New Evidence of Historical Sun Worship

It's appropriate at this time of the year to point out recent evidence of sun worship, December 25th being the most celebrated high "holy day" of the year for pagan sun worship! A hat tip goes out to the Tigress on this one. She found this article for me.

Israelis find 2,750-year-old temple
By: Alan Boyle

As quoted from the article:

Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,750-year-old temple near Jerusalem, along with pottery and clay figurines that suggest the site was the home base for a ritual cult, the Israeli Antiquities Authority said Wednesday.

The discovery was made during excavations at the Tel Motza archaeological site, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) west of Jerusalem, during preparations for work on a new section of Israeli's Highway 1, the agency said in a statement.

"The ritual building at Tel Motza is an unusual and striking find, in light of the fact that there are hardly any remains of ritual buildings of the period in Judaea at the time of the First Temple," excavation directors Anna Eirikh, Hamoudi Khalaily and Shua Kisilevitz were quoted as saying in the statement.

... The newly discovered structure has massive walls and a wide, east-facing entrance, conforming to the tradition of temple construction at the time, the site directors said. "The rays of the sun rising in the east would have illuminated the object placed inside the temple first, symbolizing the divine presence within," they said. ...

:end article quote

 Ezek. 8:16  Then He brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun.

Please follow the linked article, it's very interesting. Sun worship has attempted to replace the worship of the one true God, Yehovah'-Yeshua since Babylon and Nimrod, if not before. Richard Rives has studied this extensively as described on his site, Too Long in the Sun.

Our "Church Fathers" and the Roman Church has syncretized sun worship into Christianity over the last 2,000 years which is why it is so very important we return to First Century worship! This point cannot be over-emphasised.

Jer 10:1 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.

Jer 10:2 Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations (heathen), And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them;

Jer 10:3 For the customs of the peoples are delusion; Because it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.
 
Jer 10:4 They decorate it with silver and with gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers so it will not totter.

Folks, we are in the process of being refined, as silver is refined. As dross is removed from us do not see it as condemnation, but as SALVATION!

The Observer

Do You Chanukah?

Do you think Christians should celebrate Chanukah? I do, and I also believe this festival of lights, this dedication (re-dedication) of the cleansing and reopening of the Second Temple is as important to Christians as it is to Jews!

If you have never heard the story of the Maccabees and their struggle against Antiochus then maybe you should investigate it. All you have to do is find an Apocrypha and read Maccabees 1 and 2. Here's another useful link. You may also read about this in Daniel, Ch. 8, Ch. 11.

Now, be aware please! The books of the Apocrypha ARE NOT to be considered canon. However, the two books of Maccabees have been proven to be great historical documents. I'm certainly not recommending you read the other books.

Yeshua-Jesus is indeed the Light of the World! The candles lit during Chanukah only reinforce this truth . John Ch. 10 speaks of Jesus returning to Jerusalem to celebrate Chanukah after He has just given the "wot for" to the Pharisees. If this holiday was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me.

Here is a video with a song sung by Marty Goetz. I met Marty in a small Messianic Synagogue where I live. He gave us a wonderful spirit-filled concert. The song is beautiful, but please pardon the one image of the Christmas tree. I think Mr. Goetz is simply trying to be inclusive.

As most of you know, I do not celebrate Christmas any longer, though I was raised with this tradition. However, it is indeed a noble and worthwhile thing to celebrate the birth of our Saviour! I'll celebrate this during the Feast of Tabernacles where it's more appropriate and without all the pagan trappings. I have learned that Dec. 25th. is the single most important day of the year for pagan sun worship. To make this day a "holiday" (Holy Day) is an abomination, as Richard Rives explains in this video.

So, Happy Chanukah to all of you!

The Observer

Two For Thanksgiving - Grace vs. Law and the Pope admits "mistakes"

I am so grateful on this Thanksgiving day! Paul Nison speaks truth in this video. Please listen and read/study for yourself.



And in other news, Pope Benedict has made public announcements that should be on the front page of every newspaper! Don't you wonder why it's not?

The Vatican has proclaimed that the "Christian calendar is based on false premises" - nothing new here! Rome bastardized the calendar long ago!

The Vatican has proclaimed that Yeshua's birth date may have been "miscalculated". Really? We have known that for over two-thousand years! It's the Church that has mislead us on this account. Yeshua was most likely born during Sukkot, in September, btw. (2 B.C. +/-)

The Vatican has also proclaimed: "contrary to the traditional Nativity scene, there were no oxen, donkeys or other animals at Jesus' birth". That's it Vatican, try to keep up with the truth! That birth during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, probably means Yeshua was born in a Sukkah, a booth, a tabernacle. No barn, no animals, and no 3 Wise Men! (they came later!)

And most surprising of all, and the main reason why this news should be on every front page is: "The idea that Christ was born on Dec. 25 also has no basis in historical fact", that it is, "probably linked to pagan traditions and the winter solstice" !!!

Folks! The Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican, the Pope himself, appear's to be admitting they have, ahem, made some errors along the way!

Now, Benedict has to correct the Easter mistake, the worshipping idols mistake, the 10 Commandments mistake, and, don't forget - the Sunday worship mistake!

The Observer

The Two Things We Must Do In Life

Have you ever had the experience where something profoundly jolts you? It pops in your head and in amazement you wonder why it hasn't struck with such impact before? It's usually something you already knew of and is completely obvious to everyone else but for some reason it "hits" you with such a blow it becomes an epiphany for you. You've had an experience like that, right?

I had one the other day. It's this. There are only two things we have to do in life and these two things are our very reason for being! They are the two reasons we're here experiencing this mortal life, as it were, in training for an immortal life with Yehovah. What is even more striking is that the entirety of God's biblical text has this theme running throughout, from Genesis (B'resheet) to Revelation.

Here they are, stated simply and directly:

We must get ourselves "right" with God and we must get ourselves "right" with each other.

I know, I know - too simple and obvious. But if you take a good look at the Bible, this is thematically and literally what it tells us through and through. Perhaps you've heard the acronym, B.I.B.L.E., Believers Instructions Before Leaving Earth?

My more liberal friends are saying now, "See, I told ya, love the LORD God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself!". However, it's much, much more than this summation described in Deuteronomy 6 and Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Remember, all the law and the prophets are built on these two. My liberal friends go on with life and continue to live as they did without realizing the significance of these words. They believe that grace is a license to keep sinning.

