brethren about removing the title page from the Bible. Your fellow church brethren will have a fit for you doing this. They will accuse you of desecrating a Holy thing. Some of our brethren think that the whole Bible is Holy beginning with the leather cover and all the way to the maps. They’re the ones who believe there was a First Baptist in Jerusalem.

Let it be taught that the promise of Abraham is to all his descendants by faith in the God of Abraham. Let it be said that Torah is profitable for instruction in righteousness and that Sabbath is for all people (Israel and the adopted sons of God) to be a sign between them and God. Let it be taught that the holidays and festivals are not exclusively Jewish and things of the past. Instead, let it be taught that they are "Biblical" and that they teach about the Messiah – His first coming (the Spring holidays), the giving of the Law and the Spirit (the Summer holiday), and the second coming (the late Summer and early Fall holidays). Let it be taught just as Paul taught, "Sabbath and holidays are a shadow of things to come." Remember, the word mere was added just before the word shadow in the English Bibles. This was an intentional effort to diminish the value of the Old Testament which teaches us about Sabbath and holidays.

Just as Yeshua removed the middle wall of partition at the temple, so you can remove the middle wall of partition in your Bible. It is not a very big page; but its removal will connect Moses and the Prophets with the Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah. It will also set you on the right course to receive the Messiah just as John the Baptist preached. Malachi, the last prophet, says it this way as he concludes the Old Testament.

Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. MAL 4:4

It is time to believe the words of Moses and the Prophets like Andrew and Philip did, instead of making their words into decorative plaques for sale in Christian bookstores. It is time that we begin to believe those words so we can understand the words of Messiah Yeshua. Brethren, don’t let the un-inspired page be a wall and a barrier for you any longer. Don’t let others keep you out of the courts and the sanctuary which Yeshua made in your hearts, the true tabernacle of David raised up by David’s Son. Don’t let religious men tell you that the teaching of Moses is not for you, that it is done away with, and to get out. Join with me in taking that wall down so we might be one assembly unto the Lord.

http://www.lionlamb.net/pub2001.htm