So, these two things we must do in life are things we must do AFTER we have accepted the free gift of saving grace, through faith, not through the works of the law, but through the Holy Spirit - while realizing the law defines sin, that we must NOT continue to sin, being assisted to fight sin through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. (this is basic Judeo-Christianity, folks!)

What "instructions" do we have to get ourselves "right" with God and Man? Our LORD starts His Word with that very set of instructions - it's called TORAH! After all, the 10 Commandments have 4 instructions which deal with God and 6 which deal with man's relationship to each other. Now, I realize that the 5 books of Moses have much more than just, "10 Easy Steps to Get Right with God and Man" in it, so we'll look at this subject under the light cast by the B'rit Hadashah AND the Tanahk, the "New" and the "Old".

To get "right" with God we must love Him. If we love Him, we will follow His commandments, His "miztvot", to use the transliterated Hebrew. (Yochanan-John 14) What are His miztvot? Why, they are laid out in Torah!

At this point it may be helpful to point out some seminal differences between traditional Judaism and Christianity. As a person deeply interested and appreciative of my Hebraic roots (and ALL Christians should be), it is obvious that Judaism does not believe in the Messiah called Yeshua (Jesus). They look forward to the coming Mashiach in the likeness of King David. We believers in Yeshua say the Messiah came already, in the likeness of Joseph, the suffering servant, and will come again - in the likeness of King David. But, as one Rabbi stated, "The return of the Messiah is not part of an installment plan!" After all, the fullness of the Mashiach's prophetic accomplishments have not all come to fruition, as described in the Tanahk! Therefore, the point of this blog entry is not to argue over Judaism vs. Christianity or debate the ONENESS of God vs. the triune nature of the Holy One. We honestly don't know how our LORD can be both ONE and MORE THAN ONE at the same time. We don't truly understand how Yehovah can also be Yeshua! (Yochanan-John 8, John 10:30)

I would also argue that NO Christian will have any disagreement with the "Sh'ma" (D'varim-Deut. 6:4-9). Our LORD, Yehovah, is ECHAD - that is, ONE! Nor will any Christian disagree with the "Vehaya" (D'varim-Deut. 11:13-21). You will find that my argument will always be of a coming together, Jew and Gentile, as one - under God.

However, as believers in Yeshua we understand that the chosen people have failed in their duty to spread awareness of the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob throughout the world. Forgive me for even thinking I know the mind of God, but I believe Yehovah saw this coming from the beginning and had to send Himself to earth to allow the fullness of the nations (gentiles) to occur and for the gentiles to play their part. (Romans 10:19, 11:11)

I bring this subject up because people argue with me over following Torah!

A friend recently said to me, "So! Tiger! Did you sacrifice any bulls this Saturday?", in an obvious slight toward my attempts at adhering to Torah. I responded, "As you should already know, Jesus was our atonement for sins, our sacrifice, and the Temple was destroyed long ago." BTW, my friend later admitted he didn't do anything concerning the LORD over the weekend, but still insisted Christ was all about "grace". I mentioned to him that the Tanahk is full of God's grace as well and that he should read it sometime!

(Note: the sacrifice of God for our sins is another major disagreement between Judaism and Christianity)

Throughout the Tanakh and the B'rit Hadashah we are reminded that: if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (D'varim-Deut. 11), and that the law has not been forsaken; God forbid! (Romans 3)

So, how do I try to "get right with God and Man" through Torah?

Well, besides staying away from every sin one can read about in scripture, with the help of the Holy Spirit, of course, I went straight to Vayikra-Lev. Ch. 23. Why? Because this is where the Feasts of the LORD are described and laid out. Understanding that my faith will result in good works, that good works in themselves DO NOT save a person, I have endeavored, because of my love for Him, to follow the Feasts. (Search on "good works" in the New Testament) An extraordinary plethora of awareness has opened up for me by studying the Feasts! If it were up to me ALL Christians would follow the Feasts and ALL churches would require this study. I pray that ALL churches move away from the pagan practices they have inherited, such as Christmas and Easter. However, as we know, belief and religious practice come from love - not force!

As a practical matter, following the Feasts of Yehovah is a tremendous way to enhance and improve your personal relationship with God and Man. Besides, it's a mitzvot (commandment)! Most Christians and Jews are unaware that the 4 spring Feasts have been fulfilled by Yeshua and that the 3 fall Feasts will be fulfilled at the End, by Yehovah-Yeshua - who's name will become ONE! (Z'kharyah-Zech. 14:9)

(Spring Feasts: Pesach-Passover, Hag HaMatzot-Unleavened Bread, Reishit Katzir-Firstfruits, Shavu'ot-Pentecost) - (Fall Feasts: Yom Teru'ah-Trumpets, Yom HaKippurim-Atonements, Sukkot-Tabernacles)

Again, will the "work" of following Torah and the Feasts of the LORD earn any saving grace for you? No, not at all. But it will surely inspire you to get closer to the ONE who matters. It will help you "get right" with Him and Man!

How did I come to this point? That is, looking into Torah? It's because of Yeshua-Jesus. Jesus is a Jew. Many Christians forget that. My liberal friends say that by following Torah I'm being legalistic. People ask a popular question sometimes, "What Would Jesus Do?", WWJD. The better question is, "What Did Jesus Do?", WDJD. Let's examine that and see.

(Note: An excellent online reference - many thanks to John J. Parsons of HebrewForChristians)

1. Yeshua kept the Sabbath and even the authority of Shabbat came under Him. (Yochanan-John 13:13, Mattityahu-Matt. 12:8, 28:18, Romans 14:5-6, Col. 2:16-17)

2. Yeshua Himself defined legalism and what it is by example. It was the Takanot and Ma'asim of Rabbinical authority. While Rabbinical authority claims many rules concerning the Sabbath, for example, Yeshua said the following could, and sometimes should be done on Shabbat:

- saving a life (Mark 3:4, Luke 6:9)
- healing others (Luke 6:1-10, Mark 3:1-5, John 5:9, 9:14, Luke 13:10-16)
- conducting b'rit milah (circumcision) (Yochanan-John 7:23)
- teaching (Mark 1:21, Luke 4:31, Acts 18:4)
- serving at the Temple (Matt. 12:5)
- rescuing an animal in distress (Matt. 12:11, Luke 14:1-6)
- caring for animals (Luke 13:15)
- carrying a bed (John 5:9-16)
- showing acts of compassion (Matt. 12:1-4)
- meeting the needs of others before fulfilling religious obligations (Mark 2:27-28)

Takanot and Ma'asim goes on and on: ritualistic hand washing, associating with sinners, etc. These man-made traditions are what Yeshua defines as legalism. To follow Torah IS NOT to be legalistic. Remember, Jesus is THE LIVING TORAH!

Jesus and ALL of His disciples followed Torah! To continue:

- Yeshua was circumcised, dedicated, and named (Luke 2:21-24, 39-40)
- Yeshua kept the Feasts of the LORD (online ref.) (Luke 2:4, 9:28-36, John 10:22-23)
- Yeshua was Torah knowledgeable (Luke 2:46-52,)
- Yeshua was "mikvah-ed" (baptized) (Matt. 3:13-17)
- Yeshua kept Sabbath (Shabbat) (Luke 4:14-21)
- Yeshua went to the Temple (Luke 19:47)
- Yeshua went to the Synagogue (Luke 4:16,44)
- Yeshua read and taught a portion of the annual Torah and prophetic reading cycle (Parashat) (Luke 4:14-21)
- He most likely prayed the ancient set of Jewish prayers, prayed 3x's a day,
called the "Amidah" meaning, "To stand." He refers to this very prayer in Mark 11:25-26, "When you STAND to pray...."
- He said the Shema the Jewish declaration of Yehovah's Oneness said every day by faithful Jews, from Deut. 6:4, Mark 12:29,30
- He was a Rabbi (Luke 10:25-28, John 20:16)
- He taught Torah (Luke 24:44-45)
- He wore tzitzit (fringes) (Luke 8:43-44, John 19:23-24)
- He kept Torah (John 15:10)
- He taught us to live out Torah (Matt.. 5:17-20, John 14:15, Luke 5:14)
- He lived and died as a Jew (John 20:6-8, 19:40)
- He left as a Jew (Luke 24:50-51)
- He is returning as a Jew (Rev. 19:13,16)
- He will reign forever as the Jewish Messiah (Rev.21:1-6, 22:3-5)

(more online ref.) (many thanks to Messianic Rabbi Yehudah Ben Shomeyr)

Matt. 5:17-20 paints the TRUE picture of the Messiah, that non-believing Jews
NEED and MUST see! Are you "Taking Yehovah-Yeshua's Name in vain" by living WITHOUT TORAH, contrary to His Word, Thus Soiling His Name? Or are you living like Yeshua, the Jewish, Torah observant Messiah? Will you, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may SEE YOUR good WORKS, and glorify your Father in heaven"? (Matt.5:16)

Even the Rabbis say Yeshua brought the God of Avraham, Yitz'chak, and Ya'akov to the world. - when the Jews could not. Does that mean He has abandoned Jews or Israel? Absolutely NOT! We are ONE, the natural and unnatural branches, in the Olive Tree, called Israel. The Church HAS NOT replaced Israel!

Please understand, I'm a man who used to believe the Church replaced Israel and that to follow Torah was to be legalistic. On my knees, I thank God He has been patient with me and my ignorance and I beg His forgiveness. I consider it my solemn duty now to correct my error and let my brothers and sisters know better.

All of us have to decide. Are we going to follow and to try to understand all of scripture, or are we going to take only the parts we like? Are we going to read and understand Torah, as taught by the Living Torah Yeshua, or are we going to follow man and his tradition?

The Observer

Mr Rives Has Nailed It Once Again!

And It Bears Repeating Here:

Today, there are those who would lead us to believe that the Old Testament is all about law and that it is just for the Jews. On the other hand, they would tell us that the New Testament is all about grace and that it is just for the church. As a result, many believers are unaware of what is written in the Old Testament. Even though Jesus said that Moses wrote of Him they have been persuaded that any effort to keep the commandments as recorded in the Old Testament is to Judaize.

For many years now I have been telling everyone who will listen that we should be keeping the commandments of our Creator - The Ten Commandments - all ten. I call attention to the fact that sin is defined in the New Testament as the transgression of the law and caution that we must not break our Creator's commandments by following the traditions of men. After twenty years of sharing what I have learned there is one thing that has become abundantly clear. There is a great deal of confusion about the law - and God is not the author of confusion.

In the book of Acts we learn that the first "church members" if you will, were Jewish people and that they were all zealous of the law. Does that mean that they believed that salvation is obtained by way of the law? Absolutely not. They understood - by way of the law - that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. They understood perfectly what Jesus had done for them and that they were saved by grace through faith and not by works of the law. Why then were they all zealous of the law? It is because by way of the Holy Spirit they understood that the law defines sin and that they must not practice sin, for to do so was to despise the Spirit of Grace.

The first "church members" because they accepted Jesus as their savior were empowered by the Holy Spirit to be able to keep the commandments of God. The same is true today. The commandments of our Creator stand fast for ever and ever; and as believers we must not practice sin.

The scriptures Old and New were written for our admonition.

Earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints; I’m Richard Rives with Just the Facts.

www.toolong.com

The Observer

Voices!

The Observer

Part 2 - Mistakes Christians Make

Part 1 of this entry remarked on the misunderstanding and misuse of the commonly used phrase, "unconditional love" and the gross error of ignoring the Tanahk (Old Testament). If you haven't read it, it's here.

Part 2 continues with the idea that believers cannot accept sin, although I'll be taking a different approach. I ask the question, "Can we COEXIST with evil?"

At this time it's appropriate to restate the biblical point in Part 1:

2Co 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 2Co 6:18 "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.

This deftly connects to a modern 'culturalism' here in America. We drive cars everywhere. On these cars we have bumper stickers. The stickers declare our philosophies, religions, attitudes, and political affiliations; among other things. Perhaps you do the same in your country.

One particular sticker that's popular is called; "COEXIST". Here's an example:

The pic on the left indicate what the "symbols" mean:

As you may have noticed, the symbols are sometimes stylistically altered. You can find many different variations on the theme. Typically, homosexuality/lesbianism is inserted as the "e"sometimes. The idea behind this "declaration" applied to the bumper of a car is that if we would all just get along, be patient with one another, and love one another, we would COEXIST in peace and harmony! So, here's the question; "can these various religions/philosophies really COEXIST"?

The answer, of course, is an obvious and emphatic, NO !

Not only is the concept infantile, it also ignores centuries of history, it ignores each groups writings and beliefs, and it assumes, quite incorrectly, that each group is willing to COEXIST peaceably.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but I believe all of Yeshua's Apostles died a horrible death except John. John, of course, was tortured and suffered greatly during his beloved life.

Paul T. McCain, a Lutheran brother, has created a wonderful image of how these "forces" actually affect each other. His blog, CYBERBRETHEREN, shows this relationship in a very humorous way.

When we look at history and today's reality, it becomes quite obvious that only two groups are trying to live in peace and harmony with everyone else. The Jews and Christians are the only ones. Yes, Jews and Christians do have bad examples within their group like all human groups have, but overall and within a historical context these are the only two that make a concerted effort and are willing to come to the aid and assistance of the "weaker" ones.

One comment I've heard recently is that the happiest Muslim living in the Mideast lives in Israel! There is truth in this.

A friend of mine, a Turkish gentleman and a former Muslim now living here once told me; "Tiger, you Christians and the Jews have reform movements in your religion and even with all the problems of your history you continue to endeavor to live in peace and love toward your fellow man. In Islam, all who would be reformers are killed before they can even speak!"

However, it's not just the Islamic terrorist threat but the secular anti-GOD threat that imperils us today.

To press home my point I've collected a series of stories about current events. Please go to each link and read. You will find the articles very enlightening, and again, you'll have to decide which side you're on.

Persecution of Christians on rise – in U.S.

'It is dramatic, I have never seen levels of attacks like these'

 

Survey Documents ‘Religious Hostility’ Across America

A valedictorian denied the right to pray at her high school graduation; a directive that a campus Christian group may not require its leaders to be Christian; senior citizens ordered by city officials to stop praying before their meals; and the U.S. government telling religious institutions they must provide insurance coverage for abortifacients.

 

Muslim Clerics: Kill All Who Insult Islam

 

Military flaunts 'gay marriage' in state where it's illegal

Barack Obama’s presidency-long campaign to expand privileges for same-sex duos, from the right to practice homosexuality openly in the military to his refusal to defend federal law describing marriage as between a man and a woman, may be about to blow up into a controversy, just as the 2012 election reaches its peak.

It’s because the U.S. military apparently has flaunted a same-sex “marriage” that was performed on a military based by a chaplain – in a state where such “unions” are illegal.

 

and,  Military chaplains: Bigotry rampant vs. Christians!

Say true impact of 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal hidden from public

 

Did Obama send a 'gay' ambassador to Libya?

Homosexual behavior punishable by imprisonment in Muslim nation

 

German Court Makes Circumcision for Religious Reasons a Crime

 

American Muslims Stone Christians in Dearborn, Michigan

Police do nothing to protect them

 

Mass murder 'normal' in world without God

Yet, this is what atheists want - a world without God

 

When Tolerance Attacks: The Death Wish Double Standard

If “tolerance” demands respect for diverse viewpoints, why are these self-professed Tolerant People wishing death and destruction upon conservatives who disagree with them?

 

This 1 factor could cut child poverty 82%

A new study released just this week by The Heritage Foundation reveals that one factor alone can reduce by 82 percent the probability that a child lives in poverty – whether Mom and Dad are married to each other.

The 1 forbidden alternate lifestyle
California Gov. Jerry Brown is almost certain to sign into law a bill passed by the legislature that will make it illegal for young homosexuals who want to become heterosexual from choosing psychotherapy.

Affirmed: Study that 'gay' family children more troubled
The University of Texas at Austin says it has investigated and found no evidence of research misconduct in a study that found adult children from “gay” families are “more apt to report being unemployed, less healthy, more depressed, more likely to have cheated on a spouse or partner, smoke more pot, had trouble with the law” than children from traditional mom-and-dad households.

Safe and legal? Abortion kills woman
Report confirms incomplete procedure done at Planned Parenthood

... and last, but not least, at the recent Democrat National Convention, GOD HIMSELF was denied 3 times. Yes, that's right, screaming delegates yelling NO to GOD HIMSELF!

Dems denied God 3 times
 

So, can we COEXIST with evil?

 

BTW folks, this a very tiny sampling of what has been going on in world in the past few weeks. Our societies are getting much, much worse than what these articles indicate. As in the days of Noah, as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah ...

 

The Observer



History Is Repeating Itself - Which Side Are you On?

Richard Rives points out how apostate Christians of today are repeating historical mistakes and denying the Bible's truth.

The Observer

Mistakes Christians Make, Part 1

All of us make mistakes. Those of us who sincerely wish for and desire "peace on earth" and "good will towards men" try very hard to accommodate each other's foibles. We read and understand Romans, Chapter 3. We know that each and everyone of us are sinners and have fallen short, so we sometimes overlook the sin within ourselves and our neighbor.

Yet, the good book says many things! It also says we are to become HOLY. What does the word "HOLY" mean to you? Does it mean we become pious and arrogant? Is a holy person worth more than a non-holy person? Is the holy person a better person?

No, the term "HOLY" is also misunderstood by many Christians. It simply means we are to be set apart, separated from the World. We are to be different than the World, not doing the things the World accepts as "good". Go read 1 Peter, Chapter 2 and you'll see what I mean. Isaiah, Chapter 55 tells us we are to let the wicked go the way they wish and we are NOT to join them.

Some of my friends love to repeat the phrase, "unconditional love" over and over again. It has become a mantra to them. Look up the word, Mantra. It comes from Hinduism. It is a word or formula, as from the Veda, chanted or sung as an incantation or prayer. In Hinduism incantations are seen as magical and powerful. Incantations are also part of black magic and satanic worship.

Open up your e-bibles or look in your indices and search diligently for the word "unconditional". You won't find it! Why? Because Yahovah, YWVH, Yeshua, Jesus, the God of the Universe; never states that love is unconditional! Yet, I know that we've have probably all heard the phrase repeated in our churches and synagogues.

So where does the misunderstanding come from? It comes from a misstatement of scripture! Please notice, I said "misstatement", NOT misinterpretation. The secular understanding of unconditional love denotes that we love each other "without any limitations", that is; we show our love and acceptance of one another regardless of one's outward behavior. I have actually had people say to me, "if we only accepted each other unconditionally, without any judgment on how we behave or think, we would have world peace and all conflict would go away!"

Wow! Not only is that statement illogical, it is childish as well. Who, in their right mind, believes that a mass murderer, terrorist, or child molester would become peaceful and loving because we accept the sin he does with "unconditional love"? Who also, in their right mind, believes that the God of the Universe wants us to remain in our sin? Who actually believes that God accepts our sin?

Here's where the misstatement of scripture comes in to play. Yahovah says in many places in scripture, directly and indirectly, that He wishes ALL of us to be saved and enter into His Kingdom. He does not want any of us to perish. He states that even in our sin, He loves us. Have a look at Matt. Ch. 18, John 3:16, 2 Peter, Ch. 3. A helpful word search is to search on the words, "perish" and "love". You'll get a full days reading out of that one!

Since God is so loving, people naturally assume He turns a blind eye to our sinful natures as well. Keep reading your Bibles, He doesn't accept our sin! Conduct a word search on "sin" and you'll discover that we are to do our utmost to NOT sin! IMO, the phrase, "unconditional love" should not even be used in Judeo-Christian circles.

To say it more succinctly, man has taken the endless love and patience our Savior has for us, even as we are drenched in sin; and turned it into a philosophy of unconditional love for the sin itself. This is completely backwards, folks. We have heard another saying that's closer to the truth; "hate the sin, but love the sinner". You may understand now why I say the "unconditional love" mantra is a "misstatement" of biblical truth, not simply a misinterpretation. Man is trying to make himself feel better about being in the midst of his sin. It won't work folks. We have to be aware of our sin and the sin in others. We can and should fight sin. We can only do it with the help of the Holy Spirit, not on our own!

Here's a good way to think of this. Imagine a hard black vertical line on a graph. This vertical line represents Yahovah's Holiness. Nothing can bypass this line - NOTHING! Our opinions, our conjectures, our sins are represented by angled lines started from the horizontal leaning towards that "hard" vertical centerline of holiness. Eventually, all of the lines we create project up to that line of holiness and cannot pass through! There is no way to get around God's Holiness. God Himself lives by this rule. He has to, otherwise He would not be God. This is why we so much need the patient forgiveness and sacrifice of our LORD. Without Him, we are completely lost! We are lost unless we accept His free gift of grace and do our best to stop sinning, sinners that we are. I am not "preaching" a gospel of "works" here, because our works don't get us into the Kingdom, but the Bible states "faith without works is dead", and "go and sin no more".

It is important at this time to make a point. Judeo-Christianity IS NOT a belief system which endures and prospers in order to make peace with the sin in the World! Have a look at this admonition to the Corinthians:

2Co 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 2Co 6:18 "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.

Part of the reason we misunderstand these kinds of things is because of another mistake we make. We believe and accept what our Priests, Rabbis, and Ministers tell us without verifying in scripture whether they have stated it truthfully or not. When a prospective clergyman attends seminary he is actually undergoing indoctrination in a specific denomination or sect. He is not, necessarily, learning the Bible. He is instead learning the Bible as seen through the filtered vision of his denomination. Ravi Zacharias, the famous modern-day Christian Apologist, has described these groups as, "denominations of abominations", and Ravi is very right in this!

Now, it is not my purpose here to trash your denomination. You have membership in a particular denomination, that's fine by me! Just be careful that you aren't following man. Follow the Bible's teachings, instead. At least one denomination says you must be a vegetarian, for example, yet the Bible says the opposite. Another says prayer to idols is OK, yet the Bible says no. Another actually rewrites the 10 Commandments and makes them man's law, not God's! The Bible calls this Antichrist! Yet another says the Old Testament (the Tanahk) is finished and complete and can be ignored; the New Testament is the only biblical text one should read. This is practically, biblically, spiritually, and logically impossible! The Bible is linked throughout and about 80% of the Re-newed Covenant (the N.T.) is found within the Old!

I will tell you something about myself. I have NEVER been a member of a church or synagogue and I never will! Please be aware, I'm speaking of my own personal doctrine here. I actually believe that it is an insult to Yeshua to join man's organizations! The fact that I belong to that Olive Tree (Romans, Ch. 11), an unnatural branch grafted into it, is good enough for me! Don't misunderstand, please. I attend services on a regular basis. I believe it is important to do so. Support of one's brothers and sisters is crucial, in monetary and spiritual ways!

There is a question I have asked my brother and sister many times over; "Do you believe in man, or do you believe in God?" If one believes in God he also must believe in His Word! And that "Word", as stated in John 1:1 is the TORAH! Where do you think they got the word "Word" from?

... I hope you've enjoyed Part 1 and that it will cause much study, prayer, and thinking. Also please remember, you are not to follow me either! Read your Bible instead! : )

The Observer

Science Is Finally Catching Up w/Scripture!

I like science, always have. My career was in Bridge Engineering. It is my belief that science is a process by which we created humans try to explain God. The fact that science changes it's "facts" over time is simply man's effort at moving closer to the ultimate truth of God (though most scientists are loathe to admit it)!

The Observer

The Hebrew Yeshua vs. The Greek Jesus

An astonishing realization has recently gripped the Christian world: "Jesus Christ" was not a blond-haired, blue-eyed Gentile. Yeshua of Nazareth was raised in an observant Jewish family in a culture where the Torah (five books of Moses) was the National Constitution. Yeshua's teachings, which supposedly form the basis for Western Christianity, are now filtered through 2000 years of traditions born in ignorance of the land, language, and culture of the Bible. The issues over which Yeshua wrestled with the Pharisees are simply not understood by modern Christians; nor are his most important instructions followed by those who claim to be his disciples. Former Pharisee, Nehemia Gordon, a Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and Semitic language expert, explores the ancient Hebrew text of the Gospel of Matthew from manuscripts long hidden away in the archives of Jewish scribes. Gordon's research reveals that the more "modern" Greek text of Matthew, from which the Western world's versions were translated, depicts "another Jesus" from the Yeshua portrayed in the ancient Hebrew version of Matthew. Gordon explains the life-and-death conflict Yeshua had with the Pharisees as they schemed to grab the reins of Judaism in the first century, and brings that conflict into perspective for both Jew and Christian alike.

... well worth the two hours, folks! Looks good in full screen. BTW, the above by-line is from Nehemia Gordon.

The Observer

You See Folks, It Really Does Matter Who's Side You're On

The Observer

Jesus Doesn't Change His Mind

The following is a direct transcript of Joseph Farah's article on WorldNetDaily.  His accompanying video of the same can be found in the article link.  As I have stated before, this issue is not really political - it is spiritual, but the President of the United States has just made it political, he has made it something to be used as a fundraiser.

(... begin Farah's article)

Jesus Doesn't Change His Mind
Exclusive: Joseph Farah sets Obama straight on biblical stance on homosexuality

How do I put this politely?

Barack Obama has added blasphemy to his many egregious offenses by suggesting he has changed his mind for the third time in his life on the completely sinful concept of same-sex marriage after studying the teachings of Jesus.

Last week he decided he was for it after being against it since 2004 when he ran for president. But in 1996 he was for it. Yet, he had to be against it sometime before that because the concept of same-sex marriage wasn’t even on the radar screens of radicals like Obama much before the mid-’90s.

That makes four different positions on same-sex marriage in a span of 17 years.

That’s some serious flip-flopping – all of which coincided with political races he was running.

But we’re to believe he’s come to this fourth position after studying the teachings of Jesus.

This is a difficult concept because Jesus taught the opposite – that marriage was intended as a lifelong institution for one man and one woman. And, unlike Obama, Jesus never changed His mind.

In Matthew 19: 4-6, Jesus said, ” … Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

Not only has man put asunder individual marriages, but Obama now seeks openly – in the name of Jesus – to put asunder the entire concept of marriage.

(... the following is a quote from President Obama)

“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama said in an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

You mean our military personnel are fighting on his behalf – not the nation’s? This is the kind of arrogance we’ve all become familiar with during the Obama era. It’s all about him.

Now let’s examine Obama’s biblical rational for his flip-flopping:

“This is something that, you know, we’ve talked [He and Michelle] about over the years and she, you know, she feels the same way, she feels the same way that I do. And that is that, in the end the values that I care most deeply about and she cares most deeply about is how we treat other people and, you know, I, you know, we are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others but, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated. And I think that’s what we try to impart to our kids and that’s what motivates me as president and I figure the most consistent I can be in being true to those precepts, the better I’ll be as a as a dad and a husband and hopefully the better I’ll be as president.”

Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross for humanity’s sins – which include homosexuality, according unambiguously to both the Old Testament and the New Testament. So what exactly does the atonement have to do with Obama’s shifting views on what the Bible deems an “abomination”?

Mind you, just the practice of homosexuality is an abomination, according to Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 23:13. Romans 1:26-27 show this view did not change after Jesus’ death and resurrection. But what Obama is advocating is something more than just the practice of an “abomination” and a “vile practice.” He’s also promoting the profaning of marriage, an institution Jesus said was created by God in the Garden of Eden.

As for the Golden Rule, Jesus never suggested or hinted that we should condone sin in others because we would want them to condone it in us. That’s what I would characterize as a complete distortion of the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule was meant to bring people closer to God, not make them feel comfortable in their sin. The most loving thing any believer can do for a homosexual or other sinner is to confront them on their sin – to make them feel uncomfortable.

But what do you expect from biblical exegesis from Barack Obama? He sat at the feet of one Jeremiah Wright for more than 20 years – a raving psychopath in clerical garb.

Jesus doesn’t change his mind, but Obama surely does – over and over and over again.

(end of Farah's article)

Folks!  Are you on the side of man or the side of God?  It's a simple question.  All of us have sin in our lives but are we supposed to parade it around and glorify it or are we supposed to deny it and try our best to not sin again?  Which side are you on?

The Observer

Who Was the First "Leftist"?

Do you rebel against God? Do you deny God? Do you deny God's right to establish Law, define Sin, and enact Judgment? Do you deny God's Torah (Word)?

If you do these things you have friends. They are presented in this video, Who Was the First Leftist.

The Observer

The Word: Inherit

Over the years I've had many discussions with friends and family concerning whether or not we must do something to "enter into the Kingdom of Heaven", to "inherit", to literally become an heir to the Kingdom.

Predictably, someone will state that we can do nothing to earn our "reward"; it is a free gift, they say.  Of course, I point out to them that this biblical concept applies to the Grace of God, His free gift which is offered to us, which we must decide to accept or cast off.  This gift continues to mature in our lives after freely accepting it, if we don't ignore it, that is!  In fact, 2 Peter 3:18 admonishes us "to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord". This "growing" is a verb requiring action!  The very acceptance of the gift is an action.

To this day, I'm still surprised when people argue that Yeshua's grace means we can continue to live our lives as we did before accepting the free gift, thereby making grace a license to go on sinning. (Read the Book of Jude)  Or, people advocate man's doctrine of "once saved, always saved".  Here's a very good commentary on that falsehood.

Daniel 12:4 mentions the increase in knowledge during the end times.  It's no stretch to argue that computer technology has helped fulfill this prophecy in a huge way!  With this in mind, I did a search in the B'rit Hadashah (New Testament) on the word "inherit".  (NKJV used)  This blog entry is lengthy, but I think you'll enjoy it.

Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.  - Hopefully, by now everyone knows that words in italics means that the translators added the word, ostensibly to make the sentence more readable and understandable.  (the word "are")  My blog is set up to publish in italics so you should look up this verse for yourself, as with all of these quoted verses.  I am not a teacher or minister.  This blog is for open Bible study, commentary, and discussion.  I fully expect you to study for yourself!

This verse is so misunderstood!  It does not mean we are to be quiet, mild, and agreeable victims.  It literally means the people who are meek to Adonai (the Master, the Lord) will inherit the new heaven and the new earth mentioned in Revelation.  We have to consider and acknowledge, just what in our lives, are we "worshipping" more than the LORD and be "meek" enough to change.  Are we willing to humble ourselves and change because of our love for Him?  This takes action on our part!  It is something we must actively seek and do!

Matt. 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. - Even if those close to you deny God and life reaches a point where it's them or God - you choose God!

The next one requires more context so it will be more lengthy.

... beginning  Matt 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'  "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' 

"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'  "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'  Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'

... ending Matt. 25:46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Can anyone truly say that behaving like a goat or sheep really doesn't matter?  Do you understand the imagery here?  Can we say that God's grace, sufficient though it is, does not require us to take action and behave better than the goats?  Does it take effort and action to be better than a goat?  Can we continue to live as we once did before accepting God's free gift of grace, or must we engage ourselves in a process of change for the better?

... beginning Mark 10:17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.  You know the commandments: 'DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,' 'DO NOT MURDER,' 'DO NOT STEAL,' 'DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,' 'Do not defraud,' 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.'"  And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."  Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."  But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"  And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"

... ending Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

This wonderful passage is one of my favorites!  Notice that Yeshua, even in his chastisement of the person, "loves him".  God and His Holy Spirit, His Ruach HaKodesh, convicts us to do better, to take action!  Some people use this text to condemn riches of any sort.  This, of course, is foolishness.  Ask Solomon (Shlomo) if the LORD granted him riches!  This text is all about what we do with our wealth.  Do we share it?  Do we use it to help others?  Yeshua looked into this man's heart and saw his love for possessions.  He was placing them above God.  This subject requires additional commentary.

Man tries his best to supplant and replace the worship of the One true God.  Nimrod tried it.  He was the leader of the known world at that time.  He supplanted the true worship with sun god worship.  He created a system which controlled money, government, and worship.  The control was in his hands, not God's.  Nebuchadnezzar did the same.  Rome, Hitler, Stalin; history is replete with examples.  Today this man-made control is called socialism, communism, one-world government, wealth redistribution, political correctness, "fairness", and yes, Churchianity!  (Read 1 Timothy, Ch. 5 to see how poor widows and single women were to conduct themselves) (the false teaching that Yeshua did not want the poor to work for themselves is a modern-day lie)  As the above Scripture states, we are to help those truly in need, not those that simply wish to be a burden on others due to their own sin and vice.

Also, If one thing is clear from reading your Bible it should be that God does not force worship!  You and I have the free will and right to accept or deny His free offer and our devotion and love towards Him!  Forced worship comes from Satan!

Luke 10:25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND,' and 'YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'"  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  Luke 10:29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Yeshua then goes into the good Samaritan story for the benefit of this self-serving "lawyer".  BTW, the term lawyer here means, teacher of the Law (Torah), a Levite, most likely a Pharisee.  These folks despised and hated Samaritans.  Obviously, the "good Samaritan" is the hero in this parable, pointing out the "lawyers" hypocrisy.  Jesus purposefully went against man's created rules and "religion".  Do we do the same?  Do you question your denomination's views and square them with the Bible?  Or, do you just accept what man tells you?  This takes effort, folks - and action!

Luke 18:18 - similar to Mark 10:17.  Have you noticed that the four gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have much of the same history contained in them but are told from different men's perspectives?  It's a must to be well-versed in ALL four gospels to get the full picture.

1 Cor. 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

How can it be any clearer folks?  BTW, you should read this entire chapter.  Being under grace does not mean we can keep on sinning.  So much for folks who think the Big 10 are dead and nailed to the cross!  Your actions and behavior DO MATTER!  Yes, there are things we must do to inherit the Kingdom.  We must control our vices.  Listen please, if you're a person who disagrees with the quoted verse, then you have a disagreement with Yeshua, not me.  I'm just a sinner like you!  However, I happen to agree with the quoted verse and do my best to live by it.

1 Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  1 Cor. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

God only has the ability to change us from corrupted, mortal flesh to uncorrupted immortal.

Gal 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Another one of my favorites!  Many will use this statement in Galatians to argue "we are not under the Law and never will be".  But, is this what this statement really means?  If I'm driving through a school zone marked for a 20 mph speed, and I'm driving 20 mph (led by the Spirit), then I do not come under the school zone speeding law (because I haven't broken it).  If I drive over 20 mph I come under the law because I have just broken it.  If I drive carefully on Monday, but then get careless on Wednesday; oops! - I'm guilty!  This is how sin is.  Is their anyone out there who has kept the Law perfectly throughout his entire life?  No, didn't think so.  There has only been one, Yeshua our Messiah.  The "unblemished Lamb".  The only one who is worthy.

The Law has never been done away with.  The school zone law is still on the books for those who break it.  Sin is the transgression of the Law.  The Law will always be there, whether you believe it or not!

... sorry, I had to quote the whole chapter on the next one!

Heb. 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.  For to which of the angels did He ever say: "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"? And again: "I WILL BE TO HIM A FATHER, AND HE SHALL BE TO ME A SON"?  But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM."  And of the angels He says: "WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS SPIRITS AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE."  But to the Son He says: "YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER; A SCEPTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF YOUR KINGDOM.  YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS MORE THAN YOUR COMPANIONS."  And: "YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS.  THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY WILL ALL GROW OLD LIKE A GARMENT; LIKE A CLOAK YOU WILL FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT FAIL."  But to which of the angels has He ever said: "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, TILL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR FOOTSTOOL"?

Heb. 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

What does it mean to hate LAWLESSNESS?  It means to hate that which is without Torah, the Law!

Heb. 6:11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Sounds like work doesn't it?  For we are judged by our works! (conduct a word search in the N.T. on "deed" and "work")

Heb. 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

Heb. 12:17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Our sorrow and tears for sinning must not simply be tears reflecting our sense of guilt just from being caught.  The repentance must be heart-felt and true contriteness.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.  For "HE WHO WOULD LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, LET HIM REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.  LET HIM TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; LET HIM SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

1 Peter 3:12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS; BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."

Indeed, these are things we must DO!

Rev. 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

For me and mine, it is without any doubt I can say, there are things we must do to inherit the Kingdom of God.

The Observer

Do You Celebrate Easter or Passover?  Early Christians celebrated Passover.  So did Yeshua!  Would you rather pay homage to a pagan fertility goddess or to God?  It's your decision!

(Video is in HD - looks good in full screen)

The Observer

U.S. State Department Refuses To Acknowledge Jerusalem as Capital of Israel

The Obama Administration continues it's visceral hatred of everything Israeli.  Are they anti-Semitic?  Folks, this sort of thing is disgusting.  This is the equivalent of spitting in the face of every Jew, Christian, and Israeli.

You know, on second thought it doesn't matter that the U.S. Government won't acknowledge the capital of Israel.  God does!  And He is much more powerful than the U.S.!

The Observer

A Website Worth Visiting

My vocation has been one steeped in science and engineering.  As such I'm a firm believer in the scientific method.  However, there is a difference between practical (applied) science used in bridge design, for example, and theoretical science, used by egg-heads at universities.  My problem with the latter is that they almost always get it wrong!  Of course, this is how science works.  You postulate an hypothesis, experiment properly, obtain results - adjust your hypothesis!

(At least, it's supposed to work that way!  Unless the scientist has a political agenda - like global warming!)

When we argue about creation vs. science you'll find me on the side of the Creationists.  Not because I don't believe in science, but because, as I said earlier, the scientists keep getting it wrong!  After all, it's hard for scientists to admit God knows more than they do!  : )

Creation Moments is a website created by scientists, to argue scientifically for a Creator.  It's a wonderful site and I highly recommend it.  You can sign up for their newsletter.  Here's a sample:

Today's Creation Moment

Abortion and the Mother's Mental Health

Over the past several years, scientific studies of women have shown that those who have had abortions increase their risks of infertility, breast cancer and other problems. Now, a study released by the Population Research Institute reveals a whole new category of risks associated with abortion.

The researchers learned that among girls from 15 to 18, pregnant or not, for those who have had an abortion, the chance of major depression rises from 31 percent to 78 percent. The same pattern appeared for anxiety, where, for young girls who had had an abortion, the likelihood of anxiety neuroses was doubled. The pattern also showed a doubled rate of thoughts of suicide for girls who had had an abortion as compared with those who became pregnant but had not had an abortion. A similar study of women in New Zealand had the same results. Two studies by the Elliot Institute showed that women who had an abortion were three times as likely as those who had not to be plagued with anxiety and to abuse drugs.

These studies show scientifically that it is time to stop accepting the mental health of the mother as justification for abortion. Researchers find that abortion causes mental health problems; it does not prevent them. More than this, of course, abortion is contrary to God's will because it takes a life.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for the gift of life, and I ask that You would turn people's hearts to treasure life. Amen.

Notes:

Population Research Institute, 20 January 2006, Vol. 8, No. 3

Joseph A. D'Agostino, "Why Think Abortion Good for Anyone?"

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Obama - The Anti-Israel President

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The 10 Biggest Lies About Jesus - Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of the series.  Again, I would like to express my thanks to Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, as this blog entry is inspired by his message.

If you haven't read Part 1 you may wish to do so first.  It's located here.

... continuing; I have decided to combine the next 3 lies into one section as they are so closely related.

Lie Number 4 - Jesus Christ is the God of Christianity

Lie Number 5 - Jesus Began a New Religion Called Christianity

Lie Number 6 - Jesus Never Claimed to be the Messiah

Revelation Ch. 11 gives us a very stark picture of two witnesses.  Many theologians have claimed to decipher who these two are.  Some believe they are actual people, testifying in a street, who will ultimately be cut down - killed!  Still others see them as purely symbolic.

For me, the best expressions of who these two are go something like this;  they are Elijah and Moses, the Old and New Testaments,  or my favorite - Jew and Gentile.  You see, I believe spiritual, biblical events happen over time throughout history.  I tend to be an Historicist instead of a Futurist, so it makes good sense to me that Yeshua (Jesus) is presented in both the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the B'rit Hadashah (New Testament) by the Old and New Covenants, by the Old and New Priesthood (Aaronic and Mel'chizedek - although Melchi'zedek has been there all along!).

A Jewish person has trouble with this idea.  He looks at the Torah and sees the One True God.  He cannot accept God becoming human, a child who became God, and a God that splits into 3 persons; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

The truth we "Christians" know is that Jesus the Christ is Yeshua Ha'Mashiach - Jesus the Messiah!  He is not the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christ, as the old joke goes!

Jewish children are taught early on that God is One and there is no other god.  They sing and/or recite the Shema.  Christians are taught that God is one also, although I've personally met Christians who seem confused by this. Yeshua the Messiah (God) is the same yesterday, today and forever, as it states in the N.T. (Heb. 13:8)  Where does this come from?  The "Shema"!  From Deut. 6:4-9:

Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Eh-lo-hay-noo Adonai eh-chahd,

(Ba-rooch shame k'vode mahl-choo-toe l'oh-lahm vah-ed)

Hear, O Israel!  The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

(Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom for all eternity.)

(Note: the second sentence is usually a liturgical response)

Deut. 6:4  "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

Deut. 6:5  "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deut. 6:6  "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

Deut. 6:7  "You shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up.

Deut. 6:8  "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead.

Deut. 6:9  "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

And it is also customary to recite Lev. 19:18:

V'ah-hav-ta l'ray-ah-cha ka-moe-cha

And you should love your neighbor as yourself

Here is a short video singing the first two lines of the Shema.

BTW, the admonition to "Hear, O Israel" means more than just "listen"!  It means, "to understand and obey"!  From the point of view of the B'rit Hadashah there is no problem here, nor, I would argue, from the Tanakh!  Yeshua proclaimed himself God and Messiah (Matthew 26:63-64) (John 8) (John 10) (Matthew 16:15-17).  The Tanakh speaks of the Messiah in many places; Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Psalm, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Micah, Zechariah, Malachai - the list goes on and on!

Look at Jeremiah 31:1-14, for example, for it describes the New Covenant with the Messiah!

 Another point is the use of "3"s everywhere in the Tanakh.  Jewish scholars don't always understand why "3"s are used, but we know why - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Look at Isaiah 6:1-3.

Isaiah 6:1  In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.

Isaiah 6:2  Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  (3 wings on each side)

Isaiah 6:3  And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."  (3 "Holy"s)

Now... look at Rev. 4:8,

Rev. 4:8  And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME."

Wow!  Folks, Yeshua IS NOT a "made up" God of Christianity! He DID NOT create a new religion (although some Christians even make that mistake)!  He DID claim to be the Messiah and God HIMSELF!

One of the reasons, I think, that some Christians get this "oneness" of God wrong, is incorrect teaching from their Priests and Pastors.  Look at this passage from Romans 8:34:

Romans 8:34  Who punishes them? Certainly not the Messiah Yeshua, who died and — more than that — has been raised, is at the right hand of God and is actually pleading on our behalf!

Several passages in the New Testament speak of Yeshua being, "at the right hand of God".  Some people envision a set of 3 thrones in heaven; one for the Father, one for the Son, one for the Holy Spirit.  This, of course, is absurd!  There is only One God!

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... coming next,

- Jesus Taught Against the Law of Moses

- Jesus Did Not Fufill the Messianic Prophecies In the Tanakh (Old Testament)

- Jewish People Do Not Need Jesus for Salvation

- The Jewish Identity of Jesus is Meaningless Because He's Spirit Only